Sports Bulletin

SPORTS DESK: ISLAMABAD (Stember 25, 2020);-SJAS Gold medal 2020 was won by Karate Queen, Kulsoom Hazara while Dr MA Shah Gold medal was awarded to senior Sports Journalist, Waheed Khan. Senior athletics coach, Mohammad Talib was highlighted with the lifetime achievement award while Haider Hussain bagged the best sports organiser recognition for his outstanding services in the field of Hockey. The annual “Sports Journalist & Rashid Siddiqui Talent Award” ceremony was held at the Scout headquarters auditorium, on Thursday. The event began with a Seminar on “COVID-19’s impact on Sports”.  Addressing the occasion, adviser to chief minister Sindh on Law, Costal Highway development, Environment and the provincial spokesperson, Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that talent’s appreciation is it’s actual success. He lauded the efforts of the Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS) for the betterment and acknowledgement of sports journalists. Murtaza Wahab paid tribute to the chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for measures taken to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic however urged citizens to remain vigilant because the threat is still looming over heads. SJAS’ patron Dr Junaid Ali Ali, president Muhammad Asif Khan and Secretary General Muhammad Asghar Azeem presented honorary SJAS membership to Barrister Murtaza Wahab. Former captain Moin Khan said that abiding by the Covid safety protocols was an example for everyone at the ceremony. He noted that the pandemic impacted sporting activities a great deal however the situation is gradually returning towards normalcy now.  Former provincial sports minister Dr Junaid Ali Shah, former member Board of Governors, PCB Ejaz Farooqi and president Federal Union of Journalists GM Jamali expressed their condolences with the families of those journalists lost lives to COVID-19 and urged the Sindh government to adopt measures for the safety and insurance of the deprived families. Senior journalists Rishad Mehmood, Mansoor Ali Baig, Mehmood Riaz, Zubair Nazeer Khan, Waheed Khan and SJAS President Muhammad Asif Khan addressed the audience. Seven prominent athletes, presented with “Rashid Siddiqui Talent award” for prominent performances at the junior level, were Amir Ali (U19 Cricketer), Maaz Khan (Wushu), Marium Rafiq (Judo), Amna Ghayas (Captain, U12 Football), Shahzeb Khan (captain Karachi Hockey team), Azam Khan (cricketer) and Akif Ali (Taekwando). First Hub Jeep rally woman driver Tushna Patel, Pakistan’s number one Badminton player Mahoor Shehzad, international photographer Nasir Abdullah, senior sport journalist (PTV) Saifur Rehman and cricket encyclopaedia Sohail Khan were accoladed with SJAS especial awards. Karate Queen, Kulsoom Hazara was honoured with the Gold medal while senior journalist & anchor Waheed Khan was presented with Dr M A Shah Gold medal for his outstanding journalistic services. The secretary of the Karachi Hockey Association and former Hockey international, Haider Hussain was recognised for his services as organiser while for training thousands of athletes to glories at international stage, athletics coach Talib Hussain was given the lifetime achievement award. The best anchor (National) Abdul Ghaffar, best anchor (regional) Mujahid Solangi, Best anchor (emerging) Mohsin Mehdi, Best sports editor (English) Rishad Mehmood, best sports editor (Urdu) Mansoor Ali Baig, best senior reporter (electronic media) Faizan Lakhani, best senior reporter (Urdu , print) Tariq Aslam, best reporter (English, print) Umaid Waseem, best emerging reporter Muhammad Osama, best script writer Irshad Ali, best digital media producer award was presented to Shahzeb Ali Bhutto while Muhammad Asif Khan secured the award for outstanding performance.

