Page 20 - Asian Games

Asian Games: Harmanpreet can only play if India reach final of the event

Temperamental Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur will only be able to play in the Asian Games if her team reaches the final of the mega event starting September 23 in Hangzhou. Four teams in both men's and women's events -- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- will be directly playing from the last eight stage, courtesy the ICC T20I ranking on June 1. All the matches will have official T20I status. Harmanpreet, who has been slapped with a two-match ban for her public outburst after an ODI game against Bangladesh recently, is ineligible to play the quarter-final which will surely be against an associate nation followed by the semi-final against a full member nation. Even the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led men's team has got a direct entry into the quarter-final on the basis of its ICC T20 ranking on June 1. The men's event will comprise 18 teams while women's event will have 14 outfits. The women's competition will start on September 19 and end with the gold and bron

Asian Games: With Chhetri and Stimac at helm, AIFF hopes for strong showing

Indian football's "rapid strides in recent past" and an upsurge in public interest in the sport presented a "compelling case" for the inclusion of the men's and women's teams for the upcoming Asian Games, national federation president Kalyan Chaubey said. The participation of the Indian men's and women's football sides in the Hangzhou Games was earlier in doubt as per the sports ministry's criteria of sending teams which are ranked in top-8 in the continent. The sports ministry later cleared both the teams by relaxing the criteria after an appeal from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Head coach Igor Stimac had also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the matter. "Indian football has been making rapid strides in the recent past. We have improved in football as a nation, improving our FIFA ranking, winning three back-to-back international titles," AIFF president Chubey told PTI in an interview. The Indian men's team won the tri-nation tournament, ...

Soldier who lost leg in Uri landmine to represent India in Para Asian Games

Someswara Rao, an army soldier who lost his leg in a landmine will represent India in Para Asian Games at Hangzhou later this year. He once tried to kill himself, but his mother's phone call saved him

India's road to Fifa World Cup 2026: All you need to know about qualifiers

India have been drawn in group A of the AFC FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers along with Qatar, Kuwait and the winner of the Round 1 clash between Afghanistan and Mongolia

Asiad: Here's why wrestlers want more time for World Championships trials

Wrestlers are making a genuine request, given repeating the painful and tedious process of weight loss could lead to injuries ahead of the big-ticket event.

Indian hockey teams aim for Paris berth via Hangzhou Asian Games

Indian men's and women's hockey teams are keen to win the gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games to secure direct qualification for the next year's Paris Olympics. The men's team, who ended a 41-year wait for an Olympic medal winning a bronze at Tokyo Games, will compete in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai from August 3 in the build-up to the Hangzhou showpiece in September-October. "We have important matches coming up as we inch closer to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. We are excited about our upcoming tour as it also gives us a great opportunity to play against quality teams," Indian men's team skipper Harmanpreet Singh told Hockey India. India will battle it out against the likes of South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and China in the Asian Champions Trophy. "These matches will be crucial for us as we prepare for the all-important Hangzhou Asian Games scheduled later this year. We are aware of what is at stake, and we are not taking anything for granted. In addition to t

Asian Games participation will give Indian football a big boost: AIFF chief

Indian football teams' return to the Asian Games for the first time in nine years would provide a big boost to the players' morale, All India Football Federation (AIFF) chief Kalyan Chaubey said on Wednesday. The Sports Ministry on Wednesday cleared the decks for Indian men's and women's football teams' participation in the continental showpiece by relaxing its selection criteria. Chaubey termed it as an important day for the sport in the country. "It's indeed an important day for Indian Football and a testament to our resolution to develop the sport in India," an elated Chaubey said, reacting to the development. The Sunil Chhetri-led Blue Tigers recently won the Inter-Continental Cup and SAFF Championships. "Indian football has been on an unprecedented rise recently, and I believe this impetus will further boost our players' morale in all upcoming events," Chaubey said. "It's my honour to represent the AIFF and with moments like this, it further encourages our steadfast commitme

