ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the National Conference on Revival of Sports here on Friday, and emphasized the government’s commitment in improving Pakistan’s sports landscape.Declaring 2025 as the year of sports revival in Pakistan, the minister expressed his determination to take Pakistan’s sports to new heights. “All-out efforts are being made to improve Pakistan’s sports,” he said.The minister highlighted the importance of the conference in reviving and improving sports in the country. “Victory is not won on the field of play, but it has to be planted in the mind,” he said here at a local hotel.He pledged to provide comprehensive support to Pakistan’s talented athletes, saying that the country has immense talent. The aim of today’s conference is to offer broad-based support to these athletes, he said.Ahsan announced several initiatives to promote sports, including the preparation of 2028 Olympics, promotion of institutional sports, and establishment of an endowment fund for players. He also mentioned the installation of astro-turfs to highlight sports from the grassroots level.The minister said Pakistanis were second to none in the world in terms of intelligence and hard work. However, he was of the view that despite having a population of 250 million, Pakistan failed to qualify for even five sports in the Olympics.Ending doping in sports in Pakistan is a top priority, he stressed, adding that despite funds being allocated for National Games in 2016 and 2017, the event did not take place.Ahsan said that he was imprisoned in the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for building Narowal Sports City. “Sports should be kept away from politics,” he said.Ahsan also criticized the previous PTI government for dismantling departmental sports structures, which had harmed the development of sports. He said he will also write a letter to all departments to restore sports within a week. We plan to build seven astro turfs for hockey, four of which have already been completed.The minister also highlighted the achievements of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, including ending load shedding and terrorism, and bringing peace to the country.He also highlighted PML-N’s government’s achievements in resolving the energy crisis, combating terrorism, and restoring lights of Karachi.Ahsan also emphasized the need for sports revival in Pakistan, saying that a nation’s character is reflected in its sports. “If a nation is labeled as thieves, bandits, or corrupt, then that nation is defeated,” he said.He highlighted the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and drew a comparison with the development of sports infrastructure. Germany built 400 squash courts in one year, while Pakistan built only four in the same timeframe.Looking ahead to 2047, when Pakistan and India will mark 100 years of their independence, he said, India has made significant strides in sports but expressed his determination to create a new chapter of development in Pakistan sports.“We must invest in our youth and sports infrastructure to create a vibrant sports culture in Pakistan. This is crucial for building a positive image of our nation and promoting national unity and pride.”He said that Pakistan will host the South Asian Games in 2025 and aims to become one of the top ten economies in the world, including the sports sector. He also revealed plans to hire foreign coaches to develop sports in Pakistan.With a renewed focus on sports development, Pakistan aims to reclaim its position as a sporting nation and inspire a new generation of athletes and citizens alike. The conference brought together sports officials, athletes, and other stakeholders to discuss ways to revive Pakistan’s sports sector. (SBR)

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Hosts and Turkmenistan have moved into the final after beating their respective rivals in the last league matches of the Central Asian Volleyball League (CAVL) at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Thursday. Final will be played on May 17, 2024 at the same venue.Names of Pakistan Players: Mohammad Hamid, Waleed Khan, Usman Faryad Ali, Aimal Khan, Fakhar-ud-Din, Murad Khan, Mohammad Kashif Naveed, Abdul Zaheer, Murad Jehan, Afaq Khan, Musawer Khan, Nasir Ali, Ali Haider, Mohammad Yasin. Results (May 16, 2024):Kyrgyzstan Beat Afghanistan (3-0) 25-20, 25-20, 25-19Turkmenistan beat Sri Lanka (3-0) 25-22, 25-19, 25-19Pakistan beat Iran (3-1) 25-18, 23-25, 25-16, 25-20 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Bahawalpur defeated Peshawar to qualify for the Grade-1 final of the SAF Disability T20 Cricket Championship, organized by the Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association and Shahid Afridi Foundation. Bahawalpur defeated Peshawar by 22 runs in the first match, at the Race Course Park