From
16-21 May the Pakistan Handball Federation, in partnership with the Faisalabad
District Sports Committee, Faisalabad University of Agriculture and Punjab
Handball Association, organised the inaugural Pakistan National Beach Handball
Club League.
The
eight leading clubs in Pakistan – Sohaib Club (Faisalabad), Lyallpur Tiger
Club, Chishtian Club (Chishtian), National Club of Pakistan, Misaq Club
(Faisalabad), KPK Club (Mardan), Bolan Club (Quetta) and Comsats Club
(Islamabad) – competed in the six-day tournament held on the International Sand
Court at the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad and it was home side
Sohaib club, led by club captain Tahir Ali, also captain of the men’s national
team, who lifted the trophy.
His
side beat Lyallpur Tigers Club in the final match 2-1 on penalties (17:13, 19:22,
15:14) to claim the first-ever trophy.
The
closing awards ceremony attracted a lot of media coverage with television in
attendance along with the Vice Chancellor of Agriculture University, Professor
Iqrar Ahmed, Member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA) Haji Khalid Saeed and 1978
Olympic Games hockey bronze medallist Manzoor-ul-Hassan.
Muhammad
Shafiq, President of the Pakistan Handball Federation and Secretary General of
Asian Handball Federation, was also present at the event which saw Chishtian
Club player Shahid Bashir finish not only top scorer, but winner of the best
player award.
“This
first-ever Pakistan National Beach Handball Club League was a great success in
every respect – especially the standard of the teams,” said President Shafiq.
“I have never seen before such
exciting competition at national level during my 32 years-worth of
experience.”
Pakistan’s
U17 men’s team will be competing at the IHF U17 World Championship in Mauritius
in July. They have been drawn in Group A alongside Brazil, Chinese Taipei and
the hosts.
FINAL RANKING
1st
GOLD - Sohaib Club
2nd
SILVER - Lyallpur Tigers Club
3rd
BRONZE - National Club of Pakistan
4th
- Chishtian Club
5th
- Misaq Club
6th
- Comsats Club
7th
- KPK Club
8th
- Bolan Club
For
more information, visit the Pakistan Handball Federation Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pakhandball