Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-India beat Pakistan 2-1 to win the title of the Juniors Asia Hockey Cup 2023 here at Youth Sports Complex Oman on Thursday night. At the half stage, Indian were leading 2-0.Pakistan Squad:Mohammad Abdullah (captain), Abdul Hanan Shahid (vice-captain), Ali Raza, Mohammad Faizan Janjua, Aqeel Ahmed, Arbaaz Ahmed, Ehtsham Aslam, Mohammad Sufyan Khan, Arbaz Ayaz, Mohammad Murtaza Yaqub, Arshad Liaquat, Ali Murtaza, Zakaria Hayat, Abdul Rehman, Abdul Qayyum. Dogar, Abdul Wahab, Basharat Ali, Bilal AkramIndia Squad:Mohith H S, Himwaan Sihag (goalkeepers), Shardanand Tiwari, Rohit, Amandeep Lakra, Amir Ali, Yogember Rawat (defenders), Vishnukant Singh, Rajinder Singh, Poovanna C B, Amandeep, Sunit Lakra (midfielders), Boby Singh Dhami, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Lalage, Uttam Singh, Sudeep Chirmako, Angad Bir Singh (forwards) 

Islamabad Tigers to meet Kurri Islamabad in the opening fixture in an eight team’s fixtureAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI:-The Shuhada-e-Pakistan Hockey Tournament will get underway from June 9 to 26, 2023 here at Shahnaz Sheikh Hockey Stadium, as this will be a joint adventure of District Hockey Association Rawalpindi (DHAR) and Sports Department Rawalpindi.According to an official DHAR, as many as 8 teams from twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad will participate in the tournament and will be divided into two groups. Islamabad Tigers, Kurri Islamabad, Faisal Islamabad, and Nishter Islamabad clubs are in Group A while ABL Rawalpindi, Zakir Hockey Academy, Shadman Club, and Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Hockey Academy are in Group B.The opening match of the tournament will be played between Islamabad Tigers and Kurri Islamabad on June 9, 2023 while Faisal Club will meet Nishter Club in the second fixture of the day. The final will be played on June 25 at the same venue. All arrangements have been given the final touches to organize the tournament in a beneficial manner.Schedule: (First match 4:00 pm, Second match 5:30 pm)June 9, 2023 (Friday): Islamabad Tigers vs Kurri Islamabad, Faisal Club vs Nishter ClubJune 10, 2023 (Saturday): Shadman Club vs POF Academy, ABL Rawalpindi vs Zakir AcademyJune 11, 2023 (Sunday): Islamabad Tigers vs Faisal Club, Nishter vs Kurri IslamabadJune 16, 2023 (Friday): ARL Rawalpindi vs POF Academy, Zakir Academy vs Shadman ClubJune 17, 2023 (Saturday): Nishter Club vs Islamabad Tigers, Faisal Club vs Kurri IslamabadJune 18, 2023 (Sunday): POF Academy vs Zakir Academy, Shadman Club vs ARL RawalpindiJune 23, 2023 (Friday): First Semifinal (Top Team Pool A vs Second Team Pool B)June 24, 2023 (Saturday): Second Semifinal (Top Team Pool B vs Second Team Pool A)June 25, 2023 (Sunday): Final (Winners of both semifinals)

Pakistan to meet India in final on Thursday, Abdul Rehman names Player of the MatchSports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-Pakistan outclassed Malaysia 6-2 in the second semifinal of the Junior Asia Hockey Cup and set their clash with traditional foes India in the final, as in the first semifinal India defeated South Korea 9-1 at Youth Complex Salalah Oman on Wednesday. The final will be played between Pakistan and India on Thursday at the same venue, as both teams were balanced 1-1 in their pool match a few days back. Despite of this that going down 0-1, Pakistan players displayed top quality game to overcome heavyweights Malaysia in the second semifinal. The first goal for Pakistan was scored by Mohammad Sufyan Khan in the 42nd minute of the game while Abdul Rahman scored the second goal in the 44th minute. Abdul Hanan Shahid scored third in the 47th minute while Abdul Rahman struck 4th goal in the 48th minute. Abdul Rahman completed the hat trick by scoring 5th goal in the 51st minute.Arbaaz Ahmed in the 58th minute made the score-line 6-2 till the final whistle. Danish and Prabhu scored goals for Malaysia. Abdul Rahman was declared the player of the match. The final of the event will be played between Pakistan and India on June 1, 2023.

