Page 58 - Sports

29 injured after football stadium barrier collapses mid match

France, Oct 01 (ANI): At least 29 people were injured, including five seriously wounded, when safety barriers collapsed at a French Ligue 1 game between Amiens and Lille on Saturday. Television pictures showed dozens of Lille supporters falling on top of each other after a barrier at the Stade de la Licorne broke seconds after Lille scored in 15th minute of the local northern derby match. Amiens president Bernard Joannin, whose stadium opened in 1999, told a news conference that there had been no signs of any problems with the barrier and appeared to put the blame on hardcore ultra fans from Lille. Safety at French soccer stadiums has improved drastically since 1992 when 18 people were killed after a stand collapsed at the Armand Cesari Stadium before a French Cup game between hosts Bastia and Olympique de Marseille.

India-Australia ODI series: Team Australia sweats it off in ground

Bengaluru, Sep 26 (ANI): Australian Cricket Team hit the ground to practice ahead of the fourth ODI in Bengaluru. Led by Captain Steve Smith, the Kangaroos were seen having a rigorous practice session on Tuesday ahead of their upcoming ODI in five match-ODI series against India on Thursday. While both teams are toiling hard to beat each-other, rain might interrupt the 4th ODI between India and Australia. Many parts of Bengaluru had witnessed heavy rain, which will continue in next 24 to 48 hours. India is already a clear winner with a lead of 3-0 after its glittering victory in third ODI in Indore on Sunday.

PV Sindhu recommended for Padma Bhushan by sports ministry, says she is very happy

Hyderabad, Sep 25 (ANI): The Sports Ministry on Monday recommended ace badminton player PV Sindhu for the prestigious Padma Bhushan, nation's third highest civilian award, for her contribution to the game. Talking to ANI, Sindhu expressed her happiness for being nomination and said that she is very happy and thanked the government and the sports ministry. Recently, Sindhu also took a sweet avenge of her World Championship final defeat to Nozomi Okuhara by beating her in the summit showdown of the Korea Open. She became the first Indian to win the Korea Super Series title.

Former Olympic Gold medalist Asli Cakir Alptekin banned for life

London, Sep 24 (ANI): Asli Cakir Alptekin, who won gold at 2012 London Olympics in 1500m race, before being stripped of the title, has been banned for life by the Turkish Athletics Federation for a third doping offence. Alptekin won the 1500 metres title in London, a race where six of the first nine finishers have served drugs bans before or since, leading some to refer to it as the "dirtiest race in history". The 32-year-old was stripped of her 2012 Olympic and European titles in 2015 and suspended for eight years by the Turkish Athletics Federation. She returned to the track this year, however, after the ban was halved and its start date backdated to 2013. She finished 11th in the European Champion Clubs Cup Cross Country event in Portugal in February.

Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar up for FIFA award

New Delhi, Sep 23 (ANI): There were few surprises as FIFA announced their shortlist for the Best FIFA men's player of the year award. Last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo has again been nominated after guiding Real Madrid to a Champions League, La Liga double. His main rival, Barcelona's Lionel Messi, has also been nominated with former team-mate Neymar, who moved to Paris St. Germain for a world record fee this summer. Last year was the inaugural edition of the Best FIFA Football Awards, which is aimed at reviving FIFA's own award for the world's best player.

British cyclist breaks Guinness record by circling the world in 78 days

Paris (France), Sep 20 (ANI): British endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont smashed the Guinness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation, finishing ahead a day and a half of his goal of 80 days. He arrived in Paris on Monday. Beaumont set himself the challenge of cycling around 18,000 miles (29,000km) across the planet. His trip saw him heading east across Europe through Poland, Russia, Mongolia and China before hopping onto a plane and cycling from Perth to Brisbane across the deserts of Australia and cycling again through New Zealand before crossing North America from Alaska to eastern Canada and finally starting again from Lisbon and cycling back to Paris.

Zinedine Zidane extends his contract as coach with Real Madrid

Madrid (Spain), Sep 20 (ANI): Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has renewed his contract with the Spanish giants, although the deal has not yet been announced officially. The Frenchman announced the news while addressing a press conference in Madrid that, along with various players' contracts in recent weeks he too has extended his deal, which was set to expire at the end of this season. Zidane took charge of Real in January 2016 and has led them to consecutive Champions League trophies and their first La Liga title since 2012, as well winning the UEFA Super Cup twice and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Sports enthusiasts flock to Dal Lake as 'Jashn-e-Dal' kicks off

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Sep 19 (ANI): Sports enthusiasts and locals were all in cheer as the three-day-long water sports festival, 'Jashn-e-Dal', kicked off in the Srinagar Valley on Monday. The festival, which aims at promoting the spirit of sportsmanship among the youth of Kashmir Valley, is being organised by the state police under civic action programmes in collaboration with the Kashmir Water Sports Association. Director General of Police (DGP), SP Vaid, was in attendance during the colourful opening ceremony at Nehru Park, Dal Lake.

Briton Gary Hunt wins the Red Bull Cliff Diving Mostar round

Mostar (Bosnia And Herzegovina), Sep 17 (ANI): Gary Hunt won the Red Bull Cliff Diving Mostar round on Saturday. Hunt scored only his second victory of the season to reclaim the lead at the top of the men's competition standings, beating American Steven LoBue into second place with wildcard entrant series debutante Nikita Fedoto v of Russia taking a surprise third place. It was Hunt's 30th victory in 64 tournaments. The next and final round in the championship will be in Chile on October 21.

