Football - Sport bulletin

Football

FOOTBALL - Int News 25 Jun, 2023

Football News: Over 4,000 soccer fans join Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sports Bulletin ReportSydney (Australia): Over 4,000 football-loving fans joined a festival of football on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, celebrating 25 days to go until the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, as a giant Unity Jersey was revealed, reflecting the diverse spirit of the game and solidarity between the 32 participating nations.The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on Gadigal land was transformed into a festival of football in a celebration of culture, bringing together diverse people and communities to mark the 25-day countdown until the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.Amidst the sparkling backdrop of the Sydney Harbour, over 4,000 fans kicked-off festivities on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and took part in this once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the FIFA Women's World Cup ‘Unity Celebration’.Hosted by former Australia international and FIFA Women in Football Leadership participant, Amy Duggan, soaking up the buzzing festival atmosphere were grassroots football and multicultural communities, local and international football greats including FIFA Legend Joy Fawcett, NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, representatives from co-host Member Associations Football Australia and New Zealand Football, as well as FIFA officials.FIFA Council Member, Johanna Wood, said:“What a fabulous morning of football, culture and community coming together. We are committed to delivering an exceptional tournament and experience that will not only captivate the hearts and minds of football fans but also empower women in sport across the globe. We are ready to go Beyond Greatness and football, once again, has demonstrated how it unites the world.”NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, said:“Today we stand on one of Australia’s iconic structures, excited to host the world's best players and their passionate football fans in NSW. I am excited to have 11 matches scheduled here in NSW and welcoming all the world class football teams and their fans at what is set to be the biggest FIFA Women’s World Cup ever. “This tournament has the potential to be one of the biggest sporting events in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics and the NSW Government is happy to support the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.”Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, said:“Today marks three years to the day since we won the right to co-host the 2023 edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and what a fitting way to celebrate atop one of the most iconic and recognisable structures in the world. Today, the Sydney Harbour bridge was closed to celebrate football. This is a significant moment for our game and is something which the Australian football community should take pride in and savour – this is our time."

FOOTBALL - National 25 Jun, 2023

Football News: MA Referee Instructor Course concludes at FIFA House

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: A 5-day first Members Association (MA) Referee Instructor Course concluded on Sunday, which was taken place under the supervision of course instructor Mohamad Rodzali Yaqub at FOFA Football House Lahore under the banner of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).According to an official of PFF, Mohamad Rodzali Yaqub, a FIFA Regional Development Officer from Malaysia, dedicated five days to sharing his expertise with a group of 16 ex-FIFA and national referees from Pakistan. The course was part of FIFA's 'Teach the Teachers program' by engaging in theoretical discussions and hands-on activities, he facilitated a comprehensive learning experience for the referees. Chairman NC Haroon Malik said: “I would like to thank Rodzali who came here to teach referees new things according to FIFA and AFC standards. He extended his best wishes to all the participants who not only acquired new knowledge but would also pass it on and officiate in future matches and reinforced the commitment to improving the refereeing landscape in Pakistan.”On the occasion, Mohamad Rodzali Yaqub expressed his gratitude to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for having him in Pakistan and to Khurram Shahzad, who is the referee manager for arranging the informative course for the referees. He expressed his satisfaction in sharing his experiences with the participants and hoped that the refereeing standard would improve. He acknowledged the participants' potential to acquire new knowledge and highlighted their remarkable dedication to approaching the course's practical and theoretical components. He commended their outstanding commitment and enthusiasm throughout the course.

