Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK): The Edgbaston Priory Club and Birmingham Rep will host the most prestigious fixture of the professional squash “The British Open” this year from April 9 to 16, 2023. Pakistan’s Jehangir Khan claimed this title 10 times in a row from 1982 to 1991. The PSA World Tour Platinum tournament, which has been held in Hull since 2013, will return to Birmingham for the first time since 2001 when the Utilita Arena Birmingham hosted ‘The Wimbledon of Squash’. The opening two days of the event will take place at Edgbaston Priory Club, before play moves over to the spectacular setting of The Rep in the heart of Birmingham city centre, where the action will take place on an all-glass show court from round three onwards. Mohamed ElShorbagy and Sarah-Jane Perry will compete for the titles alongside defending champions Paul Coll, of New Zealand, and Hania El Hammamy, of Egypt. A record prize fund of $370,000 will be on offer and will be split equally between the male and female athletes. PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough said: “We’re excited to move the British Open to Birmingham, a city which has a rich history within the sport. We started this conversation earlier this year with the West Midlands Growth Company, which aims to attract major events to Birmingham and the wider region, so we are delighted to be announcing this”. “Not only has Birmingham hosted the British Open on five previous occasions, as well as the British Junior Open multiple times, the city also successfully hosted the Commonwealth Games last summer, with thousands of fans flocking to watch the squash. We want to continue this legacy with the latest instalment of the iconic British Open and look forward to working with Birmingham City Council, Edgbaston Priory Club and members of the Birmingham Major Sporting Event Leadership Group over the coming months to ensure we put on a show to remember. “As we look forward to an exciting new era for the British Open, I’d like to take an opportunity to highlight the role that Dr Assem Allam played in staging the event from 2012 until the present day. Dr Allam sadly passed away recently and everyone at the PSA would like to express their gratitude for his unwavering support over the past decade.” Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back the British Open to the city, its return is long overdue and adds another exciting and fast-paced sport to the portfolio of major events we are developing. “This partnership is further proof of the way in which our Proud Host City status for the Commonwealth Games has shown governing bodies and sporting federations of our ability to deliver well-organised, well-attended, events that are enjoyed by athletes, spectators and officials alike. “It’s great that the Edgbaston Priory Club and The Rep will be showcased as venues for the Open and this is another opportunity for businesses in the city to boom during our golden decade of opportunity.” Birmingham Rep Executive Director, Rachael Thomas said: “We’re thrilled to be part of bringing the British Open to the city and hosting matches on our main stage in a spectacular all-glass showcourt setting.  We look forward to welcoming thousands of spectators to The Rep over the ten day period and sharing our iconic theatre with them. “Hosting this significant sporting event in partnership with our events company Unique Venues Birmingham and Birmingham City Council generates income that’s invested back into all the work that The Rep does as a registered charity – whether that’s theatre productions on our stages, outreach work in schools and communities or talent development with new artists.  We’re delighted to be playing our part in such a high profile event for the city.” England Squash Chief Executive Mark Williams said: “Following the success of the Commonwealth Games in August, we’re delighted that the prestigious British Open will be coming back to the city of Birmingham. This is a fantastic opportunity to further raise the profile of squash and build on the work we have been doing to help people from communities across the city play squash since the Commonwealth Games. We hope the British Open will inspire people of all ages and from all communities to try squash. “The Rep will provide a fantastic stage for the event, providing both an iconic city centre location and giving spectators an unparalleled viewing experience. We look forward to working alongside the PSA and Birmingham City Council to create a memorable showcase for the world’s finest players and to enhance the profile of the sport in the city.”

