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SPORTS NEWS - Int News 11 Apr, 2026

POA honours Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for championing Pakistan’s athletes

Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has honoured Rizwan Aftab Ahmed in recognition of his significant contributions to the development and welfare of athletes in Pakistan.Over the years, Rizwan has emerged as a committed supporter of Pakistani athletes, providing financial, medical, and nutritional assistance to help elevate their performance. His efforts have been particularly notable in the case of Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem, whom he supported both in Pakistan and during training and medical engagements in England.Speaking on the occasion, POA Secretary General Mohammad Khalid Mahmood praised his dedication to the promotion of sports in the country. “We are truly grateful to Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for his continued support to sports and sportsmen,” he said. “His contributions, particularly towards Olympian Arshad Nadeem and many other elite-level athletes, both in Pakistan and internationally, reflect his deep love for the country and its sporting future.”In recognition of his services, the Pakistan Olympic Association presented him with its highest trophy shield, acknowledging his commitment to supporting athletes and strengthening Pakistan’s sporting ecosystem.In his remarks, Rizwan expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Olympic Association for the honour, describing the recognition as a source of motivation to continue working for the betterment of athletes in the country.Reflecting on his family’s legacy of public service, he noted that his inspiration stems from a distinguished history of national contribution. His maternal great-grandfather, Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan, served Pakistan alongside Muhammad Ali Jinnah and held the portfolio of Minister for Food, Agriculture and Health. He also served as President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation.Rizwan’s grandfather, Iftikhar Ahmed Shah, represented Pakistan in swimming at the 1948 London Summer Olympics. His father, Prof. Dr. Aftab Ahmed, is recognised for pioneering orthopaedic surgery in Pakistan.Rizwan emphasised that his role in Arshad Nadeem’s journey was modest, attributing the athlete’s success primarily to his hard work, the prayers of his parents, and the guidance and support of his mentor and coach, Salman Butt, along with others who contributed to his development. He also acknowledged the contribution of his cousin, Dr. Ali Bajwa, who played an important role in supporting Arshad Nadeem’s recovery from injury prior to his Olympic gold medal triumph.Reaffirming his commitment to Pakistani sports, Rizwan assured the Pakistan Olympic Association of his continued support for athletes, highlighting the importance of comprehensive assistance, including medical care, nutrition, and financial backing.He further announced that, as CEO of ACTIVIT and Director of National Hospital DHA Lahore, the hospital’s medical facilities would remain available to the Pakistan Olympic Association and its athletes. “I wish to see Pakistani athletes achieve great success at the Olympic Games,” he said. “It will always be my honour and privilege to serve Pakistan’s athletes and help the nation achieve glory on the world stage.”

SPORTS NEWS - Int News 16 Jan, 2026

Pakistan futsal teams maiden wins at SAFF Championship 2026

Lahore (PR): Pakistan men’s and women’s futsal teams etched their names into the country’s sporting history by securing their first-ever international victories at the SAFF Futsal Championship 2026, marking a significant milestone for a discipline still in its developmental phase in Pakistan.The Pakistan women’s futsal team registered a thrilling 3–2 victory over Sri Lanka, showcasing resilience, tactical discipline, and composure under pressure to seal a landmark win. The result not only boosted team morale but also underlined the growing potential of women’s futsal in the country.Meanwhile, the men’s futsal team produced an equally impressive comeback, overturning an early deficit to defeat Bhutan 4–2. The performance highlighted Pakistan’s attacking intent and adaptability, as the players responded strongly after falling behind to claim a memorable win.Reacting to the historic achievements, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Mohsen Gilani praised the determination and commitment shown by the players and coaching staff. “Our players and coaches have made history. These victories are a proof of their resilience, belief, and hard work despite limited resources,” Gilani said. “We will build on this foundation to take futsal to greater heights and, God willing, make Pakistan a competitive force in futsal. "

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 - 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 - 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 - 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.

SPORTS NEWS - Int News 18 Oct, 2025

Asia-Pacific Goalball: China, Iran post wins: Pakistan suffer another loss

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: China and Iran maintained their winning streaks, while Pakistan’s losing run continued on the third day of the Asia-Pacific Goalball Championship 2025 here at the Liaquat Gymnasium of Pakistan Sports Complex, on Saturday.In the men’s fixtures, Saudi Arabia beat Iraq 7–5, Australia edged Thailand 4–3, Uzbekistan thrashed Pakistan 11–1, and China overpowered Kazakhstan 12–4. Iran later defeated Iraq 8–3.In the women’s games, South Korea blanked Thailand 7–0, and China beat Japan 3–1.Organized by the Pakistan Blind Sports Federation, the championship features teams from China, Iran, Japan, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Iraq and Uzbekistan. The tournament is being hosted by Pakistan for the first time.

SPORTS NEWS - Int News 08 Oct, 2025

Sangram Singh to Make His European MMA Debut at Levels Fight League

Dubai (PR): Indian wrestler Sangram Singh is set to make his European MMA debut at the Levels Fight League (LFL) in Amsterdam on November 2 this year 2025.Known for his unmatched discipline, resilience, and fitness-first approach, Sangram Singh is already an experienced MMA fighter, and this debut marks a significant milestone for Indian combat sports on the global stage.The Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion, Sangram Singh, will become the first Indian wrestler to compete at this level in Europe. Notably, he is also the first athlete above the age of 40 to transition from professional wrestling to MMA at this stage — a testament to his fitness, discipline, and competitive excellence.Sangram Singh’s MMA journey was shaped by his coach Bhupesh Kumar, who played a pivotal role in training and strategy during Sangram’s first MMA debut in Georgia. In that debut,Sangram Singh said: “This fight isn’t just about me, it’s about every Indian athlete who dreams of competing and excelling on the world stage. Levels Fight League gives me the opportunity to showcase my skills in Europe and proudly represent India. My goal is to inspire young fighters to dream big and prove that when heart and hard work come together, nothing is impossible.”

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