The Japanese sports equipment brand Yonex today launched their premier standalone store at the Karnataka Badminton Association stadium here.
     "As I strive and prove through excellence to be a strong brand ambassador of the sport, Yonex has already established that association, being synonymous with the sport since its inception," Olympic medallist and ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, who shares a historic association with Yonex, told reporters here.
     First-of-its-kind in Karnataka, the new Yonex shop at Lanai will offer the latest and best quality range of Yonex products, such as shoes, bags, apparels and accessories.
     Yonex's exclusive international range and team apparels will also be available in this store, including walking shoes, which would be available for the first time in the country.
     "As the country strives towards producing medal-winning champions and as society continues to embrace the sport as a leisure activity, we are glad to say that Yonex-Sunrise ...

Yonex launches standalone store in Bangalore

PTI Automatic

Sebastian Vettel ended Lewis Hamilton's run of four straight pole positions on Saturday when he secured the prime starting spot for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
     Vettel's Red Bull team swept the front row in qualifying, with the 26-year-old German in awesome form and teammate Mark Webber just behind in second.
     Seeking his third win at the Autodromo Nazionale, the series leader and defending triple world champion Vettel clocked a best lap time of one minute and 23.755 seconds ahead of Webber, who recorded a best of 1:23.968.
     They were the only two drivers to go below 1:24.
     German Nico Huelkenberg delivered a stunning late lap to snatch third place for Sauber ahead of the Ferraris of Brazilian Felipe Massa and Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who were a disappointing fourth and fifth in front of watching Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
     German Nico Rosberg was sixth for Mercedes while his teammate Hamilton qualified only 12th after running off the circuit during ..

Vettel ends Hamilton run, takes pole

Considering the grand success of the inaugural IBL that has put a halo around Indian badminton, ace shuttler Saina Nehwal says the franchise-based meet should be held in such a way from next year onward that players don't miss out on any other major tournament due to burnout.
     "Playing in a long tournament like the Indian Badminton League, players of course will get a little tired. We need to manage time or whatever, but this will happen slowly.
     "From next year of course myself and IBL organisers will find a way so that we don't get tired and are able to play in all tournaments," Saina told reporters after the launch of Yonex-Sunrise Store here today.
     What followed the much-hyped Indian Badminton League, held from August 14 to 31, was pull-outs by quite a few players, including Saina, from world-level tournaments due to exhaustion.
     The shuttle queen from Hyderabad is skipping the upcoming China Masters and Japan Open Super Series in order to regain her energy before 

We've to manage time to avoid burn out during IBL: Saina

After a string of low scores in List A as well as first-class games, talented opener Unmukt Chand will like to make amends as he leads India A against New Zealand A in the opening encounter of the three match One Day series here tomorrow.
     The India A's one day squad is quite different to the one which played two 'Tests' against the Kiwis. The likes of Manprit Juneja, Vijay Zol and Abhishek Nayar, who scored centuries in those two first-class games are not a part of the limited overs side.
     Instead, there will be Karnataka dasher Robin Uthappa -- a 'veteran' of 38 ODIs and 11 T20 International, is expected to open the batting with Chand, who will be equally desperate to get a substancial score under his belt.
     Uthappa recently hired former India batsman Praveen Amre as his personal coach and also flew down to Mumbai to train under the latter.
     The middle-order has some flashy yet exciting players like former India U-19 captain and Rajasthan left-hander Ashok Menaria, ..

Redemption time for Chand as India A take on NZ A in OD opener

Sahara Force India's chances of snatching back the fifth place from McLaren were dented by a poor qualifying as Adrian Sutil managed 14th and Paul di Resta 16 place on the grid for tomorrow's Italian Grand Prix, here.
     Both the Force India drivers were eliminated in Q2 when Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg came out for their final laps in the dying moments of the session.
     Both the McLaren drivers will start ahead of Force India cars which means the British side will have the chance to increase the lead over the Indian side.
     Sergio Perez will start eighth and former champion Jenson Button ninth.
     McLaren (65) had snatched fifth place from Force India (61) in the last race at Spa by taking a four-point lead, courtesy Button's sixth-place finish.
     Defending champion Sebastian Vettel grabbed the pole, his fourth of the season, and joining him in the front row is his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber.
     Nico Hulkenberg was a surprise third in his Sauber ..

