Page 264 - Sports
Syria, N Korea to take part in Intercontinental Cup
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday confirmed participation of Syria, North Korea and Tajikistan in the second edition of the Intercontinental Cup, starting on July 7. The venue for the tournament is yet to be decided.
AIFF announces Intercontinental Cup opponents, but not before Tajikistan FA
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Monday said India, North Korea, Syria and Tajikistan will compete in the second Intercontinental Cup, but the announcement came hours after the central Asian nation's FA tweeted about the same. "All India Football Federation confirms the participation of Syria, DPR Korea, and Tajikistan as the participating teams of the second edition of the Hero Intercontinental Cup from July 7-17, 2019," the AIFF said in a release. However, many hours before the AIFF announcement, Tajikistan Football tweeted, "Tajik national team to play against Syria, North Korea and India at the Intercontinental Cup 2019. "The rivals of the national team of Tajikistan were identified at the international tournament 'Intercontinental Cup 2019', which will be held from 7 to 18 July in India." Tajikistan Football's tweet prompted the AIFF to make the tournament details public. The Blue Tigers come into the competition as defending champions, having won the inaugural edition in
Bengaluru FC sign Indian Arrows duo Gill and Wangjam
Indian Super League champions Bengaluru FC have signed Indian Arrows duo goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam, adding to their squad ahead of Carles Cuadrats second year as head coach. With Cuadrat having extended his stay with the Blues until 2021, the new signings mark the beginning of the clubs first-team plans for the 2019-20 season.
India's chances are more in World Cup as we have wicket-taking bowlers: Rahane
Picking the West Indies and England as the biggest threat, India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane Monday said an "experienced" bowling attack on helpful English conditions could give Virat Kohli's men edge in the World Cup. With a new round-robin format in place, he said early momentum and consistency will be key to India's success in the tournament starting in the United Kingdom from May 30. "Overall our team is pretty strong. Our overall package is very good. This time the World Cup will be played in a new format, we will play nine league games, so momentum and consistency will be important," said Rahane, who couldn't find a place in the squad. "If you start well you will have to keep up the momentum, you will have to play consistent cricket throughout the tournament. In ICC tournament any team picks up momentum at any time, so we can't take any team lightly," added the right-handed batsman, who last played an ODI for India in February 16, 2018 against South Africa in ...
Mary Kom to make competitive debut in 51kg at home at India Open
London Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom will make her competitive debut at home in 51kg in the second edition of the India Open boxing tournament, to be held in Guwahati from May 20-24. With Olympic qualification round the corner, India Open with witness 35 men and 37 women boxers from India vying for glory, even as close to 200 pugilists from 16 boxing powerhouses will participate in the USD 70,000 tournament. Mary Kom had opted out of the Asian Championships last month in order to prepare for the World Championships as the event will serve as good preparatory ground for Olympic qualification. "I have been preparing well for 51kg category. Having got a real hand idea of the competition in this class in Germany, I am ready to give my best at this tournament and test myself ahead of the World Championships," said Mary Kom, who led six Indian boxers to gold in the last edition in New Delhi. "I am glad the event will be hosted in Assam this time. With the North-East being a powerhouse ..
Japan's Osaka retains top place in WTA rankings
Japan's Naomi Osaka continued to top the women's tennis rankings after Simona Halep lost in the Madrid Open.
Djokovic reinforces top place in ATP rankings
Novak Djokovic consolidated his lead in the latest men's tennis rankings of the ATP after he won the Madrid Open on Sunday.
Tom Werner elated with Liverpool's performance
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner is happy with the performance of Jurgen Klopp's side as he called it a 'magical season'.Liverpool finished second in the Premier League after they attained 97 points. Manchester City, who had 98 points, clinched the Premier League title. However, the reds still have a chance to win the Champions League title if they defeat Tottenham in the final."It was a magical season. Obviously, we're disappointed that we didn't win the league but it was a remarkable season and the squad is exciting," Goal quoted Werner as saying."I think that we've made a lot of friends around the world and I think we've done well by our supporters. I can't say enough about Jurgen and all the talent on the field," he added.Werner also praised the fans for their 'extraordinary' support and is now looking forward to the Champions League final."The support was extraordinary. Now I look forward to a great match in Madrid," he said.Liverpool will face Tottenham in the Champions League ...
