LAHORE - Pakistan Army is all set to defend the title during the National Basketball Championship, which gets underway today (Thursday) here at the Sports Board Punjab (SBP) courts.

Army, the power house of national basketball, is likely to face a tough challenge from Wapda in the event in which top eight teams of the country will showcase their talent and technique. The event promises high-quality basketball and the spectators will be watching the matches under lights.

Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) has made good arrangements for holding the five-day national premier basketball event in a trend setting manner. Pakistan Railways and Lahore Division will play the inaugural match of the championship which will start at 5pm. The participating teams are drawn in two groups. Army, Railways, Lahore Division and Faisalabad Division are placed in group A while Wapda, Navy, POF and Peshawar Division are in group B. The final will be played on January 15 and Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Jahangir Khanzada will be the chief guest on the occasion.

Today’s (Thursday) fixtures: Railways vs Lahore Division, Wapda vs Peshawar Division, Navy vs Pakistan Ordnance Factory, Army vs Faisalabad Division.