LAHORE - The Chief Minister Punjab Youth Games 2026 are set to become the largest sporting event in Pakistan’s history, with an estimated five million boys and girls expected to participate in competitions across 17 sports disciplines.
Announcement and Planning
The announcement was made by Director General Sports Punjab M. Tariq Qureshi while chairing a review meeting at the National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday. He revealed that the games will be conducted in six phases, with a total of Rs150 million in cash prizes to be awarded to outstanding performers as part of efforts to promote sports and encourage young talent across the province.
Attendees and Participants
The meeting was attended by representatives and focal persons from several government departments, including Home, Education, Higher Education, Labour, Local Government, Livestock, Special Education, Literacy and Non-Formal Education, Information and Culture, TEVTA, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), the Lahore Board and the Directorate of Public Instruction (Colleges). Sports officers from across Punjab also joined the session through video link.
Scope and Inclusivity
Addressing participants, Qureshi described the CM Punjab Youth Games as a landmark initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing emerging talent on an unprecedented scale. He said students from schools, colleges, universities and religious seminaries (madaris) will participate in the event. Athletes from institutions operated by the Labour Department, along with students enrolled in literacy and non-formal education programmes, will also be given an opportunity to compete.
Impact and Vision
The mega event is expected to provide a significant platform for youth engagement, talent identification and sports development while strengthening Punjab’s efforts to build a vibrant sporting culture across all segments of society.
