Softball gets boost as SFP signs agreement with Joshila Sports

KARACHI: The Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) has signed an MoU with Joshila Sports who will design and provide kits and tracksuits for Pakistan softball in international events as federation’s technical partner.

It will also provide kits for Pakistan officials who will participate in Softball Asia international coaching and training courses, umpiring and technical officials’ seminars and workshops.

Meanwhile, it will also be making kits for other national events organised by SFP at subsidised rates.

The MoU was signed between SFP’s chairperson Tehmina Asif and CEO Joshila Sports Samiul Rasool. SFP secretary Asif Azeem and director Joshila Sports Mohammad Saad Sami were also present on the occasion.

On the occasion, Samiul Rasool said that his firm was exporting sports goods to five continents.

“We want to provide international standard sports goods to athletes of other sports along with cricket and football so quality doesn’t impede their focus to perform well for the country,” he said.

He added that they were proud to be the technical partner of the softball federation as he sees great talent present among his countrymen and he want to see the sport prosper.

“We will continue to support the federation to the best of our capacity,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tehmina said that it has been the first time that the federation has received sponsorship for complete kits. Pakistan softball teams are scheduled to play in many international events for the next three years.

She thanked Joshila Sports on behalf of the federation for patronising softball in the country.

Iftikhar Academy, District South in basketball final

KARACHI: Iftikhar Syed Academy, District South have reached the final by defeating their respective opponents in the semifinals of DMC East Karachi Mini Basketball Olympics at Abdul Nasir Courts in Arambagh on Thursday.

In the first semifinal match of the day, Iftikhar Syed Academy beat District Korangi 50-46.

Main scorers for the winners were Tashfeen Zaidi 18 points while Kashif Sarwari and Asad Mirza scored 15 and 16 points respectively.

In the second semi final match, District South overcame District East 42-40.

Raj Lakhwani and Daniyal Ahmed were main scorers for the winners. They scored 14 and 12 points respectively.

Earlier, players of both teams were introduced to KBBA president Ghulam Muhammad Khan who was the chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest paid tribute to chairman DMC East Moid Anwar for organising the grand event to provide positive opportunity to the city youth.

International Abdul Nasir and Muhammad Yaqoob were also present on the occasion.—Agencies

Brilliant Nameer tops ITF Level II coaching course

KARACHI: Young tennis player and organiser Nameer Shamsi has earned a distinction for Pakistan as he recently topped the ITF Level II Coaching Course amongst all international participants.

After his fine achievement, Nameer has become Pakistan’s youngest Level II coach and the non-playing captain of Pakistan U-14 team. Nameer is also a former junior number one for Pakistan as well as a junior Davis Cupper.

Nameer did his high school from Evert Tennis Academy School and later graduated from Augusta University, Georgia, where he was in the university tennis team, an athlete scholar and on President Honor Roll for all four years. Currently, he is doing his Masters from Szabist and is also the program director of Shamsi Tennis Academy.—Agencies

Two polo matches decided

LAHORE: Black Horse Paints/Artema Medical and Master Paints Black won their last league matches of the Hamadan Polo Cup for Lahore Open Polo Championship here at Lahore Polo Club ground on Thursday.

Five goals by Hamza Mawaz Khan helped Black Horse Paints/Artema Medical overcome spirited Dascon Construction Company/Guard Group 6-5. Besides Mawaz, the remaining one goal was converted by Ahmed Bilal Riaz. From the losing side, Saqib Khan Khakwani hammered a hat-trick while Taimur Ali Malik and Hamza Khan hit one goal each.

Six goals from Manuel Carranza inspired Master Paints Black to chalk-up a 7-4 win against Diamond Paints. Ahmed Zubair Butt scored the other goal for the winners. From the losing side, Mir Shoaib Ahmed, Huzaifa Ahmed, Jack William and Stuart Hyde struck one goal apiece.—Sports Reporter

Tariq, Mukhtar shine

LAHORE: Fine batting from Tariq Nawaz and equally good bowling by Mukhtar Ahmed helped Cricket Centre outgun Apollo Club by 122 runs in the league match of the 23rd Tauseef Trophy Cricket Championship at the Cricket Centre Ground on Thursday.

Tariq hit a fine knock of 84 with the help of three sixes and eight boundaries as the winners piled up 225 for eight in their stipulated 35 overs. In reply, Apollo Club slumped to 103 all out in 19 overs as Mukhtar finished with 3-8.

Summarised scores:

CRICKET CENTRE 225-8 in 35 overs (Tariq Nawaz 84, Mohammad Waheed 38, Raza Ali Dar 26, Mukhtar Ahmed 24 not out, Imran Khalid 22; Usaid Amin 2-28, Mubashir Aslam 2-38, Asad Rafiq 2-39); APOLLO CLUB 103 in 19 overs (Mohammad Akhlaq 57; Mukhtar Ahmed 3-8, Qaiser Ashraf 2-22, Imran Khalid 2-23).

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2019