Pages

Search This Blog

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

PHF axe World Cup flops for Malaysia hockey contest



KARACHI: Pakistan Wednesday dropped seven senior players responsible for an abysmal World Cup hockey campaign, hoping to regain the glory from scratch with next month's tournament in Malaysia.
Pakistan, three-time Olympic gold medalists and four-time world champions, finished last in the India World Cup earlier this year in what was described as their lowest ebb.
Captain Zeeshan Ashraf, Akhtar Ali and Mohammad Waseem requested a rest while world record goal-scorer Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi were not selected.
Goalkeeper Salman Akbar, also played in World Cup, did not attend the trials.
Chief selector Hanif Khan said three senior players requested rest, while others were rested by the selection committee as they had failed to impress in the trials in Karachi on Wednesday.
“We have rested senior players Abbas, Butt and Abbasi as they looked mentally stressed in the trials, so we have selected new players in a hope that it starts a new beginning for Pakistan hockey,” Khan told reporters.
Abbas, tipped to lead the side for the Malaysia event, is the only man to score over 300 goals in the history of international hockey.
The 18-man team will be led by 30-year-old full-back Mohammad Imran. Pakistan will feature in the 6-16 May Azlan Shah tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia.
The other competing teams are world champions Australia, Asian champions South Korea, hosts Malaysia, India, China and Egypt.
Khan hoped untested players would usher in a new era in Pakistan hockey.
“We have the Commonwealth Games in India and then the Asian Games later in the year, so we hope that this new team settles soon. Don't expect medals from this team soon but, once it settles, it will win laurels,” said Khan.
Pakistan will also have a new coach in Khawaja Junaid after Shahid Ali Khan was sacked last month.
Team: Mohammad Imran (captain), Imran Shah, Imran Butt, Aamir Shahzad, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Fareed Ahmed, Mohammad Rashid, Zeeshan Ali, Mohammad Tauseeq, Waqas Sharif, Shafqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Mohammad Zubair, Mohammad Rizwan, Andul Qayyum, Kashif Ali, Umar Bhutta.—

Monday, April 26, 2010

Ataullah wins first career bout at Youth World Boxing

Karachi- Pakistan’s promising boxer Attaullah Khan won his first career bout on his debut in international boxing in AIBA Youth World Boxing Championship at Baku,Azerbaijan on Monday,Attaullah (54kg) beat Malik Hossain Yemeni (Jordan) and dazzled with his power packed punching and agility to outpunch his opponent in a one sided affair with a score line of 16-3,said the information made available here.

With this success Attaullah has moved to pre quarter round of the event.
However, Pakistan’s experienced boxer Obaid Ali was beaten by Jordanian Amjad Mohammad Ahmed 7-4.

The winner established supremacy from the first round taking 3-1 and then onward built on his earlier success to win the bout.
Another Pakistani boxer Mohammad Tanveer (64kg) got a bye in technical draws and he reached second round.
Pakistan’s fourth boxer Mohammad Asif will open his campagin tomorrow, Tuesday.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

New Zealand - Sri Lanka T20 Series an investment for the future of USA Cricket


Speaking on a range of topics over the weekend in connection with the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka series in Florida, both USA Cricket CEO Don Lockerbie and NZC CEO Justin Vaughan concurred that the series should be viewed as an investment for the future.

"The series will run at a loss. The US is a market that needs to grow to love and appreciate cricket before you can start really trying to run profitable events," Mr. Vaughan told The New Zealand Herald. "In the long term it could be a really good deal for us," he added. Speaking to a different newspaper, The Dominion Post, Mr. Vaughan said: "It is not like rugby [All Blacks playing Bledisloe Cup matches in Asia] where you get an immediate financial return, that is not the case. It is part of a longer term relationship."

In an email to DreamCricket.com, Don Lockerbie wrote: “This match series is the launch of a long term commercial partnership between USA Cricket and New Zealand Cricket and so we are not measuring the success of the event in the revenues raised so much as we are the exposure for the sport n the USA.”

“We have a long term business model in the works - and I can assure you that the new venture will be profitable and raise significant revenues to develop cricket in the USA and fund the initiatives our board has been busy developing for the long term growth of cricket in the USA,” Mr. Lockerbie noted.

Speaking about how this would evolve, Mr. Vaughan said: "We'd like to think the Black Caps would play there (in USA) annually. Ideally we'll go there to or from tours to the West Indies or on the way to England. They will always be short series. Possibly we'll play Pakistan there."

Mr. Lockerbie said that the organization was working on quite a few sponsor opportunities - besides announcing the Indian development firm Pearls Infrastructure as the title sponsor for the series.

Pic (Right): As readers who watched today's IPL final may have observed, Pearls is a major sponsor in Indian cricket. The logos of Pearls and its sister company P7News appear prominently on the right sleeve of the Mumbai Indians team shirt.

“We hope to announce more sponsors in short order - meanwhile we are happy to hear from any companies interested in a commercial partnership,” Mr. Lockerbie wrote. Adding, “we are close to securing the worldwide broadcast rights for the event and will make this announcment when all becomes official”

Speaking about the logistics of managing such a large scale event, Mr. Lockerbie said that The Pearls Cup will be managed in a collaborative manner with New Zealand Cricket providing their experienced operations staff to work closely with USACA Cricket Operations Director Sheikh Manaf Mohamed.

He hoped that USA Cricket could host the two teams to world class standards. “A full event calendar will be developed and finalized shortly. My goal is to read in the press that the players have had a remarkable experience in the USA and want to come back to help us develop the sport. The goal for USA Cricket is to have our "Destination USA" program launch our development initiatives - intended to resource our regions with funding and programs to teach the sport and recruit American players to build our base for future national teams.”

“We have a team developing of sports marketing and management people from the area and also have quite a bit of interest from the ICC - who are sending umpires and officials directly from the World T20 to officiate.”

Answering a question on whether USA will also play in an exhibition match in the tournament, Mr. Lockerbie wrote that the NZC vs SL matches will be played on May 20th, 22nd and 23rd. According to Mr. Lockerbie, USACA was working to finalize separate matches between USA and Jamaica on the May 21st as part of the event. Similarly, there would potentially be a double header on 22nd to compliment a T20 match featuring New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Mr. Lockerbie noted that “these USA matches will come a week before Team USA travels to Bermuda to compete as the defending champions in the ICC Americas Championships.”

