Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, met with Lahore Qalandars’ CEO Atif Rana at the Parliament House in Islamabad to discuss the cricket franchise’s initiatives for youth development and sports engagement in Pakistan. The meeting focused on the importance of involving young people in sports to promote their physical and mental health, and to secure a brighter future for the nation.
During the discussion, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq praised the efforts of Lahore Qalandars in providing opportunities for the youth to participate in healthy sporting activities. He emphasized Pakistan’s abundant young talent and highlighted the critical role institutions and organizations must play in guiding this potential towards constructive pursuits. In particular, the Speaker commended Lahore Qalandars for prioritizing equal opportunities for women in sports, calling it a significant advancement in inclusivity and empowerment.
Atif Rana briefed the Speaker on the successes of the Lahore Qalandars’ Player Development Program, which has trained more than one hundred thousand young players from across the country. He noted that supporting youth in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a major focus, recognizing the untapped potential in these regions. Rana also described a nationwide Talent Hunt Program for Women Cricketers, held in over 25 cities, which has contributed to identifying and nurturing female cricket talent.
Rana affirmed that the mission of Lahore Qalandars is to make sports and entertainment accessible to all, regardless of background, by ensuring inclusivity throughout their initiatives. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed strong appreciation for these efforts, stating that such programs will help showcase Pakistan’s youth potential and enhance the country’s image as a resilient and sports-loving nation.
