Category: Other Sports

Pakistan ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is set light up the inaugural World Sports Summit, scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 29 and 30, 2025.

The event is the first of its kind and will bring together global stakeholders who are influential in shaping the present and future of sport and technology.

Among the participating leaders are business figures, Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and visionaries.

“The World Sports Summit is the most exclusive global gathering dedicated to inspiring the future of sport.

Built on values that reflect the human spirit of athletes and the universal vision of sports, WSS brings together leaders, legends, and innovators to create lasting impact,” the statement read on the official website.

 

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“Guided by the principles of Humanity & Resilience, Unity & Inclusion, Excellence, Innovation, and Legacy, the summit serves as a platform where ideas transform into action, collaborations cross borders, and sport becomes a force for progress and inspiration worldwide,” it added.

For those unaware, Pakistan Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem has also been selected as an honouree for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum Global Sports Award 2025.

The star thrower has been requested to feature in the summit programme and to receive the award during a parallel official ceremony.

In its official communication, the Dubai Sports Council has requested all concerned authorities to provide the necessary facilitation for Nadeem’s travel and official procedures, while extending best wishes for his continued success.

The high-profile guest list also includes several sports icons from across disciplines, such as football greats Ronaldo, Carles Puyol, and Kaka, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, tennis star Sania Mirza, and professional MMA fighter Khamzat Chimaev.

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Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in their controversial Netflix-backed boxing match in Miami on Friday.

The fight at the Kaseya Centre, which saw both men reportedly splitting a mammoth purse of $184 million, had triggered alarm across boxing due to the gulf in physical size and class between Britain’s two-time former world champion Joshua and Paul, an internet personality who has forged a lucrative career through a handful of novelty boxing contests.

In the event, however, Joshua made hard work of defeating his vastly less accomplished opponent, before his superior size and power eventually told in the later stages of the eight-round fight, with a sixth-round knockout.

A lacklustre contest descended into farce at times, with Paul repeatedly dropping to the canvas and grappling with Joshua’s legs.

At one stage, even referee Christopher Young appeared to be losing patience, warning the fighters in the fourth round: “The fans did not pay to see this crap.”

As Paul tired, the 6ft 6in (1.85m) tall Joshua began to land punches with more regularity, and after knocking down the 6ft 1in American twice in the fifth round, the end came swiftly in the sixth.

Joshua backed the 28-year-old into a corner and, after teeing up Paul with a crunching left, delivered the knockout blow with a right to the chin that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas.

“It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua, 36, admitted afterwards. “But the end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him.

“That was the request leading up, and that was on my mind. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination.”

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Anthony Joshua, meanwhile, praised Jake Paul for lasting into the later rounds.

“I want to give him his props; he got up time and time again,” Joshua said. “It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way. It takes a real man to do that.”

Paul, meanwhile, his mouth bloodied from Joshua’s final assault, said he believed his jaw had been broken, but was satisfied with his performance.

“That was fun. I gave it my all,” Paul said. “I had a blast. I think my jaw is broken by the way. But Anthony’s one of the best to ever do it, so. I’m gonna come back and get a world championship.

“I just got tired, to be honest, like it was so much handling his weight. I think with better cardio, I could have kept it up and kept on fighting. But he hits really hard.”

Friday’s made-for-streaming contest, which came just over a year after Paul had fought a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a much-derided Netflix fight, had been widely panned throughout boxing, with many warning that Paul risked serious injury.

Yet the devastating first or second round knockout by Joshua that most had predicted failed to materialise as Paul scrambled desperately to stay outside of the 2012 Olympic champion Joshua’s range.

Joshua, fighting for the first time in 15 months, always looked the more threatening fighter, landing 48 of 146 punches thrown compared to Paul’s meagre total of 16 punches landed.

The Briton is now turning his attention towards a money-spinning bout against compatriot and fellow former world champion Tyson Fury next year.

“We shook off the cobwebs, and I can’t wait to roll into 2026,” Joshua said. “And if Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, let’s put on some gloves and fight.”

