by Abhishek Shukla

Minnesota United Bolsters Midfield with Signing of Alejandro Bran

Minnesota United FC has announced the signing of Costa Rican midfielder Alejandro Bran on loan from Herediano, a top-flight Costa Rican side. The deal includes a purchase option and is set to run through the 2024 MLS season.

Alejandro Bran, aged 22, has already made a significant mark in his home country, representing Costa Rica’s national team five times. His career in Costa Rica saw him appearing in 82 matches with a record of 5 goals and 8 assists. Before this move, Bran played exclusively in Costa Rica, with stints at AD Guanacasteca, ADR Jicaral, and Municipal Grecia, before making his name at Herediano​​.

In the recent 2023/24 campaign, Bran featured in 18 matches across both the Primera Division and the Concacaf Central American Cup competitions for Herediano. During these appearances, he clocked over 1,300 minutes, scoring three goals and providing two assists. His international experience includes significant playtime in the Quarterfinals of the Concacaf Nations League Finals in November 2023 and appearances in international friendlies against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in September 2023​​.

Minnesota United’s acquisition of Bran reflects their strategy to scout international talent and diversify their midfield options. Bran is known for his technical skill and versatility, qualities that could elevate Minnesota United’s performance. He joins a midfield group that includes Honduran internationals Kervin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales, as well as American players Wil Trapp and Hassani Dotson​​​​.

The young midfielder’s track record at CS Herediano is notable, with 5 goals in 40 matches, demonstrating his capability in both playmaking and finishing. Bran’s addition to Minnesota United is seen not only as a reinforcement but also as a strategic step in the team’s internationalization, bringing a diverse playing style and experience to the squad​​.

Minnesota United, heading into the 2024 season, is in the process of seeking a new head coach with Cameron Knowles currently holding the interim role. The team’s regular season begins on February 24 at Austin FC​​.

Bran will face competition for a starting spot as most of Minnesota’s midfield options are returning for the 2024 campaign. While his role may initially be limited, his talent and potential could see him carve out a significant place in the team​​.

by Abhishek Shukla

Winter Youth Olympic Games to kick off in Gangwon, Korea

Gangwon, Korea – In total, 106 young curlers will represent their National Olympic Committee at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, Korea from Friday 19 January until Thursday 1 February 2024.

All curling action will take place in the Gangneung Curling Centre, the venue from the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 

Since the Games, the facility has continued its legacy by hosting several international competitions, including the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships 2018 and the World Mixed Doubles Championship 2023. This will be the fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games, and the first one taking place outside of Europe.

The Games will begin with the four-player mixed team competition, running from 20 – 25 January. The second half of the event will feature the mixed doubles, which will be from 26 January – 1 February. 

At previous Youth Olympics, the mixed doubles teams were created at the end of the mixed competition by combining players from different nations, based on their teams’ ranking in the mixed team event.

This year, for the first time, the mixed doubles team members represent the same National Olympic Committee, just as in the mixed team event, allowing each National Olympic Committee to send two additional athletes.

Mixed team competition
Games will begin at 10.00 on Saturday 20 January. The 16 participating teams will play a round robin in two groups that runs until the afternoon of Wednesday 24 January. 

On the same day at 19.00, qualification games will take place. The semi-finals will be held at 9.00 on Thursday 25 January. They are followed by the bronze medal game and the gold medal final on the same day, at 14.30 and 18.00, respectively. 

Group A teams: China, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Türkiye, United States
Group B teams: Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Korea, Switzerland

Mixed doubles competition
The competition will feature 24 teams divided into four groups. The round-robin stage will start at 18.00 on Friday 26 January and conclude in the afternoon of Wednesday 31 January. On the same day the quarter-finals will take place at 19.00. 

The semi-finals are scheduled for 9.00 on Thursday 1 February. The bronze medal game will be held at 13.00 on the same day, followed by the final at 16.00.

Group A teams: Canada, Czechia, Great Britain, Hungary, Korea, Nigeria
Group B teams: Norway, Qatar, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine, United States
Group C teams: Brazil, China, Japan, Latvia, New Zealand, Türkiye
Group D teams: Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Switzerland

All times are KST (Korea Standard Time) which is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) +9 hours.

Click here for the full schedule of the Games.

Get to know some Youth Olympic curlers
Great Britain’s mixed team members, Logan Carson and Archie Hyslop won world junior bronze medals in 2023, representing Scotland.

The female player of the Czech mixed doubles team, Julie Zelingrova has represented Czechia twice at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, in 2022 and 2023.

The female player of the German mixed doubles team, Joy Sutor participated in the World Mixed Curling Championship 2022 with two of her siblings, finishing fifth. 

She also took silver medal at the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 along with Angrick Leonhard, who will be her mixed doubles teammate in Gangwon. A third member of that silver medallist team, Lukas Jaeger will now play in the German mixed team.

