Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Top national tennis lady, Sarah Mehboob has won the title of Subh-e-Nau Ladies National Ranking Tennis Tournament 2022 after crushing Noor Malik 2-0 in a single sided final that was played at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue Islamabad on Friday. Sarah Mahboob Khan daughter of tennis coach Mehboob Khan proved a hard nut not to crack for Noor Malik, who could win each one game in the both sets. The final score-line was 6-1 and 6-1. Pakistan number one Sarah exhibited top class tennis and did not allow her opponent to settle on the court during the whole match.   President, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Salim Saifullah Khan graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed the prizes among the players. The President PTF lauded the efforts of Shahida Kausar Farooq for organizing the tournament for the promotion of women's tennis in Pakistan. He also congratulated both the finalists on their performance.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-PSF Level-1 Strength and Conditioning Course concluded on Friday at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad that was held from February 1 to 4, 2022 under the control of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF). According to an official of PSF, as many as 14 males and females participated in the 4-day course from all over the country. Zohra Abdullah topped the said course. The 4-days course was very successfully conducted by internationally qualified officials Mohammad Boota and Mohammad Kashif. Also, Dr Shabina and Dr Qurat Ul Ain from Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) delivered lectures on Doping and Sports Psychology. In the closing ceremony certificates were awarded to all participants. The participants were keen to learn during the course. Names of participants: Faraz Mohammad, Fazal Shah, Asif Khan, Asir Mehmood, Fazal Mehmood, Tayyab Irfan, Waseem Umer, Mohammad Saqib, Naeem Hussain, Qasim Norani, Ibrahim Norani, Zohra Abdullah, Aima Aamir, Umm-e-Kulsoom  

MANCHESTER (By H Shah):-Chris Silverwood has left his role as England Men’s Head Coach. The interim arrangement for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies will be announced in due course, says a press release. ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: “During his time in the role Chris has given absolutely everything to make a success of it. He is a man of great integrity, who players and staff alike have enjoyed working with. “Under Chris, England Men’s white ball teams have been ranked first and second in the world while he also led the Test team to a number of series wins including away in South Africa and Sri Lanka. “He has led the England Men’s team with great resilience and empathy through an incredibly challenging period for English cricket, and he deserves our sincere thanks and gratitude. “In the coming days Andrew Strauss will appoint a caretaker coach for the tour of the West Indies and will then consider the appropriate coaching structures to help England move forwards.” Chris Silverwood said: “It’s been an absolute honour to be England Head Coach, and I’m extremely proud to have worked alongside our players and staff. I want to thank them all for the hard work and commitment they have given during my time in the role and I wish them all the very best moving forward. “The last two years have been very demanding but I have really enjoyed my time with the team and working with Rooty and Morgs, and I am very proud of this group considering the challenges. I leave with fond memories and I am now looking forward to spending some quality time at home with my family and embracing the next chapter.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Australia today announced the revised itinerary of the 2022 Australia men’s cricket team’s tour of Pakistan for three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I. The tour will now start and end in Rawalpindi with the opening Test to be played from 4-8 March and the four white-ball matches to be played from 29 March to 5 April. The change in the first Test venue means that the second Test will be played in Karachi from 12-16 March and the third in Lahore from 21-25 March. PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain: “We are pleased that the Cricket Australia Board has formally approved their side’s five-week tour itinerary and confirmed that their best available players will visit Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. We are really excited to host Pat Cummins and his players, and look forward