Heera-Shera duo of Bhakkar win ox race

Heera and Shera finished three rounds of a one-acre ground in two minutes and 42 seconds to win an annual ox race in Bhakkar on Monday.

Farmers from Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali and Dera Ismail Khan were in attendance at the competition arranged every year in spring.

Ramazan Aulakh, the owner of the winning duo, was given the first prize and Rs10,000 each for the two animals.

Chan and Mahi of Dera Ismail Khan stood second with finish time of two minutes 44 seconds and Jhallay Jhooley Laal of Bhakkar stood third with two minutes and 46 seconds.   Aulakh, a farmer, told The Express Tribune that raising oxen for racing had been his hobby since adolescence. He said the oxen brought to the race were not used on the farm in routine, adding that the animals were fed on a diet containing butter and dry fruits to boost their agility for the competition.

The competition was organised by Syed Aqeel Abbas and Mureed Qazi Qarqali. Pakistan Peoples Party district president Ijaz Khan Shamrani was the chief guest at the occasion.

Syed Ali Shah, one of the spectators, said festivals featuring traditional sports were not held as regularly as they used to be in his youth.

He said the enthusiasm of the audience about these events had also declined. “Government should support farmers in holding these festivals more regularly,” he said, “My children and their children will have no knowledge of our traditions if these festivals are not supported.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2012.