By Nawaz Gohar ; Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, has affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to empowering young athletes following an unprecedented string of international victories in Ju-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

The PMYP Chief met with top athletes and high-ranking officials from both federations to celebrate a historic milestone: Pakistan has secured its first-ever qualification for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2026, powered by a spectacular Silver Medal performance at the recent Asian MMA Championship.

The national Ju-Jitsu and MMA squads have been on a phenomenal run, bringing home a haul of Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals from various international platforms. The meeting served as both a celebration of these triumphs and a strategic planning session for the future.

During the session, Tariq Ali, Secretary General of the Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation and the South Asian Ju-Jitsu Association, delivered a comprehensive briefing to the Chairman. He outlined:

The meticulous preparation strategies behind the recent medal sweep. A definitive, long-term roadmap for athlete development. Upcoming international fixtures and the blueprint for keeping Pakistani fighters on the podium.

Responding to the briefing, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan lauded the fighters for defying the odds and bringing pride to the nation. He emphasized that the PMYP is actively shifting gears to ensure emerging talent in non-traditional sports receives the spotlight and resources they deserve.

“Our youth have proven that they can dominate the global stage when given the opportunity,” Chairman Rana Mashhood stated. “The Government of Pakistan will continue to provide full, unrestricted support and encouragement to our Ju-Jitsu and MMA athletes at every level. We are committed to fueling their journey so they can keep hoisting the green crescent and star high on the international stage.”

The proactive engagement from the PMYP has injected fresh enthusiasm into the sports community. Zulfiqar Ali, President of the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, expressed his deep gratitude for the Chairman’s hands-on approach. He noted that such high-level recognition acts as a massive morale booster for young sportsmen and women who often train under challenging circumstances.

Also present at the occasion was the PMYP Sindh Coordinator, signaling a unified, nationwide push to scout and nurture combat sports talent from the grassroots level upward. With the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2026 now on the horizon, Pakistan’s fighters are no longer just participants—they are officially contenders.

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100 Provincial matches completed in 25 days across all provinces

LAHORE: Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), in partnership with the Lahore Qalandars, the Pakistan Super League’s most valued franchise, has confirmed the launch of the PMYP Talent Hunt National League 2025 following the completion of a nationwide talent identification phase.

The programme conducted open trials across all provinces from the southern regions of the country to the northernmost areas attracting hundreds of thousands of male and female players aged 15 to 25. The nationwide exercise was designed to establish an accessible and merit-based pathway for emerging cricketers.

After a rigorous two-month selection process, five male and five female squads comprising the top cricketers were formed from each province — Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and GB/Federal/Kashmir. The provincial stage consisted of 100 matches played over 25 days, with two fixtures scheduled daily across two separate venues for men and women. These events served as the formal competitive assessment for the shortlisted talent pool.

The cricket component of the PM Youth Programme is led operationally by the Lahore Qalandars, recognised as the PSL’s most valued team and the leading organisation in Pakistan for structured player development. Their role includes talent identification, technical assessment and high-performance guidance for emerging cricketers.

Upon completion of the provincial round, the top performers from all regions – male and female – have been selected for the National Tournament in Islamabad, starting December 4.

The national stage will feature 20 teams (10 male and 10 female), with two teams representing each province. The league will be played at the Lahore Qalandars’ newly built High-Performance Center in Capital Smart City, Islamabad, one of the finest cricketing facilities in the country.

The Talent Hunt National League 2025 is part of PMYP’s broader mandate to expand organised sporting opportunities for youth and strengthen national pathways for professional cricket.

Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, said: “I am excited that we have been able to execute the Prime Minister’s vision through this initiative. It makes me proud that we are leading the way in providing our youth with a clear direction toward growth and opportunity.

Hundreds of thousands of young players have entered the system through this programme. With the Lahore Qalandars’ expertise in player development, the pathway from trials to professional cricket is now more structured and accessible for youth across Pakistan. I am grateful to the Lahore Qalandars for partnering with us and helping achieve this goal.”

Atif Naeem Rana, Lahore Qalandars CEO said: “It gives me great pleasure that, as a franchise, we are able to contribute to the Prime Minister’s vision. Together, with the support of Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme,

we have been able to achieve a shared goal: the development and empowerment of Pakistan’s youth. I am thankful for this collaboration and proud of the platform it provides for young players to pursue professional cricket and realise their potential.”

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Over 35,000+ youth join PMYP–Lahore Qalandars cricket talent hunt in Sargodha and Faisalabad

LAHORE: The cricketing heartbeat of Pakistan is growing louder with every passing day as the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) – Lahore Qalandars talent hunt cricket trials continue to inspire and empower thousands across the country.

From the land of Shaheens, Sargodha, to the industrial capital of Pakistan, Faisalabad, more than 35,000 male and female youth participated in the talent hunt, reaffirming the belief that Pakistan’s cricketing future lies in its grassroots.

Sargodha witnessed a turnout of over 15,000 plus passionate young cricketers, while Faisalabad surpassed expectations with more than 20,000 aspiring players attending the trials. The nationwide initiative, a collaborative venture between PMYP and the Lahore Qalandars’ globally acclaimed Player Development Program (PDP), is unlocking opportunities for youth who have long been overlooked.

Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana expressed his pride in witnessing the overwhelming participation across both cities. “The energy, talent, and sheer numbers we have seen in Sargodha and Faisalabad are nothing short of extraordinary,” he said. “These cities have always had cricketing spirit, but through this platform, we are channeling it in the right direction.

“We are deeply thankful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and the entire PMYP team for trusting Lahore Qalandars and for enabling this national movement. Our Player Development Program, which started as a dream, is now a model being replicated globally,” Rana added.

The trials in both cities were managed by professional coaches, analysts, and Lahore Qalandars management, who closely monitored every participant, ensuring that no talent goes unnoticed. Participants from rural backgrounds, urban centres, and marginalized communities stood shoulder-to-shoulder, proving that cricket knows no boundaries.

The youth themselves expressed heartfelt gratitude to PM Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and Lahore Qalandars for this unprecedented opportunity. “We are now dreaming bigger. We are ready to work harder than ever and represent Pakistan at the highest level.”

PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan emphasized the broader vision of the project. “This program is more than just talent identification; it’s a national transformation strategy.

Through Lahore Qalandars’ proven PDP model, we are giving our youth the recognition, mentorship, and platform they deserve. We are building careers, promoting social mobility, and uniting Pakistan through cricket.”

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