Latvia’s mixed doubles team, Agate Regza and Kristaps Zass took bronze medal at the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 in the mixed team event.

The youngest player is 14-year-old Norway’s Melina Nathalie Troean, who will play lead in the team event. 

The oldest player of the competition is Italy skip Andrea Gilli, who turned 18 earlier in January 2024.

by Abhishek Shukla

#AFCON: Traore’s Late Heroics Seal Victory for Burkina Faso

In a thrilling encounter at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Burkina Faso narrowly triumphed over Mauritania in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener. The hero of the night was Bertrand Traore, who converted a decisive penalty in the 96th minute, guiding Burkina Faso to a 1-0 victory.

The match, characterized by its intensity and tightly contested nature, saw both teams creating notable chances. Mauritania, eager to secure their first ever win in the competition, displayed a spirited performance. Their striker, Aboubakary Koita, was a constant threat, testing Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi on multiple occasions. Koffi’s remarkable saves, particularly from Koita’s first-half free-kick and a second-half attempt by Sidi Amar, were pivotal in keeping Mauritania at bay.

Burkina Faso, on the other hand, demonstrated a robust attacking display, with Adama Guira and Stephane Aziz Ki coming close to scoring. The Stallions, who have reached the semi-finals in three of the past five tournaments, found their rhythm thwarted by a resilient Mauritanian defense, led by goalkeeper Babacar Niasse. Niasse’s exceptional saves, denying Ki and a powerful strike from Traore, kept the score level until the final moments.

The game’s defining moment arrived in stoppage time when Nouh Mohamed El Abd’s foul on Issa Kabore in the penalty area was spotted by VAR. Traore, stepping up to the spot, made no mistake, sending Niasse the wrong way and securing a crucial win for Burkina Faso.

This late win sets a positive tone for Burkina Faso’s campaign, as they look forward to their next fixture against Algeria on January 20. Mauritania, still in search of their first Afcon win, will face Angola on the same day, hoping to turn their fortunes around.

by Abhishek Shukla

NFL Divisional Weekend Final Schedule

NEW YORK — Jan. 16, 2024 — The following is the final schedule of sites, dates and times for Divisional Weekend, presented by Intuit TurboTax, Jan. 20-21 (all times ET).Saturday, Jan. 20AFC:    4:30 p.m.                      Houston at Baltimore (ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes)

NFC:    8:00 p.m.                       Green Bay at San Francisco (FOX, FOX Deportes) 
Sunday, Jan. 21NFC:    3:00 p.m.                       Tampa Bay at Detroit (NBC, Peacock, Universo)

AFC:    6:30 p.m.                      Kansas City at Buffalo (CBS, Paramount+) The AFC and NFC Championship Games, presented by Intuit TurboTax, will take place on Sunday, Jan. 28: 
Sunday, Jan. 28AFC:    3:00 p.m.                      AFC Championship Game (CBS, Paramount+)    

NFC:    6:30 p.m.                       NFC Championship Game (FOX, FOX Deportes) 
by Abhishek Shukla

Gangwon 2024 – First Youth Olympic Winter Games in Asia

Gangwon 2024 – 3 days to go! 

Gangwon (FIL/16 Jan 2024) We’re three days to go until the opening ceremony of Gangwon 2024, the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Asia! 

A total of 102 female and male athletes from 26 nations and four continents will tackle the exhilarating 1,376 metre luge track at the Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang – venue of the 2018 Winter Olympics – in Men’s and Women’s Single, Men’s and Women’s Double and Team Relay events from January 20 to 23, 2024. 

Childhood dreams 

Competing at the Youth Olympic Games is a dream come true for all the athletes competing at YOG 2024 – for some, this dream goes back to early childhood.

Maggie Dowling, now 17, was just three years old when she got the luge bug, watching from the sidelines at her home track in Naseby on New Zealand’s South Island. She couldn’t wait to get started aged seven and has been throwing down the hammer ever since: “I need the speed and love the rush and adrenaline luge gives me,” she explained. 

Beach to Gangwon 2024 

Luge – the world’s fastest sport on ice – definitely has a special draw, pulling in athletes from brand new nations, including Puerto Rico and Thailand, set to make history by sending their first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) lugers to Gangwon 2024. 

Isabela Aponte, 15, from the easternmost island in the Greater Antilles – famous for beaches, mangroves and rainforests – cannot wait to set foot on the track: 

“This goes really deep in my heart – to have the opportunity to hold my island’s flag high, in a winter sport where we’re rarely represented. 

“Puerto Ricans are typically filled with a happy spirit and joy. We’re not afraid to be ourselves. I am excited to bring all this with me to the Youth Olympic Games.” 

She will be joined by Thailand’s Sunita Chaiyapantho (16) and Thiraphat Sata (17). 

