Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Young talented Shiraz Asif of the Softball Federation of Pakistan has won the first position in the quiz competition of the seminar on the importance of mental health in sports competitions organized under the auspices of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Pakistan Olympic Association Athletes Commission. In the quiz competition on the first day of the seminar, Shiraz Asif won the first position by getting 66.67 points in one minute and 34 seconds. Haroon Sarwar Butt of the Pakistan Karate Federation secured second place by scoring 50 points in two minutes and 17 seconds while Badminton Federation's Ali Nawab secured the third position with a time of 2 minutes and 25 seconds scoring 50.00 points. More than 60 players and officials from more than 30 federations participated. It should be noted that the athletes of the Softball Federation of Pakistan have won the top position for the third year in a row. At the end of the seminar, the President of the Pakistan Olympic Association Lt. General (retd) Syed Arif Hassan, International Hockey Federation President Tayyab Ikram, Vice Chancellor of Lahore College for Women University Dr. Bushra Mirza and Secretary General POA Mohammad Khalid Mehmood gave shields and other prizes to the players, who won positions and put up a remarkable performance. Speaking on the occasion, Gen Arif Hassan said: “The quiz competitions are aimed to make the players mentally stronger. It was a pleasure to see that the players know their game along with their skills in the field of sports. Meanwhile, Softball Federation Haider Lehri, Secretary General Asif Azeem and Chairman POA Athlete Commission Muhammad Inam Butt have congratulated all the position holders and hoped that they will continue with remarkable performance in future competitions as well.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: The exciting competitions of Potohar Sports Festival 2022 are in progress at different venues of Rawalpindi division under the auspices of Youth Affairs and Sports Department Punjab on Thursday. The competitions of 10 games including arm-wrestling, hockey, athletics, kabaddi, tug-of-war, badminton, cricket, martial arts, football and volleyball are being organised in the Potohar Sports Festival in which more than 5,000 male and female players are exhibiting their talent. It is worth-mentioning that Sports Board Punjab is organizing Potohar Sports Festival in Rawalpindi division with an aim to provide better sports facilities to youth of the region. The teams from six districts of Rawalpindi division including Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Murree and Talagang are participating in the grand event. Assistant Commissioner Rawalpindi, Deputy Director (B&A) Nadeem Qaiser and District Sports Officer Rawalpindi Shamas Tauheed Abbasi distributed prizes among the winners and prominent performers in some of the competitions which concluded on Wednesday evening.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: The national men’s and women’s Netball Championships will start from February 11, 2023, at Pakistan Sports Complex here simultaneously. According to an official of Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF), Pakistan WAPDA will defend their both titles men and women in the championships. President PNF Mudassar Arain said: “As many as 16 teams from all over the country have been invited for the participation in the including Pakistan Army,  Pakistan Railway, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan Navy, Pakistan WAPDA, Pakistan Police, Higher Education Commission (HEC), LUMS, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan Inter Board, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkawa (KPK), LGS, Balochistan and Islamabad. The manager's meeting will be held on February 10 at the championship venue. The semifinals will be played on February 13 while finals of both categories men and women will be held on February 14”.