Noah stays on as France Davis Cup skipper

PARIS - France's Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah will oversee his team's defence of the title they won last weekend with success over Belgium in the final. "@NoahYannick has confirmed his wish to defend the Silver Salad Bowl (trophy) and will be captain of #TeamFranceTennis @Davis Cup in 2018. RDV in Albertville on February 2 against the Netherlands," the French Tennis Federation announced on Twitter on Thursday. Noah, 57, guided France to a tenth title but first since 2001 with a 3-2 triumph over Belgium in Lille. "It will be good if he stays," said Lucas Pouille, who claimed the decisive point in the closing singles against Steve Darcis on Sunday. "You don't change a winning team," added Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who picked up one point from two over the three-day final.–AFP

 

 

Two titles for Aqeel in POF Tennis

ISLAMABAD - Aqeel Khan outclassed Shahzad Khan in the men’s singles final to clinch the 2nd Chairman POF Board National Ranking Tennis Championship title at POF Tennis Complex, Wah Cantt. Aqeel proved too hot for Shahzad Khan as he won the first set 6-1 with utmost ease, while faced some resistance in the second set to win it 6-4. Pairing with Shahzad, Aqeel also grabbed men’s doubles title by thrashing M Abid/Usman Rafiq 6-1, 6-2. In men’s seniors (45) doubles, Jehanzab/Israr Gul overpowered outplayed Major Mazhar/Aftab Ahmad to bag the title. Yousaf Khan struggled very hard to defeat Asad Ullah Khan 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 to win the boys singles Under-18 title. This time, the boys singles U-14 title was won by Sami Zaib who defeated last-event winner Hamza Roman 6-4, 7-5.–Staff Reporter

 

 

Nazir bats Lucky Star to victory

ISLAMABAD – Nazir Ranjah batted Lucky Star to 4-wicket victory over star-studded XI Star Cricket Club in the NBP-ICA One-Day Cricket Tournament match at Bhutto Ground. Put into bat first, XI Star posted massive 274-8 in 40 overs. In-form Faizan Riaz, who is highly unfortunate not to have any close relation with powerful Islamabad Region head Shakil Shaikh and despite being the leading scorer in Quaid-e-Azam trophy, couldn’t impress the national selectors. Faizan posted 81 with the help of 5 fours and 2 sixes while skipper Naeem Anjum hit 51. Basit bagged 3-67 and Haris and Raheel took 2 wickets each. Lucky Star achieved the target in 39.3 overs losing 6 wickets. Nazir Ranjha hammered 46-ball 94, hitting 12 fours and 6 sixes while Hamza Arshad slammed 65. Faizan Riaz captured 2-61. Lucky Star Club chief organiser Ch Wasif Bajwa lauded his team and announced cash award for all the players, while Bhutto Cricket Academy chairman Ch Ajmal Sabir also promised to give incentives to all the members of the winning squad.–Staff Reporter

 

 

Pak Juniors, Wapda score victories

LAHORE - Pakistan Juniors U-20 and Wapda reached semifinals of the ongoing National Gold Cup Volleyball Tournament at the Municipal Stadium Kamalia Thursday. In the first quarterfinal, Pakistan Juniors U-20 beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 25-18, 25-22, 25-19. Wapda also humbled Pakistan Ordinance Factory (POF) 25-15, 25-18 and 25-19. Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) president Ch M Yaqoob said the ongoing tournament would help in spotting future talent, who would be trained and coached for international exposure. “Every effort is being made to provide chances to the youth to show their talent in a competitive environment,” he added. Army Seniors, Army Juniors, Navy, Punjab and Police are other teams participating in the tournament which will conclude on December 3.–Staff Reporter

 

NHMP inter-zonal sports festival begins

LAHORE – The 7th National Highways & Motorway Police (NH&MP) inter-zonal sports festival commenced at its training college at Sheikhupura which would end on December 8. In all, 11 games have been included in the festival including volleyball, basketball, foot ball, cricket, table tennis, lawn tennis, badminton, and shooting, shotput, tug-of-war and athletics. The team of six zones of NH&MP, headquarters and training college are participating in the festival. Federal Minster of State for Communication M Junaid Anwar Chaudhry inaugurated the sports festival by lighting the sports torch. IG Motorway Police Dr Syed Kaleem Imam and commandant training college DIG Khalid Mahmood were also present on the occasion. The festival started with all the teams presenting the march past with sports torches.–PR