Chaiyapantho transitioned from roller ski to roller luge in Bangkok – then graduated with flying colours from the FIL Luge School, supported by IOC Solidarity, in Lillehammer, Norway. 

“Luge has already given me so many life-changing experiences,” she said. “Now, becoming Thailand’s first female luge athlete at the Youth Olympic Games is all I can think of – I’m doing everything possible to get ready for the Games.” 

Luge at YOG – sport meets education and travel

The Youth Olympic Games, held every four years for young athletes between 14 and 18, are also more than sport – they are an international educational and cultural festival. 

Kaia Hatton, 14, of Team GB – following in the footsteps of her Olympic luger father Mark Hatton – is looking forward to the action as well as the new opportunities the Youth Olympic Games offers: 

“2023 was the first time I travelled internationally to train and compete – now I’m about to go to Asia for the first time in my life. 

“I can’t wait to get to the Youth Olympic Village, I’m excited to meet athletes with so many nationalities!” 

by Abhishek Shukla

Cummins and Sharma claim December honours in ICC Player of the Month Awards

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month award winners for December 2023 after shortlists were announced last week.

Australia captain Pat Cummins caps a spectacular 2023 with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December, following a supreme bowling performance in his side’s victorious Test series against Pakistan.

Deepti Sharma wins her first ICC Women’s Player of the Month prize after batting and bowling brilliance in all three formats secured notable victories for India over strong opposition in England and Australia.

Cummins was at the forefront of Australia’s Test success over Pakistan in December, demonstrating the leadership and bowling prowess which personified Australia’s surge to success in 2023, winning their maiden World Test Championship mace, and their sixth Men’s Cricket World Cup crown earlier in the year.

The highlight of another spectacular month for Cummins came in the side’s second Test victory over Pakistan in Melbourne. The pacer took ten wickets in the match, which included an inspiring spell as the match approach a nervy climax.

His five for 48 in the second innings included the prized wicket of a well-set Mohammed Rizwan – Cummins’ 250th in the longest format – ensuring Australia snatched victory in dramatic fashion.

Cummins is nominated for the top men’s award in the ICC Awards 2023 for his performances during the calendar year – the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy – and will be hoping to add to his collection of personal accolades following a fine year in all formats.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December, Pat Cummins commented, “It’s been a great year for the group across all formats and to cap it off with a strong performance against a challenging Pakistan side was a nice way to finish 2023.

“Overall we are very pleased with the summer so far and looking ahead to the West Indies and New Zealand series.”

Deepti Sharma claims her first ICC Women’s Player of the Month on the back of a series of fine individual performances for India across the three formats in December.

The all-rounder started the month in subdued fashion in the T20I encounters against England, before owning the stage in the first Test against England in Mumbai.

Striking 67 with the bat in the first innings, contributing to a mammoth first innings total, the off-spinner then flourished with the ball, taking five key wickets to skittle the tourists in the first innings and four in the second, to finish with staggering match figures of nine for 39 and claim the Player of the Match award.

Sharma continued this run in the following Test triumph against Australia, top-scoring with a crucial 78 runs in the middle order as India won by eight wickets.

The subsequent ODI matches against Australia also provided plenty of highlights for Sharma, including figures of five for 38 in the second encounter as India fell agonisingly short of victory.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month for December, Deepti Sharma said, “It’s an honour to be voted the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for December. I feel very good about my game at the moment and I’m glad that reflected in my performances for India last month against strong opponents. I’ll continue to work hard so that I can have more moments like this in the future.

“I’m grateful to have been chosen for this award and the fact that fans around the world also voted for me makes it extra special. I want to thank them and my teammates for helping me win this award.”

Cummins and Sharma emerged victorious following votes gathered from global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

Cummins overcame fellow Test stars Taijul Islam of Bangladesh and Glenn Phillips of New Zealand to claim the December prize, while Sharma wins from teammate Jemimah Rodrigues and Zimbabwe’s Precious Marange.

by Abhishek Shukla

Preview: Evenly-matched teams set up intriguing Group D

Two-time champions Pakistan join New Zealand and fellow Asian sides Afghanistan and Nepal in Group D of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024. The group opens up with a clash between rivals Afghanistan and Pakistan on 20 January.

We look at the four teams, their make-up, and the future stars in the making.

Afghanistan

Two-time semi-finalists Afghanistan will look to go at least one better in this edition of the World Cup. Since their maiden appearance in 2010, Afghanistan have stood out for their feisty performances in the tournament. This included a magical run to the semi-finals in 2018 when they beat Pakistan and hosts New Zealand. 

During their second journey to the final four in 2022, they beat Sri Lanka in a thriller before losing to England in a hard-fought semi-final.

