ISLAMABAD: Dashing Sarah Mahboob added yet another feather to her crowded cap here on Thursday when she defeated talented Sara Mansoor in a well fought final to clinch the Subh-e-Nau National Ladies Tennis title at the PSB Tennis Courts.

Both the players displayed superb skills in a final that swung both ways in front of a sizeable crowd. However, Sarah in the end emerged winner by 6-3, 6-3 scoreline. She received Rs50,000 winners purse along with a memento and certificate. Runner-up Sara received Rs30,000 besides a memento and a certificate.

Earlier in the media singles final, Arif Mehmood of K2 TV won the title after beating Afzal Mahmood of BOL TV in a well-contested match. The winner received Rs15,000 while the runner up was awarded with Rs9,000. In the girls under-10 final, Zainab Ali Raja beat Esha Zia in straight sets.

Dr Fehmida Mirza, the Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC), was the chief guest on the occasion and distributed the prizes. as well as shields and certificates and mementoes among the players.

Fehmida appreciated Subh-e-Nau for holding the exclusive ladies tennis event and said that she was impressed with SN bearing the flag of women tennis in Pakistan. She said that sports are essential for everyone especially for females and “we need to promote women sports through all means of media and sponsorship.”

The minister emphasised that there is a need to build infrastructure for sports and revive the country’s sports culture. Chairperson Subh-e-nau Shahida Kausar Farooq thanked the IPC minister as well as all the players, officials and the sponsors for the successful event.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2018