Page 1011 - Sports
Shooter Saurabh donates Youth Olympics gold-clinching pistol to IOC Museum
Shooting sensation Saurabh Chaudhary has donated the pistol with which he had shot down a gold in the just-concluded Youth Olympics in Argentina to be a part of Olympic Museum in Switzerland, coach Jaspal Rana said Friday. Rana, who is the national coach for the junior shooters, said Saurabh donated the pistol on the request of the International Olympic Committee. "Saurabh donated the pistol to IOC as requested by the IOC staff in Argentina to be kept at Olympic headquarters in Switzerland (at Lausanne)," Rana told PTI on Friday. "He was more than happy if his pistol becomes a part of Olympic Museum," he added. The 16-year-old Saurabh clinched the gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires on October 10. He shot 244.2 to ensure a finish on top of the podium ahead of South Korea's Sung Yunho by 7.5 points (236.7). Switzerland's Solari Jason stood third with 215.6.
Sarfraz, Paine agree wrecker-in-chief Abbas is the best
Rival captains Sarfraz Ahmed and Tim Paine were unanimous in their praise of wicket-taking sensation Mohammad Abbas, who helped Pakistan thrash Australia in the second Test in Abu Dhabi on Friday. The 28-year-old seamer took 5 for 62 as Australia, set a colossal 538-run target, were bowled out for 164 on the fourth afternoon in their worst-ever defeat against Pakistan, losing by 373 runs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Abbas finished with 10 for 95 for the match after taking 5 for 33 in the first innings, ending up as man-of-the-series with 17 wickets in two Tests. Sarfraz claimed Australia weren't ready for Abbas, who was also named man-of-the-series on Pakistan's trip to England earlier this year. "Looks like they hadn't prepared for Abbas, they took him a little easy," said Sarfraz. Australia entered the two-Test series focused on the threat of leg-spinner Yasir Shah, although he managed just eight wickets. "But credit goes to Abbas, because the pitch is not suitable for fast bowlers," ...
European leagues press UEFA to stop favouring big four
The Association of European Leagues on Friday asked UEFA for a more even distribution of Champions League revenue and a broader spread of places in the competition. After the association of 35 European leagues met in Frankfurt, vice-president Claus Thomsen, from Denmark, called for "a fair and democratic club competition model." The association was responding to UEFA's club-competition plans for the period 2021-24. It wants UEFA to reconsider reforms that came into effect this season allowing direct qualification for the Champions League of four teams from England Italy, Germany and Spain. The statement said "the vast majority of members of the European Leagues support" a return to three guaranteed places for each of the big four leagues, which are all represented in the Association. They also object to using past titles as criteria. Their statement says access to European places "must always be based on the latest performance of clubs in their respective domestic top tier league ...
Rawat eyes good show at Delhi Half Marathon
Indian long distance runner Nitender Singh Rawat is determined to produce his best performance at the Delhi Half Marathon, scheduled to be held here on Sunday.
Boca Juniors, Roma line up four-team tournament in Qatar
Argentinian giants Boca Juniors and Italian side Roma are in talks to play in a four-team tournament in Qatar early next year, the South American country's envoy to the 2022 World Cup host said Friday. Boca, who have been sponsored by Qatar Airways since May, could play other sides sponsored by the Gulf airline in the tournament including Roma, envoy Carlos Hernandez told AFP. "Next year for sure, let's say in the first half of next year, could be much earlier," Hernandez said when asked about a possible Doha tournament involving Boca. "Let's say end of May as a last possibility. "I was told there were talks between Boca and Roma, because it would be a tournament of four." A spokesman for the Italian club, which announced its multi-million euro shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways in April, confirmed they were aware of the planned tournament and said: "It's not sure for the moment." Other teams sponsored by Qatar Airways include Doha side Al Sadd, who former Barcelona great Xavi .
Atletico Madrid hold final practice ahead of Villarreal clash
Atletico Madrid on Friday held their final training session ahead of their away La Liga match against Villarreal.
Ronaldo to continue playing despite rape claim, says Juventus coach
Cristiano Ronaldo will continue playing for Juventus despite a police investigation into a rape allegation against the Portuguese star, coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Friday.
Delhi Dynamos seek to bounce back from home defeat in match against Kerala Blasters
Delhi Dynamos would look to put the home defeat against ATK behind them when they face in-form Kerala Blasters in their Indian Super League football match here on Saturday. The Dynamos were coming into Saturday's match after a 1-2 defeat against ATK at home while Kerala were unbeaten in their two games so far having won one and drawn the other. It was a late goal by midfielder Noussair El Maimouni that handed Dynamos their first defeat of the season, but there were still positives to take forward for the side who controlled the proceedings for most part of the game despite conceding an early goal. The Delhi-based team has scored two goals so far and both have come via defenders as Rana Gharami and Pritam Kotal have been on target for Josep Gombau's men. What will be even more encouraging for the Spanish manager is that Gharami also notched up an assist to his name in the last game. The Blasters have made more than a decent start to their campaign in the ISL and will look at the ...
