A Historic Debut for Pakistan’s Junior Golfers at the ISF World School Golf Championship
Pakistan’s nine young golfers, representing the Ace Junior Golf League (AJGL), made a remarkable debut at the inaugural ISF World School Golf Championship, held at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco. This historic participation marked a significant milestone for the country's junior golf scene, as the players showcased their talent on an international stage and brought pride to the nation.
The championship, which took place from July 16 to July 20, 2025, saw over 62 participants from 17 countries competing across four days of intense play. The course presented a formidable challenge, with green speeds set at 11, thick rough conditions, and tournament yardages reaching up to 6,454 yards for the boys and 6,047 yards for the girls. Despite these demanding conditions, the young Pakistani athletes displayed resilience, determination, and a strong sense of sportsmanship throughout the event.
Individual Performances Highlight the Talent
In the Girls Under 18 division, Shazmina Fatima Khan from Islamabad finished 9th with a total of 379 strokes, while Zarmina Marium Khan secured 10th place with 386 strokes. Nabeeha Nafees, representing Lahore, placed 13th with a total of 421 strokes. In the Girls Under 15 category, Zoay Qureshi emerged as the top performer for Pakistan, finishing 8th with 371 strokes. Mahnoor Mohy Ud Din Sayid followed closely in 12th place with 415 strokes.
On the boys’ side, Muhammad Wajahat Anwer from Lahore placed 12th in the Under 18 division with 371 strokes. In the Under 15 category, Muhammad Musa Khan impressed with consistent rounds, securing 11th place with 357 strokes. Hamza Moeed Yusuf and Fazeel Ahmad also delivered strong performances, finishing 14th and 16th respectively.
Team Performance and Cultural Exchange
Pakistan’s team placed 6th out of 7 competing nations, scoring a total of 1,098 strokes. This result was particularly impressive given the high level of competition, as they finished ahead of Kazakhstan, which scored 1,123 strokes. Morocco claimed the championship title with 854 strokes, followed by Thailand and Chinese Taipei.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the tournament offered valuable cultural exchanges and learning opportunities. Events such as Nations' Night allowed participants to share their backgrounds and heritage. Additionally, the ISF Academy workshops focused on important topics like safeguarding in sport, anti-doping, and injury prevention, making the experience a holistic one for all involved.
Preparation and Professionalism
The nine Pakistani players were all Level-1 certified and underwent three months of rigorous training under AJGL’s development framework. Their preparation and professionalism were evident throughout the tournament, reflecting the league’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
Tournament Director Mounya Amalou, a former LET tour player turned international referee, praised the young athletes for their energy, dedication, and strong presence on the practice range. She drew from her own experience, starting golf at 20 and turning pro at 26, and expressed confidence in their future. She encouraged continued participation in ISF events, including the 2026 edition, to gain more international exposure.
Lessons from Other Nations
Noha Ghadi, a standout player from Morocco’s winning team, shared insights into her success, emphasizing the importance of disciplined training—practicing 5-6 hours a day, five days a week, along with four days of fitness. Meanwhile, the Chinese Taipei coach highlighted their approach to talent development, which includes three national training squads and regular joint tournaments. He extended an invitation to AJGL to participate in upcoming events, promoting international collaboration.
Bangladesh’s delegate, Mr. Farid, admired the talent of Pakistan’s players and expressed hope for future joint tournaments. He emphasized the strong brotherly bond between the two nations and the potential for mutual growth through sporting ties.
Looking Ahead
Munazza Shaheen, Head of Delegation, described the experience as transformative, offering clear direction for the future of golf in Pakistan. She pledged to apply the lessons learned to help the sport grow back home.
Gen. Hilal, Patron-in-Chief of AJGL, commended Dr. Asma Shami and Munazza Shaheen for enabling the young golfers to compete at such a prestigious event. He stressed the importance of international exposure in developing young talent and suggested that hosting junior tournaments in Pakistan could provide local players with both learning and showcase opportunities.
Dr. Asma Shami, Chairperson of AJGL, expressed gratitude for the support received and acknowledged the collective effort behind this historic achievement. Mr. Ahsan Umar, Executive Director of the World School Golf Championship, pledged to hold more international events in collaboration with AJGL, highlighting the significance of such partnerships.
A New Era for Pakistani Golf
As the young golfers return home, they carry with them not just scorecards but also invaluable experiences that will shape their future. Their courage to dream beyond borders has been matched by action, and the nation stands ready to applaud their achievements. This historic debut marks the beginning of a new era for Pakistani golf, filled with promise and potential.