They have plenty of preparation going into the World Cup featuring in a triangular series with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in March 2023, in the U19 Asia Cup in December 2023, and in a tri-series featuring hosts South Africa and defending champions India at the beginning of this year. This has kept the side well-prepared for the upcoming mega event.

Squad

Naseer Khan (c), Numan Shah, Hassan Eisakhil, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Ali Ahmad Nasar, Jamshid Zadran, Sohail Khan Zurmati, Rahimullah Zurmati, Allah Mohammad, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Bashir Ahmad, Khalil Ahmad, Zahid Afghan. Reserves: Wahidullah Zadran, Nasir Hassan, Usman Shinwari.

Fixtures

20 January: v Pakistan, East London
23 January: v New Zealand, East London
26 January: v Nepal, East London

Watch out for

Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar

The youngster has been compared to the talented Mujeeb Ur Rahman and has already attracted attention in the global T20 circuits. He showed his mettle in the recently concluded triangular series in South Africa, where he was the joint leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps at an average of 15.7. 

Having already featured in Afghanistan’s domestic cricket scene, Ghazanfar would look to leave his mark at the global level during the U19 World Cup. A good outing could pivot him directly into the national side. 

What they said

Naseer Khan, Afghanistan captain: “As we did the semi-final last time, so the boys are eager to go to the final this time and win the trophy for the country.”

Pakistan

Pakistan have remained a competitive team throughout the history of the U19 World Cup. They reached the final in the very first iteration, back in 1988. They are the only side to have won back-to-back U19 World Cups in 2004 and 2006. 

They might have not reached the final since 2014, but the young Pakistanis have always lit up the junior World Cups with their presence.

Before a shock defeat against the UAE, they had a splendid run in the recently concluded Asia Cup, beating Afghanistan, India, and Nepal on their way to the semi-finals. 

Squad

Saad Baig (c), Ali Asfand, Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, Amir Hassan, Arfat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haroon Arshad, Khubaib Khalil, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Muhammad Riazullah, Ubaid Shah.

Fixtures

20 January: v Afghanistan, East London
24 January: v Nepal, East London
27 January: v New Zealand, East London

Watch out for

Mohammad Zeeshan

The 6’ 8” fast bowler made headlines with his sensational 6/19 against Nepal in the U19 Asia Cup. He followed this up with a brilliant 4/46 against India.

The 17-year-old is the latest product of Pakistan’s pace factory and his towering stature can prove to be a crucial factor on the bouncy tracks of South Africa. Picking a good length would be important for success in the World Cup, and Zeeshan displayed an immaculate ability to do the same during the Asia Cup.

What they said

Ubaid Shah, Pakistan fast bowler: “We have a very good batting line-up to fall back on and have bowled well as a unit in the Asia Cup, getting wickets at regular intervals. We are eager to do well in the World Cup.”

New Zealand 

For a prominent side like New Zealand, the lack of a U19 World Cup title is an anomaly in their rich cricketing history. While Oscar Jackson’s boys would look to correct this, the young Kiwis have left a good account of themselves in the junior World Cups.

They reached the final in the very second edition in 1998 and were the semi-finalists in their very recent appearance in 2020. 

The young Black Caps qualified for the tournament through the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, in which they won all of their six encounters comfortably.

Squad

Oscar Jackson (c), Mason Clarke, Sam Clode, Zac Cumming, Rahman Hekmat, Tom Jones, James Nelson, Snehith Reddy, Matt Rowe, Ewald Schreuder, Lachlan Stackpole, Oliver Tewatiya, Alex Thompson, Ryan Tsourgas, Luke Watson*.* Reserves: Ben Breitmeyer, Nick Brown, Henry Christie, Robbie Foulkes, Josh Oliver, Amogh Paranjpe.

Fixtures

21 January: v Nepal, East London
23 January: v Afghanistan, East London
27 January: v Pakistan, East London

Watch out for

Zac Cumming 

Son of former Black Caps international Craig Cumming, Zac is already a rising star in the New Zealand domestic circuits. In November, the 18-year-old was the highest wicket-taker in the New Zealand Cricket A tournament.

The youngster also showed sensational form in New Zealand’s East Asia-Pacific Qualifier campaign, scoring 152 runs and picking 14 wickets. His scalps came at a mind-blowing average of 5.79.

Having given a great account of himself with both bat and ball, Cumming’s all-round calibre will be a big boost for the young Kiwis.

What they said

Oscar Jackson, New Zealand captain: “We have put in a lot of hard work over the last few months and we can’t wait to rip into it in South Africa and show everyone what we are capable of.” 

Nepal

This will be Nepal’s eighth appearance in the competition since they made their debut in the 2000 edition of the U19 World Cup.

Over the years, they’ve lapped up victories over prominent cricketing nations such as Pakistan (2002), South Africa (2004, 2006), and New Zealand (2006, 2016). An eighth-place finish in 2016 was their best finish to date in the competition.

