Lahore, Pakistan, August 11, 2021: The Pakistan Olympic Association has commended the Government of Pakistan for launching The Talent Hunt Scheme which is expected to have a profound impact on sports development in the country.
The Talent Hunt Scheme, which will be launched on Youth International Day on Thursday, August 12, is an initiative under the government’s Kamyab Jawan Programme – a youth entrepreneurship scheme which covers all aspects of society.
The sports scheme will be conducted in collaboration with the Pakistan Olympic Association, National Sports Federations and Public and Private Higher Education Institutions.
“This Talent Hunt Scheme addresses the issue of the Athlete Elite Development measures which is really the need of the hour. All aspects of SPLISS (Sports Policy Leading to International Sporting Success) have been covered and will have a profound effect on sports development in Pakistan,” said POA Secretary General Muhammad Khalid Mahmood.
Mahmood continued: “This covers talent hunt, talent identification and talent development along with the financial resources. Of special note is the athletes’ post-career support whereby the athlete not only develops his talent but also his education which will help him post-career. Women in sports, a previously overlooked and weak link in our system, have also been addressed.”
The POA Secretary General added: “We appreciate and commend the government for their foresight in that academics would be established in proximity of sports-specific talent hubs. This would indeed give a boost to the talent hunt and its development on a fast track.”
With youth development a major part of the Olympic Movement, the Pakistan Olympic Association and National Federations stated they were honoured to be part of the scheme and reiterated their total and absolute support in whatever was required.