LAKKI MARWAT: A tent-pegging competition attracted thousands of people to the ground in the Serai Naurang town of Lakki Marwat district on Sunday.

A local political and social activist, Afaq Jan Marwat Begukhel organised the event near Akbar Kallay in connection with Independence Day celebrations. Locals and horse riders from other parts of the country participated in the competition.

The riders were neatly dressed and they exhibited their skills to attract the attention of audience and received great applause from the game lovers when they successfully picked up and carried away respective wooden pegs.

Mr Afaq distributed trophies and cash prizes among the winners. He said on the occasion that the main aim of organising the event was to attract the youth towards healthy activities and promote sports in the area.

“The promotion of sports, especially on the occasion of a great day like Independence Day, is the primary responsibility of the Sports Department,” he maintained, adding, “If government agencies effectively utilise the available resources to promote sports, it could significantly help engage the younger generation in healthy and positive activities.”

He said that there was no dearth of talent among the youth; the only need was to provide them with facilities, opportunities and government patronage.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2026