South Asian Beach Games: Pakistan bag bronze in netball event

Women’s team beats Maldives as medal tally rises to 11.

KARACHI:
Pakistan’s medal tally at the first South Asian Beach Games rose to 11 as the women’s netball team clinched a bronze in the event underway in Hambantota.

Pakistan beat Maldives 17-15 in the third-place playoffs while Sri Lanka downed India 25-17 in the final to stand first on the podium.

Pakistan women’s netball coach Qudia Raja was delighted after the finish. “The important thing is that we won a medal,” Raja told The Express Tribune. “We played in an international event after three years and a third-place finish is an achievement.


“We could have won a gold medal but Sri Lanka and India participate in international tournaments regularly and we need that exposure to get better.”

Earlier, Pakistan were declared joint-champions in the men’s handball event after they tied the final with India. Nothing could separate the two teams as they were tied even after the shootouts. The decision to declare the two teams joint-champions was taken due to poor light conditions that did not allow for further play.

Pakistan stand third in the overall medals table after winning five gold, two silver and four bronze medals. India lead the table with 11 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals ahead of Sri Lanka who have nine gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2011.
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