SSGPL cyclist wins Tour de Galiyat National Cycling Race P ESHAWA R —The two-day national cycling race, “Tour de Galiyat” concluded here at Nathiyagali, where Habibullah of the Sui Southern Gas Pipeline Limited (SSGPL) was declared overall winner of the sensational over 119 - Kilometer long race after reaching first to the designated point in the scenic Nathiagali on Wednesday. Najibullah of the Wapda and Awais Khan of the SSGPL clinched second and third positions, respectively. The Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cycling Association (KPCA) had jointly organised the race
Nathiagali. Additional Secretary Sports and Tourism Muhammad Tariq, General Manager (Events) Muhammad Ali Syed, General Manager Sajjad Hameed, TCKP Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Director Sports Tariq Mahmood, Secretary Pakistan Cycling Federation Syed Azhar Ali Shah, KPCA president Nisar Ahmed and Secretary Taifur Zarin and other officials and a large number of spectators were also present. Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to Chief Minister Amjad Afridi said that his department was working on various programmes to promote sports, tourism and culture in the province and engage youth in healthy and positive activities. He said this year Shandur Polo Festival could not be held due to the recent devastating floods in Chitral. He, however, said a free style polo tournament would soon be organised in Islamabad and all the polo teams would be invited to the event. The first phase of the race from Islamabad to Abbottabad was earlier concluded on Tuesday in which the cyclists covered 119 kilometre distance. Habibullah and Awais Khan of the SSGPL had stood first and second while Nisar Khan from Wapda had clinched third position. Seventy-eight cyclists from nine teams hailing from Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, ABBOTTABAD: Advisor to KP Chief Minister on Sports and Tourism, Amjad Khan Sindh, SSGPL, Wapda and Afridi awarding trophy to winner of Tour de Galiyat Cycling Race, Habibullah and Pakistan Army participated in the race.—APP Awais Khan of Sui Southern Gas Pipeline Limited.
Annual sports competitions planned at Dir schools
to promote tourism in the province and also tell the world that KP has now become citadel of peace and harmony. The second phase of the spectacular cycling race started from Abbottabad and concluded at Nathiagali in the scenic Galiyat region. Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Khalid Mahmood and Director Galiyat Development Authority inaugurated the second leg of the two-day event. Advisor to KP Chief Minister on Sports and Tourism Amjad Afridi was the chief guest who later gave away cash prizes and souvenirs to the winners at the concluding ceremony at
Bangladesh relieved to keep junior World Cup
D HAKA —Bangladesh breathed a sigh of Bangladesh Cricket Board will host next ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup,” the C HAKDARA —The district relief Wednesday after cricket’s governing year’s ICC said in a statement, adding it was workbody confirmed that the country would host sports committee for government schools of Dir Lower here Wednesday called a meeting to arrange yearly spots competitions. The committee for this purpose distributed the district into different zones for smoothly holding of the competitions. The District Sports Committee meeting was held under the headship of its general secretary, principal Muhammad Humayun Khan in Government Centennial Model High School Timergara wherein assistant district officer sports Wajeehuddin, Master Gul Rehman, Aftab Alam, Salahuddin and Khadim Muhammad besides technical advisor Khaliqurrahman and Abdul Wadud were present. The meeting formed seven zones for cricket competition and three for volley ball to be held at Government High School Mian banda, Timergar, Ouch and Khal, Timergara. The competition of hockey and football would be held at Chakdara, Munda and Shamshi Khan while basketball events would be held at Malakand University Chakdara, Khazana and Timergara. Competitions of badminton would be held at Rabat while table tennis and tug of war competitions would be at Government High School Mian Banda and Timergara.—APP
next year’s junior World Cup despite mounting concerns over security. Australia last month cancelled a two-Test tour of Bangladesh citing fears of terrorism while the South African women’s team subsequently shelved a tour, which had been due to begin on Thursday, on similar grounds. The cancellations had raised questions over whether Bangladesh would be allowed to go ahead with hosting the biennial Junior World Cup from January 22 to February 14 of next year. But after a two-day meeting of its executive board in Dubai, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced there would be no change of venue although plans would be drawn up to ensure players’ security. “The Board confirmed that the
ing with the Bangladeshi authorities on “developing an appropriate security plan that addresses all security risks”. The Bangladesh board said it was happy with the decision and pointed to its successful hosting of the T20 World Cup last year as proof of its ability to stage international tournaments in a secure environment. “We can assure we’ll do everything it takes to make the Junior World Cup a big success. The government has said it’ll provide the highest level security at the tournament,” board spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP. Safety fears for foreigners have heightened in Bangladesh after the recent murders of an Italian aid worker and a Japanese farmer which were claimed by the Islamic State group.—AFP
CHITRAL: Commandant Scouts Col Nizamuddin Shah awarding winning trophy to Chitral Scouts team during prize distribution ceremony of District Polo Cup Tournament.
