Author: Abhishek Shukla

Owner of Sports India Live.
by Abhishek Shukla

Rutuja top seeded amongst Indians at Bowring Institute ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour

Bengaluru, Nov 20: Rutuja Bhosale who had won the gold medal for India at the recently concluded Asian Games in China, will shoulder another responsibility of flying the Indian flag flying high when she begins her quest for glory in the Bowring Institute ITF Women’s World Tour. Given the tag of the third seed, the 27-year-old takes on fellow Indian Smriti Bhasin in the US $ 25,000 prize money event, the main rounds of which begin at the Bowring Institute tennis courts from Tuesday.

The only other Indian in the top eight seeds is Vaidehi Chaudhari who is seeded fourth and takes on wild card entrant Anjal Rathi in her opening encounter. Rutuja The field is headed by Uzbekistan’s Nigina Abduraimova who will meet Ekaterina Yashina in her first round while Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee has been handed the tag of second seed and will clash with India’s another wild card entrant Sharmada Balu.

Meanwhile, Indians grabbed all the eight qualifying spots, registering contrasting wins which saw the exit of three seeded players. In the biggest upset of the day, 11th seed Kundali Majgaine knocked out the top seed Sandeepti Singh Rao 6-3, 2-6, 10-6 in a match that lasted for two hours while Sonal Patil continued her dream run in the qualifiers after she stunned second seed Sravya Shivani in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 to make it to the main round. In another upset match, Pooja Ingale overcame the fancied fifth seed Soha Sadiq 6-3, 7-5.

Results

Qualifying Round-2 (All Indians unless mentioned in brackets)

Yashaswini Panwar bt Apurva Vemuri 6-1, 6-3; Sonal Patil bt 2-Sravya Shivani 6-4, 6-2; 6-Saumya Vig bt Abhilasha Bista (NEP) 6-0, 6-3; 8-Paavanii Paathak bt Sejal Gopal Bhutada 7-6 (5), 6-4; 11-Kundali Majgaine bt 1-Sandeepti Singh Rao 6-3, 2-6, 10-6; Vanshita Pathania bt Arthi Muniyan 0-6, 6-4, 10-7; Pooja Ingale bt 5-Soha Sadiq 6-3, 7-5; Lakshmi Prabha Arunkumar bt Nidhitra Rajmohan 6-1, 6-4.

Seedings for main draw

1-Nigina Abduraimova (UZB); 2-Lanlana Tararudee (THA); 3-Rutuja Bhosale (IND); 4-Vaidehi Chaudhari (IND); 5-Zhibek Kulambayeva (KAZ); 6-Jenny Duerst (SUI); 7-Zhibek Kulambayeva (KAZ); 8-Punnin Kovapitukted (THA).

by Abhishek Shukla

Day 4 Results: 13th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2023

Chennai, 20th November 2023: The fourth day of the 13th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2023, held in Chennai, witnessed four exciting matches. Hockey Karnataka, Manipur Hockey, Hockey Bengal, and Hockey Andhra Pradesh emerged victorious in their respective games on Monday at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, making a significant impact on the points table. 

Hockey Karnataka dominates Hockey Bihar: 

The day kicked off with an impressive performance from Hockey Karnataka, as they recorded a resounding 12-1 victory against Hockey Bihar in Pool C. With this win, Hockey Karnataka has consolidated its position as table toppers. Mohammed Raheel Mouseen scored two goals (11′, 14′) early on, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Abharan Sudev B also scored two goals in the 13th and 55th minute, along with goals from Captain Gowda Sheshe (15’), Chetan Mallappa Karisiri (18’, 42’), NG Somaiah (21’), Harish Mutagar (22’, 28’), Likhith Bm (27’), and Bharath Mahalingappa Kurtakoti (38’). The only goal scored by Hockey Bihar was by Abhay Kumar in the 54th minute. 

Manipur Hockey continues its goal extravaganza: 

Manipur Hockey continued their impressive goal-scoring run, defeating Hockey Jammu & Kashmir 15-1 in Pool E to consolidate their position at the top. A total of 11 players from Manipur Hockey team managed to score in the match. Dhananjoy Moirangthem Meetei (3′, 23′) broke the deadlock, netting twice for his side. Laishram Dipu Singh scored in the 5th minute followed by Ningombam Jenjen Singh (10′), Kshetrimayum Wangamba (12′), Ganendrajit Ningombam (13, 25′),Shurenshangbam Suresh Singh (30′), Ibungo Konjengbam Singh (34′, 55′), Innocent Munda (35′), Nilakanta Sharma (39′), Captain Singh Chinglensana (39′, 54′), and Singh Thokchom Kirankumar (44′). Hockey Jammu & Kashmir managed to score only one goal, a consolation goal by Sharma Rakshit in the 21st minute. 

