Layyah Football League sets new benchmark for youth sports [The News]

by Abdul Mohi Shah

ISLAMABAD: From packed stands and electrifying football to family entertainment, musical performances and a major financial commitment to sports infrastructure, the Layyah Football League has emerged as a compelling example of how youth sports can transform a community and bring people closer to healthy activities.

As the curtains came down on the nine-day extravaganza, the message from Layyah was unmistakable: given the right opportunities, facilities and encouragement, sporting talent can flourish far beyond the country’s traditional sporting centres.

The inaugural Layyah Football League, organised by Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali Dogar in line with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision of Khelta Punjab, Barhta Punjab, brought together 31 football clubs from across Pakistan, turning the district into a vibrant hub of football, community participation and sporting enthusiasm.

The host district had every reason to celebrate as Azad Football Club Layyah produced an impressive performance to defeat renowned Lahore-based SA Garden and capture the championship title. The triumph was not merely a victory for the home side; it was also a moment of pride for local football and a fitting conclusion to an event that attracted thousands of spectators throughout its nine-day programme.

The scale of public interest was particularly striking. According to Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali Dogar, approximately 11,000 spectators turned up to witness the final, while large crowds attended matches on a daily basis. The response underlined the enormous appetite for organised sporting activities in areas where young athletes often struggle to find adequate platforms to display their abilities.

For nine days, football became the centre of attraction in Layyah. The tournament combined competitive action with a festive atmosphere, as food stalls, family entertainment and musical programmes brought spectators from different walks of life to the venue. A spectacular musical night and fireworks display added colour to the closing ceremony, making the occasion much more than a conventional sporting event.

The league’s impact extended well beyond the football field when Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar announced an allocation of Rs250 million (Rs25 crore) for the installation and upgradation of sports facilities for the youth of Layyah.

The announcement, made during a media briefing, provided a significant boost to the district’s sporting ambitions and raised hopes that the enthusiasm generated by the league would be supported by improved facilities and sustained investment.

The final-day ceremony was attended by Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Chaudhry Muhammad Ashfaq, Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali Dogar, District Police Officer Hassan Javed Bhatti and Member of the Provincial Assembly Samia Atta Shahani, among other distinguished guests.

The winning team received a cash prize of Rs500,000, while the runners-up collected Rs300,000. The distinguished guests distributed prizes and presented commemorative shields in recognition of the occasion. he participation of 31 teams, including sides representing major organisations such as the Army, Navy and WAPDA, added depth and competitiveness to the championship. It also offered local players an opportunity to test themselves against established opposition, gain valuable match experience and demonstrate their potential before a wider audience.

For Dogar, however, the real measure of success was not confined to the trophy, prize money or the number of participating teams. The overwhelming public response and the enthusiasm of young people convinced him that Layyah could become a regular destination on Pakistan’s football calendar.

Speaking to The News from Layyah, the DC announced plans to organise an All Pakistan Football League every year, giving the district a permanent platform for sporting competition and talent development.

“Thousands turned up to watch the matches every day. You cannot believe the enthusiasm the local community has shown for this football event, with no fewer than 11,000 spectators attending the final. Considering the tremendous interest shown by the area’s youth, we have decided to host the All Pakistan Football Championship every year,” Dogar said.

He added that the initiative was undertaken in line with the clear directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to channel the energy of young people into constructive and healthy activities.

“The interest shown by the youth in the tournament is clear evidence that we have succeeded in achieving our goal,” he said. Dogar said the league marked an important milestone in promoting sports in the district by providing young athletes with opportunities to showcase their talent, gain competitive experience and pursue their sporting ambitions.

“The Layyah Football League is a practical manifestation of the chief minister’s vision of creating sporting opportunities for young people and promoting healthy activities,” he said. Earlier, Dogar inaugurated the All Pakistan Football event, with DPO Hassan Javed Bhatti and MPA Samia Atta Shahani also present during the Opening Ceremony.

The success of the league has also highlighted a persistent challenge facing Pakistan’s sporting landscape: talent is spread across the country, but opportunities, facilities and exposure are not always equally available. Young players in smaller cities and remote districts frequently have to overcome significant hurdles to gain recognition, compete at a higher level and attract the attention of selectors.

Events such as the Layyah Football League can help bridge that gap by bringing competitive football closer to local communities and creating opportunities for emerging players to perform on a bigger stage.

Its significance, therefore, lies not only in the championship won by Azad Football Club Layyah or the financial rewards offered to the finalists, but also in the possibility of establishing a sustainable pathway for local talent. If the promised annual championship is maintained and accompanied by investment in training, coaching and playing facilities, Layyah could develop into an important centre for football in southern Punjab. The response from spectators also demonstrated that grassroots sport can serve a wider social purpose. By bringing families and communities together around a shared sporting occasion, the league created an environment in which healthy competition, recreation and youth participation complemented one another.

Layyah has now set an example worth replicating elsewhere in the country. The challenge ahead will be to sustain the momentum, ensure that the announced investment translates into improved facilities and provide talented youngsters with regular opportunities to progress.

Published in The News, 28 October 2026