Page 2236 - Sports
I don't lack motivation, won't call it quits, says Gambhir
With age not on his side, the chances of a national comeback look relatively bleak for Gautam Gambhir despite his golden run in domestic cricket, but the feisty India opener says he won't give up just yet. For Gambhir, regarded one of the most complete batsmen in Indian cricket, what matters is "motivation" and the day he loses it, he won't shy away from calling it quits. Gambhir continues to turn up for Delhi, which made it to the final of the premier Ranji Trophy this season after 10 years. Gambhir might be out of national reckoning, but he has been in ominous form this season and that is precisely one of the reasons behind Delhi's success. "Keep scoring runs, that is what you can control and you can do. You can't control things which are not in your hands. The only thing you can control is to get a bat in your hand, go out there, perform and score as many runs as possible," Gambhir told PTI in an interview. "That is what you are meant to do and that is what I am ...
India's Prasad, Shaikh to officiate in 2018 Hockey WC
India's Raghu Prasad and Javed Shaikh was today named in the panel of umpires for next year's Hockey World Cup to be held in Bhubaneswar. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) today announced that 25 officials representing 19 countries from all five continents will officiate at this prestigious event taking Aplace at the Kalinga Stadium from November 28 to December 16. As was the case with the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup London 2018 appointments, both men and women will undertake officiating roles at this event, further enhancing FIH's drive to enhance gender parity across all areas of the sport. Germany's Christian Deckenbrock, who took on the same role at this year's men's and women's Hockey World League Semi-Finals in Johannesburg, South Africa, has been appointed as Technical Delegate. Chair of the FIH Competitions Committee, Bjrn Isberg (SWE) will support Christian in his role alongside Alfred Chang (HKG) who is familiar with this venue having been ...
Former Arsenal midfielder Rosický retires
Former Arsenal midfielder Tomá Rosický on Wednesday announced his retirement from football at the age of 37.
Tickets for Tata Open Maharashtra to start from Rs 150
Tennis fans will have to shell out as low as Rs 150 to watch action at the inaugural TATA Open Maharashtra, the organisers have announced. The tickets will be available at the Balewadi Sports Complex and on Kyazoonga.com, the ATP 250 tournaments official ticketing partners. Rs. 150 will give spectators a seat in A and E stands, G stand is priced at Rs. 245 and tickets for F stand have been priced at Rs. 500. Season tickets will attract a 30% discount on the price for each category. Tournament Director Prashant Sutar said, "Tata Open Maharashtra is the biggest tennis event in South Asia and participation of fans is a must. Keeping that in mind, we have priced the tickets at as low as Rs. 150 to encourage more footfalls at the venue." Sanjay Khandhare, Treasurer, organizing committee, said, "For anyone who wants to witness some great sporting action, it should be an affordable and good alternative to other entertainment propositions in the city. I hope to see fans turning
Vijender 'physically, mentally' ready to defend titles against Ernest Amuzu
WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental Super Middleweight Champion Vijender Singh has refused to take African middleweight champion from Ghana Ernest Amuzu lightly, however, insisting that he is physically and mentally prepared to defend his two titles at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on December 23 in Jaipur.The Indian boxing sensation will be defending his two titles which he won after winning six bouts abroad and three in India. This bout will be his fourth in the country.The 32-year-old Bhiwani boy, who had won double title fight in August this year, entered professional boxing in the year 2015. Vijender has nine wins under his belt with seven of them being won by knockouts and two by Unanimous Decision. He has played 40 rounds in his nine fights of pro career so far.In his last three title fights held in India, Vijender has won all three with two knockout wins and one unanimously.Before winning double title fight against Chinese Zulpikar Maimaitiali in August this year, Golden boy of Indian .
