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SPORTS NEWS - Int News 23 Dec, 2025

David Neres brace leads Napoli to EA SPORTS FC™ Italian Supercup glory

Riyadh (Sports News): A David Neres double ensured Napoli were crowned 2025-26 EA SPORTS FC™ Italian Supercup champions on Monday night, courtesy of a 2-0 win over Bologna at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh.Neres opened the scoring in spectacular fashion six minutes before half-time and added a second with a delicate chip shortly before the hour mark as Napoli brought the curtain down in style on the four-team tournament.By returning to Saudi Arabia for a sixth time, the 2025-26 Italian Supercup reaffirmed Saudi's position as a leading destination for world-class football and its continued commitment to welcoming the best clubs, competitions, and supporters to the country.Since 2015, the Kingdom has hosted more than 150 international sporting events, with football playing a central role in the country’s expanding sports ecosystem and both the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and FIFA World Cup 2034™ on the Saudi horizon.Speaking after lifting the trophy, Napoli coach Antonio Conte said: "This experience in Saudi was really good, and I enjoyed it a lot. Not only me but also the players - we worked very well here."We're happy to deliver this title to our fans because we know how happy and passionate they are about the team."Having lost the last Italian Supercup final with Napoli in 2024 at the same venue, centre-back Juan Jesus was pleased to get his hands on the trophy in Saudi Arabia this time around."It was a fantastic experience for me; this is the second time I've come here to Saudi. The first time wasn't great as we lost but now we've won," joked the Brazilian. "I'm happy with the organisation, the festival, and I'm happy with the title as it's a great achievement."Although disappointed with the result, Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano also reflected on a positive trip, one he believes will benefit his side in the long run."It's been a beautiful experience," said Italiano. "This should lead us to more growth and development, while preparing us for the other competitions. We're happy with this experience across these few days and we're sorry that we didn't make our fans happy."Defender Torbjørn Heggem echoed Italiano's sentiment, adding: "Personally, it was a new experience for me and a positive experience. We're travelling to Saudi and although it's a long travel we see a lot of Bologna fans. It's nice to see and hopefully we can come back next year and win the final."

SPORTS NEWS - National 22 Dec, 2025

Islamabad Tennis Association honors medal winners players

Islamabad (PR): The Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA) Monday (today) hosted a reception to honor the Islamabad women tennis team, which won the first Gold medal for Islamabad in the National Games held at Karachi. By winning this gold medal, Islamabad created history as it was the first time the city won a Gold medal, due to their outstanding performance, and this achievement is expected to promote tennis in the capital area.Chairman ITA, Tariq Mehmood Murtaza, and Majid Bashir, President ITA, praised the outstanding performance of the players, particularly Mahin Aftab and Shiza Sajid, and Shandana Rabbi who won the team event gold by beating top teams Wapda and Army. Mahin Aftab also secured a bronze medal in the individual event.Riawan ul Haq, Secretary Islamabad Olympic, was also present and praised the team's victory. Other notable figures, including Mohammad Arif Qureshi, Senior Executive Vice President ITA, Tufail Cheema, Secretary ITS, Hassan Baig, Sr. Executive Vice President, and Ahsen Zaidi, also lauded the team's performance. Hamid ul Haq, Pride of Performance, and Iman ul Haq, Davis Cup star, also praised the team's achievement.The ITA awarded the teams with medals, shields, and cash awards and hosted a lunch in their honor.

