Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The president, Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF), Mudassir Arain on Tuesday announced that the National Inter-provincial Netball Championship 2024 would roll into action on June 26 (Wednesday at Liaquat Gymnasium, Islamabad.He further said: “All arrangements of the championship have been completed and seven team each of men and women from across the country are participating in the championship, including Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. Punjab and Sindh will defend their men's and women's title respectively.”“In the first round of men's event, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will face Gilgit-Baltistan in the first match. Balochistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir teams will meet in the second match and the third match will be played between Islamabad and Sindh. In the first round of women's competitions, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will meet in the first match. The second match will be played between Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. In the third match, Islamabad and Punjab will meet, while the defending Sindh team has received a bye.”he concluded.

Nairobi (Kenya): The Pakistan Blind Women's Goalball Team has commenced their historic tour of Kenya with a resounding victory, defeating the host Kenyan team 10-4 in the first match of the series. Captain Karn Rafeeq led the team with an impressive nine goals, while Ramsha Ajmal scored one goal. Syeda Farwa Ali showcased exceptional defensive skills, repelling all attacks from the opposing team.The Principal Sports Officer of Kenya's Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Margaret Gati, attended the match and met with both teams, praising the blind players' efforts and highlighting the Kenyan government's initiatives to support visually impaired athletes. The series is expected to be highly competitive, with both teams eager to showcase their skills. (PR)  

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) announced that the Saudi Arabia Women’s National Futsal Team secured back-to-back victories against the Serbia national team. The team recorded a 3-2 win in the first match, with goals from Albandary Mubarak, Seba Tawfiq, and Albandary AlHwsawi. This was followed by a 5-2 victory in the second match, with Albandary Mubarak scoring all five of Saudia Arabia’s goals.Aalia AlRasheed, Head of the Women's Football Department at SAFF, said: “These wins show just how much effort and passion our team puts into every game. Winning against a strong team like Serbia really boosts our national team’s confidence and highlights the progress we’re making in women's futsal. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the hard work of our players and coaching staff pay off in such a significant way. We’ve been focusing on building a strong, cohesive team, and these victories are indications that we’re on the right path. Our goal is to keep pushing forward, learn from every match, and continue to grow. We’re determined to keep this momentum going and reach even greater heights. The support from SAFF and the dedication of our players are key to our success, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved so far."The friendly matches were part of the national team’s ongoing training camp in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which commenced on 23 May 2024 and will run until 15 June 2024. This camp is a critical component of the team’s preparation for upcoming competitions and matches, focusing on fitness, physical conditioning, and tactical development.Head Coach Mato Stanković, who has been instrumental in the team’s development, continues to guide the 20-player squad in this training camp. The national team players who are currently in Sarajevo are: Layla Ali, Leen Mohammed, AlBandry Mubarak, Noura Ibrahim, Atha Fahad, Abeer Nasser, Raghad Mukhayzin, Rahaf AlMansouri, AlHanouf Saud, Mohrah AlMalhi, Nadeen Saleh, AlBandry AlHawsawi, Raghad Saleh, Lana Abdulrazaq, Bayan Sadgah, Seba Tawfiq, Yara Alfaris, Raghad Munai, Manar AlOnaizi, and Noura AlAthel. 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: President, Pakistan Blind Sports Federation (PBSF), Mohammad Waqas formally announced that the Pakistan female goalball team would visit Kenya for a bilateral series, as the squad would depart to Kenya on June 13 from Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, Karachi.Mohammad Waqas said: “This historic event marks a significant achievement for the team and a proud moment for Pakistan. The team, which has shown exceptional dedication and talent, is preparing intensively for the series. We are incredibly proud of our blind female goalball team for achieving this milestone. The series will not only highlight their talent but also promote inclusivity and the spirit of sportsmanship."

