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SPORTS NEWS - National 17 Dec, 2019

SISJA honours visiting journalists with Excellence Award

SISJA honours visiting journalists with Excellence Award Abdullah Asjad RAWALPINDI:-The President and the members of South Asian Sports Journalists Association (SISJA) honored the visiting sports journalists from Sri Lanka and other countries with the "Excellence Award" on historic occasion of revival Test Cricket after 10 years at the soil of Pakistan at Media Center Hall of Pindi Cricket Stadium. On this occasion, President SISJA Asghar Ali Mubarak thanked the international media especially media friends from Sri Lanka, who came in Pakistan to cover game of cricket. He said that the entire Pakistani nation was feeling proud of reviving international cricket in the country after over one decade. The ceremony was attended by representatives of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), Pakistan Sports Writers’ Federation (PSWF) and Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA). The veteran sports journaliss Asghar Ali Mubarak organised the ceremony on behalf of SISJAand RISJA with some renowned senior sports journalists including Abdul Mohi Shah, Abdul Jabbar Faisal, Rizwan Ehsan Ali aka Joji, Gabriel de Souza, Mohsin Ijaz, Zulfikar Baig, Arif Mehmood Khan, Nasir Aslam Raja, Rozina Ali, Sadia Rafay, Shakir Abbasi, Shakeel Awan, Nasir Abbas Naqvi, Malik, Khurram Shahzad, and others. Hosts journalists of twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad presented the awards and souvenirs to visiting journalists from Sri Lanka and Karachi. The fonder founder member RISJA Abdul Mohi Shah hoped that the Excellence Awards would remind the visiting journalists of their presence on the return of international cricket to Pakistan in the rest of their journalistic career. Asghar Ali Mabarak also thanked all the journalists for sparing their time for the Excellence Awards ceremony. The visiting journalists from Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi and Lahore also received their memento. These included Shahid Hashmi, Saveera Pasha, Mirza Iqbal Baig, Tariq Saeed, Syed Yahya Hussani, Khalid Hasan Khan, Farhan Khan. Young local journalists Amber Ali, RozenaAli, Bushra Gull, Shah Khalid Hamdani, Faisal Javeed Mughal and Abdul Wajid were also given awards to encourage them in the field of sports especially in cricket. Name of Sri Lankan Journalists, who received awards: Chamila Karavta, Ishra Kodikara, Oshitha Warakapitiya, Damith Weerasnghe, Andrew Fernando, Samsudeen Aroos, Udara de Silva, C Dissanayaka, Aboobucker Askar, Wichithra Weerasinghe DG Danushka Aravinda, Asela Vithana, Prince Gunasekara, Althaf Navaz and NV Anthony. Beside media persons, some awards were also distributed among the cricket lovers including Chach Domestic Cricket Mohammad Yameen Gongha, Mama Cricket Khalid Jalil, Baba Cricket Yasir Hakim, Dada Cricket Dr. Abdul Rehman, Rescue 1122, Massood Khan.

SPORTS NEWS - National 29 Nov, 2019

Andy Murray has 'no chance' of winning another Grand Slam, according to Goran Ivanisevic

Andy Murray has 'no chance' of winning another Grand Slam, according to Goran Ivanisevic Sports Desk ISLAMABAD:-Andy Murray has "no chance" of winning another Grand Slam title, according to former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. The former world No 1 recently revealed he contemplated retirement a matter of weeks before winning the European Open in Antwerp last month. But gaining more confidence during tournaments in Zhuhai, Beijing and Shanghai, the Scot produced a remarkable level of consistency to win in Belgium - his first title since 2017. Although he was only able to compete in one match for Great Britain at last week's Davis Cup, Murray confirmed he was "ahead of where I expected to be at this stage" with regard to his hip. Ivanisevic, who is the current coach of Novak Djokovic, was brutally honest in his assessment of three-time Grand Slam champion ever winning a major again.

