Category: Uncategorized

by Abhishek Shukla

Badminton Asia Team Championships: Indian men go down 2-3 against China

New Delhi, February 15: Indian men’s badminton team put up a spirited performance against China but ended on the losing side of a 2-3 score line in the Group A clash of the Badminton Asia Team Championship at Selangor, Malaysia, on Thursday.
With the quarterfinal spot assured after their win over Hong Kong on Wednesday, India opted to rest Asian Games gold medallist doubles combination of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and former world no. 1 Kidambi Srikanth in order to keep them fresh for the knock-out stage.
World No. 7 HS Prannoy also needed time to find his footing in the opening match against Weng Hong Yang but showed why he is considered such a formidable force in the team events by staging an impressive fightback to win 6-21, 21-18, 21-19 in an hour and 13 minutes.
The doubles combination of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila then came close to doubling India’s lead against the Chinese combination of Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi, ranked 17 places above them. Trailing 13-19 in the decider, the Indian pair won six straight points to level scores but could not sustain the momentum and lost 21-15, 19-21, 21-19 in an hour and 10 minutes.
Lakshya Sen then put India ahead once again with a 21-11, 21-16 win over Lei Lan Xi.
It was then left for the debutant doubles combination of Suraj Goala and Pruthvi K Roy or national singles champion Chirag Sen to see India through. They did take the fight to their opponents but fell short.
Results:Men: China bt India 3-2 (Weng Hong Yang lost to HS Prannoy 21-6, 18-21, 19-21; Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi bt MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila 21-15, 19-21, 21-19; Lei Lan Xi lost to Lakshya Sen 11-21, 16-21; Ren Xiang Yu/Xie Hao Nan bt Suraj Goala/Pruthvi K Roy 21-13, 21-9; Wang Zheng Xing bt Chirag Sen 21-15, 21-16)

by Abhishek Shukla

Bengal Warriors bring special PKL viewing experience to kids from CRY and Parivaar

Kolkata, 14 February, 2024: Young children from CRY’s ‘Kabaddi for Change’ programme and Parivaar spent time with Shubham Shinde and his teammate Nitin Rawal after being invited by Bengal Warriors for the Kolkata leg of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10. The program hopes to reach out to 8 districts, and touch the lives of 3000 children kabaddi players through CRY’s initiatives.

The Kabaddi for Change initiative aims to help in the empowerment of children in certain districts of West Bengal through the sport of Kabaddi. These children, who are all from underprivileged communities, were experiencing the excitement and thrill of watching a game in the stadium live, for the first time in their lives.

Here are some glimpses of their meeting as the two Kabaddi stars brought a wide smile to the faces of these young kids, many of whom are aspiring Kabaddi stars.

by Abhishek Shukla

Road to the Final: A look back at India and Australia’s route to the epic finale

After 21 days and 40 matches, India and Australia will battle it out for supremacy in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final on Sunday 11 February in Benoni.

This sets the stage for another chapter in the recent history of these two cricketing nations, as their senior sides clashed in pinnacle finals last year at both the World Test Championship Final and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Both teams have showcased remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, maintaining unbeaten streaks as they head into the Final.

As the two teams gear up for an epic clash, we take a look back at their journeys in the tournament.

India

India beat Bangladesh by 84 runs

India kicked off their World Cup campaign with a convincing win against Bangladesh. 

Maruf Mridha broke through early for Bangladesh, removing Arshin Kulkarni and Musheer Khan inside the Powerplay.

Adarsh Singh and captain Uday Saharan struck a fifty each to bail India out of trouble with a brilliant 116-run stand for the third wicket.

Maruf was at the top of his game, bagging a five-wicket haul in the first game of the tournament, however, late contributions from Aravelly Avanish and Sachin Dhas propelled India to a formidable total of 251/7.

In reply, Bangladesh put on a steady 38-run stand for the opening wicket but the good work was undone by wickets in the Powerplay courtesy of Raj Limbani and Saumy Pandey.

The team went from 38/0 to 50/4 before Ariful Islam and Mohammad Shihab James stabilised the innings, yet once Musheer broke the partnership, the remaining Bangladesh wickets fell quickly, and they were eventually bowled out for 167.

Player of the Match: Saumy Pandey (4/24)


India beat Ireland by 201 runs

India showcased dominance with both bat and ball in a resounding victory over Ireland, securing the first of their three wins by a margin of 200 or more runs.

Musheer Khan and Uday Saharan were the stars of the batting innings, registering a century and fifty respectively as they forged a 156-run stand for the third wicket. 

Aravelly Avanish and Sachin Dhas once again played handy cameos to take India’s total past the 300-run mark.

In pursuit of 302, Ireland faced early setbacks as Naman Tiwari ran through the top order with a four-wicket haul. Saumy Pandey picked up three wickets as Ireland were bundled out for 100, with only four batsmen managing to reach double-digit scores.

Player of the Match: Musheer Khan (118 off 106)


India beat USA by 201 runs

The Indian juggernaut rolled on with yet another victory by a massive margin against USA in the final group-stage match.

Batting first again, India managed to put on another massive 300-run plus score on board. Arshin Kulkarni anchored the majority of the innings en route to his century and was well supported by Musheer Khan’s fifty.

The lower order came to the party again, taking India to 326/5.

In reply, USA lost three wickets inside eight overs and struggled to come to terms with India’s depth of bowling talent. Utkarsh Srivastava’s resilient 40 prevented a complete collapse, allowing USA to bat out the full 50 overs. 

USA could only muster a total of 125/8 in the innings with Naman Tiwari continuing his impressive form, recording his second consecutive four-wicket haul.

Player of the Match: Arshin Kulkarni (108 off 118)


India beat New Zealand by 214 runs

India carried forward their momentum from the Group Stages to the Super Six with another massive win over New Zealand.

Musheer Khan played a stellar innings, smashing his second century of the tournament with a brilliant score of 131, guiding India to a total of 295/8. Adarsh Singh played a crucial supporting role, again contributing with a fifty.

Raj Limbani put India on top early with a blend of pace and swing contributing to two quick wickets, before Saumy Pandey picked up another four-wicket haul to roll New Zealand over for just 81.

Player of the Match: Musheer Khan (131 off 126 and 2/10)


India beat Nepal by 132 runs

India punched their ticket to the semi-final with a resounding victory over Nepal in the final Super Six game.

Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas smashed a century each as they forged a 215-run stand – the highest fourth wicket partnership in U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history.

Chasing 298, Nepal put on a solid 48-run stand for the opening wicket but were rocked by the flurry of wickets that followed, led by Saumy Pandey’s four-for.

With only five batters reaching double-digit scores, Nepal concluded their innings at 165/9, falling short of the target set by India by 132 runs.

Player of the Match: Sachin Dhas (116 off 101)


India beat South Africa by 2 wickets

Chasing for the first time in the tournament in the semi-finals, India encountered a stiff challenge from the tournament hosts South Africa, but ultimately emerged victorious in a thrilling contest.

Fifties from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Richard Seletswane laid a solid foundation for South Africa before Juan James and Tristan Luus finished with a flourish to take the Proteas to a competitive 244/7.

Kwena Maphaka and Luus had India in trouble early with an exceptional display of pace and swing. India were staring down the barrel at 32/4 when Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas delivered the rescue act – a 171-run stand steering India away from a perilous position.

Although Maphaka concluded his spell with two crucial wickets, Saharan held one end strong and his captain’s knock left India on the brink of a dramatic victory.

