Category: Sports

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  • England tour of Pakistan 2021 schedule announced, Rawalpindi to host both series

    England tour of Pakistan 2021 schedule announced, Rawalpindi to host both series

    England men’s and women’s teams will travel to Pakistan for a bilateral series. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will be hosting both the series.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Friday, announced that the England men’s team will take on the home side in two T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi in October. The England women’s team will also play two T20Is and three ODIs against the Pakistan women’s team during the same month at the same venue.

    The England men and women’s teams will arrive in Islamabad on October 9. Subsequently, the touring sides will play the T20Is on October 13 and 14, with the matches being held as double-headers. After the completion of the T20I series, the England men’s squad will leave for Dubai on October 15.

    However, the England women’s side will stay back and partake in three ODIs on October 17,19 and 21 respectively. This will be England senior team’s (men or women) first tour to Pakistan since 2005-06. Incidentally, the matches were initially scheduled to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on October 14 and 15, but had to be rescheduled as a result of “operational and logistical reasons”.

    “We are delighted to welcome both the England men’s team for what will be their first tour to Pakistan since 2005, and the England women’s team, who will be touring Pakistan for the first time. Both are additional tours with England men’s side scheduled to return to Pakistan in the last quarter of 2022 for white-ball and ICC World Test Championship fixtures,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said.

  • Olympic gold medalist to be given new medal after mayor bit the first one

    Olympic gold medalist to be given new medal after mayor bit the first one

    Japanese softball player Miu Goto will have her Olympic gold medal replaced after a mayor controversially decided to bite the original medal.

    Tokyo Olympics officials say they’re replacing Goto’s gold medal after Takashi Kawamura, the mayor of her hometown of Nagoya, bit the first one during a ceremony despite Covid-19 concerns, BBC News reports. The International Olympic Committee is reportedly set to cover the costs.

     “With support from the International Olympic Committee and in line with her own intention, Goto’s medal is now set to be exchanged for a new one,” Tokyo organisers said, per Reuters. 

    Kawamura previously came under fire for taking off his mask to bite the medal, including from Toyota, which owns the softball team Goto plays for, NBC News reports.

    The company said it was “unfortunate that he was unable to feel admiration and respect for the athlete” and “extremely regrettable that he was unable to give consideration to infection prevention”. Kawamura apologised for acting in “an extremely inappropriate way,” adding, “I am fully aware that I should reflect on that.” 

  • Waqar Zaka welcomes national hero Arshad Nadeem, rewards $5000

    Waqar Zaka welcomes national hero Arshad Nadeem, rewards $5000

    Waqar Zaka has welcomed Arshad Nadeem at the Lahore airport and rewarded him with $5000 (10 lac Pakistani rupees) as a token of appreciation as the athlete qualified for the final competition of ‘Javelin throw’ at the Tokyo Olympics.

    Arshad was given a warm welcome upon his return to Pakistan.

    In his hometown, Mian Channu, he was welcomed by a crowd of admirers chanting his name alongside slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad”.

    https://twitter.com/makhdoomab/status/1425589111390457859?s=20

    Yesterday, the Punjab government announced a cash prize worth one million rupees each for javelin thrower Arshad, weightlifter Talha Talib and mountaineer Shehroz Kashif for their recent celestial performances at the Olympics.

    Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimur Khan Bhatti said Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar will hand the cash prizes to all the three athletes.

    “Arshad Nadeem is the first Pakistani track and field athlete who directly qualified [for Olympics],” said Rai Taimur Khan Bhatti.

    He added, “Arshad Nadeem and Talha Talib both made Pakistan famous.”

  • Fans gush over Pakistani Olympian Talha Talib’s hot picture

    Fans gush over Pakistani Olympian Talha Talib’s hot picture

    Pakistani weightlifter, who represented Pakistan in the Tokyo Olympics and held the gold medal spot until the final round, shared a picture of himself on Instagram and his fans are going crazy.

    “Don’t stop believing in yourself. No matter what happens,” wrote Talha, while sharing the picture.

    The 21-year-old weightlifter from Gujranwala took part in the 67kg category in the Tokyo Olympics, broke his own national record in the final round. He was eventually bumped down and finished fifth in the competition, lifting 170 kilograms. However, he was widely hailed in the country for his effort.

    Here are a few reactions from the fans on his post:

  • Punjab govt announces Rs1 million cash rewards for Arshad, Talha and Shehroz

    Punjab govt announces Rs1 million cash rewards for Arshad, Talha and Shehroz

    The Punjab government on Tuesday announced cash rewards of Rs1 million for javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, weightlifter Talha Talib and mountaineer Shehroz Kashif for their recent stellar performances at the global level.

