Page 74 - Sports

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.

Fans throng New Delhi to catch glimpse of ICC World Cup Trophy

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): Thousands of fans thronged New Delhi to catch a glimpse of the World Cup Cricket trophy, the most coveted sports award which is on a six city tour. From Bengaluru, the trophy tour arrived at its fourth stop and the glittering prize was displayed at a city mall. Models participated in a fashion show carrying flags of the participant countries. The trophy was unveiled by Indian Video Jockey Anusha Dandekar who was the show stopper at the gala event. Thousands clicked pictures of the trophy and Dandekar, who posed for the shutterbugs. The trophy is travelling between December 2nd and 7th around the cities of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Jalandhar and Ahmedabad.

World Cup 2015: Selection purely based on present performance and requirement of time, says BCCI

Mumbai, Dec 3 (ANI): BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel on Thursday while commenting over the 30 names of probable players list for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to be held in Australia and New Zealand said that selection is purely based on the present performance of the cricketers and the requirement of time. He added that the captain's view has already been considered and things have been discussed with him. He further stated that the process has already been completed; there is no scope of any further change in the list.

Selectors' prerogative to choose World Cup team: Rajeev Shukla

New Delhi, Dec 04 (ANI): The selectors of Indian cricket team for World Cup 2015 have finalised a list of 30 probable candidates ignoring the major five players like Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir. Congress leader and Former IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla said on Thursday that it is up to the selectors to choose the players. He also said that young blood has been given opportunities in this World Cup.

Virender Sehwag says don't ban bouncers in wake of Hughes' death

Mumbai, Dec 03 (ANI): Indian batsman Virender Sehwag said that banning bouncers following the death of Australia's Phillip Hughes would be unfair on bowlers because batsmen always have the option of ducking under short-pitched deliveries. Hughes, who would have been 26 at the weekend, died last week from an injury caused by a ball striking him on the back of the head during a domestic match, triggering a huge outpouring of grief in Australia and around the world.

PV Sindhu feels great to end her year with defending title

Hyderabad, Dec 03 (ANI): Badminton player PV Sindhu, who clinched the Macau Open title for the second consecutive time, said that she felt great to end year by winning and was looking forward to head into the next season brimming with confidence. During a news conference along with her coach and former badminton player Pullela Gopichand, the two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sindhu said in Hyderabad city that this win had boosted her confidence and hopefully it would help her win more titles next year. Meanwhile, former badminton player and Sindhu's coach Pullela Gopichand, said the young shuttler who currently rated at 11 in Badminton World Federation (BWF), should focus only on playing good in big matches.

Irfan Pathan remembers Phillip Hughes

Mumbai, Nov 30 (ANI): Indian cricketer and fast bowler Irfan Pathan remembered Phillip Hughes who died after being struck on the head by a bouncer while playing a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Hughes died in hospital in Sydney on Thursday, two days after he was struck on the head, casting a pall over a cricket-mad nation which is co-hosting the World Cup early next year. Pathan said that the cricketing world had lost a great talent. Pathan recalled the incident when his bouncer had hit Zimbabwe batsman MA Vermeulen back in 2004. Cricket balls are roughly the same shape and size of a baseball but harder and heavier. Fast bowlers regularly bowl at speeds of 140kph and short-pitched balls, known as 'bouncers', are often used as a tactic to intimidate batsmen. The funeral of Hughes, will take place in his hometown of Macksville on Wednesday (December 3).

Australia batsman Phillip Hughes dies from head injury

Sydney, Nov 27 (ANI): Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes passed away on Thursday as he succumbed to injuries that he had suffered when struck by a bouncer at the SCG on Tuesday. The 25-year-old South Australian batsman, who was pushing for a Test recall against India in Brisbane next week, was knocked out after the ball made impact under his helmet, behind his left ear. Hughes collapsed on the pitch before being rushed to Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital. He underwent emergency surgery and was put in an induced coma but never regained consciousness. "We are extremely sad to announce that Phillip Hughes has passed away at the age of 25," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Sachin appeals to India to back boxer Sarita Devi

New Delhi, Nov 26 (ANI): Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday reiterated his support for ace Indian boxer Sarita Devi and also urged the nation to support her. Sachin, who met sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi, said that he had received assurance from the sports minister as well as boxing federation regarding the same.

Boxer Manoj Kumar finally receives his Arjuna Award

New Delhi, Nov 26 (ANI): Boxer Manoj Kumar, a 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, who was earlier denied the Arjuna Award, India's second highest sports award, received the honour on Wednesday (November 26) after he challenged the decision in court. The Delhi High Court on September 17 had said that a decision was taken in favour of Kumar, who had dragged the Arjuna Award selection committee to court after he failed to appear on the list of nominees for the same. The controversy started when Kumar, with 32 points, the highest score among the boxers who had applied for the honour, was left out of the final list of Arjuna Awardees while Jai Bhagwan, who had two points less than Kumar was shortlisted for the award. Kumar, who received the Arjuna award from Sports Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, expressed his happiness.

SAI says it wants Terry Walsh to continue as hockey coach

New Delhi, Nov 24 (ANI): The Director General of Sports Authority of India said on Monday that they want Jiji Thomson to continue as the coach of Indian hockey team. Thomson said that the matter regarding Walsh was between him and Hockey India so they have to mutually decide what steps to take. He added that SAI wants Terry Walsh to continue but there are some issues which are not solvable and which is why other options need to be considered.

First Asian T-20 Cricket Cup for the Deaf and Dumb commences in Dharamsala

Dharamsala, Nov 22 (ANI): Differently-abled cricketers showcased their talent on the cricket grounds of Dharamsala at the maiden Asian T-20 Cricket Cup for Deaf and Dumb. The tournament has been organized by the Delhi Deaf and Dumb Cricket Society. Teams from Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India are set to battle it out on the fields of the International Dharamsala Cricket Stadium. The tournament which started on November 20 will go on till November 23. Spokesperson of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), Sanjay Sharma, said that the organization aimed to make the game available to all sections of society. Cricketers from the five south Asian countries were delighted to be able to play as they try hard to win.

Team India departs for Australia to play four-test match series

Mumbai, Nov 22 (ANI): The 19-member Indian cricket team departed from Mumbai to play the upcoming Australia tour commencing from December 04 to January 06. Brisbane hosts the first of the four-test match series in which Virat Kohli will lead team India. Skipper and captain of Indian cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni, however, will take command of the team in the subsequent match which is scheduled for December 12 in Adelaide. In his absence, Naman Ojha and Wriddhiman Saha have been roped in as keepers.

SC does not agree to let Srinivasan contest BCCI elections

New Delhi, Nov 10 (ANI): The Petitioner in IPL spot fixing case said on Monday that the Supreme Court heard the case on IPL match fixing and did not agree to Srinivasan's Counsel's demand fro letting him contest the BCCI elections.