LAHORE: Tayyab Aslam and Maria Toor emerged champions in the first SNGPL National Jashan-e-Azadi Squash Championships at the Punjab Squash Complex here on Monday.

Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited’s Tayyab fought off Farhan Zaman of the Pakistan Air Force in the five-game men’s singles final. Despite winning the first two games, Tayyab faltered in the next two before winning the final one to triumph with a scoreline of 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 12-10.

The title-decider lasted 65 minutes.

Former Pakistan No 1 Maria Toor of Wapda had an easy sailing against Higher Education Commission’s Faiza Zafar as she won the women’s crown in the straight games 11-9, 11-9, 11-8.

Maria was a winner in just 24 minutes on the court as Faiza could not matched her speed, skill and stamina.

Tayyab after winning the title told media that he was happy over winning the title, as last time he could not play it due to injury.

“Now I am fit and did lot of hard work which paid off,” he said. “Farhan staged a brilliant comeback in the final and caused problems for me but I hung on,” he said.

Maria, meanwhile, congratulated the nation for the Independence Day before saying she would be more focused to win more titles and regain the top ranking.

She added it was a very good effort of the Punjab Squash Association to organise a wonderful tournament and such events should be held regularly.

Maria observed the sizeable number of women taking part in the tournament was a very good sign and she also advised the women to remain focus on education as well as sport.

The managing director of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Amjad Latif, distributed the prizes.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2017