Karachi retain Sindh Games trophy

KARACHI: Braving the simmering heat and fighting against all odds due to massive mismanagement, Karachi’s athletes enabled the port city to retain the winners’ trophy after they finished the 17th Sindh Games with a whopping 126 gold medals here on Sunday.

This was the 17th straight time that Karachi were able to emerge as champions. Besides pocketing such a substantial number of gold medals in both the men’s and women’s sections Karachi also claimed 36 silver and 16 bronze in the four-day competition concluded at the PSB Coaching Centre.

Hyderabad finished overall second with 15 gold, 61 silver, and 46 bronze. Sukkur ended third with 12 gold, 20 silver and 51 bronze. They were followed by Mirpurkhas (7-18-43), Shaheed Benazirabad (6-11-39) and Larkano (4-25-24).

In the men’s section, Karachi won 81 gold, 24 silver, and 12 bronze. They were followed by Sukkur (11-14-29), Hyderabad (7-32-31), Benazirabad (6-10-31), Mirpurkhas (5-13-29) and Larkano (4-21-20). In women’s section Karachi led with 45 gold, 12 silver and four bronze medals. They were followed by Hyderabad (8-29-15), Mirpurkhas (2-5-14), Sukkur (1-6-22), Larkano (0-4-4) and Shaheed Benazirabad (0-1-8).

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah graced the closing ceremony and handed over trophies to the leading sides. Shaheed Benazirabad received the fair-play trophy.

Karachi’s athlete Esha was declared the best female athlete for grabbing five gold medals in the athletics competitions. Arbab Tanoli of Karachi was adjudged as the best male athlete for snaring two gold medals and one silver in athletics.

Esha has also been picked in the national junior side which will feature in the South Asian Junior Championship in Colombo early next month.The flag was also handed over to Larkana which will host the 18th Sindh Games. Speaking on the occasion Murad Ali Shah appreciated the efforts of the provincial sports ministry for organizing the event.

“We will continue to hold such events in future. The timing will also be taken into consideration as it should be held in such a weather which could enable the athletes to perform upto their potential,” the chief minister said.

“We held in Karachi the PSL final, hosted Pakistan-West Indies T20 tour, organized international hockey and football events. In future too we will try to provide ample opportunities to our youth so that besides education they could also prove themselves in sports as well,” Murad said.

Sindh Secretary Sports Dr Niaz Ali Abbasi and Sindh Sports Minister Sardar Mohammad Bux Mahar also spoke on the occasion.In the four-day extravaganza, which held after a lapse of six years, 3001 athletes and officials from six divisions of Sindh showed their worth. In the spectacle men’s athletes competed in 29 and female athletes showed their worth in 17 disciplines. As per official statistics, in men’s events Karachi won titles in 22 disciplines. In men’s Larkana won the T20 title and weightlifting. Sukkur lifted crowns in kodi kodi, malh, shootingball and wanjhwatti while Hyderabad won wrestling event. In female section, Karachi swept all the 17 titles.

Karachi also won both the men and women ju-jitsu events. In the men’s events Karachi (50 points) claimed five gold with Hyderabad ending second with 23 points which included one silver and three bronze.

Larkana finished third with 21 points which they got through two silver and one bronze. In the women’s section too Karachi topped the competitions with 53 points which they secured through four gold, one silver and one bronze. Hyderabad (49 points) gave tough time to Karachi, finishing second with two gold, three silver and one bronze. Sukkur wrapped-up the journey with 23 points which they got through one silver and three bronze.

Meanwhile on Saturday night in the women volleyball final Karachi defeated Hyderabad 3-0 here at the KPT Sports Complex. Benazirabad got third position. Karachi also won the men’s volleyball crown by beating Sukkur in the final at the same venue. Hyderabad claimed third position. Karachi also were crowned champions of the men’s throwball event after they overpowered Benazirabad 2-0 in the final held at the Nazimabad Mini Sports Complex. Suukur got third position after beating Hyderabad 2-1.

Similarly Karachi also lifted the women’s throwball title by edging Hyderabad 2-0 in the final. Larkana overwhelmed Sukkur 2-1 to secure third position.In netball too Karachi won both the men’s and women’s titles after beating Hyderabad in the finals. Mirpurkhas clinched third positions in both the events.