Sports Bulletin

AA Report ISLAMABAD: Egypt’s Sherif Khairy and Iran’s Danial Bozurgishoob have clinched the gold medals in their respective senior category contests in the ongoing 4th Combaxx Asian Open International Taekwondo Championship G2 being organized by Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) at the Liaquat Gymnasium on Wednesday. Sherif Khairy beat Pakistan’s Hamza Saeed 2-0 in the final of the +87 kg Men’s contest while Danial Bozurgishoob from Iran overcame compatriot Omid Hussani 2-0 in the -74kg Men’s competition final. Meanwhile, in the female contests, it was Pakistan’s day as Pakistan’s female athlete Nusrat Bibi clinched the gold medal while Yasmeen Baig clinched a silver medal in their respective categories contests. In the final of the +73 kg (Women), Nusrat overwhelmed Afghanistan’s Yasmeen Azizi by 2-1. In another final of the -62 kg Women’s contest, Nazneen Azizi from Afghanistan won the gold medal. She outplayed Pakistan’s Sara Baig 2-0. Results (Semifinals): In the semi-final, Hamza Saeed overwhelmed compatriot Faizan Junaid 2-0 in the male 87 category while Sara Baig beat compatriot Hajra Shakeel 2-1 in the female -62kg contest. Yasmeen Azizi had reached the final after downing Pakistan’s Laiba Mohammad 2-0 in the semifinal while Omaid thrashed Kazakhstan’s Abdul Rehman 2-0 in the semifinal.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Pakeeza Khan and Asra Gul secured gold medals by winning their respective bouts on the first day of the Combaxx 4th Asian Open International Taekwondo Championship (G2) at Liaquat Gymnasium of Pakistan Sports Complex. In the -63 kg women's category, Pakistan's Pakeeza Khan earned a gold medal after outplaying compatriot Nuzra Jamal from Pakistan 2-0 in a one-sided game. Meanwhile, in the -55 kg women's category, Pakistan's Arsa Gul also lifted a gold medal comprehensively beating compatriot Ajwa Nadeem from Pakistan 2-0. Later, in the -49kg women's category, Bahrain's Yara Binthani won gold by overcoming Pakistan’s Aiman Khan 2-1. In the -63kg Male category, Omer Ismail from UAE athlete beat Mohammad Muath from Bahrain by 2-0.

President PTF Wasim Janjua hopes for only 1 or 2 gold medals in the Asian Open Taekwondo Championship faisal ISLAMABAD: President, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF), Col (Retd) Mohammad Wasim Janjua on Sunday viewed off that couple of gold medals in the upcoming Combaxx 4th Asian Open International Taekwondo Championship (G2) would be acceptable performance of hosts athletes during the 4-day international fixture, which would be rolled into action here at Laiquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex from November 1, 2022. Responding to a question during a press conference at a local hotel, the head of PTF further stated that PTF responsibility was to provide opportunities for national athletes to excel at international level. “Federation is providing all crunch facilities to national players to enhance their skills and top international taekwondo players are participating in the mega regional event. If our players will grab one or two gold medals it will be an adequate performance and our players will bring maximum results, “he hoped. “We hold the camps to train the boys and girls under the guidance and administration of international coaches. Haroon and Shahzeb are our best players, who are able to lift the medals and hoist the green flag at the international arenas. Federation is doing sufficient at its end and trying its best to provide maximum opportunities to players at international level to develop their game skills and international exposure as well. If they compete with a high ranking opponent they will certainly learn more, “he replied another question. Janjua said that the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) would provide around Rs. 5 to 6 million (US$ 22, 586 to US$ 27,103) for the G-2 international event. “The top finest male and female athletes of various countries from across the globe have arrived here. International teams are practicing at championship venue Liaquat Gymnasium. Beside national and athletes over 100 volunteers and technical officials will play a vital role in holding a mega international sports showpiece, “he said. “Around 600 officials and athletes are also part of this mega event. The number of International Officials / athletes is more than 200. Technical delegate from Lebanon, Denial and Referee Chairman Sharam from Iran alongwith 30 International Referees (Male/Female) are there to conduct this prestigious championship. The other International referees and Member Supervisory Board are from Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Iran, Nepal, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Palestine and Pakistan, “he added. He further divulged that PTF would host another international taekwondo event next year. “The bid of said event was approved in WT General Council Meeting on 23 Jun 2022 this year and we have the unique honour to have this championship in 2023 again, Inshallah which includes Senior Khyrougi and Poomsae Events, “he replied to a question. “Men and women besides hosts Pakistan, Afghanistan, Albania, Bahrain, Egypt, Great Britain, Iran,  Iraq, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Oman, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Timor-Leste, United states of America (UAE) and WT Refugee are participating in the 4-day international taekwondo fixture, “president PTF concluded after facing volley of questions.

