Sourav Kothari led RKG Snooker Champs overcame a stiff challenge from the Rockets 4-3 to become the first team to confirm their entry in the playoffs of the Bengal Premier League snooker meet here today.
     The highlight of the day was Pappu Penguin who were in sublime form and secured back-to-back wins to brighten their last-four chances.
     The marquee player of Pappu Penguin, Dharminder Lilly, gave a good start to the morning session match by defeating Rafath Habib of Black Panthers 72-27.
     Though they lost the next two frames to Black Panthers but after that pair of Digvijay Kadian and Shoaib Khan set highest break of 6Reds for this tournament by scoring 71 points.
     Even then, Shoaib Khan exhibited another scintillating performance by winning the singles 15 Red frame 61-28 against Gerard.
     Dhruv Agarwal of Pappu Penguin was waiting for his turn to show some skills and he did not disappoint the spectators as his clearance from Brown to Black mesmerised the crowd.
   

Kothari leads RKG into last-four

PTI Automatic

Reigning champions Australia will be the team to beat when the 11th edition of the Women's World Cup gets under way in England this weekend.
     Led by Meg Lanning, the outstanding batsmen in the women's game today, Australia will be looking to win their seventh title in a tournament that now features the world's top eight one-day international sides.
     Australia swept aside South Africa by 103 runs in a recent warm-up match, while South Africa themselves skittled out the West Indies, the reigning women's World Twenty20 champions, for just 63 in another warm-up game.
     Meanwhile England, Australia's perennial rivals in the women's game, needed fewer than 28 overs to reach a meagre target of 131 against another fellow previous World Cup-winner in New Zealand.
     Organisers will hope that any rustiness has been chipped away come the start of the tournament proper and that there is a repeat of the excitement generated during last year's women's World Twenty20 in India.
     "Our 

Australia the team to beat at Women's World Cup

FIH President Narinder Dhruv Batra has apologised to several nations, including Pakistan, for his social media outburst during the recent Men's Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final match between India and Pakistan in London.
     "FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra has issued personal apologies via formal letters and follow up phone calls to several nations and the FIH Executive Board in relation to posting inappropriate comments on his personal Facebook page," A FIH statement said.
     Batra, who was elected as the FIH president last year, had taken to social media network to vent his emotions during the June 18th match, in which India wore black armband in protest.
     The two countries have not been playing bilateral series in hockey and cricket due to the degrading political relations between the two neighbouring nations.
     Following Indian cricket team's loss against Pakistan in Champions trophy Final at Oval on the same day, Batra posted some abusive remarks against ...

Batra apologises for emotional outburst on social media

Indian shooter Subhankar Pramanic would be looking to bag a medal on the first day itself when medal events of ISSF Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol gets underway in Suhl, Germany tomorrow.
     India have fielded a 31-strong squad in the event which will see 10 medals Finals apart from the Women's Junior Rifle Prone event and two 10m Test events in the Mixed category- one each for Rifle and Pistol.
     Subhankar had won gold in the last Junior World Cup held last year in Gabala in the 50m Rifle Prone. Fateh Singh Dhillon and Syed Araib Parvez will be India's other bets in the event.
     The opening day of competitions will also see qualification rounds for the Junior Men's 25m Standard Pistol and the Junior Women's 50m Rifle Prone event. Competitions conclude on Wednesday.
     A total of 543 Shooters from 65 nations have entered to compete in the Junior World Championship and will be piling up a total of 978 starts.
     Among the big names in the event will be Istvan Peni ..

Shooting Junior World Championships to begin in Germany

The Hyderabad Marathon, in which around 20,000 runners are expected to take part, will be held on August 19 and 20 this year.
	The annual sporting event is organised by the Hyderabad Runners Society with the support of the Telangana government and Bharti Airtel, a release from the organisers said today.
	A 5K Run would take place on August 19 and a 10K, Half Marathon (21.095 km) and Full Marathon (42.105 km) are scheduled for August 20.
	The Run was announced at an event here today in the presence of Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao and others.
	"As Hyderabad Runners celebrated 10 years of promoting running as a healthy lifestyle choice, we are extremely delighted to announce the 7th edition of the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon.
	"We thank the government of Telangana, our sponsors and partners for their constant patronage and support for the largest annual sporting and social event in Hyderabad. In this Seventh edition of the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, our focus first and foremost is on .

