Author: shahzad.malik

LAHORE: Pakistan’s ace tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq lamented no support from the government and federation for the betterment of the game in the country as he launched the Talent Hunt Program to groom the young players with the trials set to kick off tomorrow. 

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, the tennis star claimed that the country lacked a proper system that could produce quality tennis players and announced that his initiative would provide mentorship and assistance to the 16 young emerging players of the country to compete at the international level.

“We used to hear the same thing everywhere. Why is it that no player from the country emerges except for me and Aqeel Khan?” he said.

“In Pakistan, we don’t have such a system in place for tennis. When our players compete at the international level, they do not have that level of fitness.” he asserted

The national tennis player stated that they had hired the services of professional trainers and coaches for the best grooming of the young talent through the programme and would also help those players in finding sponsorships for their future endeavours.

The programme, which is set to begin on August 5, will be held in four major cities across Pakistan: Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi.

Approximately 400 tennis players will participate in trials in 4 cities and 16 selected players will be given complete training through professional physical trainers and tennis coaches for one year under the supervision of national tennis star Aisam.

“Right now we have very limited funds available. We will definitely launch the talent hunt in other parts of the country when we get more funding” he added.

Furthermore, the 42-year-old tennis player urged the Tennis federation and the government to support his initiative as he aimed to produce more tennis stars for the country.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce the squad for the scheduled ODI series against the Netherlands, next week, sources claimed.

According to the details, the training camp for the away ODI series will be set up here from August 6 to 11. Whereas, the called-up players will report to the National High-Performance Center (NHPC) on August 5.

Reports further suggest that the players will train at the NHPC and Gaddafi Stadium before departing for the Netherlands in the wee hours on August 12.

The Green Shirts will lock horns with the Netherlands in three ODIs, scheduled on August 16, 18, and 21 respectively.

READ: Pakistan Test team returns to the country after Sri Lanka tour 

LAHORE: Pakistan Test team on Friday landed in the country via Dubai after the conclusion of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

According to the details, Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam, alongside Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Ali Agha, Azhar Ali, and Shan Masood reached Allama Iqbal International Airport here.

Pakistan speedster Hairs Rauf, leg-spinner Yasir Shah, and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, on the other hand, landed at Islamabad International Airport.

Whereas, former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Fawad Alam, and Saud Shakeel reached Jinnah Terminal, Karachi on Friday morning.

Pakistan right-arm pacer, Hasan Ali, however, will be staying in Dubai, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed.

It is pertinent to mention here that Sri Lanka thrashed Pakistan by 246 runs in the second Test to level the two-match Test series 1-1. Following a humiliating defeat in the last test of the series, the Green Shirts have slipped to fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.

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LAHORE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa presented the winning team of the first COAS National Inter-Club Hockey Championship – Rana Zaheer Club – with a glittering trophy on Saturday.

Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was present as the special guest at the closing ceremony of the COAS Inter-Club hockey championship which concluded on Saturday as Rana Zaheer Club, Lahore, triumphed in a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Youth Hockey Club Malir, Karachi, in the final.

According to the details, Army Chief watched the thrilling final match between the two clubs before distributing the prizes among the players and also presented the trophy to the victorious team at the glittering closing ceremony.

The championship featured 10 clubs from across the country, which remained involved in exciting matches over a week-long period.

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ZURICH: The Fédération Internationale de Football (FIFA) has restored the international membership of Pakistan and has lifted all the bans on the football nation.

In the most recent development, the FIFA-designated Normalization Committee was able to successfully meet all the requirements, leading to an agreement by the football governing body to lift the ban on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

The lifting of the ban has made the Pakistan Football Team eligible to compete in international competitions, and national-level football activities will also resume.

In an official statement released by FIFA, the governing body confirmed the uplifting of the ban, which was imposed over undue third-party influence.

“The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided on 29 June 2022 to lift the suspension that was imposed on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) in April 2021 due to undue third-party interference,” the statement read.

“The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the normalisation committee of the PFF had regained full control of the PFF’s premises and was in a position to manage its finances,” the statement added.

