LAHORE (PR): CrewLogix Technologies secured a crucial 7-5 victory against CTI Shipping on the second day of the 4th Junior Polo Championship, organized by Lahore Garrison Polo Grounds and sponsored by TCL.  The thrilling match, held at Pakistan Park Cavalry Ground, attracted a large number of spectators and families. Among the notable attendees were Club Secretary Major Babar Mehboob Awan, TCL’s Muhammad Owais, and other dignitaries.  In a competitive encounter, Saim Abbas led Crew Logix Technologies with an impressive four goals, while young Diyan Ahmed Butt added three goals to seal the victory. For CTI Shipping, M Mustafa Fahd Khan was the standout performer, scoring three goals, while Muzammil Ahmed and Syed Ayan Salman contributed one goal each. The opening chukker was a tightly contested affair, with both teams displaying remarkable skill and intensity, ending the period locked at 2-2. The second chukker maintained the thrilling momentum as each side added another goal to keep the score level at 3-3. CTI Shipping started the third chukker on a strong note, capitalizing on a 40-yard penalty conversion to take a narrow 4-3 lead.  However, CrewLogix Technologies responded emphatically, launching a stunning comeback with three consecutive goals, surging ahead to 6-4. In the fourth and final chukker, both teams managed to add a goal to their tally, but CrewLogix Technologies maintained their dominance, securing a well-fought 7-5 victory.

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: The Bank AL Habib’s 14th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament 2025 will tee off on Thursday, 6th February at the picturesque Karachi Golf Club (KGC). The final round will be played on Sunday, 9th February 2025.More than a hundred top golfers will compete in the Professionals category for one of the most coveted four-day National Competition of the Annual Golf Season. Last year, Ahmad Baig of RPG won the coveted trophy by carding 275, 13 under par, to win the tournament. Muhammad Zubair of KGC was the runner-up by carding 282, 6 under par. Prior to this event, a two-day match for local KGC Professionals, Senior Professionals and KGC Caddies, the 24th edition of Rashid D. Habib Memorial Golf Tournament, is being played on 3rd and 4th February 2025. This Year Bank AL Habib PRO-AM Golf tournament has also been added for the encouragement and collaboration of Professionals with Amateurs to support and develop professional golf at KGC. The total Prize Money of PKR 12 million includes PKR 9.4 M for Best Performers in National Professional Category, PKR 1.95 M for KGC Professionals, Caddies and Senior Pros, as well as the newly added amateur category. Appearance Money for Top professionals has been enhanced to record PKR 1.37 Million. For encouragement of golf this year top three Junior professionals have also been considered for appearance money. The Appearance Money is distributed amongst the top five Professionals including top three Senior Professionals and Junior Professionals, as per PGF current order of merit.The lucky players achieving first hole-in-one will also be rewarded with a Toyota Corolla and a Suzuki Alto in National and Local KGC categories respectively. The prize distribution ceremony will be held on 9th Feb 2025.  

