Page 1072 - Sports
Nita Ambani keen to partner with Meghalaya for sports infrastructure
Nita Ambani, founder-chairperson of Reliance Foundation, on Monday said Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) is keen to partner with Meghalaya government in building sports infrastructure ahead of the National Games in the mountainous state.
Akinfeev calls time on his international career
CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, Russia's World Cup captain, announced Monday he was retiring from international football after playing 111 times for his country. Akinfeev, 32, said after 15 years with the national side he had decided to give way to his younger colleagues and to focus completely on his club duties. "Every story has its beginning and its end. So, my story with the national team has come to its logical conclusion," he said in a statement on CSKA's website. "It was a great honour for me to captain Russia's national side at a home World Cup. I hadn't even dreamt it could happen. But it has happened and it was probably the peak of my career. "I leave with a clear conscience. A young and promising generation (of players) has appeared in Russia," he added. "We must believe in our youth and support them." At the World Cup, Akinfeev played every minute of Russia's matches as they confounded pre-tournament predictions by reaching the last eight, where they were beaten by ..
Delhi likely to host Davis Cup tie against Italy
Delhi has emerged as frontrunner to host the Davis Cup qualifier between India and Italy in February next year. A total of 24 teams will play in the knockout Qualifiers on February 1 and 2 to decide which 12 teams will play the year-end Finals. India lost their World Group Play-off to Serbia but due to their world rank of 20, they have a chance to make it to the finals. Italy lost their quarterfinal this year and according to the new format , only four semifinalist from 2018 season along with two wild cards -- Argentina and Britain -- have a direct entry. 12 winners in February will join these six teams for the 18-team Finals in Madrid in November 2019. "Delhi is likely to host the tie against Italy in February at DLTA as per the recent discussions," an AITA source said. Sources say that captain Mahesh Bhupathi, who is likely to get extension, was keen to play on grass. "But having it on grass in Delhi would have been very expensive," the source said. When reminded that Delhi Gymkhana
PokerRaj MatchIPL, MTV hunt for India's Poker Pro
The season of sports is upon us and bringing its A-Game to the table is the 3rd Season of Match Indian Poker League! Match Indian Poker League or MatchIPL as it is known, is a poker-based league that is the brain-child of Industrialist Raj Kundra and Bollywood actress, Shilpa Shetty Kundra. It was launched under their umbrella corporation Viaan Industries Ltd. which is a gaming, entertainment and licensing company.In the wake of Season 3 of MatchIPL, MTV in collaboration with PokerRaj is on the hunt for India's best poker players who will get to represent 8 different teams at the third edition of this poker league. The MTV Pro Hunt is creating quite the buzz within the poker community, with players from across the country participating to secure their place in one of the eight teams participating at Season 3 of MatchIPL. This intriguing skill-sport will be held in Mumbai on 23rd and 24th October.Season 1 of MatchIPL was won by Mumbai All Stars, who took home the winning prize amount ..
Atletico resume training without Vitolo, Savic ahead of CL clash
Atletico Madrid resumed training on Monday without Spanish winger Victor "Vitolo" Machin or Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic, both still recovering from injuries.
Aguero can beat Premier League goals record, says Bernardo Silva
Sergio Aguero could beat Alan Shearer's record of 260 goals to become the Premier League's greatest ever marksman, according to Manchester City teammate Bernardo Silva. The Argentine forward scored the 148th goal of his Premier League career for City in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Brighton, equalling Shearer's tally for Newcastle. The pair are joint third in the list of highest goalscorers for a single club behind Thierry Henry for Arsenal (175) and Wayne Rooney for Manchester United (183). Both of those marks should be well within reach for Aguero, potentially even this season, but to threaten Shearer's overall mark of 260 he would almost certainly need to further extend his contract at the Etihad, which runs until 2021. "Sergio is the best scorer in Manchester City's history," said midfielder Silva. "He's a legend not only for Manchester City but also for the Premier League, if not the best striker in the world then one of the best. "It's great to have him with us. Every season he ..
