Suleman Arshad, a youth worker from Pakistan, has won the Commonwealth Youth Worker Award 2016 from the Asia Region.
The award was announced in a ceremony held at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on 10 November 2016.
The award has been given to Arshad in recognition of his services for the empowerment of youth in Pakistan through sports. He is the founder and the president of the Pakistan Para Climbing Club, the first club of its kind in Pakistan.
Despite his visual impairment, Arshad has been working to promote inclusive sports empowerment programmes in Pakistan.
Arshad was not able to attend the ceremony, but thanked the Commonwealth Secretariat for recognising his work and efforts aimed at empowering youth in Pakistan.
Speaking about his work, he said that the club provided opportunities to the young people to create a positive impact on the society.
Arshad added that the award was a great encouragement for him and would help him serve the youth with more vigour.
Pakistan High Commission to the United Kingdom Syed Ibne Abbas, in his message of felicitation to Arshad, commended his dedication and hard work that brought him the prestigious award.
He termed him a role model for the youth and a reflection of the true face of Pakistan. The other regional winners included Youth Workers from Kenya, UK, Belize and Tonga.
The Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards were announced during Youth Work Week 2016,which runs from 07-13 November 2016.
The theme of the week this year is ‘Empowering young people through sport and arts’, acknowledging the creative and innovative techniques employed by youth workers to deliver effective youth.
Happy to announce @SSuleman90 is our #Commonwealth #Asia #YouthWorker of the Year 2016!!! #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/YBn9UyOpIK
— Commonwealth Youth (@ComSecYouth) November 10, 2016
Well done Suleman! #Commonwealth #YouthWorker https://t.co/OP3i5FSgLv
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) November 10, 2016
So honored to be the regional finalist for the #YouthWorkerAwards, wish i was there @ComSecYouth @commonwealthsec catching it live on FB 😛
— suleman arshad (@SSuleman90) November 10, 2016
