Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Pakistan overpowered South Korea 3-2 in the 15th Asian Under-18 Volleyball Championship 2024 in Manama, Bahrain in their opening fixture after a nerve-jangling contest on Sunday night. The final score-line was 22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 20-25, and 15-13.According to available information from abroad, Pakistani teenager players showcased exceptional skill and determination as they secured a thrilling victory against South Korea. The regional volleyball championship, taking place from 28th July to 4th August 2024, saw Pakistan emerge victorious with a final score of 3-2 after a nail-biting match.The match was a testament to the team's resilience and strategic game-play. Key players Ajmad Junaid, Abubaker, Mohammad Yahya, and Mohammad Anas delivered outstanding performances, contributing significantly to the team's success.The team is being led by Head of Delegation Mohammad Kamran, with Mohammad Buksh Javed as Team Manager, Head Coach Saeed Ahmad Khan Sadi, Assistant Coach Mohammad Suleman, Physio Mohammad Salman, and Referee Mohammad Sabtain providing essential support and guidance.Mohammad Kamran said: "We are extremely proud of our team's performance today. Our guys showed Great Spirit and determination against a strong opponent. This victory is a significant step forward for us in this championship."The next match for Pakistan will be against India, scheduled for 29th July 2024 at 6:30 PM Pakistan time. The team is geared up and ready to continue their winning streak in the upcoming games.

Sports Bulletin ReportParis (France): Reigning men’s world champions Germany stole the headlines on the opening day of the hockey competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 thanks to an impressive victory over host nation France at the Yves-du-Manoir Hockey Stadium. There were also wins for the men’s teams of Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and India, while the women of Argentina and the Netherlands also prevailed on a rainy but hugely entertaining day. Men’s Pool A: Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands opened their respective Olympic campaigns with victories, getting early points on the board in the race to reach the quarter finals. Great Britain claimed a 4-0 victory against Spain, although the match was far closer than the scoreline would suggest. The Red Sticks impressed in the early stages but GB were exceptional in front of goal with Nick Park, Gareth Furlong (2) and Rupert Shipperley all on target. Park’s stunning chipped finish opened the Olympic scoring in style, with the man himself describing it as “the best goal I’ve ever scored”.The Netherlands versus South Africa game was a thrilling encounter, with the Oranje snatching a 5-3 win thanks to strikes from Jip Janssen (2), Jonas de Geus, Tjep Hoedemakers and Duco Telgenkamp. “We were happy with the first half, we played very well and were strong defensively but the second half was a bit messy”, said double goal-scorer Janssen. “South Africa have some very good players (who are) world class, so you can never underestimate them.”Germany stormed to an 8-2 victory over host nation France, with the packed stands creating an astonishing atmosphere. Germany were ruthless in front of goal, with Justus Weigand and Niklas Wellen both scoring doubles alongside contributions from Thies Prinz and a goal each for captain Mats Grambusch and his younger brother Tom. "It's an awesome start, it's definitely how we wanted to start the tournament”, said Germany’s Christopher Rühr. "Absolutely amazing atmosphere. To play France in France as a start is something you dream of, and I think we managed to play really well."Men’s Pool B: While Belgium, Australia and India were all recorded wins, the Pool B matches were fiercely contested. Reigning Olympic champions Belgium were given a stern test by Ireland before emerging 2-0 winners thanks to strikes from Tom Boon and Alexander Hendrickx. Speaking after the match, Hendrickx said: "It was a good performance. It’s not our best performance, but it’s logical that we want to grow during the tournament, to do each game better and better. It’s a good base to start on.”Blake Govers scored a stunning penalty corner drag-flick as Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Australia battled to a hard earned 1-0 victory over Rio 2016 gold medallists Argentina. Govers was full of praise for Los Leones, stating: “We know the Argentinians are a really good outfit, they defend really well. We got a couple more chances, but we’re pretty happy. It’s the Olympics, so a win is a good result.”The India versus New Zealand clash was another tight affair, with Harmanpreet Singh’s late penalty stroke sealing a 3-2 win for the eight times Olympic champions. Talking about how he kept his nerve from the penalty spot, Harmanpreet said: "It's a mental thing. You need to stay focused and just go for it. I tried to manipulate the goalie with my eyes and it worked, but the win is all because of the team."Women’s Pool A: Yibbi Janssen scored four times as the Netherlands opening their Olympic title defence with a 6-2 triumph over host nation France. However, it was still a memorable moment for the Olympic debutants, with Yohanna L’Hopital and Paola Le Nindre sending the home fans into raptures with goals against the reigning Olympic, World, European and FIH Hockey Pro League champions. Although proud moments for the home favourites, it was the Oranje who made the perfect start as they bid to claim their fifth Olympic gold medal. Women’s Pool B: Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Argentina were 4-1 winners in their Pan American derby match against USA, with Rocio Sanchez - Argentina’s flagbearer in Friday’s dazzling opening ceremony – Agustina Gorzelany, Julieta Jankunas and Zoe Diaz netting for Las Leonas. Commenting on the support of the Argentina fans in the stadium, Maria Campoy – who made her 100th appearance for her country – said: "You can feel the chants and the support. Argentines are always everywhere, and they support us a lot."

