Page 2015 - Sports
IOC Executive Board lauds decision to uphold Russia's ban
The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is satisfied with the decision of the 132nd IOC Session in South Korea to uphold the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committees (ROC) membership, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Wednesday.
Chandimal to lead Lanka squad in B'desh T20Is
Dinesh Chandimal is all set to lead the 15-man Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming two-match T20I series against Bangladesh, beginning February 15 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.The 28-year-old would temporarily take over the captaincy in the absence of Angelo Mathews, who returned as Sri Lanka's white-ball captain last month but was ruled out of the upcoming series against Bangladesh with a hamstring injury.Chandimal, who himself has not featured in a T20I match in over a year, was chosen as captain at the expense of Thisara Perera, who is also named in the squad, ESPNcricinfo reported.Right-hand seamers Shehan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando, right aged 22 and 20 respectively, have also been included in the squad along with inexperienced spinners Amila Aponso.Leg-spinning all-rounder Jeevan Mendis, who played his last match against Afghanistan in 2015, has also found his way back into the T20 squad, Suranga Lakmal continues to be left out of the side.The Sri Lanka T20 ...
Koreas' joint march at Olympics opening to be 'very emotional': IOC president
The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday predicted that the upcoming joint march by the two Koreas at the opening of the PyeongChang Winter Games will be an emotional embodiment of the Olympic spirit of peace.
Sandeep asks govt to build world-class rehab centre in India
Former India hockey captain Sandeep Singh has urged Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore to build a world-class rehabilitation centre for sportspersons in the country. No one better than Sandeep can understand the significance of a world-class rehab centre in the country after his career almost fell apart following a stray accident. Sandeep was left almost paralysed after he was accidentally shot inside the Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi Express in 2006 while he was on his way to join the national squad for the FIH World Cup in Germany. Even though the bullet fractured his rib, spine, kidneys and liver, Sandeep made an unbelievable comeback to the national team after a gap of almost two years before leading the side in 2009. Asked Sandeep about the episode, he just wishes no athlete should go through such a phase. "I just wish no athlete should encounter what I went through in my life. I have seen it all," Sandeep old PTI. "I just want our government to make a world-class ...
Minerva FC regain top spot after 3-2 win over Shilong Lajong
Minerva FC regained the top spot in the I-League standings with a hard-fought 3-2 win over a spirited Shillong Lajong here today. Guy Dano (6th minute) and Gangandeep Bali (45+2' and 81') scored for the hosts while Daniel Odafin (60') and Lawrence Doe (64') got their names on the scoresheet for the visitors at the Tau Devi Lal stadium. Khogen Singh got the home side configured in 4-2-3-1 formation with former East Bengal midfielder Armand Bazie being given a start. The visitors adopted the traditional 4-4-2 with Saihou Jagne and Abdoulaye Koffi designated as the two strikers. After conceding for the third time in the match, Shilong Lajong tried their best in the dying moments to score the equalisers, but Minerve FC prevailed. Thanks to the win, Minerva climbed a spot to the top of the table with 29 points from 13 matches. They pushed down top division debutants Neroca FC to the second place. Neroca, who have played 14 matches, trail Minerva by two points. Lajong remain at
Football head coach Constantine's contract extended
Indian football team's head coach Stephen Constantine has been offered a contract extension based on his performance till the end of the AFC Asian Cup 2019.The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Technical Committee decided to offer the Englishman an extension after a meeting held in Mumbai on Wednesday.The members felt that the Indian Senior National Men's team met the dual strategic objectives of the AIFF by qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 as well as by consistently achieving a top 15 FIFA ranking amongst Asian countries in the recent past.Accordingly, there was no reason for the AIFF not to offer a contract to Stephen.The recommendation of the Technical Committee will be now forwarded to the AIFF Executive Committee for their final approval.Constantine, who began his second spell in India in January 2015, is reportedly the highest-paid foreign coach in the country across sports.According to media reports, he has asked for his salary revision from the football ...
