Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): As Croatia prepares to host its first-ever FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Poreč from 3-9 February, the anticipation and excitement are palpable. This historic moment signifies a turning point for Croatian hockey, providing a platform to showcase the nation’s passion for the sport while inspiring the next generation of players.From Tradition to Opportunity: A New Era for Croatian HockeyDamir Hrupec, President of the Croatian Hockey Federation, reflects on the significance of this milestone: “The history of hockey in Croatia began way back in 1896, with the first field hockey demonstrations. This is a tradition that has been ongoing for 129 years. Hosting an FIH World Cup is a huge opportunity for hockey to grow in new regions and significantly increase the number of players. Our goal is to turn a small country like Croatia into a big hockey nation. We are ready to make this event a spectacular showcase of hockey and ensure we exceed all expectations.”Women’s Team: Dreams Becoming RealityFor the Croatian women’s team, this marks their debut on the global stage. Team captain Martina Petretić shares the pride and anticipation of this monumental event: “Playing at the World Cup is a dream come true for every athlete. It’s even more special that this event is hosted in our nation, and we’re ready to represent Croatia in the best light possible. The experience of playing at this level will be something we cherish forever.”Balancing both indoor and outdoor hockey, Martina believes the versatility gained from playing both formats supplements the team’s overall skills: “Indoor hockey enhances defensive techniques and dribbling in tight spaces, skills that are directly transferable to the outdoor game. The quick, precise decisions required in indoor hockey help us stay sharp in both formats.”Men’s Team: Rising to the ChallengeFor the Croatian men’s team, the pride of wearing their nation’s jersey is amplified by the opportunity to compete at home. Team captain Mario Mucić expresses his excitement: “Representing Croatia at the Indoor Hockey World Cup is a remarkable moment. We’ll give our best to represent our country and make our supporters proud.”Mario, talking about his love for the indoor hockey format, added: “Indoor hockey, with its faster pace and tighter spaces, enhances ball control, quick decision-making, and reaction times. It’s a dynamic game that improves goal-scoring and finishing abilities.”The team’s goal for the tournament is ambitious yet focused: “Our objective is to progress beyond the group stage. We’ll take it one match at a time, giving our all to make the most of each game.”

Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 27-day training camp for the Pakistan women cricketers in Multan to prepare for the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2025. The camp will begin on Sunday, 2 February at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Centre, while the players and support staff will assemble on Saturday.A total of 31 players, including PCB’s 16 centrally contracted women cricketers, have been invited to the training camp, which involves regular sessions on fitness training, skill enhancement and seven 50-over practice matches throughout the month of February.The players will use the high-quality facilities available at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High-Performance Centre, while the matches will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Head coach of Pakistan Women’s team and former Test cricketer Mohammad Wasim, who took up the role in July 2024, will lead the camp.Pakistan will feature in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers along with Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and West Indies, in a bid to qualify for the mega event. The finalists of the tournament will join the top six teams of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 for the eight-team ICC Women’s World Cup.List of players invited to the camp:Batters – Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Gull Rukh, Hafsa Khalid, Iram Javed, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jebeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Sidra Amin.Wicketkeepers – Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi and Sidra NawazAll-rounders – Fatima Sana, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Tuba HassanSpinners – Ghulam Fatima, Mahnoor Aftab, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Tania Saeed, and Umm-e-HaniPacers – Diana Baig, Fatima Khan, Tasmia Rubab, Waheeda Akhtar and Zaib-un-Nisa Niaz.    

