Author: Abhishek Shukla

Owner of Sports India Live.
by Abhishek Shukla

‘Injury break made me a better & more mature player,’ says Sumit Nagal after Australian Open 2024 Round 1 heroics

Mumbai, January 16, 2024: Earlier today, Sumit Nagal roared in glory when the Indian tennis sensation won the first round of the Australian Open and became the first Indian male player since Ramesh Krishnan in 1989 to beat a seeded player at a Grand Slam. After achieving this historic feat, he sat down for a post-match interview with Sony Sports Network, the official broadcaster for the tournament in India, explaining his injury struggles, game strategy, and preparations for the upcoming game. 

Discussing his struggles with injury in the past few months and how that helped him, Sumit explained, “The last 12-18 months had been both good and bad. Bad due to my injury, and good because I learned a lot during my break. When I returned to the court after the injury, it made me a better and more mature player. I felt and understood tennis much better, and I think that is paying off on the courts.” 

Later, Sumit went on to explain his mindset when he saw Alexander Bublik talking a lot to himself and his box between 1st and 2nd serves, “When I saw him doing that, I knew I have to be there and just have to give him another ball. Serve a lot of first serves, and not give him chances too many times, and I think that worked well for me. Make him move a lot, and get him more and more annoyed.” 

After defeating the World Ranked No 27 player in straight sets and achieving the unthinkable, Sumit concluded with his preparation strategy for the upcoming game, saying, “The plan for tomorrow is to take it easy, do ice bath, get some massage, get some extra hours in sleep. That’s a very typical day-off routine for me.” 

Can Sumit Nagal create history and enter the 3rd round? Watch Sumit Nagal against J.C. Shang in the 2nd round of the Australian Open on January 18th, live only on Sony Sports Network. Sony Sports Network will bring all the LIVE action from the tournament in English and Hindi, while Tamil and Telugu language feeds will be added from the Quarterfinals stage onwards. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Ajinkya Pawar’s Super 10 propels the Tamil Thalaivas to big win against Patna Pirates

16th January, Jaipur: The Tamil Thalaivas dominated the entire match against Patna Pirates to record a 41-25 victory in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 on Tuesday. Ajinkya Pawar was the star for the Thalaivas with 10 points on the night, meanwhile, raider Narender chipped in with 6 points.

Narender picked up a couple of raid points as the Thalaivas inched ahead at 4-2 in the third minute. However, Sudhakar effected a magnificent raid to level the scores at 4-4. But Ajinkya Pawar and Sagar picked up a raid and tackle point respectively to reduce the Pirates to just three members on the mat.

The Thalaivas rode on the momentum and inflicted an ALL OUT to take a massive lead at 12-6 in the 11th minute. Sagar continued to shine as the Thalaivas extended their lead further at 16-8 in the 14th minute. The side from Tamil Nadu found a way to stop Sudhakar and Sachin from scoring raid points consistently and eventually went into the break leading at 20-11.

Pawar effected a fantastic raid in the opening minutes of the second half and reduced the Pirates to just two members on the mat. Moments later, the Thalaivas inflicted another ALL OUT to lead comfortably at 25-11 in the 24th minute. Ankit pulled off a brilliant tackle on Narender in the 29th minute, but the Thalaivas continued to dominate at 31-14.

The Tamil Thalaivas continued to put pressure on their opponents for the rest of the game and eventually closed out a comprehensive victory.

Please see below the PKL Season 10 match on 17th January

Game 1 – Dabang Delhi KC vs Gujarat Giants- 8 pm

Game 2- Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Haryana Steelers – 9 pm 

Venue: Jaipur

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ Hotstar.  

by Abhishek Shukla

Rashmikaa-Vaidehi pair in quarterfinals of doubles at KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open

Bengaluru, Jan 16: Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty made amends to her loss in the qualifying round as she combined with Vaidehi Chaudhari to enter the quarterfinals of the women’s doubles of the KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open being played at the KSLTA Stadium. In a pre-quarterfinal tie, the all-Indian pair defeated the Indo-Taipei combination of Rutuja Bhosale and En Shuo Liang 7-5, 6-0.

In the other last 16 matches held here on Tuesday, Sharmada Balu and Sravya Shivani Chilakalapudi overcame the duo of Sai Samhitha Chamarthi and Soha Sadiq 7-6 (4), 6-4.

The other Indian to advance to the quarterfinal stage was the fast-recovering Prarthana G Thombare who combined with Anastasia Tikhonova to beat the wild card entrant duo of Humera Baharmus and Saumya Vig 6-4, 6-3.

The US $ 40,000 prize money event was inaugurated by Ms. Hilary McGeachy, the Consul General of Australia in Bengaluru along with Hephsibha Rani Korlapati, Additional Secretary, Govt. of Karnataka and

In the only two singles matches held during the day, Sakura Hosogi of Japan overcame a fighting Camilla Rosatello of Italy 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3 while Dalila Jakupovic of Slovakia breezed past Sahaja Yamalapalli 6-2, 6-3.

Results

Singles (Round of 32)

Sakura Hosogi (JPN) bt Camilla Rosatello (ITA) 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3; Dalila Jakupovic (SLO) bt Sahaja Yamalapalli (IND) 6-2, 6-3.

Doubles (Round of 16)

2-Prarthana G Thombare (IND)/Anastasia Tikhonova bt WC-Humera Baharmus (IND)/Saumya Vig (IND) 6-4, 6-3; Saki Imamura (JPN)/Naho Sato (JPN) bt 3-Sofya Lansere/Ankita Raina (IND) 6-3, 6-1; Polina Kudermetova/Ekaterina Yashina bt Ekaterina Makarova/Carole Monnet (FRA) 4-6, 6-4, 10-8;Yu-Yun Li (TPE)/Eri Shimizu (JPN) bt 4-Diana Marcinkevica (LAT)/Sapfo Sakellaridi (GRE);Sharmada Balu (IND)/Sravya Shivani Chilakalapudi (IND) bt Sai Samhitha Chamarthi (IND)/Soha Sadiq (IND) 7-6 (4), 6-4; Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty (IND)/Vaidehi Chaudhari (IND) bt Rutuja Bhosale (IND)/En Shuo Liang (TPE) 7-5, 6-0.

by Abhishek Shukla

Hockey India congratulates Udita on completing 100 international caps  

Ranchi, 16th January 2024: Hockey India congratulated Udita on completing 100 International Caps when India took on Italy in their final Pool B match of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium on Tuesday here in Ranchi, Jharkhand. 

Udita, who hails from Haryana, has played the role of a defender for the Indian Women’s Hockey team with aplomb ever since she made her debut in 2017. She played a significant role in the team that won the Silver Medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and was also a part of the squad that finished second in the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy at Donghae. Udita represented India at the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup in London where India finished in eighth place.  

The speedy defender was a part of India’s fourth place finish in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her contribution was crucial in India winning the Bronze medal at the 2022 Women’s Hockey Asia Cup held in Muscat, Oman. The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England saw the Indian Women’s Hockey Team finishing in third place and Udita was a part of the squad.  