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The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) has called an emergency meeting of its general council on 27 December to inquire into the participation of national player Ubaidullah Rajpur in a private tournament held in Bahrain.

The issue arose after Rajput, who is a prominent international Kabaddi player, was seen wearing an Indian jersey and waving the Indian flag.

Videos and images of Ubaidullah wearing the Indian kit during the GCC Kabaddi Cup held on December 16 at the Gulf Air Club in Salmabad went viral on social media.

Following this, PKF secretary Rana Sarwar took strong exception to the incident, stating that teams were given names despite the event being private.

“No official Pakistan team was sent and no permission was granted,” he said.

“Action would also be taken against those who falsely represented a ‘Pakistan’ team at the tournament,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKF chairman Chaudhry Shafay Hussain ordered an investigation into the matter and vowed to take action against those responsible.

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Ubaidullah, on the other hand, issued a public apology on social media, stating that he was unaware that the private team he had been invited to join would be labelled as ‘India’.

He explained that it was a local annual cup and not an official India-Pakistan contest.

“I only realised how the match was being portrayed after hearing slogans from the crowd,” he remarked in a video statement.

Ubaidullah further requested the commentator to clarify that the match was a club-level event rather than a bilateral contest.

“It was just a cup, not a World Cup, and this is not how a World Cup happens. If it had been a World Cup, I would definitely have played for Pakistan. I am Pakistani,” he reiterated.

“If my actions have hurt anyone’s feelings, I apologize.” “I apologize to my federation, my coach, and my supporters,” Ubaidullah concluded.

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Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig has once again etched her name in the annals of global exploration, becoming the first Pakistani to ski to the South Pole.

Covering 111 kilometres across the extreme terrain of Antarctica, Baig completed the “Last Degree” journey on December 14, 2025, planting the Pakistani flag at the southernmost point of the Earth.

The expedition, organised by Elite Exped, departed from Pakistan on December 2 and reached Union Glacier on December 6.

After days of gruelling skiing through harsh Antarctic conditions, Baig’s achievement marked a major milestone in her pursuit of the prestigious Explorer Grand Slam, a challenge that requires adventurers to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents and reach both the North and South Poles.

Samina Baig, who hails from the remote village of Shimshal, has a remarkable history of trailblazing accomplishments.

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She became the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Everest in 2013, and by July 2014, she had completed the Seven Summits, which include Everest, Kilimanjaro, McKinley, Mont Blanc, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson, and Puncak Jaya.

She is also the first Pakistani woman to climb K2, the world’s second-highest and one of the most technically challenging mountains.

In a heartfelt post on her Facebook page, Baig reflected on her journey to the South Pole.

“This ski journey has never been accomplished by any Pakistani in the past. It has been one of the most challenging and meaningful experiences of my life,” she posted.

“From standing on the summit of Mount Everest in 2013 to completing the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent, from climbing K2 and Nanga Parbat to now reaching the South Pole, this journey has taken me across the highest mountains and the most remote places on Earth.

“Every step along the way has taught me patience, resilience, and the power of belief.”

She credited her success to the support of her family, the Pakistani community that funded the expedition, fellow mountaineer Nirmal Purja, and the Elite Expeditions team.

“Without their trust, encouragement, and kindness, this journey would not have been possible,” she wrote.

Highlighting the importance of inspiring others, particularly women, Baig said: “Carrying the flag of Pakistan and my Ismaili flag across mountains, continents, and polar ice has been the greatest honour of my life. I hope my journey encourages others to pursue their dreams, no matter how challenging they may seem.”

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WASHINGTON: The 17-time WWE world champion John Cena bid an emotional farewell to in-ring competition after suffering a defeat to Gunther on Saturday here at the Capital One Arena.

At Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cena ended on the losing side to former two-time WWE heavyweight champion Gunther, bringing curtains to an illustrious 23-year career.

The farewell night featured numerous celebrities and wrestling icons, including Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Trish Stratus, Eve Torres, and others, who were shown seated ringside.

Moreover, the video tributes aired featured legends such as The Undertaker and The Rock, alongside sports stars including Tom Brady and Jalen Brunson.

