Page 19 - Sports

Ind vs WI: Team West Indies gears up to bounce back

Jamaica, Aug 30 (ANI): After suffering defeat in 1st Test against India, players flexed their muscles for 2nd and final Test match in Jamaica. Hosts have failed to win even a single match in the entire bi-lateral series. West Indies lost T20 series by 3-0 and ODIs by 2-0. Skipper Jason Holder said that players are analysing the situations as much as they can to put runs on the board.

Olympics, CWG bigger than cricket events: Virender Sehwag

Mumbai, Aug 30 (ANI): Veteran former cricketer Virender Sehwag during an event in Mumbai ranked sporting events like Olympics, Commonwealth Games above cricketing events. "When I used to play cricket, I always followed Olympics and Commonwealth Games as I always considered these events bigger than cricket. I always used to wonder what the facilities these athletes were given, and I was astonished to know that despite lack of facilities, much less than cricket, they were performing so well, so they deserve way more than what they get." said Sehwag.

Sai Praneeth expresses happiness over getting Arjuna Award

New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): Indian badminton player Sai Praneeth will receive Arjuna Award on August 29. The accolade is an honour bestowed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in order to recognise the achievement of athletes. While speaking to ANI, Praneeth said, "I am feeling really happy for getting the Arjuna Award. Also, I am really happy that it came immediately after I won bronze medal." Sai Praneeth has also won a bronze medal in BFW World Championships on August 27. He said, "World Championship is a very big event and I think every player dreams of getting a medal in it. I am feeling really blessed and happy to become a medalist in the World Championship." On question about challenges, Praneeth said, "There are challenges in every tournament. Each round is new and one needs to be focused."

Awards are form of recognition of hard work which motivates player: Shooter Gagan Narang

New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): Indian Shooter Gagan Narang will be conferred with Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar on August 29 in the national capital. President Ram Nath Kovind will present him this award on the occasion of National Sports Day. While speaking to ANI, Gagan Narang said, "Awards are a form of recognition of your hard work and no player think about receiving the award while playing. Awards are like a part of motivation and encouragement. It gives new and positive energy to a player which inspires them to do better." "In 2005, I won Arjuna Award and now I am receiving this award which is a special moment for me," he added. In the last eight years, Narang has set up 16 training centres across the country as part of the Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation (GNSPF) to teach and promote shooting to young aspirants.

Dream come true, says heptathlete Swapna Barman on being choosen for Arjuna Award

New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): Asian Games gold medal-winning heptathlete Swapna Barman is excited to be chosen for the Arjuna Award. Expressing her joy, she said that it's a dream come true for her. She thanked Sports Authority of India and Athletics Federation of India for their support and recommending her name for the prestigious award. Swapna, who has six toes on each feet, became the first Indian to win a heptathlon gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

PV Sindhu lauds Sai Praneeth for his performance at World Championships

Hyderabad, Aug 28 (ANI): Indian star shuttler PV Sindhu congratulated her fellow shuttler Sai Praneeth for becoming 1st male in 36 years to win a medal at BWF World Championships. Sindhu who won historic gold medal in the tournament, while talking to ANI said, "After 36 Sai played very well and after 36 won bronze, it's a proud moment for our country, lots of player are doing very well in men's as well women's circuit."

Bhubaneswar gets provisional clearance for FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Tournament Director

Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Aug 28 (ANI): Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium got a provisional clearance as the first venue for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup India 2020, the Organising Committee confirmed on August 27. The other venues are Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Goa. However, all these venues are yet to get infrastructure clearance. Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee Roma Khanna said they are happy to give a provisional clearance to the city of Bhubaneswar. "We are happy to give a provisional clearance to the city of Bhubaneswar and confirm them as the first venue for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup to be provisionally selected," said Khanna. Moreover, the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will be the first FIFA competition for women in the country and the second overall to be held in India.

PM Modi meets PV Sindhu, calls her India's pride

New Delhi, Aug 27 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met shuttler PV Sindhu on August 27. Sindhu became the first-Indian to win a BWF World Championships gold medal. She defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara in finals of tournament on Aug 25. She returned to nation on August 27 morning. PM Modi also tweeted about the meet and called her 'India's pride'.

Sumit Nagal becomes 1st Indian to take a set off Roger Federer

New Delhi, Aug 27 (ANI): Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal won first set against Roger Federer in the first round of US Open. Nagal became the 1st Indian to take a set off Roger Federer. While speaking to ANI on Sumit's win, Krishna, mother of Sumit Nagal said, "We were happy to see him play today's match. Sumit idolises Rafael Nadal. I hope Sumit does well in future and continues to bring glory to the nation."

PV Sindhu receives grand welcome at Delhi Airport

New Delhi, Aug 27 (ANI): Indian star shuttler PV Sindhu arrived in India after achieving historic feat at the BWF World Championships. Swarm of people welcomed her at the airport. Sindhu became first ever Indian to win gold at world championship. She achieved the glory by defeating Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7.

I'll get many more medals for the country: PV Sindhu

New Delhi, Aug 27 (ANI): After clinching historic gold at BWF World Championships, PV Sindhu arrived in India on wee hours of August 27. India's star shuttler thanked fans for support and love and said that because of their blessings and love she achieved this glorious feat. She said that she wishes to win more and more medals for the country.

