Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Navy, Army, Punjab Red, and Customs have stormed into the semifinals of the 37th National Juniors Hockey Championship 2024 after beating their respective opponents WAPDA (4-3), Police (3-0), Punjab Blues (5-0), and Khyber Pukhtunkawa (4-3) respectively here at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Wednesday. The semifinals will be played on Friday at the same venue.In the first quarterfinal, Pakistan Navy overcame Pakistan WAPDA 4-3. Mohammad Wasim scored two goals for Navy while Basharat Ali and Waleed Ashraf scored each one goal for their team. Aaamir Sohail, Mohammad Hasan, Hanan Khan scored each one goal for the Pakistan WAPDA.Meanwhile, in the second quarterfinal, Pakistan Army stunned Pakistan Police 3-0 after 60 minutes game. Saud Amjad made two goals for the winning side while Mohammad Owais contributed solitary goal for Pakistan Army, set to meet Pakistan Navy in the first semifinal on Friday at the same pitch.Punjab Reds outclassed Punjab Blues by 5-0 in the penultimate quarterfinal at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium. Obaidullah Awan (2), Mubashir Khan (1) Mohammad Aziz (1), and Adeel Afzal (1) were the goal scorer for Punjab Reds. Punjab Blues players failed to reduce margin.In the last and 4th quarterfinal, Pakistan Customs defeated Khyber Pukhtunkawa (KPK) 4-3 in the well contest match of the day, as the players of both teams displayed skillful hockey and amused handful  spectators during the all four quarters. Customs will face Punjab Reds in the second semifinal of top national junior hockey showpiece. Bilal Aslam scored a couple of goals for Customs while Mohammad Ammad and Samiullah contributed each one goal. 

Mohammad BabarLAHORE: Army and WAPDA moved into the final of the 61st National Badminton Team Championship 2024 after winning their respective semifinals. WAPDA outclassed SNGPL 3-0 while Army thrashed Higher Education Commission (HEC) in similar style 3-0. Finals will be played on Thursday.Results (Day-2): Team Event (Men’s Semifinals):WAPDA beat SNGPL (3-0):1st Single: Muqeet Tahir (Wapda) beat Tayyab Shafiq (SNGPL) by 21-15, 21-151st Double: Irfan Saeed & Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) beat Abuzar Rasheed & Jalees Konain (SNGPL) by 21-13, 24-222nd Single: Awais Zahid (Wapda) beat Aashan Ranveer (SNGPL) by 21-12, 16-21, 21-15Army beat HEC (3-0):1st Single: Raja Hassan (Army) beat Rana Amraiz (HEC) by 21-23, 21-15, 21-171st Double: Raja Hasnain & Shoaib Riaz (Army) beat Rana Amraiz & Hamza (HEC) by 21-16, 23-25, 21-192nd Single: Abdullah Latif (Army) beat Raza Ali Adil (HEC) by 21-9, 21-15Team Event (Women’s Semifinals):WAPDA beat Army (3-0):1st Single: Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Ammarah Ishtiaq (Army) by 21-13, 21-191st Double: Saima Waqas & Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) beat Alja Tariq & Sumiya Tariq (Army) by 17-21, 21-11, 21-62nd