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (December 21, 2022): Karachi Port Trust (KPT) organized a grand Cash Award Ceremony for the medal winner Athletes of the Commonwealth Games 2022 held in Birmingham, England, to appreciate the achievements of our national heroes and laud their performances to encourage them in their future endeavours. Chief guest Parliamentary Secretary Eng. Sabir Hussain Qaimkhani, Chairman, KPT Syed Mohammad Tariq Huda, GM (Administration) Brig Tariq Bashir TI(M), Commissioner Karachi Iqbal Memon, Chairman Port Qasim Syed Hassan Nasir Shah HI(M) and CEO KICT SC Kim and many other dignitaries and notable personalities graced the occasion at KPT  Sports Complex. On the occasion, Gold medalists in Javelin throw Arshad Nadeem and weight-lifter Nooh Dastagir Butt were awarded a cash prize of Rs 2 million each while National wrestlers ( Silver medalists) Inam Butt,  Zaman Anwar and Sharif Tahir were awarded cash prizes of Rs 1 million each. The (Bronze medalists) Judo player Shah Hussain Shah and Inayat Ullah wrestler were awarded Rs 5 Lac each. Eng. Sabir Hussain Qaimkhani while speaking on the occasion lauded the remarkable achievements of Pakistani athletes in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and hoped that the medal tally secured by our athletes in Commonwealth Games will inspire the upcoming athletes in future sports. “They are our national heroes and we hope they will continue with the grand show at the international level to bring more medals to the country and enhance the country’s image at the international level. It’s a huge deal and involves years of hard work and dedication by the medal winners”, he said.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Lahore Garrison’s shooters have won the title of 9th All Pakistan Inter-University Women's Rifle Shooting Championship that held at PNS Bahadur Karaz Shooting Range under the banner of Higher Education Commission (HEC). Punjab University secured second while Karachi University team claimed third position. The female shooters from 16 different universities took part in the competitions. Lahore Garrison University won the team event of 10 meters air pistol and the gold medal in the individual event, besides the silver medal in the event of 10 meters air pistol, scored a total of 101 points and was declared the winner. Punjab University stood second with 67 points while Karachi University earned third position with 52 points. Among the universities that participated in the mega event were Karachi University, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore College for Women University, University of Lahore, University of Punjab, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, UMT Lahore, Superior University Lahore, BZD Multan, Host Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, SSB Dewan University Karachi, Dow University of Health and Sciences, Karachi, Iqra University Karachi and Bahria University Karachi included. Director Sports HEC, Javed Ali Memon graced the prize distribution ceremony as chief guest and distributed trophies and prizes. On this occasion, Vice Chancellor of Sir Syed University Dr Waliuddin, Rear Admiral (R) Syed Sarfaraz Hussain, Vice Admiral (R) Shah Sohail Masood (Star of Imtiaz Military), Sohail Bashir President Institute of Engineering Pakistan, Registrar Sir Syed University Commodore Syed Sarfraz. Ali, Dr. Basit Ansari, Convener Sports Qazi Nasr, Organizing Secretary International Mubasher Mukhtar, Director Sports NED Farkhanda Faseeh and Director Sports Compassion University Shamir Khattak were present on this occasion.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) will send the shooters in all the forthcoming Olympic qualifiers fixtures to get maximum presentation in the Paris Olympics 2024, said Secretary NRAP Razi Ahmed while speaking at the reception, which was held in honor of G M Bashir by Sindh Rifle Association (SRA) on Friday night. Secretary NRAP Razi further said:  "G M Bashir is the only Pakistani shooter, who won bronze medal at any world championship. G M Bashir and Gulfam Joseph have won the quotas for Paris Olympics which shows they are world class athletes. They need participation in international events till the 2024 Olympics so NRAP will send them to every event next year.” On this occasion, G M Bashir said: “I am going to participate in the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) President's Cup in Egypt this month. This is a prestigious event in which world's top 12 shooters in different shooting disciplines are invited to show their game skills. I am very excited for participating this event. I will give my best in this event and would try to finish with respectable score”. It is pertinent to mention here that G M Bashir will be the second shooter after Khurrum Inam from Pakistan to participate in three Olympics. Also, he will be the second shooter from Pakistan to participate in the President's Cup as last year Gulfam Joseph qualified to this event. According to the latest international rankings by ISSF, G M Bashir has been ranked 7th in the 25 rapid fire pistol category. This is his career best ranking as well which he achieved after showing excellent performance at ISSF World Cup in Egypt recently. The ISSF President's Cup is the highest ranked event of the shooting world as athletes from 42 nations representing 43 ISSF Member Federations from all the continents have qualified to take part in the 2022 ISSF President’s Cup.