KARACHI: Maj. Rana Shabbir Sharif 9ners carved out 7-4 victory over Rashid Minhas 9ners in the opening match that marked the inauguration of the international Nishan-i-Haider 9ners hockey tournament at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

History of sorts was created with the hosting of the first-ever 9ners international tournament and it is yet to be seen that whether it is one off event or will be an annual fixture.

The winners first overcame a two-goal deficit to win 4-2 in a penalty shootout followed by 3-2 triumph in the regulation time.

According to format, one point will be awarded to the team that will wins the penalty shootout and three for winning the match in regulation time. One point each will be awarded for a draw in regulation time.

Nohaiz Malik, Faizan, Amir Ali and Mohammad Naveed scored once in the shootout for the winners as Rana Sohail wasted the opportunity after M. Dilber and Wasim Aslam had given their team a 2-0 lead.

Rana Sohail struck two goals in the 12th and 24th minutes while Nohaiz Malik scopped the other goal to steer their team to victory.

Dilber and Kashif Javaid reduced the deficit in the 24th and 32nd minutes respectively.

Meanwhile, the PHF has revised the draws for the second time in two days. Maj Mohammad Akram 9ners were supposed to face L/N Mohammad Mehfooz 9ners in the opening match according to draws that were first revised on Tuesday.

The match was, however, changed and according to organisers, the draws have been revised for the second time.

At the outset, the director general Rangers Sindh, Maj Gen Mohammad Saeed, formally declared the tournament open. National anthem was played and pigeons were released in the air. The chief guest also unveiled the glittering trophy of the tournament besides playing a shot.

Accompanied by the Sindh Sports Minister, Sardar Mohammad Bux Khan Meher and the Pakistan Hockey Federation president, retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, he took salute of the 11 competing teams and posed for a photograph.

Elder brother of the late Rashid Minhas, Anjum Minhas, was also present on the occasion.

The DG Rangers also watched the opening match of the event which concludes on Oct 11.

Foreign goalkeepers led their respective teams in the march past.

Speaking on the occasion the DG Rangers applauded the efforts of the PHF for taking the initiative of holding Nishan-i-Haider hockey tournament.

He expressed optimism that hosting of the event will go a long way in florishing the national game across the country.

Maj Gen Saeed assured to lend full support as far as security and other aspects are concerned in future also.

He also welcomed the foreign players for coming all the way to Pakistan and at the same time asked the youth of the metropolis to promote healthy activities in the city.

The PHF chief also spoke on the occasion.

A large number of former Olympians including the PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed, Islahuddin, Qamar Ibrahim, Kamran Ashraf, Iftikhar Syed, Jahangir Butt, ex-international Safdar Abbas, KHA president Dr Junaid Ali Shah and secretary Haider Hussain were also present.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2017