(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq Praises Lahore Qalandars for Empowering Youth and Women in Sports
Lahore: Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, has praised the Lahore Qalandars franchise for its remarkable role in youth engagement, grassroots development, and women’s participation in sports.
In a meeting with Atif Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars, the Speaker commended the team’s Player Development Program (PDP), which has already trained over 100,000 young athletes across Pakistan. He stressed that such initiatives are vital for building a strong and progressive future for the country.
“There is no shortage of talent among Pakistani youth,” said Speaker Sadiq, highlighting the importance of equal opportunities for both men and women in sports. He described Lahore Qalandars’ focus on women’s participation as a progressive and much-needed step for national sports development.
Atif Rana briefed the Speaker on how the PDP has been expanding opportunities, especially for youth in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, through regular camps, competitions, and training sessions.
On women’s cricket, Rana revealed that talent hunt programs have been held in more than 25 cities, providing aspiring female cricketers a chance to pursue their dreams at the professional level.
“The core mission of Lahore Qalandars is to provide opportunities for the common people in sports and entertainment,” Rana said. “Our dream is to build a healthy and prosperous Pakistan by empowering youth and women from every corner of the country.”
Concluding the meeting, Atif Rana thanked Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for his encouragement, noting that his support will motivate not just the management, but also the thousands of young players connected to Lahore Qalandars’ programs.