PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR : Nabiullah of Peshawar won the 15-kilometre Independence Day Cycling Race while Young Star XI claimed the football trophy and Daudzai Wahid Garhai Club won the kabaddi title as part of the Independence Day Sports Festival organized by the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A total of 82 cyclists from Malakand, Mardan and Peshawar regions participated in the cycling race held on the Northern Bypass Road in Peshawar.
In the Sports Cycle category, Peshawar’s Nabiullah secured first position by completing the 15-kilometre race in 19 minutes and 44 seconds. Mardan’s Khizar Hayat finished second in 19 minutes and 45 seconds, while Mohmand’s Ahmad Zeb took third position with a time of 19 minutes and 46 seconds.
In the Ordinary Cycle category, Peshawar’s Gul Sher secured first position after completing the race in 19 minutes and 45 seconds. Mohmand’s Owais finished second in 20 minutes and one second, while Peshawar’s Ahsanullah secured third position with a time of 20 minutes and two seconds.
The closing ceremony of the Independence Day Sports Festival was held at Tehmas Khan Football Stadium, Peshawar. In a thrilling kabaddi final, Daudzai Wahid Garhi Club defeated Surizai, Mohmand Khalil Club, 25-17 to lift the trophy. In the football final, Young Star XI defeated Shaheen XI 2-0 to claim the title.
Special Adviser to the Chief Minister on Sports and Youth Affairs Taj Muhammad Tarand was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and distributed prizes among the players. Secretary Sports Muhammad Asif, Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider, ADC Finance Muhammad Asghar Surani, Chairman Provincial Cycling Association Nisar Ahmad, President Cycling Federation Azhar Ali Shah, DSO Khyber Faisal Javed and other dignitaries were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, Sports Adviser Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand said that it was a great day as the nation was celebrating Independence Day and expressing its love and sentiments for the country. He said the elders had rendered countless sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan and it was now the responsibility of the younger generation to play its role in the development and progress of the country.
He said organizing sports competitions on Independence Day was an excellent way to promote patriotism, unity, discipline and positive activities among the youth. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, he added, would continue taking steps to provide better sporting opportunities to the youth and revive sports grounds across the province.
