January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

Formula E is Back for Season 10 – It’s on! Find Out How to Watch, Where and When

MEXICO CITY. Weds. 10 Jan. 2024 – Formula E returns this weekend with the first race of Season 10 in Mexico City, reigniting the rivalries and intense racing action that made last season the most competitive ever in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship as the title race was decided on the final weekend.

Ultimately it was Britain’s Jake Dennis (Andretti Formula E) who triumphed in London in July to win his first world title. But changes in the off-season mean his two closest rivals of the last campaign – Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans – are now a formidable Jaguar TCS Racing team partnership following Cassidy’s move from Envision Racing.

With former Formula E world champion Nyck de Vries returning to the series from Formula 1 with Mahindra Racing, and eight of 11 teams making driver changes, this Saturday’s 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix promises another impossible-to-predict and fiercely competitive race.

Some 40,000 spectators will pack the grandstands at the famed Foro Sol in what is Formula E’s eighth visit to the historic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with the circuit a favourite of fans and drivers alike and one of the highlights of the season.

The updated Season 10 calendar of 16 races in 10 iconic world cities features a debut race on the streets of Tokyo and a long-awaited return to China with a first race in Shanghai plus a new Italian venue in Misano. The season concludes once again in London on the weekend of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July.

SEASON 10 STORYLINES: the GEN3

Last year saw the introduction of the GEN3 – the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built – which broke record after record during its inaugural season.

Across the 11-team, 22-car grid in Season 9 there were seven different winners and 11 drivers on the podium across 16 rounds, while 19 different drivers led a race for at least one lap.

Team engineers have spent the off-season working to extract vital tenths of-a-second from their GEN3 race cars and are sure to use the experience of last year to enhance performance. The result is more than half the drivers on the grid go into the Hankook Mexico City E-Prix confident they have a shot at the world title. Watch out Jake Dennis.

JAGUAR VS PORSCHE, ENVISION VS ANDRETTI: RIGHT TO THE WIRE

In both the Teams’ and Drivers’ World Championships, the title fight went to the finale in Season 9, with eventual wins for Jake Dennis (Andretti) and Envision Racing coming in London. What makes their wins unique is that both titles were won not only by different powertrains but by customer outfits of Porsche and Jaguar, respectively.

Andretti were, and still are, powered by Porsche for GEN3. Their 99X Electric led Dennis to two wins and a string of 11 podiums in Season 9, which was enough to see him crowned champion in front of his home support as he became the first Brit to win the title.

The factory TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team finished fourth in both the Drivers’ and Teams’ standings after a strong start from Pascal Wehrlein. The German giants have title-winning machinery and will be laser-focussed on securing the top prize for themselves this season.

Similarly, Envision are customers of Jaguar. Although both Jaguar-powered teams achieved four wins apiece in Season 9, it was Envision that came out on top. Nick Cassidy ran it close in the Drivers’ race and key in the team’s title win, having raced in every season of the series.

Cassidy has made the jump to the factory Jaguar TCS Racing team for Season 10, racing alongside Mitch Evans – a friend, long-time competitor, and Kiwi compatriot. It is rightly one of the most hyped driver line-ups ever seen in Formula E, and the British team will be desperate to end the year on top. Evans and Cassidy wound up first and second quickest in Valencia, too.

SEASON 10 DRIVER LINE-UPS

It’s all-change ahead of the first race in Mexico City. Only three of 11 teams keep the same pairings from Season 9: TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team with Pascal Wehrlein and Season 6 champion António Félix da Costa; DS PENSKE with Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Éric Vergne (three Formula E titles between them); and ERT Formula E Team, formally NIO 333 Racing, with Dan Ticktum and Sergio Setté Câmara returning.

Nick Cassidy looks to have settled in well at Jaguar TCS Racing, setting the second-quickest time at the Valencia test behind new teammate Mitch Evans.

Robin Frijns, Cassidy’s replacement at Envision Racing, and a double race-winner in Formula E, wound up seventh and will line up alongside Sébastien Buemi.

One of the biggest talking points heading into Mexico City is the return of Nyck de Vries. The Season 8 champ departed the all-electric championship for a spell in Formula 1 but is now making a return to the series he called home for so long.

Since his time in Formula E, a lot has changed, including a whole new generation of car. He will have it all to do alongside Edoardo Mortara, who moves from Maserati MSG Racing to the Anglo-Indian team which struggled to adapt to GEN3 in Season 9. Mortara did steer to a promising sixth in testing, though.

