Sport

China gives up 2023 Asian Cup hosting rights – AFC

Published

2 years ago

May 14, 2022

China has relinquished its rights to host the 2023 Asian Cup finals due to the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Saturday.

The event, which is played every four years and features 24 national teams from across the continent, was due to be held in 10 cities from June 16 to July 16 next year.

"Following extensive discussions with the Chinese Football Association (CFA), the Asian Football Confederation has been officially informed by the CFA that it would not be able to host the AFC Asian Cup 2023," the confederation said in a statement.

"The AFC acknowledges the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the relinquishment by China PR of its hosting rights."

The AFC said a decision about the hosting of the tournament would be revealed in due course.

The Asian Cup is the latest international sporting event to be affected by China's attempts to tackle the pandemic.

Earlier this month, Asian Games organisers the Olympic Council of Asia postponed the next edition of the multi-sport event, due to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in September, until 2023.

China continues to implement a zero-COVID policy and cities across the country have faced tight restrictions as a result of a recent outbreak of the Omicron variant.

Shanghai has been under lockdown for more than a month while other cities, including the capital Beijing, are facing a wave of additional curbs, frequent testing and targeted lockdowns.

Most international sporting events in China have been postponed or cancelled since the start of the pandemic, with the notable exception of the Winter Olympics, which went ahead in Beijing under strict health controls in February.

The Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix has been not been held since 2019, while WTA events have been suspended due to a standoff over concerns relating to the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai.

China is scheduled to host four ATP events this year, including the Shanghai Masters and the China Open in October.

The Chinese Super League yet to announce when the new football season will begin.

The Chinese Football Association also gave up the right to host July's East Asian Championships, with that tournament now taking place in Japan.

China had been due to host the Asian Cup for the first time since 2004, when the national team lost in the final in Beijing's Workers' Stadium to Japan.

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Afghanistan A beat India A to reach final of Emerging Teams Asia Cup

Atal made 83 runs off 52 balls, while Akbari scored 64 off 41.

Published

19 hours ago

October 26, 2024

Ariana News

Afghanistan A defeated India A by 20 runs on Friday to advance to the final of ACC T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024.

Electing to bat first, Afghanistan A rode on half-centuries by Zubaid Akbari and Sediqullah Atal to post a massive 206/4 on the board, the highest total in the ongoing Emerging Teams Asia Cup edition.

Atal made 83 runs off 52 balls, while Akbari scored 64 off 41.

Karim Janat contributed 41 off 20, and Afghanistan A’s innings eventually ended at 206/4 in the 20 overs.

Needing a blistering start in order to chase down the big score, India A were dealt a double blow by Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, who removed both Indian openers - Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh - in his first two overs.

Abdul Rahman also accounted for Indian captain Tilak Varma in the final over of powerplay as India were left reeling at 48/3 after six overs.

Ayush Badoni and Nehal Wadhera tried to steady the ship but the duo’s partnership added only 32 more to the board before Wadhera was run out.

Badoni, too, had to walk back just after helping India reach the 100-run mark.

Just when it seemed like it was only a matter of time before Afghanistan would wrap up the affair, in stepped Ramandeep Singh. Batting on five off seven when Badoni departed, Ramandeep took up the responsibility of keeping India in the contest and reached his half-century in just 26 balls.

He had good company from Nishant Sindhu, who scored a quickfire 23 off 13, before being run out.

Despite Ramandeep’s fortitude, though, India were still left with a tall yet doable task and needed to get 38 off the final two overs. However, a miserly penultimate over by Janat, which yielded just eight, gave Abdul Rahman 30 to defend off the last over.

Ramandeep managed two boundaries in the final over before being dismissed off the very last delivery. India’s chase stopped 20 short of the Afghan total.

The result means Afghanistan A have reached the final of the ACC T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup for the first time and will play Sri Lanka A, two-time champions, in the final. Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan A in the other semi-final clash earlier in the day.

The final will be played on Sunday.

Sport

Afghanistan beat Cambodia 3-1 in AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Published

1 day ago

October 25, 2024

Ariana News

Afghanistan U17 national football team defeated Cambodia 3-1 in their third match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Friday.

Afghanistan’s goals were scored by Waris Sherzai, Arash Ahmadi, and Yasir Yusufi.

The U17 national football team had also defeated Macau and the Philippines in the previous two matches.

Afghanistan U17 are placed in Group B of the tournament along with hosts Cambodia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Macau.

Afghanistan U17 will next face Bangladesh on Sunday next week.

Sport

ATN to broadcast Judo Junior Champs and exciting Rallye du Maroc

The Judo championships was held at the Kasri Tennis arena in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Published

3 days ago

October 24, 2024

Ariana News

Ariana Television Network (ATN) will once again bring the latest sporting events into the homes of Afghans around the country when it broadcasts two major events next week.

First up will be the 2024 World Judo Juniors Championships in Dushanbe, which wrapped up recently.

Broadcasts will be aired next week on Ariana Television.

Second up will be next Friday, November 1, when ATN broadcasts the exciting Rallye du Maroc 2024 (Rally Raid Championship).

The Judo championships meanwhile was held at the Kasri Tennis arena in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, recently, as part of the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Tour.

The Head Sport Director of the IJF, Vladimir Barta, praised organizers of the tournament and said: “The organization has been amazing here. Every day when we came to the venue in the morning, it was full, and the crowd was managed very well.

“Regardless of nationality the drummers and cheerleaders in the audience have a great spirit and we hear them break into cheers for Brazil, Uzbekistan, for smaller nations or even for a referee. This spirit is so great to feel,” said Barta.

He also praised Tajikistan as a developing judo country, which won two Olympic medals at the Paris 2024.

Next up, meanwhile, is the thrilling motorsport event - the Rallye du Maroc 2024 (Rally Raid Championship).

Motorsports enthusiasts can tune in next Friday, November 1, to watch Morocco’s thrilling Rally Raid Championship.

Rally raid, which is also known as cross country racing, is a form of long distance off-road racing that takes place over several days.

The length of the event can be as short as 1-3 days for cross-country, to as long as 15 days with marathon rallies like the Dakar Rally.

With skill in navigation being key, the driving skill and endurance of the drivers, co-drivers, and machines are put to the test.

So, for all sports fans across the country, be sure to tune in to Ariana Television for a thrilling week of top-class action.

Also, make sure you check our social media pages regularly for broadcast schedules and up-to-the-minute news.