By Nawaz Gohar ; The Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) is facing severe criticism over its planning and administrative capabilities after a controversial notification resulted in an dismal turnout for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 selection trials.

Highly placed sources revealed that only six male and five female athletes participated in the trials. Given the vast pool of dozens of national-level table tennis players across the country, sports circles have flagged this critically low attendance as a clear sign of deep-rooted reservations among players and parents regarding the federation’s sudden scheduling and short notice.

The crisis stems from a directive issued by the PTTF that left athletes with minimal time to prepare or travel for the trials. Compounding the issue, the federation’s policy placed the entire financial burden of international travel and logistical expenses for the Asian Games directly onto the players themselves. This mandate triggered widespread, open protests from both athletes and their families, who deemed the policy exclusionary.

Sports analysts noted that having a mere 11 players participate in a selection process for a major continental event like the Asian Games heavily compromises the competitive standard of the national squad. They argued it highlights a stark failure by the federation to win the trust of its core stakeholders.

Affected players and parents maintained that a lack of strategic planning, inadequate notice, and a complete absence of financial backing systematically deprives talented athletes of global opportunities. They emphasized that national team selection must be anchored in maximum inclusivity, transparency, and fair competition, rather than restrictive environments that bar eligible players from even reaching the trial venue.

Following the fallout, a heated debate has erupted across the sports sector regarding the PTTF’s governance. Stakeholders are now formally calling upon the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) to launch an immediate review into the matter to ensure future national team selections are equitable, thoroughly organized, and accessible to all deserving athletes.

The post PTTF under fire after controversial notification limits Asian Games trials to just 11 players appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ;  Pakistan’s rising international professional boxer, Shoaib Khan Zehri, is primed to represent the green crescent and star on the global stage once again. In a historic development, Zehri will face Indian boxer Umesh Chavan for the vacant Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) Super Lightweight World Title on June 20, 2026, in the scenic city of Bali, Indonesia.

More than just a tactical contest between two elite athletes, the high-stakes bout is being viewed across sports circles as a clash of prestige and national honor between South Asia’s traditional sporting rivals. Zehri enters the ring carrying the aspirations of a nation, driven by rigorous preparation and an unyielding determination to secure the world title for Pakistan.

To prepare for this career-defining milestone, Zehri has been undergoing an intense, high-performance training camp in Islamabad. His regimen incorporates modern technical coaching, grueling strength and conditioning modules, and specialized strategic sparring sessions designed to counter his opponent’s style.

Trainers have lauded his exceptional discipline, work ethic, and patriotic fervor, which set him apart in the professional boxing landscape.

Hailing from Balochistan, Zehri’s journey from a resource-constrained environment to the pinnacle of international boxing has transformed him into an icon of perseverance for Pakistan’s youth.

He has consistently utilized his global platform to project a progressive and powerful image of Pakistani sports, proving that sheer talent and relentless hard work can overcome institutional barriers.

Industry experts note that this championship bout could serve as a watershed moment for professional boxing in Pakistan, potentially unlocking major corporate sponsorships, international broadcasting opportunities, and global exposure for the country’s untapped fighting talent.

As the historic June 20 fight night approaches, the entire nation is rallying behind its national hero, sending waves of solidarity and prayers as he steps into the squared circle to etch Pakistan’s name into the annals of world boxing history.

The post Shoaib Khan Zehri set to fight India’s Umesh Chavan for UBO World title in Bali appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

ISLAMABAD ; The newly appointed Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Yawar Hussain, conducted a surprise, comprehensive late-night inspection of the PSB Headquarters in Islamabad.

The extensive walkthrough was aimed at taking stock of existing infrastructure, evaluating athlete welfare facilities, and identifying operational bottlenecks following his assumption of office.

During his hours-long visit, the DG toured the nerve centers of the sprawling sports complex. His inspection covered elite athletic training arenas, player residential wings, administrative blocks, and vital support service departments.

Departmental heads and venue managers briefed the new chief on day-to-day operations, ongoing maintenance schedules, and the budgetary and logistical challenges that have historically impeded the optimum functioning of the facilities.

Refusing to rely solely on paperwork, Yawar Hussain engaged directly with ground staff, coaches, and administrators. He demanded granular data regarding:

The exact daily utilization rate of specialized sports venues. The efficiency of current athlete facilitation and nutrition mechanisms.

The precise timeline and structural integrity of ongoing renovation and development projects.

“Maintaining international benchmarks at our venues is not optional—it is a baseline requirement,” the DG emphasized during his interactions. “Our core mission is to facilitate our athletes and establish a sustainable ecosystem for high-performance sports in Pakistan.”

