Pakistan to field a 53-member contingent at Asian Youth Games | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan's 53-member contingent is approved to participate in the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain (Oct 22-31, 2025).
- The participation required clearances from the IPC and Foreign Affairs ministries, pending final Interior Ministry approval.
- The contingent will represent Pakistan across eight sports disciplines, led by Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan as Chef de Mission.
- The PSB strictly enforced a merit-only selection policy, aimed at eliminating self-sponsorship and privilege in team selection.
- Officials emphasized that the selection process focused solely on proven sporting talent capable of bringing glory to Pakistan.
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) officially approved the participation of a 53-member Pakistani contingent in the upcoming 3rd Asian Youth Games, scheduled to be held in Bahrain between October 22 and 31, 2025, marking the revival of the games after a 12-year hiatus since 2013. The clearance was secured after receiving necessary approvals from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though final confirmation from the Ministry of Interior is still pending. The team, which includes athletes and officials, is set to compete in eight different sports, including Athletics, Kabaddi, and Taekwondo. Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister Youth Programme, will serve as the Chef de Mission for the delegation. In a significant administrative move, the PSB, under Director General Yasir Pirzada, strictly implemented a merit-only selection policy, explicitly discouraging self-sponsorship practices that were previously exploited. A PSB spokesperson affirmed that the selected athletes earned their spots purely through proven skill and performance, signaling an end to using sports as a means for unauthorized foreign travel.
