Provincial Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar formally inaugurated five padel tennis courts equipped with modern international-standard facilities, constructed by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Lahore.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sports Secretary Fazal-ur-Rehman, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, Sports Coordinator Malik Anoush Khokhar, President Punjab Padel Tennis Association Mansoor Ali Khan, Juggan Kazim, Deputy Director Zahoor Ahmed, PM Sports officials, as well as sports personalities, players and coaches.
Speaking to the media at the inauguration ceremony, Provincial Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that sports infrastructure in Punjab was being brought in line with modern requirements. He said the modern courts for padel tennis were an important milestone for the promotion and development of the sport in Punjab.
He said that of the five modern padel tennis courts, one had been constructed according to international standards and could be used in the future to host world-level padel tennis competitions, while the other four courts would be available for national competitions, player training and practice.
Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that approximately Rs1.2 billion had been spent on the construction of the modern padel tennis courts. Sitting areas and other necessary facilities had also been provided for the convenience of players and spectators.
The Provincial Sports Minister said the Punjab government did not want to limit sports to specific disciplines but was also focusing on promoting modern and emerging sports alongside traditional sports. Padel tennis is rapidly gaining popularity among young people, and the provision of modern facilities would give Punjab’s youth better opportunities to advance in the sport.
He said the usage rates for the padel tennis courts were being kept very reasonable so that maximum numbers of young people, students, players and ordinary citizens could benefit from the facility.
Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar further said that following the establishment of modern padel tennis courts in Lahore, the inauguration of padel tennis courts in Sialkot would also take place very soon. The provision of facilities to promote the sport in other cities of Punjab was also being reviewed.
Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said the modern padel tennis courts would prove to be an important centre for the development of the sport in Punjab, and national and international-level competitions would also be held there in the future.
He further said that under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, various initiatives were underway in the province to promote sports, build modern sports infrastructure and provide maximum sporting opportunities to young people. The Punjab government’s vision was to make world-class facilities available to the youth of Punjab in their own cities so that they could bring honour to Pakistan at national and international levels.
Speaking to the media, President Punjab Padel Tennis Association Mansoor Ali Khan said the launch of the modern padel tennis courts would help new talent emerge. He thanked the Punjab government and Provincial Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar for the initiative.
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