SPORTS DESK Islamabad (September 29, 2021):-The International Olympic Committee (IOC) held an Executive Board (EB) meeting today, in the presence of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Beijing 2022 informed the EB of the principles that will help deliver safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as scheduled. Considering the above objective, the IOC and IPC fully respect the principles established by Beijing 2022. These principles are based on wide-ranging consultations with international experts and the Chinese authorities, as well as the experience of Olympic and Paralympic stakeholders. The principles presented by Beijing 2022 will be detailed in the Playbooks. The first version of these Playbooks will be released in late October. A second version will then be published in December. Vaccination policy All athletes and Games participants who are fully vaccinated will enter the closed-loop management system upon arrival. Games participants who are not fully vaccinated will have to serve a 21-day quarantine upon arrival in Beijing. Athletes who can provide a justified medical exemption will have their cases considered. All vaccines recognised by WHO or related international organisations, or approved officially by the countries or regions concerned, will be accepted. Games-time closed-loop management From 23 January until the end of the Paralympics, a closed-loop management system will be implemented to ensure the safe delivery of the Games. This closed-loop management system will cover all Games-related areas, including arrival and departure, transport, accommodation, catering, competitions, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Within the closed loop, participants will be allowed to move only between Games-related venues for training, competitions and work. A dedicated Games transport system will be put in place. Spectators/Ticketing Tickets will be sold exclusively to spectators residing in China’s mainland, who meet the requirements of the COVID-19 countermeasures. Specific requirements on COVID-19 countermeasures for spectators from China’s mainland and the details of ticketing arrangements are under discussion and development, and will be released to the public in due course once they are finalised. Accredited guest policy Beijing 2022 and the IOC underlined that all activities are being assessed and optimised to focus on essential aspects of Games delivery. Stakeholders will apply this principle for their plans and delegation composition. In line with this principle, the IOC EB decided to cancel the accompanying guest category for all stakeholders. Travel Beijing 2022 will assist those stakeholders that are not in a position to book their pre-Games or Games-time flights independently. Accommodation Besides athletes and some delegation officials who are accompanying athletes living in the Villages, all participants travelling to Beijing will reside in Beijing 2022-contracted hotels that will be compliant with the COVID-19 countermeasures for the Games. Testing All domestic and international Games participants and workforce in the closed-loop management system will be subject to daily testing. The IOC and IPC welcome the decision to allow for the sale of tickets to spectators residing in China’s mainland. This will facilitate the growth of winter sports in China by giving those spectators a first-hand Olympic and Paralympic experience of elite winter sports, as well as bringing a favourable atmosphere to the venues.  However, all parties feel for the athletes and the spectators from around the world, knowing that the restriction on spectators from outside mainland China had to be put in place in order to ensure the safe holding of the Games this winter. Further information about the implementation of these policies and additional information about COVID-19 countermeasures will be detailed in the Playbooks, which will be released in late October and December. The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 will take place between 4 and 20 February, while the Paralympic Winter Games will be held from 4 until 13 March.

SPORTS REPORTER LAHORE (September 29, 2021):-Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti congratulated Director General Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Adnan Arshad Aulakh and Punjab’s male and female athletics teams for winning Inter-Provincial Athletics Tournament 2021 in a dominating style. In his greeting message on Wednesday, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti lauded the key role of Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh and all coaching staff and team management in the overwhelming title winning performance of Punjab’s Under-17 Boys and Under-16 Girls athletics teams. Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti hoped that Punjab athletes would maintain their performance in future sports events.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Peshawar (September 29, 2021): Director General, Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Adnan Arshad Aulakh said that Punjab was ready to offer any kind of technical support to all provinces for nurturing their sports teams. “Being Pakistani, all the participating teams are our own and we will be happy to extend any type of assistance to any provincial team or their athletes for polishing their sports skills,” he expressed these views while talking to media at the prize distribution ceremony of Inter-Provincial Athletics Tournament 2021 in Peshawar on Wednesday. In his media talk, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh congratulated all members of male and female athletics teams, their coaching staff and team management for such a superlative performance. He said it is the result of extraordinary hard work of our coaches and trainers during the week-long training camp. “We believe in merit and our focus is on grooming talented players and promotion of sports culture especially in far-flung areas of the province,” he added. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh was the chief guest during the last day’s competitions. He also awarded medals to top performers of different athletics disciplines. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh also had meetings with DG Pakistan Sports Board and DG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Asfandyar Khattak on this occasion. The athletics teams of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also met with DG Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh. Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Mushtaq Ghani congratulated Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh and Punjab’s male and female athletes for showing dominating performances and winning Inter-Provincial Athletics Tournament 2021. He lauded the leadership role of Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh in the extraordinary title winning performance of Punjab’s Under-17 Boys and Under-16 Girls athletics teams.

