Puneri Paltan put up a fantastic performance against derby rivals U Mumba to clinch a 43-32 victory at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. Mohit Goyat’s Super 10 — 12 points from 17 raids — was the icing on a tremendous team performance by the Paltan.
Las Vegas Raiders’ star edge rusher Maxx Crosby is set to make a remarkable return to the field against the Minnesota Vikings, overcoming significant health challenges. Crosby, who recently battled a knee injury and a hospital stay due to an infection, is determined to continue his impressive performance this season.
Despite being listed as doubtful ahead of Week 12’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Crosby’s resilience was on full display. He managed to play 48 snaps, a season-low for him, yet still achieved a notable sack of Patrick Mahomes. This tenacity is a testament to Crosby’s commitment to his team, as he played at what he estimates was about 60 percent of his capacity.
After missing practices on Wednesday and Thursday following the bye week, Crosby revealed in an interview on The Insiders on NFL+ that he is planning to practice on Friday and aims to be fully ready for Sunday’s game. His optimistic outlook reflects his dedication, as he stated, “If I’m able and have a heartbeat, I’m going to be out there with my brothers and try to go get a win.”
Crosby’s performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. He is currently tied for sixth in the NFL with 11.5 sacks and has accumulated 50 quarterback pressures, according to Next Gen Stats. Notably, Crosby, along with Micah Parsons and Danielle Hunter, is among the few edge rushers to have achieved three-plus sacks while facing a double team in 2023.
The Raider’s edge rusher’s consistency is also remarkable. Crosby has recorded at least one sack in each of his last two games and has amassed a total of 5.0 sacks in his last four. His total of 11.5 sacks this year, following 12.5 in 2022, makes him the first Raiders player to record 10-plus sacks in consecutive seasons since Khalil Mack in 2015-2017. He is on the brink of tying the team’s record for the longest streak of 12-plus sack seasons.
As the Raiders prepare to face the Vikings, Crosby’s return adds a significant boost to their defense. His story of overcoming adversity and maintaining high-level performance is inspiring and will undoubtedly be a key factor in their upcoming matchup.
The New Orleans Saints are facing a pivotal moment in their season as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, with their starting quarterback Derek Carr’s participation hanging in the balance. Carr, who has been dealing with a concussion and rib and right shoulder injuries, practiced fully on Friday but remains questionable for the upcoming match.
Carr’s resilience has been notable this season, as he has not missed a start despite multiple injuries. However, his availability for Sunday is contingent on passing through concussion protocol, a process that remains uncertain. This follows a tough Week 13 loss to Detroit, where Carr had to exit the game after a severe blow, marking his second time in concussion protocol and the third time he’s been pulled out of a game due to injury this year.
Should Carr fail to clear the concussion protocol, the Saints might have to turn to Jameis Winston, who could be making his first start of the 2023 season. The quarterback situation is further complicated by the status of Taysom Hill, known for his versatility in playing quarterback, tight end, and other roles. Hill, who is currently dealing with foot and left-hand injuries, is also questionable. He missed practice all week, with head coach Dennis Allen indicating that the foot injury is a more significant concern for Hill’s ability to play on Sunday.
The injury woes for the Saints extend beyond their quarterbacks. The team’s injury report includes running back Kendre Miller (ankle) and defensive end Isaiah Foskey (quad), both ruled out for the game. Additionally, receiver Chris Olave (illness), defensive end Cam Jordan (ankle), wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (thigh), tight end Juwan Johnson (quad), linebacker Pete Werner (shoulder/oblique), guard Nick Saldiveri (shoulder), and kicker Blake Grupe (groin) are all listed as questionable.
Sitting at a 5-7 record and currently on a three-game losing streak, the Saints are at a critical juncture in their campaign. As they prepare to face the Panthers, the team’s depth and resilience will be tested, and their ability to navigate through these injury challenges will be crucial in their quest to stay competitive in the NFC South.
The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for a challenging encounter against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, but they’ll have to do so without several key players, including top running back Isiah Pacheco. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Pacheco’s absence due to a shoulder injury, a significant blow to the team’s offensive strategy.
Pacheco, a vital cog in the Chiefs’ machinery, has been sidelined following an injury sustained in last week’s game against Green Bay. Despite a brief return to the field after initially going down, the running back was ultimately ejected from the game in its final moments. His absence is keenly felt, especially considering his impressive stats this season: 779 rushing yards and six touchdowns from 176 carries, leading the Chiefs in rushing.
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Kansas City. Their passing game has been struggling to find a rhythm, and Pacheco’s powerful running style has been crucial in maintaining a balanced offense and consistently gaining yards. This setback is particularly concerning as they face a Bills defense that has been relatively generous to runners this year, allowing 4.7 yards per carry.
With Pacheco out, the burden now shifts to Clyde Edwards-Helaire (CEH) and Jerick McKinnon. Edwards-Helaire, currently second among K.C. running backs with 140 rushing yards and a touchdown from 40 attempts, is expected to see an increase in carries. Meanwhile, McKinnon, who is just returning from a groin injury that sidelined him for two games, will likely take on pass-catching duties and share carrying responsibilities against Buffalo.
The Chiefs will also be without linebacker Drue Tranquill, defensive back Bryan Cook, and offensive tackle Donovan Smith for Sunday’s game, adding to the challenges they face. These absences underscore the depth issues that Kansas City must overcome to maintain their competitive edge in this high-stakes matchup.
As the Chiefs prepare to take on the Bills, the team’s resilience and adaptability will be put to the test. The ability to compensate for the loss of key players like Pacheco will be crucial in determining their success on Sunday’s critical showdown.
The journey to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh continues as Uganda opens her doors to host the Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier from 9 to 17 December.
For the first time, two spots are up for grabs from the Africa region as Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe look to book their place in the Global Qualifier taking place in the Dubai next year.
Group A includes tournament favourites, Zimbabwe, alongside Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania, while Group B comprises Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda.
Botswana announced themselves when they hosted the ICC Africa Division 2 Qualifier in September this year. They finished in second place, behind Kenya after beating Malawi and Lesotho in the preliminary round, followed by an inspired performance against Sierra Leone in the semi-finals to book their ticket to the regional qualifier in Uganda.
Kenya made their intentions known with an unbeaten run as they won the ICC Africa Division 2 Qualifier in Botswana earlier this year. They will look to add to their winning streak when they meet Zimbabwe in the tournament opener on the ninth.
Namibia have set themselves high targets, knowing that they are capable of qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers from their past experience in 2019. With the recent successes of their senior men’s team in qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, the Eagles will look to emulate that triumph in their own hunt for qualification glory.
Nigeria have amassed a large fan-following in spite of the fact that the majority of the fixtures they have played have been away from home. As a growing team, they will throw caution to the wind, playing their now trademark, fearless style of cricket as they take on Africa’s most promising names.
Rwanda will be one of the teams to look out for, with a squad that comprises a large number of their history-making women’s U19 squad which beat Zimbabwe and West Indies at the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa in January this year.
Tanzania aim to make history by qualifying for the Global Qualifiers for the first time. They prepared for the Africa Qualifiers in a quadrangular series played in Hong Kong, the game time from there, giving them confidence as they look to face Africa’s brightest up-and-coming stars.
