Muqadas of Wapda wins National Red Crescent Squash title

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: International Muqadas Ashraf of Pakistan Wapda clinched the 3rd edition of the National Red Crescent Women Squash Championship title after defeating her strong rival Noor Ul Ain Huda of Sui Northern Gas in the final played at PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex on Sunday.

Country Manager Pakistan Red Crescent Society Lt. Gen (Retd) Muhammad Hamid Khan was the chief guest on this occasion and witnessed the final. Head of the International Relief Agency (IRA) Maqbool Ali Khan, Saeed Ahmad of NBP, former World Champion Qamar Zaman, PAF Squash Academy Head Coach Atlas Khan, Executive Member KP Squash Association and head of Blue Tone Squash Academy Wazir Gul, officials, players and spectators were also present.

The final match was started on slow pace and both Muqadas Ashraf and Noor Ul Ain Huda of SNGPL played rallies game but soon it took momentum when both attacking each other. It was the first set in which both were tied at 4-4, 6-6, 8-8 and 9-all before Muqadas won the set by 11-9.

Throughout the Championship Muqadas, who had two year training and coaching assignment in Iran, recently won the DG Ranger National Women Squash Championship, played very fast game by putting Noor in the back of the court.

Muqadas Ashraf, recently represented Pakistan in the International squash event in UK, got the second set by 11-8. The set was twice tied at 5-5 and 8-8. Noor Ul Ain Huda played well in the set and despite taking five point lead in the very outset of the set but Muqadas did not give her time to settle down and speeded it away by taking the second set 11-8.

When leading by 2-0 at the sets points, Muqadas was struggling in the second third set when Noor Ul Ain Huda got the lead of almost 2-7 points but she played with full determination and staged a strong comeback by leveling the tally 7-7. This time again Noor took the lead of reaching at 7-9 but Muqadas has a two golden points of consecutive nicks succeeded in leveling the tally 9-9 before taking the set by 11-9.

Speaking on this occasion, Lt. Gen (Retd) Muhammad Hamid Khan lauded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Squash Association for holding the Championship for the women, twice in the current month. Earlier KP Squash Association organized the Bank of Khyber National Women Squash Championship.

Lt. Gen Muhammad Hamid Khan said that Pakistan Red Crescent Society has always looked forward and supported healthy sports activities. He also announced that from next year, hopefully the players from Asia would also be invited. He also urged upon the private sectors to come and play their due role and support the youth in healthy sports activities.

Lt. Gen (Retd) Muhammad Hamid Khan expressed the hope that both female and male players would do their hard work for achieving the lost glory again in the game of squash. He also paid rich tribute to legendary squash players who served the country and achieved name and fame for Pakistan in the world of squash.

At the end, he also announced of doubling the cash prizes for the players from Rs. 01. million to Rs. 0.2 million besides awards trophies. A total of 32 female from all across Pakistan took part.