SPORTS NEWS - National 27 Nov, 2019

Shah Hussain Shah Jumps up five more steps

Shah Hussain Shah Jumps up five more steps Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 27, 2019):In his pursuit for the place for Tokyo 2020, while playing in Osaka Grand Slam, Olympian Judoka Shah Hussain Shah reached to 39th position in recently updated Olympic ranking list. According to Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF), this is ever highest any South Asian judoka could earn. He lost against world number 4 and world champion of 2017 Aaron Wolf from Japan in pre quarterfinal. He secured 160 points in this highest level of contest after World championship. With this he accumulated 904 points thus far ahead of his rivals of this Asian continent. Col (Retd) Junaid Alam, President PJF expressed entire satisfaction over his unprecedented marvelous performance. “Pakistan Judo Federation is holding all his expenditure of his Olympic run by giving him full priority. We are not sending anyone else anywhere other than Shah who is being sent alone even without coach, “he said. “Judo qualifying for Olympic is unlike other sports where there are 3-4 Olympic qualifiers, contested by an athlete or a team. Here it is entirely a different game which poor federations simply cannot afford. A Federation has to field him in maximum number of IJF Calendar events of last 2 years qualifying period with each having different weightage. Usually there are more than 10 events in half of a year. If you miss any event the others get full benefit and their ranking go up against you. In last four months, he was sent by PJF to participate in 7 different championships round the globe, “he said. It is pertinent to mention here that Shah had missed Australian Grand Prix Nov 2019 due to visa issue. In start of next year he would suffer another setback as the first Grand Slam is being held in Israel, which he cannot participate due to obvious reason. This is likely to harm his standing, but nothing could be done in this regard. However PJF has planned to send him to a 6 weeks tour of Europe in Feb to March where he would not only attend IJF training Camp but will also participate in all grand prix and grand slam tournaments. In this crucial time unfortunately, there is no support from any quarter so far despite so many requests to all concerned. Even routine monetary grants given to the National Federations were stopped due to ongoing sports reforms. However, on request of President PJF as well as Shah’s father (Boxing Legend Olympic medalist Hussain Shah) one month ago, Federal Minister IPC Fahmida Mirza has reportedly approved 1.5 million RS for his participation in qualifiers from August to December 2019 but nothing is released so far. Same way, there is no sponsor found as these are usually attracted to the popular sports like cricket, football, hockey and Kabaddi.

SPORTS NEWS - National 31 Oct, 2019

Wrestler Inam meets DG Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh

Salman Khan LAHORE:-Pakistan's celebrated wrestler Mohammad Inam Butt called on Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh at National Hockey Stadium on Thursday. Director Admin JavedChohan, Pakistan Wrestling Federation Secretary Arshad Sattar, Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, Secretary Punjab Olympic Association Idris Haider Khawaja and Deputy Director Rauf Bajwa were also present during the meeting. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh congratulated wrestler Inam Butt for winning gold medal in World Beach Games wrestling event in Doha. It is worth-mentioning that Pakistan's premier wrestler Inam Butt lifted the gold medal when he defeated Olympic bronze medallistMarsagishvili Dato of Georgia in the 90 kg final of the World Beach Games wrestling event in Doha. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh appreciated feats of premier wrestler Inam Butt saying that the entire nation is proud of his remarkable accomplishments. “Sports Board Punjab will continue to extend every possible facility for the promotion of wrestling in the country,” he said. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, on this occasion, announced that Sports Board Punjab is going to introduce a scheme for the promotion wrestling in Punjab in near future. “Wrestling is quite famous in Pakistan and Inam Butt’s latest achievement will play a key role in further popularizing this game among the youth of the country,” he added. Inam Butt, a 3-time World Beach Games gold medallist, thanked Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh for providing every kind of assistance for the preparation of World Beach Wrestling. “Sports Board Punjab had extended ample cooperation in the past for the growth of wrestling”. Later, wrestler Inam Butt also met with Sports Board Punjab Vice-Chairman Rao Zahid Qayyum in his office. Sports Board Punjab Vice-Chairman Rao Zahid Qayyum also congratulated the wrestler for his fresh accomplishment and vowed to provide every kind of assistance for the cause wresting in the province.

SPORTS NEWS - National 31 Oct, 2019

Punjab Minister for Sports urges athletes to prepare well for 33rd National Games

SB Report LAHORE:-The camp training of Punjab’s different teams remained underway on Thursday for the preparation of 33rd edition of National Games being staged at Peshawar in November 2019. Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, in a statement on Thursday, stressed upon the Punjab athletes to prepare themselves fully for the grand event of National Games. “All the participating teams have top class athletes in their ranks and our players should not take their opponents lightly in the National Games,” he added. Expert coaches conducted basketball, table tennis, badminton, karate, taekwondo and volleyball training camps at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall, athletics, boxing, rugby camps at Punjab Stadium while the hockey camp is in progress at National Hockey Stadium. According to detail, 18 boys and 12 girls attended the athletics camp at Punjab Stadium while the strength of other camps remained as follow: kabaddi 10 boys, rugby 12 boys and 12 girls, badminton 6 boys and 6 girls, basketball 14 boys and 14 girls, boxing 12 boys, hockey 22 boys and 22 girls, karate 10 boys and 8 girls, taekwondo, 10 boys and 8 girls, table tennis 6 boys and 6 girls, volleyball 14 boys and 14 girls and judo camp has 8 boys and 6 girl probables for the preparation of grand event of National Games.

