Sports
Army’s Shah Khan, Haiqa Hassan clinch singles titles | The Express Tribune
Advisor to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Sports and Youth Affairs, Taj Muhammad Tarand, awards trophy to the winning player. Photo: Express
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Pakistan army duo Shah Khan and Haiqa Hassan claimed the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively, while Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) delivered a commanding performance to sweep both team events and the women’s doubles at the 61st National Table Tennis Championship.
In the men’s singles final, played at the PSB Hall of the Peshawar Sports Complex, army’s Shah Khan defeated his teammate Abbas Amjad in a thrilling contest 4-3 to lift the title.
In the women’s singles final, army’s Haiqa Hassan overcame WAPDA’s Bismah Faryal 4-2 to secure the championship.
WAPDA’s Praniya Zaman and Bismah Faryal combined brilliantly to win the women’s doubles gold, defeating the army pair of Haiqa Hassan and Aiman Hassan.
WAPDA also reigned supreme in both team events. In the men’s team final, WAPDA’s trio of Talha Bilal, Asim Qureshi, and Obaid Shah beat Punjab’s team of Awais Hassan, Taimoor Khan, and Abu Huraira 4-2. In the women’s team final, WAPDA’s Bismah Faryal, Ayesha Sharjeel, and Praniya Zaman defeated Punjab’s Kulsoom Khan, Zehra Batool, and Adan Shehzadi to claim the trophy.
The closing ceremony was graced by Taj Muhammad Tarand, Advisor to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Sports and Youth Affairs, as the chief guest. He distributed prizes among the players.
Also present on the occasion were Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider, Pakistan Table Tennis Federation Secretary General Ijaz Ahmed, Vice President and Organiser Kifayatullah, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the ceremony, Taj Muhammad Tarand expressed satisfaction over the successful hosting of the national championship in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He said the provincial government is paying full attention to the promotion of sports along with improving sports infrastructure to provide better facilities to athletes.
He added that sports activities will continue across the province and further steps will be taken to discover and nurture new talent in different sporting disciplines.
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Despite winning two MVP awards, Lamar Jackson still has his fair share of critics.
Fresh off yet another playoff disappointment, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback had arguably the worst season of his career last year.
It was the first time he finished under .500 as a starter and the first time since 2021 he was not in the playoffs after the season came down to a field goal attempt.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
Perhaps the doubters were on Jackson’s mind earlier this week because he issued a faith-filled message toward them on X.
“Instead of trying to bring me down, ask GOD to bring you up,” Jackson wrote with emojis of praying hands, a purple heart, and an army helmet. “#JESUSCHRISTKINGOFKINGS.”
Jackson missed four games with a hamstring injury that appeared to affect him for most of the year. His 2,549 passing yards were the third-lowest mark of his career, while he only rushed for 349 yards, the lowest he’s ever had.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaves the field after a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL football game. The game took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 14, 2025. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
FORMER JETS, FALCONS QB BROWNING NAGLE DEAD AT 57 AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS
The quarterback has shared several faithful messages this week, including wearing an “I LOVE JESUS” hoodie. Many of Jackson’s reposts on X show his faith.
Jackson will have a new head coach this season after his Ravens fired John Harbaugh following 18 seasons. Jesse Minter was hired after being the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, who are coached by Harbaugh’s brother, Jim.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
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Jackson has made it as far as the AFC title game but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 season.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a significant blow following a desperate 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the Emirates.
Junior Kroupi handed the visitors a well-earned lead after 17 minutes before Viktor Gyökeres clawed a laboured Arsenal back into the game from the penalty spot.
However, Alex Scott restored Bournemouth’s advantage in the 74th minute and Mikel Arteta’s shell-shocked side failed to find a response of any sort.
Arsenal’s sobering loss hands Manchester City the chance to reduce the Gunners’ nine-point lead to six when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The two title rivals then meet at the Etihad next Sunday in a fixture now fuelled with even greater significance following Arsenal’s demise here.
Indeed, Arsenal’s third consecutive domestic defeat – following their Carabao Cup final loss against City and FA Cup exit to Southampton – places major doubt over whether they will secure their first title in 22 years having finished runner-up for the past three seasons.
Arteta’s men were subjected to a rippling of boos at the final whistle.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
SAN BRUNO, Calif. — UC Santa Barbara will join the West Coast Conference for the 2027-28 season, increasing the membership in the league to 12 teams.
The West Coast Conference Presidents’ Council approved the admission of UC Santa Barbara on Friday, following recent decisions to add Denver and UC San Diego.
Denver will begin play in the league next season with the two California schools following the following year.
WCC powerhouse Gonzaga is leaving the conference at the end of this school year to join the Pac-12 but the new additions will give the league 12 schools for the first time.
“This is a monumental moment for the West Coast Conference as we grow our membership to 12 institutions for the first time in our history and enhance our national profile with the addition of UC Santa Barbara,” WCC commissioner Stu Jackson said in a statement.
UC Santa Barbara will compete in the West Coast Conference in 13 sports, including men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, baseball, softball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s golf and men’s water polo.
The WCC had three schools make the NCAA men’s basketball tournament this season, with Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara joining Gonzaga in March Madness. This is the seventh straight tournament that the league got multiple bids.
The conference has sent multiple women’s basketball teams to the tournament five of the past seven events.
UC Santa Barbara was previously a member of the West Coast Conference from 1965-1969.
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