Hyderabad Marathon to be held in August

A North Korean taekwondo demonstration team arrived in South Korea today for its first performances in the rival country in 10 years.
	The team's arrival came as South Korea's new liberal president, Moon Jae-in, is trying to reach out to North Korea despite the North's push to bolster its nuclear and missile programmes.
	The North's sole IOC member, Chang Ung, is travelling with the North Korean taekwondo team and will likely meet South Korean officials over cooperation on next year's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
	Taekwondo is a Korean traditional martial art but has been the subject of a bitter North-South rivalry.
	There are two international federations: the South Korea-based World Taekwondo Federation, recognised by the International Olympic Committee, and the North-backed International Taekwondo Federation. North Korea has never sent its taekwondo athletes to Olympics.
	A 15-member ITF demonstration team, all North Koreans, plans to conduct joint performances with 

NKorean taekwondo team in SKorea for 1st time in 10 years

Himachal Olympic Games today began in Hamirpur as athletes from 11 districts took to the arena in the biggest sporting extravaganza in Himachal Pradesh's history.
     International Wrestler and son of Legendary Wrestler Master Chandgi Ram Ji, Jagdish Kaliraman, who also acted in film "Sultan", graced the mega sports event.
     The biggest sports event of Himachal Pradesh is organized by the Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association (HPOA) and is the brainchild of HPOA President Anurag Thakur.
     Speaking on the occasion, Kaliraman, who awarded the medals to the winning athletes, said: "Himachal Olympics has been a great event. Anurag Thakur has conceived the event in an excellent way. Events of such magnitude are going to be wonderful launch pads for budding sportspersons of the state."
     The one-of-its-kind State Olympic Games consist of 11 games, namely Hockey, Athletics, Boxing, Basketball, Judo, Kabaddi, Volleyball, Wrestling, Kho-Kho, Weight Lifting and Shooting.
     The games 

Himachal Olympics begin on International Olympic day

Prosecutors in Barcelona say they are not against replacing football star Lionel Messi's 21-month jail sentence for tax fraud with a fine, a spokeswoman announced today.
     They said they were willing to give the 29-year-old a fine of 400 euros ($450) a day for the duration of the sentence -- an option that the defence of the Argentina international has also proposed.
     That would amount to more than 250,000 euros, although the court has the final decision over whether to go ahead with this option.
     The daily fine would come on top of the 2.09-million-euro fine Messi was also given when he and his father Jorge Horacio Messi were found guilty of tax fraud in a trial last year and sentenced to 21 months in jail.
     Both appealed, but Spain's Supreme Court last month confirmed the jail term for the Barcelona striker, although it reduced Messi's father's sentence to 15 months.
     The pair used companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on 4.16 

Prosecutors not against replacing Messi jail term with fine

Legendary cricket commentator Henry Blofeld is retiring from the BBC's Test Match Special team after nearly half a century -- sparking an outpouring of emotional tributes.
     Known affectionately as "Blowers", Blofeld, 77, has charmed followers of the programme with his old-world approach to the job, with observations on London buses and pigeons as important as the action on the field.
     Blofeld's final stint will be the Lord's Test between England and West Indies starting on September 7.
     "All good things come to an end," said Blofeld.
     "After nearly 50 years in the Test Match Special commentary box, I have decided the time has come for the last of the old farts to hang up his microphone.
     "In all honesty, at the age of almost 78, although I am still rather keener than mustard, I find it harder work than I once did. And I wouldn't want to let TMS down."
     Former England captain and fellow commentator Michael Vaughan tweeted: "Many players have bought joy to ...

Henry Blofeld hangs up microphone after 45 years

Portugal are set to rest Cristiano Ronaldo for tomorrow's clash against New Zealand as the Euro 2016 winners look to confirm their passage into next week's Confederations Cup semi-finals.
     Ronaldo brushed off allegations of tax evasion in Spain with man-of-the-match performances in the 2-2 draw with Mexico and 1-0 win over Russia, when he scored the winner.
     Ferdinand Santos is expected to rest some stars, including captain Ronaldo, against the Kiwis.
     AC Milan's new signing Andre Silva should lead Portugal's attack in the David verses Goliath clash in St Petersburg.
     Things remain tight in Group A before Saturday's final round.
     Mexico, top of Group A equal with Portugal on four points by virtue of having scored one more goal, face Russia, who are just a point behind in third.
     Only fourth-placed NZ have no chance after losing their two games so far.
     The Kiwis will breath a slight sigh of relief if Ronaldo is rested with the Real Madrid star having netted 