“We won this tournament in 2008,” he reminded.

Commenting on USA's readiness to compete against test-playing countries, Mr. Vaughan told The Dominion Post that USA still has some ways to go. “I'm sure in three to five years they would like to see themselves in a tri-series or something."

Responding to a separate question on whether the teams playing in The Pearls Cup would be full-strength sides, Mr. Lockerbie noted: “The two full members will come directly from the World T20 in the West Indies.”

New boys give England World T20 edge: Anderson



LONDON — Fast bowler James Anderson has tipped England's new faces to help them to a first global title in the upcoming World Twenty20.

Somerset's Craig Kieswetter scored his first international century on the recent tour of Bangladesh and Michael Lumb impressed for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

And Anderson has backed the fresh faces, who could open together, to make England a force to be reckoned with in the tournament which starts on Friday.

"They are new to the team and they bring a fearless element to the top of the order," Anderson told reporters at London's Gatwick Airport ahead of the team's departure for the West Indies.

"They are exciting players -- I have seen a lot of them in Twenty20 cricket -- and Michael has been out in the IPL so he's got a lot of Twenty20 experience and they both bring a lot of excitement to the top of the order.

"At the top of the order you have got to make the most of the first six overs and you need that element of fearlessness and they have got a fresher outlook because they have not been around the squad that long."

Despite appearing in three World Cup finals, the last of which was in 1992, England is only the major playing nation not to have won an ICC global tournament.

But Anderson is confident that unwelcome statistic will soon be erased from the record books.

He said: "We have shown glimpses of what we can in the past in tournaments.

"In the Champions' Trophy we showed we are improving at the short form of the game. And with the new additions to the squad we are strengthening in the right areas.

"I think this is an exciting squad - not just the 11 that are playing - we have got 16 players who can win games for England.

"We go into every tournament thinking we can win it. We have got a new-look squad with some guys who are less experienced but do bring that element of excitement to the team.

"We have got a great chance. We had a good tour of Dubai and a good one-day series in Bangladesh so if we can gel together early in the tour there is no reason we can't go on and win it."

Anderson rested whilst England were in Bangladesh to recover from a knee problem but has taken 11 wickets in two Championship appearances for Lancashire since returning to action.

He added: "For me it was about getting some overs under my belt and testing the knee out to make sure it could stand up to bowling again. It has done that and now we can get out to the Caribbean and start thinking about Twenty20 cricket."

Fourteen squad members flew to Barbados on Sunday. Captain Paul Collingwood is already in the Caribbean and Kevin Pietersen will join the team on Tuesday after his involvement in the Indian Premier League.

Brit boxer Amir Khan to quit in 2015



London: WBA World light welterweight champion Amir Khan is planning to quit boxing in five years after beating American legend Floyd Mayweather Junior and Philippine Manny Pacquiao on his road to superstardom.

"In the next four years I will have all my big fights so in five years time I will be gone," News of The World quoted Khan, as saying. "When I hit my peak I will be fighting men like Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Manny Pacquiao. They will be my last few fights." "There are so many big fights in my division, but my body will tell me when to call it a day," he added. Khan insists the decision is not a knee-jerk reaction after his closest friend, British boxer Jamie Moore, retired two weeks ago. "You need to know when it is the right time to call it a day and, believe me, I will get my retirement right. You need to know when to walk. As soon as you have gone past your peak and start getting hurt, be man enough and walk away like Jamie," Khan said. "He lost fights against Ryan Rhodes and Sergey Khomitski, men he would have beaten at his best," he added. Khan will become the youngest Briton in history to defend a world title in America when he puts his crown on the line against Paulie Malignaggi in Madison Square Garden's theatre on May 15.

Pakistan leave for WI with title defence task


LAHORE: The defending champions of World Twenty-Twenty, Pakistan left for West Indies to defend their title in just over 10 months time from Lahore International Airport.

Talking with reporters at the airport, Twenty20 skipper, Shahid Khan Afridi said that he has a mission in hand to defend the title in West Indies and he has a team that has the potential to repeat the heroics of the last year.

Afridi said that apart from the title defence, he has another big task as captain. “With the support of my players and team management, I would try to keep Pakistani players away from all the controversies”, Afridi added.

Pakistani team left the Lahore Airport with two of the players not travelling with the squad. Fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Sami will leave for the Caribbean separately owing to personal problems. Mohammad Asif is planned to leave for London as he is banned to enter UAE for lifetime, from where, he would reach West Indies to join his team, while Mohammad Sami doesn’t have British visa therefore he would first go New York then he would join his team mates in the Caribbean.


Just before flying to the West Indies, Pakistan also survived an injury scare. Kamran Akmal narrowly escaped fears of being dropped Friday when he was able to clear a fitness test.

Afridi said that fielding is the one area that we will give the utmost attention during the World Twenty-Twenty.

“I have a well balanced team in batting and bowling, and we have to further lift the standard of fielding. Fielding is crucial in this fastest version of the game and a lot of hard work was done to raise the standard”, Afridi told reporters at the airport.

While talking about chances of Pakistan in the ICC tournament, the Boom Boom Afridi said that a circle of experts is saying that Pakistani team is somewhat weak in the batting department, but I think we have got good bunch of batters who can play as per the situation. Moreover, our spinners are world class, and with the West Indian pitches favouring spinners more in the recent past, our spinners would give us the real edge over out opponents. “Our batting firepower includes Misbah-ul-Haq (a genuine Twenty Twenty player), Abdul Razzaq (a classy allrounder), young Umar Akmal (hard-hitting fellow), Khalid Latif (devastating opener) and Salman Butt (experienced bullock). We have got great spinners in shape of mysterious Saeed Ajmal, gutsy Mohammad Hafeez and myself. Our pace department is also stronger than the rest as it has fast bowlers like Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Aamer with Abdul Razzaq as a helping hand. So all in all, we have great chance of making it two in a row.

Pakistan would play their first game in the tournament against Bangladesh on May 2 at St Lucia. Australia are the other side in the Group A of the ICC World Twenty-Twenty Championship.

