Page 510 - Sports
Murray will put 'heart and soul' into return, says mum Judy
Andy Murray will put his "heart and soul" into trying to return to professional tennis, his mother Judy has said, although she admitted the player's future is unclear. The 31-year-old underwent hip resurfacing surgery at the end of January in a final throw of the dice to try to overcome the problem that first became a serious issue in 2017. The operation was performed primarily to improve his quality of life, with Murray revealing that he struggled simply to put on his socks and shoes, but also offered a potential route back to the sport. "He is doing pretty well. It is not that long since he had the operation and time will tell," Judy Murray told Sky Sports. "Nobody knows how he is going to recover in the longer term. He is in a good place mentally and we just keep our fingers crossed. "But I tell you, if anybody can do it he can because he will put his heart and soul into it like he does with everything." The former world number one announced at an emotional press conference ahead ..
'I don't have an expiry date' - Alves eyes 2022 World Cup
Injury deprived him of what looked like a last chance at World Cup glory last year, but Dani Alves is now spurred on by the dream of lifting the trophy with Brazil in Qatar in 2022. "I don't have an expiry date. My body is my answer -- when I see that I can no longer compete, when my head is not in it anymore, it will be the time to stop," Alves said in an exclusive interview with AFP. "What I do know is that I am going to try to get to the World Cup in 2022. My objective is to fight to get there -- I don't hold the key, but I will try." Alves suffered a serious knee injury playing for Paris Saint-Germain in last season's French Cup final, barely a month before the World Cup in Russia. He had just turned 35 and it would take him six months to return to action. Since then, he has become an integral part of Thomas Tuchel's PSG side and has just been recalled to the Brazil squad. He is also set to feature when the French club face Manchester United in their Champions League last 16 ...
Bayern extend Gnabry's contract as part of squad overhaul
Germany winger Serge Gnabry has extended his Bayern Munich contract until 2023, adding three more years to his deal, as the defending Bundesliga champions continue to rejuvenate their squad. The 23-year-old is being groomed to replace Bayern's ageing wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, who are both 35 and out of contract at the end of the season. Gnabry, Canadian wunderkind Alphonso Davies, 18, and Frenchman Kingsley Coman, 22, are the next generation of Bayern wingers. "We are happy that we at FC Bayern have tied ourselves to Serge for the long term," said Bayern's sports director Hasan Salihamidzic. "He has taken a big step forward with us this year." Bayern paid Werder Bremen eight million euros ($9m) for Stuttgart-born Gnabry in 2017, but loaned him out to Hoffenheim last season, so this is his first year at Bayern. Having scored eight goals in 29 games for Bayern, Gnabry, who can play on either wing, has been a key factor in slashing Dortmund's lead at the top of the ...
Luis Figo to bring UEFA Champions League trophy to India
The coveted UEFA Champions League trophy will be on display at an exclusive fan event to be hosted by Portugal legend and tournament Ambassador Luis Figo here on Friday. The event, which will take place at Tote on the Turf, is a part of a series of global fan initiatives. It will offer a premium UEFA Champions League experience to Indian fans who will journey through the most iconic moments of the world's most prestigious club football tournament. The evening will also feature an interactive "Best of the Best", the winner of which will receive an unforgettable photo experience alongside the trophy and the Portuguese superstar, according to a release. Fans will be challenged to match Figo's answers through an interactive voting pad, and the fan with the fastest and most accurate response will be crowned the winner. "It's a great honour to be able to bring the symbol of the UEFA Champions League to Mumbai. Fans in India are so knowledgeable and passionate about football and I'm excited .
AIFF to reschedule Real Kashmir vs Minerva I-League tie
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday decided to reschedule and relocate the I-League match between Minerva Punjab FC and Real Kashmir FC which was supposed to be held in Srinagar last month.
East Bengal keep fingers crossed as I-League hits last lap
The last lap of the I-League has become exciting after Chennai City FC lost their last match against Churchill Brothers and East Bengal went on to beat Real Kashmir and Minerva Punjab FC in their last two encounters.
Another injury blow for Man Utd, Sanchez ruled out for 6-8 weeks
Manchester United have suffered another injury blow with the news that Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez could be out for two months.
