Islamabad (SBR): Mixed Martial Arts sport has been included in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 for the first time, and Pakistan has become an official participant in this historic event.On this occasion, the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) has selected Pakistan’s top-ranked and experienced MMA referee, Abu Huraira, as an International Technical Official (ITO)/Referee for the MMA competitions at the Asian Games. This selection is not only an honor for Pakistan but also international recognition of the standards and capabilities of the country’s MMA refereeing.At the same historic event, Asim Khan will represent Pakistan as the first Pakistani MMA athlete at the Asian Games, while Dilawar Khan Sanan will serve as Team Official for the Pakistan MMA team.PMMAF President Zulfiqar Ali expressed pleasure over Pakistan’s historic participation in the Asian Games and particularly over Abu Huraira’s selection as an official, offering him heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.He said: “The inclusion of MMA in the Asian Games and Pakistan’s representation as both athlete and official is a historic achievement for Pakistani mixed martial arts. This honor will open new avenues for Pakistan’s young MMA athletes and officials.” He prayed for the success of Abu Huraira, Asim Khan, and Dilawar Khan Sanan.

162,000 footballs to be distributed among students, Scheme to kick off in January 2027Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation has formally launched the FIFA Football for Schools programme in Pakistan, targeting three million students through 3,000 public schools as part of an ambitious strategy to expand grassroots participation and establish a stronger football culture across the country.More than 50 master trainers have completed their training under the guidance of FIFA instructors led by Antonio Buenano Sanchez, Senior Football for Schools Manager at FIFA. The launch event brought together senior PFF officials and representatives of FIFA, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and UNESCO.Speaking at the press conference, PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said the target of reaching three million students through 3,000 schools was a conservative estimate, with the PFF intending to expand well beyond those numbers. As part of the rollout, 162,000 footballs will be distributed across the schools.Acknowledging that infrastructure remains one of the biggest challenges facing football in Pakistan, Gilani said the programme was being introduced through public schools. FIFA developed the criteria for selecting schools and teachers, while school identification was carried out with the PFF’s partners, including the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and UNESCO.Gilani also underlined the role of teachers in making the initiative sustainable, describing them as new stakeholders, custodians and ambassadors for football in their communities. “Today is the last day of your course. Tomorrow is the first day of your mission,” he told the teachers and master trainers.Antonio Buenano Sanchez, Senior Football for Schools Manager at FIFA, said the programme had the potential to have a “massive” impact on Pakistan’s youth.Football for Schools has already benefited 154 countries, Sanchez said, with Pakistan now set to use a cascading model in which the more than 50 master trainers return to their districts and train additional teachers. This could create a network of around 450 trainers in a short period.FIFA will also provide educators access to the Football for Schools app in Urdu.“Talent is everywhere,” Sanchez said, stressing that children from every part of Pakistan should have the opportunity to develop their potential. With the right opportunities, he said, some could go on to represent Pakistan in the future.“But this needs the right processes, the right systems,” he added, reaffirming FIFA’s commitment to building those systems with the PFF.For PFF Chief Operating Officer Shahid Khokhar, the programme represents an opportunity to establish a stronger football culture in Pakistan and grow the country’s fan base, creating greater potential for the commercialisation and sustainability of the game.PFF Technical Director Adeel Rizki said the trained teachers had been empowered to return to their districts and train others, with the current rollout representing only the first stage.“This is the first stage, and we will slowly but surely increase the number of schools and districts that we are looking to bring into the programme,” Rizki said.He said the next major step would be the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), scheduled to launch in January 2027, which will introduce a structured system for identifying and developing age-group talent emerging from initiatives such as Football for Schools.Fuad Pashayev, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative in Pakistan, said football could be a powerful tool for youth development and social change, helping cultivate mental resilience and a sense of belonging. UNESCO will work with the PFF in 15 districts, using football to engage young people and promote social change.Andrei Vashkevich, Senior Member Associations Development Manager at FIFA’s Dubai Office, said Football for Schools was designed to establish the foundations of a country’s football system through mass participation at grassroots level. He welcomed the revival of football activity in Pakistan and reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to supporting the country’s football development.Syeda Amna Batool, MNA and Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, stressed the role of sport in developing children beyond the classroom and called for the programme to be genuinely inclusive, particularly by ensuring girls have opportunities to participate and develop through football.Through Football for Schools, children across Pakistan will have the opportunity to develop not only footballing ability but also confidence, resilience, friendship and leadership, while the programme lays the foundations for a broader and more sustainable football ecosystem.