David Luiz 'confused' under Conte, says new Chelsea boss Sarri
David Luiz was left puzzled by his treatment under former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, according to new Stamford Bridge boss Maurizio Sarri. Luiz had been an central figure in Chelsea's title win in Conte's first season as boss, in 2016-17, but scarcely featured after the 3-0 loss at Roma on October 31 last year. The Brazil defender, 31, had a rumoured falling-out with Conte and a series of injuries, not featuring at all after the February loss at Watford. "Two seasons ago he was a protagonist," said Sarri. "Then six months ago he was not playing, so he was a little confused." Chelsea are unbeaten in the Premier League this season, with five wins and two draws, and came within minutes of inflicting Liverpool's first loss on Saturday. What Sarri likes about Luiz could be a trait that explains his exile under Conte. "He's direct. If he has to say something to the manager he has to talk to me," Sarri said. "I like very much direct people. "When I arrived here immediately I had the ...
Clinical Nishikori off to flier at Japan Open
Local hero Kei Nishikori began his quest for a third Japan Open title by thrashing countryman Yuichi Sugita 6-4, 6-1 to reach the last 16 on Monday. Third seed Nishikori failed to hit the heights that took him to the US Open semi-finals last month but still dominated his Japanese Davis Cup teammate, completing a one-sided victory with a fizzing backhand down the line after 81 minutes. "I hoped I wouldn't have to play a Japanese player," said Nishikori, who last faced Sugita when they were juniors. "It's a relief to win. It took me a while to get into it," added the world number 12, who won the last of his 11 career titles in Memphis two years ago. "I made a few too many mistakes at the start. But I tweaked what I needed to and enjoyed the second set a bit more. Hopefully I can go deep into the tournament. "Of course, the aim is to try to win it." Earlier, three-time Tokyo finalist Milos Raonic crushed last year's runner-up Adrian Mannarino, the sixth seed taking a little over an hour .
Pakistan recalls Hafeez for Australia Tests
Pakistan's national selection committee Monday recalled former opener Mohammad Hafeez for the two-match Test series against Australia to reinforce its batting following a failed Asia Cup campaign. The 37-year-old was not part of the original 17-member squad announced last week, but after Pakistan suffered losses at the hands of arch-rival India and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup the squad reached out to Hafeez. Pakistan failed to qualify for the final in the tournament, which India won after beating Bangladesh by three wickets in Dubai on Friday. Pakistan had previously nursed high hopes for Shan Masood in the ongoing four-day match for Pakistan 'A' against Australia in Dubai but he fell for just 14, forcing the selectors to include Hafeez. "The national selection committee and the team management has decided to include Hafeez for the two Tests against Australia," said the Pakistan Cricket Board in a statement. The first Test against the Australians starts in Dubai on Sunday with the ...
Really helps having Steyn in the team: Lungi Ngidi
South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi said the presence of veteran pacer Dale Steyn in the team is always helpful, as being a senior player, he is never short of bowling tips.The comment came after Ngidi was announced as the 'Man of the Match' following his impressive figures of three wickets for 19 runs in the first ODI of the ongoing five-match series against Zimbabwe."It really does help having Dale in the system, and in the team. There are all sorts of ideas to bounce off him. Dale is very helpful. He's our most experienced bowler. And he also gave me a few tips when we were out there ... to maybe try a few cross-seam balls, maybe the odd slower one," Sport24 quoted Ngidi, as saying.Steyn, who had got an ODI call back for the Zimbabwe series after being plagued by a series of injuries, did not get to play in the opening match.With Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi emerging as the leading fast bowlers for South Africa, it would be a challenging task for Steyn to prove his credentials ..
Rajasthan Royals to launch grassroots development programme
The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals are all set to launch its first grassroots programme 'Royal Colts' to unearth fresh talent and provide them an opportunity to make a mark in the cricketing world.
ISL-5: Mumbai City look to start afresh against Jamshedpur FC (Preview)
Mumbai City FC will look to take inspiration from their new coach and start their fifth season of the Indian Super League (ISL) on a high when they take on Jamshedpur FC here on Tuesday.
Hafeez gets place in Pakistan squad for Australia Tests
Pakistan national selection committee has made a last-minute inclusion of veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez in the team for their upcoming two-match Test series against Australia starting October 7.Hafeez, who was not a part of the 17-member squad for the series which was announced, last week, will now travel to UAE at the soonest, the Express Tribune reported.Hafeez will be returning to the national Test squad after a gap of more than two years. He had played his last Test back in August 2016.Pakistan are slated to play their first Test against Australia at Dubai starting from October 7 followed by the second match at Abu Dhabi beginning October 16.Following is the revised squad for the Test series:Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain-WK), Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez.