ISL champions Chennaiyin face Colombo FC in AFC Cup debut
Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC will make their AFC Cup debut when they take on Sri Lanka's Colombo FC in a qualifying play-off round match here on Wednesday. Chennaiyin, the first ISL outfit to participate in the AFC Cup, are vying for a place in the group stage of the AFC Cup from the in the South Asian Zone. The Chennai-based side are coming in the first-leg tie at the Colombo Race Course Ground after concluding their 2018-19 ISL campaign with a 0-1 defeat to FC Goa last week. "The boys are in good spirits, ahead of what is a very big game for us against Colombo FC. We are honoured to be the first Indian Super League team to have qualified for the AFC Cup, and are hopeful of securing a victory that puts us in a commanding position in the second leg," said Chennaiyin FC Head Coach John Gregory ahead of the match. "We are aware of the quality Colombo FC possess and expect a good fight from them tomorrow," he added. Nine players from the 25-man Chennaiyin squad have ...
SAI clears Dipa's participation in two WCs, instructs GFI to conduct trials for men
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Tuesday cleared Dipa Karmakar's participation in the upcoming World Cups at Baku and Doha respectively but asked the gymnastics federation to conduct trials for men. In a letter copied to the Gymanastic Federation of India (GFI) (in possession of PTI), SAI approved Dipa and her personal coach Bisweswar Nandi's participation at FIG World Cups in Baku and Doha respectively. The GFI had registered Dipa for the back-to-back World Cups to be held from March 14-17 and March 20-23 at Azerbaijan and Qatar respectively but clearance was pending with the event beginning in less than two weeks time. "On taking notice of the pendency of clearance of Gymnastics team for the World Cups, SAI acted swiftly and immediately approval for clearance of the contingent for the Olympic Qualification World Cup events," Riyaz Bhati, vice-president of GFI said. "Now the gymnasts are clear in their mind and can focus exclusively on their training and preparation." GFI had ...
Indian U-17 football World Cup star to train at Blackburn Rovers
Indian Under-17 World Cup star Aniket Jadhav will undergo a training spell at the English Championship football club Blackburn Rovers, a statement said on Tuesday.
U17 World Cupper Jadhav to train at Blackburn Rovers
Aniket Jadhav, who was a member of the Indian Under-17 World Cup team in 2017, has been picked to undergo a training spell at English Championship football club Blackburn Rover. Jadhav played in all three matches for India at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup hosted by India in October 2017, a media release said on Tuesday. Jadhav would thus be the first Indian professional player to train in England at Blackburn Rovers' Academy at Brockhall village, Lancashire. Blackburn Rovers are owned by Venkys London Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pune-based Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group. Balaji Rao, owner of Blackburn Rovers Football Club, said, "We, as supporters of sport, especially football, want to help young Indian talent. Our Academy at Blackburn Rovers is one of the finest Category 1 Academy in the UK. This training stint will help Aniket to develop technically as a player, which will in turn contribute to the improvement of his performances on the pitch". "We want to ...
2nd ODI: Kohli hits ton, India score 250 vs Australia
Despite skipper Virat Kohli's brilliant century and a disciplined innings from Vijay Shankar, India were bowled out for 250 against Australia in the second One Day International (ODI), here on Tuesday.
East Bengal's Justin suspended for six matches
The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) disciplinary committee on Tuesday banned East Bengal forward Jobby Justin and Aizawl FC defender Kareem Omolaja for six matches while Gokulam Kerala FC midfielder Guilherme Castro was suspended for a year.
Federer signs up for 2020 Dubai C'ships
World number four Roger Federer quashed retirement talks, signing up to play in the 2020 Dubai Championships.The 37-year-old scripted history in Dubai as he lifted the eighth trophy to become the second player after Jimmy Connors to win 100 ATP Tour singles titles.Federer had defeated reigning champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets 6-4, 6-4."We congratulate Roger Federer on his fantastic achievement in winning 100 titles, and winning here in Dubai for the eighth time, more than any other player," Soprt24 quoted Colm McLoughlin, executive vice-chairperson and CEO of Dubai Championships, as saying."It is remarkable that his first title here came as long ago as 2003, and we look forward to welcoming both Federer and our ladies champion Belinda Bencic again in 2020.
