Author: Abhishek Shukla

Owner of Sports India Live.
by Abhishek Shukla

34 Players Granted Special Eligibility For 2024 NFL Draft

NEW YORK –– Jan. 9, 2024 –– The National Football League announced today the names of 34 players who have been granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft and one underclassman who has fulfilled his degree requirements with college football eligibility remaining and is also eligible for selection in the April 25-27 Draft in Detroit, Mich.

Beginning this year, the East-West Shrine Bowl, HBCU Legacy Bowl, and Senior Bowl are eligible to invite underclassmen to participate in their respective games. The league added an early “soft” deadline of Friday, Jan. 5, for underclassmen to declare for the Draft to assist players and all-star game organizers in the planning and invitation process.

All other players eligible to apply have until the traditional “hard” deadline of Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, to petition for special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft. A list of additional players who have been granted special eligibility in accordance with the Jan. 15 deadline will be announced on Jan. 19.

Each of the 34 players listed below have met the league’s three-year eligibility rule and have renounced their college football eligibility by submitting written notification to the league office on or before the Jan. 5 early deadline. Consequently, they are eligible for selection:

The players granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft:

 NamePosCollege
1Ajou, AjouWRGarden City C.C.
2Allen, BraelonRBWisconsin
3Alt, JoeTNotre Dame
4Amegadjie, KiranTYale
5Bishop, ColeDBUtah
6Booker, AustinDEKansas
7Bullard, JavonDBGeorgia
8Coleman, KeonWRFlorida State
9Elliss, JonahDEUtah
10Estimé, AudricRBNotre Dame
11Fisher, BlakeTNotre Dame
12Franklin, TroyWROregon
13Irving, BuckyRBOregon
14King, KalenDBPenn State
15Lassiter, KamariDBGeorgia
16Little, CamKArkansas
17Maye, DrakeQBNorth Carolina
18Mims, AmariusTGeorgia
19Nabers, MalikWRLSU
20Powers-Johnson, JacksonCOregon
21Rakestraw, EnnisDBMissouri
22Robinson, ChopDEPenn State
23Shirden, JadenRBMonmouth (N.J.)
24Steele, CarsonRBUCLA
25Suamataia, KingsleyTBYU
26Taylor, LeonardDTMiami (Fla.)
27Thomas, BrianWRLSU
28Vaki, SioneDBUtah
29Wallace, TrevinLBKentucky
30Wiggins, NateDBClemson
31Williams, JamesDBMiami (Fla.)
32Wingo, MekhiDTLSU
33Worthy, XavierWRTexas
34Wright, JaylenRBTennessee


The following underclassman has in timely fashion under NFL rules officially notified the league office that he has fulfilled his degree requirements. Consequently, he is eligible for selection:

 NamePosCollege
1Shipley, WillRBClemson
by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Chennai Quick Guns finish top of group stage table with win over Gujarat Giants

Cuttack, January 9, 2024: Chennai Quick Guns ended the group stages of Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 on top with a dominating 38-21 victory over Gujarat Giants at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday.

The result, coupled with Odisha Juggernauts’ win over Mumbai Khiladis, means that Chennai Quick Guns will take on Telugu Yoddhas in the second semifinal on Thursday. The first semifinal will see Odisha Juggernauts take on Gujarat Giants.

Ultimate Kho Kho, promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, became the first Indian sports league to secure Series A funding, courtesy the UK-based BNP Group.

Chennai Quick Guns made a good start to Turn 1, sending the first Gujarat Giants batch in under three minutes. The second batch of Shubham Thorat, Rajvardhan Patil and Pabani Sabar, however, managed a dream run point. And with all three members of the third batch staying unconquered, Chennai Quick Guns led 12-1 going into the second turn.

Turn 2 was where Chennai Quick Guns’ defenders killed the match off. Just 24 hours after setting a new record for the longest time spent on the mat by a single batch, Chennai Quick Guns came close to beating it. This time, the batch of Ramji Kashyap, Madan and Vjay Shinde went six minutes and 53 seconds, just seven seconds short of lasting an entire turn unconquered. First Ramji eluded the Gujarat Giants attackers for a full three minutes, then Madan and Vijay chipped in with impressive runs of their own. The trio had earned eight dream run points. Turn 2 featured only the second instance of the defending team scoring more than the attacking team in Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2.

Chennai Quick Guns attackers came to the party in Turn 3, sending back the first two Gujarat Giants batches in under four minutes. With their third batch too failing to see out time, Gujarat Giants were faced with the mathematically-impossible task of closing down a 31-point gap in the final turn.

Earlier, Odisha Juggernauts ended their group stage campaign with a 34-23 victory over Mumbai Khiladis.

Mumbai Khiladis started the match with their first defending batch of Hrushikesh Murchavade, Sibin M, and Pratik Devare securing two dream run points. But Odisha Juggernauts made quick work of the second batch to end Turn 1 with a 12-2 lead.

Turn 2 kicked off with Odisha Juggernauts’ first defending batch of Debendra Nath, Vishal and Nikhil Sodaye securing a dream run point. Their second batch of Vishal Oram, Sobhag Sriganda and Visag S did one better by getting two dream run points. The match, at the end of the first innings, looked tantalisingly poised with the scores at 15-14 in favour of Odisha Juggernauts.

Odisha Juggernauts turned the tide in their favour by making quick work of the first two Mumbai Khiladis batches. That meant that they carried a 15-point lead into the final turn. Manoj Kumar was the pick of the attackers for Odisha with six points.

And if there was a glimmer of hope for Mumbai Khiladis, Odisha Juggernauts’ opening batch of Mahesha P, Niranjan Samal and MD Mirajul killed it with a superb defensive display. They ran rings around the Mumbai Khiladis attackers, securing five dream run points and spending five minutes and 20 seconds on the mat. Mahesha, in particular, was impressive, as he eluded the Mumbai Khiladis attackers for two minutes and 33 seconds.  

The exciting action of Ultimate Kho Kho will be telecast on Sony Sports Network’s channels and SonyLiv with live coverage of two matches starting at 7.30pm IST.

by Abhishek Shukla

Bengal Warriors bank on sublime defence as High 5s from Vaibhav and Shubham take them past Telugu Titans

9th January, MUMBAI: Bengal Warriors snapped their 4-game winless streak as they produced a splendid defensive performance to defeat Telugu Titans 46-26 in the Pro Kabaddi League match at the DOME by NSCI in Mumbai on Tuesday. Warriors’ defender Vaibhav Garje was the star player of the game as he scored a stunning 9 tackle points, while Titans captain Pawan Sehrawat bagged yet another Super 10. 

Bengal Warriors were without their captain and ace raider Maninder Singh, but that offered a chance to Nitin Kumar to grab the spotlight. He troubled the Telugu Titans’ defence with his mercurial raids, while the Warriors’ defensive duo of captain Shubham and Vaibhav were brilliant on the evening. The Warriors needed all of 7 minutes to grab the first ALL OUT and take a 10-4 lead. 

