PESHAWAR: A four-day sports festival for orphaned and destitute children was inaugurated on Wednesday at Zamung Kor, a model institute for state children, here on Wednesday.

The sports department has organised the event. Adviser to the chief minister for sports and youth affairs Taj Mohammad Tarand was the chief guest.

Children from Zamung Kor presented martial arts demonstrations and performed the traditional Attan dance, which drew appreciation from the participants.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Tarand said seeing smiles on the faces of children brought immense happiness. He said children were the responsibility of the state and assured that the provincial government would continue to take all possible measures for their welfare.

He said sports and co-curricular activities played an important role in engaging children in healthy pursuits and added that the participating children lacked no talent.

He said the provincial government was committed to providing them with opportunities to help nurture and polish their abilities.

He added that the primary objective of such events was not only recreation but also the identification and promotion of hidden talent.

On the occasion, the secretary sports and the director Zamung Kor also addressed the event, emphasising the need to focus on orphaned and destitute children as they were an important segment of society deserving equal opportunities.

More than 500 boys and girls from Zamung Kor Peshawar, Zamung Kor Abbottabad, and other institutions for orphaned children are participating in the festival.

Competitions include cricket, football, badminton, kabaddi, basketball, tug-of-war, athletics, volleyball and musical chairs.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2026