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ISLAMABAD, 15 August (BelTA - APP) - Pakistan’s sporting heroes, whose
feats have raised the country’s stature on the global stage, have
expressed a shared pledge to take Pakistan to new heights in the world
of sports. Across cricket pitches, hockey fields, squash courts,
boxing rings and Olympic arenas, these icons have not only brought home
medals and trophies but also inspired the generations to come.
Former hockey great, Khawaja Junaid while congratulating the nation on the Independence Day underlined the need to focus on grassroots to revive the national game of hockey.
“Our
future in hockey lies in our youth,” said Junaid, who has recently been
appointed as focal person on Sports for Prime Minister’s Youth
Programme.
“We need to invest in our young players, giving them the
training and resources they need to shine on the global stage. On this
Independence Day, I pledge to work towards nurturing the next generation
of hockey stars,” added Khawaja, who also runs a hockey academy.
We should make
our country a strong and powerful nation.” He expressed his gratitude
to the country, saying, “This country has given me everything; this is
my identity.”
Former World Squash
Champion Qamar Zaman said, “Pakistan has given us a lot. This is the
time to work together to take our beloved country forward.”
He urged
the need to celebrate Independence Day with a renewed resolve to make
sacrifices for the country’s safety, survival and security.
Former squash player Amir Atlas said, “Pakistan is our
beloved country, and our forefathers sacrificed a lot to have a separate
homeland. We should value our freedom.”
He wished all Pakistanis a ‘Happy Independence Day’, saying, “Pakistan Zindabad! (Long Live Pakistan).”
“I wish all Pakistanis a very Happy Independence Day! Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Chairman Syed Sultan Shah said sports unite countries. There is no scarcity of talent in our country. We will have to identify this talent and polish it to earn laurels at the international level. The words and commitments of these legends offer a powerful reminder of the nation’s potential. Their voices, filled with pride and determination, inspire hope that the future of sports in Pakistan can indeed be brighter than its illustrious past.