BAHAWALPUR: The first-ever four-day mega sports event of “School Olympics” was inaugurated at the Dring Stadium here on Sunday.

Over 2,000 students, both boys and girls, of at least 90 public sector schools of the district participated in the colourful function held at the hockey stadium which was converted into an Olympic village.

The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Commissioner Saqib Zafar who took oath from the participating students. Balloons and pigeons were also released in the air on the occasion.

MPA Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar lit the Olympic torch which was taken round the hockey stadium by a school athlete.

The march-past of students of all six tehsils, the PT show, gymnastic, reciting of national songs, a tug-of-war between two groups of students and a 100-meter race of girls were the highlights of the ceremony.

The song “Shukria Pakistan” sung by the special children was widely appreciated by the audience.

DCO Dr Ehtasham Anwar Mahar said the objectives of the “School Olympics” were not only to organize a sports festival for students of the entire district but to also revive the tradition of sports and other extra-curricular activities in schools. He said such events helped promote healthy habits, discipline and sportsman spirit among the youth.

The DCO said that another significant feature of the event was the participation of both boy and girl students.

He said it was ensured that each event would be held in elementary and secondary categories. In the former category students of up to class V111 would take part while in the latter category students of 9th and 10th classes would participate to ensure fair competition.

Mr Mahar said the top three teams and players in each category from every tehsil would compete in the main and final phase.

The “School Olympics” will include sports competition like hockey, football, cricket, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and athletics.

The commissioner said a proposal would be forwarded to the Punjab government to introduce “School Olympics” at all district headquarters of the province.

Published in Dawn November 28th, 2016