MUHAMMAD KABIR Rawalpindi (September 29, 2021):-Joint efforts took GFS Sindh to the top of the National T20 Cricket Cup 2021 on points table as they thrashed Balochistan by 77 runs at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Wednesday evening. The victory was Sindh’s third in as many matches, they now have six points and are at the top of the six-team points table. Set a 176-run target, Balochistan were blown away by the Sindh bowling attack led by Shahnawaz Dahani, Zahid Mahmood and Danish Aziz who took nine wickets between them. Balochistan were bowled out for 98 in 16.4 overs. Fast bowler Shahnawaz took four wickets for 12 runs in 2.4 overs, leg-spinner Zahid took three for 18 in four and Danish took two for 23 in his four overs of left-arm-spin. Shahnawaz has now taken eight wickets in three matches and he is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shaheen Shah Afridi. Balochistan openers Abdul Wahid Bangalzai and Imam-ul-Haq got the team off to a 46-run start. However, the chased fell away as soon as Imam was dismissed for 19 runs. Balochistan lost all ten wickets for an addition of 52 runs as their batters failed while attempting big shots. Abdul Wahid was top-scorer with 29 off 23 balls (five fours). Bismillah Khan with 12 runs was the only other batter to reach double figures as the whole team was bowled out with 20 balls to spare. Earlier, Sindh captain Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bat first. The left-handed opening pair of Sharjeel Khan and Shan Masood provided the side a flying start of 52 runs in 6.2 overs. Sharjeel who hit three sixes and one four in a typically aggressive 34 off 20 balls fell to Umaid Asif. Khurram Manzoor was dismissed for 10 while Shan got run out a ball after hitting a big six, his 30-ball innings off 31 included three fours and one six. Saud Shakeel contributed 32 off 24 balls (four fours). Saud added 55 runs for the fourth-wicket with Sarfaraz. Sarfaraz added 39 runs for the unbroken fifth-wicket alliance with Anwar Ali (22 off 13 balls). The wicketkeeper-batsman scored for his side with an unbeaten 41 off 25 balls that included three fours and a six off Umaid (last ball of the Sindh innings). Kashif Bhatti, Umaid and Khurram Shahzad took a wicket apiece for Balochistan. Scores in Brief: GFS Sindh beat Balochistan by 77 runs. GFS Sindh 175-4, 20 overs (Sarfaraz Ahmed 41 not out, Sharjeel Khan 34, Saud Shakeel 32; Khurram Shahzad 1-25, Kashif Bhatti 1-31) Balochistan 98 all out, 16.4 overs  (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 29, Imam-ul-Haq 19; Shahnawaz Dahani 4-12, Zahid Mahmood 3-18, Danish Aziz 2-23) Player of the match: Zahid Mahmood  Thursday’s matches: Northern vs Home City Central Punjab -3pm GFS Sindh vs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -7:30pm

