Page 456 - Sports
Chelsea Women's manager hopes fans travel to Paris after worrying scenes
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has said she believes fans should still feel confident to travel to France for the second leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final despite the concerning scenes that marred their 2-0 first-leg win at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday. Police discovered a cache of weapons in a coach carrying PSG fans to Chelsea's home ground, which they believed had been damaged by travelling supporters earlier on Thursday, and also arrested one supporter for possession of illegal drugs. Such incidents, while familiar in men's football, are highly unusual in the women's game. But Hayes tried to put them in context by telling BBC Sport after Thursday's match: "We have to remember that the women's game is progressing, that fans are following, and with that comes the same level of scrutiny, and ultimately they have to behave, whether it's our fans or their fans. "The police dealt with it in the right way," she added. As to whether Chelsea supporters should make
Venus Williams holds off Jakupovic to advance at Miami tennis
Venus Williams displayed the mental strength that has made her a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion on Thursday, holding off a spirited challenge by Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic at the WTA Miami Open. The 38-year-old American, a quarter-finalist at Indian Wells last week, turned back Jakupovic 7-5, 6-3 in 78 minutes to reach the second round after a rough start. Jakupovic was serving for the first set and Williams was on the back foot before the qualifier wilted under the pressure and 43rd-ranked Williams booked a second-round matchup against Spanish 24th seed Carla Suarez Navarro. Tenth seed Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and younger sister of Venus, will open in the second round against Sweden's Rebecca Peterson, who eliminated German qualifier Laura Siegemund 6-1, 5-7, 7-5. Venus credits her mother, Oracene Price, with instilling the character and desire to match the tennis skills developed by their father and long-time coach Richard Williams. "Growing up .
Messi to start Venezuela friendly on Argentina return
Lionel Messi will start Friday's friendly against Venezuela in Madrid as he makes his return for Argentina following a self-imposed eight-month exile, coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed. Scaloni said that Messi would line up alongside Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez and Atlanta United's Gonzalo Martinez in attack as he revealed his full starting team. "It's a joy for me and for everyone that he's back," Scaloni told a news conference on Thursday. "Now what remains is try and get the team to play along with him and get the best out of him. We're all very happy that he's back." "It is the others who have to take that step so that Argentina can return to the level it had," added Scaloni, who replaced Jorge Sampaoli as coach following the last-16 defeat by France at the 2018 World Cup. Messi has missed six friendlies since the tournament in Russia but many believe he will be an essential part of the team that travels to Brazil for the Copa America, which kicks off June 14. "We have a way
Italy's Salvini to skip lunch with China's Xi
Rome, March 22 (IANS/AKI) Italy's far-right Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini said that he will not attend a lunch in Rome with China's President Xi Jinping during his visit to Italy on Friday and Saturday.
Spot-fixing can happen without players knowing: Dhoni
Former India skipper M.S. Dhoni, at the departure press conference for the 2013 Champions Trophy, had said that he would speak on the IPL spot-fixing scandal that rocked that edition of the cash-rich league at the right moment. And that time has come as he has broken his silence in a docudrama aptly titled "Roar of the Lion".
Sports court delays Semenya verdict until April
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Thursday that it was delaying until next month its ruling on a challenge filed by South African double Olympic champion Caster Semenya against the IAAF. A decision in the controversial case had been due next week, but the world's top sport court said it would not issue a verdict "until the end of April" because both sides had filed additional material since the hearing in February. Semenya is challenging proposals by the International Association of Athletics Federations that aim to restrict female athletes' testosterone levels. The IAAF is seeking to force so-called "hyperandrogenic" athletes or those with "differences of sexual development" (DSD) to seek treatment to lower their testosterone levels below a prescribed amount if they wish to continue competing as women. The athletics governing body has argued the moves are necessary to create a "level playing field" for other female athletes. A wide coalition has rallied behind Semenya's cause, .
