Created at the request of Archbishop Joseph Arshad, the diocesan tournament is now in its fifth edition with the participation of 14 teams from different parishes. An example of the commitment to young people in the conviction that sport can also help minorities escape the margins of Pakistani society.
Rawalpindi () – Although sporting talent is partly given by God, we all know the importance of cultivating it through a well-structured process. It is undeniable that Pakistani youth have talent, physical ability and mental strength in various sports. However, efforts to revive and promote sports in the country often falter due to financial constraints, lack of transparency and absence of a national sports policy that meets the aspirations of the youth. And it is a problem that especially affects young Christians, who as a minority often face additional challenges. Despite their talent, the lack of resources often demotivates them. To address this problem, since 2020, the Archbishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Monsignor Joseph Arshad, has launched the initiative of a diocesan cricket tournament among all the churches of the diocese, which is now in its fifth year.
Young people are a priority of Monsignor Arshad’s pastoral care: for them he has created a CSS Academy (the educational institution that prepares for the State exam, ed.), providing them with the necessary tools to prepare for competitive exams and excel in their academic and professional. And it is by looking at the overall growth of the person that the focus on sport also fits. In a society where Christians often face social taboos and marginalization, sport can be a powerful tool to break down barriers and change mentalities. By playing sports, young Christians not only gain resilience and self-confidence, but also challenge prejudices, helping to reshape society’s perceptions.
The St. Mary’s Academy girls’ cricket ground was filled with excitement for the fifth diocesan cricket tournament which brought together 14 Christian teams, who competed for a month starting in the second week of September. In the final the teams from the churches of Islamabad and Westridge faced each other, and the former took the trophy after a tense and exciting match.
During the awards ceremony, Archbishop Arshad blessed both the winning and losing teams, promising to continue striving for their progress and growth in the fields of sports and education, inspiring hope and unity among the youth. The event attracted widespread attention, with prominent members of the cricket board, local organizations and community leaders in attendance. Their participation highlighted the importance of these events in fostering relationships between the Church, young people and the local community as a whole.
Add Comment