Uganda will hope to make use of their home ground advantage as they also aim to reach the same heights as their men’s team, which recently qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies alongside Namibia. They have left no stone unturned in their preparation, scheduling two training camps in Eastern Uganda and Entebbe, where the event will be held.
Zimbabwe will open the final regional qualifying event of what has been a busy calendar year as favourites considering their history in this event. In preparation for the event, they come from a 17-day training camp at the “I Can We Can Cricket” Institute in Mumbai, India, followed by an unofficial T20 series against the South Africa Emerging Women, which they hosted at Harare Sports Club, narrowly losing 3-2.
Patricia Kambarami, ICC Regional Development Manager – Africa said: “It is an exciting time for women’s cricket in Africa. We are delighted by the growth in the number of teams involved in the pathway to this event this year.
“The expansion of the sport and increase in fan support on the continent is culminating in what will surely be a festival of cricket in Uganda over the next nine days.
“This tournament will show off Africa’s most promising talent, with two representatives moving onto the Global Qualifiers in Dubai next year. We look forward to a closely contested and entertaining tournament, where fresh talent will be discovered and celebrated.”
Participating squads:
Botswana: Laura Mophakedi (c, wk), Onneile Keitsemang, Oratile Kgeresi, Bontle Madimabe
(wk), Pako Mapotsane, Goabilwe Matome, Tebogo Moitoi, Amantle Mokgotlhe,
Shameelah Mosweu, Tebogo Motlhabaphuti, Wendy Moutswi, Merapelo Phiase,
Florence Samanyika, Tuelo Shadrack.
Kenya: Esther Wachira (c), Queentor Abel, Josephine Abwom, Mercy Ahono, Lavendah
Idambo, Melvin Khagoitsa, Kreeshna Mehta, Charity Muthoni (wk), Mary Mwangi
(wk), Jemimah Ndanu, Flavia Odhiambo, Kelvia Ogola, Judith Ogolla, Venasa
Ooko.
Namibia: Irene van Zyl (c), Naomi Benjamin, Jurriene Diergaardt, Merczerly Gorases,
Kayleen Green, Victoria Hamunyela, Yasmeen Khan (wk), Bianca Manuel,
Mekeleya Mwatile, Sylvia Shihepo, Saima Tuhadeleni, Sune Wittmann, Edelle Van
Zyl.
Nigeria: Blessing Etim (c), Rukayat Abdulrasak, Adeshola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya,
Christabel Chukwuonye, Favour Eseigbe, Sarah Etim (wk), Victory Igbinedion,
Abigail Igbobie (wk), Lucky Piety, Rachael Samson, Esther Sandy, Salome
Sunday, Lillian Udeh.
Rwanda: Diane Marie Bimenyimana (c), Alice Ikuzwe, Flora Irakoze, Rosine Irera, Gisele
Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Immaculee Muhawenimana, Belise Murekatete,
Zulufat Mutoniwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Josiane Nyirankundineza, Marie
Tumukunde, Clarisse Uwase, Merveille Uwase (wk).
Tanzania: Fatuma Kibasu (c), Saum Borakambi, Sophia Jerome, Perice Kamunya, Sheila
Kizito, Aisha Mohamed, Shufaa Mohamedi (wk), Saum Mtae, Hudaa Omary, Agnes
Qwele, Monica Pascal, Neema Pius, Mwajabu Salum, Mwanamvua Ushangaeko.
Uganda: Concy Aweko (c), Janet Mbabazi (vc), Sarah Akiteng, Prosscovia Alako, Irene Alumo, Lorna Anyait, Evelyn Anyipo, Malisa Ariokot, Kevin Awino (wk), Esther Iloku, Patricia
Malemikia, Rita Musamali, Immaculate Nakisuuyi, Stephanie Nampiina.
Zimbabwe: Mary-Anne Musonda (c), Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Chiyedza Dhururu, Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange, Ashley Ndiraya, Nomvelo Sibanda, Kelis Ndhlovu,
Lindokuhle Mabhera, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, Chipo
Tiripano, Loreen Tshuma.
FIXTURES:
Saturday 9th December
09:30: Zimbabwe vs Kenya
13:50: Tanzania vs Botswana
Sunday 10th December
09:30: Namibia vs Nigeria
13:50: Rwanda vs Uganda
Monday 11th December
09:30: Kenya vs Tanzania
13:50: Botswana vs Zimbabwe
Tuesday 12th December
09:30: Nigeria vs Rwanda
13:50: Uganda vs Namibia
Wednesday 13th December
09:30: Kenya vs Botswana
13:50: Zimbabwe vs Tanzania
Thursday 14th December
09:30: Namibia vs Rwanda
13:50: Uganda vs Nigeria
Saturday 16th December
09:30: Semifinal 1 – A1 vs B2
13:50: Semifinal 2 – B1 vs A2
Sunday 17th December – Finals
09:30: 3rd/4th Play-off Final – Loser Semi-final 1 vs Loser Semi-final 2
13:50: Final – Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2
*All games will be played at the lakeside Entebbe Cricket Oval.
*All times are local time.
BENGALURU, 8th December, 2023: Puneri Paltan put up a fantastic performance against derby rivals U Mumba to clinch a 43-32 victory at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. Mohit Goyat’s Super 10 — 12 points from 17 raids — was the icing on a tremendous team performance by the Paltan.
In a match billed as one of the fiercest derbies in the season, the Paltan started off the stronger. Pankaj Mohite’s SUPER RAID in only the fourth raid of the game set the tone for the Paltan. Soon enough they had inflicted a first ALL OUT on U Mumba, to take a 13-6 lead.
Puneri Paltan continued to put pressure on their opponents and took full control fo the game. V Visvanath’s SUPER TACKLE on Mohit Goyat was the only highlight for U Mumba in the first half as the teams went into the break with Paltan leading 21-13.
The Paltan remained relentless after the break streaking into a 13-point lead at one point of time before U Mumba turned things around. Within five minutes of the second half, they inflicted an ALL OUT of their own to claw back to 20-29.
Despite that setback, Puneri Paltan never let U Mumba wrest the game away from them, and only doubled down on their all-around brilliant display to consistently chip away and keep their huge lead intact. With three minutes of the game left, they inflicted a second ALL OUT on U Mumba before cruising to an 11-point win.
Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 10 match on Saturday:
Game 1: Bengaluru Bulls vs Haryana Steelers – 8 pm
Game 2: U.P. Yoddhas vs Telugu Titans – 9 pm
Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ hotstar.
Bengaluru, December 8: India’s Ahmedabad Defenders provided enough glimpses of their potential but defending champions Sir Sicoma Perugia of Italy proved too strong for the home team in the final Pool A round robin clash in the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships here on Friday.
The first-ever Indian outfit to participate in the prestigious tournament rode on a strong home support and put up a strong fight against the mighty Italians but ended up on the losing side 0-3 (25-18, 25-19, 25-11) to end their campaign as the third best team in the Pool A.
Perugia expectedly topped the Pool with two victories in two matches while Brazil’s Itambe Minas finished second with three points to book their semi-final spots.
