Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: The Kamran Steel ATF 16&Under Asian Tennis Tour 2022 (Leg-1) was formally inaugurated here at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy Nishtar park Lahore on Monday. Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Ehsan Bhutta inaugurated the event in the presence of Mian Mohsin from Kamran Steels, Tournament Director Rashid Malik (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz), Tournament Referee Shehzad Alvi, players, their families and tennis lovers. Rashid Malik thanked Mian Mohsin of Kamran Steels for sponsoring the Kamran steel ATF 16&Under Asian Tennis Tour 2022 and hoped that they will continue to support this beautiful game. On the opening day, the matches were contested in different age group categories. In the boys Under-16 first round, Asad Zaman beat Kashan Tariq 6-2, 6-2, Aized Khalil beat zain Saeed 6-2, 6-3, Nabeel Qayum beat Taimoor Ansari 6-1, 6-7, 6-4, Sheheryar Anees beat Abdullah Pirzada 6-1, 6-2 and Waleed Humayun beat Hamza Rehmat 6-1, 6-1.  Meanwhile, in the Kamran Steel Punjab Junior Tennis Championship 2022, the matches were also competed. In the boys/girls U-14 first round, Abdullah Pirzada beat Mohammad Inam Bari 6-0, Amna Qayum beat Abdur Rehman Pirzada 6-0, Aalay Husnain beat Naad e Ali 6-0, Bismel Zia beat Eesa Khan Malik 6-0, Abdur Rehman beat Mohammad Ayan Khan 6-0. In the boys/girls U-12 qualifying round, Shafay Iqbal beat Hassan Alam 6-0, Hafiz Hassan beat Nameer Ahsan 6-3 and Mohammad Ayan Khan beat Aaliyan Ali 6-0. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta said: “Tennis is one the most popular sports of the world and the poor and deserving players have equal right to play this game. We are giving maximum playing opportunities to children with a humble background in sports. Poor children of schools and colleges can also play at this world class tennis venue.” The Secretary Sports further said that the Sports and Youth Affairs Department Punjab is taking effective measures to bring forward the talented children from remote and backward areas. “World class tennis courts have been built with modern facilities where we will hold more big tennis events for the promotion of this game among the younger generation,” he asserted.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Asad Zaman (Ali Embroidery) clinched double crown (U-18 and U-16 titles) and Mohammad Sohaan U-14 title in the PLTA Independence Day Punjab Junior Tennis Championship 2022 that concluded here at the Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah Lahore on Saturday.  In the boys U-18 final, Asad Zaman was up against Hamza Jawad. Both played well and fought till the end. After a tough battle, Asad managed to hold his nerves and succeeded in winning the title clash by 7-6. Earlier in the boys U-18 semifinals, Asad Zaman beat Ahtesham Arif 6-2 and Hamza Jawad beat Waleed Humayun 7-6. Asad completed the brace of titles, when he outsmarted Waleed Humayun by 6-2 in the boys U-16 final. Delighted Asad, while talking to media, said that his game is improving with each passing day, thanks to his coach Rashid Malik (SBP Head Coach) and Tariq Zaman, CEO of Ali Embroidery Mills, whose generous support is helping him excel in national events and win titles one after another in his respective categories.  In the boys U-14 final, Muhammad Sohaan Noor outpaced Abdullah Pirzada 6-3. This was the maiden U-14 title of Sohaan’s tennis career, who thanked Allah Almighty for this feat and also expressed his gratitude to his coach Rashid Malik, whose guidance and coaching is improving his game and skills and he is feeling a better player with eyes on winning more national titles. Earlier in the boys U-14 semifinals, M Sohaan Noor beat Abdur Rehman 6-2 while Abdullah Pirzada beat Hashir Alam 6-3. In the boys/girls U-12 final, Abdur Rehman (AAA Associates) beat Hajra Suhail 6-1. In the boys/girls U-10 final, Hajra Suhail (AAA Associates) beat Salman Pirzada 6-3 to clinch the title. Both Abdur Rehman and Hajra Suhail are the brilliant students of SICAS and excelling with back-to-back titles in their respective categories.  In the boys/girls U-8, Ahsan Bari grabbed gold medal, Ayyan Zafar silver medal and Musa Pirzada bronze medal. In the boys/girls U-6, Musa Pirzada bagged the gold medal, Mamnoon Bari silver medal and Faiz Pirzada bronze medal.  PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz) graced the occasion as chief guest and distributed prizes and shields among the winners. Speaking on the occasion, Malik said that the purpose of holding this event was to celebrate the 75th Independence Day with great zeal and fervor. All the tennis players not only displayed quality tennis skills and games during the event but also celebrated Independence Day during the concluding ceremony with great zest. 

