Traditional games help Pakistani youth connect with their roots

Ask any Indian or Pakistani about their favourite sport and the unanimous answer will be cricket. That's only limited to enjoying it on TV and not participating in it physically. But when you think about the olden times, traditional games were the best way to connect people and help them not only pass time but also keep physically and mentally fit.
Keeping this very aspect in mind and also in a bid to promote the very culture of Pakistan, the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) organised a "Desi Sports Night" on its premises on Thursday night from 9pm onwards as part of Pakistan Independence Day celebrations.
Traditional Pakistani games including Panja Aazmai, Bazoo Pakrai, Wanji, Ludo, Pitho Garam, Carrom Board, Rassa Kashi and Bori Race were organised by the association in their outdoor sports arena in Oud Metha.
"Traditional games form a very integral part of our cultural heritage and help us connect to our roots, especially now when we are away from our country," said Dr Faisal Ikram, general secretary of PAD.
"We felt a need to introduce our younger generations to these traditional games as that not only educate them about their own culture but also helps the young and the old come together and enjoy," Dr Ikram added.
A friendly match of Rassa Kashi was played between three teams namely Geo, Sama and Mamzar Boys. Families also participated in the sports events, with surprise games arranged for children.
The chief guest of the event - that saw a turnout of about 300 people - was businessman and social worker Noor-ul-Hassan Tanveer.
"These sports are not merely for physical activity but also bring along values, ceremonies and way of life characteristics of a given group and the place of sport within that way of life. And PAD always focuses on such activities to engage the community," he added.
Tanveer said that it is important to keep alive the tradition of traditional sports in our youth and PAD chose the apt way to bring Pakistani culture to the fore by organisning such an event.
All matches had a live broadcast on PAD's Facebook page. Executive Committee Member Tariq Rehman and joint secretary of the association Tahir Hasnain Zaidi distributed the trophies and certificates to the winning teams.
The event was dedicated to those who died in the recent Quetta hospital bombing.
saman@khaleejtimes.com