Pakistani Youth Shows Enthusiasm for "Junior Cultural Ambassador" Campaign

ISLAMABAD, AUG 3: In late June, the “Bridge of Friendship & Ambassadors of Culture – Build a Dream for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics”2021 China Soong Ching Ling Foundation’s “Junior Cultural Ambassadors” campaign was launched around the world.

This campaign is sponsored by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and supported by various Overseas Chinese Cultural Centers. With the full support of the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, the China Cultural Center in Pakistan elaborately organized and planned the event, and invited relevant educational institutions across Pakistan to participate.

After the details of the campaign were published on the China Cultural Center Pakistan’s Official Facebook page, Pakistani teenagers enthusiastically participated in the activity.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event was organized online. Sticking to the theme of the event, the participants expressed their understanding and feelings of cultural exchange, their blessings to the young people from home and abroad, and their wishes for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games by singing, reciting, writing, painting and playing musical instruments.

After the launch of "Junior Cultural Ambassador" campaign, many young people from Pakistan actively participated in the event. China Cultural Center in Pakistan received the registration form and their carefully recorded videos. By July 31, 2021, Cultural Center submitted the relevant participation material of qualified contestants to the jury panel after conducting primary selection.

This “Junior Cultural Ambassadors” campaign aims to promote the culture and educational exchange, showing colorful real life and upward spirit of Pakistani youth, and their wishes for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Meanwhile it also highlights the extensive and profound Chinese history and culture of deep friendship, praise for China's economic and social development. All the contestants expressed their hope to serve as "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" of China-Pakistan friendship in the future.

------------------------------------------------------

KPL matches to be held as per schedule

ISLAMABAD, AUG 02: Kashmir Committee Chairman Shehryar Khan Afridi on Monday said despite Indian conspiracies against Kashmir Premier League (KPL) all the league matches would be held as per the schedule.

In a news release, Afridi said that the KPL would provide an opportunity for Kashmiri youth to showcase their talent globally.  International players Herschelle Gibbs and Tillakaratne Dilshan will arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday to participate in the Kashmir Premier League.

Afridi paid tribute to the players, their cricket boards and governments for supporting cricket in the world. He said “It is hoped that the Pakistan Cricket Board will soon issue NOCs to Fakhr Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Imam-ul-Haq and Muhammad Hasnain to participate in the KPL.”

The Indian government is requested to keep sports separate from the politics, said Afridi.

“Games connect people while hatred breaks people. The Indian government and the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) is requested that cricket is a gentleman’s game, don’t contaminate it with your dirty politics,” Shehryar said.

The International Cricket Councils (ICC’s) clear response to the Hindutva government is another setback on India’s diplomatic front, he said. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is all set to hold first-ever CrickFest, KPL, from August 6, in Muzaffarabad.

-------------------------------------

Turkey wins 1st-ever Olympic medal in archery, Gazoz claims gold

ANKARA, JUL 31 – Turkish archer Mete Gazoz won the gold medal in men’s individual archery final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and brought his country its first-ever Olympic medal in archery on Saturday.

Facing world no. 7 Italian archer Mauro Nespoli in the final, Gazoz, 22, won the match 6-4 and bagged gold.

Previously, the Turkish archer faced Japan’s Takaharu Furukawa, won the semifinal match 7-3 to reach the final.

World no. 4 Mete Gazoz has two individual Archery World Cup championships, one gold medal in recurve man at Mediterranean Games and has two gold medals in individual at European Youth Championships throughout his career.

----------------------------------------

COURTESY Anews

-----------

Views expressed by Pak Athletes participating in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

1.      Arshad Nadeem – Athletics

I am glad to qualify for participation in Tokyo Olympics Japan, 2020 and feel proud that I represent my country in Tokyo Olympics. My training for said competition is at par. I am working hard to compete for top honor & Inshallah, hope I shall perform well & win medal for my country.

2.      Najma Parveen – Athletics

It was immense pleasure for me that I have attained Universality Place for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. It was my dream that I participate in such a mega event and represent my country and bring laurel for my country around the World.

3.      Mahoor Shahzad - Badminton

I, Mahoor Shahzad from Pakistan, am looking forward for the mega event in Japan i.e. Tokyo Olympics 2020. I am excited to play at the sports arena and give my absolute best. It is my first appearance in Olympics and I am hoping for a great journey at an amazing place like Japan. It is great to see that Japanese government is doing a great job to host Olympics in a pandemic situation and regulating Covid-19 SOPs to ensure the safety of athletes.

4.      Shah Hussain Shah - Judo

My name is Shah Hussain Shah and I am an Olympian, Asian Bronze, Commonwealth Games Silver, South Asian Games Gold Medalist and current National Champion in Judo. I struggled hard ALHAMDOLILLAH qualified for Tokyo Olympic which is a dream of millions of athletes. It is a moment of great honour and pleasure for me to represent Pakistan in world’s biggest & most colorful event. I believe that it is just because of support of my family, Pakistan Army & National Sports bodies of Pakistan.

5.      Ghulam Mustafa Bashir - Shooting

I am very excited to participate in the Tokyo Olympics in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event. I worked very hard to improve my mental, physical condition and tech expertise essentially required for shooting. Hoping for a warm welcome and good competition environment in Japan.

6.      Khalil Akhtar - Shooting

Dream of participating in the Olympics is finally coming true. It's time to deliver whatever I have learnt and trained myself for. I am coming to Japan to enjoy the hospitality of people and to enjoy.

7.      Gulfam Joseph – Shooting

After winning the Olympic quota in my debut international match, I have focused on my training to perform well in the Olympics.  Participating in the Olympics and that too in Japan is very fascinating for me. Looking forward to shoot good in competition and to visit beautiful Tokyo.

8.      Haseeb Tariq – Swimming

My name is Syed Muhammad Haseeb Tariq and I’ll be competing in the swimming events in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. I am very excited about travelling to Japan and participating in the highest level of sports. Looking forward to having a great but safe experience in Japan. 

9.      Bisma Khan - Swimming

On behalf of the Athletes in Pakistan, I Bisma Khan will like to thank you for hosting us in Tokyo Japan. We the athletes are looking forward to our stay in Tokyo. We know within our heart our stay will be an exciting experience. We will like to also take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the embassy of Japan In Islamabad Once again Thank you .

10.    Talha Talib - Weightlifting

My name is Talha Talib and I am going to Tokyo Olympics 2020 to compete in 67kg category of Weightlifting. It is after 45 years that I will be competing in Weightlifting competition as Pakistani. Tokyo Olympics is the highest event and I am looking forward to represent and honour for my country. The efforts of all the Olympic members including associations and authorities are appreciable. It will be a great event for me. 

---------------------------------------

Japanese ambassador's message; wishing success for Pakistani Athletes

ISLAMABAD, JUL 23: The Tokyo Summer Olympics finally begins in Japan today! All of the Pakistani Olympic contingent have arrived in Japan.

Ambassador MATSUDA Kuninori, wishing well for the Pakistani athletes, said, "Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, supporting staff, and the families of the Pakistan’s Olympic Team for competing in the Games. 

I respect your resilience and dedication to professionalism as the world goes through a health crisis. I would like to convey my best wishes to the Pakistani Olympic Team.

Japanese ambassador's message; wishing success for Pakistani Athletes - TWEET THIS?

I hope that, through watching the top-level competitions of the Olympian’s the world will be encouraged to stand stronger together as we fight through these unprecedented and difficult times”.

Before leaving for Japan the Athletes shared their messages regarding the Olympics with the Embassy of Japan. Please see their messages with their pictures.

----------------------------------------------