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Bilal Asim, Hashesh Kumar, Mahatir Mohammad and Hamid Israr moved into the semifinals of the Bank of Punjab (BoP) Junior National Tennis Championship 2022 here at Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah on Monday.  Results: Under-18 quarterfinals: Bilal Asim (Sicas) beat Ahtesham Humayun 6-4, 6-1, Hashesh Kumar beat Haider Ali Rizwan 6-4, 7-5, Mahatir Muhammad of Karachi beat Asad Zaman 6-2, 6-7(1) and Hamid Israr beat Rafay Cheema 6-4, 6-0. In the U-16 pre-quarterfinals, Sameer Zaman beat Aized Khalil 6-1, 6-0, Ahtesham Humayun beat Sohan Noor 6-0, 1-0 (rtd).  Under-14 quarterfinals: Hamza Roman beat Faizan Ali 4-0, 4-2, Amir Mazari (Aitchison) thrashed Taimoor Khan 4-0, 4-0, Ismail Aftab beat Sohan Noor 4-0, 4-1, Samir Zaman beat Razik Sultan 4-1, 4-2, Omer Jawad beat Hashir Alam 4-1, 4-1, Zohaib Afzal Malik (SA Gardens) beat Anis Khan 4-0, 4-0 and Hamza Ali Rizwan (LGS Paragon) beat Abdur Rehman 4-1, 4-1. Boys Under-12 quarterfinals: Omer Jawad beat Junaid Khan 4-0, 4-0, Razik Sultan beat Anis Khan 4-1, 4-0, Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Ahmad khuda Bakhsh 4-1, 4-0 and Ismail Aftab beat Zayd Zaman 4-2, 4-2. Speaking on the occasion, PLTA Secretary General Rashid Malik (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz), who is also tournament director, said: “Top players from across the country are taking part in this event. Hopefully, all the participants will give tough time to each other and making this event a challenging and enthralling one by exhibiting outstanding tennis skills. I am grateful to BoP management for sponsoring this event and hope that they will continue to support this beautiful game.”      

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-The Bank of Punjab (BoP) Junior National Tennis Championship has started here at the Punjab Tennis Academy Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday. PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz), who is also Tournament Director, inaugurated the event at a colorful opening ceremony, which was also attended by players, their families and tennis enthusiasts. The matches were also played in different age categories and the top seeds advanced to the next round. Results: Boys U-18 (pre-quarterfinals); Bilal Asim beat Ahmad Nael Qureshi 7-6, 6-1, Ahtesham Humayun beat Aizad Khalil 6-2, 6-2, Hasheesh Kumar of Karachi beat Abubakar Khalil 6-0, 6-0, Haider Ali Rizwan beat Husnain Ali 6-0, 6-0, Mahatir Mohammad beat Farman Shakeel 6-2, 6-4 and Hamid Israr beat Zaeem Ghafoor 6-0, 6-0. Boys U-14 (pre-quarterfinals): Faizan beat Eesa Bilal 4-0, 4-1, Taimoor Khan beat Arslan Khan 5-3, 4-1, Ismail Aftab beat Romail Shahid 4-0, 4-0, Samir Zaman beat Hafiz Hussain Ali 4-0, 4-0, Razik Sultan beat Aalay Hussain 4-1, 5-3, Hashir Aalam beat Junaid Khan 4-0, 4-1, Zohaib Afzal beat Hafiz Hassan 4-0, 4-0, Anis Khan beat Ali Ijaz 4-1, 4-0.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Bilquis & Abdul Razak Dawood (BARD) Foundation will sponsor upcoming national tennis lad Huzaifa Abdul Rehman for the training at the Next Gen Academy in Florida and funding for his professional career in the Men’s Circuit. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed at a ceremony that attended by Board-Member of the BARD foundation Faisal Dawood and Huzaifa’s family. “Huzaifa is a promising young tennis player with an array of early accomplishments to his name already. At BARD, we realize that to reach the very top, young athletes need constant support and nurturing, which unfortunately, at this moment is not available to many in Pakistan. We are very happy to step in and provide the resources Huzaifa requires in progressing further on the international stage and making Pakistan proud. The Foundation will continue to support deserving youngsters in achieving their true potential, both in education and sports” said Faisal Dawood. Huzaifa has so far had a remarkable career in Tennis: In 2016, he was Ranked No. 2 in Asia Under-14, while winning the Under-14 tournament in