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Besides top seed, Saddam Ul Haq, Sakhi ullah, Anas Ali Shah, and Shahab Khan moved into the semifinals of the ongoing Jahangir Khan PSA Satellite Series Squash Championship 2024 after thrashing their respective challengers Fawad sharif (3-0), Abdullah Butt (3-0), Zain Anwar (3-0), and Abdul Basit (3-2) respectively here at PN Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex on Sunday. The semifinals will be played on Monday at the same venue at 10:00am.In the last quarterfinal, Shahab Khan toiled hard on the court to tide-over his opponent Abdul Basit 3-2 in a well contested five games affair. The final score-line was 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, as the match lasted 50 minutes.Results (Round-2):Saddam Ul Haq beat Sikander Khan (3-2) 9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 7-11, 11-4 (33 minutes)Fahad Sharif beat Mohammad Babar (3-1) 11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6 (33 minutes)Sakhi ullah beat Hurraira Khan (3-1) 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3 (23 minutes)Abdullah Butt beat Varun Asif (3-2) 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10, 12-8 (47 minutes)Anas Ali shah beat Azan Khalil (3-1) 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-1 (32 minutes)Zain Anwar beat Hassan Pracha (3-1) 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (27 minutes)Shahab Khan beat Shayan Khan (3-0) 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 (18 minutes)Abdul Basit beat Cavish Farrukh (3-0) 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (18 minutes)Results (Quarterfinals): Saddam Ul Haq beat Fawad sharif (3-0) 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 (27 minutes)Sakhi ullah beat Abdullah Butt (3-0) 11-9, 11-1, 11-6 (19 minutes)Anas Ali Shah beat Zain Anwar (3-0) 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (28 minutes)Shahab Khan beat Abdul Basit (3-2) 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 (50 minutes)

Sports Bulletin ReportOslo (Norway): Pakistan Street Child Football Team outclassed hosts Astor Football Club 6-1 by showing impressive performance in their opening match of the Norway Cup 2024 here on Sunday.Astor Football Club scored the first goal in the first half of the match against the Green Shirts, after a few moments, Pakistan equalized the match 1-1. In the second half of the match, the Pakistani street child football team scored 5 goals in a row, Abdul Ghani scored 2 goals, Isa, Junaid, Owais and Mohammad Khan scored one each.Mohammad Adeel, the captain of the national street child football team, spoke after the match said: “We have practiced hard and learned new techniques, God willing, we won the matches, the morale of the players is high with this victory.”The national street child football team played their second group match on July 29 against Vardenset Football Club of Norway. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan national street child football team has been the runner-up in Norway Cup 2023.