The Rhinos featured in the recently concluded U19 Asia Cup in December ahead of the World Cup in South Africa. The presence of senior internationals like Dev Khanal and Gulshan Jha gives the side a boost going into the competition.

Squad

Dev Khanal (c), Arjun Kumal, Aakash Tripathi, Dipak Prasad Dumre, Durgesh Gupta, Gulshan Kumar Jha, Dipesh Prasad Kandel, Bishal Bikram KC, Subhash Bhandari, Deepak Bohara, Dipak Bohara, Uttam Rangu Thapa Macar, Bipin Rawal, Tilak Raj Bhandari, Akash Chand.

Fixtures

21 January: v New Zealand, East London
24 January: v Pakistan, East London
26 January: v Afghanistan, East London

Watch out for

Gulshan Jha

The electric Jha is a great asset for the Nepal U19s side. He has already featured in 24 ODIs and 14 T20Is, with 33 international wickets to his name. A T20I strike rate of 146.87 shows that the youngster can raise the tempo of the game when required.

With international experience aplenty, he can prove to be a game-changer on the field and a guide for the up-and-coming cricketers.

He has looked in decent touch going into the tournament, picking wickets in the U19 Asia Cup and having scored a fifty in his last international outing for the senior side. And the same showed in Nepal’s warm-up against Scotland, where he starred with 3/15 in a win for the Rhinos.

What they said

Dev Khanal, Nepal captain: “We are super excited. After the wait of seven years we are playing in the U19 World Cup and that is a dream for us as a group and something special for us as well as for the whole country.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Make Or Break For Bengaluru FC’sQualification Hopes

Bhubaneswar: It’s crunch time for Bengaluru FC at the Kalinga Stadium, on Wednesday,
where nothing short of a win against an in-form FC Goa would do, if they are to keep their
hopes of progressing in the Super Cup, alive. The Blues go into an early kick off against Manolo
Marquez’s group leaders on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Odisha, but it was the performance on
the night that Gerard Zaragoza will draw confidence from.
The Blues, however, will be without winger Ryan Williams after he picked up a red card against
Odisha, and while the Australian’s absence will be felt, Zaragoza was confident in the ability of
the youngsters on the squad.
“Of course it affects us as we were already short on foreign players and with Ryan out it makes
it harder as the squad is not complete. But I’m so happy with our younger players who have
what it takes to be at this club. They just need more game time and experience to move to the
next level,” said the Bengaluru FC Head Coach.
Furthermore, Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Sandhu, and Suresh Wangjam, three of Bengaluru’s
experienced players, are all absent owing to national team responsibilities at the AFC Asian
Cup in Qatar, leaving the squad with more to do.
Despite playing an entire half with ten men against Odisha, Bengaluru FC were fluent in attack,
taking the game to the hosts. Spaniard Javi Hernandez came close on a few occasions, and he
will continue to be the key on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the arrival of Indian forward Mohammad Yasir, who joins the Gaurs on loan
from Hyderabad FC, will be a boost for Goa. The winger and Manolo Marquez will look to build
on their success together in Indian football with their new club. The duo played a crucial role in
the Nizams’ first-ever ISL championship victory in the 2021–2022 season.
Zaragoza admitted that his team had their task cut out.”They (Goa) know that it is a must-win
match for us which plays to their benefit. They have great players and a very good coach, but

we will have our game plan set. We also know we will get chances to win the game that keeps
us alive in the Super Cup,” added Zaragoza.
Meanwhile in the other fixture of the same group, defending champions Odisha FC will aim to
get the better of Inter Kashi to solidify their progression into the knockout stages of the
competition.

by Abhishek Shukla

Captains embrace South African welcome with U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup just days away

The captains of the 16 participating teams at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 were given a true South African welcome on Monday, as teams relished a vibrant and colourful Captains’ Day in Broederstroom, north of Johannesburg.

The Lesedi Cultural Village hosted the influential youngsters, who were treated to a series of cultural performances by traditional singers and dancers on arrival at the venue before engaging with media and each other amongst a truly unique setting.

The customary captains’ image was taken among the bright, colourful dwellings representative of the Ndebele people of South Africa, whose intricate patterns and artistic charm are admired the world over.

The players also benefitted from an interaction with Anrich Nortje during their visit. The South African international, who was announced as the event ambassador earlier in the day, addressed the group alongside Tournament Director Wanele Mngomezulu, welcoming players to the rainbow nation before sharing insights on what it is like to compete on the world stage.

Captains’ Day marked another milestone in the build-up to the 15th edition of the celebrated event, where more future stars of the sport are set to announce themselves on the world stage later this week.

The action starts on Friday 19 January, with hosts South Africa taking on another former champion nation, the West Indies in Potchefstroom, and Ireland facing off against the USA in Bloemfontein.