Ground Lahore on Thursday. Bahawalpur scored 140 runs for four wickets while playing first. Mohammad Nauman scored 68 runs with the help of 10 fours off 63 balls and Mohammad Shehzad scored 27 runs with the help of four fours. Abid Hussain scored 19 runs and Wasim Mirza scored 14 runs. Niaz Ali Shah took two wickets.In response, the Peshawar team got out after scoring 118 runs in 17.2 overs, Atif Khan scored 31 runs with the help of five fours and Nihar Alam scored 27 runs with the help of three fours. Abdul Khaliq took three wickets, Abid Hussain and Mohammad Asif took two wickets each while Mohammad Nauman got one wicket. Mohammad Nauman was declared the player of the match and was awarded by regional head Multan Bahawalpur Jameel Kamran. In the second match, Lahore overwhelmed Islamabad by a huge margin of 124 runs. Lahore scored 224 runs for five wickets while playing first. Mohammad Shehbaz played a brilliant innings of 121 runs with the help of 13 fours and eight sixes on 48 balls while Shahid Ali Vatto scored 37 runs. Hammad Shawkat took two wickets, while Waqif Shah, Zubair Khan, and Sakih Khan took one wicket each. In response, Islamabad scored 100 runs in 14.2 overs. Adil Mehmood 32, Waqif Shah 17, and Usman Paracha were prominent with 16 runs. Abdullah Ijaz took three wickets, Niaz and Zeeshan Ali took two wickets while Arsalan, Maqsood, and Shahid Ali Vito got one wicket each. Former first-class cricketer Mahmood Rasheed gave the Player of the Match award to century-maker Mohammad Shehbaz. On this occasion, Regional Head Islamabad Mohammad Tahir and Mohammad Nizam were also present.

Green Shirts thrash Kyrgyzstan in straight games 3-0 to confirm their berth in finalSports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Hosts Pakistan inked a new record in the history of Pakistan volleyball after winning four international matches continuously, as Green Shirts trounced Kyrgyzstan by 3-0 in the Central Asian Volleyball League (CAVL) at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Wednesday.Results:Pakistan beat Kyrgyzstan (3-0) 25-18, 27-25, 27-25Sri Lanka beat Iran (3-0) 25-22, 25-17, 25-21Turkmenistan beat Afghanistan (3-1) 18-25, 33-31, 25-17, 25-17.Names of Pakistan Players: Mohammad Hamid, Waleed Khan, Usman Faryad Ali, Aimal Khan, Fakhar-ud-Din, Murad Khan, Mohammad Kashif Naveed, Abdul Zaheer, Murad Jehan, Afaq Khan, Musawer Khan, Nasir Ali, Ali Haider, Mohammad Yasin.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Bahawalpur and Islamabad won their matches on the second day of the second phase of the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) Disability T20 Cricket Championship after beating their respective opponents here at Race Course Park Ground on Wednesday.Lahore Disability Cricket Team scored 117 runs in 17.2 overs. Yasir Iqbal scored 33 runs with 6 fours and Mohammad Shehbaz was the leading scorer with 27 runs with 4 fours. Waseem Mirza dismissed five players.In response, Bahawalpur scored 120 runs for the loss of one wicket in 14.3 overs and won the match by 9 wickets. Mohammad Nauman scored an unbeaten 72 off 47 balls with 13 fours and Mohammad Shahzad hit four fours and one six, and added 32 runs. Abdullah Ejaz got the only wicket. Waseem Mirza was awarded the man of the match award by special Sheikh Naeem Chief Executive City for getting five wickets.In the other match, Islamabad beat Peshawar by five wickets. Playing first, Peshawar scored 111 runs in 18.1 overs. Beharullah 29, Wasim Shah 18, Ihtsha Mohammad Khan 14, and Atif Khan were prominent with 10 runs. Hammad Shaukat scored 20 runs and Waqif Shah scored 23 runs. Three wickets were taken while Zubair Khan got two and Mohammad Bilal got one out. In response, Islamabad scored 115 runs for five wickets in 19.1 overs. Defeated by 42 and Adil Mehmood scored 25 runs with the help of two fours and a six. Mohammad Haroon scored 14 runs and Syed Ministry scored 11 runs. Nihar Alam, Usama Khan, and Niaz Ali Shah took one wicket each. Special guest Regional Head Islamabad Mohammad Tahir named Salman Ahmed as the player of the match. Peshawar captain Nahar Alam, Mohammad Nizam, and others were also present on the occasion of the off-match award. Thursday’s fixture:Bahawalpur will face LahoreIslamabad will face Peshawar

