Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: A 53-person Pakistan contingent, including athletes and officials, will visit Bahrain to participate in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, scheduled to be held from October 22 to 31, this year 2025, as the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) officially approved the squad for an international sports fixture.According to a spokesman for PSB, the approval was granted after getting green signals from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is subject to the final clearance from the Ministry of Interior.The contingent, comprising a mix of talented athletes and experienced officials, will represent the country across eight sports disciplines: Athletics, Badminton, Ju-Jitsu, Kabaddi, Swimming, Taekwondo, Volleyball, and Wrestling. Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister Youth Programme, will lead the delegation as the Chef de Mission.Names of players and officials:Seemi Rizvi (coach), Ghulam Murtaza, Mohammad Behram Khan, Iqra Riaz, Mohammad Hussain Faiz Chadhar (athletics), Humna Irshad (badminton), Dr Haris Ashraf (coach), Hammad al Baloushi, Mohammad Saqib, Sadam Khan (Ju-Jitus), Amajd Ali Sajid (manager), Rahat Maqsood Ali (coach), Gul Sher Ali, Adeel Ahmed, Hammad Ahmed, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Owais, Ali Hasan, Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Muqeeb, Hisman, Shah Zab, Usman Ali, Mohammad Ali, Syed Hamza Shah, Mohammad Owais (Kabaddi), Shanzay Tabish Bari, Raaqiah Adeel, Fatima Salman, Daniya Bhatia (swimming), Seong Oh Choi (Head Coach), Syed Mohammad Zohaib Qadri, Saifullah, Kaneez Zainab (Taekwondo), Ahmed Khan Sady (Head Coach), Naseer Ahmed (manager) Abu Bakar Siddique, Jabran Amin Jan, Muhammad Anas, Mohammad Saud, Ajmal Junaid, Muhtad Ali Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Yahya, Tayyab Khan, Khizar Hayat, Faizan Ullah, and Mohammad Talha Mehar (volleyball), Mohammad Inam (Coach) Mohammad Abdul Rehman, Hassan Ali (Wrestling). Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan (Chef de Mission), Mohammad Waqar Ahmed (Treasurer/Admin Official). 

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The FIFA Council, in its meeting on 1st October 2025, appointed Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsen Gilani as a member of the FIFA Youth Boys Competitions Committee, which is chaired by FIFA Council member Mathurin De Chacus of Benin.The Youth Boys Competitions Committee is one of FIFA’s most important bodies, tasked with shaping the framework, development and organization of youth tournaments worldwide, with the aim of nurturing the next generation of footballers. President Syed Mohsen Gilani’s inclusion in this prestigious committee highlights PFF’s commitment to youth development and international collaboration in football. (PR)  

Karachi (PR)i: Pakistan Wheelchair Cricket Team showcased dominance and determination as they defeated Afghanistan by 9 wickets in the fourth and final T20I at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi, sealing the series 3–1. The victory was anchored by outstanding half-centuries from Gohar Afridi and Usama Tariq, while all-rounder Muhammad Fayyaz continued to shine, earning the title of Player of the Tournament.Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite a steady start, they struggled to build a big total against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling. Jaber Safi top-scored with 38 runs, while Zar Alam (23) and Raheemullah (14 not out) provided brief resistance. Other batters, including Mansoor Adil (14) and Abasin (15), failed to convert starts into significant scores.Afghanistan ended their innings at 155/8 in 20 overs. Pakistan’s bowling was led by Muhammad Fayyaz, who took two key wickets, while Ayub and Ahmad Yar chipped in with one wicket each.In response, Pakistan’s batters came out with a clear attacking mindset. Gohar Afridi lit up the ground with a brilliant 64 off just 41 balls, smashing 14 boundaries in his aggressive knock. He was well supported by Usama Tariq, who remained unbeaten on 60 runs, ensuring Pakistan’s chase never faltered.Muhammad Fayyaz added 24 runs to his all-round effort before being dismissed, the only wicket to fall. Pakistan comfortably reached 156/1 in 14.4 overs, securing an emphatic victory. Afghanistan’s Mir Akbar was the lone wicket-taker for his side.At the post-match ceremony, Gohar Afridi was declared Player of the Match for his explosive