Horsemen from all over the Punjab displayed their skills of tent- pegging as the crowd of Jhang and adjoining areas cheered them.
For the last couple of weeks, this event had become the talk of the town as 20,000 people are expected to attend the colorful two-day celebrations.
Tent Pegging is considered a difficult game and a lot of skill and precision in picking wood with the lance is required. The specific game involves a mounted horseman riding a horse at lightning speed hurtle and picking up a small ground target (a symbolic tent peg) with the help of a sword or a lance. This ancient origin sport is one of only ten equestrian disciplines officially recognized by the International Equestrian Federation.
The area is famous for its love for animals especially horses. Tent pegging requires elaborate arrangements and for that purpose a large tract has been cleared of stones and pebbles, besides making elaborate security arrangements.
The colorful gala commenced at 8:15 pm after recitation of Holy Quran. The tent-pegging singles competition started at 8:30 pm which continued the whole night. The Animal Show started at 10:00pm.
Akbar Khan, Chief Marketing Officer Ufone said that as a company Ufone has been conscious of its responsibility to support sports in the country. ‘To reaffirm this commitment this tent pegging competition and horse show has been organized to support the local talent,’ said Akbar Khan. ‘We will continue to support such activities in the future as well’, he added.
Finals of tent-pegging competition will kick-off at 8:30 pm today (Thursday) and will continue till 10:00 pm whereas finals for horse competition will be held at 10:30 pm in which best ten horses will be judged and prizes will be given away. There will be a spectacular firework display between 10:15 pm to 10:30 pm the same night. Team of Four Tent Pegging Section Competition will start at 10:00PM which will continue till Fajar prayer. Prize Distribution for all Ufone Challenge Cups will take place in the wee hours of June 8.
Update:
Ufone sponsored tent-pegging competition ended amidst cheers
Ufone sponsored two-day tent-pegging competition and Horse show on the 115th Urs of Pir Lakhi Shah came to an end with memories to cherish for a long time to come both for participants and general public.
The Horse show competition had been named Ufone Cup. The horse ‘Aikan’ owned by Samar Abbas was awarded first position. The owner received the Winning Trophy along with the cash prize of Rs. 40,000/. while ‘Fars’ of Malik Naveed Ahmad from Bhalwal stood second with cash prize of Rs. 30,000/. The horse ‘Barkatanwala’ of Haji Meher Ali bagged third position with cash prize of Rs. 20,000/-
Ufone Tent-Pegging Singles was named Ufone Challenge Cup. Shaheen Club secured top position in the event and received Winning Trophy along with Rs. 30,000/ cash prize and Hussania Shah Bukhari Club bagged second prize with Rs. 20,000/ cash prize. The small city of Samundri also made its presence felt with third prize and Rs. 10,000/ cash prize. Captains of all three clubs received their respective prizes.
Apart from tent pegging and Horse show, a colourful funfair (mela) had also been arranged for recreation of general public. The whole ambience wore a festive look as people took great interest in eateries and other stalls. This year saw 430 expert horsemen and 22 beautiful horses of superior pedigree, enthusiastically contesting the event. A spectacular firework followed in the end that was an icing on the cake for general public and participants alike.
Arrangements for this extraordinary event were going on for weeks in the ground adjacent to Darbar Pir Lakhi Shah. The whole area had been lit with colorful lights and convivial banners were hung for distinguished guests and participants. Elaborate security measures had also been adopted. The various events, on both days, started after Isha prayers and continued till wee hours on next day.
Members of local community enthusiastically participated in the event and also thanked Ufone for making the event possible.
