The warrior's game: Two-day tent pegging competition in Islamabad ends

Prizes were also distributed amongst the riders and teams on concluding ceremony.

ISLAMABAD: Arranged by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with the Pakistan Tent Pegging Federation (PTPF), the two-day tent pegging competition concluded at the F-9 Park in Islamabad on Friday.

A horse rider after piercing target with lance during Jashn-e-Baharan tent-pegging Festival in Fatima Jinnah (F-9) Park on Friday. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS

The event was attended by 66 renowned clubs and individuals comprising 502 horsemen from different cities of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu Kashmir.

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS

The event included competitions in single, double and four-man team categories.

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS

A large number of people from the twin cities and diplomats attended the concluding ceremony, and hailed the professional skills of the riders. Prizes among the winners were also distributed.

A rider tries to pierce his target with lance during the tent-pegging competition. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS

On the first day of the event, single man competitions held, which was won by Nisar Ahmad of Barsa Club, Islamabad.

Teams/clubs organised their horsemen in squadrons of four to play the game on the second day. It was won by the Shaheen Club of Chiniot.

The CDA has been organising this event for the last three consecutive years.

Malik Meharban of the PTPF while addressing the ceremony said next year international teams would also be invited to participate in the event.

Proud finalist horse riders holding their lances up in the air after getting all four pegs in section round to reach in final during Jashn-e-Baharan Tent-pegging Festival. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS

The chief guest appreciated the horsemen, saying tent-pegging was a 2500-year-old Indian game practiced by warriors to mount predawn raid on an enemy camp, using game’s skills to severe or uproot tent pegs. He urged the government to promote this native game.

Turbans of horse riders are placed on chairs during Jashn-e-Baharan Tent-pegging Festival in Fatima Jinnah (F-9) Park on Friday. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS