LAHORE: The inter-divisional phase of Khelta Punjab Games opened with a colourful inaugural ceremony at the Punjab Stadium on Thursday.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the gala. Contingents of all divisions of Punjab presented march-past to the chief guest, with police band playing popular tunes.

The five-day competitions in the disciplines of hockey, cricket, wrestling, kabaddi, badminton, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo and others will end on Feb 3.

Over 2,200 men and women athletes were delighted when the chief minister announcedelectric bike for each of them.

The CM hailed the presence of Arshad Nadeem and Aisamul Haq at the ceremony.

Earlier, the sports minister urged the chief minister to fix some marks for the athletes in their academic examinations on sports basis.

Surprisingly, the sports minister did not demand increase in the annual grants of the Sports Board Punjab whose employees are not getting their salaries on a regular basis.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2025