Page 1513 - Sports
Napoli sign Bologna forward Verdi
SSC Napoli have added depth to their attacking line-up with the signing of forward Simone Verdi from fellow Italian football club Bologna on a five-year deal for a reported transfer fee of around $30 million.
Saweety strikes gold at Russian boxing tourney
Indian boxer Saweety Boora claimed a gold medal in the Umakhanov Memorial Tournament after beating Anna Anfinogenova in the final in Kaspiysk, Russia today. The Indian, who is also a former world championships silver-medallist, prevailed in a unanimous verdict against home favourite to finish on top in the middleweight (75kg) category. Earlier, world youth champion Shashi Chopra (57kg), former Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Pinki Jangra (51kg) and Pavitra (60kg) had lost their respective semifinal bouts to settle for bronze medals. Among the men, world bronze-medallist Gaurav Bidhuri (56kg) had finished with a bronze after going down in the final. Brijesh Yadav (81kg) and Virender Kumar (91kg) have advanced to the final. While Yadav will be up against Russia's Murad Rabadanov, Kumar will square off against Sweden's Alexandr Mvalbale.
Murali runs 2nd best time in 10,000m, puts himself as medal contender at Asiad
Young long distance runner Gavit Murali Kumar bagged a gold in men's 10,000m race at the Gouden Spike meeting in Leiden, Netherlands by clocking the second best ever timing by an Indian in the event as the country's track and field athletes continued their build-up for the upcoming Asian Games. The 21-year-old Kumar, a bright talent from Gujarat, clocked a personal best of 28 minute 43.34 seconds, the best by an Indian in the ongoing season. It was also the second fastest time by an Indian ever in the distance, just short of long-distance coach Surendra Singh's national record of 28:02.89, which he had set at Vigo, Spain in 2008. Kumar's earlier best was 29:33.85 during the Federation Cup in Patiala in March. The men's 10,000m bronze medal winner in the 2014 Asian Games had clocked 28:45.65. The Gouden Spike is one of the top meetings in The Netherlands. Its current European Athletics status is Outdoor Meetings with National Permit. Meanwhile, Indian athletes continued their ...
World Cup: Belgium coach plays down Hazard injury scare
Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez has played down Eden Hazard's knock during their 4-1 win against Costa Rica in a pre-World Cup friendly, saying the Chelsea playmaker's World Cup was not in doubt.
Afghanistan's is a beautiful journey but we have experience: Karthik
India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik is enamoured by Afghanistan's beautiful journey in international cricket but that has not held him back from shooting off a veiled warning to the newcomers. "Clearly all their spinners put together wouldn't have played that many matches that (a young) Kuldeep Yadav (24 first-class matches) would have played in four day cricket, Karthik said ahead of the historic one-off Test against Afghanistan starting Thursday. Factually, he was correct as Kuldeep's 24 first-class games including two Test matches is 13 more than the aggregate of 11 four-day games between three of their specialist spinners -- Rashid Khan (4), Zahir Khan (7) and Zadran (0). Karthik was all praise for what the war-ravaged country has achieved on the cricketing arena but politely reminded rival captain Asghar Stanikzai about why Indian spinners are far ahead of the T20 sensations like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Zadran. Recently, after routing Bangladesh in a three-match T20 series, ...
'Fiasco': How Saudi players had a rough time in Spain
Nine Saudi players loaned to Spanish clubs to improve their level before the World Cup left without hardly playing in what ended up as a "fiasco". "Adapting is difficult," said David Cobeno, sporting director at Madrid-based second division side Rayo Vallecano, which signed 24-year-old Saudi midfielder Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhem. "Everything outside of sports, the language, food, the city, that was what was hardest for him," he said. Al-Sulayhem, who only speaks Arabic, needed to be accompanied at all times by a translator, even during training. He never played in an official match. A scenario was played out at six other Spanish clubs which took on one or two Saudi players during the winter transfer window under and agreement between La Liga and the Saudi Sports Authority. The cost of the loans was split between the participating Spanish and Saudi clubs. The initiative was not popular in either country since the Saudi players -- including several who are part of the Saudi team which will
Djokovic to play Queen's Club tournament
Serbia's Novak Djokovic will take part in the Queen's Club tournament, a tuning-up contest for Wimbledon, Britain's Lawn Tennis Association announced.
Carvajal joins Spain practice, Pique trains normally
Spain's right-back Dani Carvajal on Tuesday joined his national football squad's training session for the first time since the hamstring injury he sustained during Real Madrid's 3-1 UEFA Champions League final victory over Liverpool on May 26.
Neymar is star attraction as fans swarm to Brazil training
Brazil attracted an army of excited youngsters -- including one who managed to break onto the pitch for a selfie -- as they held their first training session on Russian soil ahead of the World Cup. Around 5,000 locals turned out to watch the relaxed session at the Yug-Sport Stadium, next to the Brazilian squad's hotel in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. Tuesday is a national holiday in Russia and many fans opted for vantage points along the road leading to the stadium, while others filled the stand. One young boy broke through security barriers and managed to get close to a group of Brazil players including Neymar, taking a photograph before being led away. However, most fans contented themselves with chanting the name of the world's most expensive player, who arrived with his teammates in Russia in the early hours of Monday fresh from scoring in a 3-0 friendly win over Austria in Vienna. Members of the Selecao also had a treat in store for Philippe Coutinho, marking the Barcelona .
