LAHORE: The dates for the first Khelta Punjab Games will not clash with the three-nation cricket series matches, even though both events are scheduled at the Nishtar Sports Complex in January and February.

T he Khelta Punjab Games will run from Jan 30 to Feb 3, while the international cricket matches are expected in the first week of February. Security agencies typically close the entire Nishtar Sports Complex for international events several days before the matches.

`Our event will not clash with the three-nation series, and we will proceed with our plan to hold the final round of the mega event as per schedule,` said Director General of Sports Board of Punjab KhizarAfzaal Chaudhry at a press conference.

`Up to 2,000 athletes from nine divisions of Punjab will compete in the five-day event, and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz will inaugurate the gala on Jan 30, he added.

He further stated that cash prizes totalling Rs100 million had been allocated, covering competitions from the district level to the interdivisional level. `All prizes for district-level winners have already been distributed, and the inter-divisional final winners will also re ceive their prizes on the spot. The Sports Board Punjab has made foolproof arrangements for this purpose,` Mr Khizar said.

When questioned about delays in the salaries of Sports Board Punjab staff despite substantial spending on Khelta Punjab, Mr Khizaracknowledged the issue. `Yes, the staff did not receive their salaries for November and December due to a lack of funds. However, November salaries were disbursed on Thursday, and the December and January dues will be cleared in the first week of February,` he assured.

Mr Khizar explained that the annual grant for the Sports Board of Punjab was only Rs10.8 million, while staff salaries exceeded Rs10 million per month. He said that Punjab`s allocation is much lower compared to other provinces. `For instance, Balochistan receives Rs500 million and Sindh has allocated Rs800 million annually for its sports board.

Meanwhile, Mr Khizar also announced that the best players from the Khelta Punjab Games would receive monthly stipends from the Sports Endowment Fund.