WAPDA, Punjab reach final of 61st National Table Tennis Championship

WAPDA and Punjab have advanced to the final of the team event at the 61st National Table Tennis Championship after thrilling semi-final encounters on Wednesday. In the first semi-final, WAPDA defeated hosts Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in a closely contested tie to book their place in the final. In the second semi-final, Punjab overcame Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) by a 3-1 margin to secure their spot in the deciding match. Provincial Minister for Sports Taj Muhammad Khan Trand was the chief guest on the occasion. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider, Secretary of the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation Ijaz Ahmad, Vice President, Chief Organizer Kafayatullah Khan, and other officials were also present. In the first semi-final, WAPDA’s senior player Asim Qureshi delivered a brilliant performance, defeating Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Osman 3-1. WAPDA players maintained their dominance in the remaining matches, winning the tie 3-0 comfortably and progressing to the final. In the second semi-final, Punjab’s senior player Awais defeated OGDCL’s Irtiza 11-7, 11-9, 11-3. OGDCL’s Hadi then edged Punjab’s Taimoor 12-10, 14-12, 11-3 in the second singles. Punjab’s Abu Huraira fought back strongly in the third match, beating Rehan 13-11, 11-4, 11-3. In the reverse singles, Taimoor sealed victory for Punjab by defeating Irtiza 11-7, 11-8, 11-9. Speaking at the event, Provincial Sports Minister Taj Muhammad Khan Trand praised the high standard of play shown by the athletes. He said the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government is taking every possible step to promote sports in the province. He added that talented players from the province are being provided with the best facilities, and those showing outstanding performances will be awarded scholarships and cash prizes. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the minister mingled with the players and interacted with athletes who had come from across the country. The players, in turn, appreciated the minister’s keen interest in sports development. The final between WAPDA and Punjab is scheduled to be played on Thursday.