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Sports Ministry recommends Saina's name for Padma Bhushan

Haridwar/ Bengaluru, Jan 05 (ANI): The Sports Ministry has recommended Badminton player Saina Nehwal's name for Padma Bhushan after she said she was hurt as her name was not recommended to a panel for the award. Expressing her joy, Nehwal said that she was happy at the quick action taken by the Sports Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal. She also said that she was upset at the kind of news spread by media regarding the way her request was put up as a demand. She added that being a sports person her duty is to play for the country irrespective of the fact whether she gets the award or not. Meanwhile, Wrestler Sushil Kumar congratulated Saina for being recommended. Kumar's coach and a former wrestler Satpal Singh hailed Nehwal's achievements, but described Kumar's contribution to sports as "outstanding".

Somdev Devvarman to face Taiwan's Yen - Hsun Lu in Chennai Open first round

Chennai, Jan 04 (ANI): Tennis player Somdev Devvarman is set to compete against Taiwan's Yen-Hsun Lu in the first round of singles matches in the upcoming ATP Aircel Chennai Open tournament. Devvarman said that Yen would be a tough competitor. Yen became the first Taiwanese player to break into the ATP top 100 in 2004. Other big names in the tournament include Stan Warwinka, Feliciano Lopez and Leander Paes. Director of Aircel Chennai Open 2015, Tom Annear, said that the competition was a balance of veterans and newcomers. The Chennai Open is part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour 250 series. The 2015 edition will be the ATP's 20th. The tournament consists of 40 tournaments with 250 rankings points to win for the matches' singles champions.

Saina Nehwal expresses disappointment over Padma Bhushan award snub

Bengaluru, Jan 03 (ANI): Olympic bronze-medalist Badminton ace Saina Nehwal on Saturday expressed disappointment after the Sports Ministry decided to reject her application for the prestigious Padma Bhushan award this year, citing norms. Nehwal said she felt bad that her name was not recommended to Ministry of Home Affairs for Padma Bhushan by Sports Ministry. She added that since she performed well last year, she felt that her case should also be considered.

Fans urge Dhoni not to retire from test format

Ranchi /Vadodara /New Delhi, Jan 01 (ANI): Fans of cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni took to streets and urged him to take back his decision of retirement from test cricket. The third test between Australia and India in Melbourne failed to deliver a nail-biting finish on Tuesday (December 31) but ended with a draw tinged with controversy and the shock retirement of long-serving India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni from test cricket. Dhoni pulled the pin on his 90-test career to concentrate on the shorter formats of the game. Fans were disappointed and shouted slogans in Dhoni's hometown of Jharkhand. The statement issued by BCCI said, 'One of India's greatest Test Captains under whose leadership India became the Number 1 team in the Test Rankings MS Dhoni, has decided to retire from Test Cricket citing the strain of playing all formats of Cricket. Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad termed Dhoni's decision as unfair.

MS Dhoni takes retirement from test matches, Kohli to lead India at Sydney

New Delhi, Dec 30 (ANI): Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has chosen to take retirement from test cricket, on Tuesday, after which Virat Kohli will be leading India in Sydney. BCCI said in a statement- "One of India's greatest Test Captains, MS Dhoni, has decided to retire from Test Cricket citing strain of playing all formats of Cricket." "BCCI while respecting the decision of M S Dhoni to retire from Test Cricket, wishes to thank him for his enormous contribution to Test Cricket and the laurels that he has brought to India." "Virat Kohli will be the captain of Indian Team for Fourth and Final Test against Australia to be played in Sydney from 6th January 2015", it added. Dhoni played 90 Tests for India, scoring 4876 runs. He effected a total of 294 dismissals.

Indian Olympic Association to give cash award to medalists

Chennai, Dec 20 (ANI): The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced cash reward for the medalists of recent Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Asian Beach Games. IOA president N. Ramachandran announced the same while briefing media at the end of the Executive Council meeting in southern Chennai city. The IOA would also provide annual grant of rupees 300,000 for each National Sports Federation and State Olympic Association.

