Page 1922 - Sports
Iran wrestling head quits, refusing to lie over facing Israelis
The head of Iran's wrestling federation resigned on Wednesday after criticising authorities for letting athletes pay the price for the ban on facing Israeli opponents. Wrestling is a hugely popular sport in Iran where Rasoul Khadem, an Olympic gold medallist, was re-elected as president of the Wrestling Federation just two months ago. But in a somewhat cryptic letter published on the federation's website, he suggested he had been forced from his post, saying "apparently it is not going to work out" because of "my awkward mentality". "I cannot lie. Sometimes the best way to take a stand is not to stand," he wrote. The councils for freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling announced they were resigning en masse along with Khadem, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported. Khadem had recently criticised Iranian authorities for their approach to competing against Israeli opponents. It followed a six-month ban given to Iran's Alireza Karimi Mashiani by the United World Wrestling Disciplinary ..
Kerala Prisons team T20 match with SL prison team
: No cheering crowds, no banners or festoons ... it was a T20 cricket match with a difference - a friendly between teams of Kerala Prisons Department and their counterparts in Sri Lanka. Five prisoners and six prison officials from 'God's own country' pitted their skills against six jail staff of the island nation, Kerala team captain Sujit said. Noted actor Jayasurya and Prison DGP R Sreelekha were among the prominent persons who watched the match at the Sports Hub at Karyavattom here. The match was part of the island nation's programme to study and emulate the best practices in Kerala jails. A 28-member Lankan delegation from the prisons department of the island nation arrived here yesterday.
Last year's US Open unlocked something in Anderson:Federer
New world number one Roger Federer believes that last year's US Open "unlocked" something in big-serving South African tennis star Kevin Anderson.The 20-time Grand Slam champion said that Anderson's run to the finals of the last year's US Open might have unlocked the belief that he could finally win a major tournament."I think the US Open might have unlocked a lot of things for Kevin in his head and in his game that maybe before he wasn't sure he could achieve," Sport24 quoted Federer as saying.Anderson made it to the summit showdown following a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 win over Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, only to see himself losing to the then top-ranked Rafael Nadal 3-6, 3-6, 4-6.Describing Anderson as a "great player", Federer insisted that he has always been impressed by the South African's fighting attitude towards the game."I think he is a great player. I like his fighting attitude.He is going to go out swinging and trying his absolute best, and then good things can happen, ...
Coach Wenger seeks strong response from Arsenal against Man City
Arsenal chief coach Arsene Wenger on Wednesday demanded a strong response from his side as they face a tough English Premier League (EPL) clash against Manchester City on Thursday, who had thrashed them on Sunday in the English Football League (EFL) Cup final.
FC Goa co-owner Kohli launches Forca Goa Foundation
India skipper and FC Goa co-owner Virat Kohli today unveiled the teams new jersey ahead of their last home game against ATK at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda here. Forca Goa Foundation is a multi-programme NGO that provides grassroot training to children and uses football as a vehicle for positive development in the state. Indian captain Kohli will be attending the match as a show of support for the Gaurs as well as to extend his heartfelt support to the launch of the foundation. The change in jersey is a symbolic representation of the whole club showing solidarity and pledging our continued support to creating an ecosystem. This is a unique venture for us and I am extremely happy to be a part of this journey," Kohli said. "With the help of the Foundation, we hope to inspire more children irrespective of gender to take support and train and groom them into through professionals. He urged the parents and children that they should look for the opportunity to embrace, he ...
Putin asks Interior Ministry to ensure security of athletes, guests at World Cup
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the Interior Ministry to ensure the full security of athletes and guests at the upcoming World Cup in Russia, stressing that the countrys image depends on this.
