Punjab sweep men, women’s titles in PM Talent Hunt

ISLAMABAD: Punjab swept men and women’s titles in the Prime Minister’s National Talent Hunt Table Tennis League following a week of exciting contests here at the Rodham Hall of Pakistan Sports Complex.

Punjab A defeated Punjab B 3-0 in the women’s team event final. Punjab A Captain Ramsha Niaz defeated Tayyaba Latif 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9 after a tough match.

In the second match, Saba Syed defeated Tania Khan 11-7, 6-11, 11-2, 8-11, 11-8 while Shamila Javed defeated Laila Nayab 9-11, 12-10, 8-11 11-5, 11-7. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won the third position in the women’s team event.

Punjab A defeated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 3-1 in the men’s team final. Punjab A’s Atta ul Mannan defeated Awais Khan 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4. KPA’s Obaid Shah defeated Punjab’s Paras Azam 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 while Punjab’s Usman Nawaz defeated Haroon Khan 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8 and Atta ul Mannan won the game by defeating Ubaid Shah 11-7, 11-5, 11-8.

Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. He along with Director Sports Government College University Lahore Wasim Akhtar, Pakistan Sports Board Deputy Director General Shahid Salam and officials of the Higher Education Commission distributed prizes amongst the players.

Speaking on the occasion, Mashhood reiterated the government’s commitment to provide a platform for young talent to shine in various fields including sports, health, culture and art, adding that the PM’s vision was to identify and groom talented young players to represent Pakistan at international levels.