Chairman Rana Mashhood Announces Pakistan’s First 'National Youth Games' In September, Targeting 2028 Olympics

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2025) Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, announced on Friday that under the vision of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, extraordinary steps are being taken to host the inaugural National Youth Games in September, a milestone initiative designed to inspire and equip youth for Olympic-level competition in 2028.

In an exclusive conversation with a local news channel, Rana Mashhood disclosed Pakistan’s first-ever National Youth Games will be held this September.

He emphasized that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N-led government is committed to promoting quality and skilled sports among the youth.

The National Youth Games aim to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and prepare for international competitions, including the 2028 Olympics, he mentioned.

Chairman Rana Mashhood highlighted that the initiative reflects the Prime Minister’s focus on youth empowerment through sports, encouraging a culture of discipline, fitness and healthy competition.

The Games will not only identify emerging sporting talent but also foster national unity and pride by inspiring youth to excel at the highest levels. This historic event is expected to be a major step forward in Pakistan’s sports development and Olympic ambitions, he added.

Responding to a query, Chairman Rana Mashhood revealed that alongside the National Youth Games, the Prime Minister's Youth Programme will launch innovative initiatives like the Innovative Awards and Perfect Pitch-based programs.

These high-level, merit-based initiatives will operate with full transparency and are set to be game changers in empowering youth across the country, he added.

These initiatives are designed to recognize and reward creativity, talent and excellence among the youth across various fields, including sports, entrepreneurship and technology, he said, adding, the aim is to encourage young people to think outside the box and develop skills that can contribute to their personal growth and the nation’s progress.

He further explained the launch of the Digital Youth Hub, alongside comprehensive online courses, job opportunities, and skill development projects under NEFDEC’ s rigorous training programs.

He highlighted the commitment to empowering youth through scholarships, the expansion of Danish Schools Punjab, Laptop schemes and the establishment of the Pakistan Endowment Fund.

With a strong focus on ethical training and strategic collaboration with TEVTA s, these initiatives are designed to integrate Pakistan’s youth firmly into the national mainstream, driving transformative change and unlocking their full potential, he added.

In response to a query, he said that Punjab is recognized not only for providing the highest quality education in Pakistan but also as one of the leading regions in Asia in this regard.

He acknowledged the PML-N leadership, including Shahbaz Sharif’s provincial projects in Punjab and the Federal initiatives, as well as Nawaz Sharif’s role in making their party the first political force to launch large-scale programs dedicated to youth development.

He also stressed the importance of continuity in policies to ensure sustained progress and long-term success in youth development initiatives.