Latest news with #U16
India Today
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Watch: Pakistan player's ugly handshake with Indian tennis star in Junior Davis Cup
India defeated Pakistan in the Junior Davis Cup on May 24, blanking their arch-rivals 2-0 in the U16 tournament. Playing in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, India's Prkaash Sarran and Tavish Pahwa won their singles matches in the super tie-break, securing a dominant win for the erupted three days after the match, as a video from the game went viral online. In the clip, a Pakistani player is seen shaking hands in an unsportsmanlike manner with an Indian player. After the loss, the Pakistani U16 player appeared to take a swipe at the Indian junior star. Initially failing to connect in the handshake, he repeated the action—this time making contact—only to abruptly shake off the Indian player's hand in a disrespectful Indian player remained composed and did not react, displaying maturity beyond his years. Relations between India and Pakistan worsened after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. In response, India launched precision strikes at nine terror camps, linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, in Pakistan and POK on May 7, killing over 100 as India maintained that the "measured, focused, and non-escalatory" strikes only struck terror sites, Pakistan launched drone strikes on military bases near the border, prompting a retaliation from three days of intense military hostilities, both countries agreed to a cessation of firing from both sides on May 10.
News24
08-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Small town hockey star, 16, chosen to represent SA in Netherlands - and just needs some help
Meet Alzira Potgieter, a determined Grade 10 pupil from the small town of Volksrust, Mpumalanga, who's defying the odds and chasing her dreams. From a lower-middle-class background with a single parent, Alzira's talent and hard work have earned her a spot on South Africa's U16 hockey team. A tour to the Netherlands in October costs R55 000, and Alzira has appealed for support to turn her dream into a reality. From a small town filled with big dreams, Grade 10 pupil Alzira Potgieter from Volksrust, Mpumalanga, has risen above the odds to proudly represent South Africa in hockey at an international level in the Netherlands. Her mother, Julia Dlamini, said what sets Potgieter apart is her resilience, determination, and passion. She hails from a household where financial constraints served as hurdles but never broke her spirit. Speaking to News24, the Grade 10 scholarship student from Ligbron Academy of Technology in Mpumalanga expressed that this was a life-changing opportunity for her and her family, meaning the world to them. 'Representing South Africa has been one of my biggest dreams, and finally, it's about to become reality. I'm honoured to represent my country with dignity and enthusiasm because it truly means the world to me. Younger Alzira would definitely be proud, and I can't wait to make the rest of my country proud.' Potgieter's journey is one of hope and hard work. Since picking up a hockey stick at the tender age of seven, her dedication to sport has never wavered. Her goal? Not just personal victories but also inspiring others. 'It will inspire younger girls in my community to think greater than their situations. I want the people in the Netherlands to see my passion for hockey. I want to achieve much more, like playing for our country — representing all of South Africa — even after high school,' she said. She credited much of her success to her biggest supporter — her mother, who has been a single parent and the sole breadwinner for the family. 'My mom works at Eskom and has been hustling for me and my three sisters. I grew up without my father; he's an absent parent in my life. But despite everything, my mom encouraged us to work hard and balance sports and academics.' She added that this opportunity holds tremendous value not just for her but for her entire family. 'It would mean a lot to my family because I'm the first child in our household to get such a big opportunity to go overseas,' she adds. Potgieter's determination is coupled with maturity far beyond her years. 'Mentally, I am focused on the outcomes of the tour. Emotionally, I'm leaving space for disappointment, but I'm not letting the stress get to my head. I'm very excited about the tour and am already training myself in advance. 'I believe that a hockey player's mindset should not be about giving up but about keeping your head held high. My goal is to make myself and my mom proud because she's been my biggest supporter, and giving up would be a huge disappointment for her,' she said. READ | From Gugulethu to the world: Entrepreneur's streetwear brand lands major gig Though the journey has been filled with hurdles, she remains optimistic about overcoming the financial challenges that could otherwise impede her dream. 'Receiving financial assistance would be of great help because we can't do this without people's help,' she says earnestly, extending her gratitude to anyone willing to support her journey. Dlamini, said she is proud of her daughter and wishes that she would get funding. 'She's a tough cookie, just like her mom. She puts her all into everything she does. Even at the school she's at now, she got a scholarship because she's also good at athletics. 'I'm very excited and wish that people really help her get the funding to go because I'm a single parent, and I can't afford to pay for her,' she said. The left wing's coach, Lelanie Sprintjuf, said: 'Alzira is a very strong runner; she carries a ball with tremendous speed, no one can catch up. When she decides the outcome, nothing can affect her attitude. She stands firmly in the belief of team spirit and hard work. 'I am a firm believer in 'opportunities changing lives'; this is what it can do for her. She has a tremendous amount of potential,' she said. Petrus Du Plessis of Into Africa Sports PTY LTD, the organiser, said that they don't provide any fundraising for the athletes, only sponsorship letters. This means athletes are encouraged to seek sponsorship independently to make the tours financially feasible. To facilitate this, Inter Africa Sports assists athletes with the necessary documents for sponsorship proposals. "We give them sponsorship letters for them to go and look for sponsors. So, we just acknowledge that this person or this kid is going to tour to the Netherlands, and then we give them a letter that just confirms that," he said. The tour cost to the Netherlands is R55 000, and it will be happening in October.