FOOTBALL - Int News 25 Jun, 2023

Football News: Hosts India outclass Nepal 2-0 in SAFF Championship

Kuwait stun Pakistan 4-0 to move into the semifinals, India to meet Kuwait on June 27 to fix top team of Pool ASports Bulletin ReportBengaluru (India):-Hosts India outclassed Nepal 2-0 in the Bengaluru South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, and confirmed their berth in the top-four stage of the 8-national fixture.With this victory, India extended their unbeaten run on home turf to 12 matches. Ever since September 5, 2019, when India lost to Nepal, no other international team could leave the pitch in India by tasting victory against the hosts. After a first half where the Blue Tigers were left frustrated by the stubborn Nepal defence, goals from captain Sunil Chhetri and Naorem Mahesh Singh after the break bagged the three points for the hosts, who had assistant coach Mahesh Gawli on the touchline in place of the suspended Igor Stimac.Kuwait beat Pakistan 4-0 earlier in the day and will join India in the semi-final from Group A. Nepal, finalists of the previous edition, are eliminated.There were as many as eight changes to the India side that cruised past Pakistan 4-0 in the opener. Only hat-trick hero Sunil Chhetri, Anirudh Thapa and Sahal Abdul Samad were retained in the eleven. In the entirely-new backline, Rahul Bheke was handed his first start of the month.The game started at a lighter pace than the one three days earlier. India, expectedly, did see plenty of possession in the starting stages and most of their attacks came from the left wing, with Akash Mishra, Naorem Mahesh Singh and Sahal, who occasionally drifted wide.The latter spurned the first big chance of the game in the 16th minute when Akash cut the ball back from the by-line but he could only side-foot it wide.In the very next minute, Nepal lodged their first shot on target as Mehtab Singh's clearance fell for Arik Bista, whose first-time volley was well-saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.Nepal had Manish Dangi causing India trouble from the right flank. On one such occasion, his low cross was met with a vital interception by Rohit Kumar, allowing the hosts to move forward on the counter-attack. In a three-on-three situation, Sahal took a bit too much time to pick out a pass and was dispossessed by the visitors.India came out a much more rejuvenated side after the break, and after Mahesh’s snapshot from distance flashed just wide, the deadlock was broken in classic fashion in the 61st minute.Sahal and Mahesh combined well before the latter sent an inch-perfect low cross into the middle for Sunil Chhetri to tap in his 91st international goal with the simplest of touches.India were finally getting in the groove and less than 10 minutes later, the lead was doubled after a rather bizarre first India goal for Mahesh. As Sahal sent Chhetri clean through, the skipper took his time before releasing his left-footed shot. The effort was deflected, by goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu, bounced twice on the crossbar before Mahesh bundled it in from point-blank range.Limbu was called into action soon again and prevented the fiery Indian offence from registering more goals. He made two strong saves in quick succession to first keep out substitute Lallianzuala Chhangte’s shot from a narrow-angle before holding firm to Bheke's header from the resulting corner.India XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Nikhil Poojary (Pritam Kotal 73'), Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Akash Mishra, Rohit Kumar (Jeakson Singh Thounaojam 63'), Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad (Rahim Ali 82'), Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sunil Chhetri (C), Udanta Singh (Lallianzuala Chhangte 63').

FOOTBALL - Clubs & Schools 16 Jun, 2023

Mumbai City FC, OSCAR Foundation to launch ‘Healthy Goals’ program

Sports Bulletin ReportMumbai (India):-Mumbai City FC announced to launch of ‘Healthy Goals’, a new initiative to empower healthier lives for the youth of Mumbai through football, in partnership with OSCAR Foundation.Through the ’Healthy Goals’ initiative, Mumbai City FC and OSCAR Foundation will join forces to raise funds to support the developing and refurbishing community football pitches, as well as youth led football and leadership programmes uplifting the health of local young people.This unique initiative combines grant funding with community football training for young leaders in Mumbai, who will use football to improve the health of young local Mumbaikars by providing access to quality sports infrastructure. The pitch developed will be used to deliver regular football and life skills sessions and leadership trainings for youth from underserved communities.Combining OSCAR Foundation’s experience in fundraising with Mumbai City FC’s presence in the communities of Mumbai, the ‘Healthy Goals’ initiative will raise funds and awareness to amplify the impact. The ‘Healthy Goals’ initiative aims to create a lasting impact legacy and will measure it’s outcomes through participant surveys, coach reports and feedback from communities in Mumbai.Kandarp Chandra, CEO Mumbai City FC said:“Community development is one of our key beliefs at Mumbai City FC and we’re delighted to be able to partner with a true community leader in OSCAR Foundation. Through the ‘Healthy Goals’ program, we aim to deliver a meaningful and lasting impact in our city through healthy communities, grassroots development and sustainable social growth.”Ashok Rathod, Founder and CEO, OSCAR Foundation said:"The collaboration between OSCAR Foundation and Mumbai City FC for 'Healthy Goals' fills us with great enthusiasm. Together, we aspire to leverage the influence of football to uplift the lives of young individuals in Mumbai, build healthier communities in grassroots, and instill invaluable leadership attributes that will endure for years to come."*City Football Group Limited (CFG) will match donations to the Healthy Goals Programme made between February and September 2023, to a limit of £125k (INR 1.25 crore) for any single Club or a maximum of £500k (INR 5 crore) matched globally across all CFG Clubs participating in this round of funding.

