KARACHI: Sindh, with 628 points, lifted the McDonald’s 16th National Women’s Junior Age Group Swimming Championship trophy after two days of grueling competition at Karachi Gymkhana here on Sunday. Navy, with 346.5 points, was the runners-up with Punjab taking the third spot with 307 points.

Pakistan Army, Wapda and Federal Capital Islamabad ended up with 123, 99 and 37 points, respectively.

Eight records were broken on Saturday while on Sunday another eight records were broken by Bisma Khan of Pakistan (50m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 50m backstroke in 13-14 age group in 29.07 and 01.11.1, respectively) and Ramsha Imran of Navy (100m breaststroke in 13-14 age group in 1:23.97) while in team events Areeba, Araj, Fiona and Fatima of Sindh broke records in 400m freestyle relay and 800m freestyle relay (Time 5:13.33 and 11.58.24, respectively), Iman, Huda, Hafsa and Saba of Sindh broke the record in 200m medley relay (Time 3:00.12) and Aminah, Marsha, Eman and Aimen also broke the record in 400m freestyle relay (time 5:20.39).

The top swimmers of the event were Bisma Khan of Pakistan Army (13-14 age group) with 50 points followed by Laiba Bilwani of Sindh (13-14 age group) having 20 points and Ramsha Imran of Navy (13-14 age group) who finished with 20 points.

The medals, prizes and certificates were distributed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the chief guest on the occasion, who was there with her little daughter Amelia. “You all are part of a generation who are moving and shaking the world,” said Sharmeen. “For those of you who have not won any medals today, just participating is a win. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish your dreams. Never take ‘no’ for an answer,” she advised the young swimmers.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2016