Tamchon Football Tournament attracts many spectators in New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 17 (ANI): Thousands of football lovers from the national capital flooded the Dr Ambedkar stadium in Delhi to witness the closing ceremony of the eighth Tamchon Football tournament. A total of 16 teams, comprising of players from the northeast, participated in the tournament to promote peace, friendship and unity among the youth of the country. The final match between Hmar FC and Siamsinpawlpi (SSPP) attracted a large crowd. The event was organized under the aegis of Tanghkul Naga Society, Delhi with support from various government and private agencies. Such events help to make Delhi'ites aware of sporting talent from the Northeast. Hmar FC won by 6-5 over SSPP by penalty goal. The winning team received the winning Trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh while the SSPP FC bagged the runners-up trophy with a cash prize of Rs 3 Lakh.

Happy that I can participate in Olympics atleast, want to thank those who supported me throughout: Sarita Devi

Imphal, Dec 17 (ANI): Boxer Sarita Devi on Wednesday thanked the Sports Minister, Boxing India, SAI, Sachin Tendulkar and the entire nation for supporting her. Even as the International Boxing Federation AIBA has imposed one year ban on Sarita as she refused to accept her bronze medal in the Asian Games which took place in Incheon this year, the boxer expressed happiness that she would get a chance to participate in the Olympics. Sarita will be eligible to return to action by November 2015, in time for the women's Olympic qualifiers for the Rio Games in 2016. The world boxing body also handed down two-year bans, ending Oct 1, 2016 to the 29-year-old boxer's husband Thoiba Singh

Germany beat Pakistan to win Champions Trophy

Bhubaneshwar, Dec 15 (ANI): Olympic champions Germany proved too strong for Pakistan in hockey's Champions Trophy final. Goals from Christopher Wesley in the 18th minute and Florian Fuchs three minutes from time were enough to give Germany a superb 2-0 victory over Pakistan, with a sell-out crowd witnessed the Germans claim their 10th Champions Trophy Gold medal but their first since 2007. The Bronze medal contest between Australia and India ended in another medal for the World Cup winners, who overcame the host nation to take a 2-1 win. Eddie Ockenden silenced the crowd with a field goal in the 18th minute.India got back on level terms from a penalty corner on 42 minutes, Lalit Upadhyay eventually putting the ball in the back of the net. But Australia took the win when Matt Gohdes netted eight minutes from time.

India's Blind World Cup winning team calls on PM Modi

New Delhi, Dec 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met victorious Blind Cricket team, who won the fourth ODI Blind Cricket World Cup beating Pakistan in South Africa.The team got a rousing welcome after returning from South Africa in New Delhi. Modi congratulated the cricketers and said that they had also inspired many physically challenged people through their feat.The cricketers presented Modi with a special cricket ball signed by them. Meanwhile, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot organized a felicitation ceremony for them in New Delhi. Sonowal said he was happy and wished them good luck.

Victorious Indian blind cricket team receives warm welcome in New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 10 (ANI): Supporters and cricket authorities thronged New Delhi airport on Wednesday when the Indian visually impaired cricketers returned home after winning the fourth ODI Blind Cricket World Cup. India defeated defending champions Pakistan to win the 4th Cricket World Cup for the Blind by 5 wickets on Sunday (December 07) in Cape Town. In reply to Pakistan's 389, India scored 392 with two balls to spare. Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot and Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar were among others who received the team and congratulated it for the victory. Captain Shekar Naik was all praise for the efforts put in by the team to win the maiden title. Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal promised all help to the team, including better infrastructure.

More teams may feature in next IPTL, Happy with its success: Mahesh Bhupati

New Delhi, Dec 09 (ANI): International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) founder Mahesh Bhupathi said there was a possibility of having two more teams next year, adding every franchise would keep their players for at least two seasons. Bhupathi said the IPTL will have a NBA kind of draft. Meanwhile, Bhupathi said he was lucky to have Federer playing in the league. After the three-day event in New Delhi, the league will conclude in Dubai on December 11. The IPTL, which concluded in India on Monday (December 08), saw world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Swiss superstar Roger Federer played against each other for the first time in India who gave their best performance for cheering fans in a jam packed stadium in New Delhi.

Roger Federer to return to Brisbane to start 2015 season

New Delhi, Dec 09 (ANI): Roger Federer will be returning to Brisbane International in January to start his 2015 season and warm up for the year's first Grand Slam at the Australian Open. The 17-times grand slam champion hopes the beginning of the year to be interesting and aspires to be in tip top shape for next year's tennis season. World No.1 Novak Djokovic, No.2 Roger Federer, No.3 Rafael Nadal along with 2013 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray comprise the so-called 'Big 4' of modern day tennis. Replying to questions on his admiration for tennis legend Pete Sampras, Switzerland's star player said that he will always derive motivation from him and will always be an inspiration for his career. Meanwhile, Serbian Novak Djokovic shared his views over unpredictability in sports and said that it was difficult to name a few favourites for the Grand Slam title.

