KP U-23 Abbottabad Region Inter-District Games begins

The 3rd edition of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under-23 Abbottabad Region Female Games got under way at scenic Abbottabad Public School amidst tight security and with great enthusiasm witnessed in 480 female players' part of the mega event. Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Captain Aurangzeb Haider (Retd) was the chief guest. Additional Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Yasir Ali Khan, Assistant Commissioner Roman Burana, DEO Abbottabad Faiza Shafi, former Director Operation Tariq Mehmood, DSO Miss Gul Rukh, Ahmad Zaman (Haripur), Zahir Khan (Batagram), Director Development Salim Raza, Organizing Secretary Hamid Khan, Director events Syed Jaffar Shah, Director Venues Zakir Ullah, officials and large number of spectators were also present.
Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad formally announced the commencement of the Games wherein more than 480 female players are taking part in 13 different games comprising athletic, basketball, badminton, cricket, judo, handball, volleyball, table tennis, squash, hockey, baseball, netball, tug of war and athletics.
Soon after announcement of the commencement of the Games, balloons, pigeons, and banners pinned with balloons and inscribes with different sports slogans were also released in the air. "We want to give a message of peace to the rest of the world," DC Abbottabad Aurangzen Haider said while addressing the gathering.
He said it is very encouraging that such a huge number of female players turned up and now part of the Games in each district of KP. He expressed the hope that with Under-23 Games opportunities would be given to the youth to show their skills.
In her introductory speech, Director Sports Female Games KP Miss Rashida Ghaznavi said that KP government is holding the U-23 Games for the 3rd consecutive years with due opportunities have been given to both female and male players. She said the Games are being organized in two different phases - first players of the districts are taking part in 13 female and 15 male Games while in the second phase all seven regions would be involved in 17 female and 26 male Games.
In the opening day match of Tug-of-War Haripur defeated Abbottabad by 2-1, in the Netball Haripur beat Abbottabad by 11-8, in the Baseball Haripur beat Abbottabad 9-6 runs. In the Handball Haripur beat Mansehra by 12-9.
In the end, the chief guest DC Abbottabad gave away trophies and cash prizes to the winners and runners-up. The winner was awarded Rs 20,000 while the runners got Rs 15000 cash prize.