LAHORE (PR): Zacky Farm Polo outpaced Sula Polo in opening match of the 4th Junior Polo Championship 2025, sponsored by TCL Pakistan, commenced at Pakistan Park Polo Ground, marking the beginning of an exciting competition among young polo talents. The tournament, a part of the Pakistan Polo Association's official calendar, features four competing teams including Sula Polo, Zacky Farm Polo, CTI Shipping, and Crewlogix Technologies. A large number of spectators, including families and polo enthusiasts, gathered to witness the thrilling first match and cheered on the young players, creating a lively and encouraging atmosphere. Maj (R) Babar Mehboob Awan, the club's secretary, along with former polo players, also attended the event. The opening match saw Zaki Farms Polo Team secure a convincing 3-1 victory over Sula Polo Team. Zacky Farm Polo’s star player, Zackaria Daud Ali Khan, stole the show by scoring all three goals for his team, leading them to victory. Sula Polo's lone goal was scored by Rabeel Noman Hussain. On Tuesday (February 4, 2025), Crewlogix Technologies set to face CTI Shipping in what promises to be another exciting contest. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-player squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from 19 February to 9 March. The PCB has until 11 February to make any changes to the squad; thereafter, replacements will only be permitted on medical grounds, subject to approval by the ICC Event Technical Committee. The same squad will also feature in the tri-nation ODI series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa in Lahore and Karachi, in the lead up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.The squad, to be captained by Mohammad Rizwan with Salman Ali Agha as vice-captain, includes three members from the 2017 title-winning side - Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf and Fakhar Zaman. Babar and Fakhar, along with Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Saud Shakeel had also featured in the last 50-over ICC event - the ICC Men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup 2023.Pakistan’s 15-player squad: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah AfridiOpener Fakhar Zaman, who scored a century in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final against India, makes a comeback after overcoming injury and illness that had sidelined him from international cricket since June 2024. Fakhar demonstrated his return to complete fitness and form during the Champions T20 Cup 2024 in December, where he was the third-highest run-scorer with 303 runs at an impressive strike-rate of over 132. In 82 ODIs, Fakhar has scored 3,492 runs with 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries at an average of 46.5 and strike-rate of 93.4.Asad Shafiq, member, National Selection Committee: “The selectors have continued to adopt a horses for courses approach in assembling this squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Our focus has been on selecting players who have consistently excelled in domestic competitions under similar conditions, demonstrating their readiness to perform in a global event. One of the standout qualities of this side is its flexibility - an essential trait in today’s modern-day cricket. We are confident that this squad strikes the right balance between youth and experience, and has all bases covered. Each player has been chosen with a clear role in mind, ensuring the captain has versatile options at his disposal.“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy. Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and also excelling in the Cape Town Test by scoring two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence.“Saim Ayub has not been included in the squad due to an ankle injury, but we remain optimistic about his recovery. We understand how much he was looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and recognise how devastating it must be for him to miss a global event, especially when he is in such exceptional batting form. However, as a valuable asset to our team, we are committed to prioritising his long-term health over making any rushed decisions.Player support personnel: Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Hina Munawar (team operations manager), Aqib Javed (interim head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Shahid Aslam (batting coach), Mohammad Masroor (fielding coach), Abdul Rehman (spin bowling coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media and digital manager) and Sergio Basil Mullins (masseur).Upcoming ODIs:8 Feb – vs New Zealand, Lahore (tri-nation ODI series)12 Feb – vs South Africa, Karachi (tri-nation ODI series)19 Feb – vs New Zealand, Karachi (ICC Champions Trophy 2025)23 Feb – vs India, Dubai (ICC Champions Trophy 2025)27 Feb – vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi (ICC Champions Trophy 2025)