Single: Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) beat Hiba Tariq (Army) 21-6, 21-7Sindh beat Punjab (3-2):1st Single: Sehar Abdul Majeed (Punjab) beat Mriyam Hamza (Sindh) by 21-15, 21-111st Double: Palwasha Bashir & Mariyam Hanif (Sindh) beat Sehar Majeed & Kanz ul Eman (Punjab) by 21-12, 21-92nd Single: Mariam Hanif (Sindh) beat Amal Muneeb (Punjab) by 22-20, 23-212nd Double: Amal Muneeb & Aimen (Punjab) beat Mariyam Hamza & Rahima (Sindh) by 21-8, 21-73rd Single: Palwasha Bashir (Sindh) beat Aimen (Punjab) by 21-12, 21-7Results (Day-1):Team Event (Men’s Pre Quarterfinals):Police beat Islamabad (3-1):1st Single: Zohaib Khan (Police) beat Ibrahim Asim (Islamabad) 21-11, 21-121st Double: Tahir Ishaq & Usama Abid (Islamabad) beat Masood & Ali Faraz (Police) 21-16, 21-142nd Single: Tahir Khan (Police) beat Umair Khan (Islamabad) 21-13, 21-172nd Double: Tahir Khan & Zohaib Khan (Police) beat Qasim Rasheed & Ihsanullah (Islamabad) 21-18, 21-8Railway beat Azad Jammu Kashmir (3-0):1st Single: Akif Badar (Railway) beat M Hafeez (AJK) by 21-7, 21-111st Double: Hamza Khan & Tabassum Ali (Railway) beat Hafeez & Mubashir (AJK) by 21-18, 21-142nd Single: P.A Nabeel (Railway) beat Akbar (AJK) by 21-8, 21-11SNGPL beat Kheyber Pakhtunkhwa (3-2):1st Single: Murad Ali (KP) beat Tayyab Shafiq (SNGPL) by 21-5, 21-161st Double: Abuzar Rasheed & Jalees Konain (SNGPL) beat Murad Ali & M Afnan (KP) by 21-15, 13-21, 21-102nd Single: Danyaal Shahzada (KP) beat Aashan Tanveer (SNGPL) by 21-17, 15-21, 21-112nd Double: Tayyab Shafiq & Umer Jahanghir (SNGPL) beat Najam & Danyal (KP) by 21-17, 21-183rd Single: Jalees Konain (SNGPL) beat Mekail Khan (KP) by 21-16, 21-11New Khan beat Balochistan (3-0):1st Single: Waqar (New Khan) beat Saboor Khan (Balochistan) by 21-10, 21-161st Double: Shaqa & Shahzaib (New Khan) beat Usama & Saboor (Balochistan) ;n21-7, 21-122nd Single: Marib (New Khan) beat Usama (Balochistan) by 21-14, 18-21, 21-18Team Event (Women’s Quarterfinals): Army beat SNGPL (3-1):1st Single: Ammarah Ishtiaq (Army) beat Umama Usman (SNGPL) by 21-9, 21-131st Double: Zubaira Islam & Umama Usman (SNGPL) beat Alja Tariq & Sumiya Tariq (Army) 21-11, 21-112nd Single: Alja Tariq (Army) beat Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) by 24-23, 21-72nd Double: Ammarah & Manal (Army) beat Sana Hanif & Wirdha Gouhar (SNGPL) by 21-15, 21-19Sindh beat Islamabad (3-0):1st Single: Palwasha Bashir (Sindh) beat Madiha Ilyas (Islamabad) by 21-5, 21-31st Double: Palwasha Bashir & Mariyam Hanif (Sindh) beat Madiha Ilyas & Aliya Jillani (Islamabad) by 21-8, 21-82nd Single: Mariyam Hanif (Sindh) beat Sarah Shabbir (Islamabad) by 21-12, 21-12Punjab beat HEC (3-1):1st Single: Amal Muneeb (Punjab) beat Faryal Arshad (HEC) by 21-5, 21-81st Double: Amal & Aimen (Punjab) beat Zainab & Faryal (HEC) by 21-16, 13-21, 21-162nd Single: Zainab (HEC) beat Sehar Abdul Majeed (Punjab) by 21-16, 21-122nd Double: Sehar Majeed & Kanzul Eman (Punjab) beat Samiya Ejaz & Khadija (HEC) by 21-15, 21-16. 