11-man Sri Lanka players and officials arrive in the Capital City Islamabad AA Report  ISLAMABAD: The 11-man Sri Lanka taekwondo contingent including 5 girls, 4 boys and 2 officials have arrived here to take part in the 4th Combaxx Asian Open International Taekwondo Championship 2022, scheduled to be held from November 1 to 4, 2022 at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex. According to spokesman for Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF), top officials of PTF welcomed the guests on their arrival at Benazir International Airport Islamabad. Visitors were awarded warm welcome, who also garlanded the players and officials. On this occasion, Sri Lankan female athlete Madhushika Madushani said that she was happy to be in Pakistan, which is known in the world for sports dignity, producing world class athletes and sportsmen and sportswomen.  “The country is also known for traditional hospitality and unique aromatic dishes”, she said. Male athlete Tharanga Lamkal said: “We are well prepared for this grand Asian Open International which may prove a milestone in taekwondo history”.  Another visiting Sri Lankan athlete Nimesh Wiranga said: “Since world best players are featuring in the prestigious championship, it will provide them an opportunity to collaborate and interact with them and learn from their experiences”. Names of Sri Lanka Squad: 1. Ruwan Alahakoon (Head of Team) 2. Romesh Rathnasekara (Team Coach) 3. Tharanga Thilakarathna (Athlete) 4. Jewantha Thilakarathna (Athlete) 5. Nimesh Viranga (Athlete) 6. Sachithtra Bandaranayaka (Athlete) 7. Nuwan Jayasinghe (Athlete) 8. Irangani Mahadula (Athlete) 9. Madushika Madushani (Athlete) 10. Shashikala Gunawardhana (Athlete) 11. Nisansala Jayasinghe (Athlete)

faisal ISLAMABAD: The 10-time former national champion and national female taekwondo coach Najia Rasool Khan has said that Pakistani martial art athletes were competent to qualify for the quadrennial mega sports fixture of the world Olympics Games if they would be imparted particular international standard training facilities back-to-back for two years till Paris Olympics 2024. While talking to this reporter at Laiquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex here she further said that the top national taekwondo player Haroon Tareen was so close to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics but unfortunately he lost his bout in a fraction of seconds. “We have brilliant players like Haroon Tareen, Shahzeb Khan and Fatima Khawar and they are capable of bringing laurels for the country in the international competitions, “she added. Najia, 30 from Muzaffargarh further divulged, “We have enough facilities but we need training camps in which players can develop their game skills. Taekwondo is the most admirable martial game in the country and young budding girls and boys are enthusiastic to excel at national and international level but they need appropriate guide-line, coaching and training. We have enough facilities in Pakistan that meet international needs and standards.” To a question she said, “In past, when Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera was Director General of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) he provided enormous occasion to taekwondo players to excel at national and international level by holding the camps for players in a row at the different sports arenas of the country. We need honest efforts to uplift the standard of sports in the country and hoist the national green flag across the world, “she viewed. Former martial art athlete Najia Khan, who won 4 silvers and 3 bronze medals, suggested that the joint efforts of sports federation and sports insinuations along with sponsorship might uplift the standard of sports. “There is no minor sponsorship in all the sports except cricket. A player’s basic requirements are diet, equipment and training, as these facilities need money without sponsorship no one can move ahead at international level. We should take genuine steps to achieve the targets, “she asserted. Responding to another question, she said, “A coach needs to attend international coaching courses to reach the top level. At the present I am a level-II taekwondo coach and have attended six international coaching courses. We can increase the number of coaches by sending them abroad for courses or international representatives may be invited here for coaching lectures. In the ongoing modern area, the best and upgraded coaching facility is most important for the players, “she maintained. It is pertinent to mention here that unmarried Najia Rasool Khan, 30, belongs to Muzaffargarh and she is solitary from her family, who likes sports and is honored with Pakistan's colour too. She started her sports’ career In 2006 and finished in 2021 after that she is working with Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) as female coach and willing to make another mark in the field of sports as a coach. When she started to participate in sports activities only her mother supported her and the rest of her 8 family members were not willing to see Najia Rasool Khan in sports arenas.  

