ISLAMABAD: DEC 18 /DNA/: An important meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office, Islamabad, under the leadership of Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. During the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and Empower Sports Academy signed a Landmark Letter of Intent (LOI), establishing a National Women’s Sports Initiative aimed at the Advancement of Young Female Athletes across Pakistan. The LoI was signed by Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik, Joint Secretary, PMYP, and Junaid Qureshi, Founder and Executive Director, Empower Sports Academy, in the presence of senior representatives from both organizations.
Under this partnership, PMYP and Empower Sports Academy aims to reach 10,000 girls under the age of 19 every year across Pakistan through a nationwide multi-sport Talent Hunt Program designed to identify, train, and support the country’s next generation of female athletes—potential future Olympians who can represent Pakistan on the world stage.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan stated that this initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young women and strengthening Pakistan’s long-term sporting ecosystem. He emphasized that empowering girls through athletics not only drives national progress but also directly contributes to youth development, health, and social inclusion. Empower Sports Academy will develop high-performance frameworks, international-standard evaluation tools, and multi-sport talent identification systems. The Academy will also work with world-class coaches and global technical experts to design athlete development pathways aligned with Olympic benchmarks.
In addition to the Talent Hunt Program, the LoI also announces the Empower Women National Tournament, Pakistan’s first large-scale national women’s sports competition. PMYP will support the tournament through nationwide promotion, inter-ministerial coordination, and by identifying resources and venues to ensure broad participation from schools, colleges, and sports boards across the country.
The initiative includes scouting 10,000 girls annually through field camps, regional trials, and school-based outreach programs. High-potential athletes across multiple sports will be identified and provided with structured training support, mentorship, and athlete development resources. The program will also expand access to government sports facilities, courts, and residential accommodations, while strengthening Pakistan’s Olympic pipeline for women.
Junaid Qureshi stated that “This partnership marks a turning point for women’s sports in Pakistan and Together with PMYP, we will build the country’s largest talent pipeline and give young girls the opportunity, training, and platform to become champions for Pakistan.” The LoI establishes a multi-year framework for developing national talent, expanding female participation in sports, and elevating Pakistan’s presence in international competitions.
