LAHORE - National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) beat defending champion Wapda 2-1 to clinch the title of the 33rd National Junior Hockey Championship which concluded at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Saturday.
The bankers initiated their attack in the first minute of the match when even their opponents were settling down. They earned a penalty corner through a combined move by Shah Irshad, Ateeque and Waseem Akram. Mubashar Hussain’s successful conversion not only gave them a 1-0 lead. Nevertheless, last few minutes of the final were worthy to watch. Mubashar slammed second goal for his team. In the last minute, the drama was repeated as this time, Wapda got three penalty corners and they reduced the margin of defeat through M Ahad who successfully converted the third penalty corner. Kamran MP and Shahid Pervaiz supervise the match. Earlier, Punjab-C stunned PIA 3-2 to get third position in the championship.
Later, chief guest Sindh Minister for Health Dr Saghir Ahmed gave away the trophy to captain of NBP Ateeque and a cash prize of Rs 200, 000. The runners-up also got the trophy and cash prize of Rs 150, 000. Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) president Wasay Jalil also delivered a cash prize of Rs 100, 000 to the third position holders Punjab -C team. Mubashar Hussain, with seven goals, was declared the best player of the championship.