Pakistan and Indian Fistball teams Thursday made an impressive start in the Asia Cup Fistball Tournament as they qualified for final here at University of Lahore ground here on Thursday. This grand Asian contest is being played under the banner of the Punjab International Sports Festival (PISF) Phase I.
Four matches were played on the opening day. Both the Asian teams won their best-of-five matches against Australia and Nepal. Australia and Nepal will face each other for the third position of the championship. The final of the championship will be played on Friday at Punjab Stadium.
Pakistan routed Nepal by 3 sets to nil in their one-sided contest. Mujaddad Awan, Umer Riaz and Nazar Abbas excelled for Pakistan. The home team dominated the proceedings right from the beginning. They made the Nepalese toiling for scores throughout the game.
In their second match, Pakistan had to use all their abilities against Australia who exhibited brilliant fight and took the game to five sets. Pakistan emerged winners in the thrilling clash by 3-2 with the score of 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 12-10 and 11-7. Umer Riaz, Awais and Mujadded Awan struck for Pakistan while William and Mike scored for the guest team.
India trounced Australia and Nepal by 3-1 and 3-0 sets respectively. Indian players demonstrated superb Fistball skills in both the matches. Australian team offered a little resistance and managed to win a solitary set. Umpire Luqman Ahmed Cheema supervised the Asia Cup matches.
Punjab Minister for Sports, Rana Mashhhod Ahmad Khan said that Punjab Youth Festival has been popularised at the international level and its credit goes to Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz Sharif. He said that all the allegations levelled against Punjab Youth Festival have proved baseless after the verification by official letters of Gunnies World Records.
Secretary Indian Fistball Federation, Parag Vankhade said that they are felling good to visit Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is presented as a dangerous country in India but after arriving here, this impression has been negated. He said that Pakistanis are very loving and famous for hospitality.
Member British Empire, Taha Qureshi said that we have to play our collective role to improve the image of Pakistan. He said that setting world records is not an easy thing and instead of criticising the Punjab government we should encourage it for holding such healthy activities.
Manager Lancaster University cricket team Adam Child said that we are here for the last three days and the players enjoyed cricket and the environment. He said that cricket is a popular sport in Pakistan and termed playing at Gaddafi Stadium in front of thousands of spectators as the best moment of his life.
President Australian Fistball Federation, Ralph Peterson said that a warm welcome was accorded to them during their stay at Lahore. We travelled by rickshaw also and did not feel any security issue. He said that tough competition is expected during the championship because Pakistani players are very talented and sturdy.
Representative of German Fistball Federation, Burn Hikki said that Fistball is a fast spreading sport in the world and expressed the hope that Pakistani team will perform very well in the world cup at Argentine next year. Manager Nepal Fistball team, Sanjive Sippi said that our players have been provided an opportunity to learn through this mega event.