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EASTERN EYE February 26, 2010
lots to gain
MMA (UCMMA) and the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts (BAMMA). “There are so many promotions in this country that it’s not always easy to tell who are the best fighters at each weight class because every promotion has its own champions and belts. “Anyone can start up an organisation and have a number of fighters who can call themselves the best in this country simply because they have won a belt. “In sports like boxing, there are different bodies who sanction the fights and we lack that in this country.” Hussain is one of the only desi professionals in the sport at the moment. One other name comes to mind is Kuljit “The Asian Sensation” Degun, who has won just once in ten bouts. Hussain though is looking to unite the interest of the Asian community in MMA, as well as appealing to all fight fans. But you’re not likely to see him coming to the cage with the razzmatazz and colourful costumes that others in the sport are known to do. “All I want to do is get into the ring and be focused. I’m not all about the flashy stuff and coming to the ring with dhol players or whatever. “It’s all about getting down to business in the cage and coming out the other end as the winning fighter.” n To find out more about the growth of MMA in Pakistan, check out www.pak-mma.com. Anyone interested in finding out more and sponsoring Shah “No Pain” Hussain, email shah.closeprotection@googlemail.com
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Pakistan up for World Cup shot
PAKISTAN’S hockey team are hoping to stage a revival on the world scene following years of disappointment and under-achievement. The team arrived in India this week to take part in the Hockey World Cup in New Delhi, which gets underway on Sunday (28). An 18-man squad led by full-back Zeeshan Ashraf will play arch-rivals and hosts India in the opening game, amid diplomatic tensions between the neighbours. “It is a tough test for us, but we have prepared extensively and hope that by winning the world title we will revive our hockey,” said Ashraf. Pakistan, who have won a record four world titles, have faded badly in the last decade. Their last major title was in 1994 at the World Cup in Australia. They finished eighth at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, their worst-ever placing. The hosts are hardly faring any better and have not won a major title since the 1980 Moscow Olympics. “We are hoping that this World Cup revives Asian glory,” said Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary and team manager Asif Bajwa. “Pakistan and India are two important countries in Asian hockey and must do well.” Pakistan boast the services of penalty corner expert Sohail Abbas, who has a world record tally of 306 goals. This will be the Pakistan team’s first visit to India since 2006. Bajwa said the players will be heading to India as “ambassadors of peace”. “Our players have always been ambassadors of peace and we hope to play hockey without any fears and hope that Indo-Pak sporting ties are revived,” said Bajwa. “When Pakistan plays India it always sparks interest. I hope it’s a good match”. Relations between the rivals have simmered since a November 2008 attack on Indian capital Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistanbased militants. After facing India, Pakistan play Spain on March 2, England on March 4, South Africa on March 6 and Australia on March 8 in Group B. Group A comprises of defending champions Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Canada, Argentina and also New Zealand.
Africa to stage T20 league
SOUTH AFRICA will host the 2010 Champions League T20 tournament in September. Twelve teams from seven countries will play in the event from September 10 to 26. The first edition of the event, for the leading Twenty20 teams from the participating countries, was played in India last year, with New South Wales beating Trinidad and Tobago in the final. Cricket South Africa are the shareholders, with the Indian and Australian boards, in the Champions League. The tournament will be played at the home venues of the two South African qualifiers and a third ground to be decided by CSA. The participants will be three teams from the IPL, two from South Africa, Australia and England, and one each from Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies.