ONGC and Indian Navy posted easy wins in their quarterfinal league round matches of the 126th Durand Cup Football Tournament here today.
     While ONGC thrashed Army Red 4-1, Indian Navy got the better of Air India 2-0 at the Ambedkar Stadium.
     Asim Hasan (39th and 58th minute), Henry Ezeh (65th) and Parvinder Singh (76th) found the net for ONGC, before Vipin T V scored what turned out to be the consolation goal for Army Red in the 19th minute.
     Riyad B and (75th) and Raman Rai (77th) scored for Indian Navy.
     Star-studded Mohammedan Sporting will be playing in the Durand Cup for the first time since 2006.
     They are placed in Group III and will take on Army Green in their opening encounter tomorrow. The other team in this group is another Kolkata outfit Kalighat.
     The winners of the group qualify for the semifinals.
     Mohammedan Sporting, which last entered the Durand final in 1992, are a formidable squad this season and have several star players like Australian 

ONGC, Indian Navy win in Durand Cup

PTI Automatic

Triple jumper Renjith Maheswary today said that he took part in the National Open Athletics Championships in Ranchi under "mental stress" due to the uncertainty over his Arjuna Award issue but is satisfied with his silver-winning effort.
     National record holder Maheswary finished second in triple jump event yesterday with an effort of 16.64m. He took part in the September 7-10 event after his Arjuna Award was put on hold following an inquiry by the Sports Ministry on whether he had been punished for dope offence in 2008.
     "I was taking part in Open Nationals after my Arjuna Award was put om hold by the Sports Ministry. I was taking part despite the mental stress I was having for the last few days. Naturally, that has affected me," Maheswary told PTI from Ranchi before heading home today.
     "But I am satisfied with my performance as I have been consistent at around 16.6m this whole season. I am happy that young Arpinder Singh, who trains with me, won gold and he is doing ...

I took part in Open Nationals under mental stress: Renjith

Bengaluru FC today announced the signing of two local boys Niroshan Mani and Amoes in their squad for the I-League season that begins in less than two weeks.
     The midfield duo has signed one-year contracts with the club coached by former Manchester United player Ashley Westwood.
     Twenty-one-year-old Niroshan is a TFA graduate who spent two seasons with Goan club Sporting Clube de Goa before securing a loan move to local club South United.
     "I haven't come across a more professional set up than the one I've seen at Bengaluru FC. The coach is fantastic and this is an opportunity that will do well for my career," said Niroshan.
     The twin signings takes the local presence in the club to five.
     "The boys were on trial and impressed us enough to give them a chance. They are young and would do well to improve playing for the team. It's also good to have more local presence in the team and it's a motivation for youngsters in the community to do well," said Westwood.
     ..

Bengaluru FC add more local flavour with young signings

Teams from Pakistan are likely to participate in the 30th Surjeet Hockey Tournament to be played from October 10-19 here.
     According to the organisers, two teams from across the border have showed their willingness to participate in the tournament subject to their visa clearances.
     "A team each in the men's and women's section have agreed to participate in the 30th Surjeet Hockey tournament. We have requested the concerned authorities to facilitate visas to the teams," general secretary of Surjeet Hockey Society Iqbal Sandhu said.
     The men's and women's teams of Pakistan's Punjab XI are likely to compete in the tournament to be played next month at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here.
     Last year, teams from Pakistan could not participate in the tournament due to visa issues.
     In the men's category, 12 teams will be participating while five teams will be part of the women's competition, which is being held for the first time.

Pak teams to participate in Surjeet Hockey tournament?

Pakistan reached 24 for no wicket at lunch in reply to Zimbabwe's first innings total of 294 all out on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan at Harare Sports Club today.
     Pakistan endured a frustrating morning as it took them more than an hour and one ball short of 20 overs to capture the last two Zimbabwe wickets after the home side resumed at 235 for eight.
     Junaid Khan took his fourth wicket of the innings when Prosper Utseya hooked a short ball to deep backward square leg after making a stubborn 22 off 82 balls.
     Tendai Chatara and Brian Vitori added 46 for the last wicket, enjoying some fortune but seldom being threatened by some unimpressive Pakistan bowling on an easy-paced pitch. Cracks were visible on the surface but the bounce was mainly predictable.
     Junaid finished the innings with four for 67 but in eight overs on Wednesday was unable to recapture the menace he showed on the first day.
     Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took 11 wickets in ...

