LAHORE, April 13, 2026: Provincial Minister for Sports Punjab Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar has announced the development of 1,000 sports grounds across the province under the “Khailtay School” Programme, aimed at promoting sports activities at the school level and empowering youth.

The announcement was made during a high-level meeting held at the National Hockey Stadium in connection with the declaration of 2026 as the “Youth Year” by the Chief Minister of Punjab. The meeting was attended by Secretary Sports Muhammad Ali, Director General Sports Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, Vice Chairman Malik Suleman, and other senior officials.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister emphasized that youth empowerment remains a top priority of the provincial government. He stated that the “Khailtay School” Programme would significantly enhance sports participation among students and help nurture talent from the grassroots level.

The meeting focused on youth development, promotion of sports, and the provision of modern facilities, leading to several key decisions. It was agreed to establish E-Library Centres across the province in collaboration with the Education Department to enhance access to digital learning resources. Additionally, Sports Labs will be set up in both public and private educational institutions to provide students with modern training facilities and scientific support for athletic development.

Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar directed officials to launch special capacity-building programmes for the Youth Affairs Department to effectively harness the potential of young people. He also announced the expansion of digital skills initiatives, sports talent hunting, and training programmes to enable youth to compete at national and international levels.

Furthermore, the meeting emphasized the preparation of a comprehensive plan to ensure the provision of sports facilities at the Union Council level, along with the improvement and upgradation of existing sports infrastructure across Punjab.

Officials believe that these initiatives will promote healthy lifestyles, encourage youth engagement in constructive activities, and strengthen the province’s sports ecosystem. The development of 1,000 grounds under the “Khailtay School” Programme is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering grassroots sports and nurturing future athletes.