Page 1842 - Sports
Jitu does not want 2022 CWG boycott on shooting issue
Star marksman Jitu Rai today said the imminent dropping of shooting from the 2022 Commonwealth Games would be a huge loss to the country but felt that India should not resort to a boycott of the quadrennial multi-sporting event due to the issue. Former shooter Jaspal Rana recently said that India should boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games after the Birmingham organisers decided to drop shooting -- an optional sport for the CWG -- due to logistical issues. But Jitu, who won a gold in the 50m pistol event in the 2014 Glasgow CWG, begged to differ. "Yes, it will be a huge loss to India because shooting is one sport which is giving the country a lot of medals. I am personally disappointed that shooting is most likely to be dropped from 2022 CWG," he said at the sidelines of the sending-off ceremony of the Indian contingent for the Gold Coast Games here. "But it is not that shooting will be dropped forever or continuously. It is the choice of the organisers of a particular CWG as it is an .
Kimetto shakes off injuries, dreams of Vienna marathon course record
World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto of Kenya is hopeful of resurrecting his career after three years of injuries as he returns to action at the Vienna Marathon to be held on April 22.
Mizoram pump in five past Odisha
Mizoram walloped Odisha 5-0 for their second successive win, while Karnataka began their campaign with a spirited 2-1 victory over Goa in the national football championship for the 72nd Santosh Trophy here today. Lal Romawia struck a brace (41st, 59th) to take his tally to four goals from four matches, while Mizoram also scored through Lalbiakhlua (37th), Malsawmdawng (73rd) and F Lalrinpuia (90+1st) to seal the rout at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium. Mizoram, who defeated Goa 3-1 in their opening encounter, thus made it two out of two, to top the group A table as Odisha suffered a second successive defeat. Six time champions Goa also suffered back-to-back defeats after squandering a 27th minute lead given by Kapil Hoble. After the break, Karnataka stepped up their attack as Vignesh (54th), Rajesh S (61st) struck in space of seven minutes. If that was not enough an own goal by Goa's Mathew Gonsalves (69th minute) made it 4-0 before Leon Augustine (89th) completed the rout at the Sailan .
Brazilian teenager Rodrigo set for Real Madrid move: Reports
Record European football champions Real Madrid are set to sign highly rated Brazilian teenager Rodrigo Farofa on a long-term contract, according to media reports in Brazil.
Neha fires a historic 10-under 62 in sixth leg of Hero WPG Tour
Neha Tripathi played one of the finest ever rounds in Indian women's golf as she shot a scintillating 10-under 62 to open up a 11-shot lead after 36 holes in the sixth leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour at the Classic Golf and Country Club here today. Neha, 26, who has been a long time pro since 2009, was flawless as she closed both the front and back nines with stunning eagles. She also carded six other birdies, three each on either side of the course. A thrilled Neha said, I think the lowest round record was of Simi di (Smriti Mehra) at 7-under. Yes, 10-under par is a historic round. I am very happy with it. Only on the 16th, I realized that I was playing 8-under. At my putt on the 18th, which was for an eagle to get to 10-under, my hands were shaking. "My caddy Vicky Sharma (who's Shubhankar Sharma's caddy and was with him during his Maybank Championship win) told me to go for it and not to worry about whether I end up hitting 9-under or a 10-under. "I went for it and holed my ..
Man Utd announce plans to form professional women's team
Manchester United have announced plans to form a women's professional team after long being criticised for lagging behind their rivals. The Premier League giants are the only top-flight club in England without a senior women's team. United said they had submitted an application to the Football Association to join the second tier of the Women's Super League. "We are pleased to announce that the club intends to establish its first-ever professional women's team and has submitted an application to enter WSL2," said Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. "The FA has provided excellent support through the process and we believe that launching a team in WSL2 would give many more of our graduates from the regional talent club the chance to establish themselves as first-team players. "The Manchester United women's team must be built in the same image and with the same principles as the men's first team and offer academy players a clear route to top-level football within the ...