Zimbabwe tail frustrates Pakistan

The BCCI senior selection committee today replaced injured Saurabh Tiwary with his state teammate Ishank Jaggi for the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy starting September 26.
     The Jharkhand batsman, who underwent a shoulder operation few weeks back, was selected in the India Red squad announced yesterday by the panel.
     "Saurabh Tiwary has undergone a shoulder operation, and has therefore been ruled out of the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy, as a result," BCCI said in a release.
     "The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked Ishank Jaggi as his replacement in the India Red squad," it added.

Jaggi replaces injured Saurabh Tiwary for NKP Salve Trophy

A golf course in the US, offering nine holes of discounted golf for USD 9.11 to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, has apologised after the advertisement turned into a public relations disaster on social media.
     The management of the golf course in Verona, Wisconsin, said the idea was to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
     TumbleDown Trails Golf Course also received death threats, CNN reported.
     The golf course had placed a small black-and-white advertisement on Monday offering to "commemorate" the 12th anniversary of the terror attacks with "9 holes with cart for only $9.11 per person or 18 holes with cart for only $19.11!"
     The ad quickly began circulating on social media, and the golf course's Facebook page was flooded with angry comments.
     "It's an abomination and a disgrace," one person wrote.
     "To make an opportunity out of a national tragedy is outrageous," another said.
     The management of the course posted an ...

Golf club in Wisconsin says sorry after 9/11 promotion

The third edition of the Lusofonia Games in Goa, scheduled to begin in November 2, could well be put off due to the state government's failure to complete projects related to the event on time.
     The missed deadlines and shoddy state of preparedness have left the infrastructure in complete mess for the international multi-sport event.
     It has been learnt that the Association of the Portuguese Speaking Olympic Committees (ACOLOP) president Alex Vong and the designated chef-de-missions of the participating countries would be arriving in Panaji on September 15 to inspect the venues besides taking a call on the Games' future in a meeting with the Lusofonia Games Organising Committee (LUGOC).
     The BJP-led Goa government has been battling hard to make the city ready for the Games. All infrastructure for the Games must be ready by October 1, a month before the kick-off.
     The LUGOC is also dealing with lack of interest on part of the participating nations while there are ...

Goa Lusofonia Games in doubt due to shoddy preparedness

Golf superstars Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will expand their already bulging bank accounts with a lucrative, one-round exhibition appearance next month in China.
     The highly sought-after pair will face off at Hainan island's giant, 180-hole Mission Hills complex, one of the world's biggest golf resorts, on October 28, organisers announced today.
     While no figures were revealed, last year's similar "Duel at Jinsha Lake" -- an event to promote luxury real estate -- involving Woods and McIlroy was for a reported pot of $2 million.
     By way of comparison, the winner's cheque at this year's US Masters, arguably the sport's most prestigious tournament, was $1.44 million.
     Woods, 37, said he was hoping to win this time in China after losing out to McIlroy at last year's "Duel at Jinsha Lake", an event remembered for its bizarre fans and organisation.
     In outlandish scenes, spectators mobbed the fairways and stole balls from the driving range, while luxury yachts and ...

Woods, McIlroy set for big pay-day in China

After spending two years in wilderness because of to doping suspension, athlete Juana Murmu is helping youngster in her poverty struck village in Odisha to take up sports but rues lack of basic facilities in the area.
     "I am trying to motivate youngsters in the village so that they can come out from the poverty through sports but athletics kits are very costly and hardly anyone can afford them," Murmu said.
     The 400m relay racer, who was suspended for failing a dope test in 2011, returned to the athletic track only during the recently-concluded Open National Athletic Championship here.
     Murmu hails from a backward tribal hamlet in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district where people still demand basic amenities.
     "My father is a farmer. We didn't even have BPL card. Even now we borrow electricity from a neighbour," she said.
     Pursuing her graduation through distance education in Sikkim, Murmu has set her eyes on 2016 Olympics and stays away from home for better practicing ...

Murmu rues lack of sporting facilities for youngsters

Defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar feels he has "matured" as a player since his title win last year and said he is really "pumped up" ahead of his title defence at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship which begins here tomorrow.
     Bhullar will headline the USD 500,000 Asian Tour event alongside reigning Order of Merit winner, Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, local hero Lin Wen-tang, who is a six-time Asian Tour winner and highly rated Baek Seuk-hyun, who ranks sixth on the Order of Merit.
     The 25-year-old Bhullar has enjoyed a solid season so far where he was awarded with the prestigious Arjuna Award last month.
     A good finish or a successful title defence at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club will also strengthen Bhullar's position on the Order of Merit where he is currently ranked second.
     He stands a chance to qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions in China in October if he can remain in the top-two position before the cut-off date on October 14.
    

