PESHAWAR: Haripur, Bannu, Abbottabad and Malakand advanced to the next round after recording victories against their rivals in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inter-district Women’s Badminton Championship which got under way here on Thursday at the Wadood Hall, Qayyum Sports Complex.

In the opening match Haripur defeated Lakki Marwat 2-0 with Aysha Khan defeating Kausar 3-0 (score 21-19, 21-17, 21-19) while the duo of Amina and Aysha beat Ronila and Roheena 3-1 in the doubles with score being 21-23, 21-17, 21-19, 21-16.

Bannu recorded victory against Swat in other match. Khatija registered 3-0win against Swat’s Rena with score being 21-19, 21-18, 21-14. Also the pair of Zeba and Saba defeated Farzana and Rena 3-0 in the doubles 21-16, 21-18, 21-15.

In the third match, Abbottabad stunned Dera Ismail Khan 3-0 with Uroosa beating Bela Khan 3-1 (score 13-21, 21-19, 21-17, 21-18). Although Uroosa lost the first set but she staged a comeback before marching to victory. In the doubles, Alia and Muniza duo beat Taskeen and Fara 3-0 with score 21-19, 21-18, 21-19.

Also, Nowshera secured 3-0 victory against Malakand before Shazia beat Wajiha 3-0 (score 21-17, 21-17 and 21-19) with Pari and Shazai duo losing to Saima and Khatijah in a marathon five sets battle with score 15-21, 21-23, 21-19, 21-18 and 21-16.

Members Provincial Assembly Aysha Naeem and Naseem Hayat graced the occasion as chief guests who formally inaugurated the championship in which a total of 14 districts are taking part. Organising secretary Rahim Bibi, Najma Qazi, acting director general Tariq Mehmood, Director Women Games Rashida Ghaznavi, officials, players and a large number of spectators were also present.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2015

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