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk): The FIFA Council today approved the formation of a working group to gather further information and issue recommendations to the Council regarding potential amendments to the FIFA Regulations Governing International Matches (FRGIM).The working group will consist of 10 to 15 members from a variety of different football stakeholders, including representatives from member associations, confederations, clubs, leagues, players, supporter organisations, and also private entities engaged in organising international matches or competitions. The FIFA Council anticipates that the working group will make its recommendations in the following months.The primary objective of the working group will be to study the FRGIM and the press release issued following the October 2018 FIFA Council meeting regarding out-of-territory matches (cf. art 8.2 of the FRGIM), and to consider a revised legal framework at FIFA level dealing with i) rules, procedures and processes for authorising interclub football matches or competitions, and ii) criteria to be applied for authorising such matches or competitions. While the working group will independently formulate its own recommendations, the FIFA Council has requested that it base its proposals on the principles of transparency, objectivity, non-discrimination and proportionality, taking into account the following, non-exhaustive factors in making its recommendations:Fairness, including adequacy of advance notice to fans who may miss the opportunity to attend a home or away match in the home territory. Whether adequate provision has been made for fans of the teams playing a proposed out-of-territory match to attend the match in the host country.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Duo of national tennis lads, Mohammad Shoaib, and Yousaf Khalil have confirmed their berth in the Pakistan Davis Cup team after showing acceptable performances in the trials, which were held at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex Garden Avenue from May 9 to 13, 2024.According to an official of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), trials were held to select a couple of players for the national team, as the veterans Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan were exempted form the trials proceeding. Also, Ahmad Nael Qureshi has been selected for the team directly, based on his recent exceptional performances in the national and international junior tournaments.As many as 10 players including 6 men, 2 juniors, and 2 wildcards were invited for the trials after analyzing their performances in the current PTF ranking. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi President-PTF and Col. Zia-ud-din Tufail Secretary-General-PTF congratulated the selected players, wished them good luck, and advised them to display their best tennis. In the next Davis Cup Tie Pakistan will meet Barbados in September 2024.

LAHORE (PR): Gary Kirsten will join the national men’s side in Leeds on 19 May to commence his two-year tenure as the white-ball head coach, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today.Kirsten’s arrival will be three days prior to the start of the four-match T20I series against England at Headingley on Wednesday, 22 May. The series will be followed by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States and Caribbean, with Pakistan taking on the hosts in its opener in Dallas on 6 June.The 56-year-old South African was confirmed as the white-ball head coach along with Jason Gillespie as red-ball head coach last month. The Australian will arrive in Pakistan in July for August’s ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh to start his journey.Apart from next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and other bilateral white-ball series, Kirsten will be the head coach for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, and the ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025.Gary Kirsten said: “I’m truly excited to embark on this new journey with the Pakistan men’s cricket team. It’s an honor to coach such a talented and dynamic team, and I’m eager to contribute to their success on the international stage.“These are indeed thrilling times for Pakistan cricket, with a new administration and players who are driven to deliver solid results. The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our skills and uphold Pakistan's legacy as a formidable force in cricket.“However, success will require collective effort, meticulous planning and unwavering support for one another. With 19 other teams vying for the title, we must consistently outperform our rivals to realise our aspirations.“On a personal level, I’ve missed the experience of coaching at the international level and nurturing talented players to reach their full potential. I’m committed to working closely with the team to elevate their game and bring joy to fans around the world.”Meanwhile, the PCB, on the recommendation of the team management, has added Simon Helmot (fielding coach) and David Reid (mental performance coach) to the player support personnel for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.Reid will join the side on 20 May, while Helmot will team up with the national side on 31 May. Aftab Khan, who is presently serving the side as the fielding coach, will assume responsibilities of High Performance Coach following the arrival of Helmot.