Mercado included in Sevilla roster for Barcelona clash
Argentine centre back Gabriel Mercado was included in Sevilla's team sheet ahead of the upcoming La Liga clash against Barcelona after being sidelined for about a month and a half due to injury, the Spanish football club said on Friday.
Wimbledon to introduce final set tie-break from 2019
The All England Lawn Tennis Club, home to the Wimbledon championships, announced on Friday that players will go into a final set tie-breaker once tied at 12-12 in the decider from 2019.
Real Madrid coach shows confidence in Bale
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui on Friday praised the attitude of his side's star forward Gareth Bale, after the latter pulled out of Wales' squad due to a muscle injury.
CK Khanna hopeful about India's glory in 2019 World Cup
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acting president has expressed confidence that the Indian team would emerge victorious in the 2019 cricket World Cup.Khanna further lauded the leadership skills of Indian skipper Virat Kohli and wished the Indian team for their upcoming series against West Indies and Australia.Speaking to ANI, Khanna said, "We are confident the way Indian team is playing and performing under Virat. The forthcoming series against West Indies and Australia are a part of their preparation for the 2019 World Cup which, we are sure, India are going to clinch.""Virat has been leading the team from the front. We are proud of him. All the best to him. Entire country is proud of him," he added.After clinching the two-match Test series against West Indies 2-0, India will now face the Caribbean side in one-day format. Both the teams are slated to play a five-match ODI series from October 21 to November 1.The ongoing series against West Indies is part of India's ...
Australia slip to fifth spot in Test rankings
In the wake of a 373-run loss to Pakistan in the recently-concluded second Test, Australia have slipped to the fifth position in the recently-updated International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking in the longest format of the game.Australia, who had started the series at the third position, are now on 102 points, marginally behind New Zealand on decimal points.Meanwhile, Pakistan have made substantial gains in terms of points, in the list led by India with 116 points.Pakistan, who could have overtaken Sri Lanka with a 2-0 series win, remain at the seventh position but have advanced from 88 to 95 points.Australia and Pakistan will now face each other for a three-match T20I series from October 24-28.
Wolf runs ahead of the pack to take four-shot lead at Hero Women's Indian Open
Austrian Christine Wolf slotted birdies almost at will to card a second successive 4-under 68 and open up a massive four-shot lead over the rest of the field at the halfway stage of the Hero Women's Indian Open here on Friday. Wolf, who had never shot a round in the 60s in her previous four visits to India, including three of them to this DLF Golf and Country Club course, has now done it twice in last two days. With seven birdies in a sparkling nine-hole stretch and three bogeys, she shot 68 to set herself up for her maiden LET win in a six-year long pro career. Her best at HWIO is T-11 in 2016, when she had a share of the lead after the first day. The middle segment of the scorecard was liberally sprinkled with seven birdies in a nine-hole stretch from the fifth to the 13th holes. She reached 10-under at one stage but bogeys on the 14th and 17th brought her back to 8-under, which was still enough to give her a four-shot lead over Thailand's Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (68-72). The ...
Golfer Wolf in lead at Women's Indian Open
Austrian Christine Wolf devoured birdies like never before to card a second successive 4-under 68 and open up a massive four-shot lead over the rest of the field at the halfway stage of the Womens Indian Open 2018 golf tournament here.
ISL: Home comfort for Kerala as Delhi come calling
Kerala Blasters have made more than just a decent start to their campaign in the Indian Super League and will look at the massive home advantage to see them through against Delhi Dynamos at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Saturday.
Distance running great Dibaba says ready for Jepkosgei challenge in Delhi Half Marathon
Ethiopia's distance running great Tirunesh Dibaba today declared herself fit for Sunday's Airtel Delhi Half Marathon despite having a recovery period of just five weeks from the gruelling Berlin Marathon. Three Olympic gold winner in 5,000m and 10,000m, Dibaba ran an outstanding time of 2:18:55 at the Berlin Marathon on September 16 but she said she has recovered quickly despite the short amount of time between the two races. She said she was to challenge for the first prize cheque of USD 27,000 -- the richest half marathon winner's jackpot in the world -- in the Capital city on Sunday. "One of my plans was to run a 21K (half marathon) after Berlin and my manager told me about Delhi, and I thought it was a good idea," said Dibaba, who has turned into one of the world's top road runners after a medal-laden track and cross country career. "I've recovered more-or-less, although I wanted to run faster in Berlin. I've come to Delhi with the first target of winning, I'm not thinking about ..
Russia, Argentina, IOC shine at end of Youth Olympics
Russia as leader of the medal table with 59, Argentina which impressed with the organisation and also garnered 26 medals, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which innovated with new sports, were the top winners of the third edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
On verge of 5th F1 title, Hamilton vows no let-up ahead of US GP
Lewis Hamilton said here that the Mercedes team remains as focused as ever on winning races and will not relax even though he has virtually wrapped up a fifth Formula One driver's title.
Manchester United's Shaw signs contract extension until 2023
Manchester United's English left-back Luke Shaw has signed a contract extension until 2023, the English Premier League club have announced.