15th National Women’s Softball Championship kicks off in Karachi

The Essa Lab 15th National Women’s Softball Championship commenced with a vibrant and grand opening ceremony at the KMC Sports Complex. The event was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation Mr. Mukesh Kumar Chawla, who opened the championship with a ceremonial hit.

The opening ceremony was attended by a distinguished gathering of sports officials, dignitaries, and representatives from national sports bodies. Prominent attendees included Mr. Khalid Mehmood, Secretary General Pakistan Olympic Association (POA); Ms. Ronak Lakhani, Chairperson Special Olympics Pakistan; Ms. Yasmin Hyder, Chairperson Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP); Ms. Tehmina Asif, President SFP; Mr. Naseem Khan, Secretary General SFP; Mr. Zeeshan Merchant, Organizing Secretary of the Championship; and Hannah Farhan Essa, Managing Director, Essa Laboratories.

This year’s championship features the participation of six teams from across the country, including Pakistan Army, Pakistan WAPDA, Pakistan Police, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and host team Sindh. Their presence reflects the growing interest and commitment towards women’s sports in Pakistan.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Guest Mr. Mukesh Kumar Chawla praised the efforts of the Softball Federation of Pakistan and Essa Laboratories for their role in promoting women’s sports. He stated that women athletes in Pakistan continue to excel and events like this provide young girls with opportunities to progress and bring pride to the nation. He reaffirmed that the Sindh government will continue to fully support initiatives aimed at the development of women’s sports.

POA Secretary General Mr. Khalid Mehmood also congratulated the Organizing Committee for hosting the championship successfully. He highlighted the rapid growth of softball in Pakistan and acknowledged the remarkable progress shown by women athletes. He added that the Pakistan Olympic Association appreciates the efforts of the Softball Federation and its partners in preparing female athletes for national and international competitions.

The ceremony concluded with the formal introduction of the participating teams and recognition of the contributions made by the officials, sponsors, and supporting organizations who played a key role in making the championship possible.