PM congratulates Indian squad for rich haul of medals at Special Olympics World Summer Games
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday congratulated the Indian squad for the Special Olympics World Summer Games at Abu Dhabi for winning a record number of medals. Today, is a proud day for India as the country's contingent won a historic 368 medals, including 85 golds, he said. "Congratulations to all the medalists.Their fortitude and accomplishments inspire millions,"the prime minister tweeted. The Indian team of 284 athletes also clinched 154 silver and 129 bronze medals in its highly successful campaign at the prestigious event, which was hedl from March 14 to 21. Indian powerlifters bagged the maximum number of medals -- 20 gold, 33 silver and 43 bronze. Roller Skating earned India 49 medals -- 13 gold, 20 silver and 16 bronze. In cycling, the Indians won 11 gold, 14 silver and 20 bronze to total 45 medals, while the country's track and field athletes returned with 39 medals -- 5 gold, 24 silver and 10 bronze.
Bhullar makes a solid start in Maybank golf
Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar carried on his fine form, carding a solid four-under 68 that placed him Tied-seventh after the first round of the Maybank Championship here Thursday. Bhullar holed no less than seven birdies, but on three occasions he gave away a bogey soon after one of the gains at the Saujana Golf and Country Club. He was the best placed Indian as SSP Chawrasia, three-over after six holes, turned the disastrous start into a fine round with six birdies, five of them on the second nine to finish at three-under 69 and Tied-15th place. Young Viraj Madappa (70) at Tied-26th, defending champion Shubhankar Sharma (71) at T-41st, Ajeetesh Sandhu (72) at T-63, Khalin Joshi and Arjun Atwal (73 each) at T-82, S Chikkarangappa (75) at T-125th, Rahil Gangjee (76) at T-137th and Shiv Kapur (77) at T-141st are the other Indians in the field. Australia's Marcus Fraser and Spain's Nacho Elvira took a share of the first round lead by returning with matching seven-under-par 65s. Fraser,
NZ Sports Minister hopes Bangladesh will return to play to his country
New Zealand Sports Minister Grant Robertson Thursday said that Bangladesh cricketers and supporters will feel safe to return to the country in the near future after the visiting team had a narrow escape from the Christchurch mosque shootings. "My hope is that in time the players and supporters will feel safe enough to return to New Zealand and I know that they know that they will be welcomed with open arms," Robertson was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. Bangladesh are scheduled to play a T20 International series in New Zealand in October next year. Robertson said he had emphasised in his letters that "violence and hatred shown by one individual must not be allowed to destroy the friendship and respect that the New Zealand and Bangladesh cricket teams and our nations have long shared." The Bangladesh cricket team's tour of New Zealand was called off on March 15 after the players had a narrow escape from a shooting attack on a Christchurch mosque which left 50 people dead. New Zealand .
Finch hopes Australia carry momentum in Pakistan series
Australian skipper Aaron Finch hopes his team carry the momentum of a series win in India to their five-match series against Pakistan starting in Sharjah from Friday. The Pakistan series is the last chance for Australia to fill any gapes before they defend their title in the World Cup starting in UK from May 30. Finch hopes his team keeps improving. "It is about trying to maintain our momentum that we got in India," said Finch of the 3-2 come from behind win earlier this month -- Australia's first series win in India since 2009. The win in India -- after six consecutive one-day series defeats -- was a boost for the Australia team who lost two key players -- skipper Steven Smith and opener David Warner -- to bans for ball tampering last year. "I think since we played South Africa in Australia we have got better and better," said Finch of the 2-1 series defeat in November last year. "I think we are starting to get a real clear strategy in a real game plan and how we want to play ...
