分类： sports

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, the legendary Pakistani tennis star who famously defeated Roger Federer in a 2009 doubles match, is now spearheading an ambitious campaign to transform tennis infrastructure and development in his cricket-dominated homeland. The former world No. 8 doubles player, who recently retired after a 25-year professional career, has assumed presidency of the Pakistan Tennis Federation with a clear mission: to build a sustainable tennis ecosystem from the ground up.

Qureshi’s remarkable career included reaching the 2010 US Open finals in both doubles and mixed doubles, an extraordinary achievement for a player emerging from a nation with minimal tennis tradition. Now, he’s leveraging his international experience and connections to bring competitive opportunities to Pakistani players. Under his leadership, Pakistan recently hosted its first ATP Challenger event in Islamabad—a landmark moment for the country’s tennis history.

In an exclusive interview, Qureshi outlined his strategic approach: bringing international tournaments to Pakistan rather than relying on sending players abroad. This method allows local players to earn ranking points and gain international exposure without the financial burden of constant travel. The federation has already secured seven International Tennis Federation junior tournaments for next year, with Pakistani juniors demonstrating immediate success by winning all five recent events.

The greatest challenge remains infrastructure. Unlike cricket, which thrives in urban and rural spaces alike, tennis suffers from limited public facilities. Most courts are located in private clubs requiring paid memberships. Qureshi has devised an innovative solution: leveraging Pakistan’s explosion of padel courts (over 500 nationwide) to introduce mini-tennis programs for children aged 8-10, effectively creating new entry points for youth participation.

Reflecting on his unique journey, Qureshi shared a poignant memory of his victory over Federer. The Swiss maestro surprised him by recalling their junior match from a decade earlier, noting Qureshi remained “the only Pakistani I ever played against.” This encounter symbolized Qureshi’s role as Pakistan’s solitary tennis ambassador on the global stage for over two decades.

Despite opportunities to settle abroad, Qureshi remains committed to his mission. “I feel like my job is not done yet,” he stated, emphasizing his responsibility to develop the sport that gave him so much. Through securing wild cards for Pakistani players in international tournaments and continuing to expand domestic competitive opportunities, Qureshi is determined to create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond his own exceptional career.

The fourth T20 international cricket match between India and South Africa was officially abandoned on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, due to what officials cited as “excessive fog” at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The decision came after multiple pitch inspections by match officials, who ultimately determined that playing conditions were unsafe for competition.

The scheduled toss at 13:00 GMT never occurred as umpires continued to monitor conditions throughout the afternoon before calling off the match approximately three hours later. The abandonment raises significant questions about scheduling and environmental factors affecting international sports events in northern India during winter months.

Adding to concerns about playing conditions, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was observed wearing a protective mask during warm-up exercises on the pitch prior to the abandoned match. This visual evidence coincided with air quality readings showing particularly hazardous conditions in Lucknow, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching approximately 400 around the scheduled start time—a level classified as posing serious health risks to all individuals exposed.

Despite the visible pollution concerns, the official statement from cricket authorities specifically cited fog as the sole reason for the cancellation, avoiding any direct reference to air quality issues. The series now moves to its decisive final match with India leading 2-1, setting up a crucial encounter scheduled for Friday in Ahmedabad, where environmental conditions are expected to be more favorable for play.

Nigeria’s football governing body has launched a formal protest with FIFA, contesting the eligibility of several Democratic Republic of Congo players featured in last month’s decisive World Cup qualifying match. The Super Eagles’ defeat to DR Congo on penalties in Morocco cost Nigeria a spot in the upcoming intercontinental qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) alleges that DR Congo violated both FIFA regulations and Congolese nationality laws by fielding players with dual citizenship. Specifically mentioned are Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, who recently switched international allegiance to represent DR Congo despite Congolese law prohibiting dual nationality.

NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi stated: ‘Our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing these players. The Congolese rule explicitly states you cannot have dual nationality, yet some of their players possess European and French passports. We consider this a breach of FIFA’s regulations and potentially fraudulent.’

