MULTAN:Multan District emerged as overall champions in the Inter-District Karate Championship held at the Gymnasium of Divisional Sports Complex Multan under the annual sports calendar of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department Punjab, marking 2026 as the Year of Youth on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Players from Multan, Vehari, Lodhran and Khanewal districts participated in the championship, featuring exciting competitions among boys and girls.
Multan District secured the top position by winning 18 medals, including 14 gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Khanewal finished second with 17 medals, comprising one gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals. Vehari also won 17 medals, including one gold, three silver and 13 bronze medals, while Lodhran secured 14 medals, comprising three gold, four silver and seven bronze medals.
Divisional Sports Officer Multan Attaur Rehman Khan was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony and distributed medals and prizes among the outstanding players. He also presented the overall championship trophy to the winning Multan District team.
Addressing the participants, he said the Sports Department was taking comprehensive measures to promote healthy activities among young people and encourage them to participate in sports instead of spending excessive time on social media.
He said karate was an important martial art that not only helped players improve their physical fitness but also equipped them with valuable self-defence skills.
He appreciated all participating players for displaying excellent performance and expressed hope that they would continue their hard work and dedication to bring laurels to the country.
He further said that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and on the directions of Provincial Minister for Sports Faisal Ayub Khokhar, the Youth Affairs and Sports Department Punjab was organising various sporting competitions to provide maximum opportunities and better facilities to young athletes.
Former District Officer Sports Chaudhry Muhammad Siddique, District Sports Officers Adnan Naeem (Multan), Asim Bhatti (Vehari), Sajid Mahmood (Lodhran) and Muhammad Hafeez (Khanewal), Karate Association Secretary Khalid Ali Mirza, Divisional Coaches Dr Adnan Mirza, Shahid Latif, Nasir Hussain, Waqar Ahmed and Noor Khan Qaisrani, and Tehsil Sports Officer Multan City were also present on the occasion.