LAHORE: Historic city of Lahore will be the hub of six day entertaining activities as the First International PACES (Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System) Competition, hosted by Pakistan Army, goes into action at a graceful opening ceremony at the Ayub Stadium, Cantt, on Tuesday.
Addressing a crowded press conference here on Monday, ISPR Director Brig Anwaar Ahmed, along with Brig (Retd) Mohammad Yousaf Baig, the pioneer of PACES concepts and the event director, said that all participating teams have reached the city and they will display their talent in the categories of Push-Ups, Sit-Ups Chin-Ups and Combat Efficiency Test at three different venues.
Brig Anwaar said that to generate public interest, the Pakistan Army would organise a Mini Marathon on the last day of the event on October 23. Athletes from all age groups and genders will participate in the marathon.
He recalled that before embarking on England tour, Pakistan cricket team went on an army boot camp in Abbottabad to improve their fitness. The players underwent sessions of strenuous training to improve their physical fitness. “After completing his century against England in the first Test at the prestigious Lord’s ground, Misbahual Haq’s push-ups amused cricket fans across the globe.
“Later on, senior batsman Younis Khan led the squad in performing a routine of press-ups, followed by a military-style salute in front of the ground’s famous pavilion after winning the Test.
“Through this demonstration, the Pakistan cricket team thanked the army staff who put them through a pre-tour boot camp. Only days before, Azhar Ali repeated the demonstration of push-ups after scoring a record triple century against the West Indies in Dubai.”
On the occasion, Director PACES Event Brig (Retd) Yousaf informed the media that PACES, a new regime of physical training, was introduced in Pakistan Army in 2010 and during these six years, it contributed marvelously to enhancing physical fitness, combat efficiency, competitive spirit and sports culture among all ranks of Pakistan Army. He disclosed that until now, about 3.5 million soldiers have gone through the regime of PACES training and Pakistan Army has organised nine championships.
To a question, he said that physical fitness and strength of body muscles were hallmark in the profession of Arms as all their training activities revolve around combat environment, which are subservient to the fundamental traits of physical strength and endurance.
“The war on terror has brought about a paradigm shift in the tactical concept and has changed the requirement of physical fitness for soldiers. The PACES Event will help in enhancing the composite strength, agility and coordination between mind and body of our soldiers,” Brig Yousaf added.
