Speakers appreciate ‘mainstreaming of Madrassa students through sports’
By Dr. Shabbir Sarwar
(Director Sports, Punjab University)
LAHORE: Bringing together the seminary students belonging to all 15 Wafaq ul Madaris (federations of seminaries) the Zalmi Madrassa League begun on Friday at Punjab University New Campus main cricket ground with the vision of mainstreaming of the religious students and providing them with a healthy platform of entertainment besides socializing with the students of other thoughts and different beliefs.
Peshawar Zalmi, Punjab University, Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE), Pegham e Pakistan and the Center of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (COVE) have joined hands to organise the tape-ball cricket league on knock-out basis during January 02-06.
The opening ceremony was addressed by PU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali, Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayoub Khokhar, Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Federal State Minister Wajiha Qamar, DG DGRE Maj-Gen (r) Dr Ghulam Qamar, Zalmi Foundation COO Abbas Layaq, while PU PVC Dr Khalid Mehmood, PU DGES Dr Rehan Sheikh, Dean Arts Dr Mehboob Hussain, Dr Ahmad Khawar, Zalmi Operations Head Mr Arsalan Zulifqar , Assistant manager Mr Ashraf and Dr Akbar Khan were also present.
First match was finished before the inaugural ceremony. Clad in a variety of yellow colour kits, the teams were presented before the guests in a very pleasant environment.
Speaking on the occasion, PU Vice chancellor Dr Muhamad Ali welcomed all the distinguished guests and he termed the event very significant and pivotal for the mainstreaming of the seminary students. He lauded all the organizing partners along with the PU management team. Dr Ali also offered hosting a Football League of Madrassa students on the similar trend besides indoor sports of female seminary students.
Punjab Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Faisal Khokhar said their Provincial government was focussing on sports with 2 billion endowment fund that is being increased to 4 billion from this year under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He termed the event ‘’a rare of its kind’’ and he felicitated the organizers for providing this great opportunity to the madrassa students. He said, “we have seen this university during our studentship, however, this varsity is now seems to be much better with equal opportunity for all students under the leadership of Dr Muhammad Ali,” he remarked
State Minister Ms Wajiha Qamar and Dr Ghulam Qamar also appreciated the organizers for conducting the event in a befitting manner. Earlier, Dr Raghib Naeemi and Mr Abbas Layaq also addressed the event.It is noteworthy that over 19,000 madrassas have been registered with the government. A total of 15 teams representing all Wafaq (federations) are participating in the event. Two matches were played on the first day while four matches will be played on Saturday and the event will continue until January 6.
