Page 1355 - Sports
Barcelona hard at work for Tottenham friendly
A month before La Liga kicks off in Spain and two weeks before its next friendly tie against Tottenham, players were on Tuesday hard at work at its training grounds to get ready for the upcoming season.
IOA clears men's handball team for Asiad after court ruling
The Indian Olympic Association today cleared the men's handball team for the upcoming Asian Games after the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court intervened. "We decided to clear men's handball team for the Asian Games," IOA secretary-general Rajeev Mehta told PTI. "After the court decision, it was referred to IOA legal commission which also cleared it. I have written to Asian Games Organising Committee to consider men's handball team's official entry in the Asian Games. "We have made the official communication that men's handball team be allowed to take part in the Games. It is now for the Games organisers to decide on it," he said. The men's handball team was not in the original 524-member contingent of athletes cleared by the IOA earlier this month. But somehow the men's team featured in the official draw and the Asian federation informed the Handball Federation of India that its team is eligible to take part in the Asian Games. The IOA did not immediately clear the team, prompting
Sajan wins gold as India bag 4 medals on day 1 of Junior Asian wrestling Championships
India's Greco Roman wrestler Sajan gave his blood and sweat before emerging champion in the 77kg category as the hosts claimed four medals, including two silver and a bronze, on the opening day of the Junior Asian Championships here. Four of the five Indians in action today returned with medals as Manjeet opted out of event due to an injury. Sajan opened India's gold account while Vijay (5kg) and Aryan Pawar (130kg) settled for silver medals. Kumar Sunil won bronze in the 87kg. Sajan overcame Iran's Shayan-Hosein Afifi 3-0 in the final to better his last year's performance at the event when he won a bronze in Taipei. It was Sajan's first international gold as he had a bronze at the Junior Worlds last year. He had taken a 3-0 lead and maintained it throughout despite suffering a blow. With 27 seconds to go for the final whistle, he received a cut above the right eye and had to be treated. Sajan bravely held off the Iranian to claim the gold. He had got past Tajikistan's D. Rozikov by .
Arjun, the other Tendulkar, makes international debut
Arjun Tendulkar, son of arguably one of the greatest batsmen some of whose unique records are tipped to live down the ages, today made his much-anticipated international debut on a ground identified by its unique name. Sachin Tendulkar's 18-year-old son announced his arrival in the international arena with a wicket in his first 12 balls for India U-19, and the significance of the game was not lost on the cricket fraternity. The focus was on Arjun's debut as India's U-19 team dominated its counterparts from Sri Lanka on the opening day of the first Youth Test at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground. Tendulkar junior, whose father made his senior India debut at the age of 16 back in 1989, needed only 12 balls to claim his maiden wicket, trapping Sri Lanka U-19 opener Kamil Mishara. Arjun who started the proceedings with the ball for India U19 took the wicket in his second over after trapping Mishara in front of the stumps. Left-arm pacer Tendulkar bowled an inswinging length delivery ...
Khelo Bharat 2018 finals on July 24-25
The Khelo Bharat 2018 finals will be held on July 24-25 at the Talkatora Stadium here, with players from 27 states showcasing their skills in traditional games like Kabaddi, Kushti, Kho-Kho, Tug of War, and Malkambh, it was announced on Tuesday.
Former internationals, national players in PMBL
Over 120 shuttlers, including former international andnational players and Arjuna awardees willcompete for the Pro Masters Badminton League (PMBL) title here from July 30 to August 1. The event will be held under the auspices of the Badminton Association of India and the Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association. PMBL organizing secretary J B S Vidyadhar said that the three-day tournament for master players, aged 35 or above, would begin onJuly 30morning at8 AM. The players were selected by owners of six teams - Wristy Masters, Shining Stars, Rhino Smashers, Himalayan Tigers, AmaravathiSunrises and Hyderabad Warriors in an auction. Olympian V Diju, Arjuna awardee George Thomas and internationals like Shrikant Bakshi, Jasheel Ismail, Jason Xavier, Vijay Lancy, Neelima Chowdary and Deepthi Ch and some other noted master players will be participating in the PMBL. The league format includes mens double, womens doubles and mixed doubles. Each team comprises 12 male and four women ..
Cornet advances to Swiss Open round of 16
France's Alize Cornet qualified for the Swiss Open's second round on Tuesday after defeating world No. 190 Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain 6-2, 6-2.