Maserati will once again field Maximilian Günther with optimism abound after the team turned their form around in the second half of Season 9 at the hands of Günther who won in Jakarta and took to the podium in Rome. Indian rookie Jehan Daruvala steps into the fold as Günther’s teammate.

Norman Nato managed to set a quicker time than Season 9 champion Jake Dennis at the Valencia test in his first outing with Andretti Formula E, with Oliver Rowland also looking rapid for his return to Nissan Formula E Team, alongside Sacha Fenestraz.

Sam Bird’s time at NEOM McLaren Formula E Team is another story which will be followed closely, with the Brit ending pre-season testing 14th. He joins fellow Brit Jake Hughes, who impressed with two poles in his debut campaign.

Lucas di Grassi made an emotional return to the team with which he won the Season 3 title; the Brazilian joining up with Nico Müller at ABT CUPRA Formula E Team. Di Grassi is Formula E’s most successful driver on Mexican soil.

CHAMP JAKE DENNIS EXPECTS ‘TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YET’

Andretti’s Jake Dennis heads to Round 1 of a new campaign as the reigning champ for the first time in his Formula E career. After an incredible season of consistency, achieving 11 podiums across the 16 rounds of the calendar to set a new record, he’s now keen to get racing again after the summer break comes to a close.

Jake Dennis, Andretti Formula E, said:

“We’ve still got an incredibly strong powertrain. I don’t think there’s too much development that can happen coming into this season. There’s always tweaks here and there, but it’s more probably fine tuning.

“I would expect the likes of DS will definitely close the gap to us. It’s also still going to be difficult to beat Jaguar TCS Racing and the other Porsche team. Just trying to do what we did last year is going to be extremely difficult with that many podiums and wins. It’s never easy when the competition closes up.”

RETURN TO MEXICO CITY AND THE AUTÓDROMO HERMANOS RODRÍGUEZ

This weekend Formula E makes its eighth visit to a circuit that’s been on the calendar since Season 2, save for a trip to Puebla in Season 7. The 19-turn, 2.630km circuit is a perfect mix of long, fast straights and a technical infield section that passes right through the legendary Foro Sol stadium, housing tens of thousands of fans.

There’s a new chicane this year on the back straight, while the ATTACK MODE activation zone is now on the outside of Turn 15 at the exit of the stadium section – more of a challenge this time around.

Off the track, there is world-class entertainment with a live music from Latin superstar Sofia Reyes who headlines the Podium Stage, and is joined by Kurt, Salero Balas, and Sully, for performances in the Allianz Fan Village.

SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS

In line with Formula E’s commitment to sustainability, the 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix event will be powered entirely by sustainably sourced HVO fuel as a net zero carbon event, with Formula E rigorously measuring, reducing, and offsetting all unavoidable emissions by investing in renewable energy production. Use of HVO produces a 90% carbon emission reduction compared to ordinary diesel.

NEW TELEVISION PRESENTERS LINE-UP

This season, Formula E TV coverage will be presented by a dynamic team including new lead presenter Jermaine Jenas, alongside pundits James Rossiter, David Coulthard, and Karun Chandhok. Nicki Shields returns as an on-the-ground reporter, with Tom Brooks and Ryan Myrehn providing their trademark engaging commentary.

In the USA, a Roku exclusive show, The Recharge, hosted by Georgia Henneberry, will offer fans a chance to revisit race highlights and driver strategy.

SCHEDULE: WHERE, WHEN AND HOW TO WATCH OR STREAM THE 2024 HANKOOK MEXICO CITY E-PRIX

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 10 gets underway on Friday 12 January with Free Practice 1 at 16:25 CST local time (22:25 GMT).
The momentum continues into race day on Saturday 13 January as Free Practice 2 kicks off at 07:25 CST (13:25 GMT). Qualifying follows at 09:40 CST (15:40 GMT). The race starts at 14:00 CST (20:00 GMT).

Additionally, live race coverage, along with in-depth trackside insights, is available through the Formula E app and Race Centre, featuring live timing, interactive track maps, session highlights, exclusive interviews, and detailed reports.

WHERE TO WATCH

MEXICO: Fans in Mexico can watch their home race on Fox Sports 3, Claro Sports and A+ and Azteca Deportes. Fox Sports Mexico, Claro Sports and TV Azteca will be at the track to bring viewers all of the latest stories from the paddock.

