Atta Tarar Pledges Full Support to Sports Journalists
DNA
ISLAMABAD: The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) celebrated World Sports Journalists Day with great enthusiasm, reaffirming its commitment to promoting responsible, ethical and professional sports journalism in Pakistan.
The ceremony, organized with the support of Serena Hotels, brought together senior sports journalists, former athletes, government officials and representatives of leading sports organizations. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar attended the event as the chief guest, cut the World Sports Journalists Day cake alongside sports journalists, and administered the oath to RISJA’s newly elected office-bearers.
Among the distinguished guests were Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Badr Shahbaz, Federal Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mohyuddin Wani, Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Yawar Hussain, Serena Hotels Director Sales & Marketing Imran Hassan, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt, National Press Club (NPC) President Abdul Razaq Sial, Finance Secretary Abid Abbasi, former Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Abbasi, officials from the Pakistan Olympic Association and various national sports federations.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Attaullah Tarar paid rich tribute to the services of sports journalists, saying sports hold a special place in his heart and that without sports journalists, the excitement and achievements of athletes could never reach the public. He noted that renowned sports journalist Abdul Mohi Shah had been awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the government, describing it as an honour for the entire journalist community.
The minister assured RISJA members of the government’s full cooperation and invited sports journalists to form a committee to present recommendations for the welfare of the fraternity. He pledged to personally support practical implementation of their proposals and reiterated that the Ministry of Information would continue extending every possible assistance to sports journalists.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Secretary IPC Mohyuddin Wani acknowledged the vital role played by sports journalists in promoting sports across the country. He praised the media’s contribution in highlighting athletes and sporting events, adding that their partnership with the sports community remains invaluable. Referring to the revival of hockey, he said hiring foreign coaches had been a challenging task, while highlighting that the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s financial resources had increased significantly from just Rs2 million to nearly Rs400 million.
The ceremony also featured tributes to veteran sports journalists for their lifelong contributions to sports media, while young journalists were encouraged to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and ethical reporting as they continue strengthening sports journalism in Pakistan.
