Squash
Independence Day Celebrations Squash Championship starts
Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Squash Championship started here on Saturday, as the top seed Abdullah Shahid outplayed Tahir Noor in straight games 3-0, as the final score-line was 11-6, 11-7, and 11-7. The match lasted just 18 minutes.The chief guest Manager Sports KPT Major (Retd) Mehmood Leghari inaugurated the championship, as a squash fixture pursuing prize money of Rs. 375000. Tournament Director Naveed Aslam and other officials were present at the opening ceremony.Results (Boys’ Under-15):Abdullah Shahid beat Tahir Noor (3-0) 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 (18 mins)Salman Murtaza beat Sodis Paracha (3-0) 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 (18 mins)Saif Saad beat Mustafa Pingar (3-0) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (18 mins)Abdul Ahad beat Hassan Pinger (3-0) 11-4 11-9 11-9 (12mins)Huzaifa Shahid Beat Ali sher (3-0) 11-8 11-5 11-4 (15mins)Ayan Ali beat Ali Shahzaib (3-0) 11-4 11-3 11-8 (16mins)Haris sheraz got walked overResults (Girls Under-19): Aaina Sheikh beat Sahra Hassan (3-0) 11-6 11-6 11-6 (15mins)Sohama Fatima beat Itza Ahmed (3-0) 11-5 11-5 11-7 (14mins)Soha Ali beat Zaynab Shaikha (3-0) 11-5 11-9 11-8 (19mins)Noman Fatima beat Manahil (3-0) 11-1 11-2 11-1 (10mins)Ayeda Sara beat Aiman Ghori (3-0) 11-7 11-2 11-3 (13mins)Sameera Shahid beta Nimra (3-0) 11-3 11-6 11-2 (13mins)Musfira got walked over Wannia Tahir beat Sundas Jahangir (3-0) 11-9 11-8 11-7 (16mins).
Asian Junior Super Series: Anas clinches U19, Mehwish wins U17 titles
Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Rising squash lad, Anas Ali Bokhari overcame Usman Nadeem 3-2 to win the Under-19 title of the 1st Asian Junior Super Series that concluded here at Mushaf Squash Complex on Wednesday. Vice President of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Adnan Asad graced the ceremony as chief guest.In the Boys’ Under19 final, Anas Ali Bokhari toiled hard on the court to overcome his opponent Usman Nadeem in a five-game final. Anas lost the first two games at 8-11, and 6-11, however, he bounced back in the match by winning the next two games at 11-7, and 11-4. In the last and decisive game, Ali was in the driving seat from the start, as he did not allow his opponent to do well. Asan exhibited top qualify game skills by playing powerful drives and classic drop shorts.In the Under-17 Girls’ final, Mehwish Ali outclassed her sister Mahnoor Ali in straight games 3-0 after lasting just 27 minutes. The final score-line was 11-9, 11-6, and 11-6.Results (finals):Boys U-11: Harmas Ali beat Mustafa Khan 12-10, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8 in 30 minBoys U-13: Noman Khan beat Ahmed Rayyan Khalil 11-3, 11-9, 11-6 in 25 minBoys U-15: Ibrahim Zeb beat Mubeen Khan 11-5, 11-4, 9-5 (retd)Boys U-17: Abdullah Nawaz beat Mohammad Azan Khalil 11-6, 14-12, 11-2 in 40minBoys U-19: Anas Ali Bokhari beat Usman Nadeem PAK 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2 73mGirls U-11: Maleeha Shah PAK beat Zainab Gillani 11-2, 11-1, 11-2 in 16minGirls U-17: Mehwish Ali beat Mahnoor Ali 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 in 27min
Egypt win WSF Women’s World Junior Team Championship
