Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan WAPDA defeated Navy 3-1 in the final to win All Pakistan Gold Cup Volleyball Tournament that concluded at the Municipal Sports Complex, Kamilia on Monday. WAPDA beat Navy with a score-line of 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23 in a hard fought final which was witnessed by a large number of volleyball fans. WAPDA faced little resistance from Navy in the first game but they lost the second game amid brilliant performance of Asif Nadeem and Mubasshar Raza. Brilliant boosting by Mubasshar enabled Asif to smash hard in the right corners of the court. Navy fought hard in next two games as well but strong smashes by international Mohammad Naseer enabled WAPDA to lift the trophy. Earlier, Navy downed Pakistan Under-20 in the first semifinal 3-1. Inexperienced boys of Pakistan juniors demonstrated outstanding stamina but Navy, one of the top teams in national circuit, were too good for them. They lost the match 25-13, 25-20, 25-18. WAPDA thrashed Pakistan Police in the second semifinal 3-0. The score-line was 25-15, 25-13, 25-22. Police outplayed Pakistan Under-20 3-1 to get the third position. The score remained 25-27, 25-13, 25-22, 25-19.

Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) chairman Ch Mohammad Yaqoob was the chief guest and gave away winning trophy and cash prize of Rs.150, 000 to the WAPDA captain. The Navy captain received cash prize of Rs.75, 000, Police walked away with cash prize of Rs.50, 000 while Pakistan Under-20 received cash prize of Rs.25, 000. Naseer (WAPDA) was declared the best player of the tournament. Mubasshar (Navy) was declared the best smasher, Asif (Navy) the best booster and Nasir Ali (WAPDA) the best libro of the tournament. They all received a cash prize of Rs.10, 000 each from Municipal Committee Kamlia chairman Malik Sharif.

Published in Daily Times, November 5^th 2017.