Top seeds Ram Aravind and Priyanka Nutakki maintained their sole lead in the open and girls section respectively and moved closer towards the titles with one round to go at the ongoing National Under-11 Chess Championship, here today.
     In the penultimate round, playing white side of closed variation of Ruy Lopez game, Tamil Nadu's Ram missed the opportunity to extend his lead to full point as he miscalculated the end position to settle for a draw against team mate Praggnandhaa R in 59 moves.
     Rahul Srivatshav of Andhra Pradesh was closely following the leader with a drift of half point as he defeated Bhavik Bharambe of Maharashtra in the tenth round encounter at the Ludlow Castle Sports Complex.
     Barath M of Goa defeated Odisha's Rudrakash Parida to occupy third spot along with Bhavik with eight points.
     Meanwhile in the girl's section, top seed Andhra Pradesh's Priyanka defeated Anwesha Mishra of Odisha to take her point tally to nine from possible ten to maintain ...

Ram, Priyanka move closer to title

PTI Automatic

The six candidates bidding to be elected to the most powerful position in sport as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) girded their loins for one final day of campaigning today in Buenos Aires.
     Unassuming Belgian Jacques Rogge will step down on Tuesday after a 12 year reign in what has been a largely successful term having notably been credited with restoring the image of the organisation.
     It is a considerable feat as Rogge had faced a tough task after the IOC had been badly tarnished in the final years of Juan Antonio Samaranch's stewardship over the bribes for votes scandal concerning the successful Salt Lake City bid for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
     The sextet of candidates -- all men and none from Africa -- will take over an IOC that Rogge revealed on Sunday is in great financial health and, with over $900 million in reserve, could afford the cancellation of an Olympic Games.
     However, Rogge's successor will have been made painfully aware on ...

Bach waits in the wings as Rogge reign nears end

Sahara Force India's Paul di Resta has been handed a reprimand by the stewards for colliding with Lotus driver Romain Grosjeans on the first lap of the Italian Grand Prix, here on Sunday.
     The Scot's race ended with the crash but Grosjean survived to finish eighth. Di Resta's teammate Adrian Sutil finished 16th after retiring his car in the last lap due to brake issues.
     Since di Resta accepted responsibility for the incident, the stewards recognised the fact that he had tried to take evasive action.
     "The driver made an attempt to avoid the collision (when he saw the cars in front braking earlier) by trying to drive between cars #8 and #15, but in doing so collided with car #8," said the official steward's report.
     Di Resta said it was a weekend to forget.
     "I just got caught out going into the second chicane because the cars ahead of me got backed up - I guess they were reacting to the tussle going on ahead of them. I locked both fronts trying to stop the car and 

Di Resta reprimanded by the stewards for collision in Monza

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) are awaiting the return of disgraced American cyclist Lance Armstrong's Olympic bronze medal from the 2000 Games in Sydney nine months after they asked for it back, the head of the IOC's judicial commission, Thomas Bach, revealed today.
     The IOC had written to Armstrong -- who was third in the time-trial event in Sydney -- in January to ask him hand back the medal, but Bach admitted that while the cyclist had accepted the punishment he had yet to honour his promise to return the medal.
     "We declared his result null and void and decided not to bump up anyone into the bronze medal position (Spaniard Abraham Olano finished fourth)," said Bach, who is the favourite to succeed outgoing IOC President Jacques Rogge in Tuesday's election in Buenos Aires.
     "This has not been challenged but we are sadly lacking the medal.
     "We are working with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to get it back as we requested."
     The IOC had ...

IOC awaiting return of Armstrong's medal

Controversy struck in the ongoing National Open Athletics Championships in Ranchi as Merlin K Joseph's new national record timing in women's 100m dash was today questioned by Rachita Mistry in whose name the record had stood since 2000.
     Merlin ran 11.35 secs yesterday in the semifinal heats to shatter Mistry's 13-year-old national record of 11.38 secs created in Trivandrum in 2000. She has a personal best of 11.75 secs before yesterday's national record.
     What has raised suspicion in Merlin's national record timing was that she clocked 12.07secs in the first round heats before the semifinals and then finished third in the final with a timing of 11.95 secs. Her record though is yet to be ratified by Athletics Federation of India.
     Mistry, an Olympian and a top sprinter of 1990s, said she suspected either a faulty timing system or some people were playing mischief as such a gap in timings was hard to believe in 100m race. She has written a letter to the AFI to find out the .