 Titans’ skipper Pawan was off-colour and their raiding unit was unable to fire on all cylinders as the Warriors’ defence reigned supreme. Vaibhav trapped Pawan in a perfect tackle to bring up his 6th tackle point within the opening half itself and the Warriors wrapped up the second ALL OUT at the cusp of half-time. The former champions led by 17 points as the scorecard read 27-10. 

 The second half saw the Titans put their best foot forward and fight towards a comeback. They struck back through a quick series of points and their relentless efforts paid off in the 33rd minute when Pawan powered past Shubham and Aditya Shinde to inflict an ALL OUT. That very move cut down the Warriors’ lead to 9 points at 33-24. Nitin, however, denied the Titans any chance of a comeback as he escaped the clutches of Sandeep Dhull and Mohit in a clean-up act and inflicted a 3rd ALL OUT on the Titans. With less than 2 minutes to go, the scoreline read 42-24 in the Warriors’ favour. Shubham ended the game with tackles on Pawan and Robin Chaudhary to bring up his High 5 and his team’s 4 victory of the season. 

Please see below the PKL Season 10 match on 10th JanuaryGame 1 – U.P. Yoddhas vs Tamil Thalaivas- 8 pmGame 2- U Mumba vs Haryana Steelers- 9 pm Venue: MumbaiSeason 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ Hotstar.

by Abhishek Shukla

SDAT Tennis Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium getting a makeover for Khelo India Youth Games 2023

Chennai, January 09: The SDAT Tennis Stadium, which was once the home of the prestigious ATP Chennai Open, and the 40,000-capacity Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium are being revamped to give the participants of the Khelo India Youth Games 2023, Tamil Nadu, a truly world-class experience and Hon’ble Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Thiru. Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday personally visited the two venues to inspect the ongoing work.

It is the first time that the Khelo India Youth Games are being held in South India and will be held across four cities – Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore – from January 19-31, 2024.

Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, Thiru. J. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and other senior officials of the sports department accompanied the Hon’ble Minister.

The SDAT tennis stadium, which boasts of a 7000-capacity Centre Court complex and six side courts will be hosting tennis from January 27-31 and the young players will get an opportunity to showcase their skills at the venue that was once graced by the likes of former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moya, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic and Boris Becker to name a few.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, an iconic landmark in the city which has witnessed many national and international sports events in the past, will be hosting the Opening Ceremony apart from athletics and football events. 

The Games Secretariat in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be the epi-centre of the Khelo India Games with all top officials from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) functioning from there.

Hon’ble Minister Thiru. Udhayanidhi Stalin also inspected the state-of-the-art blue synthetic track that is being laid at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the new DMX lights being installed and also enquired about the action and implementation plan for the grand opening ceremony to be held on January 19.

The Hon’ble minister also instructed the officials to provide the spectators coming to witness the Games, adequate space to park their vehicles.

by Abhishek Shukla

Parteek Dahiya Says Adani Sportsline Owned Gujarat Giants Have Only PKL Title in Mind

Mumbai, 9th January, 2024: One of the brightest spots in the Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants squad this season has been the young Parteek Dahiya, who has been in fine form for his side, which is captained by Fazel Atrachali and coached by Ram Mehar Singh.  

Parteek, who is in his second season in the PKL, came through the New Young Players’ programme in Season 9, and has been one of the standout performers for the Gujarat Giants, since joining the squad. The ace raider has scored 44 points in the last 4 games, with the Giants having won 7 out of their 11 games.  

In fact, against the Bengal Warriors in Noida, Parteek raised the bar and how, scoring 22 raid points and 3 tackle points to put in a power packed performance for the Adani Sportsline owned Gujarat Giants.

Looking back, Parteek explained, “I started the season a little slowly but now that has changed and I am fully fit right now, and that is showing as I am playing longer durations in the game. What I do is, I keep myself focused on the strategy we have as a team, and look to perform my tasks accordingly, so that it benefits the team.”

Parteek likes to keep things simple – he is well aware of his responsibilities for the team, and is keen to perform as best as he can to help the Gujarat Giants in their hunt for the coveted title. When comparing his first season to the ongoing one, Parteek noted that hard work has been the key to his progress.

“I have been working hard with the coaches and they have been continuously helping me improve in my raiding and even my defensive performances. One of the things I have also worked on has been picking up more bonus points for the team. Ram Mehar Sir is always talking to me about my performances after games, and keeps motivating me a lot, and I think he expects me to do better in the future.”

While Ram Mehar is a stalwart in the sport of Kabaddi, Parteek, who hails from a sporting family where his uncle is the former India kabaddi captain Deepak Niwas Hooda and his sister is Asian Boxing Championships bronze medallist Preeti Dahiya, is also delighted to be playing alongside the champion Fazel Atrachali.

“Fazel’s presence is immense for our team as he makes our defensive unit solid and then also is motivating all of us at all points, no matter what. He is a very positive character in the team, and he is very good person to have on your team.”
Parteek, who says that his uncle has been a big influence on his career and dreams of a successful stint in the India colours, has his target set for the season.

“We have to win the PKL title in Season 10. We as the Gujarat Giants have only one target, and that’s the trophy. We have all the support we need from the team owners and the management, the Adani Sportsline team, has always done everything to back us fully in every aspect, and we could not be happier about that. It helps us be focused and play better eventually,” he signed off. 

The Adani Sportsline owned Gujarat Giants will now move to Jaipur, where they will face the Puneri Paltan on 12th January.

by Abhishek Shukla

Paarl Royals announce Keith Dudgeon and Nqaba Peter as replacements for U19 World Cup

Paarl, 09 January 2024: SA20 franchise Paarl Royals today announced the signings of South African duo of Keith Dudgeon and Nqaba Peter as replacement players for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup-bound Lhuandre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka.

A bowling all-rounder, 28-year-old Dudgeon hails from Gauteng, and has 217 wickets in First Class cricket, 70 wickets in List A, along with 22 scalps in 17 T20 games at an economy of 7.89. He currently represents KwaZulu-Natal Inland in the domestic circuit, and has joined the Royals squad in Paarl ahead of the upcoming season in place of top-order batter Lhuandre Pretorius, who has become an integral part of the South African U19 team.

Young pacer Kwena Maphaka is the Rookie signing who won’t be featuring for the Royals this season as he is also serving the South African U19 team. The 17-year-old has been replaced by 21-year-old spinner Nqaba Peter, who represents the Lions in domestic cricket. The leg-spinner made his List A debut in September 2023, and has since picked up 3 wickets in four games for the Lions, along 2 wickets in his young domestic T20 career.

Paarl Royals welcomes the duo to the Royals Family for the upcoming 2024 season of the SA20. The franchise would like to wish Lhuandre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka the very best for the upcoming ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaign.

