Page 1381 - Sports

France squad takes a break after qualifying for World Cup final

The French national team on Wednesday enjoyed a rest day after they secured a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Belgium.

Home Ministry has cleared Pakistan's participation at Asian jr championship: WFI

Decks were today cleared for participation of Pakistani grapplers at the Asian Junior Championship after Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) agreed to give an undertaking that the movement of the contingent from the neighbouring nation will be restricted to the competition venue. The WFI had got the clearance for the championships only yesterday but the Home Ministry had put on hold participation of Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan in the continental championship, to be held at the KD Jadhav Stadium in New Delhi from July 17-22. Pakistani wrestlers could not compete in 2015 Asian Cadet Championship as the MHA had refused to give them the clearance. "We got a call from the home ministry that wrestlers from Pakistan can come to India and compete," WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar told PTI. "We have to give an undertaking to the Crime Branch that we will take responsibility of the Pakistani wrestlers. We have to ensure that Pakistani wrestlers do not go anywhere except hotel and the ...

Hockey players to get monthly allowance from TOPS, training money sanctioned for Sushil

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Sports Sinistry today approved a monthly allowance of Rs 50,000 for each of the 18 members of the men's hockey team under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The monthly allowance under TOPS has been started by the ministry last year but the hockey team is getting the pocket allowance for the first time. The decision to include hockey was taken after India's performance improved under new coach Harendra Singh as they finished runners up in the Champions Trophy in the Netherlands. The women's team could be included in the TOPS after reviewing its performance in the upcoming World Cup and the following Asian Games. Among the other notable decisions taken, double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar has been sanctioned Rs 6.62 lakh for hiring two sparring partners and a physiotherapist during his ongoing training stint in Georgia. Another Rs 3.22 lakh has been sanctioned for Bajrang Punia and Sumit for their training and tournament participation in ...

Coach Ek the unlikely stateless hero of Thai cave drama

Schooled as a monk and now hailed a hero, football coach Ekkapol Chantawong is one of several stateless members of the "Wild Boars", a team whose survival after days trapped in a flooded Thai cave fixated a country that does not recognise them as citizens. Coach Ek, the 25-year-old who was among the last to emerge from the cave yesterday, has been lauded for keeping the the young footballers -- aged 11-16 -- calm as starvation loomed in the dark. He was the only adult with the boys when they entered the cave on June 23 until they were found nine days later by British divers on a muddy bank deep inside the cave complex. As he awaited his turn to undertake the dangerous exit from the Tham Luang complex, Thais on the outside celebrated him as a modest, devout and duty-bound member of the Mae Sai community. "From all the parents, please take care of all the children. Don't blame yourself," said a letter to him from the boys' relatives released July 7. In reply he scrawled a note ...

Special Bharat team to leave for Unified Football Cup on July 15

A women's football team including six players with intellectual disability and five mainstream athletes will be representing India at the Special Olympics Unified Cup to be held in Chicago from July 17-20. The five day tournament is being organized to mark the 50th Anniversary of Special Olympics. With regular training camps being held since March, the team is ready to face global competition at the Unified Cup. Speaking at the send-off event for the athletes, five-time World Champion Mary Kom, said, "Special Olympics Unified Sports is a great initiative and it is amazing that the women from our country will be representing our nation at the Unified Cup 2018. Wishing the entire team all the very best fro the game." "This is a glorious year for Special Olympics as it marks 50 years of the global inclusive movement. It gives me immense pleasure to be able to prepare a Unified Football female team to face global competition at this phenomenal platform. manifesting football as a medium of

India's squad for SO Unified Cup to leave on July 15

A football team consisting of six athletes with intellectual disability and five mainstream athletes from India, which are supported by Herbalife Nutrition, will leave on July 15 for the Special Olympics Unified Cup, scheduled to be held between July 17 to 20 in Chicago, it was announced on Wednesday.

Justin Timberlake to screen FIFA World Cup semifinal at his concert

Justin Timberlake has announced that he will screening the England vs Croatia FIFA World Cup semifinal at his London concert. The "Suit and Tie" hitmaker's concert at London's O2 Arena is scheduled only a few hours after the match. In a video posted to his Twitter and Instagram accounts, the American singer shared plans, saying the arena will open the doors hours before the concert so that his fans will able to watch the match. "We did a crazy show on Monday got another one coming up on Wednesday. There's also another very important thing happening on Wednesday," the 37-year-old said in the video. "So here's what we're going to do. I spoke to the O2 and for the first time ever doors will open at 6:30pm and we're going to play this England vs Croatia match up on my big screens so come here and we'll watch it together. We're going to watch this together, and you know what? It's coming home," Timberlake added. England's football team has only won the World Cup once, back in 1966. A win .

Confident India eye winning start to ODI series against England (Preview)

Fresh from their Twenty20 International (T20I) series win, an upbeat India will be eyeing to continue with the momentum when they take on England in the first of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) rubber at Trent Bridge here on Thursday.

Despite missing Asiad, Mary upbeat about World Championships

Despite pulling out of the upcoming Asian Games due to injury, five-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom is upbeat about the World Championships to be held in November here.

Master blaster backs England for FIFA World Cup glory

India might not be the part of the ongoing 21st edition of FIFA World Cup, but master blaster Sachin Tendulkar could not escape from its fever.Taking to Twitter, the 45-year-old posted a sweet video supporting the England football team, captioning it, "Come on England.""Guys, this time I am backing England......in football.....Come on England!!!" Tendulkar said in a video.Earlier, Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan posted a snap of himself and his father Amitabh holding the tickets for the semi-final clash between France and Belgium at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.In the post, Junior Bachchan also congratulated France for entering the finals of the prestigious tournament following their 1-0 win over Belgium.On a related note, England are slated to play their semi-final match against Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.

