Page 1565 - Sports
Lewandowski wants to leave Bayern: agent
Bayern Munich's star striker Robert Lewandowski wants to leave the Bundesliga club this summer to seek "a new challenge", his agent told Sport Bild today. "Robert feels that he needs a change and a new challenge in his career," Pini Zahavi told the weekly. "The managers of Bayern know about it." Lewandowski, 29, whose Bayern contract runs until 2021, has been linked with Real Madrid while Qatari-backed Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United are also understood to be interested. He was the Bundesliga's top scorer in the just-completed season with 29 goals. In late February, the Poland international parted ways with his previous agent of 10 years, Cezary Kucharski, and signed up with Zahavi, one of the most powerful agents in world football. Zahavi said that "Robert's motivation are not money or a specific club, because almost all top clubs would like to sign up the world's best striker." He said he hoped Bayern president Uli Hoeness and CEO ...
Halep recovers from first set woe to make French Open second round
World number one and top seed Simona Halep recovered from a disastrous first set to reach the French Open second round today with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over Alison Riske of the United States. Halep, the runner-up in Paris in 2014 and 2017, slumped 0-5 down in the opening set to world number 83 Riske whose only win at the tournament came in 2014. The Romanian committed 16 unforced errors in the set but stepped up a gear from that point on to book a second-round match against Taylor Townsend of the United States. "It's always difficult in the first round of a Grand Slam, you are always nervous," said Halep whose opening round match had been cancelled on Tuesday due to torrential rain. "But I started to run more, played better and kept more balls in play." Halep needs to reach the semi-finals or better if she is to retain the world top spot.
Impressive Kvitova eases in French Open last 32
Eighth seed Petra Kvitova eased into the French Open third round with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Spain's Lara Arruabarrena today. The two-time Wimbledon champion has now won 13 consecutive matches on clay after claiming titles in Prague and Madrid, and will face either Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru or Estonia's 25th seed Anett Kontaveit for a place in the last 16. Czech Kvitova has not reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros since a run to the last four in 2012. The 28-year-old raced through the opening set in only 24 minutes, and although she was pegged back after an early break in the second, a booming forehand sealed victory with a third straight game.
Fourth seed Svitolina through to Roland Garros third round
Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina reached the French Open third round for the fourth consecutive year by brushing aside Viktoria Kuzmova in straight sets today. The 23-year-old, who arrived in Paris having won her second straight Italian Open title, saw off her Slovakian opponent 6-3, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Svitolina, a two-time quarter-finalist at Roland Garros, will take on Romanian 31st seed Mihaela Buzarnescu in the last 32.
Cricket corruption 'goes right to the top', says Sri Lanka
World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga on Wednesday said corruption "goes right to the top" in Sri Lanka and accused the International Cricket Council of undermining the game by failing to tackle match-fixing. Ranatunga, now a government minister, said cricket corruption in Sri Lanka went far beyond the claims made in an Al Jazeera documentary which aired on Sunday. Ranatunga said the allegations must be investigated, "but this must have been happening for a long time. "This is something that goes right to the top (in Sri Lanka). What they will catch is the small fish. As usual the bigger fish will get away," he said. The documentary alleged that a Sri Lankan player and groundsman were involved a pitch-tampering plot and that there was spot-fixing during Tests between India and England, and India against Australia. "I am so disappointed with the ICC anti-corruption unit," Ranatunga said, referring to previous complaints against Sri Lanka Cricket, which is headed by politician and
IOA finalises Torch Relay details with Asiad organisers
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and a seven-member delegation from the Indonesia Asian Games Organising Committee on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and finalised the details for the commencement of the Torch Relay.
FC Pune City and coach Ranko Popovic part ways
Indian Super League franchise FC Pune City have parted ways with head coach Ranko Popovic, the club said in a statement.
Sunil bhai and I complement each other well: Jeje
India striker Jeje Lalpekhlua today said he and skipper Sunil Chhetri complement each other well upfront whenever they turn up for the national side. The Mizo striker, who is enjoying a dream run of form scoring goals on a regular basis at the domestic and the international level, made special mention of his partnership with Chhetri during India's preparatory camp here ahead of the Hero Intercontinental Cup. "Sunil bhai is most senior amongst us and he leads us by example. But, what I would like to say is that that we work cohesively as a complete unit. We complement each other on the field to get the job done," Lalpekhlua said. Lalpekhlua, who is three matches short of 50 International caps for India, added that everyone in the team is willing to share the burden and carry the responsibility. "It's not only me and Sunil-bhai. Balwant (Singh), Alen (Deory), Manvir (Singh) are all ready to give it a shot. We all are confident to shoulder the responsibility and deliver when the ...
My partnership with Chhetri augurs well for team: Jeje
Days ahead of the Intercontinental Cup, Indian football team striker Jeje Lalpekhlua said his partnership with captain Sunil Chhetri up front augurs well for the team.
