PESHAWAR, Mar 31 (APP):Spirited Kohat recorded a thumping victory in the opening match of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inter-Divisional Basketball Championship, which got under way here at Qayyum Sports Complex on Sunday.
Director General Sports KP Junaid Khan was the chief guest on this occasion who formally inaugurated the Championship in which teams from Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat, Mardan, Hazara, Malakand and Peshawar are taking part. President KP Basketball Association Muhammad Faqir Awan, former international basketball player and Director Sports PSB Din Muhammad Director, Development Niamat Ullah Khan Marwat, former international basketball player and Secretary KP Basketball Association Raj Mir Khan, players, officials and large number of spectators were also present in the newly habilitated basketball court in Qayyum Sports Complex. The court was almost damaged because of the construction work and was non-functional since 2012 but thanks to DG Sports Junaid Khan for re-activating the court by developing its new surface besides installation of new basketball polls and construction of sitting area around the court.
Muhammad Faqir Awan, hailing from District Kohat, appreciated for the re-activating the court in the heart of Qayyum Sports Complex with a new look. It took eight-years as the court did not hold any basketball activities since 2012, Faqir Awan added.
He also lauded the Directorate of Sports KP for the construction of basketball courts in all newly constructed grounds across the province. He said with the steps it would help in promoting the games across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and good talent would be come up at national and international levels.
He said a total of 19 districts are currently affiliated with KP Basketball Association but it is mandatory to hold a Divisional Basketball Championship, therefore, they are holding the Championship on divisional level.
He said according to form of the game, two of the top teams would qualify for the forthcoming National (B-Grade) Divisional Basketball Championship to be organized in Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad from April 10 under the aegis of Pakistan Basketball Federation.
Two top teams would be qualified out of the National Divisional B-Grade Basketball Championship to the A-grade, Faqir Awan said. The Championship, he said, would continue for three-days before final and prize distribution ceremony.
All the eight teams have been divided into two groups A and B with Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu and Kohat in the group-A and Dera Ismail Khan, Malakand, Hazara and FARA in the group-B. The Championship is being played on single league basis with two teams from each pool would qualify for semi-finals and the winner of group-A will play against the runners-up of Group-B while the winner of group-B will face the runners-up of group-A in the first and second semi-finals before the final and third position match.
Earlier, in the opening match Kohat defeated Bannu by 44-39 points in a thrilling match. For Kohat Ifnan and Javed were the top contributors while for Bannu Ali and Shayan Khan were the main points takers.
In the other matches Peshawar beat Mardan by 92-45. For Peshawar Rizwan, Faisal Bakhtiar, Muhammad and Wahab were the main contributors and for Mardan Irfan, Ihsan Ullah and Barkat Ullah were the main points takers.
Malakand stunned Dera Ismail Khan by 53-44,Hazara beat FATA 45-39, Mardan upset Bannu 45-40 in thrilling matches. Peshawar beat Kohat 72-40, FATA beat Dera Ismail Khan by 67-56, while Hazara upset Malakand 76-56. Now Hazara will face Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar will clash against Bannu, Mardan will play against Kohat and FATA will face Malakand on Monday (April 1).
Speaking on this occasion, Director General Sports KP Junaid Khan announced Rs. 50,000 for the winners, Rs. 30,000 for the runners and Rs.20, 000 cash prizes for the third position holder.
He said he is ensured basketball facilities in every new playing field all across KP looking after the exiting talent of the game in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and merger tribal districts. He said it has also ensured that the courts would be equipped with all modern day facilities means meeting all requirements of international standard.