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup event ambassador Anrich Nortje: “It’s brilliant to meet all the young talented cricketers that will be leading their teams in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. It’s great to see their excitement with the tournament approaching and it’s clear that they are all pumped.

“They enjoyed a proper South African welcome today. It’s awesome to see them playing here, especially considering there’s such variety in conditions across the five host venues.

“I’m sure fans will come out and support them for the games, and they’ll all be looking out to try and find the next AB De Villiers or Kagiso Rabada, and this tournament never fails to deliver on special talent.”

South Africa captain Juan James: “I’m really proud to welcome the other captains here today. Seeing them all embracing a South African experience helps build the excitement a little bit more and I can’t wait for the games to begin now.”

“I’m sure they’re all going to enjoy the experience of playing here over the next three to four weeks in front of our passionate cricket loving fans.”

Pakistan captain Saad Baig: “I’ve really enjoyed being at the venue and experiencing the traditional music today. Meeting and listening to Anrich Nortje was also a confidence booster.

“We’ve had a great experience in the country so far: true pitches, lush outfields, brilliant facilities and friendly people.

“We’re pumped to start. We have done our homework and now it’s time to deliver.”

England captain Ben McKinney: “It was really good to receive a real South African welcome. It’s my first time in the country and we’ve been well looked after since arriving. It’s been a really positive experience so far.

“We’re excited about getting going on Saturday against Scotland. It will be a great occasion and while our first practice match didn’t go the way we planned, we took a lot from it and the boys will be focused when we take to the field in that first game.”

Nepal captain Dev Khanal: “What I really enjoyed was the welcome we received at Captains Day. It was great fun meeting the other 15 captains and it was a real highlight meeting Anrich Nortje, spending some time with him and hearing him talk about his experiences.

“I’m super excited for the World Cup and looking forward to representing my country on the world stage.”

Australia captain Hugh Weibgen: “It was an awesome experience being here today for Captains’ Day. Getting to see the South African culture through some of the singing and dancing…it was a great welcome.

“We’re really excited and looking forward to the first games. Me and the boys have been training well over the last few days and we’re really keen to get into it.

“Meeting Anrich as well was awesome. Obviously he’s one of the world’s best fast bowlers, and I took a lot from what he had to say.”

Bangladesh captain Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby: “I think it was one of the most interesting pre-event experiences I have had with all then captains assembling. Suddenly you feel a different sense of pride and responsibility as the captain of your country. Also, I felt like ‘this is it, the World Cup is on!’.

“It was such a privilege to meet Anrich Nortje in person and to listen to him. He is one of the most exciting fast bowlers in world cricket and his interaction was very inspiring.”

Sri Lanka captain Sineth Jayawardana: “It was a great experience where I was able to join in with the other captains, who have come from different countries and backgrounds, thus giving me the opportunity to meet them all in one place, mingle, and talk a few words before we go into the big competition.”

“As a youngster, I really enjoyed this opportunity, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of a group that are emerging leaders of the game.”

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Venue: Jaipur

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

Results

Singles (Round of 32)

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

Doubles (Round of 16)

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

by Abhishek Shukla

Hockey India congratulates Udita on completing 100 international caps  

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Team Results: U-15 Boys: 

(Rounds 1 and 2):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 10 matches today

Game 1 – Patna Pirates vs Tamil Thalaivas – 8 pm

Venue: Jaipur

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

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Richard Miller (US)

Williams Jr. and Jackson Lead Grizzlies to a 116-107 Victory Over Warriors on MLK Day

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson were the stars for the Memphis Grizzlies in their 116-107 win against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. Williams Jr. scored 24 points while Jackson added a career-high 23 points, securing a surprising victory for the injury-riddled Grizzlies over a nearly full-strength Warriors team.

Jaren Jackson Jr., despite shooting struggles, contributed 18 points for Memphis. The win was particularly notable given the Grizzlies’ injury woes, which left them without seven players. However, the return of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama, who missed the previous game, provided a much-needed boost.

Memphis center Xavier Tillman expressed his satisfaction with how players like Williams Jr. and Jackson stepped up in the face of adversity. Coach Taylor Jenkins lauded the win as a testament to the organization’s commitment to development, acknowledging contributions from players who have spent time with the Grizzlies’ G-League team, the Hustle.

For the Warriors, Stephen Curry led with 26 points and eight assists. Jonathan Kuminga added a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Andrew Wiggins scored 16 points. Draymond Green, returning from a league suspension, played 23 minutes and scored seven points.

However, Golden State struggled defensively and was hampered by 19 turnovers. The Warriors also faced a significant disparity at the free-throw line, with Memphis going 32 of 40 compared to Golden State’s 9 of 10. Memphis also shot heavily from the 3-point line, making 20 out of 54 attempts.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr attributed the loss to poor defensive play and high turnovers. He emphasized the need for his team to respect every opponent, regardless of their roster status.