Vettel aims to end Ferrari's decade-long championship wait
German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel was looking for a fifth world title as he expressed on Thursday his hopes to end Ferrari's 10-year championship drought, ahead of the season-opening Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
Elgar, Amla dig in after early wicket
Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla shared a half-century partnership after South Africa lost an early wicket on the first day of the third Test against Australia at Newlands. South Africa were 75 for one at lunch after winning the toss and batting on the best batting pitch of any of the Tests South Africa have hosted against India and Australia this season. Elgar and Amla were unbeaten on 40 and 31 respectively. Josh Hazlewood struck early for Australia when he dismissed Aiden Markram for nought in the fourth over. Markram pushed forward at a full-length delivery and edged a low catch to Australian captain Steve Smith at second slip. Although there was a good covering of grass, there was minimal assistance for the bowlers on a sunny morning. Elgar and Amla started cautiously and the total was only 31 after 15 overs in the first hour. They posted a 50 partnership after 80 minutes and 110 balls and by lunch had stretched this to 69 off 146 balls.
IOA slams ministry for raising 'unnecessary issues' on CWG contingent
Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra today slammed the Sports Ministry for raising "unnecessary issues" about the family members of Commonwealth Games-bound athletes travelling with them, asking it to apply the same standards of probity for its own bureaucrats. Tension has been simmering between the IOA and the Sports Ministry for some time, especially after the government's ambitious Khelo India School Games held here last month. Batra chose the occasion of the India contingent's sending-off ceremony for the Apri 4 to 15 Games in Gold Coast to vent his displeasure. "I don't know why the sports ministry is raising these unnecessary issues. We called these as extra officials but in fact these are not extra officials. These days in every sport you don't need only the coaches but you need managers, doctors, physios and masseurs. They contribute to the good performance of the players," said Batra at the media conference after the send-off ceremony. The IOA had sent the ...
IOA gives warm send-off to Indian contingent for CWG 2018
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday organised a mega 'send-off' ceremony for the Indian contingent, participating in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (CWG) here on Thursday.Chief Guest Rajnath Singh, Minister for Home Affairs, and Guest of Honour Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, wished good luck to the Indian athletes and officials for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.Meanwhile, Narinder Dhruv Batra, President Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said, "It gives me immense pleasure to send one of our finest teams to compete at Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. We are confident that this contingent will return victorious and make the nation proud."Wishing good luck to the Indian contingent, Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of IOA, said, "I am sure our athletes will perform their personal best in these Games and bring back more medals this time".He also urged the athletes to play safe and fair, respecting the rules of the sport.India will .
Future Group extends stint with IPL
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced the extension of its association with Future Group as the official partner for the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next three years.
ATK sign Nigerian forward Uche
Former champions ATK, who finished a poor ninth in the Indian Super League, today announced the signing of Nigerian forward Kalu Uche as one of their first players for next season. 2010 World Cupper Uche began his career in Nigeria with Enyimba International FC and Iwuanyanwu Nationale and then transferred to Wisla Krakw, playing there until 2005 where he won the Ekstraklasa three times and Polish Cup twice. He began his Spanish journey in 2005-06 when Uche moved to UD Almera, and was instrumental in helping the Andalusia club to its first ever La Liga promotion. In ISL, he was the leading goal-scorer for Delhi Dynamos in 2017-18 season, scoring 13 goals.
Potential Russian swansong for Iniesta as China draws closer
Barcelona and Spain midfield star Andres Iniesta has indicated this summer's World Cup in Russia could signal his international swansong. Iniesta, 33, also hinted he could finally be lured from a rarely-seen 'contract for life' with the Spanish league giants, signed last year, to cap his sparkling club career with a stint in China's Super League. "At the moment, given my age, it could be my last international appearance," Iniesta told Radio Cadena Ser Thursday when asked about the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia from June 14 to July 15. "It's quite similar to what could happen to me at club level. I don't want to be there just to make up the numbers, I don't need to be there (at Barcelona and Spain) just so I can say I'm there." Iniesta, considered one of world's greatest creative midfielders, has been increasingly linked with a move to China despite signing a deal with Barcelona last autumn that effectively allowed him to decide when he would finish his career with the Catalan ...
