Page 308 - Sports
Aaron Wan-Bissaka bags Crystal Palace Player of the season award
Crystal Palace fans have named Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the Player of the Season because of his magnificent performance throughout the 2018-19 campaign.Surprisingly, this was his first full season since he made his senior debut in red and blue in February 2018. In his debut match, Wan-Bissaka helped his side to keep a clean sheet against Tottenham Hotspur."It's a real honour, I really didn't expect this but I'm happy to have won this. I'm very grateful [to Hodgson and his coaches], I can't thank them enough for giving me the opportunity," Crystal Palace's website quoted Wan-Bissaka, as saying.Crystal Palace's manager Roy Hodgson praised Wan-Bissaka for his outstanding performance."We're lucky we've got so many players putting their body on the line each week. He's been outstanding [Wan-Bissaka]. He had a baptism of fire over a year ago now, playing three of the top six teams in his first games. He's been so good in all of the games," Hodgson said."He's a complete fullback as far as I'm ...
Good exposure for players from Ireland and Scotland: Akram, Vengsarkar back Euro T20 Slam
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar and his Pakistani counterpart Wasim Akram backed the newly-floated Euro T20 Slam, which will give good exposure to players from Scotland, Ireland and Holland as they play alongside top international stars. The inaugural edition of Euro T20 Slam will have six teams, two each from Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands. The tournament, which is scheduled from August 30 to September 22, will feature Dublin & Belfast from Ireland, Edinburgh & Glasgow from Scotland and Amsterdam and Rotterdam from the Netherlands. However, the matches will only be played in three cities- Dublin, Edinburgh and Amsterdam. The league comprises 33 matches across three countries that includes semi-finals and a final. Each team will play in the round-robin format. As per the tournament rules, each city will have nine domestic players and up to seven overseas players in their squads. The rules will also have the mandate to play six domestic players in the playing 11 in ...
CAS upholds IAAF's female eligibility regulations
Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday found the IAAF's female eligibility regulations necessary, reasonable and proportionate means for achieving the IAAF's legitimate aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the restricted events.The regulations will come into effect on May 8, till that time all the relevant athletes (as defined in clause 2.2(a) of the Regulations) wishing to compete in the female classification in a restricted event (as defined in clause 2.2(b) of the Regulations) at an International Competition need to meet the eligibility conditions set out in clause 2.3 of the regulations.The IAAF also noted three concerns by the CAS panel as to the fairness of the implementation of the regulations.The CAS panel in the Chand case (CAS 2014/A/3759) found that the previous iteration of the regulations was administered with 'care and compassion' by the IAAF, and this will not change.The regulations expressly stated that the IAAF will keep all practical ...
We are committed to Real Kashmir for next season: David and Mason Robertson
Coach David Robertson and his son Mason have said they are "committed" to Real Kashmir Football Club for next season, putting to rest speculations around moving base. The former Aberdeen and Rangers ace has been in charge of the first I-League outfit form the valley since 2017 while Mason plays for the team as a defender. Under his guidance, the club won promotion to the top flight in 2018 and he then guiding Real Kashmir to a creditable third-place finish in their debut season. Robertson was last week linked to Mohun Bagan, one of India's biggest clubs. However, he has committed his future to Real Kashmir along with son Mason. "For me, I'd just like to thank the supporters for all their support and encouragement throughout the season. We are committed to Real Kashmir for next season. I thank the owners for their fantastic support," Robertson senior said in a video posted the club on twitter. "Without you the season wouldn't have been as successful as it was," the 50-year-old ...
Caster Semenya loses landmark testosterone levels case against IAAF
Caster Semenya, the double Olympic champion has lost her appeal against the introduction of new rules regulating the testosterone levels for athletes with differences of sex development (DSD).The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced that its panel has rejected the South African's challenge against the IAAF' "by a majority" but the panel added that they have some serious concerns regarding the future application of the new rules, CNN reported.After the verdict was announced, Caster Semenya tweeted, "Sometimes it's better to react with no reaction".This ruling by CAS means that Semenya will not be eligible to compete in her favoured events, the 800m and 1,500m, at the World Championships in Doha later this year as she has missed the cut-off point of six months.However, she might be eligible to compete in the 5,000m which she won in the South African championship last month, as that discipline is not one of the events covered under the new IAAF regulations.Semenya has 30 days ..
