Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Holland's Ambassador in Islamabad Henny de Vries hosted a reception to honor the Dutch team of Oldenzaal Hockey Club (OHC) aiming to highlight the pivotal role of sports diplomacy in fostering international relations and building bridges between nations.Henny de Vries said on this occasion: “Hockey holds a special place in the hearts of both the Dutch and Pakistani people, and it this week is a testament to the power of sports in bridging cultures and fostering understanding. The matches played in Lahore, and the upcoming match in Islamabad, have not only showcased the skill and ability of our athletes but have also provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and mutual appreciation.”The Ambassador expressed her gratitude to Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy for extending the invitation to the club and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for their invaluable support. The presence of such influential voices from the media, sports, and diplomatic community underscored the collective commitment to leveraging sports as a vehicle for strengthening international relations.Through initiatives such as these, the Dutch Ambassador emphasized the willingness to continue leveraging the power of sports to foster mutual understanding and friendship between the Netherlands and Pakistan.Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC assured of HEC support in the revival of Hockey through the generating national and international opportunities for aspiring players. He also thanked the Dutch embassy for coming forward for a noble cause of promoting sports and cultural exchange excursions in Pakistan. Also, Incharge Sports & Co-curricular Activities Division HEC, Javed Ali Memon, sports personalities, and diplomats attended the ceremony.

Sports Bulletin ReportJeddah (Saudi Arabia): Lebanon overpowered Saudi Arabia 3-2 in a group stage match of the 2024 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Championship on Wednesday night, and the hosts’ hopes ended to reach the semifinal of the prestigious women’s soccer fixture.In another spirited performance where improvements under new head coach Lluís Cortés were again apparent, Lana Abdulrazak and Seba Tawfiq showcased their talent by scoring goals for Saudi Arabia. Still, despite their efforts, Lebanon emerged victorious with goals from Christy Maalouf and Syntia Salha, securing a spot in the semi-finals and effectively ending Saudi goals from Christy Maalouf and Syntia Salha were enough for Lebanon to seal victory and send them through to the semi-finals.While qualification from Group A is out of Saudi Arabia’s reach in the team’s first-ever appearance in the competition, they have another opportunity to showcase their talent against Guam on Friday night in the third and final group stage fixture.Taking place in Jeddah until February 29, the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship is the first official 11-a-side women’s tournament ever held in Saudi Arabia. This year’s eighth edition is the latest international football tournament making its way to Jeddah, where both the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and 2022 WAFF Futsal Championship have been held.

Pakistani Ahmed Nael, and Jacob, Shijie, and Kaigaoge qualify for Boys’ Singles semifinalsAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Ekaterina Pestereva from Russia, Paramee Tadkaew from Thailand, Stefaniya Neporent from Belarus, and Kira Kalinouskaya from Belarus advanced into the semifinals of the Girls’ Singles discipline of the ITF Pakistan Zainab Ali Naqvi Memorial World Junior Championship Leg-2 after beating their respective opponents in quarterfinals here at PTF -SDA Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue on Thursday.Rising tennis lad, Ahmed Nael Qureshi kept the hope alive of Pakistan for the title, as he thrashed his challenger Dong Hyeon Euom from Korea in straight sets 2-0 with the final score-line of 6-4, and 6-2. Also, Jacob Kailiang Shen from Hong Kong, Shijie Chen from China, and Kaigaoge Kang from China jumped into semifinals after winning their respective matches.Results:Boys’ Singles (Quarterfinals):Jacob Kailiang Shen (HKG) beat Jiwan Park (KOR) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3Shijie Chen (CHN) beat Ahtesham Humayun (PAK) 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1Kaigaoge Kang (CHN) beat Oscar Reilly (NED) 6-4, 6-4Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) beat Dong Hyeon Euom (KOR) 6-4, 6-2Girls’ Singles (Quarterfinals):Ekaterina Pestereva (RUS) beat Gehansa Don (SRI) 6-0, 6-2Paramee Tadkaew (THA) beat Chaewon Whang (KOR) 6-2, 6-2Stefaniya Neporent (BLR) beat Jingke Yan (CHN) 6-3, 6-4Kira Kalinouskaya (BLR) beat Katsiaryna Dubik (BLR) 3-1(Retd)Girls’ Doubles (Semifinals):Gyuree Nam (KOR) / Chaewon Whang (KOR) beat Dicle Izgi (TUR) / Paramee Tadkaew (THA) 6-1, 6-2Stefaniya Neporent(BLR) / Ekaterina Pestereva(RUS) beat Deniz Cakil (TUR) / Jingke Yan (CHN) 6-0, 6-4