The Royals will kickstart their SA20 season on Friday, 12th January 2024 at Boland Park against Pretoria Capitals.

Tickets for Paarl Royals’ home matches are available here.

by Abhishek Shukla

85th Junior and Youth National TT-Day 4

Kolkata, January 9: Maintaining her flow and form, Pritha Vartikar emerged as the winner in the singles of the Under-19 Girls event of the 85th edition of the UTT Inter-State Youth and Junior National Table Tennis Championships at the Netaji Indoor Stadium today, marking the end of the Girls’ leg.

Pritha defeated state mate Taneesha Kotecha 4-2 in a final, which had the best two paddlers after the second-seeded Suhana Saini bowed out in earlier rounds. Incidentally, Taneesha knocked her out in a tight quarterfinal.

After the initial hiccups, Pritha gained momentum to lead 3-1. From that unassailable position, the final was going only one way. Yet, Taneesha managed to pull back a game, winning the fifth. However, Pritha’s grip on the trophy was so tight that she quickly finished it off in the sixth game to be the Youth National champion.

Lakshita Narang, who missed her chance in the team event, had another opening to even out with Pritha in the singles. However, the Delhi girl wasted the rousing start and was down 1-3 as the Maharashtra girl gained control in their semifinal. Lakshita fought back to win the fifth game, but beyond that, she had little role to play as Pritha wrapped up the match.

Taneesha overcame the first-game deficit to go 3-1 up against Sayali Wani in the second all-Maharashtra semifinal. Sayali failed to arrest the unforced errors she committed with greater consistency, allowing Taneesha to rule the table. Though Sayali won the fifth game, the damage was severe enough to repair. In the end, Taneesha ensured she had a showdown with another teammate, Pritha.

Syndrela’s dream season

Season 2023 belonged to Syndrela Das. The 14-year-old girl, who could emerge as the next-best player from West Bengal, has shown greater consistency throughout. It was no wonder she got crowned as the Under-17 Girls champion here.

Syndrela failed to go past the pre-quarterfinals in the previous edition at Chennai, and Kavya Bhatt, her rival from Maharashtra in the final today, reached the quarterfinals. The difference ended there. However, Kavya, the promising player, lacked the vision of Syndrela, a tricky customer to deal with. Even as the West Bengal paddler showed solidity across higher sections, the graph of Kavya went down.

The win Syndrela notched up today stamped her authority again. It could have been a straight game win for her. But Kavya pulled back in the second game after the deuce to win 13-11. Undeterred, Syndrela inched her way up the ladder and led 3-1. A slackened grip in between in the match helped Kavya claim her second game. But Syndrela cannot afford to be complacent, and she quickly realised her fifth-game folly before winning the sixth with minimal points and walking to the top of the podium.

The semi-finals failed to arouse interest as Kavya and Syndrela outwitted their rivals, Sayanika Maji and Riana Bhoota, respectively, with an identical 3-0 win.

Kavya went with the flow of the game against chopper Sayanika. Her defensive play posed problems, but Kavya countered well to overcome whatever deficiencies she may have had as an attacking player. The promising left-handed Riana found the going rather difficult against a well-oiled Syndrela, who had answers to all the right questions Riana asked.

Haryana, Maharashtra win gold

After their team silver, Haryana earned a gold in the Under-19 Girls Doubles. The combo of Suhana Saini and Prithoki Chakraborti had the upper hand right from the start despite the 12-10 win in the first game. The duo went 2-0 up and even led 6-4 in the third before Syndrela Das and Nandini Saha pulled one back. However, the Bengal pair could not deny the Haryana duo the gold medal as the latter wrapped it up 12-10 in the fourth game, as it had begun in the first game.

Jennifer Verghese, who had a moderate season, needs to up her game level and concentrate. She was not a part of the Maharashtra squad, as she wanted to focus on her singles. But she miserably failed in her mission and somehow made up for the losses in the Under-17 doubles. Jennifer combined with Divyanshi Bhowmick and defeated Avisha Karmakar and Vanshika Mudgal of Delhi 3-0 to end with a medal from the Nationals.

Results:

U-19 Girls Singles Finals: Pritha Vartikar (Mah) bt Taneesha Kotecha (Mah) 11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6.

Semifinals: Pritha bt Lakshsita Naranag (Del) 7-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-4, 6-11, 11-6; Taneesha bt Sayali Wani (Mah) 6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 13-11.

Doubles: Final: Suhani Saini/Prithoki Chakraborti (Har) bt Syndrela Das/Nandini Saha (WB) 12-10, 11-3, 9-11, 12-10.

U-17 Girls Singles Finals: Syndrela Das (WB) bt Kavya Bhatt (Mah) 11-6, 11-13, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9.

Semifinals: Kavya bt Sayanika Maji (Del) 11-9, 11-9, 11-4; Syndrela bt Riana Bhoota (Mah) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8.

Doubles: Final: Divyanshi Bhowmick/Jennifer Verghese (Mah) bt Avisha Karmakar/Vanshika Mudgal (Del) 11-5, 11-9, 11-3.

by Abhishek Shukla

Arjuna Award to Ajay Kumar Reddy Captain of Indian Blind Cricket Team

New Delhi [India], January 9: Visually impaired cricketer and captain of Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy on Tuesday was conferred with Prestigious Arjuna Award from the President of India at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games is given for good performance over a period of the previous three years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.

Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy (Blind Cricket) is among the 26 sportspersons who were honoured with Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2023. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports last month had announced the National Sports Awards 2023. The nominated stars received their awards from the President of India.

“I am overwhelmed with this recognition. I dedicate this award to my Parents and Family members for their support. I also would like to thank Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and all the players with whom I have played,” Ajay Reddy said in a statement.

Congratulating Arjuna awardee Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Chairman- Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) said “It is an honour and proud moment for all the blind cricketers across the world. It is the good recognition for the hard work and dedication in taking Cricket for the Blind to the next level through various achievements by the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the blind under the leadership of Ajay Reddy. CABI is happy that cricket for the blind is getting the recognition with other major sports.”

Following the Award ceremony, Illuri Ajay Reddy, the chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar and CABI secretary Shailender Yadav also met Indian pacer Mohammad Shami. Shami is also among the 26 sportspersons who were honoured with Arjuna Award on Tuesday.

Illuri Ajay Reddy is currently working in SBI regional office in Bangalore. He is a B2 category player, who is representing India since 2010. He has been part of winning two ODI World Cups, 3 T20 world cups, 1 Asia Cup.

Ajay is the captain of the Indian cricket team for the blind since 2016. Under his captaincy Team India has won 1 ODI world cup, 2 T20 world cups, 1 Asia Cup and the Silver Medal in IBSA World Games and many bilateral and triangular Series.

Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) acknowledges the great support received from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports through this award. The continuous support and patronage received from the esteemed ministry has helped CABI to achieve this milestone.

by Abhishek Shukla

Manish, Siddharth advance to pre-quarterfinal of PET ITF Mandya Open

Mandya, Jan 9:  Manish Ganesh not only warmed the hearts of the local tennis enthusiasts but also added one more ATP point to his tally as he breezed past Neeraj Yashpaul and entered the pre-quarterfinals of the Men’s Singles event in the PET ATP Mandya Open. In a first round match played at the PET Tennis Stadium here on Tuesday, the Mysore lad was a 6-1, 6-1 winner.

In the only other singles match held on the day, Siddharth Vishwakarma overcame Adil Kalyanpur 6-3, 6-1 to make it to the last 16.

The other Mysorean – SD Prajwal Dev, who is in the news for being selected for the Indian Davis Cup had to return dejected as his partner Nitin Kumar Sinha developed stomach cramps and the duo had to withdraw from the doubles pre-quarterfinal tie, despite leading 5-4 in the first set against Korean-Indian pair of Woobin Shin and Karan Singh. The eight seeded Prajwal plays against Korean Yunseok Jang a first round encounter tomorrow.

Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated in a simple yet heart-warming function with Dr. Kumar, District Commissioner, Mandya District lighting the lamp amongst the presence of other dignitaries including KR Dayanand, President Mandya District Lawn Tennis Association, Yathish N, Superintendent of Police, Mandya District and M Lakshminarayan, Hon. Life President, KSLTA amongst others.

The 23-year-old Neeraj began on a tentative note, barely managing to hold his serve in the first game. Manish, buoyed by the support from the home crowd played some brilliant tennis mixing aggression with caution and more often than not used the former trait. With the conditions suiting his game, the 22-year-old served with aplomb and came up with winners most of the time. Piercing through the defence of the left-hander, Manish didn’t give his opponent a semblance of a chance winning the next six game in a row.

In the second set, Manish broke his opponent’s serve in the second game to go 2-0 up but got broken in the 3rd game. However, that was the only blemish that he committed as the home crowd favourite won the next four games in a row to grab the set and the match at 6-1 in a match that lasted just 67 minutes.  

Results Singles (Round of 32)

Siddharth Vishwakarma bt Adil Kalyanpur 6-3, 6-1; Manish Ganesh bt Neeraj Yashpaul 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles (Round of 16)

4-Parikshit Somani/Manish Sureshkumar bt Siddhant Banthia/Giles Hussey (GBR) 6-4, 6-3; Sai Karteek Reddy Ganta/Vishnu Vardhan bt Ishaque Eqbal/Faisal Qamar 6-4, 7-6 (8); Orel Kimhi (ISR) / Ofek Shimanov (ISR) bt Yash Chaurasia/Jagmeet Singh 6-2, 6-1; M Rifqi Fitriadi (INA)/Mitsuki Wei Kang Leong (MAS) bt Preetham Ganesh AS/Chandan Shivaraj 4-6, 6-0, 10-6; Thijmen Loof (NED)/Jelle Sels (NED) bt 3-Tsung-Hao Huang (TPE)/Kris Van Wyk (RSA) 6-4, 7-5; Woobin Shin (KOR)/Karan Singh bt 2-SD Prajwal Dev/Nitin Kumar Sinha 4-5 (retd); 1-Grigoriy Lomakin (KAZ)/David Pichler (AUT) bt Manish Ganesh/Rishi Reddy 6-3, 6-2; Yunseok Jang (KOR)/Nam Hoang Ly (VIE) bt Rishab Agarwal/Adil Kalyanpur 7-5, 7-6 (4).

by Abhishek Shukla

Aim is to retain ILT20 Trophy for Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants, says young star all-rounder Aayan Khan

Abu Dhabi, 9 January 2024: One of the players to watch out for in the upcoming International League T20 is young bowling all-rounder Aayan Khan, who will turn out for the Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants for a second season running. Aayan, who made history in the T20 World Cup 2022 by becoming the youngest player to play at the tournament at the age of just 16, was also a part of the Gulf Giants team that won the trophy the first time around. The youngster is ready to help the Adani Sportsline-owned side retain the ILT20 Trophy.

“It feels great to be playing for the Gulf Giants in the second season of the ILT20, especially after winning the first season of the tournament. Having already won the trophy, retaining it is the main objective for season 2 of the mega cricket extravaganza. This team plays like a family. Hence, the first season was a remarkable one. We enjoyed every moment,” he told the media in an interaction.

In a squad with multiple international talents, one player whom the spinner is keen on working with is Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman. “One player I am very excited to be playing with is the Afghanistan spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman. He is a great spinner. I expect to learn a lot from him, especially if he is in form.”

At the same time, he also looks forward to sharing the dressing room with some of the biggest names in Caribbean cricket as well. “There are two players from the West Indies — Dominic Drakes and Carlos Braithwaite — I have played with them in other leagues as well. So, the bond that I have with these players is very good. I have learnt a lot from these players while sharing the dressing room with them. In T20s, they have a very good name and I am excited to be playing another season with them,” shared an excited Aayan.

Concluding his conversation, the spinner wants to translate his form in the last few months and take his team to the next level. He also credited the improvement of the UAE side and sees a bright future for the sport in the country. “I want to give my 100% in every match and make a name for myself. This is my aim with both the national team and with the Adani Sportsline owned Gulf Giants. I have been playing very well for the last year and I hope to continue this form heading into season two of the ILT20.”

“The future of cricket in the UAE is very bright. The grounds and training facilities have improved massively, and we can see many young players coming out of UAE in the future. Earlier, as you can see we reached the U19 Asia Cup final, which itself is a sign of the bright future of the sport in the country,” he added.

by Abhishek Shukla

ICC Rates Newlands Pitch as “Unsatisfactory,” Issues Demerit Point

International Cricket Council (ICC) Update — The ICC has announced that the pitch used for the second Test of the ICC World Test Championship series between South Africa and India at Newlands, Cape Town, has been rated as “unsatisfactory.” This assessment comes under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

ICC Match Referee Chris Broad, in his report, highlighted concerns from the match officials and feedback from team captains Dean Elgar (South Africa) and Rohit Sharma (India), both of whom expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch quality. According to Broad, the pitch exhibited quick and sometimes alarmingly inconsistent bounce, posing challenges for batters and resulting in multiple instances of batters being hit and wickets falling due to the uneven bounce.

As a result, the Newlands venue has received one demerit point. Cricket South Africa has been informed of this decision and has a 14-day window to appeal against the sanction.

Understanding the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process:

  • Venues with pitches and outfields rated as “unsatisfactory” receive one demerit point, while those marked as “unfit” receive three demerit points.
  • These demerit points remain active for a rolling period of five years.
  • Accumulation of six demerit points within this period leads to a 12-month suspension from hosting any international cricket, and reaching 12 points results in a 24-month suspension.

