Desi kushti: Help revive pehalwani, PU VC asks Sharifs

PU Vice Chancellor Mujahid Kamran addresses the inauguration ceremony for the new PU akhara.

LAHORE:

Forget the economy, terrorism, load-shedding, peace with India.

Punjab University Vice Chancellor Mujahid Kamran has appealed to Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, expected to be the next prime minister and next chief minister, respectively, to help revive the traditional local sport of wrestling, or pehalwani.

Talking to reporters at the inauguration of a wrestling arena, or akhara, at the New Campus hostels ground on Monday, Prof Kamran said the sport was still very popular, but was being ignored by the government.

“Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif know the importance of tradition and I’m hopeful that they will try to promote it,” he said.

The vice chancellor also stepped into the arena and briefly stomped on the ground.

Prof Sarwar stressed the need to revive “desi kushti” and hoped that the new facility initiated this process.

Profs Sarwar and Kamran credited each other with paying special attention to traditional sports at the university.

Later some wrestling matches were also held.

“Pehalwani was once identified with the Indian sub-continent,” said wrestler Lala Pehalwan.

“There was a time when Pakistani pehalwans were unbeatable and were known around the world. But little attention or support was extended to the wrestlers and so it has declined. This is a very good step by the PU administration. The university should also organise competitions here.”

Other wrestlers including Pride of Pakistan winner Haji Muhammad Afzal, Haji Sirajuddin Muhammad Saeed and Chaudhry Liaqat also attended the inauguration.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.