The game remained close for the first three quarters, but Memphis pulled ahead in the fourth with a 10-1 run, securing a lead that would snap their two-game losing streak.

The match held special significance as it took place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day of great importance in Memphis due to its connection to the civil rights leader. The Grizzlies play in the FedExForum, located near the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.

Attendance was affected by extreme winter weather, with the Grizzlies offering ticket exchanges for upcoming games to those who couldn’t attend due to the conditions.

Looking Ahead:

The Warriors will conclude their four-game road trip against Utah on Wednesday. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are set to begin a four-game road trip, starting with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. This upcoming stretch will be a crucial test for the Grizzlies as they continue to navigate through their injury challenges and build on the momentum from this significant win.

by Richard Miller (US)

Trae Young’s Impressive 36 Points Lead Hawks to 109-99 Win Over Spurs on MLK Day

ATLANTA — On a day commemorating Martin Luther King Jr., Trae Young delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 36 points and dishing out 13 assists to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 109-99 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. This standout game also saw Young surpass the 10,000 career points milestone.

Young’s hot start, where he sank his first six 3-point attempts, set the tone for the Hawks. However, the team had to fend off a late surge by the Spurs, who narrowed a 35-point deficit to just six in the latter stages of the game. Young acknowledged the team’s initial focus but admitted to becoming too relaxed in the second half.

The Spurs’ comeback was fueled by the phenomenal play of their 7-foot-3 rookie, Victor Wembanyama, who scored all of his 26 points in the second half, including nine dunks and 13 rebounds. Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in the draft, has been managed cautiously by the Spurs following a sprained ankle he suffered in December.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich praised Wembanyama’s scoring ability, particularly in the final quarter, where the rookie was instrumental in outscoring the Hawks 33-22. Despite the Spurs’ comeback attempt, Young and the Hawks managed to hold on for the win.

Dejounte Murray, a former Spurs guard now with the Hawks and amid trade deadline speculation, contributed 13 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.

The Hawks demonstrated their dominance early, leading by as much as 35 points at halftime. Jeremy Sochan scored 23 points for the Spurs, and Julian Champagnie added 15 points, including five 3-pointers.

Young, who scored 29 points in the first half, reached the 10,000-point mark with a free throw late in the third period. Reflecting on the milestone, Young emphasized his focus on winning and entertaining the fans.

Jalen Johnson also had a notable performance for Atlanta, scoring 16 points along with 10 rebounds and six steals.

Both coaches, Quin Snyder of the Hawks and Gregg Popovich of the Spurs, spoke about the honor and significance of playing on MLK Day, especially in King’s hometown of Atlanta. They highlighted the importance of the day and the privilege of being part of the celebration.

The players showed their respect by wearing “Honor King” shirts during warmups.

Looking Ahead:

The Spurs face a tough challenge next, traveling to Boston to play on Wednesday. The Hawks, meanwhile, will host the Orlando Magic on the same day, hoping to build on their victory.

by Richard Miller (US)

Banchero’s Late Surge Powers Orlando Magic to a 98-94 Win Over New York Knicks

NEW YORK — The Orlando Magic, bolstered by the return of several key players, snapped their three-game losing streak with a 98-94 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday. Star forward Paolo Banchero played a pivotal role, scoring crucial points in the final quarter to seal the win for Orlando.

Banchero finished with 20 points, while Cole Anthony added 15, including 10 in the fourth quarter, helping the Magic overcome an 11-point deficit in the third quarter. The Magic’s comeback was ignited midway through the final period, culminating in Anthony tipping in a missed shot to take the lead at 90-89 with just under four minutes to play.

Wendell Carter Jr., returning from a five-game absence due to right knee tendinitis, contributed significantly off the bench with 17 points. Chuma Okeke also had a notable performance, scoring 15 points.

The Magic’s bench strength was evident with the availability of Markelle Fultz, Joe Ingles, and Jonathan Isaac, all of whom have missed games recently. Coach Jamahl Mosley praised their defensive efforts, highlighting the impact of the returning players.

For the Knicks, Deuce McBride stepped up in the absence of Jalen Brunson, who is out with a bruised left calf, scoring a career-high 20 points. OG Anunoby added 17 points, but the Knicks struggled offensively, with Julius Randle only managing 15 points on 5 for 18 shooting.

The Knicks’ offensive woes were a focal point of the game, with Randle describing the team’s play as too stagnant. Despite leading 52-50 at halftime, the Knicks struggled with their shooting, finishing under 40% from the field and only 68.2% from the free-throw line.

Donte DiVincenzo also contributed 15 points for New York, which has now lost on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the third consecutive year, dropping their holiday record to 23-15.

