Page 1506 - Sports
PM salutes indomitable spirit of Afghanistan on Test debut
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it is a matter of pride and honour for India to host Afghanistan's maiden Test match and paid tribute to the war-ravaged country's indomitable spirit. "Its a matter of great pride and immense pleasure that Afghanistan has chosen to play its maiden Test match with India. The young and talented Afghan National Team has made a great stride in a very short period of time after it become an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council in 2001," Modi said in a message read out by sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore here. "It achieved the Test playing status last year. During that journey it has consistently performed against other ICC members and Test playing nations recording milestone victories over them in various formats of the game. "These achievements have come about in challenging and difficult circumstances. This demonstrates the indomitable Afghan spirit to overcome all challenges and realise aspirations for a purposeful, stable, ..
No boots, no problem as Queiroz plays up Iran unity ahead of Morocco clash
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz believes his players have been brought closer together by Nike's decision to cut their supply of World Cup kit to the team but the acid test will come against Morocco tomorrow. Nike announced they have been forbidden from providing football boots to Iran's squad during the tournament, on account of sanctions imposed against the country by the United States. The late decision has disrupted Iran's preparations, with some players reportedly having to buy their own footwear from Russian shops or even ask club team-mates for help. "It has been a source of inspiration for us," Queiroz told Sky Sports. "This last comment of Nike was, in my personal view, an unnecessary statement. Everybody is aware about the sanctions. "They should come out and apologise because this arrogant conduct against 23 boys is absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary." Iran head into the match against Morocco in Group B on the back of a difficult build-up to the tournament overall, after ...
Will he or won't he? Egypt holds its breath over injured Salah
Mohamed Salah is in a high-profile race to be fit for Egypt's World Cup opener against Uruguay tomorrow and even opponents are hoping the Liverpool ace could yet play a role in Russia. The striker and Egyptian superstar, who is nursing an injured shoulder, is crucial to the north African side's hopes of making it out of a weak-looking Group A also featuring the hosts and Saudi Arabia. Egypt play Uruguay -- tipped by some to be dark horses -- in Yekaterinburg in just the second game of the tournament, following Russia against Saudi Arabia in the opening match. Salah, who turns 26 on the day of the game, gave 100 million frantic Egyptians a massive boost on Wednesday when he joined a squad training session at their Grozny base. He had been sidelined since suffering a shoulder injury in Liverpool's Champions League final loss to Real Madrid on May 26, casting severe doubt on his World Cup participation. He went through a range of warm-up exercises with his team-mates, but Egyptian team ..
India opt to bat in Afghanistan's debut Test
India skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bat in the one-off Test against debutants Afghanistan here Thursday.
All eyes on Bengaluru as Afghans ready for Test debut today
Today is a big day for Afghanistan Cricket, as the national cricket team will play its inaugural cricket Test match against top-ranked India in Bengaluru - an event that has been 17 years in the making.From being a part of the ICC World Cricket League Division Five in 2008 to achieving Full Member status in 2017, Afghanistan's cricket team has gone from strength to strength.The war-torn country, which did not have a national team till as recently as 2001, is now preparing to step into the limelight of a five-day Test match for the first time.Despite Afghanistan playing only their maiden Test match, stand-in Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane has said his side will not take the visitors lightly.Afghanistan, who have fast established themselves as a force to reckon with in the shorter formats, will become the 12th side to feature in men's Test cricket after Ireland debuted against Pakistan last month.Both Ireland and Afghanistan were granted Full Member and Test status last June.Speaking on .
Yuki Bhambri, Sanjita Chanu excluded from TOP Scheme
The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) met on Wednesday to clear funding proposals regarding training, competition and equipment needs and review the performance of athletes included under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).While one new athlete in Tennis was included, Commonwealth Games gold medallist weightlifter Sanjita Chanu and tennis player Yuki Bhambri were excluded from the TOPS."It was decided to drop Sanjita from the TOPS as she stands suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation on doping charges," read a Sports Authority of India statement.Yuki was dropped because he would not be taking part in the upcoming Asian Games.32-year-old Men's doubles specialist Divij Sharan was included under the TOP scheme till the Asian Games. He is currently ranked 43 in Men's doubles on the ATP tour and has improved his ranking from 59 a year ago. He has won three doubles titles since 2013.In other decisions, a total of Rs 26.03 lakh was sanctioned by the committee to Rohan Bopanna ..