Hockey Bengal defeated Hockey Madhya Pradesh in a nail-biter: 

The third match of the day kept everyone on the edge of their seats, with BAXLA Santosh (20′) scoring the first goal for Hockey Bengal and Akshay Dubey (31′) of Hockey Madhya Pradesh responding with a swift equalizer. The match intensified when Rajendra Oram (38′) converted a penalty stroke in favour of Hockey Bengal, giving them the momentum they needed. Finally, in the 48th minute, Amon Mirash Tirkey scored the third goal, securing a hard-fought 3-1 victory for Hockey Bengal. 

Hockey Andhra Pradesh records 1st win:

In the last match of the day, Hockey Andhra Pradesh emerged victorious over Goans Hockey by 3-1, securing their first win in the tournament. Earlier, in their opening match, Hockey Andhra Pradesh had lost to Pool F table toppers, Hockey Jharkhand. The match between the two teams was closely contested, with Galla Siva Pramod (8′) scoring the first goal of the match to give Hockey Andhra Pradesh the lead in the first quarter. Goans Hockey managed to equalize in the dying moments of the second half when Shubham Sharma (28′) scored. However, Hockey Andhra Pradesh retaliated quickly, with Kumar Ragipati Sandeep (36′)scoring early in the second half and Puchalapalli Santha Kumar (57′) sealing the victory with a goal towards the end of the game. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Skyesports Championship 5.0 BGMI finale: Blind Esports emerge victorious as over 12,000 people attend the gaming spectacle in Bangalore

Bangalore, November 6, 2023: In a breathtaking display of top-notch gameplay and riveting action, the grand finale of the Skyesports Championship 5.0 BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) tournament, organized by Skyesports, India’s leading Esports tournament organizer, came to a thrilling conclusion with Blind Esports emerging as the champions.

The event, Powered By AMD with Zebronics as its Gaming Partner, was held at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bangalore from November 3 to 5 where over 12,000 people witnessed the finest BGMI squads in the country battle it out for a total prize pool of INR 1.25 crore. Loco, the world’s leading independent gaming, and Esports streaming platform was the Broadcast Partner for the event who live-streamed the final exclusively in English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Tecno POVA 5 Series was the smartphone partner.

With four Winner-Winner Chicken Dinners (WWCD), Blind Esports amassed a total of 170 points to secure the first position. Revenant Esports, with 160 points, secured second place, while OR Esports clinched the third spot with 150 points.

“Coming into this tournament, we knew we had what it took to win it all despite the high calibre of teams playing in the Skyesports Championship 5.0. It’s great to see that our countless hours of dedication and hard work paid off and kudos to my entire team who put their all into lifting this trophy. It is awesome to see that our first LAN Esports trophy came at the prestigious Skyesports Championship and we are more motivated than ever to continue with this momentum going into future tournaments. I also want to thank our fans who have supported us through thick and thin. This trophy is dedicated to them,” commented Blind Esports’ 16-year-old player Rudra “Spower” Banswani who was among the youngest players to attend the LAN finals.

Team Soul, with 137 points, finished fourth followed by Gods Reign, with 133 points claimed the fifth position, rounding off the top five. Ritesh “Fierce” Nawandar was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy for his remarkable gameplay throughout the three-day finals.

Alongside the thousands of gaming enthusiasts, the high-profile event was also attended by N. A. Haris, Honorable Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly who voiced his support for the growth of Indian Esports by saying, “Seeing so much crowd is really very impressive and I can see that so many people are interested. I think Bangalore should have better infrastructure for Esports and we should make it a happening place. This is the step ahead and as the representative of people I am with you.”

Being India’s longest-running homegrown Esports IP, this was the fifth year of the Skyesports Championship. The total prize pool for the tournament was a staggering INR 2,12,00,000 split between three Esports titles, one of which was BGMI.

by Abhishek Shukla

DISNEY+ HOTSTAR TO EXCLUSIVELY STREAM THE WARM-UP MATCHES OF THE ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2021

Mumbai, October 16th, 2021: T20 extravaganza takes center-stage as another edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup dawns over the horizon. Cricket fans across the country would be thrilled to know that for the very first time in the history of ICC tournaments, all the warm-up matches are being produced and will be made available to them. Disney+ Hotstar will EXCLUSIVELY LIVE stream all the warm-up matches of the top 8 teams along with the main event matches which are slated to start from October 17th. These warm-up matches promise to be a ‘battle before the battle’, a precursor for the fans, promising action-packed cricket and anticipation ahead of the Super 12 stage.

The warm-up fixtures amongst top 8 teams will be played over 2 days, i.e. 18th and 20th October. Cricket fans can enjoy the non-India warm-up matches EXCLUSIVELY on Disney+ Hotstar and Team India’s warm-up games against England and Australia on October 18th at 7.30 PM IST and October 20th at 3:30 PM IST respectively will be available on Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports Network.

“ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the pinnacle of international T20 cricket and in an industry first we will exclusively stream all the warm-up matches of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on our platform. In line with our strategy, Disney+ Hotstar continues to strengthen itself as the preferred digital destination for all the sporting action, constantly offering newer engagement opportunities to fulfill the growing appetite of the sports fanatics in India,” said Sunil Rayan, President and Head, Disney+ Hotstar India.

Post warm-up matches, India will begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai in a Super12 Group 2 stage clash on October 24th.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 Warm-Up Schedule:

by Abhishek Shukla

“We had great belief that we will win a medal,” says Tokyo Olympic hockey star Simranjeet Singh

15 October, 2021: Simranjeet Singh was among the star performers for India in their medal-winning campaign at the Tokyo Olympics. The dynamic midfielder’s sensational goals in crucial moments made him an instant hit among the fans back home. However, his Olympic journey, much like his career, had its fair share of twists and turns. Appearing as a special guest on Hockey India’s podcast series Hockey Te Charcha, Simranjeet shared some insights into his eventful career and being a part of India’s Tokyo Olympic campaign.  

Talking about his big break into the senior side, Simranjeet credited the seniors for guiding him and sharing useful tips which he still follows to this day. In particular, he recalls the influence hockey stalwart Sardar Singh had on his early days in the team. “Sardar Singh played in the same position as me. He was someone I always looked up to and I eagerly listened to his advice,” says Simranjeet. “He always told me to make the most of every chance I got and to never let them go to waste. He reinforced in me the desire to give 100% at every camp and show the selectors my hunger to be in the team, every single day.”  

Simranjeet’s Olympic journey is one for the books, going from the side-lines as a reserve player to taking centre stage with two goals against Germany in the Bronze medal match.  He was not a part of the original squad of 16 announced earlier in June. Expressing his initial disappointed at missing out, Simranjeet shared, “Like every player, I felt I deserved to be a part of the 16-member squad, especially because I knew the Coach had faith in me. But I was confident that no matter which 16 were selected, they had the capability to get a medal and that was our focus. When I got to know that the reserves were also travelling to Tokyo, at first, I couldn’t believe it. But when it sunk in, I knew that now, despite being a reserve, I would get at least one chance to play. I was determined to make the most of it.” 

Being on the bench for the first two games was no excuse for Simranjeet to stop working hard. He astutely utilised his vantage point to analyse the opponents and prepare himself for his breakthrough opportunity. “I analysed the New Zealand and Australian teams from the side-lines, constantly trying to figure out what I would do better in the situation and how I could make an impact in that position. These small observations really helped me later in the tournament.”  

When he got his chance, Simranjeet shined for Team India throughout the tournament, instantly making an impact in crucial games. Though he missed out on playing the Semi-Final, he was geared up for the Bronze medal match, eager to make a mark. He recounts the mentality of the team as they headed into arguably the most important match of their careers. “Before that match, we were aware that this was our last chance to win a medal for the country. The senior players sat us down and told us that this was our only shot to turn our struggles over the last two years into something worthwhile. Their motivational speeches gave us a huge boost.  So, our morale before the match was high and we were quite self-confident.” 

by Abhishek Shukla

Uttar Pradesh all-set to host the 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021 in Jhansi

New Delhi, 14 October 2021: The Senior Women domestic hockey players are eager to show their skills in the upcoming 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021 which is just one week away. The tournament is set to be held from 21 October 2021 to 30 October 2021 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. 

The 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021 will provide a platform for the domestic players to showcase their talent and impress the Hockey India’s selectors.

The participating teams include Hockey Haryana, Hockey Uttarakhand, Le Puducherry Hockey in Pool A, while Pool B features Hockey Maharashtra, Goans Hockey, Hockey Bihar. Pool C features Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Gujarat, Hockey Bengal and Pool D features Odisha, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Himachal.

Pool E will include Hockey Punjab, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Arunachal and Pool F will feature Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Rajasthan, Delhi Hockey, Hockey Andaman and Nicobar. Pool G will include Hockey Karnataka, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, Telangana Hockey, Tripura Hockey and Pool H will see Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Kerala Hockey, Assam Hockey, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir vie for the trophy in the 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021.

After six days of pool matches, the Quarter-Finals will be played on 27 October, the Semi-Finals will be held on 29 October whereas the Medal matches are scheduled for 30 October. 

The Government of Uttar Pradesh has left no stone unturned in its preparations to host a successful tournament and also provide a safe environment for the athletes to compete. Dr. R.P. Singh, Organising Secretary said, “We are absolutely ecstatic to host the 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021 here in Jhansi. There has been a tremendous increase in interest in hockey after the fantastic performances by the Indian Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and we are excited to host the upcoming talented hockey players in the 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021. 

