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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Pakistan clinch maiden U‑16 Asian Volleyball crown
Pakistan's under-16 men's volleyball team has created history by winning the 2025 Asian Men's U‑16 Volleyball Championship, held in Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi, Thailand. The Green Shirts concluded a flawless eight-day campaign by toppling defending champions Iran 3-2 in a thrilling final on July 19. Pakistan opened with emphatic straight‑set wins over South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Chinese Taipei, exiting the first stage unbeaten. They maintained momentum with successive wins, including a high-drama 3-1 victory over Iran in Pool F, where veteran coach Faizanullah and Muhammad Junaid spearheaded the attack. In the semifinal, the team powered past traditional rival India 3-0, with powerful offense and solid blocking, securing a finals berth and World U‑17 qualification. Meanwhile, Iran stormed to a 2–0 lead in the final (22‑25, 21‑25), but the resilient Pakistanis fought back to win the next three sets 30‑28, 25‑21 and 15‑10. Muhammad Junaid led scoring with 28 points, supported by Faizan (22), Talha (9) and Irfan (8). Coach's reflects on team preparation Head coach Kifayatullah, a former volleybal gold‑medalist at the 1989 South Asian Games, lauded his team's dedication: 'This win is a result of so many sacrifices… We began camp in Attock and Islamabad, with limited resources but unwavering commitment. We kept our eyes on the prize.' He noted the preparation was fraught with challenges, from acclimatizing to heatwaves in Islamabad to maintaining focus amid institutional hurdles, but the PVF and Pakistan Army Centre supported the camp throughout. Pakistan becomes only the second nation to win this title since its inception in 2023. By reaching the semifinals, the team has booked a place in the 2026 FIVB Boys' U‑17 World Championship. The all-round performance, from dominant group-stage matches to a comeback win in the final, underscores Pakistan's growing stature in youth volleyball. Nationwide acclaim High-profile accolades flooded in following the win: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the team. 'Great match Champs! Pakistan's U16 volleyball team wins the Asian U16 Volleyball Championship after an enthralling performance! Congratulations Team Pakistan,' he wrote on X. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the 'Green Shirts' as an inspiration for the nation.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pakistan are the U16 Asian volleyball champions
"We are just so grateful to have created history for Pakistan, this win is a result of so many sacrifices," exclaimed the Pakistan U16 team head coach Kifayatullah as his team defeated the highly-rated Iran 3-2 in the final held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand on Saturday night. Pakistan had finished fourth in the previous edition, and for them to clinch the title in 2025 has been nothing less than a fairytale. They remained undefeated in the tournament that spanned over eight days in Thailand. Starting the campaign in Pool D, where they were slotted with South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Saudi Arabia. In their opening match, they defeated the top team, South Korea, 3-0, and then proved too good for Saudi Arabia and Chinese Taipei, finishing with the dominant scoreline of 3-0 in the preliminary round. Later they played Iran in the next round, and sealed a 3-1 win to continue their flawless trail towards the semifinal, which was against the traditional rivals India. Kiyatullah explained that winning the semifinal was the key moment as they routed India 3-0. " We've had a very long journey and I can only thank Allah for it, this result in the final has been huge for us," he told this correspondent on the phone after the victory celebrations. "When we first started our campaign here, we thought we had a chance when we saw the competition. The win against South Korea was a great motivator, too." The road to the Asian Championship was paved with sacrifices. Kifayatullah, who has been a successful volleyball player himself, with two gold medals and a silver medal at the 1989 South Asian Games, began the training camp with 22-23 players at the Attock Army Centre during March. This was also his first assignment for any national team in his career of 23 years as a coach. " WE began the camp in Attock, and we had a pool of very talented boys, but we brought it down to 12 players. The key factor was to pick each player on merit and not accept any kind of intervention from anyone when it came to the team selection. "We trained at the Army centre for two and a half months, which was good but it had its own challenges, because the Army institution work in their way and on their own pace, simple things like food was a bit of a problem, but we made sure that we kept the kids motivated and one thing that I drilled into them was to keep their eyes on the prize. "It was tough, but I really want to thank the Pakistan Volleyball Federation Ch. Muhammad Yaqoob, who was very cooperative and managed the resources and funds for the team to prepare and to participate in the Asian Championship. "It was after two and a half months that we got to change the training venue, and we started our sessions in Islamabad, after the men#s team left for their international tournament. "But the biggest challenge in Islamabad, too, was the heatwave. "I just want to thank and appreciate my boys; they have been very patient and cooperative through it all. In a month and a half that we spent in Islamabad, I made sure that we got the exposure to good competition, and we had a series of matches with the U19 team that was training for an international event. It had the experience of four to five international competitions, so we thought it would help us. "I think we did well despite the limited resources that we have. It is a personal victory for me, as I promised the PVF that I would win the gold for them with these children, and I am grateful to Allah that he helped me keep that promise," explained Kiyatulah. He shared that Iran was their toughest opponent, but it was a delight to win against a team that had around 12 people in support staff compared to his contingent of 12 players and just three coaches. Kifayatullah was supported by Mohib Rasool and Laiq Zaman. He also appreciated Iran, which prepared its team despite the outbreak of the war. "Iran won an international event in Uzbekistan, and when the war broke out with Israel, they decided to move their camp to Uzbekistan and stayed behind, so they found a way to prepare their team with top facilities despite the challenges of war," added Kifayatullah.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"Never Imagined That...": Aditi Chauhan Reflects On Her Retirement From Football
