KARACHI: “I am Karachi” The commissioner Karachi Lyari sports and peace festival — an effort that brought youth of the turbulent area together — come to a spectacular end at the Peoples Sports Complex on Tuesday.

The football final between Young Umer Lane and Young Panjgoor clubs marked the culmination of a fortnight spectacle that envisaged competitions of football, boxing, cycling and donkey cart race, all loved by inhabitants of Lyari.

Rizwan’s solitary goal after the barren first half helped Young Umer Lane club win the football honours. The event featured 24 clubs.

The football event was preceded by boxing, cycling and donkey cart contests.

Faqir Colony club won the boxing title followed by Azad Baloch club. Cyclist Miandad emerged victorious in the 50 km cycle race which was participated by 80 cyclists. He clocked one hour 17 minutes for the distance. Amir Baloch finished runner-up and was followed by Rizwan Ali.

Wasim, a popular figure of Lyari, delighted spectators by winning the donkey cart race. Asghar Baloch seized second position while Saleem was placed third.

Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, who took the initiative to help bring people together by reviving their culture declared to make the event an annual feature.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of all the events after the football final, he said Lyariites are peace-loving people and have a rich history of the events that were held during the festival.

He commended the Karachi Youth Initiative for supporting the cause and asked private entrepreneurs to follow suit.

Besides the winners and runner-up trophies, brand new racing bicycles and carts were awarded to top three cyclists and donkey cart race winners amidst applause.

The ceremony was attended among others by director local government, Mrs Rubina Asif, former Olympian pugilist Malang Baloch, former international boxers Sher Mohammad, Murad Bux, ex-international footballers Iqbal Baloch, Abdul Wahid, Rasool Bux Baloch, Shabbir Baloch, former cyclist and coach Nazar Mohammad Baloch, boxing officials Asghar Baloch and Abid Hussain Brohi and the Sindh Cycling Association secretary Mohammad Baran. The police band was also in attendance.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2014