Hamid to light up Sindh Games torch today

KARACHI: The 13th Sindh Games get underway today with over 2,000 athletes from five regions of the province competing in 54 disciplines for a chance to lift the Mohenjo-Daro trophy in the three-day event being held in Karachi.

South-Asia’s fastest woman Naseem Hamid will light the Games torch during the opening ceremony that will take place at the National Coaching Centre.

“I’m proud to be a part of Sindh Games opening ceremony,” Hamid told The Express Tribune. “I’m very excited for this year’s games especially because my sister is also participating in the football events.

“The sports ministry is promoting our culture through these games as athletes from the interior will get a chance to show their skills and get offers from different sports departments to play for them on the national level.”

‘Best Games ever’

Talking to The Express Tribune, the Sindh Sports Minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah assured that it will be the best edition of the provincial games as the ministry had made an extra effort to ensure high quality goods and sports gear for the participants.

According to him, this year’s event will be better than the last version that took place in Larkana because Karachi has better facilities compared to other cities of the province.

He added that the last-minute inclusion of women’s swimming as an event in the competition is a welcome addition as it was previously kept as an exhibition sports that also included fishing and bowling.

Dr Shah also said that participants from Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana and Karachi regions will receive Rs200 as their daily allowance for three days and Rs50 as their conveyance expense in the city.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2010.