India and England favourites to win World Cup: McGrath
Australian fast bowling great Glenn McGrath Wednesday picked India and England as the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup and said that the bowling unit will hold key to the fortunes of Virat Kohli's men in the 50-over showpiece. McGrath also said Australia's recent limited-overs series win over India here have improved their chances of winning the World Cup which begins on May 30 in the United Kingdom. "The top two teams are going to be England and India. England had a tough time in West Indies and India lost to Australia. So, the competition will be tighter. Australia's chances have improved after their ODI and T20 win over India," McGrath, who is director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation here, told reporters. "The fact that Australia won the T20 series and the ODIs against India in India will boost their confidence. With those two (Steve Smith and David Warner) coming back, the team will be strengthened and those players were missed during the Australian summer," he ...
CSK, RCB in practice mode ahead of opening clash on March 23
Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore players had an intense training session at the M A Chidambaram stadium here Thursday, two days ahead of the opening match of the Indian Premier League's 12th edition. While the M S Dhoni-led CSK has been training in a full-fledged manner since March 16, the RCB captained by Virat Kohli landed in the city and hit practice mode. Players of the two teams trained under lights at the iconic Chidambaram stadium. CSK suffered a blow on Wednesday when South African paceman Lungi Ngidi was ruled out due to an injury. "Ngidi will be missed," CSK's CEO KS Viswanathan said on the team website. "We are in the process of identifying a replacement," he added. Meanwhile, veteran West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo said experience mattered a lot in T20 cricket too and it showed in the triumph last year on a comeback from a two-year ban. "We were aware of the name-calling but you can't beat experience, no matter," he was quoted as ...
Mugdha, Mithun lose in Orleans Masters
Indian shuttlers Mugdha Agrey and Mithun Manjunath suffered straight game losses to bow out of the Orleans Masters BWF Tour Super 100 tournament here Thursday. It turned out to be a dismal day for India at the USD 75,000 event as women's doubles pair of Pooja Dandu and Sanjana Santosh and mixed doubles combination of Dhruv Kapila and Kuhoo Garg also went down in contrasting fashion here in the prequarterfinals. In men's singles, Mithun lost 9-21 18-21 to Gatjra Piliang Fiqihila Cupu of Indonesia in 37 minutes, Mugdha went down 10-21 19-21 to sixth seed Sabrina Jaquet of Switzerland. Fourth seeded women's doubles pair of Yulfira Barkah and Jauza Fadhila Sugiarto of Indonesia ended Pooja and Sanjana's run with a 21-14 18-21 21-19 win, while Dhurv and Kuhoo fought hard before losing 21-23 12-21 to fourth seeds Evgenij Dremin and Evgenia Dimova of Russia in mixed doubles. P kashyap and Ajay Jayaram will play their respective men's singles prequarterfinals later in the day.
IPL captains reach Chennai to sign 'fair play' pledge
New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start on Saturday and the captains of the eight teams embarked in Chennai on Thursday for the captains' meet and signing of the pledge to play the game in fair spirit.
Not another 100: Federer clarifies his career title goal
Roger Federer will play next in the Miami Open but the tennis legend has said that he does not plan on sticking around to win his title number 200. He added that he is very happy at the moment with his 100 title wins."Not another 100, I can tell you that, I hope a few more. I am just very happy to be at 100 already. It is exciting to have won that many and to have gotten another chance in Indian Wells. It was a pity [to lose to Dominic Thiem]... but it's how it goes, so I just have to keep plugging away and hopefully give myself some opportunities," Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) quoted Federer as saying."The important thing is to be healthy, happy playing and that's exactly how I feel right now sitting here in Miami," he added.Federer has seen a busy few months to start off the year 2019. He suffered a disappointing fourth-round loss in the Australian Open to Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas, but the Swiss star got his back, as he defeated him to win the Dubai Tennis ...
