Page 101 - Sports
Golden Punch: Indian women pugilists shine in Junior Tourney in Germany
India's junior women pugilists clinched seven medals, including five gold, while the team was adjudged the best of the tournament in the Black Forest Cup in Villingen, Schwenningen, Germany. Haryana's Neha (54kg) and Karnataka's Anju Devi (50kg) claimed the honours of best boxer and promising player of the tournament respectively. Tamanna (48kg), Anju, Neha, H. Ambeshori Devi (57kg), and Preeti Dahiya (60kg) returned with gold medals out of the 13-member Indian squad that had participated, the Boxing Federation of India said in a press release. While Tamanna faced some stiff resistance from Daria of Ukraine before she registered a 4-1 win, Neha was dominant in her win over Lithuania's Kara Kornelija by RSC in Round 1. Anju demolished Fatima of Germany 5-0. Ambeshori and Preeti were equally impressive in the 57kg and 60kg summit showdowns respectively. While the former blanked Varga Beata of Hungary 5-0, the latter outsmarted Tutal Lutfiye of Germany by a similar scoreline. In 52kg, ...
I think my players were examples of professionalism: Cameroon football coach Alain Djeumfa
England defeated Cameroon 3-0 in the FIFA Women's World Cup in a round-of-16 match but the Cameroon coach refused to criticise his players for their behaviour in the game.His remarks come as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) once again took the limelight and Cameroon players were seen visibly distraught."I think that's wrong, I think that's your feeling. Ultimately I think my players were examples, and occasionally when you are in a state of shock you can lose your cool. I don't think the players refused and I think they showed professionalism," Goal.com quoted Djeumfa as saying.VAR first took centre stage during England's second goal in the 3-0 win over Cameroon. Ellen White scored for England, initially, she was adjudged offside, but VAR intervened that overturned the decision, leading to complaints from the Cameroon team.Next, Cameroon thought they have registered a goal, but Ajara Nchout was ruled offside by VAR. The team's players were in tears and the whole team was seen arguing ...
Ex-IAAF chief Lamine Diack to stand trial in France - sources
Lamine Diack, the disgraced former head of world athletics' ruling body the IAAF, and his son Papa Massata Diack are to stand trial in France on charges of corruption and money laundering, sources told AFP. Diack was IAAF president between 1999-2015 but his reign ended in chaos amid charges he and his son obstructed sanctions against Russia for doping in return for payments. Papa Massata Diack, who has never been questioned by French officials, is one of five others who will face trial on the same charges. The French investigation into Diack began in 2015 when Britain's Sebastian Coe took over from the 86-year-old Senegalese as IAAF president. French prosecutors took up the case because they suspect money was laundered in France. The backdrop to the investigation is the system of state-sponsored doping uncovered in Russia by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Prosecutors allege that Lamine Diack was prepared to accept funding for political campaigns in Senegal in return for IAAF ...
Kohli and Bumrah likely to be rested for West Indies tour in ODI's and T20I
Indian skipper Virat Kohli and pacer Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested for the ODI and T20 series against West Indies, starting from August 3.The Indian side is currently playing in the World Cup have won all their four matches and are placed at the third position of the World Cup standings with nine points.A Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source told ANI that Kohli and Bumrah are likely to be on rest for the ODI and T20 series against West Indies.Both the players will join the team prior to the Test series. India will play their first Test match from August 22 to 27.From the start of this year, India is playing back-to-back series against Australia, New Zealand, and again with Australia before the World Cup.India will start their Windies tour from August 3 and play three T20's, three ODI's and two Test matches.