FOOTBALL - National 14 Jun, 2023

Chairman NC Haroon Malik calls on Olympian Athlete Arshad Nadeem

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-Chairman, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) Haroon Malik called on Arshad Nadeem Pakistan's Olympian javelin thrower at Football House Lahore on Wednesday. Dr. Asad Abbas, Chairman Pakistan Olympic Medical Commission was also present on the occasion.According to an official of PFF, sports relating issues came under discussion during the meeting. Chairman Haroon Malik appreciated the performance of Arshad Nadeem in the Commonwealth Games 2022 and his achievement of bagging a gold medal for the longest distance of 78.02m in the Javelin throw at the 34th National Games in Quetta. He also highlighted the importance of motivating athletes and providing support to them in various ways.Arshad Nadeem expressed his gratitude to Haroon Malik for inviting him and appreciated the respect he received. He said when athletes are appreciated for their hard work and accomplishments, it not only enhances their confidence but also inspires them to pursue even greater success. Such gestures can be fruitful for any sportsman, he added.

FOOTBALL - Int News 12 Jun, 2023

Football News: Footballers to award Scholarships in United Kingdom

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-Pakistani current and former footballers and officials including men and women will be awarded scholarships in the United Kingdom (UK) to upgrade their knowledge and study abroad, as the initiative has been launched by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) at a local hotel here on Monday.According to an official of PFF, the British High Commission in collaboration with Swindon Town Football Club will create a wonderful opportunity for both men and women football team players, current and former along with the coaches to get Scholarships in the United Kingdom.PFF NC Chairman Haroon Malik, Head of Internal Communications British High Commission Shehryar Mirza, Head of Lahore Office, Clara Strandhoj, and Chevening Alumni Engagement Officer, Reema Salman graced the occasion.Swindon Town Football Club UK's Chevening Scholarship will now feature Pakistani players, coaches, and professionals enrolling in a fully-funded Master-Degree Program in the UK. The selected players will get the opportunity to study with getting perks including fully-funded tuition fees, access to some of the best quality education in the world, exclusive networking opportunities, and the chance to explore the UK’s diverse culture.Haroon Malik said:"We are thankful to the British High Commission for this Swindon Town Football Club UK's Chevening Scholarship for our players, which is no doubt a good step towards the betterment of football on an academic level. Football is necessary and education should be mandatory for all players. Not only our current stars but former players, professionals and coaches will also be able to utilize the platform and benefit.Chevening Alumni Engagement Officer, Reema said:“The incentive offered by the Swindon Town Football Club will not only enhance the knowledge of players but also strengthen the ties between the two countries. Our aim is to further strengthen the ties between the British High Commission and Pakistan Football Federation through sports and education."

FOOTBALL - National 08 Jun, 2023

Football News: PFF Introductory Referee Course starts in Lahore

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-As many as 24 persons are taking part in the third Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Introductory Referee Training Course that kicked off on Tuesday here at FIFA House. Similar courses have been conducted in Karachi and Quetta under the banner of PFF.A three-day will conclude on the 10th of June. The four-day long course is headed by Khurram Shahzad who is FIFA MA Referee Instructor and Manager Referees PFF.NC Chairman Haroon Malik said:"I welcome you all to the course and wish you good luck. Referees play a crucial role in ensuring fair play and upholding the rules of the game, and acquiring new knowledge and techniques can greatly enhance your abilities. I hope you will learn things that will help you in the future."Manager Referee Khurram Shahzad said:"I am thankful to PFF NC for the matchless efforts of conducting the courses in different cities. Previously, we have made a successful course orientation in Karachi and Quetta. This is indeed a good medium for the participants to learn and we are looking forward to expanding in other cities."

