Japanese wrestler Muhammad Hussain Inoki has said the purpose of his visit to Peshawar is to spread the message of peace. He said it was his fourth visit to Pakistan and his second to Peshawar since his first visit to Provincial Capital in 1984. He had visited Pakistan in 1976, 1979 and 1984. “It is my love for Pakistan and its people due to which I never hesitate to visit the country and its peace loving people,” Inoki said.
He said bringing world fame wrestlers only to convey a message of peace besides expressing solidarity with the people of Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.
Inoki on Tuesday arrived Peshawar by road from Islamabad along with 13 other Japanese wrestlers who will participate in Inoki’s World International Wrestling for Peace to be played at Qayyum Sports Complex on Wednesday.
He was warmly received by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports Syed Aqil Shah, MPA Shagufta Malik, Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs Muhammad Azam Khan, DCO Javed Marwat, Director Archeology Dr Shah Nazar, Curator Peshawar Museum Fidaullah Sehrai and large number of spectators at the museum.
Syed Aqil Shah while speaking on this occasion thanked Inoki for his visit to Peshawar. The Provincial Minister for Sports said the visit of the world known wrestler would not only promote wrestling but would also portray soft image of the country and the province.
Aqil Shah said that Inoki had himself expressed his willingness to come to Peshawar to express his solidarity with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA who gave lot of sacrifices in the war against terror.
Speaking about the Inoki’s World International Wrestling for Peace Aqil Shah said around 20,000 spectators will witness the event the entry for which will be free for all.
It is to be mentioned that the gates for the spectators will be opened at 11:00 am and will be closed at 12:30 PM while the event will start at around 1:30 pm.
On the day of event, besides wrestling, ultra light flying, horses dance, traditional dances, traditional games guli danda and peto-garam will also be displayed.
Each of the wrestlers will be paid US $ 0.1 million for their participation in the two fight – one was held in Lahore on December 2 while the second will be held on December 5 here at Qayyum Sports Complex. All the expenses is bearing by the Inoki Foundation with the aim to express solidarity with the people of Pakistan who are facing insurgency and militancy.
