Page 1906 - Sports
FIFA ban on competitive games in Iraq affects AFC Cup clubs
The Asian Football Confederation says it cannot allow two Iraqi clubs to host matches in the AFC Cup this month because of security risks. The AFC says FIFA's ban on competitive games being played in Iraq must be upheld, despite the visiting clubs from Bahrain consenting to the group games in Asia's second-tier club competition. The FIFA Council is set to discuss the issue at its meeting next week in Bogota, Colombia. The affected games are two-time defending AFC Cup champion Air Force Club hosting Malkiya, and Al Zawraa hosting Manama. The AFC says the Iraqi clubs' home games have been postponed to next month to await a potential change in FIFA's security ruling. FIFA currently allows international friendly games to be played in Iraq.
Aussies wrap up first Test as Warner, De Kock bust-up probed
Australia wrapped up a 118-run win on the fifth day of the first Test against South Africa today but the result is likely to be overshadowed by an ugly bust-up between David Warner and Quinton de Kock. It took Australia 18 minutes and 22 balls to claim the last South African wicket when De Kock swung across the line and was leg before wicket to Josh Hazlewood for 83. South Africa were bowled out for 298, adding five runs to their overnight total of 293 for nine. The win gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Just before the rapid conclusion of the match, however, video footage emerged showing Aussie firebrand Warner pointing and directing a verbal barrage at De Kock during Sunday's play at Kingsmead before he was restrained and pulled away by his teammates. The incident reportedly took place as the players were returning to their dressing rooms at tea. "CA (Cricket Australia) is aware of reports of an incident between players in Durban," a Cricket Australia spokesman said
Sony acquires media rights from England and Wales Cricket Board
Sony Pictures Networks India has acquired from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) exclusive media rights for the Indian subcontinent for a period of five years starting in 2018 through 2022, it was announced today. The agreement with ECB gives SPN the rights to both televise and digitally broadcast within the Indian subcontinent, men's and women's international matches, including Test matches, T20 Internationals and ODIs, played in England, according to a release. Key viewership highlights of the 2018-2022 term of scheduled ECB games includes around 80 international men's and women's matches. Sony's big catch will be India's tour of England this summer which includes five Test matches, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals. Real-time and live match viewership will be available in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, apart from India. With this acquisition, SPN's exclusive cricket portfolio includes most of the major international cricket boards, namely, Cricket Australia, ECB,
Football flows like blood in Northeast, says Renedy Singh
Northeast has been the hub of Indian football for over two decades and former India international Renedy Singh says the sport "flows like blood in everyone's veins in the region". Aizawl FC took it one step beyond when they were crowned champions of Hero I-League in 2016-17, their debut season, thus reiterating the fact that football is an integral part of the culture in the land of the seven sisters. Football flows like blood in everyone's vein in the region, Renedy said with a grin. "Football is the number one sport in the region and there is no denying that everyone just wants to play football. It is very important for the kids to engage in competitive environment from early on, he added. As part of developing a grassroots culture, All India Football Federation's (AIFF) philosophy on Baby Leagues has been implemented in the state of Meghalaya and Mizoram. Even as Aizawl FC captured the imagination of entire country by winning the I-League, Renedy said Shillong Lajong FC's self ...
Shubhankar finishes tied 9th at Mexico golf meet
Young Indian golfer and overnight leader Shubhankar Sharma stumbled in the fourth and final round and carded a three-over 74 to finish tied ninth in the $10 million World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship here.