Para-cyclists aim to sweep all three medals at Asian C'ships
India will aim to repeat its unparallelled feat of securing all three podium finishes at the Asian Para-Cycling Championships, starting on Friday. Led by Aditya Mehta, India had annexed all three medals on offer during last year's edition in Bahrain. 25-year-old Abhishek Shekhu pocketed the gold, Divij Shah a silver while Harinder Singh bagged the bronze to make it an all-Indian affair. "We have been preparing for this championship for a long time. It was a well regimented, planned training that should make us favourites this year too," Mehta, who is also the coach of the Indian para-cycling team, said before leaving for Myanmar. "The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) has approved all our requests and has been really supportive," he added. The Indian team will be represented by last year's medalists Shah and Singh. Kaigoulal who returned empty-handed last year will give it one more shot this year. Fresh entrant Gurlal Singh is also expected to be a strong contender after
Maxwell, Agar spin England into T20 collapse
England lost six wickets for 33 in registering a below par total of 155 for nine by Australia's spinners in the second tri-series Twenty20 match here today. Dawid Malan cracked 50 off 36 balls with five fours and two sixes but England fell away after reaching 94 for two in the 10th over. Glenn Maxwell captured three for 10 and Ashton Agar took two for 15 as Australia sent England's middle order tumbling. Kane Richardson (1-27) removed dangerous opener Jason Roy for nine, before Malan hit a lively half-century. Malan was supported by Alex Hales with 22 from 15, and captain Eoin Morgan, also 22 from 14 balls. Hales was the first of two caught-and-bowled wickets for Agar, and when Morgan went, caught by Warner off Maxwell, it sparked a middle-order collapse. Jos Buttler (5) fell cheaply to be caught by Maxwell off Marcus Stoinis (1-16), while Billings (10) popped a return catch to Agar. Malan was caught in the deep by Andrew Tye for Maxwell's second wicket and David Willey ..
Neha enjoys two-shot lead in third leg of Hero WPGT
A three-shot swing on the closing 18th hole handed Neha Tripathi a two-shot lead over nearest rival Saaniya Sharma in the first round of the third leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour here. Neha was the only player to birdie the challenging 18th hole and it gave her a card of one-under 70, which included three birdies and two bogeys. Saaniya (72) seemed all set for the lead before finishing with a disappointing double bogey. Saaniya was sole second while Gursimar Badwal (73), who has been Tied-3rd in the two previous legs, was again lying Tied-3rd alongside Trisha Sunil. Tvesa Malik and Ayesha Kapur were Tied-5th with 74 each. Neha, who had three wins in the 2017 Hero WPGT season, started off well with a series of pars and two birdies on the front nine. Her birdies on par-3 fourth and par-5 seventh saw her turn in two-under. The bogeys came on 11th and 17th at which point she was even par for the day. Playing alongside Neha was Saaniya with four birdies against
Cape Town ODI: Proteas win toss, ask India to bat first
South Africa won the toss and asked India to bat first in the third ODI of the six-match series at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday.Indian skipper Virat Kohli decided to go with the same playing XI which has won the last two ODIs.However, for South Africa, pacer Lungi Ngidi and right-handed batsman Heinrich Klaasen will make a debut, replacing injured Quinton de Kock and Morne Morkel.Meanwhile, Andile Phehlukwayo will replace left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi.A 2-0 lead in the series by dismantling the hosts in the first two matches in Durban and Centurion with consummate ease has given the men in blue a boost in confidence.South Africa, on the other hand, have been hit by injuries, losing their top three players - skipper Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock.AB de Villiers was ruled out prior to his side's six-wicket win over India in the first ODI while skipper Faf du Plessis was pulled out before the second match, which the visitors went on to win by nine .
Hong Kong look to secure ICC WC 2019 qualification spot
Hong Kong are in full preparation mode ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier as they aim to secure a dream spot for the main event in 2019.Hong Kong qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier via the ICC World Cricket League Championship 2015-2017 pathway.Playing 14 matches in over two-and half-year and winning eight out of it, they secured one of the four qualification spots from the eight teams competing in the last round of competition.From 1982 to 2014, the team have played in 47 matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (known as the ICC Trophy until 2005). During that time, they won 21 matches, lost 25 with one ending in a no-result.Captain Babar Hayat played six matches in the previous event four years ago in New Zealand, scoring 153 runs in five innings with a high score of 46 not out, and is now looking forward to pitting his wits against other top teams."I am looking forward to playing against some of the strongest teams in international cricket in the ICC
Bangladesh's Mahmudullah eyes maiden series win over Sri Lanka
Acting Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad said today his team was confident of getting its first- ever Test series win over Sri Lanka after eking out a dogged draw in the opener. The decider starts tomorrow in Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium and follows a controversial drawn first Test in Chittagong that drew censure from cricket's governing body. The hosts managed a draw despite Sri Lanka leaving them in a precarious position at 81-3 at stumps on the fourth day. The visitors -- who declared at a colossal 713 for nine in their first and only innings -- criticised the pitch after the match. Mahmudullah, who is standing in for injured skipper Shakib Al Hasan, said Bangladesh played better at home and were confident of clinching a historic series win in Dhaka. "We got out of a tough position in the first match. So this game is a great chance for us to win a Test series," he told reporters. "I think our team is better, especially at home. It will be a good contest, ..
