Healthy pastime: Stirring up sportsman’s spirit in Swat
Five-day Malik Saad Sports Festival to conclude on Saturday.
Despite the brutally cold weather, thousands of spectators are enjoying the sports competitions. PHOTO: EXPRESS
MINGORA:
Locals have welcomed the five-day ‘Malik Saad Sports Festival’ presently under way in various sports grounds of Mingora. The festival, being organised by Malik Saad Sports Club in collaboration with the Malala Fund aims to revive healthy activities in Swat by attracting the youth to deserted sports grounds.
“We felt the youth were suffocated and depressed owing to the precarious security situation and Swat’s history of violence. After consulting various sports clubs and officials of the fund, it was decided to indulge the youth in sporting activities,” said Ahmad Shah, a representative of the Malala Fund in Swat. Shah said every player in each game will be provided a sports kit.
“Football, hockey, cricket, volleyball, badminton and taekwondo competitions, among others, are taking place,” said Mohammad Rahim Khayal, an organiser of the festival.
“If the youth is indulging in sports and cultural activities they will refrain from being led astray and the country’s future will lead towards development,” said Hazrat Rehman, a football player.
Despite the brutally cold weather, thousands of spectators are enjoying the sports competitions. “If no match was being held I would be busy wasting my time somewhere. The district administration should take steps to organise sports activities in the same pattern,” said Suleman Sayel, while watching a football match.
Sportsmen and spectators both lamented the poor condition of stadiums and grounds in Swat, especially the dearth of changing rooms and proper benches. Sportsman Zahir Ali said the grounds are uneven and can cause serious accidents during matches.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2014.
Locals have welcomed the five-day ‘Malik Saad Sports Festival’ presently under way in various sports grounds of Mingora. The festival, being organised by Malik Saad Sports Club in collaboration with the Malala Fund aims to revive healthy activities in Swat by attracting the youth to deserted sports grounds.
“We felt the youth were suffocated and depressed owing to the precarious security situation and Swat’s history of violence. After consulting various sports clubs and officials of the fund, it was decided to indulge the youth in sporting activities,” said Ahmad Shah, a representative of the Malala Fund in Swat. Shah said every player in each game will be provided a sports kit.
“Football, hockey, cricket, volleyball, badminton and taekwondo competitions, among others, are taking place,” said Mohammad Rahim Khayal, an organiser of the festival.
“If the youth is indulging in sports and cultural activities they will refrain from being led astray and the country’s future will lead towards development,” said Hazrat Rehman, a football player.
Despite the brutally cold weather, thousands of spectators are enjoying the sports competitions. “If no match was being held I would be busy wasting my time somewhere. The district administration should take steps to organise sports activities in the same pattern,” said Suleman Sayel, while watching a football match.
Sportsmen and spectators both lamented the poor condition of stadiums and grounds in Swat, especially the dearth of changing rooms and proper benches. Sportsman Zahir Ali said the grounds are uneven and can cause serious accidents during matches.
The sports festival will conclude on February 22 with a closing ceremony in which the winning teams and players will be awarded trophies and sports kits.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2014.