Friday, April 23, 2010

EX Pakistan's Football Captain Died in Karachi

EX Pakistan's Football Captain Died in Karachi

کراچي: قومي فٹبال ٹيم کے سابق کپتان عبداللہ اکبر شديد علالت کے بعد 70 سال کي عمر ميں انتقال کر گئے ۔ وہ سابق ايوارڈ يافتہ کپتان علي نواز بلوچ کے بڑے بھائي تھے ۔ جنازہ رات ايک بجے علي نواز اسٹريٹ بغدادي ٹيلفون ايکسچينج لياري ميں ادا کي جائے گي ۔ سابق کپتان علي نواز بلوچ نے بتايا کہ ان کے بھائي شديد بيمار اور ضياء الدين اسپتال ميں زير علاج تھے ۔ انہوں نے بتايا کہ عبداللہ اکبر نے چار بيٹے اور ايک بيٹي سوگواران ميں چھوڑي ہے ۔ عبداللہ اکبر 1967 سے 1975 تک پاکستان کي جانب سے کھيلتے رہے اور تين مرتبہ انہيں قومي ٹيم کي قيادت سونپي گئي تھي

Karachi: Abdullah Akber was the Captain of Pakistan's National Football team during his career since 1967 to 1975 when he play for national duty

He is died at the age of 70 at Zia uddin Hospital Karachi and he was serious ill since many days, he also a senior Brother of Another Pakistan former Captain and Pride of performance Mr. Ali Nawaz Baloch, He Left out there four sons and one Daughter.

Pak team is tactically, technically set to defend T20 crown: Afridi


KARACHI, April 23 (APP) - Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi was looking for support and prayers of the nation and backing of media in their endeavor to retain their World T20 title in West Indies. “Me and my team is geared-up to tactically and technically live up to the expectations of the nations to accomplish the task in the West Indies,” he told APP Correspondent Ehsan Qureshi in an interview here Friday, prior to his departure to Lahore on his to St.Lucia on Saturday morning.
“Without the prayers of the nation and supporters across the world, Pakistan team can not achieve anything. Besides playing patriotically for Pakistan we needed support of countrymen and media,” he added. “My appeal to the national media would be healthy in criticism but should keep the interest of Pakistan above all,” he said. “My mission as a captain and with the support of players and team management to to keep the team away from any controversy,” he pointed out.
He made its clear that he was not under any kind of pressure. “I like to lead the team from the front because its my style and I always believe in an aggressive approach which had his stigma throughout his career,” he commented “We are fully equipped to face the challenges in West Indies. He got well balanced team in batting and bowling and we have to further lift the standard of fielding, Afridi, who played key role in Pakistan semifinal and finals triumph in 2009.
“Fielding is crucial area in this fastest version of the game and a lot of hard work was done to raise the standard. We are ready give our best and rest with Almighty,” he stressed.
He dispelled the impression that Pakistan may face trouble in batting department. “Its altogether different in T20 cricket. We got a lot of firepower in our batting,” he said. He said they are initially planning to start the innings with Muhammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal. We have experienced Misbahul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, young Umer Akmal, Khalid Latif, Salman Butt.
“As we expect spinning track and for this we got good options in Saeed Ajmal, Muhammad Hafeez and he himself,” he maintained. “We got Muhammad Aamir, Muhammad Sami, Muhammad Asif and Abdul Razaq,” Shahid Afridi indicated.
“T20 is very tough and demanding cricket and we can afford to take any team lightly. We even can not take Bangladesh lightly as they possess a number talented cricketer in their line-up,” he remarked.
In the meantime, a number of Shahid Afridi and Pakistan supporters including former Test opener and Captain Saeed Anwar, former PCB Chairman Lt. General (Retd) Tauqir Zia, Sindh Sports Minister Dr.Muhammad Ali Shah, former Chief Selector Salahauddin, Ex City Nazim Syed Mustufa Kamal and others visited his house on Thursday and wished him and Pakistan team a great luck in the World T20 in Caribbean.

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Karachi’s Boxers dominated in I.G. Sindh Cup Boxing

Karachi: All Sindh I. G. Cup boxing tournament started at Police Training Center Saeedabad Karachi under the supervision of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) and collaboration of Sindh Police Sports Board and Sindh Boxing association.

Additional I. G. Sindh Mr. Wajid Ali Khan Durrani was the Chief guest and decliared him self tournament is start, Chief Orgnizer of the Event and D.I.G. Commandant Police Training center saeedabad Syed Shoukat Ali Shah was also present on the opening occasion.Final Bouts and Closing Ceremony will be held at same venue tomorrow and I.G. Sindh Mr. Sallah-uddin Babar Khattak will be the Chief Guest.

According to Day One Results, Karachi Green Five boxers crossed Quarterfinal Stage and Karachi Blues have 4 , K.E.S.C 3, KPT, Rangers, Hyderabad and Sindh Police 2,2 and Karachi Whites and Mirpore Khas one each in Semifinal

Quarterfinal results

48kg Shoaib Murad (Rangers) bt Laraib Nagori (Mirpurkhas)
48kg M. Farooq (Karachi Blues) bt Jahanzeb (Karachi Whites)
48kg Shiraz Kachhi (Karachi Green) bt Israr (Hyderabad)
51kg Qasim Khan (Hyderabad) bt Arshad (Karachi Blues)
51kg Shaharyar Kachhi (Karachi Green) bt Toheed (Mirpurkhas)
51kg M. Alam (Karachi Blues) bt Nadir Baloch (Rangers)
54kg Majid (Karachi Green) bt Sanaullah (KPT)
57kg Anil (KESC) bt Awais (Karachi Blues)
57kg Arshad (Sindh Police) bt Sajid Farman (Rangers)
57kg Yasir (Karachi Whites) bt Faqir Mohammad (Karachi Green)
57kg Mohammad Taj bt Faisal Shah (Hyderabad)
60kg Jamil Ahmed (Karachi Green) bt Riaz China (KESC)
60kg Zahid (KPT) bt Amir Khan (Karachi Whites)
60kg Abid Malik (Karachi Blues) bt Salam (Mirpurkhas)
60kg Asif Ali (Hyderabad) bt Orangzeb (Sindh Police)
60kg Amir Khan (Karachi Green) bt Fahim (Rangers)
64kg Abdul Wahab (Sindh Police) bt Irfan Kachi (KPT)
64kg Abdul Rauf (KESC) bt Mohammad Fareed (Karachi Whites)
64kg Adil Khan (Kar. Blues) bt Atif Rasool (Mirpore Khas)
69kg Amir Khan (Mirpurkhas) bt Amir Rajput (Hyderabad)
69kg Mohammad Ali (Rangers) bt Nasir (Karachi Blues)
69kg Hassan Asif (KESC) bt Mohammad Javed (Sindh Police).