On Saturday, Perugia will face Turkey’s Halkbank Spor Kulubu while Minas take on Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds for a place in the final.
The Defenders, who participated in the Club World Championships on home turf by virtue of being the RuPay Prime Volleyball League champions, were definitely the underdogs going into the must-win clash against Perugia, who boasted of the likes of star setter Simone Giannelli and Cuban Opposite Jesus Hererra.
But instead of being cowed down by the occasion, the Defenders played to their strength with skipper Appavu Muthusamy looking to engage LM Manoj, Amit Balwan Singh and Ramaswamy Angamuthu into breaching the Perugia defence with his short sets.
In the opening set, the home team managed to keep pace with their illustrious opponents till the first 12 points before the left-handed Hererra decided to step up and find winners at will.
The Cuban scored a total of 16 points with another left-handed Outside Hitter Oleh Plotnytskyi supporting him well with nine points. The Italians were so confident about wrapping up the match in straight sets that coach Angelo Lorenzetti substituted Giannelli in the first set itself and gave setter Gregor Ropret some game time ahead of the knock-out stage.
For the Indians Manoj top scored seven points with Angamuthu (6) and Amit (5) also impressing with their attacks.
The tournament will go on till 10th of December at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad Defenders will find themselves in Pool A, facing the defending champions, Sir Sicoma Perugia from Italy, and Brazil’s Minas Tênis Clube (Itambé Minas). In Pool B, Halkbank Spor Kulübü from Turkey, Sada Cruzeiro Volei from Brazil, and Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds are grouped.
The match tickets can be purchased at BookMyShow.
The Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 will be telecast live in India on Sony Sports Network across Sony Ten 1 & Sony Ten 3 channels and the broadcast will be shown globally on Volleyball World. Fans in India can also stream the tournament online on FanCode.
Bengaluru, 8th December 2023: Mumbai City FC had a strong outing as they took the field for their first ISL match after the departure of Des Buckingham, as they defeated Bengaluru FC by 4-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight. Some shake-ups in the playing XI coupled with being firm with their playing style that has reaped them rich rewards lately resulted in the Islanders making a happy return to domestic action after over a month.
Abdenasser El Khayati was roped into the starting side and he made an impact straightaway, converting an accurate delivery by Greg Stewart, who reached 40 goal contributions in 47 ISL appearances, becoming the third fastest player to do so in ISL history.
Mumbai maintained their dominance in the proceedings, with their fleet footed forwards earning fouls from promising positions in and around the box. Akash Mishra’s goal that doubled their lead was a consequence of one such set-piece, but Mishra, who admitted before the season that he wants to display the offensive side of his game in a greater capacity, was brave to take a shot from outside the box to hammer the ball into the centre of the net in the 30th minute.
Javi Hernandez had a chance to draw scores level just before that, with his close range effort being pushed away by Phurba Lachenpa. Similarly, Sunil Chhetri had nearly two great chances to get his 10th goal against Mumbai City FC, but the visitors rode their luck to head into the half-time break holding their two-goal lead tight.
The Islanders then sealed off the proceedings within a brief passage of play in the second half, when they earned two spot kicks in quick succession. Aleksandar Jovanovic, who had conceded an own goal against NorthEast United FC, made an erratic move leading to Jorge Pereyra Diaz scoring from 12 yards out. That was followed with Lallianzuala Chhangte stepping up for penalty kick duties and doing the needful in the 61st minute, following a foul by the 19-year-old Shivaldo Singh. Chhangte was undeterred from the spot, and perhaps it was this penalty that he needed to bring up his first goal of the night, which Mumbai City FC would hope to be the first of many for this season.
Mumbai City FC maintained their pressure thereafter, with youngsters such as Gurkirat Singh taking formidable shots at target. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu did not concede any more goals, but the scoreline will already pose several questions to Simon Grayson and team.
Key Performer of the Match
Abdenasser El Khayati (Mumbai City FC)
Khayati played a proactive role in build-up, completing 75% of his attempted passes, in addition to making a tackle and scoring the all-important opener that paved the way for Mumbai City FC’s dominance in this game.
What’s next for both teams?
Mumbai City FC will host FC Goa on December 12, whereas Bengaluru FC will travel to take on Chennaiyin FC the following day.
Brief Scores
Bengaluru FC 0 – 4 Mumbai City FC (Abdenasser El Khayati 11’, Akash Mishra 30’, Jorge Pereyra Diaz 57’, Lallianzuala Chhangte 61’)
Bengaluru, 08th December 2023: The Dabang Delhi K.C. put on a masterclass to defeat Bengaluru Bulls 38-31 in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. The Delhi Captain Naveen led the charge with 13 points, while his compatriot Ashu Malik scored 9 points in the match.
The Bulls and Dabang Delhi K.C. played out a neck-to-neck battle as they were locked at 3-3 in the 5th minute. However, the Delhi team tackled Vikash Kandola and inched ahead at 6-3 in the 8th minute. Raider Ashu Malik also upped his game as the Delhi-based franchise extended their lead further.Dabang Delhi K.C. continued to put relentless pressure on their opponents and eventually carried out an ALL OUT in the 12th minute to take a massive lead at 14-7 in the 15th minute. The Bulls pulled off a SUPER TACKLE on Malik in the 18th minute, but the Delhi side still held the lead at 17-12 at the end of the first half.
Saurabh Nandal tackled Naveen early in the second half and helped the Bulls reduce the gap between the two sides to three points at 17-20. Thereafter, Sushil picked up a raid point and Nandal tackled Malik, but the Delhi side managed to stay ahead at 23-20 in the 26th minute. After losing a bit of steam, the Delhi side regained the momentum and carried out an ALL OUT to take a decent lead at 29-23 in the 31st minute.
Bharat pulled off a magnificent raid, taking out Himmat Antil, Yogesh and Mohit, but the Delhi side kept their noses in front at 32-29 in the 33rd minute. Naveen effected a raid as Dabang Delhi continued to forge ahead at 36-30 in the 38th minute. Malik pulled off another raid in the dying minutes of the match as Dabang Delhi K.C. eventually registered a comprehensive victory.
Bengaluru, 8th December 2023 – Renowned Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw was in attendance to witness the exhilarating competition at the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 here in Bengaluru today. Ahmedabad Defenders showcased their prowess on the court against the defending Champions, Sir Safety Perugia. The championships currently on-going in Bengaluru, delivered an exciting display of skill and sportsmanship.
Shaw, known for his exceptional cricketing abilities, is extending his support beyond the cricket field to back the Ahmedabad Defenders. His presence undoubtedly elevated the spirit of the team and inspired them to give their best performance.
“I’m thrilled to be here and lend my support to the Ahmedabad Defenders. Sports unite us, and I believe in cheering for excellence, regardless of the arena. I wish the team the very best and hope they make our country proud. This is an incredible opportunity for Indian Volleyball as the boys are playing against the best in the world and this will only help them gain more experience.” expressed Prithvi Shaw.
Fans and enthusiasts were excited to see Shaw grace the event with his presence. His attendance added an extra layer of excitement to an already anticipated championships.