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (September 22, 2020):-Razi Sports Academy (RSA) will participate in the 28th National Sports Festival 2020 for People with Different Abilities at Peshawar to be held from September 24 to 27 at Qayyum Stadium Peshawar. According to an official of RSA, the 4-day festival is being organized by KP Sports Directorate at Qayuum Stadium Peshawar from 24-27th September 2020. Special players male and female from all over the Pakistan will take part in multiple games in a large numbers of categories. Describing the details Raziuddin Ahmad CEO of the academy said that our boys team would be participating in Athletics, Badminton, Cricket, Tennis and Crutches Race standing category of polio affected upper and lower disabilities. RSA contingent is comprising on Raziuddin Ahmad Head of the Delegation, Mohammad Nawaz Gohar Manager / Player, Shahid Hussain, Mushtaq Haider, Umair Ali, Shabir Jan Khalil, Mohammad Asfaq Shakir, Shahid Ali, Mohammad Arsalan, Mohammad Bilal, Bilal Ayyaz and Asif Qadir. It is pertinent to mention here that Razi Academy honored to have gold medals winning badminton championships three times in the previous national festivals 2015, 2016 and 2018. 

SB REPORT ISLAMABAD (August 10, 2020):-Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) has elected Junaid Alam and Mansoor Ahmed its president and secretary for the next four years terms (2020-2024), respectively.  A General Council meeting of Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) held to elect the new office bearers for the next four years terms (2020-2024), at local hotel here. Representative of International Judo Federation, Mohammad Tahsin of Kuwait, who is also the Assistant to the President, Judo Union of Asia was present online to observe the whole electoral process. Representative of Pakistan Sports Board, Shahid Islam, Deputy Director General (Academics) also attended the meeting as Observer. Justice (Retd) Mohammad Alamzeb Khan conducted/supervised the elections and announced the results. According to results; Col ® Junaid Alam and Mansoor Ahmed were unanimously re-elected as President and Secretary General of Pakistan Judo Federation for the next four years terms (2020-2024), respectively while Fahmida Butt was elected as Honorary Treasurer.  Other office bearers; Senior Vice President, Dr Farhan Ebadat Yar Khan; Vice Presidents,  Masood Ahmad, Bashir Khan and  Asif Iqbal; Joint Secretary,  Noor Shah Afridi and  Associate Secretary, Mohammad Rafique.  Six Members Executive Committee,  Lt. Col. Muhammad Abid Majeed, Salahuddin, Zulfiqar Abbassi, Naeema Khan,  Miss Urooj Fatima and  Miss Fatima Raheem.  Newly elected President Col (Retd) Junaid Alam thanked all the members for re-electing him as President and said that Pakistan Judo Federation would take all possible steps for the development of Judo in the country as before. He said that judo players have made a name for the country and the nation by winning numerous medals at the international level. He said that no sports can be developed without the patronage of the government and sponsors, the government should also take steps in the country to promote the game of judo and focus on other sports like sponsored cricket.  The elections were attended by all affiliated units including Army, WAPDA, Railways, HEC, Police, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, KPK, AJK, Islamabad and other small Associations. Although due to ongoing scenario an online facility through zoom app was available to the participants, but most of them opted voluntarily to join physically even from far off areas like Balochistan.

