Islamabad
National Bank has won the first ever Mari Petroleum Azadi Cup Hockey Tournament as the curtain fell on the biggest national hockey event since the pandemic on Sunday.
In an exciting final match National Bank won the match by 03 penalty shoots against 02 by WAPDA as both teams managed to score two goals each on completion of two halves.
The 1st Mari Petroleum Azadi Hockey Cup, organized by Mari Petroleum in partnership with the Pakistan Hockey Federation, commenced on 8th August 2021 at the Mari Hockey Stadium, Ayub Park in Rawalpindi.
This enthralling and fascinating competition featured 8 top-ranked national teams of Pakistan: WAPDA, National Bank of Pakistan, Sui Southern Gas Company, Pakistan Navy, Mari Petroleum Company Limited, Pakistan Air Force, Punjab and Pakistan Army, who competed for the prestigious trophy and the most lucrative prizes in domestic hockey history, sponsored by Mari Petroleum.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation had appointed Olympian Ayaz Mahmood as the tournament director with Rashid Butt as umpire manager and Asif Naz Khokhar as the tournament coordinator.
Dr Fehmida Mirza, Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination graced the final match as the Chief Guest.
In her speech, the minister lauded MPCL’s Management for their efforts to revive the game of field hockey in the Country while creating a sense of ownership and pride amongst the citizens during the tournament.
“It is very encouraging to see corporate sector organizations such as Mari Petroleum coming forward to help out our National Sport. With these sincere efforts, the day is not far when we will be in a position to regain our former glory in Hockey.
Mari Petroleum has set a very good example for other organizations by developing Mari Hockey Stadium.
I want to urge other private sector companies and entities to come forward and emulate the efforts undertaken by Mari Petroleum for the promotion of different sports in the Country.
I want to congratulate Mari Petroleum and all others who were involved in successfully organizing this excellent tournament and providing generous match awards for the players.” said the minister.
Mr. Faheem Haider, Managing Director/CEO of Mari Petroleum in his address said that Mari Petroleum plays a pivotal role in ensuring the food security of Pakistan as around 90% of urea production in the Country is based on MPCL supplied gas.—PR
