Records tumble as 3rd int’l PACES competition concludes in Lahore

The closing ceremony of third international PACES (Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System) competition was held at Ayub Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

It said that the championship was especially significant due to the participation of 101 international military sportsmen from six countries including Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, UAE and Uzbekistan, while Egypt, Indonesia, Japan and Myanmar also participated as observers. As many as nine teams of the Pakistan Army took part in the competition.

Commander Lahore Corps Lieutenant General Muhammad Abdul Aziz was the chief guest on the occasion, said the military’s media wing.

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In the international team category, according to ISPR, Sri Lanka secured a gold medal while UAE and Uzbekistan jointly won silver medal. Bronze medal was shared by Palestine, Jordan and Iraq.

In the domestic team category, defending champions, Engineers Regimental Centre Team won the gold medal while the silver medal was won by Multan Corps and the bronze medal by Baloch Regimental Centre Team.

In the individual category, Warrant Officer Mubarek from UAE and Sapper Ahmed Raza from Engineers Centre secured gold medals in 3.2 kilometres race.

In the pull-ups event, gold medal was secured by Corporal Dissanayake from Sri Lanka and Sapper Amjad from Engineers Centre with 967 pull-ups, setting a new PACES championship record.

In sit-ups, gold medals were secured by Corporal Dissanayake from Sri Lanka and Sapper Shahzad from Engineers Centre.

In push-ups, gold medals were secured by Corporal Obesiri from Sri Lanka and Sapper Irfan of Engineers Centre.

In the combat efficiency test, gold medals were secured by Corporal Raja Karuna from Sri Lanka and Naik Ijaz from Multan Corps.

In the fittest of the fittest category, Corporal Dissanayaka from Sri Lanka and Sapper Amjad from Engineers Centre received gold medals.

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The ISPR statement further said that the chief guest awarded prizes to winning teams and individuals and congratulated them for excellent display of physical fitness, endurance and sportsmanship. He lauded the performance of Pakistan Army teams and complimented them for the highest standards of physical fitness displayed during the event.

The chief guest especially appreciated the performance of international teams and thanked them for their enthusiastic and vigorous participation.

The ISPR said that the successful completion of the third international PACES championship reflects positively on Pakistan's image as a peaceful nation that is completely safe and secure for the conduct of international sports events.

The chief guest complimented the team of organisers and associated staff for making the event a great success, the statement added.