Page 1706 - Sports
More number of associate teams in World Cups to be discussed at ICC meet
The International Cricket Council (ICC) will discus at its board meeting here about how to address the issue of accommodating more associate teams in future World Cups, an official said on Sunday.
CSK beat Sunrisers Hyderabad, consolidate position
Dwayne Bravo consistently bowled in the block hole in a tense finish as Chennai Super Kings prevailed over a weakened Sunrisers Hyderabad by four runs to consolidate their position at the top of the order in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here today. Invited to bat after the coin landed in favour of Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson, CSK were well served by Ambati Rayudu's smashing knock of 79 off only 37 balls and Suresh Raina's brisk 43-ball 54. The visiting team then stopped the hosts at 178 for six, with medium pacer Deepak Chahar doing the bulk of damage. Needing 33 runs in the last two overs, Yusuf Pathan and Rashid Khan blasted a six each off Shardul Thakur in the penultimate over. Given the responsibility of bowling the final over with SRH requiring 19 runs, the composed Dwayne Bravo was hit for six and a four by Rashid to bring the equation to six off one. Bravo managed to get it on the block hole and Rashid could only manage a single. It is the first time in five .
Absence of players' Associations in India and Pakistan is a big concern for FICA
The absence of players' Associations in India and Pakistan is a "big concern" for FICA and the issue was discussed on the first day of the ICC five-day meeting, which began here today. Formation of a players Association is one of the recommendations made by the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee as the whole idea is to give the cricketers "a voice to raise their concerns" while barring them from forming a "trade union of any sort." "Unfortunately India and Pakistan do not have a functioning players association. It's definitely a big concern. The Lodha Commission has already said about forming an association. We will speak to them when (will) they form an association. It's up to the players in India," a top official of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations told PTI. "India is definitely a dominant force in cricket and as a result of number of people are following the sport. ICC consists of the 12 full member countries. India really dominate the decision making .
IPL: Mumbai opt to bat vs Rajasthan
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat against Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Sunday.
Theft probe hits Russian football ahead of World Cup
Russia's World Cup preparations have been hit by an embezzlement probe involving the tournament's anti-discrimination chief Alexei Smertin. Moscow's RBK business news site reported today that the interior ministry was looking into a complaint filed by Premier League club Dynamo Moscow against its previous leadership. Dynamo believe at least 1.6 million euros ($2 million) were transferred from the club to shell companies linked to former general director Yevgeny Muravyov. The money was paid under suspicious contracts signed by Smertin, who is also the team's executive director. Smertin serves as the World Cup's anti-racism inspector and is the go-to official in cases of player or fan abuse. The 42-year-old was the national team captain in 2004-05 and joined Dynamo's management in 2013. RBK said Smertin's signature also appeared on other dubious financial records unearthed during an audit. The Izvestia daily had previously quoted a source at Dynamo saying Smertin himself was not ...
Neymar expected back in Paris in mid-May at latest
Brazilian superstar Neymar is expected back in Paris a month before the World Cup begins in Russia, French media reported today. Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been recovering in his homeland since undergoing surgery on a broken bone in his foot on March 3. He had been injured playing for PSG in a league match against Marseille on February 25, just before a crucial Champions League last 16 second-leg clash with Real Madrid. French newspaper L'Equipe said he will return to Paris in "mid-May at the latest" to take part in PSG's end of season celebrations. RMC radio, though, said he would be back in "early May" to complete his rehabilitation in Paris alongside his two physiotherapists. His injury sparked a club-versus-country tug-of-war as PSG wanted to try to get Neymar fit in time to play against Real while Brazil were eager to wrap him in cotton wool to ensure he is firing on all cylinders at the World Cup, starting on June 14. Brazil won that battle as Neymar went under the ..
Wenger farewell fails to fill the Emirates
Arsene Wenger's decision to bring his 22-year reign to a close at the end of the season still wasn't enough to tempt many Arsenal fans back to the Emirates for one of the Frenchman's final games at home to West Ham today. Wenger, 68, had come under growing pressure to go from disgruntled supporters having failed to win the Premier League for 14 years before announcing his decision to leave on Friday. In his programme notes Wenger reiterated his plea for the fans to get behind the team for the rest of the season with Arsenal still in with a chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League via the Europa League. But there were only sporadic chants of "there's only one Arsene Wenger" from the home support after some goading from the visiting West Ham fans. Wenger won three Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cups with the Gunners. But Arsenal are on course to finish lower than ever under Wenger in the Premier League as they kicked-off in sixth, just two points ahead of ...
Kipchoge, Cheruiyot celebrate Kenyan double at London Marathon
Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge stormed to his third London Marathon title today to complete an impressive Kenyan double after Vivian Cheruiyot dominated the women's race in warm conditions. Kipchoge, 33, saw off the challenge of Ethiopia's Tola Shura Kitata and home favourite Mo Farah to win his third race in the British capital in four years in a time of 2hrs 04min 17sec, finishing more than half a minute in front of Kitata (2:04:49), with Farah third (2:06:21). Cheruiyot, 34, timed her run perfectly to win the women's event in a time of 2hrs 18min 31sec ahead of compatriot Brigid Kosgei (2:20:13), and Ethiopia's Tadelech Bekele (2:21:40). Kipchoge joined compatriot Martin Lel and Mexican Dionicio Ceron as the only men to win London three times. After previous victories in 2015 and 2016, Kipchoge took a ninth career win over 26.2 miles, but missed his two-year-old course record. "I came to London to run a beautiful race and today I ran a really beautiful race," said Kipchoge. "Thank
9-year-old chess prodigy from India caught in visa battle in UK
A nine-year-old chess prodigy from India is caught up in a battle to stay in the UK after his father's work visa is set to expire. Shreyas Royal has won a series on chess championships and his parents, Jitendra and Anju Singh, are now appealing to the UK Home Office for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in Britain on the grounds that he is a national asset. The family had moved to London from Bangalore in 2012 when Shreyas was three years old. "Shreyas's life is here he has roots. We are used to India, we spent a lot of our lives living there but it will be a massive shock for Shreyas. He will not be able to continue his chess, it really is a terrible situation, father Jitendra told 'The Times'. The 38-year-old IT project manager with the Tata Group was offered a fixed-termcontract in the company's UK office and on September 10 his work visa will lapse permanently. With the backing of Julian Simpole, a trainer who has coached two of the English grandmasters, and Dominic Lawson, ...