Bengaluru FC eye pole position in clash of debutants
Having suffered their first home defeat, Bengaluru FC will look to bounce back and reclaim the pole position in the ISL pecking order, when they face Jamshedpur FC in a clash of debutants here tomorrow. The hosts are locked with FC Goa and Chennaiyin with 12 points each, but are placed second in the points table after playing six games. The home team has so far registered four victories. The former I-League champions started off with a bang, but are beginning to show signs of weariness, and will be playing their third match in seven days. In the current scenario, the onus will be on coach Albert Roca and players such as skipper Sunil Chhetri, Miku and Udanta Singh to seize the initiative with an early goal. The Spaniard would also like to take remedial steps by learning from video footages of how the opponents have been trying to breach Bengaluru's defence. After missing Erik Paartalu in the last game, fans would be hoping for his return, which would lend solidity in the
Saina, Carolina hit out at cramped BWF calendar
Spanish badminton star Carolina Marin is on the same page with India's Saina Nehwal, who on Wednesday hit out at the cramped schedule of the Badminton World Federation.
Kenya's Tergat eyes Olympic gold harvest
Kenya's Paul Tergat might have hung up his running gear, but he has stepped into new shoes as the head of his country's Olympic Committee, where more is required of him.
Schippers, Dumoulin claim Dutch sports awards
World women's 200 metres champion Dafne Schippers and cyclist Tom Dumoulin were named Dutch Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year 2017 respectively at a gala here.
I like bit of dictatorship but in positive way: Akhil Kumar
The outspoken Akhil Kumar today called himself the kind of mentor who loves a bit of "dictatorship" while training promising boxers and emphasised on "will power and desire" to make it big in the ring. Indian boxing's national observer will again take to the ring as a pro-boxer in a tournament hosted by Hope and Glory Boxing in association with WBC and Boxing Premier League in New Delhi on February 10. "I like to be a dictator, a bit of dictatorship is needed I feel (while mentoring), but in a positive way. Two things that I look for are will power and desire. If you have them you will be focussed. I want them to be obedient," the Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic quarter-finalist told PTI. The 36-year-old pugilist is known for expressing his thoughts in an uninhibited manner and he did not hold himself back when he said he is often wrongly called an aggressive boxer. "I am not an aggressive boxer, the kind of image you all have created. I am a very ...
Nehwal slams BWF for 'crammed' calendar
Top Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal today slammed the BWF for a "cramped" international calender, which hardly leaves any time for players to recover from injuries or be at their best at important tournaments. Badminton World Federation (BWF) has made it mandatory for top shuttlers to play at least 12 tournaments in a revamped schedule for 2018. "Next year's scheduled by BWF is too crammed, it is not right for the top players. I need more time to get the best out of me. I can't play back-to-back events. I can just participate but can't win," said Nehwal on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Premier Badminton League (PBL). "After the PBL we have three tournaments. Again before the World Championship there are three super series, so I am not understanding why BWF decided to go for such a schedule. It will be too tiring, too challenging. "I don't have any answers. It will come down to fitness and my priority will be fitness. I don't believe in tournaments anymore, so no .
Marion Bartoli announces tennis comeback
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli is all set to make her tennis comeback after a four-year hiatus.The Frenchwoman announced her immediate retirement from professional tennis after winning the 2013 Wimbledon title.In an Instagram video posted by her on Tuesday, Bartoli announced her comeback for Miami Open hardcourt tournament in March.In the clip, she said, "I'm coming back this year on the professional tour. It's going to be a huge challenge. I still have a lot of practice ahead of me, but I'm hoping to be ready for March and the Miami Open"."I'm really looking forward to be on the court again in front of you, to feel your support, especially in Paris, in Roland Garros, in my home country, but also for the Fed Cup - and Wimbledon. I'm so looking forward to it," she added.Besides being the last French player to win a Grand Slam singles tournament, the 33-year-old has finished runner-up in 2007 and was a semifinalist at the 2011 French Open.In 2012 she reached a career high ...
Moscow hotels 75% booked for 2018 FIFA World Cup
Up to three-quarters of Moscow hotel rooms have already been reserved for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, whereas only three weeks ago, this figure was 10 per cent lower, Nikolay Gulyaev, Head of the Moscow City Department of Sport and Tourism, said.
1st ODI: New Zealand beat West Indies by 5 wickets
New Zealand defeated the West Indies by five wickets in the first One-Day International (ODI) match, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series here on Wednesday.