In final, Egypt overcome Malaysia 2-0, Amina Orfi and Zeina Zein claim victoriesJonathan SmithMelbourne (Australia): Egypt have won their tenth WSF Women’s World Junior Team Championship title and their eight in succession after a 2-0 win against No.2 seeds Malaysia at Melbourne Sports Centres.Malaysia came into today’s final with revenge on their minds, having lost to Egypt in the final of the last two editions of the tournament, with their first string Aira Azman also losing to Egyptian first string Amina Orfi in the final of the individual championship earlier this week.The No.2 seeds chances were boosted by news ahead of the tie that Egypt were without two players due to illness, meaning the defending champions were represented by Amina Orfi, Zeina Zein and Nadien El Hammamy.Zein, up first with the 2-1-3 string order today, picked up the gauntlet almost flawlessly from original second string Fayrouz Aboelkheir. After taking a 2-0 lead against Sehveetrraa Kumar, the Egyptian was pegged back in game three 11-2.The 18-year-old soon found the perfect response, however, delivering a stunning 11-0 win in game four to give her side the lead.In the second match, Orfi was at her clinical best as she kept Azman at arm’s length. The 16-year-old kept her cool while Azman made errors in the first two games to take a 2-0 lead, before putting the Malaysian to the sword with an 11-2 win in game three.Result: (Egypt beat Malaysia 2-0)Amina Orfi beat Aira Azman 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-2 (34m)Zeina Zein beat Sehveetrraa Kumar 3-1: 11-3, 11-5, 2-11, 11-0 (27m)Nadien El Hammamy w/d Thanusaa Uthrian
Women’s World Junior Team Championship: Seeds dominate opening day
Jonathan SmithMelbourne (Australia): The higher seeded teams made a comfortable start to the 2023 WSF Women's World Junior Team Championship, with the crowd in Melbourne Sports Centres witnessing a slew of dominant results on day one of the pools stage.With a number of seeding mismatches scheduled today, the action on all three courts in Melbourne was largely one-sided as teams played in a 2-3-1 string order.The day began ominously for the lower seeded teams, with whitewashes on all three courts in the afternoon session.On Court Nine, Malaysia’s first string Aira Azman bounced back from her defeat in the final of the individual event last night by sealing maximum points for her side against New Zealand with a 3-0 win over Ella Lash, following wins by the same scoreline for Sehveetrraa Kumar and Thanusaa Uthrian.On Court Six, India rapidly dismantled Ireland, with Tiana Parasrampuria, Yuvna Gupta and Anahat Singh needing just 46 minutes between them to dispatch the No.13 seeds.On the glass court, Hong Kong, China impressed as Sze Wing Wai, Ka Huen Leung and Toby Tse breezed past Singapore.In the evening session, defending champions and top seeds Egypt - who opted to rest their No.1 Amina Orfi following her victory in the final of the individual event last night - were rampant against No.10 seeds Scotland.The North African nation has won the last seven women’s team events in a run going all the way back to 2007, and on today’s evidence the top seeds look well set for another title challenge.Zeina Zein and Nour Megahed delivered the win for Egypt with 3-0 wins over Anna Halliday and Louisa Kaven, before Fayrouz Aboelkheir made sure of the result after overcoming stubborn resistance from 16-year-old Robyn McAlpine.Result (Pool A):[1] Egypt 3-0 [10] ScotlandFayrouz Aboelkheir beat Robyn McAlpine 3-1: 11-3, 11-1, 12-14, 11-4 (31m)Zeina Zein beat Anna Halliday 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-2 (16m)Nour Megahed beat Louisa Kaven 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-1 (15m)Results (Pool B):[2] Malaysia 3-0 [9] New ZealandAira Azman beat Ella Lash 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (18m)Sehveetrraa Kumar