Sports

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.

KAYSERI — Muzammil Murtaza, a skilled tennis player from Pakistan, achieved a decisive victory against India’s Aditya Kothari in the ITF M15 Future Tournament. This exciting match took place in Kayseri, Turkey, where Murtaza clinched a win with a remarkable score of 6-0, 6-1 in the opening round of the main draw. Murtaza’s Exceptional Performance Murtaza’s impressive performance in the opening match showcased his exceptional skills on the tennis court. His victory over Kothari sets a strong tone for his progression in the event. ITF M15 Future Tournament Overview The ITF M15 is a prestigious tournament that assembles emerging tennis talents from around the world. It serves as a crucial platform for players like Murtaza to display their abilities and advance their professional careers.

ISLAMABAD — The PTF Summer Camp 2026 is actively engaging young participants at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex. Children from Islamabad and Rawalpindi are joining with great enthusiasm. Camp Objectives The camp, starting on Wednesday, aims to enhance tennis skills and physical fitness among participants. It plays a significant role in their overall development during summer holidays. Activities and Training This initiative targets children, offering them a chance to partake in structured activities focused on sports and personal growth. The program features: Skill-building exercises Physical training sessions Personal development activities Nurturing Future Tennis Stars Efforts by the PTF are geared towards nurturing future tennis players in Pakistan. Children are finding productive ways to spend their summer break while cultivating a passion for tennis.

ISLAMABAD — Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema reviewed the AI-powered Prime Minister Office System (PMOS) on Wednesday. This initiative highlights its role in enhancing governance through digital oversight. Improving Ministry Coordination The PMOS is designed to boost coordination among ministries and support the National Digital Masterplan’s implementation. It aims to integrate digital processes efficiently across government bodies. Boosting Transparency and Accountability Utilizing advanced technology, the PMOS provides a comprehensive view of government operations. This system improves oversight and decision-making, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in governmental affairs. Modernizing Administration with Global Standards The initiative is part of efforts to modernize administration according to global digital standards. The launch of PMOS marks a significant step forward in achieving modernization goals through innovative digital solutions.

NOWSHERA VIRKAN — A man allegedly killed his wife in Ismail Town along the Nowshera Virkan-Tatlay Aali Road on Wednesday before surrendering to police, according to police sources. The victim, identified as 45-year-old Nighat Bibi, wife of Amjad Hussain, suffered multiple wounds from a sharp-edged weapon and succumbed to her injuries, officials stated. The husband reportedly attacked his wife due to a domestic issue. Authorities reported that the victim had deep wounds on her left eyebrow, left cheek, and neck. After the incident, the suspect voluntarily went to a local police station and turned himself in. The Rescue 1122 team transported the body to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Nowshera Virkan for medico-legal procedures. Police have launched an investigation into the case.

ABBOTTABAD — On Wednesday, the District Administration of Abbottabad held a ceremony at Jalal Baba Auditorium. The event was organized to distribute essential items to disabled and deserving citizens. These included wheelchairs, white canes, and sewing machines. Objectives of the Event The primary aim of the event was to provide critical assistance and equipment to individuals with disabilities and those who are visually impaired. The ultimate goal was to help these individuals lead independent and self-sufficient lives. Efforts to Support the Underserved This initiative is a part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to support underserved communities in the region. By empowering individuals with disabilities, officials hope to enable them to contribute more effectively to their communities. Impact on the Community Officials underscored the importance of targeted support in empowering disabled individuals. Attendees gave positive feedback on the initiative, which is part of a broader strategy to enhance inclusivity and accessibility in Abbottabad.

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced trials for the national junior hockey team, set for June 18 and 19. The trials will take place at the Naseer Banda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad, serving as crucial preparation for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup tournament. Selection Committee A specially appointed selection committee will oversee the trials. Chief Selector Olympian Samiullah Khan leads the committee, which includes Olympians Nasir Ali and Naeem Akhtar. Their main task is to assess players’ performance and fitness to select the most promising talents for the junior national squad. Technical Support Technical support during the trials will come from Head Coach Olympian Ayaz Mahmood, Coach Olympian Syed Samir Hussain, and Coach International Azfar Yaqoob. Their involvement ensures a merit-based selection process. Approval and Endorsement PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani has given final approval for the trials, endorsing the process and the selection committee’s efforts.