The 35th National Games were declared open amid fanfare at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Saturday.
Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who served as the chief guest, formally inaugurated the multi-sport spectacle.
Sindh athletes Mahoor Fatima and Mohammad Zubair administered the athletes’ oath, after which the Games’ cauldron was lit by Pakistan’s Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem, hockey great Islahuddin Siddique, and South Asian Games gold medallist Naseem Hameed.
An estimated 11,000 athletes will feature in the Games, which will be contested across multiple venues in the metropolis.
“I want to welcome you all — welcome, welcome to Karachi,” Bilawal said in his address. “I hope all the people coming from all regions will enjoy the National Games. You will all compete and, [God willing], this beginning will help create a positive atmosphere for Pakistan and for the youth of this province.
“The passion you show represents the people of Pakistan, and our youth is our future. The children standing before me today will, tomorrow, bring medals home for Pakistan — and then we will remember that it all started here.”
Athletes were made to wait since before noon for their marchpast, which finally began after the dignitaries had completed their speeches. The participants waved to the cameras as they stepped onto the track, their excitement evident.
More to follow.