Nita Ambani calls for inclusive growth of sports in education
Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation and member of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Nita Ambani Monday called for inclusive growth of sports in school curriculums to herald India as a multi-sports nation. Here to witness the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) Meghalaya leg of School Girls football final at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ambani said, "Reliance Foundation Youth Sports is all about opportunity and endeavour. We strive to give the youth of India a platform through which they can showcase their skills and ability. "I am heartened to say that over 4 million children from 5000 educational institutes have been impacted by RFYS thus far in last two years, and this season will further widen that impact across the nation reaching 6 million youths. Ambani was accompanied by Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma and NorthEast United FC owner and Bollywood actor John Abraham. Reliance Foundation Youth Sports is a step in seeking to build a grassroots sports ...
Karoki targets debut win against unique rivalry at Chicago marathon
Kenya's Bedan Karoki hopes he will finally break the duck and win his first marathon on October 7 when he lines up at the start of this year's Chicago marathon.
Victoria and India strengthening ties through sports
The State of Victoria, Australia is celebrating six key sporting activities taking place in India and Melbourne over the next six months which are aligned with Victoria's India Strategy to strengthen trade, investment and people to people linkages.The Victorian Government hosted a reception for the Indian sports fraternity and celebrated India and Victoria's shared passion for sport while profiling Victoria's world-renowned sports ecosystem and India's growing sports proficiency.Guest of honour, Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, on her second visit to India within one year, recognized a number of sporting initiatives including:• Tennis Australia's Australian Open Global Ball Kids program which will enable 1000 young people in Indian schools and sporting clubs to participate in a training camp, with up to ten selected to represent India at the Australian Open in January 2019• Cricket Australia's documentary trailer soft launch, showcasing the history of rivalry between Australia ..
Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad elected Hockey India president
Hockey Bihar's Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad has been elected as the new president of Hockey India following the 8th Hockey India Congress and Elections on Monday.After being elected unopposed, Ahmad, who formerly held the secretary general post, will take over from outgoing president Rajinder Singh from October 1.While Gyanendro Ningombam of Manipur Hockey will take over as the senior vice president, Asima Ali of Hockey Jammu and Kashmir and Bhola Nath Singh of Hockey Jharkhand will take up the role of vice presidents.Hockey Jammu and Kashmir's Rajinder Singh has been elected as the new secretary general while Tapan Kumar Das of Hockey Assam was re-elected as the treasurer for a second term.Former Indian women's team captain Asunta Lakra of Hockey Jharkhand was entrusted with the responsibility of Joint Secretary along with Firoz Ansari of Chhattisgarh Hockey.Arti Singh of Hockey Rajasthan, M Renuka Lakshmi of Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and current Hockey Karnataka president S.V.S. Subramanya .
Jayaram, Sourabh to lead Indian charge at Chinese Taipei Open
Shuttlers Ajay Jayaram and Sourabh Verma will look to make a mark when they spearhead India's challenge at the Chinese Taipei World Tour Super 300 tournament starting here on Tuesday. With two Super 750 world tour events -- Denmark Open (Oct 16-21) and French Open (Oct 23-28) scheduled this month, the top Indian shuttlers including P V Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth have decided to skip the USD 500,000 event this week. In their absence, former world no 13 Jayaram and former national champion Sourabh will look to keep the tricolour flying when they begin their campaign in the men's singles competition here. Jayaram, who had reached the finals of USD 75,000 Vietnam Open and USD 25,000 White Nights on his comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury, will look to overcome the first round exits in the last couple of tournaments when he faces Japan's Hashiru Shimono. World No 65 Sourabh, who had won the USD 75,000 Russian Open in July and had qualified for the Indian team at 18th Asian .
J-K Sports Council organises orientation course to promote girls football
Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council has introduced a first-ever orientation course under United States-based trainers to promote football among the girls in the Valley.The aim of this four-day programme is to empower the girls through football so that they could build a bright future for themselves.In order to make the programme successful, 26 coaches and mentors from various district units of State Football Academy, including US-based trainers, were called to train the girls in various modules.Reflecting on the event, a trainer from USA, Jackie, said that it is great to promote football amongst girls as it would help them to earn some confidence and work as a team.Speaking to ANI, Jackie said, "It is a wonderful activity to promote football among girls. In regards to advocacy and value that sport brings to life, this event is incredibly powerful. The purpose is to get girls excited about what sports can bring to their lives and how so many life lessons can be taught through ...
Nadal stays on top of ATP rankings
Spain's Rafael Nadal remained in the number one spot in the men's Association of Tennis Professionals world singles rankings released on Monday with 8,760 points.