KARACHI: Speakers shed light on the importance of physical fitness at a wellattended and eagerly participated reception held at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Tuesday in honour of journalist Tahir Siddiqui for winning the marathon race in the veteran category organised by the Commissioner of Karachi four times in a row.

Chief Minister`s Law Adviser Murtaza Wahab said: `I am not the nominated [candidate for] mayor yet. Whoever the leader-ship nominates, every decision of the party is accepted.

He said he has known Mr Siddiqui since August 2022 when he was working as administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and Mr Siddiqui visited him as a reporter.

`But the fervour and enthusiasm I saw in him with respect to sport was very interesting. He was the first person who came to me saying he jogged at Baradari Park andthe track there needed repair work. This is the point from where our relationship began. Then I saw him taking part in the marathon arranged by the commissioner and witnessed a great spirit for the race in him. While he is doing his job as a journalist, the message that he is conveying through his sporting activity is a positive one. If we look after our health, it`ll lessen the number of problems that weface in our daily lives.

KMC Administrator Dr Saifur-Rehman said Mr Siddiqui has an inspiring personality. After getting posted in Sindh from Balochistan, he had a close interaction with the journalist.

On the subject, he commented, `Looking at stats, we will find out that Pakistan is one of those countries where people shy away from physical activity. If we go abroad [West], you`ll notice the men and women there are fit and the only reason for that is they work out. Exercise doesn`t have to do with physical fitness [alone]. One of the challenges that modern times have posed to human beings is that of isolation which leads us to go into depression. Walking [working out] makes us feel good. In the times to come while there will be physical challenges in our society, there will also be mental strife. In order to tacklediseases such as diabetes exercise is of great importance.

The administrator urged the need for the community`s involvement to get facilities such as parks and groundsfor a population of 30 million in the city.

Commissioner M Iqbal Memon in response to an earlier speaker`s point said the aim of the marathon is to have it for a 42km distance for which he will have tolookinto aspectssuchas law and order. He mentioned a meeting that he had with squash great Jehangir Khan as a result of which they plan to hold a national squash championship.

He then talked about the plans to have badminton, table tennis and then later tennis tournaments; and after a gap of 16 years, the national women`s basketball event will also be held.

`I sometimes think when we will put an end to looking foroutside supportforourchildren.

We should look inwards. We have organisations that are quite capable of doing that.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Siddiqui said his participation in the marathon for the fourth time was mainly due to the moral pressure that he faced from his fellow journalists. He dedicatedhissuccesstohisjournalist community, adding that people from the age of 19 to 64 should go for a 30-minute walk regularly.

Mrs Siddiqui said she`s proud to be participating in the event on Tuesday.

`It`s a healthy habit. No matter what the weather conditions are, he [Mr Siddiqui] wears his joggers and goes out for a walk, she said.

Dawn Editor Zaffar Abbas, journalist M Junaid, KPC president Saeed Sarbazi and Secretary Shoaib Ahmed also spoke.