Hanzala, Mahoor close National Games
Hanzala, Mahoor close National Games: As the curtain fell on Pakistan’s grandest sporting carnival, two names were etched in light: Hanzala Butt and Mahoor Shahzad. One dominated with sheer power, the other with seasoned grace, leading a parade of champions on the National Games’ final day.
A Giant’s Footsteps, A Brother’s Dream
At the YMCA Scouts Auditorium, the air hummed with anticipation. Then, Hanzala Dastagir Butt made it still. With a focus that silenced the crowd, the Wapda weightlifter in the 110kg category turned barbells into feathers. Snatch: 157kg. Clean & Jerk: 193kg. Total: 350kg. Gold was his, not won, but claimed.
“I take inspiration from him,” Hanzala said of his brother, Commonwealth champion Nooh. “That one day I’ll also win a medal for Pakistan at that stage, and set a new record.” His victory anchored Wapda’s weightlifting triumph—a moment of pure joy for coach Ali Aslam, whose own lifting career was cut short by injury. “Our win makes me really happy,” he beamed, praising the fierce competition. “It’s a huge deal.”
The Champion’s Juggling Act
On the badminton court, a different kind of strength was on display. Mahoor Shahzad, the event’s poster athlete and a new mother, fought back from a game down to clinch her third National Games women’s singles gold. For her, defeating Army’s Alja Tariq was one challenge; balancing a 18-month-old daughter with elite training is another.
“I made my comeback a bit quicker,” Mahoor admitted, a champion navigating the most personal of comebacks. Meanwhile, in a tense all-Wapda men’s final, Irfan Saeed staged a dramatic comeback, sealing his win with a controversial line call. “I think I was destined to win today,” said the 33-year-old, now setting his sights on LA 2028.
Army’s Dominion: A Red Wave Across the Arena
While stars shone individually, Pakistan Army mounted a collective takeover as the day progressed.
- Badminton: They broke Wapda’s streak, sweeping the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles gold.
- Table Tennis: They commanded the overall trophy, with Hoor Fawad and Ahmad Sajid claiming dramatic singles victories.
- Shooting & Field: Army sharpshooters like Farrukh Nadeem secured golds, while their baseball team edged Wapda 9-7 in a nail-biter.
- Hockey Glory: In a classic clash, Army seized the men’s hockey title 2-1 over Navy, with Mohammad Owais netting the decisive goal.
Echoes of Triumph, A Fraternity United
Elsewhere, victories echoed for other forces. PAF’s Samad Khan headed home a legendary goal to secure football gold, dreaming of a national team call-up. Punjab found glory in table tennis doubles, and Navy sharpshooters like Aqib Latif challenged Army’s shooting supremacy.
As the lights dim on the competitions, the scale of the event itself becomes the final headline. “Nothing is bigger than the National Games for the sporting fraternity of Pakistan,” declared POA President Arif Saeed. With 11,000 athletes converging, this was more than a tournament—it was a nation’s sporting heartbeat, pounding with the promise of future Olympians and the unified cry of competition. The curtain has fallen, but the legacy of this grand stage is just beginning.