Joshna posts first-ever win over Nicol David
India's top woman player Joshna Chinappa beat former world number one Nicol David 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in the second round of the El Gouna International squash tournament in El Gouna (Egypt) for her first ever win over the legendary Malaysian. Nicol David, an eight-time World champ and seeded eight in the tournament, started slowly and fell behind by two games quickly as the Indian attacked well, a press note here said. The World No.14 then stormed into a 7-1 lead in the third and, despite a late fightback from her Malaysian opponent,held on to claim her first ever win over Nicol David in 32 minutes. "I don't know how I did it," Joshna was quoted as saying about her win on the PSA World Tour website. Having won a silver medal in the recent Commonwealth Games in Australia, she said she was aware that she had a tough opening round and a possible match against Nicol David and wanted to play freely. "I knew I had a tough first round, then Nicol in the pre-quarters, so I had no ...
Shooters Ravi, Arjun falter at World Cup
India's Ravi Kumar and Arjun Babuta finished fourth and sixth respectively in the men's 10 metre Air Rifle event at the second International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup here on Sunday.
Gangjee ends 14-year title drought with Panasonic Open triumph
Indian golfer Rahil Gangjee ended a 14-year title drought by closing with a three-under 68 for a one-shot victory over South Koreans Hyungsung Kim and Junggon Hwang at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship here on Sunday.
Ravi Kumar, Arjun Babuta miss out on medal at ISSF World Cup
Indian shooters Ravi Kumar and Arjun Babuta missed out on a medal after raising hopes on the first day of the ISSF World Cup Stage 2 here today. Ravi finished fourth in his fifth World Cup final in two years and the youngster Arjun, playing his first senior World Cup, also gave a good account of himself to claim the sixth place in a top field. Russia's Alexander Dryagin shot a world record 251.2 in the final to lead a Russian 1-2 as Rio Olympics bronze medallist, Vladimir Maslennikov, won silver with a score of 250.2 after the 24-shot final. World number one Istvan Peni of Hungary bagged bonze with a score of 228.5. Peni piped Ravi by 0.2 points at the end of 20 shots, as Ravi bowed out in fourth place after leading the finals initially, on a score of 208.4. Arjun, also leading the final at one stage, scored 165.2. In the 92-strong qualification round, Ravi aggregated 629.2 after 60-shots to qualify second while Arjun shot 627.0 to capture the eighth and final qualifying spot. Deepak .
Dortmund, Hoffenheim win in Bundesliga
Jadon Sancho's performance helped Borussia Dortmund to inflict the second loss in a row on Bayer Leverkusen following a 4-0 result, whereas Hoffenheim crushed ten-man Leipzig 5-2 in the 31st round of the Bundesliga football championship.
Delhi Dynamos pick 29 young footballers after trials
Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Delhi Dynamos (DD) selected 29 young footballers for their different age-group squads after the two-day long trials at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium concluded here on Sunday.
IPL: Bottom placed Delhi face confident Punjab at home (Preview)
Following a string of defeats, Delhi Daredevils (DD) will be desperate for a win against table-toppers Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) when they meet in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Feroz Shah Kotla here on Monday.
Ex-Brazil keeper Julio Cesar bids winning farewell
Former Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar ended his football career in style as Flamengo defeated America Mineiro 2-0 in the Brazilian Serie A at the Maracana stadium.
Rahil Gangjee wins in Japan, ends 14-year title drought
Indian golfer Rahil Gandjee today clinched the Panasonic Open title in style by hitting a birdie in the last hole to end a 14-year-long title drought here. The 39-year-old Gangjee was tied with Korea's Hyungsung Kim on 13-under going into the 18th and the final hole. The Indian held his nerves to hit a birdie on the final hole to end with a score of 14-under and bag the title. Gangjee had won his maiden Asian Tour title in China way back in 2004. The win brought Gangjee a lot of benefits, including a winner's cheque of over USD 283,000 plus a bonus of USD 50,000 for finishing second on the Panasonic Swing behind Shiv Kapur (who got USD 70,000). Gangjee also got two-year exemptions into Asian and Japan Tours. In the intervening period from 2004 to the present, Gangjee had finished second three times, third another three times and had a total of 22 Top-10s. Earlier this year, Gangjee had pulled out of Myanmar and Singapore events because of a stomach bug, so this win makes up for all ...
IPL: Hyderabad opt to bowl against Chennai
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to field against Chennai Super Kings in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash here on Sunday.
Celta Vigo hold Valencia in La Liga clash
Valencia tied 1-1 with Celta Vigo in a Spanish top division football tie here, their third straight match without a win.