Khelta Punjab Pink Games, the women's largest sports event in the province, kicked off with a mega inaugural ceremony at the Punjab Stadium on Wednesday under the auspices of Punjab Sports Department.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muhammad Ali, Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, Vice Chairman Sports Board Punjab Malik Sulaiman, Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum, Director Admin Abid Shaukat, Olympian Shabana Akhtar, several leading sports figures and a large number of Punjab Sports Department officials were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that Punjab Sports Department is taking several revolutionary measures for the promotion of sports across the province. “Last year the number of participants in Khelta Punjab Pink Games was 1300 but now 3400 female athletes are participating in this edition of Pink Games.”
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that sisters and daughters are being given due respect as per CM’s directions. “After Pink Games, Punjab Sports Department will organise Khelta Punjab Games and Summer Games besides awarding monthly scholarships to top athletes”.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that Punjab Sports Department is working hard to build top level sports infrastructure across all divisions of the province. “Punjab achieved such a respectable position among provinces after 37 years in the 35th National Games. Punjab clinched 126 medals and topped among all the provinces. Not only this, Punjab also won 173 medals in the Quaid-e-Azam Games”.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar further said that 184 schemes are going to be completed in one year. “All educational institutions are being solarized. Rs one billion has been allocated for the renovation of Punjab Stadium”.
He said hockey turfs will be laid in every district of Punjab and within two years the game of padel tennis will be promoted to a great extent. “Sports Cards should be issued for athletes in Punjab and there should be a sports city in the name of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz”.
Earlier, Olympian athlete Faiqa Riaz performed as flag bearer in the march past in which the contingents from all divisions of province participated. Young female athletes also took a round of the stadium to lit the torch of Khelta Punjab Pink Games 2026.
Famous folk singer Alam Lohar and female singer Seher Gul Khan won huge appreciation from massive crowd for their melodious music performances at the largely attended opening ceremony. Later, huge firework display was also presented to amuse the large crowd.
Several interesting competitions were held at different venues of Nishtar Park Sports Complex on the first day of Khelta Punjab Pink Games.
In hockey event, Rawalpindi Division edged out DG Khan Division by 1-0 after a closely fought encounter. The only goal is struck by Areeba from the Rawalpindi division when she converted a penalty corner beautifully.
In volleyball event, Rawalpindi division stunned strong opponents Lahore division by 22-12 points while in basketball, Lahore outplayed DG Khan by a huge difference of 43-4.