Ind vs WI: Team's support helps to express myself, says Hanuma Vihari

Antigua, Aug 26 (ANI): Indian middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari, who played a crucial knock of 93 runs in the second innings of the first test against West Indies, which lost the match with a hefty margin of 318 runs, said the trust of the team gives him the freedom to express himself on the field. West Indies had forced India to bat first after winning the toss in the test match, but the tides turned in India's favour as the match progressed. Men in Blue had given WI a laborious target of 419 runs in the second innings on the back of Ajinkya Rahane's century and Vihari's solid 93-run inning. The WI boys crumbled under the pace attack of Jasprit Bumrah who completed his fourth five-wicket haul.

'No point in dropping our heads': WI Skipper Holder after losing against India in 1st test

Antigua, Aug 26 (ANI): After the West Indies lost the first test against India by a hefty margin of 318 runs in Antigua, the Caribbean skipper, Jason Holder, said although there is so much to be disappointed with his team's performance, there was no point in "dropping our heads". Holder also said the teammates should uplift themselves before going for the second and final test of the series in Jamaica. West Indies had forced India to bat first after winning the toss in the test match, but the tides turned in India's favour as the match progressed. Men in Blue had given WI a laborious target of 419 runs in the second innings on the back of Ajinkya Rahane's century and Hanuma Vihari's solid 93-run inning. The WI boys crumbled under the pace attack of Jasprit Bumrah who completed his fourth five-wicket haul.

BWF World Championships 2019: PV Sindhu's family celebrates her glorious win

Hyderabad, Aug 25 (ANI): Family of PV Sindhu celebrated her win at BWF World Championships in Hyderabad. She won her first gold in Switzerland's Basel. Sindhu defeated Nozomi Okuhara of Japan to win her first gold at the BWF World Championships 2019. "We are very happy, we were waiting for that gold medal. She trained hard for this," said PV Sindhu's Mother.

PV Sindhu creates history, becomes first Indian to win BWF World Championship

New Delhi, Aug 25 (ANI): World's no. 5 shuttler PV Sindhu on Sunday defeated her familiar foe Nozomi Okuhara of Japan to win her first gold at the BWF World Championships 2019 in Switzerland's Basel. Indian star-shuttler made an impressive start to the match with incessant attacking mixed with variety of defence. Sindhu created history by becoming the first Indian to win BWF World Championship. She earned the title of world champion by crushing Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7. This much-awaited gold has further added another laurel to Sindhu's illustrious CV at the World Championships.

Ravi Shastri has been around for while, wish him luck for coming tournaments: Sourav Ganguly

Mumbai, Aug 24 (ANI): While attending a sports event in Mumbai on August 23, former Indian cricket team captain and batsman Sourav Ganguly said, "Ravi Shastri has been around for a while, he has completed 5 years. He has got an extension for two more years. So, I wish him luck and hopefully, India can go all the way in the two major tournaments that are coming in the next two years."

Ind vs WI: Ishant Sharma's 2 caught and bowled was turning point of game, says Ravindra Jadeja

Antigua (West Indies), Aug 24 (ANI): After winning the toss and putting India to bat on Day 1 of the first test match, the hosts (West Indies) utilised the bowling conditions in the first two sessions by sending India's top order batsman back to the pavilion. Later, chasing India's first innings score of 297 on Day 2 of the 1st test match in Antigua, West Indies have ended the day at 189/8 in 59 overs, still trailing India by 108 runs. Ishant Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief for the visitors, as he romped to his 9th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. While addressing the post match press conference in Antigua, the all-rounder batsman of the Indian cricket team Ravindra Jadeja said, "It really feels overwhelming when captain trust you and consider as a main player of the squad. It really boosts up my confidence level which is a positive thing as a player for me." Talking about Ishant Sharma's performance Jadeja added, "Taking two catches was the turning point of the game. He did those two

Chhattisgarh High Court lawyer claims himself to be descendant of Lord Rama

Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), Aug 23 (ANI): High Court advocate Hanuman Prasad Aggarwal filed an affidavit in Supreme Court on August 22. In an affidavit, he claimed himself to be descendant of Lord Rama, while speaking to mediapersons, he said, "Recently Supreme Court asked if there are any descendants of Lord Rama? Knowing about it, I filed an affidavit by collecting evidence from internet and it is also written in Agar Bhagwat that Maharaja Agrasen, the ancestral man of the Agrawal community, is 34th generation of Kush, son of Lord Rama. All Agarwals, who are sons and grandsons of Maharaj Agrasen are Lord Rama's descendants."

Three women flee with jewellery from shop in AP's Srikakulam, act caught on CCTV

Srikakulam (AP), Aug 23 (ANI): In a broad daylight incident, four women posing as customers decamped with gold and silver ornaments from a jewellery shop in Srikakulam district's Palakonda town in Andhra Pradesh. According to police, the women went to Naidu jewellery shop on Thursday posing as customers and stole the jewellery in broad daylight. The mischief of the three women was caught on the CCTV camera installed in the shop. In the video, one of the women can be seen hiding the ornaments under her saree while the staff is busy showing jewellery to another woman. The women then smartly leave the store. The police scanned the footage and identified the culprits. A case has been registered in this matter and a search operation has been launched for the women thieves.

Ind vs WI: Start of our inning was freaky as wicket was tricky and sticky, says Ajinkya Rahane

Antigua (West Indies), Aug 23 (ANI): With the two-match test series against the West Indies, India began their campaign in the World Test Championship on August 22. India scored 203/6 in 68.5 overs against the West Indies at stumps on Day 1. While addressing the post match press conference in Antigua, Vice-Captain and batsman of the Indian test cricket team Ajinkya Rahane said, "The start of our inning initially was freaky as wicket was very tricky and sticky. I thought West Indies bowler did pretty well in that session." "The partnership between me and KL Rahul was crucial in that particular situation. Our actual motive was to play one ball at a time in the first session," Rahane added.