GCU 115th Annual Sports begins

Lahore: The 115th Annual Sports of the Government College University Lahore Thursday began at a grand inaugural ceremony at the university’s Cricket Ground. About 3,000 students from 26 departments of the university took part in the ceremony marked by a grand march past, sports day oath and athletics meet.

The Department of Economics bagged the prestigious trophy of the Best March Past Contingent, while Department of English stood second. The GCU athletes, led by Ghulam Qadir who represented Pakistan at the last Common Wealth Games, took oath that they would take part in annual games abiding by the rules and in the true spirit of sportsmanship for the glory of sports and the honour of their teams. The musicians hailing from GCU Nazir Ahmed Music Society (NAMS) presented a special anthem for 115th GCU Athletics Meet.

In his message on the annual sports, Vice Chancellor Prof (Meritorious) Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman said that it was for the first time that athletics and sports competitions among staff and faculty members were also part of the annual sports, adding it would improve interaction between the teachers and students. He also that sports, besides enthralling, taught students tolerance and developed a spirit of competition.” Prof Rahman said that he had always encouraged the students to take part in sports and healthy co-curricular activities. He said that he had increased funds for the sports and co-curricular activities in the university budget. He accepted that GCU was champion of swimming in all national games but unfortunately, it didn’t have its swimming pool. He said a swimming pool of international standard would be established at the Kala Shah Kaku Campus.

The Vice Chancellor also advised the university students to never compromise on the standards of sportsmanship. “Sportsmanship is more important than winning an event,” he added.

Addressing the opening ceremony, GCU Director Sports Khadim Ali Khan said that the importance given to sports by the developed countries was no less than education.

Later, the first day of the annual sports event was marked by 800-metre race which was won by Mohsin Naveed. In 3,000-metre race, intermediate student Bahadur Khan got first position, while Department of Urdu student Tariq Mehmood crossed the finish line first in men’s 200m race. The student of Fine Arts Department, Muhammad Raees Younas, clinched first position in men’s Shot Put. The most enthralling contest of tug-of-war among girls was won by a team of Physical Education Department. Rizwana from Physical Education won the 100 Meters Race and Long Jump among girls. Mohsin Naveed of Urdu Department won the Gold Medal in the 110-Meter Hurdle Race. Karim Lashari, Alam Sadam stood first in Long Jump and Javelin Throw among boys respectively. Subhan from Economics Department won the Gold Medal in High Jump.

The athletics events of 5,000-Metre Race, 1,500-Metre Race, Triple Jump, and Pole Vault will be held at the GCU Cricket Ground today (Friday). However, the most enthralling Gymkhana events which include Ministerial Staff Race, Naib Qasid Race, Four Legged Race, Cricket Throw Ball for Girls, Pillow Fighting, Staff Children Race, Stilt Race, 60-Metre Race, Sack Race, Chatti Race for Girls and Obstacle Race will be held at the closing ceremony at GCU Oval Ground on Sunday.