PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minority Sports Festival commenced at the Qayyum Sports Complex on Saturday bringing together athletes from minority communities across the province to participate in various sporting events.

Organised by the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the festival features competitions including cricket, football, volleyball, tug of war and other games.

The opening ceremony was attended by former member of the provincial assembly and president of Insaf Minority Wing, Wazirzada along with former MPA and secretary of Insaf Minority Wing Ravi Kumar. Director Operations Jamshed Baloch, Deputy Director Sports Kashif Farhan, senior vice-president Waqar Khokhar, Adnan Joseph and other officials were also present.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wazirzada said the provincial government was taking practical measures to provide equal sporting opportunities to athletes belonging to minority communities, adding that the festival was an important step in that direction.

He thanked Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi, sports adviser Taj Muhammad Tarand and the provincial government for supporting such initiatives.

He said events of this nature would not only help promote sporting talent among minority youth but also strengthen interfaith harmony and brotherhood in the province.

Mr Wazirzada added that sports served as an effective platform for engaging youth in positive activities and reiterated the government’s commitment to providing sports facilities to all segments of society on an equal basis.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2026