Rashid Daulat, Noor Zaman, Yasin Khattak and Humam Ahmad clinched the their respective titles in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Junior Defence Day Age Group Squash Championship played here at PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex on Thursday. Group Captain Amir Nawaz, Director PAF Sports Control Committee Pakistan Air Force was the chief guest on this occasion. Former World Champion Qamar Zaman, Nazim Nawa Khali Sajjad Khan Khalil, Members Executive Committee KP Squash Association Wazir Gul, Sher Bahadar, Chief Referee Munawaz Zaman, players, officials and large number of spectators and schools kids were also present.
In the Under-17 final Rashid Daulat defeated Ahmad Hassan in straight sets, the score was 11-9, 12-10 and 12-10. Rashid Daulat and Ahmad Hassan gave each a tough fight with first set was tied at 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8 and 9-all and similarly in the second set both Rashid Daulat and Ahmad Hassan struggled hard for a single point. Both were locked at 4-4, 7-7, 9-9, 10-10 and likewise the third was also leveled on couple of occasions.
In the Under-15 category top seed Noor Zaman recorded victory against Hammad Khan in a marathon 3-1 set. Hammad Khan won the first set by 11-13 in a good struggle before leveling the tally at 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, 10-10, 11-11. It was the second set when Noor Zaman came back strongly and marched into victory after winning three consecutive sets by 11-9, 12-10 and 11-8. Noor Zaman when settled down he did not give much time to his rival Hammad Adil in the fourth sets battle.
In the Under-13 Yasin Khattak wend down into two sets deficit before winning the final against Sheraz Akbar 3-2. Both Yasin Khattak and Sheraz Akbar of PAF Academy Peshawar played well and gave each other a tough fight. Yasin Khattak lost the first two sets by 9-11 and 10-12 but he made a strong come back and marched into victory after winning three consecutive sets by 12-10, 11-9 and 11-9. Yasin and Sheraz played well and received thundering applauses from the sitting spectators.
In the Under-11 category top seed Humam Ahmad of PAF Academy recorded victory against Abdullah Nawaz in four sets battle. Humam got the first set very easily at 11-6 but he could not maintain his pace of attack and lost the second set 9-11. It was the third and four sets in which Humam Ahmad did not give much time to Abdullah Nawaz to strike back, the score was 11-5 and 11-7. At the end, Group Captain Amir Nawaz gave away trophies to the position holders. A total of 80 players took part in four different categories.
Speaking on this occasion, Amir Nawaz, who also remained as Secretary General Pakistan Squash Federation before his posting as Director Sports, lauded KP Squash Association for holding tournaments on regular basis. He said competitive exposure is vital for the upcoming players. He assured that PAF Sports Board Control Committee would extend all out support to the association in holding various tournaments. Qamar Zaman thanked Grp. Capt. Amir Nawaz and assured that KP Squash Association would continue providing due opportunities to the players.