Peshawar: The National Junior Championship officially commenced at the Peshawar Sports Complex with a vibrant opening ceremony organized by the Directorate of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. More than 1,000 athletes from across Pakistan are participating in competitions including badminton, squash, athletics, volleyball, table tennis, and karate.
The ceremony was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafiullah Jan and Adviser for Sports and Youth Affairs Taj Muhammad Tarand as chief guests. Special Assistant Humayun Khan, Member of the Provincial Assembly Mian Sharafat, Sports Secretary Asif Khan, Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider, and other dignitaries were also present.
Teams representing all four provinces, Islamabad, and various departments participated in a colorful march-past, while a spectacular fireworks display added to the excitement of the event.
Addressing the gathering, Shafiullah Jan welcomed athletes and officials from across the country and expressed hope that the championship would showcase high-quality competition. He said sports promote discipline, sportsmanship, and tolerance among youth, adding that winning and losing are part of the game, while true success lies in learning from experience and striving for improvement.
He noted that the provincial government is taking practical steps to provide equal opportunities for male and female athletes and is actively working on multiple initiatives to promote sports across the province. He later formally declared the championship open.
Speaking on the occasion, Taj Muhammad Tarand said that national sporting events help bring young people from different regions closer together and strengthen national unity. He reiterated the government’s commitment to organizing similar competitions in the future to provide greater opportunities for emerging athletes.
He stated that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is giving special attention to sports development in line with the vision of PTI founder Imran Khan, resulting in increased sporting activities throughout the province.
Tarand highlighted the successful organization of the Under-21 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Games, which attracted more than 8,000 athletes. He also referred to sports events held for orphans, persons with disabilities, minority communities, transgender individuals, madrassa students, and competitions organized during Ramadan, as well as a successful ice hockey event held in Chitral.
He assured athletes and officials that they were valued guests of the province and would receive full support during their stay. He encouraged participants to compete with dedication, enthusiasm, and respect for the spirit of the game, making the championship a memorable event.
