Page 1239 - Sports
Indian players wear black armbands as mark of respect to Wadekar
The Indian cricketers today wore black arm bands on the first day of the third Test against England here as a mark of respect to former captain Ajit Wadekar, who passed away on August 15. Just before the start of the day's play, the Indian players, led by Virat Kohli, were seen wearing black arm bands in memory of the departed former skipper. Wadekar, who led India to their first away series victory in West Indies and England in 1971, died in Mumbai on August 15 after a prolonged illness. He was 77. England won the toss and put India in to bat. The home team is leading the five-match series 2-0.
CCI Billiards: Kothari, Parikh storm into final
SouravKothari of ONGC and Siddharth Parikh of Railways produced impressive performances today as they blew away their respective semi-final opponents to storm into the final of the Rs 3.8 lakh prize-money CCI Billiards Classic 2018. The tournament has been organised by the Cricket Club of India (CCI) here. In a 150-minute semi-final encounter, the Kolkata- based Kothari, a former Asian Billiards champion, showed good break-building abilities and started with a bang amassing a 211 break, his third double century effort in the competition, to brush aside the lukewarm challenge from seasoned pro and compatriot Alok Kumar, marching to a 652-231 victory. Besides the mammoth break, Kothari had a century run of 130 and two breaks of 74 and 63 wrap up the match. Alok Kumar, who was unable to offer much of a fight, could only manage a half century break of 52. On a side table, Parikh picked up steam from the start to send his Railways teammate Ashok Shandilya crashing out in the .
Argentine La Volpe named new coach for Egypt's Pyramids FC
Egypt's Pyramids Football Club announced on Saturday the appointment of Argentine Ricardo La Volpe, former coach of Mexico, to lead the Egyptian Premier League side.
Dale Steyn aspires for World Cup glory
South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has said that he wishes to win a World Cup trophy for his side.The 35-year-old, however, added that making a comeback to the South African one-day side would be his priority."I would love to win a trophy for South Africa in white ball cricket. A number of cricketers who have played before me - Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Graeme Smith are legends of the game, but weren't fortunate enough to win an ICC-sanctioned event during their playing careers. I might join those names, but hopefully I will still be around in 2019 to play in the next World Cup and have a crack at winning the trophy in the UK," Sports24.com quoted Steyn, as saying."However, I have got to earn my way back into the Proteas ODI team," he added.Praising the current generation of South African bowlers, Steyn said that they are performing quite well and he would be happy to sit out of the team and watch them shine. He, however, asserted that he is still capable of making a useful ..
Neeraj Chopra is the future Olympian: Sushil Kumar
Star wrestler Sushil Kumar has said that Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who will be the flag bearer for the Indian contingent at the 18th Asian Games, is the future Olympian and has got the calibre to win a medal for the country in the prestigious tournament.Speaking to ANI, the wrestler said, "He (Neeraj Chopra) is our future Olympic champion. Chopra has got the calibre to win an Olympic medal, which this country is dreaming of, for a long time."The 35-year-old also extended his good wishes to Chopra ahead of the Asian Games opening ceremony, where he will be leading the Indian squad.Reflecting on his own preparation ahead of the event, Kumar said that he has been trained well and is ready to give 100 per cent for his country."The way I have been trained, I will try to give my 100 per cent and do well for the country," Kumar said.He further stated that after the Asian Games, he would keep on participating in various wrestling events to prepare himself for the 2020 Tokyo ...
ATK rope in Cameroon defender Bikey
Cameroon defender Andre Bikey was today roped in by Indian Super League Kolkata franchise ATK. Formerly of Reading, Burnley and Middlesbrough, 33-year-old Bikey was one of NorthEast's best performers on his ISL debut in 2015, capping off nine appearances. "I am looking forward to joining ATK and helping them achieve success in season 5 of the Indian Super League. I have much respect for head coach Steve Coppell and that made it an easy decision for me to sign here," Bikey who represented Jamshedpur FC last season said. "The passion for football in Kolkata is one of the best in India, I can't wait to get started." He represented his nation Cameroon at three Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2006, 2008, and 2010 and was also a member of their Beijing 2008 Olympics squad. Meanwhile, ATK also announced that they would be flying out to Spain for their pre-season camp from August 21-September 15.
Nottingham Test: India to bat first against England
England won the toss and asked India to bat first in the third Test of the ongoing five-match series at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.Following the toss, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said, "We wanted to bat first, it seems pretty hard. The idea was to play freely and put up runs on the board. Just go out and express yourself."England captain Joe Root, on the other hand, said that green coverage on the pitch would be helpful for the bowlers and it is a great opportunity for the team to do "something special."Reflecting on the team combinations, Kohli confirmed that spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been replaced by pacer Jasprit Bumrah, whereas Rishabh Pant and Shikhar Dhawan have also made their way into the team.For England, Ben Stokes has come in at the place of Sam Curran.Earlier in the day, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had confirmed that left-hand batsman Rishabh Pant would be making his debut in the third Test of the ongoing series. Pant became the 291st player to represent ..
India U-16 football team to play Turkey, Oman in Istanbul Cup
Less than two weeks after the India Under-16 football team finished runners-up to Japan in the five-nation WAFF U-16 Championship, the squad will be participating in the tri-nation Istanbul Cup in Turkey as part of their exposure for next month's AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018.