The Director General was given a detailed map of current national training camps and the upkeep protocols of competitive arenas. He made it clear that under his leadership, the bureaucratic red tape surrounding facilities for national sports federations would be minimized.

Upholding the PSB’s commitment to fostering a world-class environment, Hussain reiterated that elevating the quality of services remains the board’s top priority, ensuring national athletes are equipped to achieve podium finishes on the global stage.

The midnight visit has sent a clear message across the board’s ranks regarding the new management’s active, hands-on style of governance.

Pledging their alignment with his vision, the briefed officials assured the DG of their unconditional cooperation in executing sweeping reforms to maximize institutional performance and transparency.

The post New PSB chief demands full cooperation from staff after comprehensive site assessment appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

Lahore : The Regional Inter-District U19 One-Day tournament is set to begin from Monday, 15 June with 103 districts and zones across the country taking part in it, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today.

The tournament is set to see more than 1600 U19 men’s players active across June and July in 50-over red-ball matches. The teams have been divided according to their regional composition across the 16 regions. Winner and runners up in each region are set to bag PKR 200,000 and PKR 100,000, respectively.

From Monday, the tournament will begin in Multan and Larkana, on Tuesday in Karachi and Dera Murad Jamali, while on Thursday in Abbottabad, Bahawalpur and Hyderabad. The schedule for the remaining regions will be confirmed in due course upon completion of the fitness tests there.

The top performers in the tournament will have the bright opportunity to kick-start their professional cricket careers as 18 regional U19 teams will be formed from district and zonal teams in late July and early August for upcoming season.

The players across 103 districts and zones will also have in their sights the Pakistan men’s U19 tour to England scheduled from 2 September to 16 September later this year and it includes a solitary Youth Test and four Youth ODIs.

The post Regional Inter-District U19 One-Day tournament to begin from Monday appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ; The margins for error were microscopic, the concentration absolute. After five days of high-caliber drama and nerve-shredding precision, the National Air Rifle and Air Pistol Shooting Championship 2026 concluded successfully at the prestigious Gun and Country Club in Islamabad on Saturday.

When the smoke cleared and the final scores were tallied, it was the powerhouse Pakistan Navy that deservingly stood alone at the apex of domestic shooting.

The premium five-day tournament served as a grand showcase of the country’s sharpest marksmen, drawing nearly 120 elite shooters from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, the Islamabad Capital Territory, and the armed forces.

The closing ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani—a man wearing multiple crucial hats in Pakistan’s sporting landscape as the Federal Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC),

Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board, President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, and Administrator of the Gun and Country Club. Mr. Wani presented medals and trophies to the individual sharpshooters and triumphant teams who excelled under pressure.

Addressing the contingent, Mr. Wani warmly congratulated the participants and lauded the exceptionally high technical standards on display.

He reiterated his unwavering commitment to elevating the sport of shooting in Pakistan, promising robust institutional support to upgrade training infrastructure so local talent can transition smoothly onto the international Olympic stage.

The star-studded closing ceremony also featured key sports diplomats and administrators, including Federal Rifle Association (FRA) President Colonel (Retd) Agha Raza, Gun and Country Club Secretary Mr. Imran Afraz Khan, and Tournament Director Raja Noman Afzal.

While the Pakistan Navy ruthlessly executed their path to the championship title, the battle further down the leaderboards was fiercely contested.

The Federal Rifle Association (FRA) secured a commendable second place, while the young prodigies of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) rounded out the podium in third, narrowly edging out the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Regional giants Punjab, Khyber Pakhtonkhwa (KPK), and Sindh finished fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively, signaling a vital need for grassroots development in provincial sports academies.

The post Pakistan Navy win National Air Rifle & Pistol Championship appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ; South Korea ignited their World Cup Group A campaign in thrilling fashion on Thursday, roaring back from a goal down to secure a gritty 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic.

Second-half strikes from midfield maestro Hwang In-beom and super-sub Oh Hyeon-gyu capped off a breathless encounter, sending the Taegeuk Warriors level with co-hosts Mexico at the summit of the group standings.

While the official attendance of 44,985 raised a few eyebrows due to noticeable patches of empty seats, those in the stadium made up for it with deafening noise. The local Mexican crowd firmly adopted the Koreans as their own—a lingering debt of gratitude from 2018, when South Korea’s legendary upset of Germany miraculously sent Mexico to the knockout rounds.