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (July 17, 2020):-The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee announced at today’s virtual IOC Session that all the venues intended for the Games in 2020 have been secured for next year, and confirmed the sports competition schedule. This marks a significant step for the organisers, with only one year to go until the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 open on 23 July 2021. As preparations continue to advance, these decisions highlight the progress made amidst the current unprecedented circumstances, with strong unity amongst all stakeholders driving the planning and delivery of next year’s Games. This was emphasised by the Organising Committee’s President, Yoshiro Mori, and its CEO, Toshiro Muto. In their report to the IOC Session, they confirmed that all 43 competition venues, the Olympic Village, and the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre would be used for the Olympic Games in 2021. The Tokyo organisers also announced that the competition schedule will remain the same, with some minor timing adjustments for operational reasons. “The Olympic Village is the beating heart of the Olympic Games, while the venues are its soul. I am delighted that the Village and the venues have been confirmed for next year. This means that the athletes will have this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Athletes from all around the world will live together under one roof in the Olympic Village, sharing meals together, celebrating together, discussing together and forming these unique Olympic communities. That Tokyo 2020 has been able to achieve this and confirm the competition schedule despite the extraordinary circumstances is testament to the work of the Joint Steering Committee led by John Coates and Yoshiro Mori,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. He continued, “With only one year to go, a mammoth task still lies ahead of us. With our Japanese partners and friends, we agree that we have to adapt the planning of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to the requirements of the global crisis, while maintaining the unique spirit and message that defines our mission. We are working to optimise the operations and services without touching on sports and athletes. In this way we can, together with the Organising Committee, turn these postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 into an unprecedented celebration of unity and solidarity of humankind, making them a symbol of resilience and hope. It showing that we are stronger together.” Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori commented, "Following the decision to postpone the Games, Tokyo 2020 immediately formed the New Launch Task Force and began to organise systems ready to face this unprecedented challenge. Our all staff members have been working tirelessly around the clock on these preparations, and it is my pleasure to announce today that we have successfully secured all venues and confirmed the competition schedule for next year’s Games.” He continued, “I believe that the moment when athletes around the world emerge from this long, dark tunnel to gather at the Games will be a moment of pure and priceless joy. I have no doubt that people around the world will find this sight deeply moving. We will continue to give our utmost to ensure that the Tokyo Games are of special value as a symbol of unity and solidarity in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis. Next week on the 23rd, one year before the Games, we plan to send out a message of solidarity, hope, and courage to athletes with their eyes on next year’s Games." The Tokyo 2020 leadership used this opportunity to highlight the positioning, principles for re-planning and roadmap for the Games, first presented to the IOC Executive Board last month. The positioning and principles put the athletes and sport at the centre of the plans for Tokyo 2020, and address the desire to simplify and optimize Games preparations and delivery. The roadmap outlines the key activities, initiatives and milestones up until Games time in 2021. Since the historic announcement that the Olympic Games would be postponed, the IOC has been working in a spirit of solidarity with Tokyo 2020 and Olympic Movement stakeholders to reduce the impact caused by this postponement. During the Session, IOC President Bach thanked the Japanese partners and friends of the Games headed by Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshiro, Governor Koike Yuriko, and the athletes, all the Summer Olympic International Federations, the NOCs, TOP Partners and Rights-Holding Broadcasters. The IOC Session also received an update on the developments being made to simplify and optimise the Games, with the support of all delivery partners from the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and the Coordination Commission. These groups continue to review opportunities to optimise and streamline the Games’ scope and service levels. In addition, as most of the world continues to deal with the uncertainty of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the “All Partner Task Force”, which includes experts from WHO and local Japanese government authorities, continues to advise the Games organisers. Plans are being developed for COVID-19 countermeasures. The top priority remains the one already established before the postponement decision - to safeguard the health of all of the Olympic Games participants. The next major milestone for the organisers takes place on 23 July, marking one year to go until the start of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. A series of activities have been planned to mark this occasion, including the launch of the Olympic brand campaign, StrongerTogether, which recognises the importance of solidarity and unity during these difficult times, acknowledging the power of sport and in particular the Olympic Games to bring people together. Activities will be digitally-led, centred around the Olympic flame, and the resilience and strength of the athletes as they prepare for the Games. This will be supplemented by an exclusive media event in Tokyo to mark one year until the Games begin. Olympic Movement stakeholders will also be activating across their digital and social media over the coming days, to show their support for all the athletes and Tokyo 2020.

SPORT REPORT ISLAMABAD (June 11, 2020):-The two days online National Rope Skipping Coaching Course under the auspices of Pakistan Rope Skipping Federation (PRSF) will start from June 27, 2020, as the President, International Rope Skipping Federation (IRSF), Harpal Singh Flora will inaugurate the 2-day course. According to President PRSF, Maqbool Arain, the preparations for the coaching course have been given final touches, as the Executive Committee meeting of PRSF will be called in the in the next few days and all arrangements and regulations of the course will be reviewed in the meeting. Coaches, Sports Teachers and players from all over the country can participate in the course and experts and experienced international coaches namely, Director, IRSF Marteen, Moagi Sharp (Bostswana), Fateemah Sheybani (Iran), Davesh (India) will deliver the lectures to  the participants  on new laws/rules, techniques games  Rope Skipping, physical fitness and diet.

