Daily Times

LAHORE: With the win in the final over India, Pakistan secured their first ever gold medal in a kabbadi event of the ongoing Asian Beach Games in Vietnam. Pakistan players demonstrated high quality performance in the closing part of the thrilling encounter to secure the title. The match entered into a nail-biting phase after first half when Pakistan was leading with 16-11.

In the second half of the game, India managed to lead the game with 17-14. But Pakistan won the final for overall score of 30-28. Pakistan reached in the finals of kabbadi event for four consecutive times but could not secure the title. India have beaten Pakistan twice in the final of the kabbadi event back in 2008 and 2010. In 2012 and 2014, Iran won the title beating the green shirts in the final. However, due to the political situation of neighbouring countries, serious doubts remain for Pakistan’s participation in the Kabbadi World Cup which is to be held in India starting from October 7, 2016 as there was no mention of Pakistan in the schedule announced by the International Kabbadi Federation.

Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) president Lt Gen (r) Syed Arif Hasan and secretary general Muhammad Khalid Mahmood have congratulated the team on their heroic performance and achieving an excellent result. Meanwhile, Pakistan ju-jitsu players won 2 silvers and 5 bronze medals in the ju-jitsu event of the Beach Games. Top officials of the POA have also greeted the ju-jitsu players on winning altogether seven medals in the competition and termed their performance impressive.