SWABI: The traditional Mukha game tournament concluded on Tuesday after continuing for about two weeks amid fanfare in Bamkhel village here.

Several leading players, belonging to various regions of Swabi and the neighbouring districts participated in the Mukha sport, entertaining the people and strengthening the cultural bonds.

Zahir Gul, a game expert, told Dawn that in Mukha game each player shot the target twice, using a bow and an arrow, and the team whose players hit the target the most advanced to the next round.

He said Mukha was a centuries-old game, mainly played by Yousafzai tribes.

The players said Mukha was played in summer, as according to experts, the arrow, locally known as ghashay, and Leenda (bow), worked well in warm temperatures.

Organisers said more games would be played after Eidul Azha.

The final contest started at on Monday evening and continued till 2pm on Tuesday with game lovers enjoying every shot when a player hit the wooden target, known as ‘takai’ in Pashto language. Each shot was followed by drumbeating and dancing by supporters to celebrate the successful hit.

The contest, which lasted for eight long hours, featured many ups and downs, creating suspense, making it difficult to predict as to who would notch a distinguished position.

Organisers told Dawn Bakhtiar Khan of Mangal Chai village of Gadoon Amazai, Tajamul Khan of Maini, Zahir Zaman of Shewa, Anwar Saeed of Bamkhel, Wajid Khan and Hassan Akbar of Serai and Hazat Amin of Pajman, performed brilliantly.

They said another tournament was planned soon after Eid to allow players to display their skills. They said the provincial government should play its due role in promoting the game at national level.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2025