Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The thrill of competition intensifies at the 3rd Ghazala Ansari Julke Challenge Cup, with Bushra Fatima and Parkha Ijaz locked in a fervent duel, a mere two strokes apart after an electrifying second day at Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course.Fatima, who began her round on Wednesday with a promising birdie on the second hole, completed the front nine just one over par. However, the back nine presented tougher challenges, leading her to finish seven over, tallying a total gross score of 80. Parkha Ijaz, despite a rocky start with a double bogey on the first par 4 and finishing the front nine seven over par, made a remarkable recovery on the back nine, closing just one over par and matching Fatima's score of 80. Bushr’s initial two-stroke lead holds, setting the stage for a captivating final round that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.The competition also saw action in categories B and C for handicaps between 13 to 36, alongside the vibrant participation of junior girls from the Ace Junior Golf League. The young athletes were divided into age groups of 6 to 10 years and 10 to 14 years, competing over 9 and 18 holes respectively.In the 9-hole division, Maria Waqar clinched the first gross with an impressive 51 strokes. Hajra Mohammad Khan followed with 60 strokes for the second gross, and Zaynab Akram secured third with 62 strokes. The event was a showcase of budding talent, with participants eager to follow in the footsteps of Ghazala Ansari, a revered figure in the sport with a handicap of 1.The 18-hole category witnessed a remarkable victory by a 7-year-old golf prodigy, Ayra Ather Yaseen of Ace Junior Golf League, who outperformed competitors significantly older. Starting golf at the tender age of 4, she demonstrated skills well beyond her years, securing the first gross title of the GA Challenge Cup. Mahnoor Syed, with 106 strokes, claimed the second gross, showing great potential for future success. Fariah Amin and Nabiha Nafees rounded out the top spots with 118 and 120 strokes, respectively.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Jinnah Polo Fields were alive with excitement as FG Polo team registered an easy victory over BN Polo with a score of 9-5 on the second day of the 3rd President of Pakistan Polo Cup (National Open Championship) Finale 2024, sponsored by Askari Bank, Habib Metro Bank, and Faysal Bank, here at Jinnah Polo Fields on Thursday. The match drew a large crowd of families and enthusiasts, all eager to witness the high-stakes competition. FG Polo, showcasing remarkable teamwork and strategy, secured their win with Raul Laplacette leading the charge. Laplacette, the star of the match, delivered an outstanding performance by netting seven goals, propelling FG Polo to 9-5 triumph. He was well-supported by teammates Andres Llorente and Mian Abbas Mukhtar, who contributed one goal each to the team's tally. On the opposing side, BN Polo's efforts were led by Hamza Mawaz Khan and Hilario Ruiz, each scoring two goals, with Santiago Loza adding one to their total. The match kicked off with FG Polo taking the reins early on, as they delivered a powerful start by netting two swift goals in the first chukker, establishing an early 2-0 lead. This initial momentum was further amplified at the start of the second chukker, with FG Polo extending their lead to a comfortable 3-0. However, BN Polo, undeterred by the early setback, mounted a vigorous comeback with two consecutive goals, narrowing the gap to a single point at 3-2. As the third chukker unfolded, the competition intensified, with both teams displaying exceptional skill and determination. The chukker was marked by an evenly matched battle, with each team managing to score one goal apiece. FG Polo maintained their slender lead at 4-3, setting the stage for a nail-biting continuation of the match. The fourth chukker turned the heat up further, with both teams adopting an aggressive approach in an attempt to seize control of the game. It was during this crucial phase that FG Polo demonstrated superior gameplay, outmaneuvering BN Polo to score four impressive goals. Despite BN Polo's efforts, which resulted in two goals, FG Polo extended their lead to 8-5, showcasing their tactical superiority and teamwork. In the fifth and final chukker, FG Polo managed to score another, cementing their triumph with a final score of 9-5. The match was expertly officiated by field umpires Nico Scortichini and Mark John Holmes, ensuring a fair and competitive environment. Anticipation now builds for the next match, where BN Polo will face off against Master Paints/Diamond Paints on Saturday.

WAPDA, HEC, PAF, Army, Police, POF Wah overcome their challengers comfortablyAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Pakistan WAPDA, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan Army, Pakistan Police, and Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah registered comfortable triumphs against their respective challengers on the opening day of the 43rd Sarsabz National Kabaddi (Circle Style) Championship 2024 at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Wednesday. Khyber Pukhtun Kawa (KPK), and Punjab got over against Railway and Sindh respectively.Secretary General, Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF), Mohammad Sarwar Rana, who is also the Secretary, of the World Kabaddi Federation (WKF).Results (Day-1):Wapda beat POF Wah by 34-16 pointsHigher Education Commission (HEC) beat Islamabad by 31-11 pointsPakistan Air Force (PAF) beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 36-19 pointPakistan Army beat Sindh by 14-25 pointsPolice beat Gilgit Baltistan (GB) by 12-26 pointsPOF Wah beat Balochistan by 8-25 pointsThursday’s Fixtures:Pakistan Police vs IslamabadHEC vs Gilgit BaltistanArmy vs PunjabPAF vs RailwayBalochistan vs WapdaPolice Vs HECIslamabad vs GB. 