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan squash lads completed their journey after earning just one silver and one bronze medal in the British Juniors Open Squash Championship that concluded in Birmingham city, United Kingdom (UK) on Sunday. According to available information from abroad, Pakistan Under-13 player Nauman Ali Khan lost the final and collected a silver medal while Hamza Khan was also beaten by a US player in the Under-19 semifinal and awarded a bronze medal in the prestigious international junior squash fixture. It is important to mention here that in 2020 Pakistan’s player Mohammad Hamza Khan lifted the gold medal in the Under-15 category competitions. Results (finals): Girls’ Under-11 [1] Talia Sherif (Egy) beat Lilly Mashaal (Egy) 11-7, 7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-2 (30m) Boys’ Under-11 [1] Hazem Sarwat (Egy) beat [3/4] Malek Ahmed (Egy) 11-9, 10-12, 11-2, 11-1 (30m) Girls’ Under-13 [3/4] Habiba Rizk (Egy) [9/16] beat [1] Malika Taymour (Egy) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (24m)     Boys’ Under-13 [1] Carlton Capella (USA) beat [5/8] Nauman Khan (Pak) 7-11, 14-12, 11-9, 11-9 (36m) Girls’ Under-15 [1] Anahat Singh (Ind) beat [3/4] Sohaila Hazem (Egy) 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5 (28m) Boys’ Under-15 [2] Marwan Asal (Egy) beat [9/16] Seif Refaay (Egy) 11-3, 11-5, 11-4 (19m) Girls’ Under-17 [3/4] Madison Ho (USA) beat [3/4] Nour Khafagy (Egy) 11-8, 11-8, 14-12 (38m) Boys’ Under-17 [1] Youssef Salem (Egy) beat [3/4] Eyad Hossam (Egy) 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 (45m) Girls’ Under-19 [1] Amina Orfi (Egy) beat [2] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (Egy) 6-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-2, 11-6 (49m) Boys' Under-19 [2] Finnlay Withington (Eng) beat [9/16] Jonah Bryant (Eng) 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 (36m) Results (Semifinals): Girls’ Under-11 [1] Talia Sherif (Egy) 3-1 [5/8] Habiba Wael (Egy) 11-13, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 (27m) Lilly Mashaal (Egy) 3-1 [9/16] Joury Khashabah (Egy) 10-12, 11-1, 11-7, 11-4 (30m) Boys’ Under-11 [1] Hazem Sarwat (Egy) 3-1 [9/16] Aser Samir (Egy) 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 12-10 (34m) [3/4] Malek Ahmed (Egy) 3-1 [2] Amr Mostafa (Egy) 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 11-6 (25m) Girls’ Under-13 [1] Malika Taymour (Egy) 3-0 [3/4] Jinooreeka Ning (Mas) 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 (17m) [3/4] Habiba Rizk (Egy) 3-2 [9/16] Rama Elnagaar (Egy) 6-11, 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 11-9 (39m) Boys’ Under-13 [1] Carlton Capella (USA) 3-1 [3/4] Aiden Yun (USA) 7-11, 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (35m) [5/8] Nauman Khan (Pak) 3-2 [2] Eyad Walid Moussa (Egy) 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9 (47m) Girls’ Under-15 [1] Anahat Singh (Ind) 3-0 [3/4] Malak Samir (Egy) 11-5, 11-4, 11-2 (18m) [3/4] Sohaila Hazem (Egy) 3-2 [5/8] Ruqayya Salem (Egy) 12-10, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5 (33m) Boys’ Under-15 [9/16] Seif Refaay (Egy) 3-1 [1] Nickleswar Mogansundraham (Mas) 5-11, 11-9, 19-17, 11-8 (73m) [2] Marwan Asal (Egy) 3-0 Aiden Chi-Ren Chiang (USA) 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 (28m) Girls’ Under-17 [3/4] Madison Ho (USA) 3-2 [1] Barb Sameh (Egy) 0-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3 (45m) [3/4] Nour Khafagy (Egy) 3-0 [2] Salma El Sheik (Egy) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 (21m) Boys’ Under-17 [1] Youssef Salem (Egy) 3-2 [5/8] Jooyoung Na (Kor) 11-13, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4 (53m) [3/4] Eyad Hossam (Egy) 3-0 Alexander Dartnell (USA) 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 (34m) Girls’ Under-19 [1] Amina Orfi (Egy) 3-2 [3/4] Malak Khagafy (Egy) 9-11, 11-5, 11-13, 13-11, 11-7 (70m) [2] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (Egy) 3-0 [3/4] Aira Azman (Mas) 11-7, 11-7, 13-11 Boys’ Under-19 [9/16] Jonah Bryant (Eng) 3-1 [1] Rowan Damming (Ned) 11-13, 15-13, 11-9, 11-9 (60m) [2] Finnlay Withington (Eng) 3-2 [3/4] Hamza Khan (Pak) 6-11, 11-5, 15-17, 11-2, 11-4 (55m)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK): Nouman Ali Khan has qualified for the final of the Under-13 category of the British Junior Open Squash Championship 2023 after beating his opponent Eyad Walid Youssef Moussa from Egypt 3-2 at Priory Squash Club Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK) on Saturday. The final score-line was 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, and 11-9. Nouman bounced back in the match after going down 2-0. He won the rest of the three games after showing impressive skills game.

