LAHORE - The district level competitions of the Punjab Youth Festival (PYF) 2014 entered the final stages here on Monday. In all, 8,989 participants featured in various events the PYF and 2070 returned successful.
Gulberg Town defeated Wahga Town in badminton event while Aziz Bhatti Town thrashed Gulberg Town in the football competition. The karate crown went to Mateen Ali while Yasir Khan remained runner-up. Khurram Khan won the taekwondo contest followed by Kamran.
Overall, 869 players of Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib Districts of Lahore Division took part in various PYF events out of which 406 met with success. In Rawalpindi Division, the participation was little bit thinner as compared to other areas of the province. Here 130 athletes of Chakwal, Attock and Jhelum districts appeared in several events and 11 were declared triumphant. Aziz Bhatti Town and Cooperative Society have made their way to the quarter-finals of the PYF 2014 District level football event. Being played here at the Punjab Stadium, Aziz Bhatti Town beat Gulberg Town in the first match of the day 2-0 and moved to the next round. Aziz Bhagtti Town got lead in the ninth minute of the match through Mohammad Talha while the second goal of the match came in the 43rd minute of the match when Mahboob Ali found the net. With this win, Aziz Bhatti Town booked a place in the quarterfinal of the event.
In the second match, Cooperative Society won its match in the same fashion 2-0 against Nishtar Town. Arbaz scored the opening goal for the winning team in the 16jaB minute. The leade was doubled in the 30th minute through Asad Ali and Cooperative Society after winning the place in the quarter-finals pushed Nishtar Town out of contention.
The festival has not only got the hype among the masses at various levels across the province but also the animals’ exhibition and competitions have been entertaining the masses to larger extent.
Abdul Ghafoor won the donkey-cart race here at the Sundar Road Raiwind while Abdul Hafeez earned the second and Asif Shaukat got third position. In the Blue-Ravi Buffalo contrition, M Fakhri won the first position, M Mushtaq earned second and Afzaal won the third. The best Sahiwal buffalo event was won by M Ali and Mirza Yousaf second. Malik Nazir’s horses won the dancing horse competition. In the pet animals show, Razi Ghazali’s pets won the first position, Babar’s won the second while Rana Sher Mohammad’s third.
Divisional Convener Sports MPA Mian Naseer and DG Livestock Nawaz Saeed Ch were the chief guests at the occasion while Dr Zubair Munir and Dr Azeem Ijaz were also present there.
Meanwhile, Government Maryam College Gulshan Ravi for Women players exhibited their prowess with great enthusiasm in sports events of education sector of the Punjab Youth Festival at the college premises.
In 100 metre race, Maryam Riaz won the first, Arshia Tahir was second and Anam Naz was third. In hurdle race, Aqsa Mehmood earned the first position, Momina second and Amna Bokhari gained the third position. In fancy dress show, Momina Arshad clinched the first position, followed by Kiran Ameer and Farnia. A large number of students also participated in 100m, 200m and 400m races while the teacher also took part in staff race and back race.
Mrs Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan was the chief guest at the occasion and distributed prizes among the winners. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mashhood said: “The youth festival has provided our women opportunities to take part in the healthy activities and prove their potential to the entire world.”