Page 512 - Sports
Wednesday blunt Blades in Sheffield derby
Sheffield United lost ground in the race for promotion to the Premier League after they were held to a goalless draw by Sheffield Wednesday in the Steel City derby at Hillsborough on Monday. The result saw the Blades fail to regain a place among the top two of the Championship following wins by leaders Norwich and second-placed Leeds. Instead, Sheffield United were left in third place, two points behind fellow Yorkshire club Leeds. Only the top two sides at the end of the regular season are guaranteed places in English football's lucrative top flight next term, with the third and final promotion place decided by a series of play-off matches involving the teams finishing in third to sixth places. This draw saw Wednesday extend their unbeaten run in the league to eight matches and left the home side six points adrift of a play-off spot, with the Owls now 15 points above the bottom three and relegation looking an increasingly unlikely prospect. There was a worrying start to Monday's ...
Woods withdraws from Arnold Palmer over neck problem
Former world number one Tiger Woods withdrew from this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational on Monday after failing to shake off a neck strain. In a post on Twitter, Woods said the problem was unrelated to the lower back issues which sidelined him for nearly two years and added he had no concern over his long-term fitness. "Unfortunately due to a neck strain that I've had for a few weeks, I'm forced to withdraw from the API (Arnold Palmer Invitational," Woods said. "I've been receiving treatment, but it hasn't improved enough to play. My lower back is fine, and I have no long-term concerns." Woods added he hoped to be fit for The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass from March 14-17 as he builds towards next month's Masters. The Arnold Palmer has been a favourite hunting ground for Woods over the years, with the 43-year-old winning at Bay Hill a record eight times. This week's appearance would have been his 19th participation at the event. "I'd like to send my regrets to the Palmer ...
HC to hear plea over seating block at Feroz Shah Kotla on April 25
The Delhi High Court has said that it will hear, on April 25, the plea seeking directions to Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) not to use the R.P. Mehra block at the Ferozshah Kotla Stadium in the upcoming matches including the IPL till it is certified as structurally stable.
ICC doesn't want to interfere in IPL, says David Richardson
ICC CEO David Richardson on Monday denied reports which stated that the ICC interferes the Indian Premier League (IPL), and said the primary objective is to ensure other leagues around the world operate within a consistent framework."We are fortunate to have some outstanding T20 leagues, including the IPL, which set the gold standard for operations globally and this Working Group has taken into account those standards when developing the draft set of regulations. Our primary objective is to ensure other leagues around the world put in place the same minimum criteria and operate within a consistent framework," Richardson said."Reports in the Indian media that the ICC is somehow seeking to interfere in or dictate to the IPL are wide of the mark. That is not the case. As the Chief Executives' Committee and the ICC Board were advised over the past few days, the development of the Regulations has been led by the Working Group, on behalf of its Members, to ensure the long-term health and ...
World wrestling body asks all national federations to suspend dealing with India
The United World Wrestling (UWW) has asked all the national federations under it to stop communication with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in the wake of visa denial of Pakistani shooters in the recent World Cup here. The denial of visa to Pakistani shooters had led to the International Olympic Committee suspending discussions with India for hosting future global events. "UWW recommends to all the affiliated and associated national wrestling federations to suspended their discussions or relations with the Indian wrestling federation," the world body wrote in its letter to national federations, according to a WFI source. Neither WFI President Brij Bhusan Sharan nor Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar could be reached for comments. The denial of visas to Pakistani shooters in the Delhi World Cup last month has jeopardised India's chances of hosting the Olympics or any global event with the IOC suspending all such discussions with the country and recommending that no big tournament
Bale deserves respect, Ronaldo irreplaceable: Modric
Real Madrid's Luka Modric here on Monday said he did not see Gareth Bale leaving the club anytime soon and that the Croatia midfielder had done a lot for the club and deserved respect.
Indian contingent given warm send-off ahead of Special Olympics
A 378-strong Indian contingent, including 289 athletes, 73 coaches were given a send-off on Monday for the coming Special Olympics World Summer Games-2019.The event was held at the city's Frank Anthony Public School. The Guests of Honour included former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, and Ambassador of Ecuador, Hector Cueva Jacome.The participants will depart on March 8 for the global event where they will represent India in 14 out of 24 Olympic-type sports.For long, the teams have been practicing in their respective states and also at the national level camps held under the supervision of National Sports Director and the head of the delegation Victor R Vaz.Air Marshal (Retd) Denzil Keelor, founding trustee and CEO Special Olympics Bharat, said: "It gives me immense pleasure to see growing support for our athletes going for the World Summer Games. The fact that the athletes have pushed themselves to this extent to be able to face a global sporting challenge makes me proud.""Special ...
