Page 1053 - Sports
Romario brings soccer star power to Rio governor election
Twenty-four years after parading through Brazilian streets while lifting the World Cup trophy, Romario is again dancing in the back of pickup trucks. This time, he's campaigning to become Rio de Janeiro's next governor. Evoking his soccer past on the campaign trail is only natural for one of the best players in a country where the sport is king. Romario Faria de Souza has ridden his wave of stardom into a career as a lawmaker, winning one term as congressman and another as senator. Now he eyes a much bigger challenge: running a state mired in crisis politics, financing, security since the end of the 2016 Summer Olympics. To look more like a fresh politician, the 52-year-old Romario joined a new centrist party called "We can" (Podemos in Portuguese). Polls indicate that on Sunday the former Brazil national team and Barcelona striker will finish second to former Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, who ran Brazil's most famous city during the Olympics, and force a runoff vote Oct. 28. A runoff ...
Bedi 'shocked' at manner of appointment of sports coaches
Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi Saturday expressed shock over the appointment of sports coaches in the union territory allegedly without following any formal rules. She said this in a WhatsApp message to mediapersons after a meeting with coaches appointed by the government in batches since 2010. The meeting was to hear out the coaches' grievances and also identify deficiencies in respect of various features of their appointment. All the coaches had reportedly not received their salaries for several months, she said. The 33 coaches who took part in the interaction were asked to respond to a questionnaire. "Revelations by the coaches were truly disappointing," she said adding they were all appointed without following any formal rules of recruitment. The Lt Governor further said they were absorbed with an annual contract and their salary was fixed in an arbitrary manner and the first batch was appointed in 2005. Three batches have been appointed so far. "Increase in their .
Visiting FC Goa beat holders Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in ISL
FC Goa handed defending champions Chennaiyin FC a 3-1 defeat in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Saturday. The attacking Goa side capitalised on the home team's defensive lapses to score one goal in the first half and added two more in the second to earn full points after drawing its opener against NorthEast United FC. The visitors broke through in the 12th after the early exchanges with Edu Bedia finding the back of the net. He latched on to a ball played in from the right and slotted it past the CFC goal Karamjit Singh as the defence made a mess of things. The strike stirred Chennaiyin into action as they pressed forward with Raphael Augusto at the centre of things. However, a goal kept eluding the 'blue shirts'. The score stayed 1-0 in favour of Goa at half-time. Chennaiyin began the second half in right earnest with Gregory Nelson on the charge. Goa went 2-0 ahead in the 53rd minute when the prolific Ferran Corominas scored. Sloppy defending .
Australia to host 2022 road world cycling championships
The Australian city of Wollongong will host the 2022 road world cycling championships, the sport's organising body announced on Saturday. It will be the second time Australia has staged the event, after Melbourne hosted the 2010 edition when the road race was won by Norway's Thor Hushovd. The selection of Wollongong, a coastal city with a population of 290,000 and located 100 kilometres south of Sydney, will end a run of five straight events held in Europe. "It shows that our UCI Road World Championships have become truly universal, not only as far as participation goes, but also when it comes to their location," said UCI president David Lappartient. "This global trend will be further strengthened when they are held in Africa in 2025." Next year's road world championships will take place in Yorkshire in northern England, with Switzerland and Belgium hosting the subsequent editions, in 2020 and 2021, before it returns to Australia.
Williams takes fight to South Africa in final ODI
Sean Williams hit a half-century to lead an improved batting performance by Zimbabwe in the third and final one-day international against South Africa at Boland Park on Saturday. The left-handed Williams made 69 in a Zimbabwe total of 228 as the tourists regained some pride after being bowled out for 117 and 78 in losing the first two matches of the series. Williams and Brendan Taylor (40) put on 73 for the fourth wicket on a good batting pitch. The surfaces for the first two matches were criticised because of uneven bounce. "We talked about trying to get out of our shells and play some shots, putting the bowlers under pressure for a change," said Williams, who hit ten fours in a 79-ball innings. South African fast bowler Dale Steyn continued a successful return to one-day international cricket, bowling with good pace and control on an unresponsive pitch to take three for 29 in 9.3 overs. Fellow fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took three for 32. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir shared the new ball ..
Del Potro says he does not feel fully well for China Open final
Argentine tennis player Juan Martin del Potro, ranked World No. 4, said on Saturday that the withdrawal of his opponent in the China Open semifinals came at a good time for him to rest since he did not feel 100 percent well for the final due to the flu.