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK): Noor Zaman, Hamza Khan and Mohammad Ashab Irfan produced shining performances in the Under-19 categories competitions of the ongoing British Open Junior Championship, Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK). In the 2nd round of the Boys’ Under-13 fixture, Ahmed Rayyan Khalil (Pak) defeated Aiden Chan (USA) in straight games 3-0 with the final score-line of 11-2, 11-5, and 11-4 while Nouman Khan (Pak) outplayed English boy Bilbert Harrington in similar style 3-0. The final score-line was 11-5, 11-2, and 11-2.  In the next round, Nouman Khan will play against Yassin Bayumi (Egypt) while Ahmed Khalil will play against local player Ali Khalil. Meanwhile, in the Boys’ Under-15 competitions, Mubeen Khan from Pakistan thrashed Enael Houllier from the United States of America (USA) 3-0 with the score-line of 11-5, 11-4, and 11-2. Unfortunately, Azan Ali Khan (Pak) was wiped out by Omair Athar (USA) 3-1 in a well-contested match. Two games went so close that Azan lost on tie–break. The final score-line was 12-10, 7-11, 5-11, and 11-13.  In the next round match, Mubeen Khan will face Jack Elriami. In the Boys’ Under-17 categories, Abdullah Nawaz (Pak) brushed aside his opponent Sibastian Hylland (Norway) 3-1 after toiling hard in the court with the score-line of 11-9, 11-5, 2-11, and 11-5. Huraira Khan lost his match to Archie Turnbull of Wales 3-1 after a 4 games thriller. The score-line was 8-11, 8-11, 16-14, and 10-12.  Abdullah Nawaz will meet Harith Daniel Jeferi in the third round tomorrow. Boys’ UNder-19, all three Pakistani lads produced remarkable performances and claimed their second-round matches in straight games 3-0. Nooor Zaman outclassed Callan Venkatesan (USA) with the score-line of 11-5, 11-3, and 11-2 while Mohammad Hamza Khan thrashed his challenger local player Stanley Sykes at 11-4, 11-5, 11-3. Mohammad Ashab Irfan ousted Ion Davis at 11-2, 11-0, and 11-1. In the next round: Noor Zaman will play his match against Yassin Shohdy, Hamza Khan will take on Lazlo Godde and Ashab Irfan will fix his tie against Rowan Damming.

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK): Pakistani teenager lads took a respectable start in the British Junior Open Squash Championship, as all players registered victories in the first round, as the championship arose into action in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday. According to media department of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), in the Boys’ Under-13 category, Nouman Khan got Bye while Ahmed Rayyan Khalil outclassed Aron Suthi with the score-line of 11-2, 11-2, and 11-2.  In the next match, Ahmed Khalil will play against Kylen Calder from England. Meanwhile, in the Boys’ Under-15, Mubeen Khan also got Bye while Azan Ali Khan thrashed his opponent Thero Motshabi in straight games 3-0. The final score-line was 11-4, 11-7, and 11-5.  In the next match, Mubeen Khan will play against Enael Hollier (France) whereas, Azan Ali Khan will take on  Omair Athar from the United States of America (USA). Boys Under-17 category, Abdullah Nawaz got bye while Huraira Khan outplayed local guy Herry Parkinson 3-0 with the score-line of 11-2, 11-7, and 11-7. In the next match, Abdullah Nawaz will face Sibastian Hylland while Huraira Khan will meet Archie Turnbull. Later on, in the Boys’ Under-17 competitions, both Pakistani chaps Nooor Zaman and Mohammad Hamza Khan got bye in the 1st round match.  However, Mohammad Ashab Irfan will play against Ioan Davis and Anas Ali Shah will play against Marten Ramili. Also, Under-11 girl Mahnoor Ali from Pakistan earned bye in the first round of the British Junior Open Squash Championship 2023.