Observer
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman U16 set for ACC West Zone Cup in Qatar
MUSCAT: As the ACC Men's U16 West Zone Cup 2025 kicks off on April 23 in Qatar, the Oman U16 cricket team arrived in Doha with quiet confidence, a well-balanced squad, and the ambition to make their mark on the regional stage. Led by skipper Aryan Joshi, who joins the team fresh from the ICC U19 CWCQ Asia in Nepal along with Kavish Shah and Vignesh Karthikeyan, the squad is a vibrant mix of talent and youthful promise. Under the guidance of head coach Parviz al Balushi, the team has been shaped through a comprehensive selection process and rigorous training schedule. 'We had more than 60 picked players from different schools and clubs participating in Oman's junior domestic league to conduct selections from,' said Al Balushi. 'We picked the best squad that would suit the conditions along with match our team combination for the way we want to play our cricket.' That combination, Parviz added, is built not just on talent, but on cohesion and tactical clarity. 'The side has gelled well and the team combination looks settled. We have worked along the fitness of the players initially, phasing into the skills with target-specific net sessions and a series of practice games to give our boys a solid preparation,' he said. Several members of the team also play in Oman's senior domestic leagues, bringing with them a level of maturity that belies their age. From top-order resilience to bowling depth, Oman's squad offers versatility across departments. 'This is a unique composition of experience and youth at this level,' Al Balushi said. 'We are evenly stable with our batting and bowling unit, which allows us to be flexible with our positive plans.' Oman launch their campaign against Saudi Arabia on April 23 at 9:30 am. The tournament continues with matches against Bahrain (April 25), hosts Qatar (April 28), Kuwait (May 1), and UAE (May 3), followed by the final on May 5, offering a demanding yet exciting fixture list. The long-serving coach believes this tournament is more than just a competitive outing—it's a crucial step in the developmental journey of the players. 'This tour certainly is pivotal for the U16 boys in terms of the exposure and experience they will reap out of this, enabling a smoother transition to U19 cricket,' he said. 'The team believes that this is the right opportunity to express the efforts put into the game from a young age and to make the most out of the tournament. We want to trust and believe in ourselves and our process to expect positive results.' Squad: Aryan Joshi (captain), Kavish Shah, Mohammad Aseel, Guransh Singh, Christo Tredoux, Vihaan Sanjay Chauhan, Mohammad Eisa, Arav Pillai, Mathew Samuel Kevin, Sethmina Devin, Shravan Sharat, Hafiz Mohamed, Vignesh Karthikeyan, Ayush Shetty. Coach: Parviz al Balushi, Assistant coach: Amir Ali, Manager: Sher Mohd al Balushi.
