Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan’s Commonwealth Games hero and national weightlifting icon Nooh Dastagir Butt set to make a high-profile return to international weightlifting as he prepares to compete at the VIRUS Weightlifting Finals & UMWF World Championships, scheduled from December 3 to 6, 2025, at the Ocean Center Convention Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.  The three-time international strongman and powerlifting champion, famously dubbed the “Hulk of Pakistan” after his record-breaking performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, is eyeing nothing less than gold on his long-awaited comeback. This marks Nooh’s first international weightlifting appearance in three years, following a prolonged dispute with the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF). During his absence from Olympic lifting, Nooh continued to bring laurels to Pakistan in powerlifting and strongman competitions, securing multiple gold medals in Uzbekistan, South Africa, and other international events.  With the federation dispute now resolved, thanks to the efforts of Madam Nuzhat and Hafiz Jibran Butt of Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, Nooh has officially been cleared to represent Pakistan once again. Backed by Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, CEO ACTIVIT and Director National Hospital DHA Lahore, who has been sponsoring his training, nutrition, and medical support, Nooh says he is fully focused and mentally stronger than ever.  “I am grateful to Rd. Rizwan and for not only supporting my career but also taking care of my parents’ medical needs. Now, I have only one mission that is to win international gold medals for Pakistan,” said an emotional Nooh.  He further revealed that he is currently training in Gujranwala under the supervision of his father, former weightlifter Ghulam Dastagir, maintaining a two-session daily regimen. “Whatever I am today is because of my father. His dream, and mine, is to see Pakistan’s flag raised at the world stage once again,” he added.  Nooh Butt’s mother expressed her pride and excitement over his preparations, saying: “Our entire home feels like a training ground. Nooh’s father doesn’t rest until he completes both of his daily training sessions. His dedication is unmatched, and as parents, our greatest joy will be to see him win more international medals for Pakistan.”  To sharpen his preparations, Rd. Rizwan has arranged a post-tournament training camp in the United States, where Nooh will train under international coaches and gain exposure to world-class facilities. This will further prepare him for the global stage. His journey is clearly mapped out, first the World Championships in Florida, followed by the Commonwealth Games, then the Asian Games, all leading toward one ultimate destination: global dominance in weightlifting.  Sharing his thoughts, Rd. Rizwan said: “I don’t just have a mission, I have a vision. I want Nooh to leave a legacy that inspires generations to come.” When asked about his expectations from Nooh, he responded with conviction: “I expect only one thing that is victory. I want him to triumph on the grandest stages of the world, to hoist Pakistan’s flag high with pride. My dream is to see him rise steadily, winning gold after gold, until his name becomes synonymous with excellence in global sport.”

Islamabad(SBR)The inaugural Asian Masters Weightlifting Championship will begin on May 27 in Doha, Qatar. A 10-member Pakistan team, led by the President of the Pakistan Masters Weightlifting Association, Arshad Khan Turk, will participate in the event. For the first time, women athletes will also take part in the championship. On this occasion, under the chairpersonship of Davis Afirman (Chairperson, International Weightlifting Association) and Mohammad Kabiri (President, Asian Masters Weightlifting Association), the South Asian Weightlifting Association will also be established. Arshad Khan Turk is a candidate for the presidency of the South Asian Masters Weightlifting Association, while India will nominate a candidate for General Secretary. His success will be a significant honor for Pakistan, and if elected, the Secretariat of the South Asian Masters Weightlifting Association will be established in Islamabad, which will further promote weightlifting in the country.This championship, being held from May 27 to 31 in Doha, will feature both male and female athletes for the first time. After a long period of limited representation since 1990, it is a proud moment for Balochistan as Abdul Razzaq (52kg) represented Pakistan in the Asian Games in Beijing. For the first time in the history of Asian weightlifting since Pakistan's independence, female master lifters who are triple national gold medalists and record holders will represent the country. Four master male lifters from Balochistan have been selected for this historic championship.The 10-member Pakistan Masters team, including three women athletes, consists of Women Lifters, Neelam Riaz, Nadia Masood, Saibel SohailMen Lifters, Rashid Khan, Abdul Malik, Kashif Rehan, Muhammad Iqbal, and others. Officials, Team Leader Arshad Khan Turk, Team Manager Syed Masroor Zaidi, and Assistant Manager Umar Javed.Arshad Khan Turk expressed complete satisfaction with the performance of the national male and female masters weightlifters and stated that the presence of 25 players and officials from Pakistan will raise the national flag high and bring home gold medals.