An improved Bhullar seeks to defend title at Yeangder TPC

Newly-elected International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates today piled pressure on 2016 host Rio, saying its slow progress in preparing for the Games was of "critical concern".
     The Australian, who was elected to the post at the IOC's 125th session in Buenos Aires this week, said there was no bigger challenge for the organisation than ensuring Rio was ready on time.
     "Our biggest challenge is Rio. There is a little over two years to go and there is still so much work to be done," he said in a statement headlined "Rio preparation of critical concern" released through the Australian Olympic Committee.
     "We are all concerned. It is not impossible, but they desperately need a more concerted effort with some of the infrastructure projects and venues."
     With the clock rapidly ticking before the first Olympics in South America, many facilities in Rio have yet to be completed because of construction delays and soaring costs.
     There have also been street ...

'Critical concern' over Rio progress - IOC

The USA and Costa Rica punched their tickets to the World Cup with a victory and a draw in CONCACAF regional qualifying.
     The Americans advanced by beating Mexico 2-0 while Costa Rica booked their spot after drawing 1-1 with Jamaica yesterday.
     The qualifications were confirmed after Panama drew 2-2 with Honduras later Tuesday.
     Goals from Eddie Johnson and Donovan fired the Americans to victory over their fierce regional rivals.
     "It is pretty special," said Donovan. "I am proud of this team and proud of the hard work. Everyone deserves it so much."
     It is the seventh straight World Cup finals appearance for the United States stretching back to 1990.
     The win propelled the Americans to the top of the qualifying table with 16 points, one ahead of Costa Rica.
     Honduras is third with 11 points while Panama sits fourth ahead of Mexico based on their better goals scored differential. They both have eight points while Jamaica is sixth with four points.
     ...

USA, Costa Rica clinch World Cup spots

Sanam Singh, Vijayant Malik and N Sriram Balaji won their respective singles contests to move to the second round of the Futures events on the ITF circuit.
     Playing in a USD 15,000 event Toronto, Sanam beat Korea's Duck Hee Lee Korea 6-3 6-3 in the first round. He next faces Amercian Evan King.
     Also scoring a win was Vijayant Malik, who defeated local qualifier Alexandru Pasareanu 6-3 6-0
     In the doubles, Sanam and  Malik shocked second seeded pair of Daniel Chu and Erik Vhvojka 7-5 6-4 to make the quarterfinals, where they are up against America's Sekou Banggoura and Eric Quigley.
     In Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, second seeded N Sriram Balaji thrashed Eric Vehovec of Canada 6-0 6-1.
     However, former national champion and fifth seed Ranjeet Virali-Murugesan lost to Ecuadore qualifier Sebastian Rivera 6-7 (1) 4-6.
     But Ranjeet tasted success in doubles as he and Balaji, top seeds, beat Adham Elganainy and Youssef Hossam 6-1 6-2.
     They next face Tuniusia's ...

1st round wins for Sanam, Balaji, Malik on ITF circuit

After a terrific performance at the US Open, Somdev Devvarman has made a shock first round exit from the ATP Challenger event in Istanbul.
     Somdev, seeded second, lost 2-6 3-6 to Russian Konstantin Kravchuk in the opening round the USD 75,000 hard court event.
     It was first meeting Somdev, ranked 101 and Konstantin, who is placed 74 places below the Indian in the ATP ranking charts.
     Somdev had won four matches in the US Open, before losing the second of singles main draw to Italian Andreas Seppi.
     Meanwhile at the euro 64,000 Petange Challenger event in Luxembourg, third seeded pair of Divij Sharan and Purab Raja also bowed in the first round after a 3-6 3-6 defeat against Maximilian Neuchrist of Austria and Jurgen Zopp of Estonia.
     Divij also had outstanding performance at the US Open, reaching pre-quarterfinals with Taipei partner Yen-Hsun Lu.

1st round defeats for Somdev, Divij-Raja pair in Challengers

After clinching the ODI series with an unassailable 2-0 lead, a dominant India 'A' will now look to complete the whitewash when they lock horns against New Zealand 'A' in the final one-dayer here tomorrow.
     Led by Unmukt Chand, India 'A' have produced a dominating show in the three-match unofficial ODI series so far as they thrashed the visitors by six wickets in the first two games.
     Their six-wicket victory yesterday sealed the series for India 'A' and the hosts may look to test their bench strength, giving a chance to spinner Jalaj Saxena and batsman Sanju Samson.
     Chand has, so far, led his team by example as he scored 94 and 59 in the first two ODIs while his opening partner Robin Uthappa also scored a century in the lung-opener.
     The U-19 World Cup winning captain scripted a good comeback after his twin failures in the Test series to top the list of highest run-scorer in the limited-overs rubber so far and he would look for another good show from his bat to help .