Bahawalpur and Peshawar clinch victories against Islamabad and Lahore on opening daySports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Bahawalpur and Peshawar clinched victories against Islamabad and Lahore respectively, on the first day of the second phase of the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) Disability T20 Cricket Championship that started in Karcahi on Tuesday.In the first match at the Race Course Park Ground Lahore, Bahawalpur defeated Islamabad by seven wickets. Islamabad scored 138 for 9 runs in 20 overs per innings fixture. Adil Mehmood made 32 runs off 16 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes, Usman Paracha scored 25 runs with the help of four fours and Salman Ahmed contributed 19 runs with the help of three fours. Mohammad Nauman scored 18 runs and Shah Bahram scored 13 runs. Mohammad Shahzad, Waseem Mirza and Abdul Khaliq took two wickets each while Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Nauman took one wicket each.In reply, Bhawalpur achived the target for three wickets. Mohammed Noman scored 56 with the help of two sixes and Mohammad Shahzad scored 41 unbeaten with the help of three fours off 28 balls. Abid Hussain and Mohammad Asif scored 14 runs each. Zubair Khan took two wickets. Mohammad Nauman of Bahawalpur was declared the player of the match, award was given by Region Head Islamabad Mohammad Tahir. Region Head Multan Bahawalpur Jameel Kamran was also present.In the second match, Peshawar defeated Lahore by 34 runs. Peshawar played first and scored 206 runs for four wickets. Rahmatullah scored 100 runs from 60 balls with the help of 6 fours and 6 sixes. Wajid Aslam scored 62 runs from 38 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes. Usama Ali took two wickets while Usman and Abdullah Ijaz one wicket each. In response, the Lahore could score 172 for 5 runs in allotted 20 overs. Yasir Ajmal was top score with 78 runs with the help of 14 fours and one six on 49 balls while Shahid Ali Vatto scored 53 runs on 36 balls with the help of five fours and Safdar scored 15 runs.Nahar Alam, Moomin Khan, Osama Khan, Wasim Shah and Ehtesham Khan took one wicket each. Mohammad Nizam gave Peshawar's Rahmatullah the player of the match award for scoring a brilliant century.Wednesday’s Fixtures:Bahawalpur will face Lahore at 9:30 amIslamabad will face Peshawar at 2 pm.

Hosts Pakistani spikers outclass Turkmenistan 3-1 in a well-contest 4 games matchAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Pakistan posted third back-to-back victories in the Central Asian Volleyball League (CAVL) after thrashing Turkmenistan 3-1 in a four-game thriller at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Monday. Pakistani spikers have defeated Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in their first two fixtures at the same venue.On Monday, in the last match, Pakistani players toiled hard on the court to overcome heavyweights in a nail and bite all four games. Green Shirts did well and exhibited top-class games to get the upper hand in the match by earning a 1-0 lead after finishing the game at 25-23, as at one stage the game was leveled 19-19 and 20-20. Visitor team Turkmenistan bounced back in the match after claiming the second game after conceding 21 points.There was tough competition in the next two games, as the spikers of both teams were not ready to bow out from the court. Finally, Pakistan overcame their opponents in 3rd and 4th games on tie-beak, as the final score-line was 25-23, 21-25,26-24, and 27-25. Pakistan will take on Kazakstan in their next match on Wednesday (May 15, 2024) at the same venue.Results (Day-III):Sir Lanka beat Afghanistan (3-0) 25-19, 25-20, 25-14Kyrgyzstan beat Iran (3-0) 27-25, 25-23, 25-19Pakistan beat Turkmenistan (3-1) 25-23, 21-25,26-24, 27-25Names of Pakistan Squad: Mohammad Hamid, Waleed Khan, Usman Faryad Ali, Aimal Khan, Fakhar-ud-Din, Murad Khan, Mohammad Kashif Naveed, Abdul Zaheer, Murad Jehan, Afaq Khan, Musawer Khan, Nasir Ali, Ali Haider, Mohammad Yasin.