Chingari, FIR, Computer and Ziddi race it out at Sindh Festival

The derby was part of the 15-day celebrations taking place across the province.


Photo Ayesha Mir/our Correspondent February 04, 2014 2 min read
The donkey derby, proved to be a popular event with the participants, who once used to have two races every month. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS

KARACHI: As 50-year-old Asghar Shah danced on the roof of one of the vehicles that came with chief guest Bakhtawar Bhutto’s entourage, it was obvious from his excitement and celebration that he knew that this will be the most memorable day of his life.

It was on Tuesday that 50-year-old Asghar Shah, commonly known as Badshah, won the Sindh Festival 2014 Donkey Derby with his five-year-old donkey Uthal Bela - named after Badshah’s hometown, the city of Uthal in Lasbela district.

The race, which was held in Defence Phase-VIII, featured 50 donkeys, with all the participants from Lyari. Perhaps the biggest source of amusement at the event were the creative names that were given to the donkeys - Chingari, FIR, Computer, Dumper, Ziddi and 5217 Jan ka Khatra.

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For the participants, it was like Eid had come early. “We have never been provided such open roads and such good arrangements,” said Muhammad Saleem, who despite not winning was happy to have participated. “Hamari to Eid hi agayi [It is like Eid for us].”

The races

Each rider was given a number and wore white trousers and green helmets. In the first round, five donkeys raced each other, with the winner qualifying for the second round of two five-donkey races. However, due to a few ties, eight donkeys raced for the prize in the final round, rather than the expected five.

Uthal Bela claimed first place, Dumper came second and Rani Khaith finished third. The position holders were awarded cash prizes and shields.

Eventual winner Uthal Bela was considered the pre-race hot favourite and edged out Dumper - who got his name due to his strong physique akin to a dumper truck - in a close finale. “I had a feeling today that I will win the race,” said Badshah, who has been unbeatable in donkey racing for five years from 2002 to 2007. “My donkey was also ready for the race.”

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The champion was of the opinion that controlling a donkey and training it is difficult task and added that the people of Lyari have a natural talent for it. “Even foreigners, who have managed to control and train every other animal, have failed to deal with donkeys,” he said, adding that that they used to have two races every month with the support of the city government. However, the races stopped much to the disappointment of the donkey owners. He informed The Express Tribune that donkey owners spend between Rs500 and Rs1,000 daily on their donkey and get support from their friends in feeding the donkeys.

“We don’t eat almonds and pistachios but our donkeys do, which is why they win races for us and earn us all this respect,” said Badshah, adding that the common Pakistani thinks little of the donkey but it is a very special animal for some.

“We have brought changes in the size and weight of our carts as time has passed,” said Abdur Rehman alias Pattak, owner of second place Dumper, who has lived his entire life with donkeys. “Earlier, we used bike tyres and heavy metal rods and wood planks in the cart, which made them heavy and difficult to pull but now we use cycle wheels and light rods.”

Pattak got his name due to his low height and relatively small size but his donkey boasted the strongest physique in the derby, weighing in at around 180 kilogrammes and was the only one who gave a close fight to the eventual winner.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2014.

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