PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under-21 Games 2026, the multi-sport event, got underway on Wednesday with a colourful opening ceremony at the Peshawar Sports Complex.
Athletes from various districts took part in a march-past during the ceremony, while traditional dances representing different regions of the province were also performed.Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi formally inaugurated the mega event.
Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation Syed Fakhar Jahan, Adviser on Sports and Youth Affairs Taj Muhammad Tarand, Secretary Sports Muhammad Asif Khan, Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Sanaullah, Director General Sports KP Tashfeen Haider, Additional Director General Sports Rasheeda Ghaznavi, Director for Merged Districts Umar Arshad Khan, and other officials were present.
Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister said special emphasis was being placed on the promotion of sports, development of infrastructure and expansion of sporting activities across the province.
He hoped that Pakistan Super League matches would be held in Peshawar later this year.The chief minister said that, besides cricket, players from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the potential to represent Pakistan in a wide range of sports.
Urging athletes to compete with passion and dedication, he assured them of continued government support for the promotion of sports in the province.Speaking on the occasion, Adviser for Sports and Youth Affairs Taj Muhammad Tarand said that the Under-21 Games were being organised by the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.He said the games featured participation from more than 5,000 male and female athletes belonging to seven regions and all districts of the province.
The adviser said competitions were being held in 38 disciplines for men and 18 for women.According to him, men’s events will take place at the Peshawar Sports Complex, Hayatabad Sports Complex, Kohat Sports Complex and Mardan Sports Complex, while women’s competitions will be held at the Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex Charsadda, Peshawar Board Ground and Hayatabad Sports Complex.
Men’s events include badminton, table tennis, squash, athletics, volleyball, karate, football, gymnastics, throwball, basketball, boxing, taekwondo, hockey, judo, handball, wushu, archery, jujitsu, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, snooker, lacrosse, teqball, mas-wrestling, futsal, kickboxing, bodybuilding, full-contact karate, kabaddi, muay thai, baseball, tug of war, rugby and zor-khana.
Women’s competitions include badminton, table tennis, squash, athletics, volleyball, karate, basketball, taekwondo, judo, hockey, netball, cricket, archery, handball, jujitsu, throwball, futsal and softball.
