In 2024, Pakistani sports are changing in exciting ways as new young stars are getting noticed both at home and around the world. These athletes, from many different sports, are showing great skill and hard work. They are setting new records and reaching new heights. From cricket stars to top squash players and rising football talents, these young people are the future of Pakistani sports. Their successes are inspiring many and bringing pride and hope to a country that loves sports.
In a world full of possibilities, young, talented children emerge as the beacons of the next generation. Their unwavering determination and exceptional skills have the power to shape the future. Armed with knowledge, creativity and resilience, these rising stars light our way to a brighter tomorrow.
- Alisha Junaid
- Punhal Chaudry
- Mikael Ali Baig
- Naiel Chaudry
- Aydin Rizvi
Alisha Junaid
Alisha is a strong leader and athlete who works hard to support women in indoor sports in Pakistan. She started Empower Sports Academy. A non-profit that gives young girls in Pakistan the best resources and training to help them succeed in sports. Alisha helps these teams compete internationally. She has gathered a skilled team of coaches and advisors from places. Like Stanford University, Menlo College, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
With Empower Sports Academy, Alisha teamed up with the Pakistan Volleyball Federation and Higher Education Commission (HEC) to organize the first National Championship in Islamabad in February 2023. This important event had over 140 players, and Alisha, the youngest player on the national team, won the award for Best Women Volleyball Setter in Pakistan. She also got sponsorships for the event, including prize money for all players on the winning and runner-up teams, which was a first.
Alisha is also a key player on the Pakistan national women’s volleyball team, where she shines as a setter. She is a certified coach from the Northern California Volleyball Association (NCVA) and works as an assistant coach at an academy in Redwood City, California. Alisha gives most of her salary to Empower Sports Academy. Her skills, passion, and hard work are making a big difference in sports, creating a better future for young women in Pakistan
Punhal Chaudry
Punhal is a brave and young entrepreneur and athlete, who is 11 years old. She started and runs a home bakery called “La’ Jawab Treats.” She is also a soccer player, gymnast, skilled public speaker, and fashion lover. Her bakery is famous for its unique fusion desserts (Pakistani-American) and custom celebration cakes. She is now working on adding a new product, “fusion boba drinks,” to the La’ Jawab Treats menu.
Mikael Ali Baig
Mikaeel Ali, who likes to be called Mika, is a 13-year-old making a big impact. He was recently named “Goodwill Ambassador for Sports & Youth” by Mr. Rai Taimoor. The Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports in Punjab, Pakistan, for his role in promoting a positive image of Pakistan through sports. Mika is on Pakistan’s national 3-player tennis team. In September 2021, Mika and his team made history by winning a gold medal at the Asian junior international tournament for players 12 and under, held in Islamabad, Pakistan. Where they beat India in the finals. In November 2021, Mika and the team won another gold medal at the Asian junior 12 and under finals in Kazakhstan, beating teams from India, Thailand, Jordan, and Kazakhstan.
Mika is also one of the top 40 national tennis players in his age group in the USA. He earned his first-degree black belt in taekwondo at just 9 years old and has competed in the US Open Taekwondo Championship, winning 3 gold and 3 silver medals. Mika is a former competitive gymnast and has won many awards in both taekwondo and gymnastics. His diverse skills have made him popular on social media, with over 50k followers. Mika has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and TV news in both Pakistan and the USA. He has appeared many times on leading Pakistani news channels like PTV World and Hum News.
Mika is dedicated to promoting a positive image of Pakistan worldwide. He has organized fundraisers in the USA to collect tennis equipment and raise money for tennis clubs and poor children in Pakistan. Mika is a role model for people of all ages. He loves giving back to his community and always strives to improve, following his “MIKATENSITY” mentality.
Naiel Chaudry
Naiel Chaudry loves baking, digital design, speaking, and running his own business. He started his home baking business, “LaJawab Treats,” in February 2021. It has become popular for event catering and party cakes. Naiel won Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship.” LaJawab Treats specializes in fusion desserts, combining the best of East and West flavors. When he’s not baking, Naiel competes in state and national speech tournaments. He designs logos, earning recognition from the city of Los Altos, CA.
Aydin Rizvi
Aydin Rizqi is a young author living in California. He has been writing stories since he was 7 years old and has self-published many books. He is inspired by Rick Riordan and other authors. As a young writer, he is still learning about the publishing world but gets a lot of support from his family and friends.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s sports scene is getting a big boost from its rising stars! These young athletes are amazing – extremely talented, hardworking, and already achieving big things in many different sports. They are breaking records, inspiring others to pursue their dreams, and making everyone in Pakistan proud. By supporting these rising stars, Pakistan can invest in the bright future of sports. With their continued success, domestically and internationally, they are sure to leave their mark on the world of sports.