Page 1131 - Sports
PSG sign ground-breaking agreement with Jordan Brand
French football giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Thursday became the first club to have signed an agreement with the iconic Jordan Brand.
Srikanth, Sindhu retain spots in top-10 of BWF rankings
Ace shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and P.V. Sindhu are the only Indians in the top-10 of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) singles rankings, released on Thursday.
Bolt enters space race in zero gravity sprint
Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt was back on the starting line Thursday -- but found it a challenge to stay on his feet in zero gravity conditions aboard an aeroplane. The 32-year-old briefly broke off from his pursuit of a professional football career with Australia's Central Coast Mariners to travel to France for the event. Dressed in a spacesuit, Bolt was aboard a zero gravity Airbus as part of an event sponsored by a champagne brand. The plane performed a series of parabolas as Bolt and two other guests experienced a phase of weightlessness for 22 seconds, time for a race to be staged within the cabin. The eight-time Olympic champion and 100m and 200m world record holder called time on his athletics career last year.
Morkel-inspired Surrey crowned county champions
Surrey won their first county championship title since Adam Hollioake captained them to success in 2002 as they beat Worcestershire by three wickets on Thursday. Their victory had been set up by their star performer this season, South African bowling great Morne Morkel, who took 5-24 in Worcestershire's second innings on Wednesday -- the fourth time he has taken five wickets in the eight matches he has played in the campaign. Openers Mark Stoneman and captain Rory Burns gave Surrey a solid start in their chase of 272 and the crown with an opening stand of 111 but Worcestershire -- who are in danger of relegation -- fought hard to take seven wickets. However, it was appropriately Rikki Clarke -- the only player who bridged the gap between the two title successes -- who at 36 steadied the ship but left it to Morkel to score the winning runs, prompting joyous scenes of jubilation. The championship rewarded five years of hard labour for Surrey's director of cricket Alec Stewart. "Things ..
Man City break 500 million income barrier
English champions Manchester City posted record revenues of 500.5 million ($652 million) in a record-breaking 2017/18 campaign on the pitch as Pep Guardiola's men romped to the Premier League title amassing 100 points. City reported profits of 10.4million, a fourth consecutive year of profitability, with wages to revenue ratio falling to 52 percent. "Our journey is not complete and we have more targets to fulfil," said chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who recently celebrated a decade since an Abu Dhabi-backed takeover of the club transformed City's fortunes. "There should be no doubt that we are looking forward to the challenges of the new season and those beyond it with equal commitment and determination to the 10 seasons that came before." Before Sheikh Mansour's takeover, City's revenue was a mere 87 million for the 2007/08 season. Huge losses of over 584 million followed during the first six years of their ownership due to massive investment in the playing squad and facilities, ...
Sri Lanka's suffers setback ahead of Asia Cup
Sri Lanka's opening batsman Dhanushka Gunathilaka suffered a back injury and was ruled out of the upcoming Asian Cup tournament on Thursday, dealing a major blow to the islanders. Sri Lanka Cricket said the 27-year-old left-hand bat will return home from Dubai where he suffered a lower-back injury during practice. The tournament opens on Saturday in Dubai. He will be replaced by left-hand bat Shehan Jayasuriya, 27. On Monday, Sri Lanka's Test captain Dinesh Chandimal was withdrawn from the 16-member squad after he injured a finger during a domestic Twenty20 match. Sri Lanka's revised squad: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhanajaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera and Lasith Malinga.
Mary Kom in final; 7 medals assured for India at Polish boxing tourney
M C Mary Kom Thursday advanced to the finals, while L Sarita Devi made the semifinals as Indian boxers assured themselves of seven medals in the 13th International Silesian Championship for women in Gliwice, Poland. Five-time world champion Mary Kom, who got a direct entry into the 48kg category semifinals due to the small size of the draw, defeated Ukraine's Hanna Okhota in the semifinals to be assured of at least a silver. India's first and only Asian Games gold medal-winning woman boxer is returning to the ring after missing the recently-concluded edition in Jakarta due to minor fitness issues. Sarita, also a former world champion and Asian Games bronze-medallist, beat Czech Republic's Alena Czechy 5-0 Wednesday night after going past Kazakhstan's Aizan Khojabekova in the opening round of the 60kg category the day before. She will now square off against another Kazakh in Karina Ibragimova in the semifinals. Among other Indians in fray, Ritu Grewal won her bout against Russia's ...
Ugandan Kiprotich eyes Toronto marathon course record
Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich, who trains near Eldoret, will become the first Olympic champion to compete at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 21.
