Press release

jAPANESE art and speech competition about japan held at sahiwal

Islamabad: 13th November, 2014

The Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Sahiwal Arts Council organized an Art and Speech Competition about Japan on Thursday 13th October, 2014 at the Sahiwal Arts Council, Sahiwal.  The Embassy of Japan has been holding this event in various cities of Pakistan since 1995, and for the first time in Sahiwal. Different schools in Sahiwal participated in the Art and Speech Competition. Mr. Muhammad Saddique Sheikh, Commissioner Sargodah Division, was the chief guest, while Mr. Takashi Katae, Minister, Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, represented the Embassy at the occasion.

Two students of 12 to 14 years age from each school drew pictures in the art competition on the themes of their own choice related to Japan and Pakistan. The purpose of organizing this competition was to promote and encourage the creative abilities among the young students. To judge the creativity of young artists, Mian Nadeem Zia, Designer, and Mr. Abdul Mateen, Calligrapher/Painter/Designer, made up the panel of judges for the art competition.

Similarly, one student from each school competed in the Speech Competition in Urdu with a topic of their own choice related to Japan and Pakistan. The panel of judges for the speech competition comprised of Prof. (Retd) Arjmand Ahmad Qureshi and Mr. Iftikhar Shafi, PhD Scholar/Lecturer Urdu.
This competition provided an opportunity for young and talented students to focus and express themselves on the growing cordial relations between Japan and Pakistan. In the future, this youth can help to hold bridges of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Mr. Takashi Katae, Minister, Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, in his remarks said that the events such as art and speech competition about Japan help to strengthen the existing friendship and develop cultural understanding among the people of the two countries. He appreciated the participating students of art and speech competition for their skills and knowledge about Japan.

Mr. Muhammad Saddique Sheikh, Commissioner Sargodah Division, who is also Chairman of the Sahiwal Arts Council, together with Mr. Takashi Katae awarded certificates and souvenirs to the position holders of the Art and Speech Competition about Japan. All students were given the certificates of participation. (End)

On the recommendations of the judges, the prize winners of the Children’s Art Competition About Japan were as follows:
First Prize:     Zarish Suhail, Beaconhouse School System, Sahiwal
Second Prize: Afzaal Haider, Divisional Public School, Sahiwal
Third Prize:   Areej Fatima, Divisional Public School, Sahiwal

The Names of the Prize Winners in Speech Competition were as follows:
First Prize:   Syeda Manqabat Alliya, Divisional Public School, Sahowal
Second Prize:Hasnat Ahmed, The Spirit School, Sahiwal
Third Prize:   Tayyaba Zahra, Gehwara-e-Taleem, High School (Girls), Sahiwal

Mr. Takashi Katae, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, and Mr. Muhammad Saddique Shaikh, Commissioner Sahiwal Division awarded certificates and souvenirs to the position holders of the Art and Speech Competition about Japan. All students were given souvenirs and certificates of participation duly signed by the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan. (End)