Sports Board Punjab to hold Rustam-e-Zaman, Sher-e-Punjab dangals

Lahore: Sports Board Punjab (SBP), by announcing the schedule of Rustam-e-Zaman Gama Pehlwan and Sher-e-Punjab Dangal, took a great step forward for the promotion of sports in the country.

Unveiling the programme at a press conference on Tuesday at National Hockey Stadium, Punjab Minister for Sports Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said that Sher-e-Punjab Dangal will be fought on January 15 while the Rustam-e-Zaman Gama Pehlwan Dangal will be contested on the next day at the Punjab Stadium.

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif’s Advisor Ijaz Gul, Chairman Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) Nadeem Pehlwan and Vice-President PWF Humayun Butt were also present on this occasion.

Addressing the largely-attended press conference, the Minister said: “We are launching the new calendar year with the traditional dangals and it’s a great proof of Punjab govt and Sports Board Punjab’s resolve to promote traditional sports alongside modern games in the country”.

“Pakistan had a great past in traditional wrestling also called as ‘desi kushti’ and the upcoming dangals are a part of our campaign to promote traditional games in the country”.

To a question regarding the security measures for the wrestling competition, Rana Mashhood promised to make best possible security arrangements on the occasion of dangals. He said that Sports Board Punjab under the leadership of Director General Sports Punjab Usman Anwar has already built safety walls and security gates on all the entry points. “World’s latest CC TV camera system is also in operation to have a close look at every movement in and around the Nishtar Park Sports Complex,” he elaborated.

Explaining the details of event, Rana Mashhood informed that country’s best wrestlers will feature in the ‘desi’ wrestling activity. “Twenty bouts each including four major fights will be contested in both Sher-e-Punjab and Rustam-e-Zaman Gama Pehlwan Dangals,” he clarified.

“The title fight of Sher-e-Punjab Dangal will be fought between Umair Pehlwan of DG Khan and Usman Shahid Pehlwan of Sialkot. The winner of this major bout will be given Rs one lakh as prize money.

Achhu Pehlwan of Multan will face Lahore’s Shahwar Pehlwan for cash prize of Rs 90,000 while Lahore’s Tari Pehlwan will meet Goonga Pehlwan also of Lahore. Rs 70,000 prize will be awarded to the triumphant wrestler. The fourth major fight will be held between Gujranwala’s Maju Pehlwan and Lahore’s Mohammad Ali Pehlwan and the winner of this bout will pocket Rs 39,000 as prize money.

The major fight of Rustam-e-Zaman Gama Pehlwan Dangal will be contested between Bashir Bhola Bhala Pehlwan and Ata Mohammad Pehlwan of Muzaffargarh and the champion will be awarded cash prize of Rs one lakh.

The next three major fights in the Rustam-e-Zaman Gama Pehlwan Dangal will be contested between:

Usman Shahid Pehlwan of Sialkot and Malu Pehlwan of Lahore (Prize Rs 90,000)

Mohsin Pehlwan Chandiwala vs Tari Pehlwan (Lahore) (Rs 75,000)

Qasim Gujjar of Gujranwala vs Nomi Pehlwan of Lahore (Prize Rs 40,000).