PM congratulates team; PNF urges PSB for long-overdue support
Pakistan’s youth girls netball team delivered a commanding performance on Friday, defeating Maldives 60-35 in the final to lift the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025 title at the Jeonju Hwasan Gymnasium in Jeonju-si, South Korea.
The girls remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, capping off their stellar run with a one-sided final where Maldives, who had put up a strong fight in the earlier group stage, were no match for Pakistan’s aggressive and coordinated play.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the team’s historic win, posting a celebratory message on X (formerly Twitter):
“Shabash! Pakistan wins the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025. A proud moment for the entire nation and another great milestone for Pakistani women in sports. Special appreciation for staying undefeated throughout. Very well played!”
A day earlier, the PM had also sent his best wishes ahead of the final:
“I wish the Pakistan Youth Netball Team, proudly represented by our talented daughters, the very best of luck for the final tomorrow in South Korea. Jeetay ga Pakistan!”
The Pakistani squad—featuring standout players such as Leya Raza Shah, Alisha Naveed, Sumayya Kouser, Haleema, Jasmine Farooq, Alina, Amani, Parisa, and Farah Rasheed—completely dominated the final, leaving little room for the Maldives to mount any resistance.
Officials from the Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF), including Chairman Mudassar Arain, President Sameen Malik, and Secretary General Muhammad Riaz, extended their heartfelt congratulations to the triumphant team.
Speaking to media, PNF Chairman Mudassar Arain expressed immense pride:
“This is a glorious day for Pakistan netball. Our girls have made the entire nation proud by winning this prestigious title.” He also thanked PM Shehbaz for his public support, calling it a major morale booster for the team.
He further praised the squad’s unbeaten run, which included victories over tournament heavyweights like South Korea, Japan, and Maldives.
Arain also highlighted the pivotal role played by Amanda Newton, the team’s British coach and former England captain, who has previously won gold at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
“Amanda’s intensive training sessions made all the difference. Her dedication and expertise were instrumental in our success,” he noted.
Stressing the PNF’s long-standing commitment to grassroots development, Arain called on the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to take notice of the team’s historic achievement and urgently release the much-needed grant to the federation.
“It’s time the PSB supports our efforts. While grants were recently released to 22 sports federations, the PNF was unjustly excluded,” he said, calling the omission disappointing and unexplained.
Arain emphasized that continued financial support is critical for sustaining Pakistan’s upward trajectory in netball and ensuring future international success.
