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FOOTBALL - Clubs & Schools 17 Mar, 2023

Gianni Infantino re-elected by acclamation at historic FIFA Congress

Sports Bulletin Report Kigali (Rwanda): Gianni Infantino will serve a second term as FIFA President after being re-elected unopposed to lead global football’s governing body for another four years, during the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda. President Infantino said: “Being FIFA President is an incredible honour, an incredible privilege, and it is also a great responsibility. I am truly humbled and touched by your support, and I promise you that I will continue serving FIFA, serving football all over the world and serving all 211 FIFA member associations.” For the first time in its history, an elective FIFA Congress took place in Africa. The proceedings were opened by His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda. In his address, President Kagame welcomed delegates from the 208 gathered member associations to his country, and congratulated President Infantino on his impending re-election. The FIFA President stressed FIFA’s role to organise competitions and to develop football. The President revealed that the 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Australia and New Zealand later this year will receive an extensive increase in prize money to over USD 150 million – more than three times the value from the last tournament in 2019, and ten times more than in 2015. President Infantino also referenced impending changes to the FIFA Under-17 World Cups at boys’ and girls’ level, which will see those tournaments played on an annual basis, as well as the launch of the FIFA World Series and the revised 32-team FIFA Club World Cup with the intention of giving teams from every confederation more opportunities to compete on the global stage.

FOOTBALL - Rugby 12 Mar, 2023

Rugby League: Lahore Hawks overcome Desert Campbells 24-23 in final

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Lahore Hawks team edged out Desert Campbells Rugby Club by 24-23 in the final to win the 8th Servis Tyres Rugby League, well-organized by Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU). At half time, Lahore Hawks had a healthy lead of 17-3. In the second half, the Fort Abbas players played brilliantly and came back into the game. The first try was scored by Israr, the second by Muneeb and the third by Dawood while Ahmed Wasim scored a try by Lahore Hawks in the second half. All the tries were scored by Desert Campbells Fort Abbas in the second half, with Umar Daraz scoring two and Wasim one. The chief guest of the final was President Pakistan Rugby Union Chaudhry Arif Saeed. He was accompanied by PRU Secretary Salman Sheikh, Moazzam Shah, Shakeel Malik, Punjab rugby officials and a large number of rugby lovers.Earlier, Director Servis Tyres Ch Arif Saeed was introduced to the players and then the match started. In this 15-a-side league, the teams of Lahore Hawks and Desert Campbells Fort Abbas won two matches each, while the teams of Lahore Rugby Football Club and Islamabad Jinns won one match each. Therefore, the last match had become the final for both the teams, in which Lahore Hawks and Desert Campbells teams played very well, but Lahore Hawks team was able to win the Servis Tyres 15-a-side Rugby Championship for the first time by only one point. In the closing ceremony, Pakistan Rugby Union President Chaudhry Arif Saeed distributed trophies and prizes among the players. The man of the match was awarded to Dawood Gul of Lahore Hawks while man of the tournament was awarded to Aqib Siddiqui of Desert Campbells Rugby Club.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 01 Mar, 2023

FIFA World Cup for Women 2023: Fan Festival

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: The FIFA Fan Festival™ will be rolled out in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand this year 2023 for the first time ever at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. All nine Host Cities across the two countries will offer a FIFA Fan Festival, all of which will be free to enter. The FIFA Fan Festival goes beyond football, offering fans a vibrant setting to enjoy the best in football, music, entertainment, local culture, food and games FIFA has confirmed that all nine Host Cities will have a FIFA Fan Festival during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. This is the first time that FIFA Fan Festivals will be rolled out at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, in keeping with the tournament’s theme of firsts. All FIFA Fan Festivals will offer free entry to people of all ages, providing a vibrant destination to celebrate the global game and experience the best in football, music, entertainment, local culture, food and games. Fans will be able to watch the tournament drama unfold on big screens at each venue. FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “Whether you are an avid fan or a football newcomer, the FIFA Fan Festival provides an exciting entertainment space that brings people together beyond football." “Our mission is to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive, and these exciting events provide an opportunity to experience football in new ways in a fun festival environment.” There will be a FIFA Fan Festival in every Host City at various times during the tournament, which will run from 20 July to 20 August 2023. To provide the best possible experience for visitors, the events at each venue will be tailored to the local climate, matchdays and kick-off times.

