Speakers have highlighted the vital role of sports in building a healthy and positive society, stating that sports promote discipline, tolerance, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills. They expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Inter-Department Sports Festival 2026 at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro.

The festival, held at the university’s Haider Bux Jatoi Pavilion, was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri (TI), Provincial Secretary Sports, Government of Sindh, Munawar Ali Mahesar, Commissioner Hyderabad Division Fayaz Hussain Abbasi, and Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro Ghazanfar Ali Qadri.

The ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri said that sports play a vital role in physical fitness, mental development and personality building. He said that sports help develop discipline, tolerance, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills. He added that sports promote a positive competitive spirit and mutual respect while building confidence to face challenges.

The Vice Chancellor said that the three-week-long Inter-Department Sports Festival had been organised to provide male and female students with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, promote a healthy and constructive environment, and strengthen interaction among different departments of the university.

Welcoming the Provincial Secretary Sports, Commissioner Hyderabad and Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro, he appreciated their cooperation with the university and expressed hope that this collaboration would continue in the future. The Vice Chancellor also appreciated the efforts of University of Sindh Sports Board organisers Dr. Ghulam Ali Buriro, Ajved Ahmed Bhatti, Dr. Zareen Memon and their team for making excellent arrangements for the festival.

Addressing the ceremony, Provincial Secretary Sports Munawar Ali Mahesar said that he had always considered the University of Sindh his second home. During his tenure as Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro, he had organised several joint programmes with the university, including Dhamal.

He said that the University of Sindh was not only a centre of knowledge and awareness but had also remained an important hub of cultural, academic, literary and sports activities. On the occasion, he announced that another grand event of a similar nature would be organised at the University of Sindh in January 2027 with the support of the Sports Department, Government of Sindh.

Addressing the ceremony, Commissioner Hyderabad Fayaz Hussain Abbasi said that he was extremely pleased to witness the talents and abilities demonstrated by students during the festival. He said that university students were demonstrating their capabilities in co-curricular activities alongside their academic pursuits.

He further said that remarkable activities were taking place at the university during the tenure of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri. Appreciating the hard work of students and their teachers, he said that such positive activities played an important role in enhancing the reputation and development of educational institutions.

During the ceremony, Dr. Ghulam Ali Buriro presented a commemorative shield to the Vice Chancellor, while the Vice Chancellor presented shields to distinguished guests Munawar Ali Mahesar, Fayaz Hussain Abbasi and Ghazanfar Ali Qadri; Pro Vice Chancellors Dr. Abdul Sattar Shah, Dr. Misbah Bibi Qureshi and Dr. Aneela Naz Soomro; Registrar Sajid Qayoom Memon; and Syndicate members Dr. Arfana Mallah, Dr. Muhammad Qasim Nizamani, Dr. Humera Hakro, and Dr. Abdul Rehman Nangraj, among others. Deans of various university faculties, directors, chairpersons, faculty members and officers attended the ceremony.

The festival, which will continue until November 28, will feature various sports competitions among boys' and girls' teams representing different departments of the University of Sindh.