Page 781 - Sports
Russia's deputy PM steps down as Russian Football Union president
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko has left his position as the president of the Russian Football Union, the organization confirmed on Wednesday.
AIFF dreams of World Cup qualification
Ahead of India's participation in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel termed the country's fourth participation in the continental championship as a "precursor to Indias goal to achieve a berth in the FIFA World Cup by 2026."
Kohli doesn't need to tone down his aggression: Zaheer
Virat Kohli should remain the way he is, said former teammates Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar on Wednesday, staunchly defending the combative India captain, who has copped criticism from Australian legends for his on-field behaviour. Allan Border, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and even India's Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed their displeasure over Kohli's on-field antics in the ongoing series Down Under. "I would say (Virat) stick to what you know best. Stick to what has got you so much of success. You can't move away from your success formula. It doesn't matter what others are saying (about Kohli). Series in Australia have always been (intense) like this," former pace spearhead Zaheer told PTI. Ex-India pacer Praveen Kumar could not agree more with Zaheer. "Kohli played with aggression at the U-16, U-19 and Ranji Trophy level. What is the issue if he is showing the same aggression while playing for India? I have played a lot of cricket with him and I can safely say that he can't play ..
Sponsors, government support key to Indian athletes success, says Sindhu
Star shuttler PV Sindhu on Wednesday said support from different sectors, including the government, has played a key role in the success of Indian sportsperson at international level. "We have sponsors now-a-days, a lot of people have sponsors. Before if you do well, achieve success and are in the top, then only sponsors used to support you," said Sindhu, who recently became the first Indian to win the badminton World Tour Finals. "But now there are a lot of sponsors who are coming and encouraging at the grass-root level. That is very important." Sindhu broke her silver jinx in great fashion on last Sunday by defeating her nemesis Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 21-19 21-17 in the women's singles to become the first Indian to win gold at year-ending World Tour Finals in Guangzhou, China. The 23-year-old Sindhu, who has won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was speaking at the Republic Summit, which was also attended by wrestler Babita Phogat and former India opener Gautam Gambhir. "If .
New Year, new look for Indian football team
The New Year will have a new look for the Indian football team, as The Blue Tigers will be wearing all new kits for their upcoming campaign in the AFC Asian Cup 2019.Manufactured by the Indian sportswear brand, Six5Six have signed a five-year deal with the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the commercial partners of All India Football Federation (AIFF), and will be outfitting the national teams across all age groups and genders, as per the agreement.Seven players including the likes of Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Rowllin Borges, Shubhasish Bose and Pritam Kotal walked the ramp for the launch of the new kit at a glittering function held in the capital earlier today.The highest Indian goal scorer in International Football, Sunil Chhetri highlighted the comfort element of the new kit. "There is a sense of freshness in the jersey and it's always nice to have a kit we are comfortable in," he said.AIFF President Praful Patel said: "I ...
BCCI announces candidates for women's team head coach
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday shortlisted ten names for the position of the women's team head coach.The shortlisted candidates include Venkatesh Prasad, WV Raman, Brad Hogg, Ramesh Powar, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Trent Johnson, Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Manoj Prabhakar and Kalpana Venkatachar, according to sources.Following the end of Powar's interim contract on November 30, the BCCI, on the same day, advertised for the post, fuelling speculations that the Board is looking to replace Powar after Mithali Raj criticised him and selectors for keeping her out of the playing XI against England in the World T20 semi-finals.On December 11, the BCCI had formed an ad-hoc committee to conduct the interviews of eligible candidates for the post. The panel consisted of legendary Indian cricketers Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy.The interview of the shortlisted candidates will be conducted on December 20 at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
New year, new kit for Indian football
The Indian football team will be donning new kits in the new year, starting with its campaign in the AFC Asian Cup. The continental showpiece will be held in the UAE from January 5 to February 1. The launch of the national team's new kit took place in the Capital Wednesday with seven players Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Rowllin Borges, Shubhasish Bose and Pritam Kotal walking the ramp. The kit sponsors, Six5Six have signed a five-year deal with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the commercial partners of All India Football Federation (AIFF), and will be involved with national teams across all age groups and genders, as per the agreement. The contract with the previous kit sponsors Nike expired early this year. AIFF president Praful Patel said: "The new kits look awesome and I cannot wait to watch the Blue Tigers in their new skin for our biggest continental event AFC Asian Cup 2019, and the international friendly leading to the ...