 

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Gunther entered the ring first, followed by a thunderous ovation for Cena; however, the familiar “Cena sucks” chant was absent, replaced entirely by supportive cheers.

The 48-year-old Cena entered the wrestling arena with a camera to film himself before sprinting to the ring and greeting the legends seated at ringside.

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Nonetheless, the match saw ups and downs, with Cena delivering three Attitude Adjustments, including a dramatic top-rope version. The ace wrestler even put Gunther through the announce table.

 

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However, despite multiple attempts, John Cena was unable to secure a pinfall victory.

Eventually, Gutnerh emerged victorious at the end of the historical match, forcing Cena to submit to a sleeper hold after multiple escape attempts.

After the match, Cena, on this occasion, addressed the crowd, stating, “That’s all I’ve got”.

After this, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes joined Cena and placed their championship belts on his shoulders. As the crowd chanted, “Thank you, Cena”, he shared an embrace with Triple H before one final tribute video was shown.

Cena then made his way back to the entrance ramp, saluting the crowd, and exited the arena for one final time.

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Four-time Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen has been honoured with the F1 Action of the Year award for his breathtaking opening-lap overtake on Oscar Piastri at the Imola Grand Prix, even though medical reasons kept him away from the ceremony.

The Red Bull driver addressed the audience through a pre-recorded message, explaining that doctors had advised him against travelling, forcing him to miss the event in person.

“I’m very sorry that I couldn’t be with you tonight. The doctors have prevented me from flying,” Verstappen said in his message.

A message from Max 🤳

While Max couldn’t travel to the FIA Awards on his doctor’s advice, he sent in this message to congratulate Lando and McLaren 🤝#F1 pic.twitter.com/G8ndL2DBxj

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2025

Despite his absence, the 26-year-old took time to praise his rivals, particularly McLaren and newly crowned world champion Lando Norris, acknowledging the intensity of their title battle throughout the season.

“A big congratulations to McLaren and especially Lando. You guys had an unbelievable season, and it was really cool to be able to race against you until the end,” he added.

Verstappen’s award-winning moment came during the opening lap at Imola, where he produced a bold yet perfectly judged move to pass Piastri, a manoeuvre that quickly became one of the defining highlights of the season and earned widespread acclaim from fans and paddock insiders.

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The recognition capped another memorable year in Formula One, one that ultimately belonged to McLaren.

Norris sealed his maiden world title to become the 35th Formula One World Champion since the championship’s inception in 1950 and the 11th British driver to achieve the feat.

His teammate Piastri also enjoyed a standout campaign, finishing third in the drivers’ standings as McLaren wrapped up a remarkable season.

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Rafael Nadal has delivered a light-hearted update on his fitness, joking that he will miss the Australian Open 2026, shortly after Roger Federer’s return to the Melbourne Park spotlight was confirmed.

Federer, who retired following the 2022 Laver Cup, is set to appear at the Australian Open’s inaugural opening ceremony next month.

The six-time Australian Open champion will take part in an exhibition event titled Battle of the World No. 1s, alongside Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, as part of the tournament’s new ceremonial launch.

Reflecting on his connection with Melbourne, Federer said the Australian Open holds some of the most special moments of his career, including his emotional comeback title in 2017 and a successful title defence in 2018.

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He expressed excitement about returning to Rod Laver Arena and reconnecting with Australian fans.

While Federer prepares for his ceremonial comeback, his long-time rival, Rafael Nadal, shared a contrasting update on social media.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion posted a photo on Instagram showing his right hand in a brace following surgery, accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek caption suggesting he would not be able to play the Australian Open in 2026.

“Looks like I won’t be able to play the Australian Open 2026,” Nadal joked, adding that the surgery was required to address an issue he had been dealing with for some time and that he hopes to recover fully soon.

 

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Nadal, who officially retired from professional tennis at the 2024 Davis Cup, remains one of the most decorated players in Australian Open history, having lifted the trophy twice.

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WWE’s biggest names, including Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and CM Punk, have come together for an emotional tribute, honouring legendary John Cena as he heads into the final match of his illustrious career.