FOOTBALL - Int News 20 Feb, 2023

FIFA Women World Cup: Trophy to visit 32 participating nations

Sports Bulletin Report Melbourne/Naarm: The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Trophy Tour Send-Off event took place in Melbourne / Naarm on Saturday, coinciding with the arrival of the Unity Pitch in the city. The Trophy Tour’s Skills Drills will inspire women and girls worldwide to get involved in the excitement and show support for their country ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ The stage is set for an extraordinary FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Trophy Tour after a special Send-Off event in Melbourne / Naarm on Saturday marked the start of a global journey that will inspire the next generation of female football stars. The celebration took place in the shadow of the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, which will host six matches during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, ahead of the first official stop on the Trophy Tour in Japan on 25-26 February. The Send-Off event coincided with the arrival of the Unity Pitch, which was in Melbourne / Naarm for the day and will tour all nine Host Cities ahead of the start of the tournament. Female Football Freestyle world champion Lia Lewis was on hand to help open the Unity Pitch by inspiring dozens of youngsters in attendance with an astonishing display of her skills before passing on her tips. “Before freestyle football, I was a ballet dancer. I did 18 years of ballet, five years ago, thinking back, I couldn’t kick a ball. Five years later, I can’t believe I’m here,” Lia Lewis said. “This Trophy Tour is all about Going Beyond, and through the Skills Drills, we are making football accessible, creative and fun. Skills Drills will showcase incredible women’s talent and, more importantly, inspire women and girls worldwide to take part in something inspirational.” USA national team legend Kristine Lilly, the most capped international footballer of all time, was also in attendance, engaging with the youngsters and sharing her Women’s World Cup experiences. Speaking in anticipation of the tournament, she said: “The growth of the women’s game and the support behind it has been incredible. To be at 32 teams in the World Cup is so great for so many reasons – for all these countries who haven’t had the opportunity but now they do, it’s incredible.” “The growth of the game and how many teams are going to be competing in this World Cup is going to create so much more hype and excitement and challenge those countries that have been there for a while. So, it’s going to be exciting to watch the games and you can get your tickets now, so please do, and support the women’s game.” The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Trophy Tour will visit all 32 of the tournament’s participating nations, and will return to Melbourne / Naarm on 14-16 June, inspiring people across the globe ahead of the big kick-off on 20 July.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 11 Feb, 2023

FIFA unfolds final three names for FIFA male and female player awards

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD: FIFA has announced the finalists for both The Best FIFA Women’s Player and The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards as well as for The FIFA Puskás Award ahead of the 2022 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™. Names of final three nominees women Beth Mead (England / Arsenal WFC) Alex Morgan (USA / Orlando Pride / San Diego Wave) Alexia Putellas (Spain / FC Barcelona) Names of final three nominees men Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF) Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain FC) Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain FC) These two awards are given to the outstanding players in women’s and men’s football as voted for by an international jury respectively comprising the current coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans registered on FIFA.com. The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 10 Feb, 2023

Finalists for The Best FIFA Coaches males and females revealed

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD: FIFA has announced the finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach and The Best FIFA Men’s Coach awards for the 2022 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™. The final three nominees (female coach) Sonia Bompastor (Olympique Lyonnais) Pia Sundhage (Brazilian National Team) Sarina Wiegman (English National Team) The final three nominees (male coach) Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid CF) Pep Guardiola (Manchester City FC) Lionel Scaloni (Argentinian National Team) These two awards are given to the outstanding coaches in women’s and men’s football as voted for by an international jury respectively comprising the current coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans registered on FIFA.com. The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation. All the winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 will be crowned at a special ceremony on Monday, 27 February 2023 in Paris.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 09 Feb, 2023