Portugal, Mexico, Russia tussle for semi-final berths

South Africa coach Russell Domingo has made an emergency return home after his mother was seriously injured in a car accident.
     Domingo returned to Port Elizabeth today and will miss the remainder of South Africa's Twenty20 series with England, which continues at Taunton on Friday and concludes in Cardiff on Sunday.
     South Africa face the England Lions in a warm-up match starting Thursday ahead of their Test series with England but it remains to be if Domingo will be able to return in time for that fixture.
     Domingo succeeded Gary Kirsten as South Africa coach in May 2013 and his time in charge has coincided with the retirements if such leading players as long-serving captain Graeme Smith and star all-rounder Jacques Kallis.
     Meanwhile he has also been deprived of the services of outstanding fast bowler Dale Steyn due to injury in recent years.
     According to South African media reports, Domingo's contract is up at the end of the England tour and the 42- year-old ...

Proteas coach Domingo returns home after mother's accident

Cricket Australia today revised its offer to players in a bid to resolve a bitter pay dispute that threatens to disrupt upcoming tours.
     The governing body said it has offered a number of concessions, including a greater share of surpluses for both international and domestic players.
     The offer, outlined in a letter from CA executive general manager Kevin Roberts to Australian Cricketers' Association chief Alistair Nicholson, comes just a week before the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) expires on June 30.
     But the players' union responded that the latest offer was "unacceptable" and has been staunchly opposed to CA's plan to modify the existing MOU that provides a flat share of revenue for the players.
     CA had instead offered international men's and women's players a share of surpluses up to Aus$20 million (US$15 million), while increases in domestic players' payments would be capped at 18 percent (men) and 150 percent (women).
     The letter did not say how 

CA offers new deal to break pay impasse

Cricket-mad Afghanistan was euphoric after being awarded Test match status, a rare glimmer of good news amid rising insecurity, though many lamented the lack of sports infrastructure in the conflict-torn country.
     Both Ireland and Afghanistan became cricket's 11th and 12th Test nations on Thursday following a unanimous vote by the International Cricket Council during its annual meeting in London.
     "This achievement was a dream for Afghanistan and we have been yearning for this status," said Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Atif Mashal, hailing it as a "historic achievement".
     "We have been granted the full membership and the Test status, and I congratulate this news to the cricket board, and to the entire Afghan nation."
     Afghan cricket has made rapid strides since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, with the country's premier leg- spinner Rashid Khan making waves in T20 leagues including Indian Premier League this year.
     The successes have brought much-needed .

War-hit Afghanistan ecstatic over cricket Test status

India's Mahesh Mangaonkar went down to Daniel Mekbib of Czech Republic in five games in the quarterfinal of the Squash XL Open, a PSA World Tour event, in Auckland today.
     Mekbib shot down the aspirations of 6th seeded Indian with a hard-fought 13-11, 11-9, 4-11, 6-11, 11-9 win, a SRFI press release here said.
     The unseeded Czech, ranked way down in the 150s in the World, had ousted the 2nd seed Ivan Yuen of Malaysia in the first round and appeared to run away with the match against Mahesh too.
     But after the Indian found his way in by equalising the score 2-2 in a match replete with hard hitting drives, there was hope of something more.
     But Mekbib got back to his winning ways again in the deciding twister and managed to edge out Mahesh at the business end.

Mahesh crashes out in Auckland squash tourney

Newly-crowned Indonesia Open winner Kidambi Srikanth continued his rampaging run to advance to the men's singles semifinals but it was curtains for PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal at the Australian Super Series here today.
     In the all-Indian quarterfinal duel between Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth, it was the former who came out on top with a fighting 25-23 21-17 win over his countryman in a 43-minute clash at the Sydney Olympic park.
     It was the second time that the two Indians were facing each other. They had squared off at the finals of Singapore Open where Praneeth had the last laugh.
     Srikanth, who had edged out world no.1 Son Wan Ho in semifinals en route his title triumph at the Indonesia Open last week, will face fourth seed and All England finalist Yuqi Shi of China in the last four round.
     World No.11 Srikanth had beaten Shi Yuqi, winner of the 2016 French Super Series, at the Singapore Open this year.
     However, disappointment was in store for India in the ...

Srikanth in semis; Saina, Sindhu bow out of Australian Open

Daniel Chopra was once again in danger of missing the cut, as he shot even par 71 in the opening round of the Lincoln Land Charity golf Championship here.
     Chopra, who has missed four cuts in last seven starts and withdrawn once, is lying Tied-108th and would need a low round to make the weekend.
    Carlos Ortiz went out in the morning wave and carded a first-round, seven-under 64 to take the clubhouse lead. Vince India and Jin Park matched Ortiz's effort to tie the 18-hole lead.
     The trio stands one shot clear of the field, and 63 players are within four shots.