Sports consumption soars, UC Browser generates 10 Crore views for Cricket content
UC Browser, world's No 1 third-party mobile browser and a content platform, has seen an extensive engagement of content consumers during the recently-concluded Indian Premier League 2019.UC Browser, part of Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group, has generated close to 10 Cr views for its cricket coverage during the course of the IPL. UC Cricket, UC Browser's in-app channel for cricket content aggregation, offers all-in-one live cricket content, including live scores, news, videos, photos, live commentaries and more. This IPL, UC Browser partnered with legendary cricketers Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan to offer exclusive cricket-related short videos, GIFs and memes and more.According to data traffic on UC Browser, the most popular match of the IPL season was between Kolkata Knight Riders v/s Sunrisers Hyderabad held on March 24th 2019, wherein Russell and Shubman Gill smashed an IPL record of 53 runs in 16 balls. Eventually, Andre Russell became the most talked about player .
Bengaluru FC sign youngsters Suresh Wangjam and Prabhsukhan Singh Gill
Indian Super League champions Bengaluru FC have signed Indian Arrows duo, goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam, adding to their squad ahead of Carles Cuadrat's second year as head coach. With Cuadrat having extended his stay at the Blues until 2021, the new signings mark the beginning of the club's first-team plans for the 2019-20 season. Prabhsukhan, whose elder brother Gursimrat has had two stints with the Blues, said he was excited to be joining what he considered the best club in the country. "I've only heard good things about Bengaluru FC and I can't wait to begin pre-season with this team. To be in the company and share the pitch with players like Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is something I am looking forward to because I stand to learn a lot and improve myself," said the 18-year-old, after completing formalities on a one-year deal. Wangjam, who began his career with the Bir Chandra Memorial Sports Club in Manipur, was selected to ...
Valverde terms victory against Getafe 'essential'
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said their 2-0 victory against Getafe in the ongoing La Liga on Sunday helped his side "get rid of the ghosts in our heads."Barcelona faced a defeat in the hands of Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. Therefore, Valverde feels that this victory over Getafe was an 'essential' one."For us, a victory was essential to get rid of the ghosts in our heads," Goal quoted Valverde, as saying."Messi is making an effort to overcome the bad taste in his mouth. We all had high hopes to be in the Champions League final and we have to move forward," he added.Moreover, Valverde said his side will bounce back and their target, as of now, is Copa del Rey final."Everyone will bounce back, although at the beginning it's hard. We have the Copa del Rey final in mind," he said.Although Barcelona was unable to proceed in the Champions League, they have already sealed the La Liga title and will compete with Eibar on May 19 in the final game of the league ...
Winning 4th IPL title in front of daughter Samaira is special, says Rohit Sharma
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has said that winning the fourth Indian Premier League (IPL) title in front of his daughter Samaira was special."It is special. Not just Samaira but you (addressing his wife, Ritika) also. Yes, (winning in front of) Samaira because this is her first IPL and she came for most of the games. I'm very happy," Rohit said replying to Ritika, who asked him how he felt about winning the fourth title in front of Samaira in an IPL video.Chasing a moderate total of 150, Chennai Super Kings' Shane Watson almost took his team over the line. However, in the last over, Watson got run out which ended his knock of 59-ball 80. With two runs needed off the final ball, Lasith Malinga trapped Shardul Thakur leg-before to secure Mumbai's win by one run.When Ritika, who did not watch the final over, asked whether Rohit's heart was racing in the last over, the hitman said, "I have to watch it (unlike Ritika) and have to be in the game. It was quite a tense one. We all know
IPL can help you judge yourself where you are before WC, says Rohit Sharma
Mumbai Indians' captain Rohit Sharma believes the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a platform where you can judge yourself before the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019, which will start on May 30."It's (IPL) a big tournament and you can judge yourself where you are at before a big tournament like the World Cup," Rohit said after securing Mumbai's fourth IPL title by one run against defending champions Chennai Super Kings."Before the IPL, if they were not in great form, this is the time they can get back to form. Hardik (Pandya) is the best example. Before the IPL, he did not have a good time, was injured, and missed a few games as well. But he has been tremendous for us -- both in batting and bowling," he said.Hardik scored 402 runs at 44.66, striking them at 191.42 and returned with 14 wickets. Another key performer for Mumbai was Jasprit Bumrah, who finished as Mumbai's leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps at 21.52, conceding runs at 6.63 an over. The fast-bowler was adjudged the Player
Neena Praveen, Anupama register victories
: Neena Praveen and R Anupama registered wins in the N Manimaran and Kishan Kothari Memorial SVS Club Open Snooker Championship 2019 here Monday. Neena Praveen, a former national women's 8-ball pool champion, defeated Ajees (Cue Zone) 3-1 (70-27, 14-74, 83-50, 81-53) while Anupama, a former world under-16 snooker champion, blanked Hosur cuiest John 3-0 (65-50, 65-55, 51-26). Experienced Uttar Pradesh cueist Kankan Shashmi made short work of Sarfaraz (Impact), winning by three frames to nil (64-1, 100-27, 64-20). Results: Shoaib (Cue Ball) bt Riyas (Q-Lounge) 3-2 (17-49, 58-66, 69-52, 61-31, 55-52); Ameen (Snooker Shot) bt Radesh (YMCA) 3-1 (62-34, 4-49, 65-29, 52-18); Vikram Venkat (Snook City) bt Kamal (Cue Zone) 3-0 (57-56, 75-33, 68-33); Neena Praveen (Cues & Yous) bt Ajees (Cue Zone) 3-1 (70-27, 14-74, 83-50, 81-53). Sulthan Ibrahim (Impact) bt M Rajendran (SVS Club 3-0 (58-45, 59-24, 59-30); Manoj Dasarathan (Towers Club) bt Prem (Red-15) 3-2 (55-22, 26-70, ...