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: World Snooker Champion Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sajjad, Owais Munir, and Shahid Aftab advanced into the semi-finals of the NBP 49th National Snooker Championship after beating their opponents in the quarterfinals here at the Snooker Arena of the National Bank Sports Complex on Thursday. In the quarter-final matches, Naseem Akhtar, Sohail Shahzad, Ean Mark John and Abdul Sattar were lost their hopes. Shahid Aftab upset number four seed Sohail Shahzad and eliminated him from the championship. Mohammad Asif played the only century break of the quarter-finals. He made a break of 110 against Ean Mark John. In the first quarter-final, Punjab’s Owais Munir defeated Sindh’s Abdul Sattar by 5-4. The frame scores were 112-16, 68-45, 36-76, 52-58, 71-13, 27-96, 66-27, 98-0and 73-64. In the second quarter-final, Punjab’s Mohammad Sajjad ousted Punjab’s Naseem Akhtar by 5-2. The frame scores were 0-87, 81-50, 20-79, 92-22, 80-13, 74-0and 57-0. In the penultimate quarterfinal, Shahid Aftab of Punjab overpowered number four seed Sohail Shahzad of Sindh by 5-4. The frame scores were 55-62, 55-44, 61-09, 7-71, 98-18, 12-66, 01-58, 56-04 and 76-65 in favor of the winner Shahid Aftab. In the fourth and last quarterfinal, Mohammad Asif of Punjab outclassed Ean Mark John of Sindh by 5-1 to reach the semifinal. The frame scores were 119-11, 68-57, 82-32, 80-23, 22-69 and 68-11 in favor of Mohammad Asif. The best-of-11 frames semifinals will be played on Friday, as the Awais Munir will face Mohammad Sajjad and Mohammad Asif will face Shahid Aftab. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): As Croatia prepares to host its first-ever FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Poreč from 3-9 February, the anticipation and excitement are palpable. This historic moment signifies a turning point for Croatian hockey, providing a platform to showcase the nation’s passion for the sport while inspiring the next generation of players.From Tradition to Opportunity: A New Era for Croatian HockeyDamir Hrupec, President of the Croatian Hockey Federation, reflects on the significance of this milestone: “The history of hockey in Croatia began way back in 1896, with the first field hockey demonstrations. This is a tradition that has been ongoing for 129 years. Hosting an FIH World Cup is a huge opportunity for hockey to grow in new regions and significantly increase the number of players. Our goal is to turn a small country like Croatia into a big hockey nation. We are ready to make this event a spectacular showcase of hockey and ensure we exceed all expectations.”Women’s Team: Dreams Becoming RealityFor the Croatian women’s team, this marks their debut on the global stage. Team captain Martina Petretić shares the pride and anticipation of this monumental event: “Playing at the World Cup is a dream come true for every athlete. It’s even more special that this event is hosted in our nation, and we’re ready to represent Croatia in the best light possible. The experience of playing at this level will be something we cherish forever.”Balancing both indoor and outdoor hockey, Martina believes the versatility gained from playing both formats supplements the team’s overall skills: “Indoor hockey enhances defensive techniques and dribbling in tight spaces, skills that are directly transferable to the outdoor game. The quick, precise decisions required in indoor hockey help us stay sharp in both formats.”Men’s Team: Rising to the ChallengeFor the Croatian men’s team, the pride of wearing their nation’s jersey is amplified by the opportunity to compete at home. Team captain Mario Mucić expresses his excitement: “Representing Croatia at the Indoor Hockey World Cup is a remarkable moment. We’ll give our best to represent our country and make our supporters proud.”Mario, talking about his love for the indoor hockey format, added: “Indoor hockey, with its faster pace and tighter spaces, enhances ball control, quick decision-making, and reaction times. It’s a dynamic game that improves goal-scoring and finishing abilities.”The team’s goal for the tournament is ambitious yet focused: “Our objective is to progress beyond the group stage. We’ll take it one match at a time, giving our all to make the most of each game.”

Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 27-day training camp for the Pakistan women cricketers in Multan to prepare for the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2025. The camp will begin on Sunday, 2 February at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Centre, while the players and support staff will assemble on Saturday.A total of 31 players, including PCB’s 16 centrally contracted women cricketers, have been invited to the training camp, which involves regular sessions on fitness training, skill enhancement and seven 50-over practice matches throughout the month of February.The players will use the high-quality facilities available at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High-Performance Centre, while the matches will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Head coach of Pakistan Women’s team and former Test cricketer Mohammad Wasim, who took up the role in July 2024, will lead the camp.Pakistan will feature in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers along with Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and West Indies, in a bid to qualify for the mega event. The finalists of the tournament will join the top six teams of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 for the eight-team ICC Women’s World Cup.List of players invited to the camp:Batters – Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Gull Rukh, Hafsa Khalid, Iram Javed, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jebeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Sidra Amin.Wicketkeepers – Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi and Sidra NawazAll-rounders – Fatima Sana, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Tuba HassanSpinners – Ghulam Fatima, Mahnoor Aftab, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Tania Saeed, and Umm-e-HaniPacers – Diana Baig, Fatima Khan, Tasmia Rubab, Waheeda Akhtar and Zaib-un-Nisa Niaz.    

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The Italian Alps are set to host the next Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2028. This decision was taken by the IOC Members today during the 143rd IOC Session in Lausanne, following a presentation by the project leaders.Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will be the fifth edition of the Winter YOG. Competitions will take place only in existing venues across three clusters in Valtellina, Trentino and Cortina, returning to some of the iconic sports venues that will be used for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The 2028 YOG will be part of the Milano Cortina 2026 legacy, and will reinvest in communities with strong winter sports traditions.The project is led by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), and the governments of the regions of Veneto and Lombardy and the Autonomous Province of Trento, supported by the Italian national government, and is in line with long-term plans to raise the regions’ profile as a winter sports destination.The Italian delegation at Olympic House comprised Giovanni Malagò, CONI President and IOC Member in Italy; Andrea Abodi, Italian Minister of Sport and Youth; Attilio Fontana, Lombardy Region President; Maurizio Fugatti, President of the Autonomous Province of Trento; Cristiano Corazzari, Veneto Regional Councillor for Culture and Sport; and Olympic champions Diana Bianchedi and Antonio Rossi.IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The election of Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 is an expression of the IOC’s confidence in Italy’s ability to deliver world class, exceptional winter sports events. The Olympic Movement and the host regions are already excited about Milano Cortina 2026, with just over one year to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Today’s news means that excitement will extend until the end of the decade, and the benefits for local communities will continue.”Abodi said: “Italy is once again ready to put its heart, passion and expertise into hosting an event that will be not only a spectacular sporting occasion, but also a meaningful opportunity for growth for the entire nation. We aim to inspire the younger generations to embrace the value of sport as a tool for inclusion and social cohesion - a universal language capable of uniting cultures and nations, and fostering the diplomacy we so greatly need.”“Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will consolidate the impact of Milano Cortina 2026 and further build on legacy programmes to empower young athletes and civic leaders,” he said. “The Commission found that the vision for the Youth Olympic Games is fully aligned with long-term regional plans, youth, sports and education policies, and the goals of Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5.”Seven of the 11 proposed venues for the YOG will have been used in 2026 – Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre in Bormio, Livigno Aerials and Mogul Park and Livigno Snow Park for freestyle/snowboard, Cortina Sliding Centre for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium, Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, and Cortina Olympic Stadium, for curling. The programme also presents an opportunity to take competitions to venues that cannot be used in 2026.CONI President Giovanni Malagò said: “This is a historic day for Italian sport and for athletes across the world. Building on the remarkable legacy of Milano Cortina 2026, Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will offer a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation, showcase the transformative power of sport, and set new benchmarks for global events. This significant achievement for our country has been made possible through the strong support of the national government, as well as the dedication of our regional and local partners. Italy and CONI have shown that we are reliable partners of the IOC, and together we will certainly deliver an unprecedented edition of the YOG.”

Sports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): England Women were bowled out for 170 on day one of the one-off Test in the Women's Ashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Nat Sciver-Brunt top scored for England with 51 while leg-spinner Alana King took 4-45 as England were all out inside 72 overs.Maia Bouchier and captain Heather Knight were dismissed by Kim Garth before a stand of 50 between Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley saw England rebuild but King and fellow spinner Ash Gardner took four wickets.England then bowled 22 overs and Australia lost debutant Georgia Voll to Lauren Bell. Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland reached 56-1 at the close of play with the hosts trailing by 114 runs. Play resumes at 2.30 pm local time tomorrow (Friday 31 January).

Karachi (PR): The National Snooker Championship League Round will start on January 30, 2025, as the top 48 players have been divided into 8 Groups after League Round top 2 players each Group Qualify For Pre Quarterfinal.Group (A), Asjad Iqbal (Pjb), Faisal Daniyal (Isb), Ian Mark John (Sindh), Umair Sodagar (Kp), Abdullah (Pjb), Jahanzaib Jahangir (Bal),Group B, Awais Munair (Pjb), Sirbuland (Kp), Waseem Abbas (Pjb), Sayed Mohammad Muneeb Ali (Bal), Umair Alam (Sindh), Sheikh M. Muzammil (Isb), Group (C), Mohammad Naseem Akhtar (Pjb), Asad Ullah (Bal), Babar Masih (Pjb), Suleman Khan (Kp), Khizar Aziz (Sindh), Ayaan Ali (Sindh), Group (D), Sohail Shehzad (Sindh), Ali dara (Isb), Ahsan Javaid (Pjb), Adil A. Jabbar (Bal), Mohammad Nazeer (Pjb), Malik Muzammil (Kp), Group (E), Abdul Javed (Isb), Bahadur Khan (Bal), Mohammad Sajjad (NBP), Umar Naeem (Sindh), Mohamma Shabaz (Pjb), Mohamma Hasnain (Sindh), Group (F), Shan Namat (Isb), Sharjeel Mehmood (Kp), Mohammad Asif (NBP), Mohamma Faheem (Pjb), Ali Raza (Sindh), Zubair Tahir (Pjb), Group (G), Shahid Aftab (Pjb), Zulfiqar A. Qadir (Sindh), Umair Haider (Pjb), Zaib Khan (Bal), Shahid Gandapur (Kp), Umair Khan (Sindh), Group (H), Ahsan Ramzan (Pjb), Mubashir Raza (Pjb), A. Sattar (Sindh), Amir Shehzad (Kp), Ibrahim Khan (Bal), Shahid Shafique (Pjb).