Chitral Scout lift Autumn Polo Cup GUL HAMAAD FAROOQI C HITRAL —Chitral Scout clinched the 10-day Autumn Polo Cup played here at Scout ground on Wednesday. A total of some 35 polo teams participated in the Cup. The Cup was organized by District Polo Association (DPA) with financial support of Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP). Commandant Chitral Scouts Col Nizamuddin Shah was chief guest on the occasion while additional secretary Health Mutasim Billah Shah and other guests including Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk president of DPA were also present on the occasion. The final match was played between Chitral Scouts polo team and Chitral Levies team. Chitral scouts score 3 goals in first half while Chitral Levies team scores only 2 goals. Hence in second half Chitral Scouts team score 5 goals and Chitral Levies only 3 goals. On concluding of match Col. Nizamuddin distributed prizes. He also announced a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 for each of the participating teams.
Islamia Stars, Khalil Gymkhana advance in Inter-Club Cricket P ESHAWAR —Islamia Stars, Khalil Gymkhana advanced to next round after securing victories against their respective in the ongoing Peshawar District Inter-Club Cricket Championship being played on different venues on Wednesday. In the first match played at Gymkhana ground, Islamia Stars won the toss and elected to bat first by setting up 131 runs in the allotted 25 overs. Noor made 40 runs, Imran scored 37 runs. For Usmania club, Alamgir claimed three wickets, Shahjehan got two wickets.In reply, Usmania club bowled out for 124 runs with Zohaib (36), Asif (18) were the key contributors. For Islamia Stars Shah Wali, Imran
and Noor Ullah took three wickets each. Islamia Stars won the match by seven runs. In the other matches Malik Gymkhana beat PTI club by six wickets. PTI club scored 125 runs. Asfandiyar scored 28 runs. For Malik Gymkhana Bashir and Zahid took two wickets each. In reply, Malik Gymkhana chased the target for the loss of four wickets. Zahid (44), Rifat Ullah (34) were the main contributors. In the third match played at University Campus ground Khalil Gymkhana beat The Mall club by five wickets. The Mall club batting first scored 88 runs with Hamza (22) was the prominent scorer. Khalil Gymkhana club Basit
claimed four wickets, Wasi got two wickets. In reply, Khalil Gymkhana club chased the target for the loss five wickets. Haroon (16), Shahab (33) were the key scorers. In the fourth match played at University Campus ground No. 1 Hashnagir club beat Al-Khudafa club by 93 runs. Hashnagir Club while batting first scored 156 runs with Imran made 38 runs, Irfan scored 51, Sarzamin scored 22 runs. Al-Khudafa’s Nadeem took four wickets, Rohullah took three wickets and Haider Ali got two wickets. In reply, Al- Khudafa club bundled out for 63 runs. Sarzamin Gul, Zamin Gul took three wickets each.—APP
Qasim Bagh stadium to be ready for sports activities MULTAN—Qasim Bagh Stadium will be ready for didfferent sports competitions within next 15 days. This was stated by Tahsil Sport Officer (TSO) Chaudhry Farooq Latif while talking to APP here Wednesday. He said that Qasim Bagh Stadium was under the Punjab Horticulture Authority and now it has been handed over to district sports department. He said, grass maintaining, levelling and other development work has been started to start sports competitions within 15 days. He said that no specific funds has been allotted for the project and district sports department was completing the project with in its own resources.—APP
Jalalabad Club secure win in T20 Disabled Cricket Series opener P E S H AWA R —Star batsman Muhammad Ashraf ’s 50 runs unbeaten knock and Nafiz three wickets haul guided Jalalabad Club of Afghanistan to secure one wicket victory against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa XI in the first match of the three-match Twenty20 Disable Cricket Series played here at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The super-fit batting of middle order batsman Muhammad Ashraf played an instrumental role while hitting some cracking shorts all around the ground including two towering sixes and three dashing boundaries. Muhammad Ashraf came on the wicket when Jalalabad team was struggling on the 11 runs for the loss of three wickets but he controlled the one end by showing his class. He was also supported by Nouman with his 19 runs knock. Earlier, Jalalabad team of Afghanistan skipper won the toss and invited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa XI to bat first. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while batting first setup 131 runs target for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Opener Wajid missed his very deserving half-century by