In December 2022, India beat the host nation Spain in the Women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup finals at Valencia to win the Gold medal. Udita’s equalizer in the semi-finals against Ireland was critical to the team’s success. She was also a part of the squad that won the Bronze medal in the Asian Games in Hangzhou that ended in October, 2023. Udita’s most recent achievement was winning the Gold medal with the Indian team at the 2023 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy at Ranchi, Jharkhand.  

When asked about the monumental achievement, she said, “It is an absolute honour for me to be able to have represented the country in 100 matches. There have been ups and downs but that’s what has made this journey worthwhile. Playing such a special game in front of your home crowd is the cherry on top. None of this would’ve been possible without the support of my family, friends, teammates and support staff. No words can describe how grateful I am to all of them for their constant backing.”  

Congratulating Udita on achieving this milestone, Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Kumar Tirkey said, “A heartfelt congratulations to Udita on this commendable achievement. It is one that she can be extremely proud of just as we are. Her contribution to Indian hockey is immeasurable and I’m sure she’ll continue to persevere with her tremendous efforts.”  

by Abhishek Shukla

Nagesh Trophy: Telangana, Uttar Pradesh qualify for Super 8 Stage

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 16, 2023: Telangana on Tuesday beat Jammu & Kashmir by 1 run in the eliminator match of the ongoing 6th edition of the IndusInd Bank Nagesh Trophy – Men’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2023-24 at JB Cricket Ground in Hyderabad.

With this win, Telangana qualified for the Super 8 stage of the Nagesh Trophy and became the 8th team to do so after Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Opting to bat first, Telangana smashed 101/5 in the 10 overs with Nikhil Bathula scoring 54 of 32 balls. Jammu & Kashmir started off well with Mohd Azeem smashing each and every corner of the ground. However, Telangana restricted them at 100, hence winning the match by 1 run. Nikhil Bathula was adjudged as the Player of the Match.

Earlier on Sunday, Uttar Pradesh defeated Tripura by 138 runs at Manas Sports Academy in Lucknow. Opting to bat first, Uttar Pradesh scored 180 in the allotted 20 overs and then restricted Tripura to 42/10. Chandan Kumar who scored 45 off 32 balls was named as the Player of the Match.

Following the conclusion of the League Stage in December 2023, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi had qualified for the Super 8 stage following their exemplary performances. Uttar Pradesh and Tripura, Telangana and Jammu & Kashmir locked horns in the Eliminator games.

Super 8 stage of Nagesh Trophy will begin on January 29 following an inauguration in Nagpur on January 28. The Super 8 stage will run for three days and the semi-finals will be played on February 1. The finals of the megaevent will take place on February 2 in Nagpur.

Nagesh Trophy was launched in the memory of Late Shri SP Nagesh, Founder President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India and Founder Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. The launch of the tournament brought together the entire blind cricket community into one huge platform, by creating a milestone in the blind cricket history. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Priyanshu Rajawat, HS Prannoy kicks off campaign with contrasting wins at Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2024

New Delhi, January 16, 2024: Upcoming shuttler Priyanshu Rajawat came from a game down to upset Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lakshya Sen while Asian Games bronze medallist HS Prannoy packed off Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen in straight games on the opening day of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2024, organised by Badminton Association of India, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here on Tuesday.

Rajawat, who was part of the country’s 2022 Thomas Cup winning squad, showcased remarkable resilience to secure a 16-21, 21-16, 21-13 victory over his illustrious compatriot while Prannoy defeated Chou 21-6, 21-19 to advance to the second round of the Super 750 badminton tournament.

With the second men’s singles berth for the Paris Olympics up for grabs, the clash between Rajawat and Sen was always going to be the highlight of the opening day.

Former champion Sen was the first to get off the blocks as he pocketed the opening game only for Rajawat to step on the accelerator. The 21-year-old, who had lost in the only previous meeting between the two on the BWF circuit at the Japan Open 2023, then showed the maturity to extend the rallies and temper his aggression to win the 75-minute encounter.

Reflecting on his victory, Priyanshu Rajawat expressed, “Today marked my first good game in quite a while, especially after the break I took due to my back injury. Lakshya is a very good friend of mine but it was important for me to win this match against him and progress to the next round. I stuck to my natural playing style throughout and despite losing the first game, I was determined not to let go of the second and third games at any cost. I am looking forward to the next game against HS Prannoy and want to give my 100% to win.”

He will now face eighth seed HS Prannoy in the second round.

Earlier, world no. 8, dominated the opening game against Chou and then fought back from a 11-16 deficit in the second game by winning six straight points to take a 17-16 lead and then wrapped up the match in 42 minutes.

“The planning was pretty spot on in the first game. I got to understand that he was not able to get the length properly in the first game, so I had to wrap it up really quickly before he got into that rally mode. In the second game, as expected, he started to push the speed and was able to finish a lot of shuttles from behind. I didn’t hit really hard towards the end of the game and was trying to play softer shots,” said Prannoy after the match.

Prannoy also thanked the crowd for supporting him when the chips were down and said he expected the support to go up as the tournament progresses.

Meanwhile, India’s Kiran George fought valiantly but endured a 12-21, 15-21 loss against Wang Tzu-Wei of Chinese Taipei in his tournament opener.

In women’s doubles action, Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda went down against Yeung Nga Ting and Yeung Pui Lam of Hong Kong 6-21, 7-21.

The Chinese contingent made their mark on Day One of the HSBC BWF Super 750 event with Asian Games 2022 gold medallist Li Shi Feng securing a hard-fought victory in men’s singles and two-time World Championships bronze medallist He Bing Jiao advancing in women’s singles.

While Feng prevailed over 2019 World Championships 2019 bronze medallist Kantaphon Wangcharoen of Thailand with a 19-21, 21-15, 21-15 win, Bing Jiao defeated 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Michelle Li of Canada 21-17, 21-15.

Reigning men’s doubles world champions Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung Jae of South Korea kicked off their campaign with a convincing 21-18, 21-14 victory over Garmany’s Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel.

The tournament will be broadcast on Eurosport and JioCinema and badminton lovers can enjoy watching the action on all six days as BAI has decided to keep the entry for the tournament for free.

by Abhishek Shukla

85th Sub-Junior and Cadet National TT-Day 1

Indore, January 16: Justifying their top-seed position, the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board Academy (PSPB-A) boys have entered the pre-quarterfinals of the 85th UTT Sub-Junior and Cadet National Table Tennis Championships at the Abhay Prashal Indoor Stadium, here today.

With a new foreign expert in place, it sounded like a clear warning to the other title contenders in the Under-15 category that they would have to do a lot of homework.

The team had the foresight and courage to tinker with two combinations. So precise was its planning and execution as its boys thrashed Chandigarh and Chhattisgarh 3-0, thanks to Sahil Rawat, Ronald Sarkar, Rushikesh Jagtap and Sarthak Arya. The foreign expert of the team mix-matches with the combines, and they came out with flying colours to make the grade.

In the group qualification race, leaders West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Assam more or less sealed their top spots in their respective groups. Though they have a match each for the league engagement to end, the results will hugely alter their fortunes.

However, the last round of group matches will decide the fate of the other teams, including the borderline cases, that can occupy the second spots of their groups. 

