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Over 1,300 clubs apply for registration
SPORTS REPORT
ISLAMABAD (March 22, 2021):-With still two days remaining and following a positive and encouraging response from the club owners for the registration of their clubs, the Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to extend the deadline for club registration to Thursday, 8 April.
Since the start of the two-week online registration process on 10 March, the PCB has received over 1,362 applications, which are presently being reviewed by the PCB. In the next phase of the registration process, the successful club presidents will receive another online link on their registered email address through which they will be able to submit further information relating to membership and players categories.
The decision to extend the deadline has been taken following requests from a large number of club owners, who are in the process of completing their requirements, as well as on the basis that in the past four days 862 applications have been received online.
This sizeable number of applications submitted in the past four days is attributed to the PCB officials’ meetings with various club delegations from different parts of the country. In these meetings, the club owners sought clarity and explanation on the first registration process as well as some articles of the model constitution.
ASC Iqbal Polo Club win Bhandara Memorial Polo Cup
SPORTS NEWS
ISLAMABAD (March 22, 2021):- ASC Iqbal Polo Club have won the Bhandara Memorial Polo Cup after beating Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in a singles-sided affair at Rawalpindi. Eight teams participated in the pilot event.
In the final, ASC Iqbal Team scored 6 goals to beat PAF team by 5-1/2 goals. Ambassador of Sweden, H.E. Henrick Persson was the chief guest of this event. He appreciated the efforts of the Murree Brewery team for the promotion sports event went on to say that the inaugural M.P. Bhandara Memorial Polo Tournament was held in 1904.
On this occasion, Chairman Murree Brewery Company Isphanyar Bhandara said that sports help in developing the mental and physical abilities of the youth. This builds their character along with improving patience and courage in their personalities, because self-confidence in a person can play an important role in the country’s development. He added that the players are assets of the nation and play an important role in promoting sports for the formation of a healthy society.
Covid-19: national team update
SPORTS REPORT
LAHORE (March 22, 2021):-A member of the South Africa-bound Pakistan men’s cricket team, who had last week tested positive, has now returned two negative tests. As such, he will enter the bio-secure bubble on 23 March where he will remain in isolation for 24 hours, following which he will undergo two further tests on 24 March.
If the results of both tests are negative, then he will be allowed to integrate with the side and cleared to travel to Johannesburg on 26 March.
Meanwhile, all the remaining 34 members of the side, presently attending a training camp in Lahore, cleared their third Covid-19 tests conducted on 21 March.
Their final tests will be conducted on 24 March.
SPORTS NEWS - National 22 Mar, 2021
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD (March 22, 2021):-The second stage of the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup has been relocated to the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland from its original host city of Shanghai, China. It remains on the same dates of 17-23 May.
The stage will be hosted by the World Archery Excellence Centre, which will also be the venue for the finals, with support from the city and cantonal authorities. It will be closed to spectators, run to local health regulations and with strict accommodation, travel and access policies.
The tournament’s eventual running remains contingent on receiving official authorisation from the Swiss health bodies and continued local progress in the fight against the pandemic.
World Archery will work to ensure as many countries as possible can access the event.
It was announced that replacement hosts would be prioritised over tournament postponements when the rules for this year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit were released in February. Moving the location of the second stage is the first example of this policy being put into effect.
This year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup begins in Guatemala City at the end of April. After Lausanne in May, the third leg is scheduled for June in Paris, which will also where the final qualification tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will take place.
World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen said: “Flexibility will be essential in delivering a world-class calendar for our athletes and stakeholders this season. We are working hard to ensure we have the processes and contingencies in place to run a successful circuit of international events in 2021.”
“Our continued thanks go to the organiser in Shanghai for their support and the work done towards hosting a stage this year. While it has ultimately not proved possible, we’re looking forward to returning to one of the most popular stops on the tour next season.”
England men name ODI squad for India series
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD (March 22, 2021):-England Men have named their 14-player squad for the three-match One-Day International series against India in Pune starting on Tuesday.
Three additional players – Jake Ball, Chris Jordan and Dawid Malan – will travel with the squad as cover. All these players have been in India for the Twenty20 International series that concluded in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Jofra Archer is returning to the UK for further management and investigation of his right elbow injury.
Jofra’s elbow issue has deteriorated over the course of the Twenty20 International series and made it increasingly challenging for him to maintain performance levels. He has been deemed unfit for selection for the ODI series that features matches on 23, 26 and 28 March.
The ECB medical team will assess the player and, together with Jofra, develop a treatment plan and a return-to-play schedule in due course. As a consequence, Jofra will miss the start of this year’s Indian Premier League.
