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    Running for a Cause: 2nd Unified Marathon by Special Olympics Pakistan

    Written by: Abeera Akhtar
    Posted on: February 06, 2017 |

    Lakson Investments 2nd SOP Unified Marathon 2017

    On 5th February, 2017, 3000 people woke up on a Sunday morning to run, walk or participate in a wheelchair at the Lakson Investments 2nd SOP Unified Marathon. The event was organized by Special Olympics, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities through the power of sports. They provide year-round training in more than 10 Olympic sports to enable their participants to experience the joy and benefits of an inclusive life.

    2nd SOP Unified Marathon: A large number of children participated in wheelchairs

    A large number of children participated in wheelchairs (source: Express Tribune)

    In order to promote its cause, as well as to celebrate Kashmir Day, Special Olympics collaborated with Defense Housing Authority and Lakson Investments to put together the 2nd Unified Marathon. Following the success of the 1st Marathon last year, which had approximately 1800 participants, this year the number increased to 3000, as the 2nd Unified Marathon aimed to create avenues of inclusion for people with or without disabilities, who ran or walked alongside each other, promoting inclusion and removing stigmas attached with disability. With chief guests including Secretary DHA Brigadier Naeem Azhar Lone, Chief Minister Sindh, Administrator DHA’s wife, as well as actors Sarwat Gillani and Fahad Mirza, there was a strong amount of star power to endorse SOP’s cause.

    2nd SOP Unified Marathon: Sarwat Gillani was among the chief guests at the event

    Sarwat Gillani was among the chief guests at the event

    Upon entering the Moin Khan Academy in Karachi, one was met with people of all ages wearing different bibs according to their race category and making their way to the track. The excitement in the air was palpable and the large crowd proved that the early morning did nothing to dampen the spirits of the participants. Last year’s event had two race categories: 5 KM and 10 KM. However, as the event became bigger and better this year, the race categories were increased to four, with the addition of the half marathon and a new category exclusively for children aged below 13: The 700M Kids’ Dash. Usman Iqbal, Saleem and Hatim emerged as the winners of the new and toughest category, the half marathon.

    “The whole idea behind this marathon is to bring together people with and without disabilities in a manner that promotes health, inclusion and community building”, said Sarah Amin Ali, Project Director for Young Athletes at SOP and a chief organizer of the event. “People with disabilities have such low attendance at public events that we often fail to acknowledge their struggles. This event is tailored to ensure that we work towards inclusion by making public events accessible to these people”.

    2nd SOP Unified Marathon: The marathon drew in a massive crowd

    The marathon drew in a massive crowd

    The entire SOP team, as well as the army of volunteers at their disposal, must be lauded for carrying out the event so professionally. As tired as the participants were, particularly those who ran the half marathon, many of them will return next year to do it all over again. The 2nd Unified Marathon has set the bar high and will have us expecting even more from next year’s event!


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021