innings, while Muhammad Fayyaz was honored as Player of the Tournament for his consistent all-round performances across the series.Pakistan’s skipper Muhammad Zeeshan dedicated the series triumph to the Pakistan Army and national martyrs. He remarked:“This victory belongs to those brave sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives for our nation. It is because of their sacrifices that we live in peace. They confront the enemy fearlessly, without concern for their own lives or families.”Zeeshan added that the win represented more than just a sporting triumph: “This is not only Pakistan’s success, but a victory for wheelchair cricket as a whole. We have also worked to support the growth of Afghan wheelchair cricket, which is why this historic tour became possible.”Afghanistan’s captain Mansoor Adil expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s hospitality and praised the competitive spirit of the series:“It was a proud moment for us to play our first international wheelchair cricket series in Pakistan. Our players showed passion and commitment, and we hope to carry this momentum into the upcoming Asia Cup.”He further said, “We are thankful to the Pakistan Wheelchair Cricket Council and management for their warm welcome and outstanding arrangements. Pakistan’s hospitality has deeply impressed us, and we look forward to more such opportunities.”The successful conclusion of this series marked another milestone in the promotion of wheelchair cricket in the region. Both teams not only competed fiercely on the field but also strengthened the spirit of sportsmanship, brotherhood, and inclusion through the game.With the Asia Cup around the corner, Pakistan’s dominant performance will boost their confidence, while Afghanistan will aim to learn from the experience and deliver improved results in upcoming tournaments.

Dubai (SBR): West Indies’ Andre Fletcher capped a day of high-stakes drama at the first-ever DP World ILT20 Player Auction, emerging as the most expensive player with a whopping price tag of USD 260,000. MI Emirates outbid rivals to secure the explosive batter for a fourth consecutive season with the franchise. Close behind was England’s Scott Currie, snapped up by Dubai Capitals for USD 250,000. England’s Liam Dawson led the pack amongst the pacers acquired for USD 170,000 by Gulf Giants while Naveen-ul-Haq was acquired for USD 100,000 by the MI Emirates. UAE pacers were the flavour of the auction, with Junaid Siddique going to Sharjah Warriorz for USD 170,000 (Right-to-Match), making him their most expensive buy. Muhammad Rohid also drew a six-figure deal, going to MI Emirates for USD 140,000 (Right-to-Match), marking a massive milestone for UAE cricket. Notably some of the standout performers from the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament also converted their success into franchise deals at the auction. UAE pacer Haider Razzaq, the leading wicket-taker in Sharjah Warriorz Development’s title-winning campaign earlier this year, was purchased by Gulf Giants for USD 50,000. Player of the Tournament, Sanjay Pahal, an all-rounder who impressed throughout, was retained by Desert Vipers for USD 10,000. Raees Ahmed, who was amongst the top three run-getters, went back to Sharjah Warriorz at his base price of USD 10,000. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders eagerly pursued Scotland’s Brandon McMullen for USD 110,000, while also picking up Michael Pepper and Unmukt Chand at their base price of USD 40,000, along with England’s George Garton for USD 10,000. Their Associate Nation pool was reinforced by Kuwait’s Adnan Idrees (USD 10,000), while the UAE core featured Ibrar Ahmad (USD 22,000, RTM), Ajay Kumar (USD 10,000) and Abdul Manan Ali (USD 10,000). Desert Vipers acquired Pakistan stars Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah at their base price of USD 80,000 apiece, along with Afghanistan leggie Qais Ahmed (USD 40,000). They also secured Scotland’s Tom Bruce for USD 80,000 and brought in Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz at USD 40,000. Their Associate signings saw UAE keeper Vriitya Aravind (USD 10,000) join Bilal Tahir (USD 10,000), while Faisal Khan made history as the first Saudi Arabian player bought at the auction, picked up at his base price of USD 10,000. Dubai Capitals followed their big splash for the young Currie by opting for experience. Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi and England’s Tymal Mills were among their headline overseas pick at USD 80,000, while UAE’s Farhan Khan and Muhammad Farooq were secured for USD 10,000 each. To round out their haul, they added Kuwait’s Anudeep Chenthamara (USD 10,000) and Saudi Arabia’s Usman Najeeb (USD 10,000). Gulf Giants spread their net wide and became the first team to complete their squad. The Giants snapped up South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi and Netherlands’ pacer Fred Klaassen for USD 40,000 each along with England’s Sean Dickson, landed at USD 10,000. The franchise also strengthened their bowling department through England’s Chris Wood and West Indies’ Ramon Simmonds with both pacers also coming in at USD 40,000 each. Their Associate Nation haul included Kuwait’s Meet Bhavsar (USD 14,000) and Saudi Arabia’s Ishtiaq Ahmad (USD 16,000), with UAE’s Asif Khan (USD 26,000) and Zuhaib Zubair ‘s USD 10,000 Right-to-Match adding to their UAE core. MI Emirates, alongside their record signing of Fletcher, added Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hassan for USD 40,000 and England all-rounder Jordan Thompson for USD 48,000. They further diversified with Associate Nations players such as USA’s Nosthush Kenjige, UAE’s Zahoor Khan, Kuwait’s Mohammad Shafiq and Saudi Arabia’s Zain ul Abidin, all at USD 10,000. Sharjah Warriorz roped in South African all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius at USD 120,000 and English leg-spinner Nathan Sowter for USD 100,000. They also locked in pacers Jayden Seales and Taskin Ahmed at USD 80,000 each. The Warriorz spent big on UAE’ s Wasim Akram, bagging the pacer for USD 55,000. Kuwait’s Mohamed Nawfer and Mohammed Aslam were picked up for USD 14,000 each while UAE’s Ethan D’Souza, Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava and USA’s Harmeet Singh also made their way to the Warriorz for USD 10,000. The DP World ILT20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December - UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad), with the six-team, 34-match tournament set to conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.   Complete Squad List Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Total Spent: USD 1,457,000)Auction Signings: Michael Pepper (USD 40,000), George Garton (USD 10,000), Brandon McMullen (USD 110,000), Ibrar Ahmed (USD 22,000), Ajay Kumar (USD 10,000), Adnan Idrees Muhammad (USD 10,000), Abdul Manan Ali (USD 10,000), Mayank Chowdary (USD 10,000), Khary Pierre (USD 10,000), Shadley Van Schalkwyk (USD 10,000), Unmukt Chand (USD 40,000) Retentions + Direct Signings: Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, Olly Stone Desert Vipers (Total Spent: USD 1,617,500)Auction Signings: Vriitya Aravind (USD 10,000), Fakhar Zaman (USD 80,000), Naseem Shah (USD 80,000), Qais Ahmad (USD 40,000), Sanjay Pahal (USD 10,000), Bilal Tahir (USD 10,000), Faisal Khan (USD 10,000), Hasan Nawaz (USD 40,000), Tom Bruce (USD 80,000), Matiullah Khan (USD 10,000), Tawanda Muyeye (USD 40,000), Faridoon Dawoodzai (USD 10,000) Retentions + Direct Signings: Dan Lawrence, Max Holden, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Curran, Andries Gous Dubai Capitals (Total Spent: USD 1,475,000)Auction Signings: Mohammad Farooq (USD 10,000), Tymal Mills (USD 80,000), Scott Currie (USD 250,000), Mohammad Nabi (USD 80,000), Farhan Khan (USD 10,000), Anudeep Chenthamara (USD 10,000), Usman Najeeb (USD 10,000), Ritesh Mallikarjuna Grandhi (USD 10,000), Shayan Jahangir (USD 10,000), Rushil Ugarkar (USD 10,000), Naveen Bidiasee (USD 10,000), Toby Albert (USD 10,000), Akshay Wakhare (USD 10,000) Retentions + Direct Signings: Jordan Matthew Cox, Rovman Powell, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Waqar Salamkheil, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Jimmy Neesham Gulf Giants (Total Spent: USD 1,471,000)Auction Signings: Asif Khan (USD 26,000), Zuhaib Zubair (USD 10,000), Sean Dickson (USD 10,000), Tabraiz Shamsi (USD 40,000), Liam Dawson (USD 170,000), Fred Klaassen (USD 40,000), Haider Razzaq (USD 50,000), Meet Bhavsar (USD 14,000), Ishtiaq Ahmad (USD 16,000), Lorcan Tucker (USD 10,000), Chris Wood (USD 40,000), Tom Moores (USD 40,000), Ramon Simmonds (USD 40,000) Retentions + Direct Signings: Aayan Afzal Khan, Mark Adair, Gerhard Erasmus, Blessing Muzarabani, Moeen Ali, James Vince, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz MI Emirates (Total Spent: USD 1,868,000)Auction Signings: Muhammad Rohid (USD 140,000), Jordan Thompson (USD 48,000), Naveen-ul-Haq (USD 100,000), Andre Fletcher (USD 260,000), Nosthush