Page 459 - Sports
India thrash Bangladesh to reach SAFF final
The Indian women's football team secured its berth in the final of the SAFF Women's Championship for the fifth time in a row with a clinical 4-0 win over Bangladesh at the Sahid Rangashala Stadium here on Wednesday.
AFI president calls for revamp in NIS coaching course
Athletics Federation of India (AFI) President Adille Sumariwalla Wednesday said that the government needs to revamp its coaching course at the NIS Patiala as it has become outdated. Sumariwalla said that diploma holders from NIS with specialisation in athletics are not being able to clear the international athletics body's basic level course. "The NIS is having an 18-month course. But the person who passed NIS course with specialisation in athletics fails in the IAAF level 1 course which is the basic level. That is the competency of our coaches who passed from NIS," Sumariwalla told reporters while announcing the Indian team for next month's Asian Championships. "I have given a report to Sports Authority of India (SAI) to change people who are giving lectures for the courses at the NIS and a revamp in the curriculum. 25 years back, it (NIS) was a fantastic institution. We have talent but we need other things also," he said. Sumariwalla was speaking at the context of national record ..
Champion Chennai City FC sweeps I-League awards
Newly-crowned I-League champion, Chennai City FC, was awarded the trophy at a ceremony here Wednesday. Chennai City FC, who had impressed the fans with their exciting brand of football, pipped Kolkata giants Quess East Bengal by just one point, in a race to the finish that lasted till the final day of the season. "We have put Tamil Nadu football in the map with this win, and Im very happy that the state is getting the recognition. Also, I'm delighted that more and more local players have come through and won the Hero I-League medal," Chennai City co-owner Rohith Ramesh said. The trophy was handed over to the Coimbatore-based club by All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar. Das highlighted the importance of strategic planning that got the club to the title. "Chennai City FC's triumph this season has been a true testament of their planning, strategising and execution. I, on behalf of the AIFF, would like to congratulate ...
SA pacer Lungi Ngidi out of IPL with side strain
Defending IPL champions Chennai Super Kings suffered a blow ahead of the season opener with South African paceman Lungi Ngidi being ruled out of the tournament due to a side strain suffered during the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee was quoted as saying on the ICC website that Ngidi had felt discomfort while bowling during the last ODI against Sri Lanka at Newlands and immediately stopped bowling. "Lungi felt discomfort while bowling during the last ODI against Sri Lanka at Newlands and immediately stopped bowling. Further scans revealed a Grade II muscle strain which will need up to four weeks of rest followed by a rehab programme leading up to the World Cup," Moosajee said. Ngidi was to play for CSK, who he represented in last year's IPL. CSK plays the opener of IPL-12 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M A Chidambaram stadium here on March 23.
Pogba wants 'happy coach' Solskjaer to stay at Man Utd
Paul Pogba hopes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is given the Manchester United manager's job on a permanent basis after the Norwegian turned the club's fortunes around. The former United striker has transformed the mood and results at Old Trafford, leading the club into the Champions League quarter-finals and lifting them into contention for a top-four finish in the Premier League. When Solskjaer was given the role following the departure of Jose Mourinho in December it was widely assumed he was merely keeping the seat warm for a bigger managerial name but his success has led to a clamour for the appointment to be made full-time and midfielder Pogba has now added his voice. "Of course we want him to stay," the France midfielder told Sky Sports. "The results have been great. I have a great relationship with him, he has a great relationship with the players. "When a player is happy, he wants to keep being happy. Solskjaer deserves it. He knows the club, he knows everything about the club. "He is .
Neeraj, Hima named in India's Asian Championships team
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was Wednesday named to lead a 39-member Indian athletics team for next month's Asian Championships in Doha, with sprint sensation Hima Das also making the cut in 400m despite her recent below-par show. National record holders, Mohd. Anas (400m), Jinson Johnson (800m and 1500m), Dharun Ayyasamy (400m hurdles), Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase), Tajinder Pal Singh Toor (shot put), Dutte Chand (100m) and Annu Rani (javelin throw) were also among those named in the team. Tejaswin Shankar (high jump) and M Shreeshankar (long jump) -- both national record holders -- were left out of the team for different reasons while seasoned campaigners Seema Antil (discus throw) and Arpinder Singh (triple jump) opted out of the continental showpiece to focus on the World Championships later this year. Sanjivani Jadhav, who recently returned positive for a specified substance, was also named in the team for 10,000m race subject to clearance by the NADA. The 22-year-old
Anrich Nortje ruled out of IPL due to shoulder injury
There seems to be no stop to the problems of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as they face another blow. with bowler Anrich Nortje being been ruled out from this edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a shoulder injury.The Proteas pacer took Twitter to inform this, the tweet read, "Unfortunately due to a shoulder injury I've had to pull out of the @IPL. I wish @KKRiders all the best and bring the trophy back home!! #KKRHaiTaiyaar."Earlier, KKR lost Indian duo Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi because of injury. The team brought in fast bowler Sandeep Warrier and wrist spinner KC Cariappa as their replacement. But now the Shahrukh Khan co-owned team will have to find another replacement for Nortje.Nortje was bought at his base price of 20 lakh rupees and was set to make his debut in IPL. The 25-year old caught the eye of Knight Rider coach, Jacques Kallis when he took eight wickets in just three matches in Mzansi Super League, after which he was rolled out of the league due to ankle .
