TIRAH (Khyber Agency): Scores of militancy-hit and entertainment-starved residents of Tirah valley thronged the picturesque Warsak playground to watch the first ever Tirah Sports Festival on Monday.

The event was organised by Khyber Agency political administration in collaboration with Directorate of Sports and Culture Fata and Governor Special Development Programme.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan, Peshawar Commissioner Fakhre Alam and Political Agent Khalid Mehmud flew in a helicopter to watch the inauguration ceremony of the festival. About 550 enthusiastic players from six local tribes participated in the event. A number of security officials were also present on the occasion.

The main feature of the inaugural ceremony was a horse race, which was contested by three young riders from Shalobar, Zakhakhel and Malikdinkhel tribes. The race was won by Abdul Baqi, the rider from Zakhakhel tribe.

550 players from six tribes participate in inaugural ceremony of weeklong gala

The whistling and cheering crowd, which also included schoolchildren and jobless youth, was provided with the much needed entertainment by teams of Shalobar and Zakhakhel tribes in a tough tug-of-war contest, which was also won by the Zakhakhel team.

Interestingly, young girls and women also watched the games from rooftop of their houses. Schoolchildren clad in colourful attire presented a disciplined PT show while the Khyber Rifles band played famous national songs in the background, receiving applause from the spectators.

The sports gala will continue till May 7 during which players of Malakdinkhel, Shalobar, Akkakhel, Qambarkhel, Zakhakhel and Adamkhel will play against each other in volleyball, cricket and different athletics events.

The GSDP provided all the participating players with necessary sporting gears alongside refreshments during the six days of the festival.

Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan said on the occasion that he was impressed to see the sporting skills of tribal youth. The participation of local residents as spectators indicated their desire for lasting peace, he added.

He said that he had advised the political administration to convert the Warsak playground into a modern sports complex and arrange such festivals at regular intervals every year.

He said that the government embarked upon a massive development programme to provide local residents with much needed facilities in all fields of life.

Political Agent Khalid Mehmud said that days were not far when Tirah valley would get most of the required facilities. He too was impressed by the skills and enthusiasm of local youth and said that all possible facilities would be provided to them to polish their talent.

The unfortunate incident of the sports gala was the death of a young rider, who died on the spot after falling from his horse during a practice session at the venue a day ahead of the festival.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2016