Thailand. In 2018, he won the Under-14 Title in Saudi Arabia and a gold in the Junior Davis Cup. In January 2020, he was the Top-Ranked Pakistani player globally. Huzaifa is trained by David Pierce, the brother and trainer of Mary Pierce (3x Grand Slam winner). In 2020-2021 the young tennis star spent 18 months at Next Gen Academy, while competing in 25 international tournaments in Asia & USA. Huzaifa’s coach at the Next Gen Academy, Travis Brady, believes that he has an exciting future ahead, “He is feisty on court, and his game is aggressive. He plays good, defensively, with an unbelievable forehand and a good serve.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Bilal Asim, Omer Jawad and Amna Ali Qayyum clinched the two crowns each in their respective categories of the Junior National Tennis Championship 2022 that concluded here at the Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah on Friday. In the Boys Under-18 final, Bilal Asim played well against Mahatir Mohammad and outsmarted him 6-1, 6-2 to clinch his first title and then doubled his crowns, when he edged out Ahtesham Humayun by 6-7, 6-4, 6-0 in the Boys’ U-16 final. Speaking on the occasion, Bilal, who will represent Pakistan in Junior Davis Cup in India next month, said: “I am grateful to my parents and especially my coach and mentor Rashid Malik (SBP Head Coach), as his guidance and coaching made me physically and mentally very tough and strong and helped me win entire national titles this year and the previous years as well. He, in fact, has made me an international player now. I hope under his guidance, I will also deliver during the Junior Davis Cup and will try to win laurels for Pakistan.” Young Omer Jawad also completed the brace of his titles when he first lifted the boys U-12 title by beating Hamza Ali Rizwan 7-5, 7-5 and then doubled his titles after edging out Hamza Ali Rizwan 6-7, 6-1, 10-0 in the boys U-14 final. Amna Ali Qayum also claimed the two crowns, as first she defeated spirited Sheeza Sajid 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 in the girls U-18 final and then she thrashed young Fajar Fayyaz 4-0, 4-0 in the girls U-14 final. Rising star Abubakar Talha of Wapda also won two crowns as first he, partnering with Hamza Ali Rizwan, grabbed the boys U-14 doubles title after outpacing Amir Mazari and Abdur Rehman 4-1, 4-1 and then he, partnering with Zohaib Afzal Malik of SA Gardens, doubled his crowns by beating the talented duo of Omer Jawad and Ismail Aftab 1-4, 4-0, 10-4. In the Boys U-18 doubles final, Husnain Ali Rizwan and Haider Ali Rizwan played well against Farman Shakeel and Hassan Ali and outsmarted them by 6-3, 6-1. In the girls U-12 final, Hajra Sohail of AAA Associates, and a brilliant student of SICAS, beat Fajar Fayyaz 4-2, 4-2. In the boys/girls U-10 final, M Shayan Afridi beat Hajra Suhail 4-1, 4-0. In the seniors 50 plus doubles, SBP’s Head Coach Rashid Malik and Fayyaz Khan beat Arif Feroze/Humayun Pervaiz 6-2, 6-1. In the seniors 40 plus doubles, Wapda’s Arif Feroze/Fayyaz Khan beat Talha Waheed(GO Pakistan)/Ashar Ali Khan 6-1, 5-7, 10-5. In the boys/girls U-8 category, Ehsan Bari grabbed gold medal, Ibrahim Dawood silver medal and Aiman Rehan bronze medal. In the boys/girls U-6 category, Soha Ali clinched the gold medal, Mamnoon Bari silver medal and Ali Babar bronze medal. PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony while the guests of honour were Naeem Rahim, Nosheen Ihtesham and Zulaikha Nisar. Other prominent ones present on the occasion were former PTF SVP Col (R) Asif Dar, former international hockey player Naseem Ahmad, players and their families and tennis players. Rashid Malik also thanked CEO Servis Tyres Pvt Ltd Arif Saeed for sponsoring the event and hoped that he would continue his support for the development and promotion of the game at grassroots level.