Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army snatched the men’s title after beating defending champions Pakistan WAPDA 30-27 in the final of 22nd National Netball Championship here at Liaqat Gymnasium Pakistan Sports Complex on Tuesday. WAPDA claimed women’s title.
The men’s final was thrilling, as the players of both teams exhibited top-quality games. In the first quarter, the winners were 2 points ahead but the rest of the three quarters 7 minutes each were entertaining. After completing the second quarter the match was leveled at 17-17, as after the penultimate quarter the score was 21-21. However, when the referee rang the final whistle the scoreboard was showing 25-25.
To make the decision of champion, the jury gave the extra time of 4 minutes, as the Army athletes were quick and got the vital lead at the start, as the match finished at 30-27. Mohammad Iqbal and Mohammad Wasim scored 17 and 13 points for Pakistan Army respectively while Zain Hussain scored 27 points for Pakistan WAPDA.
Earlier, in the women's final, Pakistan WAPDA defeated Sindh by 7-16 points. Nisha Sultan scored 11 points for Pakistan WAPDA and Quratul Ain scored 7 points for Sindh.
Before the finals, 3rd position play-off matches were played, Pakistan Air Force defeated Pakistan Navy by 13-23 points in the men's event. Akhtar scored 23 points for Pakistan Air Force while Babar Manan scored 13 points for Pakistan Navy.
In the women's third position match, Pakistan Army defeated Higher Education Commission by 18-30 points. Ayesha got 24 points for Pakistan Army while Khadija got 12 points for Higher Education Commission. Twelve teams from across the country participated in the championship.
Chairman, Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF) and former IG Police (R), Zafar Iqbal Awan was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the championship who distributed trophies, medals and certificates to the winning players. President PNF Mudassar Arain, Senior Vice President Sameen Malik, Secretary General, Syed Gohar Raza, Directors, PSB Saeed Akhtar and Mohammad Waheed Khan were also present.
