GILGIT: Arrangements have been finalised for the first-ever Gilgit-Baltistan Women Sports gala 2022 which is set to begin on Oct 5. The purpose of this mega event is to provide equal opportunities for women in sports and to provide them a platform to show off their skills.

Cricket, basketball, tennis, badminton, squash, table tennis and hockey tournaments will be held among girls from different colleges. Besides this, about seven formats of sports activities and a display of local cultural products will be synced up at the venue to cater for entrepreneurship ideas, promotion of local culture, dresses, local cuisines and local products.

Reasonable coverage and product branding will be carried out keeping in view cultural norms. Women from all walks of life will be allowed to witness the historic event with kids below the age of six.

On Thursday, a group of female officers, civil servants, principals, headmistresses, educationists and management professionals have formally taken over the management, execution and coordination of the event.

GB Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani and other officials visited the Lalik Jan Stadium on Thursday. He distributed hockey sticks among two teams.

According to a statement, Mr Wani said in that in a drive to empower and boost the confidence of young women, the first-ever sports event for women has been organised.

“GB Women’s Sports Gala will not only be a sports event but an all encompassing festivity to highlight achievements and overall wellbeing of our daughters,” he said, adding that it will cover all aspects of life ranging from education to entrepreneurship, sports and health of women while upholding our traditions, culture and values.

We will celebrate the achievements of our toppers who will go on to be future professionals, he said, adding the gala will not only be a sports event but an all encompassing festivity to highlight achievements and overall wellbeing of our daughters.

The event will be managed and executed by an all-women team and no male presence will be allowed inside the gala premises.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2022