The federation has submitted comprehensive documentation and legal arguments to world football’s governing body. In response, the Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) has dismissed the petition as an attempt to ‘win via the back door,’ characterizing Nigeria as ‘bad losers’ in social media statements.

This controversy emerges against a backdrop of similar eligibility cases in African football. FIFA recently deducted points from Equatorial Guinea during qualifiers after captain Emilio Nsue was deemed ineligible due to prior appearances for Spain’s youth teams. Similarly, South Africa had a victory overturned for fielding a suspended player.

FIFA’s statutes permit players to change national representation once with proper approval, requiring only a valid passport for the new nation regardless of dual citizenship status. However, this conflicts with DR Congo’s domestic laws, creating a complex jurisdictional dilemma for football’s governing body.

The outcome could range from case dismissal to potential sporting sanctions if FIFA finds material breaches of registration rules, possibly including match forfeiture or point deductions that could alter World Cup qualification.

As Mohamed Salah prepares for his fifth attempt at Africa Cup of Nations glory with Egypt in Morocco, the Liverpool superstar finds himself among an exclusive group of African football legends who never captured the continent’s most prestigious trophy. Despite his remarkable club success and individual accolades, the Nations Cup title remains the missing piece in Salah’s illustrious career.

The Egyptian captain has experienced repeated heartbreak in the tournament since his 2011 international debut. Egypt’s most successful nation with seven titles has endured a drought since 2010, with Salah suffering final defeats in 2017 (against Cameroon) and 2021 (against Senegal), where he was denied even taking a penalty in the shootout. His campaigns have been marred by unexpected eliminations and injuries, most notably in 2023 when he watched from the sidelines as DR Congo eliminated his team.

Salah joins a distinguished list of African greats who never lifted the trophy. Didier Drogba, despite his legendary status at Chelsea and nine goals in ten major finals for the Blues, twice captained Ivory Coast to final defeats in 2006 and 2012. His penalty misfires proved particularly costly, with missed opportunities in both championship matches.

George Weah, the only African Ballon d’Or winner (1995), could not translate his individual brilliance into team success with Liberia. The nation made only two tournament appearances during his career, failing to advance from the group stage on both occasions despite Weah’s leadership.

Nwankwo Kanu, the Nigerian maestro who won Champions League and UEFA Cup honors, experienced his Nations Cup nadir in the 2000 final against Cameroon. His missed penalty in the shootout denied Nigeria the title, and despite multiple semi-final appearances, the trophy remained beyond his reach.

Michael Essien, Ghana’s midfield dynamo who won numerous trophies with Chelsea, never progressed beyond the semi-finals with the Black Stars. Injuries hampered several of his campaigns, including the 2010 tournament where he missed Ghana’s final defeat to Egypt.

These stories highlight the unique challenge of international tournament football, where individual brilliance doesn’t always guarantee team success. As Salah mounts his latest attempt in Morocco, he carries not only Egypt’s hopes but also the legacy of these great players who never achieved Nations Cup glory.

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction concluded in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16th, marking a watershed moment in cricket’s financial landscape. The event, characterized by intense bidding wars among franchise owners, established new benchmarks for player valuations and underscored the league’s burgeoning economic power.

Held internationally for the first time in several seasons, the Abu Dhabi venue provided a global backdrop for a fiercely competitive process. Franchise strategists engaged in protracted financial duels to secure both established international superstars and emerging domestic talent. The auction pool, comprising a diverse mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, saw numerous records tumble as teams aggressively bolstered their squads for the upcoming season.

Early bidding rounds set an aggressive tone, with multiple franchises demonstrating willingness to allocate substantial portions of their budgets to priority targets. The middle sessions witnessed strategic acquisitions of utility players capable of fulfilling multiple roles, while the final stages saw franchises engaging in tactical bidding to round out their rosters with value additions.

This record-breaking auction not only reflects the IPL’s commercial dominance but also signals a significant shift in how cricket talent is valued globally. The unprecedented financial commitments demonstrate franchise confidence in the league’s continued growth and its ability to generate returns on these substantial investments. The outcomes of today’s auction are expected to reshape team dynamics and create new competitive hierarchies for IPL 2026.

In the bustling streets of Cairo, where 23 million people navigate the chaotic urban landscape, a singular name dominates conversations: Mohamed Salah. The recent controversy surrounding his explosive interview about Liverpool has ignited what locals describe as a “national revolution” of support for their football icon.

When Salah claimed Liverpool had “thrown him under the bus” in his December 6th interview, the Egyptian response was immediate and overwhelming. Diaa El-Sayed, former Egypt assistant coach who has known Salah since his teenage years, stated: “This interview was like a revolution in Egypt. 99% of Egypt supports Salah.”

The contrast between British and Egyptian perspectives couldn’t be more striking. While British media heavily criticized Salah, with former defender Jamie Carragher calling the interview a “disgrace,” Cairo residents view their ‘Egyptian King’ through entirely different lenses. “Before Salah, no-one supported Liverpool here,” explains Cairo local Noura Essam. “Before Salah, we didn’t have a global figure, so we will always support him.”

Salah’s cultural significance transcends sports. During the 2018 presidential election, over one million Egyptians wrote his name on their ballots instead of voting for official candidates. He’s known affectionately as the ‘Fourth Pyramid’ – an unofficial national leader whose influence reaches far beyond football pitches.

At Ramses Square, where teenage Salah once changed buses during his nine-hour daily commute to training, cafe patrons expressed disbelief at his recent benchings by Liverpool manager Arne Slot. The situation became so tense that when Liverpool faced Inter Milan in Champions League, “all of Egypt supported Inter Milan,” according to Osama Ismail, former Egyptian FA spokesman.

The national team has mobilized to support their captain ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. At Cairo International Stadium, where Egypt recently defeated Nigeria 2-1 in a friendly, the overwhelming mood was one of lifting their “son’s” morale. Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy personally welcomed Salah upon his arrival in Cairo, demonstrating the government-level support he commands.

Ahmed Gamal Ali, a Cairo-based journalist, explains the national sentiment: “We say he is our son, so we were emotionally taken aback because it felt like a humiliation for one of our family. To see one of our own hurting was shocking.”

Within the Egyptian camp, support remains unwavering. Team staff describe working with Salah as “the best part of my job,” while players have universally posted social media support for their captain. Coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s all-time record goalscorer, has held extensive discussions with Salah, emphasizing that Egypt needs him at his best regardless of his Liverpool situation.

The underlying tension stems from Salah’s changing role at Liverpool and potential departure. While neither party appears eager for a January separation, a summer move seems increasingly likely, with Saudi clubs interested in the £400,000-per-week forward. Yet even potential departure carries nuance – there’s belief Salah might return to Liverpool with his family after retirement because they “love the British way of life.”

For now, Salah’s focus remains on international glory. He has never won the Africa Cup of Nations, losing finals in 2017 and 2021. His dedication to this goal is exemplified by his response to his daughters when they asked why he still trains despite winning everything with Liverpool: “No, not yet, this is Egypt.”

The narrative also touches on Salah’s football hero, Mohamed Aboutrika, whose number 22 Salah once wore as tribute until Aboutrika was placed on Egypt’s terror list in 2017 (a designation removed in 2024). Unlike his idol who won two Afcon titles, Salah seeks his first international trophy.

With Egypt drawn in a manageable World Cup group alongside Belgium, Iran and New Zealand for next year’s tournament, international success remains within reach. But immediate focus remains on Morocco, where Salah carries not just national hopes but personal motivation to prove he remains among football’s elite.

As Mohamed Mamoun, a fan at Cairo stadium, perfectly captures: “Salah always wants to win but there is double motivation now to prove that he is still one of the best. We already know he is the best.” Though not tournament favorites, with Salah, Egypt will always believe.