by Abhishek Shukla

Portland Timbers Reinforce Goalkeeping Unit with Pantemis and Muse Acquisitions

The Portland Timbers have bolstered their goalkeeping roster by signing James Pantemis and Trey Muse, each on contracts running through the 2025 season with options for an additional year. General Manager Ned Grabavoy emphasized the club’s focus on revitalizing their goalkeeping group and expressed excitement about the competitive edge and experience the new signings will bring to the team.

Pantemis, a 26-year-old goalkeeper from Montréal, Quebec, is making the move to the Western Conference after an impactful six seasons with CF Montréal. With 34 regular-season appearances yielding seven clean sheets, Pantemis played a crucial role in securing the Eastern Conference’s second seed in the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for Montréal. His accolades also include a call-up to the Canadian Men’s National Team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, highlighting his growing reputation on the international stage.

Muse, aged 24 and hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, joins the Timbers after a standout season with the Charleston Battery, where he was instrumental in their run to the 2023 USL Championship final. Muse’s remarkable 2023 campaign saw him tied for the league lead in clean sheets and ranked seventh for saves, demonstrating his goalkeeping prowess. His MLS journey began with the Seattle Sounders FC, with subsequent loan spells enhancing his development and readiness for the higher echelons of the game.

With these strategic signings, the Timbers are set to face the upcoming season with a fortified goalkeeping team, consisting of Aljaz Ivacic, Trey Muse, James Pantemis, and Hunter Sulte. The club’s roster also includes a balanced mix of defenders, midfielders, and forwards, indicating a well-rounded team prepared to compete at a high level in the MLS.

The Timbers’ management has shown a clear intent to create a competitive and robust squad, ready to challenge for honors and success in the league. The addition of Pantemis and Muse is a significant step towards achieving those ambitions in the upcoming seasons.

Portland Timbers 2024 Roster (as of Jan. 5)

Goalkeepers (4): Aljaz Ivacic, Trey Muse, James Pantemis, Hunter Sulte

Defenders (7): Miguel Araujo, Claudio Bravo, Larrys Mabiala, Zac McGraw, Kamal Miller, Juan David Mosquera, Dario Zuparic

Midfielders (7): David Ayala, Diego Chara, Evander, Marvin Loría, Santiago Moreno, Cristhian Paredes, Eryk Williamson

Forwards (5): Antony, Dairon Asprilla, Nathan Fogaça, Tega Ikoba, Felipe Mora

by Matt Windsor (US)

IIHF President Luc Tardif Outlines Future of World Juniors and Olympic Participation

Luc Tardif, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), addressed the media in his annual medal-day World Junior Championship press conference, held at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg. He expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, describing it as a holiday gift to hockey fans and a showcase for the sport’s upcoming stars. Tardif praised Sweden’s hosting capabilities and confirmed the country would again host the World Championship in 2025.

The IIHF president announced that the agreement with Hockey Canada extends to 2034, ensuring that the World Juniors will be hosted in Canada biennially, with Ottawa set for 2025, followed by the United States in 2026, and returning to Canada in 2027.

On the topic of the Olympics, Tardif conveyed optimism about ongoing discussions with all stakeholders, including the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, and IOC. He hinted at a positive announcement expected before the end of February regarding Olympic participation and is aiming for a commitment that would cover the next two Olympic cycles.

Safety concerns regarding the inclusion of Russia and Belarus in IIHF competitions remain paramount. Tardif reiterated that their participation would depend entirely on the safety of athletes and the feasibility of hosting secure events.

Anders Larsson, head of the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation, contributed to the discussion by highlighting the impressive attendance figures expected for this year’s World Juniors in Sweden, potentially surpassing the record set in Malmo in 2014.

by Matt Windsor (US)

Yankees Bolster Pitching Roster with Cody Poteet for 2024 Season

The New York Yankees have made a strategic addition to their pitching staff by signing right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet to a one-year contract for the Major League roster. At 29, Poteet brings both experience and a promising arm as he joins the Yankees after a period of recovery.

The 2023 season saw Poteet make a single start for Triple-A Omaha where he pitched two scoreless innings, marking a significant step in his comeback from Tommy John surgery—baseball’s renowned reconstructive elbow procedure—which he underwent in August the previous year.