RIYADH (Saudi Arabia): Following a competitive year for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) in the 2025/26 season, the league’s standout international stars have been recognised by France Football with the inclusion of the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) golden boot winner Julian Quinones and league champion Sadio Mane in the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.Mexico forward Quinones was the breakout star for the host nation at this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring the opening goal of the tournament in Mexico City, before following it up with a string of impressive performances - and three more goals - as his side reached the Round of 16.Quinones had carried his RSL form onto football’s global showpiece, underlining his remarkable ability to find the back of the net with Al Qadsiah, where he landed the league’s golden boot with 33 goals. With a hat-trick in the final day of the 2025-26 season, Quinones edged out fellow international stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney to secure the award.Referencing the Ballon d’Or nomination after he scored in Al Qadsiah’s 3-2 victory against Al Ahli on Tuesday night, Quinones said: “I’m very proud to have achieved this. I’ve worked hard for this moment and now it has happened.“God’s timing is always perfect. I just try to keep working hard, improving and being the best I can be.”Fellow RSL standout Mane played a pivotal role in Al Nassr’s 2025/26 RSL title triumph, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists as the Riyadh-based club secured its first league title since 2019. Mane also captained Senegal in two major tournaments, helping his nation reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and also the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Asked about his Ballon d’Or nod, Mane said following Al Nassr’s 2-1 home victory against Abha on Wednesday night: “The feeling is incredible. I would say thank you to the fans and, of course, to the journalists.“I know many players could have been on the list for sure, especially from the Saudi Pro League. But yeah, this is the vote. So I would say thank you again.”Also, two of the RSL premier shot-stoppers, Yassine Bounou of Al Hilal and Morocco, and Edouard Mendy of Al Ahli and Senegal, were nominated for the illustrious Lev Yashin trophy. Awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper in honour of Yashin’s 1963 Ballon D’Or victory - the only No. 1 in history to achieve the feat - the 2026 nominations were further evidence of the RSL’s emergence on the global football scene.Bounou enjoyed a stellar campaign with Al Hilal and his country, winning the domestic King’s Cup and reaching the final of the African Cup of Nations at international level. This is his fourth nomination for the prestigious trophy, with the 2023-24 RSL Golden Glove winner earning back-to-back recognition in 2025 and 2026 respectively.For Mendy, the Senegal goalkeeper earns his third nod for the award, following his remarkable year in which the Al Ahli captain captured the AFC Champions League Elite for the second straight season alongside his prize for the 2025-26 SPL’s Best Goalkeeper. PR

Islamabad (Sports News): Squash Media & Marketing (SMM) has renewed its agreement with Myco which will see over 20 tournaments on the PSA Squash Tour shown live on the channel throughout the 2026-27 season.The agreement kicked off with the London Squash Classic between September 2-6 and will run to the end of the season at the PSA Squash Tour Finals presented by TWG Global.The action will be broadcast by Myco in Bangladesh, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates."We're delighted to build on our partnership with Myco and bring the PSA Squash Tour to even more fans across Bangladesh, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates," said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough. "This renewed agreement reflects the continued growth of squash in these markets and gives fans access to the world’s best squash players and tournaments.“We look forward to working together closely over what promises to be another exciting season together.”Myco Co-Founder Somair Rizvi said: "Squash has deep roots across our markets, and with its Olympic debut coming in 2028, the world is about to rediscover a sport this region never stopped loving."Renewing with PSA across Pakistan, Bangladesh and the UAE is a promise to the players and the fans here that we will keep showing up for this game, season after season."

