chatter matter
Women’s participation in sports has continued to grow, with more platforms emerging to help young athletes compete and gain recognition. Against this backdrop, the third National Empower Girls Tournament 2026 was announced recently at Governor House, Karachi, in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), expanding its reach to four sporting disciplines.
Organised by Empower Sports Academy, the tournament will feature competitions in volleyball, badminton, taekwondo and athletics, including the 100m, 200m and 400m races, javelin throw and discus events. The initiative aims to bring together young female athletes from across the country and provide them with opportunities to compete at the national level.
The event was attended by representatives from media organisations, sports federations, corporate partners, educators and other stakeholders. Several local and international organisations are supporting the initiative, including sporting institutions in the United States and Turkey, alongside national federations and private-sector partners.
Journalist and social activist Shanaz Ramzi, who moderated the event, highlighted the tournament’s growth over the years. “Now in its third year, the tournament has grown into one of Pakistan’s most significant platforms for young female athletes, drawing competitors from across the country and giving them the opportunity to compete at a national level,” she said.
Founder Alisha Junaid, a national-level volleyball player, spoke about the vision behind the initiative. “When I founded the academy, I had one vision: to give girls in Pakistan the same right to compete in the Olympics, to grow and to dream that every young athlete deserves. This tournament is not just a competition, it is a pipeline to the world stage,” she said.
Co-founder Malika Junaid stressed the importance of creating long-term opportunities for young athletes. “As a mother and Co-Founder of this academy, I have always believed that no dream is too big for our daughters. These tournaments are how we find Pakistan’s future Olympians,” she said.
Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan also welcomed the partnership, saying it reflected efforts to increase opportunities for young women in sports. “The programme exists to unlock the potential of Pakistan’s young people and today, that means unlocking the potential of our young women,” he said.
The programme concluded with a question-and-answer session, as organisers outlined plans for the upcoming tournament and the development of future female sporting talent.
- You! desk
