Friday , March 29 2024
Latest News
Home / Sports / WAPDA and NBP won their matches in 9th Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament

WAPDA and NBP won their matches in 9th Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament

Hockey Lahore: WAPDA and NBP have won their matches in the ongoing 9thNishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament at the Muttihullah Astroturf Hockey Stadium. WAPDA beat PIA 4-2 and NBP defeated Army (Red) 4-2.

The Tournament is a part of Pakistan Hockey Federation efforts to promote the game throughout the country.

The first match between two top teams of the Tournament WAPDA and PIA was full of thrill which amused the spectators. Olympians and internationals in both teams demonstrated brilliant but aggressive stick work and the crowd enjoyed every move and attack of their forwards who toiled hard to outclass each other. WAPDA, however, won the laurels and emerged as the winner with the help of two goals each by Umar Bhutta and Zubair Riaz. They took lead in the 22rd minute through their captain Umar Bhutta who successfully struck a penalty corner. PIA’s Inyatullah levelled the score in the 32ndminute on a penalty corner. In the 

Hockey 1

second half WAPDA’s forwards showed more aggressiveness in their combined moves and exerted more pressure on the PIA. Zubair Riaz did not falter in striking a strong hit which pierced through the goal post. He converted another penalty corner in the 63rd minute to consolidate his team’s position. Three minutes later Mohammad Imran of PIA also scored a goal on penalty corner. In the 69th minute of the match WAPDA’s Umair Bhutta netted the fourth goal. Rana Sajid and Kamran Shafi were the field umpires.

The second match between NBP and Army (Red) also ended at the identical score of 4-2 in Bankers’ favour. Two goals by forward Sibtain Raza in the 16th and 20th minutes put NBP in a strong position. Army bounced back to score a goal in the 20thminute through Mohammed Safeer. Olympian Akhtar Ali displayed his class and technique in the 43rd minute to score the third goal for the Bankers. Abdul Jabbar from Army scored their second goal in the 50thminute. In the 58th minute of the match Ayub Ali scored the last goal of the match. Atif Malik and Haider Rasool supervised the match.

Meanwhile, the participating teams and officials of the 9thNishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament observed a one minute silence to pay respect for the renowned hockey commentator S. M. Naqi who passed away in Karachi after prolonged illness. A large number of spectators also joined them in the noble cause.

Former Olympian Samiullah Khan has hailed the participation of Olympians and internationals in the Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament.

Speaking as the chief guest of the match between NBP and Army (Red) at the Mutiullah Hockey Stadium, Samiullah said the participation of Olympians and internationals in such tournaments not only showed their interest in the game but aspirants youngsters also learned a lot from them. “I am delighted to see all national players playing in the tournament. Their participation in the Tournament has enhanced its standard and popularity and they have provided an opportunity for the youngsters of my city to learn hockey ethics and skill from them,” Sami remarked. He urged that such Tournaments should be held in every major city for the promotion of the national game.

Leave a Reply

Scroll To Top