——-
The tournament will go on till 10th of December at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad Defenders will find themselves in Pool A, facing the defending champions, Sir Sicoma Perugia from Italy, and Brazil’s Minas Tênis Clube (Itambé Minas). In Pool B, Halkbank Spor Kulübü from Turkey, Sada Cruzeiro Volei from Brazil, and Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds are grouped.
The match tickets can be purchased at BookMyShow.
The Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 will be telecast live in India on Sony Sports Network across Sony Ten 1 & Sony Ten 3 channels and the broadcast will be shown globally on Volleyball World. Fans in India can also stream the tournament online on FanCode.
December 8, Guwahati: Singles star Malvika Bansod and women’s doubles combination of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto registered contrasting victories to reach the semi-final of the Yonex-Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100 badminton tournament here on Friday.
The 22-year-old Malvika, the only Indian women left in the singles draw, defeated Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa of Malaysia 21-12, 21-16 while Ashwini and Tanisha saved four game points in the opening game before getting the better of Indonesia’s Jesita Putri Miantoro and Febi Setianingrum 22-20, 21-16 to make it to the last four stage.
Malvika depended on her strong defence and her ability to engage her opponent in longer rallies in the quarterfinal and will now face Thailand’s Lalinrat Chaiwan, who upset third seed Sung Shuo Yun 21-10, 16-21, 21-16, for a place in the final.
Speaking about her match, Malvika said she was prepared for Letshanaa’s attacking game. “My execution was quite well in the opening game and I managed to engage her in long rallies in the second to win.”
In the doubles category, Tanisha stayed on course for a double crown as she also reached the mixed doubles semifinals. She and Dhruv Kapila defeated Indonesia’s Amri Syahnawi and Winny Kandow 21-16, 21-17 in the quarterfinals.
The hosts will also have a pair in the men’s doubles semifinals after Hariharan Amsakarunan and R Ruban Kumar upset 6th seeds Kapila and Vishnuvardhan Goud 21-18, 9-21, 21-18 in an all-Indian quarterfinal.
They will now face the Chinese Taipei combination of Lin Bing-Wei and Su Ching Heng for a spot in the final.
However, India’s challenge in men’s singles came to an end after Karthikeyan Gulshan Kumar could not maintain the momentum after winning the first game and went down 14-21, 21-12, 21-9 in the quarterfinals.
Bengaluru, 8th December 2023: Turkey’s Halkbank Spor Kulubu came up with a solid overall performance to blank Sada Cruzeiro Volei of Brazil 3-0 in their last Pool B clash to reach the semi-finals of the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships here on Friday.
Playing in the prestigious competition for the first time, Halkbank needed three full points against one of the most successful teams in the Club World Championships and the Turkish League leaders showed why they are such a dangerous side when their Dutch skipper Abdel-Aziz Nimir, French Outside Hitter Earvin Ngapeth and Canadian Perrin John Gordon come to party at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium here.
India is hosting the Club World Championships for the first time and the fans were treated to some high-quality volleyball from the Turkish giants.
Ngapeth (15 points), Nimir (14) and Perrin (12) shared bulk of the load as Halkbank completed a 26-24, 25-18, 28-26 win in 85 minutes to kick-off celebrations in the Turkish camp.
Halkbank finished second in Pool B with three points behind another first-timers Suntory Sunbirds of Japan who had sealed their semi-final berth on Thursday after snatching a point during their 2-3 loss against Sada. They had defeated Halkbank 3-0 on the opening day of competition to finish with 4 points.
Halkbank’s only chance to make it to the last four stage depended on beating four-time champions Sada without conceding more than a set and the Turkish outfit started the match meaning business.
Nimir and Ngapeth were on target in the first three points but Sada kept pace with their opponents and were in lead for a major part of the opening set till Halkbank bagged three straight points to regain the advantage at 23-22.
Sada’s Cuban Outside Hitter Miguel Lopez kept them in the hunt with a quality spike but Dogukan Ulu came up with a drop to earn his team a second set point and Lopez sent his spike out to hand the advantage to Halkbank.
The Turkish side was clearly head and shoulders above their opponents in the second and third set as the trio of Nimir, Ngapeth and Perrin kept Sada on the backfoot with their powerful spikes and Ulu and setter Micah Ma’a came up with deceptive drops and some high-quality blocks to leave Sada stranded.
The Brazilians did throw everything at Halkbank in the third set and and saved five match points before a solid block from Perrin ended the error-ridden challenge of Sada.
The tournament will go on till 10th of December at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad Defenders will find themselves in Pool A, facing the defending champions, Sir Sicoma Perugia from Italy, and Brazil’s Minas Tênis Clube (Itambé Minas). In Pool B, Halkbank Spor Kulübü from Turkey, Sada Cruzeiro Volei from Brazil, and Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds are grouped.
The match tickets can be purchased at BookMyShow.
The Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 will be telecast live in India on Sony Sports Network across Sony Ten 1 & Sony Ten 3 channels and the broadcast will be shown globally on Volleyball World. Fans in India can also stream the tournament online on FanCode.
New Delhi, 8th December 2023: A career-threatening injury at the Asian Para Games in 2018 almost ended para powerlifter Ashok’s hopes of standing on the podium for India at a major event. But it was his sheer guts and never-say-die attitude that helped him realise his dream four years later at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games recently where he won a bronze medal.
Now, Ashok is eager and all-set to take part in the first ever Khelo India Para Games and show what determination and faith in one’s own abilities can bring to the fore. Representing the Haryana state, home to several Olympic medallists including golden boy Neeraj Chopra, Ashok will join a mega contingent of 243 para athletes who are all-set to put up a grand show of perseverance and ensure Haryana finishes on the top at the first-ever Khelo India Para Games 2023 scheduled to begin in New Delhi from this Sunday, 10th December 2023.
“Since the day Khelo India first edition was held in 2018, all para-athletes used to think when will we get chance to be part of Khelo India Games. Finally the day has come. Representing India at international level is the ultimate dream for any athlete, but such has been the buzz around Khelo India Games that we all are looking forward to be part of it,” says an upbeat Ashok.
A victim of spurious polio drop, Ashok’s legs were severely affected resulting in him being confined to a wheelchair very early in his childhood. His interest in powerlifting stemmed from his desire to have a good physique like many Bollywood actors. He says, “I used to see Salman Khan, the movie Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), Sanjay Dutt and felt like I must also have a physique like them. There was nothing that I could do with my lower body, but I wanted to really build my upper body.”
Accompanied by his friends, Ashok joined a gym but often became a subject of laughter. Many ridiculed him for his disability. But Ashok never gave up. Very soon he started lifting heavier weights compared to his fellow able-bodied gym mates. This egged him on to take the sport seriously and started representing his state at the National level tournament.
But his elevation as a para-lifter was deterred by a career-threatening injury. In 2018, at the Para-Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, Ashok suffered a severe hand injury. His injury was such that both his radius and ulna bones were crushed and protruded out of his skin. After examining Ashok, the doctors opined that his career in para sports was over.
“The doctors told me that you will never be able to lift anything heavier than one kilogram and that my sports career was over. I was totally shattered as there was nothing, I had done in my life apart from power-lifting,” says Ashok remembering those gloomy days.
