Laiba Ijaz wins first individual gold for KP

Monitoring Desk

PESHAWAR: Promising Laiba Ijaz, the current Under-15 No. 1, clinched first individual gold medal for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Inter-Provincial Games being played here at Mussif Squash Complex, Jinnah Stadium on Tuesday.

Laiba Ijaz attributed her gold medal to former World Champion Qamar Zaman, who is running the KP Women Squash Academy with own resources in Jansher Khan Squash Complex under the supervision of Pakistan Air Force.

Laiba Ijaz defeated Nimra Aqeel, also from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the final by 3-1, the score was 11-6, 12-10 and 11-8. Laiba played well and did not give much chance to Nimra Aqeel to strike back. Laiba, who made the first upset of the squash event when she defeated top seed Sabgha of Punjab in the semi-finals by 11-3, 11-5 and 11-5 and beat another player from Gilgit-Baltistan Khatiba Ejas, also in straight sets, the score was 11-2, 11-5 and 11-5.

Talking to media men Laiba lauded President Pakistan Squash Federation Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force and Directorate General Sports KP Junaid Khan for enduring all out support to her.

Laiba said that she could win medal for Pakistan in the international events if provided international exposure. The female have potential but they have less opportunities of playing international matches.

In the last Quaid-e-Azam Games Laiba won bronze medal. Laiba is recently named for the Fakre Peshawar Award by the KP Govt.