Muscat Daily
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Muscat Daily
Oman U16 team ready to shine at ACC Men's West Zone Cup in Qatar
Muscat – As the ACC Men's U16 West Zone Cup 2025 kicks off on Wedensday in Qatar, the Oman U16 cricket team, a well-balanced squad, arrived in Doha with quiet confidence and the ambition to make their mark on the regional stage. Led by skipper Aryan Joshi, who joins the team fresh from the ICC U19 CWCQ Asia in Nepal along with Kavish Shah and Vignesh Karthikeyan, the squad is a vibrant mix of talent and youthful promise. Under the guidance of head coach Parviz Al Balushi, the team has shaped through a comprehensive selection process and rigorous training schedule. 'We had more than 60 picked players from different schools and clubs participating in Oman's junior domestic league to conduct selections from,' said Al Balushi. 'We picked the best squad that would suit the conditions along with match our team combination for the way we want to play our cricket.' That combination, Parviz added, is built not just on talent, but on cohesion and tactical clarity. 'The side have gelled well and the team combination looks settled. We have worked along the fitness of the players initially, phasing into the skills with target-specific net sessions and a series of practice games to give our boys a solid preparation,' he said. Several members of the team also play in Oman's senior domestic leagues, bringing with them a level of maturity that belies their age. From top-order resilience to bowling depth, Oman's squad offers versatility across departments. 'This is a unique composition of experience and youth at this level,' Al Balushi said. 'We are evenly stable with our batting and bowling unit, which allows us to be flexible with our positive plans.' Oman launch their campaign against Saudi Arabia on April 23 at 9:30am. The tournament continues with matches against Bahrain (April 25), hosts Qatar (April 28), Kuwait (May 1), and UAE (May 3), followed by the final on May 5, offering a demanding yet exciting fixture list. The long-serving coach believes this tournament is more than just a competitive outing—it's a crucial step in the developmental journey of the players. 'This tour certainly is pivotal for the U16 boys in terms of the exposure and experience they will reap out of this, enabling a smoother transition to U19 cricket,' he said. 'The team believes that this is the right opportunity to express the efforts put into the game from their young age and to make the most out of the tournament. We want to trust and believe in ourselves and our process to expect positive results.' Squad: Aryan Joshi (captain), Kavish Shah, Mohammad Aseel, Guransh Singh, Christo Tredoux, Vihaan Sanjay Chauhan, Mohammad Eisa, Arav Pillai, Mathew Samuel Kevin, Sethmina Devin, Shravan Sharat, Hafiz Mohamed , Vignesh Karthikeyan, Ayush Shetty. Coach: Parviz Al Balushi, Assistant coach: Amir Ali, Manager: Sher Mohd Al Balushi.
Times of Oman
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman U16 ready to shine at ACC Men's West Zone Cup in Qatar
MUSCAT: As the ACC Men's U16 West Zone Cup 2025 kicks off on April 23 in Qatar, the Oman U16 cricket team arrived in Doha with quiet confidence, a well-balanced squad, and the ambition to make their mark on the regional stage. Led by skipper Aryan Joshi, who joins the team fresh from the ICC U19 CWCQ Asia in Nepal along with Kavish Shah and Vignesh Karthikeyan, the squad is a vibrant mix of talent and youthful promise. Under the guidance of head coach Parviz Al Balushi, the team has shaped through a comprehensive selection process and rigorous training schedule. 'We had more than 60 picked players from different schools and clubs participating in Oman's junior domestic league to conduct selections from,' said Al Balushi. 'We picked the best squad that would suit the conditions along with match our team combination for the way we want to play our cricket.' That combination, Parviz added, is built not just on talent, but on cohesion and tactical clarity. 'The side have gelled well and the team combination looks settled. We have worked along the fitness of the players initially, phasing into the skills with target-specific net sessions and a series of practice games to give our boys a solid preparation,' he said. Several members of the team also play in Oman's senior domestic leagues, bringing with them a level of maturity that belies their age. From top-order resilience to bowling depth, Oman's squad offers versatility across departments. 'This is a unique composition of experience and youth at this level,' Al Balushi said. 'We are evenly stable with our batting and bowling unit, which allows us to be flexible with our positive plans.' Oman launch their campaign against Saudi Arabia on April 23 at 9:30am. The tournament continues with matches against Bahrain (April 25), hosts Qatar (April 28), Kuwait (May 1), and UAE (May 3), followed by the final on May 5, offering a demanding yet exciting fixture list. The long-serving coach believes this tournament is more than just a competitive outing—it's a crucial step in the developmental journey of the players. 'This tour certainly is pivotal for the U16 boys in terms of the exposure and experience they will reap out of this, enabling a smoother transition to U19 cricket,' he said. 'The team believes that this is the right opportunity to express the efforts put into the game from their young age and to make the most out of the tournament. We want to trust and believe in ourselves and our process to expect positive results.' Squad: Aryan Joshi (captain), Kavish Shah, Mohammad Aseel, Guransh Singh, Christo Tredoux, Vihaan Sanjay Chauhan, Mohammad Eisa, Arav Pillai, Mathew Samuel Kevin, Sethmina Devin, Shravan Sharat, Hafiz Mohamed , Vignesh Karthikeyan, Ayush Shetty. Coach: Parviz Al Balushi, Assistant coach: Amir Ali, Manager: Sher Mohd Al Balushi.
