District Khyber and Mohmand were the leaders in the ongoing Merger Tribal Games continued across tribal districts under the aegis of Directorate of Sports Merger Tribal District on Saturday. From Bajaur to North Waziristan and South Waziristan Districts the male and female players are taking part in 31 different disciplines and among them District Khyber was leading the Games by securing 190 points so far, followed by District Bajaur with 142 points and FR Peshawar with 125 points struggling at third in overall Games.
In Khyber District Archery, Disable Cricket and Netball are being organized wherein the players enthusiastically taking part. In the Netball Khurram defeated Mohmand District by 11-6, in the second match Bajaur tasted defeat against North Waziristan by 17-7. In the third match of the Netball Khyber District beat South Waziristan by 21-9 in a respectable margin of goals.
In the first match of the Disable Cricket played at Jamrud Sports Complex, District Khyber, Bajaur won the toss and elected to bat first by setting up 105 runs in the allotted 20 overs with Khyber chased the target for the loss of four wickets in the 13.2 overs.
Director Sports and Organizing Secretary Muhammad Nawaz Khan was the chief guest on this occasion. Deputy Director Sports Amir Muhammad, Event Manager Muhammad Ayub Khan, Sports Managers Rahad Khan, Awan Hussain, Saeed Akhtar and Aamir Iqbal were also present.
In the bodybuilding and weightlifting District Bajaur got first position, followed by Khyber, in Karate and Judo Khyber got first position, followed by Khurram District, in the Rugby FR Kohat won the title, followed by South Waziristan. In the Cycling held in Khurram, team trial event won by Mohmand, followed by Bajaur and Khyber while in the Individual time trial Zabi Ullah of Bajaur won the trophy, followed by Bahar Ali of Mohmand and Karwan of Khyber took third position.
In the District Mohmand Kabaddi Mohmand and FR Lakki reached the final. Mohmand defeated North Waziristan while FR Kohat defeated Khyber and took berth into the final. Badminton in Bajaur Mohmand and Bajaur took berth into the final. In the first semi-final Mohmand beat Khyber in the team event while Bajaur beat FR Kohat by 3-0.
In the Younis Khan Stadium North Waziristan cricket event Khyber, Bajaur, North Waziristan, Tank, Orakzai and FR Peshawar moved to the quarter-finals. In the first quarter-final Khyber defeated Mohmand by seven wickets, Mohmand batting first scored 108 runs.
In reply Khyber chased the target by three wickets. Member National Assembly Sajid Tori was the chief guest on this occasion who gave away trophies and cash prizes to the position holders of cycling event in Khurram. Agency Sports Manager Amjad Hussain was also present on this occasion. The Games would continue till April 24.
MNA Sajid Tori lauded the organizing committee for holding the Games and involved more than 3000 male and female players in 31 different disciplines.
Earlier, the female games part of the Merger Tribal District Games, got under way at Mohmand District wherein Director Sports Muhammad Nawaz Khan formally inaugurated. District Education Officer Jadi Khan Khalil, DEO Female Niamat Begum, Principal Govt Girls College Ghalanai, Mohmand, Zia Begum, Assistant Director Nazia Zaki, District Sports Officer Rahad Gul, AD Scout Awan Hussain, Orakzai Volleyball Association President Safdar Khan, officials, players and large number of spectators were also present in a colourful opening ceremony.
The girl's players presented national anthem, followed by a smart PT show, skits, band performance, national song which largely enthralled the sitting spectators.
In the Tug of War Mohmand defeated Khyber by 2-1. Female are taking part in athletic, volleyball, table tennis and badminton. In Mohmand only volleyball and tug of war are being organized while table tennis, badminton and athletics will be organized in Khyber.