London hosts first-ever Nezabazi competition

LONDON: London has hosted its first-ever Nezabazi, or tent pegging, competition, bringing together more than 100 pedigree horses and riders from across the United Kingdom and Pakistan in a celebration of the traditional equestrian sport.

The event took place at a rugby ground in Acton, with participants travelling from Bradford, Birmingham, Manchester and other parts of the UK. Three teams and 16 leading riders also travelled from Pakistan, mainly from Jhelum, Multan and Rawalpindi, to compete.

Several Sikh Nezabazi groups from London also participated in the competition, which featured 24 men's teams. The youngest competitor was just nine years old.

The event was organised by British Pakistani entrepreneurs Khwaja Bilal Hassan and Ahsan Hussain, who said the initiative aimed to promote Pakistani culture and introduce one of the country's oldest traditional sports to a wider audience.

Pakistan High Commission Press Minister Ali Nawaz Malik attended the event and welcomed the initiative, saying it showcased Pakistan's cultural heritage while encouraging broader participation in the sport, including by women.

Organisers said they plan to expand the competition to other parts of the UK in the future, with the event also expected to help raise awareness of Nezabazi beyond the Pakistani community.