Green Shirts outplay Japan in the last Pool match 3-2, Abdul Wahab scores 2 goalsSports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-Pakistan cruised into the semifinal of the Asian Juniors Hockey Cup 2023 after beating Japan 3-2 in their last pool match at Salalah Oman on Monday. Abdul Wahab netted the ball twice and got the Man of the Match award.Arbad scored the first goal for Pakistan in the 23rd minute of the match. He directed the ball to the goalpost on a penalty corner. Abdul Wahab was the hero of the match, who scored two goals for his team in the 30th, and 39th minutes of the thriller contest to confirm Pakistan’s berth in the top-four stage of the regional hockey fixture of junior players.

Belgian women make a return with a 3-1 win over ChinaSports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland):-Great Britain’s 4-2 win over India’s men in an entertaining encounter took the hosts to the top of the Pro League table. In the women’s match of the day, Belgium enjoyed a return to international competition for the first time in six months with a 3-1 victory over China. (Men’s) Great Britain vs India 4-2It was GB who exerted the early pressure, creating plenty of scoring opportunities. Some individual excellence from Tim Nurse got the home side on the scoreboard – the 22-year-old working his way into the circle and then lifting it into the net for his first senior international goal.India earned the first penalty corner of the match and, as he has done so often in the Pro League, captain Harmanpreet Singh took care of business, a powerful drag flick producing the equaliser just before the end of the first quarter. An action-packed second period included a disallowed goal for India and a penalty stroke for GB which was saved by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh to ensure the teams went into the halftime break at 1-1.GB were awarded their first penalty corner at the start of the second half. Nicholas Bandurak’s initial shot was saved, but the ball popped out to Tom Sorsby on the penalty spot who bunted it in for his first senior international goal and the 2-1 lead.Some individual brilliance from Lee Morton produced GB’s third goal of the match soon after. The Scotsman worked his way into the circle and fired it in from an acute angle.Harmanpreet was on target again for India at the end of the third quarter with another powerful drag off a penalty corner. That took him to the top of the all-time Pro League scorers list with 35 goals. With just over six minutes to go in the match, GB were back on the attack. James Oates’ shot from open play was saved, but goalkeeper Sreejesh gloved it straight to Bandurak who spectacularly swatted it in for the 4-2 victory.(Women’s) Belgium vs China 3-1The Belgians opened the scoring off their second penalty corner of the match. Vanessa Blockmans’ shot was not particularly powerful but still managed to beat Chinese goalkeeper Jiao Ye, travelling through her legs and into the goal to hand the Belgians the lead. That was a first senior international goal for the 20-year-old.There was another first senior goal in Belgian colours, this time for Emily White. Blockmans’ shot from a penalty corner was saved but White picked up the ball on the edge of the D and fired it in, catching the edge of the keeper’s stick on its way. White was taken down in the circle a few minutes later resulting in a penalty stroke for Belgium, but Stephanie Vanden Borre’s shot went wide of goal.Hong Li then came close to finding China’s opener at the end of the half. But after beating the Belgian defence, her shot hit the post and the score remained 2-0 at halftime.Michelle Struijk’s heavy tackle on Ying Zhang saw China awarded a penalty stroke with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. Bingfeng Gu made no mistake in finding the back of the net to close the gap to 2-1.The Belgians restored their two-goal lead at the start of the final period, however. Camille Belis’s pass found Louise Versavel in front of goal and she slotted it in to seal the 3-1 victory.

