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FOOTBALL - FIFA News 15 May, 2024

FIFA appoints working group to recommend rule changes

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk): The FIFA Council today approved the formation of a working group to gather further information and issue recommendations to the Council regarding potential amendments to the FIFA Regulations Governing International Matches (FRGIM).The working group will consist of 10 to 15 members from a variety of different football stakeholders, including representatives from member associations, confederations, clubs, leagues, players, supporter organisations, and also private entities engaged in organising international matches or competitions. The FIFA Council anticipates that the working group will make its recommendations in the following months.The primary objective of the working group will be to study the FRGIM and the press release issued following the October 2018 FIFA Council meeting regarding out-of-territory matches (cf. art 8.2 of the FRGIM), and to consider a revised legal framework at FIFA level dealing with i) rules, procedures and processes for authorising interclub football matches or competitions, and ii) criteria to be applied for authorising such matches or competitions. While the working group will independently formulate its own recommendations, the FIFA Council has requested that it base its proposals on the principles of transparency, objectivity, non-discrimination and proportionality, taking into account the following, non-exhaustive factors in making its recommendations:Fairness, including adequacy of advance notice to fans who may miss the opportunity to attend a home or away match in the home territory. Whether adequate provision has been made for fans of the teams playing a proposed out-of-territory match to attend the match in the host country.

FOOTBALL - National 11 May, 2024

National Challenge Cup: WAPDA, SA Garden to meet in final on Sunday

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: SA Garden, and WAPDA set to meet in the final of the National Challenge Cup 2023 on Sunday (May 12, 2024) at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad. The match will be played under floodlights, as the contest will kick-off at 8:30 pm.In the first semi-final, SA Garden overcame HEC in a tense penalty shootout, securing a 3-2 victory. Despite two additional 15-minute periods after regulation time, the match remained deadlocked. SA Garden's goalkeeper, Salman Kaka, emerged as a hero with a crucial save during the penalty shootout, propelling his team into the final.

FOOTBALL - National 05 May, 2024

Army, HEC, Navy, KRL qualify for Quarterfinals of NCC 2023 final round

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army and Higher Education Commission (HEC) from Group A, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), and the Pakistan Navy from Group B have advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2023 National Challenge Cup (NCC).Four matches were played on the fifth day of the National Challenge Cup (NCC) 2023 final round at Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad.In the first match, the Pakistan Army emerged triumphant against NIMSO with a 3-0 win, courtesy of Anees's two goals and Hassan's one. In the second match, Pakistan Navy secured a 3-0 victory over SA Farms. Nauman, Farhanullah and Naveed contributed with one goal each.In the third match, HEC beat PACA with 1-0. The only goal of the match was scored by Haleem. In the fourth match, KRL edged past Masha United with a scoreline of 4-0. Shahzaib, Najeebullah, Waheed and Ali Agha scored a piece for KRL.

FOOTBALL - National 30 Apr, 2024

National Challenge Cup 2023 Final Round resumes on May 1

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The final round of the National Challenge Cup (NCC) 2023, being organized by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), is set to kick off on Thursday (May 1 2024) at the Jinnah Sports Complex Islamabad.The group stage matches will take place from May 1 to 6 with each team competing in (03) matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, which are scheduled for May 7 and 8 followed by the semi-finals on May 10 while the final will take place on May 12. The participating teams have been divided into four groups, with each group comprising four teams.Groups:Group A: PACA, Pakistan Army, NIMSO and HECGroup B: KRL, Pakistan Navy, SA Farms and Masha UnitedGroup C: Otto Crains, Wapda, WSTC and Pakistan PoliceGroup D: PAF, Asia Ghee Mills, SA Gardens and Pakistan Railway