National record in Ranchi Open Athletics Ch'ships questioned

The 22nd All India Baba Farid Gold Hockey tournament will be held from September 19 to 23 at the Government Barjindera College Hockey Stadium here, the organisers announced today.
     Organising Secretary Khushwant Singh said that 13 national level teams have confirmed their participation in the tournament, including the last time winner Border Security Force, Jalandhar.
     The Border Security Force have won the Baba Farid Gold Cup Hockey tournament seven times whereas Punjab police have emerged champions thrice.
     Singh said that the tournament committee will also honour 50 hockey players including Olympians.
     Among the team that will vie for the cup are Punjab Police Jalandhar, CRPF Delhi, EME Jalandhar, Indian Air Force Delhi, RCF Kapurthala, PSEB Patiala, Signals Jalandhar, Punjab & Sind Bank Jalandhar, Jarkhar Eleven, Jarkhar (Ludhiana) Jalandhar Eleven, BSF Jalandhar, Northeren Railways Jalandhar and Baba Farid Club, Faridkot.

All India Baba Farid Gold cup from Sept 19

The Supreme Court today sought response from the Centre and the Indian cricket board on allegations that authorities have failed to protect the honour of the national flag during matches.
	The court also issued notices to West Bengal government and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) as the plea mentioned incidents of alleged disrespect and dishonour to the national flag at the Eden Gardens during the third Test match between India and England from December 5 to 9, 2012 and India- Pakistan ODI match held on January 3, 2013.
	"We agree that photographs depict serious concern,"	a bench comprising Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai said and asked all the respondents to file their response within four weeks.
	The petition filed by Kamal Dey, Editor and Publisher of Barta Nyay, sought stay of Calcutta High Court decision which had held that there was no deliberate disrespect of the national flag.
	His counsel placed the photographs of draping of the Indian flag ...

SC fiat to Centre, BCCI on disrespect to national flag

Despite being 'devastated' by the IOC decision to choose wrestling ahead of squash as an additional sport to join the 2020 Olympic programme, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) today stressed that the sport has a 'great future'.
     "We are obviously devastated, not only for the whole sport and squash fans everywhere, but for the players, current and future that have worked so hard for this," said PSA CEO Alex Gough.
     "We can be very proud of the efforts of everyone and none more so than our world number one Ramy Ashour, who has put in so much time into the bid process," he said.
     It was at yesterday's meeting of the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires that squash - shortlisted with wrestling and baseball/softball as one of three sports being considered for addition to the 2020 Olympic programme, and the only one never to have been in the Games before - lost out to wrestling.
     Wrestling, one of the rare sports which progressed from ancient to modern Olympics, won the 

Squash still has a great future despite Oly snub: PSA, WSF

After notching up a convincing win in the opening game, India A will look to seal the three-match unofficial ODI series against New Zealand A when the two sides clash in their second encounter at the Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here tomorrow.
     Riding on India discard Robin Uthappa's century and his match winning stand with skipper Unmukt Chand (94) in the first match, the Indian team overhauled the target with six wickets to spare, after two matches of the unofficial Test series ended in tame draws.
     Uthappa, who is in ODI exile, would be hoping to produce another sparkling show to catch the eyes of national selectors with limited overs series against West Indies and South Africa in sight.
     Unmukt would be disappointed on losing out on a three figure mark but after his twin failures in the Test series, the flamboyant knock yesterday signalled his return to form. The 20-year-old looked at ease and thrashed Kiwi bowlers all around the park and set up ...

Confident India A would aim to seal the series vs NZ A

Mitchell Starc is expected to be out for a "prolonged period" with a back stress fracture in a further blow to Australia's fast bowling stocks, Cricket Australia said today.
     Starc returned home earlier this month from Australia's one-day series in England with lower back soreness and CA's worst fears were realised with confirmation of his injury.
     "Mitch Starc had scans following his arrival back to Australia and they have shown an early stage low back stress fracture," CA's chief medical officer Justin Paolini said in a statement.
     "His management plan will be determined in the coming days but he is expected to be unavailable for a prolonged period."
     The left-arm fast medium bowler endured a frustrating tour of England, playing in the first, third and fifth Tests of the five-match Ashes series while being dropped for the second and the fourth.
     CA had better news concerning another paceman Jackson Bird, who also returned home early from England with back ...

