Speaker Ayaz Sadiq praises Lahore Qalandars for nurturing youth and women in sports

Our Correspondent

The National Assembly Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, has applauded the Lahore Qalandars franchise for its remarkable contribution to youth engagement and women’s empowerment in Pakistan’s sporting landscape.

In a recent meeting with Atif Rana, CEO and owner of Lahore Qalandars, the Speaker underscored the importance of constructive and healthy activities for the younger generation, describing them as the foundation of the country’s future. He noted that Pakistan is blessed with immense raw talent, and platforms like the Qalandars’ initiatives are vital in harnessing and polishing that potential.

Sadiq particularly admired the franchise’s efforts to include women in sports, calling it a progressive and much-needed step in national development. “By opening doors for women to participate in cricket, the Qalandars are not only changing mindsets but also creating opportunities that were once considered out of reach,” he remarked.

During the discussion, Atif Rana shared details of the franchise’s Player Development Program (PDP), a flagship initiative that has already trained over 100,000 young players. He highlighted how the program focuses on regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, giving underprivileged talent a chance to shine through camps, tournaments, and structured training sessions.

On the women’s side, Rana revealed that cricket talent hunts have been organized in more than 25 cities nationwide, offering female athletes a genuine pathway into professional sports. He reaffirmed the Qalandars’ mission of making sports and entertainment accessible to the common people, while promoting unity and inclusion across the country.

Expressing gratitude for the Speaker’s encouragement, Rana said the recognition fuels the motivation of not just the management but also the thousands of aspiring cricketers associated with the Qalandars’ projects. “Our vision is to build a stronger Pakistan by empowering youth and women through sports,” he concluded.