Lahore: The Punjab government has launched 19 Chief Minister Sports Academies aimed at providing free year-round training to young athletes across a wide range of sports disciplines, according to officials.

The initiative was inaugurated by Provincial Minister for Sports Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar at a ceremony held at Punjab Stadium on June 23, 2026. The programme is designed to develop sporting talent under structured coaching systems and expand access to modern training facilities for youth in the province.

The launch event was attended by Sports Board Punjab Vice-Chairman Salman Malik, Secretary Youth Affairs and Sports Punjab Fazal ur Rehman, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, and other senior officials, along with more than 2,000 athletes and parents.

Officials said the CM Sports Academies will offer training in 19 sports, including cricket, football, hockey, basketball, badminton, tennis, boxing, wrestling, swimming, table tennis, karate, taekwondo, archery, squash, wushu, jiu-jitsu, athletics, laser run, and kabaddi.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said the academies would provide free coaching throughout the year and help identify future talent at an early stage. He said more than 2,500 boys and girls have already registered for the programme.

He added that the initiative is being implemented under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and will initially begin in Lahore before expanding to other districts and divisions in Punjab in later phases.

Sports Board Punjab officials said the academies are intended to strengthen the province’s talent development system and provide equal opportunities for young athletes. They added that structured training models inspired by international systems are being introduced to improve performance outcomes.

Officials also highlighted Punjab’s recent performance in national sporting events and said the new academies are expected to further enhance competitiveness at national and international levels.

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