Outdoor activity: ‘Aqua fest’ attracts water lovers

Event included various water games, food and traditional handicrafts stalls

KARACHI: How often do children get the chance to take part in an adult-sanctioned water fight in public? The answer is not so much. This was the reason behind holding the 'aqua fest' at the DHA Golf and Country Club on Sunday evening.

The organiser of the event, Shaheen Serang, explained that as a young kid, she always enjoyed the rain as it gave a chance to play in the water. As she grew up, she found that her own children were more involved in computers and less with outdoor sports. "I personally believe that if we can't have water parks [like in other countries], we can at least try and create our own little 'sea-world' here," she said.

Taking part in sports activities like the tug of war, slip and slide, water gun fight and bucket-o-relay, the young attendees at the festival were completely immersed in the games, and resultantly, drenched in water.

Amir Saleem was present with his two young daughters, Hareem and Aimen, who were playing inside a plastic water tub having a water gun fight. "Such fun-filled activities must take place in the city frequently as there is a dearth of them," said Saleem.

Speaking in favour of healthy activities, Serang explained that she has been holding aqua festivals since 2009. "I wanted to involve everyone as I strongly believe that a family that plays together stays together."

Besides water sports, those in attendance had the option of eating at the various food stalls or buying home decorative accessories from the traditional antique stalls.

Rizwana Hanif said her young children, seven-year-old Hania and five-year-old Abdullah, were not really enjoying the event as it was their first time in such a big crowd.

"I think it is fear of the unknown. I wish they enjoyed water sports like the other kids."

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2016.