New Zealand Open: World No.212 stuns Saina Nehwal
Young Chinese shuttler Wang Zhiyi caused a major upset in the ongoing New Zealand Open as the 19-year-old outclassed World no. 9 Saina Nehwal in a first round match here on Wednesday
Semenya loses court challenge against IAAF testosterone rules
South African runner Caster Semenya on Wednesday lost her court challenge against IAAF rules forcing female athletes to regulate their testosterone levels, but judges voiced concern with the application of the "discriminatory" regulations. Semenya, a double Olympic champion, was fighting measures imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that compel "hyperandrogenic" athletes -- or those with "differences of sexual development" (DSD) -- to lower their testosterone levels if they wish to compete as women. A three judge panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport said it had "some serious concerns as to the future practical application of these DSD regulations." Even though the regulations are "discriminatory...such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF's aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the Restricted Events," the Lausanne-based court said in a statement. The IAAF insisted the rules ..
It is impossible to stop Messi using one player: Boudewijn Zenden
Lionel Messi is impossible to stop using a single player, said former player Boudewijn Zenden."It is impossible to stop him by using a single player. It makes no sense speaking about how to stop him because you can't stop him," Goal.com quoted Zenden as saying.Zenden, who has played for both Liverpool and Barcelona, praised Messi for his versatility."It makes no sense speaking about that, especially because he plays in a lot of different positions in every game," Zenden said.The Dutchman also hailed Barcelona's passing abilities which he thinks make Barcelona's attack even harder to defend."Playing against Messi needs teamwork but the main problem with that is Barcelona always have advanced passing lines and it makes the situation even harder to defend," Zenden said."That's why Barcelona always score, it is not only because they are so good, it is because their style is almost impossible to defend," he added.Barcelona and Liverpool are set to compete with each other in the semi-finals
My insecurities well documented but raised the bar alone: Gambhir
Exuding grace, Gautam Gambhir Wednesday said he "doesn't see anything wrong" in Paddy Upton's assessment of his insecurities but asserted that he is not a vulnerable man, citing the 97 in the World Cup final to buttress his point. In his new book 'The Barefoot Coach', India's former mental conditioning coach has written about notions of mental toughness and how Gambhir, despite being one of the finest Indian batsmen of his time, was perhaps also "one of the weakest and mentally most insecured". The cricketer-turned-politician, who is currently busy with his election campaign, doesn't find anything wrong with Upton's assessment. "Well, Paddy Upton is a genuinely nice man and he won't have done anything with any sinful intentions. I have full faith in him," Gambhir told PTI when asked about Upton's comments about him in the newly released book. "In any case my insecurities as a cricketer are well-documented. It is not as if Paddy has spoken about something that was not there in public ..
Liverpool CEO urges fans to behave themselves ahead of Champions League semi-final
Liverpool CEO Peter Moore has issued a statement asking the supporters of the football club to behave themselves in Barcelona after few fans were filmed pushing the local people into the Placa Reial square fountain."We proudly sing that we've conquered all of Europe. But let's treat this beautiful city with the respect that it deserves, and act in a manner that is befitting of LFC. By all means, have a good time, but we are Liverpool, and as such, let's visit here with grace and humility," Liverpool CEO tweeted on Wednesday.Many English fans flocked to the Reial square on Tuesday, ahead of the Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and Barcelona.Fans were seen hanging the banners from the railings and chanted club anthem after which the events quickly escalated.A group of visitors were caught on video pushing the local bystanders into a fountain while others watched and laughed.Spanish police had to eventually intervene and riot vans were deployed to prevent any more supporters
F1 racing great Fernando Alonso to leave WEC
Toyota Gazoo Racing on Wednesday announced that Spain's two-time Formula 1 champion, Fernando Alonso, will end his journey in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), leaving his position in the team for New Zealands driver Brendon Hartley.
Manpreet to lead Indian team on Australia Tour
Manpreet Singh will lead the 18-member Indian men's Hockey team on the Australia Tour, slated to begin on May 10, Hockey India has announced.
India tour of Windies rescheduled
India tour of West Indies has been rescheduled as the Cricket West Indies (CWI) has agreed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) request of pushing back the series' dates by a week.It is understood that the tour is likely to commence in the first week of August and run till September 4. The final dates for the India tour along with the venues will be finalised by CWI at its board meeting on May 13, ESPNcricinfo reported.According to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Future Tours Programme, India were scheduled to reach West Indies immediately after the World Cup conclusion on July 14 to play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. It is believed, the BCCI might have wanted Indian players to have a break before the tour, which the CWI was happy to entertain.Moreover, the BCCI has requested CWI to include a three-day warm-up match during the India tour. India A will also be playing three four-day matches in West Indies prior to the senior team's tour game. A final
Smith's workhorse-like IPL ride statement for critics
One can never forget the scene when Steve Smith cried at a press conference held in Australia after taking full responsibility of the ball-tampering incident which took place in the Cape Town Test against South Africa last year.