Dr. R.P. Singh, Organising Secretary further emphasized that all safety measures will be in place for the tournament. “We will be certainly adhering to guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as well as the Government of Uttar Pradesh, apart from Hockey India SOPs. We will ensure that all procedures are followed for the hosting of a safe & successful event.”

Apart from several SOPs laid out by Hockey India, each and every athlete, coaches, technical officials participating in the 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021 would need to submit a negative COVID RT-PCR test report on arrival at Jhansi with the test taken within 48 hours prior to departure to Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Further to this, all athletes and officials need to have the Aarogya Setu app on their devices. They must also follow physical distancing measures at all locations, except athletes on the field. A Covid-19 task force will also be constituted by the organising committee to ensure the implementation of the protocols issued by the MHA and the respective state government.

by Abhishek Shukla

MPL Sports unveils fan-inspired official Team India jersey for the upcoming cup

India, October 13, 2021: MPL Sports, the official kit sponsor of the Indian Men’s, Women’s, and Under-19 Cricket Team, today unveiled the official jersey of the Indian team for 2021. The cheers of the billion-plus fans of the team at home and abroad provide inspiration for the jersey that the players will don at the upcoming T20 cup. 

This is the first time in the history of Indian cricket that fans have been memorialised on a jersey. It carries their chants and cheers from iconic past matches, transformed into unique soundwave patterns. As much as the shirt, aptly called the “Billion Cheers Jersey,” honours their unwavering support, it also serves as a beacon of inspiration and encouragement for Team India to give their best on the field. The jersey comes in shades of prussian blue and royal blue offering a bold and distinct look befitting champions. 

Sourav Ganguly, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said, “The Indian cricket team enjoys support not just in India but around the world, and there’s no better way to celebrate their excitement and energy than through this jersey. This will undoubtedly provide the team with the much-needed enthusiastic support in their quest to emerge as the T20 champions of the world. We are also pleased to see that MPL Sports continues to deliver merchandise that is widely affordable and accessible.”

Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stated, “We are excited to unveil the official jersey today and make it available for supporters ahead of the T20 games in partnership with MPL Sports. The story behind the jersey is a story of every Indian cricket fan. We are sure that wearing this will be a matter of great pride for both the team and supporters alike.”

“We have immense respect for our fans and this makes the official jersey even more special. The design is quite striking and distinct from ones we have sported in the past while also delivering on comfort and performance to enable us to give our best. All of us are thrilled to don the new colours, show our game and make our billion-plus fans proud,” said Virat Kohli, Captain of the Indian National Cricket Team.

“It is a moment of immense pride for us to officially launch this jersey today. We wanted to capture the incredible spirit and passion of the fans with a unique design. The result is this first-of-its-kind jersey that truly demonstrates their emotions. Even when most fans will be cheering for the team from afar, their support is always with the team,” said Shobhit Gupta, Head – MPL Sports. 

The announcement is in line with MPL Sports’ endeavor to make the official merchandise of the Indian team universally available for all supporters and establish a deeper fan connection with the team. 

The “Billion Cheers Jersey” starts retailing at just INR 1,799. Along with this, over 10 variations, including a player edition jersey and Virat Kohli’s signature Number 18 jersey, have been launched. The merchandise is available for purchase on mplsports.in and all major ecommerce platforms in India like Amazon, Myntra and Flipkart. Following the release, MPL Sports will also launch a wide range of official merchandise with over 50 pieces spanning performance and lifestyle wear in the days to come. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy clinch 1st Hockey India Sub Junior Men Academy National Championship 2021 title

Bhopal, 13 October 2021: Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy beat Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre in the shootout (3-1 SO) after a tie at the end of the 4th Quarter with a 3-3 score line, to clinch the 1st Hockey India Sub Junior Men Academy National Championship 2021 here in Bhopal today. Whereas Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy beat SGPC Hockey Academy 5-1 to clinch the 3rd place in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
 
Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy held their nerves to emerge as the champions of the inaugural edition of the tournament after being tested hard by their opponents in the regulation time. Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy took lead twice in the game, but Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre equalised each time to end at a 3-3 stalemate in the regulation time. Goalkeeper Amaan Khan was the star of the match as he saved as many as three goals in the shootout to help Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy clinch the title. Saddam Ahmad (10′), Subhan Abid (32′) and Captain Ali Ahmad (36′) were the three goalscorers for Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy in the regulation time, while Captain Jasman Munda (21′), Ricky Tonjam (34′) and Irengbam Rohit Singh (55′) scored a goal each for Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre in what was a topsy-turvy summit clash of the competition. 
 
Reacting to the team’s win, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy coach Mohd Sameer Dad expressed, “Both teams were strong skill-wise as well as physically, so, this kind of close match was expected today. Everytime we kept on taking lead in the match, but they went on to score equaliser each time. In the shootout, match can go either way, but, we were confident about winning this match. Our goalkeeper was fantastic, he showed a great character and made three saves in the shootout to help the team win this title. It’s not easy for U-17 players to practice six hours daily in these conditions, heat was a major factor. They have been training since last fifteen days in these conditions, and I think that benefitted to our team as we got used to the heat.”
 