Back to his best, Indian rower Bhokanal targets Asiad gold for late mother
Indian rower Dattu Baban Bhokanal, the favourite to win single sculls gold at the Asian Games, is back to his best after a traumatising period during which he lost his mother. The strong rowing contingent expectedly has not attracted much attention but they can significantly contribute to India's medals tally at the Games. Indian rowing technical director Nicolai Gioga expects medals in seven events including singles sculls where Bhokanal will be vying for the gold. His average time has been hovering around the 7 minute mark and two weeks ago while training in Pune he also produced the time he clocked in Rio Olympics -- 6:54.96. At Incheon Asian Games four years ago, Iran's Mohsen Shadi won the gold with 7.05.66. "A medal should come considering the times I have been producing but in rowing it is all about the wind. Pune was okay but here you never know about the wind. It stops and them comes from nowhere. So impossible to say what time will be good enough for a medal," said Army man
Cameroonian defender Andre Bikey joins ATK
Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK on Saturday announced the signing of Cameroonian defender Andre Bikey for the upcoming football season.
Chance for Bajrang and Vinesh to enhance status, test for Sushil, Sakshi
Rising star Bajrang Punia and confidence-personified Vinesh Phogat will lead the Indian charge on the wrestling mat even as double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar has a point to prove when the freestyle competition at the Asian Games begins here tomorrow. Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik will also gun for her first medal in the Asian Games after winning a bronze in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games earlier this year. Five of the six Indian men's freestyle wrestlers will be in action tomorrow with CWG gold medallist Bajrang opening his campaign in the 65kg category against Uzbekistan's Sirojiddin Khasanov. The men's Greco Roman and women's competition will begin from Monday. Bajrang is coming into the Asian Games after winning three consecutive gold medals -- CWG (Gold Coast), Tbilisi Grand Prix (Georgia) and Yasar Dogu International (Istanbul) -- and will be an outright favourite to claim the yellow metal. In contrast, Sushil, India's only athlete with two individual Olympic .
Messi to miss friendlies as Argentina renew squad
Barcelona star Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's upcoming friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia as interim coach Lionel Scaloni revamps the national squad after a disappointing World Cup.
England put India to bat in 3rd Test, Pant debuts
England skipper Joe Root won the toss and opted to field against India in the third Test of the five-match rubber at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.
Hopeful Indians eye Asiad glory (Preview)
After a chaotic and sometimes controversial build-up, Indian athletes will gear up to challenge the best in the continent when the main competitions of the 18th Asian Games start here on SUnday.
England opts to bowl against India in 3rd Test
England skipper Joe Root won the toss and elected to field against India in the third cricket Test at Trent Bridge here today. India made three changes to the playing XI, handing young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant his maiden Test cap, while fit-again Jasprit Bumrah was back in the fold replacing Kuldeep Yadav and Shikhar Dhawan came in for Murali Vijay. England made just one change, bringing in all-rounder Ben Stokes in place of Sam Curran. Teams: India: Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (w), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah England: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (c), Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow (w), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
Levante thump Real Betis 3-0
Levante got a brace from Jose Luis Morales to defeat Real Betis 3-0 in the 2018-2019 La Liga opener for both clubs.
Federer pulls off tough win to advance to semi-finals of Cincinnati Masters
Switzerland's Roger Federer, second seeded, pulled off a tough win against compatriot Stan Wawrinka who snatched the first set, to qualify for the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters 1000.
Japan: Asian Games a proving ground for 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Japan is shooting for a record 30 gold medals when they host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, and the Asian Games are the proving ground. It's a lofty goal, although home nations usually get a medal-winning bounce. Japan has never won more than 16 gold at an Olympics that was in Tokyo in 1964 and in 2004 in Athens and it managed 12 in Rio de Janeiro two years ago. China is sure to top the medal standings at the Asian Games which opened Saturday, followed by either South Korea or Japan. But that's only half the story. "We are not aiming only at results, but we're looking into the ways our athletes compete," Yasuhiro Yamashita, Japanese Olympic Committee executive board member, told reporters ahead of the opening ceremony in Jakarta. "The issue is quality. If it's a high-quality performance, then we can see we have talent for the Olympics." China has the largest delegation with 845 athletes at the Asian Games, followed by South Korea with 807 and Japan with 768. At total of 11,300 ...
Sweet sixteen for North Korea's women at Asian Games
It is a scoreline so audacious even Kim Jong Il would have blushed. North Korea's women's football team thrashed Tajikistan 16-0 at the Asian Games on Friday, a merciless demolition which saw three players score hat-tricks. Unlike their former leader's legendary first-ever round of golf -- in which he claimed to hit 11 holes-in-one -- the footballers' achievement is recorded in the official record books of Asia's regional Olympics. North Korea's women, whose win equalled the tournament record, have long been elite-level international performers. Pyongyang has invested in sporting success in recent times, opening an elite football academy for young boys and girls five years ago in the capital, as well as a top-class ski resort. But the women's success has far outstripped their male counterparts, including three Asian Games gold medals, three Asian Cups and the last under-17 and under-20 World Cups. Current leader Kim Jong Un appears to have taken particular interest in women's ...
OCA upholds China, Kazakhstan Asian Games weightlifting ban
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) confirmed Saturday there would be no last-minute Asian Games reprieve for banned weightlifting powerhouse China. Both China, who won seven golds in the 2014 Asian Games, and Kazakhstan, who took one gold, are among nine nations currently serving 12-month International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) suspensions for multiple doping violations. Rumours had circulated in Jakarta that China could be reinstated by the International Weightlifting Federation after the country's banned athletes suddenly appeared on the official Games website two days ago. But the IWF agreed at an executive board meeting in Lausanne on Friday to keep monitoring the nine countries before making any changes to their banned status. "We follow the rules of the International Weightlifting Federation," OCA director general Husain Al Musallam told AFP after the meeting in Jakarta. "They (the IWF) had their meeting and they did not send us anything to say we can allow China or ...