Hosts Madhya Pradesh is one of the teams going through such a situation. Having beaten Rajasthan (TTFI-2) in their second round, the MP boys have kept their qualification chance intact. Rhythm Gada beat Bhuvanesh Meena 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 to provide the launching pad.

Abu Baker consolidated the position, winning against Moulik Rajawat 11-5, 14-12, 11-6. In the third rubber, the doubles pair of Abu and Bhavyansh made a rough weather before overcoming Yogesh Thanvi and Krishna Purohit to win 7-11, 16-14, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8.

However, they cannot rest on the one-match win laurels as they have to beat Odisha in the last round to take the second spot in Group G. But Odisha, too, will fancy its chance in the group. 

Kerala and Rajasthan (TTFI-1), NCOE and Pondicherry, UP and Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab, Haryana and Andhra, J & K and Goa in the other groups are sailing in the same boat. As for Group A, the winners of the Chandigarh-Chhattisgarh match will decide who advances to the second stage.

However, qualifier Gujrat from Group G had the match of the day against Odisha, who proved a hard nut to crack. Gujarat began inauspiciously losing their first rubber when Jigyanshu Sahoot beat Malav Panchal 11-4, 11-8, 11-7. But Abhilaksh Patel restored parity, beating Anupam Das 3-11, 11-5, 11-3, 7-11, 11-3.

Gujarat’s doubles duo Sujal Kukadia and Arya Kataria consolidated, downing Jigyanshu and Anupam 10-12, 12-14, 11-7, 11-7, 11-3. But Jigyanshu beat Abhilaksh 12-14, 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6 to take the issue to the decider. However, Malav made amends for the earlier loss to outplay Anupam 13-11, 11-9, 11-5.

Team Results: U-15 Boys: 

(Rounds 1 and 2):

Group A: PSPBA bt Chandigarh 3-0; PSPBA bt Chhattisgarh 3-0.

Group B: West Bengal bt Kerala 3-0, Rajasthan (TTFI-1) bt Meghalaya 3-0; West Bengal bt Rajasthan (TTFI-1) 3-0, Kerala bt Meghalaya 3-0.

Group C: NCOE bt Pondicherry 3-0, Telangana bt Manipur 3-0; Telangana bt NCOE 3-1, Pondicherry bt Manipur 3-0.

Group D: Karnataka bt Uttarakhand 3-1, Uttar Pradesh bt Uttarakhand 3-0; Karnataka bt Uttar Pradesh 3-0, Uttarakhand bt Jharkhand 3-0.

Group E: Tamil Nadu bt Punjab 3-0, Delhi bt Bihar 3-0; Tamil Nadu bt Delhi 3-0, Punjab bt Bihar 3-0.

Group F: Maharashtra bt Haryana 3-0, Andhra Pradesh bt Daman & Diu 3-0; Maharashtra bt Andhra Pradesh 3-0, Haryana bt Daman & Diu 3-0.

Group G: Gujarat bt Madhya Pradesh 3-0, Odisha bt Rajasthan (TTFI-2) 3-0; Gujarat bt Odisha 3-2, Madhya Pradesh bt Rajasthan (TTFI-2) 3-0,  

Group H:  Jammu & Kashmir bt Goa 3-1, Assam bt Himachal Pradesh 3-0; Assam bt Jammu and Kashmir 3-2, Goa bt Himachal Pradesh 3-0.

by Abhishek Shukla

Chennaiyin outshine Gokulam Kerala 2-0 in Kalinga Super Cup 2024

Bhubaneswar, January 16, 2024: Strikers Connor Shields and Irfan Yadwad struck a goal each in either half as Chennaiyin FC beat Gokulam Kerala FC 2-0 in the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 Group C match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Tuesday.

Shields scored the opening goal in the 25th minute before substitute Yadwad netted the second in the 64th minute to hand Chennaiyin a crucial victory.

Owen Coyle’s men will now take on Mumbai City FC in their final group stage match on Sunday. The top team from each group will qualify for the semi-finals as the winner of the tournament will also secure themselves a spot in the 2024-25 AFC Champions League 2 Group stages.

Chennaiyin, who drew against Punjab FC in their opening match, began cautiously and took time to settle down against the Kozhikode-based outfit.  

They created a chance as early as in the fourth minute but Rahim Ali’s left-footed shot from close range went wide off the post.

Chennaiyin grew in confidence as the game progressed and Shields broke the deadlock to put them ahead with a 1-0 lead. Ankit Mukherjee made an over-lapping run to find the Scottish striker, who converted it with a fluent strike from a tight angle.

The Marina Machans continued to play aggressively as play resumed after the break and controlled the ball well in the opposition’s half. They doubled the lead in the 64th minute when Yadwad received a long ball from Lazar Cirkovic and slotted it through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Trailing by two goals, Gokulam Kerala  struggled to retain possession and things got even worse for them when they were reduced to 10 men with more than 20 minutes left in the match. Rishad was sent off with a red card for bringing down Yadwad as the last man.

Chennaiyin did enough to keep their grip on the match until the final whistle to complete a comfortable win which also ended the Malabarians’ challenge in the tournament.

by Abhishek Shukla

With one eye on playoffs, Haryana Steelers gear up for table-toppers Jaipur Pink Panthers

Jaipur, January 16th 2024: With seven wins in 12 games this season so far, the JSW Sports-owned franchise Haryana Steelers are sitting among the top five in the points table. Steelers will be looking to avenge their previous loss to Jaipur Pink Panthers, when they  face the current table-toppers on Wednesday at SMS Indoor stadium, Jaipur.  The last time the two teams faced off against each other, Jaipur had picked a 45-34 win over Haryana.

The Steelers will look to end Jaipur’s five-match winning streak, when they step out to the mat. The Pink Panthers have won 9 out of their 13 games so far, with only two losses to their name. The Jaipur crowd has shown up in large numbers to the stadium over the past few days in a strong show of support to their home team, but Haryana Steelers Head Coach Manpreet Singh says his side cannot let the pressure of the moment affect them.

“Our aim is to win all our remaining matches and qualify for the playoffs. But in this sport, plans can go haywire on the mat. What matters is that we always give our 100 percent, no matter what. We cannot control the outcome. But we can reduce our mistakes, we can be smart in our decision-making, we can be tactical with our reviews, and we can control our player changes. If we do that correctly, we are confident we can get a good result,” he said.

Manpreet further explained why Jaipur Pink Panthers Captain Sunil Kumar could be the biggest threat for his side on Wednesday.

“In Kabaddi, what matters most is how well you are able to study your opponent. Rajasthan’s captain Sunil is the most intelligent captain in the sport at the moment, in my opinion. He has great resources but he also knows how to use them well. He knows when to make quick raids, when to slow things down and when to hold a match. When he gets out, Jaipur tends to struggle, so we know we have to target him if we want to win the match,” he said.

Meanwhile, Haryana Steelers Captain Jaideep Dahiya stressed that his side will work on reducing the errors in raids to continue their rise in the points table. He further added that a strong defensive performance will be key for Haryana in the upcoming match.