His injury was not the only setback Ashok faced that year. Tragically, his father had expired just months before the Asian Para Games and the financial responsibility to take care of his family had fallen on his shoulders. But his mother and coaches continued to back his dreams of winning a medal for India in powerlifting.
“Ashok is a very humble boy. He is very much connected to his roots. I don’t think any other athlete could have dreamed to take the sport again after such freak accident. I could see his bone coming out of skin but it is his sheer determination and mother’s prayers that he has not only come back but come back with a bang,” says J P Singh, Chief Coach, Para Powerlifting of India.
Para Power-lifting events start from 12th of December, 2023 at Delhi’s JLN Stadium
Bengaluru, 8th December, 2023: The opening leg of the 10th Season of Pro Kabaddi League ended with a bang as the Patna Pirates put on a superb display, to bring the Gujarat Giants’ three-match winning streak to a screeching halt. It was expected to be a classic, and both sides ensured they didn’t disappoint, matching each other blow for blow.
Reflecting on the closely contested game, Patna Pirates coach, Narender Redu, said, “The match was a very tough game, and it went down to the wire. The Gujarat Giants are a good team, but we stuck to our plans, and our raiders and defenders executed things well, which helped our cause.”
The Patna Pirates came away with a 100% record from the opening leg, winning both their games in Ahmedabad. Coach Redu further added that the win against the Fazel Atrachali led side, the best in the opening leg, would help the Patna Pirates as the tournaments progresses.
He said, “The Gujarat Giants did well in their backyard, and were high on confidence after a hat-trick of wins. However, the win for the Patna Pirates is a big deal, because we now know we can take on the best, and this will give my team a lot of confidence in the upcoming weeks of the 10th Season of PKL. This will be a huge motivating factor going ahead.”
Preview for Saturday’s Games
Match 14, Day 2 in Bengaluru, will pit the home team, Bengaluru Bulls against the Haryana Steelers. Neither side have had a good start to the season and will be looking to build some momentum. The Bengaluru Bulls have Vikas Kandola, Bharat and Neeraj Narwal in their ranks, all of whom will be hoping to put on a show for their home fans. The Haryana Steelers aren’t going to have it easy.
The second game will be a clash of the titans – Pardeep Narwal and the U.P. Yoddhas taking on Pawan Sehrawat’s Telugu Titans. Both the ace raiders have had slow starts to their season so far, and will hope to rise to the occasion. While Pardeep and U.P Yoddhas comprehensively defeated the Haryana Steelers in their second game, the Telugu Titans are yet to register a win after 2 games.
The planet’s top players, coaches, fans, goals, and acts of fair play will be recognised in London, England when the eighth edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™ are held in one of the world’s most passionate football cities.
On Monday 15 January 2024 members of the global football family will gather for a glittering ceremony to honour outstanding members of the world’s most popular sport.
Next month’s event will mark the third time that FIFA has held The Best FIFA Football Awards in London, after the 2016 and 2017 award ceremonies were staged in the city.
The nominees for eight of The Best awards were announced in September 2023. From these shortlists, three finalists in a majority of categories have been selected by an international jury comprising of four groups: national team coaches, national team captains, specialist journalists, and fans who voted on FIFA’s official website. Over one million fan votes were recorded worldwide.
Selections from the four voting groups – coaches, captains, journalists, and fans – each count for 25 per cent of the total vote, irrespective of the number of voters from each group.
FIFA will announce the finalists for key award categories over the coming weeks.
The following eleven awards will be presented at the ceremony:
Kolkata, December 08: Clash of Titans in the ISL – Punjab FC Eyes Maiden Win Against East Bengal FC
As the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season progresses, the football fraternity turns its attention to a thrilling encounter set for December 9, Saturday, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Punjab FC, still in pursuit of their first win this season, faces a formidable challenge against East Bengal FC, a team riding high on their recent record-breaking victory against NorthEast United FC.
East Bengal FC: A Force Rejuvenated
Under the guidance of Carles Cuadrat, East Bengal FC has shown remarkable improvement, not just in the domestic players’ performances but also in their exhilarating style of play. Their journey to the Durand Cup final, and a bright start to the ISL season, highlights a team moving in the right direction. The team’s morale is soaring after their dominant 5-0 win over NorthEast United FC, a performance that not only showcased their prowess but also rallied the passionate Kolkata fans behind them.
Punjab FC: The Bold Debutants
On the other side, Punjab FC, the ISL debutants, have displayed commendable tenacity. Their recent match against Bengaluru FC was a testament to their attacking prowess, with the team netting three goals in the first half. However, Punjab FC’s challenge lies in their defensive strategy and managing the game’s tempo, crucial factors that could determine their fate in the upcoming match.
What’s at Stake?
East Bengal FC aims to build on their spectacular victory and consolidate their position in the league. They have started the ISL season with a positive goal difference (+3) and the highest points tally at this stage in their ISL history. With a technical improvement evident in their gameplay, they look forward to maximizing their home advantage against Punjab FC.
Punjab FC, still acclimatizing to the ISL’s intensity, can draw confidence from their performance against Bengaluru FC. Their aggressive approach and fearless gameplay could be key against East Bengal FC, as they seek their inaugural ISL victory.
Key Players to Watch
Nandhakumar Sekar (East Bengal FC) has been a revelation this season, with his superb form evident in the last match where he scored twice and provided an assist. His coordination with fellow players, like Mahesh Singh, has been instrumental in strengthening East Bengal FC’s attack.
Juan Mera (Punjab FC) has emerged as a creative force, excelling in both offensive and defensive roles. His impressive dribbling skills and ability to create scoring opportunities will be crucial for Punjab FC’s aspirations.
Head-to-Head and Trivia
This match marks the first ISL encounter between these two teams. An interesting stat is Punjab FC’s Khaiminthang Lhungdim ranking third in the league for most tackles won this season.
Team Talk
Carles Cuadrat of East Bengal FC acknowledges the need for consistent performance, while Staikos Vergetis of Punjab FC emphasizes learning from past mistakes for future matches.
Where to Watch
The match promises to be a spectacle for football fans, available in multiple languages across various channels, including Sports18 Khel, Sports18 1 SD & HD, Sports18 3 SD, VH1 SD & HD, Surya Movies, and DD Bangla. Additionally, the match will be streamed and highlighted on OneFootball, reaching audiences in over 190 countries.
This encounter is more than just a game; it’s a narrative of aspiration, determination, and the relentless pursuit of glory in the world of Indian football.
New Delhi, 08 December 2023: JSW-GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals are all geared up to strengthen their squad in the WPL Auction 2024, set to be held in Mumbai on Saturday. The Delhi-based franchise, which has retained 15 players, has to acquire three players in the Auction to complete their squad for WPL 2024, and has a remaining purse of INR 2.25 crore ahead of the Auction.
Speaking ahead of the Auction, Head Coach Jonathan Batty said, “We want to improve the depth of the squad. We did really well in last year’s Auction and constructed a good 18-player squad. We’ll just look to make our current squad slightly better in the upcoming Auction. The coaching group has had a few discussions on the team we want to have and we are excited to go into the Auction.”