Yet, for over an hour, it looked like the Czech Republic’s brutal physicality would spoil the party.

The match was a fascinating study in contrasting philosophies: South Korea’s slick, geometric passing versus the direct, thumping pragmatism of the Czechs. A cagey, goalless first half belonged entirely to missed opportunities—most notably from South Korea’s talismanic captain, Son Heung-min. Usually lethal, Son endured a frustratingly rare off-day, squandering five clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes alone. The Tottenham icon remains agonizingly stalled at 56 international goals, just two shy of breaking his country’s all-time scoring record.

The game finally exploded into life in the 59th minute. The Czechs leveraged their aerial supremacy when West Ham’s Vladimír Coufal launched a trademark long throw into the box. Ladislav Krejci rose highest, meeting it with a thumping header that left the Korean keeper stranded.

Faced with adversity, South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo’s pre-match gospel echoed through his squad. “Before the match, I gave the players two messages: do not give up until the end, and unite as one,” Hong later revealed.

The response was instantaneous. Just eight minutes after falling behind, Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in unlocked the Czech defense with a razor-sharp through ball. Hwang In-beom collected it, elegantly cut inside his marker, and whipped a low, curling right-footed effort into the far bottom corner.

With momentum fully on their side, Hong made the tactical gamble of the match, hauling off a misfiring Son for Oh Hyeon-gyu. It proved to be a masterstroke. In the 74th minute, the equalizer turned provider; Hwang turned a defender on the right wing and fired a fizzing, low cross into the six-yard box. Oh anticipated it perfectly, sweeping it home to send the traveling Korean fans into absolute euphoria.

The Czechs thought they had snatched a dramatic equalizer late on when Tomáš Souček powered home a header from a set-piece, but the linesman’s flag immediately cut the celebrations short for offside. It was a heartbreaking end for the Czechs, marking a bitter return to the world stage after a 20-year absence.

“We made some critical mistakes,” admitted a somber Czech coach Miroslav Koubek. “Looking back, we absolutely could have prevented those goals. We created opportunities, but their transition speed was just too fast.”

South Korea now marches into a high-stakes showdown against Mexico on June 18, a match that will likely decide who tops Group A. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic will travel to Atlanta to face a wounded South Africa, with both teams desperate to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

The post Hwang and Oh spark South Korea’s dramatic World Cup fightback appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ; The 2026 World Cup is officially underway, and it has already delivered an unforgettable cocktail of high-octane celebration and pure, unadulterated chaos.

In a tempestuous opening clash at a rocking Estadio Azteca, co-hosts Mexico swept past South Africa 2-0, surviving a wildly fractured encounter where the colorful pyrotechnic smoke of the opening ceremony quickly gave way to a blinding cloud of red mist.

This monumental fixture kicked off the largest tournament in football history—the first-ever 48-team edition spread across three nations. It was entirely fitting that the iconic Azteca, the first stadium to host three separate World Cup opening matches, provided the backdrop.

Yet, while the stadium breathes the romantic history of Pelé’s 1970 wizardry and Maradona’s 1986 “Hand of God,” Thursday’s spectacle will likely be remembered for a much more modern brand of drama: a furious flurry of three red cards.

The electric, green-clad crowd of supporters—some of whom had arrived a staggering seven hours before kickoff to bypass protests paralyzing Mexico City—were treated to a dream start. Following a dazzling opening ceremony featuring global icons Shakira and Burna Boy, El Tri immediately went to work.

The match was barely minutes old when Raúl Jiménez stung the fingertips of South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams with a ferocious volley.

The breakthrough arrived moments later. Midfielder Érick Lira—shockingly selected in the starting lineup over team captain Edson Álvarez—justified his manager’s gamble by robbing Sphephelo Sithole on the edge of the box. Lira quickly fed Julián Quiñones, who danced inward before drilling a clinical, low finish under Williams to ignite absolute bedlam in the stands.

For all the early dominance, the match took a distinctly ugly turn after the interval.

South Africa’s afternoon began to unravel completely in the 54th minute. Brian Gutiérrez launched a marauding run toward the penalty area, only to be brought down from behind by a clumsy, desperate tackle from Sithole. Already responsible for losing the ball on the opening goal, the midfielder’s miserable day ended with a straight red card.

As the minutes ticked away, the home crowd grew visibly anxious as Mexico struggled to ruthlessly convert their numerical superiority into goals. The relief finally came courtesy of the veteran, Jiménez. Meeting a devilish cross from Roberto Alvarado, the forward powered a trademark downward header into the back of the net to kill off any lingering tension.