Gokulam Kerala FC-Mohun Bagan match postponed to Mar 8
In an attempt to prevent match-fixing, the AIFF has rescheduled the Hero I-League match between Gokulam Kerala FC and Mohun Bagan, which was earlier scheduled to be played tomorrow, to March 8, the final day of the league. The match will kick off at 3 PM in Kozhikode, simultaneously with other two matches at Panchkula (between MPFC and Churchill Brothers) and Kolkata (between KEB and NEROCA FC) also scheduled on the same day. "We needed to ensure that all teams who are in the fray for the coveted Hero I-League title get a fair chance to have a go at the title, I-League CEO Sunando Dhar stated. "We try and see that no team gets an undue advantage and hence, we felt best to postpone the match for the final day." "It's now a common trend for the I-League to go down the wire with the title being decided on the final day. It speaks volume about the competitiveness in the League," Dhar added. With the match rescheduled at the last moment, the host broadcaster may not be able to telecast ...
Chennai City FC set for tie-up with top European club
I-League outfit Chennai City FC claims it is set for a collaboration with a top European club primarily focussing on infrastructure development, owner Rohit Ramesh said today. Ramesh though refused to divulge the name of the club, citing confidentiality clause. "We are tying up with an European club, which is very well-known among Indian football fans. The collaboration will mainly focus on developing infrastructure with their help," Ramesh told PTI. Chennai FC are locked in a battle with Churchill Brothers to avoid relegation from the I-League, but the club management is confident of keeping their place in the top division. Regarding the tie-up, Ramesh said, "This will include infrastructure development, ensuring that there are activities as far residential academies are concerned, sharing of knowledge and technical know-how and also knowing the community. "Bringing in expertise in helping us design infrastructure academy and artificial pitch." The southerners had earlier tied up ...
Sony acquires media rights from England and Wales Cricket Board
Sony Pictures Networks India has acquired from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) exclusive media rights for the Indian subcontinent for a period of five years starting in 2018 through 2022, it was announced on Monday.
Real Madrid's Kroos, Modric to play in PSG clash
Real Madrid's midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric travelled to Paris with the rest of their squad for the Champions League last-16 second leg match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Halep continues to lead WTA rankings
Simona Halep of Romania continued to lead the Women's Tennis Association rankings released on Monday for the second consecutive week, ahead of Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki.
I-League: Gokulam FC, Mohun Bagan tie postponed
The I-League match between Gokulam Kerala FC and Mohun Bagan, which was earlier scheduled to be played on March 6, has now been rescheduled for the final day of the League -- March 8.
Super Cup likely to have six foreigners in squad
The upcoming Super Cup, a football knockout competition involving both I-League and Indian Super League (ISL) teams, is likely to have six foreigners registered in each 25-member squad and five taking the field.
Spanish clubs not coming to India in near future: La Liga India head
India is not in La Liga's immediate scheme of things as far Spanish clubs playing pre-season or exhibition matches in the near future are concerned, the league's country head Jose Cachaza said, contrary to the speculations doing the rounds. Cachaza was not affirmative when asked about La Liga's plans of holding exhibition of pre-season matches in India in future. "Playing matches in India in future, definitely yes, but I cannot give a date, cannot promise that the upcoming pre-season will be here," Cachaza told. He though called India a strategic country for La Liga, one of the world's top football leagues that has the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez in its ranks. "As far as La Liga's promotional activities are concerned, you can compare India with China because (like India) we have office in China, but not with countries like Australia as they are not our strategic partners," he said. Australia though hosted Spanish clubs such as Real Madrid and Atletico ...
Australia women take on India A in practise game
Ahead of their three-match ODI rubber against hosts India, the Australian women's outfit would look to get a feel of the conditions when they take on Indian women's A team in a 50-over game here tomorrow. The match is a tune-up to the Australian women's team's three-match One-Day series against the hosts to be played in Vadodara from March 12. Yesterday and today, the visitors warmed up at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex facility, where the two practise games are scheduled to be held. The Aussies are led by veteran batswoman Meg Lanning. They would also use the match to adapt to the conditions and the weather in Mumbai where a T20 tri-series, also involving England, is to be played from March 22. The Aussies have also not played any international cricket after the Ashes tour against England which was held Down Under. Lanning said, "All the girls have been looking forward to it and it's nice to get couple of training days for adapting to the ...