We are backing Ajinkya Rahane at top order: Virat Kohli

Chennai, Sep 16 (ANI): Indian Cricket Team Captain Virat Kohli on Saturday addressed mediapersons ahead of first One Day International in five-match series against Australia. The skipper said the team is backing Ajinkya Rahane on the top of the order as he knows how to balance. Kohli added that Rahane knows his plans are clear and India is backing him at the top of the order. The first one-day international against Australia is scheduled to take place on Sunday in Chennai.

Team India practice ahead of first ODI against Australia

Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Sep 16 (ANI): The Indian Cricket team was seen having a rigorous practice session on Saturday ahead of their first ODI in five match-ODI series against Australia tomorrow. Virat Kohli and his team are all set to face the series. The first one-day international against Australia is scheduled to take place on Sunday in Chennai. In a press conference on Saturday, Captain Virat Kohli had hinted at inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane at the top of the order. Rahane is likely to open the innings with Rohit Sharma in the first ODI against Australia.

'We just have to get better': All Blacks' coach Hansen after win over Argentina

New Plymouth (New Zealand), Sep 10 (ANI): The All Blacks were again their own worst enemies despite scoring six tries in their 39-22 victory over Argentina in their Rugby Championship match. The world champions produced a muddled display, characterised by poor decision-making and execution of basic skills that put them under pressure until they finally seized some semblance of control of the game with 30 minutes remaining.

U-17 FIFA World Cup trophy arrives, on display at South City International School

Kolkata, Sep 02 (ANI): The 'City of Joy' welcomed the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy on Friday with traditional rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal sharing the dais. FIFA winner's trophy has been kept on display at the Mission XI Million festival in South City International School today. Eco Park, Kolkata's popular attraction, will host the trophy on September 3 before it heads to Mumbai, Goa and Kochi. Football fans from across the city rushed to get a glimpse of the silverware and clicked selfies. The FIFA World Cup theme song will be launched in Mumbai on September 6. The five FIFA legends- Marcel Desailly, Fernando Morientes, Jorge Campos, Emmanuel Amuneke and Carlos Valderrama- will take part in an exhibition match, which will kick off one-month countdown.

'I try to contribute to team, it benefits both': Wriddhiman Saha on his brilliant wicket-keeping

Colombo (Sri Lanka), Aug 07 (ANI): Indian cricket team wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha said it gives him a boost to receive such overwhelming comments from coach and captain on his glovework behind the stumps, adding that it was not an easy pitch to play. Saha further said, he had no plans to become the world's best wicket-keeper and is only trying to deliver what he has learnt in his journey so far. Recollecting the words of his coach, Saha said he told him to perform well and it will automatically bring him fame. The wicket-keeper said he only tries to contribute to the team and it benefits both.

WBO Asia Pacific: Vijender Singh dedicates his victory to India-China peace

Mumbai (Maharashtra), Aug 06 (ANI): Ace Boxer Vijender Singh on Saturday dedicated his victory in the 'WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental Super Middleweight Title'. After his win, the boxer offered to return the prestigious title to his Chinese opponent Zulpikar Maimaitiali in a bid to ease the tensions between India and China. "It's about peace, that's why I gave my belt to him, saying that don't come to my territory," Singh said after the match. Singh won a 10-round bout against Maimaitiali.

Watch: Indian cricket team practice session in Sri Lanka

Colombo (Sri Lanka), Aug 02 (ANI): Ahead of the upcoming Test match against Sri Lanka, the Indian cricket team was seen attending a practice session in Sri Lanka's Colombo. Earlier, Indian skipper Virat Kohli addressed mediapersons in Srilanka's Colombo on Wednesday and cleared the air that KL Rahul will open the innings for Indian cricket team in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Rahul will definetly come back to team, says Kohli

Colombo (Sri Lanka), Aug 02 (ANI): Indian skipper Virat Kohli addressed mediapersons in Srilanka's Colombo on Wednesday and cleared the air that KL Rahul will open the innings for Indian cricket team in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday. The Indian skipper said that Rahul has been our established opener and he feels one of the openers will have to make way for Rahul. Kohli further added that what he has done for us in the last two years has been solid and he deserves to come back and start afresh in Test cricket.

This team can do things that no other Indian team has done: Ravi Shastri

Colombo (Sri Lanka), August 01 (ANI): Ahead of India's second test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Indian team's Coach Ravi Shastri stated that the present Indian team can do things that probably no other Indian team has done till date. Further, Shastri complimented Skipper Virat Kohli and said that "he can be up there with the very best."

Sania Mirza praises Indian Women's cricket team, says Mithali Raj is incredible ambassador for cricket

Hyderabad, July 26 (ANI): Ace Tennis player Sania Mirza recently praised the Indian Women's cricket team and its skipper Mithali Raj for their excellent performance in ICC Women's World Cup. Sania said Mithali Raj has been performing amazingly for many years, she is an incredible ambassador for the game of cricket. She really hopes this appreciation that all the girls are getting continues because they deserve it.

'Women's Big Bash League' transformed Harmanpreet, says skipper Mithali Raj

Derby (England), July 21 (ANI): Indian Women's Cricket Team skipper Mithali Raj hailed Harmanpreet Kaur's brilliant innings of 171 not-out, and said that that a big performance like that of her deputy was needed to beat a champion side like Australia in the Women's World Cup semi-final. Speaking at a press conference Mithali Raj, praised Harmanpreet's knowledge of Australia's bowlers and gave courtesy to her stint at the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), which ultimately helped the Women in Blue plan for the semi-final.