FIFA announces final three nominees for The Best FIFA Goalkeepers

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD: FIFA has announced the finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards for the 2022 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™. These two awards are given to the outstanding goalkeepers in women’s and men’s football as voted for by an international jury respectively comprising the current coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans registered on FIFA.com. The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation. All the winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 will be crowned at a special ceremony on Monday, 27 February 2023 in Paris. Nominees for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany / Chelsea FC Women) Mary Earps (England / Manchester United WFC) Christiane Endler (Chile / Olympique Lyonnais) Nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Sevilla FC) Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid CF) Emiliano Martínez (Argentina / Aston Villa FC)

FOOTBALL - Rugby 29 Jan, 2023

15-a-side Championship: Lahore Rugby Football Club win opener

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Lahore Rugby Football Club (LRFC) thrashed Desert Campbell Rugby Football Club (DCRFC) Bahawalnagar by 22-5 in the Servis Tyres 15-a-side Rugby Championship 2023 first match played here on Sunday. The inaugural match of the Pakistan Rugby Union's most premier league event at Lahore was witnessed and enjoyed by Rizwan Malik, Haji Anwar, Mohammad Zubair, Shakeel Malik, Syed Moazzam Ali Shah, Asim Ali and a large number of rugby players were present. At the end of the first half, the score was 22-0 while in the second half, Desert Campbell team tried to bounce back by playing a great game, but the defence of the Lahore Rugby Football Club appeared to be quite strong and comfortably won the match. Saim, Tauqeer, Irfan and Imran scored one try each from Lahore Rugby Football Club while Zain scored the conversion. Wasim scored the only try from Desert Campbell Rugby Club. In this way, teams of Islamabad Jinns and Lahore Rugby Football Club have won one match each in the Division One.

FOOTBALL - Rugby 17 Jan, 2023

Noor Rugby Club win Darrah Adam Khail Under-16 Tournament

Sports Bulletin Report PESHAWAR: Noor Rugby Club have won the Darrah Adam Khail Under-16 Tournament that held under the banners of Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) aiming to flourish the game at lower level and to provide occasions to junior players. According to an official, Pakistan Rugby Union is organizing the tournament all over Pakistan in different age groups’ 7s and 15s events at the various locations of Pakistan. In Khyber Pakhutan Kawa (KPK) Darrah Adam Khail Under-16 tournament was held which was won by Noor Rugby Club. 3 cities participated in this junior activity including Noor Rugby Club from Darrah Adam Khail, Pakthons Rugby Club Noshera and Aspirian Rugby club Peshawar. The first game which was ended 0-0 draw between Noor RFC and Aspirian RFC and in 2nd game Pakhtons beat Aspirian by 15-0 and in 3rd and last game before final Noor RFC beat Pakhtons by 27-0. After the league games Noor RFC and Pakhtons RFC qualify for final which was reply of league game Noor RFC beat Pakhtons by 5-0 and won the Under 16 Rugby cup 2023. In the concluding ceremony chief guests Major Yasin (Frontier Core), Sajid Khan Afridi District Sports Officer Kohar and Noor Aslam Executive Committee member Pakistan Rugby union distributed trophies.

FOOTBALL - Int News 17 Jan, 2023

Over half-a-million tickets sold for FIFA Women World Cup

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: FIFA has revealed that over half-a-million tickets have been sold to fans from more than 120 countries for the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, taking place this July and August in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The first-ever 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup will be a truly global celebration of football and welcome teams qualified for the first time ever in their history from Morocco, Zambia, Philippines, Vietnam and the Republic of Ireland. FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “Ticket sales for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 are off to a great start and it’s not just home fans in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand purchasing tickets! Fans residing in the United States of America, England, Qatar, Germany, China PR, Canada, the Republic of Ireland and France are the top 10 purchasers of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 tickets so far. This highlights the fantastic pull of the female game and the passion it evokes among the global football fandom.