PESHAWAR, March 19: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Monday announced to approve the Rs40 million improvement and beautification of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar and install floodlights in the stadium, saying it will be made part of the next Annual Developmental Programme.

He was speaking as the chief guest during the final match of the 'Inter-Academy IGP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cricket Tournament' organised by the Malik Saad Memorial Trust at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium.

Havelian team won the tournament by defeating Peshawar team. A total of 14 teams participated in the tournament. The chief minister distributed prizes among players and team officials.

Provincial sports minister Aqil Shah, provincial minister Hidayatullah, MPA Amjid Aziz Malik, Malik Saad Memorial Trust representatives, team officials, players and a large number of spectators were also in attendance.

Mr Hoti approved the holding of football tournament at provincial level and said the tournament should be named after former superintendent of police Abdul Kalam Khan. He said loss and win was part of the game and sportsman spirit was central to sports.He later told journalists that like every Pakistani, he, too, wished that the country's national team should perform well and that people should support it under all circumstances.

The chief minister said sports had importance for any society, especially for youth, and due to the current terrorism crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sports and recreational activities needed to be boost up and more and more facilities were to be provided to the youth.

Also in the day, the chief minister chaired a high-level meeting regarding Torghar development and said all possible steps would be taken for provision of basic life needs and facilities to people of the district on their doorsteps.

Provincial minister from Torghar Nimroz Khan, chief secretary and senior relevant officials were in attendance.

Demands presented by jirga members were reviewed in detail during the meeting and important decisions were taken.

Mr Hoti approved construction of a bridge on the Indus river at the cost of Rs6 million and said it would facilitate people of Torghar, Buner, Swat, Swabi and Hazara, improving their economic conditions.

He said revolutionary steps would be taken for addressing Torghar backwardness.

The Hazara commissioner highlighted people's problems and development schemes in the area.