Featuring in Asian C’ship to boost team
LAHORE - Pakistan cycling team manager Moazzam Ali Khan Wednesday said the team’s participation in the Asian Cycling Championship being held in Thailand will add to the confidence and experience of the riders. “We are far behind at international level as compare to the other Asian countries but our team’s participation is a step forward to enhance the experience and technique of the cyclists who are eager to learn finer points of the game,” he said. The team comprises four male riders including Namat Ali, Zeeshan Ali, Habib Ullah from (SSGC), Sajid Muhammad (Army) and two female cyclists Rahila Bano (Wapda) and Rajia Shabbir (SSGC). PSB Director General Akhtar Nawaz Gunjira will be chef de mission while M Ishtiaq Mubeen will be assistant manager and Mehmood Aslam mechanic. The Asian premier cycling activity will take place at Nakhon Ratchasima, 200km from Bangkok from February 10-14. Moazzam, ex-international cyclist and a winner of a number of international medals, was of the view that there was dire need to ensure the participation of national cyclists in high-profile international cycling events on regular basis. “Our team is the best available cycling talent and we have chosen the final line up after monitoring their performance at a camp here keeping an eye on future cycling events.” He said comparing Pakistan riders with the top Asian countries was not a fair judgment as there was lesser cycling infrastructure in Pakistan and cyclists didn’t have the most modern cycles to compete with cyclists from advanced nations. “Despite these adverse factors, the PCF is determined to train its cyclists by ensuring their participation in top cycling events despite the fact of financial issues,” he said. He said PCF secretary Syed Azhar Ali Shah will attend the congress meeting of ACF to be held on Feb 9. “We are hopeful the PCF secretary will be able to seek the AFC assistance for the revival and promotion of cycling in Pakistan. –Staff Reporter
Pak skiers excel in world dream programme
ISLAMABAD - Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) spokesman Obaid-ur-Rehman Abbasi said that the national ski players, who were sent to participate in the world dream programme sponsored by Korean government, are participating in all the competitions and performing exceptionally. Talking from Korea Wednesday, coach Sqd Leader Qamar Ali said: “The boys are doing great and the organisers and other players are full of praise for their excellent skills and dedication.” Jumma Mir, 9th class student of APS Naltar, said the programme was giving them a huge boost and they had learnt various new techniques through qualified coaches provided by the organisers. Both Jumma Mir and M Mumtaz belong to Naltar and both are students of APS Naltar and are regular members of Gilgit-Baltistan Ski Association.–Staff Reporter
Mujtaba bats National Club to win
ISLAMABAD - National Cricket Club beat Young Capital Gymkhana by 43 runs in a friendly cricket match played here at national ground Wednesday. National Club, batting first, posted 209-9 in 30 overs. Though they lost three quick wickets with only 17 runs on the board, but it was once again prolific opening batsman Mujtaba Saleem, who saved the day for the winners, as he hammered 66 hitting 10 fours, while Umer Nawaz Khan also contributed valuable 40 and Rizwan Ali 38. Ahmed took 3-45 and Rafiq 2-42. In reply, Young Capital were bowled out for 158 in 26 overs. Tahseen was the top scorer with 40. M Bilal ripped through Young Capital batting by grabbing 4-23 while Saboor Ahmed clinched 3-29 and Hassan Ali 2-31. Mujtaba Saleem and Bilal were declared joint players of the match.–Staff Reporter