KARACHI: Four-time runners-up National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) reached the zenith in fifth successive attempt when they stun holders Wapda 2-1 in the final of the 33rd National Junior Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Saturday.

It was a sweet revenge of the bankers who were beaten by Wapda in the last two finals. This was Wapda’s overall fourth final and third in-a-row. Earlier, Wapda reached ascendency while making their debut in 1998.

After getting the better of Punjab Colours 4-1 in the semi-final the other day, NBP appears to be in a mood to open new leaf in the annals of the country’s premier junior hockey championship which they did thanks to a brace of goals by full back Mubashir Hussain.

The bankers made a successful attack forcing first penalty corner in 30th seconds and full-back Mubashir made no mistake. They made close calls twice getting back-to-back PC’s in the ninth and 12th minutes but in vain.

First, Waseem Akram’s indirect try went unfruitful and second Mubashir’s shot was saved by Wapda custodian Talal Khalid.

As for Wapda, they also got at least four opportunities including two PC’s in the fourth and 15th minutes in the first quarter but to no avail.

The bankers earned fourth PC, first of second quarter, in 19th minute but the goal eluded them as Mubashir’s shot was saved by opponent defender Ahad after their keeper was beaten.

The bankers got yet another chance to double their lead but Adeel Latif missed the target of a pass from captain Ateeuqe in the third quarter.

The bankers heaved a sigh of relief when Mubashir struck again on the team’s sixth PC in 58th minute.

Trailing behind by two goals, Wapda came back strongly securing three PC’s in-a-row and the last one taken by M. Ahad beat goal-keeper Raza under the bar reducing the score 2-1 as umpire blew final whistle.

Mubashir of the NBP was given Man of the Championship award which carries a sum of Rs10,000.

Earlier, a last-minute goal by captain Mohsin Sabir helped Punjab Colours swept aside PIA 3-2 in the playoff to seize third position.

Besides Mohsin, M. Asif and Qasim Ahmed netted a goal each for winners while Abu Bakar and Amir Ali scored one goal apiece for losers.

National Bank of Pakistan received a winning cheque of Rs200,000 in addition to glittering trophy from the chief guest, Sindh Minister for Health, Dr Sagheer Ahmed at the prize distribution after the final.

Wapda earned a purse of Rs150,000 and runners-up trophy while Punjab Colours got richer by Rs100,000 and third position trophy.

This is for the first time in the history of national junior hockey championship that cash prizes were given to top three teams by Sindh.

The ceremony was attended among others by Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Rana Mujahid, Karachi Hockey Association president Wasay Jalil, secretary Farooq Khan, former Olympians Islahuddin Siddiqui, Manzoor-ul-Hasan, Iftikhar Syed, Qamar Ibrahim, Mussadiq Hussain, Khalid Bashir, Sindh Hockey Association president Shahid Ali Khan, and secretary Ramzan Jamali.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2014