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Pakistan to make debut in World Junior Boxing in Baku



KARACHI – A six-member Pakistan team will leave here Friday morning for Baku (Azerbaijan) to make their debut at World junior (17 to 18 years) boxing championship starting at Azeri capital April 24 (tomorrow). The team is:
48kg: Obaid Ali, 51kg: Syed Muhammad Asif, 54kg: Ataullah, 64kg: Tanvir Ahmed. Cuban Francisco will be the coach while experienced boxing official/organiser Akber Ali Shah will be the manager.
Akber Ali Shah, who has been associated with the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) for a number of years, talking to TheNation on the eve of the departure of the team said, Pakistan would be making its debut in the championship in which the highest ever 109 countries are taking part. He said as many as 550 boxers from around the world would be fighting for 54 medals at stake in the event. He disclosed the championship originally was to be started on April 20 but due to disruption of air flights in Europe because of the volcanic ash over Europe, the starting date of the event was brought forward to April 24 by the world boxing body AIBA.
He said Pakistan team for the competition was picked from a junior event organised recently at Hyderabad. Cuban coach Francisco selected all the four boxers.
He said the Pakistani youngster would get big opportunity to appear in a world event where they would be playing against some of the best juniors of western countries. It would be great experience for the Pakistani, he hoped.
He disclosed that the president of the PBF Doda Khan Bhutto had arranged all the money needed for team’s travel, boarding and lodging. He said he could not say what amount was needed for the trip but said it must be big. The team during their 12-day stay in Baku would pay USD100 for each member of the team. This amount did not include the air tickets, he added.
He praised the personal attention given by the PBF president in arranging funds for the boxing since he took over the federation.

Shoaib, Sania finally land in Pakistan



KARACHI: The newly-wed couple of Pakistan-India sportspersons finally landed in Pakistan’s soil Thursday when cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis queen Sania Mirza (now Sania Shoaib) arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 1530 PST via PIA’s flight PK-275.

A huge number of media persons were awaiting the couple to come out of the lounge and speak to them. Although, the couple left for Islamabad soon after, but they spoke to the media persons during which Sania Mirza looked a little tired of the travelling while Shoaib Malik was looking fresh and was receiving greetings from his fans.

Sania Mirza said on the occasion that she is feeling so great to visit Pakistan for the first time in her life. Sania’s mother also accompanied the couple.

Government of Sindh’s officials also presented flowers to the couple while Sindh Sports Minister, Dr Mohammad Ali Shah presented Malik with the Sindhi Topi and Sania with the Sindhi Ajrak. Pakistan International Airlines also gave a reception in the honour of the couple during their short stay at the Jinnah International Airport.

Shoaib Malik said on the occasion that they will stay in Pakistan for at least a week and then they will leave for Dubai.

Government of Pakistan have given the couple status of Guests of the State and booked a suit in a 5-star hotel in Islamabad.

The Pakistan-India sportspersons’ reception will be held in Shoaib Malik’s hometown, Sialkot, on April 25 (Sunday) while the Valima ceremony would be held in a 5-star hotel of Lahore on April 27 (Tuesday).

The couple would also call on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani during their stay in Pakistan.

Pak Boxing team to leave for World Youth Boxing Championship


22/04/2010

Karachi: Pakistan’s young boxing team will leave tomorrow (Friday) earlier morning for taking part in AIBA World Youth Boxing Championship which will be slated 25th April to 4 May at Baku, Azerbaijan.

109 countries to be a part for this event around the World that is the Qualifying round for Youth Olympics scheduled at Singapore August this year.

According to PBF Spokesmen Vice President of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) gets boxers and others official’s visa’s at Islamabad in Thursday evening and then tour was are finalized.

Pakistan team leave to Dubai on Emirates Airline Flight No EK 605 from Karachi Jinnah international Airport at 4-45am and then will travel for Baku.

Team is

(1) Obaid Ali (48kg), (2) Mohammad Asif (51kg), (3) Attaullah (54kg) and (4) Mohammad tanveer (64kg)

Cuban Francisco Hernandez Roldan Travel as Coach and Ali Akber Shah will be the team Manager

Vice President of PBF Mr. Iqbal Hussain travel to Baku after some days for some important meetings scheduled with AIBA top officials.

Butt stands in way of Akhtar’s selection



April 22nd, 2010 by Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: The Rawalpindi Express refuelled its chances of international comeback Wednesday when he demolished Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s team in the Pentangular Cup One Day Tournament’s crucial match by grabbing six scalps on a batting friendly pitch.

On one side, Shoaib Akhtar has started to sew lips of his critics, but on the other people in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are still not ready to accept the excellence of the world’s fastest bowler.

Sources told The Sports Encounter Wednesday that the name of Shoaib Akhtar was under consideration of the team management and there were chances that the fast bowler would replace an injured Umar Gul, but the man in charge came in the way of his selection. Yes, Mr. Ijaz Butt denied Shoaib Akhtar an entry into the World T20 squad.


A private television news channel, NewsOne, also quoted its sources as saying, “Shoaib named was inclined by the team management but the Chairman PCB refused to approve his name. Team management believed that in the absence of the experience bowler Gul, Akhtar would have been just the right kind of bowler to lift the attack but considering his anguish disciplinary track record, Chairman PCB had asked the team management to come up with any other name.

The Rawalpindi Express last appeared in the National Colours in a Twenty20 International against Aussies in Dubai while he last featured in a Test match way back in December 2007.

Shoaib Akhtar is unfazed by whatever is happening off the field as his total focus is on gaining fitness and making his way into the national team for the upcoming “Testing” season in England.

Shoaib Akhtar started his comeback well with two wickets for 45 runs in the first match against Punjab Stallions to beat them under unlikely circumstances. If that wasn’t enough, the Rawalpindi Express mauled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on a batting friendly surface and captured six important wickets for 52 runs.

With reference to chances of Shoaib Akhtar’s inclusion in the national side, Chief Selector PCB, Mohsin Hasan Khan, when contacted, adopted a defensive stance and said that not only Shoaib but every player who will perform in the domestic circuit would be given fair opportunity.

“PCB Chairman’s clean chit is far more important than the player’s performance and fitness”, Mohsin stated.

He further elaborated that after the PCB chief’s recommendation the selection committee would consider the player for selection. Shoaib Akhtar would be called up in the Back-up Camp along with 8-10 other players whom we are keeping a close eye at, he added.

