Army overall winners in national archery

Ziaul Islam PESHAWAR: Army on Wednesday clinched overall title at the National Archery Championship by grabbing 152 points here at the Peshawar Sports Complex. Wapda failed to defend title and stood second with 100 points. Punjab bagged third position in the championship while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa failed to win any medal in the event. Army team was declared the overall winner with three gold and as many silvers and two bronze medals in the championship. Wada grabbed two gold and as many silver medals while Punjab could only managed to win two bronze. Nadeem Junior of Army won the men’s individual event with a record score of 588 points by shooting eleven times (10-pointer), thirteen times (9- pointer) and seven times (8- pointer). In the team event, Army archers Nadeem Junior, Nadeem Ahmad and Tayyab scored a total of 152 points and won the gold. Wapda won silver while bronze medal went to Punjab. Nadeem Junior also helped Army win the team event. His individual scores in the team event were 76. Nadeem also shared mixed team title with his fellow archers and helped Army win overall title in the championship. Nadeem and Tayyab of Army won silver and bronze medals in the men’s individual event. In the women’s individual category, Nighat Khan from Wapda won gold medal by scoring 519 points. Sumbal Zubair of Army won silver while international archer Umm-e-Zahra of Army secured bronze medal. Nighat Khan of Wapda, Army’s Sadaf and Aqsa from Punjab won gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the women’s team event. Nadeem Junior and Sumbal of Army bagged gold medal in the mixed while Nighat and Nouman of Wapda won silver medal. Bronze medal went to Saira and Arsalan of Punjab. Pakistan Olympic Association President Lt. Gen (r) Arif Hassan was the chief guest on the occasion. Former Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah, Fata Olympic Association President Shahid Khan Shinwari, Director Sports Pakistan Sports Board Coaching Centre Mumtaz Ahmed Nadeem, Pakistan Archery Federation Secretary Wisal Khan, officials, players and a large number of spectators were also present there. Later, the chief guest gave away medals and trophies to the winners and runners-up.