Batty also expressed that the WPL has set the standard for all the other women’s tournaments in the world, “We witnessed a great quality of cricket in the last edition of the Women’s Premier League. The best players in the world were in the tournament. We saw some great matches and scores. This tournament is the benchmark for all the other women’s tournaments in the world.”
When asked about the impact of the WPL, Assistant Coach Hemlata Kala said, “There’s a lot of excitement among the women cricketers after the advent of the Women’s Premier League. All players want to be a part of the tournament. The first season of the WPL has had a positive impact on women’s cricket. And we can see that with the Indian team doing well in T20s in recent months. The players have also improved their skills in power-hitting and fielding.”
Please find below the names of the players retained by the Delhi Capitals for WPL 2024:
Overseas Players: Meg Lanning (C), Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, Laura Harris.
Indian Players: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Taniyaa Bhatia, Minnu Mani, Sneha Deepthi, Titas Sadhu.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has today named the shortlists of contenders in line for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards from November’s international contests.
The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist features two of Australia’s key performers as they secured their sixth Men’s Cricket World Cup crown, and one of India’s record-breaking strike bowlers.
Travis Head wrote himself into World Cup legend during November courtesy of two match-winning performances in the semi-final and final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to earn his first nomination since June. Similarly, Glenn Maxwell grabbed the headlines with an unforgettable innings to seal qualification through to the knockout stages. Completing the lineup of nominees is India’s Mohammed Shami, whose inspired bowling performances saw India blitz their opponents on the way to the final.
Three figures from the see-saw battle between Bangladesh and Pakistan comprise the shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November.
Bangladesh left arm spinner Nahida Akter celebrates her second successive nomination for the Women’s Player of the Month after more wicket-taking heroics in her side’s ODI series triumph against Pakistan. Compatriot Fargana Hoque joins her on the shortlist after starring with the bat, notching valuable runs in the second and third encounters. The final name on the list is Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal, nominated for the first time thanks to her economical spells and an impressive performance in the first match.
An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world will now be invited to cast their votes to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered at icc-cricket.com/awards will be able to vote for their favourite performers until Saturday.
ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for November:
Travis Head (AUS)
Head is nominated for the Men’s Player of the Month for the first time since his match-winning contributions helped Australia clinch the ICC World Test Championship Final in June. A similar story unfolded in India, culminating in two Player of the Match performances in the knockout stages. South Africa were thwarted by Head’s brilliance with bat and ball in the semi-final in Kolkata; the spinner taking the key wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen before top scoring with 62 in 48 balls in the thrilling chase. His crowning glory however came in Ahmedabad. Staring at 241 for victory, Head hit a sparkling 137 in 120 balls to see his side home at a canter amid jubilant celebrations.
Glenn Maxwell (AUS)
The Australian veteran is shortlisted for the first time after a prolific November, which included arguably one of the great World Cup performances against Afghanistan in Mumbai. Chasing down 292 for victory after being 91 for seven, Maxwell smashed 31 boundaries in his unbeaten 201 to seal Australia’s safe passage to the knockout stages. Fast forward to the final, and Maxwell again made key contributions, bowling a disciplined spell and removing the threat of Rohit Sharma before hitting the winning runs. Not done there, Maxwell also starred in the subsequent T20I matches against India, hitting 104 not out in 48 balls in the third encounter in Guwahati.
Mohammed Shami (IND)
Shami topped the wicket-taking charts at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, and led India’s bowling attack in fine fashion with a number of scintillating displays during the month. He started November with a Player of the Match performance against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, tearing through their batting lineup with sterling figures of five for 18. His highlight came in the semi-final victory over New Zealand though, where the pacer took seven wickets for 57 runs, booking the home team’s ticket to the Final. During the calendar month, Shami took 15 wickets at a remarkable average of 12.06.
Nominees for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November 2023
ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for November:
Nahida Akter (BAN)
Akter is named on the shortlist for the second successive month after her performances guided Bangladesh to a 2-1 victory over Pakistan in Mirpur. Nominated in October for her T20I endeavours, this time she conquered in ODIs – Akter winning the Player of the Series award with seven wickets across the three matchups at an average of 14.14, taking three for 30 in the first match and three for 26 in the decisive final fixture.
Fargana Hoque (BAN)
With 110 runs in the victorious ODI series, Hoque earns her inaugural nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. The opener played a key role in levelling the series with a valuable 40 runs in the second outing in addition to a catch and a run out in the field as Bangladesh won in the Super Over. The series was won when Hoque top-scored in the third match with a controlled score of 62 to chase down the target and seal the triumph.
Sadia Iqbal (PAK)
The left-arm spinner was among the wickets once more during Pakistan’s visit to Bangladesh. Despite falling short of series victory, Iqbal impressed with economical wicket taking spells in the early exchanges. The first match was a particular highlight for the 28-year-old, her nine overs going for 13 runs with four wickets falling. This Player of the Match display was followed by another two wicket-haul, and Iqbal ended the month with six wickets at 12.50 and an economy rate of 2.58.
The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process:
The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on ICC’s digital channels.
Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month October 2023:
Afghanistan: Hameed Qayoomi and Javed Hamim; Australia: Scott Bailey and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Mohammad Sekander Ali and Md Ariful Islam Roney; England: Elizabeth Ammon and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: S Gomesh and Irfan Pathan; New Zealand: Merryn Anderson and Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sawera Pasha and Sana Mir; South Africa: Zaahier Adams and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Azzam Ameen and Farveez Maharoof; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Daniel Nhakaniso and Grant Flower; Others: Ajit Vijaykumar and Dirk Nannes.
New Delhi, 8th December, 2023: Day 6 of the 1st Hockey India Sub Junior Men Academy Championship 2023 – (Zone A) witnessed Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy win their match in the Sub Junior Category to top Pool B and qualify for the Semi-Finals.
Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy wins three in a row:
In the Sub Junior Category, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy defeated Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy 10-1. Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy’s Yuvraj Singh (6’) scored the opening goal of the match but that was the only moment of glory they found in the game as Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy fired in 10 goals thereafter. The goals came from Amandeep (14’, 47’, 49’), Sunny (36’, 60’), Charanjeet Singh (8’), Gurjot Singh (11’), Samuel (16’), Rajbhar Sajan (27’) and Varinder Singh (51’) as RHA went on to top Pool B and qualify for the Semis. Despite the loss, Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy qualified for the Semis, having finished second in their Pool.
Sub Junior Category Semi-Finals line-up (to be played on 9th December):
1st Semi-Final: HAR Hockey Academy vs Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy
2nd Semi-Final: Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy vs Raja Karan Hockey Academy
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a significant step towards enhancing women’s cricket by announcing the formation of a prestigious committee to oversee the Women’s Premier League (WPL). This move is seen as a crucial development in the growth and promotion of women’s cricket in India.
The committee, which comprises experienced cricket administrators and advocates for women’s sports, is tasked with guiding the WPL to new heights. The members of this committee are:
This committee represents a diverse range of expertise and experience, underscoring the BCCI’s commitment to fostering a holistic growth environment for women’s cricket. Their collective experience is expected to be instrumental in shaping the direction and success of the Women’s Premier League.