Claro Sports will be providing dedicated coverage of the whole race weekend across Latin America with support from DirecTV in select markets.

ASIA

AUSTRALIA: Stan Sports will present live coverage of all sessions on the Stan Sports platform. 9GO will wrap up the weekend with highlights for fans in Australia.

CHINA: Formula E’s digital partnerships continue with HUYA, BiliBili, Weibo, Kuaishou and Douyin covering all sessions live, whilst GuangDong Sports will be showing delayed coverage. Free-to-air linear race coverage will be found on CCTV5+, whilst also being simulcast on their digital platform Yangshipin.

INDONESIA: Fans can catch the race live on iNews, with dedicated coverage of the weekend across MNC platforms including SPORTSTARS and MNC Vision +

JAPAN: Viewers will be able to catch all the action from qualifying and race sessions on J-Sports 3, with BS Fuji providing dedicated highlights coverage.

NEW ZEALAND: Viewers in New Zealand will be able to catch all of the action, live on Sky Sports 5.

SE ASIA: SpoTV will be providing live coverage of all race sessions on SpoTV 2, whilst also simulcasting across their digital platform SpoTV NOW

EUROPE

FRANCE: Viewers in France will be able to catch Saturday’s race action on L’Equipe.fr and Eurosport 1 whilst Eurosport Player will be showing all sessions live. La Chaine L’Equipe will be running delayed linear coverage on Sunday.

GERMANY: A new partnership in Germany will see live coverage of Quali and Race on DF1, with both sessions also available on ServusOn.

AUSTRIA: Fans will be able to tune into race action and quali on ServusTV, a new partnership that’ll have enhance coverage and analysis – race and quali simulcast on ServusOn.

ITALY: Mediaset’s Channel 20 will air the Mexico City race live, with all sessions available live on SportMediaset.it with highlights covered on their flagship Italia Uno channel. Eurosport 2 will also cover race and highlights from the season opener.

NETHERLANDS: Netherlands will be able to see all sessions, live on Ziggo Sport Motorsport and ZiggoGO. Eurosport will also be providing live coverage across the weekend on linear and digital channels.

UK: TNT will start the season as the home of Formula E in the UK with extensive coverage across their channels. Race and quali will be shown on TNT Sports 4, with TNT Sports 1 simulcasting race action. All sessions will be available on digital via discovery+

REST OF EUROPE: Across the remainder of Europe (excl. Italy), all sessions will be live across Eurosport’s linear and digital platforms. Eurosport will provide bespoke, live coverage of the opening race on Eurosport 2, whilst all sessions will be live on Eurosport Player. ES Player will also provide a one-stop destination for all Formula E catch-up.

NORTH AMERICA

CANADA: In Canada TVA Sports and TSN 2 will show all of the race action from Mexico in French and English respectively.

USA: All live race sessions will be made available with our new partner Roku, with delayed CBS Network coverage on Sunday.

SOUTH AFRICA

Fans will be able to catch all of the live action from qualifying and the race live on SuperSport Motorsport.

Full details with further updates on where to watch, including information for all territories worldwide, can be found at: fiaformulae.com/watch

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

CONNECTICUT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB ANNOUNCED AS NEWEST INDEPENDENT TEAM TO JOIN MLS NEXT PRO

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (January 9, 2024) – MLS NEXT Pro today announced the addition of a new independent club to the League: Connecticut United Football Club joins MLS NEXT Pro with a target start date of 2025. Based in Bridgeport, Connecticut United is the fifth independent team to be added to the League since its inaugural season in 2022. Pending sanctioning approval by the U.S. Soccer Federation, the Club follows independents Carolina Core FC, Cleveland, Jacksonville Armada FC and Chattanooga FC.

CT United FC has been established by Connecticut Sports Group (CTSG) and its founding partner André Swanston, a longtime Connecticut resident and technology entrepreneur. The University of Connecticut alumnus and his wife Michelle Swanston are active investors in minority and women-owned businesses, among other investments, donating to education and community focused initiatives across the country.

“André has a proven track record of building transformational companies and valuing community development,” said Charles Altchek, President of MLS NEXT Pro. “His leadership, entrepreneurship, and determination will be key to the success of the Club, and we are thrilled to partner with André, his wife Michelle, and the CTSG team. Today’s announcement marks a historic milestone as André takes the helm as one of our youngest club owners and breaks barriers as one of only a few Black principal owners in U.S. sports history.”

