NBP beat PIA to lift first COAS Challenge Hockey Cup

[Abdullah]

As per NEWS;

NBP beat PIA to lift first COAS Challenge Cup.

KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) beat Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) 2-0 to lift the first COAS Challenge Hockey Cup at the Army Stadium, Rawalpindi, on Sunday.

The bankers exerted pressure on the airliners as soon as the match began and scored two goals in the first quarter.

Captain Tousiq converted a penalty corner successfully and Shan Irshad netted a field goal to consolidate his teams’ position. After conceding two goals, PIA forwards composed themselves and showed aggression in their attacks but failed to change their fate.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif hailed the efforts of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for raising the standard of the national game in the country.

The Army chief praised PHF for going all out to revive Pakistan’s past glory in world hockey.

Raheel witnessed the final between NBP and PIA and applauded the moves made by the players. He vowed to support hockey, saying the players deserved to be looked after well.

PHF president Akhtar Rasool thanked General Raheel for giving a new life to the national game.

In a statement, he urged other departments to follow the tradition set by Pakistan Army and come forward to support the national game. “The successful organisation of the First Chief of the Army Staff Challenge Hockey Cup in Rawalpindi has infused a new spirit in the national game and Gen Raheel Sharif deserves a great compliment for his interest and support,” Akhtar remarked.

The PHF president thanked the Army chief who not only directed Army Sports Directorate to organise a national tournament in Rawalpindi but also graced the final as the chief guest. “The PHF management and the players are encouraged by Gen Raheel Sharif’s presence during the final,” he said.

The winners of the COAS Challenge Hockey Cup that concluded at the Army Hockey Stadium in Rawalpindi were awarded Rs1 million, the runners up got Rs700, 000 and the third position holders pocketed Rs500,000.

Never in the history of national hockey was such a big amount offered to the winners in any tournament, Akhtar said.

He added that this generous gesture of the Army chief had encouraged PHF to double its efforts to revive the country’s past glory in hockey. “Pakistan hockey team won silver in the Champions Trophy and the Asian Games despite all odds against them,” the PHF president said and urged other departments, particularly those affiliated with the PHF, to organise national-level tournaments.

Akhtar praised Customs for organising Quaid-e-Azam Gold Hockey Cup and hoped that other departments would also play their role to keep hockey alive.

Source: TheNEWS.com.pk

[Abdullah]

Winners receiving the trophy by COAS General Raheel Sharif.