Sports Bulletin Report Cairo (Egypt): South Africa, who went into the tournament with only one full-time professional and were predicted to finish 12th, beat that prediction by three places. After beginning their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to No.3 seeds England and a narrow 2-1 loss to Hong Kong, China, South Africa won all four of their remaining matches, recording straight-match wins over Ukraine and Switzerland and 2-1 wins against nine-time champions Australia and Japan. The achievements of the week, led to South Africa being recognised as the Team of the Tournament at the prize ceremony at Madinaty Sporting Club. Paul Atkinson, South Africa's coach, reflected on the achievement: "I think for us, winning this particular award is very special. Typically, South Africans have always been pretty strong in the team events, both at the Men's and the Women's World Teams, because we come from a rich team tradition from the Jarvis and Kaplan Cup, which has been played in our country for the last 55 years. "So, we're used to playing in these teams environments and we thrive on it. But at the same time, none of our players are full-time professionals except for Alex Fuller. So we were always going to be under pressure against the other sides when three of our players play part-time and two of them are mothers with two and four kids each. "For us to come together as a team and really gel and play so well during the week together and then finish three positions higher than we were seeded, that's something we're very happy with. I think it came down to a real team effort with our reserve playing two matches and winning them both, and her being the youngest in the team. "I think, when you have people who do not play full time and they put in a lot of sacrifices and give up a lot of things in order to train really hard to participate in a team event like this, and then the results show [the reward], I think it's extremely satisfying and very proud for us as a small country. "It means a fantastic amount to the girls and to the people back home who have helped fund us and get us to the World Team Championships."

Sports Bulletin Report Cairo (Egypt): Although Egypt have won their fifth WSF Women’s World Team Championship title last week, they were far from the only team to record an impressive achievement at the tournament, which successfully returned after four years away due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the Madinaty Sporting Club, Japan were one of a number of teams that impressed, with the Asian nation finishing 10th, one place higher than their previous best. While every member of the Japan team made a valuable contribution, one name stood out repeatedly: Satomi Watanabe. The World No.33 had been making a name for herself on the PSA World Tour recently, with excellent showings at the New Zealand Open and Hong Kong Open, but in Cairo that talent was on full display to the watching world. In a commendable personal achievement, the Japan No.1 won every single one of the six matches she played, with Melissa Alves, Aifa Azman, Emilia Soini, Donna Lobban, Cindy Merlo and Alexandra Fuller all falling to the 23-year-old. In recognition of her form in Egypt, Watanabe was awarded the Most Valuable Player [MVP] of the tournament at the championship closing ceremony. Speaking on the recognition, Watanabe said: “I’m really happy to be awarded! It means a lot for me and I could never have done it alone, so I really appreciate my teammates and those who supported me.” The Yokohama native admits that, although she and her team are proud of what they achieved, they are unapologetic in their ambitions and are setting their sights on improvement in 2023. “It’s always a good experience to play in the Women’s World Teams and I think this was the closest chance the team has had to make it into the top eight. I’m gutted not to make it through but there are so many positives to take for me and the team. We’re all really looking forward to playing again in two years!” Watanabe said. At just 23 years of age, Watanabe will no doubt have plenty of opportunities to help Japan build on their achievement in Egypt. Expect plenty more to come from Japan’s breakout star.

