Pakistan Army conquer Air Force to claim National Kabaddi crown
By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan Army ascended the throne of Pakistani kabaddi, defeating Pakistan Air Force (PAF) 41-31 to secure the Inter-Departmental National Kabaddi Championship title.
The historic dust of Faisalabad provided the perfect backdrop for the tournament, organized by the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) in a successful collaboration with local sports associations.
The event brought together the nation’s premier departmental powerhouses, including WAPDA, Police, POF Wah, HEC, and ASF, but it was the showdown between the “Soldiers” and the “Airmen” that stole the spotlight.
The final was far more than a physical contest; it was a chess match played on the sand. While the Air Force displayed remarkable agility and spirit, the Pakistan Army’s superior strategizing ultimately tipped the scales.
Under the expert tutelage of coaches Muhammad Salman Jutt, Faisal Qadeer, and Muhammad Naseer, the Army side executed a disciplined game plan. Their raiders found gaps with clinical precision, while their defenders formed an impenetrable wall, stifling the PAF’s momentum in the closing stages of the match to finish with a commanding 10-point lead.
Earlier in the day, the battle for the bronze saw WAPDA assert their dominance over the Higher Education Commission (HEC). In a one-sided affair, WAPDA’s seasoned veterans overwhelmed the collegiate side with a final score of 39-21, ensuring their place on the podium.
The grand finale was graced by Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Rana Sanaullah, who served as the Chief Guest. Accompanied by Colonel Nabeel Ahmed Rana (Secretary Army Fitness and Sports Directorate), the Minister lauded the high level of athleticism on display.
“Kabaddi is the heartbeat of our rural sports culture, and seeing it played at this professional level by our departments is truly inspiring,” the Minister remarked during the prize distribution ceremony.
As the trophy was hoisted by the Army squad amidst a roaring Faisalabad crowd, the message was clear: the standard of departmental kabaddi in Pakistan has reached a new peak, with the Army now firmly established as the team to beat.
Tournament Standings:
Champions: Pakistan Army
Runners-up: Pakistan Air Force
Third Place: WAPDA