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Hamza Ali Rizwan, ranked 6th in ATF rankings, and Omer Jawad have booked their berths in the Under-14 and Under-12 finals of the Servis Tyres Junior National Tennis Championship being played here at Punjab Tennis Academy Bagh-e-Jinnah on Thursday. In the boys U-14 semifinals, Hamza Ali Rizwan played well against Zohaib Afzal Malik and won the match by 6-2, 6-2 while Omer Jawad had to struggle hard to beat spirited Amir Mazari 6-2, 2-6, 10-7. The U-12 first semifinal was contested between same U-14 opponents – Hamza Ali Rizwan and Zohaib Afzal Malik – but this time, Hamza had to fight very hard to overcome rising star Zohaib by 4-1, 5-3. Omer Jawad this time took little time to brush aside young Abdur Rehman 4-1, 4-1.  In U-10 semifinals, M Shayyan Afridi outclassed Muaz Shahbaz 4-0, 4-0 to set final clash against Hajra Sohail of AAA Associates and a brilliant student of SICAS, as she thrashed Ayan Shahbaz 4-0, 4-0 in the second semifinal.  In the U-18 semifinals, emerging star Bilal Asim showed his class against talented Abdul Hanan Khan and overpowered him by 6-1, 6-2 while Mahatir Muhammad from Karachi stamped his authority against Farman Shakeel of Gujranwala, outpacing him by 6-1, 6-1. In the U-18 doubles, Farman/Hassan outsmarted Hamza/Azan 4-1, 4-1.  In the girls U-18 semifinals, Shiza Sajid beat Ashtafila Arif 6-0, 6-7(5), 6-2 and Amna Ali Qayyum beat Laiba Iqbal 6-0, 6-0. In the girls U-14 semifinals, Amna Ali Qayyum beat Bismil Zia 4-1, 4-1 and Fajjar Fayyaz beat Mahrukh Sajid 5-4(6), 4-0. In the girls U-12 semifinals, Fajjar Fayyaz beat Bismil Zia 4-0, 4-2.  In the 50 plus doubles, ZTBL’s Rashid Malik/Fayyaz played superb tennis against Kamran/Janan and won the encounter by 6-4, 6-4 while the pair of Arif and Humayun outpaced the duo of Dr Arif and Kamran by 6-3, 6-4. All the finals of the event will be played on Friday.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-The Servis Tyres Junior National Tennis Championship 2022 commenced at the Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah on Monday. PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz), who is also tournament director, inaugurated the event in a colourful opening ceremony, which was also attended by the players, their families and tennis lovers. On the opening day, the matches were decided in the different age categories and the top seeds advanced to the next round. In the U-18 first round, Asad Zaman was up against Husnain Younis. He displayed high-quality tennis and outclassed his opponent by 6-0, 6-0. In other matches, Husnain Ali also proved too hot for Waqas Aslam, thumping him 6-0, 6-1 while Hussnain Ali Rizwan, ranked 2nd in ATF rankings, defeated M Humza Asim 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.  In the U-16 first round matches, Hussain Ali played well against M Soohan Noor and outlasted his opponent by 6-1, 6-0. Bilal Asim, another talented Pakistan tennis player, was in sublime form and took little time to brush aside young Waleed Humayun 6-0, 1-0 (retd) and rising star Asad Zaman record a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Muneeb Majeed.  In the U-14 first round saw matches, Abdur Rehman, a brilliant student of SICAS and duly supported by AAA Associates, didn’t concede a single game against Mohammad Zaid and won the encounter by 4-0, 4-0. Mohammad Humza Ahmad also played well against Mohammad Mustafa and registered an easy 4-1, 4-2 victory over his opponent.       

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Davis cupper national tennis player, Mohammad Usman Ejaz has won the Singles title of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Tennis League after beating Hamza Asim in final 2-0 at Islamabad Tennis Complex G-6 on Sunday. Usman was in a great form in the final and did not allow his opponent to settle his feet on the court, as Usman displayed top quality tennis. He conceded just single game in the first set while two in the second to brushed aside his challenger. The final score-line was 6-1 and 6-2.    