Page 1372 - Sports

AFI issues apology for 'mocking' Hima's English

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Friday issued an apology for allegedly mocking Hima Das' English skills on their official Twitter account.

FIFA president Infantino celebrates 'best World Cup' ever

FIFA president Gianni Infantino celebrated what he described as the "best World Cup" ever on Friday, thanks to the quality of football and organisation in Russia. "I was saying this would be the best World Cup ever, today I can say it with more conviction... it is the best World Cup," Infantino told reporters in Moscow two days ahead of the final between France and Croatia. Infantino told Russian president Vladimir Putin in a meeting at the Kremlin last week that the world "fell in love with Russia," over the past four weeks. And Infantino said preconceived notions of the country had been changed by the positive experiences of more than one million fans who had visited. "A lot of preconceived ideas have changed thanks to this World Cup," said Infantino. "Everyone has discovered a beautiful country, a welcoming country, full of people keen to show to the world what maybe sometimes is said is not what happens here.

CR7 ice-cream and pizza: Ronaldo mania is in full swing

An ice-cream flavor in his honor, a pizza named after him, queues to buy his shirt: For some, Cristiano Ronaldo is as important as the Pope. Juventus made shockwaves over the world on Tuesday when it completed the signing of Ronaldo from Real Madrid for a Serie A record of 112 million euros, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner signing a four-year deal with the Italian champion. And Ronaldo mania is in full swing in Turin, with enterprising businessmen not missing the opportunity to celebrate the occasion and cash in on the arrival of the Portugal forward. Leonardo La Porta, who has owned Gelateria Miretti in the heart of Turin for 30 years, has created a flavor called CR7 - Ronaldo's famous brand name. The 50-year-old La Porta is not a Juventus supporter, nor even a football fan, but has often creates flavors to mark important events in the city. However, he has only created one flavor in honor of a person before - when the Pope came to Turin in 2015. La Porta put a lot of thought

Sports fraternity hails Hima Das's historic feat

The sports fraternity has come in unison to congratulated sprinter Hima Das, who recently became the first Indian woman to win gold at the IAAF World U-20 Athletics Championships.Indian cricket team opener Rohit Sharma congratulated the 18-year-old sprinter for showcasing incredible efforts and clinching gold.He tweeted, "Incredible effort from Hima Das for winning gold medal for the country. No words can describe the feelings of this impeccable feat??."Indian national football team captain Sunil Chhetri tweeted, "The biggest positive to come out of what Hima Das has achieved isn't the medal, it's the hope that India can. Take a bow, champion!"Former Indian hockey team captain Viren Rasquinha also applauded 'champion' Das for making the country proud.Meanwhile, former Indian opener Virendra Sehwag tweeted, "Wow! So proud of you Hima Das. Incredible, historic achievement on becoming the first Indian track athlete to win a medal at any global event winning Gold at women's 400m World ...

South Africa skittled for worst Test innings in Sri Lanka

Stand-in-skipper Suranga Lakmal and Dilruwan Perera starred as Sri Lanka skittled South Africa for just 126 on Friday -- their lowest Test innings in the country, leaving them 161 runs behind on day two. The visitors' batting fell apart against the spinners while responding to Sri Lanka's 287 in the first Test in Galle. Skipper Faf du Plessis top-scored with 49 before the South African innings folded in the second session. The dismal effort set a new low for South Africa in Sri Lanka, worse than their 169 at the SSC in 2006. At tea, Sri Lanka were 25 for no loss in their second innings to lead by 186 runs. Openers Danushka Gunathilaka, on 10, and first-innings centurion Dimuth Karunaratne, on 15, were batting at the break. But it was the spinners and Lakmal's late pace burst that put the hosts on top in the fast-paced five-day contest. Perera, who took three wickets in the morning session with his off-spin, who stood out for the hosts with impressive figures of 4-46 from his 23 overs,

Chelsea finally put an end to Conte reign

Antonio Conte's two year tenure as Chelsea manager which began with a bang last year after winning the Premier League title ended sourly on Friday with the club announcing they had parted company with him. The 48-year-old Italian had been seen as vulnerable despite winning the FA Cup last term having fallen out with both the board and senior players. The former Italy national coach returned to take training this week but the writing was on the wall and the drawn out process was reportedly due to how much compensation the club should pay Napoli for his likely successor Maurizio Sarri. "Chelsea Football Club and Antonio Conte have parted company," the club said in a terse statement. "During Antonio's time at the club, we won our sixth league title and eighth FA Cup. "In the title winning season, the club set a then-record 30 wins in a 38-game Premier League season, as well as a club-record 13 consecutive league victories. "We wish Antonio every success in his future career." Conte ...

Reluctant, introvert Kaif retires from competitive cricket

Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif announced his retirement from all forms of the game today, exactly 16 years after he combined with Yuvraj Singh to script one of India's most memorable ODI triumphs at the hallowed turf of Lord's. The 37-year-old posted an emotional message on his twitter page to bid adieu to the game, almost 12 years after he last played for the Indian team, standing out as much for his acrobatic fielding as for his effective middle-order batting. "It made sense to do so on July 13. Each of our professional lives are defined by one moment more than any other, 16 years ago today, July 13, 2002 was that moment for me... It seems apt to bid goodbye on this day," Kaif said. Kaif played 13 Tests and 125 ODIs for India and will always be remembered for his match-winning knock of 87 at the Lord's during the epic Natwest Trophy final in 2002. Detailing his cricketing journey which started at 11 "slowly, reluctantly, walking into a bare Green Park Hostel in Kanpur", Kaif spoke ..