FOOTBALL - Clubs & Schools 27 Apr, 2024

Bagh Gulzar beat Sufyan Club 3-1 to Clinch District Football League Final

Sports DeskPESHAWAR: The Peshawar District Football League concluded with Bagh Gulzar Football Club emerging as champions after a thrilling final match against Sufyan Football Club. The event, graced by esteemed guests including Deputy Commissioner Swabi Mohammad Ali Shah, SSP Niaz Muhammad Khan Yousafzai, and District Football Association Secretary Shakeelur Rehman Tofan, saw players from various registered clubs showcasing their talent at the Zarubi Football Ground.In a fiercely contested final held yesterday, Bagh Gulzar Club secured victory over their rivals, Sufyan Football Club, with a scoreline of 3-1. Addressing the closing ceremony, Shakilur Rahman Tofan, Secretary General of the District Swabi Football Association, expressed their commitment to collaborate with the Pakistan Federation and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Football Association to elevate the status of football in Swabi.Tofan pledged to provide essential equipment such as balls and bags to players to enhance their performance, emphasizing the abundance of talent in Swabi. He stressed the need to level the playing field by bringing local clubs on par with those in Peshawar, Punjab, and other cities across the country. Tofan also urged the Deputy Commissioner Swabi to extend support to football players in the region.

FOOTBALL - Int News 25 Apr, 2024

Steven Gerrard discusses football, family, and future aspirations

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): In an exclusive interview with the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), Al Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard shared his perspectives on various aspects of his life and career. Gerrard, while a notable figure in football, spoke about alternative careers, advice for young players, family life, and his views on leadership and legacy.Gerrard opened up about other potential career paths outside football management: "I am very much into sport so I would’ve tried to stay in some sport in some capacity and tried to get a job related to football or maybe related to a different sport. Because growing up all I wanted to do was watch sport on TV, do sport at school, so I’m very sport orientated."For young athletes dreaming of a career in football, Gerrard's advice is simple yet profound: "Dream big, picture a dream and then work as hard as you can every single day to improve, to listen to the right people and every day be extremely motivated and dedicated to reach your dream. I think football is about dreams and memories and experiences so my advice to them is set a dream, set a target and then every single day maximize the opportunities to get better to learn and to grow and to improve your skills and reach for the stars."Gerrard also shared insights into his personal life, particularly his role as a father: "When I am not at work or at football I am very much family orientated. I have 3 daughters and 1 son so I am always taking them to different places, always playing football in the garden with my son or taking him to football so I am probably a taxi or an uber driver for a lot of the times and also taking them to school, picking them up from school, doing homework and if I get a small bit of time to myself I like to spend it with my friends."When asked about his top three footballers Gerrard's choices reflect his admiration for both the legends and contemporaries of the game: "I would pick Zinedine Zidane because he was my hero growing up. In my generation, he was the best midfielder in the world so I’d pick Zinedine Zidane and also the two best players in my generation by far were Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, so they’d be the three I’d pick."Regarding how he wants to be remembered, Gerrard expressed a desire for others to see his commitment and teamwork: "I want to be remembered for someone who gave everything in terms of 100% every single day. I was loyal, I was a fighter, I wanted to give all my energy and my efforts for the team that I represented and I was a team player so I want to be remembered for them values."Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq currently sit in 7th place in the RSL and are set to face Al Raed in their next RSL fixture on Saturday, 27th April 2024. (Press Release)

FOOTBALL - National 19 Apr, 2024

National Women's Football Championship 2024 postponed

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced on Friday that the postponement PFF National Women's Football Championship 2024 has been postponed, originally scheduled to kick-off on May 5, 2024 in Karachi.According to an official of PFF, the decision comes in response to feedback from representatives of various clubs, who expressed concerns regarding potential clashes between the championship schedule and the academic commitments of their players.In light of these considerations, the PFF has made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the event. However, the revised schedule for the National Women's Football Championship 2024 will be announced in due course, following further consultation with club representatives and careful consideration of all relevant factors.

FOOTBALL - National 09 Apr, 2024

National Women's Football Championship starts on May 5

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: The National Women’s Football Championship (NWFC) is set to commence on May 5, 2024 in Karachi. The clubs that have registered by December 2023 will be eligible to participate in the extravaganza, showcasing the passion for women's football across Pakistan.Being organized by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), the championship will see the participating teams divided into four groups. With the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals. The championship will culminate in a finale scheduled to take place on May 21, 2024, where the top contenders will vie for the coveted title of champions.