FOOTBALL - National 07 Jun, 2023

Football News: Women goalkeepers’ training camp starts in Lahore

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-Women goalkeepers’ training camp started on Wednesday under the control of women goalkeeper coach Ahsanullah Khan.According to an official of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Nisha Ashraf, Tooba Idris, Sahar Zaman, Mafia Parveen, Ayina Mirza, and Naira Amin have been hinted as potential players. The objective of the camp is to assess and identify the best goalkeeper among them, who will then have the opportunity to participate in the senior team camp later this month.Coach Ahsanullah Khan said:“The camp in Lahore will conclude on June 11 and will be followed by another camp in Karachi from June 13 to 18. By evaluating goalkeepers in training, we aim to select 3 players who will then have the opportunity to participate in the National Women's Team camp, which is set to commence in the middle of June.”

FOOTBALL - Rugby 03 Jun, 2023

Rugby News: Pakistan to host Men’s Division-! Matches in Lahore

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-Pakistan will host the Asia Rugby Men’s Division-1 matches scheduled for the 4th and 8th of July against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), secretary, Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) Salman Sheikh to reporter here on Saturday, as the winner would secure a berth in the Asia Rugby Championship next year 2024.He further said, “In 2022, the Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) appointed South African Gert Mulder as the Head Coach for the Asian Rugby Division II Tournament 2022 which they won against Thailand. The South African will again be in charge this year for the two-match tie.”Pakistan Head Coach said:“It is an honour to continue leading the Pakistan National Rugby Team as we embark on this new chapter in our journey. The promotion to ARC Division-1 is a testament to the team’s hard work and progress. While the competition will undoubtedly be tougher, I have full faith in our players’ capabilities. We will face each challenge head-on and strive to make our mark in the elite division of Asian rugby.”Secretary PRU said, “The ARC Div 1 2023 will see Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) play two matches on the 4th and 8th of July, in Lahore and the team that accumulates the most points will win and “secure a berth in the Asian Rugby Championship, edging closer to the ultimate dream of qualifying for the World Cup,”Questioned on his return to Pakistan, Mulder said: “It is an honour and privilege to lead the Pakistan National Rugby Team once again as we embark on this new chapter in our journey to eventually gain the opportunity of testing ourselves against powerhouses like Hongkong, South Korea, and Malaysia.“The promotion in 2022 to the Division I Asia Cup Championship is a testament to the team's hard work and progress. While the 2023 competition will undoubtedly be much tougher, I have full confidence in the players' abilities. We will take on every challenge head-on and strive to make our mark in the elite division of Asian rugby.“Finally, I am personally better prepared because the environment is familiar to me, and I am aware of the challenges and what it takes to overcome them. I am grateful and humbled by the support and trust shown by the selectors, players, coaching staff members, management, and every role player within the Pakistan Rugby Union.”

FOOTBALL - National 02 Jun, 2023

Football News: Scrutiny Advisory Committee meets at Headquarter

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-The first meeting of the Scrutiny Advisory Committee formed by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) took place at the FIFA House, Lahore on Friday.According to media official of PFF, Chairman, Normalisation Committee (NC) Haroon Malik along with NC members Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokar and Saud Hashimi attended the meeting whereas the Scrutiny Advisory Committee members were present on the occasion including Akhtar Moheyuddin, Mohammad Siddique, Usman Usmani, Mohammad Arif, Rizwan Hameed, Irfan Khan Niazi, Zulfiqar Shah and Imtiaz Ahmad.Chairman NC Haroon Malik said:“The formation of Advisory Committee for Scrutiny is yet another display of the PFF NC to carry out the scrutiny process in the most befitting manner. The committee will relay the real voice of the community. Federation formed a Scrutiny Advisory Committee to ensure free, fair, transparent and smooth holding of the club scrutiny which is the first step of PFF elections.”During the meeting, NC member Saud Hashimi briefed the participants about the rules of the district championship and the scrutiny process. The matters pertaining to rules, matches and physical scrutiny came under the light.The committee's main responsibility is to coordinate between PFF and Football Clubs. The committee members will observe the scrutiny process and give their feedback to PFF with their recommendations and proposals. PFF NC has termed the committee as a community tool to facilitate the clubs through all possible support. The Committee also has the mandate to advise PFF on scrutiny schedules across the country. On this occasion, members of the Scrutiny Advisory Committee expressed their gratitude to the PFF for placing their trust in them for this important responsibility. They emphasized their lifelong passion for football and made a heartfelt commitment to carry out their duties with utmost sincerity.