70,000 sing national anthem to set world record
(Najamuddin Ghanghro, Karachi (Original from Larkana))
LAHORE: Around 70,000 youth of
Punjab sung national anthem on Saturday to set a new world record for the most
people singing a national anthem simultaneously.
National Hockey Stadium roared with applause when adjudicators of Guinness World
Records (GWR) Gareth Daeves and Imran Javed gave the thumbs up to the
participants of the event.
Scores of GWR stewards closely watched and observed the record attempt as
renowned TV personalities boosted the morale of the audience.
Gareth Deaves said that he was impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the youth
of Punjab and amazed to see a big gathering of youth in National Hockey Stadium.
“It is a very important day for the people of Pakistan, especially Punjab as a
big audience has gathered here to create new records in many events, including
singing of national anthem and creation of Pakistan flag by the audience present
in the arena,” he told media after his speech at the stadium.
According to Guinness World Records website, the previous record was held by
India where 15, 243 people sang national anthem simultaneously.
Participants of the Punjab Youth and Sports Festival will also attempt to form
the world’s largest human flag tomorrow (Monday).
The youth from across the province also gave a beautiful performance during the
opening ceremony of the Provincial Level of the festival.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest who also declared the
event open.
Addressing the gathering, Shahbaz Sharif said that he has never seen such a
scene in his life. “The people of my province despite facing several odds and
load shedding have shown great strength and are enjoying the evening,” he said.
The stadium was filled with marching athletes of nine divisions of Punjab,
bearing division names on their kits. At the start of ceremony, a documentary of
the festival was aired.
A delegation of Indian journalists also visited National Hockey Stadium and
witnessed the historic Punjab Youth Festival.
Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Rana Mashood and festival organisers accorded a
warm welcome to the Indian delegation.
The delegation praised the festival and called it a “remarkable” event. They
said they were happy and excited to be part of the show.
Chief organiser Rana Mashood said that the festival is an international activity
featuring healthy activities of the youth.
“They are ready to break various records to prove that there is no dearth of
talent in Pakistan. We want to show the world that Pakistan is a safe country
for holding all kind of international sporting events,” he said.
He said that as many as 40 international teams are participating in the youth
festival and teams of three Indian provinces with their ministers are also
taking part.
“The participation of more than 40 international teams, including India, is
proof of the festival’s success. Around 4.5 million youth are actively
participating in the international event,” Rana Mashood said on the occasion.
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