Kenjige (USD 10,000), Mohamed Shafeeq (USD 10,000), Zain Ul Abidin (USD 10,000), Usman Khan (USD 10,000), Ackeem Auguste (USD 10,000), Arab Gul (USD 10,000), Tajinder Dhillon (USD 10,000), Zahoor Khan (USD 10,000), Shakib Al Hasan (USD 40,000) Retentions + Direct Signings: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tom Banton, Romario Shepherd, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, AM Ghazanfar, Muhammad Waseem, Kamindu Mendis Sharjah Warriorz (Total Spent: USD 1,664,000)Auction Signings: Junaid Siddique (USD 170,000), James Rew (USD 10,000), Nathan Sowter (USD 100,000), Dwaine Pretorius (USD 120,000), Jayden Seales (USD 80,000), Harmeet Singh (USD 10,000), Wasim Akram (USD 55,000), Mohamed Nawfer Mohamed Aslam (USD 14,000), Raees Ahmad (USD 10,000), Richard Ngarava (USD 10,000), Shubham Ranjane (USD 10,000), Ethan D’Souza (USD 10,000), Taskin Ahmed (USD 80,000), Abdul Salman Khan (USD 10,000) Retentions + Direct Signings: Dinesh Karthik, Sikandar Raza, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tim David, Johnson Charles, Tim Southee, Saurabh Netravalkar 

Sports Bulletin Report Colombo (Sri Lanka): Bangladesh banked on their bowling strength to outwit Pakistan in their opening ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 fixture by seven wickets as they chased the 130-run target with 113 balls to spare and seven wickets in hand here at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Thursday evening.Opening batter Rubya Haider struck an unbeaten half-century (54 not out, 77b, 8x4s) while stitching a 62-run third-wicket stand with Nigar Sultana Joty (23, 44b, 5x4s) in the chase.Left-handed Rubya – who was also making her ODI debut - shared an unbeaten 34-run stand with Sobhana Mostary (24 not out, 19b, 6x4s) as Bangladesh began their campaign on a winning note.For Pakistan, Diana provided an early breakthrough with seven runs on the board before Rameen struck to remove Sharmin Akter as Bangladesh managed 35-2 in 12 overs. Fatima Sana removed Joty in the 25th over but in vain.Earlier, Pakistan elected to bat first and were dealt two early blows as player of the match Marufa Akter castled Omaima Sohail and Rameen Shamim for golden ducks in the first over with just two runs on the board.Muneeba Ali (17, 35b, 2x4s) and Rameen (23, 39b, 2x4s) then faced 63 balls to gather 42 runs together for the third wicket before Nahida Akter removed both in 12th and 14th over, respectively as Pakistan slid to 47-4.Aliya Riaz then stitched 20 and 24 runs with Sidra Nawaz and Fatima (22, 33b, 3x4s), respectively before Pakistan went from 67-5 to 100-7 in 29.3 overs. No.9 batter Diana hit two fours to remain 16 not out off 22 balls as Pakistan folded for 129 in 38.3 overs.Bangladesh’s Shorna Akter returned impressive figures of 3.3-3-5-3, while Marufa and Nahida picked up two wickets each. Rabeya Khan, Nishita Akter Nishi and Fahima Khatun dismissed one batter each.Pakistan will face India in their second fixture on Sunday, 5 October at the same venue.Scores in brief:Bangladesh beat Pakistan by seven wickets at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, ColomboPakistan 129 all out, 38.3 overs (Rameen Shamim 23, Fatima Sana 22, Shorna Akter 3-5, Nahida Akter 2-19, Marufa Akter 2-31)Bangladesh 131-3, 31.1 overs (Rubya Haider 54 not out, Sobhana Mostary 24 not out, Nigar Sultana 23; Diana Baig 1-14)Player of the match – Marufa Akter (Bangladesh Women)

LAHORE (SBR): Thrilling hockey action continued at the 4th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) All Pakistan Hockey Tournament 2025, held at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday, with two fiercely contested matches showcasing skill, speed, and strategy. Match 1: Port Qasim and NBP play out exciting 3-3 drawThe opening match of the day saw Port Qasim Authority and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) battle to a 3-3 draw in a nail-biting encounter that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Aleem Usman was the standout for Port Qasim, scoring a brilliant brace, while Amjad added a crucial third to keep them in the fight. For NBP, Faizan continued his fine form with two well-taken goals, and Aamir chipped in with one to level the scores. Despite chances for both sides to snatch victory, tight defending and some heroic saves kept the scoreboard even. For his commanding presence and critical saves between the posts, Mazhar Abbas (NBP) was named man of the match. Match 2: Pakistan Army overpower Rangers 5-2In the second game, Pakistan Army showcased their dominance with a commanding 5-2 victory over Pakistan Rangers, asserting their strength as serious contenders in the tournament. Army’s scoring was spread across five players, Shahzad, Ahmed Sarwar, Usman, Saaifullah, and Wasim Akram, each finding the net once in a well-rounded team performance. Rangers showed flashes of brilliance through Ammar and Hamid Ali, who managed to score one goal each, but were ultimately outpaced by the Army’s relentless attack. The man of the match honor went to Zain Farooq, who anchored Army’s midfield with composure and creativity, playing a pivotal role in controlling the tempo of the game.

