Hasham Hadi becomes youngest Pakistani champion at 31st National Scrabble Championship
The 2019 Signature Pen Pakistan/National Scrabble Championship concluded successfully with Hasham Hadi Khan taking home the trophy this time at Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi.
The 14 year old, Hasham Hadi Khan was the sole player who dominated his entire game and did not leave any space for the opponent to come forward of him. He maintained his grip throughout which resulted in him winning the title for the very first time after emerging winner in 21 of his 27 games and taking home the victory of this National championship. He know stands as the youngest Pakistani champion.
However, the stunning display was of Junior World champion of 2013, Moiz Ullah Baig, who was defending his title in this championship but this time, it proved to be one of his worst game performances of all time as he finished at 8th spot, to which he accepted his bad display of game and congratulated the title winner in a Facebook post that said,
"I am confused - either to be sad on my worst ever performance (8th position) at the National championship in the last 5 years and not defending my title or to be happy that someone who was under my mentor-ship for the past few months made history and became the youngest ever Pakistan Champion at age 14! I am choosing to be happy because his win is my achievement. Congratulations, Hasham Hadi Khan! You are an inspiration for thousands of kids out there. P.S. I won't pardon you for the 3 times you beat me in the tournament."
Seven times National champion and Pakistan No. 1, Waseem Khatri claimed the second spot with winning seven of his remaining games while Danial Sanaullah, elder brother of former champion, Sohaib Sanaullah settled for the third position.
Muhammad Inshal ended up 4th while Hasham Hadi’s twin sibling, Hammad Hadi finished 5th.
Associate Professor and Program Director CED, IBA, Dr Shahid Qureshi was the chief guest who witnessed the games being contested and later awarded the winners and participants with prizes and certificates.
This championship was organized by Pakistan Scrabble Federation (PSA) into the current year, which marked its 31st successful edition and featured as many as 44 much talented and skilled players from all over the nation. These Players were seen competing with their full knowledge so as to earn tops honors in this three-day championship.
Participating players were: Waseem Khatri , Moiz Baig, Hassan Hadi, Hammad Hadi, Imaad Ali, Sohaib Sanaullah, Rashid Khan, Hasham Hadi, Daniyal Sanaullah, Javed Shamim, Ahad Riaz, Mohammad Inayatullah, Ali Rashid, Mirza Taha, Anwar Siddiqui, Ahmed Salik, Mustafa Altaf, Hassan Ali, Shahzaib Khatri, Hamza Naeem, Hassan Binarshad, Fahim Naqvi, Basil Khan, Absar Mustajab, Monis Khan, Nasir Altaf, Waseem Baig, Abbas Shabbir, Abdul Wahid , Nasir Mehmood, Usman Shaukat, Foaad Sami, Saim Waqar, Ali Wasif, Abdul Mateen, Saim Usmani, Saleem Karim, Salha Khatri, Aun Murtaza, Muzammil Asim, Momina Riaz, Noor Shaukat, Aehzam Ahmed and Shehryar Hassan.
