Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced the participation of the Pakistan Women's Futsal team in the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2025. For the first time, the women's team will compete in any premier futsal competition under the umbrella of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).The qualification round is scheduled to begin at the start of 2025, with the round of 12 set to take place in May 2025. To prepare for the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2025, the PFF has successfully organized five Futsal National Cup (FNC) competitions in major cities across Pakistan.MRF clinched the title of the Women's Futsal National Cup in Lahore. In Quetta, Hazara remained the crowned champions of the Women's Futsal National Cup. Smuff emerged victorious in the Women's Futsal National Cup in Islamabad, while the Karachi City team secured the win in the Women's Futsal National Cup in Karachi. These competitions were a part of PFF's efforts to develop women's futsal in Pakistan.Chairman PFF Normalisation Committee, Haroon Malik said: "I am pleased to announce that the PFF has confirmed the participation of the Women's Futsal team in the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2025. This participation highlights PFF's commitment to developing women's futsal in Pakistan and providing our players with opportunities to compete at the international level", he added.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The officials of the Indian contingent for the Asian Juniors’ Individual Squash Championship 2024, Dalip Kumar Tripathi (Manager), and Mekhala Subadar (Manager-cum-coach) vowed to restore bilateral sports series between India and Pakistan, as this step would be a nice omen for both countries to boost their sports.While talking with www.sports-bulletin.com at Mushaf Squash Complex here Dalip Kumar Tripathi said: “I came first time to Pakistan along with squash players, and I am very happy here to meet with Pakistani people, who welcomed Indian players for this international squash fixture with the core of hearts. We are good, and Pakistani officials are caring for us and providing all the facilities in the capital city. However, we are not allowed to go outside the hotel.”Responding to a question, Dalip said that this event would be a great opportunity for Indian players to learn squash because Pakistan was the soil of world champions. “If there would be bilateral sports series in different sports including squash this step would be fruitful for the players of both national to enhance the skills of the game and improve the standard of respective games, as in the past bilateral series of hockey, and tennis were held between the Pakistan and India, “he added.Dalip divulged to this scribe that India got the basic squash system from Malaysia and started squash promotion at the grassroots level. “We hold 40 to 45 national tournaments in one year in different states, aiming to provide occasion to budding players. Players, who do well and learn the skills of squash later send them abroad for junior international tournaments. India squash is on the right track to reach on top at the international arena, “he replied to another question.“I wished to meet Jansher Khan, as he was a great legend of world squash but I could not found. I have met Jehangir Khan twice in other countries and I felt a great honor, and pride after meeting the former world champion and icon of squash. Our young players are encouraged if they meet Jensher Khan and Jehangir Khan but we could not manage, “he lamented while concluding his views. Females’ Manager-cum-Coach, Mekhala Subadar said: “I am satisfied with the player's performance in the ongoing 31st Asian Juniors’ Individual Squash Championship 2024, and this event will be helpful for the World Junior Squash Championship 2024, which will be played next month in Houston, United States of America (USA).”She further said that squash was growing day by day in India, as the school boys and girls both got equal opportunities to excel at the national level, as well as the international level. “We have a good system to enhance the standard of the game across the country and provide maximum facilities to players. We provide rackets and other squash equipment free of the cast to the players at lower level.While replying to a question, she said: “I am a former Indian squash player and won four national championship titles during my squash career. I visited Pakistan for the first time in 2004, the South Asian Games, which were taken place in the same city Islamabad. I found the people here very nice and loving and I have good wishes for them. Food is different but yummy and we enjoyed this trip. I am eager to go market and buy clothes and gifts for family and friends, “she said.“I like Pakistan dramas too. We got love from Pakistani common people and I will tell the people of India about the love of Pakistani people. We should provide occasions to common people for interaction each other and defame the image of both nations will be clear. Good relations between the common people will lead toward peace in the region and through sports we can do this easily, “she concluded.