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: President, Pakistan Baseball Federation (PBF) Syed Fakhr Ali Shah has been appointed as Member Development Commission of World Baseball & Softball Confederation (WBSC) on behalf of World Baseball Softball Confederation. According to available information, WBSC President Ricardo Ficari has issued a letter of appointment to him as a member of the Development Commission after the approval of the Executive Board. President WBSC Ricardo Ficari said: “Syed Fakhr Ali Shah's skills and knowledge of our game will be a great asset to the commission. It will be proven and I look forward to supporting the growth and success of our organization and myself. The chairman of this commission is Angelo Vicini and I offer my sincere congratulations on your appointment and in the meantime I wish you every success and hope that you will achieve success in your tenure”. Syed Fakhr Ali Shah said: “I thank the WBSC high-ups for giving me this honour. This position has been given for the first time in our region and it is a matter of honor for Pakistan and baseball circles”. Hamood Lakhvi, Secretary Sheikh Mazhar Ahmed, Khazin Tahir Mehmood, Women Wing Chairperson Sadia Alvi, Secretary A. Ayesha Aram, Head Coaches Mossadegh Hanif, Tariq Nadeem, Coach Aamir Imdad Bhatti, Media Manager Parvez Ahmed Sheikh, Legal Advisor Syed Fakhar Amir Kazmi, Office Secretary Shahid Raza and other provincial officials have congratulated Syed Fakhar Ali Shah on his appointment.

Sports Report Hyderabad: Futsal, Throwball, Cricket and Tug of War competitions have concluded on the 3rd day of 2nd Students Olympic Games 2022 at Hyderabad. Director Sports, BISC, Larkana, Mohammad Ramzan Jamali, was the chief guest on the 3rd day of the games. President, Hyderabd Students Olympic Association, Irshad Ali Makhdoom and Secretary, Aisha Razzak were also present on the occasion. Results: Cricket Boys, Under-19 1st Position: Comprehensive Higher Secondary School 2nd Position: Foundation Public School Third Position: Degree College Qasimabad Futsal Under-13 (Boys) 1st Position: IBA Public School 2nd Position: Foundation Public School Futsal, Under-16 (Boys) 1st. Position: Foundation Public School 2nd Position: IBA Public School Futsal Under-16 (Girls) 1st Position: IBA Public School 2nd Position: Hayat School, Main Campus Futsal Under-19 (Girls) 1st Position: Hayat School, Main Campus 2nd Position: IBA Public School Throw-ball Under-13 (Girls) 1st Position: County Cambridge 2nd Position: Girls H/S Latifabad No 6 Throw-ball Under-16 (Girls) 1st Position: Hayat College Fatima Campus 2nd Position: IBA Public School Throw-ball, Under-19 Girls 1st Position: Shah Latif (G) Degree College 2nd Position: Hayat College Fatima Campus  Throw-ball Under-19 (Boys) 1st Position: Degree College Qasimabad 2nd Position: IBA Public School Tug of War: Under-13 (Boys) 1st Position: Foundation Public School 2nd Position: Al Qamar School Tug of War Under-16 (Boys) 1st Position: IBA Public School 2nd Position: Hayat School Main Campus Tug of War Under-13 (Girls) 1st Position: FG H/S Latifabad No 6 2nd Position: IBA Public School Tug of War Under-16 (Girls) 1st Position: IBA Public School 2nd Position: Hayat School Main Campus.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan squash player Salman Hashmi has viewed off that coaching in the game of squash plays a vital role to develop the game skills of a player. While talking to this reporter over his mobile from abroad he added that he played squash for his country and he was willing to train the budding players as a coach to contribute in the game of squash at international level. Salman's coaching background: Salman has been coaching for 8 years as a professional mentor. When Salman moved to United Arabs Emirates (UAE), he first performed the duties of coach in a United Kingdom Elite Squash for several years. Currently, Salman is the head squash coach at the prestigious Aviation Club. He has worked with players from beginner to pro level, including many Emirates’ top juniors. Dubai's unique location allows him to train with many top professional players, often serving as their hitting partner. Salman as a player: Salman first picked up a racquet at the age of six. Throughout his junior career, he was a top-ranked Pakistan Junior. Salman was selected to Pakistan at the 2014 World Junior Championships. 