Dubai (SBR): UAE will compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and EAP Qualifier next month. Prolific opener Mohammad Waseem will lead the 15-member squad. Three teams will earn qualification from the Qualifier for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 which will be played in India and Sri Lanka. A total of nine teams are competing in the tournament – divided into three pools of three teams each. UAE have been placed in Group 1 along with Malaysia and Qatar. The team will play Qatar on Wednesday, 8 October and Malaysia on Friday, 10 October. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the Super Six Stage. Super Six matches will take place from 12 to 17 October – the top three teams from the Super Six Stage will earn ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 qualification. UAE (squad): Mohammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Jonathan Figy, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Irfan, Rahul Chopra (wicketkeeper), Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh and Zahid Ali.Support Staff: Amjad Ezzi (team manager), Lalchand Rajput (head coach), Azharuddin Qureshi (strength and conditioning coach), Manipreet Sidhu (video analyst) and Manish Pradeshi (physiotherapist). Schedule (Oman – UAE matches):Wednesday, 8 October – UAE vs Qatar – 2:30pm – Al Amerat Cricket Stadium Friday, 10 October – UAE vs Malaysia – 10:00am – Al Amerat Cricket Ground Turf 2 Super Six Stage – 12 October to 17 October – Al Amerat Cricket Stadium and Al Amerat Cricket Ground Turf 2

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The 4th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) All Pakistan Hockey Tournament 2025 produced an action-packed day at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, on Tuesday, featuring a dominant performance by Mari Energies and a breathtaking goal-fest between Customs and Pakistan Navy.  In the opening match of the day, Mari Energies outclassed PAF 5-2 with a commanding display of attacking hockey. Star forward Ahmed Nadeem led from the front with a brilliant brace, while Waseem Akram, Sufiyan Khan and Ghanzfar Ali added one goal each to seal a comprehensive victory. Although PAF showed glimpses of resistance through goals from Zaheer Hussain and Abdul Manan, they were unable to contain Mari Energies’ relentless offensive pressure. The second match turned into a spectacle as Customs and Navy battled to a sensational 4-4 draw, providing fans with a thrilling end-to-end contest. Customs’ Amad stole the spotlight with two goals, with Samilullah and Shehzab also getting on the scoresheet.  Pakistan Navy responded in equal measure, thanks to strikes from Rana Waleed, Hanan Shaid, Zikriya and Bisaharat, ensuring an evenly poised finish. Both sides displayed remarkable fighting spirit, refusing to concede till the final whistle, making it one of the most entertaining games of the tournament so far. Wednesday’s (Matches):NBP vs Port QasimRangers vs Army

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD: The 10-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is all set to begin in four cities - Abbottabad, Islamabad, Peshawar and Rawalpindi from Monday, 6 October as the domestic cricket season 2025-26 gets into full swing, the PCB announced today.The four-day first-class tournament will be played on single-league round-robin format as a total of nine rounds have been penciled in from 6 October to 26 November, while the five-day final between the two top teams will take place from 29 November to 3 December.The venues for the 46-match QeA Trophy are Abbottabad Cricket Stadium in Abbottabad, Shoaib Akhtar Stadium in Rawalpindi, Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar and Diamond and Marghzar Cricket Grounds in Islamabad. The venue for the final will be announced later.Four of