PESHAWAR, Nov 9: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti inaugurated the three-day third inter-provincial games at the Qayyum Sports Stadium here on Sunday.

Balochistan Sports Minister Mir Shah Nawaz Murree, NWFP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain, government officials, ex-Olympians and a large number of spectators were present in the stadium.

Ex-Olympian Qazi Salahuddin entered the ground with a torch, which was then passed on from Shazia Mubarak to Abdur Rahman and Mohammad Ali. Finally it was handed over to squash legend Qamar Zaman who lit the Olympic torch. The torch would remain illuminated for three days.

A smart contingent of players of the four provinces, participating in the games and presented march past. Students of various government schools displayed spectacular show on the occasion.

NWFP Minister for Sports Syed Aqil Shah remained in the ground throughout the opening ceremony and supervised the activities of the ceremony. Games, songs, folk dances – including Khattak, Chitrali, Mahsood and Bhittani dances – were presented on the occasion. NWFP Olympic Association’s Souvenir was presented to the chief minister during the ceremony.

Glider Qazi Tufail exhibited flight past and dropped flower petals over the players. The spectators enjoyed the event.

The slogan of the games is: Sara Pakistan, Hamara Pakistan (The whole of Pakistan is our homeland).

The main objective of holding these games is to promote peace and encourage promotion of healthy recreational activities in the province.

The events of athletics, badminton, baseball, boxing, cycling, football, hockey, judo, kabbadi, karate, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling and weightlifting have been scheduled in the inter-provincial games. —Bureau Report