Lahore (PR): The closing ceremony of the IBIT Sports Festival 2026 was held with great enthusiasm and splendour at University of the Punjab, bringing together senior academic leadership, distinguished guests, and an energetic gathering of students.
The ceremony was attended by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali, Dean Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mumtaz, Director IBIT Dr. Asim, and senior faculty member Prof. Shahid Zia. The esteemed guests distributed honorary shields among members of the IBIT society in recognition of their outstanding services and dedicated efforts. Among the recipients was Society President Hamza Wattoo, whose leadership and contributions were particularly appreciated.
The occasion was further elevated by the presence of Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana, who graced the event as a special guest, along with President of Pakistan Martial Arts Association (PMAA) Anwar Mohiuddin and Senior Journalist Azhar Masood as guests of honour.
Addressing the students, he praised their exceptional passion and enthusiasm. “I have attended many annual sports days at different institutions, but the passion and enthusiasm that I have seen and felt here at IBIT, Punjab University, I have seen nowhere else,” he remarked. “These students truly reflect the spirit of Qalandars. I hope this Qalandars spirit, combined with pure determination, dedication, and hard work, will help them excel in their future endeavours and succeed in every walk of life.”
Atif Rana, along with Anwar Mohiuddin and Azhar Masood, distributed trophies and medals among the winning teams and outstanding performers. In a generous gesture that further energized the gathering, he announced the provision of Pakistan Super League (PSL) match tickets and sports kits for IBIT students, drawing loud applause from the audience.
The festival featured a wide range of sporting competitions, including cricket, badminton, volleyball, football, and several other athletic contests. The event not only highlighted athletic excellence but also promoted teamwork, discipline, and leadership among participants.
Speaking on the occasion, Anwar Mohiuddin emphasised the importance of self-defence training among youth. “Self-defence can be learned through passion, and the passion that IBIT students possess is the most essential ingredient to mastering these skills. With proper guidance and structured workshops, these students can emerge as some of the finest self-defence athletes.”
