LAHORE: (Saturday, April 25, 2015): The three-day Higher Education Commission Inter-Universities Athletic Championship 2014-2015 being organized by Punjab University began at Wapda Sports Complex here on Saturday. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Advisor to HEC Shaheen Khan, Acting Director Sports Shamsa Hashmi, sports officials and a large number of athletes from various universities participated in the opening ceremony.

As many as 600 male and female athletes representing 42 universities are participating in the event which is the largest participation ever recorded. The championship would include 20 boys and 17 girls’ events. On the first day, Defense Champion Punjab University outclassed others in various competitions. In 100 meters race (male), PU’s Farhan Haider got first position while University of Central Punjab’s Aoun Naqvi and Punjab University’s Hafiz Shahbaz secured 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. In 100 meters race (female), PU’s Sehrish Asghar clinched first position while University of Sargodha’s Massarrat Shaheen and University of Lahore’s Hina secured 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. In 5000 meters race (male), Punjab University’s athlete Mussawar Iqbal obtained first position. In long jump competition, two PU athletes Adnan Jahangir and Farhan Haider got first and second positions respectively while Adbul Wali Khan University’s Ilyas Khan stood third.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran expressed his pleasure over participation of a large number of athletes in the competition. He hoped that the universities would produce the best athletes for Pakistan. Advisor HEC Shaheen Khan said that HEC had promoted sports culture in the universities and congratulated PU administration on successfully organizing the event. Later, PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran distributed prizes among positions holders of various competitions.