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Peshawar (September 29, 2021):-Punjab’s Under-17 Boys (16 medals) and Under-16 Girls (15 medals) athletics teams with 129 and 103 points respectively, won the Inter-Provincial Athletics Tournament 2021 that concluded at Qayyum Sports Stadium, Peshawar on Wednesday. Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Mushtaq Ghani was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh and DG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Asfandyar Khattak and other officials were also present on this occasion. Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Mushtaq Ghani awarded winner’s trophy to Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh at the grand concluding ceremony. After winning Inter-Provincial Athletics Tournament 2021 with a wide margin, Punjab’s young athletes danced and celebrated their overwhelming triumph in a befitting manner. In the Boys U-17 Athletics Tournament, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team with 92 points finished second where the third position was taken by Sindh athletes who scored 53 points. The athletes from Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan had to content with 25, 13 and 4 points respectively. Showing dominating performance, Punjab’s male athletes pocketed 9 gold medals, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals in the athletics meet. The second position team KP took 3 gold medals, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals. The boys team from Sindh failed to win any gold medal. However, they managed to win 3 silver and 4 bronze medals. On the other hand, Punjab’s girls won 6 gold medals, 7 silver and 2 bronze medals during the mega event. Girls from host province KP got 3 gold medals, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals while Sindh female team clinched one gold and 4 bronze medals during the Inter-Provincial Athletics Tournament. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa girls accumulated 64 points to remain runners up while Sindh finished third with 42 points. Azad Jammu & Kashmir scored 18 points followed by Balochistan 12 and Gilgit Baltistan 4 points in the junior athletics tournament. In the third and last day’s Boys U-17 athletics competitions, Punjab’s Majid, Mohsin, Sakhawat and Bilal won gold medal in 4x400 relay event. Punjab athletes Aman, Sakhawat, Mohsin and Majid also demonstrated wonderful performance in 4x100 relay event and obtained gold medal. Mohsin also bagged gold medal in 200m race. The gold medal of 400m race was won by Punjab’s Majid Khan while the bronze medal went to Mohsin. Punjab’s Usman also excelled in 110m hurdles race and secured another gold medal for his team. Punjab’s M Hamza finished second and won silver medal in javelin throw event. In Girls U-16 competitions on the third and last day, Punjab’s Amina, Momina, Fatima and Arooba won gold medal in 4x100m relay race. Punjab’s Sania and Arooba Fatime took silver medals in javelin throw and 200m race events respectively. In 400m race, Punjab’s Zara and Sana finished second and third respectively to win silver and bronze medal for their team. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad (September 29, 2021):-Hamza Roman brushed-a-side to second seed Mohammad Hussnain Ali Rizwan in straight sets 2-0 in the quarterfinal of ongoing Midcourt ATF Under-14 Championships at Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF)-Syed Dilawar Abbas (SDA) Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Wednesday. In the Boys’ Singles event, Hamza Roman (SNGPL) showed his classed and ousted second seed Mohammad Hussnain Ali Rizwan with the score-line of 6-4 and 6-1 while in the Girls’ Singles Haniya Minhas and Amna Ali Qayum qualified for the final. Results: Boys’ Singles (Quarter-Final): Mohammad Haider Ali Rizwan beat Abdur Rehman 6-0, 6-0 Hamza Roman (SNGPL) beat  Mohammad Hussnain Ali Rizwan 6-4, 6-1 Ahtesham Humayun (SNGPL) beat Ali Zain 6-1, 6-0 Asad Zaman beat Zohaib Afzal Malik 6-1, 6-2 Boys’ Singles (Positions-9-16): Amir Mazari beat Nabeel Qayum 6-1, 6-4 Shehryar Aneees beat Haziq Aasim 6-2, 6-0 Mohammad Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Hammad Kashif 6-0, 6-0 Ismail Aftab beat Syed Aalay Bukhari 6-1, 6-1 Boys’ Doubles (Semiffinals) Mohammad Haider Ali Rizwan / Mohammad Hussnain Ali Rizwan beat Mohammad Ibrahim Ashraf / Amir Mazari 6-2, 6-4 Asad Zaman / Ahtesham Humayun(SNGPL) beat Ali Zain / Haziq Aasim 6-2, 6-2 Girls’ Singles (Semifinal) Haniya Minhas beat Fatima Ali Raja 6-0, 6-0 Amna Qayum beat Zainab Ali Raja 6-0, 6-1 Girls’ Singles (Positions-5-8) Soha Ali beat Mahrukh Sajid 6-0, 6-1 Lalarukh Sajid beat Mahnoor Farooqui: 6-0, 6-1 Girls’ Doubles (Semi-Final): Soha Ali / Zainab Ali Raja beat Zara Khan / Fatima Ali Raja 6-4, 6-4 Haniya Aman / Amna Qayum beat Lalarukh Sajid/ Mahrukh Sajid 6-0, 6-0

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lahore (September 29, 2021):-The Board of Governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board today met via videoconference in which they unanimously accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Wasim Khan, who had had joined the PCB on a three-year contract on 1 February 2019. Following the meeting, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said: “During his time with the PCB, Wasim Khan provided excellent leadership, particularly following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic when very little information was available and precise decision-making was required to ensure cricket remained unaffected and continued to be played at the domestic and international levels. “The PCB owes Wasim Khan a debt of gratitude for his good leadership and we wish him well in his future plans and career endeavours.” Wasim Khan: “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Pakistan Cricket Board and hugely satisfying to see the resumption of Test cricket with Sri Lanka playing Tests in Rawalpindi and Karachi, and the homecoming of the HBL Pakistan Super League during the last two years. “When I arrived in 2019, there was a real need to build relationships and restore and enhance the global image and reputation of the PCB and Pakistan cricket. With decisive and strategic decision-making, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, we succeeded in earning the goodwill and respect of the global cricketing family, which I am hopeful will lead to increased international cricket being hosted in Pakistan in future. “With a five-year strategy in place, new domestic structure in its third season and the investment in women’s cricket in an upward direction, I feel it is the right time to move on and reunite with my young family. They have sacrificed a lot so that I could fulfill my dreams of contributing to Pakistan cricket, which will always remain very close to my heart. “I am grateful to have worked with all our fantastic commercial partners and the passionate people at the PCB. I would also like to thank each and every one of my staff for supporting me as well as the Pakistan men and women players, and the Pakistan cricket fans. “Lastly, I want to wish PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja the very best during his tenure, I am sure there will be exciting times ahead for Pakistan Cricket under his leadership.”

