The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and Empower Sports Academy have unveiled a landmark national initiative to identify and train 10,000 young female athletes annually, aiming to prepare a new generation of sportswomen to represent Pakistan in global competitions, including the Olympics.
The groundbreaking collaboration was formalized on Thursday through a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed at the Prime Minister’s Office. Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik, Joint Secretary PMYP, and Junaid Qureshi, Founder and Executive Director of Empower Sports Academy, officiated the agreement in the presence of senior representatives from both organizations.
Central to this venture is a nationwide multisport Talent Hunt Program designed for girls under the age of 19. The program is structured to discover highpotential competitors and provide them with systematic coaching, mentorship, and essential resources to nurture their skills.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan highlighted that the undertaking reflects the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young women. He emphasized that supporting girls through athletics contributes significantly to youth development, health, social inclusion, and national progress.
The partnership also includes the creation of the Empower Women National Tournament, set to be Pakistan’s first largescale national women’s sports competition. PMYP will facilitate the tournament through nationwide promotion, interministerial coordination, and access to resources and venues to secure participation from educational institutions and sports boards across the country.
‘This partnership marks a turning point for women’s sports in Pakistan,’ stated Junaid Qureshi. ‘Together with PMYP, we will build the country’s largest talent pipeline and give young girls the opportunity, training, and platform to become champions for Pakistan.’
A key objective of the program is to expand access to government sports facilities, courts, and residential accommodations. This multiyear framework is designed to strengthen Pakistan’s Olympic pipeline for women, expand female participation in sports, and elevate the nation’s presence in international competitions.