He further added, “Winning the inaugural edition of the tournament is a special feeling. I feel proud to have etched our academy’s name in the history books. A lot of players were playing their first ever tournament of their lives, and winning a title at National level is a big achievement. This will motivate them to win more tournaments, and showcase their talents on the national platform. I believe it’s a great move by Hockey India for introducing tournaments for Academies. It will create a competitive culture among young players, which will eventually help Indian Hockey to produce more talents.”
 
Earlier today, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy eased past SGPC Hockey Academy with a clinical 5-1 win to finish third in the tournament. Captain Harmanjit Singh (8′), Himanshu Bansal (28′), Sukhpal Singh (36′), Gursewak Singh (47′) and Lovenoor Singh (60′) scored a goal each to help their team Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy seal the third spot. Whereas Harpreet Singh (46′) scored the only goal for SGPC Hockey Academy.
 
 

by Abhishek Shukla

MPL Sports unveils fan-inspired official Team India jersey for the upcoming T20 World cup

MPL Sports, the official kit sponsor of the Indian Men’s, Women’s, and Under-19 Cricket Team, today unveiled the official jersey of the Indian team for 2021. The cheers of the billion-plus fans of the team at home and abroad provide inspiration for the jersey that the players will don at the upcoming T20 cup.

This is the first time in the history of Indian cricket that fans have been memorialised on a jersey. It carries their chants and cheers from iconic past matches, transformed into unique soundwave patterns. As much as the shirt, aptly called the “Billion Cheers Jersey,” honours their unwavering support, it also serves as a beacon of inspiration and encouragement for Team India to give their best on the field. The jersey comes in shades of prussian blue and royal blue offering a bold and distinct look befitting champions.

by Abhishek Shukla

Chennaiyin FC onboard BatBall11 as Associate Sponsor

Chennai, October 8, 2021: Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC are delighted to welcome on board fantasy sports platform BatBall11 as an Associate Sponsor for the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League.
This is BatBall11’s first partnership with a major sports franchise. BatBall11 will look to reach out to Chennaiyin FC’s passionate fan base and communicate with them through various assets that the club will offer to the brand, through the season. BatBall11 allows users to engage with sports like football, cricket and kabaddi.
Welcoming BatBall11 on board, Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani said: “I’m pleased to welcome BatBall11 on board the Chennaiyin FC family. We are pleased to be working together with the team at BatBall11 to create interesting engagement avenues for fans of Chennaiyin FC.”
“We are extremely excited to join hands with Chennaiyin FC for the upcoming ISL season. We at Batball11 are committed to providing our users with an astounding experience, and believe that this association will help us connect with Chennaiyin FC’s passionate and loyal fan base. We look forward to a successful collaboration and wish the team the very best for the season ahead,” said Darshan P Parmar, Director of BatBall11 on the association with CFC.
The BatBall11 logo will find its place on the top half of the right sleeve of Chennaiyin FC’s match and training kits in the eighth edition of the ISL that kicks off in Goa this November.

by Abhishek Shukla

Mumbai City FC’s coach Sergio Lobera steps down

Mumbai, 08 October 2021:  Indian Super League champions Mumbai City have announced that Sergio Lobera will be stepping down as Head Coach to continue his coaching journey with City Football Group (CFG). The Club’s new Head Coach will be Des Buckingham, who joins from CFG-owned A-League Champions Melbourne City FC. Des joins the Islanders ahead of the 2021-22 season on a two-year contract.

Sergio Lobera joined the Club in October 2020 and oversaw the Club’s most successful campaign ever, when the Islanders became the first team in ISL history to secure both the ISL League Winners’ Shield and the ISL Trophy, completing a double in the 2020-21 season.

After a highly decorated spell in India, Sergio will now be leaving the country to join CFG to work on a fresh challenge.

Englishman Des Buckingham, joins from Melbourne City FC, where he was Assistant Coach to Patrick Kisnorbo, helping the Club towards winning the A-League Premiership and Championship double. He made a significant contribution both on and off the pitch, taking charge of the team on three occasions during the 2020/21 season in the absence of Kisnorbo, in which he had a perfect winning record.

Prior to joining Melbourne City, Des became the youngest coach in A-League history when he took charge of Wellington Phoenix at the age of 31, before a spell with Stoke City’s U-23 team. Des was also the Head Coach of New Zealand’s U-20 and U-23 teams as well the Assistant Coach to the All Whites’ First Team for a brief period. Highly acclaimed for his work with the New Zealand age group sides, Des led the New Zealand U-20s to the Round of 16 in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup before bowing out to Colombia in a penalty shootout. In light of his notable work in the country, Des was named Men’s Coach of the Year at the 2020 New Zealand Football Awards.