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: The 4th Asian Open International Taekwondo Championship (Grade 2) will kick off from November 1, 2022 here at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex under the control of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF). According to an official of PTF, top regional martial arts’ male and female athletes will fight for gold medals in different 26 disciplines. Over 500 536 athletes will compete for gold and glory across as many as 16 male/female) categories in senior and 5 male/female categories in Junior. Senior and young players mostly aged 18 and above and Under-17 are going to participate in the senior/junior male and female Khyurogi event. National and internationally certified eferees will also join other international referees for the smooth conduct of this prestigious championship. As many as 65 foreign and 26 national officials are registered for this mega event while the number of registered foreign athletes from as many as 23 countries stands at 165, adding that the 418 national athletes are to feature in this prestigious championship. Besides 38 international and five national referees are part of this mega championship. President PTF acknowledged and appreciated the wholehearted support provided by the South Asian President Omar Saeed and other sponsors including Combaxx Sports, Korean Embassy, Islamabad and Serena Hotels.  

SPORTS BULLETIN Pokhara (Nepal):-Pakistan’s Shahbaz Ahmed and female Athlete Mehrun Nisa have won the gold medals in the Under-40 Mixed category of Poomsae event of the 1st Mount Everest International Poomsae Open Taekwondo Championship at Pokhara, Nepal on Friday. Shahbaz has also grabbed gold in the Under-40 Male category of the Poomsae event as well while Mehrun Nisa won a silver medal in the Individual female category as well. In the Under-30 category, Pakistan’s Waseem Ahmed & Naila also won the bronze medal. Mohammad Waseem won a bronze medal in Under-30 mixed category while female athlete Flower Zaheer clinched won a bronze in the mixed Under-30 category. Overall Poomsae athletes have collected as many as eight medals in the Poomsae events so far in the ongoing Poomsae Taekwondo Open Championship.

