Bank Alfalah, a leading commercial bank in Pakistan, hosted a special ceremony to extend its best wishes to Pakistan’s athletes ahead of the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin, Italy. As a committed advocate of sports and inclusion, Bank Alfalah partnered with Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP), a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through year-round sports training and competitions. Over the period of two years, the bank funded a PKR 9 million training program through this collaboration, benefiting 500 athletes. As a result, 10 exceptional athletes have qualified to represent Pakistan in two sports on the global stage at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025.
Special Olympics Pakistan offers a range of Olympic-type sports, empowering athletes to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a community of support. With a network of over 35,000 registered athletes, 4,260 coaches, and 6,000 volunteers, SOP has positively impacted countless lives through sports, health, education, and community-building programs.
This collaboration supports SOP’s objectives by engaging over 500 special and mainstream athletes through regular sports programming, organising live-in training camps for selected athletes, and developing a 50-coach and technical staff network.
“Bank Alfalah believes in the power of sports to transform lives and build a more progressive and inclusive society,” said Atif Bajwa, President and CEO of Bank Alfalah. “We are honoured to partner with Special Olympics Pakistan and support their incredible work empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities. This aligns perfectly with our broader commitment to sports and our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate and excel. Just as we nurture upcoming talent and discover Pakistan’s potential, we dedicate ourselves to helping them reach their full potential. We extend our best wishes to all the athletes and look forward to seeing them showcase their remarkable skills on this global platform.”
Bank Alfalah has a strong history of supporting sports initiatives, recognising their importance in fostering teamwork, discipline, and personal growth. This partnership is part of Bank Alfalah and motivates, inspires, and recognises young, upcoming talent nationwide, providing meaningful opportunities to deserving individuals and showcasing their stories of optimism and ingenuity.
Ronak Lakhani, Chairperson and Board Member of Special Olympics Pakistan, expressed her enthusiasm for the 15 athletes, saying: “This partnership is a game-changer in our mission to empower athletes with intellectual disabilities across Pakistan. By expanding our reach and creating more opportunities, we are supporting these athletes, breaking barriers, and redefining inclusion in sports. I do not doubt that these 15 extraordinary athletes will make Pakistan proud globally, inspiring countless others with their determination and resilience.”
The Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 is a major international sporting event scheduled from March 8 to March 15, 2025, in Turin, Italy, with the motto, “The Future is Here”, reflecting its commitment to showcasing the abilities and achievements of athletes with intellectual disabilities, promoting inclusion and unity through sports. This event will unite over 500 athletes from 102 countries, competing across eight winter sports disciplines. It will include eight disciplines: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, dance sport, figure skating, floorball, short-track speed skating, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. The athletes from Pakistan will be participating in Alpine Skiing and snowshoeing.