SPORTS NEWS - Int News 18 Dec, 2025

EA SPORTS FC™ Italian Supercup returns to Saudi Arabia

Riyadh (Sports News): The EA SPORTS FC™ Italian Supercup returns to Saudi Arabia (Thursday, 18 December) as Serie A champions Napoli take on AC Milan in the first semi-final of the competition at Riyadh's Alawwal Park.The opening fixture raises the curtain on the sixth Italian Supercup to be hosted in Saudi Arabia and sees two of Italy’s most storied clubs compete for a place in the final. Napoli currently sit third in Serie A as they aim to successfully defend last season's title, while AC Milan are second and return to Riyadh having won the previous Italian Supercup in the same stadium in January.Both clubs arrived in the Kingdom earlier this week and Napoli were given a warm welcome by local supporters at their first training session earlier on Wednesday. Speaking later the same day, Napoli head coach Antonio Conte welcomed the support his side had received in Riyadh.“It's a good sensation to find Napoli fans here in Riyadh," said Conte. "It is normal that the more matches the Club plays abroad, the more it becomes known and can attract more and more fans.“We know that fans are drawn to teams through victories, and we try to be attractive from this point of view as well, but we are already happy to have found fans with Napoli shirts here in Riyadh who asked us for autographs and photographs.”AC Milan captain Mike Maignan was the man who lifted the trophy at Alawwal Park in January, when thousands of Rossoneri supporters came together in support of their team.The France goalkeeper expects a stern test against the current Italian champions on Thursday but is excited to once again play in front of a passionate fanbase in Saudi. “We need to be focused on this game," said Maignan. "We need to think about how we play and what the coach wants from us. It will be a great game because the opponent is strong.“Our fans are very passionate here, so we will give 100 percent. It was great last year, but we need to give 100 percent now to repeat ourselves.”Following Napoli vs. Milan is the second semi-final, which takes place the next day (Friday, 19 December). That game pits 2024–25 Coppa Italia winners Bologna against last year's Serie A runners-up Inter Milan.The winners of both semi-finals will advance to the Italian Supercup final on 22 December, also to be played at Alawwal Park.

SPORTS NEWS - School News 25 Nov, 2025

AHC-JCA School Girls’ Cricket Cup: Ismail School players retain title

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Ismail Girls’ School players retained their title after winning the 5th Australian High Commission (AHC)-Jalaluddin Cricket Academy (JCA) Girls’ School Cricket Cup 2025, which was held at National Stadium Karachi.As many as 60 girls from four schools participated in the tournament. The tournament followed a two-week coaching clinic organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA).Pakistan women’s team Player Kainat Imtiaz, and former captain national men’s team Javed Miandad, and Mushtaq Ahmed shared their experience and leadership skills with girls from the Ismail Academy, Nasra Public School, Greenland Schools, and Happy Home Orphanage.During the tournament members of Australia’s visiting Over-40s Cricket Team also worked with the girls to build confidence, foster teamwork, and develop leadership skills. “Australia’s continued support for girls’ cricket in Pakistan promotes gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and empowers girls through access to sport,” said Australian High Commission First Secretary Jordan Hartas. “We started in 2016 with an annual tournament in Islamabad and have since expanded to Lahore and Karachi. Australia and Pakistan share a passion for cricket, and the Australian High Commission is pleased to support initiatives that break barriers and create opportunities for girls to thrive across Pakistan, he concluded.”

SPORTS NEWS - University News 23 Nov, 2025

Punjab University win All Pakistan Body Building: VC congratulates players

LAHORE: (PR): Punjab University won first position in All Pakistan HEC Inter-University Bodybuilding Championship held at Education University Lahore with participation from universities of all provinces. PU grabbed first position with 92 points while University of Lahore got (UOL) 2nd position with 72 points and University of Central Punjab (UCP) was 3rd with 70 points. PU Director Sports Dr Shabbir Sarwar said this was a historical victory of Punjab University bodybuilding team as after 16 years Punjab University secured 1st position in HEC championship 2025-26. He said this was because of VC Dr Mohammad Ali’s sports friendly policies and untiring efforts of our team manager Nadeem Munir, team coaches and players. Last year PU was on 4th position. Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Ali met with the team players and officials who called on him to celebrate the victory with Drum beaters and pro PU slogans chanting. VC congratulated the team and officials on this historic victory.