Badar Munir leads Green Shirts to win with a superb knock of 129 runs off 63 ballsSports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Pakistan Blinds Cricket team defeated arch-rival India by 5 wickets in the first contest of the 3-match Blinds Cricket T-20 bilateral series at International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Academy Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday.Captain Nisar Ali won the toss and opted to put India in to bat first. Pakistan's bowler Badar Munir made an early breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Sunil Ramesh in the third over. Despite this, India managed a competitive total of 213 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Indian captain Dargah Rao contributed with 61 runs off 42 balls, while Venkatesh Rao scored 49 runs off 37 balls. Pakistan's bowlers Badar Munir and Kamran Akhter claimed 2 wickets each.In response, Pakistan faced early setbacks, losing a couple of wickets, including Captain Nisar Ali, who scored 18 runs off 11 balls. However, Badar Munir took the charge with an exceptional innings, and guided Pakistan to chase down the target of 214 runs in the 20th over with 5 wickets in hand. Badar Munir's unbeaten knock of 129 runs off 63 balls, including 5 sixes and 18 fours, proved decisive. Indian bowlers Durga Rao Parsaad and Nakulabadanayak managed to take one wicket each.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Australia’s men extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a convincing victory over Spain as FIH Hockey Pro League action continued in Rourkela, India on Wednesday.As they have done in several of their previous matches, the Kookaburras came from behind to beat the Spanish 4-1 in an encounter where the Red Sticks were left to rue numerous missed shots and ill-discipline. (Men’s) Australia beat Spain (4-1): Pepe Cunill ran out for Spain for a 50th time in a losing cause as Australia came from behind to win 4-1. The match got off to a flying start with two excellent team goals. Pere Amat gave the Red Sticks the lead with a second-minute tap-in before Flynn Ogilvie responded for the Kookaburras two minutes later. Nathan Ephraums then put Australia ahead with skilful work close to the goalkeeper in the eighth minute before both keepers had the final say in the quarter. Johan Durst made a good double save for Australia and Rafael Revilla saved two drag flicks as the clock ran down. The second quarter produced fewer opportunities until Jeremy Hayward’s drag flick for Australia screamed in off the postman’s head in the 25th minute. Spain laced a shot wide in the final seconds of the half and Australia led 3-1 at the break.The second half was hard-fought and physical, and both teams were creative and looked dangerous if they found space to attack. The Kookaburras had a good spell towards the end of the third quarter and were rewarded when Tim Brand squeezed in a field goal in the 44th minute. That ended the scoring but not the action as Australia picked up a green card and Spain were handed two yellows in the final quarter. (Men’s) Netherlands beat India (1-1 SO: 4-2): The Netherlands and hosts India played out a cracking 1-1 draw to earn a point each, with the Dutch winning the shootout 4-2 for a bonus point. The Indians created the first scoring opportunities of the match, but it was Floris Middendorp who pounced on a rebound to score his first international goal for the Netherlands in the fourth minute. Krishan Pathak then made a crucial double save off a penalty corner as the clock ran down on the first quarter. The second period was hard-fought but remained goalless, meaning the Dutch led 1-0 at half-time.India started building momentum through an intense third quarter and found an equaliser in the 38th minute, Hardik Singh finishing sharply from a recycled penalty corner. India promptly threw away possession with a poor pass across their own 23-yard area, but Pathak was on hand with another great save to set up a tense finish. Both teams had their chances in a thrilling last quarter, but when the final hooter sounded the scores remained locked at 1-1, and the Dutch prevailed 4-2 in the ensuing shootout.

