Faizan wins to deny Sri Lanka golden sweep
KARACHI: Hosts Pakistan earned some consolation when promising Faizan Zahoor clinched gold in cadet boys’ singles to deny formidable Sri Lanka a clean sweep as the curtain fell on the four-nation South Asian Cadet and Junior Table Tennis Championships at the multi-purpose gymnasium of Habib Public School on Sunday.
The 13-year-old Faizan, a native of Kamalia in Punjab, brushed aside Sri Lankan Harshana Karadawala 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 in the final to bring joy on the faces of his team-mates and the home crowd.
The triumph also helped young Faizan to take a sweet revenge from Harshana, who powered to 3-2 victory in the deciding rubber of the cadet team event title battle the other day.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Faizan accounted for compatriot Ummam Khowaja 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8 while Harshana was home 12-10, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7 over Helitha Hendawitharana.
“I’m delighted that my efforts bore fruitful results for the country,” an elated Faizan told Dawn after the victory.
Faizan, who has been given employment by the Army at a monthly emolument of Rs12,000 recently disclosed that he had previously represented Pakistan at the similar event held at Islamabad in 2014 and Cadet and Junior Open at China.
The remaining three finals of the concluding day turned out to be an all-Sri Lankan affairs as the visitors raced to add three more golds to finish with befitting figures of 9-4-1 medals.
Hosts Pakistan finished runners-up with 1-3-6 medals while Maldives had to be content with third position with 0-2-5 medals. Nepal finished at the bottom with 0-1-7 medals.
Imasha De Silva struggled to defeat Thanushi N. Rodrigo 8-11, 11-4, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7 to capture cadet girls singles crown.
The junior boys singles title ended in a blaze of glory for Udaya Ranasingha who handed 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 defeat to Krishan Wikkranarathna.
Chamathsara Fernando gave her country junior girls singles gold defeating Hansani Piumila 11-3, 15-13, 14-12, 11-7 in the final.
Manager of the visiting Sri Lankan team Mrs. Ashokamala Tennekoon expressed “satisfaction” on her team’s overall performance that topped the four-nation event.
She also praised Faizan, who did Pakistan proud by claiming gold in cadet boys category.