World Cup to be most open till date: Kallis
The upcoming cricket World Cup will be the most open till date keeping in mind the format, feels South African legend Jacques Kallis.
Kashyap, Mithun enter pre-quarterfinals of Orleans Masters badminton
Former Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap and Mithun Manjunath entered the men's singles pre-quarterfinals of USD 75,000 Orleans Masters BWF Tour Super 100 tournament here Wednesday. Sixth seed Kashyap defeated Italy's Rosario Maddaloni 21-15 21-17 to set up a clash against Japan's Koki Watanabe, while Mithun beat fellow Indian Siddharth Pratap Singh 21-18 21-16 in another match. In women's singles, Mugdha Agrey overcame a stiff resistance from compatriot Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli before prevailing 21-16 20-22 21-13 to also enter the last 16. She will face Sabrina Jaquet of Switzerland, who ended the campaign of India's Vaidehi Choudhari 21-16 21-19. Mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Kuhoo Garg defeated Germany's Jan Colin Volker and Eva Janssens 21-18 21-19, while Indo-Malaysian combination of Tarun Kona and Lim Khim Wah beat Algeria's Mohamed Abderrahime Belarbi and Adel Hamek 21-16 21-15 to make it to the pre-quarters. Vrushali Gummadi also bowed out, losing ...
Kohli's greatness is in keeping things simple: Jacques Kallis
Only Virat Kohli can answer if he can surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record of 100 international centuries but Indian captain's biggest asset is his ability to keep things simple, feels iconic Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis. With 66 international hundreds at the age of 30, Kohli, many believe is a serious contender for breaking all the batting records set by Tendulkar. "Kohli I believe can go as far as he wants to. He is a world class player. He is hungry. He works hard. He has proved that over the years. The main thing about him is that he keeps it simple. People enjoy watching him bat," said Kallis, one of the greatest all-rounders to have played the game. So will Kohli break Tendulkar's record, Kallis replied: "Only Kohli can answer that. If he is fit enough and willing enough to go but nothing is out of reach for him." India losing the ODI series against Australia won't have much of an impact on the World Cup. "I don't think Kohli will be under pressure. He has produced the goods .
Fleming steps down as Melbourne Stars coach
Melbourne Stars coach Stephen Fleming has decided not to renew his contract as a coach and has joined his fellow countryman Daniel Vettori in leaving his Big Bash club ahead of next season."Stephen has been a wonderful servant of the Melbourne Stars and we completely respect his decision to step down as head coach. He has left a large footprint on the club which we will be forever grateful for," Eddie McGuire, Melbourne Stars President said in an official statement."Whilst Stephen will be stepping down as head coach, he will continue providing input and advice to the Stars in the role of International Talent Advisor," he added.Fleming was able to guide his team to two finals in the last four years and he said that the time felt right to take this decision and move forward."I feel the time is right for me to step down and allow someone else to take the reins and the club forward," Fleming said in an official statement."The club is in very good shape having rebounded from last in BBL|07
Casillas prolongs Porto stay until 2020
Spain's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Iker Casillas has extended his contract with Porto to 2020, the Portuguese champions announced Wednesday. The prolonged deal for Casillas, who turns 38 in May, also includes an option for a further year, according to club president Jorge Pinto da Costa. "It's not easy to count on someone who's almost 38 years old," said Casillas. "I'm grateful for the confidence shown in me and hope to finish my career at a club where I feel at home." Earlier in the week Casillas, who also captained Spain to European Championship titles in 2008 and 2012, said he would like to keep on playing until he is 40. Pinto da Costa hinted that could be a possibility, telling reporters: "I'm convinced that it's not the last contract for Casillas with us." The former Real Madrid star has made 149 appearances for Porto since arriving at the club in 2015, and helped Porto end Benfica's four-year title reign last season. Casillas, a three-time Champions League winner with Madrid,
Saina withdraws from India Open
Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal Wednesday pulled out of the Indian Open BWF World Tour Super 500 which begins here Tuesday, after failing to recover from an acute gastroenteritis problem. Saina, who turned 29 last Monday, had played through pain during the All England Championships after suffering from an acute gastroenteritis and mild pancreatitis ahead of the tournament. She was forced to withdraw from Swiss Open last week and was admitted to hospital for treatment. On Wednesday, Saina informed Badminton Association of India (BAI) about her decision to withdraw from the USD 350,000 tournament on medical grounds. "She has not been well since the All England Championship. She sent the letter to withdraw citing stomach pain," a BAI official told PTI on condition of anonymity. Last week, Saina, who had reached the quarter-finals of the All England Championship, had broken the news that she was advised to get admitted to get treated for her illness. "So some sad news was really going through ..
Former South African pacer Allan Donald terms West Indies as team to watch out for
After West Indies 2-2 tie against England in the ODI series, former South Africa player Allan Donald has said that West Indies is a team to watch out for in the forthcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019."Watch out for the West Indies, I say, watch out for the West Indies! There's just something there, there's a new spark there that I think the rest of the world want to see - West Indies competing like they are right now. The men in maroon, for me, I would say, be wary of them, they're going to really be a factor in this World Cup," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Donald, as saying.Other than West Indies, the 52-year old is of the opinion that Pakistan is also as likely to cause an upset in the tournament and their potential to turn things around. Donald further said that their unpredictability can never be ignored as Pakistan clinched the ICC Champion Trophy back in 2017 on English soil against India.While talking about his enduring memory of the World Cup, the veteran pacer said "My memory ..
Still figuring out my role in ODI format: Aussie spinner Adam Zampa
Ahead of Australia's five-match one-day international series against Pakistan, Aussie spinner Adam Zampa says he is still trying to figure out his role in the ODI cricket."It is nice to make an impact, particularly in the middle overs. [I am] trying to figure out my role in ODI cricket. After that [India] series, I feel pretty confident about my role in the team," International Cricket Council quoted Zampa as saying.Zampa who made his debut for Australia in the year 2016, was the second-highest wicket taker for the team in the recently concluded five-match ODI series against India after Pat Cummins. The spinner said that he does not take anything for granted."Throughout my short career, I have found that it can change really quickly. I started my career really well, but I have had some ups and downs. I am trying to build on the momentum I have. It will be pretty great, but, honestly, I know what is it like to be in and out of the team and to be dropped from the squad altogether," ...
Warner's leadership skills are unmatched: SRH mentor VVS Laxman
Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman is delighted to have David Warner back in the mix as his " unmatched leadership skills" is a big plus for the franchise. While Kane Williamson will once again be leading the side, Warner's inputs and influence on the team members makes him an important part of the leadership group. Warner along with Steve Smith are returning from their year-long ban for their involvement in ball tampering scandal in South Africa. "There is a big difference, because he (Warner) is a world class player. For us as a franchise we are so proud of what he has achieved for Sunrisers. He is not only a premier match-winner but his leadership skills are also unmatched," Laxman waxed eloquent about Warner during a media conference. "The kind of role he played in the development of lot of youngsters in the franchise. He is setting example with his work ethics and the kind of preparation he does before every match," Laxman told reporters at an event here. SRH head coach Tom ...
SAFF Women's Cup: India hammer Bangladesh 4-0
The Indian women's team secured their berth in the final of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship for the fifth time in a row with a clinical 4-0 win over Bangladesh here on Wednesday.
6 I-League clubs demand meeting with AIFF boss before Super Cup, propose 20-team unified league
Six I-League clubs, including new champions Chennai City FC, Wednesday expressed their willingness to compete in the Super Cup if the national federation addresses their concerns about the impending restructuring of the domestic football leagues. Several clubs are worried that the I-League may be relegated to the second tier in the domestic restructuring this coming season on the direction of the Asian Football Confederation. These clubs have sought a meeting with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) President President Praful Patel to discuss the issues concerning them. Some of them, including former champions Minerva Punjab and Aizawl FC as well as Gokulam Kerala, did not turn up in the qualifying round of the Super Cup in Bhubaneswar. The AIFF, through General Secretary Kushal Das, sought confirmation from six I-League clubs -- East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Neroca, Churchill Brothers, Real Kashmir FC and Chennai City FC -- on whether they will take part in the Super Cup main ...
13 IOA members, including ex-hockey captain Sardar, named in OCA standing committees
A total of 13 Indian Olympic Association (IOA) members, including former India hockey captain Sardar Singh, have been named in various Standing Committees of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) at its 38th General Assembly in Bangkok earlier this month. Sardar has been elected in the athletes standing committee, while IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta was named in the culture standing committee. Hockey India secretary general Mohd Mustaque Ahmad is in the media standing committee, while Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwala and Lalit Bhanot have been elected in the sports for environment and sports standing committees respectively. All the members have been elected for a four-year term from 2019 to 2023. The OCA General Assembly was held in Bangkok on March 2 and 3. "As per the authority vested in me by the OCA Constitution and the OCA General Assembly, I have nominated the members of the OCA Standing Committees," OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah ..
Swiss badminton chief says following Indian model
With Switzerland set to host the BWF World Championships in August this year, Swiss Badminton President Robbert de Kock has said that he wants to popularise the game in his country by following the Indian model which elevated the game in the country against all odds and was now producing world class shuttlers.