Mary Kom confident of World Championship title

Five times world champion M.C Mary Kom has said that she is confident ahead of the World Boxing Championship and is training very hard for the same."If I am not getting any injury and if I am training regularly, giving 100 percent in my training, I will definitely perform and I will definitely.... I am going to win the world championship," Mary Kom said.The 35-year-old, who pulled out of the Asian Games due to injury concerns, stated that she is healing fast and have started her training.Making her point clear, the Olympic bronze medalist asserted that her target is to do well in the world championship and stay fit for the tournament.The World Boxing Championship is slated to be held from November 15 to November 24.

Rangana Herath hints at retirement from international cricket

Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath has hinted that he might take retirement from the international cricket.The 40-year-old, who is bracing up for two-match test series against South Africa, said that there comes a time in player's life when they have to take a decision regarding their future and the time has come for him."Following this South Africa series, there is another three months until the England series. For now, this is what I've planned for. There comes a time for every cricketer, when they have to stop playing. I think that time has come for me," Sports24 quoted Herath, as saying.Herath, who is one of the most successful Test bowlers for Sri Lanka having taken 418 wickets in 90 matches, pulled out of shorter formats of the game in 2016.Reflecting on his career, the left-arm bowler said that he is happy that he could give 18 years to the Sri Lankan cricket."I'm really glad I've been able to play as long as I have. But the most important thing is that of those 18 years, I ...

Federer, Tendulkar to 'exchange notes'?

Funny, sweet conversations on Twitter is not a new thing, but a chat between Swiss tennis star Roger Federer and star Indian Batsman Sachin Tendulkar is something one cannot miss.Impressed by Federer's hand-eye coordination during his pre-quarters clash with Adrian Mannarino in the ongoing Wimbledon championship, Tendulkar took to Twitter and suggested the World number two to exchange notes on cricket and tennis."As always, great hand-eye co-ordination. @rogerfederer, let's exchange notes on cricket and tennis after you win your 9th Wimbledon title," Tendulkar tweeted.Replying to the master blaster's tweet, Federer tweeted an adorable message saying, "why wait? I'm ready to take notes! @sachin_rt".Continuing with the conversation, the right-hand batsman agreed to give the twenty times Grand Slam champion some 'straight drive' lessons in exchange of 'backhand' tips.Tendulkar further wished Federer for the tournament and hoped to catch up with him in next year's Wimbledon.Sachin, who is

Eyeing a sixth world title, Mary Kom for 'smart' training

Indian boxer MC Mary Kom says she has her sights set on a historic sixth World Championship crown and is training "smartly" to achieve it. The 35-year-old had pulled out of the Asian Games due to a shoulder problem, but is expected to be back in action at the World Championships to be held in New Delhi in November. "One thing I am certain of that if I don't get any injury and give 100 per cent in my training then I definitely I can say that I am going to win the World Championship. If something in between happens then I can't say. But I am healing well," she told reporters here. "I am training smartly for the World Championship. Six-seven years ago we would train for two-three hours but now it is not required. We are able to do everything in an hour of training. Staying fit is very important for a comeback so I would say one should be clever with the training," she added. Talking about the performance of the young generation of women boxers, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist said .

They're coming home: football world hails Thai cave 'heroes'

They may not make it to the World Cup final, but the schoolboy team rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand have been hailed as "heroes" by top footballers and clubs after their dramatic ordeal. Paul Pogba, Manchester United and Barcelona were among the masses around the world to breathe a sigh of relief as the Wild Boars team finally emerged after more than two weeks trapped underground. In a sign of how their plight had gripped players at the ongoing World Cup in Russia, Paul Pogba dedicated France's semi-final win against Belgium to the youngsters. "This victory goes to the heroes of the day, well done boys, you are so strong," the Manchester United midfielder tweeted after Tuesday's 1-0 win. England defender Kyle Walker, ahead of today's semi-final against Croatia, also welcomed the news and offered to send them football shirts. "Amazing news that all of the Thai kids are out of the cave safely! I'd like to send out shirts to them! Is there anyone who can help with an address?" he

Fifa World Cup 2018: Pogba dedicates France semifinal win to Thai players

Fifa had invited the team to the World Cup final but the governing body announced the boys wouldn't be able to attend since they are receiving medical treatment

Deschamps lives in present as France reach World Cup final

France coach Didier Deschamps went down his memory lane, marked by happy and sad moments, after his team's 1-0 win over Belgium in the FIFA World Cup semi-final.

Putin congratulates Macron after France reach World Cup final

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Frances semi-final victory over Belgium and advancement to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, the Kremlin press service said.

FIFA WC: England face Croatia challenge final berth

England will look to cement their spot in finals of the ongoing 21st edition of FIFA World Cup when they square off with Croatia in the second semi-final clash here at Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.England have impressed the football fans across the world with their skilful display of the game in the tournament so far.The Harry Kane-led side have lost only to Belgium in their third and final clash of the group stage. England thrashed Columbia (4-3) before beating Sweden 2-0 to set up a semi-final clash against Croatia.Croatia, on the other hand, are riding high on the confidence as they have won all the matches in the tournament so far. But England will definitely be the toughest competitor among the teams they have faced so far.The Luka Modric-led side swept aside Argentina 3-0 and Iceland 2-1 before thrashing hosts Russian 4-3 in their quarter-final clash.Both the teams have met each other five times before in the competitive clashes, and England hold a 3-2 record against the ...

13 rescued from Thai cave lost 2 kg weight: Medics

A Thai medical team said on Wednesday that the 12 boys and their coach rescued from a cave in northern Thailand have lost approximately two kg of weight each after spending more than two weeks trapped underground.