LAHORE - National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) defended their title successfully in the 3rd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) All Pakistan Hockey Tournament by defeating Pakistan Wapda 2-1 in the final played at the Abdul Sattar Edhi International Hockey Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday. 
According to PHF spokesman, Pakistan Navy secured the second position by beating Mari Petroleum Company Limited in the third position match. Top eight national teams including Pakistan Wapda, Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan Army, Punjab and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) participated in the prestigious tournament. 
The seven days long championship rolled into action from September 21 and concluded on September 28, where play NBP team players in a group photo with winning trophy and chief guest Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of the Naval Staff, PHF officials and former Olympians. 
ers exhibited their prowess throughout the event and in the end, NBP managed to defend their title. It has become a quintessential tournament at the national circuit since 2016. Around 12 pool matches followed by semifinals and final were conducted by professional umpires of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). With a prize money of PKR 4.2 million, the event continues to be the highest prize money hockey tournament of the country. More than 128 enthusiastic players of the country participated in this event. 
Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of the Naval Staff, graced the concluding ceremony as chief guest and gave away prizes to the winning and runners-up teams. NBP received a cash prize of Rs 1.7 million for winning the championship while the runners-up Wapda earned Rs 1.3 million and the third position holders Pakistan Navy got Rs one million. Mr. Dilbar of NBP team was declared as man of the tournament. Muhammad Iqbal of Pakistan Navy team and Dilbar of NBP teams were declared the best goalkeeper and best scorer of the tournament, respectively. 
In the closing remarks, the chief guest congratulated the winning teams and applauded the efforts put in by the Patron PN Hockey, Commander Karachi, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the sponsors. He hoped that this tournament will certainly contribute in raising public interest in the national game and will help in revival of hockey. 
The Chief of the Naval Staff also appreciated the role played by media in promotion of sports especially the wide coverage given to the 3rd Chief of the Naval Staff All Pakistan Hockey Tournament 2021. Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi also urged the public and private departments and organizations to come forward and help in revival of the national game. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from Armed forces, civil notables and former Olympians. 
PHF General Secretary Muhammad Asif Bajwa lauded the all-out support of Pakistan Navy and termed it a good omen for Pakistan hockey, adding that with more such support from other armed forces and corporate giants, the national game can be revived in the country. “The tournament was well organized by the Pakistan Navy as well as the PHF officials. The Chief of the Naval Staff All Pakistan Hockey Tournament has become the most prestigious tournament of the country, and the national players anxiously wait for this tournament, which offers record prize money to the hockey men. 
“All the participating teams played very well, therefore, tough competitions were witnessed throughout the tournament. The players also displayed quality hockey skills and techniques and helped their sides register crucial victories. In the end, the players of NBP team played excellent hockey and earned hefty cash prize and the glittering trophy. The runners-up, third position holders and the top performers also received lucrative cash prizes,” said the former Olympian. 
Asif Bajwa said this tournament also helped them pick some extraordinary hockey players to represent Pakistan in the Junior Hockey World Cup. “We are very glad with the support of Pakistani Navy and especially the words of Chief of the Naval Staff are very encouraging for Pakistan hockey, as he assured his all-out support for the promotion of hockey and he is keen to play his part in the revival of the national hockey. We need more such support from other armed forces and corporate giants that will help in improving the standard of Pakistan hockey at international level,” said the PHF secretary.