'Africa real' World Cup winners, says Venezuela's Maduro
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro believes Africa and not France are the true winners of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. France beat Croatia 4-2 in Sunday's final in Moscow, but with a team featuring number players of African heritage. "The French team seems like the African team, in reality Africa won, the African immigrants who arrived in France," Maduro said at an event to celebrate police day in Venezuela on Monday. "How much have they despised Africa, and in the football World Cup France won the trophy thanks to African players or the sons of Africans." Two of France's goalscorers against Croatia have African roots: Paul Pogba's parents are from Guinea while Kylian Mbappe's parents are Cameroonian and Algerian. Of the players who started in the final, Samuel Umtiti was born in Cameroon, Blaise Matuidi's parents are Angolan and Congolese, N'Golo Kante's parents are Malian while Raphael Varane's father is from the Caribbean island of Martinique. Of the 23-man squad, 16 have African .
Legend Player slams golf authorities over tardy dope testing introduction
Dope testing is due to be introduced at The Open for the first time this week at Carnoustie but South African golfing legend Gary Player questions why it has taken so long. The 82-year-old -- one of whose nine majors came at Carnoustie in the 1968 Open -- has not shied away from raising the spectre of golfers taking performance-enhancing drugs having first broached the explosive subject in 2007. Player concedes that tennis and golf to his mind are the cleanest sports but still is not content it has taken such a long time to bring in testing, with the PGA Tour introducing blood testing last year. "Why so late? We are the last of all sports to do it," he told Tuesday's edition of The Times. "We have had players who have used performance-enhancing drugs. "Are we ever going to be able to stop it? No. There's too much involved. That's the world we live in." Player said it is nonsense to suggest doping would not aid a golfer's cause. "It makes you stronger," he said. "You don't get injured .
Man United defender Daley Blind returns to Dutch side Ajax
Manchester United confirmed on Tuesday that Netherlands defender Daley Blind is to return to Amsterdamsche Football Club (AFC) Ajax.
Ronaldo's Juventus move will make Serie A better: Mourinho
Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho feels Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus is going to make Serie A football league more exciting, with other Italian clubs now having to catch up and continue challenging the Turin giants.
ICC opens public ballot for 2019 World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has opened the public ballot from August 1, ahead of the Cricket World Cup next year.The Ballot will be open till August 29 and fans will be able to apply to each of the 48 fixtures, with tickets in each price band at every game available.In order to apply for the tickets, enthusiasts will have to register via the official cricket world cup ticketing website.Tickets for children are available from 6 pounds, with a family of four able to go to selected group games for 44 pounds.The World Cup, which will be hosted in England and Wales, will feature ten teams in a round robin group stage, followed by the semi-finals and final.England will open the tournament at the Oval on May 30, when they take on South Africa while reigning champions Australia will start their title defence on June 1 against Afghanistan in a day/night match in Bristol.The finals is slated to take place on July 14 at Lord's Cricket Ground.
India to play Murcia in U-20 Cotif Tournament opener
Indian under-20 men's football team will take on Murcia, a local team, in their opening match in the Cotif Tournament, which will be held in Spain from July 29.The under-20 national team will comprise of boys who represented India in the FIFA under-17 World Cup and those who represented India in the AFC Under-19 Qualifiers in 2017.The director of national teams, Abhishek Yadav, said that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has drawn up a template where all national teams will be playing international competitions in addition to their domestic schedule."The Cotif tournament in Spain falls well into our plans and we are excitedly looking forward to it. The Sub20 category, India will be up against teams from renowned football powerhouses that will be preparing for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2019 qualifiers," Yadav said."For the development of all national teams across age-groups, we have drawn up a template in which playing matches on a regular basis has been given high weightage," he .
Glory of Indian women's hockey to feature in London exhibition
Fans watching the Hockey Womens World Cup at the Lee Valley Centre, London, are in for a double treat. They will also get to have a close look at India's glorious past in women's hockey, thanks to a unique photo exhibition by The Hockey Museum, London, and sports curator Sunil Yash Kalra from India. The world cup starts on July 21 at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre.
