PESHAWAR
The three-day Kalam Snow Sports Festival at the Royal Ground covered by thick Osho Forest – a site selected for construction of International Cricket Stadium successfully concluded with live performances of the prominent Television arts and musical concert.
The Kalam Snow Sports Festival largely attracted local and foreign tourists, athletes who enthusiastically participated in traditional Goshi’s finals, various competitions including Karate, Jujitsu, Tchoukball, Throw Ball, Tug of War, Snow Kabaddi, volleyball were part of the Festival besides local and foreign tourists enjoyed the Musical night, fireworks and children play land setup for tourists who turned up from all over the country.
On the third day and last day of the Festival, Deputy Commissioner Swat Junaid Khan graced the occasion as chief guest along with other prominent personalities including Tashfeen Haider, Director Youth Saleem Jan Marwat, Asif Shahab, Additional Deputy Commissioner Riaz Khan, Assistant Commissioner Kalam Hidayatullah, Regional Sports Officer Malakand Kashif Farhan, District Youth Officer Farhad Ali were also present on the occasion.
Peshawar claimed first position in Karate with 35 points, followed by Mardan with 25 points and Swat took third position with 19 points. In the Jiu Jitsu Peshawar got first position with four gold medals, three silver medals and Swat bagged the second position with one gold, three silver and three bronze medals while in the Throw Ball final Nowshera defeated Peshawar and third positions respectively.
Similarly, in the Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts competitions, Peshawar performed well and bagged the first position by winning four gold, three silver medals while Swat bagged one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. In the final match of Throw Ball at the festival, Nowshera won the Championship by defeating Peshawar. After a thrilling contest in the Tchoukball final, Hazara Division defeated Bannu 19-17. After defeating the trophy, Kalam team won the trophy by defeating Darosh 3-1 after a tough contest.
Deputy Commissioner Swat Junaid Khan said that Kalam Snow Festival also attracted not only domestic but also foreign tourists. The Swat and Malakand divisions this year too, attract more tourists to the beautiful and charming places of other districts, he said, adding that other events would be organized after the festival to attract more and more tourists.
He said that snow tubing, ice skating, concert, fireworks and cultural events are being organized in the festival in other scenic places. Malam Jabba has become an important place for winter sports and adventure tourism due to its natural beauty and culture.
He said that stalls of traditional clothes, food and handicrafts have been set up to promote local culture. He said that apart from providing facilities to the tourists and attracting them, the government is committed to construct all connecting roads to the tourist destinations like Badgui, Kumrat and Upper Dir.
These places are included in the calendar for annual activities. Tourists from all over the country enjoyed various adventure sports including Zip Lining and Rock Climbing. He said that the government was constructing infrastructure to go to tourist places.
Tourism has not only boosted the local economy and employment but also sought out new tourist destinations. Junaid Khan said that other competitions including skiing, speed skating, ice hockey will also be held in the annual festival. He termed this year as very important for tourism.