beat Sophie Hodges 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-3 (20m)Thanusaa Uthrian beat Anne Leakey 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-1 (17m)Results (Pool C):[3] USA 3-0 [11] South AfricaMadison Ho beat Savannah Ingledew 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 (32m)Riya Navani beat Dené Van Zyl 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-1 (14m)Emma Trauber beat Elske Garbers 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-0 (14m)[5] England 3-0 [14] Chinese TaipeiAsia Harris beat Yu-Chen Cheng 11-1, 11-0, 11-2 (14m)Amelie Haworth beat Jen-Ju Shaw Pearl 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 (16m)Meha Shah beat Mei Mei Chan 3-0: 11-3, 11-5, 11-3 (15m)Results (Pool D):[4] Hong Kong, China 3-0 [12] SingaporeToby Tse beat Paige Teresa Hill 3-0: 11-5, 11-2, 11-5 (20m)Sze Wing Wai beat Gracia Chua Rui Én 3-0: 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 (21m)Ka Huen Leung beat Wai Iynn Au Yeong 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (23m)[6] India 3-0 [13] IrelandAnahat Singh beat Sarah Sabry 3-0: 11-1, 11-4, 11-2 (18m)Tiana Parasrampuria beat Sophie Thomas 3-0: 11-2, 11-2, 11-3 (14m)Yuvna Gupta beat Maria Protsepova 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-2 (14m)Schedule (July 25, 2023):Pool A14:00 [1] Egypt v [7] CanadaPool B17:00 [2] Malaysia v [8] AustraliaPool C14:00 [3] USA v [5] England, [11] South Africa v [14] Chinese TaipeiPool D17:00 [12] Singapore v [13] Ireland, [4] Hong Kong, China v [6] India
Hamza Khan wins World Junior Squash Championship title
Hamza thrashes Mohamed Zakariah 3-1 to win crown after 37 years for PakistanSports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): Rising star Mohamed Zakariah from Egypt 3-1 in the World Juniors Individual Squash Championship 2023 here at Melbourne Sports Centre, Australia on Sunday. The final score-line was 10-12, 14-12, 11-3, and 11-6.In the men’s final, both finalists Mohamed Zakariah and Hamza Khan played excellent squash and were not ready to succumb, as the first two games ended on a tie-break. Hamza went down after the first game at 10-12, however, he showed his confidence in the next game and locked horns with the Egyptian lad. Hamza snatched the second game at 14-12 to level the championship final.After squaring the contest, Pakistani players Mohammad Hamza did not see back and continued his aggressive game, which was a blend of powerful drives and classic nicks. He won the third and fourth games by conceding just 3 and 6 points. Finally, Hamza Khan lifted the title of the World Juniors Squash Championship for Pakistan after 37 years. Jansher Khan earned the same honour for Pakistan in 1986.Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, President PSF, Air vice Marshal Kazim Hammad, and Senior Vice President PSF congratulated Hamza Khan on his remarkable and historical feat.In women’s final, Egyptian 16-year-old Amina Orfi defended her WSF World Junior Championship title with a convincing win over Malaysia’s Aira Azman in Melbourne Sports Centres.Top seed Orfi, who stunned last year in France to win the title aged just 15, looked in top form throughout, with her tight hitting causing the [3/4] seed no end of problems.The opening stages of the match were initially even, with Azman edging into an 8-7 lead in game one, only for Orfi to come firing back with four straight points.After taking the first game 11-8, Orfi began to dominate and rapidly wrapped up the title in just 31 minutes with comprehensive 11-5, 11-1 wins in games two and three.
