Page 892 - Sports

World record holders Kipchoge and Mayer nominated for athlete of the year

The world's fastest marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge and world decathlon record holder Kevin Mayer are among five nominees for the IAAF's male athlete of the year, the federation announced on Tuesday. The Kenyan and Frenchman are joined on the shortlist by the quickest person over 60m indoors American Christian Coleman, European pole-vault champion Armand Duplantis from Sweden and Asian Games 400m hurdles champion in Qatar's Abderrahman Samba. The contenders for the women's prize were announced a day earlier with Kenya's 3000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, 100m European champion in Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith, Colombia's Diamond League long and triple jump title holder Caterine Ibarguen, the Bahamas' 200m Diamond League gold-medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo and European heptathlon champion in Belgian Nafissatou Thiam all included. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Monaco on December 4 after voting from the IAAF's Council, IAAF members and the

Boyle bags brace against Lebanon as Socceroos bid farewell to Tim Cahill

Australia defeated Lebanon 3-0 in a friendly match on Tuesday, as the Socceroos bid farewell to Tim Cahill, the country's record goalscorer.

AC Milan's former Chinese owner Li thwarted in Ronaldo bid

AC Milan's former owner Li Yonghong wanted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo a year before the five-time Ballon d'Or winner joined Juventus but was persuaded they could not afford him, ex-club chief executive Marco Fassone said on Tuesday. Fassone -- ousted along with Li from the debt-ridden Italian club last summer -- was speaking as Milan's representatives met with UEFA officials in Nyon, Switzerland on Tuesday amid impending sanctions for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. "Mr. Li wanted Ronaldo because he believed he (Ronaldo) had great strength in the Chinese market," Fassone told Italian daily newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. "The player wanted to leave Madrid. We met in July 2017 with his agent (Jorge) Mendes, to check the costs and availability of the player. Then I persuaded Mr. Li to let go of the dream, because Ronaldo was too expensive." Li purchased the seven-time European champions from former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi for 740 million euros ($845 million) ..

Domestic matches abroad need approval of federations, confederations: UEFA

The UEFA president asserted ton Tuesday hat any domestic league matches played abroad must be approved by the two national federations involved, as well as by the corresponding continental confederations.

Marathon world record holder Kipchoge named for IAAF award shortlist

Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge, who broke the marathon world record in Berlin two months ago, was named to a five-man shortlist for the 2018 Male World Athlete of the Year, the IAAF announced Tuesday.

Real Madrid prepare for Eibar clash as some international players return

Real Madrid's squad on Tuesday continued to prepare for the upcoming La Liga match against Eibar, as some of the players who had been on international duty returned to training, according to the Spanish football club's website.

Four Indians enter medal round of Boxing Worlds (Day Roundup)

Five-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom became the first Indian on Tuesday to enter the medal round of the 10th AIBA womens World Boxing Championships at the packed K.D. Jhadav Hall here.

Atletico's Costa, Savic, Hernandez, Koke, Lemar ready for Barça clash

Five injured Atletico Madrid players were back in action during Tuesday's practice, just in time for the upcoming clash with La Liga leader Barcelona.

Philippe Coutinho set for Barcelona return

Barcelona forward Philippe Coutinho has returned to training ahead of this weekend's La Liga match against Atletico Madrid after missing two weeks with a thigh problem, the club announced on Tuesday. The 26-year-old former Liverpool player has not featured for the side at the top of the table since the 1-1 Champions League draw at Inter Milan on November 6. Barca's last game was a 4-3 home defeat to Real Betis on November 11, their first league loss at the Camp Nou in more than two years. Reports in the Spanish press say the world's third most expensive player could be given the green light on Friday to feature in Saturday's first against third clash against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano. It would be a boost for coach Ernesto Valverde who is already without the injured and suspended Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

Australians cannot play like pussycats against Kohli: Kim Hughes

Australian players cannot be "pussycats" while dealing with Virat Kohli during the series against India and they must get under the skin of the world's premier batsman, feels former captain Kim Hughes. Australia have gone quieter on the field in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. The findings of an independent review blamed Cricket Australia for creating a 'win at all costs' environment that led to the infamous incident in Cape Town. However, Hughes sees nothing wrong in exchanging a word or two with India captain Kohli. "You are not going to become pussycats. That's not racially vilifying him (Kohli) at all or anything like that but just a good stare, or a couple of words, that's part of the Australian way. Most blokes' nicknames are usually when you have a stuff-up, not when you have a had a glorious moment," Hughes was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. "If he (Kohli) is not the best player in the world, he is in the final two or three ... I think ..

