Lahore, In a significant move to uplift sports coaching standards in Punjab, the Director General of Sports Punjab, Dr. Asif Tufail, announced that 35 coaches will undergo advanced training in the third course at the Institute of Sports Sciences Punjab (ISSP). This announcement came during a key meeting held at the National Hockey Stadium, which was attended by ISSP and Sports Board Punjab officials.
According to Sports Board Punjab, the meeting saw the participation of ISSP Principal Chand Parveen, Deputy Director Zahoor Ahmed, Chief Instructor Hafeez Bhatti, Admin Officer Nasir Malik, and Instructors Shaista Qaiser and Sajid Ali. Dr. Tufail highlighted the ISSP’s pivotal role as a revolutionary initiative by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department of Punjab, aimed at providing modern training to provincial and private coaches.
Dr. Tufail shared details about the upcoming third training course, scheduled for the first week of March, where 35 coaches will be trained by master trainers. The program is set to include Level 2 courses, for which coaches who have successfully completed the Level 1 course will be eligible to appear in a written test. Only those passing the test will participate in the Level 2 training.
The initiative underscores the commitment of the Institute of Sports Sciences Punjab and the Sports Board Punjab to the development of sports coaching in the province, aiming to enhance the capabilities of local coaches through structured and advanced training programs.
Lahore, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has terminated the central contract of fast bowler Haris Rauf as a disciplinary measure following his refusal to join Pakistan’s Test squad for the 2023-24 tour of Australia. This decision comes after a comprehensive review process involving a PCB committee, which evaluated the circumstances surrounding Rauf’s non-compliance with team selection protocols.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the termination of Rauf’s contract is effective from December 1, 2023, and he will also be ineligible to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in any foreign leagues until June 30, 2024. The PCB underscored that the decision was made after giving Rauf an opportunity for a personal hearing on January 30, 2024, where his explanation for the refusal was deemed unsatisfactory by the board.
The PCB emphasized the significance of representing Pakistan in international cricket, stating that refusal to be part of the national Test squad without a medical report or a valid reason constitutes a significant breach of the terms of the central contract. This action by the PCB reflects its commitment to upholding the integrity and disciplinary standards expected of national players.