Page 1557 - Sports
Vani Kapoor finishes first round at 56th position
Golfer Vani Kapoor shot a round of three-over 74, to lie in 56th place after round one of the rain affected Ladies Jabra Open, the Ladies European Tour's (LET) first 'dual ranking' tournament, being played at the Evian Resort Golf Course in Evian-les-Bains, France on Friday.
Fognini slams attention on 'NextGen' youngsters
Fiery Italian Fabio Fognini launched into a tirade against supposed preferential treatment for the ATP's 'NextGen' players at the French Open. The 18th seed said it was unfair that young players who have yet to impress at Grand Slam tournaments are given matches on show courts, claiming they should "eat more pasta, run and win matches" before being hailed as stars. The last male player to win his first Grand Slam tournament while under the age of 25 was Juan Martin del Potro at the 2009 US Open, with current youngsters like 21-year-old Alexander Zverev and Denis Shapovalov, 19, yet to make their mark on the biggest stage. "This Next Generation thing is bullshit, I don't like all this attention," Fognini told Italian media after beating Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 to set up a third-round clash at Roland Garros with 23-year-old Briton Kyle Edmund. "Rafa at 18 won Paris, now we have Shapovalov who is 25 in the world, is improving but at the same time plays the first match on the Suzanne ...
Medal prospect high jumper Tejaswin pulls out of Asian Games
In a blow to India's medal hopes in the Asian Games, national record holder high jumper Tejaswin Shankar has pulled out of the multi-sporting event, citing "tightness" on his neck. The 19-year-old Delhi athlete, who studies business administration at the Kansas State University on a four-year scholarship, has informed about his decision to the Athletics Federation of India. "He has sent us a short mail informing us that he will not be able to compete in the Asian Games. He said in the mail that he has tightness on his neck," AFI Secretary C K Valson told PTI. "Since neck plays an important role in high jump, I think he has taken the desion to pull out of the Games. He is a medal contender, so it is a blow for us and the country," he added. Tejaswin cleared 2.28m in March during the Federation Cup National Championships in Pataila to set a new national record, bettering his own mark of 2.26m set two years ago. He then had 2.29m in a meet at Texas in US last month. The bronze winner in .
MMCC Pune emerge champions of Red Bull varsity cricket national final
Marathwada Mitramandals College of Commerce (MMCC) Pune defeated Rizvi Mumbai to emerge the champions of the Red Bull Campus Cricket National finals held here.
Explainer: Rome alone? Five key questions for the euro
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A new government has been formed in Italy, calming markets spooked by the possibility of snap elections that might have become a de facto referendum on quitting the euro.
Switzerland's Xhaka relief after training ground injury
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka expressed relief after getting good news about a training ground injury that threatened to scupper his World Cup chances for Switzerland on Thursday. Xhaka hobbled off the pitch fearing he had damaged ligaments in his knee. But the 25-year-old, who suffered a bone contusion injury that will sideline him for Sunday's friendly against Spain in Villarreal, is expected to return to action quickly. "I'm very relieved," Xhaka said via a statement issued by the Swiss football federation. Xhaka underwent a MRI scan which ruled out a more serious injury. Swiss team doctor Pierre-Etienne Fournier said: "We're very relieved. He has only suffered a painful bone contusion injury. "The ligaments are intact, but we wanted to be sure that the meniscus wasn't damaged either." Switzerland kick off their World Cup campaign against five-time champions Brazil on June 15, before then facing Serbia and Costa Rica.
Neymar's inclusion in Brazil squad can make big difference: Fernandinho
Brazil midfielder Fernandinho believes his team-mate and star striker Neymar is not afraid of returning to full fitness following his foot surgery as his country gear up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia.The former Barcelona and Santos man landed awkwardly during a clash with Marseille forward Bouna Sarr in their Ligue 1 encounter in February and sustained injuries in the process. He was later stretchered off the pitch and was subsequently required a surgery to treat the same.However, the Brazilian is now back to training , with his teammate Fernandinho revealing that the 26-year-old is on road to recovery ahead of the World Cup."This kind of injury Neymar had is a little bit difficult, I can tell because I had it too. It aches now and then.the process is a little bit complex. But, when you watch the moves he's making during the trainings, the way he is training, I see him very well and he's getting his confidence back, that's so important. He's so audacious, trying to dribble
ISL champ Chennaiyin FC parts ways with 8 players
: Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC has parted ways with eight players from last season's cup-winning squad. Long-standing player Dhanachandra Singh was among the players whose contracts expired on Thursday, said a CFC release here. The others whose contracts ended were: Bikramjit Singh, Keenan Almeida, Jude Nworuh, Fulganco Cardozo, Sanjay Balmuchu, Pawan Kumar and Shahin Lal Meloli. The team has already retained 13 players from last season for their title defence, with head coach John Gregory and sports scientist Niall Clark also signing one-year extensions. Dhanachandra Singh, a mainstay in the defence, played in 26 of the 28 matches across the first two ISL seasons for Chennaiyin FC. However, a knee injury kept him out of the 2016 season before he played his part with three appearances in the previous campaign as Chennaiyin lifted the ISL trophy a second time. He led the side in his final ISL game for CFC against Mumbai City last season, when the ...