Australia's Starc out with back injury

English professional soccer club, Reading FC has announced scholarships for two budding footballers of the Arunachal Pradesh, its adviser Tomo Nomuk said here today.
     Prior to the announcement, Nomuk said, he held a discussion with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy on promotion of soccer in the state.
     After a threadbare discussion with Sanjoy, who is also the president of Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA), Reading decided to go for a talent hunt and train youths.
     Top notch coaches from the English club will tour different parts of the state in connection with the training programme, possibly from October next year, he said.
     "Under the six-month RFC-APFA MoU, the coaches from the internationally famed club with our support would tour all over the state to identify footballers with potential to become world class players," the MP added.

Reading FC to give scholarship to two youths from Arunachal

Daniel Chopra carded a final round score of one-under 71 that saw him finish in tied 34th place at the Chiquita Classic golf tournament here.
     Chopra, who is already assured of a berth on the main PGA Tour in 2014 following his finish in top-25 of the Money List on the regular Web.Com Tour, totaled one-under 287 for the week.
     Andrew Svoboda two-putted the first extra hole to beat Will McKenzie in a playoff. Svoboda posted a final-round 70 at River Run Country Club yesterday to finish at 12-under and tied with MacKenzie (67), who chipped in for eagle on the par-5, 18th in regulation.
     Ben Martin (68) and John Peterson (71) were tied for third, one-stroke back. Ryo Ishikawa (66) finished two off the pace.
     The finals match Web.Com Tour and PGA TOUR players together competing for 50 PGA TOUR cards and positions for the 2013-14 PGA TOUR season that begins in early October. The leading money-earner of the finals earns a spot in The Players Championship in 2014.
     The ...

Chopra finishes tied 34th at Chiquita Classic

The oldest tennis player to win a Grand Slam with the US Open men's doubles trophy, Indian veteran Leander Paes said age is just a number for him, something that he just "looks at and smiles".
     The 40-year-old partnered Czech Radek Stepanek to win the US Open 2013 men's doubles title, his eighth men's doubles Grand Slam title and 14th overall, last night after beating Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares 6-1 6-3.
     "Today Radek helped me to get to be the oldest man or the oldest tennis player to ever win a Grand Slam in the Open era. I thank him for that, and we are definitely not done. I'm going after 41 now, 42, and then 43," said Paes after winning the title.
     "We both come from humble background and come from countries where tennis wasn't necessarily the number one sport. We both fought against adversity to get to where we are. So age is just a number for us. Age is something that we look at and we smile.
     "We chat with you guys and smile about it, because, you know, you 

Age is just a number to look at and smile: Paes

The United States has congratulated Japan on the selection of its capital Tokyo as the host for 2020 Olympics.
	"On behalf of President Obama and the United States, I am delighted to congratulate the city of Tokyo, and our close ally Japan, on its selection as host of the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said yesterday.
	Tokyo's rich culture, tradition, and energy make it a fitting choice to host the 2020 Games, he said.
	"Just as we did in 1964, we look forward to cheering on Team USA in a city that embodies the Olympic ideals of excellence, respect, and friendship as together we promote international understanding through sport," Carney said in a statement.

US congratulates Tokyo on selection as 2020 Olympics host

Afghanistan beat hosts Nepal by a solitary goal to enter the summit clash of the SAFF Football Championship, here today.
     In a highly entertaining first semifinal, the home team played their hearts out but Sanjar Ahmadi did what mattered the most - scored the winner in the 10th minute of the match.
     Afghanistan will meet the winner of the second semifinal between India and Maldives on Wednesday.
     Nepal had their chances, including back-to-back penalties awarded in the 88th minute under controversial circumstances, but Afghanistan goalkeeper Mansur Fagiryar saved Rohit Chand's spot-kick on both occasions.
     The penalty was awarded when substitute Bimal Gharti Magar collided with Mansur and fell down which prompted the Saudi Arabia referee ASAM Idham Mohammed to point at the dreaded spot.
     Chand's first kick was brilliantly saved by Mansur diving to his left but the assistant referee pointed out that the goalie had moved from his position before the kick was taken.
   

Afghanistan enter SAFF final with 1-0 win

Michael Clarke led from the front with a century as Australia overwhelmed England by 88 runs in the second one-day international at Manchester's Old Trafford on Sunday.
     Victory saw Australia take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series following Friday's washout in Leeds on the ground where they suffered a 4-0 ODI campaign loss to England last year.
     Australia captain Clarke's 105, only his eighth hundred in 229 matches at this level, was the cornerstone of a total of 315 for seven and came after he'd made 187 at Old Trafford in the drawn third Test against England last month.
     Man-of-the-match Clarke received good support from vice-captain George Bailey (82) in a fifth-wicket stand of 155 as Australia made their highest one-day international score against England in England, surpassing their 302 for six at Nottingham's Trent Bridge in 2009.
     England, having only twice before made more than 300 to win an ODI, slumped to nine for two as Mitchell Johnson took two wickets in 