Kandarp Chandra, CEO of Mumbai City FC, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Des to Mumbai City. He is an exciting young coach who already has years of experience under his belt. He is incredibly highly thought of within the game and his background at City Football Group ensures continuity for our squad as we head into pre-season. We are very confident that Des is the right choice for Mumbai and we can’t wait to work with him.

“Similarly we are very sad to say goodbye to Sergio. Sergio was a huge part of the most successful season in the Club’s history and has helped to give us great foundations to build on this year. He is hugely admired and respected by everyone at the Club and will always be a very welcome guest in Mumbai. We wish him and his lovely family every success for a bright and happy future in his new endeavours.”

Brian Marwood, Managing Director of Global Football at City Football Group, added:

“Des is an extremely impressive coach who has done an excellent job supporting Patrick Kisnorbo in Melbourne. He is particularly strong dealing with young and emerging players and the Head Coach role at Mumbai City is a step he is ready for. He is well versed in the style of football that the team plays and will continue the fantastic work which Sergio has done.

“Whilst Sergio’s time in India has come to an end, I am delighted that he has chose to continue with City Football Group in a fresh challenge and we are very pleased that we will be able to keep working together”.

New Mumbai City Head Coach, Des Buckingham added:

“I am thrilled to be joining Mumbai City at such a successful period in the Club’s history. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Australia, but the opportunity to take control of the defending ISL Champions was impossible to turn down. I’m looking forward to arriving in India and learning as much as I can about the Club, the players and the culture and continuing to work with colleagues at CFG to develop our young players and drive the team forward on and off the pitch.”

Des will arrive in India shortly and will undergo the stipulated quarantine before joining the Mumbai City bubble in Goa to commence pre-season preparations ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

by Abhishek Shukla

Chennaiyin FC extend partnership with SSVM Institutions as the club’s associate sponsor for a third consecutive year

Chennai, September 25, 2021: Chennaiyin FC have renewed their association with Shree Sarasswathi Vidhyaah Mandheer (SSVM) Institutions as the club’s associate sponsor for a third consecutive year.

SSVM’s partnership with Chennaiyin FC began before the 2019-20 Indian Super League (ISL) season, allowing the two-time champions to take the beautiful game beyond Chennai and into other parts of Tamil Nadu, such as Coimbatore and Mettupalayam.

Commenting on the association with one of India’s premier educational organisations, Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani said, “SSVM Institutions are one of the finest education institutions in the country and we at Chennaiyin FC are proud to have them as a part of the family for the third consecutive year. This association has grown stronger with each passing year and we are confident of a strong showing in the upcoming season, along with our partners SSVM.”

SSVM’s emphasis on sports as part of its curriculum and Chennaiyin FC’s massive fan base will not only ensure a strong partnership but also help create interest for the sport among the youth.

Reiterating the importance of associating with Chennaiyin FC, Dr Manimekalai Mohan, Managing Trustee of SSVM Institutions at Coimbatore said: “SSVM Institutions is delighted to be partnering with Chennaiyin FC for the third consecutive year. We are now one family as the association has grown stronger with each passing season. We look forward to more successful years for Chennaiyin FC, and we hope to support the club on all fronts.”

It is Chennaiyin FC’s endeavour to take football to every town and district of the state, and the partnership with SSVM, which has a very strong educational presence in Tamil Nadu, had always been a step in that direction.

by Abhishek Shukla

“Our performance at the Tokyo Olympics has changed our mentality and given us self belief,” says Neha Goyal

New Delhi, 25 September, 2021: Tenacious, yet skilful midfielder Neha Goyal formed an integral part of the first ever Indian Women’s Hockey Team that reached an Olympic Semi Final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Though the team narrowly missed out on a medal after pushing Great Britain to the edge in the Bronze Medal match, the 24-year-old from Sonepat has some positives to take away from the Indian eves’ historic performance in the Tokyo Games. 

“Our performance at the Tokyo Olympics has changed our mentality and given us the self belief to compete with any team in the world. Our win over Australia in the Quarter Final brought about a shift in our mentality. Coming into that match, Australia had topped their Pool by winning all their matches. Defeating them gave us a lot of confidence, which we will carry with us going forward as we prepare to play more important tournaments in the future. Along with a change in our mentality, we have improved our training and fitness levels as well,” said Neha. 

Making her Olympic debut for India stands out as a landmark moment for Neha in her career thus far. She admits, “I was nervous before the occasion, but very excited. It has always been my dream to play in the Olympics since I started playing hockey. This was my first time, so I did not take too much pressure upon myself and tried to enjoy the moment. I also gained some confidence in our tours of Argentina and Germany before the Olympics, where I felt that we were able to compete well with some really good teams. In the end, the team performed well, and I was happy with my individual performance over the course of the tournament as well.”