The demerit point for Newlands is a cautionary reminder of the importance of maintaining high standards in pitch preparation for international cricket, ensuring fair and safe conditions for all players. The rating and subsequent action aim to uphold the integrity and quality of the sport at the highest level.

by Abhishek Shukla

Shaikh Salman hails AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 as a tournament of ‘firsts’

As the attention of world football descends upon Doha for a record third time in the history of the AFC Asian Cup™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has conveyed his best wishes to Asia’s top 24 teams and applauded the spirit of innovation and resilience exemplified by the Asian football family.

Ahead of Friday’s opener between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon at the iconic Lusail Stadium, Shaikh Salman said: “I know our teams, players and the hundreds of millions of passionate fans across the globe have been waiting eagerly and we are now in touching distance of hosting our best-ever men’s showpiece in Asian football history.

“On behalf of the AFC, I would like to wish our teams, players and officials the very best of success and I am confident that we will witness inspiring performances that will showcase the immeasurable progress of Asian football.”

Shaikh Salman took the opportunity to reflect on the exceptional journey undertaken since Qatar was appointed as the host in October 2022 and underlined his confidence in the immaculate capabilities of the Qatar Football Association and the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Local Organising Committee.

The AFC President added: “We are all aware that this is the shortest ever runway that we have had to organise the pinnacle stage of Asian men’s football. But in another remarkable display of Asian football unity, we have shown the world that we are ready to stage an exceptional tournament.

“And of course, so much of this has been made possible all thanks to our dear friends from the Qatar Football Association and the Local Organising Committee. Just over a year ago, Qatar hosted the greatest-ever edition of the FIFA World Cup and now the stage is set for the grandest ever AFC Asian Cup™ to date.”

Shaikh Salman was also quick to acknowledge the breakthrough innovations set to be introduced at Asia’s crown jewel with the AFC eAsian Cup scheduled to take place from 1 to 5 February, and the use of the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) systems across all 51 matches for the first time.

He added: “From the moment Qatar was appointed as the host, we knew that this would be the first AFC Asian Cup™ to be held in FIFA World Cup venues. We also appointed our women’s match officials to the Continent’s most prestigious men’s tournament for the first time.

“And now, with the introduction of the SAOT and full debut of the VAR systems, along with the inaugural AFC eAsian Cup, I am delighted to declare that the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will truly be a tournament of ‘firsts.’

“These enhancements further underline the AFC’s desire to enhance our flagship competitions with each passing edition and bring to life our Vision of providing a world-class stage for our players, teams and officials.”

The AFC President concluded: “At the same time, we are anchored on our Mission to excite and engage with more fans than ever before, and I am confident that the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will be remembered as Asian football’s finest hour.”

by Abhishek Shukla

FIH signs 4-year partnership with Indian broadcaster Viacom18

Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is delighted to announce that it has signed a major media rights agreement with Indian broadcaster Viacom18. This agreement runs for a 4-year cycle (2023-2027) and includes all FIH events, except the FIH Nations Cup.

Thanks to this partnership, the numerous Indian hockey fans will be able to watch on Viacom18 channels the upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, the first ever FIH Hockey5s World Cup, the FIH Hockey Pro League, the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup and many more events!

With India being such a historic powerhouse of global hockey, this agreement is a great asset to boost the popularity of the game in the country even further.

Matches will be available on OTT platform JioCinema and Viacom18’s linear channels Network Sports18.

“Hockey has been one of the most loved, followed and storied sports in India. The recent success of the Indian Men’s and Women’s National Team bodes well for the continuous growth of Hockey, and we are excited to bring unbridled access to millions of sports fans in India,” said Viacom18 Sports Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Acquisitions Hursh Shrivastava. “The addition of world-class Hockey coverage reiterates our commitment to provide fans all-inclusive offerings of globally-acclaimed sports events.”

Commenting on the agreement, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “As we’re enhancing our commercial and broadcast approach, this agreement with Viacom18 is a major step forward. It’s a great support to be partnering with such a strong broadcaster in a country where hockey is so fundamentally and historically anchored, and where we continuously want to develop the game. On behalf of FIH, I would like to thank Viacom18 for joining our efforts to promote hockey in India even further.”

by Abhishek Shukla

‘It’s a rare occasion for sports tournaments to sustain for 10 seasons,’ says Bollywood Star Tiger Shroff on Pro Kabaddi League

MUMBAI, 9th January 2024: Bollywood Star Tiger Shroff graced his presence at the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 in Mumbai on Monday. He cheered on the U Mumba side, which took on Dabang Delhi K.C. at DOME by NSCI. Speaking about his favourite PKL player, Tiger Shroff said, “My favourite player is Pawan Sehrawat. I can relate to him because he’s a high flyer. And my favourite move is the Dubki. I really like how the raiders evade a chain of defenders through explosive power.”

Shroff, who trained in kabaddi for his film Student of the Year 2 in 2019, spoke about his experience of practicing the sport, “One of the main sports was kabaddi in Student of the Year 2. I trained a lot in kabaddi for the movie to get the body language correct. It was quite challenging for me. I learnt how to carry out raids and tackles. I also tried different moves such as Dubki.”

The Bollywood star further added, “Kabaddi is a really physical sport. It requires a lot of athleticism, strength and agility. I am really impressed by how the athletes perform in the Pro Kabaddi League.”

When asked about his thoughts on the Pro Kabaddi League, Shroff said, “This is the tenth season of the Pro Kabaddi League and it is a rare occasion for sports tournaments to sustain for so many seasons. I am very happy to be associated with the Pro Kabaddi League and it’s really heartening to see the youth take interest in kabaddi.”

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 10 matches today
Game 1 – Telugu Titans vs Bengal Warriors – 8 pm

Venue: Mumbai

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

St. Louis Cardinals Appoint Chaim Bloom as Advisor to President of Baseball Operations

ST. LOUIS, MO — The St. Louis Cardinals have announced the appointment of Chaim Bloom as an Advisor to John Mozeliak, the President of Baseball Operations. The move brings an experienced and respected figure into the Cardinals’ baseball operations.

Chaim Bloom, 40, brings a wealth of knowledge from his recent tenure as the Chief Baseball Officer for the Boston Red Sox, a position he held from October 2019 to September 2023. Under his leadership, the Red Sox reached the American League Championship Series in 2021.

John Mozeliak expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointment: “Having a fresh set of eyes on all aspects of our baseball operations should be helpful.”

Bloom’s career in baseball is extensive, with a 15-year stint at the Tampa Bay Rays’ baseball operations department prior to joining the Red Sox. During his time with the Rays, he played a key role in various areas, including player development, scouting, contract negotiations, salary arbitration, and strategic planning.

A graduate of Yale University, Bloom began his career in baseball with intern positions at the San Diego Padres and Major League Baseball. His expertise and broad experience in the sport make him a valuable addition to the Cardinals’ leadership team.

Bloom’s appointment is a strategic move by the Cardinals to leverage his insights and experience to enhance their operations. “I’m excited to join the Cardinals and to be a part of this great organization,” Bloom said, highlighting his eagerness to contribute to the team’s success.