SPORTS BULLETIN Islamabad:-National Taekwondo team has left for Nepal to take part in the 3rd Mount Everest International Open Taekwondo Championship (G-2) scheduled to be held from Sept 21 to October 2 in Pokhara city, Nepal. According to an official of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF), Green Shirts will participate in the different categories of Khyurogi and Poomsae events of the championship. Team members for the Khyurogi event are Abu Bakar Siddique, Mohammad Arbaz Khan, Mazhar Abbas, Hamza Omar Saeed, Haroon Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Fatimatuz Zahara Khawar, Naqsh Hamdani and Noor Rehman while Poomsae Squad consists of Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammad Waseem Javed, Wajeeh Ul Hassan, Naila, Mehrunnisa and Flower Zaheer. Korean Kukkiwon coach Master Seongoh Choi of Korea is the head coach of the Poomsae squad while former Iranian champion Yousef Karami is the chief coach of the Khyurogi squad. Hawas Khan is accompanying the squad as team Manager while Faisal Nadeem Butt is the trainer. Earlier, the members of the Pakistan squad met with Director General of Pakistan Sports Board Col (retd) Asif Zaman. On the occasion, the DG PSB expressed the hope that the team would do extremely well in Nepal and return home triumphantly. President PTF Lt Col (retd) Waseem Janjua said: “A 15-day training camp was organized in the collaboration with PSB to enhance the skills of the participants and it will continue till the Combaxx Asian Open Championship to be held in Islamabad in November to improve their skills and improve their techniques. PTF’s CEO Omar Saeed said: “Federation left no stone unturned to provide the best training opportunities and facilities to the athletes to prepare for this event and hoped they will fare well and win laurels for the country. The players have worked hard and attained strenuous training sessions ahead of this event and are hundred percent fit both mentally and physically due to which they will be able to make it to the victory podium.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-A 7-member squad including 5 male and 2 female players will represent Pakistan in the Taekwondo event of the upcoming 5th Islamic Solidarity Games 2022, which will be taken place Konya, Turkey. Pakistani athletes will be in action from August 8-12, as the seven-member kyorogi squad includes Mazhar Abbas, Hamza Omar Saeed, Haroon Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Fatima tuz Zahra, Naqsh Hamdani, and Noor Rehman. Yousuf Karimi and Najia Rasool are with the squad as male and female coach respectively. The solidarity games are the biggest sports event in the Muslim world in which athletes from as many as 57 countries participate for top position. According to Lt Col (retd), Raja Wasim Ahmed Janjua, President PTF, Omar Saeed, Chief Exceutive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) sponsored all athletes for this international trip. Meanwhile, the PTF officials thanked Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) for the administrative support. Federation’s President Waseem Janjua and the team Head and CEO of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation Omar Saeed hoped that the team will produce notable performance, as the players are well-prepared by undergoing rigorous training and preparatory sessions. It is pertinent to mention here that mainly the renowned and ranked athletes of Muslim Countries from Asia, Africa, and European will be featuring in the 10-day Muslim World's biggest sporting extravaganza.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Pakistan Army got the top position with 29 gold medals in the 15th Korean Ambassador National Taekwondo Championship 2022 at Shahbaz Shareef Sports Complex, Rawalpindi, as the All Poomsae and Khyrougi events were conducted except 2 x Khyrougi Events which will be conducted during closing ceremony. Pakistan Army retained his supremacy by winning 29 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze medal and aggregated 859 points. Pakistan WAPDA grabbed second position by winning 2 gold, 19 silver and 11 bronze medals and secured 490 points. However, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) stood at third position by winning 3 gold, 3 silver and 17 bronze with 229 Points.   Under 20 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae Name Department Position Points Ahmed Shahzad Army First 15 Arshad Usman Islamabad Second 10 Ghulam Hussain PAF Third 06 Harris Gilgit Baltistan Fourth 04 Under 20 Individual Female Recognized Poomsae Zeena Sheraz Army First 15 Sher Zaman HEC Second 10 Omama KPK Third 06 Unshira Ghori Sindh Fourth 04 Under 30 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae M Waseem Javed Army First 15 Ali Fahad PAF Second 10 Naseer Gilgit Baltistan Third 06 Rajab Ayub WAPDA Fourth 04 Under 30 Individual Female Recognized Poomsae Flower Zaheer WAPDA First 15  Naqash Hamdani Army Second 10 Shafaq KPK Third 06 MaIRA PAF Fourth 04 Under 30 Individual Male Creative Poomsae Ahsan Ashraf Army First 15 Nabeel Kyani WAPDA Second 10 Muhammad Ismail Punjab Third 06 Abdul Qayyum Malik HEC Fourth 04 Under 30 Individual Female Creative Poomsae Naila Army First 15 Flower Zaheer WAPDA Second 10 Omama KPK Third 06 Zara Sindh Fourth 04 Under 40 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae Shahbaz Army First 15 Umair Saleem WAPDA Second 10 Sufian Punjab Third 06 Muhammad Islam PAF Fourth 04 Under 40 Individual Female Recognized Poomsae Meh urn NIsa Army First 15 Sumera WAPDA Second 10 Shahzia Shirazi PAF Third 06 Under 50 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae Irshad Ali Army First 15 Muhammad Khan WAPDA Second 10 Saeed Kashif PAF Third 06 Under 30 Pair Male Recognized Poomsae Aqdas + Adil Army First 45 Wajeeh ul Hassan+Abdul Qayyum KPK Second 30 Naseer + Jameel Gilgit Baltistan Third 18 Fahad + Ali Hassan PAF Fourth 12 Under 30 Pair Female Recognized Poomsae Naila + Zeena Shiraz Army First 45 Flower Zaheer + Asifa WAPDA Second 30 Laiba + Yamna HEC Third 18 Farishta + Faiza KPK Fourth 12 Under 30 Mix Pair Male / Female Recognized Poomsae Ahmed + Zeena Army First 45 Rajab + Asifa WAPDA Second 30 Anas + Maira PAF Third 18 Ammar + Laraib HEC Fourth 12 Under 30 Mix Pair Creative Male / Female Recognized Poomsae Zeeshan + Naila Army First 45 Nabeel + Maryam WAPDA Second 30 Moazzam + Umama KPK Third 18 Hassan + Zahra Sindh Fourth 12 Over 30 Pair Male Recognized Poomsae Shahbaz + Mudassar Army First 45 M Khan + Umair WAPDA Second 30 Najeeb + Kashif PAF Third 18 Sufyan + Sarmad Punjab Fourth 12 Over 30 Pair Female Recognized Poomsae Mehr un Nisa + Hajra Army First 45 Sumera + Aqsa Shafaq WAPDA Second 30 Over 30 Mix Pair Male / Female Recognized Poomsae Irhasd Ali + Meh run Nisa Army First 45 Muhammad Khan + Sumera WAPDA Second 30 Qaiser + Shahzia PAF Third 18 Under 30 Group Male Recognized Poomsae Aqdas + Shahbaz Gull + Waseem