Warne recalls how Buchanan led to near mutiny in team during 2005 Ashes
Years after losing the legendary 2005 Ashes, spin great Shane Warne has slammed then Australia coach John Buchanan for questioning the players' (lack of) desire to win, leading to near mutiny in the team. "On the bus on the way back to the hotel after the game (Edgbaston Test), John Buchanan called a team meeting. I was like, 'Oh no, what's he going to say now?'," Warne wrote in his book 'No Spin'. "We collected in the team room and he started with an obvious line, something like, 'We didn't play very well again this game.' Yep, true, Buck. Then he said, 'But why didn't we play well?' Maybe you tell us, Buck. So he did." Australia would go on to lose narrowly, then escape with a draw at Old Trafford despite being thoroughly outplayed. "It was along the lines of 'I don't think you blokes care enough and, playing like you are, I don't think you're worthy of wearing the baggy green cap.' I could sense the rage bubbling in the room and could feel it burning inside me, but I waited for the
Atletico coach praises Betis defensive work ahead of La Liga clash
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone on Saturday stressed the progress Real Betis had been making in its defense, ahead of their La Liga clash.
Sevastova stuns Osaka to reach China Open final
Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova, the World No. 20, upset Japan's Naomi Osaka, the eighth seed, 6-4, 6-4 win on Saturday to qualify for the China Open final.
Pakistan eves trounce Bangladesh, sweep T20I series
The Pakistan women's cricket team registered an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the fourth and final Twenty20 international at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.With the win, Pakistan completed a 3-0 series win. Natalia Pervaiz was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' after scalping a three-wicket haul to restrict the hosts to a modest total of 77. Diana Baig and Sana Mir also took advantage of the pressure created by 22-year-old pacer and picked up a brace apiece.A quickfire 36 from skipper Javeria Khan and an unbeaten 18 from Muneeba Ali saw Pakistan scale the 78-run target with 31 balls to spare. It was a strong and steady batting performance from the visitors, who will be pleased with their preparation ahead of the ICC Women's World T20 in November.After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bangladesh lost their way, as their first four batters were dismissed for the scores of 4, 2, 4, and 9 respectively.Right-hander Rumana Ahmed
Punjab CM grants Rs. 5 lakh for Balbir Singh's treatment
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday granted Rs 5 lakh for the treatment of legendary hockey player and triple Olympic Gold Medalist Balbir Singh Senior, who is undergoing treatment at the PGI.The cheque worth Rs 5 lakh was handed over to the maternal grandson of the player, Kabir Singh from the Chief Minister's relief fund.Punjab Sports Minister Rana Sodhi apprised the Chief Minister regarding the health condition of the legendary player. He also divulged that not only did the Chief Minister immediately took the decision to release the amount from his relief fund but also assured to provide every assistance in the future for the treatment of Singh.The Sports Minister while thanking the Chief Minister for this prompt decision also reiterated that the Punjab Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the family of the player and prays to the almighty for his speedy recovery.
India beat Malaysia 2-1 in opening match of Sultan of Johor Cup
The Indian junior men's hockey team started their campaign at the eighth Sultan of Johor Cup with a hard fought 2-1 win over hosts Malaysia here Saturday. Harmanjit Singh (12th minute) and Shilanand Lakra (46th) were the goal scorers for India while Muhammad Zaidi (47th) pulled a goal back for Malaysia. It was intense encounter as both the teams vied for possession in the middle of the park, but neither could stitch together a string of passes. It was only after the 10th minute that India found an opening through a long-ball from deep inside their circle but the opportunity went wasted as Malaysian goalkeeper Adrian Albert made a great save. But the Indians drew first blood soon as Harmanjit Singh deflected a pass from inside the circle to put it past Albert. The second quarter belonged to Malaysia as the home team troubled the Indian defence on several occasions by creating opportunities. However, some resolute defending by the Indian defence made sure that the hosts could not find ..
Dovizioso fastest in MotoGP FP3 after late Marquez crash
Spanish rider Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) came off his bike during the third free practice session ahead of the Thailand MotoGP Grand Prix at the Chang International circuit on Saturday.
Karn Veer Kaushal slams first double ton in Vijay Hazare
Uttarakahand opener Karn Veer Kaushal entered the record books by scoring the first double century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, smashing 202 off 135 balls, to star in a 199-run rout of Sikkim in a Plate group match here Saturday. The in-form Kaushal, who has now three 100-plus scores from seven matches, eclipsed Ajinkya Rahane's 187 for Mumbai against Maharashtra in Pune in 2007-08. In List A cricket, which includes ODIs, the 200-mark has been breached six times by Indian batsmen -- Rohit Sharma (thrice), Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan and Sachin Tendulkar one each. But this is for the first time it has happened in the country's domestic circuit. Kaushal also shattered the record for the highest opening stand in List A cricket in India when he along with his opening partner, Vineet Saxena (100 runs of 133 balls), put on 296 runs to lay the foundation for Uttarakhand's 366 for two in 50 overs. Shikhar Dhawan and Aakash Chopra had put on an unbeaten 277 for Delhi versus Punjab in ...