FOOTBALL - Int News 04 Apr, 2024

Global Football Talent Showcase Lands in Islamabad

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Football Academy (TFA), renowned for its global outreach in identifying and nurturing football talent, sets its sights on Islamabad, Pakistan, for its latest talent showcase. Unlike the previous year’s paid showcases across Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, TFA has revamped its approach, offering a golden opportunity for local talent to shine without any barriers. In a significant move to give back to the community, TFA, in partnership with well-known Pakistani academies, has announced a free talent showcase slated for April 18.As many as 99 free tickets for this exclusive event mark a pivotal moment in TFA’s mission to democratize access to professional football opportunities, reflecting a commitment to fostering sports development and talent recognition in communities that are rich in potential yet often overlooked.Ali El Jishi, The Sporting Director of TFA said: “Last year, we made a promise to come back, and we are here to fulfill that promise. Our commitment to nurturing talent is stronger than ever. This free showcase in Islamabad is just the beginning. We envision a future where our strategic partnerships extend beyond the field, developing coaches and delivering camps that could eventually evolve into a TFA franchise here. It’s about laying down a sustainable foundation for football in Pakistan.”As a professional football club that travels the globe to accelerate players’ careers in professional football, TFA’s Talent Showcase Tours have made waves in cities such as Reykjavik, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, Cape Town, Addis Ababa, and Trinidad and Tobago. Now, as they prepare to make their mark in Bahrain, after Pakistan aiming to uncover the next generation of football stars.The showcase in Islamabad follows a rigorous yet promising format: 99 players will be trialed across three different sessions, with each session hosting 33 hopefuls. From this talented pool, the top 25-30 players will be chosen for a final match, showcasing their skills in a competitive setting that mirrors the pressures and triumphs of professional play. The most exceptional one to three players from this final will earn a 30-day trial in Dubai with TFA’s Future Team and First Team. Success in this trial means more than just recognition—it opens the door to signing a professional football contract with the club.“Our goal is to reach into the heart of communities and bring out those shining stars that haven’t had a platform before. Islamabad, with its rich cultural heritage and love for football, is the perfect stage,” says a spokesperson from TFA. As April 18 approaches, excitement builds not just among the aspiring footballers of Islamabad but also within the broader Pakistani sports community.Through initiatives like these, TFA continues to strengthen its reputation as a forward-thinking club committed to football’s global development. The Islamabad showcase is poised to be a landmark event, promising to uncover and polish the raw gems of Pakistan’s football talent, setting them on a path towards international sportsmanship and success.

FOOTBALL - Int News 03 Apr, 2024

Ronaldo delighted with second Al Nassr hat-trick in three days

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his delight at scoring his second Roshn Saudi League hat-trick in three days, as Al Nassr manager Luis Castro hailed the “perfectionist” Portuguese forward. Ronaldo, who netted a hat-trick in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Al Tai, struck from two free-kicks in the space of 10 minutes to give Al Nassr an early two-goal lead in their 8-0 victory at Abha on Tuesday.The superstar No.7 followed that by up completing another treble with the most impudent of chips and directly assisted Sadio Mane then Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem to send Al Nassr in 5-0 ahead at half-time.Ronaldo, who was substituted at half-time and rested for the second half, has now netted 65 senior hat-tricks in his illustrious playing career. He is the Roshn Saudi League’s top goalscorer this season with 29 goals in 24 games. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has also struck a total of 36 goals in 35 games for Al Nassr in all competitions this season. Asked after the match how he felt about his hat-trick achievement, Ronaldo replied: “Great, thank you.” Accompanied by three football emojis to signify his hat-trick, he also added on social media: “We are not slowing down.”Al Nassr manager Castro said: “Ronaldo is a perfectionist. Ronaldo is a top player and takes professionalism to a different level. He is 39 years old, and I am sure fans and everyone else knows just how dedicated he is. When he practices free-kicks, finishing or even when recovering, he always puts the maximum effort in. No matter what he does, it is always to his full capacity. He is a role model to every player. He is always consistent whether the team is going through difficult times or good times. He shows character regardless of the circumstances. It’s amazing. However, I don’t want to forget the other players – Ronaldo is part of the team and what he does is somehow a reflection of the collective effort of the whole group.”Abha manager Pitso Mosimane said: “What can you say after a defeat like this? We don’t have excuses. We must take it as part of learning lessons for the team and myself. There were a lot mistakes – I think five goals, we made mistakes. We gave them goals many times, but we have to move on and focus on the response. The process is to stay in the league, and I don’t think we were budgeting for taking points off Al Nassr – but the score is not what we want. We have to go through lessons to learn. The only way to come out of this is to win the next match. The players must accept this, and I also must accept this.”