Category: Sports

QUETTA (6 AM Report): Provincial Secretary for Information, Imran Khan Afridi, emphasized the significance of sports in student life, noting that active participation in competitions enhances not only physical development but also mental growth. He shared these thoughts during the award ceremony of the 24^th Mini Olympic Games, held in connection with the All-Quetta Inter-Schools Girls Throw Ball and Catch Ball finals.

As Chairman of the Throw Ball Association, Afridi highlighted the increasing interest of Balochistani girls in throw ball, a relatively new game in the region. “These girls, through sports, will one day bring honor to our country,” he said, commending their enthusiasm.

In the thrilling final match of throw ball, Hazara Town Girls School triumphed over Killi Ibrahimzai Girls School. The final of catch ball saw Hazara Town Girls School claim victory over Postal Colony Girls School, earning the championship title.

Imran Khan, attending as the chief guest, distributed certificates, trophies, and medals to the winning and runner-up teams, applauding their spirit. In conclusion, Balochistan’s sports pioneer, Atta Muhammad Kakar, presented a commemorative shield to Imran Khan for his support and encouragement of the students.

TURBAT (6 AM Report): The University of Turbat (UoT) cricket team delivered an outstanding performance in the All Balochistan HEC Cricket Zone Event 2024, dominating Pool B by winning all three of their group stage matches consecutively. In the group stage matches, the Team UoT secured commanding victories over the University of Makran, Panjgur, by 8 wickets, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water, and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS), Uthal, by 2 wickets, and the University of Loralai by 7 wickets, maintaining an unbeaten streak that carried them into the final.

In the high important final match, UoT took on Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta, at the University of Loralai cricket ground on Saturday. Despite their excellent form throughout the tournament, the team UoT fell short in the final, losing the match and missing out on the championship title.

UoT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad, along with the university community lauded the team for their exceptional performance throughout the event and expressed confidence in their future tournaments.

Vice Chancellor highlighted UoT’s commendable journey in the tournament, with standout contributions from players like Aslam Mazhar, Sohail Shoaib, Salman Naik, Ijaz ul Haq, Jalal Hussain, Behrawar Khan, Imran Zahid, Bakhshullah, Sawood Babul, Bahad Naeem, and other players. The Vice-Chancellor also extended his appreciation to Mr. Mazhar Gichki, Sports In-charge, focal person Munir Anwar, and the team officials for their leadership and guidance throughout the tournament.

“Although the team UoT just missed out on the title, the team’s efforts and determination throughout the tournament have been a source of pride for the university,” VC added.

The event, hosted by the University of Loralai concluded in a final competition between the two most formidable teams of the tournament, BUITEMS from Pool A and the University of Turbat from Pool B. Despite high hopes and a fighting spirit from UoT; the BUITEMS played better in the final and emerged victorious, claiming the championship. Eight universities from Balochistan, including the University of Turbat, participated in the tournament.

Dr. Ehsanullah Khan Kakar, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Loralai and chief guest of the final match and closing ceremony congratulated BUITEMS on their triumph in the final and extended his gratitude to all the universities across Balochistan for their participation in the event.

ALLEN (INP): Wakaba Higuchi won the women’s title at Skate America, leading Rinka Watanabe in a Japanese one-two in the first figure skating grand prix event of the season.

American Isabeau Levito, leading after the short programme, had some errors, including a fall on a triple Lutz, and slipped to third, Higuchi climbing from fourth after the short programme.

Higuchi, a 2022 Olympic team silver medallist who missed the 2022-23 season recovering from a stress fracture, led the free skate to climb to the top with a total score of 196.93 points. She delivered an elegant, technically crisp routine to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” to claim the first grand prix title of her career.

Watanabe was third in both the short programme and free skate but her total of 195.22 was enough for silver as world silver medallist Levito struggled with some of her jumps to finish third on 194.83. It was a big day for Japanese skaters as former world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara claimed pairs gold.

The duo, who earned silver at the last worlds after winning gold in 2023, delivered a polished albeit not perfect free skate to post a total of 214.23 points. They had led by more than seven points after the short programme and had the best score in the free skate despite Miura falling on their triple throw loop.

Americans Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea finished second on 201.73 points and compatriots Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov were third on 191.51. Meanwhile, world champion Ilia Malinin shook off early season nerves to score 99.69 points in the short programme, just 15-hundredths of a point ahead of Japan’s Kao Miura, who was in second on 99.54.