SPORTS NEWS - Int News 20 Nov, 2025

Arshad Nadeem throws 80 meter to earn gold in Islamic Solidarity Games

RIYADH (Sports News): Pakistan's star athlete Arshad Nadeem added another feather to his cap by successfully defending his Islamic Solidarity Games' gold medal in men's Javelin here at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium on Wednesday. His compatriot Mohammad Yasir clinched silver.Nadeem got off to a decent start in the final by registering a throw of 75.44m, which immediately put him at the top of the standings.The star athlete threw his farthest in the second attempt – an 83.05m effort, which consolidated his lead at the top, while he followed it up with 82.48m in the next attempt to assert his dominance.He threw at 77.06m in his fourth attempt, while his fifth was ruled out. He concluded his campaign with a 77.98m effort.Besides him, no other athlete could breach the 80-metre barrier in each of their six attempts, with compatriot Yasir registering the next-best throw of 76.04m in his final attempt, which earned him the silver medal.Nigeria's Samuel Adams Kure clinched the bronze medal with a throw of 76.01m, which came in the fifth attempt, and could not reclaim his second position in the standings as he managed 75.84m in his final effort.

SPORTS NEWS - Int News 19 Nov, 2025

Riyadh Cricket Association holds prize distribution ceremonies of three tournaments

RIYADH(Sports News) A More than 80 clubs from Riyadh Cricket Association, the largest pioneer in Saudi Arabia, attended the event, which included captains, managers, and award-winning players. The event was held on last days at Khayyam Restaurant, Hira.RCA Senior Vice President Nasser Mahmood Abbasi welcomed the guests and highlighted the progress of the association, assuring the teams of continued support. The event was sponsored by Mobily Pay and MoneyGram, whose support enabled the tournaments and enhanced the player experience.The chief guest of the event, Musarrat Khalil, a well-known senior journalist from Saudi Arabia, who came from Jeddah, expressed his views and described the event as memorable. He praised the management of the Riyadh Cricket Association while appreciating the trophies and shields. He was also delighted with the dinner.The renowned all-rounder of Saudi Arabia and CEO of the Riyadh Cricket Association, Mohammad Nadeem Babar, who has been awarded the title of Down Bradman of the Gulf, expressed his gratitude to the patron of RCA, HRH Prince Dr. General Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in his address. He thanked the prince for providing him with the opportunity to organize cricket events in Riyadh and generously allowing him to use his personal grounds free of charge.Nadeem Babar expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the members of the Executive Committee, especially Nasir Abbasi, Senior Vice President. Atif Amin, Media and League Coordinator; Farhan Khairy, League Coordinator; Mr. Beeston, and all other RCA Executive Committee members for their unwavering support.

SPORTS NEWS - National 31 Oct, 2025

Pakistan Federation Baseball Executive Committee meets in Lahore

Lahore (PR): An emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of Pakistan Federation Baseball was held in Lahore under the chairmanship of Federation President Shaukat Javed. All members of the Executive Committee attended the meeting, including Dr. Mohammad Hamood Lakhvi (Senior VP), Haider Lehri, Mohammad Jamil Kamran, Arif Shahzad, Mohammad Ayaz Khan (VPs), Tahir Mahmood (Treasurer), Syed Manzar Shah, Musaddeq Hanif, Tariq Nadeem (Members at Large Male) and Sadia Alvi, Humaira Kamran, Aisha Irum, Sadia Kirmani (Members at Large Female).The members, who could not attend, participated in the online meeting through Zoom link.The meeting started with the recitation of the Holy Quran.President Shaukat Javed welcomed the members and informed the house about the agenda of the meeting.The House unanimously approved the minutes of the previous General Council meeting. Shaukat Javed informed the House that the Pakistan Sports Board has banned Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, Secretary General of Pakistan Federation Baseball, from all kinds of sports activities in Pakistan, after which the house unanimously approved that Syed Fakhar Ali Shah will continue as Secretary General PFB as he has not been banned by the Federation or the Pakistan Olympic Association.Syed Fakhar Ali Shah will appeal against the decision of the PSB himself, while the Federation will file a separate appeal against this decision. The House unanimously approved that the elections of the Federation will be held later this year in accordance with the sports policy of the PSB and under the guidance of the POA during the next General Council meeting. During this time, on behalf of the Federation, Sr.VP Dr. Muhammad Hamood Lakhvi, will serve as primary point of contact with PSB and all affiliated units within Pakistan.Furthermore, on the resolution moved by Tahir Mahmood, the House unanimously appreciated Syed Fakhar Shah’s efforts for the development and promotion of baseball not only in Pakistan but also in the region. The House also congratulated Syed Fakhar Ali Shah on being elected as the President of the South Asian Baseball Softball Federation.Syed Fakhar Ali Shah’s tireless efforts in the last 8 years have greatly impressed not only Pakistan but also Pakistani and baseball circles abroad because thanks to these efforts, Pakistan not only improved its ranking but also won gold, silver and bronze medals in various men’s and women’s events and also qualified for advanced events. Along with this, he successfully started the process of providing educational scholarships and baseball coaching facilities to boys and girls players in Japan, America and other countries.

