The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Pakistan hosts first international match after seven years
- Aika has more than her rivals to weather in Sheffield
- RM50,000 reward for squash queen Nicol
| Pakistan hosts first international match after seven years Posted: 21 Dec 2011 03:36 PM PST KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan marked the first international hockey match played in the country for seven years with a 3-0 win over China on Wednesday. Pakistan last staged an international match in 2004 when it hosted the Champions Trophy in Lahore but since than foreign teams have refused to play in the country due to security concerns. "It is a great feeling to finally to see an international team play in Pakistan. The ice has been broken and once this series ends smoothly we can build on it for Pakistani sports," Pakistan hockey federation Secretary Asif Bajwa said. The Chinese will play another three matches in Pakistan in what has been dubbed as the 'Friendship Series'. "We were able to focus completely on our hockey. Pakistan was the better team today. But we have had no problems with the security and other arrangements so far," Chinese captain, Song Yi told reporters following the contest at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium. Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran scored two goals to set up the victory, which went some way towards healing dented pride after the Asian Games gold medallists finished seventh in the eight team Champions Trophy in Auckland. Bajwa said that the series was important for not only hockey but also other sports in Pakistan. "We are taking no chances with the security because we know the importance of having a incident free series," he said. Since the September 11 attacks in the United States, foreign teams have been reluctant to travel to Pakistan in many sports and Asian country was left completely isolated as a sporting venue after militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Aika has more than her rivals to weather in Sheffield Posted: 21 Dec 2011 03:34 PM PST PETALING JAYA: National junior Aika Azman has to battle the freezing weather besides her opponents when she makes her debut in the prestigious British Junior Open squash tournament from Jan 2-6 in Sheffield. The 14-year-old Aika, who hails from Alor Setar, is one of the brighter junior prospects in the Under-15 age group and had a fairly good year. Her best result was finishing third in the Asian Juniors at Amman, Jordan, back in June, losing to compatriot Jadeleen Lee in the semi-finals. She also took third spot in the National Junior Championship earlier this month and is all fired up for the meet in Sheffield but is wary of the climate. "I know that it is winter there at the moment and I'm really worried that I will not be able to adapt since it is my first time there," said the bubbly Aika. "But I'm still very excited because and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll turn out fine." "I've had a good year so far and, looking at the draw, I should be able to make it to the quarter-finals without too much difficulty." "It'll get tougher after that because I'll be facing the top seed but I'm prepared and want to do better than just reach the last eight," said Aika, who is seeded joint fifth-eighth. She received a first round bye and will open her campaign in the second round against either French lass Julie Rossignol or England's Georgia Webster. If she clears that hurdle as expected, she should be up against joint nine-16th seed Tinne Gilis of Belgium with a possible clash against Egypt's top seeded Nouran Gohar awaiting. Besides Aika, two other Malaysian girls will be competing in that category but Andrea Lee and Nazihah Hanis both face tougher first round matches. A total of 15 Malaysian players will compete in the oldest junior meet in the world. They will depart tomorrow for the warm-up tournament in Pontefract. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| RM50,000 reward for squash queen Nicol Posted: 21 Dec 2011 05:20 PM PST GEORGE TOWN: National squash queen Datuk Nicol Ann David (pic) received RM50,000 from the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) yesterday. The reward, in appreciation of her efforts in excelling in the sport at the global level, was presented by PBAPP chairman Lim Guan Eng, who is the Chief Minister of Penang. Nicol said she hoped that such an honour would drive more athletes from the state to achieve world standard in sports. "With the availability of various sports development programmes, it is hoped that new talents can be brought to the fore," she said at a special event held in her honour. Nicol, who has won the World Open title for a record six times, is scheduled to leave for Amsterdam after Christmas to resume her training. — Bernama Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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