Korea Tour: Indian hockey eves clinch 1-0 win in opener
The Indian women's hockey team started their tour of South Korea with a morale-boosting 1-0 win over the hosts in the first match of the five-match series here at the Jinchun National Athletic Center on Monday.India looked to start their tour on a positive note as they focused on stringing together some passes, which saw them keep possession in the opposition's half in the opening few minutes of the first quarter. It was in the fifth minute that the visitors attacked the South Korean defense and found a way past their goalkeeper Mijin Han as India's Lalremsiami scored the opening goal of the match to give her side a 1-0 lead.The Indian team looked in good shape as they were making forays into the opposition's half regularly and were defending well as a unit, which meant that they kept their 1-0 lead intact at the end of the first quarter.In the second quarter, India were rewarded with a Penalty Corner in the 18th minute, but the South Koreans guarded their goal well as the shot from ..
Indian women hockey team beat South Korea 1-0 in Tour opener
Indian women's hockey team defeated South Korea by a solitary goal in the opening match of the five-game series to make a positive start to their tour here today. India scored an early goal through Lalremsiami (5th minute) at the Jinchun National Athletic Center and then defended stoutly to hold on to the lead for a morale-boosting win. India looked positive from the word go and were rewarded for their intent in the fifth minute when Lalremsiami found the back of the South Korean net past goalkeeper Mijin Han. The Indian team looked in good shape as they made forays into the opposition half regularly and also defended well as a unit. In the second quarter, India were rewarded with a penalty corner in the 18th minute, but Mijin Han came to her side's rescue this time. Three minutes later the Korean goalkeeper made another fine save from a penalty corner to keep the hosts in the hunt. In the 23rd minute India conceded a penalty corner but debutant goalkeeper Swati made a fine save to ..
Hockey: Resilient Indian eves beat South Korea in 1st match
The Indian eves started their tour with a morale-boosting 1-0 win over the hosts in the first hockey match of the five match series at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre here on Monday.
Lajong set the tone for club football in North-East: Ex-midfielder Renedy Singh
There is no denying that the North-East has been the hub for Indian Football for over two decades now.Aizawl FC took it one step beyond when they were crowned Champions of I-League in 2016-17, thus reiterating the fact that football is an integral part of the culture in the land of the 'seven sisters' - be it from flocking to the stadium in numbers or playing on the field after a long day of work -- football caters to everyone, regardless of gender."Football flows like blood in everyone's veins in the region," former India International Renedy Singh smiles."Football is the number one sport in the region and there is no denying that everyone born just wants to play Football. It is very important for the kids to engage in competitive environment from early on," he adds."The right way of playing football from the grassroots level should be taught to the kids from a young age and by working on the grassroots we can further harness the true potential."As part of developing a grassroots ...
Dhoni becomes brand ambassador of gaming platform
India's 2011 World Cup-winning skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has become a brand ambassador of gaming platform Dream11, it was announced today. "The fact that every Dream11 user actually aspires to employ the same kind of thinking prowess that has made MS Dhoni such a master of the game (cricket) truly makes him a unique fit for the Dream11 brand," a media release said. The former India Test skipper, who had led the country to a famous triumph in the inaugural World T20 Championship in 2007, would be the new face of the gaming platform's multi-channel marketing campaigns and brand engagement activities. "I am delighted to associate with Dream11 - because it gives millions of sports fans an opportunity to be the decision maker, create their own team and experience the game first-hand," Dhoni was quoted of saying by the release. Currently the gaming platform has an user base of 2 crore sports fans playing "fantasy cricket, football, kabaddi and NBA", according to the ...
Nidahas Trophy: India to face Sri Lanka in 1st T20I (Preview)
After a successful and testing tour of South Africa, a new-look team India led by Rohit Sharma is all set to face Sri Lanka in the opening Twenty20 International match of the tri-nation series at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Tuesday.