The Women’s Premier League aims to mirror the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for men, providing a platform to showcase and nurture female cricketing talent. The committee’s focus will be on establishing a strong framework for the league, ensuring that it meets international standards of competitiveness and organization.
The BCCI’s initiative to launch the Women’s Premier League with such a robust guiding committee is a reflection of the increasing recognition and importance of women’s cricket in India. It marks a significant step toward gender equality in sports and sets the stage for further developmental initiatives in women’s cricket.
With the establishment of the WPL, the future of women’s cricket in India looks promising, offering exciting prospects for players and fans. The league is expected to play a pivotal role in showcasing the talent and skill of women cricketers, contributing to the overall development of the sport.
The Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS), in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), conducted a two-day technical preparation program for the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2023-24 match officials at the Jio Institute in Mumbai on December 4-5, 2023. Attended by 24 referees and six match officials from six AIFF centres across the country, the workshop aimed at up-skilling the personnel, and thus enhancing their on-field performances for the upcoming IWL season beginning on December 8, Friday.
Conducted by AIFF’s Chief Refereeing Officer Mr. Trevor Kettle, the workshop involved assessing the qualities of the concerned match officials across various parameters and improving the same through one-on-one sessions with them.
The motive of the program was to take tangible efforts towards enhancing the participation of female referees and match officials in Indian football, so as to bring greater gender parity in the sport within the country, which symbolises one of the premier objectives of the on-going RFYS 2023-24 campaign as well. Up-skilling of female coaches and match officials is one of the key objectives of the current season. RFYS has been taking tangible efforts to increase the participation of females both on and off the field, with the introduction of the U-15 girls’ football category being one of the steps for the same.
One of the attendees in the workshop was India’s first referee to officiate in a FIFA World event (U-17 World Cup final in Jordan, 2016), Uvena Fernandes, who is also an Indian Air Force (IAF) official. A former India international footballer, Fernandes later got inducted in the IAF and has been an Air Traffic Controller (ATC).
Despite having been refereeing for two decades now, Fernandes continues to seek opportunities that can help her improve herself. “The topics that were covered in this session were very fruitful. We are learning what we haven’t learnt before. The IWL Match Official Workshop organised by Reliance Foundation and AIFF will immensely help upcoming referees in India. I would like to thank Reliance Foundation, AIFF and IWL for giving us this opportunity to be here and attend this program. I hope that more such programs take place for the benefit of female match officials in India,” she said.
Fernandes turned back the clock to recollect her initiation into the sport. She first started off as a player, representing Goa at the state level for nearly a decade before representing the Indian team in the 2003 Women’s AFC Championship. Her switch to the IAF meant that she couldn’t dedicate enough time to her playing career, which is why she switched to become a referee in order to continue being associated with the sport.
“I have been a mother for 10 years and a referee for 20 years, having started my career in that in 2003. I have been in the FIFA panel for the last 10 years and I am the first Indian to officiate any FIFA World Cup final match (U-17 finals in Jordan, 2016),” Fernandes said.
“I never planned to join the Indian Air Force (IAF). I had to go to the India camp, but I had an injury so I couldn’t go there. Thereafter, I had to go to the military base to officiate, and there I liked the entire way it was. I asked them how I could join the IAF or the Indian Army. They asked me to apply through the newspaper advertisements. I applied in both the Army and the Air Force, but the joining letter of the Air Force came first, so I joined them. I didn’t continue my playing career after joining the IAF, because I am an air traffic controller. So, I have to dedicate my time to my profession. But, I never gave up refereeing, because I wanted to be connected with football,” Fernandes continued.
A similar two-day workshop, attended by 32 officials and headed by Mr. Kettle, was held from March 23-24 in Kolkata earlier this year. That program was attended by referees from six AIFF centres, namely: Jamshedpur, Kharagpur, Aizawl, Hyderabad, Shillong, and Kolkata. Through such enterprising initiatives, Reliance Foundation continues to reiterate and act upon its commitment to act towards amplifying the presence and active involvement of women across sports.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will unveil the inaugural edition of the AFC eAsian Cup, in conjunction with the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, from February 1 to 5, 2024.
In an exciting fusion of the traditional and digital, the AFC eAsian Cup marks the Confederation’s first foray into the world of esports, reinforcing its desire to engage further with a new generation of football fans in a cutting-edge celebration of the sport.
The AFC eAsian Cup not only adds a futuristic and technologically advanced dimension to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, but also reflects the Confederation’s proactive approach toward embracing innovations that enhance the overall footballing experience.
Taking place in the Qatari capital city of Doha, the event will feature 20 AFC Member Associations, who are competing in the latest edition of the AFC’s flagship men’s national team competition, the AFC Asian Cup™ (12 January–10 February 2024).
With this edition of the Continental showpiece poised to be the grandest celebration of Asian football to date, the introduction of the AFC eAsian Cup promises to contribute significantly to the festive atmosphere, underscoring the AFC’s commitment to creating a dynamic and inclusive football community across the Continent.
Ahmedabad, 08th December 2023: The kabaddi crazy fans in Ahmedabad waited for four years to watch their team in action in their own city and the Giants didn’t disappoint. Led by the ferocious Fazel Atrachali and guided by one of the most successful coaches in the Pro Kabaddi League – Ram Mehar Singh, the home team registered threevictories in four matches.
After a never-done-before launch press conference on a cruise at the Sabarmati River, the first leg of the tenth season witnessed the attendance of several dignitaries including Secretary of the BCCI – Jay Shah, Country Manager & President, Disney Star – K Madhavan, owner of the Jaipur Pink Panthers – Abhishek Bachchan, actor Manoj Bajpayee, Governor of Gujarat – Acharya Devvrat and Swami Ramdev among others.
Under the watchful eyes of the eminent dignitaries, the Gujarat Giants’ young raiders Sonu and Rakesh shone in the limelight. Sonu picked up 33 points, while Rakesh recorded 26 points to help the home side complete the Ahmedabad leg at the top of the table with 16 points. Moreover, Sonu and Rakesh received tremendous support from their Captain Fazel Atrachali (8 tackle points) and Sombir (13 tackle points) in the defence unit. Furthermore, Atrachali completed 100 matches as Captain this season and the first leg of this year’s edition also witnessed the Hi-Flyer Pawan Sehrawat record his 1000th raid point.
The kabaddi lovers in Ahmedabad were served with several high-octane clashes. The Bengal Warriors led at 23-15 in the second half against the Bengaluru Bulls on 04 December 2023, however, the Bulls forged a magnificent comeback to make it 28-28 in the 37th minute. But the Warriors held their nerve and emerged triumphant with the scoreline reading 32-30 in the end.
U Mumba and Gujarat Giants also played out a riveting contest. They were on level terms going into the dying minutes of the match, however, Sonu stood tall and pulled off a fantastic raid to help his side win the match 39-37 on 05 December 2023.
