May 30, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1429

KARACHI, May 29: Institute of Business Management (IoBM) lifted the trophy on Thursday after beating hosts Aga Khan University (AKU) 1-0 in the final match of the 6th AKU Inter-university football tournament 2008 that was being played at the AKU Ground since May 20.

The business students had the match pretty much wrapped up in the 26th minute with IoBM’s striker Ali Ilyas converting a corner. But before that, AKU had to substitute their goalkeeper Omar Iftikhar with Shahid Sattar as the former pulled a muscle in his left leg while clearing an attempt. Although he was gallant enough to remain at the goal and give his bad leg a try for a while longer, he had to signal his coach for help finally.

The injury was rather unfortunate for Omar who was playing his last soccer tournament for AKU. He will be in his final year next season and hence wouldn’t be able to devote much time for play. Still Shahid Sattar too isn’t that bad a goalie — he blocked two penalty shots in the semis the other day.

The score remained 1-0 till the blowing of the final whistle as both sides had very strong defenses. Faisal Wazir, IoBM’s brilliant goalkeeper who did not let any team score a single goal against his side during the entire nine-day tournament, didn’t break the streak.

IoBM’s lanky captain Safiuddin Khan lifted the trophy for the winners while Nadeem Aqueel, AKU’s skipper accepted the runners-up prize. The prize for the best player of the tournament was presented to AKU’s striker Waleed Zahid Butt, who also deserved an award for the longest hair had there been a prize in such a category, while the consolation prizes for best player went to IoBM’s striker Shahid Khan Afridi and IBA’s striker Athar Khan. IBA’s captain Omar Hasan Khan accepted on Athar’s behalf.

The prizes were distributed by the guests of honour Ghulam Abbas Baloch, vice president of the Pakistan Football Federation and the acting chairman, Department of Medicine at AKU Dr Kamran Hameed.