Sports Bulletin ReportOslo (Norway): Pakistan Street Child Football Team players and officials have arrived Oslo in the capital city of Norway to participate in Norway Cup Football Festival 2024.Pakistan team departed from Islamabad International Airport at 5 am on July 27 for Norway, Oslo to participate in Norway Cup 2024. The national team consists of 22 member squad which includes Mohammad Kashif, Isa Khan, Shahid Anjum, Abdul Ghani, Mohammad Junaid, Mohammad Khan, Daniyal Owais, Mohammad Usama and defenders, Asad Nasir, Obaidullah, Mohammad Adeel, Hamza Gul. Goalkeeper, Aryan, Adeel Ali Khan are part of the squad.Pakistan Street Child Football Team will play their first match on July 28 against Astor Football Club of Norway, second match on July 29 against Vardenset Football Club of Norway and third match of the group on July 30 against Norwegian club. Mohammad Adeel will lead Pakistan team. Pakistani players were runner-up in the held Street Child Football World Cup, while the Norway Cup finished second in 2015 and third in 2016. 

Farhad Shraif, Zain Anwar, and Shahab Khan clinch thrilling victories on opening daySports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Farhad Shraif, Zain Anwar, and Shahab Khan posted thrilling victories on opening day of the Jahangir Khan PSA Satellite Series Squash Championship 2024, which got underway here at PN Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex on Saturday.Shahab Khan overcame Mohammad Zaman 3-2 with the score-line of 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, and 13-11, as the match lasted 43 minutes. It was best contest of the day that was enjoyed by the spectators.Results (Day-1):Saddam ul Haq beat Shahzad (3-1) 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5 (36 minutes)Sikander Khan beat Kamran Khan (3-0) 11-6, 11-3, 11-1 (22 minutes)Mohammad Babar beat Fawad Hussain (3-1) 5-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-8 (37 minutes)Fahad Sharif beat Hikmat yar Khan (3-2) 11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 (52 minutes)Sakhi ullah Khan beat Kumail Tariq (3-0) 11-5, 11-5, 11-3 (22 minutes)Hurraira Khan beat Ch Nasir (3-0) 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 (20 minutes)Varun Asif beat Mohammad Ishaq (3-1) 4-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 (20 minutes)Abdullah Butt beat Naveed Rehman (3-1) 11-3, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9 (35 minutes)Anas Ali shah beat Mohammad Ali (3-0) 11-2, 11-8, 11-6 (18 minutes) Azan Khalil beat Shahzad Khan (3-0) 11-5, 11-7, 13-11 (26 minutes)Hassan Pracha beat Mohammad Fawad (3-0) 11-7, 11-7, 11-3 (19 minutes)Zain Anwer beat Mohammad Ahmed (3-2) 5-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 11-1 (38 minutes)Shahab Khan beat Mohammad Zaman (3-2) 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 13-11 (43 minutes)Shayan Khan beat Haji nawab khan (3-0) 11-3, 11-3, 11-5 (20 minutes)Cavish Farrukh beat Kashi Khan (3-0) 11-3, 11-1, 11-7 (19 minutes) Abdul Basit beat Zuhaib Khan (3-0) 11-7, 11-6 , 11-6 (21 minutes).

Bipin DaniA Sri Lankan psychologist Samantha Rupasiri has come forward "to help" Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya in his difficult times he's running through.Recently, Hardik and his wife Natasa Stankovic have officially confirmed their separation and the couple issued a joint statement on social media indicating their mutual decision to part ways and their plan to co-parent their son Agastya. As Hardik is in Sri Lanka to represent the Indian cricket team to participate in the 3 T-20Is, the psychologist has offered her services to keep the player mentally fit. "I am not aware whether the Indian team has brought any mental expert on this tour but if not, I am available to him for personal consultation", Samanrtha Rupasiri, who is officially serving in the Service Sector, speaking to this Reporter over the telephone from Colombo, said. Samantha Rupasri arised from University of Peradeniya in 2002 and contributed her guidance conducting educational sessions to Max Cricket Academy established at Keththarama in 2003. At that time Lasith Malinga,Nuwan Kulasekara,Dilruwan Perera, Dilhara Lokuhettige,Dhammika Prasadand and many more players were representing in U 19 squad.At present she is consulting several sports persons with the wide range of her knowledge as a sport psychologist. "Mainly sports psychologists are considering two major aspects. One is enhancing the performance of a player and other is to enhance the mental well-being". "It depends on Hardik's personal perception that he is coping with the situation. If he announced a separation of his marriage he would be able to face the situation.But everything depends on his mental condition, how he is managing his mindfulness. On this tour. If I am given a chance to interact with him I am confident of bringing him out of this trauma". 

