Ashrafuddin Pirzada
PESHAWAR: Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Sarmad Salim on Thursday inaugurated a sports ground in the Nekabad village of Regi Lalma to engage youth in healthy activities, combat social evils, and fight against narcotics use in society.
A large number of local elders, sports lovers, youth, officials and local government representatives attended the opening ceremony.
DC Peshawar provided sports kits and other stuff to players of volleyball and badminton, urging them to work hard and keep the Pakistani flag high in the world.
Speaking to Fata Voice News Agency, Sarmad Salim thanked the land owner Shahin Shah Afridi for providing free land for the sports ground. He said that it was the real social work that the land owner without any economical interest provided free land for five years. He said the sports festival features volleyball and badminton competitions, providing local youth with a platform to showcase their talent.
DC Peshawar said they have targeted to build 100 sports grounds for different games in Peshawar district. He added that so far, they have built 32 sports grounds in the past few months, and work for facilitation was underway with the land owners to provide land for the rest of the grounds.
Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Salim highlighted the significance of such initiatives in keeping the younger generation away from negative influences. He stressed that youth engagement in sports helps prevent drug addiction and other social evils while promoting discipline and teamwork.
The sports gala aims to bring positive change in society by encouraging healthy competition. Organizers believe that such events would not only nurture young talent but also create awareness about the importance of physical activities in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
DC Peshawar also shared that the administration has launched a five-year sports development plan, under which 32 sports grounds have already been established in the district. He further revealed that the goal is to expand the number to 100 sports facilities across Peshawar to provide greater opportunities for youth.
Haji Shahin Shah, while speaking at the event, reaffirmed his commitment to promoting sports at the grassroots level. He appreciated the district administration’s efforts and assured continued support in providing free spaces and facilities for local athletes.
Haji Shahin Shah Afridi said it was his moral duty of him to coordinate with the goverment and help youth to motivate them towards healthy activities. He said that at the request of former district member Asad Khan Shinwari and the deputy commissioner of Peshawar, he provided a piece of land for youth sports.
Afridi said he and his team would work to ensure maximum participation from the community to fight against narcotics and all kinds of social evils.
