Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has said the visit of the veteran world wrestling Champion Muhammad Hussain Inoki is a valuable gesture which also speaks of his love and affection for the people of the province and the Peshawarites in particular, Speaking at a dinner hosted by him in honour of Muhammad Hussain Inoki at Governor’s House on Wednesday the Governor said the Pakistanis and Japanese have similarities in inheritance on certain accounts.

“We welcome Inoki and his colleagues at our soil. Their visit has given a chance to our youth to meet such a famous and generous personality,” Kausar added. 

This visit, he further remarked, would contribute positively towards image building of our province and the country. Inoki also formally handed over the wrestling ring worth millions of dollars; he had brought with him for the wrestling events in Pakistan, to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Besides the 22-member Japanese entourage the ceremony was also attended by the provincial minister for Information, Public Relations, Transport and Culture, Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Minister for Sports and Tourism, Syed Aqil Shah; Secretary Information and Culture, Azmat Hanif Orakzai and the provincial Director General Sports, Altaf Omerzai.

Muhammad Hussain Inoki in his speech said that he and his colleagues feel happy for having visited the historic city of Peshawar which will definitely contribute towards further strengthening the diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan. 

The Japanese, he added, are very loving and peaceful nation and their visit to Peshawar is the reflection of their attachment to the people of this part of Pakistan. We, he further said, have found the prevailing situation altogether different, as far as the image being portrayed of it abroad is concerned. The governor also presented souvenirs and gifts to the distinguished guests who also reciprocated the same to the dignitaries.