Morgan to lead ICC World XI against Windies
England Test captain Eoin Morgan will lead an ICC World XI in a T20I against the Windies at Lord's on May 31," the ICC said today. The game will raise funds for two stadia in the Caribbean that were damaged following Hurricanes Irma and Maria last year. Defending ICC World T20 Champions, the Windies will face what is expected to be a very strong World XI side with Morgan at the helm and the England captain is relishing the prospect. "I am delighted to captain the ICC World XI at Lord's in May against the West Indies, said Morgan. "The cricket family always comes together to support worthwhile causes and this one-off T20I, featuring some of the best players in the world will be a great spectacle at the home of cricket. "I am sure the sporting public will come out in force and help raise money and awareness towards restoring parts of the Caribbean hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September last year, which ripped through many communities in this beautiful part of the world." Giles ...
Batra questions ministry's decision to trim CWG list
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra on Thursday trained his guns at the sports ministry for trimming as many as 21 officials from the Indian contingent for the upcoming Commonwealth Games starting at the Gold Coast April 4.
IOA hopeful jumpers' inclusion in CWG squad
The Indian Olympic Association is hopeful that long jumper S. Sreeshankar and high jumper Siddharth Yadav will make it to the squad for the Commonwealth Games after they were not in the original list sent to the Gold Coast organisers.
Thangaraja surges ahead with a flawless 67 at Chittagong Open
Indian golfer Aman Raj struck a four-under 68 to lie tied second at 11-under-133 after day two of the Chittagong Open at the Bhatiary Golf & Country Club here today. Bangladesh's Md Sajib Ali carded a second round of four-under-68 to share the second place with Raj. Sri Lankan N Thangaraja, meanwhile, exhibited some outstanding iron-play during his flawless five-under-67 to grab an outright one-shot lead at 12-under-132. Thangaraja (65-67) struck his irons and wedges with pin-point precision on day two to pick up five birdies that gave him a one-shot advantage at the top of the pack. Thangaraja, who was part of the four-way lead in round one, was off to a terrific start today as he made chip-putt birdies on the 10th and 11th, his first two holes. The 36-year-old Thangaraja then came agonizingly close to making a hole-in-one on the 15th where his tee shot landed inches from the pin. The Colombo resident, on the road to recovery from a knee injury, once again missed the hole by a ...
ATK rope in Nigerian striker Uche
Two-time ISL champions ATK have signed Delhi Dynamos' Nigerian star forward Kalu Uche for 2018-19 Indian Super League (ISL) football season, it was announced on Thursday.
Paddler hit by rape charge, claims innocence but suspension likely
Table tennis player Soumyajit Ghosh is likely to be suspended and dropped from India's Commonwealth Games contingent after being accused of rape, a charge that was denied by the former national champion who claimed his accuser has been blackmailing him. A complaint has been lodged at the Barasat women's police station in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, where the 24-year-old Arjuna awardee has been booked under the IPC sections for rape, criminal conspiracy, causing miscarriage without the woman's consent and cheating, the police said. The allegations have been levelled by an 18-year-old, the police added. Ghosh, who is training in Germany for the April 4 to 15 CWG in Gold Coast, is set to be dropped from the national team, Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) Secretary MP Singh told PTI. "The charges are very serious against Ghosh. I have called an executive committee meeting tomorrow. In my opinion, we have no option but to suspend him pending further investigations. ...
Future Group continues to be official partner of the IPL for next 3 Years
The Future Group will continue its association with the BCCI as its official partner for the Indian Premier League for the next three years. FBB had become the Official Partner for IPL in 2017. Speaking on the development, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said, We are delighted to have Future Group back as the Official Partner of the IPL for the next three years. They have returned after just one year of association, which is a great testament to the value the IPL sponsorship platform delivers to its partners. Kishore Biyani, Group CEO, Future Group said, In a country like ours, cricket holds the power of bringing the entire country together. The IPL, being the grandest cricket carnival today, connects with thousands of fans who are glued to their TV screens during the IPL season. "This is a great opportunity for us to connect and engage with our consumers too. We look forward to having a good run with the IPL family, following a successful year with them as their official partner. The 2018