Lahore, May 4, 2025 – The Europe Today: In a powerful celebration of sport, inclusion, and innovation, His Excellency Henny de Vries, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Pakistan, in collaboration with Musawi—an organization committed to research and factual insight—hosted an inspiring gathering of athletes, policymakers, and private sector pioneers.
The event served as a dynamic platform for discussing the future of sports in Pakistan, focusing on youth empowerment, inclusion, and international cooperation. Ambassador de Vries was joined by renowned Dutch hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander and Netherlands Embassy Youth and Sports Envoy Kaya Bokhari.
Among the notable guests were two exceptional Pakistani athletes: Shehroze Kashif, who recently made history as the youngest Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks at the age of just 22, and Zainab Ali Raza, a Special Olympics gold medalist in cycling, celebrated for her unmatched resilience and determination.
The event also featured meaningful dialogue with Punjab’s Minister for Sports, Faisal Ayub Khokhar, exploring opportunities to strengthen youth development and broaden sports participation at the grassroots level.
Reflecting on the event, Ambassador de Vries remarked, “It was an energizing and hopeful gathering—these conversations remind us that sports can be a powerful force for unity, confidence, and change.”
The gathering further strengthened the Netherlands-Pakistan partnership in the field of sports, underlining a shared vision of fostering inclusive, active communities through collaboration and mutual inspiration.
