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Traditional ice hockey played in Kalash valley

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: The recent snowfall in the Kalash valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur has sent its inhabitants into hibernation on one hand but for the young folk it provides an opportunity of merry-making who are in the open fields to play the traditional sport similar to ice hockey. Muhkam Ayuni, a Kalash development worker told chitraltimes.com that the sport locally called yoz ghal is a popular sport in the winter when the valleys receive more than three feet of snow. He said that the temperature in the valleys is below the freezing point which makes the children, women and the old to confine themselves to their homes basking the fire. He added that the Kalash leave their homes very seldom during winter but the sport of young folk is equally famous among the youth who dare to brave the chilly winds. Mr. Ayuni said that as per Kalash traditions, the game is played between the teams of different villages and its duration spans over three to four hours and like golf, a long playfield is used. He said that the winner team is rewarded an ox by the loser which is slaughtered on the occasion and the players of the winner team distribute its meat among themselves. The ox is tied to a tree when the sport commences and after the match, the loser team pays for the ox. A Kalash tour operator of Bumburate valley, Gobor Shah said that the landscape of the valley is quite idea for skating but this ice sport is unknown to the Kalash community and they know only yoz ghal. Mr. Shah said that winter tourism can attract tourists to the valleys with the opening of Lowari tunnel for passengers while in the past, the foreigners dreaded to come to Chitral after the closure of Lowari top fearing being stranded here. He said that the Kalash knew no indoor game while they pass their time during the winter season in singing and dancing inside their homes which forms a major component of their rituals.

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All Gazetted officers to facilitate the general pubic

Chitraltimes.com Report

PESHAWAR: Consequent upon the dissolution of Local Councils in NWFP and ceasing of powers and functions by the Nazimeen, Naib Nazimeen and Members of Zilla, Tehsil and Union Councils, all gazetted officers of the Government and Semi-Government Departments working at District and Tehsil level, including Headmasters of the Middle, High and Higher Secondary Schools, Lecturers, Officers of the Tehsil/Town Municipal Administrations etc are here by authorized to facilitate the general public of their respective areas in the attestation and verification of their genuine and legal documents such as NIC forms, Domicile certificates, Zakat forms etc, subject to due check and diligence. According to a notification of NWFP Local Govt: & Rural Development Department, all Secretary Union councils in NWFP are also authorized to issue death, birth and marriage certificates to the general public subject to countersigning by their respective Administrators.