Lahore: News Desk
The YMCA, a historic organization founded in London in 1844, has been actively serving Lahore for the past 148 years, adapting to changing times while preserving its commitment to community development. Speaking at a briefing during the Lahore Biennale, General Secretary of YMCA Lahore, Emanuel Sarfraz, highlighted the organization’s enduring impact on the city. The Biennale, which featured 60 artists from 30 countries, included the YMCA as one of its main exhibition venues. The event began on October 5 and will conclude on November 8.
The Lahore YMCA has played a foundational role in introducing and promoting modern sports and youth activities in the region. In 1921, it helped organize the Boy Scouts Movement in Punjab and introduced sports such as volleyball, basketball, and badminton. The YMCA was also home to the first university boxing tournament in Punjab, held on the building’s rooftop, and conducted Lahore’s first Inter-Club Tennis Tournament. Additionally, the city’s—and subcontinent’s—first broadcasting station was established at the Lahore YMCA in 1928.
Reflecting on YMCA’s legacy, Sarfraz remarked, “A lifetime is not enough to meet great challenges and achieve the highest goals. The YMCA movement began in a shop in London, and today it operates in 120 countries, with the support of over 60 million people.” He7 underscored that the YMCA’s presence in Lahore has been a testament to how faith-based movements can catalyze positive change.
In response to modern demands, the Lahore YMCA has expanded its programs, recently introducing courses in artificial intelligence, as well as skin and health care programs. “The YMCA is you committed to equipping young people to face the challenges of a changing world,” said Sarfraz, emphasizing the organization’s ongoing role in providing quality education and fostering personal growth.