Aditi Chauhan says she didn't know that a national women's football team existed in India when she kicked the ball for the first time. Nearly two decades later, she retires as a trailblazer, having become the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe. "Playing football, I didn't know there was a national team first of all. So I started because of the fun of the game," the 32-year-old recalled in an interview with PTI Videos. "When I started, I never imagined that, you know, everything that I achieved... it was not even a dream that I could imagine," she said. Chauhan is not entering full-time coaching immediately but is open to helping out the next generation of players achieve their goals in top-flight football and for that, she is pursuing professional courses. The former India women's team goalkeeper, who has announced her retirement from the game after a career spanning 17 years, during which time she has won many laurels with the national team as well as with her clubs, now wants to focus on developing new players. "I would love to. These last few years also, I've been mentoring the other goalkeepers. I enjoy that role," she said. She's completed her goalkeeping level 1 coaching course and wants to do more. "I don't want to commit that I want to get into coaching. But yes, I would definitely like to help out," the former India women's number one custodian said. During a successful international career, Chauhan, who caught everyone's attention after being signed up by West Ham United for the Women's Super League in England in 2015, donned the India jersey 57 times and, among others, was part of the senior teams that won the SAFF Women's Championship in 2012, 2016 and 2019. She has also won gold medals at the South Asian Games. But it wasn't just the highs that defined her career. After suffering two ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injuries, Chauhan fought her way back to the field to reclaim "something personal". "Last year when I came back from my second ACL and played the IWL, my whole reason for coming back... was to find that joy again. I didn't want to leave football on a sour note with an injury," said the former India shot stopper. "There were other goalkeepers playing. So, I had to again earn that spot in starting 11... I knew that once I'm back on the field, I'll earn my number one spot. And I did." She spent two seasons with West Ham before returning to India in early 2018, and then joined Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2019-20 Indian Women's League (IWL). At the domestic level, Chauhan won the IWL title with Gokulam Kerala FC in 2019-20 and 2021-22 besides reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Women's Club Championship and securing a third-place finish. She led a young team from the bottom of the table to a top-three finish in the IWL. But even as she performed at the highest level, retirement loomed. "I felt as long as I'm playing, I'll always compete for number one spot. And that means that no one else will be able to... So that was also a part of that decision to kind of step aside and let the young guns take it from here," she added. Asked about the national women's team qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup recently, she said, "I truly believe we can make it to the World Cup if we have the right planning and on-ground execution of things. This is the result of the preparation that we did for the Asia Cup and I think it is beautiful." Her initiative 'SheKicks' is committed to building a professional ecosystem for young female footballers in the country. "If I had the right professional setup around me, I wouldn't have to retire... I don't want a youngster to feel that way. That they didn't have the right resources, that's why they couldn't achieve their full potential," she said.
India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Paralympic Committee of India director K.R. Satyanarayan elected as SAPSF president
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): In a historic move to strengthen and unify the para sports movement across South Asia, the South Asian Para Sports Federation (SAPSF) was officially formed on Saturday, as per the press release from PCI. The Federation will be led by Satya Babu of India, Director of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), who has been elected as President, while Ahmed Mohamed of Maldives, Secretary General of NPC Maldives, will serve as Secretary General. Jaywant Gundu Hammannavar, Secretary General of PCI, has been appointed as Treasurer. Vice Presidents include Thushan Deepal Hearth Lekam Ralalage of Sri Lanka, President of the Sri Lanka Paralympic Committee, and Om Nath Shiwakoti of Nepal, Treasurer of NPC Nepal. Representing the athletes, Rajitha Ampemotti from Sri Lanka has been appointed as Athlete Representative. Expanding the leadership structure, Chencho of NPC Bhutan has been appointed as a Committee Member, Deepa Malik, Padma Shri and Paralympic medallist, has been appointed by default through her position as the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) Representative. Satyanarayana from NPC India has also been appointed as the Senior Chief Advisor and Manish Rana of NPC India will serve as the Joint Secretary, to SAPSF, in recognition of his pivotal role in shaping the federation's formation and future vision. The formation of SAPSF took place in the presence of official representatives from India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives, marking the beginning of a new chapter in regional collaboration. Devendra Jhajharia, the President of the Paralympic Committee of India, also attended the meeting. The Federation aims to build a structured and united front for para-athletes, focusing on infrastructure development, athlete support systems, resource pooling, and ultimately, the launch of the South Asian Para Games. Expressing his delight on being elected as the inaugural President, Satya Babu said as quoted by the PCI press release, 'It is an honour to be entrusted with this responsibility at such a pivotal moment for para sports in our region.' He further added, 'Our vision is to replicate the spirit of the South Asian Games, but exclusively for Para athletes. This is a major step in creating world-class training and competition platforms across the region. With SAPSF, we aim to unlock new pathways for athletes to compete and grow.' Ahmed Mohamed, Secretary General of SAPSF, stressed the importance of inclusivity and expanded access. 