England Men’s ODI Squad:
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Tom Curran (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Matt Parkinson (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Surrey), Mark Wood (Durham).
Also travelling with the squad: Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire).
Prasidh Krishna was "optimistic"
By Bipin Dani
Prasidh Krishna, the new entrant in the Indian team was "not surprised" when selectors named him in the ODI squad.
On Friday, the 25-year-old right arm fast bowler from Bangalore has been included in Team India for the three ODIs to be played in Pune on March 23, 26 and 28.
"No, I was not surprised but optimistic. I was already on selectors' radar and am happy for this call", he said over the telephone from Ahmedabad.
"It will be a wonderful experience to share a dressing room with Kohli's men. The current Indian team is full of legends and to be part of this team will be a great feeling", he added.
"I have been performing well in domestic matches for my State (Karnataka) team and will try my best to fulfil selectors' trust on me".
Prasidh Krishna gives credit to his father (Murali Krishna) for all his support.
Later, his father, speaking exclusively, said, "Of course, we were expecting his inclusion in the side. The "good news" we received first was from the BCCI trigger".
Interestingly, Prasidh had coaching lessons from Australian greats-Jeff Thomson and Glenn McGrath.
"He was part of the IDBI Federal Bowling Foundation-KSCA and was one of the four fast bowlers who trained with Jeff Thomson at the Cricket Australia academy for a month in 2017", Dr Makarand Waingankar, a well-known figure in Indian cricket, having served the sport in various capacities as cricket management consultant (he organised bowling schemes of Frank Tyson in 1990 for the BCA Mafatlal bowling) says.
"McGrath's coaching was done at the MRF", father added.
Elaborating more about the newcomer, his father says, "Prasidh is a Commerce graduate from Jain College. He has one younger sister. He loves to be with family when he is at home. He enjoys playing Play Station FIFA, NBA".
Prasidh's favorite dish is masala dosa.
Tim Paine invited at The Chappell Foundation dinner
By Bipin Dani
The Australian Test Captain Tim Paine will be the special guest for The Chappell Foundation at its 4th Annual Dinner at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on May 12. This was revealed by Darshak Mehta, the chairman of the institution.
The Chappell Foundation raises funds to give to those who provide refuge, nourishment and a better future for thousands of young Australians without a roof over their heads each night.
Rate of youth homelessness is a national crisis in Australia. Each night more than 30,000 people under the age of 25 sleep without shelter.
"There will be several Test cricketers in the room apart from Ian and Greg Chappell and Tim Paine – the guest speaker", Darshak Mehtra, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Australia, said.
"In 2018, our Guest Speaker was Shane Warne, in 2019 it was singer Jimmy Barnes and last year it was Ricky Ponting".
"Alyssa Healy and Moises Henriques are Ambassadors of The Chappell Foundation (TCF) and will likely attend, if in town".
Former Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe is a regular, as is former champion Para-olympian Louise Sauvage - an Ambassador of TCF.
Twin sisters Kate and Alex Blackwell, both Australian cricketers, are also strong supporters of TCF and likely to attend.
"There will be at least another handful of elite cricketers in attendance and stars from other sports are expected, too", added Mehta.
"We hope to fund-raise over $ 200,000 ( Rs 1.1 crore) and donate that to our six charity partners", he concluded.
OLYMPICS - 20 Mar, 2021
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD (March 20, 2020):-The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) were today (Saturday) informed by the Japanese parties in the five-party meeting about their conclusion regarding overseas spectators at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 this summer. For the reason of the safety of every Games participant and the Japanese people, their conclusion is fully respected and accepted by the IOC and the IPC.
During the meeting, the IOC and the IPC were informed that, as outlined in the full statement by Tokyo 2020, the conclusion of the Japanese parties is not to allow entry into Japan for overseas spectators for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 due to the prevailing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Olympic and Paralympic Games tickets purchased by overseas residents from the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee will be refunded.
“We share the disappointment of all enthusiastic Olympic fans from around the world, and of course the families and friends of the athletes, who were planning to come to the Games,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “For this I am truly sorry. We know that this is a great sacrifice for everybody. We have said from the very beginning of this pandemic that it will require sacrifices.
“But we have also said that the first principle is safety. Every decision has to respect the principle of safety first. I know that our Japanese partners and friends did not reach this conclusion lightly. Together with them, the IOC’s top priority was, is and remains to organise safe Olympic and Paralympic Games for everyone: all the participants and, of course, our gracious hosts, the Japanese people. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the side of our Japanese partners and friends, without any kind of reservation, to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 a great success.
