Thousands turned out to watch skilled horse riders from across the country take part in a tent pegging tournament.
The Blackburn Kabaddi Mela (festival) returned following a three-year absence and took place throughout the day on Sunday at Pleasington Playing Fields.
Festivities began early in the morning with horse riders from several local and national clubs taking part. Tent pegging is an equestrian sport where mounted horseman gallop, pick up and carry away a small ground target.
Each club, dressed in their club colours with matches turbans made a grand entrance joined by supporters and drummers.
Later in the day a volleyball and weightlifting competition wowed crowds.
As temperatures soared to 30 degrees late in the afternoon, the kabaddi players took centre stage.
Among the guests on the day was the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Cllr Suleman Khonat who joined event sponsors and guests to watch the kabaddi from a staging area.
Muhammed Mushtaq had travelled from Dewsbury with his horse club. He said: “Tent pegging is a very traditional sport and in Pakistan it is very popular.
“It is a very skilful sport and we were delighted to be taking part this year in front of such a huge crowd.”
Cllr Shokhat Hussain who part of the organising committee said: “It has been brilliant turn out and the tent pegging on show was of a high quality. The weightlifting, volleyball and kabaddi was also great to see.
“It was a cracking event complimented with some cracking weather. We shall see if we can do it again next year. It has been a huge success.”
Volunteers had worked all week and late into the evening to ensure the event went according to plan.
Asif Mahmud said: “The horse show also attracted a lot of passers-by and walkers who were intrigued to see the pageantry on display.
“It was a great sporting spectacle and a huge thanks to all the volunteers for their help over the past few weeks. They are the real heroes who helped to put on a great event for the community.”
“A huge thank you to Romey and his family for their assistance throughout the week without which this event would not have happened.”
Special thanks to Aroon Hussain, Raja Zaheer, Shamas Ahmed, Raja Faisal for their efforts in setting up the staging and fencing.
The festivities took place on the land which connects Witton Park 3g Pitches and Pleasington and was not on any football pitches which are presently being reseeded.
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