Avoid major tournaments near Ramadan: Abbasi

NEW DELHI: Ace Pakistani forward Shakeel Abbasi, who was kicked out of the national training camp for fasting, has requested International Hockey Federation (FIH) to avoid organising major tournaments around the holy month of Ramadan.
    "I want to request FIH not to organise any major tournament during and around the month of Ramadan. Asia Cup is an important tournament and it is going to be held just after Ramadan where Muslim majority countries like Pakistan, Malaysia and Bangladesh are playing," Abbasi said.
   "There are no major hockey or cricket tournaments during Christmas, similarly they should keep Ramadan in mind while finalising the annual calendar. It is my personal suggestion and I was going to write the FIH about this. I think all national federations should urge them," said the former captain.
   Pakistan coach Akhtar Rasool on Wednesday created a big controversy when he expelled Abbasi from the Asia Cup preparatory camp for fasting. Rasool said he had taken disciplinary action against Abbasi for violating instructions and policy because it affects training and drills.
   Abbasi however said that he is confident that PHF will find a solution to this issue.
   "I have been keeping fast during last 12 years of my career. I kept fast when we had foreign coaches. I can keep focus on training while keeping a fast. I will not break my fast but I hope that PHF will find a solution. I have no regrets and I am very positive about it," he said.
   Pakistan have to win the Asia cup, to be held in Malaysia from August 24 to September 1, to qualify for the World Cup 2014. Abbasi conceded that competition will be tougher this time as it is the last chance for all the participating nations.
   "Earlier WC qualifiers were held after Asia cup but situation is opposite this time and it is the last chance for all the participating teams. There is a lot on stake for India and Pakistan hence the competition will be tougher and any team can win," Abbasi said.

The Times of India

Four Muslim finalists might compete...

PETALING JAYA: The four Muslim finalists who were dropped from the Miss Malaysia World pageant may be allowed to compete following a review by the Federal Territories Islamic Department (Jawi).
     Director of Jawi Datuk Che Mat Che Ali  confirmed that he had an official meeting with Datuk Anna Lim, the pageant organiser of Miss Malaysia World 2013 yesterday to discuss the possibility of Muslim girls competing in beauty pageants.
    “I have not made a decision yet. But I will be announcing the decision to the public sometime next week,” said Che Mat during a brief phone call with the Star Online.
     This year’s Miss World finals will take place in neighbouring Indonesia. Lim said that Muslim contestants in Indonesia are allowed to compete in the pageant.
   She said that Muslim contestants won’t be required to wear bikinis and instead they’ll be wearing sarongs.

   

Five stars for Malaysian LPGA

 Pic: Ai Miyazato
 
FIVE of the world’s top women golfers yesterday confirmed  their spots in the US$ 2 million Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia  which will tee-off on Oct 10-13 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and  Country Club (KLGCC).
    Americans Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer, Na Yeon Choi  from South Korea, Japan’s Ai Miyazato and Spaniard Beatriz  Recari ranked 2, 11, 4, 13, 18 respectively are the latest  draw-cards.
    They will join defending champion and current world No 1  Inbee Park of South Korea in the stellar line-up for the East  Course showdown.
      LPGA Player of the Year, Stacy Lewis said, “I had a good  start to the Tour in Asia this year and I’m looking forward to  getting back and competing for the Sime Darby LPGA.
   “It’s a great tournament played on one of the best courses  in Asia. It is always tough here, but I’ll approach it the way I  do all tournaments and will do my best to get my name on the  top of the leader board.”
    Na Yeon Choi, the 2011 champion, who came so close to  retaining her title in 2012, promises another stellar show.
      “The Sime Darby LPGA is certainly one of my favourite  tournaments of the year. Winning in 2011 and coming  runner up last year is a strong motivation for me to push even  harder in 2013.
   “ I know the course well and my strategy is always to put the  fairway first because if I hit the fairway well, then it presents  a lot of birdie opportunities. I always feel the pressure there,  but I try to thrive off it.”
    Another firm favourite with Malaysian fans is the ever- stylish Ai Miyazato.
   “The event has a reputation as one of the most intense  tournaments with an electrifying atmosphere. The course is  a great one to play with quite a lot of risk – reward  opportunities so I’m looking forward to getting back there to  play it,” said Ai.
    The 72-hole stroke play, no cut event is the first of four  consecutive tournaments in an Asian swing. The field will be  made up of 62 stars from the LPGA Tour and 10 sponsor  invites – including four players from the local and regional  qualifier events.