KARACHI:
IBA Enigma may have been organised by a university but it was high school students who made it a success over the course of four days.
“It was a great experience for us. We showed off our talent and got a break from studies,” beamed a bespectacled Arsalan Adil. His team, the Rebels, won the debate where he spoke in favour of drone attacks in the country for the sake of argument.
Organised primarily by the university’s arts society, IBA Enigma focused on celebrating the arts, sports with 400 students from schools as well as universities. They participated in 22 events with singing, debates, quizzes, chess, painting, photography and cooking at the University campus.
On the concluding day, Saturday, a flurry of finals took place. The courtyard was flanked by determined sportspersons. At one end, girls from Nixor College battled it out against the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School—the former winning the game. At the other end, boys in their red football t-shirts fought at the Futsal game.
“We wanted to break the stereotype that business schools have nothing to do with fun and games,” said organiser Syed Shiraz Ali while talking to The Express Tribune. “Also, since talent has no age limit we allowed schools to participate.”
Around 110 students came from Hyderabad. Seated on a bench, Zaki Nadeem and his friends from Army School, Hyderabad prepared for the final round of the singing competition with the Tamil song Kolaveri Di. “Back home, we don’t have competitions at such a huge scale,” he said, adding that he felt that students from Hyderabad were being discriminated against as people kept on asking him if it was the first time he had come to the metropolis.
Among other Hyderabad students was 12-year-old Hammad Ahmed Qureshi, the youngest student to come play chess. Ranked 32nd in the under-13 group in Poland last year, The City School student Qureshi came in second at Enigma. “My father used to play chess, and my interest developed. When I was only three, I knew how to play chess,” he said. Qureshi plays around 20 matches every day, battling with family on the chessboard and with players across the world on the computer.
The final ceremony took place at the auditorium, where students entertained the crowd. Student Syed Umer presented an extempore skit on how a woman is behind every unsuccessful man, receiving a round of applause. Enigma president Faraz Feroz said that they had been planning since October, going to schools and marketing. “We did not expect to get such an overwhelming response. There has been a lack of opportunities and healthy activities and I am happy we provided that to the students.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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@Rohaan: thanks
I'M friend of hammad ! very well done Hammad !! may god bless you !
Such efforts further an institute's ability to foster talent in its crudest form. With no prerequisites hampering the flow of successful execution, Enigma has done wonders. - IBA Student
I must acknowledge the effort made by the exemplary institute- IBA Karachi- in organizing and carrying out such an interactive, fun filled and exciting event. It must have been paramount in the grooming of participants and will definitely help them at various stages of life in the future. Hats off to the entire IBA team!
Well Done Hammad and everyone else
Faraz Feroze is a legend.
@Hammad, Keep the good things going on, well-done boy!!!
Well Done HAMMAD
stro ng text congratulation.i pry u will be champion in world compitation in romaina in u-13
I am one of the proud students from hyderabad - waiting for enigma 2 =D
Shaikh Humayoon Zaheer
seriously you are one of the best i ever played against hammad
this boy is my junior and he has got talent . Love ya boy you seriously do rock
@Mubashar Ahmed: Congratulations to you and your son!
@Mubashar Ahmed: thanks baba
I m aunty of Hamaad Ahmed happy to see him , keep it up Hamad
I am father of Hammad Ahmed, very happy for his great achievement and to see his photograph on the tribune site.
I am very thankful to the tribune team for this encouragement.