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Pakistan will participate in the forthcoming IBF Tenpin Bowling World Cup 2026, which will be rolled into action from October 12 at Munich, Germany. According to president, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF) Ijaz ur Rehman, as many as 47 countries from all over the world will take part in the men and women events including Australia, Austria,Bermuda, Canada, China,Croatia,Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France,Germany, Gibraltar,Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel,Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo,Kuwait, Latvia,Macau, Malaysia, Malta,Netherlands, Norway,Pakistan, Peru,Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia,Singapore, Slovakia,Spain, Sweden,Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan andWales.

Dubai (Sports Reporter): DP World International League Season 5 was officially launched at a dazzling event held in Dubai last evening. Cricketing icons Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar were among the star attractions at the event.During the event, Chairman ILT20 Khalid Al Zarooni and ILT20 League Commissioner/ICC Director Associates/General Secretary ECB Mubashshir Usmani spoke in depth about the DP World ILT20’s massive rise in recent years, especially the tournament’s contribution to the growth and expansion of cricket in the Gulf region.*Addressing the gathering, DP World ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni said:*“What began as a dream has grown into one of the world’s leading cricket leagues, bringing together top players and major franchises, while helping grow cricket in the UAE, the region and beyond.“I would like to thank our stakeholders, franchise owners, commercial and strategic partners for their continued support, with a special acknowledgement to DP World and Zee Network, as well as our strategic cricket partners Kuwait Cricket, the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation, the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Cricket Ireland. We are also delighted to welcome SPORTFIVE as a new commercial partner and look forward to another successful season.”During the event, a special panel discussion hosted by former New Zealand international Simon Doull brought together senior representatives from cricket, sport, business and government to discuss the evolving landscape and future of the game both in the region and globally.*The panel featured* Mubashshir Usmani, ILT20 League Commissioner, ICC Board Director and ECB General Secretary; Dr. Mohamed Abu Hamra, COO – Digital Technology, DP World GCC; Mr. Eisa Sharif, Director Sports Events, Dubai Sports Council; Mr. Mukund Galgali, Deputy CEO & CFO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises; Mr. Venu Nair, President – Middle East & South Asia, SportFive; and Mr. Tushar Malhotra, Global Director Sales & Marketing, Bisleri.Doull also hosted a panel discussion with Lee and Shoaib during the glittering launch event. The fast bowling legends spoke about the growing impact of the DP World ILT20 on UAE and regional cricket. The duo also reminisced about their playing days and shared memories in an era where they dominated the game through their blistering pace bowling.The evening also featured a spell-binding performance by celebrity mentalist Karan Singh Magic. The league also revealed the new brand identity for Season 5.Season 5 of the DP World ILT20 will be played in November-December this year at the UAE’s three iconic cricket venues – Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Desert Vipers will begin the tournament as defending champions. Past winners include: Gulf Giants - Season 1, MI Emirates - Season 2 and Dubai Capitals - Season 3.

