Wapda girls win hockey championship
Three time defending champs beat Railways 3-0.
KARACHI:
Three-time defending champions Wapda won the 26th National Women’s Hockey Championship after they demolished Pakistan Railways 3-0 in the final at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium.
The convincing win came courtesy a tournament-record 53 goals as Rabia Qaisar (first half), Unaiza Bashir and Uzma Nasir (both second half) propelled their team to glory in the final.
Azra Nasir, the winning captain, remained the tournament’s highest scorer with 28 goals and was thrilled with her team’s effort in the tournament.
“It was a good match and the girls kept their nerves under control,” Nasir told The Express Tribune after the win. “Now we’re aiming for more progress in the national tournaments with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm as we gave today. Hopefully we can make it to the Asian Cup qualifiers this time.”
Meanwhile, Punjab Colours defeated Pakistan Army 2-1 in the third-place playoff.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia, who was in Karachi for the first time since the men’s team won the Asian Games team medal, saw the event as a major stepping stone for women.
“I feel very happy that our women take part in tournaments like these,” said Zia. “I’m very proud that they’re showing such talent. There’s no lack of talent in these women and it’s great to see our government encouraging and empowering women.”
All ten teams that took part in the tournament received Rs20,000 each.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2011.
Three-time defending champions Wapda won the 26th National Women’s Hockey Championship after they demolished Pakistan Railways 3-0 in the final at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium.
The convincing win came courtesy a tournament-record 53 goals as Rabia Qaisar (first half), Unaiza Bashir and Uzma Nasir (both second half) propelled their team to glory in the final.
Azra Nasir, the winning captain, remained the tournament’s highest scorer with 28 goals and was thrilled with her team’s effort in the tournament.
“It was a good match and the girls kept their nerves under control,” Nasir told The Express Tribune after the win. “Now we’re aiming for more progress in the national tournaments with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm as we gave today. Hopefully we can make it to the Asian Cup qualifiers this time.”
Meanwhile, Punjab Colours defeated Pakistan Army 2-1 in the third-place playoff.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia, who was in Karachi for the first time since the men’s team won the Asian Games team medal, saw the event as a major stepping stone for women.
“I feel very happy that our women take part in tournaments like these,” said Zia. “I’m very proud that they’re showing such talent. There’s no lack of talent in these women and it’s great to see our government encouraging and empowering women.”
All ten teams that took part in the tournament received Rs20,000 each.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2011.