MANSEHRA: A traditional bull race, once a popular feature of Hazara’s centuries-old culture, attracted a large crowd in the Janglan-Nerbir area here on Sunday.

“Hospitality and traditional sports are an integral part of our cultural heritage in Hazara, but they are rapidly disappearing due to a lack of government patronage,” Sangeen Sultan Khan, the organiser of the event, told reporters.

Chairmen of various village councils, including Mohammad Riaz, Nadar Khan, Mohammad Arif Rajput, Sher Sultan Khan, Mohammad Kashif, and Mohammad Riaz, also attended the event and, along with the chief guest, Sangeen Sultan Khan, distributed trophies and shields to the winning bull handlers.

As many as 24 bulls, forming 12 pairs from different parts of Hazara Division, participated in the race.

Spectators from across the region turned up in large numbers and enthusiastically cheered the competing bulls and their handlers.

Many participants and supporters also performed traditional dances when their bulls outpaced their rivals and recorded better timings.

“I did not expect such a huge crowd to turn up for this traditional bull race, which has gradually been disappearing from the region’s cultural landscape,” Mr Khan said.

He said that people still enjoyed taking part in traditional sporting and cultural events as a way of spending quality time with friends.

“The rise of social media and, more recently, artificial intelligence has also affected the popularity of such traditional sports and cultural activities,” he said.

On the occasion, the Janglan-Nerbir Village Council Chairman Haji Mohammad Riaz said that the government should actively promote traditional sports and cultural events to engage the younger generation in health activities.

“A large number of people, including youngsters, attended this event. The government should organise and support such cultural activities to keep young people connected with their traditions and away from narcotics and other social evils,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026