Moving forward, Neha’s ambition is to further polish her individual game so that she can continue to contribute to the success of the team in future competitions. She said, “As a team, our next target is to do well at the Asian Games and the World Cup next year. I am continuing to work on my own game so I can continue to contribute to the team’s fortunes. As a Centre, my job is to be effective on both ends of the field by helping out the defence, as well as the attack. I feel I am a skilful player, and attacking comes more naturally to me, but I want to maintain a balance in my game.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Optimum Nutrition (ON), the world’s leading sports nutrition brand, names Rishabh Pant as their brand athlete

National, 24th September 2021: The World’s #1 selling Sports Protein Powder brand, Optimum Nutrition, has partnered with ace cricketer Rishabh Pant to provide him with all his sports nutrition supplement needs. The Most Trusted and awarded brand, Optimum Nutrition is part of Glanbia Performance Nutrition and has been helping athletes to achieve their fitness goals for over 30 years.
Rishabh Pant has an undoubtedly vast fan following and appeal. Bringing him on board would further grow the awareness and trust across fitness enthusiasts for Optimum Nutrition products.
Speaking on the association, Rishabh Pant said, “I am excited to be part of Team Optimum Nutrition and sport their logo on my bat for my upcoming matches. Being a professional athlete, I am always on the move and constantly striving to improve my fitness and game. I am happy to be associated with this amazing global community of Optimum Nutrition athletes as they champion high quality and performance-oriented nutrition.’’
Satyavrat Pendharkar, Managing Director, Glanbia Performance Nutrition India Pvt Ltd. said, “It is an absolute privilege for us to have Rishabh Pant as our athlete on Team Optimum Nutrition, we are committed to supporting his nutritional needs throughout his training and keeping him fit and healthy. We are pleased to be a part of his journey and commitment towards the sport and look forward to have him as the face and voice to inspire our community which continues to grow.”
Through this partnership, the brand will be engaging all its products, which include Gold Standard 100% Whey – the world’s best-selling whey protein, Essential Amino Energy, and Serious Mass, while partnering with Pant. Optimum Nutrition has been the category leader and extremely popular globally and its popularity has been growing steadily in India as well. So much so that they started locally manufacturing the star products such as the Gold Standard, 100% Whey to meet the ever-increasing demand in the subcontinent. It is a huge feat for all of us as this is the very first time that Optimum Nutrition products are being manufactured outside of US and UK.  
Rishabh Pant is being exclusively managed by JSW Sports. Mustafa Ghouse, CEO, JSW Sports added, “We are delighted with this association of Rishabh Pant and Optimum Nutrition. Rishabh shares values of commitment to quality and fitness with Optimum Nutrition and having a global brand of their repute on board with him as nutrition experts, is of immense value to him.”
Rishabh Pant has so far represented India in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup (2016), the Twenty20 International (from 2017), and captained the Delhi Capitals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Meanwhile, there is a continued rise in his popularity across the world. His immense success is poised to contribute to the brand’s success. With his quirkiness, zeal for excellence in the sport, and smart personality, he embodies the philosophy of Optimum Nutrition: To be the best in the country, while chasing finesse and perfection to leave a lasting impression!

by Abhishek Shukla

90+ My Tuition App Signs Batsman Rishabh Pant as Its National Brand Ambassador

India, September 24, 2021: Edtech start-up 90+ My Tuition App, announced that it has signed Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant as its national brand ambassador. This association will build a strong brand resonance and top-of-the-mind recall for the start-up among its potential customers – students and parents. In continuance of his association with 90+, the textbook – oriented digital tuition app, Rishabh launched the CBSE syllabus all over India.
 
The partnership comes at an opportune time when the start-up is in a business expansion mode across key cities in India. Recently, the start-up has secured USD 5 million investment in a Series A round for market expansion, brand building, and new product development.
 
“We are thrilled to have Rishabh Pant on board. He is the rising star of cricket and personifies grit, determination, and hard work, qualities that we would like to inculcate in all the students using our app. Our association with Rishabh would enhance our brand’s awareness among millions of school-going young cricketers and our potential customers across the country. As cricket unites India, our CBSE syllabus launched by Rishabh will provide a unifying experience to the students on our App”, said Co-founder and CEO of 90+ My Tuition App, Smijay Gokuldasan.
 
“I look forward to my journey with 90+ My Tuition App. I love the products they have come up with for school students. I wish I had an app like 90+ My Tuition App during my school days. It would have made studying math and science so much more fun. With the launch of the CBSE syllabus, the learning curve of the students on the App will be further enriched”, said Rishabh Pant. 
 
