Page 1795 - Sports
Sathiyan reaches career-best ranking
The in-form G Sathiyan reached his career-best ranking of 46 while veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal climbed 22 places to be at 48 in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings. Sathiyan jumped three places to become World No. 46 as he continued to be the country's top singles player. The 25-year-old had won gold in the ITTF Challenge - Spanish Open in November last before reaching the pre-quarterfinals of the Qatar Open. "I'm really happy to hit my highest ever ranking. It's a good step and now I am aiming for Top 20 this year. But my prime focus will be the CWG and I guess this ranking will pump me up more to deliver my best. I think the best is yet to come," Sathiyan told PTI. Other Indian paddlers in the Top-100 are Soumyajit Ghosh (70), Harmeet Desai (74), Anthony Amalraj (83) and Sanil Shetty (84). As for the women, Manika Batra continued to top the world chart among Indians, rising eight places to 58, while Mouma Das dropped 17 places to settle at 88.
Super Cup:FC Pune City to battle against 'young' Lajong
Indian Super League (ISL) semi-finalists FC Pune City are 'smart enough and intelligent' to swing the tie against Shillong Lajong FC when they face the Highlanders in the Super Cup round-of-16 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.The Serbian coach reminded also that they 'have to be top of the game' to get the better of the 'young and smart' Shillong Lajong FC."It is a completely different competition. We had an amazing season having finished in the semifinals of ISL. This is going be a key battle on the pitch tomorrow. We have to stay motivated to get the result in our way.""I believe, we are enough smart and intelligent to get the job done. Meanwhile, we have a fair knowledge of their credentials and we know how much damage they can do. We have to absolutely at the top of our game to proceed further", the 50-year-old coach added.On being asked whether FC Pune City will kick-off as the favourites tomorrow, Popovic brushed it aside, "We have big respect for them. The ...
Bandipora academy promotes local football talent
The State Football Academy at the Shere Kashmir Sports Stadium in Bandipora district is brushing up the skills of young players of the area and is gearing them up for future crunches.Around 200 budding football players from Bandipora District and neighbouring areas are getting professional training at this academy now. Previously, these football players had to travel to Srinagar for training. The academy does not only train boys, it also has special pieces of training for girls too."We will train them here and if they improve their skills, we will help them get absorbed in professional clubs outside the state", said Tahir Maqbool, Head Coach of the Bandipora Football Academy.It is also reported that the budding players appreciate this step taken by the state sports council as it will help them in enhancing their sporting skills in the football game.A player said, "Earlier there was no academy to enhance and nourish our talent. But now we are getting a great opportunity. Already three .
Mary Kom needs one win to clinch medal on CWG debut
The celebrated MC Mary Kom needs to win just one bout to secure herself a medal, while Vikas Krishan got a bye into the men's pre-quarterfinals as Indian boxers were handed reasonably good draws in the Commonwealth Games here today. With their team doctor Amol Patil let off with a reprimand in the needle controversy, the boxers heaved a sigh of relief and focus was back on the sport. Mary Kom has been pitted against Scotland's Megan Gordon in the quarterfinals of the 48kg category, which will take place on April 8. Competing in her first and last Commonwealth Games, the 35-year-old is the favourite to claim the gold in a draw which features only eight boxers. Vikas (75kg), on the other hand, has made it to last-16 because of a bye along with debutant Manish Kaushik (60kg). Vikas has come into this tournament after claiming a gold medal at the prestigious Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria. Former Asian Games bronze-medallist Satish Kumar (+91kg) has also got a bye but owing to ..
Channel 9 loses accreditation for violating CWG opening ceremony embargo
In perhaps the first of its kind case of embargo violation in a multi-sport event, popular Australian network Channel Nine's accreditation was cancelled by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee after it leaked a video of the opening ceremony's dress rehearsal. "Someone was in the venue, took pictures of the Opening Ceremony. The other 16,000 volunteers and people respected the fact we asked them not to do it (broadcast it). And then they put it on their news service," Games organising committee CEO Mark Peters said here. "This is not what dignity is about, this is not what trust is about and it broke our news access rules. So there has to be a consequence, the same way there is a consequence for athletes and officials, and so the consequence is, we have suspended their accreditation," he added. However, the suspension will be reviewed after the opening ceremony tomorrow. "When people are given the privilege to come in and watch an event and they break the rules, that's not high
Sindhu, Srikanth get top seeding at CWG
Olympic silver-medallist P V Sindhu and World No 2 K Srikanth have been given the top billing in their respective women's and men's singles badminton competitions of the Commonwealth Games, starting at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre on April 10. In the draw of 64, Sindhu will begin her quest for the gold in the second round against Falkland Islands' Zoe Morris after both the players received byes in their respective opening rounds. The 22-year-old Indian is expected to meet 2014 Glasgow Games champion Michelle Li in the semifinals. The third seeded Canadian had beaten Sindhu in the semi-finals four years back en route the gold medal. The 2010 champion and former world No 1 Saina Nehwal has been seeded second and will start her campaign with a second-round clash against Elsie de Villiers in the other half of the draw. Ruthvika Gadde, meanwhile, has been seeded eighth and she will face the winner of the match between Ghana's Atipaka Grace Gha and Ah Wan Juliette of Seychelles in the .