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (June 11, 2020):-The online Annual General Council meeting of Asian Netball Federation will be held on June 17, 2020, said an official of Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF) on Thursday. President, Asian Netball Federation, Datin Narumon will preside over the meeting.  President PNF Mudassar Arain told to media that the Asian Indoor Games, Asian Netball Championship, World Netball Championship qualifying round and others various issues to netball would discuss in the meeting. “The Asian Indoor Games will be played in next June 2021 at Thailand and Pakistan will take part in the event, “said Mudassar Arain. He further said that President, Asian Netball Federation, Datin Narumon had called the meeting online due to Corona Virus. The representatives of the affiliated countries would join the meeting online link and would give their suggestions and proposals for the promotion of games in their countries and Asian level.  

Sports Report ISLAMABAD (May 4, 2020):-Dr. Fehmida Mirza Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) distributed the cheques among the members of Pakistan Weightlifting and Tennis Teams that won medals in the 13th South Asian Games, were held in Nepal from 1-10 December, 2019. It is important to mention here that Weightlifting team won 5 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals. Weightlifters Talha Talib, Haider Ali, Usman Amjad Rathore, Hanzla Dastgir Butt and Mohammad Nooh Dastgir Butt won gold medals while Abu Sufyan and Rabbia Razzaq won silver medals and Saima Shahzad had claimed bronze medals. Similarly, Tennis players Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Aqeel Khan, Muzammil Murtaza and Mohammad Abid had claimed silver in men’s team event, Sara Mansoor, Ushna Sohail, Mahin Aftaz Qureshi and Sarah Mehboob Khan won Bronze medals in women team event. Aisam and Ushna Sohail won Bronze in Mixed Double, Mohammad Abid and Sara Mansoor also won bronze in mixed double event. Men’s double event Aisam and Aqeel Khan won bronze medal. In men’s double event Muzammil Murtaza and Mohammad Abid won bronze medal. Aqeel Khan won bronze in men’s singles. Muzammil Murtaza won bronze in men’s singles as well. In line with approved cash award policy, gold medalists were given Rs.1.000 million each, silver medalists got Rs.500, 000 while bronze medalists received cheques of Rs.250, 000 each. Total Rs.6.250 million and Rs.5.500 million were distributed to the Weightlifters and tennis players respectively. Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of IPC Saima Nadeem, Col. Gul Rehman Secretary General Pakistan Tennis Federation, Azam Dar Deputy DG PSB and parents of few athletes were present on the occasion. Talking to the players, Dr. Fehmida Mirza Minister for IPC/President PSB congratulated the medal winners and informed that half of the population of Pakistan is comprised of women. Their participation in the social life especially in the sports is commendable. She also appreciated the role of their parents who encouraged to their daughters to excel in the field of sports. Minister was of the view that these shinning players are the ambassadors of Pakistan who portray the soft image of Pakistan while representing their country abroad. Despite the fact that sports is a devolved subject and provinces should take lead to allocate appropriate resources to encourage players training, provision of coaches, talent hunt, make enabling environment for the masses to take participation in healthy activities etc  that Federal Government would continue to support the talented players to replace the stalwarts, she assured to the participations. Ministry of IPC and PSB is taking lead to resolve the issues of the players being faced in the current Covid-19 Pandemic. In this regard, a video conference with the provincial sports ministers will be arranged.            Mohammad Nooh Dastgir Butt, Gold Medalist, 12th and 13th SA Games, Bronze Medals Commonwealth Games 2018 and other players appreciated the role being played by Dr.Fehmida Mirza at this critical time. This is for the first time that players are receiving their reward in the form of cash prize money well in time which would definitely boost the morale of the players. This would definitely held their families and also facilitate for future endeavors. The medal winners emphasized that besides the federal government support provinces must play their due role to support the talented players so that youth, a major portion of the country, may utilize their energies in healthier sports activities and it can also make enabling environment for the youngsters to choose sports as their profession.   