    Read More – CM Punjab Buzdar promises to ensure better sporting facilities for youth

    Nadeem missed out on an Olympic medal and finished fifth in the javelin throw event at the Tokyo Olympics, but the athlete from Mian Chunnu received wide acclaim back home for his achievement with little resources at his disposal.

    Similarly, 21-year-old weightlifter Talha Talib from Gujranwala took part in the 67kg category in the Tokyo Olympics and held the gold medal spot until the final round before eventually being bumped down and finishing fifth in the competition. However, he was widely hailed in the country for his effort.

    Kashif, 19, had on July 27 become the youngest person to reach the summit of K2. The world’s second-highest peak at a height of 8,611 metres (28,251 foot) above sea level, with the aid of bottled oxygen.

    Hailing the athletes for their remarkable gains, Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimur Khan Bhatti said the nation watched the Tokyo Olympics with zeal, while Pakistan’s participants Nadeem and Talib “did really well” in the competition.

    Addressing a press conference, Bhatti said he would personally visit the airport to receive Nadeem. The minister said that the Government of Punjab had always supported and encouraged sports persons.

    He also announced an award of Rs0.5m for Nadeem’s coach.

    The minister further said the Punjab government would bear travel expenses of Haider Ali and Nabila Baig, who will take part in the Paralympic Games.

  • Arshad Nadeem’s failure in the Olympics because of extensive use of social media: Chief, Pak team

    Arshad Nadeem’s failure in the Olympics because of extensive use of social media: Chief, Pak team

    Pakistan contingent’s chef-de-mission to the Tokyo Olympics Brig Zaheer Akhtar expressed his displeasure over missing a golden opportunity of winning a medal that could have been a Gold even, as highly talented Arshad Nadeem was capable of touching the 90-meter mark, had he and his coach stayed focused on achieving the ultimate goal prior to the finals, reports Abdul Mohi Shah for The News.

    “Nonstop social media usage by Arshad and his coach in between the qualifying and final rounds turned out to be the main reason behind this failure,” said Brig Zaheer.

    Talking to The News from Tokyo, Brig Zaheer said Arshad looked set to topple even the best as he gave an early indication of his talent during the qualifying round.

    “When he sent javelin to over 85 meters in the qualifying round, Indian coach who trained the Gold medalist Chopra was on record to have said that Arshad was the biggest threat to his athlete, having all the potential to win even Gold. Such was the impact of his qualifying round performance where he hardly put his full effort and yet he reached over 85. The Indian camp was wary of Arshad and his potential.”

    Brig Zaheer said despite clear instructions, both Arshad and his coach Fayyaz Bokhari were seen using social media uninterruptedly. Later, it was learnt that they even sent premature videos back home halfway into the competition, which “surely was an act of total indiscipline”.

    The contingent’s chef-de-mission said he had absolutely no doubt in Arshad’s inborn talent.

    “His coach was even talking on the telephone when finals were going on but I don’t know to whom he was talking to. That is the reason why Arshad did not know that time was running out for his final throw. His half-hearted last attempt was made in haste. With J Vetter already out, it should have been a direct contest between Arshad and Chopra for a Gold medal. Sadly that could not happen more due to Arshad and his coach’s excessive use of social media in between the qualifying round and finals.”

  • Tears and standing ovation mark Messi’s farewell to Barcelona

    Tears and standing ovation mark Messi’s farewell to Barcelona

    Lionel Messi wept on Sunday as he bade farewell to his boyhood team FC Barcelona.

    The 34-year-old Argentine’s emotional news conference followed Barca’s announcement last week that it could no longer afford him after a glittering two decades.

    French newspaper L’Equipe reported on Sunday that Messi will travel to Paris either Sunday or Monday to undertake a medical and finalise a deal with the Qatar Sports Investment-owned club.

    Spanish newspaper Marca reported PSG formally sent their offer to Messi on Sunday morning, just as the football star held a news conference.

    While Messi did not confirm he would definitely join the Parisians, he said that his plans were to carry on playing as long as possible, adding he still harbours ambitions to win another Champions League trophy.

    “As long as I go on being competitive and as long as my body responds (I’ll carry on playing),” he told a news conference.

    “As long as I can, I will carry on competing.”

