LAHORE: Fahad Khawaja and Haiqa Hassan emerged as the new national champions after winning their respective finals of the 57th National Table Tennis Champ­ionships here at the Nishter Sports Complex on Thursday.

Though 144 men featured in the tournament, the men’s singles final was all about brothers Fahad and Umam Khawaja, both from Wapda. Elder brother Fahad faced some resistance from his younger one before completing an 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 5-11, 6-11, 16-14 victory.

Fahad made a good start winning the first two games quite easily but he faltered and lost the next two as the scoreline read 2-2.

However, Fahad again touched his top form and this time he left nothing for Umam, clinching the remaining two games and the title.

Meanwhile, Army’s Haiqa Hassan outclassed Raheela Kashif of Wapda 4-1 (4-11, 13-11,11-6, 11-7, 11-6).

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2021