Page 231 - Sports
Dipa will return to gymnastics when fully fit: Coach
With dark clouds hovering over Dipa Karmakar's participation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, coach Bisweswar Nandi on Thursday said the gymnast was doing everything possible to return to action as soon as possible.
IOC proposes Narinder Dhruv Batra's name for membership, Hockey India congratulates
Hockey India congratulated Narinder Dhruv Batra, President of Indian Olympic Association, on being proposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be elected as its member.While congratulating Batra on the achievement, president of Hockey India, Mohammad Mushtaque Ahmad, wished him best of luck and said that his presence as the IOC member will be beneficial for sports in the country."It is a befitting honour to a man who has been instrumental in sports administration in India. As the former President of Hockey India, Dr Batra paved the way for revival of Hockey in the country," Ahmad said."While Indian sports is climbing higher echelons with improved performances at the world level, having him as a member in the IOC will prove beneficial for sports in the country. I wish him the very best in this new endeavour," he added.Batra, who is also the President of International Hockey Federation, is among the 10 members who have been proposed to be elected by the Executive Board of ..
North Korea urged by swim worlds organizers to send a team
With North Korea so far declining to send a team, organizers of the aquatics world championships in South Korea in July are urging a change of heart. A joint declaration on Thursday by host city Gwangju and swimming world body FINA says "we earnestly desire the North Korean team to participate." The July 12-28 championships in swimming, water polo, diving, open water swimming, artistic swimming, high diving will confirm qualification places for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. When North Korea sent invited athletes and an official delegation to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, it fueled optimism in Olympic circles of future cooperation and a joint hosting bid for the 2032 Summer Games. However, no North Korean has been entered for Gwangju ahead of a June 12 deadline. FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu says "all channels remain open.
Ashwin set for county stint with Nottinghamshire
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will join Nottinghamshire for the second half of the County Championship season.
Spin will decide Australia's fate at WC: Ponting
Australia's chances of defending the World Cup crown will depend on how well they play spin and use it, feels Ricky Ponting. "The thing that will define Australia's success in the World Cup is, one, how well they bowl spin and, two, how well they play it," Ponting told The Telegraph.
32 teams to play in World Cup 2022, confirms FIFA
FIFA, on Wednesday, confirmed that they will be sticking to a 32-team World Cup 2022 in Qatar while dismissing the plans for a 48-team World Cup."In line with the conclusions of the feasibility study approved by the FIFA Council at its last meeting, FIFA and Qatar have jointly explored all possibilities to increase the number of participant teams from 32 to 48 teams by involving neighbouring countries at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022," FIFA said in a statement."Following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders, it was concluded that under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made now," it added.FIFA said that they jointly assessed the feasibility of a 48-team World Cup and after the completion of the analysis they decided that the decision could not be taken before the deadline of June, hence, they decided not to pursue the option."Additionally, FIFA and Qatar have once again explored the feasibility of .
Argentina to play leading role in 2030 WC joint bid
As many as five Argentine cities would host World Cup 2030 matches if a joint South American bid were to be successful, officials said.
Take Afghanistan lightly at your own peril
A side which has made massive strides in international cricket since its World Cup debut in 2015, it will not be a surprise if a spirited Afghanistan humbles one or two leading sides at the mega event, beginning next week. Now known for its prowess on the field rather than an also-ran from a troubled nation, all top teams will be wary of the threat they pose despite an 11th hour change in leadership. Afghanistan won only one game in the 2015 edition but that was the time when they did not boast match-winners like Rashid Khan. None other than India skipper Virat Kohli acknowledged Afghanistan's rapid rise in the last four years. "If you look at Afghanistan from 2015 to now, they are a completely different side. Any team can upset anyone on its day (in this World Cup)," Kohli said ahead of his team's departure to England. The overall squad too is much richer in experience and go into the tournament as winners of the ICC World Cup Qualifier in which it outplayed the West Indies twice ...
U-12 sub-junior tennis nationals in Mumbai from May 25
Over 250 boys and girls will compete in the 13th Yonex Sunrise-MSLTA Ramesh Desai Memorial Junior Tennis Nationals for Boys and Girls Under-12 herefrom May 25. The tournament, which will conclude on June 1, is being hosted by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and will be played at the GA Ranade Tennis complex in the city. MSLTA president Bharat Oza and secretary Sunder Iyer said scholarships worth Rs 3 lakh will be awarded to players from the first round, apart from prizes and gifts. While the boys' main-draw will be of 64, the girls main draw will be of 48, said Iyer. The qualifying rounds will be held on May 25 and 26, while the main draws will start from May 27.