The Knicks had been playing more road games than home games leading up to this match but are now looking at a more favorable schedule with a four-game homestand and seven consecutive games in New York, including six at Madison Square Garden.

Looking Ahead:

The Magic will next face the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, while the Knicks host the Houston Rockets on the same day, hoping to bounce back from this setback.

by Richard Miller (US)

Alec Burks Leads Pistons to Victory Over Wizards, Snapping a 7-Game Losing Streak

WASHINGTON — The Detroit Pistons, facing a challenging season marked by historic losses, including an NBA record-tying 28-game skid, displayed resilience and determination in their 129-117 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday. Alec Burks, delivering a stellar performance, matched his career-high with 34 points, steering Detroit to only their fourth win this season.

Pistons coach Monty Williams praised the team’s unwavering spirit, emphasizing the players’ commitment and desire to support each other despite the difficult season. This victory was a testament to their collective effort and enthusiasm.

Jalen Duren contributed significantly with 20 points and 19 rebounds, while Jaden Ivey added 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Burks, shooting an impressive 8 of 12 from the 3-point range, was a key factor in Detroit’s nearly 56% shooting from the field. Teammate Isiah Stewart lauded Burks’ scoring ability and veteran presence on the court, highlighting his range and scoring consistency.

This scoring outburst by Burks, who averages 11.5 points per game this season, matched his previous career highs, achieved once with Utah in 2014 and again with New York in 2021.

Tyus Jones led the Wizards with 22 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Supporting efforts came from Jordan Poole and Deni Advija, scoring 16 and 12 points, respectively. Stewart and Ausar Thompson also contributed with 16 and 14 points for Detroit.

The game followed a notable trade between the two teams, involving Marvin Bagley III, Isaiah Livers, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and the exchange of future draft picks.

Detroit established control in the late stages of the game, with a 9-0 run in the third quarter giving them a 92-87 lead. They extended this advantage to 15 points in the fourth quarter, in a matchup between two of the Eastern Conference’s struggling teams.

Washington’s Landry Shamet, who scored 11 points, pointed to lapses in attention to detail and physicality as contributing factors to the loss. Kyle Kuzma, scoring 21 points and eight rebounds for the Wizards, was ejected in the final minutes for arguing with an official, underlining the frustrations for Washington.

The Pistons now look forward to hosting Minnesota on Wednesday, hoping to build on this victory. Meanwhile, the Wizards face a challenging visit to New York on Thursday.

by Richard Miller (US)

Irving and Hardaway Jr. Shine with 40-Point Performances, Mavericks Edge Out Pelicans 125-120

DALLAS — In a thrilling display of scoring prowess, Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Dallas Mavericks to a 125-120 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, each surpassing the 40-point mark. This exceptional performance marked only the second time in Mavericks history that two players have scored 40 or more points in the same game, with Irving being a common factor in both instances.

The absence of All-Star Luka Doncic due to a sprained ankle set the stage for Irving and Hardaway Jr. to step up. Irving dazzled with 42 points, while Hardaway Jr. was just as impressive, finishing with 41 points, one shy of his career high. Their combined effort helped the Mavericks split a two-game home series with the Pelicans.

Hardaway Jr. played a pivotal role in the victory, especially with a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. Despite a brief exit from the game due to a mild ankle sprain, he returned to secure his second career 40-point game. Reflecting on his performance, Hardaway emphasized the team’s “next-man-up mentality” and his seizing of the opportunity presented by Doncic’s absence.

For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson led the scoring with 30 points but struggled from the free-throw line, going 6 of 11. His missed free throw with 17 seconds left was particularly crucial, as it denied New Orleans the chance to level the score. Coach Willie Green expressed concern over the team’s free-throw performance, acknowledging its significant impact on the game’s outcome.

CJ McCollum added 23 points for the Pelicans, who had won the first game of the series despite missing their top three scorers. Brandon Ingram, also contributing for New Orleans, had a challenging night, scoring 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting.

The Mavericks’ comeback was highlighted by Hardaway’s back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, turning a seven-point deficit into a lead. Irving, after a slow start, ended up shooting 13 of 28 from the field. Together, Irving and Hardaway went 23 of 25 on free throws, playing a vital role in the Mavericks’ successful seven-game homestand.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd praised both players, highlighting Hardaway’s significant contributions and Irving’s steady performance throughout the afternoon. Josh Green also contributed with 13 points, including a crucial 3-pointer late in the game.

Rookie Dereck Lively II made a notable impact for Dallas with 12 rebounds, including key offensive boards that led to pivotal 3-pointers from Hardaway.

The Mavericks’ next challenge is a trip to face the Lakers on Wednesday, part of a West Coast tour. The Pelicans, on the other hand, look forward to a four-game homestand starting Wednesday against Charlotte.