Category: 6. Sports

Karen Piotr

World Transplant Games

Bradford NHS Hospital Trust

“Skin cancer is real, especially in Australia. I had one cut out of my nose today, so this is a friendly reminder to get your skin checked. Prevention is better than cure, but in my case, regular check-ups and early detection are key,” he posted on Instagram.

Skin cancer in Australia

Australia records the highest skin cancer rates in the world, driven by intense UV radiation, its geographical proximity to the equator, and a largely fair-skinned population. Statistics show that at least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by the age of 70.

“It does scare me. I am a dad – I don’t want to go anywhere. The most important thing in the world is making sure I help my seven-year-old daughter, and I guess set a good example for her,” Clarke had told The Daily Telegraph in 2023.

“Imagine fielding all day in India, out there for eight hours in the sun, a lot of the guys are wearing the baggy green cap, so you are not protecting your ears or your face,’ he told the publication You’ve got short-sleeved shirts, so your arms and the tops of your hands (are exposed).”

Cancer no setback for Michael Clarke

Despite enduring health setbacks, Clarke’s stature in Australian cricket remains immense. His aggressive tactics, resilience, and ability to inspire teammates secured him a place among the finest to have worn the Baggy Green, from where his career took off, culminating in multiple records, trophies and enjoyable career highs.

Clarke carved out a glittering career for Australia between 2004 and 2015, featuring in 115 Tests, 245 ODIs, and 34 T20Is. A stylish batter with sharp insights, Clarke scored 8,643 runs in Tests and 7,981 in ODIs while also chipping in with 94 wickets across formats. His elegant strokeplay, combined with a fierce competitive edge, made him one of the most accomplished players of his generation.

As captain, Clarke led Australia in 74 Tests and 139 ODIs, leaving behind a legacy of successful leadership. His reign was marked by a 5-0 Ashes triumph in 2013-14 Down Under and the 2015 World Cup victory on home soil. His brilliance with the bat reached its peak in 2013, when he was crowned ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year after a remarkable run of form.

SEOUL:

Brazil will play October friendlies in South Korea and Japan as all three teams step up their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Coached by the Italian Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil will be one of the favourites to win the tournament next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

They will face a South Korea side captained by Son Heung-min at the 66,000-capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium on October 10, the Korea Football Association said late Tuesday.

The Brazilians last visited South Korea for a friendly in June 2022, ahead of the Qatar World Cup, and thrashed the hosts 5-1 with Neymar scoring twice from the penalty spot.

Ancelotti’s men will then play Japan at Tokyo Stadium, which has a capacity of just under 50,000, on October 14, the Japanese FA said.

Neymar again scored from the spot as Brazil won 1-0 in the Japanese capital in June 2022.

The 33-year-old Neymar has not worn the Brazil jersey for nearly two years because of repeated injuries and did not make Ancelotti’s latest squad.

Former New Zealand rugby player Shane Christie has died aged 39, police confirmed on Wednesday. A former Maori All Blacks flanker, Christie also represented the Highlanders, Crusaders and New Zealand’s Sevens team during his career. His death has been referred to the coroner, with local reports suggesting it may have been suicide reported AFP.

Christie was open about the struggles he faced after retiring in 2017, suffering from persistent headaches, memory loss, speech difficulties, depression and mood swings. These symptoms were consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma.

The condition can only be diagnosed posthumously, and Christie had reportedly expressed his wish to donate his brain to New Zealand’s sports human brain bank to help advance research into CTE.

During his playing days, Christie campaigned for greater awareness of concussion and its long-term effects within rugby. His case underscores the growing concern around head injuries in contact sports, where repeated blows to the head can have lasting consequences for players’ health and wellbeing.

New Zealand Rugby paid tribute, describing Christie as deeply passionate about the sport and someone who would be ‘remembered always’.
The issue of CTE has gained international attention in recent years. In American football, hundreds of former NFL players have been found to suffer from the condition.
According to AFP, a 2023 Boston University study revealed that of 376 former NFL players’ brains examined, 345 showed signs of CTE. Christie’s death highlights how rugby, too, faces difficult questions about concussion management and player welfare.

A former Aussie Rules player has come out as the first openly gay or bisexual man in the Australian Football League’s (AFL) 129-year history.

Mitch Brown, who played 94 matches for the West Coast Eagles from between 2007 and 2016, told The Daily Aus that the weight of hiding his sexuality played a “huge” part in his decision to retire.

He added that he hopes his decision to speak out will create the “safety, comfort and space” for others to come forward.

The news marks a pivotal moment for the AFL, which before Brown’s announcement, was the only major professional men’s sport globally to never have had an openly gay or bisexual player, even after retirement.

Brown first shared the news in a direct message to The Daily Aus’s social media account after watching coverage of recent incidents of homophobia in the AFL.

“I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I’m a bisexual man,” he wrote.

The decision to speak out came from a “feeling of peace… comfort and confidence” that he didn’t have while hiding his sexuality when he was an active player, Brown said.

“It was never once an opportunity to speak openly or explore your feelings or questions in a safe way,” he added.

Brown described a culture of “hyper-masculinity” in the AFL, where he heard “countless” homophobic comments hurled at him on the field.

“When I was growing up at school, the word ‘gay’ was thrown around constantly… For a man in Australia, [it was seen as] probably the weakest thing you could be.”

He also recalled having a conversation with teammates about how they would feel having to shower next to a gay man.

“One of the players said ‘I’d rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man.’”

Brown, 36, is currently in a relationship with a female partner and was previously married to former netball player Shae Bolton, with whom he shares two sons.