“Defence is key for us. We can make a lot of super tackles. It is something that we practice a lot in training. Also, we will try to reduce the number of errors we make in raids, so that we can achieve our targets,” he said.

Speaking on the opposition, Jaideep said, “Jaipur Pink Panthers are quite a good team. Sunil and Arjun Deshwal are performing really well. We defeated Puneri Paltan in Pune and picked a win over Bengaluru Bulls in Bengaluru. So, we will take motivation from the same and will try to perform our best to get a good result, despite Jaipur having the home ground advantage.”

by Abhishek Shukla

‘Amitabh Bachchan gives us a lot of confidence,’ says Jaipur Pink Panthers’ Captain Sunil Kumar

JAIPUR, 16th January 2024: The Jaipur Pink Panthers pulled off their fifth successive victory in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 after defeating U Mumba 31-29 in Jaipur on Monday. Speaking about the match, Jaipur Pink Panthers’ Captain Sunil Kumar said, “It was a great match. We should’ve scored a tackle point right after Ajith’s Super Raid, but we couldn’t do it. That was a big mistake for us, but the team fought till the end and hence we triumphed in the game.”

The Panthers moved to the top of the table following their victory over the Mumbai side. When asked about the same, Sunil said, “The confidence is high in the camp after winning three consecutive matches at home ground. But there’s still a long way to go in the tournament. We’ll try to stay at the top of the points table.”

The Jaipur Pink Panthers played in front of a special guest on Monday as Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan graced the stadium with his presence. Speaking about playing in front of him, the skipper said, “Amitabh Bachchan sir gives us a lot of confidence. We won in front of in Mumbai and now we’ve won again here in Jaipur. He’s a great person and keeps giving us a boost for all games.”

The match between Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba was also the 1001st Pro Kabaddi League game. When asked about the significance of the game, Sunil said, “I would like to thank the supporters of the Pro Kabaddi League for taking the tournament to great heights over the last 10 seasons. It feels really nice to play and win the 1001st match as a Captain.”

The Jaipur Pink Panthers will take on Haryana Steelers in their last home game on Wednesday.

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 10 matches today

Game 1 – Patna Pirates vs Tamil Thalaivas – 8 pm

Venue: Jaipur

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ hotstar.  

by Abhishek Shukla

Table tennis fans set for world-class action as WTT Star Contender Goa 2024 tickets go live

Goa, January 16, 2024: While India gears up for the much-awaited international table tennis carnival with the WTT Star Contender Goa 2024, fans can pick their preferred seats on BookMyShow to watch the high-voltage action at close quarters as ticket sales has begun.

The second edition of India’s biggest international table tennis tournament is scheduled at the Peddem Indoor Stadium in Mapusa, Goa from January 23 to 28 with top global stars including the World No. 5 Hugo Calderano, the last edition’s runner-up Cheng I-Ching (WR 18) and former World No. 1 and two-time Olympics bronze medallist Dimitrij Ovtcharov (WR 12) headlining the highly competitive field along with 14 other Top-20 paddlers.

The tickets are available at:https://in.bookmyshow.com/sports/wtt-star-contender-goa-2024/ET00379757

The tournament will be co-hosted by Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis under the guidance of Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).

“We are excited to launch ticket sales for WTT Star Contender Goa 2024, the epitome of international tournaments. This presents a significant opportunity for Indian fans to rally behind their athletes, providing crucial motivation as they prepare for the upcoming Olympics. With the best athletes from across the globe competing, the tournament promises an exciting show and we look forward to welcoming fans from every corner of the country and world to join us in celebrating the magic of table tennis on the grandest stage,” commented Deepak Malik, Tournament Director and Co-Founder & COO, Stupa Sports Analytics.

Ace paddlers Manika Batra, Achanta Sharath Kamal and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran are set to lead the home challenge as a record 41 Indians will be in action.

Tickets are now on sale across five categories—Stand Topspin & Block, Stand Serve & Receive, Stand Push & Flick, VIP, and Premium Lounge. Prices for the qualifying rounds start at ₹349, reaching up to ₹1,499 per session. For the main draw matches, including the semi-finals and finals, ticket prices vary from ₹599 to ₹4,999 per session. VIP and Premium Lounge tickets have been designed to offer passionate fans an enhanced stadium experience, complete with a complimentary snack.

Fans can also buy a full event pass, starting from ₹4,399, which will allow them to enjoy the thrilling action on all six days.  
The qualifying rounds will be played on January 23 and 24 whereas the semi-finals and finals are scheduled on January 27 and 28 respectively.

by Abhishek Shukla

#AFCON: Paciencia Secures Draw for Angola Against Algeria

In a gripping Group C opener at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, Angola held former champions Algeria to a 1-1 draw at Bouake’s Stade De La Paix. The Monday evening match was a display of resilience from Angola, who were up against a team largely considered favorites.

Algeria, the 2019 champions, started the match assertively, dominating possession and quickly establishing their attacking intent. Fares Chaibi and Youcef Belaili posed early threats for the Desert Foxes, with Belaili coming close to scoring in the eighth minute, only for his effort to be parried by Angolan goalkeeper Adilson Cipriano.

The breakthrough for Algeria came in the 18th minute. Baghdad Bounedjah, mirroring his goal-scoring feat from the 2019 edition’s opener, found the back of the net after latching onto a lobbed ball, comfortably placing it into the bottom left corner.

Angola, undeterred by the goal, adopted a strategy in the second half focusing on penetrating the Algerian defense. This approach bore fruit in the 68th minute when Cristovao Paciencia, after being fouled in the box by Nabil Bentaleb, stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, drawing Angola level.

The match concluded with the teams sharing points in an evenly contested affair. Post-match facts highlight Algeria’s struggle in recent Africa Cup of Nations matches, with no wins in their last four games. Conversely, Angola continues a streak without a victory in their last nine matches in the tournament.

Looking forward, Algeria faces a clash against Burkina Faso, while Angola will compete against Mauritania in their upcoming fixtures.

by Abhishek Shukla

Paciencia Secures Crucial Point for Angola Against Algeria in Africa Cup of Nations

Bouaké, 15th January 2024: Angola’s Cristovao Paciencia emerged as a key figure in securing a vital 1-1 draw for his team against former champions Algeria in their opening match of Group C at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. The match, held at Stade De La Paix in Bouaké, showcased a high-stakes battle between the two sides.

The 2019 champions, Algeria, entered the match as favorites and immediately demonstrated their dominance. Fares Chaibi almost opened the scoring for Algeria in the 6th minute, followed by Youcef Belaili’s close attempt in the 8th minute. Algeria’s relentless pressure paid off when Baghdad Bounedjah, the hero of their 2019 title run, scored the opening goal, continuing his tradition of scoring in their first match of the tournament, as he did in 2019 against Kenya.

However, Angola showed resilience in the second half, adapting their tactics to focus on attacking. This approach yielded results in the 68th minute when substitute Cristovao Paciencia was fouled by Nabil Bentaleb in the box, leading to a penalty. Paciencia stepped up and converted the spot-kick, drawing the game level and earning a crucial point for Angola.

