PESHAWAR: WAPDA and Punjab have secured their places in the final of the 61st National Table Tennis Championship after impressive performances in the semi-finals held at the Peshawar Sports Complex on Wednesday.
In the first semi-final, WAPDA defeated hosts Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in a competitive contest to qualify for the title clash. Senior player Asim Qureshi led from the front, beating Osman 3-1 in a strong display. WAPDA continued their dominance in the remaining matches and comfortably sealed the tie 3-0 to move into the final.
The second semi-final saw Punjab face Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL). Punjab claimed a 3-1 victory after a spirited battle. Awais gave Punjab an early advantage by defeating Irtiza in straight games. OGDCL fought back when Hadi overcame Taimoor in the second singles match. However, Punjab regained control as Abu Huraira defeated Rehan in the third match. Taimoor then confirmed Punjab’s place in the final with a straight-games win over Irtiza in the reverse singles.
Provincial Minister for Sports Taj Muhammad Khan Trand attended the event as chief guest. He praised the players for their excellent performances and highlighted the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government’s commitment to promoting sports in the province. He said talented athletes are being provided with improved facilities, scholarships, and financial rewards to encourage their growth.
Officials of the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. At the end of the event, the minister met with players from different regions and appreciated their dedication to the sport.
The final between WAPDA and Punjab will be played on Thursday, promising an exciting showdown for the national title.
