Page 1598 - Sports
Footballer needs to stay fit even in off-season: Defender Lalruatthara
Few weeks ahead of the commencement of the Intercontinental Cup, talented national team defender Lalruatthara, who was declared the 'Emerging Player of the ISL 2017-18', stressed at staying fit all throughout the season.Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing preparatory camp for the Intercontinental Cup, the sturdy defender said, "Fitness in modern-day Football is of paramount importance. It's compulsory that a player follows the routine regularly, even during the off-season.""There's no shortcut to success and we have to stick to our schedule to be in right shape, come what may."A fitness freak himself, Lalruatthara feels the Intercontinental Cup is going to aid the team in their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2019."This tournament has a great importance in our preparation as it'll help us gauge ourselves before the AFC Asian Cup. There's very little time left for the test and we have to be at the top of our game before taking on the Asian superpowers," he quipped.The Mizo ...
India's Pawan Singh named RTS Jury chief for ISSF WC in Munich
The Indian shooting fraternity today got a shot in the arm as former shooter and national coach Pawan Singh has been appointed as the Chairman of the Result Timing Score (RTS) Jury by the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) for the ISSF World Cup in Munich. With this appointment, Singh became the first Indian to chair the RTS Jury at a senior World Cup. The duties of the RTS Jury Chairman involves maintaining administrative functioning and coordinating with the jury members and report to the Technical Director in order to felicitate free flow of the competition without any discrepancy. The appointment is also special as it will boost India's preparation ahead of the 2019 World Cup, which will be hosted in New Delhi. The 2019 edition of the New Delhi World Cup will offer 2020 Tokyo Olympics quota places to shooters across the world. I am honoured to be selected as the RTS Jury Chairman for the ISSF World Cup. The major responsibilities for this position would be to resolve .
Sharapova on the rise, Rome winner Svitolina stays put
Maria Sharapova's run to the Italian Open semi-finals has earned her an 11-place jump to 29th in the latest WTA rankings today. While Sharapova was moving up the charts Elina Svitolina remained at number four despite her successful title defence in Rome. Beaten finalist Simona Halep retains her number one spot with Caroline Wozniacki in second and Garbine Muguruza in third. For Sharapova, this latest jump came after her 12-rung climb following her progress to the quarter-finals in Madrid the week before. The Russian former world number one and five time Grand Slam champion is hitting her stride just at the right time with the French Open starting next Monday. Latest WTA rankings on May 21 1. Simona Halep (ROM) 7,270 pts 2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6,935 3. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 6,010 4. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5,505 5. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 5,382 (+1) 6. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,335 (-1) 7. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 5,170 8. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4,550 9. Venus Williams (USA) ...
Morata misses out on Spain World Cup squad
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata was left out of Spain's World Cup squad, announced today. Morata paid the price for a disappointing debut season in the Premier League as Spain coach Julen Lopetegui picked Iago Aspas and Rodrigo Moreno up front, along with Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa. "The decision is always difficult because of the talent of the players we have," Lopetegui said. "We have opted for three other players who had different assets and including four players up front was not something we wanted to do." Two more Chelsea players also missed out as Marcos Alonso and Cesc Fabregas were not included in the 23-man group. Morata's absence was the stand-out decision, however, even if it was not an entirely surprising one given the 25-year-old's dramatic dip in form. After scoring seven goals in his first seven games for Chelsea, a back injury seemed to affect his confidence. Morata has scored only three times in 22 games since the turn of the year. "I've talked to the players I had .
Buttler relishing 'another Test debut' with England
Buttler had said getting a recall to England's Test squad feels as if he had been given "another debut". Buttler played the last of his 18 Tests in December 2016, against India in Chennai. But despite becoming a white-ball specialist in the intervening 18 months, he has been included in England's squad for the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's starting Thursday. It is Buttler's form in the Twenty20 Indian Premier League, rather than English cricket's first-class County Championship that has propelled him back into the Test arena following a run of five successive fifties, including two unbeaten 90s, for the Rajasthan Royals. Now he is set to bat at number seven in the first of a two-Test series against Pakistan. "It's a fantastic surprise and an incredible opportunity afforded to me," Buttler told reporters at Lord's on Monday. "Any time you turn up here at Lord's it's special, and all of those emotions are arriving today. It feels like another debut really," he added. "It wasn't .