With the points secure, the final whistle was instead foreshadowed by complete disciplinary collapse. South Africa’s Themba Zwane was sent off following a meticulous VAR review for an arm to the face. Minutes later, Mexico’s own César Montes saw red for a cynical, last-man challenge that denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Despite breaking a historic curse—marking Mexico’s very first victory in a World Cup opening match after seven previous failures—the fractured performance failed to satisfy their demanding manager.

“This was a 4-0 match,” a visibly stern Javier Aguirre told reporters post-game. “We did not play well enough, even if the fans are happy. Look, it’s the start of the World Cup; we have put the opening-day nerves behind us and we have three points. But we are already fixing our eyes on what is next.”

What is next is a mouth-watering, high-stakes collision. Mexico travels to Guadalajara on June 18 to face an equally confident South Korea team coming off their own comeback victory. On the same day, a depleted, suspended South Africa will face the Czech Republic in Atlanta, with both teams already fighting for survival in a ruthless Group A.

The post Mexico launch historic World Cup amid red mist and party vibes appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ; The meticulously curated, “feel-good” marketing of the 2026 World Cup collided violently with grim geopolitical reality on Thursday. Speaking exclusively from the team’s forced sanctuary outside the Marriott Hotel in Tijuana, Iranian team supervisor Mahdi Mohammad Nabi launched a scathing attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing the governing body of failing to honor explicit promises regarding full tournament access.

The controversy unfolds against an unprecedented and highly combustible backdrop. This is the first World Cup since its inception in 1930 where a host nation is actively set to receive a country with which it is technically at war. Though a fragile April ceasefire paused direct military strikes between Washington and Tehran, the bitter enmity has spilled directly onto the pitch.

Nabi—a seasoned tournament diplomat who managed squad operations at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups—is the highest-profile casualty of a sweeping diplomatic blockade. He is one of 15 Iranian soccer federation members systematically denied entry visas by the United States.

The lockout stands in stark, unflattering contrast to a freewheeling press conference delivered by Infantino just a day prior in Mexico City. The FIFA chief had triumphantly pointed to Iran’s participation as proof that football could seamlessly rise above global conflict.

“We hope Mr. Infantino will indeed implement the words and promises he made to the Iranian national team,” Nabi told Reuters, his tone measured but laced with profound frustration. “FIFA regulations and protocols must be properly followed by both member federations and hosts. I have never before experienced such a total lack of coordination.”

When pressed on a scathing U.S. State Department justification—which explicitly alleged that Washington would not allow Tehran to “abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the U.S. under false pretenses”—Nabi fiercely pivoted back to the game. “We are here to talk about sports; we did not come to engage in any political activities.”

The logistical fallout has completely disrupted Iran’s tournament preparation. Barred from their planned training facilities in Arizona, the squad was forced into a last-minute scramble to set up camp in Tijuana, just south of the Mexican border. While the players themselves were finally granted U.S. visas a mere 10 days before their Monday opener against New Zealand outside Los Angeles, the damage to their preparation was already done.

The strict American border policy has cast a long, polarizing shadow over this historic 48-team tournament. Beyond the Iranian federation, Washington has denied entry to numerous African journalists, implemented aggressive financial bond measures for nations flagged for visa overstays, and enforced strict travel bans against four qualified nations. Earlier this week, Somalian FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was abruptly turned away at the border despite holding a valid visa, with U.S. officials citing alleged ties to extremist organizations.

When confronted with these escalating operational failures, Infantino offered a remarkably detached defense, claiming FIFA cannot override sovereign immigration laws. “We don’t control everything,” Infantino remarked dismissively. “Maybe it’s good to just chill, relax.”

But “chilling” is a luxury the Iranian players cannot afford. Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi opened up about the emotional and psychological toll the surrounding chaos has taken on a squad entirely isolated from their loved ones.

“We need all of our staff, and especially our main guys who can guide us through this tournament,” Ezatolahi admitted, noting that the team has accepted that their families cannot cross the border to support them. Yet, despite the psychological weight of a distant war and a disrupted camp, the midfielder insisted their focus remains unbroken.

“We are taking this opportunity and we have to step up,” Ezatolahi said softly. “We have to fight for what we call love. And for us, that love is football.”

The post Iran team chief slams Infantino as US visas spark World Cup crisis appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ; The global soccer spotlight shifted definitively to the United States on Friday, as the sports world prepares to witness whether the sheer, unadulterated spectacle of a modern American World Cup can overpower months of bitter controversy surrounding sky-high ticket pricing and a hardline border regime.

