Islamabad: Pakistan Football Federation and United Nations Pakistan have launched a landmark 'Football for Mental Health' initiative aimed at promoting youth mental wellbeing through sports.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by PFF President Mohsen Gilani and United Nations Resident Coordinator Mohammad Yahya during a ceremony held in Islamabad.

The event was attended by Pakistan women's football team captain Maria Khan, Lahore Qalandars Chief Executive Officer Atif Rana, PFF Chief Executive Officer Shahid Khokhar and other prominent personalities.

Under the agreement, phased programmes will be organized across the country to raise awareness regarding mental health issues among youth while promoting positivity, confidence, hope and emotional wellbeing through football activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mohsen Gilani said football was not only a sport but also a powerful means to improve the mental wellbeing of young people. He said the federation remained committed to the physical as well as mental development of youth and added that collaboration with the United Nations would strengthen the positive role of sports in Pakistan.

'Youth are our future, and their mental and physical wellbeing must remain our top priority,' Gilani said, adding that bringing positive social change through sports formed a key component of the federation's vision.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Mohammad Yahya described the initiative as an important step towards promoting youth mental health in Pakistan. He stated that sports played a vital role in building confidence, unity and positive thinking among young people and assured continued UN support for youth welfare programmes.

He further observed that openly discussing mental health had become an urgent necessity and noted that Pakistan was among the few countries launching such a unique programme.

Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana assured full support for football development initiatives and said the franchise had already engaged more than 900,000 youngsters through talent hunt programmes. He added that Lahore Qalandars would continue working with PFF for the promotion of football in the country.

Maria Khan said football strengthened mental resilience, confidence and self-belief, while United Nations Youth Conference member Maria Martha noted that despite challenges faced by women in sports, games continued to create positive opportunities for younger generations.