PKL-6: Tamil Thalaivas beat Telugu Titans 27-23

Tamil Thalaivas produced a solid all-round performance to beat Telugu Titans 27-23 in the southern derby of Pro Kabaddi Season 6 at the The Arena by Transstadia here on Tuesday.

Thalaivas beat Telugu Titans 27-23 in PKL

Tamil Thalaivas produced an all-round performance to beat Telugu Titans 27-23 in the southern derby of Pro Kabaddi League season 6 here on Tuesday. This was Tamil Thalaivas first win over Telugu Titans in PKL. Ajay Thakur scored eight points for Tamil Thalaivas and Manjeet Chhillar chipped in with three crucial tackle points. Rahul Chaudhari scored eight points but it was Telugu Titans defence that let them down as they scored just seven tackle points in the match. Sukesh Hegde made a two-point raid in the first minute to give Tamil Thalaivas 2-0 lead. Chaudhari opened his account in the second minute as Telugu Titans leveled the match at 2-2. After five minutes both the teams were tied at 4-4 but a super tackle by Tamil Thalaivas tilted the balance in their favour as they went on a four-point run to lead 8-4. The Titans defence got into the act with two quick tackle points to reduce the lead to 6-8. Thakur's successful raid in the 15thminute led to an all out on Tamil Thalivas as the

Bangladesh's Krida Shiksha Prothistan wins Subroto Cup football

Bangladesh's Krida Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP) defeated Amini School of Afghanistan by a solitary goal to win the 59th edition of the Subroto Cup international football tournament here on Tuesday. Habibur Rahman scored the lone goal of the match in the 11th minute to help the Bangladesh outfit clinch the U-17 school tournament. A total of 95 teams, 1500 players 149 officials participated in the event, making it one of the biggest tournaments in its category in the entire soccer world. There were eight teams from three overseas countries -- Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Best goalkeeper award was won by Pranub Limboo of Govt Senior Secondary School, Namchi, Sikkim and the best Player award was presented to Mohammad Nemil of Reliance Foundation School, Mumbai. Raghu Kumar of Army Boys Sports Company, Banglore won the best coach award while the Fair Play Trophy was bagged by Reliance Foundation School, Mumbai. The award for most contributing school in football was won by NNMHSS, ...

'Magnificent Mary' and 3 from young brigade assured of medals in Boxing Worlds

The celebrated Mary Kom Tuesday became the most successful pugilist in the Women's World Championships history by assuring herself a seventh medal while three more Indians reached the semifinals to be assured of their maiden medals here. The 35-year-old Mary, a mother of three, defeated China's Wu Yu 5-0 in the light flyweight (48kg) category quarterfinals to enter the last-four stage and be assured of at least a bronze. Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Sonia Chahal (57kg) and Simranjit Kaur (64kg), part of India's young brigade in the boxing team, also reached the semifinals to be assured of medals in their debut World Champinshiips. The 21-year-old Borgohain, an Asian Champrionships bronze medallist last year, beat Scott Kaye Frances of Australia in the quarterfinals in a unanimous decision while Sonia, also 21, was a 4-1 split decision winner against Maecela Yeni Castenada of Columbia. Simranjit, 23, had a difficult fight against Amy Sara Broadhurst of Ireland but eventually won the ...

Tanmay ton takes Hyderabad to 232/3 against Delhi

Tanmay Agarwal scored his seventh first-class hundred to guide Hyderabad to 232 for three against Delhi on the opening day of a Ranji Trophy Group B match here Tuesday. Opener Tanmay batted the entire day and was unbeaten on 112 alongside Bavanaka Sandeep (24). Hyderabad were in a spot of bother at 52 for two before Tanmay and Himalay Agarwal (66) shared a 135-run stand to put their team in a strong position. Tanmay's sublime knock included 10 fours and two sixes. Barring left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra (2/61), Delhi bowlers were not able to make an impact. Delhi have fielded a depleted attack in the game in the absence of Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini, who are on India and India A duty respectively. Senior player Gautam Gambhir is also not playing the game due to a shoulder niggle. Brief scores: 232/3 in 90 overs (Tanmay 112 batting, Himalay 66; Mishra 2/61).