Pakistan display top quality game, the match ends 1-1 after four quartersSports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-As the high-rank Indians were dreaming to defeat Pakistan, the Green Shirts fought valiantly and played a 1-1 draw against traditional foes in the junior’s Asia Hockey Cup 2023 at Salalah, Oman on Saturday night.It was a sensational encounter between Pakistan and India that ended with 1-1 goal at the final whistle. Basharat Ali scored the only goal for Pakistan in the 44th minute, while Shraddha Nand scored the goal for his team in the 24th minute from India. Abdul Hanan Shahid was declared player of the match.Pakistan will play its fourth match against Japan on May 29.

Sports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-Pakistan junior hockey team thrashed Thailand 9-0 in their second match on Wednesday in Salalah, Oman.The first goal was scored by Abdul Hanan Shahid in the last minute of the first quarter, and the second goal was made in the 19th minute. Abdul Rahman scored the third goal in the 30th minute. Abdul Wahab, Abdul Rahman scored the fourth goal in the 41st minute through a penalty corner, Abdul Rahman scored the fifth goal in the 46th minute, and the sixth goal in the 48th minute. The 8th goal was scored by Arbaaz Ahmed in the 53rd minute. The 9th goal was scored by Murtaza Yaqub in the 54th minute. The player of the match was declared Abdul Rahman scoring 5 goals.Pakistan will play their third match against traditional rivals India on May 27 and against Japan on May 29.

Mohammad Sufyan Khan and Abdul Hanan Shahid score hat tricks for PakistanSports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-Pakistan outclassed Chinese Taipei 15-1 in their first match of the ongoing Juniors Asia Hockey Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman on Tuesday. Mohammad Sufyan Khan and Abdul Hanan Shahid scored hat tricks.The first goal from Pakistan was scored by Mohammad Sufyan Khan through a penalty corner in the second minute, the second goal by Arbaz Ahmed also through a penalty corner in the 7th minute, the third goal was scored in the 18th minute by Mohammad Sufyan Khan scored again through a penalty corner.Bilal Akram made the scoreboard 4-0 by pushing the ball in the goalpost in the 26th minute, Abdul Qayyum scored the fifth field goal in the last 30th minute of the first half while Abdul Rehman scored the sixth field goal in the 35th minute, and Abdul Rehman scored the 7th goal in the 39th minute.Arbaaz Ahmed through penalty corner, 8th goal in 40th minute by Basharat Ali through penalty corner, 9th goal in 42nd minute by penalty corner by Mohammad Sufyan Khan, 10th field goal by Abdul Hanan Shahid in 44th minute, 11th field Zakaria Hayat scored the goal in the 45th minute, Abdul Hanan Shahid scored the 12th field goal in the 46th minute, Arshad Liaquat scored the 13th field goal in the 48th minute, Murtaza Yaqoob scored the 14th goal through a penalty stroke, Abdul Hanan Shahid scored the 15th field goal in the 59th minute while making a hat trick.Te Julien scored the solitary goal for Chinese Thai Pay in the 49th minute. Pakistan's Mohammad Sufian Khan was declared the man of the match. Pakistan will play their second match against Thailand on May 24, their third match against traditional rivals India on May 27, and Japan on May 29.