Marquez seizes historic pole at Thailand MotoGP
Championship leader Marc Marquez made history as he became the first rider to climb out of Q1 and claim pole position at the inaugural Thailand MotoGP on Saturday. The Spaniard had to fight his way through the first qualifying session after a crash in practice, but in Q2 he stormed to a time of lmin 30.088secs for his 50th pole. It underlined the superb form of the Honda rider, who holds a 72-point lead over Andrea Dovizioso with five races remaining as he closes on a fifth world title. "Of course I was happy how I finished the day," Marquez, 25, told reporters, describing his morning practice session as "unlucky". Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi, who along with Marquez is a firm favourite among Thai fans, was 11-hundredths behind Marquez with Dovizioso third fastest. Yamaha's Rossi described his time as a "great result" after he qualified just 18th quickest last month in Aragon, his lowest grid position since 2006. However Jorge Lorenzo, who arrived carrying a foot injury ..
US Open champ Osaka 'stressed out' by great expectations
Naomi Osaka admitted that she gets "stressed out" trying to live up to "the hype" after the US Open champion was beaten in the China Open semi-finals on Saturday. The 20-year-old Japanese, who struggled with a back injury in losing 6-4, 6-4 to unseeded Anastasija Sevastova, opened up afterwards on dealing with ramped-up expectations. The world number six made headlines last month when she stunned Serena Williams in New York to win her maiden Grand Slam, in a final overshadowed by the American's bitter row with the chair umpire. Osaka's shock triumph -- at such a young age and against one of the greatest tennis players of all time -- propelled her into the limelight. It is a place that she is not altogether comfortable in. "I think definitely as the weeks go by, I have this feeling of wanting to prove myself. I think that sort of takes a toll on me a little bit because I stress myself out in a way," said Osaka. "If you don't win a tournament, then people will say, 'Oh, she hasn't won a
Hazare Trophy: Andhra pip UP by one wicket
Unbeaten centuries by Samarth Singh and Akshdeep Nath went in vain as Andhra Pradesh pipped Uttar Pradesh by one wicket in a thrilling group B Vijay Hazare Trophy match here on Saturday. Chasing a competitive target of 331 runs, Andhra Pradesh's openers Ashwin Hebbar (64 off 47) and Srikar Bharat (39 off 54) got the team off to a great start with an 84-run stand in 12 overs before the former was run-out. Skipper RK Bhui was dismissed two overs later before Bodapati Sumanth (43) and Ravi Teja's unbeaten 79 off 83 helped them cruise to victory with three deliveries left. Earlier, put in to bat, Uttar Pradesh were reduced to 45 for 3 before Samarth and Akshdeep's unbeaten knocks of 115 and 119 along with captain Suresh Raina's 52 took their side to 330 for four in 50 overs. Samarth's innings was laced with 10 boundaries and 2 sixes while Akshdeep hit nine fours and 5 maximums. Brief Scores: Uttar Pradesh 330/4 in 50 overs (Akshdeep Nath 119*, Samarth Singh 115*; Karn Sharma 1-41) Andhra
Embattled Ronaldo prepares to play for Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to play for Juventus against Udinese on Saturday, despite rape claims made against him, although his coach Massimiliano Allegri admits he may be tempted to rest the embattled star. The Portuguese superstar has travelled with the Italian champions to play at Udine, a small town in northeastern Italy on the border with Slovenia, in a match kicking off at 1600 GMT. US police on Monday re-opened an investigation into accusations by former American model Kathryn Mayorga that the former five-time Ballon d'Or winner raped her in a Las Vegas hotel in June 2009. "Ronaldo is doing well, he is ready to play. His professionalism and his composure on and off the pitch are not in question," Allegri said Friday. "I could go with a front three of Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo, or alternatively one of them could be rested," he added. The Italian sports press predicted on Saturday that the match against Udinese, lying 14th in Serie A, could be the most ..
Mourinho's job not under immediate threat: United sources
Jose Mourinho's position as Manchester United manager is not under immediate threat, senior figures at the club have said, denying a report he was set to be sacked next week. United are struggling in 10th place and last week's 3-1 loss to West Ham made it the club's worst start to a league campaign in 29 years. The Daily Mirror reported late Friday that Mourinho would be dismissed regardless of the result of United's match at home to Newcastle on Saturday. But senior figures at United told Press Association Sport that Mourinho would retain his job for the immediate future. The agency reported that United look set to give Mourinho the upcoming international break to turn things around at Old Trafford. Tuesday's goalless Champions League draw against Valencia in the Champions League also meant the former Chelsea boss had gone four home matches without a win for the first time in his managerial career. In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Mourinho accepted that the performance ...
'Great opportunity' for Australia's new boys, says Paine
Australian captain Tim Paine hopes his team will move on from the ball-tampering row and start a new era when they face Pakistan in the first Test in Dubai on Sunday. Australian cricket was rocked by the ball-tampering row in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March this year, the fallout resulting in year-long bans for then captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner. Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft, caught by television cameras using sandpaper to try and scuff up the ball, was suspended for nine months. It also led to coach Darren Lehmann stepping down and being replaced by Justin Langer, with both the new coach and Paine promising to reshape the culture around the team. "I think what happened was unfortunate but we have to move on. We are fortunate enough to be getting back together after what happened," Paine said on Saturday. Wicketkeeper Paine assumed the captaincy midway through the scandal-hit Cape Town match, and took the first step to improve Australia's ...