Force India drivers fail to make Q3 for Italian GP

United Sikkim FC geared up for the upcoming Durand Cup by winning their state league in Gangtok today.
     According to information received here, the Bhaichung Bhutia-owned side emerged champions beating Sikkim Police 3-1 in the SFA Senior Division S-League to finish on top in the eight-team league that had begun August 20.
     Both the teams were locked on 18 points heading into the final round but the USFC won it in style, capping seven victories from as many matches.
     USFC next travel to the capital for the upcoming Durand Cup.

United Sikkim clinch state league

One of the closest contests in Olympic history was going down to the wire in Buenos Aires today as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prepared to vote on which city between Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
     All three bid cities were to have a final chance to woo the IOC members with a 45-minute presentation piece after which the first round of voting would commence.
     IOC President Jacques Rogge, presiding over his final IOC Session, got things underway with a brief speech to the 103 members present of which 97 are eligible to vote in the first round - members from the bid cities being ineligible.
     "I would remind members that when they ask questions of the candidate cities after their presentations that this is not a debate nor to express opinions but simply seeking extra information," said Rogge.
     Madrid looked to have gained a slight late edge over its two rivals despite Istanbul having put together the best and most dynamic of ...

IOC 2020 Olympics vote too close to call

Pakistan took nine wickets in an extended morning session to beat Zimbabwe by 221 runs on the fifth day of the first Test at the Harare Sports Club today.
     Zimbabwe, set an unlikely 342 to win, were bowled out for 120.
     Left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan made the initial breakthrough, taking two wickets in his first eight balls of the day after Zimbabwe resumed at 13 for one.
     Then spinners Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal took over, finishing with four wickets apiece.
     Left-armer Rehman, who followed up Junaid's opening burst by taking the next three wickets, took four for 36, while Ajmal wrapped up the tail to take four for 23.
     Off-spinner Ajmal finished with match figures of 11 for 118. It was the fourth time he had taken 10 or more wickets in a match.
     Resuming at 13 for one, Zimbabwe were in trouble from the sixth ball of the day when captain Hamilton Masakadza gloved a short delivery from Junaid to gully.
     Overnight batsman Vusi Sibanda was out in Junaid's 

Pakistan sweep to victory in Zimbabwe

Experienced defender Caitano Costa will lead Pune Football Club at the 126th edition of Durand Cup here, the club announced today.
     "The third oldest football competition in the world continues to remain Pune FC's top-priority season opener as it was the first national-level meet the team played after coming into existence in 2007," the club said in a statement.
     This is the fifth time Pune FC will figure in the tournament.
     Seeded directly into the quarterfinal group stage, Pune FC features along with Army Red and former I-League side ONGC FC in Group-IV.
     Pune FC start their campaign against Army Red on September 9 and then takes on ONGC on September 13 at the Ambedkar Stadium.
     Pune FC's best-ever performance in the tournament came in the 2011 edition when they made it to the semifinals.
     The team, this year, is a mix of senior and Peninsula Pune Football Club Academy (PPFCA) Under-19 players.
     The seniors include skipper Caitano Costa, goalkeeper ...

Defender Costa to lead Pune FC in Durand Cup

The battle for the final spot at the 2020 Olympics has entered its business end with wrestling, squash and a combined bid from baseball-softball hoping to emerge stronger than ever from their existence crisis when the full IOC assembly will take a call on their future tomorrow.
     The crucial vote during the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina will see the culmination of a contest that began two years ago. One of the sports will join the 2020 Summer Games while the others will be left to ponder about their future outside of the Olympic programme.
     Squash seems to be a front-runner in the battle of survival after the World Squash Federation, headed by its president N Ramachandran, delivered a dynamic and television-friendly presentation to the IOC Executive Board in Russia on May 29 before being shortlisted for tomorrow's vote.
     This is the third consecutive bid by squash to join the Games and journey to get here has been a long one - 10 years in fact - having failed 

Will squash be able to grapple with Wrestling for 2020 spot?

They may have tasted success in their their last two outings against Maldives, but Indian football coach Wim Koevermans said ahead of their SAFF Cup semifinal against the islanders that underestimating a team was not in his nature.
     "That is past. We need to lie in the present. We don't underestimate any team and won't ever underestimate any," Koevermans said.
     The Dutchman stressed on the importance of recovery of players in such a hectic schedule.
     "It's a difficult schedule. But I'm still not happy with the quality of the practice ground," he said at the official media interaction.
     "Everyone is available for the semifinal against Maldives," he added.
     The Indian team had an intense practice session at the Police Headquarters Ground today morning.
     India play Maldives in the second semifinal of the 2013 SAFF Championship on Monday.
     Koevermans did watch Maldives play Afghanistan in the final group B league match the previous day. "Yeah, I watched ...

