Pakistan to persuade India to revive Kirlosker Trophy

The Kirlosker Trophy features the top players from the two countries. -File Photo

KARACHI: Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) is trying to persuade its Indian counterpart, the Indian Golf Union IGU, to revive the prestigious Kirlosker Trophy later this year.

The Kirlosker Trophy features the top players from the two countries and is an annual feature. However, it has not been played since the 2007 edition when India defeated Pakistan to retain the title at Islamabad Golf Club. India was to host 2008 edition but the tournament was called off after Mumbai terrorist attacks.

Taimur Hassan, while talking to The News, said that the Kirlosker Trophy was a great tournament and should be revived.

“It can once again provide a great platform to golfers from both countries to play against each other and promote healthier sporting ties.”

PGF hoped to use this October’s Indian Open as a launch pad for their top professionals.

“We have good relations with India’s golf fraternity as we keep meeting each other every now and then at international forums and competitions,” Taimur explained.

“I will meet a top representative from India in Geneva in August and will discuss the possibility of promoting stronger golfing ties between Pakistan and India.”

He said he would like to meet IGU official on sidelines of the Rolex Open in Geneva in August and try and get berths for Mohammad Shabbir and his compatriot Muhammad Munir on the 2011 Indian Open.

“I will see whether something can be worked out so that Shabbir & Munir can play in Indian Open. It will be a great platform for the duo.”

Pakistan to participate in Taekwondo World Qualification tournament

Pakistan taekwondo players will be encouraged by the international exposure. -Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD: A seven-member taekwondo team is participating in the World Qualification Tournament for the London Olympics from July 29 to June 3 at Baku, Azerbijan.

The contingent comprising Iftikhar Tabassum (president PTF), Rashid Mahmood Butt (head of team), Teo Kwang Loh (coach Male team), Murtaza Hassan Bangash, Arshad Atif, Kiran Bano and Samiya Naz will be participating in the event.

PTF, Secretary, Wasim Ahmed, has thanked the Pakistan Sports Board for support and cooperation for arranging the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Sports.

Waseem told APP that the participation in the championship will build the confidence of the players to show their skills and techniques at international level which will definitely help them gain better experience for the upcoming Asian Qualification Round for 2012 Olympics scheduled to be held in November 2011.

Pakistan to lock horns with India in polo World Cup qualifiers final

Pakistan qualified for the World Cup after a gap of eight years after they edged out Australia in the semi-finals. -AP Photo

KARACHI: Pakistan is set to meet India in the final of Polo World Cup qualifying tournament to be held at Royal Pahang Polo Grounds on Saturday.

The two teams have had a great run in the tournament and the final is expected to be a thrilling affair.

Pakistan qualified for the World Cup after a gap of eight years after they edged out Australia in the semi-finals by half a goal, winning the tie by 8 ½ goals to 8.

On the other hand, the Indians trounced defending champions South Africa by 9 goals to 5 to book a place in the final. For Pakistan Samiullah and Taimur Needen played a pivotal role in the semi-final clash against Australia, the two who scored five goals between them would be aiming to repeat their performance in the final.

Meanwhile, the officials of Pakistan Polo Association are delighted with the performance of the team. Speaking to Dawn News, a spokesman of the Association stated that the players were geared up for the showdown with their arch rivals.

They added that the team has done a commendable job by qualifying for the World Cup as the competition was stiff in tournament with teams like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India fighting for three spots.

The two finalists would be joined by either Australia or South Africa who would be fighting for the last spot from Zone D. The 2011 edition of the World Cup will be held in San Luis, Argentina from11th to 25th October.

‘Losing to France an eye-opener for PHF’

KARACHI: Former Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh on Tuesday said green-shirts’ thrashing at the hands of minnows France in the ongoing four-nation event in Dublin, Ireland is an eye-opener for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), emphasising they must not take the results lightly.

The Pakistan squad is on an extensive tour of Europe in order to prepare a strong team for this year’s Champions Trophy and the all-important 2012 Olympics in London.

In Dublin, Pakistan lost their first match of the tournament to France, who recorded a convincing 4-2 win over the former world champions.

“Perhaps the defeat may not be that ugly, which the result suggests. It may be only the weather factor and after an extensive training camp in sizzling Islamabad, the team might have failed to deliver in chilling cold of Dublin. However, if a team is preparing for an impressive show for the Champions Trophy and Olympics then such results are enough to raise many eye-brows,” Shahnaz, Pakistan’s former team manager, stated.

The reason for the defeat should be evaluated and they [PHF] should know the reason for the defeat. What it suggests to me is that Pakistan team might be complacent against lowly-ranked France. However, the age factor of the team might also have done the damage. I think France played a fast game while our ageing players may have failed to tackle the quick French,” he reckoned.

“What I have observed in Pakistan for some tournaments is that they have failed to perform well against European teams and they are good enough to give tough time to Asian teams only.

“They defeated Asian teams and New Zealand in the Azlan Shah Cup while collapsed against England and Australia. In the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, obviously there were only Asian teams. So, I think whenever they [Pakistan] face European teams they fail to deliver,” he said.

Shahnaz noted that the European teams play pressure game, which forces Pakistan to go defensive. “Defensive game had never been the green-shirts’ approach and therefore they would always fail miserably by playing in this fashion. They must always play belligerent hockey as it has been the natural style of Pakistani players,” he underscored.—Agencies