'Many athletes in South Asia have had limited access to international competition. This initiative opens doors for classification, training, and exposure. We are grateful to the Paralympic Committee of India for driving this forward,' Ahmed Mohamed said. Vice President Thushan Ralalage of Sri Lanka emphasised the need for long-term athlete development. 'This isn't just about medals--it's about building an ecosystem that supports para athletes at every level through education, training, and classification programs,' Thushan Ralalage said. Om Nath Shiwakoti of Nepal, also serving as Vice President, spoke about the critical need for shared resources. 'Countries like Nepal lack the infrastructure that India possesses. Through SAPSF, we can bridge that gap and build regional strength by leveraging one another's capacities,' Om Nath Shiwakoti Sonam Karma Tshering, Secretary General of the Bhutan Paralympic Committee, welcomed the move, stating, 'We've never had the chance to truly work together as a region. With SAPSF, we can now create a common event calendar, share knowledge, and help each other rise.' With the establishment of SAPSF, South Asia takes a bold and unified step forward--toward becoming a global leader in para sports. The Federation promises a future where para athletes are empowered by opportunity, united by purpose, and supported by a regional system committed to excellence and equity. (ANI)
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pak presence in FIH League in limbo
Pakistan hockey team's participation in the high-profile FIH Pro League hangs in the balance due to uncertainty of funding. PHOTO: AFP Pakistan's participation in the upcoming FIH Pro Hockey League hangs in the balance as the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has yet to provide a clear commitment on funding to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). A crucial meeting between PSB Director General Yasir Pirzada and PHF Secretary General Olympian Rana Mujahid ended without a breakthrough. Speaking to the media, Rana Mujahid said that the costs of participating in the Pro League are significantly high and appealed to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir for urgent assistance. He noted that while India receives an annual grant of 3 billion rupees for hockey, Pakistan's funding situation remains dismal. "The expenses of the Pro League are enormous. We hope the Prime Minister will come to our aid. We have also appealed to Field Marshal Asim Munir," Mujahid stated. He added that Pakistan's performance in the FIH Nations Hockey Cup was satisfactory, and that the federation is committed to following government and PSB guidelines. He also confirmed that senior team head coach Tahir Zaman will soon present his training and competition plan. Mujahid warned that if Pakistan commits to the Pro League but fails to participate, it could face sanctions from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). "We have reached out to the FIH President and requested more time to resolve the situation," he said. Meanwhile, DG PSB Yasir Pirzada said that approximately USD 2.5 million is needed for Pakistan's participation in the Pro League. "We have asked PHF to submit a working paper. The financial requirement is substantialthis is not cricket, where funds flow easily. We will present the matter to the government and the Prime Minister," Pirzada explained. He also mentioned that the usage charges of Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium were increased to meet maintenance costs but promised to review club-level fees. "Hockey is our national sport and should be given priority," he affirmed. The fate of Pakistan's appearance in the prestigious international league now rests on swift government intervention and timely financial support. Yasir Pirzada unveils roadmap for sports development Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Yasir Pirzada, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap focused on infrastructure development, athlete training, and long-term sports promotionunderscoring Pakistan's determination to reclaim its sporting stature on the regional stage. With Pakistan set to host the South Asian Games in January 2026, the PSB has entered a decisive phase in its efforts to uplift sports nationwide. Speaking to a delegation of the Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA), led by President Abubakar Bin Tallat, DG Yasir Pirzada provided a detailed overview of preparations for the upcoming regional event. "Hosting the South Asian Games is a matter of national pride, and we are taking all possible measures to meet international standards in infrastructure, training, and athlete welfare," Pirzada stated. He highlighted the ongoing renovation and development work at the Pakistan Sports Complex, where significant upgrades are underway to transform the facility into a state-of-the-art venue capable of hosting international events. Pirzada emphasized that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, and Federal Secretary IPC Mohyuddin Wani, the government is strongly committed to reviving and promoting sports across the country. He added that special attention is being given to national training camps, which now include advanced coaching, nutritional planning, and psychological support to help athletes compete at the highest level. Beyond the Games, DG PSB also outlined broader sports development initiatives, including grassroots talent identification programs, school and college competitions, and public-private partnerships aimed at strengthening the foundation of sports in Pakistan. The session concluded with an open exchange of suggestions from journalists, reinforcing the PSB's commitment to media collaboration and the long-term growth of sports in the country. The RISJA delegation included Abdul Mohi Shah, Shakeel Awan, Zulfiqar Baig, Nasir Naqvi, Shakir Abbasi, Afzal Javed, Shahryar Khan, Arfa Feroze Zaki, Awais Abbasi, and Kiran Khan.