FIFA’s nominated Normalization Committee will now begin the progress of holding the elections within the PFF, which was previously under illegal control by the Ashfaq Group.

In a video statement, Chairman NC Haroon Malik congratulated the nation for the uplifting of the ban and credited the tireless effort of the committee and the prayers of the football family.

“I would like to congratulate the nation as FIFA has uplifted the ban on Pakistan Football. I think it has become possible due to the tireless efforts of the Normalization Committee and the prayers of the Football family,” Haroon stated.

“FIFA has also extended the mandate of the NC by one year. Restoration of football, holding of PFF elections and return of assets will be the top priority,” he concluded.

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LAHORE: The dripping roof at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB)’s coaching centre, has halted the preparations of the National Wrestlers for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

The PSB coaching centre was hosting the national wrestlers’ training camp as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games, but the leaky roof has hampered their efforts.

The national wrestlers bemoaned missing the chance to train in pleasant weather after having done so while training in the sweltering heat.

“We have been training in the scorching heat for the last one month. There is no air conditioning facility in the hall, so we had to train in the hot conditions. As we were thinking to train in better weather today but unfortunately, more problems came up,” participating wrestlers lamented.

It is pertinent to mention here that the forthcoming Commonwealth Games will take place from July 28 to August 8.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned the fans from bringing Vuvuzela horns in the stadium ahead of the second ODI between Pakistan and Australia, here on Thursday.

The PCB has installed a number of banners under the premises of Gaddafi Stadium to prohibit the fans from bringing the vuvuzela horns.

“Horns are not allowed in the stadium,” the statement on the banners read.

According to the details, the cricket board has decided to prohibit the use of horns in response to complaints from match officials and players who claim that the noise of the horns prevents them from concentrating on the game.

It is pertinent to mention here that the second ODI between Pakistan and Australia will be played today here at the Gaddafi Stadium. The touring side lead the three-match series 1-0.

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LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will arrange fans-players interaction during upcoming historic Pakistan vs Australia series, going to happen in the country after long 24 years. 

According to the sources, PCB is planning to arrange close interaction of players with fans during the upcoming series. The cricket board believes that the whole new generation didn’t watch the Australian team in Pakistan, hence they deserve to see cricket heroes closely.

Also, PCB will arrange special entries to the stadium for kids and youngsters. Remember, kids under the age of 12 weren’t allowed to watch PSL 7 games in Karachi.

On the other hand, tickets price for the series will be kept as low as possible. As per the initial plan, tickets price for the Test series will range from PKR200-700. For ODIs, tickets price will range between PKR300-2000.

READ: PCB chairman Raja invites PM Khan to watch PSL 7 final

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s chairman Ramiz Raja visited enclosures during Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United contest on Saturday to meet fans and ask about their comfortability while watching Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 matches at Gaddafi Stadium. 

The cricketer-turned-PCB chairman went to all the enclosures, met fans, and assured them foolproof arrangements throughout the remaining PSL 7 games.

“PSL 7 fever is on high and I am delighted to see the response of Lahore after Karachi. I am looking forward to a successful finish of this tournament,” Raja talked to reporters.

“We will invite ICC officials and other foreign guests for PSL 7 final and Australia’s historic tour to Pakistan in March-April,” he added.

It must be noted here that Australia will come to Pakistan after 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I.

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LAHORE: Test cricketer Azhar Ali is not only ready to host Australia but giving them tough time in three-match Test series, scheduled at his home soil in March. 

The Test series sees historic return of the Australian team to the cricket-starved country after 24 years. The Aussies will play three Tests, as many ODIs and a T20I against Pakistan in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi in March-April this year.

“Its a historic moment for all of us being an enthusiast cricket nation,” Azhar said while talking to the reporters here on Saturday.

“We are not only ready to be good hosts but also tough opponents. This series is going to be interesting for our fans who haven’t seen Australia playing here for so many years,” he added.

Azhar, on the other hand, is focused on the preparations for the Test series which is a part of ICC Test Championship. “The series is important for both the teams as it is part of ICC Test championship,” he said.

“We will try to be prepared strongly for the series. Australia will also try to come with full strength as it is part of ICC Test championship,” the Test opener concluded.

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