AUS vs SA Board
Final scores on the fifth day of the fourth Test between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers Stadium on Tuesday: South Africa, first innings, 488 Australia, first innings, 221 South Africa, second innings, 344-6 dec Australia, second innings (overnight 88-3) M. Renshaw lbw b Morkel 5 J. Burns lbw b Morkel 42 U. Khawaja lbw b Maharaj 7 P. Handscomb b Philander 24 S. Marsh c Bavuma b Philander 7 M. Marsh c De Kock b Philander 0 T. Paine c De Kock b Philander 7 P. Cummins b Philander 1 N. Lyon run out (Markram) 9 C. Sayers b Philander 0 J. Hazlewood not out 9 Extras (lb1, nb7) 8 Total (46.4 overs) 119 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Renshaw), 2-34 (Khawaja), 3-68 (Burns), 4-88 (S. Marsh), 5-88 (M. Marsh), 6-95 (Handscomb), 7-99 (Paine), 8-100 (Cummins), 9-100 (Sayers) Bowling: Rabada 8-3-16-0 (4nb), Philander 13-5-21-6 (1nb), Maharaj 13-2-47-1 (1nb), Morkel 10.4-5-28-2 (1nb), Markram 2-0-6-0.
Will select trio again after their bans are over: Waugh
Former Australia opener and national selector Mark Waugh said he wouldn't hesitate to pick the three players banned in the wake of the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal once they have served their bans, but added in the same breath that these are "tough times" for Australia's Test team.
Tampering effect: Aussie swim coach wants best behaviour from wards at CWG
The ball-tampering furore weighing heavy on his mind, Australian swimming coach Jacco Verhaeren wants his wards to be on their best behaviour during the Commonwealth Games starting tomorrow. The Dutchman said he is mindful of the expectations from the athletes at the CWG after the backlash triggered by the ball-tampering row. Captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner didn't just lose their leadership roles but were also suspended for one year each for plotting to tamper the ball against South Africa. The third man at the centre of the furore, Cameron Bancroft, was banned for nine months. "It's obviously something big in Australian sport, and honestly worldwide, so people are looking at that," Verharen was quoted as saying by the CWG's official website. The Games will start tomorrow with the opening ceremony, while the swimming competition will get underway from April 5. "The swim team is pretty much under the magnifier already. Definitely, the Australian public looks critically, ...
Sindhu, Srikanth gets top seeding at CWG
Olympic silver-medallist P V Sindhu and World No 2 K Srikanth have been given the top billing in the respective women's and men's singles badminton competitions of the Commonwealth Games starting at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre on April 10. In the draw of 64, Sindhu will begin her quest for the gold in the second round against Falkland Islands' Zoe Morris after both the players received byes in their respective opening rounds. The 22-year-old Indian is expected to meet 2014 Glasgow Games champion Michelle Li. The third seeded Canadian had beaten Sindhu in the semi-finals four years back en route to her gold medal. 2010 champion and former world No 1 Saina Nehwal has been seeded second and will start her campaign with a second-round clash with Elsie de Villiers in the other half of the draw. Ruthvika Gadde, meanwhile, has been seeded eighth and she will face the winner of the match between Ghana's Atipaka Grace Gha and Ah Wan Juliette of Seychelles in the second round after ...
Super Cup: Lajong test for FC Pune City (Preview)
Indian Super League semi-finalists FC Pune City are 'smart enough and intelligent' to swing the tie against Shillong Lajong FC when they face-off in the Super Cup Round of 16 at the Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday.
FC Pune City look forward to enticing battle against Shillong Lajong
After an impressive performance in the Indian Super League, FC Pune City is all geared up to continue their good show when they lock horns with Shillong Lajong FC in the Super Cup football tournament here tomorrow. Pune's Serbian coach Ranko Popovic said the team "has to be at the top of the game" to get the better of the "young and smart" Shillong Lajong. "It is a completely different competition. We had an amazing season having finished in the semifinals of ISL. This is going be a key battle on the pitch tomorrow. We have to stay motivated to get the result in our way," Popovic said. "I believe, we are smart enough and intelligent to get the job done. Meanwhile, we have a fair knowledge of their credentials and know how much damage they can do. We have to absolutely be at the top of our game to proceed further," the 50-year-old said. Asked whether FC Pune City will kick-off as the favourites tomorrow, Popovic brushed it aside saying, "We have big respect for them. The league ...
