Sports Stars

PM Modi lays emphasis on developing sporting talent at grassroots level

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid stress on Thursday on developing sporting talent at the grassroots level and said the Centre has increased the sports ministry's budget by three times since 2014. He also highlighted the importance of promoting millets, popularly known as "mota aanaj", for the better health of youngsters. The prime minister was virtually addressing the "Saansad Khel Mahakumbh" event being held at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and local MP Ravi Kishan were present at the venue of the event. Recalling the time when sports and games were part of village fairs where such activities were organised in the "akhadas", Modi lamented that these traditions are fading away. He referred to the physical education classes in schools that were relegated to "time-pass periods" and said this had led to the country losing three or four generations of sporting talent. Hailing events like "Saansad Khel Mahakumbh", Modi said, "Competitions at the regional

I still have lots of motivation: Novak Djokovic at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic clearly is not done dominating his sport. He says so. His coach says so. And, most importantly, his performances throughout a draining run to a record-extending 10th Australian Open championship and record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title, plus his return Monday to No. 1 in the ATP rankings, say so. His message Sunday night, essentially, was: Look out. I still have lots of motivation. Let's see how far it takes me. I really don't want to stop here. I don't have intention to stop here, the 35-year-old Djokovic said after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas, a man more than a decade his junior, by a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) score in the final at Melbourne Park. I feel great about my tennis. I know that when I'm feeling good physically, (and) mentally present, I have a chance to win any Slam against anybody. Hard to argue. Not only has no man won more major trophies ( Rafael Nadal also has 22; Margaret Court, with 24, and Serena Williams, with 23, are the only players in history with

Comeback trail: Sports stars who returned to make a mark after an accident

From Tiger Pataudi to Sandeep Singh, Rishabh Pant has examples to look up to

Nick Bollettieri, man who coached Agassi, Courier, Sharapova, passes away

In 2014 Bollettieri was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he became the first white man to be inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame

End of an era: Twitter reacts to tennis great Roger Federer's retirement

The 41-year-old further said that the Laver Cup exhibition in London next week will be the last competitive tennis that he is going to play and he will not be seen on tours and in grand slams anymore.

How technology played a part in India scripting triple jump history

Separated by visa issues, coach, athletes turned to WhatsApp; came home with gold & silver

Pro Kabaddi League: PKL 2022 auctions Day 1, players sold, team budget

Pawan Sehrawat becomes the most expensive player in Pro Kabaddi League, Fazel Atrachali bags Rs 1.38 crores, while few big names go unsold on Day 1 of PKL 2022 auctions.

On Sania Mirza's retirement announcement, Wimbledon says, 'will miss you'

Winner of six Grand Slam titles, including three mixed doubles trophies, Mirza will retire as India's most accomplished woman tennis player

Wimbledon 2022: Nick Kyrgios reaches quarterfinals after early scare

Nick Kyrgios of Australia made it to the quarterfinals for the first time in eight years at Wimbledon, beating American Brandon Nakashima in a thrilling five-setter here on Monday.

French Open should have more women's night matches: Billie Jean King

Only one of the 10 night sessions during this year's tournament featured women

It's now or never for top teams in Pro Kabaddi League playoffs race

Puneri Paltan will be hoping to get closer to a well-deserved playoff spot with a win against Bengal Warriors in their Pro Kabaddi League match here on Friday

Seville to be host city for Laureus World Sports Awards 2021

The Spanish city of Seville will host the 22nd Laureus World Sports Awards on May 6 in a virtual ceremony owing to the raging COVID-19 pandemic. Among the many big names who have had a year to remember and who will be in contention for the awards are Rafael Nadal, Lewis Hamilton, LeBron James, Robert Lewandowski (Sportsman), Naomi Osaka, Federica Brignone (Sportswoman). Fomer Portugal footballer and Laureus Academy Member Luis Figo said: "As a Laureus Academy Member who lives in Spain, I am really happy that the 2021 Awards will be hosted in the country again. "The last was in Barcelona in 2007, which is a long time. A big thank you to everyone in Seville who is making this possible at a difficult time," he added. Juan Espadas, the Mayor of Seville, said: "It is a great pleasure for us to join with Laureus for the 2021 World Sports Awards, especially at such a moment as this for the City of Seville, which is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the Ea

In praise of sports stars leaving money on the table

Pro athletes accepting sub-market value contracts are making a business judgment