I-League: Ansumana Kromah brace relegates Shillong Lajong
Aizawl FC piled on the misery on the bottom-placed Shillong Lajong FC, when they put four past the visitors at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Aizawl.Aizawl's Liberian striker Ansumanah Kromah scored his seventh and eighth league goals while Mapuia helped himself to his sixth with Isak also getting onto the scoresheet late in the second half. Donbok then displayed the never-stop-attacking mindset of Shillong's young group aptly in injury time, with a classy finish.With 21 points from 19 games, Aizawl now gives themselves a realistic chance of finishing two better than their current eighth position.Both coaches Stanley Rosario of Aizawl and Alison Kharsyntiew of Shillong made three changes each to their starting line-ups. Aizawl brought Gurpreet back in goal while Shillong started with Samuel Lalmuanpuia and Sheen Stevenson up front.Aizawl dominated from the beginning. In the 28th minute, from a wonderful Isak cross from the right saw a header from Hmingthan Mawia blocked by Kenstar ...
Danni Wyatt, Heather Knight's innings pushed England to 160, says Tammy Beaumont
Tammy Beaumont put up a strong performance with her bat, helping England to get a comprehensive 41-run opening win in the T20I series against India at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.Player of the Match Beaumont scored a 57-ball 62, which included nine boundaries. However, the right-handed batswoman said Danielle Wyatt and Heather Knight's innings helped the visitors shrug pressure off and push England towards a mammoth total of 160 for four."To get scores and anchor the innings through was good. It is good to be on the winning side. But, I think the way Danni Wyatt played and Heather Knight came in around was exceptional. That's what really got us to that good score," she said.England dealt with injury and illness before stepping on to the field. The visitors, who were already missing the services of wicket-keeper Sarah Taylor, were further depleted when their second wicket-keeper Amy Jones fell ill, requiring Beaumont to wear the gloves.However, the visitors ...
AB de Villiers ruled out of PSL
Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers has been ruled out of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) after sustaining a back injury.De Villiers, captain of Lahore Qalanders, had signed to play seven games in the UAE and two matches in Lahore.He returned to South Africa after the UAE matches and was supposed to fly to Pakistan. However, he has been ruled out for two weeks due to his injury."I am very disappointed that I'll not be able to play in front of the passionate Pakistani cricket fans," ICC quoted de Villiers, as saying."I saw my doctor who has advised complete rest for two weeks and, unfortunately, that rules me out of the games in [Pakistan]," he added.De Villiers further backed his side and fourth placed on the points table, Lahore to lift the PSL trophy."I hope to be a part of the PSL next year and very much hope to play my part in the return of international cricket to the country. I am backing Lahore Qalandars to go all the way and win the trophy this year," he ...
Ask Julia Roberts who should coach Real, says Solari
Real Madrid "has always been more courted than Julia Roberts", said coach Santiago Solari on Monday about rumours of a possible return of Jose Mourinho. Solari took over earlier this season and has a contract until 2021, but has just lost two Clasicos at home. He was speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Ajax at the Bernabeu in the Champions League, a competition Real have won the last three years and is the club's only hope of a trophy this season. Mourinho managed Real for three stormy seasons from 2010 to 2013. Over the weekend he was a guest pundit on Qatar-based beIN Sport where he analysed Real's latest loss to Barcelona. "Return to a club that I have been before?" said Mourinho, who had two stints at Chelsea and was fired by Manchester United in December. "If I think the right club, the right structure, the right ambitions, I will have no problem at all." "I think it's really a reason of pride when a club where you worked before wants you back," said ...
Imran Tahir to quit ODI cricket after World Cup
South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir will step down from ODI cricket after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, it was announced on Monday.
AIFF launches strategic plan for 2019-22
Developing infrastructure and the women's game are among the key goals the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will look to realise under its recently-launched second strategic plan paper. AIFF president Praful Patel launched the plan on Saturday, the first copy of which was handed to FIFA Directors Theodore Giannikos and Sanjeevan Balasingham. The second plan, similar to the first, has been developed after several months of discussions with key stakeholders of Indian football. The second plan is also for a period of four years, from January 2019 to December 2022, and its primary objective is to align it with the next cycle of FIFA Forward (January 2019 to December 2022). FIFA Forward is the new system of development funding provided by the world body to its member associations. Objectives and targets in this four-year plan have been set keeping in mind the long-term goals to be achieved for Indian football over the next 25 years, the AIFF said in a release. The first strategic plan .
We won't interfere in IPL: ICC
The ICC Monday insisted that it will not interfere in the conduct of IPL, saying the world body rather plans to use the Indian domestic league as a benchmark to draft regulations for leagues across the world. "Reports in the Indian media that the ICC is somehow seeking to interfere in or dictate to the IPL are wide off the mark. That is not the case," ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said in a statement. A newspaper report had claimed that the ICC wants to have a say in IPL policy matters in an attempt to gain control over the league. "As the Chief Executives' Committee and the ICC Board were advised over the past few days, the development of the Regulations has been led by the Working Group, on behalf of its Members, to ensure the long-term health and reputation of the sport internationally and domestically." Praising the successful conduct of the Indian Premier League, Richardson said the model was worth emulation. "We are fortunate to have some outstanding T20 leagues, ...
Kohli still on top but Williamson narrows gap
New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson closed in on his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli, having narrowed the gap with the table topper by reaching a career-best 915 rating points in the ICC rankings for batsmen in Tests. India skipper Kohli continued to top the chart with 922 points while Cheteshwar Pujara was placed third with 881 rating points. Williamson's 200 not out, which earned him the Player of the Match award, has lifted him from 897 points to within seven points of India captain Virat Kohli, who is perched at the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings with 922 points. With two more Tests to go in the series, Williamson has a chance to regain the top spot, which he occupied briefly towards the end of 2015. Williamson's rating points are the highest by any New Zealander in Test cricket with Richard Hadlee the only other player from his country to cross the 900-point mark with a best of 909 points in bowling. Openers Tom Latham and Jeet Raval have also made good progress ..
ICC rules out interference in IPL
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson on Monday said they do not want to interfere in the running of the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the prime objective is to ensure other T20 leagues across the globe operate within a consistent framework.
Indian men hopeful despite absence of top stars
In the absence of top stars, Grandmaster B Adhiban will spearhead country's challenge at the World Teams Chess Championship where a bunch of formidable men's teams will test the Indians. As Viswanathan Anand, P Harikrishna and Vidit Gujrathi have been forced to skip the meet, Adhiban will don the top board for India while experienced Grandmasters Krishnan Sasikiran, S P Sethuraman, Surya Shekhar Ganguly and newly-crowned national champion Aravindh Chithamabaram complete the Indian lineup. Since the event was announced barely six weeks beforem it did not help in getting many of the top players for their teams. It transpires that both Harikrishna and Gujrathi had already committed to play a semi-super tournament in Czech Republic starting later this week while Anand was seen playing for his Bundesliga team Baden OS in Germany over the weekend. That said, the ability of Adhiban, the will-power of Sasikiran, the high standards of Sethuraman, the guile of Ganguly and the never-say-die ...
Second Austrian cyclist admits to doping as scandal deepens
A second Austrian cyclist has admitted to doping after six athletes were arrested last week in a probe into an international doping ring, Austrian media reported Monday. Five skiers and another cyclist have already been held as part of investigation into an alleged doping ring based in Germany and led by a 40-year-old sports doctor named as 'Mark S'. Cyclist Georg Preidler told the Kronen newspaper that he "couldn't live with this secret any longer" and had handed himself in to police in the city of Graz. "The past few days have been a nightmare. I didn't know if I would get found out. I didn't know whether this doping doctor had concealed everything," Preidler said. He said that he had been sought out by the doping ring and had only started doping "recently", insisting that his professional successes -- such as at the Giro d'Italia -- had been "clean". "It was the biggest mistake of my life," he added. On Sunday prosecutors announced that another cyclist -- named in Austrian media as
Oceania nations, including Australia, to compete at 2022 Asian Games
Oceania nations, including sporting powerhouse Australia, have been invited to compete in Olympic team events such as football and basketball at the 2022 Asian Games for the first time. The decision came at a meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia in Bangkok late Sunday, with Australia welcoming the move as "a very positive outcome". "Australia is very grateful for this opportunity and there will be enormous interest from our Oceania neighbours," said Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates on Monday. "This is something I have been pursuing for more than 20 years." The invitation to the Games in China's Hangzhou is limited to volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball and football and fencing, ruling out sports such as swimming and track cycling which Australia would be expected to dominate. It culminates a long Australian-led drive for stronger ties with the Olympic Council of Asia. "This has been quite a journey that ultimately will benefit athletes in this region," added ..
Tahir to quit one-day international cricket
Veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir said on Monday he would retire from one-day international cricket after the World Cup in England and Wales, which ends on July 14. But he said he would like to continue playing for South Africa in Twenty20 internationals. Tahir, who will turn 40 later this month, played a starring role for South Africa, taking three for 26, in their eight-wicket win in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday. His performance drew attention to the fact that he was not on the list of contracted players for the 2019/20 year released by Cricket South Africa last week. But he revealed on Monday that he had reached an agreement with CSA for his contract to expire at the end of July, extending his 2018/19 contract by three months. In a statement released by CSA, Tahir said he would re-assess his freelance future after the World Cup. "I have always wanted to play in the World Cup," he said. "I have a mutual understanding with Cricket