SYDNEY (INP):  Five-time Olympic gold medallist Kaylee McKeown has pulled out of the lucrative World Cup swimming series in China to focus on her

mental health.

The Australian star, who retained her 100m and 200m backstroke Olympic titles in Paris this year, made the decision after competing on day one of the leg in

Shanghai on Friday. “I would like to thank World Aquatics for the opportunity to come out and race at World Cups, it’s been so much fun here in Shanghai,”

she said on Instagram.

“Putting my mental health first, I’ve decided to cut my experience short. As an athlete it’s so important to listen to your heart and to know when enough is enough. “Time for a well overdue break.”

McKeown was a dominant force in the World Cup series last year, winning the overall women’s title and breaking multiple world records. After her exploits at

the Olympics, she was back in the pool just weeks later at the Australian short-course championships last month while many of her contemporaries rested.

She smashed the 100m short-course backstroke world record, saying at the time she was going “stir-crazy” sitting at home. The World Cup series moves to South Korea next weekend before heading to Singapore.

LONDON (INP): Federal Minister for Interior and Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday expressed the hoped that the Pakistan cricket team through its hard work would bring the World Cup to the country.

While addressing a reception hosted by the Pakistan’s High Commissioner in the UK, Dr Mohammad Faisal in honour of the Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team and the management at Pakistan House, London, Mohsin Naqvi said that entire cricket team of Pakistan was giving their best to the game.

He urged the Pakistan’s fans to keep supporting the team on their upcoming tour to the United States of America.

The chairman PCB said that team management was independent in making decisions about players which he added important for delivering good performance.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that he was very happy to welcome Pakistan Cricket Team at London and wished them best of luck for upcoming matches. He said that Babar Azam was his favourite batsman and hoped the team would win in Babar’s captaincy.

Welcoming the team, Dr Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistani diaspora in UK was waiting for Pakistani team’s tour to England. He said that team’s presence in United Kingdom was uniting the cricket loving communities.

The High Commissioner wished the team best of luck for the upcoming matches.

Pakistan Cricket team players and management thanked the High Commission and Pakistani diaspora in UK for expressing unprecedented support and the warm welcome.

Chief Minister Balochistan, Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, UK’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, Pakistani cricket legends and a large number of Pakistani diaspora in London also attended the reception.

DUBAI (INP): Pakistan cricket team landed in Dubai on Tuesday morning on their way to Ireland to play three-match T20I series beginning on May 10.

The team left Lahore for Dubai early Tuesday morning from Allama Iqbal International Airport from the National Cricket Academy.

Mohammad Amir couldn’t travel with the team due to visa issues but would join them later.

Acting Punjab Governor Mohammad Ahmed Khan met the team members at Lahore Airport VIP lounge and bid them farewell, expressing good wishes for the T20I series.

Pakistan is set to play three T20 matches against Ireland, with the first match on May 10, the second on May 12, and the third on May 14 in Dublin.

After completing the series against Ireland, Pakistan’s cricket team arrive in England to play four T20 matches.

The national team’s first match with England would be played on May 22, the second on May 25, the third on May 28, and the fourth on May 30.

QUETTA (APP): Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) and Secretary Sports Balochistan on Friday said that Balochistan Sports Department was organizing sports competitions from time to time to keep the youth away from social evils and drugs which was positive sign of players.

MPAs including Mir Zahoor Buledi, Rahmat Saleh Baloch, Asghar Rind, Khairjan Baloch and Meena Baloch expressed these views while addressing the closing ceremony of Pakistan Day 23 March Sports Festival at Ayub Stadium.

Additional Secretary Haji Ijaz Ali, Deputy Secretary Home Jahanzeb Sheikh, Assistant Director Activities Muhammad Asif Longo, Ayesha Zehri and other players and officials were also present on this occasion.

They said that there was no shortage of talent in the players of Balochistan, it was necessary to provide suitable opportunities to the players.

The speakers said that if proper sports opportunities were provided to the youth of the province, they could make Pakistan famous not only in the country but also abroad.

They said that on the occasion of March 23, sports competitions were organized across Balochistan in which more than 15 thousand athletes and officials participated.

44 local, national and international indoor and outdoor sports were included in the sports festival at Ayub Sports Complex on the occasion of Pakistan Day (March 23) which continued for 6 days in all the districts of the province, they noted.

