Punjab Sports Department’s Azadi Family Fun Race concluded successfully with the participation of over 3400 U-14 girls, boys and women at Nishtar Park Sports Complex on Saturday. The separate U-14 girls, boys and women races started from Hali Chowk, Gulberg and culminated at Punjab Stadium.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, SBP Vice Chairman Salman Malik and Sports Coordinator Malik Anoosh Khokhar inaugurated the grand 1.3 km Azadi Family Fun Race at the Hali Chowk, Gulberg. Later, DG Sports Punjab distributed prizes among the top position holders at a largely attended closing ceremony. The first position holders in all three races were given cash prizes of Rs 50,000, the second position holders in all three races were awarded Rs 30,000 while the third and fourth position holders were given a cash prize of Rs 20,000 each.
SBP Vice Chairman Salman Malik, Sports Coordinator Malik Anoosh Khokhar, Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum, Director Admin Abid Shaukat, Deputy Director Tariq Khanzada, Divisional Sports Officer Lahore Tanveer Abbas and other officials and a large number of participating women and athletes were also present at the closing ceremony.
In Women’s Azadi race, Lahore’s Kinza Sarfraz won the first position, Nida Kareem of Gilgit remained runners up while the 3rd and 4th positions were taken by Gonish Batool of Mianwali and Lahore’s Javeria Bibi respectively.
In U-14 girls race, the top position was taken by Duaa Sohail of Lahore, 2nd position went to Kasur’s Hamna Anwer followed by Lahore’s Bisma Raza and Lahore’s Zainab Noor, who both took 3rd and 4th positions respectively.
Kasur’s M Zain stole the show in U-14 boys’ race. Kashif Aslam also from Kasur clinched the second spot while Ali Raza (Kasur) and Muhammad of Chichawatni grabbed the 3rd and 4th positions respectively.
Addressing the prize distribution ceremony, Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that grand Azadi Family Fun Race was organized to celebrate 78th Independence Day of the country and great victory in Marka-e-Haq in a befitting manner.
He said that the participation of more than 3,400 girls, boys and women in the Azadi Family Fun Race is definitely a positive development. “The grand Azadi Family Fun Race was organized under the patronization of Punjab Miniswter for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar”.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that Punjab sports Department is promoting true sports culture across the Punjab province as per vision of Punjab Chief Minister. He also congratulated the top position holders of Azadi Family Fun Race.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that the entire Pakistan nation supported Pakistan Army wholeheartedly in recently fought Marka-e-Haq against strong enemy. “Pakistan Army is the best army of the world and it is ready to foil any misadventure in future as well”.
SBP Vice Chairman Salman Malik and Sports Coordinator Malik Anoosh Khokhar congratulated the top performing athletes and urged the rest of the competitors to put in more hard work for future racing events. They also appreciated Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry and his team for holding grand Azadi Family Fun Race in a successful manner.
After the conclusion of Azadi Family Fun Race, a colourful closing ceremony was conducted at the Punjab Stadium where gift hampers were distributed among the 100 top performers of Azadi Family Fun Race. Besides this, an eye catching firework show was organised at the Punjab Stadium. Renowned female singer Humaira Arshad also entertained the large crowd with her melodious songs and won huge appreciation from passionate spectators.
The whole route of Azadi Family Fun Race, including the starting and finishing points, were decorated with national flags. Several water points, medical camps and information desks were also established at various points of route to serve the runners.