Islamabad, June 24, 2025: Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a fervent advocate for human rights, is channeling her passion for sports into a significant new global initiative named “Recess.” Announced during her appearance at the Billie Jean King Power of Women’s Sport Summit in London,
This venture aims to strategically invest in women’s sports at both professional and amateur levels. Yousafzai, a lifelong sports enthusiast, explained that the inspiration for “Recess” stems from her own childhood experiences in Pakistan, where gender barriers often excluded girls from athletic opportunities.
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The activist believes that in today’s turbulent global climate, sports offer a unique and powerful platform for unity and peace.
Yousafzai highlighted how sports can transcend conflicts and foster understanding, bringing communities together even amidst heightened political tensions.
Her vision for “Recess” is not just about financial investment but also about creating a clear pathway for girls and women to access and excel in sports, ultimately promoting greater gender equality worldwide.
Yousafzai is not embarking on this ambitious project alone. She is joined by her husband, Asser Malik, who brings valuable experience from his background in cricket franchise development and work with Pakistan’s cricket board.
Additionally, “Recess” will benefit from the advisory input of tennis icon Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, prominent figures who share Yousafzai’s conviction in the transformative potential of women’s sports, both as a business opportunity and a driver for social change.
The initiative is already eyeing investments in thriving leagues such as the NWSL and WNBA, recognizing their substantial growth potential.
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