Raj Limbani hit the winning runs to take India to their fifth consecutive U19 Men’s CWC final.

Player of the Match: Uday Saharan (81 off 124)


Australia


Australia beat Namibia by 4 wickets

In the opening game of the tournament, Namibia tested Australia’s mettle, pushing them to the brink in a closely contested match in Kimberley.

Callum Vidler’s four-wicket haul and Tom Straker’s three wickets bundled Namibia out for just 91.

It looked like it would be a stroll in the park before Jack Brassell’s inspired bowling performance turned the match on its head. Australia found themselves in a challenging position at 57/5, facing the possibility of an opening day upset. 

In the face of adversity, captain Hugh Weibgen led by example, forming a crucial partnership with Raf MacMillan. Together, they navigated Australia through the difficult situation and secured a hard-fought victory by four wickets.

Player of the Match: Callum Vidler (4/17)

Australia beat Zimbabwe by 225 runs

Australia responded to the close shave against Namibia in a dominant style with a massive win over Zimbabwe in their next game.

The top three of Sam Konstas, Harry Dixon and Hugh Weibgen were amongst the runs, with the latter two registering half-centuries. Tom Campbell’s late flourish propelled Australia to an imposing total of 296/7.

The bowlers continued the momentum with a brilliant display, dismantling Zimbabwe for a lowly 71, the key destroyer being Harkirat Bajwa, whose spin threat was highlighted with figures of 4/15.

Player of the Match: Harry Dixon (89 off 108)


Australia beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets

Callum Vidler’s brilliant start to the tournament continued with two early wickets against Sri Lanka. Each of the six bowlers on the day got in on the action but Dinura Kalupahana’s 64 helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 208.

Australia began their innings with a brisk 71-run opening stand, but a minor collapse saw them slip to 80/3. In stepped Ryan Hicks, displaying composure and control, hitting an unbeaten 77 to guide Australia to victory and secure passage to the Super Six stage.

Player of the Match: Ryan Hicks (77* off 104)


Australia beat England by 110 runs (DLS method)

Australia kicked off their Super Six journey with a thumping victory over traditional rivals England.

Captain Hugh Weibgen led from the front, playing a captain’s knock with a top-class century. Walking in to bat in the first over, Weibgen nearly spent the entire innings at the crease, forming crucial partnerships with the middle order to guide Australia to a total of 266/6.

In response, England took on the Australian attack, but their momentum was halted by a stunning display of fast bowling from Callum Vidler. Vidler picked up four wickets in the Powerplay, leaving England reeling at 60/4.

The match was interrupted by rain and the target was revised to 214 off 24 overs. England had no choice but to go gung-ho and in the process, were bowled out for a paltry score of 104.

Player of the Match: Hugh Weibgen (120 off 126)


Australia vs West Indies ended in No Result

Rain played spoilsport in the virtual knockout clash between Australia and West Indies, with Weibgen’s side securing semi-final qualification as points were shared in Kimberley.

In challenging conditions, Sam Konstas emerged as the lone warrior for Australia, crafting a resilient innings of 108 and guiding the team to a total of 227/8.

The match promised an exciting showdown, but unfortunately, rain interrupted play with West Indies at 24/2. Unfortunately, no further play was possible, and as a result, Australia advanced to the semi-finals.


Australia beat Pakistan by 1 wicket

The second semi-final of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 between Australia and Pakistan unfolded as a memorable contest that will be etched in memory for years to come.

Tom Straker ran through the Pakistan batting line-up, leaving them in disarray at 79/5 before Azan Awais and Arafat Minhas came to Pakistan’s rescue with solid half-centuries.

Straker returned to claim more victims, and finished with figures of 6/24, the best bowling figures in either semi-finals or finals at an U19 Men’s CWC to bowl Pakistan out for 179.

It looked like a routine chase for Australia, who put on a 33-run opening stand before 15-year-old Ali Raza wreaked havoc. Harry Dixon was the only player to make a major contribution in the top-order with a fifty.

At 102/5, Oliver Peake and Tom Campbell came together and threatened to take the game away from Pakistan when Minhas struck to bring his team back into the contest.

Campbell’s dismissal triggered a collapse, and Australia found themselves at 164/9, still needing 16 runs for victory. 

In a nerve-racking ending, the game reached its conclusion in the final over when an inside edge from the bat of Raf MacMillan carried to the boundary beyond the desperate dive of Ubaid Shah to cue wild Australian celebrations.

Player of the Match: Tom Straker (6/24)

by Abhishek Shukla

Odisha issues revised guidelines for cash awards to sportspersons and coaches

Bhubaneswar, 30 January 2024: The Government in Sports and Youth Services Department has revised the guidelines for extending cash awards to sportspersons and coaches, including the para and differently-abled sportspersons for winning medals in national and international sports competitions. 
As per the revised guidelines, the quantum of cash awards shall be maximum up to ₹ 9.00 Crore in the lifetime of a sportsperson. 
If a sportsperson achieves more than one medal in an event/ competition she/ he shall be eligible to get the cash award only for the highest medal secured in that competition. If a sportsperson person wins multiple highest positions (gold medals/ 1st position) in the same sports competition she/ he shall be eligible to be sanctioned with a cash award for the number of highest positions won (gold medals/ 1st position).{ If in an event/competition, more than one medal is won by a Sportsperson/PWD Sportsperson, he/she will get the cash award only for the highest medal secured in the competition. 
If a Sportsperson/PWD Sports person wins multiple highest medals (gold) in the same competition she/he will receive cash award for the number of highest medals won (gold).
If a sportsperson wins a lower position/ medal in a sports event than the previous year, in the same competition, she/ he shall not be eligible for any cash award for the subsequent year for her/ his performance.{If a Sportsperson/PWD Sportsperson wins a medal in an event/competition, he/she will be eligible for cash awards in the same event/competition in the subsequent years only if the Sportsperson/PWD Sportsperson wins a higher/highest medal of the event

by Abhishek Shukla

‘Learn as much as you can’ – Marsh reminisces 2010 U19 glory, and has sage advice for batch of 2024

Mitchell Marsh was a fresh-faced 18-year-old when he led his side to their third ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup triumph in 2010.

The all-rounder has since gone on to become a key performer for the Australia Men’s side across formats and has several accolades to his name, including triumphs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.

Apart from scoring 201 runs at an average of 33.5, Marsh also led his side with aplomb at the U19 World Cup. Marsh captained future internationals such as Adam Zampa, Nic Maddinson, Josh Hazlewood, and Kane Richardson in the tournament, and remembers with fondness an educational tournament.

“It’s a huge honour to lead your country at any level. Back then as an 18-year-old, it was a great experience,” Marsh said. “I had a wonderful group of men who made captaincy quite easy. Probably the most important thing was we had a lot of fun. We enjoyed ourselves and happened to win a few games along the way.”

It wasn’t all easy for Australia. After starting off with thumping wins against USA and Ireland, they lost their next encounter to South Africa. Australia posted 276/7 in the first innings, but Dominic Hendricks set the foundation for South Africa with a solid 94. And the tail pulled off a close win for the Proteas.

Marsh remembers the tough start at a scenic venue. “Our round games were in Queenstown, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world to play cricket,” he said. “We didn’t have it easy, we lost to South Africa in our pool game.

“But we got there in the end, didn’t we? It was an amazing few weeks.”

Australia lifted themselves after that defeat to South Africa, and beat hosts New Zealand in their quarter-final. However, there was trouble in the semi-finals, where after Hazlewood’s 4/26 cleaned up Sri Lanka for 205, Australia were struggling at 93/5.

