LAHORE: Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar has directed sports and education officials across the province to accelerate registrations for the CM Punjab Youth Games 2026, setting a November 5 deadline and warning that their performance will be assessed against efforts to increase participation.
The directives came during a high-level online meeting on Tuesday, October 20, where the minister reviewed preparations for the province-wide sporting event and called for greater involvement of private colleges, universities and religious seminaries.
Khokhar said registrations had already reached two million across Punjab but stressed that officials must intensify their efforts over the remaining 15 days to bring more young people into the games.
He instructed sports and education departments to strengthen coordination with educational institutions and expand registration activities at tehsil, district and divisional levels.
The minister particularly emphasised the participation of students from private educational institutions and religious seminaries, directing officials to ensure that registration efforts reached a wider section of Punjab’s youth.
Sports officials to face performance review after November 5
Khokhar announced that tehsil, district and divisional sports officers would be ranked according to their performance once registrations close on November 5.
He warned that the assessment would have implications for officials’ continuation in the Sports Department, making registration performance a key measure of accountability.
The minister said all relevant departments and institutions must work together to increase participation and ensure that the CM Punjab Youth Games become a major sporting event across the province.
He also directed officials to maintain close coordination with educational authorities during the remaining registration period.
Punjab reviews preparations for Youth Games 2026
The meeting reviewed administrative arrangements, registration progress and coordination among departments responsible for organising the games.
Sports Board Punjab Vice-Chairman Malik Salman, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, Director Administration Abid Shaukat and Deputy Director Zahoor Ahmed attended the meeting at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore.
Representatives of the Home, Finance and School Education departments also participated, while tehsil, district and divisional sports and education officers joined through video link.
During the review, Khokhar appreciated the Punjab Education Foundation’s efforts to encourage student participation in the games.
He also praised the District Sports Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Khanewal for their work in increasing registrations.
The minister reiterated that officials must use the remaining registration period to broaden participation, with their performance to be evaluated after the November 5 deadline.