Islamabad: A four-day University Sports Olympiad is set to begin in Islamabad on Wednesday, featuring participation from over three thousand athletes and sportsmen from across Pakistan. The event, aimed at engaging youth in sports, seeks to identify talented individuals who could represent the country at international sports platforms.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ali Khan announced the event details during a news conference on Tuesday. He emphasized the Olympiad’s role in promoting sports activities among the youth and in discovering potential sports icons for Pakistan.

The event will be attended by stakeholders, foreign diplomats residing in Islamabad, and representatives from development partners. More than fifty athletes and players of tennis, alongside squash players from seven countries, are currently in the country for the Olympiad, marking a significant achievement, Khan stated.

The Chairman also highlighted the recent restoration of university-level sports ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, following disruptions caused by riots in Bangladesh. This development is seen as a success of the current government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which is focused on promoting sports to showcase the talent of Pakistani youth.

The University Olympiad has received support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Higher Education Commission, and the Islamabad Administration.