Sports and Games
Popular modern sports are cricket and football. Junaid Khan plays international cricket for Pakistan, and is from the village of Mathra, Dagai. Another cricketer, Ibrahim Shah, comes from the village of Kunda. In football, Maneri is the defending football district champion. Swabi is considered as one of the best volleyball nurseries in the country. Many of the national team players are from this district, such as former national team captain Raheem, from the village of Zaida.
Local and ancient games include Maily, Makha, Kabaddi, horse racing, Akor, Gulu Dandai, Bilori, and Pat-Patonay.
Makha, a type of archery, is the traditional game of Swabi. A long bow and arrows made from bamboo sticks are used. Instead of a tip, the arrow has a saucer-shaped distal end called the Tubray. Villages Mangal Chai of and Channi of the Gadoon have a famous Makha rivalry.
Kabbadi is one of the most popular team sports of the area.
Koda, played with small round shaoe stones, was a favorite game of Swabiwal in ancient times. It is still played in Maneri Bala and Payan. The games attract sizable crowds, and traditional Pushto music dulkay is played during tournaments.
Read more about this topic: Swabi District
Famous quotes containing the words sports and, sports and/or games:
“Sports and gallantries, the stage, the arts, the antics of dancers,
The exuberant voices of music,
Have charm for children but lack nobility; it is bitter earnestness
That makes beauty; the mind
Knows, grown adult.”
—Robinson Jeffers (1887–1962)
“Falling in love is the right adventure for those who dislike sports and travel.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“In 1600 the specialization of games and pastimes did not extend beyond infancy; after the age of three or four it decreased and disappeared. From then on the child played the same games as the adult, either with other children or with adults. . . . Conversely, adults used to play games which today only children play.”
—Philippe Ariés (20th century)