KARACHI: Brilliant Duaa Khalid scored two fine goals as Karachi Women’s hockey team beat Jacobabad Women’s hockey team 4-0 in an exhibition match here at the Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) Sports Complex ground on Wednesday.

The match was held under the auspices of Karachi Hockey Association in collaboration with Sindh Department of Sports and Youth Affairs,

Center forward Duaa was in great form and made the difference with her fine scoring skills and dribbling and was well supported by Fatima and Batool who scored one goal each. Karachi women’s hockey team tightened its grip on the match by scoring three goals in the first quarter itself that nearly decide the fate of the match.

Although the Jacobabad women’s hockey team came back strongly in the second quarter and attacked the opponents repeatedly, but they failed to find the net as Karachi full back and goalie thwarted the attacks. In the , third and fourth quarters of the match, both teams played fast hockey and tried their best to score against each other but the end result was 4-0 in Karachi’s favour.

A large number of spectators were present on the ground and cheered both the teams. Duaa Khalid was declared Woman of the Match for her excellent performance.

Bangul Mahar announces blue turf, digital scoreboard for sports complex

Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Sports Bangul Khan Mahar was the chief guest and was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at the ground by Secretary KHA Haider Hussain, Chairman KHA Gulfraz Ahmed Khan and Patron of Karachi Women Hockey Association Dr. Asma Ali Shah.

Later, Bangul distributed the prizes among the teams and players. He was accompanied by Provincial Minister and Chairperson of Karachi Hockey Association Women’s Wing Syeda Shehla Raza, KHA Patron General Arifullah Hussaini, former national Captain and Olympian Hanif Khan, Olympian Samiullah and Secretary Sports Imtiaz Ali Shah and Chief Engineer Aslam Mahar from the Sports Department Government of Sindh.

Bangul Khan Mahar announced to build a digital scoreboard in addition to laying of blue astro turf and to build a four star hostel at the Karachi Hockey Association ground. Minister Shehla Raza said that KHA is the only hockey association which is encouraging women by organizing regular women’s hockey events. “Inshallah, the Government of Sindh will continue to fully support the KHA,” she said. KHA Patron General Arifullah Hussaini said that KHA is encouraging the players from the grassroots.

Later, KHA Secretary Haider Hussain thanked all the distinguished guests and said: “We are always grateful for the cooperation of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and Sardar Bangul Khan Mahar and his Secretary Sports Imtiaz Ali Shah for their untiring efforts for the development of sports in the province and in the metropolis.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2020