Squash News: Hamza Khan reaches Juniors World Championship final
Pakistani lad overcomes French man Melvil Scianimanico 3-2 in the nerve-jingling semifinalSports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): Pakistan’s rising squash lad Hamza Khan reached the final of the World Junior Squash Championship 2023, which is going on in Melbourne Australia after beating French man Melvil Scianimanico 3-2 in the nerve-jingling fight in the first semifinal. The final score-line was 11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, and 13-11. The match lasted 81 minutes.Hamza won the first couple of games comfortably and earned a 2-0 lead in a crucial contest, however, his opponent bounced back by winning the next two games and squared the match 2-2. In the 5th game, both players exhibited quality squash and amused the sizeable spectators, as the Hamza finished the game at a tie-break with the score of 13-11 to secure the berth in the final.It is pertinent to mention here that after a period of 15 years, a Pakistani player qualified for the final of the World Juniors’ Squash Championship. The last time, Aamir Atlas Khan played the final of the World Junior Squash Championship in 2008.Results (Quarterfinals):Women’s Event:Amina Orfi (Egypt) beat Zeina Kareem El-Din (Egypt) 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 12-10)Malak Khagafy (Egypt) beat Anahat Singh (India) 3-1 (10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-2)Aira Azman (Malaysia) beat Lauren Baltayan (France) 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-6)Fayrouz Aboelkheir (Egypt) beat Caroline Fouts (USA) 3-0 (11-5, 14-12, 11-5)Men’s Event:Salman Khalil (Egypt) beat Jonah Bryant (England) 3-0 (15-13, 11-4, 11-8)Mohamed Zakariah (Egypt) beat Juan Jose Lara (Colombia) 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-7)Hamza Khan (Pakistan) beat Joachim Chuah (Malaysia) 3-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10)Melvil Scianimanico (France) beat Hollis Robertson (USA) 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 11-2, 9-11, 11-8).
Borneo Junior Open 2023: Huzaifa wins gold, Mahoor claims silver medal
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistani teenage squash player, Huzaifa Shahid won the gold medal while Mahnoor Ali lifted the bronze medal in the 7th Borneo Junior Open 2023 that concluded Kuching Malaysia.According to an official, 401 players all over the world participated in Boys’ Under-13 and Girls’ Under-15 fixtures. Boy’s U13 final, Huzaifa Shahid outclassed his opponent Lokkhesh Wigneswaran from Malaysia in straight games 3-0. The final score-line was 11-3, 11-7, and 11-4, as the match lasted only 12 minutes. Mahnoor Ali thrashed Amber Chieng Shiao in Girls’ U13 match 3-0 at 11-3, 11-4, and 11-5 after 18 minutes game.
Squash News: Shahid Zaman visits Shanghai to coach budding players
China people keen to promote squash in the country: Says Shahid ZamanAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Top International Squash coach and former Pakistan player, Shahid Zaman Khan visited Shanghai from June 22 to 28, 2023 to coach the budding squash players at Lantau Squash Courts, Hongiao Sports Park Shanghai at the request of the Shanghai Squash Association (SSA).Shahid Zaman told this reporter that Deputy Secretary General SSA Jin Zhen, who is also General Manager of LongYu Sports, had contacted him about this assignment and finally, he visited China and trained the players during the 7-day camp. “I was busy at Harvard Business School Boson and at the request of SSA I joined the camp for seven days, “he added.“China people are keen to promote squash in their country and they are toiling hard to achieve their goal. They are doing tremendous work for squash and providing international standard facilities to their male and female players. I came from Boston, United States of America (USA) and I found the players hungry to learn the skills and techniques of squash, “he further said.Replying to a question he said that it was an honour for me to guide the budding squash players of China. “We have an exemplary friendship with our neighboring country and I enjoyed it here. Chinese love Pakistan and Pakistani people. They are well disciplined and well equipped in squash and are trying their best to gain a position in the world of squash, “he maintained.Zaman further said that officials of the China Squash were working hard to move ahead at the international level. “It was amazing for me that they collect the information of players and clubs. They motivate their players to squash and facilitate them in good manners. They are constructing squash courts according to international demands. They want to promote squash in days, “he asserted. He further said Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) should hire the services of qualified Pakistani coaches, who could train the teenagers. “I am not asking for any job for myself because I have a job in a reputable organization Harvard Business School Boson in the USA. But, many other Pakistani coaches are working abroad and the federation should utilize their services to regain the lost glory of Pakistan squash. We are at our lowest ebb at this stage, “he lamented.Shahid Zaman said, “There is no respect for coaches in Pakistan, and the squash federation does not want to hire the services of the best coaches. We played squash for Pakistan and we got all honours and respect due to our country. We want to see our squash again on top. This is our dream and being a Pakistan we pray for Pakistan squash each day, “former Pakistan squash player Shahid Zaman Khan concluded.