India lose 1-2 to China despite Ankita's singles win
A fired-up Ankita Raina produced a stunning performance under pressure to shock world number 120, Lin Zhu, but that was not enough as India lost the Fed Cup tie against China 1-2 on the opening day of the Asia/Oceania Group I competition here. Playing with a lot of passion and energy, the 253rd- ranked Ankita came out with relentless hitting to catch Lin by surprise and beat her higher-ranked rival 6-3 6-2 on the centre court at the R K Khanna Tennis stadium. This was after 19-year-old Karman Kaur Thandi lost the first match 2-6 2-6 to world number 125 Yafan Wang. Later, Ankita came back to play the decisive doubles with Prarthana Thombare, but the Indian pair was no match to the combo of Wang and Zhaoxuan Yang, world number 31 in doubles, as it went down 2-6 6-7(1) to lose the tie. The Indians were not sharp enough, lacked coordination and missed several chances. India next play formidable Kazakhstan, who blanked Hong Kong 3-0, in a must-win tie tomorrow. The winners of .
S.Africa put unchanged India in to bat in third ODI
South Africa stand-in skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and put India in to bat in the third One-day International (ODI) of the six-match series at Newlands here on Wednesday.
ATK hope to salvage pride against resurgent Blasters
Smarting from four consecutive defeats, ATK will hope to salvage some pride when they take on a resurgent Kerala Blasters FC in an Indian Super League football fixture here tomorrow. The two-time champions suffered their fourth defeat in a row when they lost 0-2 to Bengaluru FC in the previous match, ending their title hopes. ATK are the most successful franchise of the ISL but the team think tank chose to overhaul the squad this season, walking out of a successful partnership with Spain's La Liga team Atletico Madrid. Former Manchester United star Teddy Sheringham was roped in as the chief coach as the team had a distinctive English touch but was shown the door after just 10 matches. Technical director Ashley Westwood, the I-League winning Bengaluru FC coach, was given the interim charge but there was no change in their fortunes. Even the club's owners have accepted the team was in the middle of a disastrous season and blamed it on the new setup. "We had a Spanish coach .
Tommy Hilfiger fascinated with Formula One world
Designer Tommy Hilfiger, excited about the multi-year strategic partnership with four-time Formula One World Champions Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, says he loves the motor sport.
Rescued from child marriage, 16-yr-old makes a mark in sports
A 16-year-old girl, whose child marriage was stopped by the Rachakonda police here last year, has made a mark on the cricket field. The achievement of B Anusha, whose exploits on the sporting field during the inter-school cricket have received an all-round appreciation, is a shining example of what proper encouragement and guidance can do. Anusha's family was going to get her married to a 26-year-old relative in April last year when the police and and the city-based child rights NGO Balala Hakkula Sangham rescued her in the Saroornagar area here, police said. Subsequently, the class 10 student found her calling in sports. "Anusha showed an all-round performance in the inter- school under-19 cricket match held in Madhya Pradesh recently," Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh M Bhagwat said. After excelling in the national-level cricket tournament, Anusha is now set to participate in the under-19 rugby tournament to be held at the L B Stadium here in the next couple of ..
Constantine offered contract extension till 2019 Asian Cup
Indian football coach Stephen Constantine was today offered a contract extension till the end of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, following a string of highly impressive results in recent times. The "unanimous" recommendation was passed in Mumbai by the All India Football Federation's technical committee headed by former India player Shyam Thapa. The technical committee's recommendation will now have to be ratified by the AIFF's executive committee. The team has stayed undefeated in 13 matches, an unprecedented run that includes 11 wins and two draws. Under the Englishman, the Indian team also achieved its best FIFA ranking since February 1996 as it was placed at No.96 in the rankings released last July. Given the team's dream run of wins, the AIFF's top brass was naturally not keen of parting ways with the 55-year-old Constantine. "The members felt that the Indian senior national men's team met the dual strategic objectives of AIFF by qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 as ...
Out-of-sorts ATK look to get house in order against Kerala (Preview)
Staring down the barrel after four consecutive defeats, defending champions ATK will look to get their house in order when they take on Kerala Blasters in an Indian Super League (ISL) clash here on Thursday.
U-19 WC hero Manjot Kalra quashes comparison with legendary cricketers
Ever since he helped India to lift record ICC Under-19 World Cup title with the help of his unbeaten hundred in the finals against Australia, batsman Manjot Kalra has become the toast of the nation.The 19-year-old has been compared with the likes of Indian swashbuckling batsmen Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh for his technique.However, Manjot dismissed his comparison with the players of the senior Indian cricket team, saying that they are legendary cricketers and that he should not be likened to them."I can't be compared to players like Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh because they are legendary players. I request them not to compare me with them," the Indian U-19 hero told ANI.It should be noted that Yuvraj and Virat came through the under-19 ranks and managed to carve a niche for themselves.Opening batsman Manjot Kalra grabbed the eyeballs of the cricket fraternity with his unbeaten 101-run knock as the Men in Blue chased down the target of 217 in just 38.5 overs to crush Australia by eight ..