Abdul Jabbar FaisalIslamabad: The Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) announced a four-member contingent, including Pakistan’s No. 1 ranked amateur golfer will represent the nation at the prestigious Asian Amateur Championship. Organized by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the event will take place from October 3 to 6, 2024, at the Taiheiyo Golf Club, Gotemba, JapanPlayers includes: Numan Ilyas (Pakistan Number 1), Hussain Hamid, Salman Jehangir, and Qasim Ali Khan The Asian Amateur Championship is one of the most significant stroke play events in the region, featuring 72 holes of competition. Pakistan’s golfers, who are ranked among the top 100 players in Asia according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), have earned their place in this prestigious event through their exceptional performances.The President of the Pakistan Golf Federation, along with all executive members, extends their best wishes to the team. The PGF expresses full confidence in the abilities of these players to perform admirably on this highly competitive international stage."We are extremely proud of our team heading to Japan and are hopeful that they will showcase their best skills. This championship is a great opportunity for our players to further enhance their experience and represent Pakistan with honor," President PGF concluded

Faisalabad (PR) Lake City Panthers became the winners of the inaugural Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup as they beat UMT Markhors by five wickets in the final here at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Sunday evening. Out of a PKR49 million prize pot, the Shadab Khan-led Lake City Panthers bagged prize money of PKR30 million while the UMT Markhors collected the runners-up prize of PKR15 million.Panthers bundled out the Markhors, after they opted to bat first, for a mere 122-run total in 33.4 overs and then took just 18 overs to chase it down with five wickets in the bag as skipper Shadab Khan hit the winning six. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai top scored for Panthers with 41 off 43 balls hitting five fours and two sixes. Earlier, three wicket hauls by Arafat Minhas (3-1) and Mohammad Hasnain (3-38), who also finished with a tournament tally of 17 wickets, backed up by player of the match performance by Sajid Khan (2-24) dented the Markhors progress with the bat as they collapsed from 82-2 in 18.2 overs to 122 all out in 33.4 overs. Shadab and Ali Raza also picked up one wicket each. After Markhors copped two early blows with the scorecard reading 26-2 in 5.3 overs, Haseebullah (27, 48b, 3x4s) stitched a 56-run third-wicket partnership with Fakhar Zaman who top scored for the Markhors with 46 off 49 balls clubbing five fours and one six. Off-spinner Sajid got rid of both the set batters in 19th and 21st overs to spark a batting collapse as Markhors lost their last eight wickets in 15.2 overs. Apart from Haseebullah and Fakhar, only Bismillah Khan (16, 37b, 2x4s) reached double figures for Markhors. In turn, Panthers’ opening batters raced to 51 in 7.4 overs before Umar Siddiq departed for 19 with the help of three fours. Sajid (15, 13b, 2x4s, 1x6), promoted to bat at No.3, was the second batter to be dismissed as Markhors struck regular blows to reduce the Panthers from 51-1 to 94-5 in 15 overs. Usman Khan, who finished as the top run-scorer of the tournament with 272 runs in six games, only contributed 13 off eight balls hitting a four and a six. Rizwan Mehmood (16 not out, 12b, 3x4s) and Shadab (14, 9b, 1x4, 1x6) stitched a 29-run stand for the sixth wicket to take their team home safely.For Markhors, Mohammad Imran Jnr and Akif Javed picked up two wickets each while Shahnawaz Dahani dismissed one batter.Scores in briefFinal – Lake City Panthers beat UMT Markhors by five wickets  UMT Markhors 122 all out, 33.4 overs (Fakhar Zaman 46, Haseebullah 27; Arafat Minhas 3-1, Mohammad Hasnain 3-38, Sajid Khan 2-24, Ali Raza 1-19, Shadab Khan 1-20) Lake City Panthers 123-5, 18 overs (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 41, Umar Siddiq 19, Rizwan Mehmood 16 not out, Sajid Khan 15, Shadab Khan 14 not out; Mohammad Imran Jnr 2-11, Akif Javed 2-42) Bahria Town Player of the match: Sajid Khan (Lake City Panthers)Mentors’ choice Emerging Player of the Tournament: Ali Raza - Lake City Panthers (Four wickets)Trans Group Wicket-keeper of the Tournament: Usman Khan – Lake City Panthers (7 dismissals)Inverex Solar Energy energetic Batter of the Tournament: Usman Khan – Lake City Panthers (272 runs)Trans Group best Bowler of the Tournament: Mohammad Hasnain – Lake City Panthers (17 wickets)Bahria Town Player of the Tournament: Mohammad Hasnain – Lake City Panthers (17 wickets).