We don't underestimate any team: Koevermans

Reading Football Club (RFC) of Engalnd and All Arunchal Football Association (AAFA) will sign an MoU to scout soccer talent all over the state before training them here.
     RFC consultant Tomo Nomuk was in the state on a mission to expand the Reading FC's banner globally. He reached the country on August 25.
     "There is no dearth of talent in this Himalayan state and the RFC will provide the expertise to hone up the hidden talent," he said after holding a discussion with AAFA president and Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy here yesterday.
	RFC director Eamonn Dolan and deputy director Lee Heron during their visit to the state in October last year had commented, "There was no reason why Arunachalees cannot carve a niche for themselves in soccer map of the word.
	"Arunachalees proving their excellence in sports and games in national and global arena, we are serious to promote soccer with the state government attaching top priority to sports sector," Sanjoy said.

RFC to sigh MoU to scout talent

Buoyed by the Arjuna award conferred on him this year, rising Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar is determined to pull off a repeat victory at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship next week.
     The talented Indian received a huge confidence boost ahead of his campaign for the second half of the Asian Tour season when he received the Arjuna award from the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee last week.
     "It is exciting and a great achievement to be able to receive the Arjuna Award at such a young age. I'm very proud," said the 25-year-old Bhullar, who joined fellow Indian golfers Jeev Milkha Singh, Shiv Kapur, Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal as recipients of the award.
     With his confidence boosted, Bhullar will now aim for a successful title defence at the USD 500,000 Yeangder TPC at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club from September 12 to 15.
     His victory at the Yeangder TPC 12 months ago sparked a sensational run of form on the Asian Tour where he went on 

Bhullar aims for repeat win at Yeangder Tourament

Not too impressed with the current lot of spinners in international cricket, the legendary Erapalli Prasanna said not a single tweaker of the present era attempts to take wickets.
     "Honestly tell me, which bowler is attempting to take a wicket. I have never seen an individual bowler, especially an off-spinner in the present era attempting to take a wicket. Instead, he is attempting to hit the pad to get a leg before decision," Prasanna said.
     "When a bowler is attempting to do that (get LBW), he is sacrificing his talent. If a bowler is not attempting to take a wicket, who will give you a wicket," he added.
     Prasanna recalled his playing days as he highlighted the significance of aiming for wickets.
     "When we were playing Test match, we believed in bowling to the field. Bishen (Singh Bedi) and Chandrasekhar were at mid-on and mid-off and within a matter of six strides, I had to think, how least the ball would go to them. What actually happened was that it developed my .

Present era spinners don't attempt to take wickets: Prasanna

Ace shooter Abhinav Bindra has refused to react to the personal attack launched against him by Indian Olympic Association President Abhey Singh Chautala, saying the remarks made by the suspended body's chief do not deserve a rebuttal.
     Taking a jibe at the Olympic gold-medallist's father, A S Bindra, who was arrested in 2009 for alleged financial irregularities, Chautala had stated that if Bindra feels that chargesheeted people should be stripped of their positions then "he should throw his father out of his house or leave his house himself".
     Chautala's fury stemmed from the former world champion's sustained campaign against tainted officials in the Indian Olympic Association. The star shooter, however, refused to react.
     "To the media wanting a reaction out of me on Mr. Chauthalas statements. Hve nothing to say as it doesn't deservea reaction. Nothing will deter me and fellow athletes in our goal to clean indian sport nd take it fwd," tweeted Bindra.
     Meanwhile, the .

Chautala's statement doesn't deserve reaction: Bindra

Vijay Patil, chairman of the D Y Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai which has hosted IPL finals in the past, has formed a select panel called 'Cricket First' to fight the forthcoming biennial elections of the Mumbai Cricket Association on October 18.
     Included in his panel are former Test cricketers Lalchand Rajput and Abey Kuruvilla and former Mumbai medium pacer Atul Ranade, who is considered to be a very close friend of senior India batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
     Patil is one of the two incumbent vice-presidents of MCA who fought elections to the managing committee and won two years ago.
     This time he's fighting on the plank of improving the cricket structure in Mumbai and its surrounding regions like Thane and Navi Mumbai.
     He has also vowed to support Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in the latter's quest to regain the reins of MCA after a few years.
     "I had read in the newspapers and in Mr Pawar's twitter handle that he wants to contest for the post of ...

