Page 1126 - Sports
Anand to be star attraction at Tata Steel rapid blitz in November
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand will be the star attraction at the Tata Steel Chess India rapid and blitz tournament to be held here from November 9-14.
Kabaddi fiasco: Indian team doesn't turn up, confusions galore at federation's trials
Confusion reigned supreme at the trials conducted by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), with a rival association's players turning up for a match, that was never scheduled, against the Indian squads. Neither the men's nor the women's national team came for the trials as it came to light that a Delhi High Court's order dated August 2, was completely misinterpreted by the petitioners from the rival New Kabaddi Federation of India (NKFI). The NKFI had conducted their own trials in Bengaluru last month and selected the men's and women's squads with an eye on a trial match against the national teams that took part in the Asian Games. The NKFI's allegation is that there has been rampant malpractices with regards to selection of the Indian teams for Jakarta Asian Games. The Delhi High Court order clause 9 (i) states: "The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India -- respondent no. 4 shall conduct a selection process which shall commence from 15th September, 2018 at 11 am." There was ..
Alwyn, Shankar seek game time and experience at FC Pune City
Pune City FC's new recruits Alwyn George and Shankar Sampingiraj are looking forward to living up to the franchise's expectations in the upcoming Indian Super League. Some of FC Pune City's youngest talent were at the heart of the team's historic run last season. With Alwyn and Sampingiraj, the club looks to continue doing that. The midfielders who joined the club this season have set expectations for themselves and from the club too. "I wish to remain injury-free and maintain high levels of fitness for the coming season," said Shankar of what he expects from himself. Shankar comes in to the FC Pune City fold after having an impressive outing for Bengaluru FC leading upto a national call for the U-23 side. The Karnataka born began his professional career with HAL and later signed with Pailan Arrows followed by a stint at DSK Shivajians (on loan). His fellow midfielder Alwyn also is clear about his priorities. "I want to get as much game time as possible here at FC Pune City and am ...
CA to probe Moeen Ali's 'Osama' allegations against Australian player
Cricket Australia has decided to launch a probe into England all-rounder Moeen Ali's allegations that he was racially abused by an Australian player during the 2015 Ashes. Moeen, who is of Islamic faith, made the claim in his soon-to-be released autobiography. The alleged abuse occurred during the first Test of the series in Cardiff, in which the Englishman made a fine Ashes debut, scoring 77 and taking five wickets in a comfortable win for the hosts. "It was a great first Ashes Test in terms of my personal performance," Moeen wrote. "However there was one incident which had distracted me. An Australian player had turned to me on the field and said, 'Take that, Osama'. "I could not believe what I had heard. I remember going really red. I have never been so angry on a cricket field. "I told a couple of the guys what the player had said to me and I think (England coach) Trevor Bayliss must have raised it with Darren Lehmann, the Australians' coach." According to Moeen, another raising ..
ISL football: Alwyn, Shankar seek experience at FC Pune City
Young midfielders Alwyn George and Shankar Sampingiraj, who have joined FC Pune City for the upcoming season of the India Super League, are looking forward to gaining experience. "I wish to remain injury-free and maintain high levels of fitness for the coming season," Shankar was quoted as saying in a media release issued by the club Saturday. Shankarjoins FC Pune City after having had an impressive outing for Bengaluru FC leading to a national call for the U-23 side. Alwyn too is clear about his priorities. "I want to get as much game time as possible here at FC Pune City and am doing everything I need to do for making that happen," said Alwyn. It is a homecoming of sorts for Nagpur lad Alwyn who is playing for a Maharashtra based club for the first time in his professional career. He has earlier played in Indian Super League with FC Goa, Delhi Dynamos FC and later Bengaluru FC. Both Alwyn and Shankar believe their team's pre-season is going well and they are only ...