It was Marsh – like he would countless times for the senior team in the future – who played the game-changing knock, anchoring the innings with a fine 97, helping Australia close the deal with two wickets to spare.

The final was another close encounter, where Hazlewood’s 4/30 helped Australia overcome Pakistan by 25 runs. Marsh believes these two games could’ve swung either way, and the side scraped through at the right time.

“We were in a lot of trouble [in the semi-final], as we were in the final as well,” said Marsh. “We found a way to get ourselves out of the trouble and we got over the line. In the semi-final, we just scraped over the line. And in the final, it was the same thing.”

It was a seminal tournament for Marsh. He came face to face with several future international stars and developed bonds that would last a lifetime. It was a tournament where he came up against the likes of KL Rahul (India), Jason Holder (West Indies), and Babar Azam (Pakistan).

He remembers Holder with particular regard. “All those guys, they’ve gone on to become world-class players. Jason Holder was the same height back then, so he was a scary prospect as an 18-year-old,” Marsh said.

“But I also think that the relationship was beautiful, you know that tournament – a lot of guys have been friends for a long period of time. It’s a great tournament to be part of.”

Being a leader at a young age isn’t easy, but Marsh understood the nuances of featuring in a global tournament.

“Everyone talks about tournament play being a lot harder than bilateral series or playing for your states back home, and that’s no different in the U19s.

“Every game sort of matters, you’ve got to qualify for the quarter-finals at the time and there’s always pressure. And that helps young kids develop their routines, and their ability to handle pressure.”

Marsh had a word of advice for the current crop of youngsters set to play in the upcoming ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024.

“Just enjoy the different pressures and different situations you find yourself in,” he said. “Learn as much as you can from that situation. All the best players of the world always stand up at certain times and we can see that throughout that tournament.”

The U19 Men’s CWC will begin on 19 January, with Ireland taking on USA and hosts South Africa facing off against West Indies.

by Abhishek Shukla

Vinay Records Super 10 as Haryana Steelers take down Tamil Thalaivas

14th January, Jaipur: The Haryana Steelers put up a stunning performance to defeat Tamil Thalaivas 36-31 in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 on Sunday. Vinay was the star for the Haryana Steelers with 10 raid points on the night. Meanwhile, defender Rahul Sethpal chipped in with 5 tackle points.

MATCH CENTRE

The Steelers and Thalaivas played out a neck-to-neck battle in the opening minutes of the game and were locked at 3-3 in the 4th minute. However, K. Prapanjan pulled off a brilliant raid and Jaideep Dahiya tackled Ajinkya Pawar as the Steelers inched ahead at 5-3. But Narender’s double-point raid kept the Thalaivas in the game as the scores were level at 8-8 once again. However, Vinay effected a double-point raid and moments later, the Steelers inflicted an ALL OUT to take a massive lead at 17-8.

Chandran Ranjit pulled off a SUPER RAID to take out Sagar, M. Abishek and Nitin Singh as the Steelers led comfortably at 22-10 in the 19th minute. Ajinkya Pawar caught out Jaideep Dahiya and Mohit Nandal, but the Steelers still held a big lead at 22-12 at the end of the first half.

Vinay continued his brilliant form as he took out Amirhossein Bastami and Vishal Chahal in the opening minutes of the second half. The Thalaivas tackled Vinay in the 27th minute, but the Steelers still held a comfortable lead at 25-16. The Thalaivas tried to fight back through Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi’s SUPER TACKLE and Nitin Singh’s raid, but Vinay kept picking up raid points as the Steelers led at 29-19 in the 32nd minute.

Vishal Chahal effected a couple of raid points and Mohit pulled off a SUPER TACKLE to narrow the gap between the two sides at 29-24. However, Rahul Sethpal tackled Ajinkya Pawar to help the Steelers keep forging ahead. The Thalaivas inflicted an ALL OUT late in the game, but the Steelers had already sealed the deal by then.

Please see below the PKL Season 10 match on 15th January

Game 1 – Bengal Warriors vs Bengaluru Bulls – 8 pm

Game 2 – Jaipur Pink Panthers vs U Mumba – 9 pm

Venue: Jaipur

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

by Abhishek Shukla

28 talented Indian shuttlers to get international exposure benefits as part of BAI-REC partnership

New Delhi, January 8, 2024: The Badminton Association of India (BAI), with support from REC, will fund the country’s 28 talented shuttlers for international tournaments in order to help them improve rankings and also provide much-needed foreign exposure, required to play in top-level international badminton tournaments. 

The players, ranked between 26 and 75 in the BWF world rankings along with top performers from the recent Senior National Championships, who are not part of the national camp but have already shown signs of brilliance, like reigning Abu Dhabi Masters champion Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma, the silver medallist at the 2023 Badminton Asia U-17 Junior Championships, are among the 28 players across singles and doubles category who have been chosen based on their performances across multiple tournaments. These players will be fully funded for the tournaments. 

“Badminton Association of India is committed to ensure promising talents get much-needed support to showcase their potential as the national campers even if they are not part of the national camp. Our partnership with REC will not only help us broad base these opportunities and give shuttlers more and more opportunities to participate in multiple international challenger events as well as Super 300s and thereby better their rankings as well as gain experience of playing against foreign players. This initiative aligns with our goals to create strong opportunities for more players to show their abilities as well as compete and benefit from the national badminton structure,” said BAI Secretary Sanjay Mishra. 

This opportunity has also been extended to the current senior nationals singles champions Chirag Sen and Anmol Kharb as well as runners-up Tharun Mannepalli and 15-year-old Tanvi Sharma — one  of the youngest finalists in the history. The doubles national champions Suraj Goala and Pruthvi Roy, and Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra have also been included. 

The selected players have been given an option to choose three tournaments, including two Super 300 events — the  Orleans Masters and Swiss Open — from a total of eight tournaments, for which BAI will extend complete financial support to each of the shuttlers. 

Full list of players: 

Men’s singles: 

1. Sathish Kumar Karunakaran (World Rank 51) 

2. S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian (WR 71) 

3. Sameer Verma (WR 74) 

4. Chirag Sen (Senior Nationals champion) 

5. Tharun Mannepalli (Senior Nationals runner-up) 

Women’s Singles: 

1.Aakarshi Kashyap (WR 40) 

2.Malvika Bansod (WR 52) 

3.Unnati Hooda (WR 56) 

4.Tanya Hemanth (WR 69) 

5.Tasnim Mir (WR 73) 

6.Imad Farooqui Samiya (WR 74) 

7.Anmol Kharb (Senior National Champion) 

8.Tanvi Sharma (Senior National runner-up) 

Men’s Doubles:  

1.Hariharan Amsakarunan/Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi (WR 70) 

2.P.S Ravikrishna/Sankar Prasad Udayakunar (WR 75) 

3.Suraj Goala/Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy (Senior Nationals champions) 

Women’s Doubles: 

1. Ashwini Bhat K/Shikha Gautam (WR 49) 

2.Rutaparna Panda/Swetaparna Panda (WR 52) 

3.Simran Singh/Ritika Thaker (WR 63) 

4.Priya Konjengbam/Shruti Mishra (Senior National champions) 

Mixed Doubles: 

1.Sathish Kumar Karunakaran/Aadya Variyath (WR 64) 

by Abhishek Shukla

Day 5 Results: 2nd Khelo India Sub Junior Women’s Hockey League – Phase 2 

New Delhi, 5th January 2024: Day 5 of the 2nd Khelo India Sub Junior Women’s Hockey League – Phase 2 witnessed SAI Shakti Team and Anantpur Sports Academy win their respective matches while Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre drew with SAI Bal team.    

