2026

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan achieved a significant victory in the Four-Nation Polo Tournament held in the United States. This triumph marks a vital milestone in the country’s international sporting journey. Teams from the United States, Pakistan, England, and Argentina fiercely competed in the event. Championship Final Match The thrilling final match saw the Pakistani team displaying outstanding skills and determination. They successfully overcame England to claim the championship title. An official press release confirmed this important victory. The match took place on June 14 at the prestigious Great Meadow grounds in Virginia. Impact on Global Sports Status This achievement signifies Pakistan’s growing potential in the global sports arena. It demonstrates the capability of Pakistani athletes to compete against and triumph over some of the world’s top teams, highlighting their exceptional talent and determination.

ISLAMABAD — Zidane Iqbal, a talented footballer of Pakistani origin, has captured the imagination of millions of football enthusiasts worldwide. Competing in the FIFA World Cup, Iqbal represents Iraq on the international stage, marking a significant achievement. He is celebrated as the first footballer of Pakistani descent to participate in this prestigious tournament, according to a British broadcaster. Football Journey and Heritage Once a player for Manchester United, Zidane Iqbal attributes his remarkable success to the core values instilled by his Pakistani father. These guiding principles have been crucial in shaping his career path. Despite playing for Iraq, Iqbal acknowledges his father’s dream of seeing him represent Pakistan on an international level. Inspiring Future Generations Iqbal’s presence in the World Cup is a beacon of inspiration for Pakistani children across the globe, motivating them to pursue their sporting dreams. His recognition on the world stage elevates him to a role model status, symbolizing perseverance, dedication, and achievement in international football.

The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) and Roots International School Islamabad have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote tennis among students. The agreement, finalized on Thursday, aims to develop young talent starting from the grassroots level. Integrating Tennis into School Programs The partnership focuses on incorporating tennis into the school curriculum. This approach provides students with more opportunities to engage in the sport. The initiative includes: Structured training programs Access to necessary resources Support from trained coaches This collaboration is dedicated to nurturing future tennis stars by offering them comprehensive resources. Nationwide Expansion of Tennis The initiative is part of PTF’s strategy to make tennis more appealing and increase participation in educational institutions across Pakistan. By embedding tennis in school activities, PTF aims to cultivate a new generation of athletes passionate about the sport.

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan delivered a stellar performance at the 3rd Asian Doubles Squash Championships 2026, kicking off with decisive victories in Sarawak, Malaysia. Opening Match Victories Team 1, with Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal, triumphed over Japan’s Naoki Hayashi and Ren Makino. They secured the match 2-0 with scores of 11-8 and 11-10 within 25 minutes. Meanwhile, Team 2, composed of Muhammad Hamza Khan and Muhammad Asim Khan, claimed victory against Chinese Taipei’s Yu-Wei Lin and Pan Hong Rui, winning 2-0 (11-5, 11-3) in a rapid 14-minute match. Sustaining a Winning Streak Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal maintained their momentum by defeating Singapore’s Samuel Quek Wei Yi and Justin Yap. They emerged victorious 2-0, with scores of 11-1 and 11-8, in just 12 minutes, keeping an unbeaten record in the pool stage. Encountering Challenges Conversely, Muhammad Hamza Khan and Muhammad Asim Khan faced difficulties against Singapore’s Aaron Liang and Jerome Aw Jin Ming. They were defeated 0-2 (8-11, 7-11) after 26 minutes. Both Pakistani teams are gearing up for their final pool stage matches on Friday, aiming to sustain their impressive performance throughout the tournament.

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF) has released its sports calendar for the 2026-27 season. The schedule includes a mix of national and international tenpin bowling events. International Championships PTBF President Ijaz-ur-Rehman has revealed important dates for notable international championships. The 25th Asian Junior Tenpin Bowling Championship is set for August 21-30 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Following this, the IBA World Cup will take place from October 1-12 in Germany. Major National Events The sports calendar outlines several significant national competitions: Azadi Cup Tenpin Bowling Championship: August 8-14, 2026, in Islamabad. Pakistan Open Tenpin Bowling Championship: November 25-30 in Karachi. 19th National Tenpin Bowling Championship: February 9-14, 2027, in Islamabad. Specialized One-Day Tournaments Throughout the year, various one-day tournaments will be held: Defense Day Tenpin Bowling Championship on September 6. Quaid-e-Azam Tenpin Bowling Cup on December 25. Inter-School Tenpin Bowling Championship on January 10, 2027. Additional events include the Kashmir Solidarity Day Championship on February 5, 2027, the Ramadan-ul-Mubarak Championship on February 28, the Women’s Day Championship on March 8, and the Inter-University Championship on March 30, 2027.

ATLANTA — FIFA, the global governing body for football, has made significant strides in combating hate speech online. Recent efforts led to the removal of 388,000 hateful comments from social media platforms. These decisive actions commenced with the World Cup events in the United States, Mexico, and Canada on June 11. FIFA remains determined in addressing hate during major football events. Comprehensive Review and Removal Initiative Since the tournament’s beginning, FIFA has reviewed 3.8 million social media posts. Among these, over 30 million were flagged as harmful, highlighting FIFA’s strong stance against online abuse. This action reflects their prior removal of 287,000 posts during the 2022 World Cup. Collaborative Efforts to Combat Hate Speech An important announcement occurred during a panel discussion in Atlanta. Co-hosted by FIFA, TikTok, and the City of Atlanta, this event took place at the National Centre for Civil and Human Rights. It united players, policymakers, and technology experts to devise solutions for combating hate speech. Promoting Unity Through Football The panel coincided with the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Participants committed to local actions designed to protect the game’s integrity, while fostering unity through football initiatives.