Dubai (Sports Reporter): Sri Lanka batter Sonal Dinusha, England pace bowler Ollie Robinson and Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud feature on the men’s shortlist for the ICC Player of the Month award for August, while Thailand’s Suleeport Laomi and Nannapat Koncharoenkai are in contention for the women’s honour alongside Lucy Barnett, who becomes the first player from the Isle of Man to make the shortlist.The three players in the race for the men’s award this time have impactful performances in Test cricket. Dinusha was the find of the home series against India, Robinson continued his outstanding efforts in home conditions against Pakistan and Hasan helped his team to a historic win on Australian soil.The women’s shortlist shines the spotlight on Associate players who have delivered standout performances on the international stage. Laomi and Koncharoenkai boast performances in ODIs and T20Is including the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai while Barnett excelled in the Continental Cup in Romania.Men’s ShortlistSonal Dinusha (Sri Lanka)Dinusha was resolute in the ICC World Test Championship series against India, belying his experience of only three previous Tests. The 25-year-old left-hander amassed 420 runs including scores of 100 and 84 in the first Test in Galle that his team lost and produced scores of 103 and 133 not out to save the next Test in Colombo, becoming only the third batter in the history of the game to score twin-centuries for a team that was made to follow on.Ollie Robinson (England)Robinson was the Player of the Match in the first two Tests against Pakistan with match hauls of eight for 80 and eight for 35, helping England to take a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series. His outstanding seam bowling in English conditions saw him finish with 16 wickets at an average of 7.18, lifting him 22 slots to fifth position in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings.Hasan Mahmud (Bangladesh)Hasan was the Player of the Match in Bangladesh’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin that put them 1-0 up in the WTC series which was eventually drawn 1-1. He grabbed six for 55 and three for 56 in Darwin and gained 26 slots to reach 38th position in the rankings. He finished with nine wickets at an average of 19.77.Women’s shortlistSuleeporn Laomi (Thailand)The 28-year-old leg-spinner enjoyed success in both ODIs and T20Is during this period. She grabbed four ODI wickets including a haul of three for 27 in the final match of a series against Papua New Guinea that her side won 3-0 and started the Women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament with an impressive haul of three for 26 against India.Nannapat Koncharoenkai (Thailand)Koncharoenkai was the leading scorer in the T20I series against Papua New Guinea that was played in Port Moresby. She also contributed in the subsequent ODI series. She aggregated 121 runs at a strike-rate of 80.13 in ODIs and 144 at a strike-rate of 86.22 in four T20Is.Lucy Barnett (Isle of Man)Barnett, opener and captain of her side, amassed 257 runs at an average of 128.5 and an impressive strike-rate of 178.47 in four T20Is that included a knock of 123 not out off 64 balls against Norway. She was the leading run-scorer in the Continental Cup as her team reached the final. She supplemented her batting efforts with four wickets with her off-spin bowling.

Sports Bulletin ReportMUSCAT / ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Junior Hockey Team showcased a stellar performance to defeat Bangladesh 3-0 in their Pool B match of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2026, sealing a spot in the semifinals and securing qualification for the upcoming FIH Junior World Cup. Pakistan's Ghulam Mustafa was declared the Man of the Match for his standout play.The Green Shirts adopted an aggressive posture right from the opening whistle. Forward Rana Waleed put Pakistan in absolute control early on, displaying clinical precision to score two back-to-back field goals in the 9th and 12th minutes of the first quarter.Bangladesh mounted several counter-attacks in an attempt to stage a comeback, but Pakistan’s defense stood firm throughout the contest. In the 52nd minute of the final quarter, Ghulam Mustafa capped off a brilliant field move to slot home Pakistan’s third goal and seal a comprehensive victory.Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the national junior squad on their undefeated run, praise-worthy teamwork, and dual achievement of entering the semifinals and earning a berth in the FIH Junior World Cup. He extended his best wishes to the team for their upcoming semifinal clash.

Islamabad (faisal): Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on Wednesday announced a four-member female team for upcoming Billie Jean King Cup 2026.According to an official of PTF, federation (PTF) has completed the selection process of the National Team for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in October 2026. One reserve player also selected for international tennis showpiece.The trials were conducted at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad, on 7 and 8 September 2026.Names ofvsekected players1. Mahin Aftab Qureshi2. Ushna Suhail3. Romaisa Malik4. Hajra Sohail5. Bismal Zia-Reserve#pakistantennis #tennis #billiejeankingcup #teampakistan

Islamabad (Spirts News): Pakistan player Gull Feroza has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women’s Asia Cup Group A match against Hong Kong in Dubai on Monday.Gull was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.”In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Gull, for whom it was the second offence in a 24-month period, taking her tally of demerit points in a 24-month period to two.Gull received her earlier demerit point for an offence during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup league match against Australia on 23 June this year.Monday’s incident occurred in the fifth over of Pakistan’s innings, when Gull expressed her disappointment after being adjudged leg-before wicket, indicating to the umpire that she had edged the ball by showing her bat.Gull admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.On-field umpires Rabab Ahsan and Rokeya Sultana, third umpire Shivani Mishra and fourth umpire Shathira Jakir levelled the charge.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.