Sports Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan Customs defeated Punjab 2 by 3-1 to win the Under-18 Youth Hockey Championship final, organized by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) at Nasir Banda Hockey Stadium here on Sunday.

Pakistan Customs took a 1-0 lead into the half-time break and maintained strong pressure in the second half to register a convincing victory.

Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry was the chief guest on the occasion. Prominent former Olympians including Samiullah Khan, Hassan Sardar, and Khawaja Junaid also graced the final with their presence.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said:“Our young talent has the potential to restore Pakistan’s lost glory in hockey. The government is committed to providing full support to sports, especially hockey. We are also working on the promotion of departmental sports to strengthen the grassroots structure of the game.”

The minister congratulated the winning team and appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Hockey Federation for organizing the youth championship, saying such tournaments are vital for unearthing new talent.

Pakistan Customs players displayed excellent teamwork and finishing skills, while Punjab 2 fought hard but could not match their opponents’ clinical performance.

This victory is expected to boost the morale of departmental hockey teams and highlight the depth of emerging talent in Pakistan’s youth hockey.