Handball: National team win opening match

Home team beats Nepal 2-0 in Faisalabad.

KARACHI: Pakistan began their campaign at the South Asian Beach handball Championship with a 2-0  win against Nepal in their opening match in Faisalabad yesterday.

The Pakistan Handball Federation (PHF) organised the championship and invited Afghanistan, Nepal and India to play in Faisalabad.

However, India refused to visit the Pakistan, stating security concerns and visa issues.

After their withdrawal from the event, Pakistan will now compete with Afghanistan and Nepal. The PHF inducted another team – Pakistan Whites – to complete the match draw.

In the first match of the event, the hosts crushed Nepal, leading the first half 20-6 and sealing victory in the second with 24-4.

“Nepal is a competitive side, but we missed India,” Pakistan captain and goalkeeper Tahir Ali told The Express Tribune. “India’s participation would’ve attracted people to the sport. People don’t really know about handball, so an India-Pakistan match would’ve been a good way to promote our game too.”

Ali was declared the best goal-keeper in the world by the International Handball Federation in 2009.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2013.