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The Italian Alps are set to host the next Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2028. This decision was taken by the IOC Members today during the 143rd IOC Session in Lausanne, following a presentation by the project leaders.Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will be the fifth edition of the Winter YOG. Competitions will take place only in existing venues across three clusters in Valtellina, Trentino and Cortina, returning to some of the iconic sports venues that will be used for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The 2028 YOG will be part of the Milano Cortina 2026 legacy, and will reinvest in communities with strong winter sports traditions.The project is led by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), and the governments of the regions of Veneto and Lombardy and the Autonomous Province of Trento, supported by the Italian national government, and is in line with long-term plans to raise the regions’ profile as a winter sports destination.The Italian delegation at Olympic House comprised Giovanni Malagò, CONI President and IOC Member in Italy; Andrea Abodi, Italian Minister of Sport and Youth; Attilio Fontana, Lombardy Region President; Maurizio Fugatti, President of the Autonomous Province of Trento; Cristiano Corazzari, Veneto Regional Councillor for Culture and Sport; and Olympic champions Diana Bianchedi and Antonio Rossi.IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The election of Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 is an expression of the IOC’s confidence in Italy’s ability to deliver world class, exceptional winter sports events. The Olympic Movement and the host regions are already excited about Milano Cortina 2026, with just over one year to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Today’s news means that excitement will extend until the end of the decade, and the benefits for local communities will continue.”Abodi said: “Italy is once again ready to put its heart, passion and expertise into hosting an event that will be not only a spectacular sporting occasion, but also a meaningful opportunity for growth for the entire nation. We aim to inspire the younger generations to embrace the value of sport as a tool for inclusion and social cohesion - a universal language capable of uniting cultures and nations, and fostering the diplomacy we so greatly need.”“Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will consolidate the impact of Milano Cortina 2026 and further build on legacy programmes to empower young athletes and civic leaders,” he said. “The Commission found that the vision for the Youth Olympic Games is fully aligned with long-term regional plans, youth, sports and education policies, and the goals of Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5.”Seven of the 11 proposed venues for the YOG will have been used in 2026 – Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre in Bormio, Livigno Aerials and Mogul Park and Livigno Snow Park for freestyle/snowboard, Cortina Sliding Centre for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium, Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, and Cortina Olympic Stadium, for curling. The programme also presents an opportunity to take competitions to venues that cannot be used in 2026.CONI President Giovanni Malagò said: “This is a historic day for Italian sport and for athletes across the world. Building on the remarkable legacy of Milano Cortina 2026, Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will offer a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation, showcase the transformative power of sport, and set new benchmarks for global events. This significant achievement for our country has been made possible through the strong support of the national government, as well as the dedication of our regional and local partners. Italy and CONI have shown that we are reliable partners of the IOC, and together we will certainly deliver an unprecedented edition of the YOG.”

Sports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): England Women were bowled out for 170 on day one of the one-off Test in the Women's Ashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Nat Sciver-Brunt top scored for England with 51 while leg-spinner Alana King took 4-45 as England were all out inside 72 overs.Maia Bouchier and captain Heather Knight were dismissed by Kim Garth before a stand of 50 between Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley saw England rebuild but King and fellow spinner Ash Gardner took four wickets.England then bowled 22 overs and Australia lost debutant Georgia Voll to Lauren Bell. Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland reached 56-1 at the close of play with the hosts trailing by 114 runs. Play resumes at 2.30 pm local time tomorrow (Friday 31 January).

Karachi (PR): The National Snooker Championship League Round will start on January 30, 2025, as the top 48 players have been divided into 8 Groups after League Round top 2 players each Group Qualify For Pre Quarterfinal.Group (A), Asjad Iqbal (Pjb), Faisal Daniyal (Isb), Ian Mark John (Sindh), Umair Sodagar (Kp), Abdullah (Pjb), Jahanzaib Jahangir (Bal),Group B, Awais Munair (Pjb), Sirbuland (Kp), Waseem Abbas (Pjb), Sayed Mohammad Muneeb Ali (Bal), Umair Alam (Sindh), Sheikh M. Muzammil (Isb), Group (C), Mohammad Naseem Akhtar (Pjb), Asad Ullah (Bal), Babar Masih (Pjb), Suleman Khan (Kp), Khizar Aziz (Sindh), Ayaan Ali (Sindh), Group (D), Sohail Shehzad (Sindh), Ali dara (Isb), Ahsan Javaid (Pjb), Adil A. Jabbar (Bal), Mohammad Nazeer (Pjb), Malik Muzammil (Kp), Group (E), Abdul Javed (Isb), Bahadur Khan (Bal), Mohammad Sajjad (NBP), Umar Naeem (Sindh), Mohamma Shabaz (Pjb), Mohamma Hasnain (Sindh), Group (F), Shan Namat (Isb), Sharjeel Mehmood (Kp), Mohammad Asif (NBP), Mohamma Faheem (Pjb), Ali Raza (Sindh), Zubair Tahir (Pjb), Group (G), Shahid Aftab (Pjb), Zulfiqar A. Qadir (Sindh), Umair Haider (Pjb), Zaib Khan (Bal), Shahid Gandapur (Kp), Umair Khan (Sindh), Group (H), Ahsan Ramzan (Pjb), Mubashir Raza (Pjb), A. Sattar (Sindh), Amir Shehzad (Kp), Ibrahim Khan (Bal), Shahid Shafique (Pjb).

