CM Sohail Afridi inaugurates Merged Districts Under-16 Games at Jamrud Sports Complex

PESHAWAR: The Merged Districts Under-16 Games were formally inaugurated at Jamrud Sports Complex in a ceremony led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who also opened a newly constructed indoor gymnasium on the occasion.

The event, organized by the Directorate of Sports Merged Districts, was attended by Provincial Minister for Local Government Mena Khan Afridi, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Sports Taj Muhammad Tarand, MPAs Adnan Qadri and Abdul Ghani Afridi, Secretary Sports Muhammad Asif Khan, Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider, Director Sports Merged Districts Umar Arshad, and other dignitaries.

The opening ceremony featured a march-past by players and a parade performance by local school students, warmly received by the audience.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Afridi described the Under-16 Games as a welcome initiative for the merged districts, noting that the objective is to provide young people with opportunities to showcase their talent. He said the tribal areas had faced challenges over the past two decades, but sports activities send a message that the people of these districts are peace-loving and passionate about athletics.

Afridi emphasized that the government is committed to supporting youth in the merged districts, enabling them to bring laurels to the country. He urged players to participate with dedication and hard work, adding that national teams are always in search of emerging talent.

Advisor on Sports Taj Muhammad Tarand thanked the guests and said the games reflect efforts to provide healthy activities for youth in areas that have long suffered from underdevelopment. He noted that more than 1,000 players from eight tribal districts and seven sub-divisions are participating, with plans underway to organize women’s competitions, madrassa games, and minority games in the future.

Competitions under the Under-16 Games include cricket at Hayatabad Sports Complex, football at Tahmas Khan Football Ground, hockey and basketball at Peshawar Sports Complex, and volleyball at PSB Hall Peshawar.