National Empower Girls Tournament 2026 Expands in Landmark Partnership with Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.

Pakistan’s sporting landscape is witnessing a significant transformation as opportunities for young female athletes continue to grow across the country. In a major step toward nurturing women’s sports, Empower Sports Academy has announced the launch of the 3rd National Empower Girls Tournament 2026 in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), further strengthening efforts to identify and develop the nation’s future sporting stars.

The announcement was made during a well-attended ceremony held at Governor House Karachi, bringing together representatives from the media, corporate sector, sports federations, educational institutions, and key stakeholders from across Pakistan. The event underscored a shared commitment to advancing girls’ participation in sports and creating pathways for young athletes to compete at the highest levels.

Now entering its third year, the National Empower Girls Tournament has evolved into one of Pakistan’s most prominent sporting platforms for girls. What began as an initiative to encourage female participation in sports has steadily grown into a nationwide movement, attracting talented athletes from diverse regions and backgrounds.

The 2026 edition will feature competitions in four major disciplines – Volleyball, Badminton, Taekwondo, and Athletics. The athletics category will include the 100-metre, 200-metre and 400-metre races, along with Javelin Throw and Discus events, providing participants with a broader range of opportunities to showcase their abilities.

Opening the ceremony, renowned journalist, social activist and public relations practitioner Shanaz Ramzi highlighted the tournament’s remarkable growth and increasing impact. She noted that over the past three years, the event has become an important national platform for aspiring female athletes, enabling them to gain exposure, experience competitive sports, and pursue their ambitions at a higher level.

A highlight of the event was the address by Alisha Junaid, founder of Empower Sports Academy and a national-level volleyball player. Sharing her personal journey and vision for the future, she reflected on the motivation behind establishing the academy and the importance of creating equal opportunities for girls in sports.

For Alisha, the tournament represents far more than a competition. It serves as a bridge connecting talented young athletes with opportunities that can eventually lead to international success. She emphasized that every girl deserves the chance to dream big, compete at the highest levels, and pursue sporting excellence without barriers.

Supporting this vision, Co-Founder Malika Junaid spoke passionately about the role of sports in empowering young women. She stressed that investing in girls’ athletic development today will help shape Pakistan’s future champions tomorrow. She also highlighted plans for the academy’s flagship facility in Islamabad, which aims to provide aspiring athletes with world-class training environments and development opportunities.

The partnership with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme marks a significant milestone for the academy and reflects growing governmental support for women’s sports. Addressing the gathering, PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan praised Empower Sports Academy’s efforts in discovering and nurturing talent, particularly in communities where opportunities for girls have traditionally been limited.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering young women through sports and revealed that the initiative aims to reach thousands of girls across the country through training, mentorship and competitive opportunities. According to him, these efforts are designed not only to increase participation but also to prepare future athletes capable of representing Pakistan on international and Olympic stages.

Beyond the tournament itself, Empower Sports Academy has adopted a long-term vision focused on building a sustainable pipeline for female athletic development. Through coaching programmes, national competitions, mentorship initiatives and international collaborations, the academy seeks to create a structured pathway that enables talented girls to progress from grassroots participation to elite competition.

The organisation’s growing network of national and international partners further strengthens this mission. Collaborations with sports institutions, federations, corporate sponsors and international volleyball programmes are opening doors for Pakistani athletes to access advanced training, scholarships and educational opportunities abroad. These partnerships are helping connect local talent with global sporting networks, creating possibilities that were once beyond reach for many young women.

As Pakistan continues to expand opportunities for women in sports, initiatives such as the National Empower Girls Tournament are playing a vital role in reshaping perceptions and inspiring a new generation of athletes. More than a sporting event, the tournament represents a powerful statement about inclusion, ambition and the belief that talent knows no gender.

With its expanded scope, growing partnerships and national reach, the 3rd National Empower Girls Tournament 2026 stands poised to become another important chapter in Pakistan’s sporting journey – one that could help uncover the future Olympians and international champions who will carry the nation’s flag onto the world stage.