Coca-Cola, China dairy giant sign Olympic sponorship deal
Coca-Cola and Chinese dairy firm Mengniu have signed a deal to become joint sponsors of the Olympic Games from 2021 to 2032, IOC chief Thomas Bach announced Monday. Neither the International Olympic Committee nor the two companies involved disclosed the size of the deal but the agreement is the first ever joint partnership under the Olympic TOP programme, the highest level of Olympic sponsorship, Bach added. "Having our longest-standing partner, Coca-Cola, an iconic American brand, together with a young Chinese company, Mengniu, joining hands under the roof of our Worldwide TOP Programme is a great example of the unifying power of the Olympic spirit," said Bach. "This partnership will give another dimension to the promotion of the Olympic values around the world." The agreement was unveiled in Lausanne ahead of the opening of the IOC session later Monday in which the IOC will choose the host city for the 2026 Winter Olympics, with two candidates in the running, Milan/Cortina of Italy
Indian players reveal daily routine under coach Igor Stimac
Ahead of the Intercontinental Cup, the Indian senior national team players have shed light on their daily routine during their 14-day break under coach Igor Stimac."Coach Stimac and his support staff had drawn up a schedule for every individual player. It was a kind of an off-season, but we had to deal it as a kind of pre-season for the camp," All India Football Federation (AIFF) quoted defender Pritam Kotal, as saying.The team has assembled in Mumbai for the preparatory camp for the forthcoming Intercontinental Cup.Jhingan explained that Stimac was very categorical and said, "Professor was very categorical. He highlighted what a player needed to do when he is away from his Club, and National team set-up. Now everyone will come back fitter. The Coach can work on technical aspects, and on the system, on how we want to play."Jhingan said that they were also provided with the match analysis video by the coach and paid emphasis on the quintessential mental part."Apart from the physical ...
Another Copa begins now: Messi after securing quarter-finals spot
After Argentina registered their first victory in the Copa America and secured their quarter-finals spot on Monday, Lionel Messi said that 'another Copa begins now' for them.In their opening match of the tournament, Argentina faced a 0-2 defeat against Colombia followed by a 1-1 draw against Paraguay.Hence, after the conclusion of the first two games, Argentina faced a lot of criticism. However, in the third match, Albiceleste made a solid comeback as they thrashed Qatar by 2-0."The important thing was to win to keep going in the Copa, to get through the group stage. This will be an important boost for what's to come ... another Copa begins now," Goal.com quoted Messi as saying.Argentina's Lautaro Martinez scored the opening goal of the match in the fourth minute. In the 82nd minute, Sergio Aguero added another goal to give his side a two-goal lead and the match concluded on the same.Messi admitted that there was extra pressure on them and the victory must give them strength."This ...
All hail the 'new queen' - Australia piles praise on top-ranked Barty
Australia hailed "humble and inspirational" Ashleigh Barty as the new queen of tennis Monday after she joined Evonne Goolagong Cawley as the country's second woman to reach world number one. The French Open champion claimed the top spot by beating Julia Goerges to win the Birmingham WTA title on Sunday, capping a remarkable rise by the 23-year-old who once quit tennis to play cricket. Along with Goolagong Cawley, who briefly held the top rank in 1976, she emulated John Newcombe, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in the pantheon of Australians to reach world number one. Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley commended a "remarkable historical accomplishment". "It's a really hard thing to do and to achieve, that is just fantastic," he told the Channel Nine TV network. "I know her, she's humble about it. She just wants to get back on the tennis court and have a good hit." Goolagong Cawley, who like Barty has an indigenous heritage, said her rise had been "almost unstoppable". "Ash is a very ...
Finch credits Langer for Australia's ODI resurgence
Australia, who did not play their best game last year, are playing a brilliant cricket this year including in the ongoing World Cup. Skipper Aaron Finch has credited coach Justin Langer for their resurgence."JL (Langer) definitely played a part in it," Cricket.com.au quoted Finch, as saying, while talking about their comeback ODI cricket.Australia have won five matches in the premier tournament and sits on the second position on the points table.Finch also admitted that they are 'improving nicely' as they have been playing good cricket with both bat and ball."You can go down the route of picking a T20-based side and hope for the best for 50 overs but in a World Cup, I'm not sure that was going to be the right way to go about it," he said."I think we've got the balance well and truly right, we're playing some really good cricket with bat and ball, we're fielding really well ... Overall we're improving nicely," he added.Ahead of the premier tournament, every cricket enthusiast was ...
