The All Pakistan National Junior Squash Championship 2026, organized by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Sports, commenced on Wednesday at the Qamar Zaman Squash Complex in Peshawar. More than 100 male and female players from all four provinces, Islamabad, the army, and the Pakistan Air Force are participating in the Under-15 category.
Inaugural Ceremony
Taj Muhammad Tarand, Advisor to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Sports and Youth Affairs, graced the opening ceremony as the chief guest. Among those present were Secretary Sports Muhammad Asif Khan, Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider, Additional Director General Sports Rashida Ghaznavi, Deputy Director Nematullah, Director Sports Operations Jamshid Baloch, Organizing Secretary Munawar Zaman, Secretary Mansoor Zaman, Chief Coach Shafqatullah, and other officials of the Provincial Squash Association.
Government's Commitment
Addressing the ceremony, Taj Muhammad Tarand said the provincial government is providing young athletes with valuable opportunities to showcase and polish their talents by organizing junior championships in various sports. He described the ongoing squash championship as an important part of this initiative. He added that Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi will formally inaugurate the sports event on June 7. The Advisor emphasized that the purpose of holding national-level championships is not only to give young players a chance to compete but also to help them learn and improve their technical skills.
He said the provincial government is taking practical steps for the promotion of sports and provision of modern facilities, with efforts underway to ensure uniform sports infrastructure across all districts so that players can progress and prove their mettle at national and international levels.
Other Officials' Remarks
Secretary Sports Muhammad Asif Khan and Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider also spoke on the occasion. They stated that players from all four provinces, Islamabad, the army, and the PAF are taking part in the championship. They noted that the provincial government has prioritized sports development, leading to improved sports infrastructure and the continuation of various sporting activities. This, they said, will enable Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s athletes to deliver their best performances in national and international competitions.
