Former batsman and ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama believes Sri Lankan needs to reflect on their performance at Champions Trophy and come with a concrete plan to be successful in international cricket.
     "I think they need to go back, sit, reflect and come up with a concrete plan. Yes, we are in a phase where we are rebuilding after (retirement of) Mahela (Jayawardane) and (Kumar) Sangakara. But they need to get their act together and start competing consistently at this level," Mahanama told reporters here.
     Mahanama was at the MIG Cricket Club in suburban Bandra as a chief guest for a prize distribution ceremony.
     Blaming poor fielding for Sri Lanka's loss against Pakistan in the 'virtual' quarterfinal, Mahanama said," It is pretty unfortunate that they (Sri Lanka) missed out, two days ago. They had the game (against Pakistan) in their hand. Looking at some of the highlights, it is only the boys to be blamed. It's the fielding.
     "I saw Ravi Shastri's interview at ...

Sri Lanka needs to come up with concrete plan, says Mahanama

PTI Automatic

All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Amity University today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the objective of cooperation in development and promotion of football in India.
     The MoU focuses on innovation and execution of research projects and establishing a robust education system in areas of coaching and football administration.
     AIFF secretary Kushal Das said, "This is a great opportunity created by AIFF and Amity University for those interested in technical and management education in the field of football.
     "The objective of this MoU is to provide exposure to Indian professionals of state-of-the-art knowhow in global football as well as to carry out cutting-edge research domestically to enhance football knowledge in India."
     Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University, said that the MoU aims to fulfil AIFF's goal of creating an efficient football ecosystem and pave way for competitive success at international stage.
	Dr. Kalpana ...

Amity University signs MoU with AIFF

Talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri today said a mid-match dressing down from coach Stephen Constantine got the best out of the Indian football team in its AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifier against Kyrgyzstan.
     Chhetri, who scored the solitary goal in India's win, said this was by far the team's best performance in more than a decade.
     India's all-time highest scorer, Chhetri stamped his class yet again as he scored the match-winner to fire India to a 1-0 win in an entertaining match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru last night.
     "I'm part of the national team for more than 10 years. Trust me, I don't remember when did we play such a fantastic brand of football last time," he said.
     The Chhetri-led side lacked panache in the first 45 minutes, but a "bashing" from Constantine set things in order after the break.
     "We got a heavy bashing from the gaffer in the dressing room. Clearly, the situation wasn't an ideal one. That's why, when we came out for the next 45 ...

We were a changed side after bashing from gaffer: Chhetri

India captain Virat Kohli today lauded senior pro Yuvraj Singh for becoming the fifth Indian cricketer who will be completing 300 ODIs for India when he takes field in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy against Bangladesh, here tomorrow.
     "His contribution to Indian cricket has been outstanding. He has been a total match-winner for India, won us so many big tournaments and big series, and this is just a testimony to the kind of talent he possesses," Kohli said at the pre-match press conference.
     "You obviously need to have all those things in place to be able to play 300 games for India, and I congratulate him."
     Kohli wished that Yuvraj will have a special performance in the semi-final.
     "I wish him all the very best, and hopefully he can play a lot more for us and get in those match-winning performances all over again, and I hope tomorrow is a special one for him.

Yuvi is an outstanding achiever in Indian cricket: Kohli

Law of averages is one aspect in cricket that international teams are always wary of but Virat Kohli is not bothered one bit about what may happen if the famed and in-form Indian top-order flounders in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against Bangladesh.
     Asked if the lack of batting time for middle and lower order, after three successful league games, could pose problems, Kohli was dismissive.
     "No, that's not a concern. Obviously, as a batsman you want to finish off games, so you are not necessarily going to get out thinking my middle-order hasn't got any game time.
     "So, given an opportunity, everyone would like to finish games convincingly and, as I said everyone is batting well," Kohli said on the eve of the match here.
     For the combative Indian captain, lack of batting time during matches would only spur Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav to cash in and deliver whenever they are required.
     "In the practice games, everyone has got a hit, and we know Kedar and ..