Mohammad Usman Ejaz said in his post match comments: “After representing Pakistan in the Davis Cup competition I have recently restarted professional tennis. I am thankful to my Coach Mahboob Khan who keeps on adjusting my technique and tactics and I am confident that under his supervision I will achieve my maximum tennis potential. Khan gave me vital tips before the final and how to play against a left-handed opponent. I kept mentor’s tips during the match and I finished with victory, “he added.  "Such tournaments are crucial for providing much needed match practice and opportunities for young and budding players to improve their games further.  I thank the main Sponsor Karachi Port Trust and the ITC Management, Kamran Khalil, for arranging such an event. I am confident that under the supervision Mehboob Khan I will achieve my maximum tennis potential in future, “he hoped.  Two major upset were done today as in the Under 16 boys semifinals HaziqHamza defeated Ali Zain 6-2 while in Men open singles semifinal Hamza Asim beat Jabir Ali 8-4, both players have performed excellent and played at highest level. In the Under-12 final, Hassan Usmani beat Abdul Wasay 6-2, 6-2 while in the Ladies final Sheeza Sajid defeated Soha Ali in both Under-16 and ladies final. Brigadier Tariq Bashir from KPT was the chief guest and distributed the prizes among the winners and runner-ups. On this occasion, Fazal-e-Subhan Director Islamabad Tennis Complex thanked Chairman KPT NadirWaraich for his support. Results: Boys’ Open Singles (Round Robin Matches): Jabir Ali beat Ali Zain 8-2; Qasim Ali beat Ubaid AIlyas 8-3; Hamza Asim beat Mohammad Osama 8-1; Abdullah Khan beat Adnan Khan 8-3; Osama beat InamQadir 8-0; Jabir Ali beat Ahmed Murad 8-2; Ali Zain beat Ahmed Murad 8-2: Omer Masood beat Mohammad Obaida 8-6; Semifinals: Usman Ejaz beat Qasim Ali 8-3 Hamza Asim beat Jabir Ali 8-4 Final: Usman Ejaz beat Hamza Asim 6-1, 6-2 Open singles (Ladies) Round Robin Matches: Sheeza Sajid beat Amara Khan 6-3; Zara Khan beat Farah Khan 6-3; Amara Khan beat Farah Khan 6-2; Soha Ali beat Zara Khan 6-0; Final: Sheeza Sajid beat Soha Ali 6-2, 6-4 Boys’ Under-12 (Round Robin Matches): Abdul Wasay beat Rizwan Shah 6-2; Hassan Usmani beat Umer Imtiaz 6-0; Ozair Maqsood beat Omair Khan 6-1; Amir Masood beat Vishal 6-0; Abdul Wasay beat Amir Masood 6-2; Hassan Usmani beat OzairMaqsood 6-1; Final: Hassan Usmani beat Abdul Wasay 6-2, 6-2 Boys’ Under-16 (Round Robin Matches): Sameer Kiyani beat Hassan Usmani 6-1; Subhan Aslam beat Abdul Wahid 6-2; Ali Zain beat Inam Qadir 6-0; Abdul Wasay beat Ahmed Imtiaz 7-5; Zahid Bin Ayan beat Abdul Wahid 6-3; Mohammad Jareer beat InamQadir 6-1; Semifinals: Sameer Kiyani beat Abdullah Khan 7-5 Haziq Asim beat Ali Zain 6-2 Final: Sameer Kiyani beat Haziq Asim 7-5, 7-5 Girls’ Under-16 (Round Robin Matches): Sheeza Sajjid beat Zara Khan 6-0; Soha Ali beat Zara Shebaz 6-0; Amara Khan beat Amna 6-1; Farah Shah Khan beat Fatima Noor 6-3; Sheeza Sajid beat Fatima Noor 6-1; Soha Ali beat Amna 6-2 Final: Sheeza Sajid beat Soha Ali 7-5, 6-3; Girls’ Under-12 (Round Robin Matches): Lala Rukh Sajid beat Zaina 6-0; Zara Shebaz beat Fatima Masood 6-1; Fatima Masood beat AmnaMasood 6-4; Ayesha Maqsood beat Eman 6-4; Lala Rukh Sajid beat Ayesha Maqsood 6-2; Marukh Sajid beat Zara Shebaz 6-1 Final: Marukh Sajid beat Lala Rukh Sajid 6-3

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD:-Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Tennis League started at Islamabad Tennis Complex on Saturday. Around 60 boys and girls from different clubs are participating in the 2-day fixture. Open Singles (Boys), Open Singles (Ladies), Under 12 and Under 16 Boys and Under 12 and Under 16 Girls events have been included in the KPT Tennis League. The event is being conducted on the round robin system and each player will have to play multiple matches to reach in the semifinal and final rounds. Results: Open singles (Boys) Round Robin Matches: Usman Ijaz Bt Azaan 8-1; Jabir Ali Bt Idress 8-1; Qasim Ali Bt Adnan Khan 8-4; Hamza Asim Bt Inam Qadir 8-2; Qasim Ali Bt Abdullah Khan 8-3; Usman Ijaz Bt Haseeb Inayat 8-1; Jabir Ali Bt Daniyal 8-2; Hamza Asim Bt Abdul Wahid 8-0; Usman Ijaz Bt Ibrahim 8-2; Ladies singles: Soha Ali Bt Zara Shebaz 6-0; Sheeza Sajjid Bt Amara 6-3; Soha Ali Bt Sher Aleem 6-2;