Global Encounters will work across three domains:
- Youth Leadership and Development
- Arts, Culture and Heritage
- Sports and Fitness
Global Encounters’ purpose and goals are shared across institutions. The collective aspirations for youth development, cultivating talent and leadership, strengthening identity, building a strong and united global community and bringing our diverse global Jamat together will be achieved through the collective collaboration of institutions and partners. The Global Encounters Festival 2024, which includes Jubilee Arts and Jubilee Games, as well as the regional and national qualifying programmes, have the potential to offer the Jamat transformational experiences with the impetus to push them forward.
Jubilee Games 2024:
The Global Encounters proposed GE Festival will feature the third iteration of the Jubilee Games (2008, Kenya and 2016, Dubai), striving to bring together athletes from around the world to participate in sports competitions and other signature events. The GE Festival will promote athletic excellence and present opportunities to showcase and celebrate aspiring and accomplished athletes. This cycle will also focus on youth athletes in a limited number of individual and team competitions. Furthermore, for the first time, eSports will also allow virtual participation in the international event. The GE Festival aims to inspire athletes, spectators and staff to become leaders in their communities. It also highlights the importance of sports and exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a positive impact on physical and mental well-being.
The Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Pakistan will host regional and national qualifiers as part of the Josh Games 2023, leading up to the Jubilee Games at the Global Encounters Festival in 2024.
Sports Offered: New and Existing:
Categories and Age Requirements:
The Global Encounters Festival has lowered the entry age requirement to 14 years. The adult category will be defined as 18 years and older, and the Youth category will be defined as 14 years to 17 years as part of the Global Encounters Festival.
Eligibility will be determined based on the athlete's date of birth for the following categories:
- U16 - Born between 1 June 2008 - 31 May 2010
- U18 - Born between 1 June 2006 - 31 May 2008
- 18+ - Born Before 31 May 2006
Note: Youth Athletes may choose to “Play Up” in older categories with their parent or legal guardian's consent.
Schedule of Regional Qualifiers:
Schedule of National Qualifiers*:
* The National Qualifiers are scheduled to be held in December 2023. We will soon confirm the dates.
Register Now
To register online, please click on the link above. Alternatively, if you prefer to apply in person, kindly visit your local council or Jamatkhana YSB offices.
Online registration for the Central Regional Qualifiers, which will be held in Islamabad, will close on May 20th, 2023. However, walk-in registrations will also be available on the day of the trials at the venue.
For more information and queries email us at [email protected]
Jubilee Games 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who are eligible to participate in Jubilee Games 2024?
All those Ismaili athletes or partners and children of multi-faith Ismaili families who are born before 31 May 2010 are eligible to participate in Jubilee Games trials and the international event.
2. What year do the youth 14-17 need to be born in to participate?
Age will be determined based on the athlete's age as of 31 May 2023. The Youth category includes those born between 1 June 2006 to 31 May 2010.
3. How many categories are there in Jubilee Games?
The Global Encounters Festival has lowered the entry age requirement to 14 years. The adult category will be defined as 18 years and older, and the Youth category will be defined as 14 years to 17 years as part of the Global Encounters Festival.
4. What are the cut-off dates for youth under 16, under 18 and 18+ categories?
Eligibility will be determined based on the athlete's date of birth for the following categories:
- Youth category under 16 cut-off dates: Born between 1 June 2008 and 31 May 2010
- Youth category under 18 cut-off dates: Born between 1 June 2006 and 31 May 2008
- Adult category 18+ cut-off date: Born before 31 May 2006
The Global Encounters Festival Organising Team may make exceptions for athletes with exceptional talents who meet the World Class Athlete definition. Individuals who have recently competed in National or International competitions, which are sanctioned or recognised by an international governing body of their respective sport and are ranked or recognized, are defined as World Class Athletes.
Note: Youth Athletes may choose to “Play Up” in older categories with their parent or legal guardian's consent.
5. How many sports are being offered at the International Festival?
A total of 18 sports are being offered at the Jubilee Games International Festival.
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Chess
- Cricket
- eSports-eChess
- eSports-eFIFA
- Football
- Golf
- Pickleball
- Squash
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Throwball
- Track & Field
- Volleyball International
- Volleyball Traditional
- Wrestling
6. Can an athlete take part in more than one sport?
No, an athlete can take part in only ONE sport and its subcategories at regional and national trials and at the international Jubilee Games 2024.
7. In how many Swimming events can a swimmer participate?
A swimmer may compete in a maximum of three (3) individual events and one relay event.
8. In how many Track & Field events can an athlete participate?
An athlete may compete in a maximum of three (3) individual events and one relay event.
9. What are the new offerings in Jubilee Games 2024?
Youth Sports Category:
This iteration of the GE Festival will lower the entry age requirement to 14 years. The adult category will be defined as 18 years and older and the Youth category will be defined as 14 years to 17 years as part of the GE Festival.
Women's Sports Expansion:
New sports have been added to the women’s category.
All team and individual sports will now be offered in Women’s and Open categories.
New Additions:
Several sports will now be offered under various categories. New sports added include:
- Pickleball: Given its recent popularity, Pickleball is being added as a new sport.
- eSports: eSports will be introduced at the GE Festival including eChess and eFIFA.
10. Do regional and national events have to include eSports?
Regional, national and international eChess tournaments will be held virtually during the course of the GE Festival. Note that there are no initial qualifiers for this event. Qualifying rounds of eFIFA will be held at the regional and national levels to determine players eligible to advance to the GE Festival. Qualifying athletes will be invited to the GE Festival to participate in an arena style eFIFA international tournament. A forthcoming programme plan will offer additional details including rules, age criteria and console requirements.
11. Can multi-faith family members participate in sports and the GE Festival?
Yes. Partners and children of multi-faith Ismaili families may participate as artists, athletes, volunteers or attendees.
12. Can an individual take part in Jubilee Games and Jubilee Arts at the same time?
No, an individual can either take part in Jubilee Games or in Jubilee Arts during the GE Festival.
For more information visit: https://the.ismaili/globalencounters/gefestival