Chopra way behind on Web.Com Tour

The Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation (GNSPF) unveiled its ambitious plan, 'The Project Leap' to train and turn 20 young and talented shooters from different parts of the country into international champions.
     Founded and driven by Olympic medallist Gagan Narang, the selected shooters will be mentored by top international coaches and will receive training at state of the art facilities including sports science support for a full year.
     "We identified 55 prospective shooters and put them through an elaborate evaluation process to select the 20 best ones among them," Gagan explained.
     "We looked for various skill-sets that are required for sustained high-level performances in world-level competitions," he added.
     Project Leap is a multi-phased research designed to not only train and mentor selected shooters but also to generally improve the performances of Indian shooters.
     Gagan's Gun For Glory academies identified the 55 shooters and he personally supervised 

Gagan's Project Leap to mentor 20 new shooting stars

The Indian men will have their task cut out when they take on a spirited Turkey in the sixth round of the World Team Chess Championship here.
     Riding high on some brilliant performances coming from Grandmaster B Adhiban, a sterner test awaits India in the last four rounds and if they can keep up the momentum, a podium finish looks very much on cards.
    After the first five rounds of this 10-team round-robin event, Russia lead the tables with nine out of a possible 10 while China and Poland follow a full point behind.
     Beating Turkey is important for the Indian men as they are currently fourth on seven points, a full point ahead of India. The other two fancied teams - Ukraine and Russia are - virtually out of the race with just four points thus far.
     It was a bad start for India as they lost to Poland and China in the first two rounds. Thereafter, the team has seen an amazing resurgence as it beat Belarus, United States and Egypt in the next rounds.
     After the match ..

Indian men meet Turkey in World teams

The Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation (GNSPF) today announced its "The Project Leap" plan to train and turn 20 young and talented shooters from different parts of the country into international champions.
     The selected shooters would be mentored by top international coaches and receive training at state-of-the-art facilities, including sports science support, for a full year, said a media release from the academy founded by the Khel Ratna Awardee and London Olympics bronze medal winner.
     "We identified 55 prospective shooters and put them through an elaborate evaluation process to select the 20 best ones among them," explained the ace rifle shooter.
     "We looked for various skill-sets that are required for sustained high-level performances in world-level competitions," he added.
     Narang's Gun For Glory academies identified the 55 shooters and he personally supervised each centre's selection process to hand-pick the best prospects, the release said, adding that ...

Gagan Narang academy trains guns on future

Five-time world champion M C Mary Kom bowed out with a shock quarterfinal loss but India managed a reasonably good day with three men and one woman advancing to the semifinals of the Ulaanbaatar Cup boxing tournament in Mongolia today.
     Mary Kom (51kg), who was returning to action after a one-year hiatus, went down by a unanimous decision to Korean Chol Mi Bang.
     The 34-year-old, a five-time world champion and an Olympic bronze-medallist, struggled to connect clean punches against her taller rival and was even warned once for excessive bending.
     Mary Kom would be going back to the light flyweight 48kg category after this to focus on the Asian Championships in November and the Commonwealth Games next year.
     However, Asian youth silver-medallist Ankush Dahiya (60kg), Strandja Memorial gold-medallist Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg), King's Cup gold-medallist K Shyam Kumar (49kg) and Priyanka Chaudhary (60kg) won their respective quarterfinal bouts in the men's and women's ...

Mary Kom bows out, 4 in semis at Mongolia boxing tourney

It was not the kind of return to action that Anriban Lahiri was looking for as he carded three-over 73 in the opening round of the Travelers Championship here.
     Former World No.1 Jordan made eight birdies against just one bogey to card seven-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead.
     Lahiri is lying way down and will need a strong second round to make the cut as 75 players are under-par.
     Lahiri once again was let down by the putter as he missed numerous inside 10 feet and even had a three-putt from inside 10 feet. He also missed at least other putts between 12 and 15 feet.
     Spieth's 63 was his lowest opening-round score on the PGA Tour. His previous low, a 64, came on three occasions.
     In the opening round, Spieth attacked the flag frequently and played exceedingly well. Spieth birdied five of the first eight holes and took sole possession of the lead on the final hole, hitting a wedge to 4 feet for birdie on the par-four 18th.
     The two-time major champion tied for .

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