Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq praised the Lahore Qalandars cricket team for their efforts to engage Pakistani youth in sports during a meeting with the team’s CEO, Atif Rana, at Parliament House in Islamabad. The discussion focused on the importance of providing young people with opportunities for physical activity, which the Speaker said contributes to a healthier and more prosperous future for the country.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the abundance of talent among Pakistan’s youth and emphasized the responsibility of institutions to guide this potential into positive activities. He applauded the Lahore Qalandars for offering equal opportunities to women in sports, calling it an important step towards greater inclusivity and empowerment in society.
Atif Rana briefed the Speaker on the team’s Player Development Program, which has trained over one hundred thousand young players from across Pakistan. He noted a particular focus on reaching youth in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, regions known for significant yet underutilized sporting talent. Rana also shared that a Talent Hunt Program for Women Cricketers had successfully taken place in more than 25 cities, helping to identify and develop female cricket talent nationwide.
Rana emphasized Lahore Qalandars’ mission to make sports and entertainment accessible to all segments of society, ensuring no one is left behind. Speaker Sadiq commended these initiatives, asserting they would strengthen Pakistan’s image as a nation rich in youth talent, resilience, and sporting spirit.