Asian Games 2023: Waterpolo, softball side and two other teams miss out

The softball women's and men's water polo sides were among four teams to miss out even as 15 others were cleared by the Sports Ministry for the upcoming Asian Games on Wednesday. In a letter to the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC), the Indian Olympic Association withdrew the softball women's and men's water polo sides, men's handball and basketball 5x5 teams respectively. "In view of the Team Draw Ceremony scheduled to be held on 27th July 2023 NOC India would like to inform the HAGOC that the entries for the following Team Sports should stand withdrawn," the letter read on Wednesday. "Water polo, Basketball 5x5 Men Team, Handball Men Team, Softball," it added. The teams that have got the green signal from the Ministry include the men's and women's cricket, men's and women's hockey, men's and women's kabaddi, women's handball, women's rugby, women's 5x5 basketball, men's and women's basketball 3x3, men's and women's volleyball side and the men's and women's footbal

Indian football teams at Asian Games: Here's how they have performed so far

Indian football teams will be participating in the Asian Games for the first time since Incheon 2014. Here's a look at their performance at the quadrennial event so far

Indian men, women football teams to participate in Asian Games in China

The Indian football team coach Igor Stimac had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant the team exemption to play in the Asian Games

Here's why Pakistan's Bismah Maroof withdrew from Asian Games 2023

Bismah declined to be part of the Asian Games squad after the organisers refused permission to participating nations to have athletes bring their babies for the Games

Asian Games 2023: No role in selection of athletes - Sports Ministry

Responding to a petition filed by three boxers over their non-selection for the upcoming Asian Games, the Union Sports Ministry on Monday told the Punjab and Haryana High Court it has no role in the selection of athletes for participation in the continental event. World championships silver medallist Amit Panghal, Rohit Mor and Sagar Ahlawat had moved the high court this month against the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and others after they were left out of the Indian squad for the Asian Games to be held from September 23 to October 8 in China. They had petitioned against BFI's evaluation process for the selection of the Hangzhou Asian Games squad. The petitioners had contended that the selection of sportspersons to represent the country in international events should be by means of selection trials. During the last hearing, the court had sought response from the BFI, the Sports Ministry, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Sports Authority of India (SAI) and three others. The ...

Asian Games: Vinesh, Bajrang respond to criticism over trials exemption

Facing the wrestling fraternity's wrath for accepting exemption from the Asian Games trials, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Monday said they are hurt that young wresters dragged them to the court but are at the same time delighted to see the junior grapplers starting to fight for their rights. The IOA ad-hoc panel conducted trials in all 18 categories for the Hangzhou Games but decided to give direct entries to Bajrang (65kg) and Vinesh (53kg), triggering angry reactions from many in the wrestling fraternity. Junior wresters Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal approached the Delhi High Court, appealing that the exemption be set aside but their petition was dismissed. Both Bajrang and Vinesh, who are abroad at different locations for training, came live on social media to respond to the allegations and recent developments. "We are not against the trials. I can't blame Antim. She is not wrong. She is fighting for her right and we are fighting for our right. She is too young, she does

HC refuses to interfere with trials exemption to wrestlers Vinesh, Bajrang

The Delhi High Court Saturday refused to interfere with the exemption granted to top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from Asian Games trials. Justice Subramonium Prasad dismissed the petition by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal against the direct entry allowed to Phogat and Punia to participate in the tournament. Writ petition is dismissed, the judge said. A detailed copy of the order is awaited. Phogat (53kg) and Punia (65kg) were given direct entry for the Asian Games by the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee on Tuesday, while other wrestlers will have to earn their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and 23. Panghal and Kalkal moved the high court on July 19 challenging the exemption and demanded a fair selection process for the quadrennial showpiece event. The petition, moved by advocates Hrishikesh Baruah and Akshay Kumar, had demanded that the directive issued by the IOA ad-hoc ..

Asian Games: Wrestling trials exemption - HC to pronounce order on Saturday

The Delhi High Court on Friday said it will pass an order on July 22 on a challenge to the exemption granted to top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from Asian Games trials. Justice Subramonium Prasad reserved verdict on the petition by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal against the direct entry handed to Phogat and Punia. The endeavour of the court is not to find who is better. The endeavour is to see whether the process has been followed or not, the judge said during the proceedings. Phogat (53kg) and Punia (65kg) were given direct entries for the Asian Games by the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee on Tuesday while other wrestlers will have to book their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and 23. Panghal and Kalkal challenged the exemption and demanded a fair selection process for the quadrennial showpiece. The petition, moved by advocates Hrishikesh Baruah and Akshay Kumar, demanded t