The match ended in a 1-1 stalemate, a result that reflects the competitive spirit and unpredictability of the Africa Cup of Nations. Next, Algeria will face Burkina Faso, while Angola will take on Mauritania in their upcoming fixtures, as the group stage continues to unfold with excitement and high-quality football.

by Abhishek Shukla

Aitana Bonmatí and Lionel Messi crowned at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023™ in London

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023™ ceremony, held in London on Monday, 15 January, crowned Aitana Bonmatí and Lionel Messi as the outstanding players since the last edition, alongside recognising the outstanding performances of coaches, goalkeepers, and more across the men’s and women’s game.

The winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 are:

  • The Best FIFA Women’s Player: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / FC Barcelona)
  • The Best FIFA Men’s Player: Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain / Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami)
  • The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Mary Earps (England / Manchester United)
  • The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Ederson (Brazil / Manchester City FC)
  • The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / England Women’s National Team)
  • The Best FIFA Men’s Coach: Pep Guardiola (Spain / Manchester City FC)
  • The FIFA Puskás Award: Guilherme Madruga (Brazil / Botafogo Futebol Clube)
  • The FIFA Special Award: Marta
  • The FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil men’s national team
  • The FIFA Fan Award: Hugo Daniel “Toto” Iniguez

Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2023, retaining the title he won in 2022. Messi topped an incredibly closely contested poll, which was voted for by national team coaches and captains, as well as expert journalists and supporters across the globe.

With the FIFA World Cup 2022™ winner and Manchester City FC and Norway international forward Erling Haaland locked together on 48 points, they were separated by the number of first-choice nominations received in votes from national team captains, as per the Rules of Allocation (article 12). France striker Kylian Mbappe finished third with 35 points. 

Aitana Bonmatí has been named The Best FIFA Women’s Player for the first time. The coveted award is richly deserved for this magnificent midfielder, who in 2023 inspired Spain to their maiden world title, and Barcelona to a domestic and European treble. 

In topping the poll, which followed the same protocol as the men’s award but with women’s national team coaches and captains voting, Bonmatí succeeded her team-mate, 2022 winner Alexia Putellas, fending off competition from fellow finalists Linda Caicedo and Jennifer Hermoso.

Mary Earps has been voted The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper for a second successive year, becoming the first two-time winner in the award’s history.

Earps dazzled once again as the Lionesses won the Finalissima, and reached their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final. Outstanding saves and shootout heroics paved the way to both of those achievements, with Earps’ displays at the latter tournament rewarded with the adidas Golden Glove award. She was also named the best ‘keeper in England’s WSL, having racked up a remarkable 14 clean sheets from just 22 Manchester United appearances last season.

Ederson has been named as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of 2023. The Brazilian shot-stopper was awarded the honour following a stellar year in which the 30-year-old backstopped Manchester City’s historic treble-winning campaign.

Ederson topped the poll with 23 points, ahead of fellow finalists Thibaut Courtois (20 points) and Yassine Bounou (16 points).

Sarina Wiegman has been named The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for 2023. The England boss enjoyed a record-breaking year in which she led the Lionesses to the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, and the Arnold Clark Cup and Women’s Finalissima titles.

Wiegman beat Emma Hayes and Jonatan Giraldez to the honour at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ on Monday with 28 points, ahead of Hayes’ 18 points, and Giraldez’s return of 14 points.

Pep Guardiola has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2023 after overseeing an incredible period of success at Manchester City. The Spaniard led the club to a historic Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup treble in 2022/23.

Guardiola’s all-conquering team won a further two trophies in 2023, lifting the UEFA Super Cup before rounding off the calendar year in perfect style by triumphing at the FIFA Club World Cup™.

Guardiola came out on top in the voting with 28 points, ahead of Italian duo Luciano Spalletti (18 points) and Simone Inzaghi (11 points).

The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony also recognised the standout goal of the year as Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Madruga won the FIFA Puskás Award 2023 for his astonishing overhead kick.

The Botafogo-SP star’s acrobatic effort came out on top ahead of an audacious rabona from Sporting’s Nuno Santos, and Brighton teenager Julio Enciso’s long-range thunderbolt.

The accolade recognises the most spectacular goal in men’s and women’s football across the qualification period, which was between 19 December 2022 and 20 August 2023, and is named in honour of legendary Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskás.

Marta was honoured with The FIFA Special Award in recognition of her illustrious career. She scored a staggering 115 goals in 175 appearances for Brazil and inspired millions, passing on her passion for football in a career that saw her reign supreme in Brazil, Sweden and the USA.

As of 2025, FIFA will introduce a new award to honour her legendary achievements – the best goal scored in women’s football will receive the ‘Marta Award’.

Hugo Daniel “Toto” Iniguez was awarded The FIFA Fan Award for 2023, after the dedicated Colon de Santa Fe fan went viral after he was seen feeding his son during an Argentine Primera Division game against Barracas Central in May 2023.

The heart-warming scene displayed the father’s desire to build a relationship between his two-month-old son and his favourite club from the earliest possible age, with the moment now cemented in history.

The Brazil men’s national team were recognised with the FIFA Fair Play award for their powerful stand against racism. In a friendly against Guinea in June 2023, The Seleção swapped their traditional yellow jerseys for an all-black kit in a show of solidarity with star forward Vinicius Junior, who had been subjected to sickening racist abuse while in action for Real Madrid.

The Best FIFA Football awards™ 2023 ceremony concluded a thorough and democratic process facilitated by FIFA to recognise world football’s top players, coaches, goalkeepers, fans, goals, and acts of fair play.

by Abhishek Shukla

Ten-Man Guinea Holds Cameroon to a Draw in the Africa Cup of Nations

Charles Konan Banny Stadium, 15th January 2024: In a gripping encounter, Guinea and Cameroon played to a 1-1 draw in their second Group C match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. The match was marked by high tension and dramatic turns, showcasing the resilience and skill of both teams.

Guinea, despite being reduced to 10 men, managed to hold off the five-time champions, Cameroon. The match began with Guinea taking an early lead through Mohamed Bayo, who capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty box, putting it beyond the reach of Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Fabrice Ondoa.

However, the dynamics of the game shifted when Guinea’s captain, Francois Kamano, was sent off. Initially receiving a yellow card for penalizing Cameroonian midfielder Olivier Ntcham, the decision was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee. The referee, Mutaz Ibrahim, subsequently changed the card to red, leaving Guinea to navigate the majority of the match with a man disadvantage.

Cameroon seized the opportunity in the second half, leveraging their numerical advantage. They found their equalizer six minutes into the half, thanks to a brilliant aerial effort by Frank Magri following a free kick, bringing the game to a 1-1 tie.

The match sets the stage for a high-stakes game for Cameroon, who will next face the defending champions, Senegal, on Friday, January 19th, at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium. This draw illustrates the unpredictable and competitive nature of the Africa Cup of Nations, highlighting the tournament’s excitement and the high level of talent across the participating teams.

by Abhishek Shukla

Jordan Dominates Malaysia in AFC Asian Cup Group E Opener

Al Wakrah, 16th January 2024: Jordan’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 campaign in Group E commenced with a resounding 4-0 victory over Malaysia at Al Janoub Stadium. The Jordanian team showcased a dominant performance, taking a strong 3-0 lead into halftime against a Malaysian side that struggled to match their intensity.