to a competitive series that will comprise three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I. “While Australia will arrive at the back of strong performances in their home series against England, our team has been playing excellent cricket resulting in our players sweeping the ICC Awards. This braces for a keenly contested series, something that the fans will thoroughly enjoy and remember for a long time.” The schedule has been revised to ease logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid Pakistan Day rehearsals, which usually commence in Islamabad in the second week of March. The two cricket boards have also agreed that the Australia Test side will complete their isolation in Australia, before arriving in Islamabad on 27 February on a chartered flight. After a one-day room isolation, they will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Australia’s white-ball players are expected to arrive in Lahore on 24 March following isolation in Australia. After a one-day isolation upon arrival, they will integrate with other members of the side and travel to Islamabad for the first ODI in Rawalpindi on 29 March. The Tests will be part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs are linked to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League from which the top eight sides, including hosts India, will qualify directly for the 2023 50-over World Cup. Revised schedule: 27 Feb – Arrival in Islamabad 4-8 Mar – 1st Test, Rawalpindi 12-16 Mar – 2nd Test, Karachi 21-25 Mar – 3rd Test, Lahore 29 Mar – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi 31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi 2 April – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi 5 Apr – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is delighted that the Climbing community has been nominated three times in two categories for the Laureus World Awards 2022, the global sporting distinction that recognises and celebrates the world’s greatest athletes, the inspirational power or sport, and its ability to change lives. Announced yesterday, this year’s nominees include Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Alberto Ginés Lopez of Spain in the Laureus World Action of the Year category. Known as the Spanish Spiderman, the 19-year-old became Sport Climbing’s first ever Olympic gold medallist at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 last summer. He is nominated alongside surfers Carissa Moore of the USA, and Italo Ferreira of Brazil, Japanese skateboarders Momiji Nishiya and Yuto Horigome, and BMX athlete Bethany Shriever of Great Britain. With this award not being presented in 2021, this year’s recipient will follow back-to-back winner and US snowboarding sensation Chloe Kim, who won the award in 2019 and 2020. The second Sport Climbing nominee is Monkey Magic, a programme that promotes free climbing among those with visual impairments. The initiative, led by Japanese Paraclimber Kobayashi Koichiro, is nominated for the Laureus Sport for Good award. The Sport for Good award is presented to an organisation or individual who, in the opinion of the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, has used the power of sport to improve the lives of young people. Monkey Magic uses Paraclimbing to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to exercise. By taking advantage of the characteristics and values of climbing, the programme hopes to create a more mature and prosperous society that recognises diversity regardless of disability, age, gender or culture. In the same Sport for Good category is our third nominee of the year: the German “Ich will da rauf” project. “Ich will da rauf,” which translates into English as “I want to get up there,” is a non-profit climbing community aimed at young people, with inclusivity at its core. Established in 2008, the IWDR currently has 14 fixed climbing groups. About half of the members, who range in age from 6 to 83, have a disability – such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, autism, muscular dystrophy – proving that absolutely anyone can climb. “These nominations are a fantastic achievement for our entire Sports Climbing community, and we celebrate each of them together,” said IFSC President Marco Scolaris. “It really demonstrates how our sport can be used for good throughout society and I am delighted to see our members and athletes being recognized for their work and achievements. We previously had one climbing athlete nominated for the Laureus World Action of the Year award back in 2002 and it is great to see our sport being recognised again 20 years later.”

