The race to set new world records at the Punjab Youth Festival has gathered momentum after February 15, when 29,040 young people formed the world’s largest human flag at the National Hockey Stadium.
Arrangements have now been made for as many as 175,000 students to set a new Guinness World Record singing the national anthem at the Punjab University New Campus on February 24. Pakistan had previously set the same record last year with 42,000 young people but India notched up the figure with 121,653 people.
Pakistan will also try to break the record of most people waving the national flag on the same day. As many as 150,000 young people will wave the nation flag at the PU New Campus on February 24, breaking Spain’s record of 30,000 people.
The attempt to break the record of the largest art lesson will be made on February 21 with 6,000 art students in the audience.
PYF participants will attempt to clinch 10 world records on February 22. At 1pm, five people will try to set the record for lifting the heaviest weight with their fingernails. At 1:40pm on the same day, participants will try to kick and dislodge cups placed on another people’s heads. The record for this is currently held by David Sanio of France.
Participants will also try to set a world record for the most push-ups supported on the back of their hands. The record for most kip ups in break dance will also be attempted the same day.
Nut enthusiasts will try to crack at least 44 walnuts in a minute to set a new record.
The final attempt to set a world record that day would be the most push-ups on finger tips.
On February 23 at the Sports Board Gymnasium, participants will try to set a record of breaking 65 coconuts with a baseball bat over a person’s head in one minute. Participants will also attempt to set the record for the longest box split between two stationary objects [a minimum of 3 minutes and 48 seconds]. Participants will also attempt 82 full body push ups in a minute, set the record for the longest abdominal plank with 100 lb packs [2 minutes and 55 seconds], most push-ups on four Swiss balls in a minute and most push-ups using an arm with a 40 lb pack in a minute.
On February 24, Captain M Arbab will attempt to break the record for most pushups in 24 consecutive hours. On the same day, Sohail Abbas will try to attempt to break the record for most push-ups in an hour, M Nadeem and Sajjad Hussain will attempt to set the record for most push-ups supported on the back of the hands in an hour. Shahid Abbas and Zafar Iqbal will attempt to break the record for most pushups in 12 consecutive hours.
On February 25, M Ashraf will attempt to set the record for most pull ups in 24 consecutive hours, Sajjad Akram will try to attempt to set the record for most pull ups in six consecutive hours.
The Lahore College for Women University beat Punjab University 12-7 in the final round of the Inter-varsity Women Basketball on Monday.
Students of Government College University, LUMS and FC College University, Punjab University and Lahore College for Women University participated in the event. Chaudhry Akram and Sakhi Sarwar were the chief guests. Earlier in the first semi-final, Punjab University and FCC teams locked horns and PU won 7-5. In the second semi-final, Lahore College beat LUMS 17-12.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2014.