Jordan’s tactical prowess and high energy were evident throughout the match, as they consistently outmaneuvered the Malaysian defense. This comprehensive win sets a strong precedent for Jordan in the tournament, as they look to build on this momentum in their subsequent group stage matches.

For Malaysia, the match was a challenging introduction to the competition, highlighting areas for improvement as they progress through the tournament. The Malaysian team will aim to regroup and strategize for their upcoming fixtures, drawing lessons from this defeat.

Overall, the match was a clear demonstration of Jordan’s capabilities on the Asian football stage, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in their upcoming encounters in the AFC Asian Cup.

by Abhishek Shukla

New York City FC Acquires Midfielder Andrés Perea from Philadelphia Union

New York, January 15, 2024: New York City FC has announced the acquisition of midfielder Andrés Perea from the Philadelphia Union, marking a significant move in the Eastern Conference. The transfer, confirmed on Monday, involves NYCFC sending Philadelphia $650,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) over the next two seasons, with an additional $150,000 in conditional-based GAM.

Perea, who previously spent the second half of the 2023 season on loan with NYCFC, had struggled to find his footing at Philadelphia after being traded from Orlando City SC. The Colombian-born U.S. international, who has one cap to his name, brings a record of 5 goals and 3 assists in 92 career matches (43 starts) since joining the league in 2020.

NYCFC’s Sporting Director, David Lee, expressed delight in making Perea’s position permanent, highlighting his impressive on-pitch performances and quick assimilation into the team both on and off the pitch. Lee also noted Perea’s compatibility with NYCFC’s style of play and his familiarity with the team’s players and staff, which should ease his transition this year.

Perea’s arrival bolsters NYCFC’s midfield options, joining the likes of James Sands, Keaton Parks, and Santiago Rodríguez. Meanwhile, the Union continues to rely on José Martínez and Jesús Bueno as their deep-lying midfielders.

Philadelphia Union’s Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner, thanked Perea for his contributions and acknowledged that the move to NYCFC was the best for his continued development and to maintain his meaningful role in the team.

This acquisition is particularly strategic for NYCFC, who missed the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs last year, finishing 11th in the East. The team is set to begin their new season on February 24th against Charlotte FC, hoping that Perea’s inclusion will provide the necessary boost to improve their standing in the upcoming MLS season.

by Abhishek Shukla

San Diego Padres Sign Top International Prospect Leodalis De Vries

San Diego, 15th January 2024: The San Diego Padres have made a significant move by signing infielder Leodalis De Vries to inaugurate the 2024 International Signing Period. The announcement was made by A.J. Preller, President of Baseball Operations & General Manager, along with Chris Kemp, Vice President of Amateur & International Scouting.

De Vries, a 17-year-old talent from Bani, Dominican Republic, is currently recognized as the top overall player in this year’s international class. He ranks first on both FanGraphs’ 2024 International Prospect Rankings and MLB Pipeline’s International Prospect Rankings. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 175 pounds, De Vries is a switch-hitter known for his remarkable bat speed and advanced discipline from both sides of the plate. His agility and body control also make him a significant asset defensively and on the basepaths.

Apart from his baseball prowess, De Vries has shown his athletic versatility by also excelling as a point guard in basketball. He hails from an athletic family, with his father having played basketball for the Dominican National team. This signing marks another significant achievement for the Padres, who had previously signed catcher Ethan Salas last January, thereby securing the top overall international prospect for two consecutive years.

The Padres’ commitment to nurturing young talent is evident in their strategic signings, positioning them as a forward-thinking franchise in Major League Baseball.

by Abhishek Shukla

Jaipur Pink Panthers edge U Mumba in game of small margins in the 1001st game of PKL

15th January, Jaipur: The Jaipur Pink Panthers edged a razor thin game 31-29 against U Mumba at the SMS Indoor Stadium on Sunday. The Pink Panthers’ lead man Arjun Deshwal (11 points) helped the Pink Panthers get their third consecutive victory at home and extend their winning streak to five.

MATCH CENTRE

Before the game the record between these two teams stood at 10 wins apiece and two ties. In the early going it was evident why there had never been anything to separate them in the past, as they matched each other raid for raid and tackle for tackle.

Arjun Deshwal was the key player for the Jaipur Pink Panthers, his constant raid points keeping the scoreboard ticking. At the other end, Amirmohammad Zafardanesh did the same for U Mumba, till an injury cut short his time on the mat, and raised the alarm bells for U Mumba. U Mumba went into the break holding a slender one point lead.

Ajith Kumar’s SUPER RAID to take out Rinku, Surinder Singh and Mukilan Shanmugam opened up the first gap between the teams in the game, but it didn’t last long. U Mumba hit back almost immediately, and were constantly picking up bonus points to stay in the hunt.

The close nature of the game was magnified by the fact that going into the final two minutes neither team had managed to inflict an All OUT. The Jaipur Pink Panthers, thanks in part to a SUPER TACKLE led by three points, in those final minutes, and it was what made the difference. Despite some desperate raiding by Jai Bhagwan, a small miscalculation helped the Pink Panthers to a close win.

Please see below the PKL Season 10 match on 16th January

Game 1 – Patna Pirates vs Tamil Thalaivas- 8 pm

Venue: Jaipur

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ Hotstar.  

by Abhishek Shukla

Hemraj Gurjar and Ankita Clinch Senior Titles at 58th National Cross Country Championships in Gaya

Gaya, 15th January 2024: In a remarkable display of endurance and skill, athletes Hemraj Gurjar and Ankita secured the senior titles at the 58th National Cross Country Championships, held in Gaya. Representing the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), both runners showcased exceptional performances in their respective categories.

Hemraj Gurjar triumphed in the men’s 10 km event with a time of 29:30.00, narrowly edging out Puneet from SSCB, who finished in 29:35.00. The race for the bronze was intensely competitive, with Sawan Barwal of Himachal Pradesh clinching it in 29:38.00, just ahead of Ravi Gulia of Haryana.

The team title in the men’s category was won by the Services team with 20 points, followed by Railways with 28 points, and Haryana securing third place with 64 points.

In the women’s 10 km race, Ankita led the field with a winning time of 34:36.00. The Railways team dominated the women’s section, securing the team title with 16 points. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra claimed second and third places with 41 and 77 points respectively.

This championship also highlighted the future stars of Indian athletics with under-20, under-18, and under-16 categories competing fiercely. Shivaji Parashu (Karnataka), Rohit Binner (Maharashtra), and Sachin Rawat (Delhi) emerged as winners in their respective age groups for men, while Beby (Uttar Pradesh), Vaishnavi Naveen S (Karnataka), and Janhavi Hirudkar (Maharashtra) claimed the top spots in the women’s categories.

Results (All finals):

Men: 10km: Hemraj Gurjar (Railway Sports Promotion Board) 29:30.00, Puneet (SSCB) 29:35.00, Sawan Barwal (Himachal Pradesh) 29:38.00.

