Punjab to Launch U-16 Talent Hunt Program from Tehsil Level: Sports Minister

By Dr. Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE — Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar has announced that the U-16 Talent Hunt Program will be launched from the tehsil level, aiming to identify and nurture emerging sports talent across the province.

Chairing a key meeting of the Punjab Sports Department at the National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday, the minister reviewed progress on the Annual Sports Calendar, Talent Hunt Program, and Sports Endowment Fund, and approved several strategic initiatives to boost youth participation in sports.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Muzaffar Khan Sial, Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, Additional Secretary Sports Mian Usman Ali, Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum, Director Admin Abid Shaukat, and Deputy Director Mirza Nadeem.

Briefing participants on the upcoming initiative, Minister Khokhar announced that over 26,000 young athletes from 150 tehsils will participate in the U-16 Talent Hunt Program, which will cover seven major disciplines — Athletics, Badminton, Football, Hockey, Taekwondo, Volleyball, and Wrestling.

He said that division-level training camps will be organized every three months to monitor progress and assess performance.

> “Fresh and talented players will be prepared to represent Punjab and Pakistan at the national level through modern, structured training programs,” Khokhar said. “Athletes will be identified at inter-tehsil, district, and division levels under a systematic mechanism.”

The Minister emphasized that the government is committed to providing comprehensive facilities and financial support to emerging athletes.

> “The Annual Sports Calendar will play a pivotal role in bringing out new talent from the grassroots level,” he noted. “Selected players will also be included in the Punjab Sports Endowment Fund, allowing them to focus fully on their training and participation in major competitions.”

Highlighting Punjab’s commitment to youth empowerment, Khokhar added that the province remains the only one in Pakistan where top-performing athletes receive monthly scholarships of Rs 70,000, Rs 50,000, and Rs 30,000, depending on their performance.

> “We are ensuring equal opportunities for all young athletes to progress in sports. This initiative will not only strengthen our talent pipeline but also build the foundation for a stronger sporting future for Punjab and Pakistan,” he concluded.