Speakers said that the festival started on March 23, which ended today after continuing for a week saying that more than 15,000 men and women athletes from all over the province participated in the festival

The sports department of Balochistan government has organized a mega event and the purpose of organizing the sports festival is to provide opportunities for the youth to play, they mentioned.

They said that Shahzeb Rind from Balochistan has made the name of the country and the province famous by winning the fight, and it was an effort to provide maximum sports opportunities to the youth for which all available resources would be utilized.

Chief Minister of Balochistan is very active regarding the youth of Balochistan, we will try to talk about the youth of Balochistan on every platform, they said.

In the end, MPAs including Members Zahoor Buledi, Mir Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Khair Jan Baloch, Meena Baloch, Sports Secretary Dr Javed Anwar Shahwani, Deputy Secretary Home Jahanzeb Shaikh distributed the prizes to the players and Sports Secretary Dr Javed Anwar Shahwani gave honorary shields to the guests.

QUETTA (6 AM Report): Concrete measures at public and private sector levels are required to be taken so as to promote archery, an archaic and traditional game of Balochistan province. These views were expressed by erstwhile Director General, Public Relations, Balochistan, former PRO to Inspector General of Police, Balochistan, Ex-PRO to Chief Secretary Balochistan and scion of distinguished Khan of Kalat family, Shehzada Farhat on Friday while addressing the closing ceremony of “Archery Championship, 2024”, held in the football ground of Ayub Stadium Quetta in connection with “23 March Sports Festival, 2024”.

He said that Balochistan Archery Association under the dynamic leadership of Muhammad Amin Badini, President, Balochistan Archery Association was earnestly striving to promote both modern and traditional games of archery, adding that archery game was played in the province for centuries, hence, to provide opportunities to the players of archery to demonstrate their talent at national and international level, it was inevitable to arrange events of archery frequently.

He said that inclusion of archery event in 23rd March, 2024 sports festival would prove to be beneficial for promotion of archery game in Balochistan. Six archery academies took part in the event. Balochistan Archery Academy clinched first position while Moulana Niaz Muhammad Durrani Archery Academy Quetta secured second position. Chief Guest Shehzada Farhat distributed prizes and shields amongst the players. On the occasion, Muhammad Amin Badini, President, Balochistan Archery Association, Chief Officer, Local Government, Arbab Mati-ur-Rehman Kasi, General Secretary, Balochistan  Archery Association, Faizullah Kakar, President, Balochistan Mix Martial Arts Association, Rehmatullah Khan Nurzai and others were also present.

LAHORE (NNI): The HBL PSL 9 trophy has been unveiled at the Polo Ground of the Race Course Park in Lahore in the presence of Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi, franchise owners, HBL representatives and star cricketers.

The trophy is “The Orion Trophy” and will be a source of motivation for all the teams participating in the tournament. The trophy embodies the spirit of the HBL Pakistan Super League where each team shines brightly as they strive for glory.

Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman PCB, said: “It is a pleasure to announce that HBL PSL is entering its ninth season, and I am proud to say that HBL PSL continues to be a success story for Pakistan cricket.

“Today, as we unveil this Orion trophy, we look forward to a month-long celebration of the beautiful game of cricket and the excitement and drama that accompanies it. HBL PSL connects to the hearts of people of Pakistan, who cherish every thrilling moment of the game. Be it towering sixes, high-intensity bowling, and top-notch catches, HBL PSL offers an emotional rollercoaster.

“I would like to thank the title sponsor of the league HBL, they truly have uplifted the game of cricket in our country through their support and have become synonymous with the name of the league. All the successes over the past eight years are a testament to HBL’s commitment to the Pakistan Super League. I also want to thank the representatives of all six teams for being present here today and I wish all teams the best of luck for the season. May the best team lift this prestigious trophy.”

Ali Naqvi, owner of Islamabad United said: “We are excited about the ninth edition of the HBL PSL. Islamabad United has been one of the most successful teams in the tournament and we want to extend that with a grand triumph this season. We had one of the best drafts in our history and some of the most exciting players will be lining up for Islamabad United this season. I can’t wait to watch the team play at the home ground in Rawalpindi and win the hearts of the fans.”