SAI Shakti Team records comprehensive win:     

In the first match of the day, SAI Shakti Team defeated Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy 7-0. Purnima Yadav (28’, 43’, 53’) led the way for SAI Shakti team with a hat-trick while Binati Minz (9’), Bhavya (10’), Priyanka (36’) and Captain Kajal (54’) scored a goal each.  

Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre and SAI Bal Team play out goal-less draw:     

In the second match of the day, Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre drew with SAI Bal team 0-0. With both the teams coming into this game with good form having won their respective matches the previous day, they looked to build their winning streak. However, a tight-knit display of defense from both the teams ensured that the match ended in a draw without any goals being scored. 

Anantpur Sports Academy overcomes Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta:    

In the third match of the day, Anantpur Sports Academy defeated Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta 4-1. The first goal of the match was scored by Janvi (6’) for Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta but braces from P. Madhurima Bai (15’, 53’) and M. Vaishnavi (17’, 59’) for Anantpur Sports Academy ensured that they would go on to win the match. 

by Abhishek Shukla

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations: A Showcase of African Football in Ivory Coast

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, officially known as the TotalEnergies 2024 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes, marks the 34th edition of this prestigious biennial African association football tournament. Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the tournament is set to be hosted by Ivory Coast, marking the country’s second hosting since 1984.

Originally scheduled to occur during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer to avoid scheduling conflicts with European football, the tournament faced a postponement to January 13 – February 11, 2024, due to concerns about the adverse summer weather in Ivory Coast. Despite the change, the tournament retains its original 2023 designation for sponsorship reasons.

Ivory Coast, which last hosted the event nearly four decades ago, has embarked on significant infrastructure developments, including the renovation and expansion of existing stadiums and the construction of new ones across five host cities. The tournament is expected to take place in six stadiums with minimum capacities set at two for 40,000, two for 20,000, and two for 15,000 spectators. Key venues include the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan (60,000 capacity), Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Yamoussoukro (33,000 capacity), and the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké (40,000 capacity), among others.

Senegal enters the tournament as the defending champions, having triumphed in the previous edition. With 24 teams competing, this event promises to be a vibrant showcase of African football talent, passion, and cultural richness.

The tournament’s preparation also extends beyond the playing fields, with the Ivory Coast government ensuring the development of training facilities and accommodation in the host cities. This includes the construction of 96 villas and a three-star hotel in Korhogo, underlining the nation’s commitment to delivering a world-class footballing experience.

With all eyes set on Ivory Coast in early 2024, the Africa Cup of Nations is poised to not only celebrate the best of African football but also to demonstrate the continent’s growing prowess in hosting major international sporting events.

Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Groups

Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau.

Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique.

Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, The Gambia.

Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola.

Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia.

Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania.

Africa Cup of Nations 2023 fixtures

Saturday 13 January

Group A: Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Sunday 14 January

Group A: Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (14:00)

Group B: Egypt vs Mozambique, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

Group B: Ghana vs Cape Verde, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Monday 15 January

Group C: Senegal vs The Gambia, Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro (14:00)

Group C: Cameroon vs Guinea, Yamoussoukro (17:00)

Group D: Algeria vs Angola, Stade de la Paix, Bouake (20:00)

Tuesday 16 January

Group D: Burkina Faso vs Mauritania, Bouake (14:00)

Group E: Tunisia vs Namibia, Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo (17:00)

Group E: Mali vs South Africa, Korhogo (20:00)

Wednesday 17 January

Group F: Morocco vs Tanzania, Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro (17:00)

Group F: DR Congo vs Zambia, San Pedro (20:00)

Thursday 18 January

Group A: Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (14:00)

Group A: Ivory Coast vs Nigeria, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

Group B: Egypt vs Ghana, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Friday 19 January

Group B: Cape Verde vs Mozambique, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (14:00)

Group C: Senegal vs Cameroon, Yamoussoukro (17:00)

Group C: Guinea vs The Gambia, Yamoussoukro (20:00)

Saturday 20 January

Group D: Algeria vs Burkina Faso, Bouake (14:00)

Group D: Mauritania vs Angola, Bouake (17:00)

Group E: Tunisia vs Mali, Korhogo (20:00)

Sunday 21 January

Group E: South Africa vs Namibia, Korhogo (20:00)

Group F: Morocco vs DR Congo, San Pedro (14:00)

Group F: Zambia vs Tanzania, San Pedro (17:00)

Monday 22 January

Group A: Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

Group A: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

Group B: Cape Verde vs Egypt, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Group B: Mozambique vs Ghana, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Tuesday 23 January

Group C: The Gambia vs Cameroon, Bouake (17:00)

Group C: Guinea vs Senegal, Yamoussoukro (17:00)

Group D: Angola vs Burkina Faso, Yamoussoukro (20:00)

Group D: Mauritania vs Algeria, Bouake (20:00)

Wednesday 24 January

Group E: Namibia vs Mali, San Pedro (17:00)

Group E: South Africa vs Tunisia, Korhogo (17:00)

Group F: Tanzania vs DR Congo, Korhogo (20:00)

Group F: Zambia vs Morocco, San Pedro (20:00)

Africa Cup of Nations second round fixtures

Saturday 27 January

SR1: Group D Winner vs 3rd Place Group B/E/F, Bouake (17:00)

SR2: Group A Second Place vs Group C Second Place, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Sunday 28 January

SR3: Group A Winner vs 3rd Place Group C/D/E, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

SR4: Group B Second Place vs Group F Second Place, San Pedro (20:00)

Monday 29 January

SR5: Group B Winner vs 3rd Place Group A/C/D, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

SR6: Group C Winner vs 3rd Place Group A/B/F, Yamoussoukro (20:00)

Tuesday 30 January

SR7: Group E Winner vs Group D Second Place, Korhogo (17:00)

SR8: Group F Winner vs Group E Second Place, San Pedro (20:00)

Quarter-finals

Friday 2 February

QF1: Winner SR2 vs Winner RS1, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

QF2: Winner SR4 vs Winner SR3, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Saturday 3 February

QF3: Winner SR7 vs Winner RS6, Bouake (17:00)

QF4: Winner SR5 vs Winner SR8, Yamoussoukro (20:00)

Semi-finals

Wednesday 7 February

SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4, Bouake (17:00)

SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Third place play-off

Saturday 10 February

SF1 vs SF2 losers, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Final

Sunday 11 February

SF1 vs SF2 winners, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

by Abhishek Shukla

Girona Surges to Top of LaLiga with Commanding 3-0 Victory Over Alaves

GIRONA – In a remarkable twist in the LaLiga narrative, Girona FC, once considered underdogs, soared to the league summit with a resounding 3-0 win over Alaves. Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk’s brace and a goal from Portu propelled the Catalan side to a two-point lead over Real Madrid.

Girona’s Ascendancy – Girona, continuing their exceptional form, took control from the outset. Dovbyk’s instinctive strike in the 23rd minute opened the scoring, pouncing on a rebound off the goalkeeper. Portu then doubled the advantage with a sublime effort from the edge of the box just before halftime.

A significant aspect of Girona’s strategy was their dominance on the right flank, with Brazilian full-back Yan Couto causing constant trouble for Alaves’ defense. His pace and dribbling skills were a persistent threat, culminating in a penalty earned by Couto in the 59th minute.