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 will be co-organised by Belgium and the Netherlands, as an official signing of the hosting agreement at a ceremony involving FIH President Tayyab Ikram, Dutch Hockey Association President Erik Klein Nagelvoort and CEO Erik Gerritsen as well as Belgian Hockey Association President Patrick Keusters and CEO Serge Pilet.The signing took place on the occasion of the FIH Hockey Pro League matches currently being played at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, one of the two venues of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, together with the stadium of Wavre, in Belgium, that is currently under construction. The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will combine the women’s and the men’s tournaments and will be played in the host countries’ summertime, from 14 to 30 August 2026.FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “I would like to start with a heartfelt thank you to the Belgian and Dutch Hockey Associations and authorities for having committed to organising the next edition of the FIH Hockey World Cup - an event that will unite our best women's and men's teams from around the world in one big, fantastic joint event, 12 years after the last joint World Cup in The Hague, which was a spectacular success.The Hockey World Cup holds special significance as the global hallmark event of our sport, where the best hockey athletes show their talent and skill, and taking place every four years and between Olympic Games, it is also a great opportunity to witness the changing of the guard and see up-and-coming new contenders and emerging talents.The Netherlands and Belgium are two countries where hockey is alive and thriving, and will undoubtedly make this World Cup an outstanding spectacle that will be an event to remember, and the renovations planned at the iconic Wagener Stadium and the construction of a brand-new hockey stadium in Wavre ensure a lasting legacy for hockey for years to come. I look forward to working with the two countries' National Associations, together with the FIH professional staff, and supporting them to make this the best Hockey World Cup ever.So, I am pleased to invite all hockey fans from around the world to join us in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2 years' time to experience the incredible show that the local organisers will undoubtedly put together and the wonderful hospitality of our hosts, but most importantly of course, to see, to admire and to cheer for your heroes, the amazing athletes at the heart of our sport”.KNHB President Erik Klein Nagelvoort said: “We are delighted to host the combined Men’s and Women’s World Cup together with Belgium. We are looking forward to two weeks of great hockey in a packed Wagener Stadion in Amsterdam/Amstelveen in August 2026. Together with Belgium and FIH we are aiming for reaching millions of existing and new hockey fans both in Netherlands and around the world and to promote hockey better than ever before.”Hockey Belgium President Patrick Keusters is enthusiastic: “I’m really happy the hosting agreement with FIH is signed now. This means we can officially kick off the organisation of the biggest international hockey event ever organised on Belgian soil. Our new stadium in Wavre will be the theatre of world class hockey games, showcasing our sport, but also our event organising know-how to millions of Belgian and international spectators. I’m really looking forward to the collaboration with our friends and colleagues of the Dutch federation. I am convinced that together we will be able to put the “Lowlands” on the top of the world once again!”

Sports Bulletin ReportInnsbruck (Austria): Another sold-out crowd celebrated the medal winners of the men’s Boulder final in Innsbruck, Austria, where the fourth IFSC World Cup event of the season is currently underway.Climbing in front of 3,000 roaring fans, Team Japan absolutely dominated the final, but not in the way many would have expected. Indeed, current Boulder World Cup champion and world ranking number one Anraku Sorato only concluded in third place with two tops and three zones, failing to top the fourth and decisive boulder and winning his first World Cup bronze medal in the discipline.The top of the podium was taken by 24-year-old Amagasa Sohta, securing the first gold of his career with a three-top, three-zone performance that closed in spectacular fashion, as the climber from Kanagawa topped M4 in four attempts.Amagasa said: “I can’t believe it, it feels like a dream! My performance today was very good, almost perfect. Now I will skip Lead and focus on the event in Prague. Arigato!”Completing the all-Japanese podium. Narasaki Meichi won his second consecutive silver in Innsbruck, also closing the round with three tops and three zones, but also a higher number of attempts to top than Amagasa.Future Paris 2024 Olympian Toby Roberts of Great Britain and first-time final participant Elias Arriagada Krüger of Germany finished in fourth and fifth position. Roberts with two tops and two zones, Arriagada Krüger with one top and three zones.It is the third time that the Japanese national team have swept the men’s Boulder podium: first it happened in 2021, also in Innsbruck, with Ogata Yoshiyuki, Narasaki Tomoa, and Fujii Kokoro respectively taking gold, silver, and bronze. The following season, in Seoul, South Korea, Fujii won gold, Narasaki won silver, and Ogata won bronze.