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Naila Kiani Pakistan’s leading female high-altitude mountaineer, has achieved yet another milestone by being declared the “National Goodwill Ambassador for Girls’ Education” by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training . In her new role, she aims to highlight the importance of girls' education across Pakistan and support initiatives by federal and provincial governments.Naila Kiani achievements in Mountaineering: She is the first Pakistani woman and the overall third Pakistani to have climbed 11 of the 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters. She holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani woman to climb an 8,000-meter mountain within Pakistan. Kiani is also the first Pakistani woman to summit Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I (G-I), Gasherbrum II (G-II), Lhotse, Manaslu, Broad Peak, Annapurna, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. She is among the ten mountaineers worldwide, and the only Pakistani, to have climbed multiple (seven) peaks above 8,000 meters in less than six months, in 2023.Furthermore, she is the fastest Pakistani, regardless of gender, to have climbed all eleven 8,000-meter peaks in less than three years. She is the only female athlete to receive Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the highest civilian honour given to any female athlete in Pakistan.Advocate for Girls' Education: Naila Kiani’s appointment as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Girls' Education is a testament to her commitment to empowering women through education. She, herself an aerospace engineer and a banker, believes that education is the key to women's empowerment and the success of the country. As an ambassador, she will work tirelessly to:Raise awareness about the importance of girls' education: Support and promote initiatives by federal and provincial governments aimed at improving educational opportunities for girls. Inspire young girls across the nation to pursue their dreams and achieve their full potential.Naila Kiani said, "I am honored to be appointed as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Girls' Education. Education is the only route to women's empowerment and success in our country. I am committed to using my platform to support and advocate for educational initiatives that ensure every girl in Pakistan has access to quality education." 

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: The first Inter-Provincial Women's Softball Championship will be played at the Football Stadium KPT Sports Complex, Karachi, from 30th May to 1st June 2024. Teams from Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and host Sindh will participate in the championship.  Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is the title sponsor of the championship, and Combaxx Sports are co-sponsors in collaboration with Palmolive, Dr. Essa Lab, KPT, and others are included. Sindh Softball Association has been given the hosting of the championship.

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Japan's Consul General Karachi, Hattori Masaru, has said that sportsmen are the community that can establish unity among the nations individually and collectively. Athletes send a message of hope and confidence to the world through mutual respect, harmony, and friendship. He expressed these views in a meeting with a delegation of Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) led by President Asif Azeem at the Japanese Consulate. Vice Consul Saito Machi, Senior Vice President of Softball Federation Dr. Farhan Essa, Chairperson Yasmin Hyder, and Secretary Finance Zeeshan Merchant were also present on this occasion.Japanese Consul General Hattori Masaru said that softball is played by more than 65 million people from 140 countries around the world. In terms of sports, the Olympic Games have an authentic and prominent place around the world and softball is part of the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in the city of Los Angeles,USA.Hattori Masaru further said that he is very happy to see the growing popularity of softball among the Pakistani youth. “We will do our best to develop this game in a modern way in Pakistan. The Softball Federation of Pakistan will organize the women's inter-provincial softball championship to be played in Karachi this month. Such events give young players plenty of opportunities to express their talents.” Federation President Asif Azeem said that Japan is one of the leading countries playing softball. Japan Consulate Karachi has always provided us with its full support for the development of softball. Dr. Farhan Essa said that we wish qualified coaches and umpires from Japan to come to Pakistan to train our players and coaches. Yasmin Hyder said that very soon they will organize a series of matches between the Japanese Consulate and the Pakistan Softball team. On this occasion, the Softball Federation of Pakistan presented a softball momento bats and souvenirs to Japanese Consul General Hattori Masaru and Vice Consul Saito Machi. 

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the National Conference on Revival of Sports here on Friday, and emphasized the government’s commitment in improving Pakistan’s sports landscape.Declaring 2025 as the year of sports revival in Pakistan, the minister expressed his determination to take Pakistan’s sports to new heights. “All-out efforts are being made to improve Pakistan’s sports,” he said.The minister highlighted the importance of the conference in reviving and improving sports in the country. “Victory is not won on the field of play, but it has to be planted in the mind,” he said here at a local hotel.He pledged to provide comprehensive support to Pakistan’s talented athletes, saying that the country has immense talent. The aim of today’s conference is to offer broad-based support to these athletes, he said.Ahsan announced several initiatives to promote sports, including the preparation of 2028 Olympics, promotion of institutional sports, and establishment of an endowment fund for players. He also mentioned the installation of astro-turfs to highlight sports from the grassroots level.The minister said Pakistanis were second to none in the world in terms of intelligence and hard work. However, he was of the view that despite having a population of 250 million, Pakistan failed to qualify for even five sports in the Olympics.Ending doping in sports in Pakistan is a top priority, he stressed, adding that despite funds being allocated for National Games in 2016 and 2017, the event did not take place.Ahsan said that he was imprisoned in the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for building Narowal Sports City. “Sports should be kept away from politics,” he said.Ahsan also criticized the previous PTI government for dismantling departmental sports structures, which had harmed the development of sports. He said he will also write a letter to all departments to restore sports within a week. We plan to build seven astro turfs for hockey, four of which have already been completed.The minister also highlighted the achievements of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, including ending load shedding and terrorism, and bringing peace to the country.He also highlighted PML-N’s government’s achievements in resolving the energy crisis, combating terrorism, and restoring lights of Karachi.Ahsan also emphasized the need for sports revival in Pakistan, saying that a nation’s character is reflected in its sports. “If a nation is labeled as thieves, bandits, or corrupt, then that nation is defeated,” he said.He highlighted the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and drew a comparison with the development of sports infrastructure. Germany built 400 squash courts in one year, while Pakistan built only four in the same timeframe.Looking ahead to 2047, when Pakistan and India will mark 100 years of their independence, he said, India has made significant strides in sports but expressed his determination to create a new chapter of development in Pakistan sports.“We must invest in our youth and sports infrastructure to create a vibrant sports culture in Pakistan. This is crucial for building a positive image of our nation and promoting national unity and pride.”He said that Pakistan will host the South Asian Games in 2025 and aims to become one of the top ten economies in the world, including the sports sector. He also revealed plans to hire foreign coaches to develop sports in Pakistan.With a renewed focus on sports development, Pakistan aims to reclaim its position as a sporting nation and inspire a new generation of athletes and citizens alike. The conference brought together sports officials, athletes, and other stakeholders to discuss ways to revive Pakistan’s sports sector. (SBR)