The team plans to play in a brand-new soccer stadium as part of a premier family-friendly entertainment and sports destination in Bridgeport, the state’s most populous city. The City of Bridgeport’s Planning and Zoning Commission granted Connecticut Sports Group unanimous approval to develop a waterfront soccer stadium and mixed-use destination. The project encompasses a mix of residences, retail and dining space, community greens, a river walk and a hotel.

“As CT United FC embarks on its MLS NEXT Pro journey, I want to extend deep gratitude to the incredible fans, community leaders and government officials who have embraced our vision. I am confident that, united, Connecticut can compete against anyone,” said Swanston. “We are committed to building the infrastructure – from a free youth academy to a state-of-the-art stadium – needed to propel Connecticut to the highest levels of soccer.”

The state of Connecticut has proven to be a strong hub for the sport of soccer, with consistently high television viewership and having hosted large crowds for U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team matches in the past.

“Bringing an MLS NEXT Pro expansion team to the state of Connecticut is a tremendous opportunity to ignite the spirit of our communities, foster local talent, and showcase our state on the national stage,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “This exciting endeavor will invigorate our economy, inspire our youth, and unite our diverse soccer loving population.”

“Bridgeport is in the midst of a renaissance, rebranding from an industrial city to now the capital of arts and entertainment of Connecticut. I am proud to announce that MLS NEXT Pro will join that landscape in providing entertainment opportunities for Bridgeport residents and the region at large. I also applaud the major investments that Mr. Swanston has made in Bridgeport and his vision to bring professional soccer to our city,” stated Mayor Joseph Ganim.

CT United FC is the third independent expansion team to be announced by MLS NEXT Pro in just the last two months, following Jacksonville Armanda FC and Chattanooga FC in November 2023. In late 2022 the League announced the addition of Carolina Core FC , based in High Point, NC, and Cleveland. Carolina Core and Chattanooga will both begin play in 2024, the full season schedule for which will be released in the coming weeks.

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

‘A pathway to my dreams’ – Kagiso Rabada reminisces about the U19 World Cup that set the stage for superstardom

It has been a decade since an 18-year-old Kagiso Rabada swayed the world’s attention in the United Arab Emirates.

Rabada, now the No.2-ranked bowler in the MRF Tyres ICC Rankings for Test bowlers, was making his first steps in international cricket at the time, at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The exciting pacer went on to take 14 wickets at 10.28 in the tournament, helping South Africa to the title, alongside senior international teammate Aiden Markram.

“I remember we were really amped for our U19 World Cup,” Rabada said. “We went from playing against each other at the provincial level to playing with each other for South Africa.

“And that was a big deal because we could represent our country.”

Rabada looked back fondly at the emotions he experienced as he stepped onto the field for the first time.

“Back then, my mindset was to relish the environment that I was in and to announce myself on the world stage,” he said.

“It was extremely exciting, a pathway to my dreams to represent South Africa. And I was just itching to get on the park.”

His opening game, against West Indies, couldn’t have gone any better. Given the ball by captain Markram, and defending a modest total of 198 in Dubai, Rabada claimed the prized wicket of another future star, Shimron Heytmyer, off the fourth ball.

“From there, we ran through them,” Rabada said. “That was a great start to the competition, especially the way we had started with the bat in that game.”

Apart from Rabada and Markram, the tournament involved many other youngsters who are now household names – Kuldeep Yadav and Shreyas Iyer (India), Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) and Nicholas Pooran (West Indies).

Rabada still remembers the anticipation he had before bowling to Pooran. “Everyone was talking about Nicholas Pooran,” he remembered.

“And they were saying, ‘He’s a real star to watch out for’. And he drove me for a couple of boundaries and you can see what he does to date.”

After defeating West Indies, South Africa won their other group encounters with ease to march into the knockout stage. A brilliant century from Markram ensured an easy entry into the semi-finals, where the young Proteas squared up against Australia.

From 1999 to 2023, Cricket World Cup semi-finals between their senior sides have produced riveting contests. And the U19 clash in 2014 was no different.

South Africa started well with Markram and Fortuin, but Australia then fought back and restricted them to 230.

“I remember we started well with the bat in that game – Clyde Fortuin and Aiden Markram put up a good partnership [105 for the first wicket],” Rabada said.

“When we lost those two, Australia brought it back, and I think we got reduced to about 220 [230].”

