Laiba Ijaz wins first individual gold for KP in Quaid-e-Games squash

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 at Mussif Squash
Complex, Jinnah Stadium Islamabad 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.