Mohammad RizwanBusan (Korea): Day 6 of the ITTF World Team Championships Finals 2024 brought the tournament to a fever pitch as teams clashed in a battle for quarterfinals and Olympic qualification. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as players left their hearts on the table, striving for their chance to make history on the world stage. Eleven more teams joined the ranks of Olympic qualifiers. In the women’s teams, the stakes were higher than ever for the host nation, Korea Republic, as they squared off against Team Brazil in a pivotal match that would determine their Olympic fate. With the crowd roaring in support, the Korean team delivered a stellar performance, overcoming a fierce Brazilian squad to secure their place in Paris. Shin Yubin, Team Korea Republic said: I’m really grateful for all members of our team, and I’m happy now. As I think about the Olympics, I want to make sure I leave no stone unturned. I'm aiming to go out there and give it everything I've got. My goal is simple: no regrets. I want to finish every match knowing I've left it all on the table and given my absolute best." - Across the court, Chinese Taipei battled against a determined Indian side in a nail-biting encounter that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Chinese Taipei fought back from a 0-1 deficit against India, crushing the early optimism of the Indian side. India was unable to maintain their momentum and Chinese Taipei ultimately secured their Olympic berth, leaving India heartbroken at the round of 16 hurdle. Japan's powerhouse squad left no doubt about their Olympic aspirations, delivering a dominant performance against Croatia, leaving spectators in awe of their tenacity. The women stamped their authority with a commanding display and will now face the Elizabeth Samara led Romanian team. In the men’s teams, Korea Republic's dominant performance against India ignited the crowd with fervour and anticipation. Their straight set win not only secured their place in the quarterfinals but also confirmed their spot in Paris 2024. Meanwhile, Portugal achieved their goal of Olympic qualification with a thrilling victory over Croatia, earning them a hard-earned ticket to the next round against Team France. Germany's gritty victory over Iran also saw them securing their spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. As the intensity of the competition continued to escalate, Chinese Taipei's gripping encounter with Sweden unfolded in a five-set thriller that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final point. Despite the valiant efforts of the European Champions, Chinese Taipei emerged victorious, securing their passage to Paris and adding another remarkable chapter to their storied campaign. The final ticket to Paris in Busan was claimed by Denmark, whose resilience and determination were on full display in a gruelling match against Slovenia. Anders Lind, Team Denmark, said: “I feel absolutely amazing. This is one of the happiest moments in my career. What makes me even happier is my team, because we had a lot of matches in the last 24 hours and we’re very tired. I’m so proud of them and myself, we’re all happy.” Qualifiers are joining the ranks of teams already bound for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Among the women's teams, China, Australia, Egypt, Germany, USA, and Brazil had already secured their spots, while in the men's division, China, Australia, Egypt, Sweden, Brazil, and Canada had already booked their tickets to Paris. As the dust settled on an exhilarating day of competition and Olympic spots secured, teams are now shifting their focus to their pursuit of medals in Busan.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Muzamil Murtaza claimed two titles of the RLK Group Punjab Open Tennis Championship 2024 that concluded on a high note at the Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah Lahore on Wednesday.Muzamil Murtaza showcased his supremacy on the court by first securing victory in the men's singles final against M Abid with scores of 6-4, 7-6. He didn't stop there; teaming up with Abdullah Adnan, Muzamil also triumphed in the men's doubles final, overcoming the duo of M Abid and Waqas Malik with a 6-3, 7-5 victory. "Winning not just one, but two titles at this championship feels surreal. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication we have put in," Murtaza expressed post-victory. The championship also saw Shimza Durab clinching the ladies' singles title by defeating Bismel Zia with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 in the final, showcasing her prowess on the court. The seniors' categories were equally competitive, with notable victories from Talha Waheed (GO Pakistan) and Arif Feroze in the doubles 45 plus category, and seniors champion Rashid Malik demonstrating his undiminished skill in the seniors 50 plus singles, outwitting Fayyaz Khan by 6-1, 6-1. The seniors 60 plus doubles title was claimed by Brig Ghazanfar/Waqar Nisar, who outshone Maj Saeed/Mubeen Malik 6-2, 6-1. In the boys/girls U-14 final, Abdur Rehman beat Huzaima 6-0. In the boys/girls U-12 final, Muaz Shahbaz beat Ohad e Mustafa 6-2 while the boys/girls U-10 title was lifted by Ayan Shahbaz, who thrashed Ehsan Bari 6-1. The concluding ceremony was graced by Dr. Rashid Latif Khan, Chairman of the RLK Group, as the chief guest, with Hasan Said, Director of RLSB, serving as the guest of honor. Hasan Said played a pivotal role in the tournament's successful organization. "Our commitment to tennis is unwavering. We aim not just to host tournaments but to nurture young talent, helping them bring glory to our nation," Dr. Khan remarked during the prize distribution ceremony. PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik extended his gratitude towards the RLK Group for their all-out support. "Their sponsorship and support have been invaluable. It is our collective hope to make this championship a cornerstone of Pakistan's tennis calendar," Malik stated. The tournament, celebrated for its competitive spirit and high professional standards, not only provided a platform for showcasing talent but also reaffirmed the commitment of the RLK Group and the PLTA towards the development of tennis in Pakistan.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Bank Alfalah National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2024 witnessed spectacular victories for BN Polo and FG Polo in their respective matches at the Lahore Polo Club on Wednesday. BN Polo showcased a stellar performance to secure a win against Olympia/AZB Polo with a score of 9-7. The dynamic duo of Babar Naseem and Hamza Mawaz Khan led the charge, netting three goals each, with Santiago Loza adding two more and Santos Iriarte chipping in with one. Olympia/AZB Polo's counterattack was spearheaded by Abdul Rehman Monnoo, who scored three goals, while Ahmed Zubair Butt and Nicolas Corti each contributed two goals. The match kicked off with BN Polo quickly establishing a 2-0 lead, maintaining the momentum to double their advantage by the end of the second chukker. Olympia/AZB Polo mounted a formidable comeback, leveling the score at 4-4, before BN Polo narrowly edged ahead to close the chukker at 5-4. The fourth chukker saw both teams locked in a tight contest, but BN Polo managed to maintain a one-goal lead. The decisive fifth chukker was fiercely contested, with BN Polo outscoring their opponents to clinch the victory at 9-7. The day's second match was an equally intense affair, with FG Polo edging out Diamond Paints/Master Paints by a narrow margin of 8-7. Raul Laplacette was the hero for FG Polo, delivering an outstanding performance with seven goals, while Raja Mikayial Sami contributed one goal. Diamond Paints/Master Paints' effort was led by Martin Gandhara with four goals, Mir Huzaifa with two, and Raja Temur Nadeem adding one to the tally. Following these matches, the league phase of the tournament concluded, with FG Polo, BN Polo, and DS Polo tied at six points each atop the points table. A penalty shootout will determine the team advancing directly to the final, while the second and third-place teams will face off in the semifinals on Friday.