Vedanta Football Academy may be recognised under Khelo India:

Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Tuesday said vedanta football academy might be recognised as a partner under the 'Khelo India' programme. He said the best way to go ahead in sports is to develop partnerships with the people, NGOs or private companies. "We will hopefully very soon be recognising Vedanta Football Academy as our partner in Khelo India," the minister said addressing an event at the academy, located at Sankhalim village, 40 kms away from here. "We have 80 academies that are affiliated with 'Khelo India' of which 50 per cent are private academies. The idea is that we share the responsibility of developing sports in our country," he added. Responding to a question, Rathore said a team of Khelo India will visit the academy before finalising their empanelment.

AIBA extends removal of accreditation to Stanimira Petrova

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) on Tuesday has extended the removal of accreditation to Bulgarian boxer Stanimira Petrova due to her unacceptable and unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of her bout against Sonia Chahal of India.Reflecting on the same, AIBA Executive Director Tom Virgets said, "The Bulgarian boxer Stanimira Petrova has shown inappropriate behaviour at the conclusion of her participation in the event. After 197 bouts in five days conducted under the highest standards of level playing field Petrova has made false and misleading statements regarding the AIBA Official.""In doing so, she (Petrova) has disrespected her opponent (Sonia), the judges, the referee, the event organisers (Boxing Federation of India), and AIBA. Unfortunately, her actions are reflective of her coach (Petar Yosifov Lesov) who disrespects and tries to damage the credibility of the sport we all love and defend," he added.While talking about the fairness in the prestigious tournament,

World T20: India hopes to overcome English pressure

After squeezing past England to ensure top spot in the final Group-A fixture, West Indies will be now up against Australia in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World T20 while India takes on England in the second semi-final.This fixture has refreshed the 2017 World Cup finals when India lost by nine runs to England. But this time 'Women in Blue' would be eager to avenge the loss, when both the sides meet on Friday.Following the nerve-wracking match that had fans on the edge of their seats in 2017, Indian skipper Mithali Raj had stated: "It wasn't easy for England, but have to credit them as they kept their nerve. There was a time when the match was in the balance, however, we panicked and they came out victorious."Meanwhile, Australia's Anya Shrubsole, who ripped through the lower middle-order (6/46) to set up her side's fourth title win, said: "It is a fitting World Cup finale. There was a huge amount of pressure, but we showed a huge amount of fight and that was epitomised."A year .

Bowlers help Tamil Nadu dominate Andhra Pradesh

A four-wicket haul by medium-pacer M Mohammed and two late strikes by spinner R Sai Kishore helped Tamil Nadu reduce Andhra to 198 for 8 at stumps on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Group B match at the CSR Sarma College Ground here Tuesday. Sent into bat by the visiting team, Andhra lost the openers early as Mohammed and comeback man T Natarajan struck in the fifth and sixth overs. Jyothisaikrishna (58) and Ricky Bhui (22) strung together a partnership of 40 runs for the third wicket to revive Andhra. However, Mohammed removed Bhui and captain B Sumanth (1) to peg back the home team. Jyothisaikrishna and Girinath Reddy (69 batting) were involved in a half century partnership before Mohammed got the wicket of the former. Natarajan sent back Shiv Charan Singh for the addition of one run to leave Andhra at 142 for 6. Reddy then added 53 runs with Shoaib Mohammed Khan (26) to lend respectability to the score. Lanky Left-arm spinner Sai Kishore castled Khan and K V ...

India batting coach Bangar send to Sydney to help Test specialists

The T20 series is starting tomorrow, but Indian team management has decided to send its batting coach Sanjay Bangar to Sydney to help Test specialists prepare for the five-day rubber starting December 6. India will be playing their opening T20 match in Brisbane on Wednesday but Bangar will be helping out the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari, who will be having their net session in Sydney for the next five days. "Our batting coach Bangar has reached Sydney with one of our throwdown expert Nuwan and a logistics manager. The Test specialists have also arrived from New Zealand. They will train under Bangar ahead of the first class match on November 28," a BCCI official privy to development told PTI on Tuesday. The decision was taken primarily because among the ones who are not playing the T20s, there is one teenage opener (Prithvi Shaw), one rookie middle order batsman (Hanuma Vihari). "Both Prithvi and Hanuma are on their first tour of Australia. Till November 25, they would be ...