Plans afoot to hold national level event in Islamabad for tribesmen

PESHAWAR: After the successful holding of the First Governor KP Youth Festival for Fata, the authorities are now planning to hold a national level event for the tribesmen in Islamabad in the upcoming months.

Despite threats and the law and order situation in the province, the eight-day youth festival for Fata was held in Peshawar and other areas from December 23 to December 30.

Apart from a huge participation by the players, the inauguration by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and the conclusion by President Mamnoon Hussain gave a boost to the activity, held for the tribal people for the first time.

“A colourful opening ceremony was held on December 23 at Qayyum Sports Stadium, Peshawar, which was inaugurated by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif as the Chief Guest,” said director Sports Fata Tayyab Abdullah. He added that they were now looking to hold one such event in Islamabad in coming months.

The director sports said that 3,525 players and performers took part in the inaugural ceremony. “The highlights included Attanr (collective tribal dance) by 1225 students from Fata, making of Pak Flag by 500 school children from Khyber Agency and a parade of cultural troupe of all regions comprising Fata.  As many as 1,700 male and female players from the best teams from Fata took part in as many as 30 different games which are being played at 15 venues across Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” added Tayyab.

To highlight the importance of female participation, special arrangements were made for female sports competitions. A separate category of competitions has also been planned for handicapped players. 

All the players were provided with quality sports gear and financial assistance for food and lodging besides the opportunity for collective recreation in grand dinners and galas. The funding for sportswear and gear was contributed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

A set of cultural events were organised that included food festival, grand Mushaira, art exhibition and an antique display. Except for the Mushaira, the rest of the events were held at the Qayyum Sports Complex, Peshawar, from the December 24 to 26.

“The Fata Food Festival that was inaugurated by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly speaker presented rich Fata cuisine by setting up 13 stalls, serving 52 delectable tribal dishes. 

The Grand Mushaira, which was held at the mausoleum of Amir Hamza Shinwari, provided an opportunity to promising poets from Fata to share their poetical works on the theme of peace and social harmony,” said Tayyab Abdullah. 

Senior Minister Sikandar Sherpao inaugurated the art exhibition, which was adorned by 1132 art pieces in the category of painting, calligraphy, sculpture and handicrafts, showcasing the work of talented youthful artists from Fata.

The antiquity show was inaugurated by Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan, which is hitherto unprecedented, displayed antique items forming part of FATA’s cultural heritage. Besides, a grand Business Expo was held at Khyber Medial College Ground, Peshawar University.