Former world marathon record holder Makau retires
Former marathon world record holder Patrick Makau of Kenya on Thursday announced his retirement from athletics and will instead focus his energies on coaching younger athletes.
Dynamos tickets to start at just Rs 49
In a desperate attempt to attract crowds in the national capital, Delhi Dynamos on Thursday announced to sell general tickets for as low as Rs 49 while the VIP tickets will be priced at Rs 249 in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season.
Hamilton expects thrilling competition in Singapore GP
Defending Formula One (F1) champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) said on Thursday that his team is anticipating a challenging race in Singapore, where one of the sport's top Grand Prix events is due to take place.
Gaurika leads after second round of 14th leg of Hero WPG Tour
Golfer Gaurika Bishnoi finally struck form with five birdies to take the lead after the second round of the 14th Leg of the Hero womens Pro Tour at the DLF Golf and Country club here on Thursday.
Mariano's arrival in Real Madrid led to my departure to Levante: Mayoral
Spanish forward Borja Mayoral on Thursday said during his presentation as a new Levante player, that his original plan was to stay at Real Madrid, but the signing of his countryman Mariano during the summer transfer window prompted him to leave the Whites.
Navas will not give away his Real Madrids starting spot: Joel Campbell
Italian first-tier Frosinone Calcio's forward Joel Campbell on Thursday said that his Costa Rican national teammate, goalkeeper Keylor Navas, will not give away his spot in Real Madrid's starting lineup without a fight.
Raikkonen feels satisfied joining Sauber
Finnish Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen said on Thursday that leaving Ferrari was not his decision but that he was satisfied being an Alfa Romeo Sauber Formula 1 Team driver.
Coric, Johnson to open Croatia-US Davis Cup semifinal clash
Croatia's Borna Coric is set to take on Steve Johnson of the United States in the first of the semifinals of the Davis Cup, after the draw conducted on Thursday.
Kohli's absence in Asia cup will make difference: Imam-ul-Haq
Pakistani cricketer Imam-ul-Haq on Thursday said that India captain Virat Kohli not playing in Asia cup will certainly make a difference while adding that even without him India has a strong batting side.Speaking to ANI ahead of India vs Pakistan match in Asia cup, the Pakistan batsman said, "India is a very good team, of course, Virat Kohli not playing will make a difference but even without him they have a strong batting side. Dubai wickets are very similar for Pakistan-India as we are used to playing here. We just want to play an aggressive cricket with a positive mindset".On being asked about the pressure during India-Pakistan match, he said, "Our initial focus is on the first match which is with Hong Kong. India-Pakistan is a pressure match that everyone knows but for me, all games matter equally. It's a cricket game and all the teams have very good potential and good youngsters coming in. It's all about every team chipping in before the world cup it's a good preparation ...
Cruzeiro upsets Palmeiras in first leg of Copa do Brasil semi-finals
Cruzeiro defeated Palmeiras 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash in the Copa do Brasil.
I'm my own worst enemy, says blundering Vettel
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel admitted Thursday he had been his own worst enemy in his Formula One title duel with Lewis Hamilton. Vettel has made a series of driving blunders to leave him 30 points behind the Englishman as they go into this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. "The biggest enemy is me," the German told reporters at the Marina Bay street circuit. Vettel's lapses have cost him points at races in Azerbaijan, France, Germany and Italy that could have seen him leading the championship with seven of the 21 races to go. Instead Vettel is playing catch-up and he knows he cannot afford any more gaffes. "It is pretty straightforward," he said. "He (Hamilton) is ahead at the moment so he is the one to beat. But we have had the chances. "It doesn't help when you start from the front row and you end up facing the wrong way," he said of his first lap spin at Monza two weeks ago, which left him at the back of the pack. "We need to look after ourselves and if we do that we have a good ...
FIFA plans to cap player loans and tighten agent rules
FIFA plans changes to the international transfers rules that would limit player loans and create a clearing house to handle agents fees, a source told AFP on Thursday. FIFA wants to limit to "between six and eight" the number of players one club can lend each season, the source said. The aim would be to "guarantee the sports equality between clubs" and to stop clubs, particularly in England and Italy, signing large numbers of players and loaning them out immediately. Last season, Premier League giants Chelsea had 38 players out on loan. This season, Italian champions Juventus have at least 25 players out on loan. Another FIFA proposal would be to create a clearing house, managed by a bank, to handle the solidarity payments from transfer fees due to clubs that trained players in their youth systems. This clearing house would also be responsible for handling payments to agents. FIFA, which did away with agent licenses in 2015, is planning to reintroduce them with an exam. FIFA made a ..