Please give us evidence to prove allegations: Richardson to Al Jazeera
The ICC Chief Executive David Richardson today once again urged the Al Jazeera network to provide unedited footage of their sting operation on alleged spot-fixing and pitch-fixing in Test matches involving big teams like India, Australia and England. The ICC has been demanding unedited footage and GM (ACU) Alex Marshall said that Al Jazeera has not co-operated, something that Richardson reiterated today. "I ask Al Jazeera to release to us all the material they have relating to corruption in cricket. We will conduct a full, thorough and fair investigation and will ensure no stone is left unturned as we examine all allegations of corruption made in the programme," Richardson said in a statement. "To do so, we need to see all the evidence they state they possess." Al Jazeera is not willing to share unedited footage as it claims it will reveal their sources. Richardson assured the Qatar-based network that their "sources will be protected". "I am encouraged by their public commitment to ...
Intercontinental Cup: Kenya, New Zealand face off
Varied styles of football will be on display when two teams from different continents -- Kenya and New Zealand -- lock horns in the second match of the Intercontinental Cup here tomorrow. Both the teams have relatively young group of players and a win in the opening encounter would surely boost their confidence going further into the multi-nation tournament, which also features hosts India and Chinese Taipei. Fans at the Mumbai Football Arena in suburban Andheri will witness contrasting style of play with the team from Kenya being much more physically strong and is likely to hit on the counter. While the Kiwis could take on the Kenyans with their tactical style of play. New Zealand coach Fritz Schmid had said that the team was up against strong teams and his first challenge would be to go past the African side. "We have an opportunity to play against some strong opponents (in the tournament). If I may say, I wouldn't call an experimental side (but) I will call the side with (having) ..
Jabra Ladies Open: India's Vani Kapoor finishes first round on 56th spot
Indian woman golfer Vani Kapoor shot a round of 3-over 74, to lie in 56th place after round one of the rain-affected Ladies Jabra Open, which is being played at the renowned Evian Resort Golf Course in Evian-les-Bains, France.Valeria Martinoli of Switzerland leads the field at the end of round one along with the host country's Camille Chevalier, both carding rounds of 68 (3-under).Round one spilled over to Friday, as play had to be suspended mid-way on Thursday, the opening day, due to incessant rains.This year India's representation at tournament has doubled with Vani making it by virtue of being able to maintain her LET card due to a stellar performance at the Women's Indian Open earlier in the year.Sharmilla Nicollette, the other Indian in the fray, is participating through a sponsor's quota.The winner of the Ladies Jabra Open gets a direct entry into the Ricoh Women's British Open.Two spots are also up for grabs for the Evian Championship, considered the fifth Major of the Women's
Rajiv, Anish chasing India dream with Honda Racing team
Ambitious racers Rajiv Sethu and Anish Shetty are chasing their dreams as part of the Indian team for Idemitsu Honda Racing India by T Pro Ten10 at the 23rd season of the Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC). While Sethu will be competing in the ARRC's Asia Production 250cc class for the second year, for Anish it is his rookie season. From racing on his bicycle in the streets of Chennai to riding for Honda India at the ARRC, it has been quite a journey for the 20-year-old Rajiv. His career took wings when in 2014 he joined the Honda Ten10 racing academy. Soon Rajiv represented India in an international race for the first time at the 2015 Honda Asia Dream Cup. "When I was young, I would take my bicycle on the road and race with my brother. In 2014, I joined the Ten10 racing academy. My first race was in 2014 with CBR 150R. I finished overall at fourth position after making seven podiums. But in 2015, I graduated to 250cc after getting the opportunity to ride for Honda in the Asia ...
