RAWALPINDI, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 2nd Sep, 2026) The Girls Cricket Championship under the Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab’s Annual Development Programme (ADP)/BS Games 2026-27 commenced at the cricket ground of Government Graduate Waqar-un-Nisa College, Rawalpindi.
Parliamentary Secretary for Culture and Member Punjab Assembly Shazia Rizwan, who attended the opening ceremony as chief guest, formally inaugurated the championship by cutting a ribbon. Teams participating in the championship also presented an impressive march-past.
Director Colleges Rawalpindi Dr Shehnaz Mohsin, Deputy Director Colleges (DDC) Professor Sajjad Hussain, Divisional Focal Person for Sports Professor Asifa Naheed, Principal Government Graduate Waqar-un-Nisa College Dr Zahida Parveen, Principal Satellite Town Graduate College for Boys Dr Athar Qasim, Principal Railway Road Girls College Prof Dr Maimoona, Principal Rehmatabad Girls College Prof Dr Saba, Principal Dhoke Hasu Girls College Prof Shazia Jillani, Principal Mohanpura Girls College Prof Saima Rashid, Principal Hashmat Ali Islamia College Dr Raheel, Principal Kahuta Girls College Dr Rizwana, Principal Dhoke Ilahi Bakhsh College Uzma Zaidi, Principal Dhoke Kala Khan Girls College Dr Ayesha, Professor Raziya, former Director Colleges Professor Sher Ahmed Satti, former AD Directorate Professor Ahmar and former Pakistan women cricket team captain and HED Punjab Cricket Ambassador Nida Dar were among those present.
Girls cricket teams from six divisions, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha and Faisalabad, are participating in the divisional-level championship.
The opening ceremony witnessed great enthusiasm among players and students, while a vibrant atmosphere promoting sports activities was seen at the college ground.
Divisional Focal Person for Sports Professor Asifa Naheed said sports activities for male and female students were being promoted in Rawalpindi in line with the vision and directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, Provincial Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, Director Sports Punjab Waqas Akbar and Director Colleges Rawalpindi Dr Shehnaz Mohsin.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Shazia Rizwan, Director Colleges Dr Shehnaz Mohsin, DDC Professor Sajjad Hussain and other speakers paid tribute to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz and said the revival of sports activities and regular organization of competitions across the province reflected the Punjab government’s commitment to providing youth with better opportunities in sports alongside education.
They stressed that providing sports opportunities to female students was particularly important, as active participation in sports not only improved physical health and mental abilities but also promoted confidence, leadership and decision-making skills.
They said today’s female students were not confined to books and classrooms and could also demonstrate their capabilities on the sports field. Regular organization of girls’ cricket and other sporting competitions would help identify talented female athletes from educational institutions who could represent the country at national and international levels.
HED Punjab Cricket Ambassador Nida Dar would supervise the competitions and encourage emerging female cricket players, they added.