    “I tried to behave with humility and respect and I hope that is what remains of me when I leave the club,” said an emotional Messi as hundreds of fans, many wearing his No. 10 jersey, amassed outside Barca’s Camp Nou stadium to bid farewell to the player they called Messiah.

    Messi broke down as he walked onto the stage before conducting his news conference and was handed a tissue by his wife Antonella Roccuzzo as he fought back the tears.

    “This is the toughest moment of my career. When the club told me, I just froze. This is all like a bucket of cold water has been poured over me and we are still coming to terms with it,” he sobbed.

    “When I get home, I’m sure it’ll be even worse. But I’ll be surrounded by my loved ones and I’ll carry on playing football, and when I do so, I’m sure it’ll become a bit easier.”

    It had been widely reported by local media that Messi was set to stay at Camp Nou, with the player admitting he had agreed to a five-year deal involving a 50% pay-cut.

    The six-time Ballon D’or winner has been at Barcelona for 21 years and became its all-time top goalscorer with 682.

    Meanwhile, many notables wished him luck.

  • CM Punjab Buzdar promises to ensure better sporting facilities for youth

    CM Punjab Buzdar promises to ensure better sporting facilities for youth

    Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has promised to ensure better sporting facilities for youth in Pakistan.

    Taking to Twitter, CM said: “The whole nation is proud of Arshad Nadeem. He finished in top 5 but his determination will motivate and inspire Millions of Pakistanis.”

    “Punjab Government will Insha Allah ensure more and better sporting facilities for our youth to follow in the footsteps of Talha Talib and Arshad Nadeem,” said the CM.

    While several others encouraged both Arshad Nadeem and Talha Talib for their efforts in Olympics without any facility.

    Here are a few tweets from politicians, sportsmen and notables, encouraging Nadeem:

    https://twitter.com/76Shadabkhan/status/1423980451782397961?s=20

    Arshad congratulated the gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and apologised from the nation for letting them down.

    https://twitter.com/ArshadNadeemPak/status/1423983262406483972?s=20

    The 24-year-old athlete finished fifth among 12 contestants as India’s Neeraj won gold and Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch and Vitezslav Vesely claimed silver and bronze medals.

    Arshad Nadeem was aspiring to win Pakistan’s first Olympics medal since the men’s hockey team earned a podium finish in 1992.

    The athlete made history last week as he became first-ever Pakistani athlete to qualify for the final of any track and field event in the Olympics.

  • PM Khan, others pray for Arshad Nadeem’s win at Olympics Javelin Throw finals

    PM Khan, others pray for Arshad Nadeem’s win at Olympics Javelin Throw finals

    Prime Minister Imran Khan along with other politicians and notables have prayed for Arshad Nadeem, who will be competing for the finals of the Javelin Throw competition at Tokyo Olympics today.

    Taking to Twitter, PM office’s account wrote: “We pray for #ArshadNadeem’s podium finish in the finals of the Men’s Javelins Throw.”

    He further added: “With the nation’s prayers and your hard work, victory awaits you, Insha’Allah. Way to go, champ!”

    Other people who wished him luck include Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam, journalist Hamid Mir, actor Faysal Quraishi, among others.

    Arshad Nadeem, in a video message, thanked his fans for their prayers.

  • Olympic finalist Arshad Nadeem had no ground to practice, says father

    Olympic finalist Arshad Nadeem had no ground to practice, says father

    Pakistani Olympian Arshad Nadeem’s father has claimed that he had no ground to practice and worked on his own without any support from the government.

    Read More – ‘Will give reward to Arshad Nadeem if he wins Gold in Olympics’: Hassan Ali

    According to Geo News, Muhammad Ashraf, father of javelin thrower Arshad, revealed that his son did not even have a ground to practice.

    Muhammad Ashraf further shared that Arshad was initially interested in cricket but he suggested his son try javelin throw instead.

    Nadeem’s father, who works as a mason to bear the expenses of Arshad’s training, said that Arshad trained in his own house’s courtyard and streets. Money for fitness machines was also provided by his father.

    He added that the government provided no support to Arshad and the expenses of sending him to Multan, Faisalabad, and Lahore for practice were completely borne by him.

    Arshad’s younger brother is also a javelin thrower and he is in Lahore for training.

    Muhammad Ashraf demanded that the government support young athletes and build grounds where athletes can practice.

    Arshad topped his group during the group stage competition and ranked third in both the groups. He will be participating in the final contest on August 7.

    Taking to Twitter, Arshad appealed to the people of Pakistan to pray for him for the final competition.

    https://twitter.com/ArshadNaadeem/status/1423108260811485184?s=20