Pakistan’s tent-pegging to be watched by the Queen
Five-member squad chosen to be part of celebrations.
KARACHI:
The 27-year-old Malk Yasir Awan grew up on polo ground and horses have always been his passion, because there is a sense of nobility to them.
However, never did he think that he would represent Pakistan and demonstrate the traditional sport of tent-pegging infront of Queen Elizabeth.
Awan is part of the five-member squad that is leaving for London today to participate in the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations, the first time a Pakistani tent-pegging team will be seen in an international event.
“Its exciting and intimidating at the same time,” Awan told The Express Tribune. “There will be best horsemen from across the globe. Being there in our traditional uniform, it’ll be a honour. My father is extremely proud of me. We’ve spent our lives with horses and getting an opportunity like this is almost surreal.”
Team leader Adil Shah, running a local magazine Horse and Horseman, used his contacts to land Pakistan a slot. He added that the participants have been practicing individually and the preparation of the uniform – Peshawari chappal, Balochi shalwar, Boski kameez and Sindhi topi – took more than a month.
“The whole idea is amazing, we’d be the symbol of everything that Pakistan stands for and we’ll represent each province in our uniform,” said Adil. “Our participation is going to send out a very positive message to the world and help the create Pakistan’s soft image in the international media.”
Apart from Awan and Adil, the Pakistan team includes Asad Farooq Khan, Sardar Waqar Khan and Qaiser Mehmood.
The game of tent-pegging has a mounted horseman riding at a gallop and using a sword or a lance to pierce, pick up, and carry away a wooden peg as targets.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.
The 27-year-old Malk Yasir Awan grew up on polo ground and horses have always been his passion, because there is a sense of nobility to them.
However, never did he think that he would represent Pakistan and demonstrate the traditional sport of tent-pegging infront of Queen Elizabeth.
Awan is part of the five-member squad that is leaving for London today to participate in the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations, the first time a Pakistani tent-pegging team will be seen in an international event.
“Its exciting and intimidating at the same time,” Awan told The Express Tribune. “There will be best horsemen from across the globe. Being there in our traditional uniform, it’ll be a honour. My father is extremely proud of me. We’ve spent our lives with horses and getting an opportunity like this is almost surreal.”
Team leader Adil Shah, running a local magazine Horse and Horseman, used his contacts to land Pakistan a slot. He added that the participants have been practicing individually and the preparation of the uniform – Peshawari chappal, Balochi shalwar, Boski kameez and Sindhi topi – took more than a month.
“The whole idea is amazing, we’d be the symbol of everything that Pakistan stands for and we’ll represent each province in our uniform,” said Adil. “Our participation is going to send out a very positive message to the world and help the create Pakistan’s soft image in the international media.”
Apart from Awan and Adil, the Pakistan team includes Asad Farooq Khan, Sardar Waqar Khan and Qaiser Mehmood.
The game of tent-pegging has a mounted horseman riding at a gallop and using a sword or a lance to pierce, pick up, and carry away a wooden peg as targets.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.