Saina crashes out of New Zealand Open after shocking loss to world number 212 opponent
India's Saina Nehwal suffered a shocking first round loss to world number 212 Wang Zhiyi of China in straight games to exit the New Zealand Open here Wednesday. The 29-year-old Olympic bronze medallist and world number nine lost 16-21 23-21 4-21 to her 19-year-old opponent in the women's singles match that lasted one hour and seven minutes. In men's singles, Lakshya Sen's campaign also ended with a hard-fought loss against Taiwan's Wang Tzu Wei. Lakshya lost 21-15 18-21 10-21 in an hour and eight minutes. Earlier in the day, the pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy fought hard against Chinese duo of Liu Xuanxuan and Xia Yuting before losing 14-21 23-21 14-21 in an hour and 10 minutes. But the men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy registered a win over New Zealand's Joshua Feng and Jack Jiang 21-17 21-10. Saina, a World Championship silver medallist, trailed 0-4 in the first game and was unable to keep up with her opponent losing 16-21. Wang stretched Saina in the .
VVS' letter reveals shoddy treatment of legends by CoA: BCCI
With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ombudsman D.K. Jain asking V.V.S Laxman to explain his position as Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member and mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad, the former India batsman pointed at how the CAC was given a little over 24 hours to decide if they wanted to select India's women's team coach in December 2018 by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA).
ISSF rankings: Apurvi becomes world no.1
Ace India shooter Apurvi Chandela secured world number one position in the 10m Air Rifle rankings on Wednesday while compatriot Anjum Moudgil attained the second rank in the same category after her mixed team gold at the ISSF World Cup in Beijing.
Apurvi Chandela is world number one in 10m air rifle, Anjum claims second position
Indian shooting ace Apurvi Chandela Wednesday attained the world number position in the women's 10m air rifle event while compatriot Anjum Moudgil rose to number two after consistent performances in recent years. The rifle ace from Jaipur is among the five Indian shooters to have already secured 2020 Olympics quotas for the country. Chandela shot a world record score of 252.9 to clinch gold at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in February. She is a gold medallist at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Game and a bronze winner in the next edition at Gold Coast. In the 2018 Asian Games, Chandela had won a bronze medal in the 10m mixed rifle event. The shooter took to twitter to share her joy on achieving the feat. "World Number 1 Touched a milestone in my shooting career today," Chandela wrote on her twitter handle. While the 26-year-old Chandela has already booked a Tokyo Olympics berth, she narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth with a total score of ...
Messi's statement about bringing the cup back sounded like threat: Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that the way Messi stated that Argentina wanted to bring back Champions League cup, it sounded like a threat to him."Messi said before the start of the season that they wanted to bring back this cup - that sounded already like a threat to me! Now we are here, we want to go to the final as well," Goal.com quoted Klopp, as saying.Messi has scored 46 goals this season but Klopp is not worried about just Messi as he feels that Barcelona has the highest quality team."It is not only about Messi, but it is about Messi of course. Can we concentrate on Messi? We should, in certain moments," Klopp said."But then they have 10 world-class players around who can decide the game. They have the highest quality team, they are already Spanish champions," he added.The 51-year-old even opined over the much-debated argument, which is, whether Ronaldo is better or Messi."For me, from the players I've seen, Messi would be the number one, 100 per cent. We don't need to ...
AAI president Rao resigns after SC ruling
Archery Association of India (AAI) President BVP Rao Wednesday resigned after the Supreme Court's ruling to set aside the constitution of the national body of the sport as amended by Delhi High Court-appointed administrator S Y Quraishi. Justices AM Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi Wednesday ordered that fresh elections be held for Archery Association of India within four weeks. "I'm resigning with immediate effect in protest against the Indian sports system which does not allow competent people to come in. If such people come in, it (sports system) hinders in the way of functioning," Rao told PTI. The latest development would mean that the Indian archers will have a new administrative set-up before the marquee World Championship from June 10. Rao, a retired IAS officer, was elected AAI president on December 22, 2018, in the elections held under the supervision of Quraishi, which brought to an end the era of Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who served as head of the national body for 40 years from ...