This addition to the Cardinals’ front office signifies a commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation in a highly competitive baseball environment. Bloom’s fresh perspective and proven track record in baseball operations are expected to be instrumental in the Cardinals’ pursuit of excellence and success in the upcoming seasons.

by Abhishek Shukla

Chicago Cubs Announce Baseball Operations Promotions and New Hires for 2024 Season

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Cubs have announced several key promotions and new hires in their baseball operations department as they gear up for the 2024 season. The organization is strengthening its team with a mix of seasoned professionals and fresh talent.

Key Promotions:

  • Jared Banner has been promoted to Assistant General Manager. He joined the Cubs in 2020 and was previously Vice President, Player Development.
  • Andrew Bassett has been elevated to Vice President, Professional Scouting, after serving two years as Director, Pro Scouting/Special Assistant to the President & General Manager.
  • Meghan Jones has been promoted to Vice President, Baseball Strategy. She initially joined the club in 2016 and was previously Director, Baseball Operations – Administration and Strategy.
  • Garrett Chiado is now the Senior Director, Baseball Operations – Professional Acquisitions, following roles as Director, Pro Strategy and Director, Pro Analytics.
  • Jason Kanzler joins the organization as Director, Player Development. He comes from the Houston Astros organization, where he was the Major League Coach and Assistant Hitting Coach.
  • Ryan Otero is promoted to Director, Pitching after serving as Assistant Director, Pitching in 2023.
  • Kyle Chin is elevated to Director, Baseball Technology, having been the Assistant Director in the same department.
  • Scottie Munson is named Assistant Director, Amateur Scouting, after serving as Coordinator in the same field.
  • Will Remillard is promoted to Assistant Director, Hitting. He was previously Manager, Hitting Development.
  • Kenny Socorro is elevated to Assistant Director, International Scouting from Coordinator in the same department.

Additional Promotions:

  • The Cubs have also announced promotions in areas like player development, minor league operations, baseball operations, baseball analytics, pro scouting, international scouting, and amateur scouting, reflecting a comprehensive strengthening across various departments.

Strategic Growth:

  • These changes are part of the Cubs’ strategic efforts to enhance their baseball operations, showcasing a blend of internal growth and external recruitment.
  • The promotions and new hires highlight the Cubs’ focus on player development, scouting, and analytics, key areas for building a successful team.

The Cubs are poised for a strong 2024 season with these additions and promotions, bringing new energy and expertise to their baseball operations. This strategic restructuring and strengthening of their team showcase the organization’s commitment to excellence and competitive success.

by Abhishek Shukla

MLS Legend Ozzie Alonso Announces Retirement

ATLANTA, GA — Ozzie Alonso, one of Major League Soccer’s most iconic midfielders, announced his retirement on Monday, bringing an end to a storied career that spanned over a decade in the league. The 38-year-old shared his decision via social media, reflecting on his journey with gratitude and describing it as a “beautiful road.”

Alonso’s legacy in MLS is significant. He spent his final two seasons with Atlanta United, but it was his time with Seattle Sounders FC, from 2009 to 2018, that solidified his status as a league stalwart. He then continued to make an impact at Minnesota United FC from 2019 to 2021.

Hailing from San Cristóbal, Cuba, Alonso’s path to MLS fame began after defecting from Cuba in 2007. He first made his mark in the United States with the USL Championship side Charleston Battery in 2008 before joining the Seattle Sounders. In Seattle, Alonso earned a reputation as a formidable and tenacious defensive midfielder, known for his aggressive and passionate style of play. He played a pivotal role in the Sounders’ early successes, including their first-ever MLS Cup victory in 2016 and four US Open Cup titles.

With Minnesota United, Alonso continued to showcase his exceptional skills and leadership, making 61 regular-season appearances and scoring the inaugural goal at Allianz Field. His final MLS chapter at Atlanta United saw him reunite with former Sounders teammate and Atlanta head coach Gonzalo Pineda, though his stint was marred by an ACL injury that limited his playtime.

In total, Alonso’s MLS career boasts 349 appearances, 13 goals, and 27 assists over 28,333 minutes, making him one of the league’s most enduring and respected figures. Known affectionately as “Honey Badger” by Seattle fans, Alonso leaves behind a legacy of dedication, skill, and a competitive spirit that has left an indelible mark on the league. His retirement marks the end of an era for MLS, as fans and players alike bid farewell to one of the league’s greats.

by Abhishek Shukla

Colorado Rapids Transfer Midfielder Max Alves to Cuiabá

DENVER, CO — The Colorado Rapids have finalized the transfer of midfielder Max Alves to Cuiabá, a Brazilian top-flight club. The 22-year-old originally joined the Rapids in January 2022 from Flamengo as part of the MLS U22 Initiative.

During his tenure with the Rapids, Alves made 38 appearances, including 16 starts, contributing one goal and one assist. His departure marks the end of a brief yet impactful stint with the MLS club.

Rapids president Pádraig Smith expressed gratitude towards Alves for his contributions to the team: “We wish him all the best in this next chapter of his career.”

The move comes as the Rapids are gearing up for a new season under head coach Chris Armas. The team is looking to make strides in the MLS, starting with an away game against the Portland Timbers on February 24.

Max Alves’s transfer to Cuiabá represents both an opportunity for the young midfielder to continue his development in a familiar league and a strategic move by the Rapids as they reshape their squad for the upcoming season.

by Abhishek Shukla

CF Montréal Names Laurent Courtois as New Head Coach

MONTRÉAL, QC — CF Montréal has announced the appointment of Laurent Courtois as their new head coach. The former Columbus Crew MLS NEXT Pro team coach is set to lead Montréal into the upcoming season, bringing a wealth of coaching and playing experience to the role.

Courtois’s coaching career includes guiding the Columbus Crew’s NEXT Pro team to an inaugural league title in 2022 and a championship match appearance in 2023. His successful track record in developing young players aligns with CF Montréal’s sporting project and ambition.

Olivier Renard, Montréal’s VP and chief sporting officer, expressed confidence in Courtois’s capabilities: “We are confident that he will be able to replicate his past success with our club’s core team and young talent.”

At 45, the Frenchman becomes Montréal’s third head coach in three years, following the tenures of Wilfried Nancy and Hernán Losada. Courtois brings a unique perspective from his playing days as a midfielder for the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA, as well as a career spanning several European clubs.

Courtois, the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year, shared his excitement about the new role: “I’m very proud of this responsibility. I want to continue the development work begun with our young players, while offering a dynamic style of play and emotions to the fans.”

CF Montréal, looking to rebound from missing the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2023, boasts a squad featuring forward Kwadwo Opoku, midfielder Mathieu Choinière, and defender Joel Waterman. The team aims to improve upon their performance from the previous season, where they finished 10th in the Eastern Conference.

