Rawalpindi:The Punjab Higher Education Department, DPI Colleges Sports Wing, and Directorate of Colleges are executing a comprehensive athletic development program across Rawalpindi Division colleges to scout young talent and provide structured pathways from district to provincial competitions.
In an exclusive interview with Associated Press of Pakistan, Divisional Focal Person Sports Rawalpindi, Asifa Naheed stated that sports trials, training modules, and multi-tier tournaments are currently underway to encourage youth participation in physical activities alongside academics.
To incentivize emerging student athletes, performance-based certificates, trophies, and cash prizes are being awarded across college-level events.
Naheed noted that available sports grounds, including facilities at Government Graduate College for Boys Satellite Town, Asghar Mall College, and VNC Girls College, are being fully utilized for cricket, hockey, and athletic trials, while efforts are underway to upgrade equipment and infrastructure across other regional institutions.
Outlining the talent identification pipeline, she explained that college sports officials first identify and train promising athletes at the institutional level, who then advance through district trials to represent Rawalpindi Division at provincial championships based strictly on merit.
Emphasizing that athletic engagement fosters discipline, leadership, and team spirit, she reiterated that coordinated efforts between sports officers, teachers, and coaches will continue expanding sports opportunities for youth throughout the division.