Prime Minister Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad believes Pakistani children are no less than football greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, saying they have unlimited talent but just need opportunities.

At the Pakistan Sports Complex, he commended Muslim Hands International for doing significant work in sports, education and other fields. He visited the centre as the Pakistan Street Football Children team prepared for the Norway Cup.

“If young children are given opportunities, they will win laurels for the country in every field. This is not a street child squad but Pakistan’s team,” he said.

Mashood also praised Pakistani girls who won gold medals in powerlifting competitions. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is making all-out efforts to provide opportunities to the youth and is giving special attention in every sector including sports,” he said.

“We all have to take the country forward and the government will patronize talented children. We will nurture talented youth through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. A modern bio-mechanic lab will also be built for the players,” the Youth Programme chief said.

He said next year the South Asian Games are going to be held in Pakistan. “We are also focusing on the Youth Olympics as sports has become an industry in the world. We want teams to be selected on merit in every game,” he said and added that he was hopeful that the street children team would win the trophy.