RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army is the most battle hardened army in the world and this is primarily due to the highest standard of physical fitness, professionalism and motivation of officers and men who face the challenges dauntlessly, said Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif.

He said this at the finals of the fourth COAS Young Soldiers Inter-Central Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System (PACES) Championship at the FF Centre during a visit to Abbottabad on Thursday. He also awarded prizes to the winners.

A total of 406 contestants from 22 regimental centres participated in the championship. Sepoy Sheeraz Khan did 1,214 push-ups in 30 minutes to clinch the first position in this category.

Sepoy Jamshaid Khan stood first in the chin-ups competition by doing 68 chin-ups. Sapper Akmal Hussain did 2,134 sit-ups to secure the first position in the category. Sepoy Muhammad Asif was declared `fit of the fittest’ in the competition by securing 2,474 points.

The COAS appreciated the participants along with their trainers for achieving very high standards of physical fitness and professionalism, said an ISPR release.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2016