90+ My Tuition app provides digital tuition to 8th-12th standard students of CBSE and State education boards. Learners get to learn concepts of Math and Science using animated content and can assess their learnings through self-verifiable evaluation tests available on the app. The app also helps parents track the progress of their child using the ‘Parents Corner’ feature available on the app. Students can download videos and play later without the use of the internet.

by Abhishek Shukla

It’s great that the best Junior Players from across the globe will get to experience the world-class facilities in Bhubaneswar,” says Indian Men’s Hockey midfielder Simranjeet Singh

New Delhi, 24 September 2021: Indian Men’s Hockey Team midfielder Simranjeet Singh was part of the successful Olympic campaign in Tokyo where he played an instrumental role in the Bronze medal match against Germany. He scored twice in the thrilling encounter and introspecting on his performance, Simranjeet said he is fortunate to have earned the opportunity to represent India at the greatest sporting event in the world. “I feel very fortunate, honestly. It was a great experience I had in Tokyo and my aim was to execute the role I was given to perfection. Now, I am waiting to return to the camp and analyse our performance in detail and understand the areas I can further work on and improve,” he stated. 

Simranjeet was part of the India Colts team that successfully lifted the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in Lucknow back in 2016. Ever since then, his career has been on an upward climb. “That victory in Lucknow truly changed our lives for good. It really was the stepping stone for many of us and the journey so far has been fantastic. From here on, my aim is only to get better and be part of India’s upcoming campaigns at the FIH Hockey Pro League, Asian Games and so on. There is still a lot that I feel I can improve upon,” he added. 

With the forthcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar starting 24 November, Simranjeet said, “It is great that the best junior players from across the globe will get to experience the world-class facilities in Bhubaneswar. We have played in many venues across the world but playing in Odisha is always special because of the facilities there, the Odisha State Government’s hospitality and the fans. I am really happy that hockey festivities are returning to India after nearly two years of no action in the country due to covid. I hope all the players enjoy the tournament and wish them good luck,” he signed off. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Mumbai City FC secure loan move for Brazilian forward Ygor Catatau

Mumbai, 24 September 2021: Mumbai City FC have secured the signing of forward Ygor Catatau on a season-long loan from Brazilian side Madureira Esporte Clube. 

The Brazilian striker started his professional career with Madureira before making the jump to the first team in 2015 and was loaned out to clubs like Barra da Tijuca and Boa Esporte in his initial years. Catatau then signed on a one-season loan deal with CR Vasco da Gama, where he featured in the Brasileiro Série A and Copa do Brasil during the 2020/21 season.  
 
Earlier in March 2021, the 26-year-old player was loaned to Série B side EC Vitoria, where he made 27 appearances for the club and scored three goals, including one assist to his name. Catatau’s move to Mumbai City FC will be his first experience playing outside of his native Brazil. 
 
Ygor Catatau said: 
 
“Joining Mumbai City and coming to the ISL is a new challenge for me in my career and I’m extremely excited about it. For all of us at the club, we want to deliver in what I’m aware is going to be an important season for us. I’m ready to give my very best to our fans and I hope we can enjoy great moments together.” 

by Abhishek Shukla

“Rajasthan Royals are going to pose a good challenge to us,” says Delhi Capitals’ fast bowler Anrich Nortje

Dubai, 24 September 2021:The Delhi Capitals, who defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets in their first match of the second half of the VIVO IPL 2021 season on Wednesday, will look to continue their winning streak when they take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Delhi Capitals’ fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who was the Player of the Match in the game against SRH, expressed during a virtual conference on Friday that the Rajasthan Royals will pose a good challenge to the Delhi franchise.

https://youtu.be/CyQzPlMt20E

“We’ll have to quickly assess the conditions in Abu Dhabi and see what we need to do. It’s not going to be an easy game and the heat will be a major factor as well. Hopefully, we can just control our skills and focus on what we need to do. It’s going to be a very good challenge for us and I am really looking forward to it,” said the 27-year-old.

When asked about his experience of working with Head Coach Ricky Ponting, Nortje said, “It’s great having Ricky Ponting in our camp. I love his chats and he breaks things down very nicely and makes everything easy to understand. He’s quite clear on what he wants. I am trying to learn as much as possible from him. We enjoy working with him and hopefully, we can grow as a unit with him.”

Nortje, who recorded the top eight fastest deliveries of the IPL 2021 season in only one match with the fastest being 151.71 km/h, expressed that he doesn’t search for high speed on the field, “I don’t think about bowling speeds on the field but I do think about it when I am doing my strength training. High speed is not something I search for on the field. I just try to hit the right lengths while bowling during a game.” 

When asked if he has shared some tricks of the trade with young fast bowler Avesh Khan, the South African said, “Some of us have been looking at how Avesh is landing his yorkers and how he has been going about things. He has been so good for us. It was especially nice to see him land his yorkers in the first half of the season in India. It’s been so nice to see him progress as a bowler. All in all, he has got a lot of skill and I think he has got a bright future ahead of him.”