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): Great Britain’s men ended their FIH Hockey Pro League campaign with a shootout loss to Germany in Amsterdam on Friday, but the point they earned for the draw saw them moving above Argentina to secure third spot in the standings.Meanwhile, after suffering their first defeat of the season to the Red Panthers four days ago, the Netherlands women turned the tables on Belgium, surviving a close final quarter to secure a 2-1 win.(Men’s) Germany 3 – 3 Great Britain (SO: 4 – 2): Germany came from behind twice in an enthralling 3-3 draw with Great Britain, then grabbing an extra point for their 4-2 win in the shootout. Sam Ward had a sharp shot in the second minute but was denied by a diving Jean-Paul Danneberg in the German goal. A minute later it was Niklas Wellen who fired the Germans ahead with a sensational first-time reverse shot. Phil Roper equalised for GB with some cheeky aerial skills in the 15th minute, and Ward then edged GB in front with his 21st-minute penalty stroke. Wellen levelled for Germany with a sizzling penalty corner strike, which meant it was evenly poised at half time.The Germans got their defensive angles slightly wrong early in the second half and Liam Sanford punished them for it, threading a magnificent ball through the centre channel to a diving Ward for the deflection into the net. GB seemed to have the upper hand as the match progressed, and Danneberg had to make two crucial saves to keep Germany in touch before Gonzalo Peillat snatched the draw from a penalty corner with three minutes remaining. Germany then held their nerve to maintain an unbeaten record from their four shootouts in the tournament.(Women’s) Netherlands 2 – 1 Belgium: The Netherlands returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Belgium in front of a vocal home crowd. The Dutch clearly meant business after their shock defeat to the same opposition earlier in the week and it took just six minutes for Yibbi Jansen to fire them ahead from a penalty corner. They went on to dominate possession and territory throughout the first half, threatening the Red Panthers' circle frequently and giving Elodi Picard plenty of work to do in the Belgian goal. Jansen slammed in a second from a recycled penalty corner and it looked like a big score might be on the cards.The Dutch continued to attack through the third quarter, but Belgium started getting more ball as the match progressed. Stephanie Vanden Borre pulled one back from a penalty corner in the 41st minute, and with the Belgians growing in confidence, the match was set for a thrilling finish. Belgium took full control in the fourth quarter and the Dutch suddenly found themselves under sustained periods of pressure, rarely getting out of their own half. There was drama in the final minute when Belgium appeared to have earned a penalty corner, but the Netherlands successfully overturned the decision with their review and then ran the clock down to secure the win.

Sohail Adnan, Huzaifa Shahid, Abdullah Nawaz, and Hamza Khan secure berths in the finalsAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Mohammad Hamza Khan quashed compatriot Mohammad Ammad in straight games 3-0 to reach Under-19 final of the ongoing 31st Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship 2024 after thrashing their respective challengers at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad on Friday. The final score-line was 11-6, 11-5, and 11-0. All the finals will be played on Saturday (June 29) at the same venue.In the first semifinal of the U19 category competitions, Mohammad Hamza Khan outclassed his opponent in a straight game without any resistance, as the spectators and squash officials were expecting a nerve-jangling contest between the two Pakistani squash lads. The vital match of the day ended in a single-sided affair, as Ammad proved a hot cake of piece for Hamza Khan.Mohammad Hamza started the game confidently and earned a key lead by scoring three back-to-back scores at 3-0. However, Ammad also did well and tried his best to overcome his opponent and at one stage his deficit was just a solitary point at 6-7. At this stage, Hamza played some powerful forehand strokes and did not allow Ammad to get more points, as he finished the median game at 11-6.Meanwhile, in the second game, Hamza kept the winning momentum by getting an early lead of 5 points at 8-3, as he showed the door for a water break to his rival at 11-5. In the third game, Mohammad Ammad was helpless and unable to vie against Mohammad Hamza on the court, as Hamza finished the last game without conceding a single point. The final score-line was 11-6, 11-5, and 11-0.Results (Semifinals):Boys’ U-13:Sohail Adnan (Pak) beat Mohammad Iffat Zulkifli (MAS) 11-8, 11-6, 11-2Huzaifa Shahid (Pak) beat Julius Tan (MAS) 11-2, 11-8, 11-5Boys’ U-15:Mohammad Raziq Puttra (MAS) beat Abdullah Zaman (Pak) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6Shiven Agarwal (IND) beat Nouman Khan (Pak) 5-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-0Boys’ U-17:Abdullah Nawaz (Pak) beat Altamis Aqhar (MAS) 11-4, 14-12, 11-6Nikhelswar (MAS) beat Azaan Ali (Pak) by 11-6, 11-6, 11-8Boys’ U-19:Hamza Khan (Pak) beat Mohammad Ammad (Pak) 11-6, 11-5, 11-0Harith Danial (MAS) beat Jooyoung NA (KOR) 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10Girls’ U-13:Aadya Budhia (IND) beat Chiu Hau (HKG) 11-4, 11-7, 4-11, 12-10Goushika (IND) beat Maisarah Mohd (MAS) 11-6, 6-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6Girls’ U-15:Harleein Tan (MAS) beat Yek Rui Jean (MAS) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6Lo Pui Yin Chloe (HKG) beat Ooi Wen Min (MAS) 11-7, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7Girls’ U-17:Enna Wong (HKG) beat Doyce Lee (MAS) 11-9, 11-7, 11-5Tang Helen (HKG) beat Whitney Isabelle (MAS) 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 15-13Girls” U-19:Thanussa Uthrian (MAS) beat Leung Ka (HKG) 11-6, 11-4, 5-11, 11-6Akari Midorikawa (JPN) beat Goh Zhe (MAS) 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 11-8.Schedule (Finals):BU-13. Sohail Adnan (Pak) Vs Huzaifa Shahid (Pak)BU-15. Mohammad Raziq Puttra (MAS) Vs Shiven Agarwal (IND)BU-17. Abdullah Nawaz (Pak) Vs Nikhelswar (MAS) BU-19. Mohammad Hamza Khan (Pak) Vs Harith Danial (MAS) GU-13. Aadya Budhia (IND) Vs Goushika (IND)GU-15. Harleen Tan (MAS) Vs Lo Pui Yin Chloe (HKG)GU-17. Enna Wong (HKG) Vs Tang Helen (HKG)GU-19. Thanussa Uthrian (MAS) Vs Akari Midorikawa (JPN).

