Four-day sports festival begins at Hamdard University

KARACHI: Hamdard University has launched its Sports Week 2026, bringing together students, faculty, and administrators for a four-day series of competitions and activities aimed at encouraging physical fitness and teamwork.

The event, which began on Monday, April 27, will continue through Thursday, April 30, featuring a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports alongside recreational attractions. The annual Sports Week includes contests in 13 disciplines, spanning traditional team sports and individual competitions. Events such as tape ball cricket, football, futsal for girls, basketball, badminton, table tennis, throwball, and volleyball form the core of the schedule, while lighter activities like Ludo, chess, and tug of war offer broader participation. Track events, including a 100-meter race and a 400-meter relay, are also part of the lineup, reflecting an effort to engage students with diverse interests and abilities.

According to the announced schedule, competitions opened with tape ball cricket and football matches on the first day. Activities are set to intensify through Tuesday and Wednesday, with matches beginning at 9:00 AM and continuing throughout the day. Midweek will also feature special contests, including board games and athletic races, designed to draw participation beyond conventional sports teams. The final day is expected to host decisive matches and highlight events, culminating in a closing ceremony attended by the university’s leadership. The Chancellor, Sadia Rashid, is scheduled to attend the concluding ceremony as the chief guest, where winners will be recognized and awards distributed. The presence of senior leadership underscores the institution’s emphasis on extracurricular engagement as part of student development. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chancellor Imran Amin highlighted the broader purpose of the event, describing Sports Week as a vital co-curricular initiative that contributes to both physical and mental well-being.

He said the program fosters enthusiasm among students and encourages constructive engagement beyond academic routines. He also noted that the university has consistently supported such activities as part of its educational philosophy. “Sports Week is an excellent co-curricular activity that plays a vital role in improving students’ physical and mental health. It generates enthusiasm among students and encourages them to engage in positive activities. Hamdard University has always promoted co-curricular activities alongside academics. Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said himself was a great sportsman and a skilled badminton player. The active participation of students in Sports Week reflects their understanding of its importance and their desire to enhance their abilities,” he said.

The vice chancellor expressed confidence that the ongoing event would leave a lasting impact on participants, both in terms of health and personal growth. As part of the inauguration, he unveiled the Sports Week trophy and formally opened the competitions by playing a friendly badminton match alongside Registrar Syed Faizullah Jawad. The opening ceremony drew attendance from deans, faculty members, and senior officials, including Director MCEL, Admission and Sports, Shahryar Pasha. Organizers say the addition of attractions such as wrestling matches, an auto show, and food stalls is expected to enhance the festive atmosphere on campus and encourage wider student engagement.