Dovbyk, seizing the opportunity, confidently converted the penalty, sending the ball straight down the middle to notch his second goal of the match.

This victory marks Girona’s 14th win in 17 games, the best record across Europe’s top five leagues at this stage. Their only notable setback was a defeat to Real Madrid in late September.

Portu’s post-match reflections encapsulated Girona’s ethos – a relentless hunger for success and a focus on day-to-day progress without getting complacent.

Girona’s win places them at the pinnacle of LaLiga with 44 points, leading over traditional giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Their fairytale run, especially after gaining promotion just two seasons ago, has sparked conversations about their potential to clinch an unprecedented title.

Girona FC’s triumph over Alaves isn’t just a win; it’s a statement of intent. Their consistent performances, tactical acumen, and team spirit have turned them into genuine title contenders, challenging the established hierarchy of Spanish football. Their journey this season is a testament to the unpredictability and competitiveness of LaLiga.

by Abhishek Shukla

Egypt and England to renew rivalry in WSF Men’s World Team Championship final

Egypt and England will lock horns once more for the WSF Men’s World Team Championship title after comprehensive wins over Switzerland and France, respectively.

In the day’s first semi-final, England blew away European rivals, France, in the two sides’ sixth meeting at this stage of the competition.

In a one-sided opening match, England No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy extended his 100 percent record against his counterpart Victor Crouin.

Crouin, who perhaps went into the match feeling the effects of his 78-minute five gamer against Joel Makin in the quarter-final, struggled to deal with ElShorbagy’s ferocity on court, with ‘the Beast’ powering his side into the lead with 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 wins.

The second match, between Marwan ElShorbagy and Baptiste Masotti, was a more even affair, with ElShorbagy saving a game ball in a tense 14-12 opening game win before pushing on to victory with an 11-5 win in game two and an 11-7 in game three.

Speaking after the tie, England National Coach David Campion said: “We always have unbelievable battles with France and today was going to be no exception.

“We set out to try and find that happy balance between being really alert and assertive, and playing with authority, but not going over emotionally.”

Egypt, too, were in dominant form over first-time semi-finalists Switzerland.

World No.1 Ali Farag, a crucial part of the title-winning sides of 2019 and 2017, put in a vintage performance to give his side the lead, with the 31-year-old taking down Swiss No.1 Nicolas Mueller 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 in 28 minutes.Mazen Hesham, promoted to No.2 today with World No.4 Mostafa Asal rested, then came through a competitive battle with Dimitri Steinmann, with the mercurial World No.7 clinching three tight games 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 to send his team through with no need for a third match.

After the tie, Egypt Hesham Al Attar said: “It feels amazing – on paper we were pretty confident but anything can happen, and they’ve got very tough players and you can always be nervous in a semi-final.“We’re just happy to have gone through and hope to do well. It should be a good matchup tomorrow.”

The final of the WSF Men’s World Team Championship take place tomorrow, 17 December, at 15:00 (GMT+13), with the last round of playoffs taking place at 11:00.

Results:

WSF Men’s World Team Championship Semi-Finals

[1] EGYPT 2-0 SWITZERLAND [4]

Ali Farag 3-0 Nicolas Mueller 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 (28m)

Mazen Hesham 3-0 Dimitri Steinmann 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (43m)

Youssef Soliman MW Robin Gadola

[2] ENGLAND 2-0 FRANCE [3]

Mohamed ElShorbagy 3-0 Victor Crouin: 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 (31m)

Marwan ElShorbagy 3-0 Baptise Masotti: 14-12, 11-5, 11-7 (32m)Patrick Rooney MW Auguste Dussourd

by Abhishek Shukla

IPL Auction 2024: When and where to watch, date, time, live streaming, venue

The IPL 2024 Auction will take place on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. 333 cricketers will go under the hammer, of whom 214 are Indians and 119 are overseas players, with a maximum of 77 slots to fill. The highest reserve price for a player is Rs 2 crore, with 23 players such as Travis Head, Steve Smith, Harshal Patel, Shardul Thakur, and Lockie Ferguson listing themselves at that value. Gujarat Titans will come into the auction with the highest purse with Rs 38.15 crore while the Lucknow Super Giants have the lowest purse balance at Rs 13.15 crore

JioCinema will bring back its multi-language coverage of the league, streaming the auction in seven languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, and Bhojpuri. Each language will have former Indian cricketers and experts to cover the auction, including the likes of AB de Villiers, Eoin Morgan, Suresh Raina, Anil Kumble, Hanuma Vihari, Abhinav Mukund, Veda Krishnamurthy, and many more.

JioCinema will also live stream a mock auction with the likes of Suresh Raina, Anil Kumble, Mile Hesson, Eoin Morgan, Robin Uthappa, and others on December 18 at 12 noon to give viewers a flavour of what to expect from auction day and analyse potential strategies.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming IPL Auction 2024 livestream: 

What: IPL Auction 2024 

When: December 19, 2023 (Tuesday)  

Where: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

Time: Pre-auction analysis begins at 1:30 PM, followed by live auction coverage 2:30 PM onwards 

Live streaming in India: JioCinema 

IPL Auction Experts on JioCinema 

No. 

Language 

Presenters 

Experts 

1 

English 

Suhail Chandok 

AB de Villiers 

Eoin Morgan 

Anil Kumble 

Mike Hesson 

Robin Uthappa  

2 

Hindi 

Anant Tyagi 

Suresh Raina 

Aakash Chopra 

Parthiv Patel 

RP Singh 

3 

Tamil 

Sameena Anwar 

Abhinav Mukund 

R Sridhar 

 Anirudha Srikkanth 

4 

Telugu 

Pratyusha 

Hanuma Vihari 

Venkatapathy Raju 

5 

Kannada 

Reena D’souza 

Veda Krishnamurthy 

Amit Verma 

6 

Punjabi 

Sunil Taneja 

Sarandeep Singh 

VRV Singh 

7 

Bhojpuri 

Robin  

Manoj Tiwary 

Shivam Singh 
by Abhishek Shukla

The Global Arena: Top 10 World’s Most Popular Sports Leagues

The professional sports landscape is dominated by a few select leagues that command massive viewership and drive significant economic activity. Here’s a reverse countdown of the top 10 sports leagues based on their popularity, revenue, and cultural impact:

10. Brasileirão Série A – Association Football (Soccer)

At the heart of Brazilian culture lies the Brasileirão Série A, a league bursting with talent and passion. With viewership in the hundreds of millions, it’s a testament to Brazil’s undying love for football, though exact revenue figures are typically less transparent.

9. Indian Premier League (IPL) – Cricket

The IPL has transformed cricket with its glitzy Twenty20 format and star-studded line-ups. It’s a viewership behemoth with over 400 million fans and hit the $1 billion revenue mark in 2022, making it the richest cricket league by a considerable margin.

8. Serie A – Association Football (Soccer)

Italy’s Serie A continues to captivate with its blend of tactical nous and technical brilliance. With 1.5 billion global viewers, the league garnered revenues of around €2.5 billion in the 2021/22 season.

7. National Hockey League (NHL) – Ice Hockey

North America’s premier ice hockey league, the NHL, boasts a dedicated following, particularly in colder climates. The 2021/22 season saw revenues of approximately $5 billion, affirming its place in the top echelons of global sports leagues.

6. Bundesliga – Association Football (Soccer)

Germany’s Bundesliga is renowned for its entertaining football and the best average stadium attendances in Europe. It reached a viewership of over 1 billion and reported revenues of €3.8 billion in the 2021/22 season.

