Kabaddi Is an Integral Part of Punjab’s Cultural Identity; Traditional Sports Help Connect Young Generations With Their Heritage, Says Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan

Renowned Folk Singer Arif Lohar Performs at Festival Attended by Federal and Provincial Ministers

By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore, Pakistan

KHUDIAN KHAS, KASUR: The 35th annual Jashn-e-Khudian Kabaddi Festival was held in Khudian Khas, district Kasur, featuring an exciting final between teams from Kasur and Pattoki. The match ended in a tie after the scheduled rounds, with both teams declared joint winners.

The event was attended by Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Federal Minister Malik Rashid Ahmad Khan, Provincial Law Minister Rana Iqbal, MPA Malik Ahmad Saeed Khan and other distinguished guests. Renowned Punjabi folk singer Arif Lohar also performed at the festival, captivating the audience with his energetic musical presentation.

Addressing the gathering, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said that the Punjabi language, culture and traditional sports were integral to the region’s heritage. He emphasized that preserving these traditions and passing them on to future generations was a collective responsibility.

He said Arif Lohar enjoyed immense popularity among Punjabi-speaking communities worldwide and had played a significant role in promoting Punjabi folk music internationally while preserving the musical legacy of his father.

The Speaker stated that kabaddi was much more than a sport; it was an essential part of Punjab’s cultural identity and way of life. He noted that the people of Punjab maintained a deep connection with the game, while the enthusiasm of young players at competitions demonstrated its enduring popularity.

He added that cultural festivals and sporting events helped revive traditional sports, strengthen community bonds and promote Punjab’s rich cultural heritage.

Congratulating both teams on their performance, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan appreciated the organizers for successfully arranging the annual festival. He also highlighted initiatives being undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to expand sporting opportunities for young people.

He expressed confidence that the Khelta Punjab programme would help revive sports activities and encourage greater participation by bringing sports grounds back to life across the province.

Provincial Law Minister Rana Iqbal extended his best wishes to both teams and their players. He thanked the guests and participants for attending the event and commended the organizers for their efforts to promote traditional sports.

Federal Minister Malik Rashid Ahmad Khan said that kabaddi, like the Punjabi language, represented an important part of the region’s cultural heritage. He observed that such events encouraged young people to participate in sports and engage in healthy and constructive activities.

He praised the performances of the Kasur and Pattoki teams and stressed the importance of continuing to organize sporting festivals to preserve traditional games and cultural values.

The 35th annual Jashn-e-Khudian Kabaddi Festival was organized to promote Punjab’s traditional sports and rural cultural heritage. Organizers said such competitions played a vital role in encouraging young people to participate in sports and ensuring that local traditions were passed on to future generations.