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 24, 2020):-Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), Dr Fahmida Mirza disbursed the cash awards among the 11 medal winnings athletes of wresting and squash of the 13th South Asian Games, which were held in Nepal, here in a ceremony on Friday. It is pertinent to mention that in the regional mini-Olympics Games, Pakistan contingent won total 133 medals comprising of 32 Gold, 41 Silver and 60 Bronze medals. For appreciating untiring efforts of our sportspersons who brought laurels for the country and support them financially at this critical time of need when all the sports activities have been still stand/suspended worldwide due to Covid-19 pandemic, Dr.Fehmida Mirza, Minister for IPC/President PSB distributed cheques among 11 players of Pakistan Wresting and Squash teams in two different sessions to ensure their safety and observing SOPs set by the government. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for IPC Dr. Fehmida Mirza congratulated to national players and expressed her sincere appreciation for winning sportsmen. She revealed that though the Ministry wanted to host a ceremony of national level by inviting the Honorable Prime Minister as the ‘Chief Guest’, however, due to current Covid-19 pandemic situation, the cash awards were distributed among the winners by inviting them in small batches. She also added that the federal government was fully aware of the problems of sportspersons and playing its due role for promoting the sports in the country. She urged that the provinces might come forward for uplifting standards of the games in the country and promote sports from grass root level by adopting best practices of the world as the provinces are primarily responsible for the subject under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.   The participating players were included Inam Butt, Inayat Ullah, Abdur Rehman Gold Medalists of Wrestling and players from Squash namely Tayyab Aslam and Farhan Mehboob, Gold Medalists of Squash lauded the efforts made by the federal government and Minister for IPC/President PSB to support them financially at this critical time of need. The financial help by the government will go a long way to support their families and making efforts for their future endeavors. They also appreciated and thanked the then Secretary Ministry of IPC/Chef-de-Mission (Akbar Durrani) who visited every venue to encourage the sportspersons and also arranged sessions for boosting their morale and making them prepare aiming to win the gold medals. The Secretary Generals from both the Federations (Wrestling & Squash) assured their full support to the government and opined that without the necessary patronage of the government, the federations would not be able to achieve their objectives and execute their activities. They also requested to provide financial assistance to the national sports federations for smooth functioning.    

SB News LAHORE (April 9, 2020): Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti chaired an important meeting regarding Sports Development Projects 2020-21 at National Hockey Stadium on Thursday. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, Director Admin JavedChohan, Deputy Director Planning Rauf Bajwa, Director PMU AkramSoban and other officials attended the meeting. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh briefed the meeting about various aspects of the development sports projects. Addressing the meeting, Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said as many as 70 new Sports Development Projects will be launched under the new Development Programme. “The construction work on 100 sports projects will be completed under the Soft Sports Project besides initiating work on Phase-II projects”. Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti directed the concerned officials to complete the remaining work on under-progress sports projects as early as possible. “The prime objective of new Sports Development Projects is to promote sports culture in the province in an effective manner. We have plenty of sports talent across the province and our young talented players will further flourish their potential through professional training,” he added. Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, on this occasion directed the concerned officials to prepare the upgradation plan of Nishtar Park Sports Complex. Briefing the meeting, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, on this occasion said that the new sports schemes will help a lot the talented players to polish their sports skills. “In this way our youth belonging to far flung areas of the province will get top level sports facilities near their homes,” he added.  

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (March 26, 2020):-The International Netball Bodies have postponed the all upcoming three International Netball Events owing to Corona virus outbreak in the World. President, Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF), Mudassar Arain told to media persons that the International Netball Bodies had postponed three International Netball Events due to Corona virus epidemic in the World, including Asian Women’s Netball Championship, Asian Men’s Netball Championship and World Under-15 Girls’ Netball Championship. “The Asian Women Netball Championship-2020 was to be held at Korea from 19-26 June, which now will be played in December-2020 and Twelve countries will take part in the event including Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Singapore, India, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipe, Pakistan  and Brunie, “he divulged. He further revealed that the Asian Men’s Netball Championship-2020 had also been postponed which was to be held at Singapore from 29th April to 5th May 2020. Now it would be in December -2020. “Teams from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Singapore, India, Thailand, Pakistan and Brunie will be fight for the top position.  International Girls Under-15 Netball Championship-2020 has been cancelled which to be held at Melbroune, Australia from June 29, to July 5, 2020 and the date will be announced later, “he added. Mudassar further said that PNF had already postponed all netball activities in the country due to Corona Virus situation till April 15, on the special instructions of government and Pakistan Sports Board.