I am nowhere near 'legend' Kohli: Babar Azam
Pakistan middle-order batsman Babar Azam has yet again played down his comparison with Virat Kohli, saying that he stands "nowhere near" a legend like the Indian skipper.Speaking after his side's 82-run win over West Indies in the second T20I of the three-match series, Azam said that though he tries to imitate Kohli, he could not be likened with the legendary batsman."I try to play like Kohli and compete with him," the Dawn quoted Azam, as saying.Earlier, Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir had also heaped praise on Kohli by dubbing him the 'the best batsman in the world'.Meanwhile, Azam also expressed his disappointment for missing out on a century by three runs during the second T20I.Azam struck a quick-fire 58-ball 97 runs, including 13 boundaries and a six, besides sharing a huge 119-run partnership with Hussain Talat (63) to guide Pakistan to a respectful total of 205 for three."There was no pressure on me and I was in coordination with Shoaib Malik but unfortunately missed a couple of .
James Anderson becomes most over-worked pacer
England's James Anderson on Tuesday became the most over-worked seam-bowler in Test cricket when he bowled his 30020th delivery against New Zealand here.He reached the milestone bowling in last delivery of his 17th over on the final day of the second Test.With this, he leapfrogged former West Indies Test skipper Courtney Walsh, who had bowled 30019 deliveries. Anderson is now behind only three of the greatest spinners: Shane Warne, Anil Kumble and Muttiah Muralitharan.Earlier, in 2015, Aderson claimed his 500th Test wicket to become England's leading Test wicket-taker. He now has 531 to his name at the time of this latest record.
Atletico Madrid's Henrique joins Brazil's Parana on loan
Parana Clube have signed Brazil's under-20 midfielder Caio Henrique on a season-long loan from Spanish football giants Atletico Madrid.
Man United announce pre-season tour of US
English football giants Manchester United have announced that they will return to the United States for a second consecutive year for Tour 2018 which will be a part of their pre-season tour.
Indonesia's footless goalkeeper kicks home powerful message
When Eman Sulaeman begged his parents to let him play football, the couple worried their young son -- born with no feet and just one full leg -- would be mocked. But two decades later, the 30-year-old Indonesian goalkeeper is wowing crowds at home and abroad with his "cat-like" reflexes, and sending a powerful message about people with disabilities. "I cried for days, begging them (my parents) to buy me a ball," he told AFP at a recent match in the small town of Indramayu, some 220 km east of Jakarta. "They relented and went out to find me a cheap plastic ball." Sulaeman's fans came out in force at a recent match at a local court for futsal -- a five-a-side game played on a hard pitch with hockey-sized goals and a less bouncy ball. They snapped pictures and cheered as Sulaeman protected his net by shifting quickly on stumps and his one leg -- the other limb is missing from the knee down. Cheers turned into a roar as he kicked the ball into the back of the other team's net, capping off
Shadab Khan penalised for breaching ICC code of conduct
Pakistan wrist-spinner Shadab Khan has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during his side's second T20I match against the West Indies in Karachi.The 19-year-old was found to have violated Article 2.1.7 of the code, which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an international match."In addition to the fine for his breach, one demerit point has been added to Shadab's disciplinary record.The incident took place in the ninth over of the West Indies' innings when Shadab, after dismissing Chadwick Walton, pointed his finger at the departing batsmen and also made an inappropriate comment.After the match, Shadab admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by David Boon of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.The charge ...
Tsurenko defeats Hibino in 1st round of Monterrey Open
Ukraine's third-seed Lesia Tsurenko defeated Japan's Nao Hibino in three sets in the opening round of the Monterrey Open in Mexico.
Sudan's 'sister coach' takes love of football to field
In Sudan, where a women's national football team remains a distant dream, Salma al-Majidi knew the only way to take part in her beloved sport was to coach... and that the players had to be men. Majidi, 27, acknowledged by FIFA as the first Arab and Sudanese woman to coach a men's football team in the Arab world, is a pioneer in a sport that dominates the region. "Why football? Because it is my first and ultimate love," said Majidi, clad in sports gear and a black headscarf, as she led players of the Al-Ahly Al-Gadaref club at a practice session in the town of Gadaref, east of Khartoum. "I became a coach because there is still no scope for women's football in Sudan," said Majidi, who is affectionately called "sister coach" by her team. Daughter of a retired policeman, Majidi was 16 when she fell in love with football. It came about as she watched her younger brother's school team being coached. She was captivated by the coach's instructions, his moves, and how he placed the marker ...