The Back-up Camp would start from May 3 and before that the PCB Selection Committee would meet to finalise the names of the players for the camp, Mohsin Hasan Khan said.

Meanwhile, after devastating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wednesday, the world’s fastest bowler told media that he would continue to push for a recall in the national team.

“I’m hoping to make a comeback during the tour of England,” Shoaib, 34, told reporters at National Stadium. “There is plenty of domestic cricket left before our team leaves for England which is why I’m confident of proving my form and fitness,” he stressed.

Shoaib, who has shed a lot of weight and looking very smart, fit and agile in the field, said that he is focussing to play a centric part in Pakistan’s World Cup 2011 campaign next year and would hope to win the title for Pakistan.


http://www.sportsencounter.com/news/cricket/butt-stands-in-way-of-akhtar’s-selection-2976.html

Akhtar name was tipped as Gul's replacement'




Karachi: Pakistan notorious fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's name was tipped to replace injured Umar Gul for the ICC World Twenty20 but Chairman PCB Ejaz Butt had refused to approve his name.

"Shoaib named was inclined by the team management but the Chairman PCB refused to approve his name," claimed NewsOne TV Channel. "Team management believed in the absence of the experience bowler Gul, Akhtar name was put forward but considering his anguish disciplinary track record, Chairman PCB had asked the team management to come up with any other name," quoted the private news channel as saying by sources.

Gul, who is currently is the most successful bowler in the Twenty20 history, has been suffering from a right shoulder injury while Arafat sustained a calf muscle injury on his left leg. Following the MRI scan, which however revealed that both carrying a grade 1 injuries and needed rest for an indefinite of time and with the current condition which appeared like not 'fully fit' team management has decided to drop the duo.

The PCB however on the recommendation of the National Selection Committee headed by Mohsin Khan has named fast bowler Mohammad Sami and left arm spinner Abdul Rehman to replace the injured Umer Gul and Yasir Arafat for ICC World Twenty20, which was approved by the Chiarman PCB.

Akhtar's last appearance for Pakistan came last year in a Twenty20 International against Australia in Dubai, whereas he played his last Test back in December 2007. He is currently featuring in the Pakistan Domestic Pentangular One Day Cup for Federal Areas Leopards and is very much eager to make the most of the chance in order to launch international comeback.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Wasim, Akhtar pull out of Azlan Shan


by Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: The training camp of Pakistan’s hockey team for the upcoming Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament hasn’t started as yet but chaos has started to take grip as after skipper Zeeshan Ashraf withdrew his name from the tournament, two more senior players have pulled out of the tournament.

Sources in the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) told The Sports Encounter Tuesday that Wasim Ahmed and Akhtar Ali have requested the PHF not to consider their names for the selection as they want to take rest.

The hockey camp is starting from April 22 in Karachi. The positive news came a couple of days earlier when Zeeshan Ashraf came out of his retirement but at the same time he pulled out of the Azlan Shah tournament, after which, former captain Wasim Akhtar and Akhtar Ali also followed the suit.

Sources told TSE that two more senior players, former captain Rehan Butt and penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas have also been told by the PHF top authorities to take rest, following which, their inclusion in the Azlan Shah team is highly unlikely.

PHF names 33 probables for Azlan Shah Cup camp


by Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) newly installed selection headed by Olympian Hanif Khan Sunday named 33 probables to attend a short a training camp ahead of next months Azlan Shah Cup staged in Ipoh (Malaysia).

Except for goalkeeper Salman Akbar, all the players of Pakistan team which finished at the bottom in 12-nation competition in the World Cup held in New Delhi has been called to the training camp.

The training camp will commence at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium from April 22 and Azlan Shah Cup begins in Malaysia from May 7.

Camp probables were named by selection committee chief Hanif Khan. Other members of the committee Olympian Muhammad Usman, Mussidiq Hussain and Muhammad Arshad Chaudhry were also present on the occasion.

Hanif Khan said team was picked on the basis of performances in the National championship.

Former Olympic half-back Khawaja Junaid has been named as manager cum chief coach of the Pakistan team in place of sacked Olympian Shahid Ali Khan.

The list of probables include goal keepers: Nasir Ahmed, Imran Shah, Imran Butt; full backs: Zeeshan Ashraf, Sohail Abbas, Muhammad Imran, Wasif Siddiqui, Kashif Ali, Muhammad Ateeq; half-backs: Waseem Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan, Fareed Ahmed, M Rashid, Sajjad Anwar, M Tauseeq, Aamir Shehzad, Usman Tariq, Zaheer Ahmed, Zeeshan Ali; forwards: Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi, Akhtar Ali, M Zubair, Haseem Khan, M Rizwan, Umer Bhutta, Waqas Sharif, Shafqat Rasool, M Bilal, Aqeel Hussain, Shehbaz Ali, Kashif Ali, and Abdul Qayyum.

Commenting on the list of probables, Secretary PHF, Asif Bajwa appreciated Selection Committee headed by Hanif Khan saying, “It is difficult to take a decision to select a player who has never have participated in the senior camp before. I see some players in the probables list who never appeared in the camp before so it shows that they (Selection Committee) have watched and observed National Hockey Championship closely to select these players”.

He was talking to The Financial Daily at Hockey Club of Pakistan here Sudnay.

“It is the prerogative of the selection committee to retain experienced players or not and since they have retained World Cup players so it is their decision. They have done what they thought better for the team,” Bajwa said.

He said that the format of the National Hockey Championship was excellent as it gives maximum exposure to all of the teams.

“Each team played nine matches during the tournament which gave them experience. In other formats a team would play three or four matches and would find a place in the final. So this format gives them more matches to play and therefore it is beneficial for the players,” Asif said.

He further said that Azlan Shah Cup, starting 6th May in Ipoh, Malaysia would give the team chance to point their weaknesses out ahead of Asian Games, to be held from 27th November in Guangzhou, China



Pakistan to train Chinese cricketers



by Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: Six Chinese cricketers arrived in Pakistan Tuesday to get training and coaching for the preparation of Asian Games to be played in Guangzhou, China in November.

The Chinese cricketers include ZhangYu Fei (captain), Jiang Shu Yao (batsman), Sun Duo, Ling Jian (all-rounders) and Zhao Goo Sheng (wicket-keeper).