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): This evening, Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), was pleased to welcome Knizat Ibrahim, Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and Said Athouman, President of the Comoros Football Federation, to the match between Al Hilal and Eastern Flames in the first round of the 2024-25 Saudi Women’s Premier League season. Their presence was particularly significant given the participation of over 15 African players from 10 countries currently playing in the Saudi Women’s Premier League. Two African players from Al Hilal, Mavis Owusu from Ghana and Claudia Dabda from Cameroon featured prominently in the match, with Mavis Owusu scoring a hattrick and Claudia Dabda adding another goal to secure a 4-0 victory for Al Hilal. Following the match, Lamia Bahaian, Knizat Ibrahim, and Said Athouman spoke with Mavis Owusu and Claudia Dabda to commend them on their exceptional performances.Knizat Ibrahim and Said Athouman are currently in Riyadh as part of the CAF delegation that attended the 2024 CAF Super Cup final, held yesterday at the Kingdom Arena, where Al Ahly faced Zamalek. Beyond hosting the 2023 and 2024 CAF Super Cups in Saudi Arabia, SAFF and CAF have undertaken numerous initiatives together, including programs focused on coaching, refereeing, and the exchange of expertise, which have added great value to both organizations.Their visit provided an opportunity to discuss the rapid growth of Saudi women’s football and explore strategies for future collaboration to further enhance the development of the women’s game in the region. As long-term partners, both sides agreed to continue strengthening this relationship, with potential initiatives such as the participation of Saudi schools in the upcoming African School Championships and organizing events dedicated to women’s football.The collaboration between SAFF and CAF has already produced tangible outcomes, such as a coaching workshop held last May in Riyadh for 32 Saudi and African female coaches, led by international experts. This initiative facilitated a valuable exchange of football knowledge and has yielded significant results, further strengthening the partnership between the two organizations.Additionally, the partnership between SAFF and CAF has enabled the Saudi Women’s National Teams to play a number of friendly matches, including games against the national teams of Seychelles and Comoros, and the U20 Saudi National Team facing Mauritania. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Aleem Dar, widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected and admired cricket umpires, will retire at the end of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s 2024-25 season, concluding a career that has spanned nearly a quarter of a century. A true gentleman both on and off the field, Aleem is also a three-time winner of the prestigious David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year (2009-2011).The 56-year-old Aleem also enjoyed a playing career of 17 first-class and 18 List-A matches between 1986 and 1998, before he made his first-class umpiring debut during the 1998-99 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. From 2003 to 2023, he served on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, where he earned a reputation for his player management skills, understanding of the playing conditions, calm demeanor and outstanding decision-making.He is currently part of the PCB’s Elite Panel and remains one of four Pakistani umpires on the ICC’s International Panel, making him eligible to officiate in ODIs and T20Is. To date, Aleem has officiated in a record-breaking 145 Tests, 231 ODIs, 72 T20Is, 5 WT20Is, 181 first-class matches, and 282 List-A matches.His contributions to the sport extend far beyond these numbers, with his professionalism and respectful manner making him a beloved figure worldwide.Reflecting on his decision to retire, Aleem Dar said: “Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years and I have cherished the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation. Throughout my career, I’ve strived to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, and it has been an honour to work alongside some of the finest match officials in the world. However, all great journeys must eventually come to an end, and the time has come for me to focus fully on my social and charity work. My hospital project and other initiatives are very close to my heart and require my full devotion and attention. Having achieved almost everything that I had aspired to in umpiring with the unwavering support of my peers and colleagues, I also feel it’s the right moment to step aside and allow emerging umpires to shine. It is my hope that they too will have the same opportunities to make their mark on the great game of cricket and represent Pakistan with pride.”

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): Following a summer of high anticipation, the third season of the Saudi Women’s Premier League has kicked off on Friday.The 2024-25 season is featuring 10 clubs for the first time, competing in 90 matches across an 18-game week season of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s (SAFF) Women’s Premier League, with the league aiming to inspire a new generation of female footballers.In a clash of last year’s top sides, Saudi Women’s Premier League champions Al Nassr opened their title defence at home to SAFF First Division League champions Al-Ula FC on Friday 27 September. The first match of the new season will feature league debuts for Al Nassr’s new head coach, Sandro Mendes as well as former Real Madrid defender Kathellen Sousa.

KARACHI (PR):  Jehangir Khan PSA Satellite Squash Series match concluded with the victory of Mohammad Imad Gul of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) here at Pakistan Navy (PN) Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex.In the men's final, Mohammad Imad Gul of Pakistan Air Force defeated Sakhiullah of Punjab by three games to one. Emad's winning score was 3-11, 6-11, 11-7 and 8-11. In the under 19 boys final, Mohammad Zaman easily outclassed Abdul Basit by 3-0. Mohammad Zaman won the title with the score-lone of 6-11, 8-11 and 7-11 in just 22 minutes. In the under 14 boys final, Sulaiman Khan defeated Fazal ur Rehman by three games to two after a thrilling contest. Sulaiman Khan won by 9-11, 11-6, 11- 9, 9-11, and 8-11. Prize money of four hundred and fifteen thousand rupees was distributed among the players who performed outstandingly. Special guest former world champion Jahangir Khan distributed prizes among the players. 

