Lahore, June 6, 2025 — In a bid to spotlight outstanding Christian athletes who have brought immense pride to Pakistan, Mr. Sohail Alam, Member of the Chief Minister’s Minority Advisory Council, has formally requested the Punjab government to organize a special recognition ceremony and announce generous prize money for two of the province’s most accomplished sports champions: Ms. Sybil Sohail and Mr. Babar Masih.

In a letter addressed to Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr. Alam praised the government’s ongoing efforts to foster a world-class sports culture in the province. He underscored Punjab’s recently doubled Sports Endowment Fund, which now stands at Rs 4 billion, and initiatives like the Khelta Punjab Games 2025—programs that provide monthly stipends of Rs 30,000–Rs 70,000 for the top 200 athletes and award 2,200 free e-bikes to divisional winners for mobility. These measures, he noted, “demonstrate the Chief Minister’s dedication to athlete welfare, gender equity, and sporting success.”

Building on this momentum, Mr. Alam’s letter highlights two trailblazing Christian sports stars:

1. Ms. Sybil Sohail – First Pakistani Woman to Win Gold at the Asian Masters Weightlifting Championship

In May 2025, Sybil Sohail captured the gold medal at the Asian Masters Weightlifting Championships in Doha, becoming the first Pakistani woman—and notably the first Christian athlete from Pakistan—to achieve this milestone. Alongside her weightlifting success, Sybil also holds the title of Commonwealth Powerlifting Champion, having been among the first three Pakistani women to compete in a major Asian-level weightlifting event. Her victories, Mr. Alam wrote, “are a moment of national pride and an inspiration for minority communities.”

2. Mr. Babar Masih – International Snooker Champion Elevating Pakistan’s Global Reputation

Mr. Babar Masih, a seasoned cueist, has steadily risen through the ranks of international snooker. His most recent triumph came at the Asia-Oceania Under-Q School Event 2025 in Bangkok, where he achieved a historic victory over India’s former world champion, Pankaj Advani. Babar’s career is studded with podium finishes: a gold, silver, and bronze at the 2019 Asian Championship in Doha; gold at the 2018 Asian Championship; gold and bronze at the 2017 IBSF World Team Championship; and gold at the 2016 Asian Billiard Sports Championship. According to Mr. Alam, “Babar Masih’s achievements continue to elevate Pakistan’s name on international snooker platforms.”

Requests to the Chief Minister
In his letter, Mr. Alam respectfully proposed two concrete actions:

1. Organizing a Formal Recognition Ceremony
   He urged the Chief Minister’s office to host an event honoring Sybil Sohail, Babar Masih, and other minority-community athletes for their “exceptional representation of Pakistan on international platforms.” Such a ceremony, he noted, would underscore the government’s commitment to meritocracy and inclusivity—“affirming that every citizen, regardless of religion or background, belongs in our shared narrative of success.”

2. Announcing Suitable Monetary Rewards or Incentives
   To motivate continued excellence, Mr. Alam asked that the provincial government grant prize money commensurate with national hero standards. He pointed to recent examples—such as Rs 100 million and a custom car awarded to Arshad Nadeem for his Paris 2024 javelin gold, and Rs 500,000 (plus a coach reward) for Mona Khan’s London Marathon 2025 victory—to demonstrate Punjab’s practice of recognizing sporting achievements.

Mr. Alam concluded his letter by expressing his readiness to assist the Chief Minister’s office in any way necessary to take these requests forward. “Honouring these athletes,” he wrote, “will underscore the government’s commitment to a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive Punjab.”

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Background on Punjab’s Sports Initiatives

• Doubled Sports Endowment Fund: The provincial government increased its annual sports endowment from Rs 2 billion to Rs 4 billion, enabling monthly stipends (Rs 30K–70K) for the province’s top 200 athletes.

• Khelta Punjab Games 2025: A grassroots talent hunt across Punjab that culminated in awarding 2,200 free e-bikes to divisional winners, promoting athlete mobility and community engagement.

• Celebrating Excellence Awards: Recent high-profile rewards include Rs 100 million and a custom PAK-92.97 car for javelin gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, and Rs 500,000 (plus a coach reward) for marathon champion Mona Khan.

With these mechanisms already in place, Sybil Sohail and Babar Masih stand poised to benefit from full recognition—celebrating minority athletes who represent a rapidly evolving, inclusive sporting landscape in Punjab.