these venues except Peshawar also played host to the previous edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy as well.The participating teams are Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, FATA, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Karachi Blues, Lahore Whites, Multan, Peshawar and Sialkot.FATA, Faisalabad, Karachi Blues and Multan have qualified for the QeA Trophy after finishing with the most number of points in the recently concluded Hanif Mohammad Trophy.In the first round, Sialkot – the defending champions of the tournament – will face Peshawar at the Imran Khan Stadium in a re-match of the previous edition’s final, which the former won by one wicket in a nerve-wrecking contest at the UBL Sports Complex in Karachi.The squads of each of the 10 teams will be announced in due course.First round fixtures (October 6 to 9): Abbottabad v Bahawalpur at Abbottabad Cricket StadiumLahore Whites v Islamabad at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, RawalpindiPeshawar v Sialkot at Imran Khan Stadium, PeshawarFATA v Multan at Diamond Cricket Ground, IslamabadFaisalabad v Karachi Blues at Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan’s Commonwealth Games hero and national weightlifting icon Nooh Dastagir Butt set to make a high-profile return to international weightlifting as he prepares to compete at the VIRUS Weightlifting Finals & UMWF World Championships, scheduled from December 3 to 6, 2025, at the Ocean Center Convention Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.  The three-time international strongman and powerlifting champion, famously dubbed the “Hulk of Pakistan” after his record-breaking performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, is eyeing nothing less than gold on his long-awaited comeback. This marks Nooh’s first international weightlifting appearance in three years, following a prolonged dispute with the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF). During his absence from Olympic lifting, Nooh continued to bring laurels to Pakistan in powerlifting and strongman competitions, securing multiple gold medals in Uzbekistan, South Africa, and other international events.  With the federation dispute now resolved, thanks to the efforts of Madam Nuzhat and Hafiz Jibran Butt of Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, Nooh has officially been cleared to represent Pakistan once again. Backed by Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, CEO ACTIVIT and Director National Hospital DHA Lahore, who has been sponsoring his training, nutrition, and medical support, Nooh says he is fully focused and mentally stronger than ever.  “I am grateful to Rd. Rizwan and for not only supporting my career but also taking care of my parents’ medical needs. Now, I have only one mission that is to win international gold medals for Pakistan,” said an emotional Nooh.  He further revealed that he is currently training in Gujranwala under the supervision of his father, former weightlifter Ghulam Dastagir, maintaining a two-session daily regimen. “Whatever I am today is because of my father. His dream, and mine, is to see Pakistan’s flag raised at the world stage once again,” he added.  Nooh Butt’s mother expressed her pride and excitement over his preparations, saying: “Our entire home feels like a training ground. Nooh’s father doesn’t rest until he completes both of his daily training sessions. His dedication is unmatched, and as parents, our greatest joy will be to see him win more international medals for Pakistan.”  To sharpen his preparations, Rd. Rizwan has arranged a post-tournament training camp in the United States, where Nooh will train under international coaches and gain exposure to world-class facilities. This will further prepare him for the global stage. His journey is clearly mapped out, first the World Championships in Florida, followed by the Commonwealth Games, then the Asian Games, all leading toward one ultimate destination: global dominance in weightlifting.  Sharing his thoughts, Rd. Rizwan said: “I don’t just have a mission, I have a vision. I want Nooh to leave a legacy that inspires generations to come.” When asked about his expectations from Nooh, he responded with conviction: “I expect only one thing that is victory. I want him to triumph on the grandest stages of the world, to hoist Pakistan’s flag high with pride. My dream is to see him rise steadily, winning gold after gold, until his name becomes synonymous with excellence in global sport.”