Hamza Khan, and Mohammad Ammad qualify for U19 semifinals, Abdullah, and Nauman shine in U15Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Duo of Pakistani players, Hamza Khan, and Mohammad Ammad moved into the semifinals of Under-19 competition of the 31st Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship 2024 after thrashing their respective challengers at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad on Thursday. Rising squash lad, and grandson of former World Champion Qamar Zaman, Abdullah Zaman ousted Shiv Kaul in straight games 3-0 in U15 quarterfinal. All semifinals will be played on Friday at the same venue. Results (Quarterfinals):Boys’ U-13:Mohammad Iffat Zulkifli (MAS) beat Faizan Ali (Pak) 12-10, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6Sohail Adnan (Pak) beat Jackrish Kumar (SIN) 11-0, 11-7, 11-3Julius Tan (MAS) beat Mamoon Khan 11-9, 11-3, 5-11, 11-9Huzaifa Shahid (Pak) beat Mohammad Fawad Khan (Pak) 11-6, 11-3, 9-4 (Retd)   Boys’ U-15: Mohammad Raziq (MAS) beat Sim Yeak Wei (MAS) 11-6, 11-4, 7-11, 11-9Abdullah Zaman (Pak) beat Shiv Kaul (SIN) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8Nouman Khan (Pak) beat Simerver Singh (MAS) 11-1, 11-7, 11-8Shiven Agarwal (IND) beat Abdul Ahad Butt (Pak) 11-4, 11-7, 11-5Boys’ U-17:Abdullah Nawaz (Pak) beat Yusha Nafees (IND) 11-1, 11-7, 11-2Altamis Aqhar (MAS) beat Shu Takahashi (JAP) 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9Nikhelswar (MAS) beat Aqil Mirza (MAS) 13-11, 1-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6Azaan Ali (Pak) beat Yahya Asad (Pak) 11-7, 11-7, 11-4Boys’ U-19:Hamza Khan (Pak) beat Anas Ali Shah (Pak) 11-8, 11-8, 11-4Mohammad Ammad (Pak) beat Tam Tsz Shing (HKG) 11-8, 11-2, 11-9Harith Danial (MAS) beat Azan Khalil (Pak) 11-3, 11-3, 11-5Jooyoung NA (KOR) beat Law Arthur Pak Ki (HKG) 11-3, 5-11, 13-11, 11-9Girls’ U-13:Aadya Budhia (IND) beat Mahnoor Ali (Pak) 11-4, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6Maisarah Mohd (MAS) beat Lee Ka Man (HKG) 11-9, 11-6, 4-11, 11-6Goushika (IND) beat Makaela Lin (HKG) 11-8, 11-9, 11-8Chiu Hau (HKG) beat Yu Hiu Ching (HKG) 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 11-3Girls’ U-15:Harleein Tan (MAS) beat Anika Dubey (IND) 11-2, 11-5, 11-5Yek Rui Jean (MAS) beat Tang Lok Yin (HKG) 8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8Ooi Wen Min (MAS) beat Jayna Lim (SIN) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6Lo Pui Yin Chloe (HKG) beat Diva Shah (IND) 11-6, 11-6, 11-9Girls’ U-17:Enna Wong (HKG) beat Chung Yee Ling (HKG) 11-3, 11-2, 11-3Doyce Lee (MAS) beat Unnathi Tripathi (IND) 11-3, 11-1, 11-6Tang Helen (HKG) beat Najwa Zara (MAS) 11-4, 11-6, 11-7Whitney Isabelle (MAS) beat Cheeung Tsz (HKG) 10-12, 11-3, 11-8, 1-11, 11-9. Girls’ U-19:Thanussa Uthrian (MAS) beat Anrie Goh (MAS) 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3Leung Ka (HKG) beat Valerie Kaitlyn (HKG) 11-4, 11-6, 11-9Akari Midorikawa (JPN) beat Nirupama Dubey (IND) 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 11-5Goh Zhe (MAS) beat Au Ling Yu (HKG) 11-7, 11-4, 11-0.

