PESHAWAR — The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under-21 Games, one of the province’s largest multi-sport events, formally commenced on Monday with a grand opening ceremony at the Peshawar Sports Complex, drawing participation from more than 5,000 male and female athletes representing seven regions and 36 districts.
The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who declared the games open amid a colourful ceremony featuring an athletes’ march-past and traditional folk dances showcasing the cultural diversity of the province.
Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation Syed Fakhar Jahan, Advisor for Sports and Youth Affairs Taj Muhammad Tarand, Secretary Sports Muhammad Asif Khan, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Sanaullah, Director General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tashfeen Haider, Additional DG Sports Rasheeda Ghaznavi, Director Merged Districts Umar Arshad Khan, and other officials were also present.
Focus on sports development
Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the provincial government is giving special attention to the promotion of sports, development of infrastructure, and expansion of sporting activities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in line with the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s founding leadership.
He expressed hope that Pakistan Super League matches would be hosted in Peshawar during the current year and said that athletes from the province have the potential to represent Pakistan in multiple sports, not just cricket. The chief minister urged participants to compete with passion and dedication, assuring continued government support for sports development.
Games structure and venues
Advisor for Sports and Youth Affairs Taj Muhammad Tarand said the Under-21 Games are being organized under the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said competitions are being held in 38 sports for men and 18 sports for women.
Men’s competitions are taking place at the Peshawar Sports Complex, Hayatabad Sports Complex, Kohat Sports Complex, and Mardan Sports Complex. Women’s events are being hosted at Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex Charsadda, Peshawar Board Ground, and Hayatabad Sports Complex.
Men’s events include athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, squash, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, futsal, kabaddi, rugby, archery, taekwondo, snooker, and several other disciplines.
Women’s competitions include athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, hockey, karate, netball, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, archery, judo, handball, jujitsu, throwball, futsal, and softball.
Officials said the games aim to identify young talent, promote healthy competition, and strengthen the province’s sports ecosystem by providing athletes with exposure at a competitive level.
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