The announcement comes after several high-profile homophobic incidents in the AFL.

Last week, Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine received a four-week ban for using a “highly offensive” homophobic slur during a game.

Addressing the incident, Brown said he would like to see a “sense of change” in the league through the lifting up of “positive male role models”.

“My advice to the AFL would be, let’s celebrate the players who may not be the most successful, but they’re the most important players in our community.”

Brown said he believes there are currently gay and bisexual players in the AFL who remain closeted.

He encouraged fans to have empathy for all players and shared a message for those who still don’t feel comfortable enough to speak out.

“I see you and you are not alone.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been forced into some serious introspection after yet another disappointing year across formats, with concerns mounting over the national teams’ consistent decline.

At a recent Board of Governors (BoG) meeting, members voiced frustration at the trajectory of the men’s, women’s and Shaheens sides. Reports presented by key PCB departments—from International Cricket to High Performance and Women’s Cricket—painted a picture of inconsistency and missed opportunities, with officials pointing fingers at one root cause: instability at the top of PCB’s administration.

In less than three years, PCB has had four chairmen and the cricket team has been a revolving door of captains, coaches, and selectors. From Ramiz Raja to Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf, and now Mohsin Naqvi, every new regime has brought wholesale changes. The result, as one insider put it, has been “confusion rather than continuity.” Naqvi, who attended the meeting briefly, was urged to put an end to the chopping and changing that has left teams unsettled.

The International Cricket department also admitted that decisions made in 2021—such as restricting Test series to just two matches—have backfired. To correct course, PCB has decided that Pakistan will return to full three-match series in all formats from the 2027 ICC cycle, despite the financial strain such tours may carry. Officials argued the move is vital to sharpen players in high-pressure environments.

PCB’s plans for Pakistan Shaheens are to make them play regularly against stronger opposition, often in tandem with the senior side, to develop the younger talent. The High Performance Centre also stressed the importance of long-term appointments for captains, selectors, and coaches, noting that constant upheaval has only deepened the slump.

Pakistan cricket’s decline has been evident for the fans and the stakeholders are beginning to take notice.

The PCB finds itself at a crossroads once more and unless stability is restored and structures strengthened, Pakistan cricket risks continuing down a path of short-lived fixes and long-term disappointment.

Former Pakistan football captain Saddam Hussain has taken a significant step in his professional journey, signing a two-year contract with Finnish club Kajaanin Haka, which plays in the country’s Third Division.

The move marks another milestone for the midfielder, who has long been regarded as one of Pakistan’s most talented homegrown players.

Announcing the news on social media, Saddam described the deal as “a new team, a new contract, and a new family.” Reflecting on his journey from the football grounds of Malir, Karachi, to European club football, he called the opportunity “a dream that will define my career and open new horizons.”

Saddam Hussain’s move to Kajaanin Haka underscores his status as a pioneer among Pakistani footballers. At club level, he has previously featured in Kyrgyzstan with Dordoi Bishkek, one of Central Asia’s most competitive sides, and has also played in Northern Cyprus and in Oman for Salalah SC. In Pakistan, he turned out for K-Electric, where he played a key role in guiding the club to the Pakistan Premier League title.

The 32-year-old began his international career in 2009 with Pakistan’s U-19 side before quickly establishing himself in the senior national team. Known for his composure in midfield and leadership qualities, Saddam captained Pakistan for nearly three years. His time with the national side included appearances in SAFF Championships and World Cup qualifiers, where he often stood out for his work ethic and ability to control the game.

However, despite his achievements, Saddam has been absent from the national team setup in recent years as others have been preferred over him.

Now, with a fresh start in Finland, Saddam is determined to make the most of this opportunity.

Saddam Hussain’s signing with Kajaanin Hakamove is being seen as more than just a personal milestone; it is also a rare breakthrough for a Pakistan-born footballer into the competitive European scene.

For young players in Karachi and across the country, Saddam’s journey serves as an example that persistence and dedication can eventually break barriers, even in a system where opportunities are scarce.

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PA Media

PA Media

PA Media

PA Media

Peshawar Zalmi are stepping beyond the cricket field to stand with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa once again, announcing a charity exhibition match at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on August 30, with all proceeds going towards flood relief and rehabilitation in the province.

The initiative was confirmed by franchise owner Javed Afridi on Tuesday, who underlined that the fixture represents a cause “larger than cricket itself.” Every rupee from ticket sales, he said, will be directed entirely to support families whose lives and homes have been torn apart by devastating floods.

“Every ticket counts. One hundred percent of proceeds will directly support flood relief and rehabilitation across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Afridi wrote on social media, urging fans to show solidarity by filling the stands.

The announcement has drawn widespread appreciation, with cricket supporters and civil society groups praising Peshawar Zalmi for once again blending sport with social responsibility as they have done so many times in the past. Known as one of the most community-driven franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Zalmi have previously taken initiatives for education, youth development, and humanitarian causes and now their focus is firmly on helping flood-hit families rebuild.

Javed Afridi stressed the importance of unity in times of crisis. “We stand with every flood-affected family of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This is our time to reunite and rebuild together,” he said.

A strong turnout is expected at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium for Peshawar Zalmi’s charity game, where the atmosphere will carry more weight than just competition. Proceeds will fund immediate relief efforts like shelter, food, and medical support, while also contributing to long-term rehabilitation projects aimed at restoring livelihoods and rebuilding critical infrastructure.

By staging this charity match, Zalmi aim to send a powerful message: cricket is not just a sport but a tool to bring people together when it matters most. For the flood victims of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the exhibition game promises to be more than just a contest; it will be a symbol of hope.