With co-hosts Mexico setting the tournament alight on Thursday and Toronto welcoming Canada’s grand entrance on Friday afternoon, the stage is now set for Los Angeles. An opulent opening ceremony at the ultra-futuristic SoFi Stadium—headlined by pop icon Katy Perry—will serve as the ultimate curtain-raiser before the U.S. Men’s National Team officially launches its campaign against a dangerous Paraguay side.

Yet, as the party arrives on American soil for the first time since 1994, organizers face a unique cultural puzzle. Football remains a nascent giant here. Recent polling indicates only about a third of Americans plan to tune into the tournament—a stark contrast to the absolute obsession gripping Europe and Latin America.

In fact, much of the domestic sporting oxygen has been completely consumed by the mesmerizing run of the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, with the franchise sitting just one historic victory away from snapping a painful five-decade championship drought. Despite the basketball mania, the sheer gravitational pull of the world’s game is starting to break through.

In Midtown Manhattan, a brilliant clash of colors painted the avenues on Friday. Knicks fans in classic navy basketball jerseys mingled effortlessly with drum-beating Brazilian supporters in vibrant yellow and triumphant Mexican followers celebrating their opening-day victory.

But beneath the surface-level joy, a heavy administrative and political shadow looms over the tournament’s rollout. Under the current Trump administration, tight border policies have created unprecedented friction for international travelers.

Months of widespread news reports detailing strict visa restrictions have left many foreign fans hesitant to travel. The tension reached a boiling point earlier this week when a prominent Somalian FIFA referee was flatly denied entry into the country.

Furthermore, grassroots fans are feeling the crushing weight of hyper-commercialization. Ticket prices and cross-country travel accommodation have skyrocketed to prohibitive levels, leaving many lifelong supporters feeling entirely priced out of the experience.

The tournament’s most volatile narrative, however, remains geopolitical. Following the severe military escalations involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran back in February, a delicate diplomatic compromise forced the Iranian national team to establish its training sanctuary in Tijuana, Mexico. The squad will essentially act as commuters, crossing the heavily fortified U.S. border solely to play their matches.

A massive logistical and cultural showdown is already brewing on the horizon for June 26 in Seattle. Iran is scheduled to clash with Egypt in a match that local organizers have loudly designated as an official LGBT Pride celebration—a progressive framing that the football associations of both Middle Eastern nations have already vociferously and publicly opposed.

Add to this the looming threat of a grueling North American summer heatwave, and the 2026 World Cup promises to test the limits of all involved.

For the traveling fans already on the ground, the experience is nothing short of surreal. Outside the sun-drenched SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Paraguayan supporter Benjamín Fretes laughed as he recounted his interactions with the locals.

“It’s been a little strange, honestly,” Fretes admitted with a chuckle, noting that several Americans he encountered seemed entirely unaware that the World Cup—or his home country of Paraguay—even existed. But as the stadium gates began to open, his optimism remained unshaken. “The energy here is massive. It’s a beautiful stadium, a great experience, and we are ready for the whistle.”

The post Hollywood Glitz and Hardline Borders: US takes center stage in historic World Cup opener appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ; Muhammad Asim, IT Officer of the WAPDA Sports Board, met with the Honorary Consul General of Japan, Syed Nadeem Alam Shah.

During the meeting, discussions centered around the upcoming Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. The Honorary Consul General of Japan, Syed Nadeem Alam Shah, stated that Japan is fully committed to hosting a world-class event.

To achieve this, Japan is rapidly advancing its preparations for the Asian Games in close coordination with all relevant stakeholders. He highlighted that Japan’s sports system is recognized among the best in the world, offering a unique blend of modern infrastructure, discipline, and traditional values.

Furthermore, he noted that Japan boasts top-tier, state-of-the-art stadiums and has a proven track record of successfully hosting major global events, including the 1964 and 2020 Olympic Games as well as the Rugby World Cup, which speak volumes of its world-class capabilities.

The Honorary Consul General also emphasized that Japanese fans possess a deep passion for sports. The exemplary discipline of the spectators during matches, the immaculate cleanliness maintained in the stadiums, and their encouraging attitude toward athletes further elevate the standards of the event.

Ultimately, the sports culture in Japan is not merely limited to victory or performance; rather, it serves as an effective vehicle for character building and promoting social discipline.

The post IT officer of WAPDA Sports Board meets honorary Consul General of Japan to discuss Asian Games 2026 appeared first on Sportslinkpk.