It was then that Rabada really laid down a marker. He led the charge with the ball, picking a sensational 6/25 while running through the Australia top-order and blowing away the tail.

“We had to put in a good performance with the ball. We were nice and aggressive up front. Again, got some early wickets and from there, everyone was just on it. We took all our chances and the game was ours.”

A confident South Africa faced Pakistan in the Final, where Rabada continued to shine. He dismissed Imam early, and his economical 1/26 helped restrict Pakistan to 131.

The chase was still a high-pressure situation. “At that stage, having bowled them out for 130, our coach Ray Jennings, in the change room spoke about 10 runs at a time. And it did put us under pressure up front,” Rabada said.

A solid 71-run partnership for the third wicket, between Markram and Greg Oldfield, settled any nerves.

“I remember Aiden Markram and Greg Oldfield put up quite a big partnership in the scheme of the game and from there we kind of just cruised.

“When Bradley Dial hit the winning runs, we all jumped off the ledge and ran onto the field.”

The tournament was a solid introduction to high-pressure cricket for the young players.

“Every game was a huge game. And one had to deal with other mental challenges that come your way, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Rabada said.

“You’re announcing yourself on the world stage with an Under-19 World Cup. There are more eyes on you, and you want to show the world how good you are.

“And when you are that age, you want to impress. Your competitive spirit comes out and you just keep living your dream.”

Ahead of the 2024 edition of the tournament, Rabada called on all the players in the tournament to seize the moment.

“My message before the World Cup is that it’s a huge privilege and honour to represent the country,” he said.

“As an individual, it’s a big stage to announce yourself and you can prove to everyone that you can dominate on the world stage.

“You can expect to see some future stars, and you can expect to see some future greats. And you can claim that you saw them first.”

The ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa will begin on 19 January with the final set to be played on 11 February.

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup action edges closer with only ten days to go

The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 lies just ten days away, and preparations are in full flow as South Africa gears up to host the very best young cricketers in the world from 19 January.

The 15^th edition of the celebrated event will see 41 matches take place across 24 days of competition, with five host venues staging the action; Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Kimberley Oval in Kimberley, JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, Buffalo Park in East London and Willowmoore Park in Benoni – the venue selected to host the semi-finals and final encounter on 11 February.

Fans wanting to catch a glimpse of the next generation of cricket superstars can do so for free throughout the tournament, and the thrilling action of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup will be accompanied by a vibrant festival atmosphere at grounds, with braai areas, kids’ entertainment featuring jumping castles, face painting and more, live music offerings and a mini-cricket area for young fans to show off their own budding talents, ensuring a truly memorable experience for all.

With the start of the tournament fast approaching, teams are also entering the final stages of their preparations, and warm-up fixtures are set to take place across venues in Johannesburg and Pretoria between 13 and 17 January with spectators welcome to catch every ball, live.

Each team will play two warm-up fixtures before the main event commences on 19 January, and the opening round of fixtures offers plenty of drama and excitement as a host of rivals meet to start their World Cup campaigns.

Opening day (19 January) will see Potchefstroom host South Africa’s opening match against another former U19 champion, West Indies.

The young Proteas, led by captain David Teeger will be eager to start with a victory, and there is no shortage of excitement amongst the group.

South Africa U19 skipper Teeger: “The team and I cannot wait for the World Cup to start. The opportunity to play in such an esteemed tournament is a real honour and we are really excited to represent our country.

“With it being a home World Cup, it really is a once in a lifetime experience and we cannot wait to do the Mzansi nation proud.”

Ireland and USA go head-to-head in Bloemfontein also on opening day before India start the defence of their crown against Bangladesh at the same venue a day later on 20 January, in a repeat of the 2020 final. Both captains are looking forward to getting their campaigns off to a positive start.

India U19 captain Uday Saharan: “Our preparation has been intense, and the team has been working tirelessly to fine-tune every aspect of our game. We understand the challenges that come with representing our country at this level, but the excitement within the squad is palpable.

“The prospect of competing against the best U19 teams from around the world is both thrilling and motivating. We have a great blend of talent, determination, and team spirit, and we are looking forward to embracing the competition and giving our best on the field.”

Bangladesh U19 captain Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby: “We are very excited. Most players at this age level get one opportunity to participate in a U19 World Cup and we want to make this event a memorable one. We don’t have to look far for inspiration. We became Asian champions only last month and four years ago our predecessors won the World Cup.