Speaking about the very successful Ahmedabad leg as a team and host, Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer (CBO), Adani Sportsline said, “Ahmedabad has absolutely set the trend in terms of how the fans cheer on the teams in the 10th season of the Pro Kabaddi League, and our very own Gujarat Giants have also raised the bar for the performances on the mat. We are delighted to have been the city to kick start this special edition of the tournament, and this week has also helped further popularise Kabaddi in Gujarat, as more and more people have turned their attention to the sport. We would like to wish everyone the very best as the caravan moves to Bangalore. Ahmedabad has well and truly made its presence felt on the big stage yet again, and we look forward to more weeks like this.”
After six days of dynamical clashes in Ahmedabad, the PKL season 10 will move to the Garden City from 08 December 2023. The fans in Bengaluru are all geared up to welcome their team and help them to get on board in PKL season 10 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The Kannada film superstar Kiccha Sudeep will also grace the stadium with his presence on the opening day of the Bengaluru leg.
When asked about PKL returning to Bengaluru, Kirthi Muralikrishnan, CEO, Bengaluru Bulls said, “Bengaluru has always been a sports crazy city and we are certain that the fans will turn up in large numbers to showcase their support for kabaddi. The energy in the stadium is always electric and we can’t wait to play in front of our home fans. We are eagerly looking forward to attain the momentum as a team in the Bengaluru leg.”
Meanwhile, the Head Sports Leagues, Mashal Sports and League Commissioner, Pro Kabaddi League Mr. Anupam Goswami said, “We were keen to start the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 in a grand fashion and I would like to thank the people of Ahmedabad in helping us in doing so. The fans in the stadium got behind not just their own team but also all the other teams in action as well. After a successful Ahmedabad leg, we will now look to continue our momentum in Bengaluru.”
The Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Bengaluru leg will be played from 8-13 December 2023. Thereafter, the league will move in the following order of venues – Pune (15-20 December 2023), Chennai (22-27 December 2023), Noida (29 December 2023 – 3 January 2024), Mumbai (5-10 January 2024), Jaipur (12-17 January 2024), Hyderabad (19-24 January 2024), Patna (26-31 January 2024), Delhi (2-7 February 2024), Kolkata (9-14 February 2024) and Panchkula (16-21 February).
Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ hotstar.
New Delhi, 8th December 2023: On the opening day of the fifth season of the Harven Pro Tennis League (PTL), Lucknow Aviators, last year’s runners-up Paramount Proec Tigers, Ichiban Samurai and Indraprastha Warriors registered wins at the RK Khanna Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.
In the day’s early ties, Lucknow Aviators convincingly beat DMG Delhi Crusaders 88-72 while Paramount Proec Tigers staged a comeback to defeat Sankara Stag Babolat Yoddhas 83-77. Meanwhile, in the evening set of ties, Indraprastha Warriors comfortably beat Mumbai Acers 88-72 while Inchiban Samurai were far too good for defending champions Gurgaon Sapphires (83-77).
The set of results put Indraprastha Warriors and Ichiban Samurai in top-two places from Group A. While Lucknow Aviators and Paramount Proec Tigers held the top two spots in Group B. The top-two teams will qualify for the semi-final on Sunday with the teams ranked based on points won.
With matches featuring women’s, men’s pros; men’s and women’s Next Gen players and Masters in singles and doubles formats, it promised to be a close affair and it delivered. Played on parallel courts at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA), the fifth edition of the PTL witnessed matches going close from the very first ties in the city’s afternoon. Paramount Proec Tigers were neck-and-neck, on 30-30, after three matches before conceding a four-point deficit following the fifth match where Arjun Kadhe thumped Vishnu Vardhan 18-12. It gave Sankara Stag Babolat Yoddhas a 57-53 lead.
In the doubles matches that followed, Sravya Shivani & Divya Ungrish beat Sowjanya Bavisetti & Sahira Singh (13-7) to turn things around before Vishnu Vardhan & Parikshit Somani ensured the win when they held the upper hand over Arjun Kadhe & Vansh Bisht (17-13).
If this was a close contest, the tie between DMG Delhi Crusaders and Lucknow Aviators was a blowout. Jennifer Luikham and Kashish Bhatia played out a nervy 10-10 draw in the 20-point tiebreak format in the first match. But in the subsequent matches, Lucknow Aviators’ Shivank Bhatnagar and Diva Bhatia gave the team a sizeable 16-point lead when they trounced Sarthak Suden and Somya Arya respectively.
Karan Singh did give the DMG Delhi Crusaders reason to celebrate briefly with a 17-13 win over Anirudh Chandrasekar but the damage was already done. In a format where every point matters, this defeat may come back to haunt DMG Delhi Crusaders and their quest to qualify for the semi-finals.
The evening ties followed the theme of the day with one remaining close while the other was a one-sided affair. Indraprastha Warriors registered 14-6 and 18-12 wins in the Women’s Pro & Master’s Pro Doubles matches followed by men’s singles matches. It gave them a 14 point lead which the team maintained until the end.
Ichiban Samurai, meanwhile, were coasting along at one stage with a 12 point lead (61-49) over the Gurgaon Sapphires. They were helped in their cause by thumping – 14-6 and 13-7 – wins to get the tie underway. Sharmada Balu & Ruma Gaikaiwari did stage a comeback by beating Sahja Yamalapalli & Gauri Mangaonkar 15-5 and cut down the gap to just two points (64-66).
But in the decisive matchup featuring Nitin Kumar Sinha & Rushil Khosla vs Rithvik Choudhary & Maan Kesharwani, the Ichiban Samurai pairing won 17-13 to seal the tie in their favour.
Complete Harven Pro Tennis League schedule:
Thursday 7th December 2023
2:00 PM – Centre Court – Delhi DMG Crusaders Vs Lucknow Aviators
2:00 PM – Court 1 – Sankara Stag Babolat Yoddhas Vs Paramount Proec Tigers
6:00 PM – Centre Court – Mumbai Acers Vs Indraprasth Warriors
6:00 PM – Court 1 – Gurgaon Sapphires Vs Ichiban Samurai
Friday 8th December 2023
2:00 PM – Centre Court – Sankara Stag Babolat Yoddhas Vs Lucknow Aviators
2:00 PM – Court 1 – Ichiban Samurai Vs Indraprasth Warriors
6:00 PM – Centre Court – Paramount Proec Tigers Vs DMG Delhi Crusaders
6:00 PM – Court 1 – Gurgaon Sapphires Vs Mumbai Acers
Saturday 9th December 2023
2:00 PM – Centre Court – Ichiban Samurai Vs Mumbai Acers
2:00 PM – Court 1 – Lucknow Aviators Vs Paramount Proec Tigers
6:00 PM – Centre Court – Gurgaon Sapphires Vs Indraprasth Warriors
6:00 PM – Court 1 – Delhi DMG Crusaders Vs Sankara Stag Babolat Yoddhas
Sunday 10 December 2023
12:00 PM – Centre Court – Semi-final 1
03:00 PM – Centre Court – Semi-final
06:00 PM – Centre Court – Final
PTL Season 5 matches can be watched Live on following Youtube link:
The Patna Pirates put on a stupendous showing in the final game of the opening leg of the 10th Season of the Pro Kabaddi League, ending the Gujarat Giants’ winning streak in an absolute nail-biter of a clash. The Patna Pirates played with panache and power and won by 33-30 against the Gujarat Giants.
