GWADAR: The inaugural Inter-Educational Institute Sports Festival 2025 kicked off with great enthusiasm at the Mir Abdul Ghafoor Kalmati Cricket Stadium, marking a significant initiative to promote sports and youth engagement in the region. The event is a collaborative effort between the Government of Balochistan and the Pakistan Army.
The opening ceremony, held at the Center Muhammad Ishaq Cricket Stadium, was attended by a host of civil and military dignitaries. The gathering included Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr. Pervez Imrani, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Dr. Abdul Shakoor, SSP Ata-ur-Rehman, regional leader Mir Arshad Kalmati, other officials, and a large number of local citizens.
The festival was officially inaugurated in a symbolic gesture, with Major General Habib Nawaz, the General Officer Commanding of 44 Division, batting the ceremonial first cricket ball, which was bowled by the Director General of the Gwadar Development Authority (DGDA), Maeen-ur-Rahman.
In his keynote address to the participants and attendees, Major General Habib Nawaz underscored the critical role of sports in the holistic development of the youth. He emphasized that athletic pursuits are fundamental to character building, instilling essential qualities such as hard work, patience, discipline, and mutual respect.
Highlighting the potential within the region, the General Officer Commanding expressed strong confidence in the local talent. “Even big players emerge from small towns,” he stated, adding, “I am confident that Gwadar’s players will shine on the national and international stage.”
The Sports Festival aims to provide a platform for young athletes from various educational institutions to showcase their skills and compete in a spirit of healthy competition. The event is seen as a vital step towards nurturing a vibrant sports culture in Gwadar and empowering its youth to achieve greater heights.
In a significant move, the Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has taken strict notice of numerous complaints and alleged financial and administrative irregularities plaguing the Chief Minister’s Youth Skills Development and Overseas Employment Program, ordering an immediate and impartial high-level inquiry.