“We will go there to win the World Cup. Bangladesh has done that before and there is no reason why we can’t carry the momentum from the Asia Cup to South Africa.”

Two further rivals lock horns on 20 January, as finalists from the previous edition England take on Scotland in Potchefstroom and Pakistan and Afghanistan meet in East London.

England U19 captain Ben McKinney: “This is the first U19 World Cup for all the players, and we want to show how exciting we are as a team.

“We want to showcase our skills and impose ourselves on each and every game, with an overall aim to go on and to win the tournament.”

Scotland U19 captain Owen Gould: “We are absolutely buzzing…It’s a huge honour to be representing Scotland. It’ll really sink in when we take to the pitch in the first game. Even to be playing in the qualifiers last summer was special, but this is just the next level up.

“That first England game is the big one. The rivalry, and it being the first game of the tournament… I think we’ll all be buzzing for it.”

Afghanistan U19 captain Naseer Khan Maroof Khil: “Including me, all the boys are very enthusiastic and committed. No doubt, it is an outstanding learning platform to show our talent and skills to the world.

“As we got to the semi-finals last time, the boys are eager to get to the final this time and win the trophy for the country.”

The full fixture schedule infographic can be found by clicking here. All matches in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup will start at 10h00 local time (SAST).

Warm-up fixtures

Saturday 13 January

USA v Namibia, Tuks Oval, Pretoria

India v Australia, TUT Oval, Pretoria

South Africa v Pakistan, St Stithians, Johannesburg

Nepal v Scotland, Braamfischer Oval, Johannesburg

Sunday 14 January

Ireland v Zimbabwe, Tuks Oval, Pretoria

Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, TUT Oval, Pretoria

England v Afghanistan, St Stithians, Johannesburg

New Zealand v West Indies, Braamfischer Oval, Johannesburg

Tuesday 16 January

Namibia v Ireland, Tuks Oval, Pretoria

Zimbabwe v USA, TUT Oval, Pretoria

West Indies v Nepal, St Stithians, Johannesburg

South Africa v Afghanistan, Braamfischer Oval, Johannesburg

Wednesday 17 January

Sri Lanka v India, Tuks Oval, Pretoria

Australia v Bangladesh, TUT Oval, Pretoria

Scotland v New Zealand, St Stithians, Johannesburg

Pakistan v England, Braamfischer Oval, Johannesburg

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

Pacific Blue’s clean energy to power Australian Open

Pacific Blue, Australia’s only 100 per cent renewable energy generator and retailer will power the upcoming Australian Open, as the Official Renewable Energy Partner of the Australian Open and Tennis Australia in 2024.

The partnership will see Pacific Blue supply all of the Australian Open’s electricity needs at Melbourne Park with 100 per cent renewable energy, generated from its windfarm in Portland, Victoria.

“We are proud to partner with Pacific Blue to source 100 per cent renewable electricity for Australian Open 2024,” Tennis Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis said.

“We are working hard on climate action across the entire organisation and this is a wonderful opportunity to help us reach our goals – although we recognise there’s still so much work to be done.

“With more than three decades at the forefront of Australia’s renewable energy transition, Pacific Blue is a natural partner for Tennis Australia. Its ‘Clean Energy, Now’ campaign seamlessly aligns with Tennis Australia’s commitment to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.”

Domenic Capomolla, Pacific Blue’s Chief Executive Officer, said the partnership demonstrated Tennis Australia’s leadership across world sport in taking tangible steps to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

“While many organisations are talking about what they are going to do in the future, Pacific Blue has only ever generated renewable energy and is leading the energy transition now. We are excited to work with Tennis Australia and the AO, who are getting on with making real change today, and we’re looking forward to supporting them to become one of the first major sporting events in Australia to source the entirety of their electricity through renewables.

“Like a winning doubles pair, this partnership shows what is possible when like-minded organisations who are committed to real action rather than just promises, join forces for a better future,” he said.

Key highlights of the partnership include a consistent supply of renewable energy to Tennis Australia’s National Tennis Centre at Melbourne Park and Albert Reserve throughout the year, and the transfer of standalone Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) to Tennis Australia. These LGCs are originated from Pacific Blue’s wind farms near Portland in Victoria and amount to 100 per cent of the electricity needed for AO 2024.

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

NFL Celebrates Youth and High School Football at 2024 Play Football Family Festival During Super Bowl LVIII

NEW YORK — Jan. 9, 2024 — The National Football League will host the 2024 Play Football Family Festival on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Desert Oasis High School (6600 W. Erie Ave., Las Vegas, Nev.).

