Lahore, The inaugural Chief Minister Punjab Pink Games 2024 kicked off with vibrant competitions at the Nishtar Park Sports Complex on Thursday, marking a significant event dedicated to promoting women’s sports in the region.
According to Sports Board Punjab, the four-day sports gala features 1,300 female athletes from 20 universities, competing across seven disciplines including badminton, table tennis, archery, basketball, athletics, hockey, and cricket (tape ball). The event is seen as a crucial platform for enhancing women’s participation in sports and showcasing their talents on a large scale.
Highlights from the opening day included impressive performances in athletics at the Punjab Stadium. In the 100m race, Khaula from Lahore College for Women University clinched the top spot with a time of 13.6 seconds, while Sunaina of Punjab University and Sahar Fatima of Government College University finished second and third, respectively. Amtul Rahman, also from Lahore College for Women University, dominated the 400m race with a time of 1:4.75 minutes.
The javelin throw and shot put competitions also saw strong performances. Yusra Ayub of Government College University won the javelin throw with a distance of 34.12 meters, and Noor us Saba of Punjab University took first place in shot put with a throw of 11.88 meters.
Hockey matches were held at the National Hockey Stadium, where Lahore College Women University secured a commanding 12-0 victory over the University of Lahore, highlighted by Areeba Sarwar’s six goals. Additionally, Bahauddin Zakaria University and Superior University also scored decisive wins in their respective matches.
The basketball competitions at the Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall saw Bahauddin Zakaria University, FC College University, University of Sargodha, and Lahore College for Women University each secure robust victories against their opponents.
The cricket matches hosted at the Cycling Velodrome also ended with wins for Lahore College for Women University and University of Sargodha, defeating their respective competitors.
These games not only foster competitive spirit among the participants but also serve to empower female athletes by providing them with a platform to excel and gain recognition in their sports careers.