KARACHI, March 29: Formidable Karachi athletes, who have ruled the provincial games since its inception for quarter-of-a-century, open their campaign for retaining the Moenjodaro trophy when the 15th Sindh Games begin at Gama Stadium, Mirpurkhas, on Friday.

Teams of four regions — Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana — have reached Mirpurkhas which is the host.

Approximately 400 sportspersons including some technical officials left Karachi for Mirpurkhas in 10 buses. Their departure was delayed for some two hours due to lack of transport in the city.

A colourful programme has been chalked out for the opening ceremony. The three-hour ceremony concludes with the tableau and fireworks.

This is the third time Mirpurkhas is playing host to the Sindh Games the previous being second edition in 1987 and seventh in 1996.

According to figures, Karachi amassed 95 gold, 42 silver and 21 bronze medals in the last games at Sukkur.

Hyderabad had to be content with second slot with a tally of 27-40-49 while Sukkur was placed third with 27-31-55.

Mirpurkhas seized fourth place by picking up 5-24-46 medals while Larkana finished at the bottom securing 5-22-20 medals.

Roll of honour

(Tabulated under serial number, year, venue, winner and runners-up)

1st    1986    Larkana    Karachi South    Karachi West 2nd    1987    Mirpurkhas    Karachi West    Karachi East 3rd    1989    Karachi    Karachi    Hyderabad 4th    1991    Hyderabad    Karachi    Hyderabad 5th    1993    Sukkur    Karachi    Sukkur 6th    1995    Larkana    Karachi    Larkana 7th    1996    Mirpurkhas    Karachi    Larkana 8th    1999    Karachi    Karachi    Hyderabad 9th    2000    Hyderabad    Karachi    Hyderabad    10th    2006    Hyderabad    Karachi    Hyderabad 11th    2008    Sukkur    Karachi    Sukkur 12th    2009    Larkana    Karachi    Hyderabad 13th    2010    Karachi    Karachi    Hyderabad 14th    2011    Sukkur    Karachi    Hyderabad