The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Writers Association, in collaboration with the AIPS Asia and Pakistan Sports Writers Federation, celebrated World Sports Journalists Day in Peshawar.
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A cake was also cut on the occasion to mark the 100th anniversary of AIPS. The Chief Guest of the event was the Advisor on Sports to the Chief Minister, Syed Fakhar Jahan.
The event was attended by cricketer Mohammad Rizwan, former world squash champion Qamar Zaman, AIPS Asia Secretary Amjad Aziz Malik, former President of Peshawar Press Club M. Riaz, President of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Writers Association Asim Shiraz, former Olympian Rahim Khan, President of Pakistan Cycling Federation Syed Azhar Ali Shah, former President of Peshawar District Cricket Association Asghar Ali Khan, former MPA Dr. Zakir Shah, athletes, organizers, special athletes, sports journalists, and people from various walks of life.
The international day was celebrated with the commitment to enhance the capacity of sports journalists to curb fake news amid the rise of social media. Workshops and seminars will be organised for this purpose. Syed Fakhar Jahan congratulated sports journalists and AIPS and stated that sports journalists play a significant role in promoting sports and the welfare of athletes. Journalists work positively to introduce the province and its athletes at national and international levels.
He mentioned that inter-provincial games and talent hunt programmes will be organised, a horse show will be held, riding clubs and sports fields are being built, and Hayatabad Sports Complex has been completed. Minor works in Qayyum Sports Complex will be finished soon, and four sports complexes in merged districts are nearing completion, with an inauguration expected in September. A cricket talent hunt programme will be conducted at the school level, and support will be provided to athletes playing domestically and internationally. Athletes will receive monthly stipends, and efforts will be made to nurture and bring talent to the forefront. Cricket matches will be organised between assembly members, bureaucrats, Peshawar Club members, and the Information Department. Matches for transgender individuals will also be organised.
Cricketer Mohammad Rizwan appreciated the role that sports journalists play for the country and nation regardless of criticism. He emphasised that those who cannot tolerate criticism cannot succeed and that sports should not be entangled with politics and prejudice. Playing for the country is the top priority, and everyone should strive to move the country forward.
Amjad Aziz Malik stated that alongside sports, efforts are being made for the welfare of sports journalists. The athletes from this province have brought international recognition to the country. Measures will be taken to control fake news to ensure that no false reports harm athletes and organisers. Rahim Khan praised the role of journalists associated with the sports sector and said that while athletes have performed, journalists have presented their achievements to the world. He suggested that sports halls should be named after athletes who have brought glory to the country. National teams are incomplete without athletes from this province.