Not bothered that middle and lower order is untested: Kohli

The Indian men's basketball team is all set to participate in the upcoming BRICS Games 2017 in Guangzhou, China from June 17 to 21.
     The young cagers, along with the U-20 women's volleyball team, and men's and women's wushu teams will form the Indian contingent participating in the championship.
     India's training camp for the tournament was held from June 5th-14th at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Indoor Stadium, Netaji Subhas Southern Centre (NSSC), Bengaluru with 14 players, and the final selections were made on June 10th.
     India has retained 10 of the 12 players featured in the 5th SABA Championship.
     Punjab's sharp shooter Arshpreet Singh Bhullar and star player Amjyot Singh Gill are the new additions to the squad that successfully defended its title in Maldives.
     Centre Amritpal Singh, who was a big part of the victory at the SABA championships, was unavailable for the duration of the training camp as he was invited to Australia by NBL team Sydney Kings ..

India basketball team to participate in BRICS Games 2017

"Sir zindagi bach gayi humari, who sabse badi baat hain (I am alive and that is the biggest thing for me)," Yuvraj Singh smirked when asked if he has any regrets on the eve of his landmark 300th ODI appearance.
     It was a roundabout way of asking about his not so great Test record, but a veteran of more than '300 press conferences' would have known what was coming his way. He would have nothing of that sort, especially when he has hit cancer for a 'six'.
     Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against Bangladesh, Yuvraj wanted to be in a zone which is miles away from any kind of negativity.
     "I don't want to talk about my regrets when I am in a good zone. I am playing well and would continue for a few more years. As long as I am performing, I would like to play," Yuvraj said, making it clear that the 2019 World Cup is still in his mind.
     The elegant left-hander would tell you that getting that India jersey may not be very difficult, but wearing it for 17 years, ...

I am alive and that's important, have no regrets: Yuvraj

Anirban Lahiri will be missing in action but Daniel Chopra will be among the three players with Indian connections at the US Open golf championships, the second Major of the season.
     Chopra is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, while the two others are amateur Sahith Theegala and professional Aaron Rai, a winner on the European Challenge Tour.
     All three came through the US Open qualifiers at various venues. While Theegala, now an American, has Indian parents, who went over years ago, Rai's parents, also of Indian origin, arrived into England via Kenya, where they have shifted.
     Lahiri will be missing his second successive Major after 10 straight appearances at Majors going back to the 2014 British Open.
     While Chopra, who learnt his golf in India at the Delhi Golf Club and grew up with his grandfather in the Indian capital, will play with Kim Whee and Ted Potter Jr. In the first group to tee off from the tenth tee, Rai is paired with Yusaku Miyazoto and JT Poston.
    

Chopra leads strong Indian connection at US Open golf

Pakistan produced an inspired bowling performance to dismiss hosts England for a modest 211 in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy here today.
     Electing to field, Pakistan seamers dished out a superb bowling effort to finish the England innings in 49.5 overs at Sophia Gardens.
     Hasan Ali (3/35) took three wickets, while Junaid Khan (2/42) and debutant Rumman Raees (2/44) snapped up two each.
     Young spinner Shadab Khan (1/40) scalped one wicket, while Imad Wasim (0/16) and Mohammad Hafeez (0/33) also bowled well.
     England rode on useful contributions from top-order batsmen -- Joe Root (46), Jonny Bairstow (43) and Eoin Morgan (33) -- but they kept losing wicket at regular intervals due to sustained pressure created by Pakistan bowlers.
     In the end, it was all-rounder Ben Stokes' 34, which helped England cross the 200-mark.
     England were dealt an early blow when Hales was sent back by Raees with Babar Azam taking the catch in the sixth over.
     ...

Pakistan bowl out England for 211 in Champions Trophy semis

Human Rights Watch in a report released today highlighted exploitation of workers on 2018 World Cup construction sites and accused FIFA and host Russia of taking insufficient action to halt abuse.
     The New York-based group accused world football governing body FIFA of failing to effectively monitor labour conditions ahead of the Confederations Cup starting June 17 and the World Cup that kicks off in a year's time.
     "FIFA's promise to make human rights a centrepiece of its global operations has been put to the test in Russia, and FIFA is coming up short," Jane Buchanan, associate director of the group's Europe and Central Asia division, was quoted as saying in a statement.
     "Construction workers on World Cup stadiums face exploitation and abuse and FIFA has not yet shown that it can effectively monitor, prevent, and remedy these issues."
     The report said that workers on World Cup stadium construction sites in six cities had wages unpaid or delayed for months and worked .

HRW slams 'abuse' of Russia World Cup workers

World number three Karolina Pliskova, a semi-finalist at Roland Garros, said today she will miss the WTA Wimbledon warm-up event in Birmingham due to an elbow injury.
     "The elbow's been plaguing me for a few weeks already, it needs to be properly rested," the 25-year-old Czech told the CTK news agency, with Birmingham due to run from June 19-25.
     "My goal is naturally to prepare myself the best possible for Wimbledon (July 3-16)."
     Pliskova will however take part in the June 25-July 1 Eastbourne tournament where she reached the final last year.

