ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif restored all departmental sports in the country on Thursday to encourage young talent and pave the way for the financial prosperity of the athletes. 

According to the details, PM Shehbaz announced to revoke the ban on departmental sports during a ceremony held in honour of medal-winning athletes of recently held international events.

PM had promised to reinstate the departments during his address to the nation after assuming office in April.

“I am lifting the ban on departmental sports, as it will increase competition. It will provide an opportunity to national male and female athletes to showcase their talents and skills,” he said.

Restoration of departmental sports was one of the pressing demands by the young athletes as thousands of players were left jobless with the ban which asked public departments, corporations and autonomous bodies to stop the funding to sports teams in 30 different disciplines.

PM also distributed cash prizes among the medal-winning athletes including Arshad Nadeem and Nooh Dastagir Butt, who won gold medals in the recently concluded  Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham.

Speaking on the occasion, PM stated that Pakistani sportsmen had made the nation proud with their inspirational achievements in the Commonwealth Games and Islamic Solidarity Games.

Furthermore, he claimed that steps would also be taken to hold sporting events at college and university levels to encourage the students to get involved in healthy activities.

READ: Mubashir downs Sharjeel to win SAG Snooker League 2022-23