Vijay Patil forms panel to fight MCA elections

Finishing blues saw Anirban Lahiri slip down the leader-board but he was still only two shots behind the leader, while Jeev Milkha Singh missed the cut after the second round of the Omega European Masters at the picturesque Crans-sur-Sierre here.
     Lahiri, who shot eight-under 63 in the first round, hit a double bogey on 16th and slid down. He was two-under through 15 holes in second round and in shared lead, when a double bogey on the par-three 16th cost him heavily.
     He finished the second round at even-par 71 and a total of eight-under, the same as first day. But he slipped from first to eighth, as veteran Thomas Bjorn (66) and Stephen Gallacher (65) were in tied first place at 10-under.
     Five players, Danny Willett (69-67), Victor Dubuisson (68-65), Richard Finch (67-66) 65-68), Tommy Fleetwood (65-68) and Miguel Angel Jimenez (65-68) were all tied at nine-under.
     Shiv Kapur ensured he would play the weekend rounds with cards of 70 and 69, while Gaganjeet Bhullar, ..

Lahiri two off the lead, Jeev misses out at European Masters

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge officially opened the final IOC Session he will preside over in Buenos Aires.
     It will decide on the host city for the 2020 Summer Olympics; vote on which extra sport to accept for the 2020 Games; and determine who is to replace Rogge in his post.
     The 71-year-old Belgian is stepping down after 12 years in charge.
     Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo are vying for the right to host the Games in a vote that takes place on Saturday.
     The sports of wrestling, squash and the joint bid of softball/baseball are competing for the right to added to the roster of Olympic sports at the Games. They will learn their fate on Sunday.
     Six IOC members -- all men -- are in the hunt to replace Rogge with three-time IOC vice-president Thomas Bach of Germany the favourite to win. That vote will take place on Tuesday.
     "It has been my great honour to lead this organisation for the past 12 years," said Rogge yesterday.
     "When 

Rogge opens his final IOC session

Defending champion Serena Williams and world number two Victoria Azarenka marched into a repeat of last year's US Open final.
     Top seed Williams, chasing a 17th Grand Slam title, crushed China's Li Na 6-0, 6-3 while Azarenka took an error-strewn 6-4, 6-2 win over Italian veteran Flavia Pennetta yesterday.
     Williams, 31, seeking a fifth title in New York, will be the overwhelming favorite in Sunday's final as she boasts a 12-3 career lead over her 24-year-old opponent.
     However, not all is lost for Azarenka, who beat the American in the Cincinnati final just before the US Open.
     "I just try hard and when I hear young and old voices in the crowd shouting 'Go Serena, Go Serena' it makes me feel so special," said Williams.
     "When I play Victoria we always have good matches. She's a great player who lifts her game when it counts."
     Williams raced through the first set in just 29 minutes with three breaks of serve as Chinese fifth seed Li, playing in her first US ...

Serena, Azarenka play it again at US Open final

Wrestling's governing body has downplayed a warning from the IOC for a "minor infringement" of the rules in the bidding race for a spot in the 2020 Olympics.
     FILA president Nenad Lalovic told The Associated Press the case involves letters sent by the Japanese wrestling federation to promote the sport to some IOC members. IOC rules prohibit the sports from sending such material in the three weeks before Sunday's vote.
     Lalovic said the "issue is closed" and he's "absolutely sure that this letter didn't hurt" the sport's bid to return to the Olympic lineup.
     He said he reported the infringement himself to the IOC once he learned of the Japanese letters.
     "I immediately called the wrestling federation. They told me what they did and a minute later I was sending a letter to the IOC," he said at a news conference in Buenos Aires later on Friday. "They understood their mistake. The issue is closed. Everything is explained."
     Wrestling, which was cut from the list of ...

Wrestling body downplays rules infringement

Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi today said that senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar should get to play his 200th Test match on his home ground here.
     "The 200th Test match he will play is a great achievement. I hope that the 200th Test match is played in Mumbai. This is his home ground. In all fairness, I think he should get that opportunity to play that 200th Test match on his home ground," Bedi told reporters on the sidelines of a book launch -- 'India's Glorious Cricketing Heritage'.
     There have been suggestions that the 40-year-old Tendulkar, who is two shy of completing 200 Test appearances, would call it a day after reaching the landmark during the hastily arranged two-Test series against the West Indies at home.
     The spin legend said he would not like to speculate about Tendulkar's retirement plans.
     "If anyone can talk about Sachin Tendulkar's retirement or his final phase, it will only be Sachin himself," he said.
     Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad ...

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