Sports Bulletin

Badminton, Murad Ali defeated heavy weight Sankeerth in straight games By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's wonder boy Murad Ali made the biggest upset in the Yonex Sunrise Pakistan International Series Badminton Tournament-2019, as he ousted top seed Canadian B. R. Sankeerth in straight games in the men's singles pre-quarterfinals played here at Rodham Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday. It was a day to remember for Pakistan, as Murad, who is also former national champion gave home crowd something to cheer about, it was pack to capacity crowd present at the venue, cheering for both players, as Murad started the first game with a bang and kept his opponent under pressure, he never allowed top seed to settle down and throughout kept a sizable lead, although in the later stages of the game Sankeerth did recover, however, it was too little too late, as Murad clinched the first game 21-16. Murad kept same pressure in the second game as well and he raced to take 13-7 lead, but at that stage, Murad got relaxed and allowed Sankeerth liberty and space, which was more than enough for the top seed, who was playing for pride and played some brilliant badminton and close the gap to 12-13, Murad woke up in time and again got lead at 17-12, but once again Sankeerth bounced back and reduced the margin to 16-17, then it was 20-20, but Murad kept his cool, composure and with the help of massive crowd support, Murad manage to win the second game 23-21. While another upset was witnessed, when Amir Saeed overcame Canadian Muslim guy Hussain Ali in straight games 2-0. Amir won the first game, Amir completely outclassed his opponent with wonderful skills, superb exhibition of badminton was witnessed during the match, Amir took the first game 21-3 and he went onto take second game 21-5 to book place in the quarterfinals. While in the other matches of the morning session, Thailand's Saran Jamsri beat Raja M Zulqarnain Haider in straight games winning 21-10 and 21-7, Milan Ludik of Check Republic beat M Irfan Saeed Bhatti 2-1 in the arguably best match of the tournament, Irfan stunned Ludik by winning the first game 21-19, but Ludik bounced back to win next two games, 21-17 and 21-14 to move into quarterfinals,  Awais Zahid beat Abdur Rehman in straight games winning 21-9 and 21-17, Dipesh Dhami Nepal beat Muhammad Ali Larosh in straight games winning 21-19 and 21-11, Georges Julien Paul Mauritius beat Muhammad Muqeet Tahir in straight games winning 21-11 and 21-13, Howard Shu of USA beat Pakistan's Azeem Sarwar in one-sided affair, winning 21-12 and 21-12.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD-The world number 168, top national badminton girl Mahoor Shehzad hoped that she would ink new history in the upcoming 13th South Asian Games 2019 by winning gold medal for the Pakistan. "Im training hard for the 8-national international regional fixture, " said Mahoor, who won bronze medal recently in the international badminton event in Bulgaria. While talking during an exclusive chatting she said that the SAG would be taken place in Kathmandu, Nepal. "SAG are my first target and after that Tokyo Olympics will be my target and I hope I will qualify for the said quadrennial sports gala of the world, "four times national champion added. She, 22, further said that she visited abroad for the training and she would try to climb up in the international ranking 70 and would be able to qualify the Olympics 2020. "I am toiling hard in the court and gym too for the fitness. I am optimistic to clinch gold medal in the South Asian Games and Iam capable to overcome Indians girls, who are high rank girls in the international circuit, "she viewed. Mahoor, who represents Pakistan WAPDA, revealed that had won the gold medal in the Nepal International Badminton Championship in 2018. "I also won Pakistan International Series 2017 and was runner-up in Pakistan International series 2016, "top national girl said. While talking about her previous record she informed this scribe that she honored to represent Pakistan in the Asian Games 2014 and Commonwealth Games 2018. "I was also selected by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) for 4th Youth Camp that was held in Guangzhou, China that was held from November 27 to December 3, 2016, "she said. "I also visited Malaysia, Turkey, Egypt, Bahrain, Latvia, Lithuania, Nepal, England, Dubai, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria to participate in the international badminton fixtures and I performed up to mark in the all these events, "she concluded.  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Secretary, Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) Wajid Ali Choudhary announced on Wednesday that capital city Islamabad would hosts 13-nation international badminton event next month in the premises of Pakistan Sports Complex. While talking to media representatives in a press conference here at Media Center of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) he further said that the fixture will be held from November 7 to 10 this year 2019, as there would be five categories including Men's Singles, Men's Doubles, Women Singles, Women's Double and Mixed Double in the four days international badminton fixture. "All matches will be played at Rodham Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex, "he maintained. Wajid said that PBF had written to government for financial support but still waiting for response. "Yonex is our title sponsor and they will provide us all equipment and prize money of US$10,000, which will be distributed according to World Badminton Federation's rules, "he said. While replying a question secretary PBF said that Asian Badminton Federation (ABF) was also providing $8000 financial support for this international fixture. "However, our estimated budget is around Rs.3.5 millions. It will a great achievement for holding this international event in the capital city of the country, "he viewed. "Around 50 players including hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Afghanistan, Canada, Malaysia, Thailand, Iran, Iraq Morocco, Cheek Republic and other countries will show their power in the Yonex Sunrise Pakistan Series International Badminton Tournament 2019, "he concluded.