Harendra Singh 'positive' after Hockey India swaps coaches
Few days after being named new chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team, Harendra Singh on Monday said he is happy to have received the opportunity in the year when the team is all set to play some big tournaments.Earlier this month, Hockey India decided to switch the coaches of senior men's and women's hockey team after the two failed to clinch medals in the recently-concluded 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.While Harendra Singh was appointed as the new chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team, Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne was sent back to manage the women's side.Talking to ANI regarding the switch, Harendra said that Hockey India had given him a very big opportunity and that he wants to use the same in a very positive way."First of all, I want to thank Hockey India and the Government of India for giving me such a big responsibility. Be it a junior, men's or a women's team, the spectators hold a lot of expectation from you. This expectation keeps on ..
Trailblazers to face Supernovas in Women's T20 Challenge (Preview)
The Women's T20 Challenge, a one-of-its-kind exhibition match, is all set to take place ahead of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) first qualifier between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday.
Thomas and Uber Cup: India hammer Australia 4-1
After going down to Canada in their opening match, the India women's badminton team came all guns blazing on Monday to thrash Australia 4-1 in the second group match of the Thomas and Uber Cup here on Monday.
Intercontinental Cup important for Asian Cup preparation: Lalruatthara
Indian football team defender Lalruatthara on Monday said the Intercontinental Cup is a good preparation for the for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup mext year.
Marquez makes it three in a row, solid fifth place for Pedrosa at Le Mans
Defending MotoGP champion Marc Marquez enjoyed another fantastic race, taking his third consecutive victory this season and extending his own Championship lead to 36 points over second-place rider Maverick Viales. For Marc, the victory was 64th of his career, and his 38th in MotoGP, equalling Casey Stoner's Premier Class GP win tally. The only rider on a hard Michelin rear tyre, Marc managed the race perfectly in every phase, on a track that is usually challenging for him. He kept his cool during the early laps until his tyres were ready, took the lead after the crashes of Title-chase rivals Andrea Dovizioso and Johann Zarco, and eventually built a comfortable gap at the front, which he managed until the chequered flag fell. Dani Pedrosa rode a strong race, recovering from the fourth row on the grid to finish in fifth place, keeping a good pace for the entire race. Repsol Honda Team Rider, Marc Marquez said: I'm particularly happy with this win here in Le Mans, as it's one of the most
Belgium leave out Nainggolan for World Cup
Belgium have left midfield creator Radja Nainggolan out of their World Cup squad, coach Roberto Martinez said on Monday. The absence of Nainggolan, who scored twice for Roma in the second league of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool this month, was the biggest surprise in the 28-player list that will be reduced to 23 before the tournament. Belgium face England, Panama and Tunisia in Group G at the World Cup. The heavily tattooed 30-year-old has played 30 times for his country and is popular with supporters, but his relationship with Martinez has often been strained. The Spanish former Everton manager said: "It was a sad and difficult decision. He is a player with a lot of class and he was voted Roma's best player, but I've made my decision for purely tactical reasons. "I have put in place a specific system that works. I can't use Radja in a secondary role." Martinez said he had travelled to Rome to explain his choice to the player. In Nainggolan's place, Martinez has ..
Nadal regains No.1 spot before French Open
Rafael Nadal regained the number one spot ahead of the French Open in the world rankings today after winning his eighth Rome Masters title. The victory saw Nadal overtake Roger Federer, who is not playing the claycourt season this year. Former number one Novak Djokovic continued his fall, slipping four places to 22nd. ATP rankings at May 21: 1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,770 pts (+1) 2. Roger Federer (SUI) 8,670 pts (-1) 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5,615 4. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4,950 (+1) 5. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 4,870 (-1) 6. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 4,450 7. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 3,635 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,195 9. David Goffin (BEL) 3,020 (+1) 10. John Isner (USA) 2,955 (-1) 11. Pablo Carreno (ESP) 2,415 12. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,165 (+3) 13. Sam Querrey (USA) 2,140 (-1) 14. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,120 (-1) 15. Jack Sock (USA) 2,110 (-1) 16. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 2,030 17. Kyle Edmund (ENG) 1,950 (+2) 18. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 1,900 (-1) 19. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 1,895 ..