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Rawalpindi (September 29, 2021):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced to increase the seating capacity from 25 % to 50 % the rest of matches at Pindi Cricket Stadium of National T20 Cup 2021 after the approval of National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). It is pertinent to mention here that the ratio of corona patients has been decreasing day by day in the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to PCB media department, only fully-vaccinated individuals will be allowed to buy the tickets and gain access to the stadium. Fans can continue to buy the tickets through www.bookme.pk, Bookme's mobile application and M&P courier offices across Pakistan. Tickets can also be bought through Bookme’s helpline by 0313 7786 888. Spectators are requested to strictly adhere to government-mandated SOPs by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing when in the enclosures. Terms & Conditions for spectators: -Only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to purchase the tickets. -NADRA-issued Vaccination Certificates must be shown at the time of purchase and when gaining access to the stadium. -Original ID cards are mandatory. -People under 18 are not allowed. -Wearing of mask will be mandatory. -Tickets are non-transferable. -Anyone violating Bio-Secure protocols is liable to be evicted out of venue. -All of the above terms will apply for complimentary and hospitality ticket holders as well.

By BIPIN   DANI      Despite his poor performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Krunal Pandya won the heart of his fans when he withdrew the appeal to run out K.L.Rahul, the captain of the Punjab Kings team. In the 42nd IPL (night) match in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Krunal Pandya bowled a yorker to Chris Gayle, and the batsman's straight drive hit non-striker Rahul and ball then ricocheted to bowler Krunal Pandya who not only whipped off the bails and appealed. Realising his act of appealing against the spirit, Pandya withdrew the appeal. "It (withdrawing the appeal) was in good spirit of the game because Rahul would not have attempted a run. Mumbai Indians are not in great form this year and it is indeed a creditable gesture Krunal has shown on the field", Krunal Pandya's mentor and former India stumper and selector, Kiran More said.    Incidentally, it was Kirn More who spotted talent in both Pandya brothers (Krunal and Hardik). Krunal’s family was based in Surat with his (late) father Himanshu Pandya running a successful car business. But having watched his 6-year-old son Krunal enjoy the game so much, he decided to shift base to Baroda since Surat had no good cricket opportunities back then. He joined the famous Kiran More Cricket Academy there. "Krunal has always been a sportsman". "Now the game of cricket is being watched by millions of people and his recent sportsman spirit will be a good lesson for the young boys who are dreaming to be the cricketers", More added.  Kings Punjab skipper Rahul gave a thumb up to Krunal's gesture.

By BIPIN DANI The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Indian cricket board have invited the representatives of all the World Cup participating nations to attend an online briefing on Thursday, where the Strategic Biosafety Plan will be discussed, it is learnt here. "The strategic objective of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Biosafety Plan is to develop straightforward easily understood protocols, that are objectively rational and strictly enforced to safeguard the wellbeing of participants, spectators and the communities of the UAE and Oman", one of the sources, speaking exclusively, said. The ICC has formulated the Biosafety Scientific Advisory Group of five members and India's Dr. Abhijit Salve is the Event Chief Medical Officer. The ICC event is being hosted by the Indian cricket board. Dr. David Musker (ICC's Covid Compliance Officer), Prof. Joe Toressi (Independent Biosafety Scientific Advisor), Dr. Peter Harcourt (Chairman of the ICC Medical Advisory Panel) and Dr. Gurjit Bhogal (Independent Medical Chair) are the other members of the group. Following representatives will attend the briefing, which is scheduled to take place at 2.30 pm (UAE time). Kate Beerworth & Alex Kountouris (Australia), Prasanth Panchada (Afghanistan), Debashish Chaudhary (Bangladesh), Dr. Nick Peirce & Moiz Moghal (England), Daminda Attanayake (Sri Lanka), Dayle Shackel (New Zealand), Dr. Shuaib Manjra (South Africa & ZW), Mark Rausa (Ireland), O. Gulston (West Indies) and Riaz Ahmed (Pakistan). The ICC's other officials, Vanessa Hibkirk and Lorraine D'Souza will also attend the briefing, it is learnt.