Restructuring could see Mohun Bagan, East Bengal in ISL next season: AIFF
A unified league is not in the offing but the All India Football Federation (AIFF) remains open to I-League clubs, most notably Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, playing the 2019-20 Indian Super League as part of a proposed restructuring. "Provided they (I-League clubs) fulfil the ISL criteria, it is possible as part of restructuring," AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said Wednesday. Fulfilling franchisee fee of Rs 15 crore is one of the criteria. While the AIFF has been looking to merge the two domestic leagues, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed. The arrival of Quess as sponsors has given East Bengal financial boost while Mohun Bagan are in talks with ATK to collaborate. "Talks are in advanced stages between Mohun Bagan and ATK," a source monitoring the development said. National team coach Stephen Constantine's contract runs till January 19, 2019 and Das said the performance of the national team in the AFC Asian Cup and the coach's wish will be taken into account ...
Mohun Bagan ride Kisekka strike to down champions Minerva Punjab
A 79th-minute strike by Henry Kisekka powered Mohun Bagan to a 1-0 win over reigning champions Minerva FC in the I-League here Wednesday. The 'Green and Maroon' brigade displayed amazing resilience to overcome the defeat to arch rivals East Bengal, dominating proceedings and pull off an important away win. The win moves them up to sixth on the table with 12 points from eight games, while Minerva are now on seventh with the same number of points from nine games played. The champions made a couple of changes to their starting line-up bringing in Arshdeep under the bar in place of Bhaskar Roy who had played their last game against Chennai City. Thoiba Singh also sat out in a midfield swap with Jagpreet. Mohun Bagan brought in Gurjinder at centre-back to replace Nigerian Eze Kinglsey who was sent off in the last game against Quess East Bengal. The first half was scratchy at best but Bagan were clearly in the ascendency with Japanese Yuta Kinowaki in the defensive midfield position and ...
Atletico first team players, coach get new cars
Atletico Madrid's squad on Wednesday received cars from the club's official sponsor, South Korean brand Hyundai, at an event that saw a group of fans handing over the keys to first team players and the head coach.
Never let occasion get better of you: Gambhir
Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir, who recently hanged up his boots, says key for a sports person in handling pressure and overcoming a bad phase is to not let the occasion get the better of him. Gambhir was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup team and was the top-scorer in the summit clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. The southpaw was also the top-scorer for India in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, which the hosts won at the Wankhede Stadium. Asked about his preparations for the big World Cup finals, Gambhir said key is not to think about the occasions. "You can't let the occasions get better of you. It's still the contest between the ball and the bat, whether it is the World Cup final or it's any other game,"Gambhir said addressing the Republic Summit here. "It is difficult to accept that is another game of cricket but that is what a sports person needs to think and that is how I prepared myself. Ultimately whether it is the World Cup final or the first game of the World ..
Will get no less than 3 points against Thailand: Sunil Chhetri
Indian captain Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday stated "India will be looking to get no less than 3 points against Thailand" ahead of the Blue Tigers' fourth participation in the AFC Asian Cup 2019."I was involved in the mock draw that happened for the Asian Cup and I was wondering what team we could draw. I knew whichever team that we drew, it would be difficult for us. But now, we are ready to face anyone. We are well prepared and looking forward to the challenge," the striker stated.Comparing India's current preparation to the one in 2011, Chhetri added: "In 2011, we were together for 6 months. But this time of the year, all the boys that have been selected are playing constantly in the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League. Now we just have to come together as a single unit and give it our best shot when we get to UAE."Meanwhile, head coach Stephen Constantine admitted the team has "enough time to acclimatise.""We have tried our best to prepare in the best possible fashion. We wanted ..
I-League: Kisekka winner boosts Mohun Bagan
Kolkata giants and former champions Mohun Bagan rode on a classy strike by Henry Kisekka late in the second half to get three points against defending champions Minerva Punjab FC at the Tau Devi Lal stadium in Panchkula, near here.
