BAHAWALPUR: The first-ever four-day mega sports event of `School Olympics` was inaugurated at the Dring Stadium here on Sunday.

Over 2,000 students, both boys and girls, of at least 90 public sector schools of the district participated in the colourful function held at the hockey stadium which was converted into an Olympic village.

The inaugural ceremony was pre-sided over by Commissioner Saqib Zafar who took oath from the participating students. Balloons and pigeons were also released in the air on the occasion.

MPA Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar lit the Olympic torch which was taken round the hockey stadium by a school athlete.

The march-past of students of all six tehsils, the PT show, gymnastic, reciting of national songs, a tug-of-war between two groups of students and a 100-meter race of girls were the high-lights of the ceremony.

The song `Shukria Pakistan` sung by the special children was widely appreciated by the audience.

DCO Dr Ehtasham Anwar Mahar said the objectives of the `School Olympics` were not only to organize a sports festival for students of the entire district but to also revive the tradition of sports and other extracurricular activities in schools. He said such events helped promote healthy habits, discipline and sportsman spirit among the youth.