PCB signs agreement with Saudi Arabian Cricket
ISLAMABAD, July 2:The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday inked an agreement with Saudi Arabia to build a modern cricket stadium in Jeddah.The agreement was signed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) chief Saud bin Mishal bin Mohammad Al Saud.“For the first time in history, a strategic agreement has been signed between the PCB and the SACF for the construction of a modern cricket stadium in Jeddah,” the PCB said in a statement on ‘X’.“The PCB will build a cricket stadium as per international standards and with state-of-the-art facilities. All the facilities will be according to the standards of the International Cricket Council (ICC).” The statement further said that the two boards would jointly work on infrastructure development, technical expertise, stadium planning and operational standards.It said the project would play a key role in enabling Saudi Arabia to host international cricket matches and big events, adding the project would also support the Gulf country’s 2030 vision.“The project is a milestone for the promotion of cricket in Saudi Arabia,” Naqvi, who is currently in Saudi Arabi, was quoted as saying.“The partnership will bring the cricket community together and become a lasting legacy,” he said.Meanwhile, state-run PTV reported that Naqvi also met with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud and the two reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.A memorandum of understanding on security cooperation was signed between the two countries, reflecting a strong strategic cooperation. (PTI)
Squash: Senthilkumar, Tanvi qualify for semifinals
MUMBAI, July 2: India’s Velvan Senthilkumar and Tanvi Khanna on Thursday recorded contrasting victories to qualify for the semifinals of the HCL-SRFI PSA Challenger Tournament here.Senthilkumar made a shaky start but recovered to get the better of Egypt’s fourth seeded Abdullah Hafez to win by 15-13, 11-4, 11-3.Senthilkumar will take on the second seed Yassin Shohdy of Egypt in the semifinal.Meanwhile, Tanvi dropped a game against Zoe Foo, the eighth seed from Japan, before winning 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6. Tanvi will take on the sixth seeded Japanese Akari Midorikawa in her semifinal clash. (PTI)
RESULTS
Men’s quarterfinals: (2) Yassin Shohdy (Egypt) bt (7) Tomotaka Endo (Japan) 3-0 (11-8,11-8,11-4); (1) Velavan Senthilkumar (Indi) bt (4) Abdullah Hafez (Egypt) 3-0 (15-13,11-4,11-3); Syafiq Kamal (Malaysia) bt Salah Eltorgman (Egypt) 3-1 (11-7,6-11,11-5,11-8); (8) Ziad Ibrahim bt Om Semwal 3-2 (11-5,11-13,11-8, 8-11,11-9).
Women’s quarterfinals: (2) Farida Walid (Egypt) bt (7) Risa Sugimoto (Japan) 3-0 (11-5,11-5,11-6); (4) Nour Khafagy (Egypt) bt (5) Malak Fathy (Egypt) 3-0 (11-1,11-9,11-8); (3) Tanvi Khanna (India) bt (8) Zoe. Foo (Japan) 3-1 (11-6,11-7,8-11,11-6); (6) Akari Midorikawa (Japan) bt Shameena Riaz (India) 3-1 (12-10,11-8,5-11,11-2).
IOC denies Greenland and Faroe Islands Olympic status
LAUSANNE (Switzerland), July 2: Greenland and the Faroe Islands will not be recognized as separate and independent Olympic teams despite a request from Denmark’s parliament, the IOC said Wednesday.The Olympic Charter has for 30 years defined a country that can have an official team as “an independent state recognized by the international community.” Greenland and the Faroe Islands – which are semi-autonomous territories in the kingdom of Denmark – do not meet that standard, the International Olympic Committee said in a statement.“This position has been explained and communicated very clearly to the concerned parties on numerous occasions over the past years,” the IOC said.It came weeks after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen formed a new coalition government. In the election campaign, she pledged support for Greenland against U.S. President Donald Trump’s wish to acquire the island.At the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games, which President Trump should formally declare open, athletes from Greenland and Faroes can compete for Denmark. It is one of 206 national Olympic bodies recognized by the IOC. (PTI)