The Chinese cricketers include ZhangYu Fei (captain), Jiang Shu Yao (batsman), Sun Duo, Ling Jian (all-rounders) and Zhao Goo Sheng (wicket-keeper).

While talking to Xinhua, Director General of Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Ambassador to China, Javed Miandad said that the aim of hosting Chinese cricketers was to jack up their cricketing abilities and raise their level of the game, so that they could help their mates for the upcoming cricket assignments for China.


While commenting on the possibilities of PCB using China as Pakistan’s second home for hosting matches, Javed Miandad opined that grounds in China are not up to the mark of hosting any international matches at present, but they are working on it and are hosting Asian Games this November after which everybody would come to realise their real potential. “Pakistan should play in China, but not before upgrading their grounds.

He went on to say that he was surprised to see cricketing talent in China and they had good piece of knowledge about him. Pakistan Cricket Board is giving all out support to China for the uplift of the game there. “I was astonished to see that whatever I taught them a year ago, they have mastered it”, Miandad said.

“China will take time to get up to the level of playing with top international teams, but right now they are giving good competition to the ICC’s associated members”, Miandad concluded.

Rashid Khan, former Pakistan paceman and coach of National Chinese team is giving training and coaching to Chinese cricketers.

Rashid told Xinhua that he along with the Chinese cricketers are thankful to the PCB for their support and inviting them to train in Karachi.

“On my request, leg spinner Danish Kaneria, Jalaluddin and former wicket keeper Rashid Latif will also give training to the Chinese players”, he said.

After the training and coaching session in Pakistan, Chinese cricketers will participate in cricket tournament organised by Pakistani community in Hong Kong in late May, he said.

They will also take part in three nation tournament in Korea where China will be accompanied by host Korea and Japan, Rashid added.

China will make international debut during Asian Games in November.

Pakistan, Spain to play 3-match hockey series in July


by Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has finalised a three-match hockey series with Spain, which would be played in July this year in Spain. Besides, efforts are afoot to arrange such hockey series with Germany and Holland as well, which would give Pakistan good enough preparation for the Asian Games, said Secretary PHF, Asif Bajwa while talking exclusively to News One TV at Hockey Club of Pakistan on Sunday.

Asif Bajwa said that Pakistan and India would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May for a bilateral hockey series, after which, both hockey boards would finalise the arrangements in this regard. Besides the hockey boards of the two countries, their national Olympic committees and sports ministries also are in the favour of reviving bilateral hockey series.

“Pakistan would play a hockey series against India this year, for sure, but one can’t tell now whether it would be played in Pakistan or at a neutral venue”, Bajwa said.

Pakistan would take part in the Indoor Hockey Asia Cup for the first time and the Federation is considering holding national-level indoor tournament for preparation of the tournament, he stated.

Bajwa further said that the PHF would bid for hosting the 2nd Asian Champions Trophy so as to invite international hockey teams to play in Pakistan.

Asif Bajwa told that the reasons behind downfall of the national game are deep-rooted and this is the need of the hour that the real culprits behind the downfall are unearthed.


“Nobody worked for the betterment of hockey in Pakistan in the past, school hockey breathed its last, and club hockey was also lagging far behind; however, the current PHF regime is working with dedication to bring back the days of glory back to Pakistan and I hope the results would be visible in the next three to four years”, Bajwa mentioned.

Refuting the media speculations about transfer of funds worth Rs500 million in the PHF, the PHF Secretary said, “No, there is no truth in the news regarding transfer of that bigger quantum. The PHF received only Rs220 million funds and now it has Rs60 million in its account”. He added, “Last year, the PHF’s budget was Rs80 million, while it is now to the tune of Rs90 million. One can’t understand that despite having such a huge budget, there were no hockey activities in or out of the country before. Then in the past, coaches, players and associated staff were not paid salaries and instead they were involved in the PHF matters on an honorary basis, but we came here with a mission and provided them with the salaries. Now the budget of the Federation is very much the same, but you can see a lot more domestic tournaments being played”.

We offered the players central contracts, and are spending millions of rupees on restructuring the national academies, he added.

Bajwa went on to say that apart from the performance in the World Cup, the general performance of the Men in Green was quite satisfactory as it played finals of three out of four tournaments it played, while the junior team won three out of four tournaments it took part in.

“For the Youth Olympic, we are left with no option but to prepare a whole new team because 11 players have passed the age limit”, he said.

Bajwa made it clear that the PHF stopped departments from having players of over 30 years age because it wanted to block the way of those players who were not only playing in the national fold but were also blocking the way for the junior players.

While commenting on the breaches of code of conduct in the recently concluded 57th NBP National Hockey Championship, Asif Bajwa said that such incidents took place in the past also where players like Hanif Khan, Naveed Alam and Kalimullah were involved in untoward incidents and no action was taken whatsoever against anybody. However, this time around, the PHF made sure the culprits are dealt with as per the Federation’s rules and no compromise on discipline would be made in future as well, Bajwa made it clear.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Ex Olympians felt Match fixing against Poland defeat


ASiF BAJWA;S CONFESSION OF TROWING MATCH

PAKISTAN HOCKEY TEAM LOST TO POLAND PURPOSELY Pakistan lost WCQ match to Poland deliberately as part of planning to avoid France in Final, Asif Bajwa makes shocking revelation to VOA.

By SARDAR KHAN

KARACHI: As if Pakistan’s worst ever 12th position in the recently concluded hockey world cup in New Delhi was not enough that led the former Olympians to call for Asif Bajwa’s head, the sacked manager of Pakistan team and reigning secretary of Pakistan hockey federation (PHF) Asif Bajwa, in an exclusive interview to Voice of America (VOA) has made the shocking disclosure that Pakistan lost its league match to Poland purposely in world cup qualifying tournament (WQC) held in Lille as part of strategy to avoid hosts France in the final. It may be remembered that PHF President Qasim Zia had sacked the team management comprising of manager Asif Bajwa and chief coach Shahid Ali Khan as well as the whole selection committee after Pakistan’s humiliating display in 2010 world cup.
When asked that how come star studded Pakistan team lost its league match to minnows like Poland on 7th, Nov 2009 in WCQ tournament in France, Bajwa made this shocking revelation that “ I don’t want to justify that defeat but I want to tell you that it was part of the strategy. Had Pakistan beaten Poland, Pakistan could face host France in the final that Pakistan wanted to avoid as in that case, France could win and would have qualified for the final rounds of the world cup”. “It was part of our planning, we fielded our second string in the match in order to ensure that we faced Japan in the WCQ tournament final instead of France, Bajwa said”.