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk): There is a name that is both feared and adored in the world of Coastal Championship Wrestling. With his fierce smile and crazy eyes, Skitz the self-described King Freak has become the face of mayhem within the ropes. Even the most resolute opponents are shaken by his mere presence, and those who ventured to listen are left with a clamor of craziness echoing in their heads. Rumors about Skitz's struggles spread along with his renown. One of the last strongholds of wrestling history, the NWA, was targeted by this chaotic force. Skitz's commercial was a declaration of psychological warfare as much as a call to arms, a terrifying display of passion and lunacy, as reported by the sports casters. The performance left spectators wondering about the very nature of what they saw, as it dissolved the boundaries between fact and fantasy within the rings of the wrestling world.As Skitz skillfully combined elements of intrigue and terror, the wrestling community stood in awe. It was clear from his speech that he represented more than simply another wrestler; he stood as the herald of a new age. Skitz's influence on CCW and the NWA cannot be disputed, regardless of one's perspective on him as an expert in the macabre or a freak of nature. The combination of eerie, dramatic, and psychotic components in his promos has made them must-watch videos, leaving both opponents and fans excited to see what he will do next.The wrestling world waits to see what will happen next as Skitz's fame rises. Is the NWA going to react to his menacing advances? Is there any figure with the same depth of psychology as him? One thing is certain Skitz the freak has altered the game, and everyone is waiting anxiously to see how it will pan out. Only time will tell. Skitz is still a mystery at this point, a ghost who haunts the dreams of both spectators and wrestlers.

A story of determination and devotion, Alan "S2S" Martinez's early years served as the prelude to his story. The lessons learned from the streets and fields, the dream to aim high, and the spirit of Quilpue all accompanied him as he entered the world of professional wrestling. The story of Alan started in the center of Quilpue, a city tucked away in Chile's bustling Valparaiso area. Before being known to the wrestling rings, he grew up with adventures in an environment where passion and community were ingrained in everything.His family accounts that Alan always found comfort in sports as a young boy means to express his limitless energy and passion for competition. For him, his home ground transformed into majestic stadiums where he experienced success and gained valuable lessons from each encounter. This is when Alan's passion for physical challenges and drive for excellence began. As Alan grew, so did his aspirations. His attention was drawn to the Lucha Libre events that took place nearby, a part of Chilean culture. For young Alan, the masked luchadores were heroes, not merely performers as accounted by his friends and family. As the wrestlers battled each other, he would sit in the seats, his eyes filled with astonishment. Alan had a profound, unconscious bond with this realm, which was legendary in scope. It wasn't an easy route, nevertheless, for Alan to reach the squared circle. He experimented with several endeavors, all of, which served as stepping stones to his ultimate goal. In his quest to discover his place in the world, he experimented with music and arts. He dreams of himself in the ring, the spotlight on him, the crowd's thunderous applause echoing in his ears. These were glimmers of a future he was committed to bring to pass, not simply idle fancies. The luchador's tales and his loved ones' encouragement fed the fire inside of him, making it blaze brightly.