KARACHI, Aug 1: Neighbourhood United added another feather in its cap while inflicting a 46-26 defeat on Arambagh Club in the final to win the Commissioner Karachi Peace Cup basketball tournament at the latter’s floodlit court on Wednesday evening.

The triumph also helped eventual champions to avenge their earlier defeat that they have suffered at the hands of losing finalist in the upper league of the contest.

Neighbourhood United started the match on a brisk pace and enjoyed slender lead until their opponents drew level 20-all at half time. Earlier, the winners led 10-6 in first quarter.

The post interval session saw Neighbourhood United increasing their lead with combined efforts as they managed to score 26 points in the third and fourth quarters. On the other hand, the losers could only muster six points apart from throwing away easy scoring chances.

Ahad Javeri 12, Shakir Hashim 11 and Ali Ahmed 10 were major contributors for the winners while Syed Adnan Ali 12, Agha Ibrahim and Ali scored four apiece scored for losers.

Hammad N.D. Khan received the winning trophy from the chief guest Commissioner Karachi, Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, amidst applause. Abdullah Imam received the runners-up trophy.

Mubashir of Askari Club won the top scorer prize while player of the tournament award went to Ahad Javeri of Neighbourhood United.

Speaking on the occasion after midnight, the Commissioner Karachi said it was his endeavour to promote peace in the city by involving youth in the healthy activities.

Citing the example of world amateur snooker champion Mohammad Asif, he said the country had abundant of talent and need to be polished in order to scale new heights.

He expressed happiness upon learning that President Mamnoon Hussain has lived in the vicinity for decades and has served as a patron of the game.

Expressing his anger on the demolition of four-decade old basketball court in the Kashmir Road Sports Complex, he assured fraternity of the game that he will help in getting them an alternate court in the premises.

Secretary of the Karachi Basketball Association and a former international Abdul Nasir announced to organise an-all Pakistan President’s Cup basketball tournament.