SARGODHA, April 9: Tension is at its peak in the district, as the government has vowed to look after four mini-marathons and the MMA to make sure that no woman participates in any of the events.

The MMA has met District Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon, who has clarified that the events for men and women will be held separately, though the government had not shown its plan of separate races.

Meanwhile, the executive officer (education) has directed the heads of women colleges and schools to ensure attendance of their teachers and students in the marathons “to defeat the designs of the MMA.”

Earlier, the Punjab government had decided to call in some women athletes from other cities to make their attempt successful.

A handout issued on Saturday said the Nazim had strictly asked the organizers to make sure that the marathon by women remained confined to the prescribed route. No woman should be allowed to participate in the 10-kilometre event, which will start at 8.30am.

The Nazim will inaugurate the women marathon while Provincial Parliamentary Secretary for Population Welfare Begum Zahida Sarfraz will distribute prizes among the winners.

The administration has not even invited the journalists to the women marathon, as the MMA activists have threatened that if any team of foreign media attempts to capture the proceedings of the women marathon they will use force.

Another race of three-kilometre will also be held for students of schools and colleges, and it will be inaugurated by Sargodha DCO Obaid Rabbani Qureshi. Besides, a race of veterans will also be held and it will be inaugurated by District Naib Nazim Chaudhry Hamid Saleem Warriach.

Punjab Irrigation Minister Amir Sultan Cheema will distribute prizes among the winners.

JASHN-I-SARGODHA: District Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon inaugurated on Saturday the eight-day Jashn-i-Sargodha.

He witnessed tent-pegging, horse dance, bhangra and PT show of school boys.

Earlier, Jashn-i-Sargodha convener Chaudhry Hamid Saleem said the district council held the fair after every four years to provide recreation to the public.