South Africa to appeal Semenya ruling: sports ministry
South Africa on Monday said it would lodge an appeal after Olympic champion Caster Semenya lost her case challenging new rules forcing female athletes to regulate their testosterone levels. Semenya's case has provoked a furious debate across sport worldwide about gender and "hyperandrogenic" athletes, those with "differences of sexual development" (DSD). The decision on May 1 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, means female athletes with elevated testosterone will have to take suppressive treatment if they wish to compete as women in certain events. "We'll file the appeal as soon as we possibly can," Vuyo Mhaga, spokesman for the South African sport and recreation ministry, told AFP. "We feel that the scientific information that has been brought has been completely ignored." Mhaga said the appeal, to be lodged at the Switzerland Federal Tribunal, would be based on complaints over the judges' past record on similar cases, lack of clarity over how the ..
Guardiola hailed as 'obsessive' genius behind Man City winning machine
Pep Guardiola was eulogised on Monday for his relentless hunger for success that propelled Manchester City to a second consecutive Premier League title after a titanic battle with Liverpool. Guardiola claimed his eighth league title in 10 seasons as a coach in charge of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City as the English champions followed up their record 100-point campaign last season with another stunning 98-point season thanks to a 4-1 victory at Brighton. That meant Liverpool's long wait for a first league title since 1990 continued despite the Reds posting the third-highest Premier League points tally ever with 97 after they beat Wolves 2-0 on Sunday. "Pep's party," ran the headline in the Guardian newspaper. "The only real world star in this set-up is the manager. "They didn't go for (Cristiano) Ronaldo or (Lionel) Messi but invested in fine young players, almost all of whom have been pushed to the outer levels of their talent." City became the first side in a decade to retain the .
Mercedes dominance bad for F1 box ofice -- Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton cut short his celebrations after winning the Spanish Grand Prix to warn that Mercedes' dominance could be a menace to Formula One's box office appeal. The defending five-time world champion seized the initiative at the start of Sunday's race and then cruised to his 76th career victory ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who had started in pole position. It was the Mercedes pairing's fifth consecutive one-two finish and left rivals Ferrari floundering in pursuit. The two Mercedes drivers are competing against each other ... and it's not much fun for outsiders, admits Hamilton, especially for spectators. Having hoped to see a Ferrari renaissance at the Circuit de Catalunya, where they were so dominant in pre-season testing, Hamilton was disappointed again at their lack of pace, which, almost incredibly, prompted paddock talk of the Silver Arrows winning all 21 races. - Not as much fun - =================== Mercedes locked out the front row of the grid and then took a ...
AIFF unsure as Tajikstan tweets Intercontinental Cup plan
The Football Federation of Tajikstan (FFT) on Monday confirmed that the second edition of the Intercontinental Cup will be played in Bengaluru between July 7 and 18. Interestingly, while India is the host nation, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is yet to put out any official confirmation of the friendly tournament.
Hockey: India draw 1-1 against Australia A
A late goal by drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh in the 56th minute helped India overcome a 0-1 deficit to draw 1-1 against Australia 'A' in a well-contested match here on Monday.
Chennai lass in Indian team for Junior NBA Global Championship
Chennai lass Jeevika Kumar is among the 20 youth players from India selected to compete in the second Junior NBA Global Championship in the United States from August 6 to 11. The NBA Monday announced the 10 boys and 10 girls who will represent India in the championship, a youth basketball tournament for the top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls teams from around the world. It will be held at at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida, a press release said. The 20 players were chosen following a two-day selection camp at the NBA Academy India in Delhi NCR. The camp featured 40 13- and 14-year-olds from the Reliance Foundation Junior NBA Skills Challenges, city competitions and national finals.