A nationwide corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative has been launched with the ambitious objective of preparing at least 100 Pakistani female athletes for participation in the Olympic Games, combining elite sports training with formal education.
The plan by Empower Sports Academy was revealed during a press conference at a local hotel, as detailed in a statement released today. The event drew a significant audience, including media representatives, corporate sponsors, sports figures, educators, and other key stakeholders from across the nation. Empower Sports Academy aim to transform the future of female sports and education in Pakistan.
Now in its third year of development, the academy officially outlined its mission to identify, train, and educate young girls aged 9-10. The organisation aims to provide state-of-the-art coaching in all Olympic sports alongside a structured academic curriculum to achieve its goal.
The non-profit organisation has already commenced its work with female youth from underserved communities in remote villages of Balochistan, northern Pakistan, Punjab, and Sindh. According to the academy, some of these participants had not previously had opportunities to leave their homes.
Empower Sports Academy is registered as a non-profit in the USA and operates in Pakistan. It is committed to developing world-class female athletes, scholars, and leaders capable of representing the country on the international stage.
The institution was established by Alisha Junaid, a national-level volleyball player and international coach. Her vision for the organisation was reportedly shaped by observing significant untapped athletic potential among girls throughout Pakistan, which prompted her to create a platform for equal opportunity.
Governed by an experienced Board of Directors featuring global sports professionals, educators, and industry leaders, the academy”s stated aim is to ignite the potential of female athletes within a competitive setting. This approach is designed to create pathways not only to professional sports but also to higher education and international exposure.
The academy acknowledged an extensive network of collaborators playing a pivotal role in its mission. Official Partners and Collaborators include NIKE, Bookme, CROWN Group, Naya Nazimabad Gymkhana, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, INTERWOOD, Guidetti Academy, SportWrench, Jazz, HUM TV, Hyder, M. Design Architects, ELEVATE, JazzCash, Kids University, Rasheed Ahmad and Sons, VakifBank Sports Club and Stanford Women’s Volleyball (USA).
These partnerships, which involve international universities and elite volleyball institutions, are intended to provide participants with access to global-standard training, scholarships, and academic opportunities abroad.