Mamata hails Hima Das' acheivement

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today hailed sprinter Hima Das, who became the first Indian woman to clinch a gold medal at a global event the World Under-20 Championships in Finland. Banerjee said that Das' achievement would surely inspire other girls to believe in themselves. "Hima Das the nation is so proud of you. My congratulations to you for your Under20 win in Finland. Your historic achievement of winning India's first ever track athletics world title will inspire girls to believe that nothing is impossible," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle today. Das has clinched the top spot in the women's 400m final race at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships held in Tampere, Finland yesterday.

Two medals assured for India at Gold Gloves boxing

Akash Kumar (56kg) and Lalita (69kg) assured India of two medals at the 36th Golden Glove of Vojvodina youth boxing tournament after advancing to the semifinals of the event in Serbia. Akash advanced to the last-four stage with a 4-1 triumph over Montenegero's Edin Alkovic, while Lalita made it after a 5-0 win against Russia's Viktoriia Bireva in her semifinal contest. Losing in the women's quarterfinals was Jony (60kg), who was beaten by Germany's Stefanie Berge. In the men's 69kg category, Vijaydeep defeated Marius Citu of Romania 5-0 to enter the quarterfinals. Ankit (60kg) made the quarters with a 5-0 win over Kazakhstan's Bek Spandiyar. Also advancing was Nitin Kumar (75kg) with a 4-1 win over Romania's Simon Florin. In the women's draw, Anamika (51kg) defeated Hungary's Hanna Lakotar to make the last-eight stage.

World Cup: Deflated England, Belgium get ready for third place clash (Preview)

A match that no team wants to be part of -- playoff for the third place. Deflated England and Belgium will nonetheless want to end their FIFA World Cup campaign somewhat on a high on Saturday.

Hyderabad monsoon races to begin on July 16

The stage is set forthe 28-day Hyderabad monsoon racing season 2018-19, scheduled to begin at the Malakpet race course here on July 16. A total stakesmoney of Rs 9.89 crore besides trophies worth Rs 14.74 lakh would be given away during the monsoon racing season which will conclude onOctober 29. At the customaryseason-eve press conference last night, Hyderabad Race Club Chairman R Surrender Reddy said the stakes were expected to go up further with the division of races adding stakes offered here was the highest in the country Rs 1.88 lakh per horse. He said the HRC would have the honour of hosting the Indian Turf Invitation Cup weekend races on March 2 and 3, 2019. More than 20 "A" licensed trainers will race their wards and 35 licensed jockeys and apprentice jockeys will don the colours of various horse owners during the monsoon season. Besides, leading outstation trainers and jockeys will participate during the season. Of the 717 horses including 192 two-year-old ...

ATK sign Moroccan mideo Noussair El Mimouni

Two-time Indian Super League champions ATK have roped in Moroccan midfielder Noussair El Mimouni for the upcoming season. "Noussair El Mimouni has been a very valuable addition to the ATK family. I am very happy with the way the team is shaping up and I am sure that his presence in the midfield will strengthen the team," ATK head coach Steve Coppell said in the announcement. A defensive midfielder, Noussair has represented Morocco at U-23 level and also played more than 100 games in the Moroccan first division with club Moghreb of Tetouan. With Moghreb de Tetouan, he participated in the African Champions League as well as Club World Cup and won two league titles with them. He last represented Ittihad Tanger as he would now join the Manuel Lanzarote Bruno in ATK's midfield.

Ecuador clubs set to begin battle for second Copa Libertadores berth

With the opening stage of this season's Ecuadorian football league set to conclude, the battle for the second of two berths in the 2019 Copa Libertadores group phase now begins in earnest.

Owner of Israeli soccer club arrested for tax scam in stadiums

Barak Abramov, owner of an Israeli Premier League football club and a local restaurant chain, has recently been arrested on suspicion of a huge tax fraud at sports stadiums.

Athlete Hima enjoys meteoric rise from humble beginnings (Profile)

Born in a poor family in the Nagaon district of Assam, sprinter Hima Das' has enjoyed a meteoric rise. On Thursday evening, she created history in Tampere, Finland by winning the gold medal -- the second by an Indian athlete -- in the women's 400 metre event at the IAAF World U20 Championships.

Wimbledon: Serena books ticket to 10th final

Serena Williams will make her 10th appearance at the Wimbledon final after beating No.13 seed Julia Goerges of Germany 6-4, 6-2 in the semi-finals.

Brazilian football star Marta named goodwill ambassador by UN Women

Brazilian woman football star Marta Vieira da Silva was named by UN Women as a goodwill ambassador to work for gender equality in sports and other areas.

FIFA WC: Will Smith to perform at closing ceremony

American actor and singer Will Smith is once again set to rock the stage of the ongoing 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup 2018 as he will perform at the closing ceremony of the showpiece event this Sunday.Smith, who also performed at the opening ceremony 0f the football tournament, will sing the official song, 'Live it Up' alongside American singer Nicky Jam and Kosovar singer Era Istrefi, reported The Hollywood Reporter.The World Cup, which kicked off last month, saw 32 nations, divided into eight groups, competing in 64 games over 32 days and fighting it out for the coveted trophy.In the tournament's final on Sunday, France will lock horns with Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium.On a related note, Belgium and England will play a match for the third place on Saturday in St. Petersburg.

No positive drug tests at 2018 World Cup: FIFA

FIFA has confirmed that all the dope tests carried out before and during the 2018 World Cup finals have returned negative.

India U-16 team beat Thailand's Buriram United U-17

The Indian U-16 football team, currently on an exposure tour to Thailand, defeated Buriram United FC U-17 2-0 on Friday.