“Together with our Rights-Holding Broadcasters, we will make every effort so that the fans from around the world will be able to experience the Olympic spirit. In this way, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be the light at the end of the tunnel and a safe manifestation of peace, solidarity and the resilience of humankind in overcoming the pandemic.”
FIH Executive Board approves 8-year global hockey calendar
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD (March 19, 2021):-The Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) approved an 8-year global hockey calendar establishing dates and windows for FIH and Continental Federations’ events, as well as multi-sport events where hockey is included. This is a major step and long-awaited document which shall help scheduling competitions in a coordinated manner worldwide, for the benefit of all hockey stakeholders – FIH, Continental Federations, National Associations and also clubs. The dates for the first four years (2021-24) are final, while the next cycle (2025-28) is currently in draft and will be confirmed on an annual basis, at least 4 years in advance to assist all involved in hockey globally to plan their activities.
The EB also confirmed the match schedule for the next FIH Hockey Pro League season (2021-2022). From that season on, matches will be played between October and June of the following year, within specific windows as detailed in the above-mentioned global hockey calendar.
Europe’s qualification process for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain & Netherlands 2022 and the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup India 2023 has been amended:
For the Men, the 7 European participating teams will be determined as follows:
The top 5 teams from the Euro Hockey Championship 2021 will qualify
2 teams will qualify from the European World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2021 (this event will comprise teams ranked 6-8 in the Euro Hockey Championship 2021 and teams ranked 1-5 in the Euro Hockey Championship II 2021)
For the Women, beyond both hosts (Spain and the Netherlands), the 4 other participating teams from Europe will be determined as follows:
The top 3 teams - not including Spain or the Netherlands - from the Euro Hockey Championship 2021 will qualify
1 team will qualify from the European World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2021 (this event will comprise the 3 lowest ranked teams - not including ESP and NED - in the Euro Hockey Championship 2021 as well as the teams ranked 1-5 in the Euro Hockey Championship II 2021)
Furthermore, the EB has confirmed that FIH will organise its first ever senior World Hockey5s event on 11 and 12 September 2021, in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 2019, in order to further boost the development of hockey globally through Hockey5s, the EB had decided to create an FIH Hockey5s World Cup - with the inaugural edition planned in 2023 - and, in the near future, a Hockey5s World Tour, which will consist of events similar to the Lausanne’s one. More information about this event will be communicated shortly.
In order to shape the future sustainability strategy of hockey around the world, FIH has decided to create a Sustainability Task Force which will be responsible for setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and measuring performance, including publishing a biennial Sustainability Report to be presented to the FIH Congress as well as to the wider sporting community. It will include representatives from National Associations, athletes, officials, event organisers and suppliers as well as external experts. FIH EB Member and Oceania Hockey Federation President Clare Prideaux has been appointed Chair of this Task Force.
Amazing to see my brother holding the winning trophy, says Axar Patel's sister
By Bipin Dani
Team India's new spin sensation Axar Patel's married sister Shivani Patel, now living in Canada, had no interest in cricket. Leave aside watching the game on TV but she never used to discuss the game with her brother.
The time has changed now. Since her brother made debut for India in the recently concluded Test series against England, she would hardly miss to follow her brother's performance on the field.
"I was speechless and absolutely stunned when he was holding the winning trophy with both his hands and other team members around him", the sister, three years elder to Axar, speaking exclusively over the telephone from her Toronto home, said on Sunday morning (India time).
Team India captain Virat Kohli gave the honour of lifting the trophy to India's newest player. The trend started by MS Dhoni, who not only allowed the best performer to lead the side on return to the pavilion but offered the best seat in the bus and the flight.
"It was indeed a very precious moment in my life and will never ever forget it. It was very grateful to have such practice by the captain. It unites the team members well and junior players are never felt aloof in the side".
"With India's other spinner (R. Ashwin), I saw my brother grabbing wickets one after the other. It was amazing...".
"I was also happy when my brother played his maiden Test and also got the Player of the Match award only when he was playing his just second Test match".
"Wow-27 wickets in three Tests...Can't believe it".
"Back home in Nadiad (Gujarat) my parents (Preeti ben and Rajesh bhai) are happy to see Axar's performance and glad for his progress. I am proud of my brother and lucky to have a nice brother like him", she signed off, adding that Axar only named her 1-year-old son as Aansh.
In Gujarati community, the name of the new arrival is given by the aunty (father's sister).
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