England beat Australia by three wickets in 1st ODI
England returned to winning ways after their shock six-run defeat by Scotland with a three-wicket victory over Australia in their one-day international series-opener at The Oval today. However, the world's top-ranked ODI side made hard work of chasing down a modest target of 215 before finishing on 218 for seven with six overs to spare. David Willey (35 not out) ended the match with a six off Australia debutant Michael Neser as England went 1-0 up in this five-match series. The 2019 World Cup hosts had been cruising to victory during a fourth-wicket stand of 115 between England one-day captain Eoin Morgan (69) and Test skipper Joe Root (50) that helped them recover from 38 for three. Earlier, England dismissed Australia for just 214, the world champions all out in 47 overs. Off-spinner Moeen Ali took three top-order wickets on his way to three for 43, with paceman Liam Plunkett following up with three for 43.
England beat Australia by three wickets to win 1st ODI
England returned to winning ways after their shock six-run defeat by Scotland with a three-wicket victory over Australia in their one-day international series-opener at The Oval today. However, the world's top-ranked ODI side made desperately hard work of chasing down a modest target of 215 before finishing on 218 for seven, David Willey ending the match with a six as England went 1-0 up in this five-match series. Earlier, England dismissed world champions Australia for just 214.
No need for religious enforcement: Soumya Swaminathan
In the wake of her stepping down from representing India at the Asian Team Chess Championship in Iran, chess player Soumya Swaminathan on Wednesday said that there is no need for religious or cultural enforcements in sports."There is no need for any religious or cultural enforcement in sports, we as sportspersons travel to another country representing our nation and to play our game. There are often dress codes, like in official chess tournaments, we are required to wear formals, which is valid, but there is no need to impose a dress code based on a religion or a culture upon anyone in sports," Swaminathan told ANI.Swaminathan was of the opinion that a player's rights and welfare should be given importance and that sport will benefit greatly if it is properly looked after."I am very sorry for having to miss out and I hope I or anyone gets stuck in a situation like this, where we have to choose between our country and our values, our basic human rights. I hope the sporting fraternity ..
KSS Memorial Shooting Championship: Arpit Goel clinches gold on opening day
The opening day of the 18th KSS Memorial Shooting Championship on Wednesday saw national team shooter Arpit Goel of Delhi display his class to run away with the top honours in the 25M Rapid Fire Pistol (Senior) Men category on Wednesday.Asserting his dominance from the start, Goel remained unchallenged as he finished with a score of 34 points. Five points behind him at 29, Shivam Shukla of the Air Force, who had topped the qualification rounds, bagged the silver while 2012 Olympic Silver medallist Vijay Kumar on a comeback trail scored a total of 24 points to finish with a bronze medal.In the junior category, Adarsh Singh survived a heart-in-mouth moment as he clinched the gold with a difference of just one point, at the Karni Singh shooting range here.In the team event, Vijay Kumar led from the front as he notched up a score of 579 for Haryana. His teammates, Adarsh Singh and Harpreet Singh looked in great touch as the team scored a cumulative score of 1723 to clinch the gold.The ...
Matter of great pride to host Afghan team: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it's a matter of great pride that Afghanistan has chosen to play its maiden Test match against India, which stands shoulder-to-shoulder in its cricketing journey. The Afghanistan team, who have been impressive in the shorter formats, will make their Test debut at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru tomorrow. Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore and Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah will be at the venue to watch the match. "It is a matter of great pride and immense pleasure that Afghanistan has chosen to play its maiden test match with India," Modi said in a letter to the Afghan cricket team. Hailing the feat achieved by Afghanistan, Modi said it had come in "challenging and difficult" circumstances. This, he said, reflects the indomitable Afghan spirit to overcome all challenges and realise aspirations for a prosperous, stable, united and a peaceful nation. "Today, cricket is a unifying force for the people of Afghanistan. India
Brazil coach puts cards on the table ahead of World Cup opener
Brazil coach Tite dispelled doubts on Wednesday regarding the team that will play against Switzerland in their first FIFA World Cup match, confirming that he will use the starting XI who beat Austria 3-0 in a friendly over the weekend.
