Skardu (PR): Indus of road rally, Zakh competition, cycling race, heavy bike race, tug-of-war competitions took place in the final phase of Seven Days Winter Festival/Baltistan Rugan Festival organized by divisional and district administration of Skardu on Saturday. Other traditional games and activities, i.e. dafing, lanterns and fireworks were also held in the final phase.
Chief Guest Commissioner Baltistan Shuja Alam, Commander Artillery Brigadier Shafqat, Commander 62 Brigade, Brigadier Fawad started the jeep rally by hoisting the flag. Those attending the event included deputy commissioner Skardu Captain (Rtd) Shehryar Shirazi, additional deputy commissioner Skardu, assistant Commissioner Skardu, representatives of print and electronic media and a large number of public.
Forty-two vehicles participated in the Indus Off Road Rally in three categories. Muhammad Jawahar, Murtaza Ali and Hamid Hussain won the race in category A, B and C respectively.
25 young people also participated in the cycling race which started from Gilgit-Skardu Road and ended at Kwardu-Qumrah field on the banks of the Indus River. Muhammad Rasool won the first position in the junior category and Hamza Malik won the first position in the senior category.
A traditional Zakhbani competition was held which was much appreciated and loved by the spectators. Muhammad Ismail Hargsa Nala was declared the winner in the double category whereas Fida Hussain was declared the winner in the single category.
Dafing competition among army officers was also held in which Commissioner Baltistan Shuja Alam was declared the best dafing whereas as Ishaq Akhunzada was declared the winner in the heavy bike race.
An interesting tug-of-war competition took place between the teams of Qaardo and Qumrah. Qumrah team was declared winner after a thrilling competition. Apart from this, spectacular demonstrations of lantern release, May Fung and fireworks were also conducted.
Regarding the importance and arrangements of these events, Deputy Commissioner Skardu Captain (R) Shehryar Shirazi told the media that the special feature of this rally was that it has taken place on the banks of the Indus River in a field where the water of the river rises in summer and recedes in winter.
The event aims to keep the sports activity going in the freezing cold here. Besides providing recreational opportunities to local people, it is also to promote winter tourism. A large number of people showed their interest by participating in all these events.