5. La Liga – Association Football (Soccer)

With iconic clubs like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, La Liga’s global reach extends to over 2 billion viewers. Despite economic challenges, it managed to generate €2.8 billion in revenue during the 2021/22 season.

4. Premier League – Association Football (Soccer)

The Premier League’s global dominance is unrivaled in football, with a reach to over 800 million homes in 188 countries. In the 2021/22 season, it achieved revenues exceeding £5 billion, bolstering its financial supremacy.

3. National Basketball Association (NBA) – Basketball

The NBA’s mix of athletic spectacle and global icons like LeBron James has earned it around 825 million fans, with revenues nearing $8 billion for the 2021-2022 season. The league’s outreach and international broadcasting deals are unparalleled in basketball.

2. Major League Baseball (MLB) – Baseball

A staple of American culture, MLB enjoys a solid international presence, with close to 500 million fans globally. Its 2022 revenues saw a strong post-pandemic recovery, approaching the $10 billion mark.

1. National Football League (NFL) – American Football

At the top sits the NFL, an American institution with an estimated 400 million fans worldwide. The 2021 season brought in over $12 billion in revenue, and Super Bowl viewership consistently exceeds 100 million, underscoring the league’s colossal presence.

These leagues, with their rich traditions and modern-day appeal, continue to shape the world of sports, offering stories of triumph and heartbreak that resonate with millions around the globe. They’re more than just competitions; they’re cultural identity and global unity cornerstones.

by Abhishek Shukla

ISL: Jamshedpur FC come back with a brace to seal a draw 2-2 against Chennaiyin FC

Jamshedpur FC held Chennaiyin FC to a 2-2 draw at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight after going down by a couple of goals in the first half.

The Marina Machans made a mark early on, with the quality of their domestic offensive unit reflecting with strikes by Farukh Choudhary and Ninthoinganba Meetei.

Farukh met a cross by Rafael Crivellaro and headed it into the top right corner to open the scoring in the ninth minute of the match.

The former Mumbai City FC winger returned the favour soon afterwards, spotting Crivellaro with space in front of him and playing a pass outside of the box in the 28th minute. Debjit Majumder held his ground to save the Brazilian’s shot at the centre of the the goal though.

The visitors continued to sustain periods of dominance upfront. Their quick-footed forwards earned multiple fouls from promising positions, and one of them led to Ninthoinganba doubling their lead with his second goal of the campaign.

In the 40th minute, Jordan Murray saw Ninthoinganba in a potential goal-scoring spot on the right side of the box, and he delivered him a short pass that the 22-year-old immediately shot past TP Rehenesh.

Jamshedpur FC took a moment, gathered back their momentum, and cut the lead of Chennaiyin FC through Pachuau Laldinpuia nodding the ball home in the fourth minute of the added time of the first half.

It was a culmination of a passage of play where the home team had pegged Chennaiyin FC back on the field. A moment prior to this goal, Laldinpuia had shown timely awareness to set up Muhammed Uvais’ strike. The latter faltered, but the former made up for it with a header from a very close range.

That goal perhaps shifted the momentum in the favour of Scott Cooper and his men. Steve Ambri and Imran Khan ran circles around the Chennaiyin FC backline in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. However, Cooper perhaps felt the need of an imposing presence upfront, and hence brought in Daniel Chima Chukwu in place of Ambri in the 61st minute.

That move paid off, with Chima acting as the target man in the Chennaiyin FC box, allowing Jamshedpur FC to go more direct in their approach. After a few close attempts, he headed in a cross by Nikhil Barla in the 90th minute, as Owen Coyle’s quest to beat his former team in their home turf vanquished with both sides settling for a point each.

Key Performer of the Match

Farukh Choudhary (Chennaiyin FC)

Farukh was a livewire in the field tonight, completing 14 passes, making two clearances, tackling and intercepting once each, in addition to creating a goal-scoring opportunity and netting the opening strike of the match.

What’s next for both teams?

Both these teams will play their next fixture against Bengaluru FC. Chennaiyin FC will host the Blues on December 13, whereas Jamshedpur FC will travel to take them on December 16.

Brief Scores

Jamshedpur FC 2 (Pachuau Laldinpuia 45+4’, Daniel Chima Chukwu 90’) – 2 Chennaiyin FC (Farukh Choudhary 9’, Ninthoinganba Meetei 40’)

by Abhishek Shukla

NBA Monthly Awards Highlight Exceptional Performances in October and November 2023

December 5, 2023:The NBA recently announced its awards for outstanding performances in October and November 2023. Denver Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokic and Boston Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum received the Kia NBA Players of the Month honors. Jokic, representing the Western Conference, and Tatum, from the Eastern Conference, showcased exceptional skills and leadership on the court, contributing significantly to their respective teams’ successes.

In the rookies’ category, Oklahoma City Thunder’s forward-center Chet Holmgren and Miami Heat’s forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. were named the Kia NBA Rookies of the Month. Both players have made a remarkable impact in their debut season, demonstrating the potential to be future stars in the league.

Moreover, the NBA Coaches of the Month were awarded to Minnesota Timberwolves’ coach Chris Finch and Orlando Magic’s coach Jamahl Mosley. These coaches have led their teams to impressive records, displaying strategic brilliance and motivational leadership.

These awards underscore the talent and dedication prevalent in the NBA, as players and coaches strive for excellence in the highly competitive world of professional basketball.

by Abhishek Shukla

Day 8 Results: 13th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2023



~Hockey Punjab defeated Hockey Uttarakhand 13-0~

~Uttar Pradesh Hockey defeated Hockey Rajasthan 8-1~

~Le Puducherry Hockey defeated Kerala Hockey 6-0~

~Delhi Hockey defeated Hockey Arunachal 23-0~

~Hockey Association of Odisha defeated Telangana Hockey 7-0~


Chennai, 24th November 2023: The group stage of the 13th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship 2023 concluded today with Hockey Punjab, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Le Puducherry Hockey, Delhi Hockey, and Hockey Association of Odisha registering victories in their respective matches at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Chennai.

Hockey Punjab confirms Quarter-Final berth in style

Hockey Punjab defeated Hockey Uttarakhand 13-0 in the first match of the day. Indian Men’s Hockey Team Captain Harmanpreet Singh (22’, 23’, 55’) led by example, scoring a hat-trick. He was joined on the scoresheet by Parvinder Singh (12’), Harsahib Singh (15’, 54’), Kanwarjeet Singh (58’) along with Indian Men’s Hockey Team defender Jugraj Singh (14’, 18’, 39’), and forwards Dilpreet Singh (37’, 48’) and Sukhjeet Singh (52’).

Uttar Pradesh Hockey finishes Pool stage as table toppers:

In the second game, Uttar Pradesh Hockey defeated Hockey Rajasthan 8-1. Sunil Yadav (5’) opened the account for Uttar Pradesh Hockey, followed by goals from Indian Men’s Hockey Team forwards Pawan Rajbhar (7’) and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (11’). Uttar Pradesh Hockey Captain and Indian Men’s Hockey Team midfielder Rajkumar Pal (33’) also pitched in with a field goal. Sahani Arun (21’, 49’), Faraz Mohd (22’), and Manish Yadav (23’) scored the remaining goals for Uttar Pradesh Hockey. Meanwhile, the only goal for Hockey Rajasthan was scored by Akhtar Shoyab (35’).

