Staff Report
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, has reiterated his government’s commitment to promoting sports and nurturing the province’s talented youth, saying that investment in athletes is already yielding promising results at both national and international levels.
Addressing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Heroes Awards ceremony held at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar, on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said the province’s young athletes are brimming with potential and it is the government’s duty to provide them with the opportunities they deserve. The event was organised by the provincial Sports Department and attended by cabinet members Syed Fakhar Jehan, Pakhtoon Yar Khan, and Major (retd) Muhammad Sajjad, along with members of the provincial assembly, sports officials, athletes, and their families.
The Chief Minister noted that his administration had begun investing in sports infrastructure and talent development soon after assuming office. “The victories achieved by KP athletes in various competitions at home and abroad reflect the positive outcome of our efforts,” he remarked.
He announced that athletes achieving excellence at the national level are being awarded monthly stipends of Rs25,000, while gold medalists at international events will now receive Rs50,000 per month. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister distributed awards among athletes who secured top positions in national and international competitions, and also handed out stipend cheques to winners of the 2024 Quaid-e-Azam Interprovincial Games.
Terming the event a gesture of encouragement and recognition, Ali Amin Gandapur said the awardees are a source of pride for the province. “These athletes have elevated the name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on both national and international stages,” he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the province’s historic contributions to various sports disciplines and said the government is upgrading existing infrastructure to meet international standards. He added that work is under way to establish sports grounds at the tehsil level to ensure wider access to training and competitive facilities.
In an inspirational message to the athletes, Ali Amin said that sports foster resilience and a competitive spirit. “Winning and losing are both part of the game. An athlete either wins or learns,” he said, emphasizing the importance of not just technique and fitness, but mental strength as well. Quoting former Prime Minister Imran Khan, he added: “The one who accepts defeat is the one who loses. The one who refuses to give up always wins.”
