University of Baltistan: Sports Week 2024

 

The sun was beating down as the Sports Week 2024 kicked off at the University of Baltistan, Skardu. However, the sun's intensity was no match for the enthusiasm of the students and the unstinted support of the administration and faculty. The students' zeal and the administration and faculty's unwavering support added an extra dimension to the Sports Week. As in previous years, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Baltistan, Professor Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khan, was the chief guest at the ceremony, while administrative officers and faculty members also made it a point to attend. As the ceremony began, all sports teams entered the ground with their captains and heads of departments, each head of department holding a flag in their hand. The entry of the teams into the ground with the flags and their grandeur was a symbol of the thorough preparation of all the teams. Six to eight pigeons were released to mark the joy of the start of the games. There could not have been a better way to highlight the connection between freedom and sports. Then, the national anthem was played, which is a common tradition before the start of all ceremonies. Everyone present in the ground stood silently in respect of the national anthem and listened to it with rapt attention.

As before, I was responsible for the talent hunt show. Several competitions were held under my supervision in this regard. Alhamdulillah, I performed my duties with great style and succeeded in organizing an excellent talent show. Below I describe the details of some of the competitions:

(1) Recitation of the Holy Quran

Under the Talent Hunt Show 2024, a total of 14 students registered for the recitation of the Holy Quran. However, the number of students who participated in the competition was 8 and 6 students were absent. No student from the Department of Computer Science, Department of Archeology, Department of Tourism and Hospitality, and Department of Botany participated. Thus, the students who secured prominent positions in the recitation of the Holy Quran during the year 2024 are as follows:

1. Muhammad Ali Kamil, Department of Chemistry, Semester 5: First Position

2. a) Kaniz Fatima, Department of Linguistics and Cultural Studies, Semester 7: Second Position

b) Syeda Maimoona Batool, Department of Mathematics, Semester 7:** Second Position

3. Ehsan Ali, Department of Zoology, Semester 3: Third Position

(2) Naat Recitation (First Round)

After the Poetry competition (Bait Bazi) in the Talent Hunt Show, the most interesting competition is the "Naat Competition". Sweet melodies are the heritage of the people of Baltistan. Naat-e-Manqabat and Hamd-o-Sana are instilled in the minds of children from a young age. This is why beautiful-voiced individuals are easily found in educational institutions and departmental organizations. The University of Baltistan also has a large number of students who have a unique identity not only locally but also nationally for their beautiful voices and melodious recitation. Our students consider it necessary to participate in the biggest Naat competitions and rightfully prove their abilities and talents.

As soon as the announcement for the Talent Hunt Show 2024 was issued, a large number of students registered for the "Naat Competition" and a large number of students also participated. This year, the Naat Competition of the Talent Hunt Show had two stages (rounds). At the first level, 34 students registered. 24 students participated in the competition while 10 were absent. All departments except the Department of Tourism and Hospitality were represented. In the first stage, 10 students were selected for the next round i.e. the final. That is, three candidates each were declared successful for each position. Rihanah Begum of the Department of Educational Development was the best Naat reciter. While Kothrin Parveen of the same department stood second. Kachoo Sohail and Muhammad Hassan Shadab stood third from the Department of Archeology and the Department of Mathematics, respectively. The above results were obtained after a tough competition. The list of successful students of the first stage is as follows:

(1) Rehana Begum, Department of Educational Development

(2) Kousar Parveen, Department of Educational Development

(3) Kacho Sahil, Department of Archaeology

(4) Muhammad Hassan Shadab, Department of Mathematics

(5) Hasan Khan, Department of Zoology

(6) Yadullah, Department of Management Sciences and Commerce

(7) Nasir Kamal, Department of Mathematics

(8) Shaista Zahra, Department of Computer Science

(9) Rizwan Ali, Department of Environmental Science

(10) Sabir Hussain, Department of Environmental Science

After a grueling three-hour wait and rigorous scrutiny, the aforementioned student qualified for the next stage.