SPORTS NEWS - National 29 Oct, 2019

PSFF aims to uplift the soft image of Pakistan through sports and cultural, Says Raja Hafeez

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-President, Pak-Swiss Friendship Forum (PSFF), Raja Hafeez Ahmed said that PSFF basic aim was to uplift the positive image of the country Switzerland particularly in whole Europe, which was defused by international media after 9/11 incident despite of this Pakistan had no link with said incident. While talking to this scribe during an exclusive sitting on other day he hoped that he would people of both countries close to understand each other through cultural and sports activities in Switzerland. “We are organizing our social, cultural and sports activities regularly. We also celebrate our national day with enthusiasm especially Independent day on August 14, Defense Day on September 6 and Pakistan Day on March 23 each year, as the cricket match always part of independent day August 14. We organize a match in which Pakistani people participate in large number to enjoy the game. We invite Pakistani community and also Swiss People to attend our traditional events and they could understand our norms, traditions and cultural, “he viewed. “Our basis aim is to enhance people-to-people contact. We invite people of both communities in all types of cultural and sports activities. We have established a Geneva Eleven Stars cricket club that participates in all the events. Under the banner of this club we support blind, disable persons, helpless women and street children of Pakistani community, “he said. To a question Raja Hafeez said that there were 22 registered cricket clubs in Switzerland and Pakistani, Indian and Afghanistan play cricket from different clubs. “Our club had won the League Championship in 2012 and we had given fair play award too. “We also stage other social activities including Musharia, Naat competitions. Our club also manages to tell the Muslims history to our youth and about our historical tourist places that are attractive for the local people of Switzerland. “ACV’s Chief Organizer Malik Naseer, Director Tourism Malik Mahroof and Director Development Sports Raja Saeed are doing also splendid job for our Forum, “he replied a question. Responding to another question, Raja said, “PSFF invites Pakistani diplomats in the ceremony, as the last time Pakistani ambassador Naseem Ahmed Warach had graced our ceremony as chief guest. Pakistani officials also support us because our basic aim to highlight the soft image of the country among the Swiss people, “he concluded.

SPORTS NEWS - National 27 Oct, 2019

Olympian Shah Hussain Shah inks new history in Judo

Olympian Shah Hussain Shah inks new history in Judo Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Shah finished at 5th place while losing Bronze medal fight in Dubai Grand Slam judo during his Olympic qualifying journey on Saturday. He lost from Canadian, who is currently world number 4. This is ever highest achievement of any Pakistani Judoka in world highest level contest after World championship. This spectacular performance by him will give a big jump in Olympic as well as World ranking. PJF President Col Junaid Alam has expressed entire satisfaction as well as pleasure on this unprecedented achievement. He said that Shah will be sent to Australian Grand Prix after 4 days. Also he will feature in last grand slam of this year in Nov and then an open championship in Hong Kong. Only two judokas with any coach or official participated in this event while Indian contingent was consisted of 14 judokas. Despite that Pakistan finished overall at 30th position while India finished at 40th position. Shah got bye in first round and then in 2nd round won with Wazari against world ranked 55 Savytskiy Anton Ukraine. After reaching third round which was pre- quarter final, Shah played aggressively against world no. 28 Khurramov Mukhammad Karim of Uzbekistan and made him disqualified being extra defensive. In Quarter final Shah fought against Olympic World Ranker no.18 Mr.Kotsoiev Zelym from Azerbaijan. He lost this fight on points after striving for complete duration of 4 minutes. After that Shah outclassed Chinese Judoka in repechage to reach in bronze medal fight where he faced world no 4 Canadian Athlete Elnahas Shady. He played very well in that fight but finally lost the fight. It is pertinent to mention that Olympic Judo qualifying is a two year period. Unfortunately despite many efforts by PJF he could participate in only one contest in first year of Olympic qualification whereas other judokas of world participated in at least average of 6-7 championships. Despite verbal consent by minister IPC and DG PSB, not a single penny has been released so far by Pakistan Sports board. However PJF sent him to participate in 5 major championships including world and Asian championships as well as grand slams in last 5 months. Earlier he was sent for a month long training camp in International judo federation academy Budapest Hungary to learn European style of Judo which was his weakness. PJF expects that if he maintains the pace he will In sha Allah qualify for Tokyo 2020 thus making another history.

