Former English footballer Michael Owen joins Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive

Former British footballer Michael Owen announced on Sunday that he has joined the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive.

Owen, who played for the English national team as well as football clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Liverpool, said that the drive will train youth by creating a “soccer city” in Pakistan.

In a video message to Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistani fans, Owen said that 68% of the country’s population is under 30 years of age and that he was ready to play a role to bring the Pakistani youth from “local to a global” level.

“We are searching for great football talent through the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive,” the footballer maintained, adding that national trials will be launched to find new talent.

“The Pakistan Sports Drive is a great idea from PM Imran and Usman Dar,” he stated.

Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Owen on becoming an ambassador for the Kamyab Jawan Drive, stating that this was an excellent opportunity to find talent in Pakistan.

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“A comprehensive plan, with complete planning, is being launched for the youth,” the premier said, adding that the future course of action will be delineated in his next speech to the youth.

PM Imran maintained that young people need to be provided with opportunities for positive activities, such as, sports.

He hoped to see Pakistan’s local talent succeed on international stages.

Special Adviser to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs Usman Dar stated that Michael Owen’s participation is an encouraging news for Pakistani talent.

“Pakistan will be bought to an international level in the sphere of sports,” he said, adding that international coaching will help hone local talent.

The government is launching its Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive in Islamabad tomorrow (Monday), to revive the sports culture in the country.

PM Imran will inaugurate the drive at Jinnah Stadium Sports Complex.

The SAPM claimed that this will be the biggest sports programme in the country’s history, and will enable active participation of the youth in healthy physical activities.

He said under its first phase, 12 different games for males and 10 for females will be arranged across 25 regions under the talent hunt programme.

The age bracket for both will be 11-25 years.