Obaid’s story

A young man in Pakistan who was born with cerebral palsy is pursuing his dream of playing cricket. And his enthusiasm has opened up new opportunities for Blythswood’s partner organisation, Life Through Sports (LTS).

Obaid, now 20, was always keen to improve his game and was training in Lahore when he heard about a training camp in Islamabad, run by LTS.

He attended camp in 2022 where he learned more about cricket and how he could improve his skills. At the same time, he learned more about the Christian faith to which he had a nominal connection. He became a believer in Jesus Christ and left with the desire to share the gospel with other young people like himself.

“Obaid gave his life to Jesus,” says Stephen John who runs LTS. “He is committed to serving many more people with disability who share his interest in sport.”
Obaid has been selected as a captain in the Narowal district cricket team and is also serving in LTS as a coordinator for All-Abilities cricket in Pakistan. “God has given us a new direction through Obaid,” says Stephen John. “It is a new opportunity to serve in Pakistan.”

Shahzaib’s story

Although he identified as belonging to Pakistan’s Christian minority, Shahzaib’s religious affiliation brought him no comfort. He admits that he felt distant from God, spiritually empty and burdened with sin.

But during a cricket tour of Sri Lanka, he came into contact with Blythswood’s partner organisation Life Through Sports (LTS) and later attended a sports camp. “During the camp, Shazaib accepted Jesus Christ as his personal saviour,” reports LTS director Stephen John. “He experienced a spiritual transformation and began studying the Bible for the first time in his life. The biblical story of David inspired him deeply and he found the joy and peace he was missing.
“Today he continues to grow in his relationship with God and is grateful to the mentors he met through LTS.”

Sameer’s story

A week’s training at a Sports Leadership School has given a 17-year-old confidence to lead his local football club in Punjab province, Pakistan.

It also gave him the opportunity to consider what it means to be a Christian, and led to him making a personal commitment to Jesus.

Sameer comes from Khewra, a city known for having the second-largest salt mine in the world. His father is a low-waged street sweeper but an older brother works as an electrician, supporting Sameer and two other siblings to complete their education at school.

“At first, Sameer struggled to enjoy the experience and even considered leaving,” says Stephen John, who runs Life Through Sports. “But after a one-to-one mentoring session, his outlook changed. He completed the program and he accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour.

“Now he is continuing his studies while leading his local football team, Donnot FC. He is eager to serve again this year in the Sports Leadership School, and to help others as he was once helped.”