Beaconhouse School System revives traditional games with nationwide ‘Indigenous Sports Week’

 

Beaconhouse, the country’s largest network of private educational institutions, has successfully concluded its week-long ‘Indigenous Sports Week’ carried out across multiple Beaconhouse campuses countrywide, with an aim to revive traditional games and sports, and raise cultural awareness among the students.

The traditional sports week commenced on March 14^th and concluded on March 18^th with active participation from students of elementary years, upper and lower primary and middle schools, belonging to more than a 100 Beaconhouse campuses from different cities, including Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Multan, Peshawar, Islamabad, Sargodha, and Faisalabad. Classic and historic games from different regions of Pakistan that were played during this week included Kabbadi, Khokla Chappaki, Stapoo, Rassa Kashi, Pithoo, Kikli, Gilli Danda, Aankh Macholi, Oonch Neech, Barf Paani, Bandar Qilla, Langri Paala, and Pakran Pakrai, all of which depicted a picture of energy, joy, and cultural richness.

As stated by Ali Ahmad Khan, Chief Operating Officer, Beaconhouse School System, “The traditional sports week at Beaconhouse is a step towards the revival of indigenous sports amongst the youth.  We believe that it is necessary to preserve our cultural games for future generations, which has diminished over the years with the upsurge of globalisation, migration, and societal changes.  Such initiatives are not only conducive to physical health and strengthen teamwork amongst the youth, but also highlight the importance of sports in our cultural heritage.”

Physical activity as a part of the education experience is essential for a healthy and holistic development. The aforementioned classic games polished the students’ skills of speed, strength, endurance, flexibility, reflexes, decision making, muscle coordination, and sportsmanship. The aim of this event was also to reflect upon cultural diversity, reintroduce traditional sports to the newer generation, enhance intercultural dialogue and awareness, and encourage values of solidarity, fair-play, and inclusion.

This effort from Beaconhouse to reinstate cultural games in an increasingly modernized world is a commendable endeavor. The organisation was established in 1975 and has been showcasing educational expertise ever since, with a current student strength of over 315,000 across Pakistan.