Le Puducherry Hockey overpowers Kerala Hockey:

The third match witnessed Le Puducherry Hockey beat Kerala Hockey by 6-0. Veerathamizhan (21’, 56’, 58’) ran the show for Le Puducherry Hockey with a hat-trick. The other goalscorers for Le Puducherry were P Baskaran (7’), and R. Ranjith (15’, 17’).

Delhi Hockey runs rampant:

In the fourth match of the day, Delhi Hockey comprehensively defeated Hockey Arunachal 23-0. The goalscorers for Delhi Hockey were Vashudev (2’, 5’, 8’, 20’, 41’, 43’, 55’, 58’), Amit (4’, 12’), Lovepreet Singh (12’, 19’, 45’, 49’), Rahul (13’), Dheeraj Vats (21’, 23’), Rohit (25’, 42’), Rahul Gharai (30’, 30’), Captain Gursimran Singh (33’), and Thakur Yash (60’).

Hockey Association of Odisha books Quarter-Final spot:

The last match of the day saw the Hockey Association of Odisha beat Telangana Hockey 7-0. Indian Men’s Hockey Team defender and Hockey Association of Odisha Captain Dipsan Tirkey (24’) scored the first goal through a penalty corner. He was assisted in his goalscoring efforts by Rajin Kandulna (25’), Indian Men’s Hockey Team defender Amit Rohidas (31’), Ajay Kumar Ekka (36’), Indian Men’s Hockey Team defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess (43’), Rosan Minz (57’), and Rajin Kandulna (60’).

Quarter-Finals line-up:

Hockey Karnataka vs Jharkhand Hockey @0700 hrs

Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu vs Uttar Pradesh Hockey @0900 hrs

Hockey Haryana vs Hockey Association of Odisha @1330 hrs

Hockey Punjab vs Manipur Hockey @1530 hrs

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

New dawn for Indian Volleyball with the launch of Prime Volleyball League

Hyderabad, 15 September 2021:  After a two-year hiatus, top level Volleyball action will return to Indian screens with the launch of the Prime Volleyball League.
 
The Prime Volleyball League heralds a dramatic shift from the traditional model of franchise based sports leagues in the country. In line with top international  leagues like the NBA, the league will operate with a model in which franchise owners are also stakeholders in the holding organization of the league. This comes as a welcome step for the franchises, as it offers more value to team owners and investors, and  fosters long term associations and a stable financial structure.
 
The first edition of the Prime Volleyball League will feature six teams, Calicut Heroes, Kochi Blue Spikers, Ahmedabad Defenders, Hyderabad Black Hawks, Chennai Blitz, all franchises previously associated with the volleyball league & a new entrant, the Bengaluru Torpedoes, whose lead owner is Mr. Ankit Nagori, founder of EatFit. The league will be telecast on the Sony Pictures Network and will be exclusively marketed by Baseline Ventures, the leading sports marketing firm in the nation. Fantasy games leaders A23 have signed on as “Powered By” sponsors in a multi-year deal.
 
Speaking about the development, Joy Bhattacharya, CEO, Prime Volleyball League said, “We have already seen the quality of talent in the country; our endeavour is to provide this talent the right kind of platform to grow. This kind of structure, where franchises are committed for the long term gives the game an opportunity to grow in a sustained manner, and that is the best thing possible for Indian volleyball.
 
Speaking on behalf of the franchises,  Mr. Thomas Muthoot of the Muthoot Pappachan Group, owner of Kochi Blue Spikers, said, “Our first association with the sport in 2019 was very successful. We are delighted to continue this association with this new structure that is a win-win for both franchises and the players.”
  
Neville Bastawalla · SVP & Head – Marketing & On Air Promotions, Sports Channels at Sony Pictures Networks India said, “There is a huge appetite for volleyball in India and in fact it was among the most watched sports during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on our network, even though there was no Indian participation. The success of the league the last time around, combined with the high-octane action of the sport makes the Prime Volleyball League a great addition to the sports portfolio of Sony Pictures Networks India. We are keen to work closely with the stakeholders of the league to build both the league and the sport with viewers in India.”
 
Deepak Gullapalli, CEO Head Digital Works was excited about their association with the league. “Fantasy Sport is growing at a frenetic rate, and we at A23 are always looking to broaden the appeal of sport both within and beyond cricket. Volleyball, with its widespread urban and rural appeal is a huge potential growth area, and our custom designed volleyball fantasy offering will drive a whole new set of consumers to the sport.’
 
The League will shortly be announcing the dates for the auction and the schedule for the coming season of action.
 
In its continuing quest to provide opportunities for both upcoming players and coaching staff, the Prime Volleyball League has also tied up with Piston Des Sports to create a portal for potential players and coaching staff to register and get an opportunity to be a part of the action.

by Abhishek Shukla

ISL 2019/20: ATK gift Bengaluru Christmas blues

Kolkata, December 25: ATK delivered the perfect Christmas present for their supporters with a 1-0 win against defending champions Bengaluru FC in the Hero Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium here on Wednesday.

After a goalless yet intriguing first 45 minutes, David Williams (47′) scored in crackling fashion. The visitors’ half-cooked attempts to get back into the game failed and the hosts’ defence then did an exceptional job of keeping the Bengaluru attack at bay.

The three points at home has helped Antonio Habas’ men to the top of the Hero ISL table. ATK have 18 points, the same tally as Goa, having played a game more. Bengaluru are third, with 16 points from 10 matches.

ATK threatened as early as the second minute. Williams chipped the ball into the path of Krishna who ran in behind the defence and struck the side-netting with just goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to beat. Two minutes later, a poor pass back to the keeper by Rahul Bheke allowed Krishna to chase the ball but Gurpreet rushed off his line to kick the ball away from danger.

The visitors struggled to get into the game and were dependent on set-pieces to create openings in the first half. Dimas Delgado took a free-kick from just outside the box midway through the half but failed to test goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya.

While ATK threatened with fast counters, the Blues were made to work hard for chances. Delgado played a wonderful diagonal to release Udanta Singh in behind the defence but the India international pulled out of his chase at the last minute without getting a shot away as Arindam rushed to collect.

A determined ATK broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half. Krishna charged at the defence and attempted a through-ball for Williams which Bheke failed to properly clear. Jayesh Rane poked the loose ball into the path of Williams who unleashed a terrific strike that flew past Gurpreet and bulged the net.

Bengaluru stepped up their efforts to get back into the game but struggled to work the ATK custodian. A deflected Harmanjot Khabra cross from the right close to the hour-mark fell perfectly for an unmarked Delgado whose first-time effort from inside the box flew wide.

The Bengaluru attack failed to muster clear-cut chances against a solid ATK defence led by Agus Garcia. The home side was happy to sit back, hit the visitors on the counter and the organized approach triumphed on the night to secure three points.

by Abhishek Shukla

ISL 2019/20: ATK gift Bengaluru Christmas blues

Kolkata, December 25: ATK delivered the perfect Christmas present for their supporters with a 1-0 win against defending champions Bengaluru FC in the Hero Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium here on Wednesday.

After a goalless yet intriguing first 45 minutes, David Williams (47′) scored in crackling fashion. The visitors’ half-cooked attempts to get back into the game failed and the hosts’ defence then did an exceptional job of keeping the Bengaluru attack at bay.

The three points at home has helped Antonio Habas’ men to the top of the Hero ISL table. ATK have 18 points, the same tally as Goa, having played a game more. Bengaluru are third, with 16 points from 10 matches.