ICC World XI set to face Windies in charity T20 tie (Preview)
A galaxy of former and current stars will be in action at the iconic Lord's on Thursday to play an exhibition match between the ICC World XI and the West Indies and help raise funds for the refurbishment of five cricket stadia in the Caribbean that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
Want to be known as a PKL team with winning attitude: Bachchan Jr
Jaipur Pink Panthers owner Abhishek Bachchan on Wednesday explained the idea behind not retaining any player ahead of the upcoming sixth season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), starting October 19.
BK Nayak appointed FIH Medical Officer for Odisha Hockey WC
Hockey India on Wednesday congratulated Col (Dr.) Bibhu Kalyan Nayak for being named as the FIH Medical Officer for the prestigious 2018 Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup.This year's Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup will be held from November 28 to December 16 at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.Col (Dr.) Nayak is the first Indian to be named by FIH as the Medical Officer for a World Cup. He was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps of Indian Army in 1995 and has worked in the Army Sports Institute, Pune for six years with elite athletes of the country.Reflecting on his appointment, Col (Dr.) Nayak said, "I am extremely honoured that FIH has even considered an Indian doctor for the role of a Medical Officer for the prestigious World event. The feeling of pride is yet to sink in but at the same time I understand it is a huge responsibility. I am confident of doing justice to the role - backed with my experience of working with elite athletes over the last two decades as well
Head, Marsh to lead Australia A squads in India
Cricket Australia (CA) on Wednesday named Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh as leaders of Australia A sides touring India for a triangular ODI series, also involving South Africa A and two four-day matches in August-September.
Peru's most devoted fan to take his faith to FIFA World Cup
Peru will put an end to a 36-year spell of bad luck during which the country's national football team has not played in a World Cup tournament; a long wait that never made supporter David Chauca lose hope.
18th Asian Games Torch Relay to take place in July
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Tuesday announced that the Asian Games 2018 Torch Relay will be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on July 15.A seven-member delegation from the Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) met the IOA officials to finalize the details for the Torch Relay.This year's Asian Games will mark the 18th edition of the prestigious tournament which will be hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia from August 18 to September 2.A 'Memorandum of Understanding' was also signed by Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, IOA and Eris Herryanto, Secretary General, INASGOC which covered the various obligations for conduct of the 18th Asian Games Torch Relay in New Delhi.The venue for the torch lit ceremony is named after the legendary hockey player and a three-time Olympic gold medalist.The National Stadium was the main stadium for the first Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1951 and carries an historical value, not only for Indians but for ...
Peru: A team of no stars banks on collective effort (Team Profile)
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca has attributed his side's fifth World Cup appearance to teamwork and adaptability rather than any individual flair.
Amir Khan's SBL holds trials for 2nd edition
British boxing star Amir Khan-backed Super Boxing League picked four Indian boxers for its second edition after trials in the city's Psycho Boxing and MMA Club. The competition was conducted across four weight categories for men and one for women. Rahul Tiwari won the featherweight category, while Shubham Bonakudkewar was picked in the welterweight division. The middle and super middle-weight slots were taken by Sohail Rangila and Siddhant Bagwe respectively. The women's lightweight category was clinched by Shruti Shinde, te organisers said in a statement. The trials saw each bout with two rounds of three minutes in which boxers were judged on the basis of their aggression, ring control, fitness, technique, footwork and boxer's chin (ability to take a hit). The Pune 'SBL Road to the Ring' saw participation from a number of boxers from the city and also other parts of the country in a bid to secure a place in the final round of the 'SBL Road to the Ring' which will be contested between
Modi congratulates Indonesia on hosting 18th Asian Games
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated Indonesia for playing host to the 18th Asian Games to be held in August and hoped for the successful organisation of the sporting extravaganza. The 2018 Asian Games, commonly known as Jakarta Palembang 2018, is scheduled to be held from August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia. Prime Minister Modi, in a press statement after his talks with President Joko Widodo, congratulated Indonesia for playing host to the Asian games which are being held in the country for the first time since 1962. "I extend my congratulations to Indonesia for playing host to the 18th Asian games to be held in August," Modi said. "I am confident that this would be a historic and great organisation," the Prime Minister said. During his talks with Widodo, Modi also emphasised on increasing people to people contacts to promote regional economic growth. Around 10,000 athletes from 45 countries are expected to compete across 40 sports at the Games. Gelora Bung Karno Main ..
Firmino joins Brazil squad in London
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino joined his Brazil teammates for practice here ahead of a weekend pre-World Cup friendly against Croatia.
15 Days to go: Varela leads Uruguay to World Cup win over Brazil in 1950 (Looking Back)
On July 16, 1950, Uruguay beat Brazil in the World Cup final played at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro before more than 170,000 spectators.