Colombia to face Egypt in pre-World Cup friendly
The Colombian team will face off in the northern Italian city of Bergamo against an Egyptian squad lacking injured captain Mohamed Salah in a friendly match ahead of next month's FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Ex-footballer Timothy Pereira dead
Timothy Pereira, former football international who represented Tata FC, died here last night after a prolonged illness. Pereira was 75. He is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons, according to local football sources. He was the brother-in-law of hockey Olympian Joaquim Carvalho. Pereira first played for Goan sports and State Bank before joining Tata SC and played along with other Tata stalwarts like Hafeez, Johar Dad, Marto Gracias, Tony Martin and Babu Narayan. He played for the country in 1967-68. Pereira also played hockey and represented Catholic Gymkhana in the local league. The funeral rites were conducted here this morning.
FC Pune City appoint Brazilian Marcos Paqueta as head coach
Indian Super League side FC Pune City today announced renowned Brazilian Marcos Paqueta, who coached his country to two youth World Cup victories, as its new head coach. Paqueta, who has close to 30 years of coaching experience across youth, club and age-group national teams, replaces Ranko Popovic, who stepped down on Wednesday after leading the club to semi-finals for the first time in the previous season. After successfully managing youth teams of top Brazilian clubs for over a decade, Paqueta took reins of Brazil U-17 and U-20 national teams. Under him, the team won three titles each, including the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup. "From my conversations with the club, I understand that FC Pune City have a reputation for giving young footballers a great platform, a system that I have thrived in. "There is huge potential at the club, and we will look to retain the core group of experienced players as well as some of the most exciting young talents in the ...
Can Messi shoulder Argentina's hopes of World Cup glory? (Team Profile)
Runners-up at Brazil 2014, the Copa America in Chile in 2015 and again in the US in 2016, football powerhouse Argentina has been the perennial bridesmaid in recent years. The South American nation are two-time World Cup winners, yet only booked their ticket to Russia at the last minute after a turbulent qualifying campaign led by three different head coaches.
Zidane's Madrid exit is surprising: Nadal
World number one Rafael Nadal has paid tribute to Zinedine Zidane, who shocked the football world recently by stepping down as Real Madrid manager just few days after guiding the club to their third Champions League title.Speaking following his second-round win over Argentina's Guido Pella in the ongoing French Open, Nadal reflected his views on Zidane's exit, saying that the Frenchman's decision do come as a surprise to him, like everyone else.Nadal said that though it is quite difficult to see such top manager leaving the club, he deserves to choose what is correct for him."Of course it was a surprise for everybody, no. But at the same time, Zidane is a top person. He's a person that it is tough to accept that he's leaving. He has always been positive and believing in the players and on the club. He deserves to choose what's better for him," Sport24 quoted Nadal, as saying.Nadal, who registered a comfortable 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 win over Pella in the second round, will now take on French ..
FC Pune City ropes in Brazilian Paqueta as head coach
Indian Super League (ISL) club FC Pune City today announced Brazilian Marcos Paqueta, who guided Saudi Arabia in the 2006 World Cup, as their new head coach. The Brazilian, who has close to 30 years of coaching experience across youth, club and national teams, will make his managerial debut in the 2018-19 season, said the club in a media release. After successfully managing youth teams of top Brazilian clubs for over a decade, Paqueta took reins of Brazil U-17 and U-20 national teams. Under Paqueta, the team won three titles each, including the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup. After his spell with Selecao youth sides, he shifted base to Middle-East joining Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club. In his time with the club, he led them to winning Saudi Premier League (2004-05), Saudi Crown Prince Cup (2004-05), Saudi Federation Cup (2004-05) and King Fahd Cup (2004-05). His tremendous run with Al-Hilal got him the job to coach the Saudi national team at the ...
Nigeria regroup in London ahead of England friendly
The Nigeria football team have arrived here ahead of their pre-World Cup friendly against England at the Wembley on Saturday, with Chelsea FC star Victor Moses joining his teammates in camp.
Nepal, Scotland among 4 teams inducted in ICC ODI rankings
The ICC today included Nepal, Netherlands, Scotland and the UAE in their ODI rankings list apart from the 12 existing countries. The ICC release states that results of all the bilateral ODIs involving these new teams will henceforth be taken into account while calculating the rating points. The Netherlands secured ODI status and a place in the 13-team ODI league by winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship last year, while Scotland, Nepal and the UAE earned ODI status by finishing as the three leading associates (along with the Dutch) in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018. Scotland have been ranked in 13th on 28 points - 10 points behind 12th ranked Ireland - while the UAE are another 10 points behind on 18 in 14th position. The Netherlands have 13 rating points. Nepal and the Netherlands will need to play four matches more in order to get into the table. "Teams earn points from each match they play against opposition with an ODI rating. Points and matches played between