Captain Kohli revives India's innings with determined hundred
Skipper Virat Kohli's resolute 40th hundred under pressure steered India to a competitive 250 despite a middle-order collapse in the second One-day International, here Tuesday. Australia's spin troika of Adam Zampa (2/62 in 10 overs), Glenn Maxwell (1/45 in 10 overs) and Nathan Lyon (1/42 in 10 overs) bowled well in the middle obvers although it was Pat Cummins who had the best figures of 4 for 29. Kohli came in after Cummins sent back opener Rohit Sharma (0) in the very first over. The Indian skipper was in good touch and played some delightful drives whenever the ball was pitched up. In conditions which tested the fitness of each and every player, Kohli struck only 10 boundaries and ran a lot of singles and twos in his 116-run knock. He was at the crease till the 46th over, faced 120 balls in an innings which will rank among one of his top ODI knocks in recent times. Kohli steadily build the Indian innings even as he saw the fall of colleagues Shikhar Dhawan (21) and Ambati Rayudu ..
India A and B make winning start in U-19 Quadrangular
The India 'A' and 'B' teams started their campaigns in the under-19 quadrangular ODI series here Tuesday with easy wins over South Africa and Afghanistan respectively. In a match played at the Greenfield International stadium here, India 'A' routed the Proteas colts by 157 runs while the 'B' team hammered Afghanistan by seven wickets at the St Xavier's KCA ground here. The 'A' team won the toss and posted 251 all out in 50 overs, riding on half-centuries by opener Qamran Iqbal (60, 65 balls, 3X4, 4X6) and Sashwat Rawat (64, 55 balls, 10X4). For the Proteas, Marco Jansen took four wickets conceding 30 runs while Nonelela Yikha took 2 for 37. In reply, the visiting South Africans were bundled out for 94 in 35.4 overs with left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey shining with figures of 3 for 7 from seven overs while off-break bowler Ravi Bishnoi took 3 for 27. Tail-ender Marco Jansen was the highest scorer with 33 (57 balls 3X4, 1X6) while only one other batsmen reached double figures. In the India
Minerva Punjab to get re-match against Real Kashmir, rules AIFF
Defending champions Minerva Punjab FC, who pulled out of their I-League clash against Real Kashmir in Srinagar citing security concerns, will get a re-match against the debutants, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided. The game was originally scheduled for February 18 but did not take place after Minerva refused to travel to Srinagar, insisting that their foreign players had been advised against it by their respective embassies in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. It is learnt, the match could be held in Delhi on March 12. Minerva said the AIFF failed to give written security assurances that were sought by the club after the terror attack which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. Real Kashmir, on their part, asserted that the situation in Srinagar was "safe and was under control" on the match day and and security was in place, including a team bus with bullet-proof escort vehicles waiting at the airport. However, while referring the matter to the AIFF ...
U-17 star Jadhav set for three-month training stint at Blackburn Rovers
Having impressed in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Jamshedpur FC forward Aniket Jadhav is set to take his next big step - a three-month training stint at English Championship football club Blackburn Rovers. ? The Kolhapur-based footballer will become the first Indian professional player to train in England when he joins the Blackburn Rovers Academy at Brockhall village, Lancashire. "For someone coming from a small place in Kolhapur, it's a dream come true for me," Jadhav, who played in all the three matches for hosts India at the Under-17 World Cup, told PTI before leaving for Lancashire. "I'm looking forward to this stint. The World Cup was a big experience and this is equally big and it keeps me on track with the mission when I left home as a nine-year-old kid," the left-footed striker said. Having started his football journey under Jaideep Angiwal of Krida Prabodhini school in Pune, the striker was picked by Pune FC where he joined the Under-15 side before progressing to the ...
Man City owners likely to invest in Indian club this year: Chief Executive Soriano
English Premier League giants Manchester City's owners City Football Group (CFG) are planning to invest in an Indian football team by the end of this year, said chief executive Ferran Soriano. An official of a reputed club, who has been tracking the development, said the Premier League champions are at an "advanced stage of discussions" with Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Mumbai City FC. They have also had preliminary discussions with Jamshedpur FC. "Last year, they visited India and watched a match between Jamshedpur and Mumbai City. Talks are on for sure," the official, close to Mumbai City FC, said. Another official in the know of things, said:"City owners have been talking to Mumbai for the past eight months and talks are at an advanced stage." City owner Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi Royal Family, has recently purchased a Chinese third division club Sichuan Jiuniu, a seventh addition to their bouquet of clubs, which also include New York City, Melbourne City, Japan's Yokohama .
Manchester City owners thinking of buying club in India
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano said on Tuesday that the owners of the English Premier League (IPL) outfit are thinking of buying a club in India.