Sports

Nepal’s rising star, inspired by Pandya and Kohli, hails Hong Cricket’s sixes revival

Published

5 months ago

November 26, 2024

Nepal cricketer Pratish Gharti Chhetri had a good run with the ball during the Hong Kong Sixes where the left-arm pacer picked up 7 wickets in four matches with majority of his wickets coming against England and Australia. The youngster lavished praise on the Hong Kong 6s and added that the fast-paced form of cricket makes a bowler mentally tough.

“I really enjoyed being a part of Hong Kong 6s and playing the format but it’s very challenging for the bowlers. The positive thing is that when you play at the bigger grounds where you have nine fielders, you are more confident as a bowler. It makes a bowler mentally tough,” Pratish said.

“Talking about HK 6s, executing the plan is the key. The bowlers were able to deceive the batters with slowers ones. So, this is one of those things that I was able to do well.”

This was the first time when Nepal had been a part of HK 6s and the 20-year-old believes that it can be seen being played at the global level in coming years as it provides a lot of exposure to the players.

“Yes. We can see the format being played at a global level. It’s a fun form of the game and can attract a lot of fans and spectators. The matches can conclude in a short span of time and it’s also very entertaining.”

“I really want to thank Hong Kong Cricket and Hong Kong Sixes for giving us the opportunity to play the tournament. We had some of the finest teams competing against each other. Overall, it was a nice exposure to have,” he further added.

Pratish who was inspired to take up the sport after watching the Nepal team in 2014 T20 World Cup is a fan of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder shared his experience of meeting the two Indian star players during the Asia Cup.

“We got a chance to interact with the Indian players during the Asia Cup. I have been following Virat Kohli from my childhood days. I got the opportunity to meet him during the tournament. Hardik Pandya is another cricketer who inspires me a lot because he is an all-rounder.”

“The conversation that we had with Virat motivated us. He told us that we have a lot of talent and potential. Further more, he explained how it’s more about the mind set to succeed at the highest level,” he concluded.

Related Topics:#hongkongcricket #hongkongsixes

Staff Reporter

Lifestyle

Pro Panja UAE Cup marks league’s global debut with India-Pakistan ArmWrestling faceoff

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2025

Staff Reporter

India’s premier Arm Wrestling tournament, Pro Panja League, marked a significant milestone as it hosted its first-ever international event, Pro Panja UAE Cup, at the vibrant city of Dubai on April 19th at the India Club.

The event saw some of India’s best ArmWrestlers take on major athletes from the UAE, Kuwait and Pakistan. The matches were sanctioned by the Dubai Sports Council and were technically overseen by the Emirates Body Building and Fitness Federation.

Mr Omar Ali from the Ministry of Sports, Mr Faisal Alzabi, Head of Emirates Body Building and Fitness Federation and Mr Bharat Chachare, CEO of India Club graced the event as chief guests. Also present were Actor and Co-Founder of the Pro Panja League, Mr. Parvinn Dabass and Bollywood star and President of the People’s ArmWrestling Federation India, Mrs. Preeti Jhangiani.

In the first match, Talal Ali of Bahrain enjoyed a dominant 3-0 win over Arjun Menon of India. Next, Prasad Kanhangad of UAE beat compatriot Ramboo 3-0. India’s Umesh Kattuparambil and Asker Ali defeated Ameer Alturkumani of Kuwait and Ali Sehi of the UAE 3-0, respectively.

Lastly, in the highly anticipated clash between India’s Mazahir Saidu and Umer Awan of Pakistan, the former prevailed 3-0. After the crucial win, an elated Mazahir said, “It was an amazing experience competing in Pro Panja League’s inaugural International event. This was an important match for me because I was competing against a Pakistani ArmWrestler. India vs Pakistan is the biggest rivalry in sports and getting a win for India was truly special.”

After winning his match against Arjun Menon, Bahraini ArmWrestler Talal Ali called out Asker Ali for a match. Talal is the current Bahrain National Champion, three-time Arab Champion and the GCC Champion. Asker Ali accepted his challenge after winning his match.

After the successful event, Parvinn Dabass stated, “Couldn’t be happier with the welcome Pro Panja League has received here in Dubai. Seeing Indian ArmWrestlers compete with international stars was truly a special moment for me and I would like to thank India Club for being such a grand host and the Pro Panja UAE Cup is going to become a regular fixture on the International ArmWrestling Calendar based in the UAE.”

Preeti Jhanghiani spoke on similar lines and said, “ This event is a testament to the sport’s growing popularity and we can’t wait to bring more such international events on an even larger scale to the fans. The energy in Dubai was electric and such a reception motivates us to grow the sport even more and dream bigger.”

Sports

UAE appoints Cosmin Olăroiu as new national football team coach

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2025

Michael Gomes

The UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has officially announced that Romanian coach Cosmin Olăroiu will take over the reins of the UAE national football team. The announcement comes as the team prepares for crucial World Cup qualifiers in the coming months.

In its statement, the UAEFA confirmed that Olăroiu has signed a two-year contract to lead the team, extending through 2027. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the UAE national team, which currently holds third place in Group A of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, with 13 points. Uzbekistan sits in second with 17 points, while Iran leads the group with 20 points.

Olăroiu’s primary challenge will be securing the UAE’s place in the 2026 World Cup, with two crucial matches in June. The UAE will face Uzbekistan on June 5 and Kyrgyzstan on June 10, both vital fixtures in the quest for qualification.

The Romanian coach’s appointment follows his successful stint with Sharjah FC, where he led the team to the AFC Champions League Two final, earning him recognition as the standout candidate for the national team role.

With Olăroiu now at the helm, UAE football fans will be hoping for a strong push towards securing a spot in the upcoming World Cup, making the summer qualifiers a critical period for the team’s future.

(Source:Wam)

News

Dubai Marathon 2026: Registrations now open for 25th edition

Published

5 days ago

April 17, 2025

Michael Gomes

Get ready to lace up! Registration is officially open for the 25th edition of the Dubai Marathon, set to take place on February 1, 2026. Marking a major milestone, the iconic race is celebrating its silver jubilee with special events, elite competition, and a global gathering of runners.

As the Middle East’s oldest international road race, the Dubai Marathon has become a standout on the world running calendar, drawing elite athletes and amateurs from more than 140 countries. Held with the continued backing of the Dubai Sports Council, the race is known for its flat, fast course, perfect for personal bests and record-breaking performances.

The Dubai Marathon made history as the first race in the region to earn World Athletics’ Gold Label status, and it’s no stranger to big moments. Legendary long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie famously recorded the second-fastest marathon time ever during his debut in Dubai back in 2008 — a performance that helped cement the race’s global reputation.

In addition to the full 42.195 km marathon, the 2026 event will also include a 10 km road race and a 4 km fun run, making it accessible for runners of all ages and fitness levels.

The Dubai Sports Council emphasised the marathon’s importance to the city’s international sporting profile and its positive impact on tourism and hospitality. Now ranked among the top 10 marathons worldwide, the event continues to attract top-tier talent and thousands of passionate runners each year.

Whether you’re an elite athlete chasing a podium finish or a casual runner looking to be part of something special, the 2026 Dubai Marathon promises to be a race to remember.

For more info and to register, visit dubaimarathon.org.