Figure skating camp held in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan (WSFP) organised a three-day figure skating training camp at Safa Gold Mall, Islamabad the other day.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Air Force on Monday, Mallak Faisal, a UAE-based Pakistani sensation, alongside her mother and mentor Nesrien Saadawi have especially arrived in Pakistan on the invitation of WSFP.

The talented duo imparted training to young figure skating enthusiasts seeking to excel in this exhilarating sport during the camp that started on Friday and concluded on Sunday. Around 70 aspirants of various age categories availed this free of cost opportunity.

A similar camp will be held in Karachi during the last week of this month to harness the potential of youngsters.

The statement said that the WSFP under the auspices of PAF was earnestly striving to promote winter sports across Pakistan.

“Eager participation of the youth of our country in this healthy and exciting activity is a sign of huge potential in winter sports. The WSFP also plans to open a full-scale indoor simulator in Karachi to facilitate the winter sport lovers from Southern chapter,” read the PAF statement.

It added that in order to promote ice hockey, ice skating and figure skating in Pakistan’s snowy regions, the WSFP has also planned to develop ice skating rinks in the winter season over various frozen lakes, scattered around Gilgit, Skardu and KP region.—Sports Reporter


Bounce Club, Omega in final of Commissioner Cup

KARACHI: Defending Champion Bounce Club and Omega Club defeated their respective opponents in the semifinals to reach the final of the ongoing 3rd Commissioner SSB Cup Basketball Tournament being organized by KBBA in collaboration with Pakistan Sports Welfare Association at Arambagh basketball courts on Sunday night.

In the first semi-final, Bounce Club overcame Karachi Basketball club 54-38. Saifullah Nosherwani and Zia Ahmed 18 points each were the main scoffers for the winners with good support from Mubashir who scored 16 valuable points. For the losing side, main scorers were Asad Imam 16 points and Jahanzeb Abbasi 10 points.

In the second semi-final, Omega Club beat Mumbasa Squad 56-47. Usman Rehman and Usman Khalid both scored 18 points to lead their team to success while Anas Azhar was also in good form and scored 16 valuable points. For the losing side Naeem Awan scored 13 points.

Basketball coach Zahid Malik was the chief guest at the first semi-final while KBBA treasurer Agha Muhammad was the chief guest at the second semi-final. KBBA president Ghulam Muhammad Khan, Mr Abdul Nasir, Muhammad Yqoob and others were also present.


NCA’s U-19 regional academies set up

LAHORE: Fourteen U-19 academies in different regions were set up on Monday under the supervision of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

A total of 320 teen-aged cricketers, 20 from each of the 16 regions, are taking part in the programme — to continue for the next two weeks — that has been designed keeping in mind future pathways and better career opportunities, including potential selections in the upcoming U-19 and first-class tournaments, as well as the 2020 ICC U-19 World Cup. The regional cricketers were selected earlier this year and the 20-player groups also comprise players from all the districts who had been invited for open trials.

While Karachi and Multan are also housing cricketers from Larkana and Dera Murad Jamali regions, respectively, other regions hosting the academies include Abbottabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Faisalabad, Fata, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Sialkot.—Sports Reporter


Jansher backs juniors to shine in upcoming events

ISLAMABAD: Former world squash champion Jansher Khan is hopeful the Pakistani junior players will demonstrate good performances in the upcoming Asian Junior and World Junior individual squash championships.

The 26th Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship is set to start in Macau on Wednesday. Eight players will represent the country in U-19, U-17, U-15 and U-13 age groups. The World Junior will be held in August.

“Sadly no Pakistani player has been able to win the world junior squash championship. By virtue of untiring efforts and huge spending of money by the Pakistan Squash Federation and the way players are getting tough training in Egypt for almost couple of months it is hoped that such hard work of coaches and players will prove quite productive to win both events,” Jansher said in a statement on Monday.—Sports Reporter


Pakistan blank Bhutan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan outclassed Bhutan 3-0 in the first group tie of the South Asia Regional Qualifying event of ITF Asia 12 & Under Team Competition being held in Dhaka.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Tennis Federation on Monday, the Pakistan players outplayed their opponents by defeating them in straight sets.

Ahtesham Humayun gave Pakistan early advantage by easily overwhelming Jigme Pemk 6-1, 6-0 before Haider Ali Rizwan crushed Yoecer Dorji Wangchuk 6-0, 6-1 and the doubles pair of Haider and Hussnain Ali completed the win by beating Jigme Pemk and Tuhi Winu Tsher 6-2, 6-0.

Pakistan have been placed alongside Bangladesh, Bhutan and India in the group for the regional qualifying event.—Sports Reporter


POA celebrates Olympic Day

LAHORE: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) celebrated the Olympic Day at its headquarters on Sunday.

Secretary POA Khalid Mahmood said several hockey Olympians, elite athletes, presidents and secretaries of various national sports federations also participated in the ceremony. The POA secretary said the participants were given a presentation on how precisely NOC Pakistan was focusing on the Olympic Agenda.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.