PESHAWAR
Winning the National Badminton Championship for a record five times, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa promising international badminton player Murad Ali along with other players part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contingent Friday honored here at Wadood Hall, Qayyum Sports Complex.
The honoring reception was organized by the two international coaches Muhammad Nadeem Khan and Hayat Ullah along with other players. The reception was also attended by former World Champion Jansher Khan, Director General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khalid Khan, former Hockey Olympian Rahim Khan, former World No. 8 Ehsanullah, Secretary KP Badminton Association Haji Amjad Khan, players and spectators were also present.
The Provincial Badminton Association extended full support to the coaches both financially and morally for holding the reception in the honor of Murad Ali, after winning the DHA National Badminton Championship.
Besides Murad Ali, the players of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the U15, U17 and U19 category and Team event got position against top teams of Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and other provinces and departmental teams.
Director General Sports KP Khalid Khan, Jansher Khan, Rahim Khan garlanded all the position holders players. They also distributed prizes to the successful players. Former World Squash Champion Jansher Khan, Former Olympian Rahim Khan, Former Squash World No. 8 Ehsanullah and Director Development Saleem Raza were also present.
On this occasion, Khalid Khan said that the success of these players has brightened the name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and it is hoped that these players will also brighten the name of this province and country at the international level.
Fahad Khan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won the title by defeating Amir Hassan Janjua (Islamabad) in the final of the U15 category. Zaid of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also won the title by defeating Malik Ghasif (Punjab) in the under 17 category. Afnan and Hamza defeated Raja Hassan and Saad Amir in the doubles and won the team event.
Similarly, in the men’s singles, Murad Ali from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won the title by defeating Muqit Tahir (WAPDA) in the final of the team event and secured the second position. For the first time in the history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the badminton team reached the final of the team event. The Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Badminton Association thanked the Director General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khalid Khan and the President of the Olympic Association Syed Aqil Shah for their support.
