Kaghlasht Festival draws crowds

Report GH Farooqui

CHITRAL: Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Shahzada Mohiuddin said some 130 million rupees have been approved by the federal government for different uplift schemes in Chitral. He was speaking as chief guest at the concluding ceremony of Qaghlast Festival on Thursday. The MNA assured the participants of blacktopping the Mulkhow and Qaghlasht roads. He also announced Rs30,000 for the management committee of the festival. He said the young generation should participate in healthy activities to save themselves from social evils. He also presented the winner and runner-up trophies to different teams. Thousands of people participated in the final where the management committee had arranged for traditional plays with cultural shows and folk dance to enthrall the spectators. Other speakers on the occasion demanded water supply to this ground to irrigate it and for construction of a road. In the final of polo, Kosht defated the team of Booni by 3 to 2 goals. Sardar Ahmad was captain of the winner team while Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk led the runner-up team. Sardar Ahmad was also declared as man of the match. As many as six polo teams participated in the tournament.10 football teams participated in the festival. During the semi final Morder football tams versus Reshun team and Kushum versus Mastum contested in which Morder and Kushum football teams qualified for final match. In football, Morder defeated Kushum with a penalty as the match remained equal till the end. Muhammad Qadir was captain of winner team and Zulfiqar Ali of runner-up team. The Morder team captain was also declared man of the match. As many as 16 teams participated in cricket tournament. The cup went to the Booni team which defeated Medical Star with seven wickets. Inamullah of Booni white teams was declared man of the match while M. Zakeer of medical rep team was announced man of the tournament. In Tug of War, Mastuj Tehsil won the trophy by defeating Mulkhow. A total of 40 persons participated in race competition. Zahurul Hassan of Koragh scored 1st position, Shamsud Rehmat of Morder 2nd position and Amir Ali of Kosht remained third. 10 teams participated in volleyball tournament and the final match was played between Chitral Scouts and Booni in which Chitral Scouts defeated Booni by two to zero. A local traditional match called Ghaluchun Ghal was played between Booni and Mulkhow team in which Booni defeated Mulkhow. A competition of musical chair was also held among special people.