New Zealand all-rounder Anderson returns to Somerset
New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson is returning to English county side Somerset to play in Twenty20 cricket for the 2018 season. Anderson, who has featured in 13 Tests, 49 one-day matches and 29 Twenty20 internationals for the Black Caps, made his presence felt in last year's competition when he bludgeoned 81 from 45 balls on his Somerset bow against Surrey. He played only four matches last year, contributing 142 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 184 before an injury ended his stay prematurely. But the 27-year-old -- who once held the record for the fastest one-day-international hundred, since surpassed by South Africa's AB de Villiers -- will be available from the start of this season's campaign, starting against Gloucestershire at Taunton on July 6. "Having had my time at Taunton cut short with injury last season, I feel I have unfinished business and I hope I can help Somerset go all the way in 2018," said Anderson. Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said: "Corey has a ..
2018 Hockey WC: India to open campaign against South Africa
India have been placed in the same group as Rio Olympic silver-medallist Belgium for this year's Hockey Men's World Cup in Bhubaneshwar as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) unveiled the pools and match schedule for the marquee event in Odisha.India, who last hosted the Hockey World Cup in 2010, will now host the prestigious tournament this year from November 28 to December 16The 19-day competition will see sixteen of the world's best men's international hockey teams take to the field at the Kalinga Stadium for the coveted trophy.The 16 teams have been split into four pools of four, with Rio 2016 Olympic champions Argentina competing in Pool A alongside New Zealand, Spain and France, while reigning world champions Australia will take on England, Ireland and China in Pool B.Pool C will see hosts India fight it out with Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallists Belgium, Canada and African continental champions South Africa (15) while European title holders and three-time world champions
Kenya's Chebii confident ahead of title defence in Japan
Defending champion Ezekiel Chebii of Kenya will put his title up for grabs during this year's Lake Biwa marathon in Japan on March 4.
Ajgar-Mustafa win at JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 6
Ajgar Ali and Mohammed Mustafa successfully defended their title at the Biswa Bangla JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 6 here on Wednesday.
Shiva, Gaurav not picked; Mary Kom, Vikas in CWG squad
World medallists Gaurav Bidhuri and Shiva Thapa were the notable omissions, while the likes of M C Mary Kom and Vikas Krishan were picked in India's boxing squad for the Commonwealth Games, selected for the first time without conventional trials, today. Three-time Asian medallist and 2015 world championship bronze-winner Shiva made way for national champion and India Open gold-medallist Manish Kaushik in the lightweight 60kg category. Shiva and Manish have faced off twice so far, national championship final and India Open semifinal, with the latter winning on both occasions. In the bantamweight (56kg) category, Bidhuri, out of action since his world championship bronze in August last year owing to a back injury but fit now, has been left out for Mohammed Hussamuddin, who won a bronze medal at the recent Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria. Trials will only be held for male boxers in the 91kg and 52kg categories on March 1 and 4 respectively, while among the women, world ...
Tendulkar brings calmness in trying times: David James
When Sachin Tendulkar shares experiences of his playing days with the young Kerala Blasters' players, it brings in a lot of calmness, feels former England international and head coach David James. "Sachin Tendulkar brings in a lot of calmness in the side by sharing his playing day experiences. He does it when the team's chips are down," he told reporters on the eve of their last ISL league match against Bengaluru FC tomorrow. Blasters had a disappointing start to this ISL season and their chances of qualifying looked dismal, but after James assumed the charge, the side seemed to have made a right call to keep their hopes alive with 25 points from 17 games. A win in their last game can take them through to the play-offs. Sharing an anecdote, James said:"I remember the 2014 ISL final which we lost in Mumbai. I wasn't happy after being beaten by a 94th minute goal but Sachin calmed me by reminding me of an occasion, when he was playing an IPL final himself, which Mumbai Indians lost at .