1. When did you start to play squash? My uncles played squash, so it was a family sport. I was six when the first time I stepped on the court and did not look back. There was no looking back. I was hooked. 2. What do you like most about the sport? I love the challenge of pushing myself at many different levels. You face physical, mental, tactical, and technical difficulties every time. I like the feeling of discovering ways to improve continually, either as a player or coach. 3. How long have you been coaching? I have been a coach for the last seven years, but I feel I have been coaching all my life, even as a player. 4. Why do you start coaching? It is satisfying to help people achieve their full potential and, in many cases, pass what they had wished for. I like to be part of the journey, knowing I was instrumental in my students' growth and growing myself, with them. I enjoy my work. 5. Who’s been your most substantial influence when coaching?  My family has taught me that there is no substitute for hard work and discipline. Without that base, no coaching can help you. As for style, I think everyone has their style, and it is a "kitchrey" of all the people you cross in your journey. 6. Can you describe the highlights of the job? I am especially interested in growing squash; when I teach, I hope I plant a seed for my student to one day go into the world, not just enjoying squash but introducing squash to others. I especially love to teach "first-timers" and younger children. It's very satisfying. 7. Who do you most admire in the sport? There are too many people in the list. I consider how the players from the last generation played for passion and honor. Jahangir Khan will have to be at the top of the list, not just for his incredible playing achievements but his journey of overcoming challenging obstacles. 8. What would you say is your unique coaching style? I believe my strength is connecting with the player – and unlocking the potential they know they have – but cannot tap it. Of course, I am a technical coach – teaching fundamentals – but I think the best coaches know how to push their students to new heights. 9. How the discipline plays role in the life of a player? Discipline is everything. Without discipline, there is nothing important. Discipline on court, in fitness, in nutrition, in your everyday life – discipline everywhere. If you master discipline, you can master anything your opponent throws at you. 10. What are your best memories of coaching? My best memory is defenality coaching my brother Farhan Hashmi who reached the quarterfinals in the World Junior Championships held in Malaysia. In the same year, in 2019 Farhan also won the Asian Junior Championships. We spent countless hours throughout the months getting ready for these Championships. He performed well and exceeded all goals and expectations. 11. What will you give message to budding squash kids? It's a great sport to play. It will challenge you in many ways, but you will love it. But always remember to have fun. Enjoy what you do; always. This game will also take you internationally all over the world, which introduces you to new cultures and making new friends.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: FAST-5 National Netball Coaching and Umpiring Course concluded here at Pakistan Sports Board’s Coaching Center that has started on November 4 at the same venue. Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF) organized this course in collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), in which 45 coaches and umpires participated and upgraded their knowledge about the new rules of netball. President PNF. Mudassar Arain graced the closing ceremony as a chief guest and awarded the certificates among the successful participants. Syed Gohar Raza, Secretary, PNF, Anwar Ahmed, and other dignitaries were also present on this eve. Result Men (Umpiring): 1st Position:  Nazakat Ali Khan (Navy) 2nd Position: Areeb Hussain (Sindh) 3rd Position: Mohammad Imran (Army) Result Women (Coaching): 1st Position: Muqadas Fatima (Danish School) 2nd Position: Ume Laila Kulsoom (Wapda) 3rd Position: Iqra Shafiq (Sindh) & Nisha Sultan (Wapda) Result Men (Coaching): 1st Position:  Asad (Navy) & Waqar Ahmed (Sindh) 2nd Position: Mohammad Khursheed (Army), Jamshed Ali (Navy) & Balach Khan (Blouchistan) 3rd Position: Masoom Abbass (Wapda).