Tug-of-War championship begins

Pakistan Tug-of War Federation on Friday announced to a hold the 15th edition National Tug of War Championship in provincial metropolis from 30th April, 2011 Saturday (today). The announcement made by secretary Pakistan Tug of War Federation, Rana Mohammad Jamil, while speaking at Guest Hour Programme of the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) here at Peshawar press club.
Besides President, Tug-of-War Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter, Haroon Zafar, Secretary Taj Muhammad, Associate Secretary Pakistan Olympic Association, Syed Azhar Ali Shah, President KhUJ Arshad Aziz Malik also present on the occasion.
More than, 110 players of Pakistan Army, Defending Champion Wapda, Railways, Police, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and host Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take part in the event. A team of Khyber Union of Journalist (KhUJ) will also participate as a token of appreciation to recognise the services of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Journalists. The event would be formally inaugurated by Commissioner Peshawar Akbar Khan on Saturday afternoon, while Provincial Minister for Sports Syed Aqil Shah would also attend the inaugural ceremony.
The Secretary Rana Mohammad said that the Tug of War had the most famous game all over the world, particularly in Pakistan despite non-status of Olympic Games. He recalled that the game was part of Olympic game before Word war-II. He, however, said that efforts are being made for inclusion of the Tug of war into Olympic Games. He called for affiliation of the game with Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
The federation had been carried out the affairs of the game under self-reliance basis, he informed. He added that it was quite difficult to run without the assistance of any institute. Rana Jamil urged upon the President Pakistan Olympic Association Lieutenant General Arif Hussain and Provincial Minister for Sports Syed Aqil Shah to play their due role for affiliation of the game with PSB.
"We had affiliated with the Pakistan Olympic Association except as Olympic Game, saying that the Pakistan Sports Board was not affiliated yet," he added. He informed that all appropriate arrangements had been made for the event. It has a worth to mention here that the event had been shifted from Karachi to Khyber Paktunkhwa due to security reasons, he maintained. Rana Jamil said that the association would utilise all resources for provision of adequate facilities to the players and officials.