Sports Bulletin ReportTagaytay (Philippines): The postponed 2023 World Championships of Downhill Skateboarding and Street Luge have just concluded this Sunday, 25th of February in Tagaytay, The Philippines!The event, which saw more than 80 competitors assemble from 18 different nations, took place on the beautiful but treacherous Sampaloc to Talisay Road on a 2,300 metre-long track which drops almost 300 metres along its snaking course of sweepers and hairpin bends.With speeds of 80 kilometres per hour clocked previously, the gathering was always going to be a scorcher but this close-knit and courageous scene outdid themselves this time around, and in a location which has to be seen to be believed!Results (Men's Event):STEFANO BARBIZZI - ITA 🇮🇹MARC ESCODA TURRO - ESP 🇪🇸ADRIEN PAYNEL - FRA 🇫🇷Results (Women’s Event):LISA PETERS - NED 🇳🇱KATERINA HILL - CAN 🇨🇦ELISSA MAH - NZL 🇳🇿Street Luge World Championship (Men's):ABDIL ADZEEM AHMAD MAHDZAN - MYS 🇲🇾GRAHAM BRITTAIN - AUS 🇦🇺KOLBY PARKS - CAN 🇨🇦Women'sMORRAH JAKUBIEC - CAN 🇨🇦SAMANTHA MARSTELLER - 🇺🇸TATYANA HILL - CAN 🇨🇦

Sports ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Blind Cricket team players called on President Dr Arif Alvi at Aiwan-e-Sadar on Monday soon after arriving back from Dubai and losing three matches series against arch-rival India 1-2. President lauded them for bringing laurels to Pakistan besides highlighting globally the capabilities of differently-abled persons.He said that during the recent years, blind cricket got special attention and recognition in Pakistan. The active role of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Board in promoting and holding contests is welcoming, he added. Calling for the encouragement of the blind cricket team, the president also called for acknowledgement of the cricketers’ impressive role to highlight the team’s efforts and achievements.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Chairman, Khawaja Junaid Hockey (KJH) Academy, Olympian Kawaja Junaid thanked to OHC Bully Club, Dutch Embassy in Islamabad, Punjab Police, Higher Education Commission (HEC), and other stakeholders, who were involved and made three-match bilateral Friendship Hockey Series possible.In a statement, Khawaja Junaid said: “Over the past few weeks, the Dutch hockey club OHC Bully got an opportunity to visit Lahore and Islamabad, two beautiful cities in Pakistan. This visit was not only an exciting experience for the club members, but it also served as a way to strengthen cultural ties between the Netherlands and Pakistan. The members of OHC Bully were warmly welcomed by the locals, who were eager to showcase their hospitality and love for the game of hockey.”“During their visit to Lahore, the OHC Bully members were able to experience the rich history and culture of the city. They visited Sialkot, famous for sports manufacturers, and especially the flag ceremony at Wahga Border. Additionally, the club got the opportunity to play three friendly matches with the Prime Minister Youth Program HEC talent team, which they won and allowed them to learn new techniques and strategies from their Pakistani counterparts. In Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, OHC Bully was the chance to explore the modern and vibrant side of the country.One of the highlights of the visit was the cultural exchange between the Dutch and Pakistani hockey players. The OHC Bully members were able to share their love through songs at a dinner hosted by HEC chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad. This exchange not only strengthened the bond between the two countries but also created lasting friendships among the players.The visit of OHC Bully to Lahore and Islamabad was a memorable experience for both the club members and the locals. It showcased the power of sports in bringing people together and bridging cultural divides. The club members returned to the Netherlands with a newfound appreciation for Pakistani culture and a deeper understanding of the country.Overall, the visit of OHC Bully to Lahore and Islamabad was a successful and enriching experience. It served as a reminder of the importance of cultural exchange and sports diplomacy in fostering understanding and friendship between nations. The club members were grateful for the warm welcome they received in Pakistan and look forward to future opportunities to continue building strong connections with the people of Lahore and Islamabad, “he concluded.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Netherlands men brought an end to Australia’s unbeaten run in the FIH Hockey Pro League with a methodical performance on the final day of action in Rourkela, India on Sunday.The 5-3 victory saw the Dutch avenging their loss to the same opposition nine days earlier and also consolidating their top spot in the standings with 26 points from their 12 matches so far. Australia are second with 20 points from their eight matches.