SPORTS NEWS - National 22 Oct, 2019

Open Trials on October 24

SB Report LAHORE:-Under the directive of Punjab Olympic Association, Sports Board Punjab, Punjab Basketball Association the open trials for the selection of Punjab Basketball Teams men & women on will be held on Thursday the 24th October, 2019. The women trails will be held at Lahore College University Women Jail Road Lahore at 10.00 am. While Men Basketball team trails will be held on same day i.e. Thursday the 24th October, 2019 in Sports Board Punjab Indoor Hall Nishtar Park Complex Ferozepur Road Lahore at 2.00 pm. Punjab Basketball Association already advised to All divisional basketball association is to send their best basketball players to participate in open trials on given date, time and venue.

SPORTS NEWS - National 21 Oct, 2019

Pakistan and Azerbaijan sign MOU to enhance the cooperation in the field of sports

SB Report Baku:-Pakistan’s Minister of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) and Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs of Azerbaijan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the cooperation in the field of sports and youth activities. Signing ceremony was held in Baku on Monday. Federal Minister for IPC DR Fehmida Mirza and Azerbaijan Minister Sports & Youth Affairs Azad Rahimov signed the MoU. MoU between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in the field of sports was inked on 21st October 2019. It would facilitate direct cooperation, exchange of sports teams and create opportunity to hold joint sports events between two brotherly countries. Speaking to occasion, Federal Minister said, “Pakistan greatly values its relationship of cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan. I thank the Ministry of Youth and Sport for arranging this event to cement the cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan for promoting sports.” “Today, ‘sport diplomacy’ has become an integral part of efforts to build friendly relations among the nations. Sport diplomacy uses the universal passion for sports to bring people together. Both of our countries have seen a long history of regional conflicts. Employing sport diplomacy tools can help us challenge prejudices, heal divisions and champion tolerance” Minister added. Federal Minister acknowledged that Azerbaijan successfully hosted Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017 and in collaboration with Azerbaijan would be learning experience for Pakistan to host mega events. Minister underscored the global contribution of Pakistan in cricket, hockey, squash, snooker and in some regional games like Kabaddi too. Minister also extended cooperation in the field of traditional sports as both countries have a vibrant culture in this type of games. Federal Minister also shared an idea of holding a conference on the topic of sports diplomacy and to explore its role in fostering peace and cultural exchanges. Azerbaijan Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs reciprocated same enthusiasm and showed desire to further cooperation in areas such as sports academia, exchange of expertise in sports infrastructure development schemes, exchange of sports experts and training of referees, coaches and technical officials.

SPORTS NEWS - National 18 Oct, 2019

Federations officials meet Governor Punjab

SB Report LAHORE:-A delegation of Pakistan Baseball Federation (PBF) called on Governor Punjab Choudhary Mohammad Sarwar at Governor House Lahore on Thursday. President PBF Syed Fakhar Ali Shah was leading the delegation. Also, the advisers to health minister of the Punjab Dr. Azeem u deen Lakhwi, Manzar Shah Fareed executive director, Sadia Alwi chair person women wing, Dr Shaheen Gulraiz director youth baseball development, Basit Murtaza coach of Pakistan team, international baseball players of Pakistan and the other officials were present on this eve. President PBF gave a comprehensive briefing to governor of Punjab regarding the game of base ball, activities of federation and upcoming national and international competitions. He also presented the report of international baseball tournament of this year 2019 to governor including 14th West Asian Baseball Championship, which was played in Sri Lanka. Pakistan had won silver medal in Sri Lanka while in the 10th Under-15 Asian Baseball Championship Pakistan got sixth position China. Pakistani lads Syed Mohammad Shah awarded with the Asian best hitter while Zeeshan Ameen won best fielder award. overnor Punjab Mohammad Sarwar congratulated to Fakhar Shah for the excellent performance of Pakistan. On this occasion Fakhar Shah told governor that there was not a solitary baseball stadium in the country. Muhammad Sarwar assured federation’s official he would search a suitable place for the ground.

Sports Bulletin