Courtois’s appointment heralds a new chapter for CF Montréal, emphasizing youth development and dynamic play. The team’s season begins on February 24 with an away game against Orlando City SC, marking the start of their quest for success in the MLS under Courtois’s guidance.

by Abhishek Shukla

Colorado Rapids Sign USMNT Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from AZ Alkmaar

DENVER, CO — The Colorado Rapids have made a significant acquisition, signing US men’s national team midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar. Mihailovic, who previously played in MLS with Chicago Fire FC and CF Montréal, will join the Rapids as a Designated Player.

Under the terms of the deal, Mihailovic is contracted through 2027, with an option for 2028. The Rapids have reportedly paid a club-record transfer fee exceeding $3 million for Mihailovic. Additionally, the club has compensated FC Cincinnati with $75,000 in General Allocation Money for his discovery rights.

Pádraig Smith, Rapids president, expressed high expectations for Mihailovic, noting, “Djordje is an exciting, skillful player with a proven track record of success in MLS and at the international level.”

Mihailovic’s MLS career includes an impressive tally of 20 goals and 36 assists across 134 regular-season appearances. His standout performance at Montréal led to his initial transfer to AZ Alkmaar for over $6 million. However, his stint in the Dutch league saw limited success, prompting his return to MLS.

USMNT coach Chris Armas praised Mihailovic’s abilities, emphasizing his competitive nature and play-making skills. “He has the personality and intensity needed to excel with our style of play,” said Armas.

In Colorado, Mihailovic will join a talented midfield lineup, including homegrown player Cole Bassett, Connor Ronan, Portugal youth international Sidnei Tavares, and recent free agency addition Omir Fernandez.

The Rapids, now entering the Chris Armas era, are set to kick off their season on February 24 against the Portland Timbers. The signing of Mihailovic, along with the acquisition of USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen from Manchester City, signals the club’s strong ambition for the upcoming MLS season.

by Abhishek Shukla

St. Louis CITY SC Strengthens Defense with Signing of Nikolas Dyhr

ST. LOUIS, MO — St. Louis CITY SC continues to build a strong defensive lineup with the acquisition of Danish left-back Nikolas Dyhr from the Danish Superliga leaders Midtjylland. The 22-year-old joins the club on a contract running through the 2026 MLS season, with an option for 2027.

Nikolas Dyhr, a former Danish youth international, brings a blend of experience and youthful energy to St. Louis. Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel expressed enthusiasm about the new signing: “His ability to man the left side of the field in the defensive third and final third will be key in our style of play.”

Dyhr’s career at Midtjylland was marked by 103 appearances, contributing 3 goals and 8 assists. His experience extends beyond the Danish league, with loan spells at AC Horsens and Belgian club KV Kortrijk, and participation in Europa and Champions League competitions.

In St. Louis, Dyhr will strengthen the club’s defense, joining alongside Anthony Markanich and versatile defender Kyle Hiebert. The addition of Dyhr follows the club’s previous offseason deal for right-back Tomas Totland, indicating a strategic focus on reinforcing the defensive unit.

St. Louis CITY SC, entering its second year, is poised for an exciting 2024 season. The team will make their debut in the Concacaf Champions Cup after a record-setting expansion year that saw them clinch the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed. Their regular season kicks off on February 24 against Real Salt Lake, showcasing a bolstered roster ready to compete at the highest level.

by Abhishek Shukla

2024 NFL Draft First Round Order: Chicago Bears Hold First Pick in 2024 NFL Draft

NEW YORK –– Jan. 8, 2024 –– The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 pick in the 2024 National Football League Draft, which is scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit, Michigan.

The tentative order of the first round was announced today by the NFL, subject to the results of the playoffs.

The draft order is determined by the following procedures:

(A)            The winner of the Super Bowl​ game selects last and the loser selects next-to-last in all rounds, regardless of the record of the clubs in the regular season.

(B)            The losers of the Conference Championship games select 29th and 30th in all rounds, according to the reverse order of their standing.

(C)           The losers of the Divisional Playoffs select 25th through 28th in all rounds, according to the reverse order of their standing.

(D)           The losers of the Wild Card games select 19th through 24th in all rounds, according to the reverse order of their standing.

(E)            Clubs not participating in the playoffs select in the first through 18th positions in all rounds, according to the reverse order of their standing.

If, after all the foregoing procedures have been applied, ties still exist in any grouping except (A) above, such ties shall be broken by figuring the aggregate won-lost-tied percentage of each involved club’s regular season opponents and awarding preferential selection order to the club which faced the schedule of teams with the lowest aggregate won-lost-tied percentage.

If ties still exist between teams in the same division or the same conference, the divisional or conference tie-breaking method is used, whichever is applicable.

If ties still exist, the procedures for breaking ties for teams of different conferences shall be applied.

Clubs involved in two-club ties will alternate positions from round-to-round. In ties that involve three or more clubs, the club at the top of a tied segment in a given round will move to the bottom of the segment for the next round, while all other clubs in the segment move up one position. This rotation continues throughout the Draft.

2024 FIRST-ROUND DRAFT ORDER

 #TeamWinLossTieWinning PercentageWinLossTieStrength of Schedule
1.Carolina Panthers(traded to Chicago)2150.1181511380.522
2.Washington Commanders4130.2351481410.512
3.New England Patriots4130.2351511380.522
4.Arizona Cardinals4130.2351621270.561
5.Los Angeles Chargers5120.2941531360.529
6.New York Giants6110.3531481410.512
7.Tennessee Titans6110.3531511380.522
8.Atlanta Falcons7100.4121241650.429
9.Chicago Bears7100.4121341550.464
10.New York Jets7100.4121451440.502
11.Minnesota Vikings7100.4121471420.509
12.Denver Broncos **890.4711411480.488
13.Las Vegas Raiders **890.4711411480.488
14.New Orleans Saints980.5291251640.433
15.Indianapolis Colts980.5291421470.491
16.Seattle Seahawks980.5291481410.512
17.Jacksonville Jaguars980.5291541350.533
18.Cincinnati Bengals980.5291661230.574
19.Green Bay Packers #980.5291371520.474
20.Tampa Bay Buccaneers #980.5291391500.481
21.Houston Texans #(traded to Arizona)1070.5881371520.474
22.Los Angeles Rams #1070.5881531360.529
23.Pittsburgh Steelers #1070.5881561330.540
24.Miami Dolphins #1160.6471301590.450
25.Buffalo Bills #1160.6471361530.471
26.Kansas City Chiefs #1160.6471391500.481
27.Philadelphia Eagles #1160.6471391500.481
28.Cleveland Browns #(traded to Houston)1160.6471551340.536
29.Dallas Cowboys #1250.7061291600.446
30.Detroit Lions #1250.7061391500.481
31.San Francisco 49ers #1250.7061471420.509
32.Baltimore Ravens #1340.7651571320.543

** – Denver selects ahead of Las Vegas as a result of the divisional head-to-head tiebreaker.

# – Subject to Playoffs

by Abhishek Shukla

Sindhu, Prannoy to spearhead Indian challenge at Badminton Asia Team Championships

New Delhi, January 9, 2024: Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and World No. 8 Prannoy HS will spearhead a strong Indian squad at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024 slated to be held in Shah Alam, Malaysia from 13-19 February.

