Retiring Ronaldinho thanks ball

SAO PAULO - World Cup winner Ronaldinho took the unusual step of thanking his ball on Thursday as he spoke for the first time about his retirement, announced on Tuesday by his brother. "After three decades dedicated to football I'm leaving my childhood dream -- a dream realised," said the 37-year-old, who hasn't actually played professional football for more than two years. "Thanks old boy for being the source of inspiration throughout all this time and a companion through so many victories," he said, addressing a ball and repeating the words once uttered by Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano, who died in 2014. "The people who know me know how shy I am and that I don't usually speak much but I want to thank with all my soul those who have helped me to do that which I love the most."–AFP

Asim wins $5000 Malaysian Tour event

KARACHI – Asim Khan won the $5000 Malaysian Tour Leg-I 2018 Championship, after defeating compatriot Syed Ali Mujtaba Bukhari 3-1 in the final played in Malaysia on Friday. Asim won the first game 11-4, took the second with same 11-4 score, but lost the third 7-11, before finally winning the fourth game 11-6 to lift the title. Asim attributed the victory to Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) and said he had been struggling since long to get back into rhythm and it was PSF senior vice president and secretary, who bucked him and urged him to play according to his potential. “It was a huge motivation for me, which helped me a lot as I started playing with same zeal and my performances proved that I am getting back to my level best. He said it is great sign for Pakistan squash that it was all-Pakistan final.–Staff Reporter

Shabbir takes lead in tenpin bowling

ISLAMABAD – Shabbir Lashkarwala took the lead in the masters’ category of the 11th National Tenpin Bowling Championship 2018, after second round was played on late Thursday night at Leisure City Bowling Club. In masters singles, last four games and graded final were played. Each player completed a set of eight games, in which Shabbir earned top slot scoring 1549 pins with an average of 193.63. Ijaz Ur Rehman had to settle with second position with total 1430 pins, while Karachi’s Daniyal Shah remained firm on third place. Daniyal was playing against the top players of the country but he managed to secure third position by scoring 1423 pins. In graded final games, Naveed Ul Haq won the title with 376 pins while Faheem Akbar was second with 335 pins and Ali Saldera third with 326 pins.–Staff Reporter

Hussain crowned Royal Palm Golf champ

LAHORE - Hussain Hamid emerged as champion in the Royal Palm Annual Golf Championship, which concluded here at the Royal Palm golf course Friday. Hussain scored gross 76 in the first round and gross 79 in the final 18 holes with a two-day aggregate of 155 to clinch the coveted trophy. "I really enjoyed my hitting. My strategy was to go for accuracy in hitting, which paid off and resulted in winning the title.” Azfar Hassan earned runner-up slot as he lost to Hussain by a margin of two strokes with aggregate score being 157 as against 155 of Hussain. In seniors’ category, Imran Miraj was gross winner while Hamid Sharif was winner of net section. The captains prize went to the Asad Agha with Tanveer Agha being runner-up. In a grand prize distribution ceremony, Royal Palm CEO Ramzan Shaikh handed winning trophy to Hussain Hamid and announced that new captain of Royal Palm will be Abdullah Sharif. Outgoing captain Lt Gen (r) M Tariq will now function as senior patron of the club. The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Director Operations Pervaiz Qureshi, vice president operations Ahmed Iqbal Saeed, Abdullah Sharif, director golf Col Jameel Khalid, Lt Gen (r) M Tariq and golfers.–Staff Reporter