The business community should contribute to promoting various Sports Activities in the country urged Mansoor Ahmed Khan, Pakistan’s Sports Board (PSB) Deputy Director-General.
Khan brought light to the fact that Pakistan has a colossal talent for excelling in all fields of sports, but lack of financial resources was a major barrier in rendering usefulness in the talent of youth in the sports field, during a meeting with the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce (ICCI).
Moreover, he added sports activities were instrumental in nourishing national unity. “Sportsmen are the ambassadors who promote the image of Pakistan and cooperation of the business community in organising various sports events would help attract foreign investment.”
Khan highlighted the comparison of annual sports budget of regional countries by stating some facts. India allocated $382.21 million, Iran $80 million, Bangladesh $70.78 million, Nepal $33.69 million, Sri Lanka $22.59 million, however, Pakistan allocated annual sports budget worth $6.09 million, which Portrays that sports were a low priority for the country.
Speaking on the occasion, the global sports industry was valued at over $500 billion and sports has surfaced as an important component of socio-economic development, therefore, the government should accord greater focus to promoting sports for achieving beneficial results for the economy ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan mentioned.
He said that progress of many other industries was linked with Sports Activities, therefore, promotion of sports would boost their growth.