Poteet’s Major League track record includes time with the Miami Marlins during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, where he posted a 4.45 ERA across 19 games, including nine starts. His stats from this stint include 53 strikeouts and 27 walks over 58.2 innings pitched, offering a glimpse of his capabilities on the mound.

Before signing with the Yankees, Poteet had a brief tenure with the Kansas City Royals on a minor league contract. He spent a considerable part of his career within the Marlins organization, where he honed his skills over seven seasons.

His minor league experience is extensive, with 104 appearances and 100 starts, yielding a 3.80 ERA. This background illustrates Poteet’s resilience and potential as a starting pitcher, despite a win-loss record that suggests room for growth in the right environment.

A native of San Diego, California, Poteet’s baseball journey traces back to his collegiate days at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was initially drafted in 2012 by the Washington Nationals but did not sign, eventually joining the Marlins as their fourth-round pick in the 2015 draft.

The Yankees’ move to acquire Poteet indicates their desire to reinforce their pitching options with an arm that has shown flashes of effectiveness at the Major League level. The team is evidently willing to invest in Poteet’s post-surgery potential, aiming to provide depth and versatility to their rotation or bullpen for the 2024 season.

by Abhishek Shukla

Czechia Stages Incredible Comeback to Win Bronze, Beating Finland 8-5 in World Juniors

Czechia pulled off a remarkable comeback in the bronze medal game of the World Junior Championship, overcoming a 5-2 deficit against Finland to win 8-5. The Czech team’s stunning third-period performance saw them score six unanswered goals, including four in just 50 seconds, setting a new record for the fastest goals scored in the tournament’s history.

Tomas Hamara emerged as the hero for Czechia, scoring the game-winning goal with just over a minute left in the game, shortly after Ondrej Becher tied the score. Czechia’s victory was marked by two additional records: scoring two goals in two seconds and claiming their second consecutive medal at the World Juniors.

Hamara, reflecting on his decisive goal and the team’s spirit, emphasized the importance of resilience and preparation by the coaching staff. His goal, along with contributions from Becher and Jiri Kulich, who had a hat trick and two assists, propelled Czechia to a historic win.

The game started with Finland taking an early lead, with goals from Rasmus Kumpulainen and Jani Nyman. However, Czechia’s response was swift, with Kulich scoring on a power play and Becher adding a crucial short-handed goal.

The second period was a flurry of goals, with Finland initially extending their lead before Czechia started their incredible comeback in the third. Kulich’s power-play goal early in the final period set the stage for the dramatic finish.

Finland, despite leading comfortably at one point, was left stunned as Czechia completed their improbable turnaround. The Czech team’s determination and ability to capitalize on opportunities in the crucial moments of the game were key to their triumph.

Czechia’s victory not only secures them the bronze medal but also cements their status as a rising power in junior hockey. For Finland, the loss is a bitter end to a tournament that saw them come close to a medal finish.

by Matt Windsor (US)

Owens’ Catch Seals 49ers’ Victory Over Packers in 1998 Wild Card

SAN FRANCISCO – In a memorable Wild Card showdown on January 3, 1999, the San Francisco 49ers edged out the Green Bay Packers with a nail-biting 30-27 victory. The game, which unfolded at 3Com Park, is best remembered for Terrell Owens’ redemption in the final seconds.

The 49ers’ victory was a classic tale of resilience, especially for Owens. Despite fumbling away a reception early on, Owens found redemption by catching a game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass from Steve Young. This moment, now etched in NFL history, occurred with just 58 minutes and 49 seconds on the clock, showcasing Owens’ determination and Young’s trust in his receiver.

The match saw three ties and lead changes, and with the 49ers trailing 27-23, Young orchestrated a desperation drive that culminated in the unforgettable play. Owens’ catch between Green Bay defenders was not just a score; it became a turning point in his career, later reflecting on it as the moment that directed his path toward Canton, Ohio, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Legendary 49ers radio network announcer Joe Starkey captured the moment with an electrifying call, “Owens, Owens, Owens!” and “He caught it! He caught it! He caught it!”, which resonated with fans and listeners, amplifying the intensity of the catch that sealed the game.

