CM Initiatives: Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Punjab
- Introduction
Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, the Government of Punjab has envisioned a robust sporting culture in Punjab through the “Khelta Punjab Programme”, aiming to promote sports at the grassroots level. This initiative encompasses organizing sports activities across the province, establishing basic sports facilities (infrastructure) in each provincial constituency, rehabilitating existing sports infrastructure, and providing financial assistance and scholarships to players. Additionally, youth empowerment is a key focus in terms of financial stability, with the initiating the “Youth Internship Programme” to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Along with uplift of sporting talent in the province, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports has also developed a comprehensive development portfolio to upgrade and provide state of the art sports facilities to the talented athletes and general public of the province.
Key Initiatives Under the Khelta Punjab Programme:
- Khelta Punjab Development Schemes
The programme includes the development of new sports facilities and the rehabilitation of existing ones. A total of 44 new state-of-the-art sports facilities have been approved across Punjab, with a budget allocation of Rs. 7,554.995 million. Out of this, Rs. 1,521 million has been released, and Rs. 504.987 million has been utilized so far. The remaining funds will be utilized by April 2025 to ensure swift development. Additionally, 58 schemes have been approved for the rehabilitation of existing sports facilities, with a total allocated budget of Rs. 6,849.552 million. Out of this, Rs. 3,079.836 million has been released, and Rs. 1,062.503 million has been utilized. The released budget will be fully utilized by April 2025. International Squash Complex Project at Nishter Park Sports complex, Lahore delayed since 1991 has been taken up at the special directions of Chief Minister Punjab. The project will be completed in the current year with an estimated cost of Rs. 500 Million. This project will play a major role for the uplift of Squash in the country and bring back the glory of yester years.
- Khelta Punjab Sporting Events
a. 1st Chief Minister Pink Games
The 1st Chief Minister Punjab Pink Games was a signature and flagship women-oriented sports event designed to provide female athletes with a platform to showcase their talent. The cash prize was initially set at Rs. 5 million, but Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz increased it to Rs. 10 million to encourage greater participation. It is worth mentioning that Chief Minister Punjab has graced the event on both Opening & Closing Ceremonies.
b. Khelta Punjab Games (Under-22)
The Khelta Punjab Games 2024-25, a three-phase tournament aimed at scouting talent from the grassroots level. The first phase involved inter-club competitions at the district level, followed by inter-district competitions at the divisional level in the second phase. The third phase, inaugurated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on 30-01-2025, featured inter-division competitions at the provincial level with a participation of 2034 athletes selected after all phases. The Khelta Punjab Games 2024-25 witnessed massive participation, with 120,000 players from 15,000 clubs across Punjab competing for a total cash prize of Rs. 100 million in 12 sports disciplines for boys and 7 for girls.
c. Introduction of Sports Leagues in Punjab
The primary essence of the sports leagues is to promote and elevate the sporting culture on a broader scale. The Youth Affairs & Sports Department has introduced Summer Sports Series on “league basis competitions” for Hockey, Kabaddi, and Volleyball, held from 4th June to 9th June. These leagues aim to rejuvenate and redefine the sports landscape in Punjab. While initially not commercialized, efforts are underway to introduce commercial leagues on the pattern of Pakistan Super League (PSL).
d. Summer Camp
Summer Camp is organized by the Sports Department during Summer Vacations of schools. The Summer Camps were organized at each Divisional Headquarter of Punjab in which more than 10,000 children & young athletes particpated. The Department aims to continue the Summer Camp in the larger public interest as it is the sole activity which invites kids / children, ranging from 05 to 16 years of age, to participate in the camps and promote sports culture in the province. In this way, every child finds an equal opportunity to learn sporting skills. The players with exceptional skills will get a chance to further nourish their sporting skills and to get scholarships out of endowment fund.
- Sports Endowment Fund Punjab
To support athletes financially, the Sports Endowment Fund Punjab has been introduced with a total allocation of Rs. 2 billion. Under this fund, promising athletes are offered a monthly stipend of up to Rs. 70,000 per month during their contract period. This initiative ensures financial stability for athletes, allowing them to focus on their training and performance.
- Youth Internship Programme
The Youth Internship Programme aims to empower educated but unemployed youth by providing them with practical work experience. Out of 55,000 registered candidates, 6,000 interns were selected and placed in various public and private sector organizations. Each intern receives a stipend of Rs. 25,000 per month for 6 months, with the total project cost amounting to Rs. 930.882 million. The programme is managed through a streamlined digital system called the Chief Minister’s Internship Programme (CMIP), which facilitates online registration, verification, and placement. Interns are provided with Bank of Punjab ATM cards for easy access to their stipends.
Conclusion
The “Khelta Punjab and Youth Internship Programs” are transformative initiatives that reflects the commitment of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Government of Punjab to promote sports culture, empower youth, and bridge the gap between academia and industry. By investing in infrastructure, organizing tournaments, providing financial support, and offering internships, the Government of Punjab is paving the way for a brighter future for the youth of Punjab. This holistic approach is expected to yield long-term benefits, including improved health, increased employability, and a stronger sporting culture in the province.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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