ABSTRACT: The primary objective was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of functional versus traditional resistance training on holistic athletic development. The current study compared the effects of conventional and functional training on young university athletes’ sport performance, injury risk, and movement efficiency. Finding the best training technique for improving overall athletic development was the main goal. Pre-test and post-test were used in a quantitative experimental study design. Purposive sampling was used to choose 60 university athletes between the ages of 18 and 25. They were further divided into two groups at random: a functional training group (n = 30) and a traditional training group (n = 30). Three training sessions were held each week for the duration of the eight- week intervention. While, the traditional training group worked in machine-based resistance and isolated muscle workouts, on the other hand, the functional training group engaged in multi-joint, balance, stability, and agility activities. Standardized performance tests (speed, agility, power, and endurance), an injury risk assessment scale, and the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) were used to gather data on movement efficiency. IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 28) was used for data analysis. The results were assessed using descriptive statistics, paired sample t-test, independent sample t- test, and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Both training approaches considerably improved performance outcomes, according to the results; however, the functional training group showed significantly higher increases in athletic performance, movement efficiency, and injury risk reduction (p <.05). Performance and movement efficiency were found to be strongly positively correlated by correlation analysis; both measures were adversely correlated with injury risk. The findings indicated that by improving neuromuscular coordination and movement quality, functional training offered a more all-encompassing strategy for athletic development. For young university athletes, functional training was found to be more beneficial than traditional training in terms of enhancing overall athletic performance and lowering the chance of injury. For best outcomes, it is recommended that coaches and practitioners use parts of traditional strength training in their regular training regimens, together with functional training.