By Raja Asad Ali Khan
The first ever Chief minister Punjab Pink Games 2024 were held in Lahore under the auspices of Directorate General of Sports and youth affairs Department government of the Punjab. The mega event  was well participated by over 1200  emerging women athletics from 19 different  Universities of Punjab which kicked off on 2nd of May and enthusiastically  played till 5th of May. The games which were contested in seven disciplines in pursuance of top honors were played at Nishter Park sports Complex Lahore.
The Show piece of the whole  event was its grand and glamorous opening ceremony which was  professionally organized and managed , the  memorable landmark function was held  on the 2nd of May under profusely illuminated Punjab Stadium. The Chief minister of Punjab Maryam Nazwaz was the chief guest, whose affable presence incited the morale of the female youth throughout the opening event.
The Punjab CM continuously encouraged the future sports stars by extending warm gestures of appreciations besides waving and applauding the Athletics. The pleasurable atmosphere continuous till the end, before leaving CM Punjab went downstairs to meet the large mob of cheering participating athletics, She warmly exchange pleasantries  and further  allow them to have  selfies photos with herself.
The inaugural ceremony was organized under traditional Olympics pattern, the participating female   players from all over Punjab introduced themselves to the Chief guest during a colorful and Impressive March past. The Punjab minister for Sports Faisal Ayub Khokhar  made an impressive welcome speech followed by traditional torch Rally by well known sports women of National Fame, the torch went to the  designated place before it was symbolically handed over by LCUW athletic Amutul Rehman  to CM Punjab Maryum  Nawaz who held it for some moments  before passing  it over to LCUW International foot ball player Anmol Hira who passed the torch for its final destination to Pakistan’s Ex. Taekwondo black Belt international Shumaila Nazeer who blew the big flame under rousing applause  from large audience, this activity was immediately followed the official announcement by the CM Punjab  declaring the Punjab Pink games open, a beautiful light show, pink games official Anthem and Banghra performance add further color to the festive ambience.
The final part of the evening was the address of the Chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif which was very comprehensive and precise. She stated her government will expand the sports facilities and  infrastructure to different part of the province to encourage and ensure  the women participation in various sports. She announced the increase in the prize money of the pink games form rupees five million to ten million.
The pink games grand activity was watched by elite of the city including ministers, parliamentarians, ex sportsmen sports organizers including Sr. politician Pervaiz Rashid, Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman and Minister for Food Punjab Bilal Yasin.
The Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman and IGP Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar were prominent guest  amongst other dignitaries who were present on the occasion.
The hosting of such a large scale extravaganza required a lot of hard work, devotion  and dedication which included massive transportation, large scale accommodation, meals and security arrangements besides player kits, rehearsal and final rehearsal that all was indeed  done diligently, vigorously and selflessly by the untiring Director General Sports Punjab  Pervaiz Iqbal.
No doubt the event was a brilliant  success due to excellent leadership and team work of young and well educated sports minister Punjab Faisal Ayub Khokhar, a true servant of the games, Secretary Sports Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial and  energetic  Director General sports Board Punjab Perviaz Iqbal and his hard working team.
It was a privilege for me to be master of the ceremony where I spoke about the performance of our late sports  stalwart of international fame who emerged from  different Universities of Lahore.
The first Punjab Chief minister pink games 2024 was a brilliant success and a fast historic step that would go long way to cast its shadow on  the future of promotion of sports in Punjab.
The author is broadcaster/commentator and sports writer
