British High Commission celebrates start of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Jane Marriott praises Pakistan's proud sporting history, says athletes continue to inspire young people

The British High Commission in Islamabad hosted a reception to mark the opening of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, highlighting the UK’s support for education through scholarships and fellowships across the Commonwealth, according to an official release on Thursday.

Glasgow would host the Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 2, with around 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories competing across 10 sports, including six Para sports.

Speaking at the reception, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said, "The Commonwealth Games are about more than medals. They bring people together, celebrate talent and show the power of sport to unite communities”.

Marriott praised Pakistan's sporting legacy, stating that the country “has a proud sporting history”, and athletes who continue to inspire young people nationwide, according to the handout.

Participants took part in the Commonwealth Games, taking place from July 23 to August 2. PHOTO: British High Commission

She said the Games also reflected the enduring relationship between the two countries. "As Glasgow welcomes the Commonwealth, we are proud to celebrate the strong links between the UK, Pakistan and our Commonwealth family," she added.

According to the statement, the reception reflected the Commonwealth Games’ “spirit of friendship and opportunity,” bringing together guests to mark the start of Glasgow 2026.

Before the reception, the High Commission honoured four Pakistani recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust 100 Young Leaders Awards, recognising their contributions to education, inclusion, youth empowerment, technology and gender equality, the statement said.

The award recipients were PakGPT Co-founder Farah Gul Rahuja, for using inclusive artificial intelligence to support education, healthcare and climate resilience in underserved communities; Umeed Foundation Founder and CEO Hassan Ashraf, for expanding free education for child labourers and underserved children, it added.

Girls United for Human Rights Founder and Executive Director Hadiqa Bashir was also rewarded for tackling gender-based violence and promoting girls’ education, and ISYD Founder and Executive Director, Joshua Dilawar received appreciation for advancing youth inclusion, health equity, and gender equality, including training deaf young people as peer educators.

The reception for the Commonwealth games brought together members from the community. PHOTO: British High Commission

The High Commission said Glasgow 2026 follows the UK's successful hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and Birmingham in 2022, and noted that Commonwealth alumni also attended the reception, according to the statement.

It further said that Pakistani recipients were recognised for their work in education, inclusion, youth empowerment, technology and gender equality.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary group of 56 independent and equal countries. The Commonwealth Games bring together athletes from member countries, the UK’s four Home Nations, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.