SWABI: Speakers at a ceremony here on Tuesday stressed the need for promoting traditional games to save the young generation from social evils.

The ceremony was held on the concluding day of a Mukha tournament, which was won by Mansoorkhel group, led by Idrees Khan. Mansoorkhel group defeated Zahir group, led by Zahir Khan, by a single point.

The tournament of Mukha, a traditional Pakhtun archery sport, was held in Zaida city. A large number of people, belonging to various areas, enjoyed the tournament with great enthusiasm. The credit for revival of the centuries-old game in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa goes to the local elders and youth.

The speakers said that Mukha was played in Swabi, Mardan, Buner and Haripur districts of the province. They lauded the local elders and youth for the revival of the traditional sport.

Idrees Khan, whose team won the final, said that as compared to other districts, Mukha was played in more areas of Swabi. “In summer, despite the peak time of wheat harvesting various competitions were organised in different areas and people participated in these contests with great eagerness,” he said.

During the tournament, the supporters of team would dance to drumbeats if any of its members would hit the white wooden target. However, the rivals would celebrate if he would miss the target. The fun would continue till setting of a new target, prepared with fresh clay by an expert.

The speakers said that Mukha was widely played during the wheat harvesting season. “Now the youth arrange tournaments in different seasons but it can be played in winter season,” they added.

Mr Zahir said that the young generation would not fall in wrong hands and would be saved from social evils if they succeeded to promote the traditional games. He said that government should also work for keeping the traditional games alive and encourage people to participate in the centuries-old games at local level. Mr Zahir said that they enjoyed the centuries-old games as those were in accordance with their traditions.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014