Pakistan Olympic Association

Sports play an important role in building communities and nations at large. It is through this platform that marginalized segments of society are brought in to main stream and can subsequently rise to national and international sport standards.

 

From informal recreational matches and contests, to organized sports leagues and federations, people participate: they play, coach, train and support their favorite athletes and teams. From indigenous sports to global sporting events, sport has “convening power”. Where opportunities for recreational and competitive sport are absent, individuals and communities are often acutely aware of what they are missing.

 

Unfortunately Pakistan has been the epicenter of religious extremism and global terrorism since last decade. The situation has adversely affected the national economy, employment, trade, culture and industrial development. Masses in general are living in a perpetual state of poverty and fear, compounded by lack of physical and social inactivity.

 

Sport according to the United Nations Charter contributes to economic and social development, improving health, personal and mental growth among people of all ages----particularly those of young people.

 

Besides generating employment and economic activity at micro and macro level sports helps in building a culture of peace, unity and tolerance by bringing people together on a  common ground, crossing provincial and national boundaries to promote trust, understanding and mutual respect.

 

Keeping in view the lack of festivity, sports activities and below the line interest of masses in healthy social activities like sports, PSB has decided to organize a two days sport Mella in the first week of November 2009, for all segments of society, in Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad.

 

Objectives:      Following objectives will be derived from the activity.

 

a.         Initiation of healthy social activities for all age groups and gender of society.

           

b.         Promoting the culture of peace, unit and tolerance amongst the masses by making them interact with athletes and officials from all four provinces including FATA, FANA, & AJ&K.

 

c.         Introduction and promotion of local, regional, national and international sports amongst the masses.

 

d.         A tribute to legendry sports personalities of Pakistan.

 

e.         Providing a platform to the national sport industry to display their sport manufacturing goods and items.

 

f.          Crating sports festivity for masses through different customized sport activities.

 

g.         Promoting Pakistan’s rich sports culture for national and international audience through media.

 

h.         Involving the corporate sector in sports activity as part of their Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR).

 Organizing Committee. 

 

The organizing committee will constitute of the following eminent sports organizers:-

           

Chairman:      Pir Aftab Shah Jilani

                         Federal Minister for Sports

Patrons:         1. Lt Gen Sayed Arif Hassan (Retd)

                         President Pakistan Olympic Association

                         2. Mr. Hasnain Mousvi

                         Federal Secretary Sports

 

President Organizing Committee:    Brig Arif Sidiqui (Retd)

 

Secretary Organizing Committee:    Nasir Aslam Raja

 

Consultant:    Aamir Bilal, CEO, Sports Development Foundation (SDF)

 

Participants of Sports Mella : 

 

Following organizations/prominent sports personalities are likely to participate in sports Mella:-

 

1.         All sports federations associated with PSB & POA

 

2.         Local sports bodies/registered clubs of four provinces, FATA, FANA & AJ&K through respective provincial sports boards.

           

3.         Registered sports bodies for special person.

 

4.         Adventure training & Boy Scout Association of Pakistan.

 

5.         Higher Education Commission and Federal Education Board.

 

6.         Physical and Mountain Warfare School Kakul.

 

7.         Representatives of departmental sports including Army, Air force, Navy, WAPDA, Railways, POF Wah, Steel Mills, Police, Commercial Banks, PIA, Customs and Pakistan Rangers.

 

8.         Representative of national sports industry from Sialkot including, Saga, Grays and Ehsan sports.

 

9.         Sports legends including Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Rashid Junior, Sami Ullah, Majid Khan, Hanif Mohammad, Shoaib Akhtar and other leading sports personalities of Pakistan will be invited.

 

10.       A special representation of gender and e-sport will also be featured.

 

 

The proposed sports mella will be a two days open activity for general public and media with a purpose to reignite the diminishing interest of sport amongst the masses, which are devoid of healthy social activities because of prevailing security and economic situation in the country.

 

Sport stalls will be displayed by all national and provincial sport bodies and departments depicting the history and achievement of respective sports at international level. The stalls will distribute informative literature, CDs, and Videos for the benefit of general public.

 

National heroes of respective sports would interact with general public, take photo sessions and give autographs.

 

Stalls of interesting customized games would be setup, where general public would get an opportunity to physically play, participate and have a feel of the activity. Coaching tips by expert coaches would also be given at spot.

 

Interesting matches of hockey, T-20 Cricket and squash would be arranged amongst the veteran players, thus general public would get an opportunity to see their heroes live in action, once again.

 

If situation permits the general public would be given an opportunity to play with or against their heroes of respective sports.

 

Stalls of local sports like Malakra and Buzkushi will also be established.

 

Separate stalls for women sport would also be organized where women friendly, non contact sports will be demonstrated.

 

Special demonstrations of adventure sports including para gliding, water sports and mountaineering skills would also be held for general public.

 

Exclusive stalls for the sports manufacturing goods would be established, where subsidized sports goods and items would be sold for the consumption of general public.

 

Conclusion:   

 

 To conclude the two days healthy sport mella would promote sports amongst public, create a positive and soft image of Pakistan as a sports loving nation and shun the security concerns of international teams visiting Pakistan in near future. 

 

The activity would also communicate the resolve of Pakistan People’s Party about the promotion of sports in the country and create a hope amongst the masses to attend and participate in local and nation games, thus paving way for a healthy sports culture in the country at grass roots.

 

 

Aamir Bilal

CEO

Sports Development Foundation

(SDF)

01 Sept 2009