'Like a new start': Federer battles to victory on Stuttgart return
Roger Federer was made to battle after a losing first set as the Swiss star made his long-awaited return to tennis today with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Mischa Zverev at the Stuttgart Cup. The world number two shook off the rust against his German opponent after a poor start, breaking twice in the second and third sets to earn victory in 93 minutes. The 20-time Grand Slam winner, who exited in his opening match at the grass court season curtain-raiser a year ago to friend Tommy Haas, can displace Rafael Nadal from the world's top ranking spot if he reaches Sunday's final. The 36-year-old finished to the cheers of a sold-out centre court on a chilly day. "I'm happy to have won a match after losing my last two (Indian Wells, Miami in March)," Federer said. "This is a new start. I'm glad to have been able to win again, overcoming some difficult moments after being a set down. Mischa's level dropped in the last two sets and that gave me a chance to win. "It feels a lot like home here, ..
Nadal to miss Wimbledon warm-up at Queen's
Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week's Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen's Club as the world number one takes a break following his latest French Open triumph. Nadal crushed Dominic Thiem to clinch his 11th French Open title on Sunday, but the Spaniard hinted after the final that the toll on his body might force him to miss part of the grass-court campaign. The 32-year-old is drained after playing 27 matches on clay over the last two months and, after consulting with his medical team, he confirmed on Wednesday that he won't play at Queen's this year. "Queen's is a great event, I have happy memories of winning the title in 2008 and I wanted to come back this year. But it has been a very long clay court season for me with great results," Nadal said in a statement released by tournament organisers. "I would like to say sorry to the tournament organisers and most of all to the fans that were hoping to see me play, but I have spoken to my doctors and I need to listen to what my body is
Russia to win first World Cup match, says clairvoyant cat
Russia's football team has failed to chalk up a single victory in eight months but things could be about to improve -- according to a supposedly clairvoyant cat who predicted a win for the side in the first World Cup match. Achilles, a deaf white cat who is the official animal soothsayer for the tournament, on Wednesday chose a bowl of food bearing the host's flag rather than that of Saudi Arabia, who Russia will face on Thursday evening. The blue-eyed feline is usually part of a team of dozens of cats that guard Saint Petersburg's Hermitage museum from rodents, but has taken on a new role for the football event. "Achilles is already used to the public and shouldn't be too stressed," said vet Anna Kondratyeva, who manages the animals. The cat follows in the tentacle-prints of Paul the Octopus who became a star in 2010 after predicting winners for that year's World Cup by choosing one out of two boxes containing food. Others have made a play to be the next Paul -- including Swiss ...
Sanjita, Yuki dropped from TOP Scheme
Commonwealth Games gold medallist weightlifter Sanjita Chanu, whose 'A' dope sample tested positive for a banned substance, has been dropped from the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme, along with tennis player Yuki Bhambri. Sanjita, who won a gold in women's 53kg class in the Gold Coast CWG in April, had tested positive for an anabolic steroid in a test conducted during the World Championships in USA in November last year and she has been put under provisional suspension. "It was decided to drop Sanjita from the TOPS as she stands suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation on doping charges," the Sports Authority of India said in a statement. Yuki was left out as he will not take part in the upcoming Asian Games as the dates clash with the US Open. He was exempted by All Indian Tennis Association from Asian Games as he stood a good chance of qualifying for the main draw of US Open. "The committee has also decided to exclude men's singles player Yuki Bhambri from the ...
Iranian football team seeks apology from Nike amid US sanctions
Irans football team head coach Carlos Queiroz has slammed Nike over the refusal of the firm to supply his team with footwear for the FIFA World Cup's match against Morocco on Friday.
Young Russian athlete with Down syndrome to help referee start World Cup
A young Russian athlete with Down syndrome will help the referee with the coin toss that decides which team kicks off the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
UK blocks over 1,200 football hooligans from travelling to Russia
British law enforcement authorities have blocked over 1,200 local football hooligans from entering Russia for the duration of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday night in Moscow, the UK Home Office said on Wednesday.
FIFA head says Spain's situation not ideal, but reminiscent of Italy in 2006
The president of FIFA on Wednesday stated that the Spain national team is not in an ideal position after the sacking of their coach two days before their debut in the World Cup, but stressed that Italy won the World Cup in 2006 following a similar predicament.