This game remains a highlight reel staple and a fond memory for 49ers fans, marking one of the franchise’s greatest finishes. Owens’ remarkable catch symbolizes the game’s unpredictable nature and the incredible highs and lows that come with it.

by Abhishek Shukla

NFL Week 18 Heats Up: Playoff Berths and Division Titles at Stake

As the NFL heads into the final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is far from settled. Week 18 brings high stakes with 20 teams still in contention for the Super Bowl, five playoff berths available, and four division titles yet to be claimed.

AFC East Showdown: Bills vs. Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills (10-6) face the Miami Dolphins (11-5) on Sunday, with the game carrying significant weight for the AFC East division title. The Dolphins have secured a playoff spot, but the Bills can still make it to the postseason with a win or if other results go their way.

AFC South Title Hangs in the Balance
In the AFC South, both the Houston Texans (9-7) and the Indianapolis Colts (9-7) have critical matchups, with the Texans taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7). The winner of the Texans-Colts game could seize the division title, depending on the Jaguars’ performance against the Tennessee Titans (5-11).

NFC South Rivalries Intensify
The NFC South is equally contentious. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) could clinch the division with a win over the Carolina Panthers (1-4), while the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) face the New Orleans Saints (1-0). If the Buccaneers win and the Saints lose, Tampa Bay takes the title, but the Saints can still claim a playoff spot depending on other outcomes.

NFC East: Cowboys and Eagles Vie for Title
The Dallas Cowboys (11-5) and Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) have both clinched playoff spots but will battle it out for the NFC East crown. The Cowboys can secure the division with a win or an Eagles loss, while the Eagles can clinch the title with a victory and a Cowboys defeat.

Wild Card Races Tighten
The AFC Wild Card spots are still up for grabs, with the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers all in contention. The NFC’s final Wild Card spot is a three-way race between the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints, with tiebreakers potentially playing a crucial role.

With a full slate of games critical to the postseason landscape, NFL fans are gearing up for a dramatic conclusion to the regular season. Every play counts as teams fight for a chance to extend their seasons and, ultimately, vie for the Super Bowl.

by Abhishek Shukla

PKL 10: U Mumba begin home leg in style, beat Bengaluru Bulls 40-35

5th January, MUMBAI: U Mumba got their home leg off to a rollicking start as they earned a commanding 40-35 win over Bengaluru Bulls in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 match at the DOME by NSCI in Mumbai. U Mumba’s Bittu, making his PKL debut, impressed with 6 tackle points.


Buoyed by a boisterous home crowd, U Mumba went all guns blazing from the first raid and inflicted an ALL OUT as early as the 7th minute. Guman Singh and Amirmohammad Zafardanesh picked points at will and the U Mumba defence was rock-solid as Bittu’s tackle on Aman put U Mumba ahead 11-3.

Bengaluru Bulls were forced to play catch up thereon. Their first tackle point came only in the 11th minute and that summed up their defensive show as they struggled to contain U Mumba’s three-pronged raiding unit. Bulls’ ace raider Bharat was unable to find a rhythm and Vikash Kandola offered some hope but failed to capitalize on numerous chances to inflict the ALL OUT on U Mumba. The home team played with 3 men for nearly 5 minutes and held on to go into the break with a 19-10 lead.

U Mumba extended their lead early into the second half as Zafardanesh’s multi-point raid reduced the Bulls to 2 men. Sushil came off the bench to the Bulls’ rescue and scored 6 quickfire points and Aman claimed a SUPER TACKLE, but it still wasn’t enough to stop U Mumba from grabbing a second ALL OUT. With 12 minutes left, the hosts sat pretty at 28-18.

U Mumba brought on a couple of players from the bench for the remainder of the match as they dominated the proceedings. Bittu, who replaced Rinku in the U Mumba line-up, trapped Bharat in a fine tackle to claim a High 5. Bulls’ veteran defender Surjeet Singh produced a moment of magic towards the end of the game as he outwitted 3 defenders to execute the first SUPER RAID of the match. Incidentally, this was also the first SUPER RAID of Surjeet’s PKL career.

Sachin Narwal followed it up with another sublime SUPER RAID and U Mumba had just 2 men left on the mat. The Bulls went on to bag an ALL OUT in the final raid of the match, but it wasn’t enough to erase their deficit as U Mumba clinched their 5th win on the trot.