Team: Services 20 points, Railways 28 points, Haryana 64 points.

U-20: 8km: Shivaji Parashu (Karnataka) 23:42.00, Naresh Chopra (Rajasthan), 23:46.00, Rohit Choudhary (Rajasthan) 23:54.00. Team: Rajasthan 42 points, Maharashtra 52 points, Haryana 54 points.

U18: 6km: Rohit Binner (Maharashtra) 18:11, Abhishek (Sikkim) 18:13, Mohit Choudhary (Telangana) 18:18.00.

U16: 2km: Sachin Rawat (Delhi) 5:37.00, Anil Kumar (Uttar Pradesh) 5:39.00, Amit Kumar Mahto (Jharkhand) 5:42.00.

Women: 10km: Anita (RSPB) 34:36.00, Anjali Kumari (Bihar) 34:47.00, Poonam Sonune (Maharashtra) 34:47.35.

Team: Railways 16 points, Uttar Pradesh 41 points, Maharashtra 77 points.

U20: 6km: Beby (Uttar Pradesh) 20:50.00, Sonam (Delhi) 21:10.00, Sanghamitra Mahato (Jharkhand) 21:14.00.

U18: 4km: Vaishnavi Naveen S (Karnataka) 14:39.00, Sakshi Bhandari (Maharashtra) 14:47.00, Shilpa Hosamani (Karnataka) 14:57.00.

U16: 2km: Janhavi Hirudkar (Maharashtra) 6:43.00, Khushboo (Rajasthan) 6:49.00, Shivani (Uttar Pradesh) 6:51.00.

These results from the National Cross Country Championships demonstrate the depth and potential of Indian long-distance runners, setting an optimistic tone for the future of athletics in the country.

by Abhishek Shukla

Paris 2024 has chosen its Torchbearers!

Following the announcement of the first Torchbearers, captains of the team Relays, Paris 2024 today has had good news for the majority – 80% – of the 11,000 people who will have the unique experience of carrying the Torch on the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays. 

As key events marking the start of the Games and the celebrations, the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays, supported by their official sponsors, Coca-Cola, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne, are unique occasions which set the Olympic and Paralympic Games apart from any other sports event in the world. The arrival of the Olympic Flame in Marseille, aboard the three-masted Belem on 8 May 2024, will launch the start of the journey of the Torchbearers throughout France. 

Of the 11,000 Torchbearers (10,000 for the Olympic Torch Relay and 1,000 for the Paralympic Torch Relay), 80% have today received confirmation that they will be carrying the Torch on one of the two. The final identities will be revealed between now and April. Some will be kept secret until the last moment to maintain the surprise, notably of athletes and personalities.  

The Torchbearers now selected join the large family of Forerunners, all those who play and live sport on a daily basis and who will make the Paris 2024 Torch Relay a success. Whether they are anonymous or well known to the public, they will be the first faces of this Relay. 

What they all have in common is that they share one of the three energies that shape the identity of the Torch Relay: the energy of sport, the energy of the communities or the energy of the regions. 

As an example of those selected as part of the Club Paris 2024 campaign: Benjamin, a 43-year-old musician has cycled across France despite his paraplegia; Hayet, a 21-year-old volunteer is engaged in education through sport in priority neighbourhoods; Marc is a seasoned sportsman who still cannot get enough of extreme challenges at the age of 70; Marie, 37, works on a daily basis to combat chronic illnesses and help children with autism; William is 30-year-old skipper passionate about nautical innovation; and Ranitea is a 19-year-old Polynesian student who is strongly committed to the development of women’s sport.  

The Torchbearers will be of all ages, 50% are women and 50% are men, and they represent 100% of the French departments. 

The Torchbearers will pave the way for the Games and the celebrations 

By carrying the Olympic Flame and the Paralympic Flame on the roads of France, the Torchbearers will launch the start of celebrations throughout the country. Starting on 8 May 2024, as soon as the Olympic Flame arrives in Marseille aboard the Belem, they will raise excitement levels in all the regions to prepare the public for the arrival of the Games.  For almost three months, from 8 May to 26 July 2024, 10,000 Olympic Torchbearers will meet French people in over 400 towns and cities, including five overseas regions (French Guiana, Reunion Island, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe and Martinique) before the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. 

They will again remobilize the country before the return match of Paris 2024, the Paralympic Games. For four days, from 25 to 28 August 2024, the Paralympic Torch Relay will pass through more than 50 towns and cities prior to the Opening Ceremony in the heart of the capital at the Place de la Concorde. 

  

The selection of the Torchbearers has mobilised the whole Paris 2024 ecosystem since 1 June 2023 

To find the Torchbearers, from 1 June to 15 October 2023, Paris 2024 mobilised a multitude of partners from its ecosystem, with their strong capacity for engagement and their links to the regions: the official sponsors of the Torch Relays, corporate partners, the sports movement, the Games stakeholders and the regions visited by the Relays all contributed to this selection via various methods: applications, sponsorship, competitions, prize draws, etc. All selected persons share one of the three energies of the Torch Relay: the energy of sport, the energy of the communities or the energy of the regions.   

More than 100,000 applications and/or nominations were collected via the different campaigns of the two sponsors of the Torch Relay and Club Paris 2024: 

  • 30,000 nominations via the Club Paris 2024 campaign – ending on 30 June 2023 
  • 15,000 candidates via the Coca-Cola campaign – ending on 15 October 2023 
  • 55,000 candidates via the Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne campaigns – ending on 30 September 2023. 

Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President: 
“The Torch Relay is, above all, a human adventure, represented by the stories of each Torchbearer. Be they athletes or sports enthusiasts, committed to their local communities or involved in meaningful community projects, the people we call the Forerunners represent the richness and diversity of our society. With them, the Torch Relay will be a wonderful moment of openness, transmission and sharing. Congratulations to all our Torchbearers, and we look forward to seeing you on the roads of France, from 8 May 2024, to experience this fabulous adventure together!” 

Claire Revenu, Coca-Cola General Manager, Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024: 
“The Torchbearers we have selected have been chosen for their unique backgrounds and stories. Their role will be more than just passing on the Torch, they will become the bearers of a powerful message, spreading the unity that characterises the Olympic Games. By carrying the Flame, they represent openness, sharing and transmission between individuals, cultures and nations, reinforcing the idea that sport can inspire the world to unite in the celebration of performance, excellence and fair play.  
I sincerely thank all those who have placed their trust in us and shared a part of their story. Among them, we have selected consumers, young people from Sport dans la Ville, but also company employees, athletes, content creators, public figures, partners and customers.” 

Pierre-Laurent Berne, Banque Populaire Director of Development: 
“Banque Populaire is delighted to be involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays and to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on those who are the pride of all our regions by making a name for themselves in their own region. With all the future Torchbearers, we share success and energy in their undertakings. We look forward to sharing these unforgettable moments with them.” 