Sports Bulletin ReportPrague (Czechia): The men’s Boulder final at the IFSC World Cup Prague 2024 turned out to be a balanced, hard-fought battle that went down to the very last climber on the very last boulder. Lee Dohyun of South Korea, the gold medal winner at last year’s event in Prague, Czechia, won the second World Cup event of his young career on the very same stage where he took his first one. “I love Prague! I can’t believe I won again here, how can I explain my feelings? I’m just very happy! There were some tricky moves in the final, some boulders were complicated for me, but I did my best and it paid off,” said the 21-year-old Paris 2024 Olympian, who closed his final with two tops and four zones. As both boulders number two and three turned out to be impossible to top for all the six finalists, the zone secured by Lee on M3 in his 13th attempt was decisive in separating him from France’s Manuel Cornu. Indeed, the French experienced climber placed second with two tops and three zones, finally stepping back on an IFSC World Cup podium five years after his previous one – in Chongqing, China, in 2019. Cornu said: “It’s crazy, right? It definitely feels crazy. I don’t have a lot of words tonight. I’m back from a long difficult period. One year ago, here in Prague, the first words to my coach after the qualification round were ‘It’s over for me’. And now I’m here, on the podium. I didn’t think it was possible for both [Anraku] Sorato and [Narasaki] Tomoa to fall on the fourth boulder. So I was quite sure I was going to get fourth place. I was very surprised.” Paris 2024 champion Toby Roberts of Great Britain finished in third place and pocketed bronze with two tops and two zones. The men’s Boulder & Lead gold medallist at this year’s Olympics, Roberts was coming from the men’s Lead gold he won at the IFSC World Cup Koper 2024, earlier this month.Roberts said: “I am so psyched! It was a strange final, I never thought I could be on the podium, but I did not give up, I was able to put it together and find the top on the final boulder. I can’t quite believe I’m on the podium, but I am really happy.” Paris 2024 silver medal winner Anraku Sorato of Japan placed just outside of the medal positions, taking fourth place with one top and four zones. His more experienced teammate Narasaki Tomoa followed in fifth, also with one and four, while the crowd’s favourite Adam Ondra, climbing on home turf, concluded with one top and three zones. 

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The DP World International League T20’s Season 3 is set to be full of high octane cricket as some of the biggest names in the game have joined the six franchises as new signings. The window to sign new players began in June and concluded on Sunday – 15 September. Season 3 will have international T20 stars like Jason Roy (Sharjah Warriorz), Fakhar Zaman (Desert Vipers), Shai Hope (Dubai Capitals), (Lockie Ferguson (Desert Vipers), Roston Chase (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Matthew Wade (Sharjah Warriorz), Ibrahim Zadran (Gulf Giants) and Romario Shepherd (MI Emirates) make their DP World ILT20 debuts and dazzle the crowds in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Meanwhile, the teams can add more players or replacements to their squads upon clearance from the ILT20 Technical Committee. Teams can also add additional UAE players to their squads via a Draft which will take place after the conclusion of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament next month. Details of the tournament will be shared in the coming days.Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (New Signers): Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Gudakesh Motie, Hassan Khan, Roston Chase and Terrance Hinds. Retentions: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Ghous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper and Sunil Narine. Desert Vipers (New signees): Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Fakhar Zaman, Lockie Ferguson and Max Holden. Retentions: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Luke Wood, Michael Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri and Wanindu Hasaranga. Dubai Capitals (New signees): Adam Rossington, Brandon McMullen, Garuka Sanketh, Gulbadin Naib, Jeffrey Vandersay, Joe Burns, Joe Weatherley, Najibullah Zadran, Obed McCoy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Shai Hope.Retentions: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Oliver Stone. Gulf Giants (New signees):  Adam Lyth, Dominic Drakes, Daniel Worrall, Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Adair, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills and Wahidullah Zadran.Retentions: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zuhaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, and Shimron Hetmyer. MI Emirates (New signees): Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Fareed Ahmad, Thomas Jack Draca, Ben Charlesworth.Retentions: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil. Sharjah Warriorz (New signees): Adam Milne, Adil Rashid (played for Warriorz in Season 2 as a Wildcard pick), Ashton Agar, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Daniel Sams, Gus Atkinson, Harmeet Singh, Jason Roy, Karim Janat, Keemo Paul, Matthew Wade, Virandeep Singh and Tim Seifert.Retentions: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.