Asian Games 2023: Two Ad-hoc panel members favoured two-stage trials

IOA ad-hoc committee panel members Ashok Garg and Gian Singh favoured a two-stage trial to pick the Indian wrestling squad for the Asian Games and did not recommend exemption to any wrestler, it has come to light. Garg and Singh were made members of the IOA ad-hoc panel as technical experts and have been making suggestions to the committee for some time. An undated suggestion circular, signed by both Singh and Garg, explained that they favoured a two-stage trial instead of giving direct entries to six protesting wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat. "The circular was submitted to ad-hoc panel head Bhupender Singh Bajwa," said an ad-hoc panel source. The circular mentions that "trials should be held in the first week of August and if not possible then as soon as possible". It further read that, "If trials are held earlier, then top-3 finishers in six weight categories -- men's freestyle 65kg, 86kg, 97kg and women's 53kg, 62kg and 68kg -- should be pitted against the

Wrestling: Protest against Asian Games trials exemption reaches IOA door

Several junior wrestlers and their families, demanding fair Asian Games trials, carried their protest to the doors of IOA on Thursday and vowed not to leave the headquarters of the apex sports body till exemption given to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat is withdrawn. The inexplicable delay by the IOA ad-hoc panel in announcing the selection criteria and the subsequent exemption granted to Bajrang and Vinesh had infuriated the wrestling fraternity which termed the decision as unjust and unfair. Wrestlers from training centres in Rohtak (Chhotu Ram Akhada), Narela (Virender Singh's centre), Hisar (Baba Lal Das Akhada) Delhi (Hanuman Akhada and Chhatrasal Satdium), along many senior citizens, including women, belonging to the junior wrestlers gathered at the Olympic Bhawan. Around 100 people gathered outside the Olympic Bhawan and urged IOA Secretary General Kalyan Chaubey to ensure fair trial. The IOA official after a round of meeting with his colleagues met the protesters and assure

Asian Games 2023: Never demanded exemption from trials - Sakshi Malik

Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik on Thursday said she never demanded any exemption from Asian Games trials despite the IOA ad-hoc panel offering to consider her case just like compatriots Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. She also alleged that the move to exempt Vinesh and Bajrang from trials is an attempt by the government to "break the unity of the wrestlers." Sakshi, who competes in the 62 kg category, along with Vinesh (53 kg) and Bajrang (65 kg), was at the forefront of the protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who on Thursday got bail from a Delhi court after the police charge-sheeted him on allegations of sexual harassment. The IOA ad-hoc panel led by Bhupinder Bajwa courted controversy on Tuesday after granting exemptions to Bajrang and Vinesh without following due protocols, forcing U-20 world champion Antim Panghal and 65 kg grappler Sujit Kalkal to approach the Delhi High Court to get the decision overturned. "As you a

HC seeks WFI stand on challenge to Asian Games trial exemption to wrestlers

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the ad-hoc panel running the affairs of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to state before it the reasons for exempting top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from the Asian Games trials. Justice Subramonium Prasad, while hearing a petition by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal against the direct entry granted to Phogat and Punia, asked the sports body to file its response during the day. "If it (basis for selection) is just, fair and reasonable, it is the end of the matter," said the judge as he listed the matter for further hearing on Friday. The court also asked for the laurels won by the two athletes, who have been selected automatically, to be shown to it. During the hearing, the court asked the counsel for the ad-hoc WFI panel to state what was the basis for the selection besides Phogat and Punia being good sportspersons as the entire case of the petitioners was that there has to b

Delhi HC seeks WFI's stand on challenge to Asian Games trials exemption

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to state before it the basis for the exemption grant to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from the Asian Games trials. Justice Subramonium Prasad, while hearing a petition by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal against the direct entry handed to Phogat and Punia, asked the sporting body to file its response during the day. "If it (basis for selection) is just, fair and reasonable, it is the end of the matter," said the judge as he listed the matter for hearing on Friday. The court asked the counsel for the WFI to state what was the basis for selection besides Phogat and Punia being good sportspersons. Phogat (53kg) and Punia (65kg) were given direct entries for the Asian Games by the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee on Tuesday while other wrestlers will have to book their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and ..