KARACHI: Under the theme of “I am Karachi” the Commissioner Karachi Lyari sports and peace festival begins at different venues of the volatile locality from Dec 15.

The festival envisaged competitions of football, boxing, cycling and donkey cart race – first three disciplines in which Lyariities have done the nation proud.

Commissioner Shoaib Siddiqui spelt out details of the programme at a local hotel on Friday in presence of some former great sportsmen of Lyari.

Emphasizing on the need of healthy activities, he said sports is a tool which bring people of different sects closer and can immensely help in restoring the peace in the city in general and Lyari in particular.

He said concerted efforts and staging regular healthy competitions are required to revive the old face of friendly people of Lyari.

Elaborating, the Commissioner said some 400 players belonging to 24 clubs will compete in the 12-day football event.

Similarly, he said 80 upcoming pugilists will vie for honours in the three-day boxing event.

He said some 80 cyclists will paddle in the cycle race while 25 people have entered the donkey cart race.

Sindh Boxing Association official Abid Hussain Brohi and deputy Commissioner South Mustafa Jamal Qazi also spoke on the occasion.

Veteran Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui , former international footballer Ali Nawaz and former Olympian boxer Malang Baloch were prominent among others who were present on the occasion.

The closing ceremony of the festival will be held on Dec 31.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2014