Please see below the PKL Season 10 matches on 6th January

Game 1 – U Mumba vs Jaipur Pink Panthers- 8 pm

Game 2- Telugu Titans vs Gujarat Giants- 9pm

Venue: Mumbai
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

UKK: Gujarat Giants ensure semifinal berth with huge win over Rajasthan Warriors

Cuttack, January 5, 2024: Gujarat Giants became the second team to qualify for the semifinals of Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 with a commanding 46-22 victory over Rajasthan Warriors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack on Friday. 

The 24-point gap was the largest margin of victory in Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2. An impressive attacking display saw eleven different players contribute attacking points to the Gujarat Giants tally.

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.

Gujarat Giants, who won the toss and chose to defend first, had a good Turn 1 with their first two batches netting a combined three dream run points. They further solidified the advantage with a superb attacking display in Turn 2. Rajasthan Warriors’ first batch lasted a mere minute and 37 seconds. Their second and third batches both fared only marginally better as Gujarat Giants carried an impressive 17-point lead into the second innings. It was truly a team effort from the Gujarat Giants attackers as seven different players managed to score attacking points.

Rajasthan Warriors needed a brilliant Turn 3 to salvage something from the match but things did not get any better for them. The first Gujarat Giants batch of captain Akshay Bhangare, Faizankha Pathan and Abhijit Patil scored two dream run points. The next batch of Ram Mohan, V Subramani and Rajvardhan Patil managed another dream point as Gujarat Giants took a virtually unassailable 30-20 lead into the final turn.

Rajasthan Warriors did get Turn 4 off to a decent start as the first batch of Vijay Hajare, Vrushab Wagh and Sushant Hajare scored two dream run points. However, it was too little too late as Gujarat Giants wrapped up a commanding victory

In an earlier game, Telugu Yoddhas moved to the top of the Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 table with a 38-30 victory over Chennai Quick Guns. The result meant that Telugu Yoddhas became the first team to qualify for the semifinals. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMoBxf9I8eo

Telugu Yoddhas attacked first and they got off to a flier, sending back Chennai Quick Guns’ first batch in just a minute and 43 seconds. Their second batch, which included the in-form Ramji Kashyap, only managed to fare marginally better, lasting a minute and 43 seconds.There was still more than two minutes left when the third batch returned to the bench. And when all three players of the fourth batch went off, there were still 37 seconds left on the clock. Not one of the four Chennai Quick Guns batches managed to last even two minutes. It was a stunning attacking turn from the Telugu Yoddhas as they led 24-0. The star of the show was Mandal with ten points, which included four sky dives and a pole dive. 

Chennai Quick Guns got their quest for a recovery off to a good start in Turn 2 as the first Telugu Yoddhas batch lasted only two minutes and 41 seconds on the mat. However, their second batch of Dhruv, Mandal and Akash Togare frustrated the Chennai Quick Gun attackers, scoring a dream run point. Telugu Yoddhas went into the second innings with a 25-12 lead.

Despite a couple of dream run points in Turn 3, Chennai Quick Guns went into the final turn with a 23-point lead to overturn. It was a lead that Telugu Yoddhas managed to defend despite a good show by the Chennai Quick Guns attackers. 

Saturday will see Gujarat Giants take on Odisha Juggernauts in the first game. Chennai Quick Guns will take on Mumbai Khiladis in the second game.

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

by Abhishek Shukla

PKL 10: Dabang Delhi KC stop Patna Pirates second half comeback to win

MUMBAI, 5th January 2024: Despite a remarkable second half comeback, the Patna Pirates fell short of one point loss (37-38) to Dabang Delhi KC at the Dome by NSCI on Wednesday. Dabang Delhi’s Ashu Malik (10 points) and Patna Pirates’ raiders Sachin (10 points) and M Sudhakar (9 points) were the standout performers of the evening.  

In a blistering first half performance Dabang Delhi KC inflicted two ALL OUTs on the Pirates. The first came within the first 10 minutes, as they took a five-point lead, and the second followed merely six minutes later to give them a 10-point advantage.

