KARACHI: The launch of the nationwide torch relay for the 34th National Games made a sunny day even brighter here at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam on Saturday. This tradition was started by none other than Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, way back in March 1948, and it continues to this day.

The relay, which started at the mausoleum in a simple ceremony, went to Iqra University (Main Campus), where Sindh Minister of Information, Labour and Human Resources Saeed Ghani inaugurated the event.

The torch’s final stopover in the metropolitan city was the Sir Syed University. It will head to Peshawar from where it is scheduled to travel to Islamabad, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Lahore before going to Quetta, which is hosting the national gala for the first time in 19 years from May 15 to 23.

Over 6,500 national and international athletes are set to compete in 32 games, with 450 contestants from Karachi alone.

A number of dignitaries attended the ceremony of Karachi torch relay at the mausoleum, including Sindh Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, who emphasised promoting sports in the country through commercial investments.

Following his official address at the event, Sohail presented the torch to Islahuddin Siddiqui, the winning captain of the 1978 hockey World Cup, who then handed it over to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics gold medallist Nasir Ali.

Chief Minister’s spokesman Babar Yousafzai declared that the Games would demonstrate that Balochistan is a completely safe place.

“We are a loving nation. I assure you that Balochistan, while keeping its customs and traditions, will host the event to the best of its ability,” he said.

The theme of the National Games is ‘harmony, peace and faith’, and the aim is to utilise the abilities of Pakistan’s young population in positive ways.

Olympian and Pakistan’s top female badminton player, Mahoor Shahzad, commended the occasion, saying the National Games provide a good platform for athletes to enhance their skills.

“It [National Games] is Pakistan’s biggest sporting event enabling the participants to produce a higher level of competition,” Mahoor, who counts Chinese Tai Tzu-ying as her inspiration, told Dawn.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahoor, currently ranked 117th in the world, underscored that there is dearth of international-standard badminton academies and coaches in Pakistan, which hinders the growth of sports. “I am pushing for the top-100 but it is not an easy feat.”

Highlighting the significance of sports, Saeed underlined the importance of providing more and more playing opportunities for athletes to polish their skills. He urged the youth to participate in sports and showcase their abilities on national and international levels.

The National Games, which are being held after four years, will feature 32 disciplines, including archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, football, golf, hockey, judo, karate, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, and fencing. Additionally, four exhibition sports, including futsal, throwball, canoe and kayak, and cricket for women, will also be staged during the national sports gala.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2023