SWAT: Tourists thronged Kalam valley to witness the Snow Kabaddi Championship.

The event was organised by the local youth in collaboration with the hotel association and youth affairs department to promote winter tourism and engage youth in healthy activities.

Six local teams took part in the championship with the Matiltan Tiger emerging as the winner.

MPA Sharafat Ali distributed cash prizes and trophies to the top two teams.

Championship organiser Aziz Kalami said snow kabaddi began in the district three years ago.

He said he and his friends thought about playing a game to keep themselves busy in the winter season, so they began playing kabaddi in snow.

“Usually, people have no work to do in the freezing weather, so snow kabaddi is the best pastime for them,” he said.

Mr Kalami said as the people showed interest in the winter sport, its championship was organised regularly to promote winter tourism and keep the local youth busy in healthy activities.

Snow kabbadi player Asif, who usually works in a local hotel, said during the winter season, especially after snowfall, he and his friends got bored for having nothing to do.

He said the kabaddi contest also provided the youth with an opportunity to meet friends and tourists.

The tourists asked the government to promote snow kabaddi by holding a mega event.

“This [snow kabaddi] is a unique and interesting sport, so its championship should be held at the national level,” said Iqbal Ahmad of Lahore.

SOCIAL DISTANCING: Commissioner of Malakand division Zaheerul Islam has urged the people to take preventive measures against coronavirus, including social distancing, cleanliness and use of face mask.

He was chairing a meeting on control and prevention of polio, Covid-19 and dengue in Malakand division.

All deputy commissioners of the division, district health officers and the relevant officials attended the meeting.

The commissioner called for the start of a full-fledged campaign to raise awareness of polio, coronavirus and dengue.

MPA Sharafat Ali said youth were the country’s valuable assets, so the PTI government was focussing its attention their development. He also said serious efforts were being made to promote tourism in the country.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2021