Held the day before Super Bowl LVIII, more than 1,000 student-athletes are expected to attend the festival and develop football and life skills through Play Football events. The festival is open to football fans of all ages and is free of charge.

The event will feature autographs, football clinics and partner and Las Vegas Raiders activations. From additional photo opportunities, a live DJ, giveaways, food trucks and interactive activations from Riddell, Oakley and more, the 2024 Play Football Family Festival will celebrate the football community, coaches and players who bring passion, fun and excitement to the sport.

“We are excited to host the 2024 Play Football Family Festival in Las Vegas during the week of Super Bowl LVIII,” said Roman Oben, NFL vice president of football development. “Our activities will engage the local community who will learn first-hand from current NFL players, Legends, and coaches. We are committed to our youth and high school football communities, fans, and coaches, and we are excited about providing experiences they’ll remember for a lifetime.”

Along with the fun football-related activities, the Play Football Family Festival aims to unite youth and high school football communities, drive positive conversations centered on the values of the game, celebrate the importance of youth and high school football coaches, and highlight girls flag football.

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

34 Players Granted Special Eligibility For 2024 NFL Draft

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

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

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

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

The players granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft:

	Name	Pos	College
1	Ajou, Ajou	WR	Garden City C.C.
2	Allen, Braelon	RB	Wisconsin
3	Alt, Joe	T	Notre Dame
4	Amegadjie, Kiran	T	Yale
5	Bishop, Cole	DB	Utah
6	Booker, Austin	DE	Kansas
7	Bullard, Javon	DB	Georgia
8	Coleman, Keon	WR	Florida State
9	Elliss, Jonah	DE	Utah
10	Estimé, Audric	RB	Notre Dame
11	Fisher, Blake	T	Notre Dame
12	Franklin, Troy	WR	Oregon
13	Irving, Bucky	RB	Oregon
14	King, Kalen	DB	Penn State
15	Lassiter, Kamari	DB	Georgia
16	Little, Cam	K	Arkansas
17	Maye, Drake	QB	North Carolina
18	Mims, Amarius	T	Georgia
19	Nabers, Malik	WR	LSU
20	Powers-Johnson, Jackson	C	Oregon
21	Rakestraw, Ennis	DB	Missouri
22	Robinson, Chop	DE	Penn State
23	Shirden, Jaden	RB	Monmouth (N.J.)
24	Steele, Carson	RB	UCLA
25	Suamataia, Kingsley	T	BYU
26	Taylor, Leonard	DT	Miami (Fla.)
27	Thomas, Brian	WR	LSU
28	Vaki, Sione	DB	Utah
29	Wallace, Trevin	LB	Kentucky
30	Wiggins, Nate	DB	Clemson
31	Williams, James	DB	Miami (Fla.)
32	Wingo, Mekhi	DT	LSU
33	Worthy, Xavier	WR	Texas
34	Wright, Jaylen	RB	Tennessee

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

	Name	Pos	College
1	Shipley, Will	RB	Clemson

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tickets for Paarl Royals’ home matches are available here.

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

85th Junior and Youth National TT-Day 4

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

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

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

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

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

Syndrela’s dream season

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

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

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

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

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

Haryana, Maharashtra win gold

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

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

Results:

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Results Singles (Round of 32)

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

Doubles (Round of 16)

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

Understanding the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process:

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

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

FIH signs 4-year partnership with Indian broadcaster Viacom18

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

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

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

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

Venue: Mumbai

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

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

We have named Chaim Bloom as an Advisor to the President of Baseball Operations.

Bloom most recently served as Chief Baseball Officer for the Boston Red Sox from 2019 through 2023.#STLCards pic.twitter.com/ykBdcFpge7
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) January 8, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

Key Promotions:

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

Additional Promotions:

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

Strategic Growth:

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

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

MLS Legend Ozzie Alonso Announces Retirement

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

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

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

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

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

Colorado Rapids Transfer Midfielder Max Alves to Cuiabá

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

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

OFFICIAL: The club has transferred Max Alves to Cuiabá Esporte Clube in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Campeonato Mato-Grossense.

📰 » https://t.co/ie99y6eJn5 pic.twitter.com/Cm8brbvI7f
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 8, 2024

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

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

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

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Abhishek Shukla

CF Montréal Names Laurent Courtois as New Head Coach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sponitor

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