SA Choudary May God save the national game of hockey from the running management of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), which is ruining the game in the country owing to its adverse policies. At present, Khalid Sajjad Khokhar is the president of PHF while Syed Haider Hussain is performing the duties of secretary of PHF.All decisions are made by only two persons Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and Syed Haider Hussain, as both have occupied the seats in the federation illegally. When Haider took charge of secretary PHF as a caretaker, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) declared this act unlawful, which was not according to the constitution of the PHF.The election process was highlighted on social media in the form of videos and pictures all over Pakistan to show the credibility of the so-called election. It is pertinent to mention here that PSB not only stopped the Pakistan Hockey Federation from this unconstitutional step, but PSB also de-notified it. Later, PSB refused to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Pakistan Hockey Federation for touring abroad for international competitions.Later, to probe the facts, the Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan formed a committee under the supervision of the Standing Committee on Sports of the National Assembly to resolve the issues of national game hockey, which has also sent its recommendations to the Prime Minister, which has become inevitable.The current top officials of PHF are crying about the non-availability of funds to run the affairs of the federation smoothly. But on the other hand, he is also giving joyride trips to his favorite people along with the Pakistan hockey team that is Salala, Oman for the Junior Asia Cup 2023, as the training camp took place at Manzoor-ul-Hasan Hockey Stadium Defense Housing Authority (DHA) Lahore.DHA Lahore fulfilled its all commitments and not only provided its stadium for training camp (day & night) but also incurred boarding & lodging expenses along with traveling and daily allowances including players/officials of the camp and air tickets of team squad and team officials as well as sponsored their complete uniform.Pakistan Hockey Federation used the funds mercilessly and sent their favorite people on a joyride trip with the team.Col (R) Asif Naz Khokhar, Honorary Secretary of Punjab Hockey Association and brother of Khalid Sajjad Khokhar (President PHF), Abdul Azlan Khan, son of Abdul Hanif Khan (Manager), and Zia-ud-Din Burki are accompanied by the team for just a joyride trip. It is important to mention here that in 2016, when Hanif Khan was manager of the Pakistan squad for Azlan Shah, which was held in IPOH, Malaysia, his son also accompanied him. On the other hand, the coaches who trained the players in the camp for more than a month, including Adnan Zakir, Mazhar Abbas, and Rana Zubair were ignored.Adnan Zakir, who lives abroad, came specially to coach the Pakistan hockey team and on the occasion of the team’s selection, he showed his dissatisfaction over the decisions of the national selection committee and the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Later, he left for abroad. The current selection committee and the federation also made serious allegations regarding the team selection.The hockey lovers request Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, who is also the Chief Patron of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, to take action against the federation for its wrongdoing. The Pakistan Hockey Federation should be banned as soon as possible and replaced with new faces so that they can conduct free and fair elections of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, which must be monitored by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).Editor Note: (The writer is a hockey lover here are his personal views and if any other person or any official of the federation wants to respond to this article we will appreciate and welcome it). 

All semifinalists to secure their berths in Men’s Junior World CupSports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-The Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023 will roll into action from May 23, as the best young Asian men’s hockey teams will compete in Salalah, Oman. The top three will qualify for the forthcoming FIH Junior Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, to be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.As many as, the participating nations have been divided into two pools, as Pool A will be comprising Chinese Taipei, India, Japan, Pakistan, and Thailand. Pool B includes hosts Oman, who will be joined by Bangladesh, Korea, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan.The top two teams in both pools will qualify for the semi-finals, while the teams in third and fourth positions will compete for the 5-8 place classification. The teams finishing in fifth place in both pools will go head-to-head to avoid finishing in tenth place.The losing semi-finalists will play in the bronze medal match, with the two finalists and the bronze medalists qualifying for the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2023. Malaysia, as hosts, have already qualified for the World Cup, so if Malaysia enter the semifinals of the Junior Asia Cup, all the other three teams making it to the semi-finals will gain entry into the World Cup as well. The FIH Junior Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 will be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 5-16 December 2023. Malaysia have qualified as the hosts of the competition. Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain have qualified from Europe as the teams that were classified in the top-5 at the Euro-Hockey Junior Championship 2022. Australia and New Zealand have also qualified through the Oceania Junior World Cup Qualifiers 2022. South Africa and Egypt are the qualifiers from Africa finishing as the top two teams at the Junior Africa Cup 2023. Argentina, Canada and Chile are the three qualifiers from Pan America. The three top teams from Asia will complete the full set of sixteen teams that will compete for the title at the FIH Junior Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.