Eight foreign players and 2 locals Ahmed Nael and Ahtesham reach the top-8 stageSports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: As many as 8 foreign players and 2 Pakistani Ahmed Nael Qureshi and Ahtesham Humayun moved into the quarterfinals of the Boys’ Singles fixture of the ITF Pakistan Zainab Ali Naqvi Memorial World Junior Championship Leg-2 after beating their respective rivals here at PTF -SDA Tennis Complex Garden Avenue on Wednesday.Results:Boys’ Singles (Pre-Quarterfinals:Jacob Kailiang Shen (HKG) beat Xiuyuan guo (CHN) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1Jiwan Park (KOR) beat Doruk Elbirlik (TUR) 4-6, 6-0, 6-0Kaigaoge Kang (CHN) beat Bilal Asim (PAK) 6-2, 6-4Dong Hyeon Euom (KOR) beat Amir Mazari (PAK) 6-1, 6-0Shijie Chen (CHN) beat Hamid Israr (PAK) 6-2, 6-4Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) beat Makarov (RUS) 3-0 (Retd)Ahtesham Humayun (PAK) beat Ilya Kryukov (RUS) 4-0 (Retd)Oscar Reilly (NED) beat Mohammad Hamza Aasim (PAK) 7-6 (5), 6-4Girls’ Singles (Pre-Quarterfinals):Stefaniya Neporent (BLR) beat Deniz Cakil (TUR) 7-5, 6-3Gehansa Methndi (SRI) beat Sheeza Sajid (PAK) 6-2, 6-1Ekatrenia Pestereva (RUS) beat Hinru Zhong (CHN) 6-2, 7-6 (2)Chaewon Whang (KOR) beat Lidia Ratobylskaya (RUS) 6-1, 6-0Paramee Tadkaew (THA) 6-0, 6-1Katsiaryna Dubik (BLR) beatJosefa Beatrice (PHI) 6-1, 6-0Kira Kalinouskaya (BLR) beat Dicle Izgi (TUR) 6-1, 6-3Boys’ Doubles (Quarterfinals):Dong Hyeon Euom (KOR) / Jiwan Park (KOR) beat Kieran Lin (USA) / Ivan Makarov (RUS) 6-3, 6-3Hamid Israr (PAK) / Papangkorn Bunyarit(THA) beat Howard Chan (HKG)/ Xiuyuan Guo 6-4, 6-1Bilal Asim / Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) beat Ulad Dalbusin (RUS) / Ilya Kryukov(RUS) 6-3, 6-1Girls’ Doubles (Quarterfinals):Ekatrenia Pestereva (RUS) / Stefaniya Neporent (BLR) beat Kira Kalinouskaya (BLR) / Katsiaryna Dubik (BLR) 4-1 (retd)Deniz Cakil (TUR) / Jingke Yan (CHN) beat Deren Cetinkaya (TUR) / Sheeza Sajid (PAK) 6-1, 6-0.

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The recently concluded DP World ILT20 Season 2 captured the attention of fans worldwide with its enthralling displays of athleticism and competitive cricket. However, beyond the fierce battles between international giants, this tournament provided a mega platform to unearth the burgeoning talent of UAE's own cricketers.Mohammad Waseem: The opening batter from the United Arab Emirates was the fourth highest run-getter this edition, with 321 runs in 12 matches at an impressive strike rate of 148. Providing an impetus at the top with his aggressive stroke play, Waseem’s exploits were crucial to the MI Emirates stellar campaign. The MI Emirates were the first team to secure their place in the play offs and subsequently went on to win the championship.Waseem’s stand out knock of the season came against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, where he struck an unbeaten 89 to ensure the MI Emirates would coast home with eight wickets in hand. Waseem’s tournament exploits earned him the Blue Belt which came with a cash purse of $15,000 for being the most outstanding UAE player, second time in a row.Alishan Sharafu: The top order batter for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had a good season compiling 220 runs in the 11 innings he batted in, at a strike rate of 120. While his contributions played a significant role in his team’s qualification to the play-offs, his match winning knock of 82 not out from 47 deliveries against the Desert Vipers while chasing 155 was the fourth highest individual score in the tournament and also his best performance.Mohammad Jawadullah: Returning to his second season with the Sharjah Warriors, the left arm pacer was one of the leading wicket takers for the Sharjah Warriors this season with 10 wickets in 8 matches. Although the team had a forgettable season finishing in last place, the 24-year-old was consistent with his lines and lengths. His best performance of the tournament was against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders where he picked up 3 wickets for only 5 runs with an economy rate of 2.5 runs per over.Zuhaib Zubair: The Gulf Giants’ Zuhaib Zubair was one of the best bowlers from the UAE this season. In eight matches, the leg-spinner picked up 11 wickets with his leg breaks at an average of 16. He also logged some of the best figures of the tournament when he finished with 4/22 to power the Giants to a mammoth 79 run victory against the Sharjah Warriors.Mohammad Rohid: The 21-year-old left arm quick from the MI Emirates impressed one and all with his bowling, picking up nine wickets in the 16 overs he’s bowled in the tournament. While he may not have been among the top wicket takers of the tournament, his bowling showed a lot of promise. His best performance came against the Desert Vipers where he picked three for 21 in three overs, accounting for the wickets of Alex Hales, Adam Hose and Azam Khan.