Clarke sets up Australia ODI win over England

With the buzz surrounding the contest between five-time champion Viswanathan Anand and world number one Magnus Carlsen, chess Grand Master Pravin Thipsay today said it would have been favourable for the Indian if the match was not scheduled in Chennai.
     "The match being held at Chennai, I am not sure if that will have a good effect. Anand would be under a lot of pressure. I think this is not favourable for Anand," Thipsay said at the Sports Journalists' Association of Mumbai awards.
     The match is slated between November 7 and 26 in Chennai.
     Analysing the players, Thipsay said that Anand has struggled in the past against players who take risks.
     "The only problem with him is the players who are very erratic and players who play positions, which are not known to them. There are players who are natural gamblers and they play variations without knowing what will happen. Anand has always been bad against such street fighters. If he is able to study the style of a player, ..

Anand would be under pressure from home fans: Pravin Thipsay

Delhi won the boys' title and Chhattisgarh girls retained their crown in the 64th Junior National Basketball Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, here today.
     Delhi defeated Punjab 89-82 (19-20, 24-26, 20-11, 26-25) in a close encounter while Poonam Chaturvedi, with 43 points, led the Chhattishgarh girls to another title as they beat Kerala 79-68 (21-15, 18-15, 19-21, 21-17).
     Tamil Nadu trounced Kerala 96-57 to finish with third in the boys event.
     In the girls' section, Maharashtra got the better off Tamil Nadu 78-66 to secure third place in the competition.
     The winning teams got Rs 1,00,000 each while the first and the second runners-up received Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 each.
     Delhi's Gaurav Ohlan was declared Most Valuable Player among boys and Chhattisgarh's Kavita Akula won the MVP award in the girls' section. Both were given win Rs 15000 each.
     Meanwhile, President Basketball Federation of India R S Gill felicitated the Indian U-18 boys .

Delhi, Chhattisgarh win junior basketball championships

The Sports Ministry today expressed happiness as wrestling won back its place in the Olympic Games through voting at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Buenos Aires.
     The ministry said it made efforts for wrestling's re-inclusion as it wrote to IOC and also to the countries where wrestling was popular to ensure that the sport is retained in the Olympic Games.
     "Shri Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports has  expressed happiness on the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include wrestling in the 2020 Olympics," the ministry said in a statement.
     Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also hailed the IOC decision.
     "The decision of the IOC members to retain wrestling in the list of core sports is welcome. The Haryana Government had sent a strong representation against the IOC Executive Board decision last February to drop wrestling from the 2020 Olympics and demanded ...

Sports Ministry welcomes wrestling's re-inclusion in Olympics

Congress government will not allow mixing of politics with sports, vice-chairman of Himachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation, Kewal Singh Pathania today said.
	Opening the 13th Himachal state taekwondo championship organised by Himachal Pradesh Taekwondo Association for sub-junior, junior and senior categories for boys and girls at the Indira Gandhi State Sports complex here, Pathania called upon people related to sports and organisers to keep sports away from politics.
	In the field of sports, a sportsman is supreme and the Congress government led by Virbhadra Singh is committed to promote sports and sportsmen sincerely and clean it up from politics, which was made a business during the previous BJP regime, he said.
	The state's youth have given a befitting reply to BJP eight months ago for spoiling the state's culture and will again show them the door in the Lok Sabha polls, he said.
	Joint director, Youth Services and Sports, Suman Rawat exhorted players to give their best ..

Keep politics out of sports: Pathania

India's Anirban Lahiri's free fall at the Omega European Masters continued, as Shiv Kapur (69) finished as the best Indian in the tournament, here today.
     The sole leader on first day with a round of 63, Lahiri shot even par on second and then had 75-75 on the weekend to finish.
     Kapur's 69 with three birdies and one bogey saw him finish at six-under 278 for the week in tied 26th place in the only tournament on European soil to be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
     Lahiri at even par 284 was tied 57th while Gaganjeet Bhullar (77) slid to tied 62nd at two-over 286 for 72 holes.
     Up at the top, seasoned Thomas Bjorn sunk a 12 footer on the first playoff hole to win his 14th European Tour title.
     It was also his second at the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre.
     Extra holes were required to separate Bjorn and overnight leader Craig Lee, who struck 65 and 67 respectively on the final day.
     Bjorn former made quick work of sealing ...

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