April 28, 2008	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 27: It was blazing hot on Sunday but the Margalla Spring Tourism Gala turned out to be a real celebration for the families who thronged Saidpur village on the day.

Hundreds participated in the event which showcased some thrilling local sports and was organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to promote domestic tourism and give a refreshing touch to a somewhat culturally sterile capital.

Trees swaying with the wind all around and the lush green shrub on the Margalla Hills made the event “real cool” for the crowd.

A number of people from the diplomatic community and local elites and hundreds of visitors from the twin cities enjoyed the gala studded with a multitude of refreshing traditional and modern sports including regional dances, para gliding, dancing horses, grey hound races, archery, radio-controlled planes aerobatics.

The event, organised at Saidpur village cricket ground, was also enjoyed by college students and their families and a large number of residents of Saidpur village.

The gala exuded an aura that matched the beauty of spring bathing ‘Islamabad the Beautiful’ these days.

The grey hound race inspired by a thrilling chase for a rabbit literally brought participants to their feet. At the end of the very short-lived sport (perhaps half of a minute or even less), the ‘Duba’ belonging to Mian Akhtar Hayat was declared victorious followed by the ‘Show Time’ and ‘Pardesi’ both belonging to Mian Satti.

The Army Dog Centre also displayed the stints of their German Shepherds jumping through the fire rings and over walls amid cheers and clapping of hands.

Around noon, the scorching heat seemed to have dimmed the spirit of the participants. But, not really because, the show that made the awesomely built horses dance to the flute and traditional drums rekindled the moods. It was perhaps another special event of the show liked by participants of all age groups.

The horses, Gulshan, Punnu and Shughla were declared to be the leading three in the dancing competition.

Fear and joy played along smiles and exclamations when ladies and children tried to touch a Python or let the scary reptile coil around their necks.

A number of food stalls had also been set up by various companies.

The diplomatic community and the local elites seemed to have been impressed by a simple but very impressive performance of Khattak Dance by Jawaans of the Frontier Corps with their swift martial sword-dance.

A Chitrali troupe performed their folk dance frolicking and whirling to the tune of traditional music.

But, the way one of the difficult sports, archery, was played with traditional five feet long arrows and heavy bows, turned out to be a real show of physical strength.

In yet another traditional game, children were asked to chase and catch a healthy-looking beautiful jungle fowl.

winner got the same jungle fowl as the bounty. Youngsters and children also enjoyed the stints of chimpanzees and a goat.

The participants and organisers hoped that such events would spread awareness about the cultural richness and heritage of Islamabad and its surrounding villages.

APP adds: Besides, diplomats and a huge gathering of general public enjoyed the festivities of tourism spring tourism gala. Cash prizes and shield award were presented to the winners and participants of the event. The following were the final winners, who were awarded:

Archery competition: M. Ameer Khan got first prize, Saghir Ali second, and Nabeed Khan third.

In Grey Hound Race Taimur Khan was declared first, M Habib second and Altaf Hussain third.

In dancing horses, Chaudhry Mehboob Khan got first position, Syed Sajjad Hussain second, and Nadeem Shahzad was runner up.

Trophy to dance /music troupe for best performance was given to Khattak Dance, Chitral Scouts, Armour Core.