Punjab Announces Groundbreaking Talent Hunt Programme to Boost Youth and Women Athletes

In an effort to foster talent and provide opportunities for young athletes across the province, Punjab is launching its first-ever Talent Hunt Programme. The initiative, which aims to identify and promote exceptional athletes, is set to offer a platform for youth to showcase their skills, with a particular focus on gender equality in sports. The programme will also introduce a youth internship scheme, further enhancing opportunities for career development in the sports sector.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of the programme, calling for a comprehensive plan to ensure that all youth in Punjab, especially women athletes, have access to equal opportunities for growth and recognition. “We will ensure young athletes in Punjab have full opportunities to display their talent,” she said during a briefing. “Women athletes will be given equal chances to move forward and excel in their respective sports.”

The initiative not only targets the identification of emerging talent but also includes structural reforms aimed at empowering the youth and strengthening Punjab’s sports infrastructure. As part of this initiative, the Punjab government has also approved the concept of a youth internship programme, which will provide young people with practical exposure and experience in the sports industry.

Chief Minister Nawaz also addressed financial autonomy within the sports sector, instructing the Sports Department to take immediate action to ensure there are no delays in salary disbursements to its employees. She highlighted that these initiatives are crucial for empowering the youth of Punjab while simultaneously strengthening the institutional capacity of the province’s sports sector.

This move is seen as part of a broader strategy by the provincial government to improve the quality and inclusivity of sports in Punjab. It comes in the wake of growing calls to enhance support for athletes, especially women, in a country where sports have often been dominated by a male-centric narrative.

The Punjab Talent Hunt Programme will seek to discover talent across various disciplines, ranging from traditional sports like cricket and football to athletics and emerging sports such as e-sports. The goal is to provide young athletes with training, mentorship, and the resources needed to succeed at national and international levels.

With this initiative, the Punjab government aims not only to nurture athletic talent but also to create an environment of fairness and opportunity for all, ensuring that athletes from every corner of the province can pursue their dreams and contribute to the future of sports in Pakistan.