Jacques-Olivier Hurbal, Caisse d’Epargne Director of Development: 
“As a sponsor of the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays, Caisse d’Epargne is proud to be able to shine the spotlight on the women and men who inspire our regions and help to create a bond by encouraging commitment and living together. The Torchbearers will represent these contributions in the local context to which we are committed as regional cooperative banks.” 

by Abhishek Shukla

Iraq Triumphs Over Indonesia in AFC Asian Cup Group D Clash

Al Rayyan, 16th January 2024: Iraq marked a victorious start in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Group D journey with a decisive 3-1 win against Indonesia at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. The match held special significance as it marked Indonesia’s first appearance in the tournament after a 16-year hiatus.

Despite a spirited exchange of attacks from both sides, Indonesia, under the guidance of coach Shin Tae-yong, gradually lost momentum as the match progressed. Iraq capitalized on this, demonstrating superior stamina and strategy, leading to their commanding win.

This victory sets a positive tone for Iraq as they continue their campaign in the AFC Asian Cup. For Indonesia, the match served as a challenging yet valuable experience on the international stage, providing insights and lessons for the upcoming fixtures in the tournament.

by Abhishek Shukla

Senegal Gears Up for Title Defense in AFC African Cup Opener Against Gambia

As the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations defending champions, Senegal is set to kick off their title defense against The Gambia on Monday, January 15. This match, taking place in Group C, which also includes Cameroon and Guinea, marks the beginning of what is considered the ‘Group of Death’ in the tournament.

Senegal, led by coach Aliou Cisse and featuring star players like Sadio Mane, is aiming for a second consecutive title. Historically, no African champion has progressed further than the round of 16 in the last six editions of the competition, but Senegal has consistently won their opening game in each of the last four editions, setting a strong precedent for their performance in this tournament.

The Gambia, although considered underdogs, are making their second appearance in the competition. Remarkably, they reached the quarter-finals in their inaugural participation in 2021. Coach Tom Saintfiet of The Gambia expressed his team’s readiness and high spirits upon arrival, highlighting their preparation for the competition and their eagerness to make an impact in their second appearance.

The match, set to kick off at Yamoussoukro’s Charles Konan Banny Stadium at 14h00 local time, promises to be a compelling start to the group stage, showcasing the potential of both teams in what’s expected to be a competitive and exciting tournament.

by Abhishek Shukla

Korea Republic Secures Convincing Win Against Bahrain in AFC Asian Cup

In the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Korea Republic made a strong start with a 3-1 victory over Bahrain at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Group E. The win was fueled by a remarkable performance from Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-in, who scored twice in the second half to lead his team to success.

Hwang In-beom opened the scoring for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side in the 38th minute. Bahrain responded early in the second half with a goal from Abdulla Al Hashash, leveling the score. However, Korea Republic regained control thanks to Lee Kang-in’s brilliance. His first goal was a stunning strike from 25 yards in the 56th minute, and he then clinched the win with a clinical finish into the bottom corner of Ebrahim Lutfalla’s goal with 21 minutes remaining.

The victory sets a positive tone for the two-time AFC Asian Cup champions. Lee Kang-in, only 22 years old, showcased his technical skill and composure under pressure, proving to be a key asset for the Korean team in the tournament.

Korea Republic’s win is a significant step as they aim to progress further in the competition. With a solid start in Group E, the team looks poised to build on this performance and make a deep run in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

by Abhishek Shukla

FIDE publishes the regulations for 2024 Candidates Tournaments

General information about the forthcoming 2024 FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates Chess Tournaments in Toronto

Toronto is poised to make chess history as it hosts the 2024 FIDE Candidates from April 3-23, where the challenger for the title of world champion will be determined in both the Open and the Women’s categories.

It will be a double first for chess: the first time the Candidates are held in North America and the first time that both the Open and the Women’s Candidates tournaments take place together.

This event, featuring 16 top-world players (eight in the open and eight in the Women’s category), has a combined prize fund of 750,000 euros, with 500,000 allocated for the Open and 250,000 for the Women’s event.

The event continues a long-term collaboration initiated in 2022 under the patronage of the Scheinberg family, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the growth of chess on the global stage.

General information:

Toronto’s historic Great Hall (located at 1087 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H3) will serve as the battleground for the elite players, engaging in a double round-robin tournament spanning 14 rounds. Spectators will be able to witness the intensity of the matches firsthand and experience the thrill of seeing top world players in person.

Participants:

Open Candidates*:

Ian Nepomniachtchi, 2023 Match Runner-up

R Praggnanandhaa, 2023 World Cup 2nd

Fabiano Caruana, 2023 World Cup 3rd

Nijat Abasov, 2023 World Cup 4th

Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, 2023 Grand Swiss winner

Hikaru Nakamura, 2023 Grand Swiss 2nd

Alireza Firouzja, Best by Rating

Gukesh D 2023 FIDE Circuit Winner

*Magnus Carlsen, who qualified for the Candidates by winning the 2023 World Cup, earlier informed FIDE that he will not be taking part in the event. As per FIDE Candidates qualification paths, Nijat Abasov, who finished 4th in the World Cup, took his place.

Women’s Candidates:

Lei Tingjie, 2023 Match Runner-up

Kateryna Lagno, 2022-23 WGP 1st

Aleksandra Goryachkina, 2022-23 WGP 2nd

Nurgyul Salimova, 2023 World Cup 2nd

Anna Muzychuk, 2023 World Cup 3rd

Vaishali Rameshbabu, 2023 Grand Swiss 1st

Tan Zhongyi, 2023 Grand Swiss 2nd

Humpy Koneru, Best by Rating (World Cup spot replacement)

Drawing of Pairings and Colors:

The drawing of pairings and colors will be conducted by the Chief Arbiter, in coordination with the FIDE COO, no later than four weeks before the start of the Candidates Tournament.

Players from the same federation shall play each other in rounds 1 and 8 (if only two) and in rounds 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10 if there are up to three players from the same federation.

Withdrawals after completing 50% or more of games will result in the remaining games being declared as lost by default. For withdrawals before this threshold, all results will be annulled.

The dress code is strictly observed for the tournament and all the official events and press-conferences. Men are required to wear a neat shirt and formal suit, while women players should wear a neat shirt/blouse and formal suit (with slacks or skirt) or dress. Any requests to wear national or traditional dress shall be approved by the FIDE Technical Delegate.

Open Candidates Tournament Information:

Time control: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move 41.

Prizes: 48,000 euros for the winner, 36,000 euros for the second place, and 24,000 euros for the third place. Additionally, players receive 3,500 euros for every half-point scored.

Women’s Candidates Tournament Information:

Time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move 1.

Prizes: 24,000 euros for the winner, 18,000 euros for the second place, and 12,000 euros for the third place. Additionally, players receive 1,750 euros for every half-point scored

Preparations for the event:

Tournament Director, Grandmaster Pavel Tregubov, who is also the Secretary of FIDE’s Global Strategy Commission, said that everything is going to plan so far with the organization of the event.

“We are thrilled to host the 2024 FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates tournaments in Toronto, uniting the global chess community in a groundbreaking event,” said Tregubov.

“The simultaneous staging of these prestigious tournaments is a testament to the international appeal and growth of chess. We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Scheinberg family, whose dedication continues to elevate the sport,” Tregubov added.