HYDERABAD: The Nizam College at Basheerbagh turned into a global playground as students from 35 countries participated in a first-of-its-kind sports event in the city on Thursday. Some of the countries may be at war with other countries, but on the ground, it was friendly camaraderie that was on display, as 500 students pursuing various courses, participated in different events.
Making the three-day event unique was the kick unique was the kickoff, where the participants unfurled the flags of their respective countries. The first day was dedicated to athletics and football.“Tomorrow, it will be a field day of basketball, volleyball, football and cricket.The third and concluding day will see games of football, volleyball, karate and cricket," informed an organiser at the venue.
Students from Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Turkey , Uzbekistan, Sudan, South Sudan, Congo, Tanzania, Somalia, Uganda, Congo and other countries from Asia and Africa studying gathered for games.
The cricket matches promise to be different as the teams will be mixed with both boys and girls playing in the same team. Each team will comprise five girls and five boys and without the eleventh player. The shorter duration matches will be of 10 overs each.
There will be five teams for football, nine teams for basketball, five teams for cricket, five teams for volleyball and six teams for basketball. Saeed Anwar, a karate champion in his early twenties from Afghanistan, appeared excited as he displayed his skill in the inaugural session, breaking several clay pots with swift chops. “I am going to be the winner," he says with confidence.
Mohammed Nasir Ahmed from Afghanisatn, an MBA student of Osmania University, who is also the president of Foreign Students, Association Hyderabad, sums, it up, “Students are calling up, for registration even now. This, has brought students from different countries on one platform."
