KARACHI, July 31: A three-day Pakistan Navy Water Sports Gala begins at the DA Marina Club on Friday with water-oriented naval sailors demonstrating their skills.

Pakistan Navy sailors have done the nation proud by winning quite a number of laurels globally in the past.

In a message President Pervez Musharraf has commended the initiative and hoped that the event would serve as a pioneering effort for the promotion of healthy water sport activities for the youth.

“Such events will surely harness and give impetus to the growth of water sports in the country. The overwhelming response to the event is very encouraging and indicative of the popularity of water sports and its tremendous potential in the masses,” he remarked.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, has expressed his optimism that PN Water Sports Gala – 2008 will increase awareness about water sports in the country and encourage people to participate in these healthy activities.

“It is our belief that the medium of sports can be effectively used in promoting maritime culture as well as national image building,” he said in a message released on the occasion.

Apart from thrilling water sports activities which envisaged adaptive water skiing by speed boats, assault demonstration, fast boat recovery by SSG (N), a cultural traditional village depicting lifestyle of Sindh and Balochistan coastal areas, fireworks, live music concerts etc is part of the programme to create excitement and attract the masses.