SAI issues order to ensure food quality, hygiene
After Indian men's hockey team coach Harendra Singh complained about the poor quality food and hygiene level at Sports Authority of India center in Bengaluru, SAI Director General Neelam Kapur on Tuesday said that orders have been issued to take corrective actions."We are deeply concerned about the quality of food and hygiene in the SAI centres. The problem in Bengaluru has come to the notice earlier during the Minister's visit in March this year. Orders had already been issued to take corrective action which includes hiring a new cook, ensuring quality of raw food supply and improving hygiene," Neelam said.Neelam further revealed that she called an urgent meeting of regional heads of SAI to review the standard operating procedures and lay down strict protocols."An urgent meeting has been called in of all the Regional Heads of SAI to review the standard operating procedures and to lay down strict protocols. Regional Directors will be held accountable to ensure quality food and ...
ISL experience helped me improve: India goalkeeper Gurpreet (IANS Interview)
Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who had a brilliant outing in the Intercontinental Cup, especially in the final, credited his stint in the Indian Super League (ISL) with Bengaluru FC for his success.
Luis recalls praying during '94 World Cup final shootout
Brazil full back Filipe Luis has said he remembers praying with his entire family during the dramatic penalty shootout which Brazil won against Italy to decide the 1994 World Cup final.
Messi fans flock to Argentine open practice
The chance to see Lionel Messi up close unleashed a certain madness as the Argentine national football team held their first open practice session for the 2018 FIFA World Cup here.
Atletico Madrid's Griezmann to stay in Spain: France coach
While the uncertainty around Antoine Griezmann's future with Atletico Madrid continues, French manager Didier Deschamps is adamant that the forward will continue to stay in Spain.Recently, Griezmann had revealed that he would announce his intentions to continue with the Spanish club or not before the FIFA World Cup, which is slated to kick off on June 14.Despite striking a brace to help Atletico win Europa League title against Marseille, the French player has been heavily linked with a switch to Barcelona.Meanwhile, Griezmann was heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United, with reports suggesting that the England club's interest has been rekindled this year.Appearing to put an end to speculations regarding Griezmann's probable move to England, Deschamps said that the one thing is clear that the Atletico Madrid forward would be staying in La Liga."There is talk about their [Griezmann and Lyon captain Nabil Fekir's] futures.It's not ideal but I won't be able to have ideal ...
SAI orders performance review, surprise checks at regional centres after Bengaluru fiasco
Sports of Authority of India (SAI) has decided to go for a performance review of all its regional centres after national hockey chief coach Harendra Singh has complained about sub-standard food and hygiene standards in the Bengaluru facility. "We are deeply concerned about the quality of food and hygiene in the SAI centres and give it the highest priority. The problem in Bengaluru has come to the notice earlier during the Minister's (Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore) visit in March this year," said SAI Director General Neelam Kapur in a statement. "Orders have been issued to take corrective action which includes hiring a new cook, ensuring quality of raw food supply and improving hygiene." The complaint has prompted the DG to call an urgent meeting of the Regional Heads. "Regional Directors will be accountable to ensure quality food and hygiene. Monitoring systems are being put in place including surprise checks. Strict action will be taken on any complaints received," Kapur added. Harendra
Young players looking to succeed need to stay focussed, make tough choices: AB de Villiers (IANS Interview)
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, better known as AB de Villiers, who is currently enjoying his life off the pitch after announcing retirement from all formats of international cricket, says young players need to make tough choices to succeed as there are always a lot of distractions which come their way.
Three Portugal players demand club release prior to World Cup
Portugal's preparations for the FIFA World Cup in Russia have been disrupted by reports that three Sporting Lisbon players have demanded the annulment of their contracts.
Bangladesh women cricketers get cash promise after Asia Cup
Bangladesh showered its women cricketers with cash rewards Tuesday for their upset triumph over India in the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament. The women's team defeated six-times champions India by three wickets in Sunday's final in Kuala Lumpur to claim their maiden title. Bangladesh became the first side ever to beat India in the group phase of the tournament before repeating the feat in the tense final. The team returned late Monday to a heroes' welcome. The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced a 20 million taka ($236,000) cash reward for the team and promised to review salaries. "Each player will get one million taka ($14,800) as a cash reward," BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP on Tuesday. About $75,000 will be shared by the coaching and management staff, he added. The BCB will review the salary and match fees of contracted women players this week, Yunus said. Currently they earn a maximum 30,000 taka ($445) each month plus $100 as match fee for an international. On their return the
Colombia's Zapata hopeful ahead of World Cup
Colombia have the players and the spirit to be legitimate contenders to hoist the 2018 FIFA World Cup, defender Cristian Zapata said after the squad's final practice session in Italy before heading to Russia for the tournament.
Messi the star attraction as Banega trains apart
Around 400 eager fans turned out at Argentina's World Cup base camp to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi and his team-mates at an open training session. A particularly affectionate welcome was reserved for the Barcelona forward, as hordes of adoring young supporters chanted "Messi, Messi" on his way out for an hour-long practice on Monday. After several days of chilly temperatures in the Russian capital, overcast skies gave way to sunshine, with excited locals packing a temporary stand in Bronnitsy, southeast of Moscow, to follow the action. Injury had already struck Argentina on the eve of their departure for the tournament, with West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini ruled out with a serious knee injury. Enzo Perez was summoned as a replacement for Lanzini, although the status of Ever Banega for Argentina's first group game against Iceland on June 16 remains uncertain after the Sevilla midfielder trained alone. The odd Messi mask was spotted in the crowd, while others waved Barcelona ...