Sanchez revealed they tried to restrict Messi's role during Argentina-Qatar clash
Qatar's head coach Felix Sanchez lavishly praised Argentina bigwig Lionel Messi after his side faced a 0-2 defeat against the Albiceleste in the Copa America on Monday.Sanchez said they tried their level best to make sure that Messi does not get to participate much in the game."Of course, a player like Leo Messi can make a difference. Sometimes with goals, or with assists. We tried to mark the pass lines so that he did not participate so much in the game, but we know that it is difficult because he occupies several areas of the field," Goal.com quoted Sanchez as saying.Argentina's Lautaro Martinez scored the opening goal of the match in the fourth minute. In the 82nd minute, Sergio Aguero added another goal to give his side a two-goal lead and the match concluded on the same.Sanchez acknowledged the fact that they managed to restrict Messi from scoring and further added that playing against the 'most decisive player in the world' will improve Qatar in the future."I think we managed to
Mickey Arthur confident that Pakistan will qualify to semi-final
Pakistan's coach Mickey Arthur is confident that his team will win next three matches and qualify to the semi-finals of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup."We are very firmly in the World Cup. We will win our next three games and will qualify. I thought we got our bowling and batting spot on. Our problem is we have not put three disciplines together yet in any game," Pakistan's coach Mickey Arthur said in the post-match conference.Pakistan bowled well in the tournament, their batting was also decent but their fielding always comes under scrutiny. Pakistan has dropped many catches in the tournament including their last game against South Africa.Pakistan failed to perform well in all three departments (batting, bowling, and fielding) so far and if they play as a unit they will be exceptional on the ground acknowledged Arthur."We bowled well; we batted well; we did not field well today. So when we put three disciplines together, we will be exceptional. The closest we have got was when we ...
Players laud Stimac's fitness regime
The daily routine of the national football team's members, who assembled here on Monday for a preparatory camp after a break, included regular sessions to improve their fitness so that the focus could straightaway shift to technical aspects now. The players have assembled for the camp ahead of the four-nation Intercontinental Cup to be held in Ahmedabad from July 7. India play Tajikistan on the opening day, with DPR Korea and Syria being the other two teams. "Coach (Igor) Stimac and his support staff had drawn up a schedule for every individual player. It was a kind of an off-season, but we had to deal with it as a kind of pre-season for the camp," defender Pritam Kotal was quoted as saying in a media release issued by the All India Football Federation. "I never compromised on my fitness schedule (during the break). In fact, I did more. The awareness levels were higher," the defender noted. Central defender Sandesh Jhingan reckoned that now the players will come back ...
Bumrah holds key to India's chances but 'freak' Warner can do it for Aussies: Clarke
Jasprit Bumrah's amazing skill-set gives India a realistic chance of winning the World Cup but a "freak" called David Warner might just retain it for Australia, feels 2015 World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke. In an exclusive interview with PTI, former Aussie skipper Clarke explained why India and Australia are top three contenders while making it clear that the coveted Cup may not "come home" for the hosts contrary to what the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan are wishing. One of the most delightful batsmen to have played the game, Clarke is in awe of the legend of Bumrah which has been on the upswing for two years now. "I think there is nothing that he (Bumrah) doesn't have. He is fit and healthy. I hope he stays that way as he would play a big part in India's success in this World Cup," Clarke observed. But Bumrah will face quite a challenge from Australia, especially Warner, who has already scored 447 runs in six games with two hundreds. "I did expect an ...
We needed a game like that: Lionel Scaloni after Aregentina's first victory in Copa America
After Argentina managed to secure a 2-0 win over Qatar in the ongoing Copa America, coach Lionel Scaloni has said they needed a game like that to gain confidence as this was the first win for the Albiceleste in the tournament."We have things to improve but we are satisfied. We needed a game like that to gain confidence. Especially in the second half, we played without fear. We will have to adjust some things against other types of opponents," Goal.com quoted Scaloni, as saying.Argentina's Lautaro Martinez scored the opening goal of the match in the fourth minute. In the 82nd minute, Sergio Aguero added another goal to give his side a two-goal lead and the match concluded on the same.In their opening match of the tournament, Argentina faced a 0-2 defeat against Colombia followed by a 1-1 draw against Paraguay. Moreover, with this victory, Argentina have secured their spot in the Copa America quarter-finals.After the conclusion of the first two matches, Scaloni was exposed to a lot of ..
Copa America: Colombia defeat Paraguay 1-0, Gustavo Cuellar strikes
Colombia defeated Paraguay 1-0 in their last match of group B in Copa America on Sunday with Gustavo Cuellar scoring the only goal in the match.Invincible Colombia now moves to the quarter-finals of the tournament as they have won all their three matches in the group stage and remained on the top in their set.The Carlos Queiroz-led side made 10 changes to the team that played the last match against Qatar.Cuellar's strike in the 31st minute, which went off the right foot of Paraguay's goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez, made the difference.In the second half, substitute James Rodriguez passed the ball to Luis Diaz, who converted it to a goal but it was overturned by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).Paraguay will advance as one of the two best third-placed teams if Japan and Ecuador draw their final Group C match.Colombia will play in the quarter-final match on June 29, the opponent is not yet decided.