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:- Pakistan and South Africa both signed off their ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaigns on a positive note with victories on Thursday. Two-time champions Pakistan eased past Sri Lanka in the fifth placed playoff after the two sides chances of lifting the trophy ended at the quarter-final stage last week. Meanwhile elsewhere in Antigua, South Africa finish in seventh place after a closely fought two-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Skipper Akram shines for Pakistan Pakistan were in command from the off at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, with openers Mohammad Shehzad and Haseebullah Khan dominating the Sri Lanka attack. The pair led Pakistan to 100 without loss, Shehzad eventually made 73 off just 69 deliveries before he was dismissed by vice-captain Raveen de Silva. But Khan was joined at the crease by the impressive skipper Qasim Akram and the two took the game away from Sri Lanka, putting on a superb stand. Both made centuries and took Pakistan beyond 350, Khan was finally gone when trapped by Matheesha Pathirana ending on 136. Akram remained unbeaten as his side closed on 365-3, setting their opponents a daunting task to claim fifth place. And the Sri Lankan response was in tatters after just two overs with Akram wreaking havoc with the new ball. The talented all-rounder removed openers Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Pawan Pathiraja for a combined total of just one, with Shevon Daniel also falling between the two. Ranuda Somarathna also went for a duck with Akram single-handedly reducing Sri Lanka to 4-15. From then on Sri Lanka were purely batting for pride. Their captain Dunith Wellalage didn’t go without a fight and made a brave 40, which included five boundaries. Vinuja Ranpul was in similarly defiant mood hitting 53 not out and his sides only two sixes of the match. But it wasn’t enough and Pakistan cleaned up a 238 run victory when Treveen Mathew was hit on the pads by Zeeshan Zameer’s full delivery, bowling out the Sri Lanka team inside 35 overs to secure 5th place. Excellent Brevis helps South Africa to narrow playoff win Over at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, South Africa were also aiming to end their time in the Caribbean on a high, taking on Bangladesh in the 7th place playoff. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh made a strong start reaching 50 without loss only for Mahfijul Islam to fall to Liam Alder in the 10th over. But fourth man in Ariful Islam kept maximum pressure on the South African attack, smashing 102 from 103 balls and finding the boundary on 12 separate occasions. The 17-year-old looked untouchable for so much of the Bangladeshi innings, right until the 47th over when Mathew Boast found a good line and Islam pulled his shot to South Africa captain George Van Heerden. The Bengal Tigers eventually reached a strong total of 293-8 at the end of their 50 overs. In reply, South Africa lost Jade Smith in the sixth over when outside edging Musfik Hasan’s delivery. But Dewald Brevis, who hit 97 in the quarter-final defeat to England, offered some hope for his team with a century eventually finishing with 138 off 130 balls. The other end was less reliable, Van Heerden and Gerhardus Maree both going cheaply, however Mathew Boast’s quickfire 41 from 22 kept them on track. In a nervy finale, it looked like Andile Simelane would take South Africa over the line, but he was run-out after tidy fielding from Ripon Mondol. But eventually they got the win, and seventh place, in fine style when Alder punched a big drive down the leg side that went for six, securing a two-wicket victory in the process. This bettered their final placing at the 2020 tournament where they finished eighth, but for defending champions Bangladesh a difficult three weeks ended in defeat.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The Initial Sports Programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028  will be composed of 28 sports, including skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing, with a strong focus on youth. It was approved by the 139th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Beijing. Names of approved games: World Athletics, World Rowing (FISA), Badminton World Federation (BWF), International Basketball Federation (FIBA), International Canoe Federation (ICF), Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), International Equestrian Federation (FEI), International Fencing Federation (FIE), Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), International Golf Federation (IGF), International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), International Handball Federation (IHF), International Hockey Federation (FIH), International Judo Federation (IJF), United World Wrestling (UWW), International Swimming Federation (FINA), World Rugby, World Taekwondo (WT), International Tennis Federation (ITF), International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), World Archery Federation (WA), World Triathlon (TRI), World Sailing (WS), International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), International Surfing Association (ISA), World Skate (WSK), International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). The possibility for LA28 to propose additional sports in 2023 A process for finalising the disciplines in each sport to provide early certainty to athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), IFs and the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG). The IOC and the LA28 Organising Committee renewed their joint commitment to prioritising a reduction in the cost and complexity of hosting the Games, including a review of each sport’s disciplines, which will be finalised prior to the IOC Session in 2023, in consultation with LA28 and the IFs. Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon may potentially be included in the LA28 Initial Sports Programme by the IOC Session in 2023 if by then the respective IFs have demonstrated to the IOC’s satisfaction that they have satisfactorily addressed the areas specified by the EB on 9 December 2021. This timeline will provide the IBA, the IWF and the UIPM with the additional time needed to effectively implement the critical reforms that have been announced by the respective IFs, and allow further consideration by the IOC EB.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Besides hosts Pakistan, the players from 9 other foreign countries including India will participate in the couple of ITF Pakistan Juniors International Ranking Tennis Championships, scheduled to be taken place from February 7 to 19, 2022 at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue Islamabad under the banner of International Tennis Federation (ITF) in two different phases. According to an official of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), the first ITF Pakistan AJ Towers International Junior Tennis Championships 7-12 February 7 to 12 while second ITF Pakistan Syed Dilawar Abbas Memorial International Junior Tennis Championships February 14 to 19, 2022 A Large number of junior players will be participating in these two events from all over the world including Great Britain (UK), Canada, Iran, India, Korea, Kazakhstan, Russia, Romania, Turkey and host Pakistan in Boys & Girls Under-18 Singles and Doubles categories. The qualifying round will start from February 5. The main draw matches will start from February 7, 2022. AJ Towers, A project of Aziz Group will be the main sponsor of the 1st event "ITF Pakistan AJ Towers International Junior Tennis Championships". AJ Towers, Real Estate entrepreneurs joined hands for the promotion of the game of tennis. President PTF, Salim Saifullah Khan and President Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA) Tariq Mehmood Murtaza showed their satisfaction with overall arrangements for smooth conduct of these events. International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved Mohammad Arif Qureshi ITF White Badge to conduct as Tournament Referee.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:- Top national tennis girl Sarah Mehboob pairing with Meheq Khokhar have won the Doubles title of the Subh-e-Nau Ladies National Ranking Tennis Tournament 2022 after outplaying Noor Malik and Amna Ali Qayum in straight sets 2-0 in the final at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Thursday. The final score-line was 6-1, 6-1. Both experienced girls displayed top quality tennis in the final and did not allow their challenger on the court to respond to their brilliant and excellent game. They (Sarah Mehboob and Meheq Khokhar) were too good for low ranking national girls in all departments. It was a single sided contest in the championship match. Later, in the Ladies Singles, Sarah Mehboob and Noor Malik defeated their opponents Meheq Khokar and Sheeza Sajid respectively in the first and semifinal at the same venue. Both semi finals ended in straight sets and both winners conceded each one game in both sets. The final will be played on Friday at PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue Islamabad. Results: Ladies Singles (Semi-Final): Sarah Mahboob beat Meheq Khokar 6-1, 6-0 Noor Malik (WAPDA) beat Sheeza Sajid 6-0, 6-1 Ladies Doubles (Final): Meheq Khokhar / Sarah Mahboob beat Noor Malik / Amna Ali Qayum 6-1, 6-1 Girls’ Under-14 (Final): Amna Ali Qayum bt Zunaisha Noor 6-0, 6-3

Bipin Dani Niroshan Dickwella, one of the three Sri Lanka cricketers who were suspended for bio-bubble breach in England has made the best use of his ban-period. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper batter has successfully graduated from Global Technological Campus (GTC) with OTHM Level 4 & 5 programme in Business Management awarded by OTHM (UK). "Niroshan Dickwella is a professional cricketer and his recent qualification is equivalent to the first and second years of a Bachelor’s Degree and will allow him to complete the final year at several prestigious universities in the UK", Mohamed Azmy, the institution's Chief Operations Officer, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said.  "As a professional sportsman, Niroshan is also interested in one of GTC’s exclusive programmes, the Advanced Diploma in Sports Management. This is a management programme with a specific practical focus on the Sporting Industry. The programme teaches management related topics from a sports perspective". "The programme also covers topics that are only relevant to the sporting industry like Nutrition & Health, Sports Psychology, Sports Coaching, Sports History and Contemporary Debates in Sports". This programme has been prepared by GTC for sports professionals with a long-term focus and plan on developing their careers in Sports Management. "Niroshan and many others studied and completed their courses during the height of COVID-19 pandemic and they have been awarded the certificates", he signed off.