Asim, Shabnam reclaim National TT titles

KARACHI: Veteran players Asim Qureshi and Shabnam Bilal reclaimed their men’s and women’s singles crowns respectively of the 54th National Table Tennis Championship which concluded here at the Majeed Khan Gymnasium at Islamia Club.

Both the winners have passed their prime and the way they regained their titles showed that the country lacks in solid stuff which could benefit the country in international circuit.This was the sixth title each from both the players of Wapda. Wapda pocketed six out of seven gold medals which were up for grab in the competitions.

In the men’s singles final Asim whacked young Swat-born Mohammad Rameez 4-2. Asim made a fine start when he lifted the first game 11-9. However at this stage Rameez fought back superbly, taking the next two games 11-6, 11-5 to take 2-1 lead. But all this did not deter the experienced Asim who staged a terrific comeback, winning the next two games 11-7, 11-7 to complete a fine win.

Shabnam, a former Habib Bank player, dethroned her teammate Ayesha Sharjeel in straight sets with the games scores being 11-6, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5. On Wednesday night in the men’s singles semifinal Asim defeated Hassan Haider of Railways 4-0 with the game score of 11-8, 11-3, 11-7, 11-3 while Rameez defeated Ubaid Shah of Army 4-2 with the game score of 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 16-14, 7-11, 12-10. Commissioner Karachi Ijaz Ahmed Khan graced the closing ceremony