(Men’s) Netherlands beat Australia (5-3): The Netherlands looked composed in their 5-3 win over Australia in what was a clash between the top two sides in the men’s standings. The Australians had the upper hand in the opening minutes and Jacob Anderson opened the scoring for them in the sixth minute, his lightning-fast reactions ensuring he got stick on a deflected pass to tap in at the left post. They lost some momentum through player suspensions and the Dutch got a goal back in the 13th minute, Duco Telgenkamp bunting in from close range after a good team move along the baseline. Telgenkamp added a second from an almost identical position in the 20th, getting a stick in front of his defender to deflect in the acute cross from the left. Neither team could find another goal in the half, although Andrew Charter in the Aussie goal pulled off a good penalty corner double save and then moved quickly to reduce the angle from the third shot to prevent a goal.The Dutch turned the screws in the third quarter, attacking for long periods and earning seven penalty corners. That allowed Jip Janssen to extend his lead at the top of the goalscoring table with a powerful drag flick in the 35th minute, and Tjep Hoedemakers deflected in from a penalty corner variation to the right post in the 42nd. The Kookaburras threatened a comeback with Tim Brand deflecting in from their first possession of the final quarter, but Terrance Pieters nipped it in the bud with a 48th-minute field goal. Jeremy Hayward scored a big drag flick for Australia seven minutes later, but the Netherlands emerged as comfortable winners against the previously unbeaten Kookaburras.(Men’s) India beat Ireland (4-0): Hosts India put in a clinical performance to beat Ireland 4-0 in the final match of the FIH Hockey Pro League mini-tournament in Rourkela. Ireland played positive attacking hockey throughout, but were inaccurate in front of goal and it was India who had the killer touch when it mattered. Nilakanta Sharma opened the scoring in the 14th minute, a penalty corner variation deflecting off the first wave and landing in his arc for a first-time smash. Akashdeep Singh made it two with a deflection from a flat pass across the goal a minute later and India led 2-0 at half-time, although Sreejesh had arguably been the busier goalkeeper.Sreejesh was called into action again at the start of the second half as Ireland continued to attack without reward. Gurjant Singh then made a great diving deflection to extend India’s lead in the 38th minute and India started taking more control of the match. Goalkeepers Jamie Carr for Ireland and Sreejesh for India had to make important saves throughout the final quarter, and it was Jugraj Singh who closed the book on the mini-tournament with a well-placed drag flick in the final seconds, much to the delight of the home fans.

Sports Bulletin ReportBusan (Korea): Table tennis legend Ma Long has etched his name in World Championships history one last time, leading China to a monumental 23rd Swaythling Cup at the ITTF World Team Championships 2024 in Busan. In what marks his final appearance at the World Championships, Ma Long's exceptional performance sealed a commanding 3-0 victory over France in Sunday's Men's Team final, solidifying China's position as a dominant force in the sport.In a highly anticipated rematch of the 1997 World Championships final, France made a formidable return to the Men's Team title match after 27 years. However, their aspirations to upset the reigning champions were thwarted by a determined Chinese team, led by Ma Long in his farewell appearance on the grand stage.The opening match set the stage for an intense showdown as Wang Chuqin and Felix Lebrun took centre stage, captivating spectators at the BEXCO Convention Centre. Despite Lebrun's stellar performance throughout the event, Wang's prowess secured an early lead for China.In the subsequent match, World No.1 Fan Zhendong faced off against Alexis Lebrun in a gripping display of skill and strategy. Despite a valiant effort from Alexis and a match point, Fan's relentless determination ensured victory for China, further solidifying their dominance.With victory within reach, Ma Long delivered a commanding performance against Simon Gauzy, extinguishing any hopes of a French comeback and cementing China's supremacy in the sport.Ma Long said: “Every World Championships is memorable to me, but this one is especially unforgettable. After a hard-fought semi-final yesterday, the team had a reset and came in today with a much better state of mind. I’ve had the support of my team and teammates, and I’m really happy I was able to help Team China win that one point and secure the title. At the same time, I’ve witnessed the growth of Fan Zhendong, Wang Chuqin, Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun, and I believe the team will only continue to grow stronger from here. I think this can be considered the last event of my World Championships journey. It’s a perfect end to conclude this journey with this victory.” 

