525-Foot Foosball table sets World record

Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari, who previously coached Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, has said the javelin thrower was not at peak fitness ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Nadeem’s campaign there ended in disappointment. Speaking to The Express Tribune from Lahore, Bukhari said he had watched Nadeem during throwing sessions and didn’t see the intensity needed to challenge for medals at a major event. According to him, fitness is the single most important factor for any athlete. He added that if an athlete is not fit, competing should not even be considered an option. Bukhari coached Nadeem for eight years and played a key role in helping him qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. He said fitness had always been central to his coaching philosophy during that period. Reflecting on the lead-up to Tokyo, Bukhari recalled that Nadeem had contracted COVID-19 and was also nursing an elbow injury at the time. He said Nadeem had insisted he wouldn’t compete unless he reached full fitness. Through focused work together, they managed to get him back in shape. Bukhari pointed to Nadeem’s strong throw at the Tokyo Games as evidence that the effort had paid off. He also called for mandatory fitness testing before athletes are cleared for international events. He expressed concern that such checks appear to have been abandoned altogether in recent years. Nadeem’s Glasgow campaign ended in a surprising early exit. He failed to progress past the qualifying round, finishing ninth out of twelve finalists based on his first three throws. The result stood in sharp contrast to his performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres. While Nadeem has claimed several medals since his Olympic win, his recent form has not matched that historic peak. This has raised some concern, given the immense potential he continues to carry as an athlete. Bukhari was removed from his coaching role by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan after Nadeem finished fifth in Tokyo. Salman Butt has since taken over as his coach. Despite the recent setback, Bukhari remains confident Nadeem can regain his top form. He said the athlete doesn’t necessarily need another massive throw, since he’s already delivered one on the world’s biggest stage. Instead, he believes Nadeem needs to focus on correcting his mindset and overall approach. Bukhari also criticized Butt, alleging he has distanced Nadeem from both the federation and his former coach. He added that he remains willing to help if needed, and called for stronger cooperation among Pakistan’s sports bodies to improve the country’s standing internationally.

Pakistan continued their impressive run at the World Junior Squash Team Championship, securing a place in the pre-quarter-finals after defeating Switzerland 3-0 in their second group-stage match. The national junior side delivered another dominant performance, with all three Pakistani players winning their respective matches in straight games. The comprehensive victory followed Pakistan’s successful opening fixture, giving the team two wins from two matches and ensuring qualification for the knockout stage. Pakistan started the contest with confidence, taking control of the opening match from the outset. Their first player maintained a consistent tempo throughout, comfortably defeating his Swiss opponent without dropping a game. The momentum continued in the second match as Pakistan once again displayed superior skill, movement, and composure on court. The Swiss player struggled to match the pace and precision of the Pakistani representative, who wrapped up the contest in straight games to give his team an unassailable 2-0 lead. With the tie already secured, Pakistan’s third player completed the clean sweep in equally convincing fashion. Producing another composed display, he claimed victory in straight games to seal a 3-0 triumph for the team. The result highlighted Pakistan’s strong form in the tournament, with every player contributing to back-to-back victories during the group stage. Winning all three individual matches against Switzerland also underlined the team’s depth and consistency. Having already registered a victory in their opening group fixture, Pakistan finished the group phase with a perfect record of two wins from two matches. The unbeaten run has earned the team a place in the pre-quarter-finals, where the competition is expected to become even more challenging. Pakistan has a rich history in squash and continues to produce promising young talent through its junior development system. Performances such as these offer encouragement that the country’s next generation of players can continue the legacy established by former world champions. The team will now shift its focus to the knockout rounds, where stronger opposition awaits. Maintaining the same level of discipline, consistency, and confidence will be crucial as Pakistan aims to progress deeper into the championship. With two commanding victories and every player contributing positively, Pakistan enters the pre-quarter-finals with growing momentum and hopes of extending its impressive campaign on the world stage.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to bring private investors into the commercial management of the FIFA World Cup has suffered another major setback after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) formally rejected the plan. In a statement issued on Friday, the AFC announced that it stands alongside the European and North, Central American, and Caribbean football confederations in opposing the proposal. The confederation said the plan lacks the broad international support needed to move forward and warned that it could weaken the unity of global football. The AFC stressed that the FIFA World Cup belongs to the entire football community and should remain a competition shaped collectively by all member associations and confederations. It argued that decisions involving the future of the tournament should only be made after meaningful consultation with all stakeholders. The Asian governing body also criticized FIFA’s decision-making process, saying major proposals were introduced before proper discussions with confederations and member associations. It claimed the approach left many football authorities feeling excluded from an issue of global importance. The latest opposition significantly reduces the chances of the proposal being approved if it is presented for a vote. FIFA has 211 member associations, and a simple majority would be required for the plan to pass. With Europe, Asia, and Concacaf already opposed, the proposal faces strong resistance. Earlier, UEFA warned it could boycott future FIFA World Cups if the proposal moves ahead. Concacaf also rejected the plan, arguing that football’s biggest tournament should not become a commercial investment asset. Despite the growing backlash, FIFA has defended its proposal. The organization insists that it is not selling football but instead seeking new ways to strengthen the financial future of the game. FIFA says the planned reforms would attract investment, increase tournament revenues, and provide larger financial distributions to its member associations in the coming years. Under the proposal, FIFA would establish a new commercial subsidiary to manage its major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. Outside investors would be allowed to purchase minority, non-controlling stakes in the new company while FIFA retains overall control. According to the governing body, the investment model would help expand football development programs, generate new business opportunities, and improve long-term financial sustainability. However, critics remain unconvinced. They argue that introducing private investors into the commercial structure of the World Cup risks prioritizing profits over the interests of players, supporters, and national associations. Opponents also say the process has lacked transparency and adequate consultation. The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has not yet announced its position on the proposal, while the African (CAF) and Oceania (OFC) confederations are expected to discuss the matter in the coming weeks.