SPORTS NEWS - Int News 28 Oct, 2025

DICC announces Cricket World Cup 2026 in UAE

Lahore (SBR): The Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) has announced that the DICC Cricket World Cup 2026 will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 24 to 31, 2026. This landmark global tournament will gather the world’s finest deaf cricketers from across continents, united by a shared passion for the game and the values of sportsmanship, inclusivity, and excellence. The event aims to highlight the extraordinary talent, determination, and spirit of players with hearing loss, reinforcing the message that cricket truly is a game for everyone. The DICC extends its deepest gratitude to the ICC Chairman and its management for their great support and encouragement in promoting deaf cricket on the world stage. Their ongoing commitment to inclusivity and development has been instrumental in empowering the deaf cricket community and advancing opportunities for players globally. Zahir added: “The DICC is striving for the cause of deaf cricket around the globe and we look forward to host an exciting event which will be an ideal platform for top deaf cricketers to showcase their talent and potential.” He said the participating team of the grand event will be announced by the end of next month. “In all, six top teams drawn in three groups will be featuring in the competition,” he said. The DICC will form various committees to ensure the smooth conduct of the Cup.

SPORTS NEWS - Int News 19 Oct, 2025

Iran, China on top as Asia-Pacific Goalball C'ship enters knockout stage

ISLAMABAD (PR): Asian giants Iran and China continued their commanding run as the group stage of the IBSA Asia-Pacific Goalball Championship 2025 concluded at the Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, on Sunday, paving the way for an exciting knockout phase.In the men’s competition, Iran dominated Pool A with 12 points, remaining unbeaten throughout the group stage. Australia finished second with 9 points, followed by Thailand (9), Saudi Arabia (3), and Iraq (0). From Pool B, defending champions China topped the standings with 12 points, while South Korea followed with 9. Kazakhstan took third place with 6 points, Uzbekistan earned 3, and Pakistan finished winless at the bottom of the table.In the women’s category, China emerged as the undisputed leader of Pool X, registering four straight wins to secure 12 points. Japan claimed second position with 9 points, while South Korea (6), Thailand (3), and Pakistan (0) completed the group standings.Earlier on day 4, the championship witnessed thrilling action as Asian powerhouses China, Japan, and South Korea reaffirmed their dominance. In the women’s fixtures, Thailand overwhelmed Pakistan 10–0 in the opening game, Japan blanked South Korea 6–0, China outclassed Thailand 11–7 in a high-scoring encounter, and South Korea handed Pakistan another 10–0 defeat.In the men’s matches, Australia overcame Saudi Arabia 6–2, while Kazakhstan thrashed Uzbekistan 15–5 to consolidate their position ahead of the knockout round.The championship, organized under the auspices of Pakistan Blind Sports Federation, features teams from China, Iran, Japan, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and South Korea. Pakistan is hosting the prestigious Asia-Pacific Goalball Championship for the first time.The event also serves as a qualifier for the IBSA World Championships.