British High Commissioner, Punjab Sports Minister agree to boost cooperation in sports sector

By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar met British High Commissioner Ben Warrington on Wednesday, where both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the sports sector.
During the meeting, Ben Warrington appreciated the successful organization of the CM Punjab National Marathon and cycling events held in Lahore. The provincial minister credited these initiatives to the vision of the Punjab Chief Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that Punjab is set to establish its first-ever University of Sports Sciences, terming it a historic step for the province. He added that the International Sports City project would prove to be a “game changer” for sports development in Punjab.
The minister further highlighted that a Coaching College is also being established, while staff training is underway at Nishtar Sports Complex. He noted that the current government has allocated Rs400 million for the development of modern sports infrastructure.
Emphasizing international collaboration, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said there are vast opportunities for sports promotion between Pakistan and the UK. He added that local athletes would be provided world-class training through partnerships with UK universities.
He also shared that Punjab’s first modern squash complex is nearing completion, while Pakistan’s baseball team currently holds the 6th position in international rankings.
Highlighting the growing popularity of sports events, the minister said that marathon registrations have significantly increased—from 600 participants in 2024 to 1,500 in 2025, and reaching 11,000 in the 2026 CM Punjab National Marathon. He added that the government has set an ambitious target of 100,000 registrations for the marathon scheduled in December this year.