POA marks 'Peace Through Sports Day'
President of the Pakistan Olympic Association, Arif Saeed, said, "Today, we join the global community in celebrating the International Day of Peace through sports. It is a powerful symbol and global message of peace, inclusion, and solidarity through sports. Through our events and initiatives, we are committed to promoting these values by empowering youth, strengthening communities, and fostering national unity."
He further added, "On behalf of the Olympic family, I encourage all athletes, coaches, officials, and citizens to hold up the white card and stand together for peace." POA Senior Vice President Fatima Lakhani stated, "Sports are a powerful means to bring people together and build peace. It fosters friendship and draws lines of respect across borders. We must play our part in promoting a healthy lifestyle and making sports widely accessible."
POA Secretary General Muhammad Khalid Mahmood said that the purpose of observing Peace Through Sports Day is to spread the message of peace around the world through sports. The POA and all affiliated federations, by raising white cards, reaffirm their commitment to spreading the message of peace and love from this land to the entire world.
Associate Secretary General of POA, Tehmina Asif, emphasized that Pakistanis are a sports-loving nation and that sports are an essential tool for peace and reconciliation. She said that through sports, people from different cultures, religions, nationalities, and languages can come together on one platform to spread the message of peace globally.
At a special event organized by the Softball Federation of Pakistan, President Asif Azeem highlighted the role of sports, while Special Olympics Pakistan Chairperson Ronak Lakhani said, "The participation of foreign teams in various international events, including the recently held Champions Trophy in Pakistan, is clear evidence that Pakistan is a safe country for sports activities."
Senior Vice President of the federation, Professor Dr. Farhan Essa, said, "When people take part in sports, they learn to respect the dignity of their opponents, values of teamwork, tolerance, fair play, and adherence to rules." On this occasion, participants raised white cards to reaffirm the message of peace through sports.
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