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) announces season two of the Women’s Football Clubs Development Fund Program, continuing its commitment to nurturing and promoting women’s football across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.For the 2024-25 season, the total support fund has increased to SAR 60 million, representing a SAR 10 million rise allocated in the previous season, reflecting SAFF’s dedication to further developing women’s football.Building on the success of the inaugural season, this season’s program will extend its support to 70 women’s football clubs participating in various competitions, including the SAFF Women's Premier League, SAFF Women's First Division League, SAFF Women's Second Division League, SAFF Women's Cup, SAFF Women’s U-17 Tournament, and the Women’s Futsal Tournament.As part of the enhanced program for the new season, SAFF has introduced new criteria to ensure the continuous growth and professional development of women’s football. These new criteria for women’s football clubs include:Sponsorship criteria requiring clubs to attract sponsorsScouting criteria mandating the appointment of an official scout by clubsMedical criteria requiring clubs to appoint a doctor and issue medical reportsFans criteria encouraging increased attendance at matchesNutrition criteria requiring clubs to appoint a nutrition specialistTechnology criteria mandating the use of GPS to assess players' fitness levelsLamia Bahaian, Vice President SAFF said: "We've seen incredible progress in women's football over the past year, and the increased support fund for this season is a clear indication of our commitment to pushing even further. Our aim is to create more opportunities for women in football and build a strong foundation for the sport in Saudi Arabia. With the expansion of our program, we're not only increasing the number of participating clubs but also enhancing the quality of the teams participating in our competitions. We're focused on providing the necessary resources and support to help our players, coaches, and teams thrive. This season promises to be an exciting chapter for women's football, and we're eager to see the continued growth and success of our athletes."Last season, significant strides were made with the hiring of 18 Saudi coaches, and 91% of clubs’ head coaches now hold an A coaching license. Additionally, 24% of clubs have coaches with a pro license, highlighting the increasing professionalization within women's football.Further achievements include the establishment of Under-17 teams by 56% of the clubs, providing a platform for young female footballers to develop their skills. The commitment to nurturing homegrown talent is also evident with 87 professional contracts signed with Saudi players, marking a significant milestone in the development of women's football in the Kingdom.As SAFF embarks on this new season, it remains committed to fostering an inclusive and dynamic football environment that empowers women and young girls to pursue their passion for the sport. The significant increase in funding and the expansion of support services demonstrate SAFF's ongoing dedication to elevating women's football.

Sports Bulletin ReportManama (Bahrain): Pakistan’s Under-18 Volleyball Squad including 12 players and 6 officials arrived in Bahrain to participate in the 15th Asian Under-18 Volleyball Championship, which will be held in here from July 28 to August 4, 2024.Names of players: Talal Ahmed, Abu Bakar, Mohammad Anas, Mohammad Hassan, Mohammad Jabran Khan, Ajmal Junaid, Muhtad Ali Shah, Mohammad Junaid, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Yahya, Mohammad Nasir, Khizar HayatTeam Officials: Mohammad Kamran (Head of Delegation), Mohammad Buksh Javed (Team Manager), Saeed Ahmad Khan Sadi (Head Coach), Mohammad Suleman (Assistant Coach), Mohammad Salman (Physio), Mohammad Sabtain (Referee).

Sports Bulletin ReportDarwin (Australia): Fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani has been ruled out of the Pakistan Shaheens’ Darwin tour after picking up a back injury. Dahani will miss the second four-dayer against Bangladesh ‘A’ starting from Friday and the white-ball leg of the Darwin tour, which involves two one-day matches and the Top End T20 Series.25-year-old fast bowler, who picked up four wickets against Bangladesh ‘A’ in first four-day match, will return to Pakistan immediately and will be assessed by the medical panel before starting the rehabilitation process.Spin-bowling all-rounder Mubasir Khan has been added to the white-ball squad as cover for Dahani. Khurram Shahzad, who was set to return after the completion of two four-day match series against Bangladesh ‘A’, will now be available for selection in the two one-day matches against Northern Territory Strike and Bangladesh ‘A’ on 4 and 6 August, respectively.