Ajgar, Musthafa win JK Tyre Himalayan Drive
Ajgar Ali and Mohammed Musthafa defeated Kolkata duo of Subir Roy and Nirav Mehta by a narrow five penalty points advantage to successfully defend their titles at the JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 6 here today. The five-day event, Indias only Tri-Nation TSD (Time, Speed, Distance) rally, took 24 teams across Nepal, North Bengal and Bhutan over 1,615 tough kilometers before ending in Darjeeling. The competition remained close right from day 1 with the defending champions picking up 54 penalty points, just eight penalty points less than the Subir-Nirav duo. In the next leg, Subir and Nirav performed slightly better by getting 54 penalty points, just two less that Ajgar and Musthafa. In the last leg, the difference in scores was even closer, with the Ajgar-Musthafa team picking up 20 penalty points, just one more than Subir and Nirav. Two legs of the rally -- Leg 2 and 3 -- in Nepal were cancelled due to technical problems arising out of rallying through different time zones. In the Open ...
ISL over Indian Athletics: Anju, AFI slam sports ministry
Legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George and the Athletics Federation of India today slammed the Sports Ministry for denying permission to host National Championships by locking up stadia in various cities for the cash-rich Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament. Anju, the lone Indian track and field athlete to win a World Championships medal, said that stadia meant for track and field in New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai have been rendered out of bounds for the athletes for competition as well as for training. "Football has taken over athletics everywhere, there is no place for athletes to train and to compete. See at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, Kanteerava in Bengaluru and JLN Stadium in Chennai, you cannot use these venues as football tournament (read ISL) is going on. Where do the athletes go? It is very sad," Anju fumed at a press conference to announce the Run Adam Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championships in Patiala from March 5 to 8. "Even the athletes .
Shubhankar gets ready for miaden World Golf C'ship
He has been richer by a whopping USD 700,000 (Rs 4.6 crore) winning two titles since December but rising star Shubhankar Sharma has kept his feet firmly grounded as he gears up for his maiden USD 10 million World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship, later this week. The 21-year-old flew halfway round the world in economy class as he enters the showpiece event as the No. 1 ranked golfer on both the European Tours Race to Dubai and Asian Tours Habitat for Humanity standings. However he is happy to fly under the radar as the games elite gathers at Golf Club de Chapultepec. A year ago, Sharma was waking up in the middle of the night to watch the WGC-Mexico Championship, won by Dustin Johnson, but victories at the Jo'burg Open and Maybank Championship, both sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours, have propelled him into the limelight. Its really exciting to be here. This is the biggest event I have ever played in. I am looking forward to it, said Sharma, who will play the opening ...
ISL: Must-win game for Kerala against Bengaluru FC (Preview)
Kerala Blasters will have to beat Bengaluru FC to stay in contention for a playoffs berth when the two sides meet at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Thursday.
Golfers Hritik, Jagdeep qualify for National finals
Hritik Gandhi and Jagdeep Rangar qualified for the National finals of Mercedes Trophy golf meet here, it was announced on Wednesday.
I was called a bus driver by Nasser Hussain during Natwest final: Kaif
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif revealed on Wednesday that he was called a "bus driver" by former England skipper Nasser Hussain during the 2002 Natwest Series final at Lords.
Guardiola's City a painful reminder of Arsenal's past
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces the might of Manchester City for the second time in five days tomorrow as the Gunners seek salvation after an abject display in losing the League Cup final 3-0. City's victory on Sunday delivered the first trophy of the Pep Guardiola era and underlined the sense that the two clubs are on radically different trajectories. Guardiola's men also enjoy a 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League and are virtually assured of their place in the Champions League quarter-finals, thanks to a 4-0 last-16, first-leg win in Basel. Arsenal, by contrast, face a huge challenge just to make it back into the Champions League next season. Sixth in the league, they trail north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, in fourth place, by 10 points. Even the emergency route of a Champions League return via winning the Europa League looks a big ask after Arsenal were paired with Italian giants AC Milan in the last 16. What is galling for Wenger and Arsenal is that in many ...
Van Gaal lashes out at Mourinho over treatment of Schweinsteiger
Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has criticised his successor Jose Mourinho for meting out poor treatment to Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger during their time together at the club.