Dishes on display at food festival. PHOTOS: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Scores of people competed in sporting activities at the much-awaited First Governor Fata Youth Festival that kicked off at Qayyum Sports Complex on Saturday. To the delight of foodies, a food festival was also organised.
The event was inaugurated by Fata Olympic Association (FOA) Secretary Shahid Khan Shinwari.
Speaking on the occasion, Shinwari said Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif’s announcement to construct two sports complexes in Fata is encouraging.
“The construction of these sports complexes will provide a chance the youth of Fata to contest at the national and international levels as the region lacks such facilities,” he said. “Gen Raheel has shown firm commitment for the restoration of peace in Fata and the people have always supported the Pakistan Army.”
Earlier this week, the COAS inaugurated the event. He said the youth from Fata was fully equipped with all capabilities and efforts were in hand to provide them ample opportunities so that they could play their role in the development of the country in general and their region in particular.
Tournament highlights
On the opening day, a team from Mohmand Agency bagged a gold medal in a shooting competition held at PAF Shooting Range.
In the 22-bore pistol shooting contest, the team clinched first position and won a gold medal after it obtained 503 points. A team from Waziristan bagged second position and won a silver medal after it earned 489 points. A team from Orakzai Agency clinched third position and obtained a bronze medal. It earned 472 points.
However, in individual contests, Fahad Wazir of Mohmand Agency won a gold medal, followed by Ibrahim and Salman Orakzai.
Teams from Khyber and Kurram agencies won the matches in football tournaments played at Tehmas Football Ground.
Food galore
A diverse menu of food items were displayed at the festival, which was organised by members of the Fata Secretariat. Over a 100 people from various tribal agencies and Frontier Regions established stalls to display their traditional dishes.
Wilayat Khan, a participant who travelled from Bajaur Agency to Peshawar with his son, said, “These dishes are still eaten in our native areas. The recipes have been passed down from one generation to the next.”
His speciality was saag (spinach) and the cornflour bread. “This dish along with sweets like the Ghunzakhi is still presented to guests at a girl’s wedding,” he informed.
Umer Din, another stall owner who hails from South Waziristan, prepared the traditional lamb which he called Kharra Ghasha or salted roast.
“Our dishes are simple and also good for health,” he said.
Din also cooked boiled rice and presented it with yoghurt. He called the dish Talbar.
“These dishes are simple to cook, but expensive in cities due to its huge demand,” he said, “The recipes should remain with us as it is the part of our identity and culture and one of the main tourist attractions.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2015.
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