Anand star attraction in Tata Steel rapid blitz in Nov
Five-time former world champion Viswanathan Anand will be the major star attraction in the upcoming Tata Steel Chess India rapid and blitz tournament here from November 9-14. It was an emotional moment for Anand when the Indian ace Saturday said he would return to Kolkata to play in a GM competition after a gap of 32 years. "I remember playing my first GM tournament in Kolkata in 1986 -- that was also a Tata Steel event here. I was an International Master then," Anand said during the announcement. The USD 40,000 prize money tournament will feature three top players in the 2800-plus Elo rating, it was announced here. The top players include Azerbaijan GM and world number three Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Armenian GM and world number six Levon Aronian, USA's GM Wesley So who is world number 9, Japanese-American GM and four-time United States champion Hikaru Nakamura who is world number 14 and Russian GM Sergey Karjakin (world number 15). "There's a lot of excitement to play here. Hope it ...
Cricket Australia open to Shastri's request for extra warm-up game
Cricket Australia has responded positively to India coach Ravi Shastri's request for more warm-up matches ahead of their Test series Down Under later this year. India only had one practice match ahead of their recent Test series against England - which they lost 1-4 - and Shastri believes his side would be better prepared to tackle Australia if more red-ball cricket was scheduled prior to the first Test in Adelaide starting on December 6. "We are happy to discuss options with the BCCI, but we have not received any formal notification to increase the number of tour matches prior to their series commencing in Australia," a Cricket Australia spokesperson was quoted as saying. In England, even the lone four-day practice match against county side Essex was reduced to three days amid high drama over the condition of the pitch and the outfield, both of which apparently left the visitors unhappy. On Thursday, Shastri said he was not averse to the idea of playing practice games. "Absolutely ...
Modric should win all that Messi can't: Ivan Rakitic
Croatian footballer Ivan Rakitic has said that his national team-mate Luka Modric should win everything that star striker Lionel Messi cannot.The comment came after Modric was named as UEFA Best Player of the Year and earned a nomination for FIFA's 2018 Best Men's Player award.The nomination left many people in shock as for the first time since 2006, Messi's name did not appear in the list of players who are in contention to win the FIFA Best Player award."If there is an individual prize that Lionel Messi can't win, then there's no doubt that this season it should go to Luka Modric. It wouldn't surprise me if he were to win with many more votes," Marca.com quoted Rakitic, as saying."This has been his year and I am really happy for him. If Messi isn't the best, then it has to be Modric," he added.Modric rose to heights after his sensational performance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He guided the Croatian team to the World Cup final, only to see the side ultimately losing 2-4 to France.He
Cricket Australia to probe Moeen Ali's 'Osama' accusations
Cricket Australia (CA) has decided to launch a probe on England all-rounder Moeen Ali's allegations against an Australian player for calling him "Osama" during the 2015 Ashes.
Indian women thrash Hong Kong 6-1 in AFC U-16 Qualifiers
A hat-trick from Lynda Kom ensured the Indian women's team kicked off its campaign in the AFC U-16 Qualifiers in style, breezing past Hong Kong 6-1 in its first match in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Apart from Lynda's three goals, captain Shilky Devi netted a brace while Sunita Munda scored the other. The Indian girls who won the SAFF U-15 Championship last month in Bhutan are aiming to qualify into the final phase of the AFC Women's Championship. They next play Pakistan U-16 in their next match on September 19 and will then play hosts Mongolia U-16 and Laos U-16 in their last group league match respectively. The group toppers gain an automatic qualification into the final phase of the AFC Championship to be held next year. Head coach Firmin D'Souza sounded ecstatic after the win. "The girls executed the game plan perfectly. The win acts as a bonus for our morale that has been high since the girls won the SAFF U-15 Championship," he said. "We are confident ahead of our clash against Pakistan
Cricket Australia open for more warm-up games ahead of India Tests
Cricket Australia (CA) has responded positively to India head coach Ravi Shastri's request for more warm-up games in the run-up to the four-match Test series between the two nations later this year.