Faisal ISLAMABAD: A 12-member Pakistan squad including nine players and three officials will leave for England on December 30 to participate in the upcoming British Open Juniors’ Squash Championship, which is scheduled to be held from January 4 to 8, 2023 in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK). According to an official of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), 12 members squad including 8 boys, 3 officials, and 1 girl will visit the UK. Mahnoor Ali will take part in the Girl’s Under-11 discipline for the first time in the history of the British Juniors Squash Championship. Eight boys will represent their country in four different age group categories competitions including Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19. In 2020, Mohammad Hamza Khan lifted the gold medal for Pakistan in the Under-15 discipline after an 8-year gap. Pakistan claimed only one British Juniors title in 2003 when Pakistan won three gold medals in Under-13, Under-17, and Under-19. In 2003, Rehmat Khan was the mentor of Pakistani squash lads, who clinched the British Juniors title with three top positions. Aamir Atlas Khan, Yasir Butt, and Safeer-Ullah Khan won the finals of Under-13, Under-15, and Under-19 respectively. Names of players: Under-11: Mahnoor Ali Under-13: Nauman Khan, Ahmed Rayyan Khalil Under-15: Mubeen Khan, Azan Ali khan Under-17: Huraira Khan, Abdullah Nawaz Under-19: Mohammad Hamza Khan, Noor Zaman Khan Officials: Farhan Zaman (coach), Zafaryab Khan (manager), Wasim Ahmed (physical trainer)

Sports Bulletin Report Cairo (Egypt): Defending champions Egypt retained their of the WSF Women's World Team Championship title after thrashing the United States of America (USA) 2-0 in the final at the Madinaty Sporting Club, Cairo. Top seed hosts were represented by World No.1 Nouran Gohar, World No.2 Nour El Sherbini, World No.3 Hania El Hammamy and World No.6 Nour El Tayeb had reached their sixth final without dropping a match, with Nouran Gohar's 3-1 win over Aifa Azman yesterday representing the only game dropped by the top seeds. The USA, represented by World No.5 Amanda Sobhy, World No.10 Olivia Fiechter, World No.15 - and younger sister to Amanda - Sabrina Sobhy, and World No.20 Olivia Clyne had already made history by reaching the final, with fifth being the No.2 seeds previous best ever finish. In a brilliant opening match, the best contest of the tournament, Gohar was pushed to the very brink by Sobhy. The World No.1 had looked in complete control when she took a 7-0 lead in the first game, only for Sobhy to dig in brilliantly. In front of a raucous crowd, Sobhy began to pull points back. Although it was too late to rescue the first game, which Gohar took 11-7, the American levelled the scores with a well-deserved 11-5 win in the second. The 29-year-old then took a hard-fought and feisty third game 12-10, putting Egypt behind for the first time in the tournament. Now, though, it was Gohar's turn to show her mettle. After falling behind in the fourth game, 'the Terminator' saved two match balls to level the tie with a 13-11 win. Roared on by 1,500 fans and with her opponent beginning to wilt, Gohar pressed her advantage in the decider, firing past Sobhy time and again to hand Egypt a crucial one-match lead with an 11-8 victory in the fifth. In the second match of the tie, El Sherbini quickly snuffed out any hopes of a repeat of the tension that had accompanied the first tie. The 'Warrior Princess', the defending individual as well as team world champion, wasted no time in going after Fiechter, with the American going down 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 in 21 minutes to keep the trophy in Egyptian hands. Results (final): Egypt beat USA 2-0 Nouran Gohar beat Amanda Sobhy (3-2) 11-7, 5-11, 10-12, 13-11, 11-8 (56m) Nour El Sherbini beat Olivia Fiechter (3-0) 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 (21m) Hania El Hammamy v Sabrina Sobhy (w/d) Women's World Team Championship (final standings): 1- Egypt, 2- USA, 3- England & Malaysia, 5- Hong Kong, 6- France, 7- Canada, 8- Scotland, 9- South Africa, 10-Japan, 11- Australia, 12- Switzerland, 13- Germany, 14- Wales, 15- Finland, 16- Chinese Taipei, 17- Ukraine.

Sports Bulletin Report Cairo (Egypt): Scotland, Canada, Malaysia and France have won their matches of the World Women’s Team Event Squash Champion after thrashing their rival teams Germany, Wales, Finland, and Chinese Taipei respectively at Madinaty Sporting Club Cairo, Egypt on Sunday. Canada beat Wales by 2-1 while the rest of the three matches ended in straight matches. Results (Women’s Squash Team Event): SCOTLAND beat GERMANY (3-0): Alison Thomson 3-0 Sharon Sinclair 11-6, 11-5, 12-10 (26m) Georgia Adderley 3-1 Katerina Tycova 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6 (35m) Lisa Aitken 3-2 Saskia Beinhard 4-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8 (50m) CANADA beat WALES (2-1): Nikole Todd 3-0 Stacey Gooding 11-4, 11-3, 11-6 (18m) Nicole Bunyan 2-3 Lowri Roberts 12-10, 11-5, 6-11, 7-11, 8-11 (44m) Hollie Naughton 3-1 Emily Whitlock 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7 (42m) MALAYSIA beat FINLAND (3-0): Chan Yiwen 3-0 Maarit Ekholm   11-3, 11-2, 11-1 (33m) Rachel Arnold 3-0 Riina Koskinen 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (19m) Aifa Azman 3-0 Emilia Soini 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 (27m) FRANCE beat CHINESE TAIPEI (3-0): Enora Villard 3-0 Yi-Chun Wu 11-1, 11-0, 11-1 (14m) Coline Aumard 3-0 Taipei Wang Yuan 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 (20m) Melissa Alves 3-0 Lee Yi-Hsuan 11-0, 11-8, 11-3 (17m)