Provincial Minister for Sports and Education Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said on Saturday that propaganda against the Punjab Youth Festival (PYF) was part of an attempt to defame the country.
Khan was speaking ahead of a cricket match between London College of Business Management and Information Technology (LCBMIT) and the Government College University cricket teams at the University Ground on Saturday
He said the Punjab Youth Festival had provided a platform to Pakistani youth to showcase their talent. He said it had also promoted a soft image of the country across the globe.
Khan said the Guinness World Records had been contacted, and that they would soon update their website with the records set at the PYF. He said “they have their own methods and take some time to post the records after consultation.”
He added that the records set were a matter of prestige for Pakistan. He said more records would be established after the summer season. He said international events could not be held in the scorching heat. He also said that Indian officials had requested on account of elections in that country that the events be postponed.
The minister said the visits by teams from England would help strengthen relations between Pakistan and England.
LCBMIT cricket team official Azhar Javed said “The purpose of touring Pakistan is to bring British-Pakistan players to the country of their origin and increase awareness about Pakistani culture.”
He said that all expenses except boarding and lodging in Pakistan, were being borne by the players and the Pakistani community in London, which demonstrated their desire to promote sports.
PISF T20 match
The London College of Business Management and Technology (LCMBIT) defeated the Government College University (GCU) cricket team by 25 runs in a Twenty20 match on Saturday at the GCU Baby Ground.
The match was organised under the Punjab International Sports Festival (PISF) 2014. Khan and Director General Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Usman Anwar were the guests of honour.
The visiting side batted first after losing the toss and posted a total of 142 runs for the loss of eight wickets. The GCU could manage only 117 in 17.3 overs. Muhammad Imtiaz and Nasir Malik supervised the match. Asif Ali was the official scorer.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2014.