Basic traits of soldiering linked to physical fitness: Gen Qamar

COAS visits Okara Cantt on 6th Army PACES Championship, lauds physical fitness standards display by participants

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said regardless of advances in warfare technology, the basic traits of soldiering are linked to physical fitness, a statement issued by the military’s media wing said on Friday.

The chief of army staff (COAS) remarked during his visit to Okara Cantt on the concluding ceremony of the 6th Army PACES (Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System) Championship. He also distributed awards to the winners.

While speaking on the occasion, Gen Qamar appreciated the physical fitness standards displayed by the participants of the competition and efforts of both trainers and trainees in achieving those standards.

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According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a total number of 250 contestants from 10 best teams participated in different events of the championship which was held from 9 to 18 August.

Participants of 6th Army PACES Championship exhibited undying spirit and stamina.

Rawalpindi Corps team won the 6th Army PACES Championship while Karachi Corps team won the 2nd Position in the competition. Sepoy Zahir Shah won the overall best player award of the competition and Sepoy Nasir Ullah secured overall second position.



In individual matches, Sepoy Ashir Masih secured first position in 3.2km run by covering distance in 09:57 minutes. Sepoy Shamraze Shaheen won first position by completing combat efficiency test in 53.26 seconds. Sepoy Jamshaid Khan did 112 pull-ups to clinch first position in pull-ups match.

Sepoy Ashir Azeem secured first position in sit-up match by doing 2,377 sit-ups. Sepoy Irfan Riaz did 1,503 push-ups to secure first position.

Lieutenant General Hidayatur Rehman, Inspector General Training and Evaluation and Commander Bahawalpur Corps, Lieutenant General Sher Afgun were also present on the occasion.



PACES is a concept introduced in the Pakistan Army in 2010 by revamping existing physical training methods with the objective to improve the fitness and agility of troops.

The concept flourished and later on the armies of other countries also adopted it in their training programs. PACES competition is an exceptional and distinctive physical fitness competition calling for demonstration of strength, agility and endurance skills.

Earlier, on arrival at Okara Cantt, the army chief was received by Lieutenant General Sarfraz Sattar, Commander 2 Corps.