I'm hungrier than ever before, says Amla
Time away from the game has made him "hungrier than ever before" says South Africa batsman Hashim Amla, gearing up for his third World Cup. With more than 18,000 international runs under his belt, Amla was once a batting mainstay for Proteas but lost his place in the team due to a dip in form. He missed the ODI series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, with Aiden Markram taking his place as an opener alongside vice-captain Quinton de Kock in the series. Amla was also missing in action at the IPL and he says the long break helped him to sharpen his game. "Things happen that you don't anticipate and I did not anticipate how things have gone recently. But I am a firm believer that when something happens, there is some good in it. I have had time away and now I am really looking back to wearing the green and gold again," Amla was quoted as saying by the ICC. "I am hungrier than ever before, there is no doubt about that. I have been blessed to have this shirt for a while but the time off
Bumrah among Lee's top three World Cup quicks
Former Australian pacer Brett Lee has picked India's Jasprit Bumrah as one of his top three fast bowlers for the upcoming World Cup, beginning in the United Kingdom on May 30. "What a wonderful bowler," said Lee of Bumrah, who has taken 85 wickets in 49 one-day internationals. "He's got a good record, wonderful yorker, good pace," added the Australian, a member of the 2003 World Cup winning side. Besides Bumrah, Lee picked compatriots Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummings as the other two fast bowlers who will do well at the quadrennial tournament. "You'd have to stick with Mitchell Starc," Lee told cricket.com.au. Starc, a left-armer, had suffered a chest injury last February and is nearing peak fitness. "He's still got that quality. When that pace is up he's hard to go past," Lee said of Starc, who was the 2015 Player of the Tournament for his 22 wickets at 10 runs apiece. Heaping praise on Cummins, Lee said, "Pat Cummins: pace, accuracy, variations. He can do it all." In six matches this
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to miss Copa del Rey final
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been ruled out of the Copa del Rey final as he 'has discomfort in his right knee' and will continue to receive treatment."FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen still has discomfort in his right knee and will continue receiving treatment during the coming weeks and, thus, has been ruled out for the Saturday's Copa del Rey final," club's official website said in a statement.In this season, the 27-year old has played in 49 games, including both legs of the Copa del Rey semifinals against Real Madrid.Ter Stegen displayed a scintillating performance in the Copa del Rey's second leg semi-final as in he managed to maintain a clean sheet in the match.Moreover, he played in 11 Champions League clashes and the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla. However, he missed three La Liga games as he featured in 35 games out of 38 La Liga games.Barcelona will face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on May 26.
Rahane backs Kohli & Co to do well in World Cup
Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane believes India have a strong side and will do well in the upcoming World Cup slated to be held in England and Wales from May 30.
World Cup: Team India in high spirits in the UK
The Indian team, led by Virat Kohli, looked dapper in suits and matching shoes as it posed for a group photograph on its arrival here for the cricket World Cup.
Sarri doesn't want Eden Hazard to leave Chelsea
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has expressed his desire of keeping Eden Hazard to the club, as the Belgian's contract is due to expire at the end of next season."I don't know. As I said in every press conference, I want to respect his decision. I hope that he will stay with us, but we need to be ready if he will decide something different," Goal.com quoted Sarri as saying."Also if I have spoken with him, I don't want to say anything. Hazard is good for every team, of course, but he's really very good for us," he added.Moreover, in January, Chelsea agreed a $73 million move for Christian Pulisic, who they loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season. Sarri said the United States international is ready to join the group and eulogised Pulisic by calling him 'really very strong' but further added that there is room for improvement."I spoke with him two or three months ago. Pulisic knows very well our team, our way of playing, his team-mates. So he's ready to join the ...
Bowlers give 'chokers' South Africa wings this WC (SWOT)
Led by young Kagiso Rabada and veteran Imran Tahir, 'perennial chokers' South Africa will be looking to ride their bowlers' firepower to try and shed the tag and make their eighth attempt to win the World Cup at the showpiece event beginning May 30 in England and Wales.
Khawaja survives 'scary' blow during warm-up
Australia suffered an injury scare ahead of the World Cup after opener Usman Khawaja suffered a nasty blow on the helmet while batting against West Indies in a warm-up match here. Khawaja was struck by a bouncer from Andre Russell in the second over while Australia was chasing 230, forcing the opener to retire hurt. He looked in discomfort and walked off the field accompanied by Australian team doctor Richard Saw, sending a scare through the Australian World Cup camp. However, scans on his jaw later cleared him of any serious injury as Australia breathed a sigh of relief. "It was very scary," said Shaun Marsh, who hit an unbeaten half-century in the victory. "It copped him on the side of the cheekbone The main thing is he is OK and can bounce back pretty quickly. "(Khawaja was) a bit shaken, as you are when you get hit on the head. But he is a tough cookie, Uzzy, and he'll be ready to go." Khawaja didn't take part in the match again even as Australia went on to register a ...
Usman Khawaja cleared of injury after head knock
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has been cleared of injury after being hit on the helmet while batting against West Indies in a warm-up match prior to the World Cup in Southampton.
Favourites tag won't win India or England the WC: Shakib
Hosts England and Team India have been touted as favourites to go the distance in the 2019 edition of the World Cup in England and Wales. But Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is keen to remind all that cricket is a game that is played on the field and not on paper.
How Australia bowl and play spin will define their success in World Cup: Ponting
Former skipper Ricky Ponting believes defending champion Australia's ability to bowl and play spin will define their success in the upcoming World Cup beginning May 30. "The thing that will define Australia's success in the World Cup is, one, how well they bowl spin and, two, how well they play it," Ponting was quoted as saying by the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. "That's been their Achilles' heel the last 12 or 18 months. With [Adam] Zampa bowling well now, Nathan Lyon's obviously in the squad and Glenn Maxwell's done a good job with the ball whenever he's played." Ponting said there were concerns about the middle-order's ability to play spin a year ago but the return of David Warner and Steve Smith has strengthened the team. "And I think some of our middle order are probably slightly better players of spin now than they were 12 or 18 months ago," said the 44-year-old, who won Australia the 1999 World Cup as a player, before guiding the team to successive titles in the next two editions ..