Pliskova to miss Birmingham with elbow injury

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino today as the football world watches for signs that the Asian giant will make a bid to host a World Cup.
     Xi greeted Infantino in the capital's palatial Great Hall of the People but the two men did not mention China's World Cup ambitions as they exchanged pleasantries before their closed-door meeting.
     The talks follow widespread speculation that China will bid to host the event either in 2030 or 2034.
     "President Infantino, since becoming president of FIFA you have provided great support to the development and reform of football as a sport in China," said China's football-mad president. "I wish to express my appreciation for what you have done."
     "We are aware of the fact that FIFA is paying more attention to the development of football in China these days, and I do believe China-FIFA cooperation has a good future," he said.
     Infantino thanked Xi, adding: "We can really start a new era of football, ..

Xi meets FIFA boss as China eyes World Cup

French defender Lucas Hernandez was briefly locked up for violating a court order banning him from contacting his girlfriend, the Madrid tribunal said today.
     The 21-year-old Atletico Madrid defender and his girlfriend were each sentenced to 31 hours of community service in February following a violent altercation.
     They were also ordered not to see each other for six months.
     Hernandez was arrested on Tuesday and held in detention for several hours for having "infringed the protection measures imposed by the Madrid penal court, which has banned him from approaching within 500 metres or entering into communication with Amelia de la O. L.", the Madrid High Court said in a statement.
     Hernandez was arrested at the Madrid airport in the company of his girlfriend, who was not arrested as her own restraining order has not yet been ratified.
     According to the Onda Cero radio station, the two arrived at the airport after returning from a holiday in the Bahamas.
     In ...

French player arrested for restraining order breach

Real Madrid backed star forward Cristiano Ronaldo today after Spanish prosecutors accused the star player of evading 14.7 million euros in tax through offshore companies.
     "Real Madrid C.F. Have full confidence in our player Cristiano Ronaldo, who we understand has acted in accordance with the legality regarding the fulfilment of his fiscal obligations," Real said in a statement.
     "Since his arrival at Real Madrid C.F. In July 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo has always shown a clear will to fulfil all his tax obligations.
     "Real Madrid C.F. Are absolutely convinced that our player, Cristiano Ronaldo, will prove his total innocence in this process. Real Madrid C.F. Hope that justice is done as quickly as possible so that his innocence can be proven as soon as possible."
     The 32-year-old Ronaldo -- the world's highest paid athlete according to Forbes magazine -- follows in the footsteps of Barcelona forward and Argentina star Lionel Messi, who was found guilty of the same ...

Real have 'full confidence' in Ronaldo over tax

Footballing super-agent Jorge Mendes, who manages Cristiano Ronaldo among others, has been summoned before a Spanish court as part of the probe into Colombian striker Radamel Falcao's alleged tax evasion, legal sources said today.
     Monaco's Falcao is suspected of failing to correctly declare 5.6 million euros ($6.1 million) of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while he was at Atletico Madrid.
     He is suspected of using a web of shell companies in the British Virgin Islands, Ireland, Colombia and Panama to avoid taxes on the image rights income.
     Mendes was summoned to appear before the court of instruction at Pozuelo de Alarcon, close to Madrid, on June 27.
     The summons comes a day after Ronaldo was accused by Spanish prosecutors of evading 14.7 million euros in tax through offshore companies.

Super-agent Mendes summoned over Falcao tax evasion

Indian golfer Aditi Ashok is ready to bounce back from two missed cuts in her last three starts when she tees off at the Meijer Classic LPGA at the Blythefield Country Club.
     Aditi, playing her rookie year at the LPGA, has made four cuts in six starts on LPGA including at the Major, ANA Inspiration.
     However, the LET Rookie of the Year in 2016, has been below-par, as her best finish has been Tied-42nd.
     Meanwhile, following her victory at last week's Manulife LPGA Classic, Ariya Jutanugarn arrives in Michigan as the new No.1 in the Women's World Golf Rankings.
     Jutanugarn replaced Lydia Ko after 85 weeks as the world's top-ranked player and became the second youngest player in LPGA history to hold the top spot and the first Thai player to hold the position.
     The new No.1 makes her third start this week in Grand Rapids where she finished tied for 18th in 2016.
     After taking three weeks off, a rested and refreshed Lydia Ko returns to action this week to seek up ..