World Cup tickets back on sale
The tickets of the World Cup beginning on May 30 were Thursday back on sale across all teams and venues, giving another chance for the cricket fans who missed out the first time around to buy them. The tickets will go on general sale on a first-come, first-served basis from 10am GMT Thursday via the Official Ticketing Website. "Interest in tickets for the tournament has been unprecedented with over 3 million ticket applications for approximately 800,000 tickets so far, from 148 countries across six continents. Tickets were bought as far and wide as Madagascar and Mexico which shows the truly global appeal of the World Cup," the organisers said in a release. "... fans that missed out will have the chance to secure tickets immediately. Tickets across all teams and venues are included, with limited numbers for some of the most exclusive matches, such as those featuring hosts England, in addition to popular competing nations such as India, Pakistan and Australia," the release added. ICC ..
India handed tough draw in Sudirman Cup
India has been drawn alongside 10-time champions China and Malaysia in the Sudirman Cup mixed team badminton championship to be held in Nanning, China from May 19 to 26. India had reached the quarterfinals in the 2011 and 2017 editions, losing to China both times, and it will once again have a tough task in hand to qualify from Group 1D. Top seeds Japan, searching their first Sudirman Cup title, are in Group 1A with Thailand and Russia. Indonesia, winners of the first tournament in 1989, will be wary of Denmark and England in Group 1B, while defending champions Korea will also expect a challenge from Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong in Group 1C. The top two teams from each sub-group in Group 1 will progress to the quarterfinals and compete for the title. The other 19 teams from Groups 2, 3 and 4 will compete for overall placings. The draw for the 31 participating teams, which are divided into four groups based on team rankings, was conducted in Nanning. Sudirman Cup is a mixed team ...
Gurney signs white-ball-only deal with Nottinghamshire
Harry Gurney has retired from the red-ball cricket and has signed the white-ball-only contract extension with Nottinghamshire until the end of 2020 season."I am very proud of what I have achieved in red ball cricket, but now feels like the right time to focus solely on one-day competitions. I am grateful to the Club for understanding and for showing faith in me by giving me a deal until the end of 2020," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Gurney, as saying."I cannot imagine playing my cricket anywhere else in England and I hope I can taste further white ball success with this exciting group of players," he said.Gurney has been having a tremendous run in the white-ball format which has enabled him to earn deals with Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The 32-year-old had a successful stint with the Big Bash champions Melbourne Renegades."While it is a disappointment that Harry won't be playing red ball cricket for us ...
England women clean sweep Sri Lanka
England women team white-washed Sri Lanka as they won the third and final ODI by eight wickets on Thursday at Air Force Ground here.Earlier, Sri Lanka women team won the toss and elected to bat first. The host posted a target of 175 which the visitors completed effortlessly in just 26 overs.Chamari Atapattu-led Sri Lanka side looked helpless throughout the match as neither any of their batters nor bowlers showed a doughty performance.Amy Jones, while continuing her good form, scored 76 runs off 58 balls. This was her third consecutive 50 plus score. She scored 79 and 54 runs in the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka.England women dominated in all the three ODIs, the host won their first ODI by 154 runs and second ODI by six wickets. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka continued their losing streak as they lost all their six recent ODIs.After the conclusion of ODI series, both teams are set to face each other for a three-match T20 series, which will start on March 24.
Williamson, Amelia Kerr big winners at New Zealand cricket awards
New Zealand Men's cricket captain Kane Williamson on Thursday won his third Sir Richard Hadlee medal in four years and Kiwi women's all-rounder Amelia Kerr matched his three trips to the stage at the annual New Zealand cricket awards.Williamson and Kerr were the dominant individuals in the award ceremony in Auckland, stuff.co.nz reported.The 28-year-old repeated his Player of the Year Award from 2016 and 2017. Sir Richard Hadlee himself presented the award to Williamson.The Kiwi skipper across the formats was named Test Player of the Year and received the Redpath Cup for his batting in first-class cricket.Kerr was named women's one-day International Player of the Year and she also received the Phyl Blackler Cup for women's domestic bowling.The 18-year-old scored 415 runs over the judging period over an average of 59, including a world record 232 not out against Ireland. She also picked up a total of 19 wickets in the judging period.Ross Taylor (ODI) and Sophie Devine (Women's T20I) ...