just one runs and was caught at fine leg on 49 runs, Nihar scored 23 runs, Waisal 15 and Kaleem not out 7 runs. For Jalalabad club of Afghanistan Nafiz claimed three wickets, Shereen Aghan got two wickets and Javed and Ashraf took one wicket each. In reply, Jalalabad Club of Afghanistan chased the target for the loss of nine wickets. Surprisingly Jalalabad Club lost its four wickets when the match was tied in 19 over and they needed one run for victory. The magical bowling of Nihar and Wajid restricted the Jalalabad team to some extend but it was the last bowl when Ashraf took the winning run. For Afghanistan Muhammad Ashraf smashed an elegant knock of 50 runs not out, Nouman scored 19 runs, Sangar (10) and Shereen Agha (9), Ubaid (8) runs. For KP XI Nihar took three wickets and Wajid got two wickets, while Wisal and Kaleem got two wickets. Earlier, Director Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Board Salim Raza, who is also Caretaker, Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium, formally inaugurated the TriMatches Twenty20 Cricket Series.—APP
Amir fined for bust-up with Faisal Iqbal F AISALABAD —Match-fixing convict fast-bowler Muhammad Aamir has been slapped with a fine of 100 percent of his match fee for hurling abuses against PIA batsmen during a domestic game between PIA and SSGC in Faisalabad. 25-year-old Aamir, who is trying hard to make a comeback into national colours on the basis of back-to-back impressive performances, got involved in what the players and umpires on the field termed as an unnecessary verbal spat. According to match referee Nadeem Arshad, the decision was taken after strong video evidence available from match recording and eyewitness accounts from on-field umpires and players. According to eyewitnesses, Aamir, who was seen in an aggressive mode throughout the three-day game, got involved in another heated debate with PIA fast bowler Imran Ali Pasha on receiving a bouncer on the last day. Pasha was also fined 30 percent of his match fee. Umpires also recommended a one-match ban on Aamir but the final verdict will rest on the decision of the match referee. The 22-year old pacer has been in prime form for his department, Sui South-
ern Gas bowling them into the main rounds of the premier first class tournament with 33 wickets in four matches including four five wickets in a innings hauls. Meanwhile, tall left arm pacer Mohammad Irfan has also been caught up in a ball tampering row in the qualifying rounds but the
team which initially made the accusation against him (State Bank) have now changed their stance. “We never made any official complaint over ball tampering with reference to Irfan to the match referee,” the State Bank manager Zaheerul Hassan said.—APP
National Kabaddi Championship
Army beat Navy to retain title
ISLAMABAD: Pak Army Kabaddi team after winning 13th National Kabaddi Champonship 2015 (Asian Style) at Homedi Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex.
I SLAMABAD —Defending champions Pakistan Army retained their title after beating Pakistan Navy 39-14 in the final of the 13th National Asian Style Kabaddi Championship 2015 at Hamidi Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Wednesday. Army started the game in style and got earlier lead in the first half. International players Sajjad Waseem, Nasir Ali, Aqeel Ahmed and Qasir Khan displayed great form and excellent skills to help Army
dominate the game right from outset. They were leading 24-06 in first half of the match. In the second half, they maintained the same pace and kept adding more points to finish the game 39-14. Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Dr. Akhtar Nawaz Genjera, who was the chief guest distributed prizes amongst the players. Secretary Pakistan Kabaddi Federation Rana Mohammad Sarwar and other top officials of PSB were also present on the occasion.—APP