Aditi looking to bounce back at Meijer Classic

Indian golfer SSP Chawrasia has set himself high goals for the season as he gears up to tee off at the USD 500,000 Asian Tour Queen's Cup at the Santiburi Samui Country Club, also called the 'Beast of Samui'.
     Chawrasia, who successfully defended his Hero Indian Open title by seven shots in March for his sixth Asian Tour victory, is second on the Merit list with USD 304,500 and he could take over the top spot from American David Lipsky in the rankings if he finishes no lower than tied second.
     Apart from Chawrasia, there are 10 other Indians, including Shiv Kapur, who has been first and second in his last two Asian Tour starts.
     Others are Jeev Milkha Singh, Chiragh Kumar, Rashid Khan, Shubhankar Sharma, Sujjan Singh, S Chikkarangappa, Rahil Gangjee and Arjun Prasad.
     Chawrasia has enough experience of the Queen's Cup as he was Tied-sixth in 2015 and he was also tied eighth at Santiburi Samui in the 2006 Bangkok Airways Open. His lowest round here is 67 shot in 2015.
  

Chawrasia sets goals for himself this season

Bengaluru FC's switch to the Indian Super League (ISL) was prompted by their willingness to take on new challenges having set one benchmark after another in the I-League, club CEO Parth Jindal said today.
     The JSW group-owned Bengaluru FC, along with Tata Steel Limited, joined the ISL bandwagon after winning the bids for the two new teams.
     "We've enjoyed tremendous success in the I-League in a very short span of time and the ISL will be a completely new challenge that we're relishing. We're really looking forward to new rivalries and the ISL experience as a whole," Jindal said.
     The official announcement of the increase in the number of teams in ISL from eight to 10 came amid uncertainty and discontent among I-League clubs regarding the domestic football structure chalked out by the All India Football Federation.
     With the winner of ISL assured an AFC Cup berth, Jindal, whose team created history last season by becoming the first Indian club to make the final of the ..

Looking forward to new rivalries in ISL: Bengaluru FC CEO

Seasoned Indian driver Karun Chandok, who returns to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race after a one-year gap, has a tougher task at hand this weekend with debutant team Tockwith Ligier in the LMP2 class.
     Chandhok, who is back here for the fifth time and remains the only Indian to compete in the race, drove in last month's FIA WEC 6 Hours of Spa to get more comfortable with the car.
      He will share the racing duty with young debutant Philip Hanson and Nigel Moore.
      Also now a well-known Formula One pundit, the former Grand Prix driver says he can't wait to get back racing at Le Mans.
     "Realistically, I'm with a rookie team and with a rookie team-mate who's 17 years old so it's going to be a challenge to get a strong result," he said.
     "We're in a Ligier chassis and judging by the official test session, we don't seem to have the pace of the Oreca chassis who looked very strong.
     "It's a 24 hour race and lots can happen so we'll just keep our heads ...

Chandhok set for fifth Le Mans appearance this weekend

India coach Roelant Oltmans feels ensuring an exceptionally good conversion rate of goal-scoring opportunities will hold the key to his team's fortunes in the Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final starting here tomorrow.
     India will open their campaign against Scotland tomorrow.
     The lead up to the opening encounter saw the Indian team led by midfielder Manpreet Singh win the practice match against England 3-1 on Tuesday with a successful dragflick by Harmanpreet Singh and a double goal by striker Mandeep Singh.
     "To win this kind of tournaments we have to get a higher percentage of goals out of our opportunities and concede less unnecessary goals," Oltmans said.
     "If we can manage this aspect of the game then anything is possible to achieve for this team," emphasized the coach.
      The last time India played in London, the team created history by winning a silver medal at the FIH Champions Trophy.
     However, with ace dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh and SK Uthappa ...

Good goal conversion will be a must at HWL Semis: Oltmans

Chinese President Xi Jinping today met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid speculation that China could be planning to bid for a future World Cup.
	Xi and Infantino met at the Great Hall of the People, the seat of China's legislature in the heart of Beijing.
	The meeting comes as indications are growing that China could bid to host the World Cup either in 2030 or 2034 under a plan launched by Xi's administration to obtain international soccer success.
	Along with a massive expansion in the numbers of academies, fields and coaches, Xi's drive aims to turn China's perpetually underperforming team into a World Cup winner by 2050.
	China has appeared in one World Cup, in 2002, and drew 2 -2 with Syria on Tuesday in a qualifying match.

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