Salman Iqbal, owner Karachi Kings: “Karachi Kings are ready to turn the tables in the HBL PSL 9 with their breathtaking performances. The build-up and preparation for the tournament have been top notch and I expect some quality results in the tournament.  We have a new coach and captain for this season which makes the fans more excited about Karachi’s prospects in this season. A strong Karachi Kings means a strong and exciting HBL PSL and we’ll prove it this time around.”

Atif Rana, CEO Lahore Qalandars, said: “As the two-time HBL PSL champions we are eagerly looking forward to completing a hat-trick of triumphs for the first time in the history of the league. We have stacked up our resources this season as well and aim to hit the ground running in the tournament. Our fans are also geared up to fill the stadium not just during the home games in Lahore but also in the away games as well and support the team with all their might. I assure them that we’ll put in our all efforts to lift the Orion Trophy in Karachi under the able leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi.”

Ali Khan Tareen, Owner of Multan Sultans, said: “I am super glad to be a part of the HBL PSL again. It is such an exciting venture to be a part of as it spreads smiles on the faces of many people across the country. A lot has happened between this season and the past season and I want to make sure that the Sultans maintain consistency in their performances this year as well. The HBL PSL also brings a wave of happiness to the people of Pakistan and I am sure this year will be filled with heaps of triumphs. It would be great to conclude this exciting season with the glittering HBL PSL trophy being lifted by Mohammad Rizwan and Co.”

Javed Afridi, chair of Peshawar Zalmi, said: “I am glad that the ninth edition of the HBL PSL is finally here and the Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi are ready to make a mark in the tournament. Our loyal fans wait the whole year for the tournament to start and I want my team to put up great performances in every game. I promise you that Peshawar Zalmi will continue to play the attacking style of cricket this year as well. My team is hungry to prove a point on the field and I am sure the beauty of the Orion Trophy must have added more to that hunger.”

Nadeem Omar, owner Quetta Gladiators, said: “The Orion Trophy has been unveiled and this occasion is no less a motivation for team Quetta to roar in the HBL PSL 9. We have had our fair share of struggles in the recent seasons but it is about time that Gladiators showcase good fight and determination and HBL PSL 9 is a befitting time to be doing that. We are looking forward to taking on all five teams and proving our mettle at all the four venues.”

Orion, in various mythologies and cultures, is often associated with a prominent constellation located in the celestial equator. The constellation is easily recognisable by three bright stars forming Orion’s Belt and is visible from both hemispheres, making it one of the most well-known and easily identifiable star patterns in the night sky.

Made from pure silver and coated in white gold, the elegant trophy exudes prestige. Each detail is plated with white gold, adding grace that signifies the excellence of the HBL Pakistan Super League. With the investment of 900+ hours of non-stop work and hand placement of 18,000 stones, this marvel stands tall and proud.

GWADAR  (INP): Chinese Government has donated Sportswear to local youngsters of Gwadar.

Around 200 shirts and trousers were distributed with the help of China Overseas Ports Holdings Company (COPHC), operator of Gwadar Port.

The young boys playing on beach and playgrounds expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese government for the generous assistance.

By now, there are 22 football teams registered under District Football Association (DFA). Whereas 18 clubs are enlisted to District Cricket Association Gwadar.

The need for providing kits to the young players was felt when they were observed playing in random cloths.

Facilitating the local sportsman with basic sportswear is first of its kind friendly gesture in Gwadar.

“This gesture has opened up a new era of cementing people of people bond between China and Pakistan and promoting local players in Gwadar,” local football player Zahid Baloch told Gwadar Pro.

COPHC official said that such act of benevolence will steer to engender people to people connectivity and boosting up social contact with local people of Gwadar.

“In my opinion, it will also lay down robust foundation of resilient relationship between Gwadar sports community and China,” he added saying continuous cooperation in games will bring beget deep harmony and closeness between both the countries.

China also patronized 1^st of its kind “Pak-China Friendly Football Match” at Futsal Football ground alongside Marine Drive on September 14, 2022.

District Football Association official said that current Chinese donation to local sportsmen as well friendly Football Match was a tangible success of China’s sincere efforts of nurturing warm bond and ties with local people of Gwadar.

“Gwadar youth possess natural talent and they need just a pat on their back. Fortunately, China is with us to extend maximum financial and other sort of assistance to them so that Gwadar footballers may prove their mettle on national, regional and international arenas,” he added.