Sports Reporter
PESHAWAR: The sixth edition of the Zalmi Madrassa League concluded successfully with Zalmi Leopards (Jamia Kubra Madrassa) emerging as champions.
The final match was graced by the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, who attended as the chief guest and congratulated Peshawar Zalmi, Zalmi Foundation, and Paigham-e-Pakistan on the successful organization of the event. Madrassa students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Javed Afridi, Peshawar Zalmi, and the Zalmi Foundation for providing them with this inclusive and empowering platform.
Organized jointly by Peshawar Zalmi, the Zalmi Foundation, and Paigham-e-Pakistan, the sixth edition of the Zalmi Madrassa League was won by Zalmi Leopards (Jamia Kubra Madrassa). In the final, the Leopards defeated Zalmi Patriots (Board of Islamic Education) by five wickets. Batting first, the Patriots were bowled out for 83 runs. Anis and Fazal-ur-Rehman picked up two wickets each. In reply, the Leopards comfortably chased down the target for the loss of five wickets, with Najib top-scoring with 32 runs.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan congratulated the organizers on the successful event and stated that the government would continue to provide all possible encouragement and support to madrassa students at the official level.
Speaking on the occasion, Mian Abbas Laeeq, Chief Operating Officer of Peshawar Zalmi and the Zalmi Foundation, thanked the chief guest, distinguished guests, and participants. He said that the Zalmi Madrassa League represents the vision of Peshawar Zalmi Chairman Javed Afridi, aimed at bringing madrassa students into the mainstream and providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents through sports.
The final ceremony was also attended by Provincial Minister for Sports Rana Sikandar Hayat, Home Secretary Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, Director Admin DGRE Headquarters Syed Azhar Abbas, and Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shehzad, DCO Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, along with other dignitaries.
A total of fifteen madrassa teams from across Punjab participated in the league. Following the successful organization of the previous five seasons in Peshawar, Waziristan, Balochistan, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, the sixth season of the Zalmi Madrassa League was held in Lahore, Punjab. Season 6 was organized in collaboration with the Government of Punjab, Punjab University College, the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE), Government of Pakistan, and the Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism.
The Zalmi Madrassa League is a unique and impactful platform that provides madrassa students with opportunities to showcase their sporting abilities, develop leadership skills, and build positive and constructive engagement with mainstream national institutions. The initiative highlights the importance of ensuring that madrassa students receive equal opportunities, access, and representation alongside other segments of society.
The Zalmi Madrassa League has become a flagship initiative of the Zalmi Foundation, with the core objective of promoting social harmony, interfaith understanding, and sustainable peace by engaging an often underrepresented youth segment in positive and productive activities. Through sports and structured training, the league fosters confidence, discipline, teamwork, and a positive social role among students.
Paigham-e-Pakistan remains firmly committed to countering extremism and promoting unity, mutual respect, and social harmony across the country. In line with this vision, Zalmi Madrassa League Season 6 represents a meaningful effort to nurture leadership, discipline, and positive national integration among madrassa students through organized sports.
It is worth noting that the Zalmi Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Peshawar Zalmi, actively working across Pakistan in the fields of sports, education, health, and youth empowerment to contribute to sustainable social development.
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