ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army has won an international military drill competition in the United Kingdom for a third consecutive year, the military’s media affairs wing announced on Wednesday.

In a statement, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, said that Pakistan Army won the ‘Pace Sticking Competition’ held at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.

“The Pakistan Military Academy represented Pakis­tan Army at the event,” the statement added.

The Pakistani High Commission in UK congratulated the army on winning the competition.

“High Commissioner Moazzam Ahmad Khan felicitates the team, commends the highest standards of professionalism and excellence maintained by Pakis­tan armed forces,” it said.

Every summer, teams from across the world compete at All Arms (World Champion­ship) Pace-Stick­ing competition at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

The pace stick itself basically looks like a giant compass and dates back to Roman times when it was used to mark out the distance of straight Roman roads.

When it comes to the military, the Royal Regiment of Artillery lays claim to be the originator of the Pace-Stick. They say it was used like a pair of calipers to ensure correct distances between their field guns during battles.

However, in 1928, the then Academy Sergeant Major, Arthur Brand, developed the Pace-Stick to be used as an aide to drill, to mark out the correct distances between troops on parade and to ensure a full 30-inch marching pace is taken. Arthur also then promoted its use throughout the British Army.

The competition is held at Sandhurst and sees fierce competition from teams travelling to the UK from far-flung places.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2020