Peshawar (Khyber Mail): The first-ever Zalmi Women Cricket League, a groundbreaking event for women’s cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formally began on Tuesday at the Hayatabad Sports Complex in Peshawar. Organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government under the Higher Education Department in collaboration with the Zalmi Foundation, this major event marks a significant step in promoting women’s sports in the region.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by notable figures including Provincial Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi, Provincial Minister for Sports Syed Fakhar Jihan, Minister for Public Health Pakhtunyar Khan, Special Assistant Humayun Khan, Secretary Higher Education Kamran Afridi, and Zalmi Foundation Director of Cricket Muhammad Akram. Other attendees included Vice Chancellors of various universities, college principals, and students.
Provincial Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi and Provincial Minister for Sports Syed Fakhar Jihan unveiled the trophy and officially inaugurated the league. Minister Syed Fakhar Jihan announced a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 each for the winning and runner-up teams.
In her speech, Minister Afridi emphasized Peshawar Zalmi’s role in showcasing the province’s talent and expressed hope for continued support for such activities. She also highlighted the government’s efforts to promote sports in colleges and universities, mentioning upcoming competitions in 14 different games involving over 2,000 players.
Minister Afridi congratulated the players selected for the Zalmi League and emphasized the joint effort of the Higher Education Department and Peshawar Zalmi in promoting sports among the girls of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She stated that work is ongoing to improve sports infrastructure in educational institutions and create more opportunities for talented youth.
Sports Minister Syed Fakhar Jihan lauded the international achievements of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s players and assured continued support from the provincial government. He announced the launch of an under-16 talent hunt program with teams selected for various games, who will receive support and a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 to participate in international competitions.
Both ministers expressed their gratitude to Peshawar Zalmi for organizing the event and reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in the region’s players to enhance their potential on a global level.