The Sports Board Punjab (SBP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a delegation from Latvia on Sunday at the National Hockey Stadium to cooperate in the field of sports. According to the agreement, Latvia will extend help for cricket, hockey, football, basketball and education.
Sports Board Director General Usman Anwar and Latvia’s Foreign Economic Relations Promotion Division Policy Department Head Rudolf Bremanis signed the MoU at a press briefing.
Latvian Ambassador Igors Apoking thanked the Punjab government for according the delegation a warm welcome. He said that there were many commonalities between Pakistan and Latvia. “There is great room for cooperation between the two countries, particularly for sports. We are ready to extend help to Pakistan for the growth of sports and education,” he said.
Provincial Minister for Sports and Education Rana Mashhood appreciated the role of the Latvian government and embassy for taking an interest in the Punjab Youth Festival. “Latvians have a lot of potential in sports. Latvian coaches are thorough professionals. We are delighted to work with them. Cooperation will be beneficial for both countries,” he said.
Two documentaries on the Punjab Youth Festival were shown to the guests before the signing ceremony.
Film producer Syed Noor expressed satisfaction with the PYF events and sought the cooperation of the Latvian government in the film production sector.
Speaking at the event, Cricketer Muhammad Hafeez and former Test captain Salman Butt lauded the vision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Hafeez said the PYF had provided the youth with an opportunity to participate in sports activities and show their talents. He said Pakistan had produced great athletes and players in the past, which had brought laurels to the country.
Butt said it was important to hold sports activities at the grass-roots level to polish the youth’s athletic abilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2014.