Squash: Kazim urges departments for collective efforts to uplift squash
Players should focus on the game and improve their physical, mental strength Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD:-Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Kazim Hammad, Senior Vice President (SVP) of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) urged provinces and all departments to make collective efforts to uplift the standard of the squash.He was speaking at the 48th Executive Committee Meeting followed by the 49th Annual General Meetings (AGM) of PSF, which was held at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad on Monday. Air vice Marshal (AVM) Kazim Hammad, Senior Vice President (SVP), PSF presided over the meetings, and representatives from all provincial squash associations and affiliated members were also present during the meetings along with squash legend Qamar Zaman.The performance of PSF during the years 2021 & 2022 was reviewed by the general council. SVP, PSF showed his satisfaction over the steps being jointly taken by the PSF and its affiliated members in Pakistan. He however, emphasized that there is still a need the collective efforts by the Provincial squash associations and affiliated departments like the Pakistan Army, Pakistan WAPDA, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL), Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) Wah, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Railways to support the national cause of glorifying Pakistan squash at highest levels.SVP, PSF also urged the players to focus on the game and further improve their physical, and mental strength. While highlighting the tremendous support by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with the kind approval of the President, PSF, AVM Kazim Hammad asked all member associations to generate further resources to meet the challenging tasks through an improved system.SVP, PSF directed the member associations to promote squash and increase the pool of players to thousands and also ensure age verification at the association level. He further stressed the implementation of a comprehensive training strategy to further groom the skills of our players and generate adequate funds from the Provincial Government, and corporate sector to sponsor their players and events at national, and international levels. The performance evaluation of provincial associations for the years 2021 and 2022 was also carried out by the General Council. Based upon the national, and international activities generated, Punjab Squash Association won the 1st position and KP Squash won 2nd position for the year 2021 whereas, Sindh Squash Association got 1st position with Pak Navy as runner-up for the year 2022. Senior Vice President PSF presented trophies to the representatives of concerned associations, and departments.During the meetings, matters related to the promotion of Squash in Pakistan were also discussed in detail along with future plans for the revival of international Squash. Senior Vice President, PSF emphasized that PSF would continue to sponsor the best men and women players in international events, he also directed the associations to generate adequate funds and sponsor all their respective players for national, and international events to afford them adequate exposure.
Squash News: Mohammad Samlan wins Abbas Khan Memorial title
Rania Qazi lifts women’s title, Shamlan overcomes Mataib 3-2 in the finalShaukat HussainABBOTTABAD:-Shamlan Khan won the title of the Abbas Khan Memorial Squash Tournament after beating Mutaib Khan 3-2 in the final with the score-line of 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, and 11-9 that concluded at Jansher Khan Squash Complex Abbottabad on Sunday. Rania Qazi lifted the women’s title. In the men’s final, Shamlan Khan toiled hard on the court to overcome his opponent Mutaib Khan in a well-contested five-game thrilling competition, as both finalist exhibited top-class squash and amused the spectators. The final scorer line was 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, and 11-9.Earlier, in the women’s final, Rania Kazi posted a straight games victory against Rabia Khan 3-0. She beat her challenger with the score-lone of 11, 9, 119, and 11, 9 to lift the title of the Abbas Khan Memorial Squash Tournament. At the closing ceremony, Secretary of Local Government Zaheer-ul-Islam distributed the prizes among the players. Former Director General Sports Tariq Mehmood, Syed Abrar Shah, Qaiser Khan, and a large number of players and other officials were present at this occasion.Zaheer-ul-Islam said:“Squash is the most popular sport of Pakistan and we are happy that new talent is emerging, and if the same dedication and hard work continues then there is no reason why Pakistan once regain the lost position in the game of squash. There is no shortage of talent in the whole of Pakistan along with Hazara and inshallah very soon world champion players like John Sher Khan Khahangir Khan Qamar Zaman will be born in Pakistan.”
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