MANSEHRA: A nongovernmental organisation has launched a series of sports activities in remote areas of Balakot tehsil to keep youngsters away from use of drugs.

`We have evolved a strategy under an institutional development project to arrange sports activities to keep youngsters away from narcotics,` Shahbana Kausar, regional program manager of Sungi Development Foundation (SDF), told the concluding ceremony of a cricket tournament in Garhi Habibullah on Monday.

Youngsters from Balakot, Ghanool, Karnool and Mahandri union councils turned up to watch the match.

Ms Kausar said cricket tournament was organised as a first step as the game was popular among the youngsters. She said `say no to drugs` message was communicated to 20,000 youngsters during the activities.

`Besides highlighting hazards of drugs to players and spectators local communities were also approached in remote areas to explain consequences of drug use,` she said.

She said women volunteers were also involved in the drive who approached parents to inform them about the hazards of drugs.

Mothers were educated to keep vigil on the activities of their children and keep them away from unhealthy activities.

Ms Kausar said the NGO would continue such activities in Balakot tehsil and others parts of the district as youngsters were taking l
On the occasion, Umer Javed, SDF`s regional manager operations, said Gatka, a traditional sport, was also organised to attract the people, especially youngsters. He said his organisation had been providing employment and microfinance opportunities to youngsters to address their economic issues.