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The Vantage Black Sticks Women recently completed a two-test series against the United States of America (USA), showcasing a blend of experience and fresh talent on the field.The first match took place on Sunday, January 19th at Lloyd Elsmore Park. In what was a closely contested game, New Zealand emerged as winners with a 1-0 win, thanks to a late goal in the fourth quarter by Holly Pearson.Hannah Gravenall captained the side, leading a team that featured four debutants: Britt Wang, Julia Gluyas (goalkeeper), Mezzy Surridge, and Millie Calder. The match marked an exciting start to the year, as the young team with new talent look to build the next era of Vantage Black Sticks for the women’s side.Match Two took place the following day on Monday, January 20th. This time, Casey Crowley stepped up as captain for her first time, guiding the team alongside debutant Jaimee Eades. The match took a slow start with a tidy deflection just before half time by Paige Blake to secure a 1-0 lead.It was the second half that saw all the action take place with the USA responding with two goals before the Vantage Black Sticks struck back with a drag flick and second deflection by Paige Blake and a goal by Anna Willocks in the final two minutes. The final score in match 2 was 3-2 to the Vantage Black Sticks, sealing the series win over the USA.

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Left-arm spinners Noman Ali and Jomel Warrican have attained career best positions in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings after outstanding performances in the second Test between Pakistan and the West Indies in Multan.Noman, who became the first Pakistani spinner to take a Test hat-trick in a match haul of 10 for 121, has gained four spots to reach fifth position with 806 rating points. He is only the 12th Pakistani bowler to go past the 800-point mark in Tests and the only one from his country in the top 20 right now.Warrican won the Player of the Match award after finishing with nine for 70 in the second Test, moving up 16 places to 25th position. He has progressed a total of 28 places in the two Tests with a return of 19 wickets, that also won him the Player of the Series award.Kemar Roach (up one place to 18th) and Gudakesh Motie (up six places to 58th) are the West Indian bowlers to move up the rankings while Sajid Khan (up two places to 21st) and Abrar Ahmed (up two places to 50th) are the Pakistan players to move up the list.West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s second innings half-century at the top of the order that contributed in a 120-run win, has lifted him eight places to 44th position while Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has moved back towards the top10, advancing from 17th to 15th position.Varma eyes Babar’s record: In the Men’s T20I Rankings, Tilak Varma has reached a career-best second position after an unbeaten 71 in the second T20I against England. His 832 rating points are the fourth-best by an India batter in the format after Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.Varma, who is 22 years and 82 days at the time of reaching second position, is only 23 rating points behind top-ranked Travis Ahead and with a good chance of becoming the youngest to top the T20I batting rankings. The mark is currently held by Babar Azam, who was 23 years, 105 days when he went top for the first time in January 2018.In the bowling rankings, England’s wrist-spinner Adil Rashid has ended Akeal Hosein’s 44-day stay at the top after taking one for 14 and one for 15 in the second and third matches of the series, completing his four overs each time to help England narrow the lead to 2-1.It is the second time the England leggie has topped the table, having occupied top spot for a year from December 2023 to December 2024.Liam Livingstone (up five places to 32nd) and Abhishek Sharma (up 59 places to 40th) are other batters to gain after the series while Varun Chakravarthy (up 25 places to a career-best fifth position), Joffra Archer (up 13 places to sixth), Axar Patel (up five places to 11th) and Hardik Pandya (up eight places to 43rd) have moved up the bowling list.