Ex-shooters disappointed over sport being dropped from CWG
Former shooters Suma Shirur and Deepali Deshpande are unhappy over the sport being left out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but at the same time feel India has gone beyond that level and is ruling the game on the world map. The Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) recently met and approved the inclusion of women's cricket, beach volleyball and para table tennis into the games programme for the Birmingham edition in 2022. However, shooting has been left out,dealing a big blow to India which won as many as 16 medals, including seven gold, at the 2018 edition in Gold Coast. "Of course it is very disappointing, specially because Indian shooting was doing very well at the Commonwealth (Games). India stood out on the world map specially due to shooting in the Commonwealth Games," Shirur told PTI. "I am extremely disappointed. It deprives chances to young shooters to win a couple more medals at the international level, (as) now CWG Games has become a ...
David Warner's wife pregnant, he won't skip any match
As Australia batsman, David Warner is set to have his third child in the coming weeks; coach Justin Langer revealed that the 32-year-old will not miss a match in the ongoing World Cup."He won't miss a match. That's why Candice (Warner's wife) has been over. It's worked really well. She's going to be in the hospital at the time, so hopefully, he doesn't miss a match. But we're all over that," Cricket.com.au quoted Langer as saying.Back in 2014, Warner missed an ODI tour of Zimbabwe because of the birth of his first daughter. Moreover, in 2016, when his second daughter took birth, he missed two one-dayers.Warner has been on a sublime form in the premier tournament as he is the highest run-getter in the tournament with 447 runs. Therefore, Warner's absence will be a major setback for the team.Langer also said that they all work together and try to get a win-win situation."I don't like surprises, I wasn't just going to turn up and go, 'oh she might have a baby, we might miss Davey for the
Copa America: Argentina win against Qatar 2-0, moves to quarter-final
Argentina registered a victory against Qatar 2-0 in their third match of group B in Copa America on Monday. The win avoided their exit from the Copa America with the team making it to the quarter-final.Argentina in their last match played a 1-1 draw against Paraguay, while Qatar lost to Colombia 1-0.Lautaro Martinez started scoring, and netted the ball to a goal in the 4th minute of the game and gave Argentina an early lead of 1-0.Argentina who are also known as Albiceleste have to perform better from here to make a place in the semi-finals.No further goal was scored in the first half. Later, in the second half, Sergio Aguero doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 82nd minute.Qatar could not get over to their defeat against Colombia and struggled to score against Albiceleste.Argentina will now play against Venezuela in the quarter-final on June 29.
CWC'19: Key players to watch out in Afghanistan-Bangladesh clash
After giving a tough fight to India in the last match, Afghanistan will look to register their maiden victory when they lock horns with Bangladesh on Monday at Hampshire Bowl in Southampton.On June 22, Afghanistan lost to India by 11 runs after they nearly pulled off a stunning upset against the Men in Blue.The team is yet to win any game and are languishing at the bottom of the points table.On the other hand, Bangladesh have had a decent start to their World Cup campaign, winning two games so far but lost three.Their match against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to rain. They currently hold the sixth position in the tournament standings.The Bangla Tigers displayed a spirited performance in their last match against Australia while chasing a huge target of 382. Although they lost by 48 runs, their batting performance was lauded.Here are the key players to watch out during the Afghanistan-Bangladesh clash:Shakib Al HasanShakib moved to the top in the ICC ODI rankings for all-rounders last ..
Faltering England still the team to beat at World Cup, says Langer
Australia coach Justin Langer says England are still the team to beat at the World Cup despite their surprise loss to Sri Lanka. England's seemingly assured path to the semi-finals now looks a lot less smooth after a 20-run reverse at Headingley followed an earlier group-stage defeat by Pakistan. They next face arch-rivals Australia at Lord's on Tuesday, with the reigning champions in fine form after winning five of their six pool games so far -- the only blot on their record a defeat by title rivals India. But Langer said England fully deserved their place at the top of the one-day international rankings, having climbed to the summit from the ruins of a woeful first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup. "They are the best team in the world. Just look at their team... nothing has changed in a week," Langer said on Sunday. "I can't wait for Tuesday -- England at Lord's, World Cup. That is what we are thinking about," added the former Australia opening batsman. Langer had a stint in the ...