KARACHI: The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and Empower Sports Academy on Saturday launched the 3rd National Empower Girls Tournament 2026, a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying, nurturing, and promoting female sporting talent, with organisers describing it as a stepping stone towards producing future Olympians from Pakistan.
The announcement was made at a ceremony held here at Governor House Karachi, attended by representatives of sports federations, corporate organisations, educational institutions, media outlets, and other stakeholders from across the country.
The tournament will feature competitions in volleyball, badminton, taekwondo, and athletics, including the 100m, 200m, and 400m races, along with javelin throw and discus events. The organisers said the event has emerged as one of Pakistan’s leading platforms for young female athletes, attracting participants from diverse regions and backgrounds.
Speaking on the occasion, journalist, social activist and public relations practitioner Shanaz Ramzi said the tournament had grown significantly since its launch and was helping create opportunities for girls to compete at the national level.
She noted that the expanded partnership with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme represented a major milestone, reflecting increasing recognition of girls’ sports as an important component of youth development and national progress.
Founder of Empower Sports Academy and national volleyball player Alisha Junaid said the initiative was established to provide Pakistani girls with opportunities to pursue excellence in sports and compete internationally.
“When I founded Empower Sports Academy, my vision was to ensure that girls in Pakistan have the same opportunities to compete, develop and dream as athletes anywhere in the world. This tournament is more than a sporting event; it is a pathway to international competition and future Olympic participation,” she said.
Alisha added that the collaboration with PMYP sends a strong message that young women’s ambitions and achievements are valued and supported at the national level.
Empower Sports Academy Co-Founder Malika Junaid emphasised the importance of long-term investment in women’s sports, saying the organisation was working to create a sustainable ecosystem for athlete development.
She said a planned flagship sports facility in Islamabad would provide aspiring female athletes with world-class training opportunities and help strengthen Pakistan’s presence in international sports.
Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan praised the Academy’s efforts in discovering and developing female talent, saying the government remained committed to empowering young women through sports.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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