LAHORE, Feb 11 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday announced the launch of the province’s first Sports City in 2027 and declared that the Khelta Punjab Pink Games would be expanded to the tehsil level across the province to promote women’s participation in sports.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Khelta Punjab Pink Games 2026 at Punjab Stadium, Nishtar Park Sports Complex, she also announced Rs20 million in prize money for participating athletes and directed authorities to ensure proper arrangements for accommodation, meals and care of women players.
Terming female athletes the “Super Daughters of Super Punjab,” the chief minister appreciated Provincial Minister for Sports Faisal Khokhar, the secretary, DG Sports and the entire team for successfully organizing the event. She said women were capable of leading a country, province and ministries, adding that merit and talent had no gender. “A woman can fight a war, fly an aircraft and serve as chief minister, and can give men tough competition,” she remarked.
Encouraging young girls, she said, “The land is yours, the sky is yours, move forward and prove yourselves,” noting that women were excelling in boxing, cricket, football, swimming and athletics while fulfilling responsibilities at home.
More than 3,000 athletes from across Punjab participated in the Pink Games after qualifying at the tehsil level. The chief minister announced that the games would further be expanded to the union council level in future.
She said the government was taking practical steps to revive sports grounds and promote healthy activities among youth, shifting children from mobile screens to playing fields. Construction work on the Sports City would begin this year, she added.
Declaring 2026 as the “Year of Youth,” Maryam Nawaz Sharif said providing opportunities for progress and happiness to the people of Punjab was her responsibility. She urged young girls not to lose heart in difficult times, assuring them of continued support. She also highlighted that more than 60 percent beneficiaries of the Honhaar Scholarship Programme were girls.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to ensure maximum facilities for athletes and women’s protection, the chief minister said Punjab’s daughters were making the province proud in every field.