KARACHI: It was a treat to watch the final of the Jinnah Day All-Karachi Inter-district Hockey Tournament as curtains fell on the 12-day event at the KHA Sports Complex on Friday under floodlights with District East winning top honours by recording a solitary goal victory over District Malir.

Naushad Ali scored the all-important goal in the dying moments of the keenly contested title clash.

It was indeed a good effort of Karachi Hockey Association (KHA), Sindh Rangers and sponsors who contributed their share to revive the national game at the grassroots level as it has witnessed a slump for well over a decade.

The recent showings of both senior and junior national teams in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy and the Junior World Cup has put the heads down of former Olympians, internationals and lovers of the game.

District East, who are also reigning Sindh Inter-district champions, received winning purse of Rs0.6million and a trophy while the runners-up fetched Rs0.3 million.

Abdul Wahab of District West won the best player of the tournament award while Abdul Rafay and Nouman Khanzada, both from District East, won best goalkeeper and top scorer award, respectively. All three were presented with brand new motorcycles.

The best player of the final award went to Naushad.

DG Rangers Sindh Maj Gen Iftikhar Hassan Chau­dhary, who witnessed the final for some time, gave away the prizes along with other dignitaries.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2021