LAHORE: Pakistan WAPDA and Pakistan Army won the men and women titles, respectively in the National Swimming Championship at the Sports Board Punjab International Pool here the other day. In the men’s category, WAPDA claimed 13 gold, six silver and eight bronze medals to clinch top position with 417 points. They were followed Army (344) who notched up seven gold, 12 silver and five bronze medals to take the runners-up spot. Sindh (157) seized third spot with one gold, three silver and seven bronze medals. Punjab (31 points), Pakistan Navy (6 points) and Balochistan (2 points) failed to take any medal at the championship and were fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively while last-placed GilgitBaltistan could not score any points.
Syed Mohammad Haseeb Tariq of WAPDA with eight gold medals, five individual and three in relays, was named the best male swimmer of the meet. He also made three new national records. In the women’s section, Army with 387 points secured the top spot as their swimmers won 12 gold, six silver and four bronze medals. Sindh (227) surprised third-placed WAPDA (201) to claim the second position with one gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals. Punjab (41) came fourth while Higher Education Commission (35), Navy (19) and Islamabad (no points) were the other teams. Army’s Bismah Khan, who contributed eight gold medals including five in individual events and three in relays, was declared the best female swimmer of the championship.
Published in Daily Times, November 7th 2018.