Pete Sampras says immediate resurgence in American tennis not to be seen

New Delhi, Dec 09 (ANI): The sorry state of American men's tennis will continue for some time with no real talent on the horizon, said Pete Sampras who dominated the game in the 1990s with fellow American Andre Agassi. No American has won a men's grand slam singles title since Andy Roddick triumphed at the 2003 US Open and only five of them feature in the top 100 with John Isner highest at 19th. Tennis legend said that it will be quite a while to see American tennis back to where it was years back.

Roger Federer says playing in India is cool moment of his career

New Delhi, Dec 8 (ANI): Switzerland's Tennis player Roger Federer said on that it was exciting and a cool moment of his career to play in India for the very first time. Federer played in India for the first time when he turned up for Indian Aces against Singapore Slammers in the third leg of International Premier Tennis League (IPTL). Federer added that International Premier Tennis League is an interesting concept to promote tennis in a country like India. Federer further stated that IPTL is a good concept to take tennis to the new market and new countries to increase fan base. The tournament kicked off in Manila, Philippines on November 28 before moving on to Singapore. After the three-day event in Delhi, the league concludes in Dubai on December 11.

ISL Young Champs Programme kicks off in Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 07 (ANI): Founder and chairperson of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), Nita Ambani, on Sunday launched the Indian Super league (ISL) grassroots football movement at a school in Mumbai. The ISL Club programmes, which aim at talent-scouting across India, kick starts in early 2015 and will nurture 5,00,000 school children. It is a joint effort of eight ISL clubs and three India based non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Also present at the event was Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan, who along with Ambani, motivated children to take part in the game enthusiastically. Best players among children will be selected for Young Champs scholarship which will last for a period of three-to-seven-years and will also provide for the children's educational expenses.

Mary Kom roots for fair judgement in sports

Gurgaon, Dec 07 (ANI): Supporting her teammate, Sarita Devi, for a disputed decision in 17th Asiad, Indian boxing star MC Mary Kom said on Sunday that referees should pronounce fair judgment in sports. The boxer was chief guest at the sports event of a school in the business city of Gurgaon where the students performed drills, march past and participated in the final rounds of different games. The boxer said that referees should be impartial and fair. Kom added that there should be a discipline and game spirit in sports. She also said that parents should motivate their children for sports.

Cricket World Cup Trophy reaches Punjab

Jalandhar, Dec 07 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Robin Singh unveiled the World Cup Trophy won by India in 2011, as fans turned up in large numbers to catch its glimpse in Jalandhar city Punjab. The trophy tour arrived at its fifth stop from Bengaluru, where it was displayed at a city mall. Singh, who unveiled the trophy, was optimistic that the team would win the 2015 World Cup. The trophy is travelling between December 2nd and 7th around the cities of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Jalandhar and Ahmedabad.

Hockey Champions Trophy unveiled in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Dec 06 (ANI): The International Hockey Federation (FIH) unveiled Hockey Champions Trophy in the presence of captains of eight participating countries in Bhubaneswar. The nine-day tournament, which is regarded as the third biggest prize in the sport after the Olympics and the World Cup, kicks off on Saturday with India-Germany match. Captain of Indian Hockey team, Sardar Singh, hoped for an enthralling game. Indian team recently won the Asian Games gold medal after a gap of 16 years, which also fetched them qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. FIH representative, Kenneth Eric Reid, was impressed with the facilities for the players at the stadium. Captain of Australian Hockey team, Eddie Ockenden, believed any team can win the trophy.

Indian fans keen to watch Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at IPTL in New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): Tennis fans are all set for a showdown as grand slam winners like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will be playing for the first time in India, at the third leg of the inaugural International Premier Tennis League (IPTL). The tournament kicked off in Manila, Philippines on 28th November and now has come to New Delhi before concluding in Dubai on December 13th. For the first time Indian tennis players will play alongside Federer. The event is based on the India-based cricket league by adding bright lights, glitz, glamour and audience participation to a fast-paced format. Meanwhile, Serbia's Tennis Star Ana Ivanovic said that she is enjoying her time playing tennis with the team. Bigger crowds are expected to come out on Monday (December 08) when Indian Aces will play against UAE Royals with Federer and Djokovic going against each other.