When asked that deliberately losing a match is not only against the spirit of fair play but it also comes under the parameters of Match fixing, Bajwa said, “ I don’t call it match fixing but a strategy and planning. We rested our key players in order to be better equipped in the final against Japan”.

When VOA pressed that even despite resting senior players Pakistan was not a team to be beaten by Poland, Bajwa replied, “ I am not justifying the defeat and I admit that Pakistan should not have lost but what I am saying is that our planning worked well and we qualified for 2010 world cup”. It is worth pointing out that after finishing 12th in 2010 world cup, allegations were echoed by many including former Olympian and coach Shahnaz Shaikh suggesting that he smelled rat of match fixing or under performance that led to disasters humiliation.

Now this bombshell from sitting PHF secretary Asif Bajwa suggests that a high level investigation should be carried out to find out the hidden reasons of debacle. Muhammad Shafiq, one of the sacked selector in the aftermath of world cup, told VOA that it was not a team that could finish at 12th position so an inquiry be set up and responsible should be brought to book.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Girl on the media is not Ayesha Siddiqui – Rashid Latif



Muhammad Asif Khan

Karachi: After a flurry of contrasting stories related to Shoaib Malik’s alleged marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui, former Pakistani captain Rashid Latif has given a new twist to the story.

Talking exclusively to News One TV, Rashid Latif claimed that the girl is not the Ayesha Siddiqui. “Shoaib Malik used to borrow my laptop for chatting with a girl and he did show me a few pictures of her”, said Rashid Latif
“I can assure you that the girl I saw in pictures is not the one on TV these days”, said Latif

Rashid Latif urged fellow cricketer to come forward and support Shoaib Malik and he offered his services in this regard. “I can go to any forum including a court of law to reiterate my statement, and I appeal to all cricketers to stand by Shoaib Malik on this issue”

Pakistan secure bronze in AIBA China Open boxing



KARACHI: Pakistan has secured one bronze medal in the ongoing first AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship at Guiyang China.

Pakistani boxer Mirwaiz Khan gets bye in technical draws as he now reached the semi final and secured bronze medal in Supper Heavy Weight category and won $1000 and he will fight Ghossoun Soumar from Syria. Mirwaiz had also faced him during Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament at Karachi last January, where the Syrian boxer came out as the winner in the quarter final bout.

Pakistan’s another boxer Naimatullah has lost his bout against the host Chinese boxer Zhang Jiawei in 54KG weight category by 12-1 in pre quarter final on the opening day.

Naimatullah was the winner of Pakistan’s lone gold medal at South Asian Games at Dhaka, Bangladesh February this year.

Pakistan’s prominent boxer Mohammad Waseem will fight against Cuba’s Hernandez Andris Laffita in 51KG weight category and fourth Pakistani boxer Nisar Khan will face Italian opponent Podda Luca, according to Swiss timing technical draws.

First AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship started from Monday at Chinese City Guiyang in which 20 teams including Pakistan are participating.

102 boxers and 64 officials are taking part in the mega event and 91 bouts will be played.

AIBA President Ching Kuo Wu, AIBA vice President and Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) President Chang Jianping and other AIBA, ASBC top officials were present on the draw.

AIBA grant support for Pakistan int’l boxing event


KARACHI: The Vice President of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Iqbal Hussain met AIBA President Ching Kuo Wu at Guiyang Monday ahead of the opening ceremony of first AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship.

PBF Vice President and Pakistan team manager Iqbal Hussain told awansports.blogspot.com from Guiyang that he has discussed many boxing issues with AIBA President especially related to Pakistan.

“Our meeting was very fruitful and we have discussed many issues like PBF will host President Cup International Boxing Tournament in July this year so he committed full support and showed his interest to personally coming to Pakistan during the said tournament”, said Iqbal Hussain.

AIBA President also apologised for not coming to Pakistan due to some other important international appointments during Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament (SBBIBT) which was held at Karachi in January this year. However, he praised Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) for holding a big event during which 23 countries participated.

“Pakistan is an important country in boxing world so we will provide all kinds of support to Pakistan and the PBF” said Ching Kuo.

Iqbal Hussain also called on Terry Smith, Chairman AIBA referee judge commission and now technical delegate of first AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship, and discussed with him chances for Pakistani referee judges in international boxing arena.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Roddick beats Berdych to win Key Biscayne title


KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP)—Andy Roddick’s softest shots made the biggest impact Sunday. He kept Tomas Berdych out of rhythm by hitting delicate backhands, loopy forehands and changeup first serves.

By the ninth game, Berdych was so flummoxed he lost track of the score.

There was no confusion about the final result: Roddick beat Berdych 7-5, 6-4 to win the Sony Ericsson Open.

It was Roddick’s fifth title in a Masters 1000 tournament—one level below the Grand Slams—and his first since 2006. The runner-up two weeks ago at Indian Wells, another Masters 1000 event, Roddick has a record of 26-4 this year, best on the men’s tour.
ADVERTISEMENT

“The last month has been real good for me,” said Roddick, who was seeded sixth. “I’ve played well on the big moments. I’ve been able to have a game plan and execute it, regardless of what kind of shots it takes. So it’s all good. It’s all encouraging.”

At 27, he’s showing he can win with more than just a big serve. He surprised Rafael Nadal in the semifinals by frequently charging to the net.

“A lot of people say the serve is fine and the rest of it’s pretty average,” Roddick said. “That’s all right. But there are a lot of guys with big serves who are pretty average, so there’s got to be some difference.”

Roddick’s slice backhand repeatedly forced the 6-foot-5 Berdych to hit the ball at ankle level, robbing his forehand of power. While searching to find a rhythm with his strokes, Berdych also lost track of the score in the ninth game, lining up to serve from the wrong side.

The match turned two games later, when Roddick reached the first break point of the match. He broke when Berdych hit a forehand out, then held at love to take the first set.

That was part of a streak where Roddick won five consecutive games. He broke again to start the second set when Berdych hit another errant forehand, and never faced a break point.

Since hiring Larry Stefanki as his coach in late 2008, Roddick has lost at least 10 pounds, improved his foot speed and developed a more well-rounded game.

“He works as hard or harder than anybody else on this tour,” Stefanki said. “He could be similar to Andre Agassi, where his best years are from 27 on.”