ATK threatened as early as the second minute. Williams chipped the ball into the path of Krishna who ran in behind the defence and struck the side-netting with just goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to beat. Two minutes later, a poor pass back to the keeper by Rahul Bheke allowed Krishna to chase the ball but Gurpreet rushed off his line to kick the ball away from danger.

The visitors struggled to get into the game and were dependent on set-pieces to create openings in the first half. Dimas Delgado took a free-kick from just outside the box midway through the half but failed to test goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya.

While ATK threatened with fast counters, the Blues were made to work hard for chances. Delgado played a wonderful diagonal to release Udanta Singh in behind the defence but the India international pulled out of his chase at the last minute without getting a shot away as Arindam rushed to collect.

A determined ATK broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half. Krishna charged at the defence and attempted a through-ball for Williams which Bheke failed to properly clear. Jayesh Rane poked the loose ball into the path of Williams who unleashed a terrific strike that flew past Gurpreet and bulged the net.

Bengaluru stepped up their efforts to get back into the game but struggled to work the ATK custodian. A deflected Harmanjot Khabra cross from the right close to the hour-mark fell perfectly for an unmarked Delgado whose first-time effort from inside the box flew wide.

The Bengaluru attack failed to muster clear-cut chances against a solid ATK defence led by Agus Garcia. The home side was happy to sit back, hit the visitors on the counter and the organized approach triumphed on the night to secure three points.

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FIFA & LOC Delegation Satisfied After Inspection in Ahmedabad for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020

Ahmedabad, November 30, 2019: Ahmedabad became the fourth venue to be inspected by a FIFA and LOC delegation in the ongoing inspection for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020.

After the inspection, Mr Oliver Vogt, Project Lead of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 said, “This is a beautiful stadium and we’re very happy to be in Ahmedabad. We just have to make some amendments and modifications, but overall it is very positive. For us, it is important to have stakeholders who are behind this event, and who show dedication. We feel that here in Ahmedabad, and so we’re confident that if the venue is picked, it will deliver a great Tournament.”

Tournament Director of the LOC, Ms. Roma Khanna said, “At the end, it is a FIFA World Cup so everything has to be perfect, and certain things have to be improved, but the available facilities at the TransStadia and core infrastructure that is required, is in place, and is very good.”

“What is equally important for us is to see enthusiasm for development of women’s football not just by hosting the Tournament, but by helping football become the sport of choice for young women. This World Cup has the potential of changing women’s football, and overall women’s sport in the country and we’re confident of the support from the Government of Gujarat.”

Ahmedabad has been the fourth venue to be inspected for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020, following Kolkata, Guwahati and Bhubaneswar. The delegation will make its final stop at Navi Mumbai tomorrow.

by Abhishek Shukla

Chhetri rises to give Bengaluru 1-0 win over Blasters

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC asserted their dominance over Kerala Blasters with a 1-0 win against Eelco Schattorie’s side at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Saturday. Sunil Chhetri’s header in the 55th minute was the solitary goal in a result that sends Carles Cuadrat Blues to second place on the table with nine points from five games. A packed Kanteerava witnessed the clash as 27,083 spectators thronged the stands, a record attendance for a Bengaluru FC game in the city.

Cuadrat’s only change to the side that started against Chennaiyin FC two weeks ago, was one in defence. Rahul Bheke, who sustained a muscle injury while on international duty didn’t get the green signal from the medical team, prompting the Blues’ boss to start Albert Serran alongside Juanan Gonzalez in a back-four that had Harmanjot Khabra slot in at right-back.

Kerala, meanwhile, began the game with Bartholomew Ogbeche and Raphael Bouli in attack, ahead of two lines of four where Schattorie decided to leave new signing Vlatko Drobarov and Sahal Abdul Samad on the bench.

Usually fluent from the get-go, Bengaluru took more time than usual to build a rhythm of any sort, in a first half that neither side could claim they owned. The hosts did create a few half-chances, but they remained just that.

And when the Blues did put the ball in the back of the net, it was taken away by an erroneous call from the assistant referee. Chasing down a ball on the right, Udanta sent in a cross that Raphael Augusto powered in with a header in the 28th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed as Ranjit Bakshi’s assistant deemed the ball to have rolled out of play when the winger whipped it in. The replays, however, showed it was the wrong call.  

Needing to do things differently if they were to take control of the game, Bengaluru started the second half just the way Cuadrat would have ordered them to at half time. The ball was moved around with more composure and in a matter of minutes, Kerala were panicking at the back. Bengaluru sensed a breakthrough and Chhetri delivered it in the 55th minute, meeting Dimas Delgado’s take from the corner with a diving header that TP Rehenesh could only watch fly into the corner.

Looking to gain a further stronghold on the game, Cuadrat introduced striker Semboi Haokip for Khabra. The change saw Nishu move to the right-back position, Ashique slot in at left in defence and Chhetri go wide left.

The Blues were close to getting a second in the 74th minute when Augusto looked to place a cut-back from Udanta past Rehenesh. But the Kerala ’keeper did really well to keep the goal-bound shout out with his foot. Bengaluru kept pushing forward for a second and could have had one late in the game as Rehenesh’s miscued clearance allowed Augusto to send Dimas free, but the Spaniard’s shot from inside the box was blocked away.

Bengaluru next travel to face Hyderabad FC on November 29th.

by Abhishek Shukla

APL Apollo announced as Principal Sponsors of Haryana Steelers for Pro Kabbadi League Season 7

Panchkula (Haryana), 19 July 2019: One of India’s largest Steel Pipes Manufacturers, APL Apollo was announced as the principal sponsor of Haryana Steelers for the seventh season of the Pro Kabbadi League. The JSW Sports-owned franchise made the announcement at their new home ground in Panchkula which will see APL Apollo begin with a one-year association with the Haryana Steelers. The agreement between the two organisations will see APL Apollo feature as the Principal Sponsors across various platforms, including the Official Playing Kits and the front of the official team jersey.

Sanjay Gupta, Chairman, APL Apollo, said, “Kabaddi is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and we are proud to be associated with it through the Haryana Steelers as their Principal Sponsors. The sport has an ever-growing presence in the country including Haryana, and we want to extend our full support to the team in their endeavour of producing excellent results in the Pro Kabaddi League. Our first venture into sports sponsorship was with JSW Sports for Delhi Capitals, and now we are looking forward to an exciting season of the Pro Kabaddi League with the Haryana Steelers.”

Mustafa Ghouse, CEO, JSW Sports, welcomed APL Apollo as the Principal Sponsors of the Haryana Steelers, “We are delighted to announce APL Apollo as the Principal Sponsors of the Haryana Steelers. Being one of India’s largest Steel Pipes Manufacturers, APL Apollo has a major presence in Haryana and throughout the country, and we are looking forward to having a very successful association with them over the course of this  season of the Pro Kabaddi League. The league provides a huge opportunity for our home state to celebrate kabaddi which is native to Harayana and I would like to thank everyone at APL Apollo for extending their support to Haryana Steelers.”

Founded in 1986, APL Apollo has gone from strength to strength to lead the charge in revolutionizing the Steel Tubes and Pipes manufacturing industry. The company is also the largest producer of Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) Steel Pipes and Sections in the country, and is amongst the top-5 Steel Tube manufacturers in the world. 

Dharmaraj Cheralathan-led Haryana Steelers will start their Pro Kabaddi League season against Puneri Paltan on Monday, 22nd July 2019 at 20:30hrs IST at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.