BIPIN DANIThe highly anticipated Warne-Murali Trophy Test series between Sri Lanka and Australia is underway, and it has already begun to evoke fond memories and excitement among cricket enthusiasts. In an exclusive conversation with this Reporter, Jason Warne, the brother of the late legendary cricketer Shane Warne, shared his thoughts and cherished memories related to the series. This Reporter also played a pivotal role in arranging Jason's previous visit to Sri Lanka through the Sri Lanka Promotion Tourism Board.Jason Warne expressed his excitement and anticipation about the current series, even though he won't be in Sri Lanka to witness the matches in person this time around. He said, "I am looking forward to watching the ongoing series between Sri Lanka and Australia. Unfortunately, I will be watching from Australia this time, unlike the last tour when I was fortunate enough to be in Galle to watch the opening match."He fondly reminisced about Galle, describing it as a beautiful place with a ground that holds special significance. "Galle is such a beautiful place and ground, and it brings back great memories of my brother's performances on the ground and how much it meant to him to do what he could to help with the rebuilding of the ground and the wider region following the Tsunami."Jason touched upon the fitting nature of the Murali-Warne Trophy, particularly given the spin-friendly conditions. "It’s fitting that they are playing for the Murali-Warne trophy in such spin-friendly conditions! I am sure Shane would love to be watching this test and see which spinner can make their mark this year!!"Encouraging cricket fans to visit Galle, Jason shared his own positive experiences: "For anyone thinking of heading to Galle to watch a test match, please do. I really enjoyed the beautiful beaches, amazing restaurants, historic fort area, the elephant safari, as well as Kalu’s hideaway and the wonderful Galle cricket ground."Jason concluded his reflections with a hopeful note, "Here’s hoping for another great Test match and some spin bowling performances to make Murali and Shane proud."

Rawalpindi (SBR): The upgradation work of main pavilion and media boxes of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been completed while installation of chairs in enclosures is in final stage. Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi visited Rawalpindi Cricket stadium.Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi inspected various parts of the stadium including pavilion, media box, VIP boxes and observed the finishing work. Chairman PCB expressed satisfaction over the progress on the upgradation project. Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi also reviewed the proposed security arrangements for the teams. He said that an ICC tournament is being held in Pakistan after a long time and all preparations are complete for the mega event.The ICC Champions Trophy is set to begin from 19 February, with three matches to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. At this venue, Bangladesh will play New Zealand on 24 February, Australia to play against South Africa on 25 February while the hosts Pakistan will take on Bangladesh at the same venue on 27 February

Karachi (SBR) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Sharjeel Mahmood defeated No. 6 seed Shan Naimat of Islamabad in an upset to exit the NBP 49th National Snooker Championship. The pre-quarterfinal line-up of the championship was also completed on the last day of the league matches. Ahsan Ramzan played a break of 113. According to Tournament Director Naveed Kapadia,the league matches ended on the eighth day of the 49th NBP National Snooker Championship at the Snooker Arena of the National Bank Sports Complex.After league matches Punjab's Owais Munir, Mohammad Sajjad, Asjad Iqbal, Shahid Aftab, Naseem Akhtar, Wasim Abbas, Mohammad Shahbaz, Babar Masih, Mubashir Raza and Mohammad Asif, Sindh's Abdul Sattar, Zulfiqar A. Qadir, Sohail Shahzad and Ean Mark John, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Sharjeel Mahmood and Balochistan's Adil A. Jabbar reached the pre-quarterfinals. On Tuesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Sharjeel Mahmood defeated number 6 seed Shan Naimat of Islamabad to eliminate him from the championship and also reached in knockout stage. He won 4-2, the frame score of his victory was in his favor 69-43, 67-53, 62-38, 57-70, 33-62 and 72-12. In other matches, National Bank's Asjad Iqbal defeated Islamabad's Faisal Daniyal 4-2, Punjab's Owais Munir defeated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Sarbland Khan 4-0, Punjab's Naseem Akhtar defeated Balochistan's Asadullah 4-2, Islamabad's Abdul Javed defeated Balochistan's Bahadur Khan 4-0, Punjab's Shahid Aftab defeated Sindh's Zulfiqar A. Qadir 4-2 and Ahsan Ramzan of Punjab defeated Mubashir Raza of Punjab 4-3.