LAHORE: As many as 3,400 women athletes participated in the Khelta Punjab Pink Games 2026, inaugurated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at Punjab Stadium, Nishtar Park Sports Complex, here on Wednesday.
She visited each pavilion across the stadium to encourage and appreciate the participating players.
An athlete from each division carrying the Pink Games torch, completed a lap of the stadium and jointly lights the ceremonial flame.
Olympian athlete Faiza Riaz led the traditional march past, while contingents of women athletes from every division took part in a vibrant parade.
Addressing the ceremony, the CM announced that construction of Punjab’s first Sports City would begin in 2027.
She also declared that the Pink Games would be expanded to the tehsil and union council levels.
She announced prize money of Rs20 million for the athletes participating in the Pink Games and described the female players as the “super daughters of super Punjab.”
She directed the authorities to ensure special arrangements for the care, accommodation, and meals for the women athletes.
Maryam Nawaz emphasised women’s empowerment, saying that a woman could run a country, a province, or a ministry; she could fight wars and fly aircraft.
“A woman can become chief minister and, as CM she can give tough competition to men,” she said and added that women could lead police force and manage the economy.
She said that women could excel in boxing, cricket, football, swimming, and athletics.
“Merit and talent have no gender. The land is yours, the sky is yours, move forward and prove your success.”
She said women could manage their homes and also achieve victories outside. She said more than 3,000 participants qualified from tehsils to reach the provincial level of the Pink Games. She stressed the vital role of women in national development and praised the sports department for bringing children from mobile screens to sports fields.
Maryam Nawaz announced that 2026 has been declared the “Year of Youth” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reviving sports grounds across Punjab.
Highlighting women’s safety measures, she claimed a 72 per cent reduction in rape cases following government initiatives. She urged women not to listen to those who say women should remain confined to their homes.
Referring to the recent Basant festival, she appreciated Lahorities for setting records in law compliance during the three-day celebrations, noting that not a single motorcycle was seen without the mandated safety rod.
She concluded by encouraging young girls to dream big, promising that fulfilling their dreams was her responsibility. “Even if circumstances are difficult, do not lose hope, your mother will not let you fall,” she said, adding, “Stop considering women weaker, women are strong as steel.”
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026
