Sotnikova set for Cup of Russia return
MOSCOW – Olympic champion Adelina Sotnikova will be in the spotlight when she makes her comeback at Moscow's Cup of Russia, the fifth in the six-leg ISU Grand Prix of figure skating series starting on Friday. The Grand Prix season continues after the cancellation of last weekend's Trophee Bompard following terror attacks in France. And the return of 19-year-old Sotnikova will take centre stage as she returns after missing all of last season because of an ankle injury. Sotnikova has not competed at any major international competition since the Olympics in February 2014 and tore an ankle ligament the following November. "I had certain problems with motivation after my recovery from injury," admitted Sotnikova. "I want to show the fans something different, some new features of my skating.–AFP
Ko, Park fight for top spot in LPGA
NAPLES – New Zealand teen star Lydia Ko and South Korea's seven-time major winner Park In-Bee will fight for the LPGA's top prizes this week at the season-ending Tour Championship. While Ko, who won her first major title at this year's Evian Championship among her five tour triumphs this season, has the edge on Park in the chase for world No 1, LPGA Player of the Year, the season money crown and the season points title. Park won the Women's British Open and her third consecutive Women's PGA Championship among her five LPGA titles this season and leads in the Vare Trophy scoring average contest. But the margins are slim enough to take the drama for each of those honors into the year's final round.–AFP
Islamabad hold SSGC in QAT match
ISLAMABAD - Islamabad held SSGC in their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2015-16 round four Pool A match here at Diamond ground on Thursday. SSGC collected three points on the basis of first innings lead. Islamabad scored 69-1 in 19 overs, while chasing 267 runs for victory. Afaq Rahim made 44. Earlier, SSGC resumed their second innings at overnight score of 5-0 in 3.3 overs and declared their innings at 216-8 in 57 overs. Usman Tariq made 59. First innings hero Umer Amin failed to repeat his performance. Hassan Ali captured 3-68 while Shahzad Azam Rana and Munir-ur-Rehman Tanzil took two wickets each. Islamabad were given a tough 267-run target, as they conceded 50-run first innings lead after being bowled out for 325 in their first outing while SSGC had piled massive 375 in their first outing.–Staff Reporter
Inter-dept Sports Gala starts at NUML
ISLAMABAD – The month-long Inter-departmental Sports Gala 2015 kicked off at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) on Thursday. NUML Director Administration Brig (R) Ziaul Hassan Sahi was the chief guest of the opening ceremony while Assistant Director Sports M Arshad, Sardar Khan and other officials were also there. A total of 33 different events are going to be held in this Interdepartmental Sports Gala and a total of 280 teams boys and girls both have enrolled in events, including cricket, football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, wrist wrestling, high jump, discuss, sprint and tug-of-war. A large number of students thronged around the ground and were encouraging their favorite teams. The tournament will be continued till 19th of December, 2015.–Staff Reporter
FCFS win Inter-faculty Basketball title
RAWALPINDI – The Faculty of Crop and Food Sciences (FCFS) won the Inter-faculty Basketball Championship after defeating University Institute of Information Technology (UIIT) 54-41 in the final here at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University on Thursday. The three-day championship was organised by Directorate of Sports and PMAS-AAUR, where vice chancellor Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad was the chief guest. M Hammad of FCFS was the best scorer with his significant 27 points. Wahaj was the top contributor for UIIT with 21 points. Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad felicitated the winners of the championship and distributed prizes and certificates among the players. He said: “Sports activities not only play an important role in physical fitness and mind sharpness but also build the confidence and self-esteem.”–Staff Reporter
FJWU holds annual sports ceremony
RAWALPINDI - The Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) held its annual sports orientation ceremony here Thursday where the students were not only briefed about sports activities but also encouraged to take part in healthy sporting activities. FJWU Sports Committee chairperson Dr Bushra, sports committee members, departmental sports representatives arranged the event in a befitting manner. In the ceremony, the students were informed about how to register themselves for participating in different games, types of different games played in FJWU, and when their trial and training sessions would start. A session between new and the old sports students and medalists in different games were arranged. The trial session will start from November 23 for 18 different games.–Israr Ahmed