LAHORE – The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Olympiad 2011 kicked-off at the LUMS Sports Complex on Tuesday. The event was attended by 700-750 participants. The Chief Guest for the function was Mian Yousaf Sallahuddin, maternal grandson of Allama Iqbal. He was a PPP MPA from 1988-1990 and a well known socialite and patron of arts. He is also known as a promoter of Lahore’s culture. The Chief Guest was accompanied by DRUMS Patron Asad Farooq and LMA Patron Ali Khan.
Speaking on the occasion, Yousaf Sallahuddin talked about the value of art and culture in a democratic society. He spoke of the need to find a unique cultural identity and not just follow Western or Indian ideals.
LUMS Media Arts society patron Ali Khan stressed the need for the youth to take initiative and find its own voice. After the speakers the Olympiad conveners declared the event formally open after showing a promo video about 2010 Olympiad 2010.
The LUMS Olympiad consists of various competitions, informative workshops and above all exciting social events. The event is scheduled from March 22 to 25. Participants from all over Pakistan will take part in 20 exciting competitions. The competitions are not an end in themselves but a way of offering an opportunity to interact with the peers in a fun-filled, competitive environment, from the artist to the chess whiz, from the actor to the geek, from the musician to the orator, the Olympiad 2011 has something for everyone. These fantastic events include battle of the bands, chess, click flick, declamation of Urdu and English, Math Enigma, Mind Quest and much more.
According to the organisers, in the past, there have been appearances by renowned singers, movie stars, designers, motivational speakers, directors and many more personalities. This year will be no exception with bigger and better workshops featuring professionals regarded as the best in their respective fields. The participants of Olympiad ’11 will attend a workshop designed specifically for each event they compete in. In some workshops, participants will have a chance to hear the success story of celebrities, while in others they will take part in creative exercises with professionals.
With a highly interactive and informal atmosphere, the participants will have a prime opportunity to question, talk to and learn from accomplished stars. In some cases, workshops may be held by professionals who will also judge events at the Olympiad. These sessions will be a chance to learn what the judges are looking for and increase the chances of bagging a prize.
At the Olympiad, the organisers intend to provide the participants with constructive competitions to the fullest, but they are immensely proud to present to you a night filled with nothing but fun and games- A Thematic Carnival.
Not spending a few hours in the carnival will surely leave participants’ experience of LUMS Olympiad’11 incomplete. Social events include carnival, concert, the grand finale and a dinner, according to the organisers this would provide an enjoyable evening with scrumptious drinks and treats, treasure hunts, fun-filled stalls with prizes, dinner, paint balling, and who knows, a pirate ship or a merry-go-round might just be waiting to be climbed onto.
