LOWER DIR: Annual sports competitions among government and private high and higher secondary schools have begun in Lower Dir, with around 2,000 students set to participate in various sporting and literary events aimed at promoting physical fitness, teamwork and healthy competition among young people.
The district has been divided into different zones to facilitate the competitions, which include cricket, hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, handball, tug-of-war, athletics and literary activities. The events will continue until November 20.
The Talash Zone tournamentwas inaugurated on Wednesday at the basketball court of Government High School Dheri Talash by Ali Gohar, district president of the School Officers Association and a school principal.
In the opening match, Government High School Shamsi Khan defeated Government High School Bajauro Talash after a thrilling contest. Government Higher Secondary School Ziarat Talash and Government Higher Secondary School Sarai Bala also won their respective opening matches.
Basketball matches are being held at Manial Maidan and Dheri Talash, while cricket competitions are taking place at seven venues across the district. Hockey matches are being held at Ouch, volleyballcompetitions at four venues and football matches at Chakdara, Timergara, Mayar and Maidan grounds.
Meanwhile, Government Higher Secondary School Zimr Bagh secured first position in the district-level handball competitions.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ali Gohar, Principal Inamullah, In-charge Headmaster Ziaul Amin and other speakers highlighted the importance of sports in students’ educational and personal development. They said participation in sports was an essential part of schooling as it helped students maintain physical fitness, develop confidence, learn teamwork and cultivate discipline.
They urged the participants to observe the rules and regulationsof their respective games and demonstrate sportsmanship, stressing that the spirit of healthy competition should prevailover the desire to win at all costs.
The speakers observed that education should not remain confined to classrooms and textbooks, as sports and other co-curricular activities played an equally important role in shaping students’ personalities.
They said physical activities were vital for mental and physical well-being and provided students with opportunities to discover and developtheirtalents.
They expressed hope that the competitions would not only provide entertainment to spectators but also encourage greater participation in sports among schoolchildren.