MARDAN, June 4: Baghdada Mardan defeated Pabbi XI by a solitary goal in the opening match of the All-Pakistan Lala Qalardin memorial hockey tournament preliminary round at Younis Hockey Stadium on Saturday. Irfan Khan scored the only goal for Mardan in the dying moments after the two teams remained tied in a goalless draw at the end of first-half.

In the other match, Dargai, Malakand outplayed Nowshera 3-1. Nowshera were ahead in the 13th minute through Khalid.

Rehman slammed all the three goals in the 33rd, the 54th and the 66th minutes to give win to Dargai.

The memorial tournament has been organized by District Hockey Association in collaboration with NWFP Hockey Association.

Lala Qalardin was a veteran subcontinent hockey player, who rendered great services for the promotion of sports in Mardan.

Eighteen clubs from the district will take part in the first phase. Pakistan Air Force (PAF), POF Wah, Wapda, DHA Attock, Bannu, Buner, Swat, Dir, Kohat, Pabbi, Nowshera and Peshawar are the other teams.

The final phase will start from June 10.—APP