Starc cleared of serious injury, remains doubtful for Boxing Day Test
England pacer Mitchell Starc has been cleared of any serious injury, but he still remains doubtful for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia, beginning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the Boxing Day.The 27-year-old returned home on crutches after bowling with a bruised heel on Day Four and Five of the WACA Test, which Australia went on to win by an innings and 41 runs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes series.Also, he recently spent a day with his foot in an ice bucket as he bid to become completely fit for Boxing Day Test, news.com.au reported.However, Starc had undergone a scan in Sydney that confirmed that he had no major damage but heel on his front right landing foot is badly bruised.As the reserve fast bowler in the squad, Jackson Bird is the most likely replacement if Starc fails to recover in time for Boxing Day.The fast bowler has been performing at his menacing best in the recent times, having grabbed 19 wickets in three matches to become the top ...
'Injured' Junaid Khan sidelined for four weeks
Sidelining of Junaid Khan, ahead of the limited-overs tour to New Zealand, comes as a major setback for Pakistan.The fast bowler has been sidelined for four weeks due to a stress fracture of the foot.The 27-year-old sustained the injury on his right foot while playing for Khulna Titans in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in November.Confirming the news, the Pakistan Cricket Board's medical panel -- headed by Dr Sohail Saleem -- said that Junaid had suffered a hairline fracture in his right foot and that he would now require another four weeks of rest, ESPNcricinfo reported.Junaid is the second injury concern for the national selectors after Usman Shinwari was ruled out for six months owing to a back fracture.The Pakistan team is set to depart on December 26 to play five-match ODI series and three T20Is in a month-long tour beginning on January 6.
Bindra calls for improvement in athlete support system
Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra has called for improvement in the professional support system of the athletes so that India keeps winning a big haul of medals and producing a continuous line of top performers.Speaking at Excellence in Learning and Mastering of Sports and Physical Literacy (ELMS) Foundation here, Bindra said: "Indian sports have come a long way. But there is still much distance to travel. Until we address and improve the overall depth of professional support of our athletes, we will not have the consistency that is needed to keep on replacing the top athletes.""I wonder what results can be produced if we introduce and groom our most talented youngsters systematically in a scientific and professional manner. While I have achieved my dreams and have been successful in my own sporting career, I now have new dreams and wish to empower the next generation of talents in a meaningful and sustainable way," said Bindra.The event was also attended by former ...
Messi best in the world: Rivaldo
Brazilian legend Rivaldo said football superstar Lionel Messi is currently the best in the world and he would have loved to play along side the Argentine.
Djokovic picks new format for Australian Open warm-up
Former world number one Novak Djokovic will warm-up for a tilt at a record seventh Australian Open crown by playing in an innovative quickfire event at the Melbourne venue. Djokovic, who has been sidelined since July with a right elbow injury, is making his long-awaited return to the game at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi from December 28-30. The Serbian world number 12 and volatile Australian Nick Kyrgios will headline the eight-man Tie Break Tens tournament at Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park on January 10. Each match will last for one tiebreak, with the first player to 10 points winning. The entire tournament will be completed on the night, and the winner will pocket US$250,000. The Australian debut of the novel format comes after three previous events in London, Vienna and Madrid. Kyrgios, who brought an early end to his season in October because of a long-standing hip injury, said the tournament "really suits my game style". "I am looking forward to ...
Duckett to miss England Lions tour after Perth bar incident
Batsman Ben Duckett has been left out of the England Lions squad to tour the West Indies after pouring a drink over James Anderson in a Perth bar. Batsman Duckett, 23, had already been fined and suspended from Lions' matches on the Australia tour after the late-night incident ahead of the third Test which infuriated the team's management. "Ben Duckett has not been selected as a result of the off-field incident which led to his suspension and fine in Australia," said an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman. The Northamptonshire batsman, who has played four Test and three one-day internationals for England, has already received a reported 1,500 ($2,000) fine and final written warning over his conduct. The incident, the latest in a string of alcohol-related antics to generate headlines during England's Ashes tour, took place as players from the senior and development squads socialised together in Avenue bar in Perth on December 7. It followed Ben Stokes' arrest and ...