Sharma ready to live dream at The Open
India's rising star Shubhankar Sharma will realise a long-time dream when he makes his debut appearance at The 147th Open at Carnoustie, which gets underway on Thursday. The 21-year-old Sharma clinched a sensational breakthrough on the Asian Tour by winning the Joburg Open last December to earn a coveted spot for the year's third Major championship. That victory will stay with me for the rest of my life. It was my first win and I was literally playing 'alone' in South Africa. I will always remember the love and warmth I got from the local fans that week and, of course, the avenues it has opened up for me in life. "Teeing it up for The Open is the best spin off. I am really excited to be here, said Sharma who was the only Indian in the 240-man field at the tri-sanctioned event in Joburg. Playing in The Open has been my 'only' dream, at one point of time, when I started playing golf. I have watched all the past editions on television and I would keep replaying the videos until I feel as
Young talent on display as Delhi leg of Junior badminton C'ship begins
Over 1119 young Indian shuttlers showed their skills as the Delhi leg of the fourth season of PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship got underway at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex here today. The tournament, which is approved by the Badminton Association of India (BAI), will see matches under four age categories: Under-9, 11, 13 and 15 for both boys and girls. This year, JBC is scheduled to be held in 10 cities - Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Kochi, Lucknow, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati and New Delhi. Top two kids from each category from every city tournament will proceed to the National Finale in New Delhi scheduled on August 9-10 to fight for the National title. Speaking on the occasion, BAI President Himanta Biswa Sarma, said, We are delighted to associate with PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) 4. "Through this initiative young children can now hone their skills and chase their badminton dreams. India has the potential to produce many budding sports stars. ...
Kevin Anderson acknowledges South African President's call
South African tennis player Kevin Anderson has said that he received a phone call from President Cyril Ramaphosa right before his Wimbledon final and he really appreciates the gesture.Anderson was appreciated widely for his fantastic run in the recently-concluded Wimbledon where he lost 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) in the final of the championship against Serbian Novak Djokovic.In an interview with the local radio station, Wimbledon finalist said that the kind of sports he has got from across the world is amazing and he really appreciates the call from President."The support I've had has been amazing right across the board, from people here in London to other athletes in South Africa," Sports24 quoted Anderson, as saying."I spoke to our president right before the match. He said that the whole country was proud and behind me and to just give it my best shot. I really appreciated the call," he added.The 32-year-old, in one of the major upsets of the tournament, defeated defending champion Roger .
Golfer Shubhankar ready to live the dream at The 147th Open (Preview)
Indias rising golfer Shubhankar Sharma will realise his long-time dream when he makes his debut appearance at The 147th Open here, which gets underway on Thursday.
'Khelo Bharat' finals on July 24 and 25
The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha will be organising the finals of 'Khelo Bharat', an initiative to encourage traditional Indian sports such as kabaddi and kho-kho, in the capital's Talkatora Stadium on July 24 and 25. The initiative has seen thousands of young sportsmen and women participating in traditional Indian sports. Talking about the initiative, BJYM president Poonam Mahajan said in a release, "The Youth represents the most dynamic and vibrant segment of the population. This is an initiative that has been taken by us to encourage the traditional sports amongst thousands of young sportsmen and women in India. "We started this program last year and the enthusiasm that you see in today's youth is contagious. In the years to come, we hope more and more Indian youth will participate to showcase their skills." After a grand opening in Lucknow on July 6 last year, the finals will see players from 27 states showcasing their skill. Currently, Khelo Bharat is promoting five traditional ..
Louis Philippe Cup to tee-off from July 31
About 130 golfers, including around 50 players some 15 countries from the Asian Development Tour, would be vying for honours when the USD 75000 Louis Philippe Cup tees off at the picturesque Prestige Golf Shire Club here from July 31 to August 4. Louis Philippe Cup will debut as a co-sanctioned professional golf tournament by the Asian Development Tour (ADT) and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). Some top names to look forward at the Louis Philippe Cup would include the likes of current PGTI Order of Merit (OOM) leader Honey Baisoya of Delhi and second ranked Sri Lankan R N Thangaraja. Other leading Indians and current Asian Tour regulars like Udayan Mane, Shamim Khan, Rashid Khan & Chikkarangappa, would also be seen in action at the Prestige Golf Shire Club. Some prominent foreign ADT golfers who are expected to be participating in the Louis Philippe Cup 2018, include current rankings leader Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand and Johnson Poh of Singapore, who is ranked ...