PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under-21 Games began with a grand opening ceremony at the Peshawar Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

Athletes from across the province took part in a march past and cultural performances, including traditional folk dances.

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi formally inaugurated the games.

Excise and taxation minister Syed Fakhar Jahan, adviser for sports and youth affairs Taj Mohammad Tarand, sports secretary Mohammad Asif Khan, deputy commissioner of Peshawar Sanaullah, director general (sports) Tashfeen Haider, additional DG (sports) Rasheeda Ghaznavi, director (merged districts) Umar Arshad Khan and other relevant officials were also present on the occasion.

The CM said the provincial government was prioritising sports promotion in line with the vision of PTI founder Imran Khan, with a focus on developing infrastructure and expanding sporting activities across the province.

He said he hoped that Pakistan Super League matches would be hosted in Peshawar during the current year.

“Athletes from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have the potential to represent Pakistan in multiple sports,” he said, urging participants to compete with passion and enthusiasm and further polish their skills.

He assured them of the continued government support for sports development. Adviser Tarand said the Under-21 Games were being organised under the auspices of the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with more than 5,000 male and female athletes taking part from seven regions and 36 districts.

He said competitions were being held in 38 sports for men and 18 for women.

Men’s competitions are scheduled at the Peshawar Sports Complex, Hayatabad Sports Complex, Kohat Sports Complex and Mardan Sports Complex, while women’s events will be held at Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex in Charsadda, Peshawar Board Ground and Hayatabad Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, the men’s and women’s team events of the 62nd National Badminton Championship concluded in Peshawar, with Pakistan Wapda clinching the men’s title and Pakistan Army winning the women’s event.

In the men’s team final, Wapda defeated Pakistan Army 3-1. In the opening singles, Wapda’s Mohammad Ali Larosh beat Army’s Anjum Bashir 21-10 and 21-13. In the second singles, Wapda’s Irfan Saeed edged Army’s Muqit Tahir in a closely contested match 21-10, 23-21 and 21-19 to put his team in a commanding position.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2026