Pickleball tourney: Pathare, Bare win in men's doubles
Sachin Pathare and his partner Kunal Bare defeated Nikhil Rajput and Niraj Sharma in the men's doubles final of the A R Natarajan Memorial Indian Open Pickleball championship-2018 held here recently. Pathare and Bare emerged triumphant in a closely-fought three setter 11-5, 7-11 & 11-5, a release issued by the tournament organisers, All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), said on Wednesday. In the women's doubles final, Sakshi Bavishkar and Vrushali Thakare defeated Alison Fulton and Jang Evans 11-5, 11-3. In the mixed doubles final, Atul Edward and his partner Vivienne David won against Ajay Chaudhari and Vrushali Thakare 13-11, 12-10, the release said.
Manchester United names Ole Gunnar Solskjaer new interim manager
Premier League team Manchester United on Wednesday appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the interim manager of its first team until the end of the 2018-19 season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named Manchester United caretaker manager: club
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was on Wednesday named as Manchester United's caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. The former United striker will take charge of the first team with immediate effect and will remain in place while the club looks for a new full-time manager. He will be joined by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, working alongside Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. "Manchester United is in my heart and it's brilliant to be coming back in this role. I'm really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club," said the Norwegian. Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said: "Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles. "His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back. We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into ...
Astha Madan Tied-4th after third round at LET Q-School
Astha Madan carded a superb three-under 69 to finish in Tied-4th place after the third round of Lalla Aicha Tour School at Amelkis Golf Club. She is now 8-under and five shots behind leader England's Bronte Law who posted a course record-equalling 10-under-par 62 in the third round. Among the other Indians, Tvesa Malik (76) was T-25th, Diksha Dagar (77) was T-30th, while Vani Kapoor (71) was T-35th. Sharmila Nicollet (73) was T-65th, Saaniya Sharma (71) was also T-65th and Ridhima Dilawari (76)( further behind. With a 54-hole total of 13-under-par 203 in the 90-hole marathon qualifier, Law ended the day a stroke ahead of Sweden's Linnea Strm, who posted the 10-under at Amelkis in pre-qualifying last week. Manon Gidali from France is three strokes further back on nine-under-par. Law lowered by two the previous LET record for the number of consecutive birdies in a round and tied the total number of birdies, with 12. There is one more round to go before the field of 115 players will be ..
Bopanna-Divij given top billing at Tata Open
Asian Games gold medallist pair of Divij Sharan and Rohan Bopanna was Wednesday named as the top seed in the men's doubles event of the Tata Open Maharashtra, starting here December 31. Sharan, who briefly became India's number one doubles pair, and veteran Bopanna recently joined forces, keeping in mind the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Tata Open will be their first tournament together. Radu Albot and Malek Jaziri will be the second seed while Phillip Oswald and Tim Puetz are seeded third. The team of Marcelo Arevalo and Jamie Cerretani is seeded fourth. Veteran star Leander Paes will team up with Mexico's Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela with whom he won the Santo Domingo Challengher title and ended runner-up at Brest, Monterrey and Chicago in the 2018 season. Left-handed Jeevan Neduncheziyan has entered the main draw with American Nicholas Monroe, who is ranked 65th in the world. "It's a matter of pride for us to have Asian Games gold medallist Bopanna and Sharan to confirm their participation and
LA Galaxy sign forward Ibrahimovic to new contract
America's professional football franchise LA Galaxy announced that the club has signed forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic to a new contract that will keep the Swedish striker in LA for the 2019 MLS season.
Second Jr NBA Global C'ship to be held from August 6-11 next year
The second annual Jr NBA Global Championship, a youth basketball tournament for the top 13-and 14-year-old boys and girls teams from around the world, will be held from August 6 to 11 next year at the Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida. The National Basketball Association (NBA) on Wednesday announced the details of event and said 32 teams will participate in a week of on-court competition and off-court programming centered on the Jr NBA's core values of teamwork, respect, determination and community at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The NBA will introduce a new layer of local competitions in the US, including more than 20 local tournaments 14 of which will be hosted by NBA teams in their respective markets to expand the pool of participating boys and girls teams. Long-time league partner and leading basketball stakeholder USA Basketball will enhance all US competitions and help increase accessibility by accrediting local tournaments, again licensing participating ...