Shakeel Ur Rehman
Adviser to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sports, Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand, has said that encouraging sports journalists is essential because if they do not cover sporting events, the competitions lose much of their value. He emphasized that sports journalists have played a vital role in projecting the positive image of the province through sports. By reporting positive stories, journalists inspire boys and girls and help create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and healthy competition.
He expressed these views while addressing an awards ceremony organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Writers Association to honor sports journalists. The event was attended by AIPS ASIA Secretary General and President Pakistan Sports Writers Federation Amjad Aziz Malik, Additional Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Asghar Sorani, Regional Sports Officer Ahmad Zaman, KP Sports Writers Association President Asim Shiraz, journalists, and officials from the Sports Department.
On the occasion, awards were presented to journalists associated with print, electronic, and digital media.
Taj Muhammad Tarand in his address said that the Sports Department continues to take practical measures for the promotion of sports. In recent months, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under-21 Games were organized, featuring around 5,000 male and female athletes from across the province. In Chitral, opportunities were provided to both male and female athletes to showcase their talents in ice hockey. For the first time, the Merged Districts Games were organized in Khyber, while girls from the merged districts were given the opportunity to participate in a skiing event at Malam Jabba.
He added that Inter-Madrassa Games, Minority Games, Games for Persons with Disabilities, and Transgender Games had also been successfully conducted. The National Junior Championship is currently underway in Peshawar, attracting athletes from all over the country. Traditional games have also been organized in Swabi, Haripur, and Mardan. According to him, the objective of these competitions is to provide positive recreational opportunities for people of all ages and enable young athletes to showcase their talent.
The Sports Adviser further stated that the National T20 Cricket Championship was held in Peshawar after a gap of 20 years. A Pakistan Super League (PSL) match had also been scheduled for Peshawar, but due to the prevailing situations in Afghanistan, the United States, and Iran, the matches were confined to Lahore and Karachi.
He expressed hope that more PSL matches would be hosted in Peshawar next year. He reiterated that the government is taking steps to promote every sport.
Addressing the ceremony, Amjad Aziz Malik, President of the Pakistan Sports Writers Federation, said that 41 years ago he founded the Sports Writers Association along with Rashid Javed, Shariq Khan, Ghulam Murtaza, Islam Gul, and James William. As he prepares for retirement after four decades of service, he expressed satisfaction that sports journalists from the province have brought recognition to Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the global stage and have played a constructive role in the promotion of sports through quality reporting.
Amjad Aziz Malik remarked that his journey of more than four decades in sports journalism has been memorable and unforgettable.
KP Sports Writers Association President Asim Shiraz said that he had worked side by side with his leader, Amjad Aziz Malik, to lead the provincial association toward success.
He urged Sports Directorate officials not to overlook sports journalists when honoring athletes with awards and recognition.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand distributed awards among sports journalists.
Amjad Aziz Malik was also presented with a special trophy in recognition of his outstanding services and contributions to sports journalism.
