ISLAMABAD: In a protest over unpaid dues, Sindh had planned to defend their National Women’s Netball Championship title barefoot and without their official kits.

Four days later, and after Pakistan Netball Federation’s (PNF) timely intervention forced Sindh to cancel that plan, they retained their title in thrilling fashion after overcoming Pakistan Army 28-27 in a pulsating final here at the Hamidi Hall in Pakistan Sports Complex on Tuesday.

Having defeated Higher Education Commission (HEC) in last year’s final, Sindh players entered the championship this year deflated after being disowned by the Sindh Sports Department which refused to release a single penny for the champions.

According to the PNF, the members of the team were supposed to be given an amount of Rs5,000 each by the Sindh Sports Department — an amount which is yet to be given despite the directives of Chief Secretary Sindh.

The players were furious on the department’s discrimination of the netball players but the PNF officials intervened to provide them with the equipment to help the defending champions compete in a befitting manner.

Maybe that galvanised them and led by Qurat-ul-Ain, who scored 22 times in the final, they fought off a strong challenge from Army for whom Ayesha Dilshad scored 25 goals.

Ayesha scored four times in the first quarter with Qurat-ul-Ain getting on the score-sheet three times as both teams ended level at 4-4. Ayesha was inspirational again in the second quarter to help Army take a 9-8 lead going into the third.

But Sindh came back strongly with Qurat-ul-Ain scoring four times and Umama Qadri scoring thrice as they seized a 14-13 lead ahead of the final quarter.

Army tried to get back at their opponents with Ayesha scoring 12 times in the fourth quarter and Sumrian scored two goals but with Quart-ul-Ain and Umama in dazzling form, it was an effort in vain.

Qurat-ul-Ain responded to each of Ayesha’s goals with Umama getting another two to secure the title for Sindh.

She might have not inspired Army to the title but Ayesha finished as the top-scorer of the tournament with 110 goals, edging rival Quarat-ul-Ain who scored 97 times throughout the event.

In the third-position match, Sadaf inspired Higher Education Commission (HEC) to a 26-7 victory over Punjab.

As chief guest, Punjab Netball Association president Syed Sheharyar Ali presented the players with the trophies, medals and certificates with the winners also receiving a cash award of Rs50,000. Army received Rs30,000 while HEC were given Rs20,000.

Tournament’s All Stars: Ayesha Dishad (Army, Highest Shooter), Umama Qadri (Sindh, Best Goal Shooter), Quratul Ain (Sindh, Best Goal Attack), Nirma (Army, Best Wing Attack), Nayab (Sindh, Centre), Masoom (Army, Best Wing Defence), Hina Rafique (Sindh, Best Goal Defence), Samia (HEC, Best Goal Keeper).

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2015

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