The University of Management and Technology (UMT) has made history by becoming the first university to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the ‘Friends of Qalandars’ initiative with Lahore Qalandars. This groundbreaking partnership is aimed at fostering student engagement, leadership, and sports development, setting a new precedent for university-based cricket fan clubs.
The MoU signing ceremony was a grand event, attended by senior UMT management, Lahore Qalandars officials, and a large gathering of enthusiastic students. Notable among the attendees was national cricket star Fakhar Zaman, who added to the excitement of the occasion.
Atif Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “Friends of Qalandars is an exciting new program designed to enhance fan engagement and empower youth through university-based fan club chapters. It will provide young sports enthusiasts with an exclusive platform to participate in various activities, develop leadership skills, and build a strong fan community.”
President UMT, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the significance of this partnership. “We are delighted to be the first university to launch Friends of Qalandars. This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering youth through sports, leadership, and community engagement. Partnering with Lahore Qalandars will provide our students with invaluable opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with the cricketing world,” he stated.
The event also saw an engaging interaction between students and Fakhar Zaman, who distributed Lahore Qalandars jerseys among them. The students expressed their excitement about being part of this unique initiative, looking forward to the numerous opportunities it promises to bring.
With this pioneering step, UMT has set the stage for other universities to join hands with Lahore Qalandars in promoting cricket and leadership among students, further strengthening the bond between academia and the sporting world.