Davis Cup: Lucas Pouille gives France 2-0 lead
French number one, Lucas Pouille, outclassed the Spanish player Roberto Bautista Agut to give his side a 2-0 victory in the semi-final of the ongoing Davis Open here on Friday.Pouille defeated Agut 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a thrilling semi-final clash.French captain Yannick Noah had, earlier, fielded debutant Benoit Paire against Pablo Carreno Busta to give a winning start to the team against Spain.Performing as per the expectations, Paire thrashed Busta 7-5, 6-1, 6-0 in a clash that lasted for one-hour-and-54-minute.In other clashes, Croatia edged past 32-time champions United States in their Davis Cup semi-final match.In the first clash, Marin Cilic of Croatia got better off Frances Tiafoe as he registered a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(5) win over his American opponent.Later, Boria Coric defeated Steve Johnson 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-3 to give Croatia a winning lead of 2-0 in the match.
In silence, Sardar thrived. In silence, he quits
Quite like the beginning and the dozen years that followed, the end of Sardar Singh's journey in international hockey was understated, contrasting with the hype that often marks the culmination of a great career. What was there, instead, was a simple goodbye and gratitude. A third Olympic appearance did not materialise but Sardar, nonetheless, walked into the sunset after a stellar 12-year career during which he not only established himself as a face of Indian hockey but also as a global star. Sardar was eager to continue till the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but destiny had other plans as he called time at 32, after a disappointing Asian Games campaign where India failed to defend its title. Many feel that Sardar was made a scapegoat for India's disastrous campaign and was forced to retire but by his own admission, the loss to Malaysia in the Asiad semifinal triggered thoughts of retirement. "I wanted to continue and I feel I had some more years of hockey left in me but I just couldn't digest
Rayo edge Huesca 1-0 to spoil home opener for La Liga newcomers
SD Huesca, playing their first football season in La Liga, lost their 2018-2019 home debut 0-1 to Rayo Vallecano here.
France takes 2-0 lead over Spain in Davis Cup semis
Defending champion France is one win away from back-to-back Davis Cup final berths after Lucas Pouille defeated Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to give his side a 2-0 lead.
Cilic tops Tiafoe, moves Croatia step closer to third Davis Cup final
Marin Cilic eased past American Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) to move Croatia to within one win of its third appearance in the final of the Davis Cup, tennis' premier international team competition.
Mumbai Marathon gets IAAF gold label
The Tata Mumbai Marathon, to be held on January 20, 2019, was accorded the gold label by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The 16th edition of the race became the only gold label marathon in the country and joined the elite list of marathons in Asia, race organisers Procam International announced Saturday. The USD 405,000 event is set to witness over 46,000 participants running across six race categories, according to the organisers. The IAAF gold label is granted to races based on stringent criteria, including organisational excellence, world class elite field representation, prize money for male and female runners, exhaustive medical support system, live television coverage for an enhanced reach of the race, media facilities, timing and qualified personnel to ensure smooth conduct of the event across departments,among others, the release added. Vivek Singh, Joint MD, Procam International, said it was a result of solid team work. "We are ...
Nigeria to inject new athletes into power lifting team
Nigeria said it would continue to inject new athletes into its power lifting team to maintain the country's prowess in the sport.
I am in Ferrari not to learn but to challenge: Charles Leclerc
Monacan driver Charles Leclerc, who will be joining Formula One team Ferrari at the end of the ongoing season, has insisted that he is not moving to the team to learn but to challenge.The 20-year-old, however, added that there is a lot to improve but his focus would be on performing after joining the leading F 1 team."I need to deliver - I'm not going to Ferrari to learn. I've had a very good season this year where I could learn most of it and next year is to perform where I should be once you are going in a big team," Sport24 quoted Leclerc, as saying."I'm not saying I will not learn anything anymore, as I have so much to learn still and I can still improve a lot, but I will be a lot more ready than I was at the beginning."Reflecting on his position in Ferrari, Leclerc hoped that the team would allow him to race German driver Sebastian Vettel."It's more or less like this in every team. You have two drivers who start the season on equal status and then at one point in the season, you .
PSG batters Saint-Etienne to keep winning record intact in Ligue 1
French football giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) displayed dominance in Ligue 1 as they thrashed Saint-Etienne 4-0 at home to win all five matches so far in the 2018/19 season.