HYDERABAD, June 12: A colourful ceremony highlighting splendid display of fireworks marked the inauguration of the 10th Sindh Games at the Niaz Stadium on Monday night.

The opening ceremony which was held at the outfield of the stadium started few hours behind schedule as it was marred by entry of unconcerned persons.

The outfield was accessible to all and sundry and organisers perhaps failed to look into this aspect.

Couple of players of the host city carrying the flag of the games past through the dias which was followed by march past of contingents of five regions of the province.

Karachi led the march past followed by Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Hyderabad.

Olympian boxer Syed Asghar Ali Shah lit the torch of the games amidst applause.

Earlier, 5,000m record holder, Habib Kausar, entered the stadium carrying the torch.

Senior athlete Shafiullah took the oath on behalf of participants while Shafi Warsi presented official song of the games.

Sindh sports minister, Qamar Mansoor, declared the games open in the absence of chief minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim.

He disclosed that Sukkur would play host to the next Sindh games and added that grants of provincial sports associations would be restored in the next fiscal year.