Physically challenged students shine in GCU 116th Annual Sports

Lahore: The physically-challenged students of the Government College University Lahore Wednesday once again proved that disability is not inability through their active participation in athletics at the inaugural ceremony of the university’s 116th Annual Sports. About 6,000 students from 32 departments of the university took part in the opening ceremony which was marked by a grand march past, sports day oath and athletics meet.

The Department of Electrical Engineering bagged the prestigious trophy of the Best March Past Contingent, while the contingents of Department of Physical Education and Department of Political Science stood second and third. “Others have won the trophies, but the contingent of physically-challenged students have won our hearts.” said that Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah while having a special group photograph with physically-challenged students as it was for first time in the university’s history that these students have formally participated in the university’s annual sports. The GCU Directorate of Sports specially designed competitions for them which included Wheel Chair Race, Clutches Race and White Cane Race.

Earlier, the GCU athletes, led by Mohsin Naveed, took oath that they would take part in three-day 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 116th GCU Athletics Meet.

In his message on the annual sports, GCU Chairman Sports Board Prof Dr Ikram-ul-Haq sports, besides enthralling, taught students tolerance and developed a spirit of competition among them. He said that GCU had always encouraged the students to take part in sports and healthy co-curricular activities.

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. He said sports education disciplined students. He advised the university students to never compromise on the standards of sportsmanship. “Sportsmanship is more important than winning an event,” he added.

Later, the first day of the annual sports event was marked by 800-metre race which was won by Muhammad Ramzan, a student of Physical Education Department. Muhammad Raees Younas, Abdul Kareem, Subhan Masood and Alam Saddam won the gold medals in Shot Put, Long Jump, 200-Meter Race and Javelin Throw Boys.

The athletics events of 5,000-Metre Race, 1,500-Metre Race, Triple Jump, and Pole Vault will be held at the Punjab today (Thursday). 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 Friday.