Dominant India 'A' eye whitewash against NZ 'A'

Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina booked their place at the World Cup with a 5-2 thrashing of Paraguay.
     Argentina captain Messi struck a penalty in each half as the South American giants made sure of their place at next year's finals in Brazil in emphatic fashion yesterday.
     The Argentines -- missing four of their first-choice XI through suspension -- had only needed a point in the Paraguayan capital to be certain of qualification.
     But Alejandro Sabella's side demonstrated why they are likely to be regarded as one of the teams to beat in Brazil by tearing into the home team from the whistle.
     Messi fired them ahead from the penalty spot on 12 minutes only for Paraguay to equalise through Jose Nunez six minutes later.
     Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero restored Argentina's lead on 32 minutes, shrugging off two markers before rifling past Roberto Fernandez to make it 2-1.
     Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria extended Argentina's lead soon after ...

Messi spot-on as Argentina reach World Cup

Three officials of the government backed Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) have been suspended by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for their involvement in destabilizing the Olympic movement in Pakistan.
     An official of the government backed POA confirmed that the President of the OCA had informed in writing that President Akram Sahi and officials, Zafar Abbas and Ghulam Ali had been suspended from taking part in any activity under the jurisdiction of the OCA.
     "OCA President Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah in his letter addressed to Sahi, Zafar Abbas and Ghulam Ali read that the formation of a parallel National Olympic Committee had destabilized the Olympic movement in Pakistan.
     "He has said that Akram Sahi and two other officials were running a parallel Olympic movement in Pakistan which has become a threat for Pakistan," the official told PTI.
     But an undetered Sahi claimed that he was not worried about the suspension.
     "The OCA suspension doesn't worry us ...

Three officials of govt-backed POA suspended by OCA

Former England captain David Gower believes Stuart Broad can win over fans in Australia during the upcoming Ashes series if he follows the lead of David Warner.
     Broad is set to become the England player, above all others, Australian fans love to hate following his controversial decision not to walk in the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge this season.
     England won that Test by just 14 runs and went on to take the series 3-0, with Broad producing a match-winning return of six for 50 in their 74-run fourth Test victory in Durham last month.
     But Broad's decision to stand his ground on his Nottinghamshire home ground still rankled with Australia coach Darren Lehmann, even though Australians have traditionally refrained from walking and instead waited for the umpire's decision.
     Former Test batsman Lehmann was fined by the International Cricket Council after calling on Australian fans to "get stuck into" Broad in the return series, adding he hoped the fast-medium bowler ...

Gower urges Broad to learn from Warner

Italy and the Netherlands became the first European nations to clinch qualification for the 2014 World Cup finals with victories on a busy night of action on Tuesday.
     Another of the continent's most famous names, Germany, are also now on the brink of qualification, as are Switzerland, while Russia and England ensured that their destinies remain in their own hands.
     The only World Cup finals Italy have missed remain the 1958 finals in Sweden, and Cesare Prandelli's side knew that a win against the Czech Republic in Turin would confirm their participation in a 14th consecutive finals.
     However, they had to overcome a scare in the Juventus Stadium before sealing first place in Group B with two games to spare.
     Libor Kozak gave the Czechs the lead in the first half before Giorgio Chiellini netted a 51st-minute equaliser and AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli struck the winner from the penalty spot.
     "We've qualified and we're really satisfied," said Prandelli, who is ...

Italy, Netherlands seal World Cup berths

Kevin Pietersen is setting a "great example" to the novice players in England's one-day squad, according to limited-overs coach Ashley Giles.
     Just over a year ago, world-class batsman Pietersen was briefly exiled from the national side after being accused of sending derogatory text messages regarding then England captain Andrew Strauss to South Africa players.
     But following Strauss's retirement, former skipper Pietersen has been "reintegrated" into the England set-up.
     He is now the one star name left in the squad for the ongoing one-day series against Australia, with England resting regular captain Alastair Cook, batsman Ian Bell and bowlers James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann ahead of their Ashes defence 'Down Under' starting in November.
     Former England spinner Giles knows Pietersen well, having been alongside him for much of the South Africa-born shotmaker's maiden Test hundred, a superb 158 against Australia at The Oval that secured a draw which saw ...

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