Roddick’s lone Grand Slam title came at the 2003 U.S. Open, and after a series of disappointing defeats in 2008, he wondered if his best days were in the past.

“I honestly didn’t know,” he said. “But I knew there was a way to find out, and that was to kind of go back to the drawing board and give myself every opportunity to succeed. Luckily, that has given me some good days.”

Roddick coaxed one last errant groundstroke from Berdych on championship point, and responded to the crowd’s cheers with a thumbs-up. The title was Roddick’s second at Key Biscayne, where he also won in 2004.

The No. 16-seeded Berdych, who beat top-ranked Roger Federer in the fourth round, was playing in only his second Masters 1000 final. He made just 48 percent of his first serves but attributed his defeat mostly to Roddick.

“He was just too strong today,” Berdych said. “He’s not just serving the big bombs. His variations of the serve are a really big improvement. … I was really looking for maybe to get one chance, but he held pretty well. I didn’t get any chance during whole match.”

Roddick had 13 aces against Berdych and dropped just two service games in the tournament.

“It was a pretty good day,” Roddick said. “But it wasn’t really serving— the rest of it was pretty clean.”

Happy to settle into rallies that often lasted more than 10 strokes—one reached 29—Roddick committed only 16 unforced errors. He hit the fastest serve of the tournament at 143 mph, but didn’t approach that speed against Berdych.

He now has other ways to win.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Exclusive: Pakistan withdrawn international boxing events

Arsenal lose Fabregas, suffer more injury woes

LONDON: (Reuters) - Arsenal's Premier League title challenge was dealt a huge blow on Thursday after captain Cesc Fabregas was ruled out for the rest of the season with a cracked bone in his right leg.

"Cesc will miss the remainder of the domestic campaign as he will be out of action for at least six weeks," a statement on the club's website (www.arsenal.com) said.

The Spain midfielder injured his right fibula in a collision with Barcelona defender Carles Puyol in Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League quarter-final first-leg draw in London.

He picked himself up to tuck away the resulting penalty for Arsenal's equaliser and hobbled through the final eight minutes before leaving the stadium on crutches muttering that he feared the worst.

A scan on Thursday confirmed his pessimism was not misplaced but while the injury could not have come at a worse time for Arsenal as they try and reel in Chelsea and Manchester United, he should be fit for the World Cup finals.

"I hope he recovers as soon as possible so we can start enjoying his play again and he can go to the World Cup because he will be a very important player for us," Barca captain Puyol told a news conference on Thursday.

Fabregas, who has been in sparkling form for third-placed Arsenal, has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, and was patched up by Arsenal's medical department this week after receiving a kick against Birmingham City on Saturday.

Given the all-clear to play on Wednesday, Fabregas and his team mates were run ragged by Barcelona for an hour at the Emirates, but he gradually rallied his troops for an unlikely late revival that brought two late goals.

Pakistan to stage S.Africa series in Middle East

KARACHI: (Reuters) - Pakistan will play three tests and five one-day internationals against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

"We are in touch with the South African Cricket Board and we will be finalising the dates and venues soon," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt said on Thursday.

South Africa had been scheduled to visit Pakistan in October but they refused to play in the country because of security concerns.

Teams have been reluctant to tour Pakistan since six policemen and a driver were killed when militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket squad's bus in Lahore in March 2009. Six players were wounded in the incident.

AIBA appoints Brown international technical official at South American Games

Jamaica: Jamaica Boxing Board general secretary Leroy Brown has been appointed by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to be one of the international technical officials for boxing at the ninth South American Games, which take place in Medellin, Colombia, from today through March 30.

More than 3,000 athletes from 15 countries will be participating in 31 sports in these games, which will have the main venue at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium.

The sporting disciplines include athletics, basketball, baseball, boxing, cycling, diving, football, weightlifting, swimming, tennis, table tennis and shooting.

A former secretary of AIBA's World Championship Committee, Brown, who is chairman of Jamaica's Referee and Judges Commission, is an experienced technical official. He has officiated with distinction as an international judge at two Olympic Games and in several Central American and Caribbean, Commonwealth and Pan-American Games.

He was a member of the AIBA technical preparatory committee and then worked as an international technical official at the World Boxing Championships in Chicago in 2007. He also officiated at the World Youth Boxing Championships in Mexico in 2008.

International technical officials perform duties as members of the jury, manage weigh-in and medical examinations and supervise the draw prior to the start of competition. They also assign referees and judges and assess their performances in competition. They also have the responsibility of ensuring that the correct equipment is assigned to and used by boxers during competition.

Boxing is one of the most popular sports in South America and boxers from territories such as Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru and Venezuela will be participating. With female boxing slated to make its debut in the 2012 Olympic Games in England, females will be included in the boxing programme for these games for the first time.

Pakistan tennis community hopeful of help from Sania Mirza



ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tennis Federation is thinking of utilising the services of Sania Mirza as a coach when she comes to Pakistan after her wedding with Shoaib Malik.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik is set to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in April.

“We would love to have the services of Sania Mirza as a female tennis coach,” secretary of the PTF, Rashid Khan, told Dawn on Wednesday.

The PTF official added: “Sania will be of great help for Pakistan’s emerging female tennis players as she has the international exposure and experience.”

Rashid added that he was not aware whether the legendary tennis player would stay in Pakistan or not, however, “Sania’s stay in Pakistan alone would be an encouraging sign for female players.”

Answering a question, he said: “According to the International Tennis Federation rules, Sania can only play for Pakistan if she doesn’t make appearance from the Indian side on the international circuit for two consecutive years.”

Meanwhile, Sara Mansoor, Pakistan No.1 tennis player, said that Sania can bring a change in country’s female tennis circuit.

She said: “We only have Aisam-ul-Haq as a better rated international tennis player. However, if Sania starts coaching us it will improve our international ranking.”

Sara, ranked No.3 in the national circuit, pointed out that Sania’s presence alone at the tennis court would make a huge difference and “it will be morale boosting sign for several female players.”

Around 32 female players are currently featuring in the national tennis circuit.

Sara insisted: “Sania has now become a source of inspiration especially for Pakistani girls while her wedding with Shoaib Malik will increase an interest in game.”

The emerging tennis player said: “We need celebrities like Sania in Pakistan as their presence will make a difference for future players who are striving to mark their name in the international sports arena.”