logo
Pakistan's traditional bull races a source of pride, and income, in rural areas

Pakistan's traditional bull races a source of pride, and income, in rural areas

Bulls are yoked together by thick wooden frames in a sun-scorched field in rural Pakistan, while behind them, holding onto nothing more than ropes and his honour, is a man on a plank.
Hundreds of spectators whoop and cheer as the animals begin to hurtle down a track, whipping up a storm of dust and imminent danger.
This is
bull racing , Punjabi style.
The traditional sport captures the raw energy of village life and is a world away from the floodlit cricket and hockey stadiums found in many Pakistani cities.
A jockey, left, controls a pair of bulls during a traditional bull race in Malal, Pakistan. Photo: AP
Jockeys crouch on a wooden platform behind the charging animals, hanging onto the reins. Photo: AP
Bull racing has deep roots in the Attock district of eastern Punjab province. It is more than just a sport there, it is a part of the region's living heritage.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hong Kong must come together to ensure an unforgettable National Games
Hong Kong must come together to ensure an unforgettable National Games

South China Morning Post

time4 days ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong must come together to ensure an unforgettable National Games

Excitement is building ahead of the National Games , with athletes making their final preparations for the eagerly anticipated sports festival. Strong demand is expected for tickets to the event, to be held in Hong Kong and other Greater Bay Area cities between November 9 and 21. The announcement of ticketing details was, therefore, closely watched. Sales, to be made in phases, will begin on August 28. Advertisement More than five million tickets will be available for over 400 events involving 34 sports. It is good to see that spectators will pay as little as 30 yuan (US$4), rising to a top rate of 800 yuan for finals. The aim is to ensure that access to the games is affordable and that contests are well attended. Online sales will be made through an official platform, with offline purchases also possible. The introduction of real-name registration for tickets is welcome to help combat the scourge of ticket scalping. Transfers will be possible, but only if made in advance. Authorities must deliver on the promise to carefully monitor the process. Spectators are well advised to only buy tickets from official channels. Fans should be vigilant so they do not fall prey to scams. The event will be a big draw for visitors. More than 100,000 visitors are expected, from the mainland and overseas. Concerns have been raised within the tourism sector about a lack of tickets available for tour groups, with individuals limited to six per event, making the creation of packages more difficult. Advertisement

Pakistan-born footballer aims to play for Hong Kong while serving the community
Pakistan-born footballer aims to play for Hong Kong while serving the community

South China Morning Post

time05-08-2025

  • South China Morning Post

Pakistan-born footballer aims to play for Hong Kong while serving the community

A Pakistan-born footballer has set himself the unusual twin target of playing for Hong Kong while maintaining a parallel career in civic life. Advertisement Naveed Khan scored 22 goals for Central & Western District last season, after stepping down to play in Division One while he concentrated on his job with Kowloon City District Council. The 25-year-old, who rejected a Pakistan call-up in 2019, has been snapped up by Hong Kong Football Club for the forthcoming Premier League campaign. 'I knew a Premier League team would come for me,' Khan said. 'I was hoping others would, but it was only HKFC, and I'm very grateful to them for this opportunity.' Head coach Chancy Cooke's semi-professional HKFC team typically train for two hours from 8am, freeing Khan to then spend eight hours in the office assisting district council member Dr Rizwan Ullah. Naveed Khan (second left) models the new Football Club away kit. Photo: Hong Kong Football Club 'People from ethnic minorities come to us for help,' said Khan, who was taught by Ullah at school.

German biathlete confirmed dead in Pakistan climbing accident
German biathlete confirmed dead in Pakistan climbing accident

South China Morning Post

time31-07-2025

  • South China Morning Post

German biathlete confirmed dead in Pakistan climbing accident

German biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died on a mountain in northern Pakistan after a climbing accident at a remote site that rescuers struggled to reach because of bad weather, a local government spokesman said on Wednesday. Dahlmeier, an Olympic gold medallist, was ascending Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range on Monday when she was struck by falling rocks while climbing with a partner who survived. Rescuers were able to confirm Dahlmeier's death on Wednesday but could not retrieve the body because of unfavourable weather, said Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the regional Gilgit-Baltistan government. Any final decision on retrieving the body would follow the wishes of Dahlmeier's family, Faraq said. A statement on Dahlmeier's social media page said it had been her wish that nobody risk their life to recover her body after an accident. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier offered his condolences to Dahlmeier's parents, writing that she 'was an exceptional sportswoman'. He recalled that he presented her with the highest honour in German sport, the Silver Laurel Leaf, shortly after she won her first Olympic gold medal in 2018. 'Laura Dahlmeier was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair coexistence across borders,' he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store