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The 2024 Oceania Indoor World Cup Qualifiers came to an end with Australia men and women claiming the title, as both teams secured their spots at the upcoming FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2025, which will be played in Poreč, Croatia from 3-9 February 2025. With Australia's qualification, all 12 men's and women's qualification spots for the upcoming World Cup have been filled! In the men’s tournament, Australia came fast out of the gates in the first two contests. They took a 3 goal lead in the first half of the first game and scored 4 unanswered goals to start the second game. Although New Zealand battled back in both encounters, Australia won the games 5-3 and 4-2 to secure 6 out of the 9 available points to seal their qualification to the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup Croatia 2025. New Zealand won the third and final match 3-2, which showed how evenly matched the two teams were, but the three points they earned from it were merely consolation. In the women’s tournament, the opening game was a tense affair with both defences holding strong for much of the match. After three goalless quarters, Australia finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute through a Kelsey Hughes goal and held on to that slender lead till the final whistle to take all three points. The second match was a much more entertaining affair as Australia scored early and held the lead twice but New Zealand bounced back both times to draw the match 3-3, and split the points, setting up a crucial final match to decide the World Cup qualification. New Zealand twice took the lead in the final game but Australia mounted comebacks both times and the third game ended with an identical scoreline to the second, with teams finishing tied at 3-3. Australia finished the event with 5 points while New Zealand settled for second place with 2 points, making it a double delight for Australia in qualifying for the upcoming FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2025. In the men’s tournament the teams competing for the title will be Croatia (hosts), Austria, Belgium, Germany and Poland (Europe), Argentina and Trinidad and Tobago (Pan America), Iran and Malaysia (Asia), Namibia and South Africa (Africa) and Australia (Oceania). In the women’s tournament challenging for the title will be Croatia (hosts), Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Poland and Spain (Europe), USA (Pan America), Thailand (Asia), Namibia and South Africa (Africa) and Australia (Oceania).

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Women opened their Metro Bank ODI series against New Zealand with a nine wicket victory at Seat Unique Riverside, Durham.The tourist’s won the toss and elected to bat. England spinner Charlie Dean took four wickets as New Zealand finished on 157 all out. The White Ferns were 56 for 1 following the powerplay but were undone by England’s spin attack.Sophie Ecclestone dismissed the dangerous Amelia Kerr and captain Sophie Devine before Nat Sciver-Brunt bowled Maddy Green lbw. Brooke Halliday impressed with the bat, scoring 51 before being caught by Heather Knight off Sarah Glenn before Dean’s four wickets saw New Zealand all out inside 33.3 overs.Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier opened the batting for England and both shone hitting 24 boundaries between them. Beaumont finished with 76 not out and Bouchier 67 with captain Knight completing the innings.Women’s One-Day International Series v New Zealand Women26 June: 1st Women’s One-Day International – Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street – England won by nine wickets30 June: 2nd Women’s One-Day International – New Road, Worcester3 July: 3rd Women’s One-Day International – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol

ISLAMABAD (PR): The World Championship of Legends (WCL), featuring iconic cricket players from around the globe, is thrilled to announce its official broadcasting partners for various regions worldwide. This partnership ensures that cricket enthusiasts across different continents can experience the tournament live on Star Sports (India), Willow by Cricbuzz (North America), Cricbuzz (MENA Region), Super Sports (Sub-Saharan Africa0, TNT Sports (United Kingdom), Fox Sports (Australia), and Sports MAX (Caribbean: Sports MAX).The WCL, approved by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and presented by India’s second largest travel company EaseMyTrip, will take place from July 3rd to July 13th at Edgbaston and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in the UK. It brings together legendary players for an unforgettable series of matches.Harshit Tomar, owner of the World Championship of Legends, stated: “We are excited to provide fans with the chance to see cricket legends in action once again. With our global broadcasting partners, we can reach a wide audience and celebrate the spirit of cricket worldwide. Partnering with Star Sports & Fancode will bring WCL to a broad audience in India, ensuring top-notch coverage of this historic event.”The WCL will feature teams from India, Australia, West Indies, England, Pakistan, and South Africa. The tournament includes cricket legends such as:* India Champions: Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina* Australia Champions: Brett Lee, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Ben Cutting* West Indies Champions: Chris Gayle, Daren Sammy, Dwayne Smith* England Champions: Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel* Pakistan Champions: Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan* South Africa Champions: Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn.