Page 549 - Sports
IOC suspends India from hosting Olympic qualifying events
In a major setback for India, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday suspended all Indian applications to host future Olympic-related events until New Delhi guarantees in writing the entry of all participants.
Diksha, Tvesa make cut in Australian Ladies Classic golf
Diksha Dagar and Tvesa Malik braved strong windy conditions to become the only two out of five Indians to make the cut at the Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic Bonville golf tournament here. Diksha (71-77) and Tvesa (75-74) are playing their first season in Australia. Diksha, who turned pro only this year, is lying tied 37th at four-over 148, while Tvesa, winner of the Hero Indian Order of Merit on the domestic circuit, is tied 47th at five-over 149 after the second round. Amandeep Drall (80-76), Astha Madan (77-80) and Vani Kapoor (79-79) missed the cut, which fell at seven-over. Nuria Iturrios of Spain holds a four shot lead midway through the event. Diksha had played superbly in the first round to be tied ninth with 71. In the second round she shot 77 that included six bogeys and one birdie, which came on the 18th. Three times Diksha had back-to-back bogey on a tough day. Tvesa had one birdie on the second hole and three bogeys. Just nine players are in red figures with
Indian sports caught in Pak conundrum after Pulwama terror attack
The national Olympic body stared at the possibility of international isolation, while the cricket administrators grappled and remained non-committal on whether to play a match which is over three months away. The fallout of the Pulwama terror attack, which killed over 40 CRPF personnel, on the sporting ties between India and Pakistan was felt the strongest on Friday. After shooters from across the border were denied visas for the World Cup in Delhi, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended all discussions with the IOA and government regarding the potential applications for hosting future sports and Olympic-related events in India. The IOC, after an executive board meeting on Thursday evening in Lausanne, also revoked the Olympic qualification status of the 25m rapid fire pistol event in which the Pakistani shooters were expected to participate. Besides, it urged other international federations to not award hosting rights of any events to India, a country that aspires to ...
FIFA bans Chelsea from signing players
The governing body of world football FIFA on Friday confirmed that English Premier League club Chelsea have been banned from making any signings for the next two transfer windows after breaching rules over signing minors.
Pakistan Olympic Association hails IOC decision on revoking quota places from Delhi World Cup
The National Olympic Association of Pakistan (POA) on Friday supported its parent body IOC for removing Olympic quotas in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event of the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Delhi, where its country's shooters could not compete due to visa issues. POA President, General (retd) Arif Hasan, said it was disappointing that two Pakistani shooters were not allowed to participate in the ISSF event in Delhi. The Indian High Commission didn't issue visa to the two shooters and team manager after the Indian Shooting body, NRAI, had assured the International Shooting Federation (ISSF) that it had got clearance from the host country's home ministry for the visa. "We were very disappointed once our athletes were not allowed to participate for an event for which they had been preparing for a very long time. We have always been of the view that sports must be used as a means to build bridges between communities and countries," Arif Hasan said in a statement. "Greatly disappointed .
T20: Mumbai beat Punjab; Pujara shines again for Saurashtra
Led by pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, Mumbai defended a modest 156-run target as they defeated Punjab by 35 runs in their Group C Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match here Friday, registering their second successive win in the premier domestic T20 tournament. In another Group C game, Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara, who had hit an unbeaten 100 in 61 balls against Railways Thursday, continued his good form as he scored 68 to help Saurashtra defeat Madhya Pradesh by 6 wickets. This was Saurashtra's first win in the tournament. On Thursday, Mumbai had kicked-off their campaign on a winning note, thrashing minnows Sikkim by a staggering 154 runs. Asked to bat first, Punjab bowlers led by medium pacer Baltej Singh (3-30) and left-arm seamer Barinder Singh Sran (3-34) dished out a clinical performance as they bundled out a formidable Mumbai for a modest 155 in their 20 overs Friday. Surya Kumar Yadav was Mumbai's top-scorer as he hit a quick-fire 80 in just 49 balls. Earlier, skipper ...
Disappointing to see cricket being targeted after Pulwama attack, says Pakistan captain Sarfaraz
Sarfaraz Ahmed is "disappointed" that cricket is being targeted after the Pulwama terror attack and said the high-profile India-Pakistan World Cup game should go ahead as planned despite calls for the match's boycott from several quarters of the neighbouring country. The Pakistan captain insisted that sports should never be mixed with politics and said in the interest of the cricket crazy fans of both the countries, the match should be played. "The India and Pakistan match should be played as per schedule as there are millions of people who want to watch this game. I just don't think cricket should be targeted for political gains," Sarfaraz told the CricketPakistan.com.pk website. "It is disappointing to see cricket being targeted after the Pulwama incident. I don't recall Pakistan ever mixing sports with politics," he said. The fate of the much-anticipated World Cup match to be held on June 16 at the Old Trafford lies in limbo after several former Indian cricketers called for its ...
Man Utd vs Liverpool makes spotlight in England this weekend
This weekend may see the final of the Carabao Cup between Manchester City and Chelsea, but for most football fans, there is only one big game in England this weekend and that is what promises to be a no-holds barred showdown between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
ISL: Chennaiyin want to dash JFC's play-off hopes (Preview)
A desperate Jamshedpur FC need nothing less than three points to keep their Indian Super League (ISL) play-offs hopes alive as they take on bottom-placed Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Saturday.
Chelsea banned from signing new players for next two transfer windows
Premier League club Chelsea have been banned from signing new players in the next two transfer windows as punishment for breaking rules on registering under-age players, FIFA said on Friday. It means the club -- who immediately said they would appeal the decision -- will be unable to make signings until the end of January next year. "The disciplinary committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods," FIFA said in a statement. In addition, Chelsea were fined 600,000 Swiss francs ($600,000, 530,000 euros) and given a period of 90 days to regularise the situation of the minor players concerned. The ban does not prevent players being released by the club and it does not apply to Chelsea's women's and futsal teams. Chelsea have been given three days to appeal against FIFA's decision, which could prove highly damaging, for example preventing the club from signing a ...
Sarri says he would have to sell to accommodate Hudson-Odoi
Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea would have to sell one of their established wingers in order to satisfy Callum Hudson-Odoi's desire for immediate first-team action. Teenage prospect Hudson-Odoi has grown restless at Stamford Bridge and handed in a January transfer request as offers came in from German champions Bayern Munich. The 18-year-old, who has yet to start a Premier League match, seized a rare opportunity by scoring the Blues' final goal in Thursday's 3-0 Europa League victory over Swedish club Malmo, wrapping up a 5-1 aggregate success. But manager Sarri called for patience, explaining that he would need to allow Pedro, Willian or Eden Hazard to depart to accommodate Hudson-Odoi now. "You need to understand that, in the same position, we have Pedro, Willian and Hazard," said Sarri. "I want to remind you that Callum, with this one (against Malmo), played 14 matches. There isn't in England another 18-year-old player with 14 matches in the first team. So I think that we are using him
Monaco name Russian Petrov as new VP
Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco on Friday unveiled Russian businessman Oleg Petrov as the club's new vice-president, succeeding Vadim Vasilyev. Petrov, 55, is a friend of Monaco's Russian billionaire owner, Dmitri Rybolovlev, but has no experience of running a football club. The former soldier, who speaks fluent English, Portuguese, Spanish and Greek as well as his native Russian, has worked in large international companies in several sectors, including consumer electronics, fertiliser and diamonds, Monaco said in a statement. "He has extensive experience in operational management and brand development in global markets." Petrov will likely need all that business acumen as he joins a club in turmoil. French champions and Champions League semi-finalists in 2017, Monaco have since sold most of their prized assets and currently lie in the bottom three in Ligue 1. The decision to sack title-winning coach Leonardo Jardim in October and replace him with Thierry Henry backfired spectacularly, ...
Klopp expects Solskjaer to be named permanent Man United boss
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be the next permanent manager of Manchester United. The clubs meet on Sunday in a showdown of Premier League giants. Solskjaer has won 11 of his 13 matches since taking interim charge following Jose Mourinho's sacking in December, with the only loss a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Ahead of Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford, Klopp said he had been impressed with the job the Norwegian is doing at Old Trafford. "He has the quality and he had the luck in the right moment," said the German. "Now he's in charge and there is no doubt that he will be the manager next year as well, that's clear. "Can you imagine one situation when they say 'we are bringing in another manager'? Then a new manager will lose one game and that's not possible. "He deserves (the job) 100 percent, he did everything that you have to do to be successful with them." Klopp, whose team are level on points with Manchester ...
Tendulkar backs India to beat Pakistan in World Cup
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday backed India to play the June 16 World Cup match against Pakistan, saying he would "hate" to give the arch rivals two crucial points and help them in the marquee tournament.
Sever cricket ties with countries supporting terrorism: BCCI writes to ICC
Without naming Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday urged the cricketing nations all over the world to sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates.
Chennaiyin out to spoil JFCs play-off hopes
A desperate Jamshedpur FC need nothing less than three points to keep their Indian Super League play-offs hope alive as they take on bottom-placed Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here Saturday. Jamshedpur are placed fifth on the table but four points behind fourth-placed Mumbai City FC. The Men of Steel cannot afford to drop points anymore with just two matches remaining. A loss against Chennaiyin FC will knock them out of contention while a draw will not do much good to their hopes. Coach Cesar Ferrando has his fair share of concerns, heading into this must-win tie. The team is coming off a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of FC Pune City which put them in a precarious position. Their defensive frailties and susceptibility to counter-attacks were laid bare by an incisive Pune attack. Ferrando will be hoping they will get some respite against a misfiring Chennaiyin FC attack who have scored only 16 goals so far. "We need to win. But I know it will be a tough game ...
Hafeez confident of regaining full fitness before World Cup
Pakistan all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez is confident he will recover from a hand injury in time to be available for the World Cup in May-July. Hafeez left for Manchester to consult surgeon Mike Hayton, a specialist who specialises in hand injuries. "I am hopeful once the surgery is done I will have enough time to recover and be available for selection in the World Cup," Hafeez said before leaving for Manchester. The 38-year old fractured his right thumb while attempting to take a catch of his own bowling in his second match of the Pakistan Super League. Scans later revealed a fracture and need for surgery after which the normal recovery period is six to eight weeks. Hafeez, who has retired from Test cricket after 55 matches, has already appeared in 208 One-day Internationals and 89 T20 Internationals. The injury blow came after he had set his sights on doing well in the PSL to win over the selectors' confidence ahead of the World Cup. Hafeez said injuries were part of any professional ...
First time I've taken three wickets in one over in ODIs: Bisht
Left-arm orthodox bowler Ekta Bisht, who starred in India women's 66-run win over England women in the opening ODI here on Friday, said this was the first time she had scalped three wickets in an over in the fifty over format although she has a hat-trick in T20 cricket. The 33-year-old left arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh, who finished with fine figures of four for 25 against the current world champions, also credited newly-appointed coach W V Raman, for her success. "I have taken a hat-trick in T20, but this is the first time in ODIs that I have taken three wickets in an over. But, I have figures of 10 overs, 8 runs and 5 wickets against Pakistan," the Almora-born Bisht told reporters at the post match media conference. Bisht took three wickets in the 41st over to seal India's win and help the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and more importantly, grab two points in the ICC Women's Championship. "Whenever Raman sir finds any fault, he makes it a point to come and ...
Ishan Kishan powers Jharkhand to win over J&K
: Skipper Ishan Kishan blasted a 55-ball 100 (8X4, 7X6) to power Jharkhand to a facile nine-wicket win over Jammu and Kashmir in a Group 'A' match in the Syed Musthaq Ali Trophy T20 cricket tournament here Friday. In other matches, Delhi routed Manipur by 10 wickets while Andhra Pradesh thrashed Nagaland by 179 runs to notch up four points. Sent into bat by Jharkhand, J&K made 168 for 9 in 20 overs with Jatin Wadhwan making the top-score of 47 while Rahul Shukla took five wickets. The talented Kishan took the J&K attack by the scruff of the neck, hammering boundaries and sixers at will. He lashed shots to all parts of the ground, taking the team home in the 17th over, for its second straight win. Meanwhile, Delhi bounced back after losing to Jharkhand on Thursday, by racing to the target of 119 in just 11.4 overs after Manipur was restricted to 113 for 6 in 20 overs. Ricky Bhui hammered a 42-ball 108 to power Andhra to 244 for 4 in the quota of 20 overs before ..
Atwal shoots even par in first round at Puerto Rico
Indian golfer Arjun Atwal, playing his first PGA Tour event this season, shot even par 72 to be placed tied 58th at the end of the first round of the Puerto Rico Open here. Atwal, the only Indian to have won a PGA Tour title, back in 2010, had three birdies and three bogeys on Thursday. Also playing in the field is Swede Daniel Chopra, who shot 75 and is tied 103rd. On a day which had unpredictable, swirling winds, Argentina's Andres Romero played steady to fire six-under-par 66 at the Coco Beach Golf Club. The Puerto Rico Open is Romero's third PGA TOUR start of the 2018-19 season. He finished tied 26th at the Sanderson Farms Championship and missed the cut at The RSM Classic. Romero leads by one shot over Austrian Sepp Straka, a rookie on the PGA TOUR this season. Straka's best result so far came at last month's Farmers Insurance Open, where he finished tied 13th. Behind Romero and Straka is a group of nine golfers at four-under that includes American duo of Ben Crane and Ollie ...