Cena, a 17-time World Champion and one of WWE’s most iconic figures, is set to wrestle for the last time on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event inside Washington D.C.’s Capital One Arena.

His farewell bout will see him take on Gunther, who earned the spot by defeating LA Knight in the tournament final.

With the countdown to Cena’s retirement well underway, WWE released a heartfelt tribute video across its digital platforms, featuring emotional appearances from current stars, former rivals, legends, and even backstage crew who have worked alongside him for years.

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The video includes silent tributes, no dialogue, only mannerisms and gestures synonymous with Cena, ranging from his signature “You Can’t See Me” taunt to salutes and handwritten messages.

Among those featured were aforementioned Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, as well as Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Liv Morgan, The Miz, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, AJ Styles, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and more.

Cena’s longtime cameraman, Stew, also made an appearance, adding a personal touch that resonated deeply with fans.

WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H, alongside Stephanie McMahon, also paid tribute, acknowledging Cena’s impact not just as a performer but as a locker-room leader and global ambassador.

The tribute arrives at the climax of Cena’s year-long farewell tour, one that celebrated a career spanning more than two decades, countless rivalries, and a body of work that transcended professional wrestling.

Saturday Night’s Main Event will not only celebrate Cena’s final appearance but will also showcase a packed card.

Cody Rhodes steps into the ring against NXT Champion Oba Femi, while Bayley faces Sol Ruca. The show will also feature AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater.

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The 17-time WWE world champion John Cena on Tuesday announced a new five-year deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

The star wrestler who made his debut in 2002 will bid farewell to in-ring competition on December 13, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he will take on Gunther.

Gunther booked his place in Cena’s retirement bout by defeating LA Knight in the final of “The Last Time is Now” tournament on the December 5 episode of SmackDown.

In the tournament final, Gunther and LA Knight delivered a contest worthy of its high stakes, fighting with the urgency of a championship bout.

Now, Cena has revealed his post-retirement plans during a recent interview, stating that he will serve as an ambassador for WWE.

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“I will be an ambassador [for] the WWE. I’m already signed on for another five years,” he revealed.

“I was like, ‘Please, as long as you can do it.’ I would like to be in this family as an employee, as a contributing part for as long as I can,” he added,

The 48-year-old also talked about the nature of his upcoming assignment, noting that the role will attract more people to watch wrestling.

“I’m looking forward to the second mountain of being an ambassador because maybe ambassadorship comes with letting more people know to watch this, which was my goal in the first place,” Cena explained.

For the unversed, John Cena’s fight this Saturday will mark the final chapter of a storied two-decade career, one filled with championships, era-defining rivalries, and unmatched longevity at the top.

Whether he chooses to go out with a classic victory or puts Gunther over on his way out, the match is set to be an emotional farewell.

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KARACHI: Renowned national wrestler and Olympian Inam Butt secured gold for Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in the 92kg category here in the 35th National Games on Tuesday.

Inam, 36, created history after winning the national championship for the record 18th time.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Army’s Nouman Zaka remained in the second position with silver, whereas Punjab’s Rana Faizan and Railway’s Haider Ali secured bronze medals.

It is pertinent to mention that Inam boasts an impressive wrestling career, having secured various accolades in multiple international events.

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The wreslter hailing from Gujranwala has eight gold, three silver, and one bronze medal, including the Commonwealth Games, World Beach Championships, World Beach Games, Asian Beach Games, and South Asian Games.

For the unversed, the 35th National Games Karachi are currently underway in the metropolitan city, featuring a range of multi-sport events from 6 to 13 December 2025.

The event is bringing together athletes from across the country in a sweeping programme that spans endurance sports, combat disciplines, precision events, and crowd-favourite team competitions.

The event features Olympic mainstays such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and fencing. Moreover, Kabbadi, tug of war, netball, and boxing games are also part of the competitions.

It is pertinent to mention that the National Games, first held in 1948, stand among Pakistan’s most prominent multi-sport events and frequently serve as a pathway to international selection.

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