PESHAWAR: The National Junior Championship 2026 is set to commence on June 7 at the Qayyum Sports Complex in Peshawar, with preparations now in full swing. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will officially inaugurate the event during a grand opening ceremony scheduled for the same day.
Details Announced by Sports Advisor
Advisor to the Chief Minister on Sports and Youth Affairs, Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand, shared the details while addressing the media. He was accompanied by Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider and Director Operations Jamshaid Baloch. Tarand confirmed that a total of 952 talented male and female athletes from all four provinces and various government departments will participate in the championship.
Sports Disciplines and Schedule
The six-day event, organized by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate General of Sports, will feature competitions in six disciplines: Squash, Table Tennis, Athletics, Badminton, Karate, and Volleyball. Separate events have been arranged for male and female athletes in all disciplines except Volleyball, which will be held only in the men's category. Squash matches will take place earlier, from June 3 to June 5, while the remaining competitions will run from June 8 to June 10.
Call to Young Athletes
Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand urged young athletes to seize this opportunity to showcase their talent. “This championship is not just a sporting event; it is a vital platform to discover and nurture young talent from across the country,” he said, adding that participants should aim to bring laurels to their provinces and Pakistan. He further stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the provincial government is committed to providing equal and quality sporting facilities to the youth to help them excel at national and international levels.