Naat Recitation (Second Round)

The second round of the Naat competition also demanded rigorous scrutiny, and the judges performed their duty with full dedication. The number of spectators in the second round was relatively low, but those who were present were at the forefront of encouraging the Naat Khwans. Scattering pearls in the holy honor of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is not everyone's cup of tea. This blessing and good fortune falls to the lot of very few people. The 10 lucky finalists were expressing their abilities while narrating the glory of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and also entertaining the audience. Obviously, this was a competition arena and success had to be achieved gradually by three individuals. That is, first, second and third, and finally the decision was made and the following students were declared the winners of the Naat competition of the Talent Hunt Show 2024:

(1)   Kacho Sahil, Department of Archaeology, (First Position)

(2)   (A) Raheena Begum, Department of Educational Development, (Second Position)

(B) Hasan Khan, Department of Zoology, (Second Position)

(3)   Muhammad Hasan Shadab, Department of Mathematics, (Third Position)

(3) National Songs (First Round)

The third competition of the talent hunt show was the National Songs. 15 students participated in the competition. 6 students were selected for the final round after being declared the best. Among the top 15, Aamir Muslim, a student of the Department of Linguistics and Cultural Studies, secured the first position. Hassan Khan of the Department of Zoology stood second, Muhammad Ali Kamil of the Department of Chemistry stood third, Mehwish Fatima of the Department of Mathematics stood fourth, Maryam Javed and her group from the Department of Botany stood fifth, while Saima of the Department of Chemistry stood sixth.

National Songs (Second Round)

There was great excitement among the contestants and audience in the second and final round of the national songs competition. There was a desire to win and a passion to move forward. Although there were only 6 contestants in the competition arena, it seemed that all the departments of the University of Baltistan were in a state of competition and competition. Every department wanted to win the field, however, the news of victory came in favor of the following students:

(1)   Hassan Khan, Department of Zoology, (First Position)

(2)   Muhammad Ali Kamil, Department of Chemistry, (Second Position)

(3)   Maryam Javed and team, Department of Botany, (Third Position)

(4) Poetry competition:

The most popular event in the 2024 Talent Hunt Show was the "Bait Bazi" (Poetry Completion) competition. Two teams, each consisting of four to five students from almost every department, participated in the competition and played a key role in making Bait Bazi interesting. No team from the Department of Archeology, Department of Tourism and Hospitality, or Department of Environment participated. Natural science students were more enthusiastic than social science students. However, the social sciences won the competition. Two teams from the Department of Educational Development, Department of Zoology, Department of Mathematics, Department of Linguistics and Cultural Studies, and Department of Botany entered the field, while there was one team each from the Department of Management Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Computer Science. The departments that won the Bait Bazi field in 2024 are as follows:

(1)   Management Sciences and Commerce          (First Position)

(2)   Computer Science                                          (Second Position)

(5) English Speech Competition

To hone students' public speaking skills, two bilingual competitions were held at the Talent Hunt Show. The first competition was in English. The topic of the speech was: 21st Century: Skills & Human Values. A total of 17 students registered for the speech, but 6 students were unable to participate in the competition. No student from the Department of Archaeology or the Department of Tourism and Hospitality participated. One student from Management Sciences and Commerce had registered, but he also did not participate in the competition. The following students were declared the best English speakers:

(1)   Muhammad Shah Nawaz, Department of Botany (First Position)

(2)   Fasih Gul, Department of Chemistry (Second Position)

(3)   Shagufta Parveen, Department of Linguistics and Cultural Studies (Third Position)

(6) Urdu Speech Competition

Urdu is our national language, and it is the need of the hour to organize healthy activities for its promotion. During the Talent Hunt Show 2024, the highest number of registrations were received for the Urdu speech competition. 32 students registered for the Urdu speech and 13 students were absent. All departments except the Department of Archaeology and the Department of Tourism and Hospitality were represented. The topic of the Urdu speech was: "Social Media: The Killer of Cultural Values". The following students were declared the best Urdu speakers:

1.     Syeda Nosheen, Department of Educational Development (First Position)

2.     Zoha, Department of Computer Science (Second Position)

3.     Syed Zahir Mehdi, Department of Environmental (Third Position)

(7) Mushaira

A mushaira was also organized during the Talent Hunt Show 2024, in which 7 students participated. The candidates had their own poetry and plagiarism of another poet was strictly prohibited. The poetry of the following poets was declared the best:

(1)             Muhammad Hassan Shadab, Department of Mathematics (First Position)

(2)             Thaqleen Mushtaq, Department of Management Sciences (Second Position)

(3)             Syed Muhammad Hussain, Department of Computer Science (Third Position)

In the same way, the Baltistan University Skardu Sports Week concluded on June 13, 2024, with fond memories. The special guest of the final ceremony was the Chairperson of the Senate of this University, Ms. Batul Qureshi, while the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khan, was also present at the final games and ceremony. The final matches saw many moments of excitement and interest. A large number of students were present to enjoy the games, and the ground was packed with spectators. Each team entered the field with a spirit of victory and the spectators welcomed them with thunderous applause. However, this applause and encouragement was definitely only for their own team.

By: Dr. Riaz Razee, Dated: 14 June 2024