Mourinho and I don't have to be best friends: Pogba
France midfielder Paul Pogba on Monday said it is not necessary for his club Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to be friends with him.
Griezmann will be welcomed at Barcelona: Messi
FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi has welcomed the idea of Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann joining him at the Camp Nou.
Don't think Virat wields disproportionate influence: CoA chief Rai
Virat Kohli's aura in Indian cricket has grown exponentially over the past few years but contrary to popular perception, he has never wielded "disproportionate influence" when it comes to policy decisions, says Committee of Administrators (COA) chief Vinod Rai. Rai has had first-hand experience of interacting with Kohli on policy matters and after 16 months, he has his own assessment of the maverick Indian skipper. "Any captain will exercise a certain amount of influence on the team. I am in favour of allowing that flexibility and discretion to a certain degree. After all, the captain carries the cross," Rai told PTI in an exclusive interaction during an event at Delhi Gymkhana here. "But I will make it clear that nobody has come to me and said that Virat exercises influence, which is disproportionate to what a captain should be enjoying," he added. The former CAG stated that the skipper has never pressurised him on any policy matter. "At a personal level, Virat's behaviour with me ...
Women cricketers excited ahead of historic IPL exhibition match
Stage is set for a historical IPL exhibition match between Trailblazers led by Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur's Supernovas at the Wankhede Stadium here tomorrow and players believe it would be a stepping stone for the launch of a women's T20 league in the country. Leading women players like Kiwi Suzie Bates, Aussies Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and England's Danielle Wyatt will be part of the game which will take place before the Qualifier 1 between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. "It is very exciting for all of us to be playing this exhibition match and thankful to BCCI for organising such a unique match and it is a stepping show to the IPL. And hopefully, we will put up a good show and audience and BCCI people will think of having a IPL," Mandhana told reporters. "Everyone wants to put up a good show and bring women's cricket to the world. This is the first-ever match we will be playing with foreign players on Indian soil. Everyone is ...
Ranbir Kapoor to host prelude to IPL finale
Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor will host a two-hour prelude to the Indian Premier League (IPL) finale. Others joining the celebrations will include Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja.
Worked on footwork, sliding, muscle strength for French Open Qualifiers: Ankita
India has not had a female player in the singles main draw of a Grand Slam since Sania Mirza played at the Australian Open in 2012 and a gritty Ankita Raina is all fired up to change this statistic in the French Open qualifiers, beginning tomorrow. It all began at the WTA event in Mumbai and a phenomenal Fed Cup, where she remained unbeaten in singles and also beat a top-50 player. The performance brought about a change in perception about her. Consistent results in the last six months on the Pro circuit helped Ankita to not only break into the top-200 for the first time in her career, but also force authorities to include her in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for which she was earlier ignored. She is only the fifth player in India's tennis history to break the top-200 barrier. Out of other four, Shikha Uberoi and Sunitha Rao were US-based players and only Sania and Nirupama Vaidyanathan trained and flourished in India. Enjoying her career-best rank she is now knocking on the
India beat Australia 4-1 in Uber Cup Final
Indian women's badminton team, led by Saina Nehwal, notched up a dominating 4-1 win over lowly Australia in the second Group A match of the Uber Cup Final here today. After going down 1-4 to Canada in the opening match, Saina and Co. seemed to get their act together as they won all the matches, except the first women's doubles. World No 10 Saina started the proceedings as she saw off Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen 21-14 21-19 in a 35-minute opening match to give India a 1-0 lead. However, Meghana Jakkampudi and Poorvisha S Ram suffered a 13-21 16-21 loss to Australia's Gronya Somerville and Renuga Veeran within half an hour to concede the advantage. Vaishnavi Reddy Jakka, 16, then dumped Jennifer Tam 21-17 21-13 to once again bring India back in the contest. Sanyogita Ghorpade and Prajakta Sawant then defeated Louisa Ma and Ann-Louise Slee 21-19 21-11 in the second women's doubles match to help India take an unassailable 3-1 lead. Anura Prabhudesai, the 19-year-old from Goa, then brushed aside ..
TT: Sathiyan-Sanil settle for silver in Thailand Open
Top-ranked Indian doubles pair of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Sanil Shetty settled for a silver after going down against Tobias Hippler and Kilian Ort of Germany (1-3) in the finals of 2018 Challenge Thailand Open.