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KARACHI: Pakistan Sindh Rangers has organized a donkey cart race to promote cultural and social activities in the metropolis.
Upholding the city’s historical tradition, 30 best donkey carts were brought out on the road for a race from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park to the Maripur area. The first position was taken by Ali Nawaz, the second Syed Ahmed Ali Shah while the third position secured by Ghulam Hussain.
Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony deputy commissioner South said donkey cart races are the oldest sports of Karachi in which enthusiastic men take part in large numbers.
He said men, especially from Lyari, have had prominent positions in these sports and these people have maintained the old identity of Karachi.
Ali Nawaz, the winner said, “The donkeys are normally rested a day before a scheduled race. They are driven in trucks to the starting point to ensure the animals are not fatigued reaching there on their own. Donkeys such as Loader are an exception, which has to run overtime to salvage pride as well as work for their masters,” he added.
Universally, all donkeys that take part in races have to run on rough, uneven, damp and dirty surfaces to strengthen their muscles, and to build stamina to gel with the dilapidated conditions of the roads of the teeming metropolis, Nawaz said.
He also said that most donkeys that are used in races are not used for lifting heavy stuff all day. Those who can afford to, keep them just for racing purposes and spend at least Rs20, 000 a month on their food and training.