Zalmi Madrassa League Punjab Chapter Kicks Off in Lahore

Lahore: The sixth edition of the Zalmi Madrassa League officially commenced on Monday at the Punjab University Ground, marking the launch of the Punjab chapter of the nationwide initiative aimed at promoting sports among madrassa students. Three matches were played on the opening day of the tournament.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, Provincial Minister for Sports Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajeeh Qamar, Major General (R) Dr Ghulam Qamar, Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Vice Chancellor Punjab University Professor Dr Muhammad Ali, and Peshawar Zalmi COO Mian Abbas Laiq, along with representatives of the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE).

Participants and guests praised Peshawar Zalmi and the Zalmi Foundation for providing madrassa students with healthy sporting opportunities and constructive engagement through cricket.

Organised by Peshawar Zalmi, Zalmi Foundation, and Paigham-e-Pakistan, the Zalmi Madrassa League has previously been held successfully in Peshawar, Gilgit, Quetta, Azad Kashmir, Waziristan, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Following five successful seasons, the sixth edition is being hosted in Punjab in collaboration with the Government of Punjab, Punjab University College, and the Directorate General of Religious Education, Government of Pakistan.

The inauguration ceremony was conducted by Dr Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, DCO of the Punjab Center of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, who served as master of the ceremony. Mr Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, CCO of the Center of Excellence, also attended the event.

A total of 15 teams are competing in the Punjab edition of the league, with the final scheduled for January 6.

Match Results (Day One):

• Match 1: Panthers scored 69/6 in 8 overs. Invincibles chased the target in 6 overs, scoring 70/4 to win by six wickets.

• Match 2: Lions posted 113/3 in 8 overs. Royals reached 114/4 in 7.4 overs, winning by six wickets.

• Match 3: Strikers managed 73/7 in 8 overs. Mavericks edged past the target, scoring 74/9 in 7.2 overs to win by one wicket.

Speaking on the occasion, Peshawar Zalmi Chairman Javed Afridi said the Zalmi Madrassa League was close to his heart, adding that madrassa students had long been overlooked despite their talent. “Through this league, we want to provide them equal opportunities, leadership platforms, and positive competition so they can play an active role in Pakistan’s future,” he said.

The Zalmi Madrassa League aims to promote discipline, teamwork, confidence, social harmony, and peace by integrating madrassa students into mainstream sporting and social activities. Zalmi Foundation, the welfare arm of Peshawar Zalmi, continues to work across Pakistan in the fields of sports, education, health, and youth empowerment.