LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Sports Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the CM Punjab Champions League, CM Punjab Youth Games and Pakistan-China Friendship Games.

The meeting, held at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore, examined operational plans, venues, participation targets and administrative arrangements for the three major sporting events.

Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi briefed the participants on the progress of preparations. Director Sports Chand Perveen, Deputy Director Zahoor Ahmed and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

Addressing the officials, Khokhar said the CM Punjab Champions League would become the biggest domestic cricket tournament in Pakistan after the Pakistan Super League.

He said the final of the tournament would be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, adding that the event was being designed to provide a major competitive platform for emerging cricket talent.

The minister also reviewed preparations for the Pakistan-China Friendship Games, scheduled to be held in Lahore from September 16 to 20.

According to Khokhar, around 2,000 athletes and officials are expected to participate in the multi-sport event. Teams from all four provinces and every division of Punjab will take part.

He said the games would help strengthen sporting relations between Pakistan and China while also promoting national unity through participation from across the country.

The meeting was also briefed on the CM Punjab Youth Games, which the minister described as the largest sporting initiative in Punjab’s history.

Khokhar said approximately 15 million young people were expected to register for the games, while more than five million athletes could participate in competitions held across different stages.

The competitions will begin at the union council level and progress through district, divisional and provincial rounds.

According to the minister, the CM Punjab Youth Games will continue for 57 days, providing young athletes from urban and rural areas with opportunities to compete in an organised sports structure.

He said the three initiatives reflected Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision of promoting youth development, talent identification and healthy activities through sports.

The minister directed Sports Punjab officials to ensure timely completion of arrangements and maintain strong coordination among departments involved in organising the events.

He also emphasised the need for transparent registration, quality facilities, effective security and professional event management to ensure smooth execution.

The Punjab government hopes the events will expand grassroots participation, identify promising athletes and strengthen the province’s domestic sports system.

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