The prestigious team event will be important for Indian shuttlers to gain valuable qualification points in the Race to Paris 2024 – Olympic qualification.

The team championships will also mark the comeback of India’s star shuttler PV Sindhu, who was out of the international circuit due to a knee injury for almost four months. The 16-year-old senior national champion Anmol Kharb, Badminton Asia Junior Championships medallist Tanvi Sharma and Ashmita Chaliha will provide backup to the former world champion in the women’s singles category.

“With the Olympic games a few months away, this is one of the most important events for our shuttlers considering the Paris Olympic qualification. We have rewarded the senior national champions as well, with call-up for team India. These are very strong Indian sides, who are capable of going all the way and I am sure they will script history at the prestigious team event”, said Badminton Association of India General Secretary Sanjay Mishra.

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand, who helped the Indian team clinch a historic bronze medal last year at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023 in Dubai, will contest in women’s doubles. The remaining two pairs include rising duo and Yonex-Sunrise Guwahati Masters 2023 champions Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto alongside reigning senior national champions Priya Devi Konjengbam-Shruti Mishra.

On the other hand, one of the most consistent shuttlers on tour, Prannoy, who also won his first BWF World Championships medal and BWF World Tour title at Malaysia Masters 2023, will lead the men’s team. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lakshya Sen, former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth and recently crowned senior national champion Chirag Sen will accompany him in team India’s s pursuit for glory. 

Having won six titles in 2023, including gold medals at Asian Games and Asian Championships, along with Indonesia Open 2023 a Super 1000 event, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty will shoulder the men’s doubles responsibility. The former World No. 1 duo will have the support of impressive senior national champion pair Suraj Goala-Pruthvi Roy and Dhruv Kapila-M R Arjun.

Indian men’s team has previously won bronze medals in the 2016 and 2018 editions of the team event.

India squad

Men’s Team: Prannoy HS, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, Chirag Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Dhruv Kapila, M R Arjun, Suraj Goala, Pruthvi Roy

Women’s Team: PV Sindhu, Anmol Kharb, Tanvi Sharma, Ashmita Chaliha, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Ashwini Ponnappa, Tanisha Crasto, Priya Devi Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra

by Abhishek Shukla

Sony Pictures Networks India extends exclusive broadcast rights for UFC in the Indian Subcontinent

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), the leading sports broadcaster in the Indian subcontinent, has announced the extension of the exclusive broadcast rights for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka for five years. The terms of the agreement include exclusive television and digital media rights for a wide range of UFC events through 2028. 

The premier promotion for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) worldwide, UFC caters to a massive global audience. UFC is renowned for its top-class fights along with talented fighters and is a dream platform for fighters across the world to showcase their MMA skills. UFC features many of the world’s greatest fighters, including Israel Adesanya, Leon Edwards, Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev, Sean O’Malley, Alex Pereira, and Alexander Volkanovski. Some of the best up-and-coming fighters in UFC are coming out of Eurasia, which has a rapidly expanding fan base for the sport. And with the UFC roster inclusion of Anshul Jubli, the first fighter from India to receive win a UFC contract via winning the tournament for Asia’s best MMA prospects, ROAD TO UFC, and Puja Tomar, the first India-born female fighter, the timing could not have been better to make headway in the Indian subcontinent.  

Effective January 1, 2024, the agreement solidifies SPNI’s commitment to delivering premium UFC content to fans across the region on Sony Sports Network and SonyLiv. The comprehensive rights package includes exclusive coverage of 42 UFC LIVE events, encompassing 12 Pay-Per-View (PPV) and 30 Fight Night events each year featuring both Main Card and Preliminary bouts, along with additional content that includes UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, a variety of archive content, and Dana White’s Contender Series, a 10-episode live fight series which features up-and-coming talent trying to secure a contract with UFC .  

In addition to live events, Sony Sports Network will continue to broadcast live in Asia prime time the ground-breaking “win and advance” tournament for Asia’s top MMA prospects, ROAD TO UFC. Sony Sports Network will also have access to archive content that will further enable them to engage audiences with the rich history of the sport. 

Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India:  

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with UFC for five more years. Sony Sports Network is the go-to destination for MMA fans in the Indian subcontinent. We have also seen the inclusion of ‘The King of Lions’ aka Anshul Jubli along with Puja Tomar in 2023 has raised interest for UFC in India. Our partnership extension with UFC allows us to continue the exclusive coverage of live UFC events in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu along with an expansive portfolio programming to engage our viewers.”

Kevin Chang, SVP and Head of Asia, UFC: 

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sony Sports Network, which will remain the home for UFC in India. Sony Sports Network has been a valuable and trusted partner, helping to expand the UFC brand in many ways, from their ‘Ultimate Guide to UFC’ show, to their media and social promotions. We’re excited to extend our partnership and ushering in the next generation of Indian talent.” 

Watch the LIVE coverage of UFC on Sony Sports Ten 1 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels

by Abhishek Shukla

Dabang Delhi KC stage epic comeback to stun U Mumba at home, rise to second on table

8th January, MUMBAI: Dabang Delhi KC beat the home team U Mumba 40-34 in a tense encounter at the DOME by NSCI in Mumbai to rise to second on the table. A rampaging Ashu Malik (13 points) was the star of the game on a day when U Mumba’s defence was underwhelming and underperforming.

Dabang Delhi KC rode on a blistering first half performance by Ashu Malik, who grabbed 8 raid points in the first period and was tackled only once by the Mumba defence. They inflicted the first ALL OUT of the game to take a 13-8 lead.

But as they succeeded on the raid, so did U Mumba, with both defences rendered ineffective in the half and restricted to a mere 7 points. While Delhi Dabang KC’s raiding was almost a one-man effort, U Mumba spread their 15 raid points among Amirmohammad Zafardanesh, Guman Singh and Jai Bhagwan. By the end of the half, despite trailing by two points they had reduced the Delhi Dabang KC team to two members on the mat.

Despite some solid raiding under pressure by Delhi Dabang KC, it didn’t take U Mumba too long in the second half to inflict an ALL OUT of their own and claw back their hold on the game. There was a one-point difference between the two teams as they went into the final quarter of the game.

Ashu Malik capitalised on a series of DO OR DIE raids to reduce the U Mumba numbers and then almost single handedly inflicted a second ALL OUT to take a 36-31 lead with three minutes to play. A series of razor thin decisions went in favour of a brilliant Delhi Dabang KC’s defence in the dying moments of the game as they closed out a hugely important victory.

Please see below the PKL Season 10 match on 9th January

Game – Telugu Titans vs Bengal Warriors – 8 pm

Venue: Mumbai

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