Page 73 - Sports

India beat UAE by nine wickets in World Cup

New Delhi, Feb 28 (ANI): India defeated UAE by nine wickets in their Pool B match of the cricket World Cup in Perth on Saturday. Opting to bat, UAE were all out for 102 in 31.3 overs and then India chased down the 103-run target, scoring 104 for one in 18.5 overs. India thus maintained their grip on the top spot in the league table with three wins from as many matches which took their points tally to six.

Cricket World Cup: India defeats South Africa by 130 runs

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): India has secured the release of Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar who had been in Taliban captivity in Afghanistan since June last year. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that he is in safe hands and will return to his home with his family shortly. He said that this has been a difficult eight months period where the government of India persuaded the matter relentlessly and that the prime minister has also been keeping track of the case. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight over the release of Father Kumar. "Delighted at securing the release of Indian Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar from captivity in Afghanistan. Have spoken to Father Alexis Prem Kumar. Informed happy family of Father Alexis Prem Kumar of his safe return after 8 months in captivity" the Prime Minister tweeted.

Honoured to be World Cup ambassador, says Sachin Tendulkar

Mumbai, Feb 08 (ANI): Battling legend of cricket in India, Sachin Tendulkar, said that he was honoured to be the World Cup ambassador at an event in showbiz capital Mumbai. Speaking to the thousands of fans gathered and shouting his name, Tendulkar said it's different being a World Cup ambassador this time. Meanwhile, Tendulkar also gave a message for the team. Tendulkar knew how fans think when it comes to big tournaments and said that winning is not always possible. So even if things go wrong for the team, the support should always be there. The World Cup 2015 will be played in Australia-New Zealand from February 14 to March 28. India will play their first match against arch rivals Pakistan on February 15.

Serena Williams wins Australian Open Tennis singles trophy

Australia, Feb 01 (ANI): Serena Williams posed with her trophy after she won the 19th Grand Slam in Melbourne, with a victory over Maria Sharapova in the final of the Australian Open. It was Williams' sixth title at Melbourne Park and it moved her into a tie with fellow American Helen Wills Moody in third on the all-time list after she joined Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert on 18 at last year's US Open. William's had been battling a cold and cough the entire tournament, so was reluctant to head out and celebrate after her win. Williams said she hopes she can be a good role model for children. Meanwhile, five times grand slam singles winner Martina Hingis won her second Australian Open mixed doubles title as she teamed with India's Leander Paes to beat last year's winners France's Kristina Mladenovic and Canada's Daniel Nestor 6-4 6-3. It was the first time the pair, who were seeded seventh, had played together at a grand slam.

Sportspersons feel proud as Obama names them in his speech at Sirifort

New Delhi/ Chandigarh, Jan 27 (ANI): Sportspersons on Tuesday expressed pride on being named by US President Barack Obama during his speech at Sirifort auditorium. Former Athelete Milkha Singh said that it is a matter of great honour that Obama is naming some sportspersons including him to boost their morale. Singh also said that such a thing is possible only because of PM Narendra Modi. Boxer Mary Kom said that she feels honoured to be one of the eminent sports personalities as to be remembered by the US President.

SC asks BCCI to conduct fresh elections within 6 weeks, refrains Srinivasan from contesting

New Delhi, Jan 22 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the BCCI to conduct fresh elections within 6 weeks and also refrained former BCCI President N Srinivasan from contesting. While asking Srinivasan to choose between Chennai Super Kings and BCCI chief's post, the Supreme Court held guilty his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra for betting in the IPL scam. The SC has barred Srinivasan from contesting elections till such time he had commercial interest in cricket. The apex court also struck down the controversial 6.2.4 clause that allows BCCI officials to own IPL teams and have commercial interests.

Justice Mudgal welcomes SC verdict on IPL

Jaipur, Jan 22 (ANI): Justice (Retd) Mukul Mudgal, who is also the head of the Mudgal Committee, on Thursday, welcomed the verdict of Supreme Court in IPL spot fixing case. Mudgal said that Supreme Court has given a welcome decision and added that his committee too had not found Srinivasan guilty of match fixing.

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.