News Desk
QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail on Thursday inaugurated the annual sports festival at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), marking the return of the event after a six-year gap.
More than 3,000 athletes are participating in 14 different sports at the festival, which began amid enthusiasm, colourful celebrations and traditional performances. Students performed traditional dances to the beat of drums, adding to the excitement of the opening ceremony.
The event was attended by guests from the United States, Tanveer Ahmed and Syed Uzair Hassan, Provincial Minister Mir Asim Kurd Gello, BUITEMS Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Hafeez, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Mirwais Kassi, Principal Secretary to the Governor Abdul Nasir Durrani, and a large number of students and spectators.
Addressing the ceremony, Governor Mandokhail said the festival would help nurture young people’s talents, strengthen their creative abilities and prepare them for future leadership roles.
He said universities should not be limited to awarding degrees but should also focus on developing confident, responsible and socially aware individuals capable of contributing to national progress.
The governor emphasised that sports, debating competitions, music, painting, sculpture and other creative activities were essential components of education and character-building rather than merely extracurricular pursuits.
He urged other public-sector universities in Balochistan to organise similar sports festivals, saying such initiatives provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their talents, develop critical thinking and learn teamwork and discipline.
Governor Mandokhail appreciated BUITEMS Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Hafeez, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Mirwais Kassi and their team for promoting an educational environment that gives importance to academics, sports and creative development.
He said the youth of Balochistan possessed immense potential and needed appropriate opportunities, modern facilities and proper guidance to excel at national and international levels.
The governor said collective effort, mutual trust, continuous hard work and discipline were essential for success. He expressed hope that the festival would encourage young people to develop scientific thinking, acquire modern skills and contribute to Pakistan’s development, peace and economic prosperity.
Speaking on the occasion, Tanveer Ahmed, a guest from the United States, expressed happiness at seeing people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including Baloch, Pashtun, Sindhi, Punjabi, Hazara and Gilgiti communities, united under one national flag.
He encouraged the participating athletes to present innovative ideas, saying that the collective creativity of thousands of young people could highlight Pakistan’s potential on the international stage.
Another guest, Syed Uzair Hassan, said the festival brought together young people from across Balochistan, representing different cultures, languages and ethnic communities.
He said their participation demonstrated that Pakistan’s shared national identity could unite people from diverse backgrounds and promote mutual understanding.
The BUITEMS Sports Festival aims to promote sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline and cultural harmony among university students while providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities.