Hameed ul Haq The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Elections, held on February 10, 2024, for the post of President, Secretary, and Treasurer were tainted by a strong controversy right from the start due to a questioned vote. The elections were held, after an inordinate delay of over a year beyond the expiry of the term of the incumbent federation, who desired to prolong its stay for as long as possible.The Elections featured two panels, one led by Major General Asghar Nawaz (Retd) and another by Aisam ul Haq. The election yielded a split result with the panel of the former winning two important slots of Secretary General and Treasurer while Aisam ul Haq could barely secure the slot of President with a narrow margin of one vote, which is considered disputed. The Chief Election Commissioner, Mr Shakeel Durrani, former Chairman WAPDA presided over the election process and faced a predicament when a candidate raised a serious objection challenging the eligibility of the vote of International Lawn Tennis Club (ILTC) Pakistan, an associate member unit of PTF. The objections were raised in the light of the PTF Constitution and it was pointed out that ILTC having defaulted in payment of dues of PTF for the last five years falls into the status of “expelled member” and hence loses the right to vote. The more serious amongst the other objections pertained to violation of Article 21 of said Constitutions according to which only the President of an associate member of PTF or his authorized representative can cast the vote. The President of ILTC passed away in March 2021, and with no President elected an aged Secretary of ILTC who is been ridden since long authorized, illegally, a representative to cast the vote in Elections which is considered a flagrant violation of the PTF Constitution.The Chief Election Commissioner, after duly acknowledging the objections to be genuine allowed the elections process to continue with the proviso that the objections would later be addressed through established rules and forms, as per the PTF Constitution, in a specially called General Meeting of PTF Council, within ten days.He made it clear that the voting results may alter or elections may be held again if the contested vote is found illegal as per the PTF Constitution. Another surprising aspect was that the observer representative of POA, the parent body of the Country’s sports federations, was kept out of the crucial first phase of the election proceedings when these objections were discussed with the Chief Election Commissioner.The vote of ILTC assumes significance because it openly nominated and expressed its support for the Panel led by the Aisam ul Haq and if the vote gets void, besides of embarrassment caused, the votes for President PTF will become equal and a tie will occur. The PTF’s outgoing Management, with an obvious bias, has also tried to give a twist to the matter by the incorrect recording of the Chief Elections Commissioner’s decisions in Minutes of Elections, issued on 17 February 2024 which has been promptly noticed by all stakeholders.Considering the past performance of the previous PTF set-up where no fresh crop of internationally competitive players was prepared resulting in a 4-0 drubbing of Pakistan’s Davis at the hands of an Indian Davis Cup team at Islamabad, there is a requirement that fairness, professionalism and merit is promoted in the tennis affairs. The holding of elections marred with illegalities and controversies bodes ill for the future of the game. Pakistan Olympics Association and the relevant stakeholders must step in to ensure that the election process of PTF is subjected to fair play, legality, and fairness, in the absence of which the entire edifice of tennis promotion and player development will remain elusive.(Editor Note: The writer is a former tennis player and achieved many titles for the country. If someone wants to give his point of view about this article Sports Bulletin will welcome, and publish that)  

Mohammad RizwanBusan (Korea): China clinched their 23rd title, narrowly avoiding an upset in a fiercely contested Women's Team final at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 Presented by BNK Busan Bank. In a nail-biting battle, they clinched victory with a hard-fought 3-2 triumph over Japan, showcasing their enduring dominance on the global stage.The clash between China and Japan promised an evening of excitement, and it certainly delivered. The BEXCO Convention Centre was filled with electric energy as spectators witnessed the clash of titans under the bright lights. The showdown began with World No.1 Sun Yingsha facing off against 15-year-old sensation Miwa Harimoto. Despite Harimoto's valiant effort, Sun Yingsha's dominant performance secured an early lead for China with a commanding 3-0 victory.In the second match, Chen Meng and Hina Hayata battled fiercely, with the Japanese pulling off a stunning win against the Olympic singles champion in a thrilling four-game encounter. The unexpected turn of events levelled the match for Japan, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.With the pressure mounting, Miu Hirano extended Japan's lead with a magnificent 3-0 victory over Wang Yidi, leaving China on the brink of defeat. However, Sun Yingsha rose to the occasion, delivering a flawless performance to level the scores and force a decisive fifth match. The fate of the Corbillon Cup rested on the shoulders of Chen Meng and Miwa Harimoto, with both players giving their all in a tense battle. Despite Harimoto's spirited efforts, Chen's experience ultimately prevailed, securing China's victory and their 23rd Women’s Team title. Sun Yingsha said: "It was a really tight but exciting match for us today, and I’m really thankful for my teammates – not just the three of us who played but also Wang Manyu, Chen Xingtong, our coach Ma Lin and every teammate within Team China. We’re delighted with this final victory as the fifth match was anything but easy for Chen Meng. Her performance today really touched our hearts and it’s thanks to her that we managed to secure today’s victory." This thrilling final showcased the incredible talent and resilience of both teams, with China extending its remarkable reign in the Women’s Team at the World Championships Finals. As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games begins, the thrilling upsets witnessed in Busan showcase the emergence of more contenders, injecting a new level of excitement into the sport. The list of teams already qualified is available here. More teams will qualify by ranking on 4 March 2024.