Dabang Delhi KC’s raiders, Malik, Meetu Sharma and Manjeet logged an incredible 13 points from 20 raids in the first half, leaving the Patna Pirates chasing shadows. Malik in particular was not tackled even once in the first half even registering a SUPER RAID with a minute left in the half. Time and again Sachin had pulled the Pirates out of trouble in the season, but on the day, he was subdued by a confident Dabang Delhi KC defence as they took a 13 points advantage into the break.

The Patna irates defence finally clicked into place in the second half, and inflicted an ALL OUT of their own, to cut the lead down to six points. Sachin came to life soon after, registering a SUPER RAID to take out Ashish, Vikrant and Mohit to pull them closer.

The Patna Pirates surge continued through the half, as Sachin and M Sudhakar’s brilliant raiding kept them within three points till late in the game. In the end though, Dabang Delhi KC held on by running down the clock to take the win.

Please see below the PKL Season 10 matches on 6th January

Game 1 – U Mumba vs Jaipur Pink Panthers- 8 pm

Game 2- Telugu Titans vs Gujarat Giants- 9pm

Venue: Mumbai

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

Tajon Buchanan Joins Inter Milan from Club Brugge

MILAN, ITALY – In a landmark transfer, Canadian international Tajon Buchanan has made a significant leap in his professional soccer career by joining Serie A leaders Inter Milan from Belgian side Club Brugge.

The 24-year-old winger/wingback’s move to one of Italy’s most illustrious teams was confirmed on Friday, with the transfer fee reported to be around $7.6 million, plus additional add-ons. This transfer follows Buchanan’s earlier move from the New England Revolution to Club Brugge for $7 million, along with a 10% sell-on fee, ensuring a financial return for the Revolution.

Buchanan’s journey began in the MLS with the New England Revolution, who selected him ninth overall in the first round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft from Syracuse University. He quickly developed into a key player for the Revolution, contributing significantly to their Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign in 2021 and earning a spot in the MLS Best XI. His tenure with the Revolution ended with an impressive 12 goals and 11 assists in 67 games across all competitions.

At Club Brugge, Buchanan continued his upward trajectory, scoring 5 goals and providing 12 assists in 67 games across all competitions. Internationally, Buchanan has been a regular for Canada since his debut in June 2021, recording 4 goals and 7 assists in 35 appearances. He played a crucial role in Canada’s historic Qatar 2022 World Cup squad.

Buchanan’s move to Inter Milan is significant not only for his career but also for Canadian soccer, as he becomes the first Canadian player to join a Serie A club. He is expected to vie for a starting position at Inter, particularly in light of Juan Cuadrado’s long-term injury, which has left a gap in manager Simone Inzaghi’s squad.

Inter Milan, currently leading the Serie A race and preparing for a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 series against Atlético Madrid, will undoubtedly benefit from Buchanan’s versatility and talent. Last season, the club won the Coppa Italia and was the runner-up in the Champions League final against Manchester City. Buchanan’s addition is a strategic move for Inter, aiming to bolster their squad for continued success in both domestic and European competitions.

by Abhishek Shukla

Fixtures revealed for historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and the USA

The fixtures for the ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have been revealed with the event to be co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA from 1 to 29 June 2024.

The pinnacle ICC men’s T20 event will see a record 20 teams divided into four groups competing across 55 games for the right to be crowned ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Champions 2024, including co-hosts the West Indies and the USA, together with the other qualifiers: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uganda.

The 20 teams have been divided into four groups of five, with the top two teams progressing to the Super Eights:

Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada and the USA

Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland and Oman

Group C: New Zealand, the West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea

Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Nepal

The event commences with the two co-hosts starting their campaigns on the first two days of June. The USA will take on Canada in the tournament opener at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas on Saturday 1 June, while the West Indies will kickstart their campaign against Papua New Guinea at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday 2 June.

Defending champions England will begin their title defence on Tuesday 4 June in Barbados against Scotland and 2022 finalists, Pakistan, will get their challenge going on Thursday 6 June, when they play the USA in Dallas.

Among the plethora of blockbuster matchups scheduled in the group stage, fans can look forward to Sri Lanka taking on South Africa in New York on Monday 3 June, while England will go up against archrivals Australia in Barbados on Saturday 8 June. Another highly anticipated fixture will see the West Indies taking on New Zealand on Wednesday 12 June at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

First-time Qualifiers Uganda will play their first ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup fixture in Guyana against Afghanistan on Monday, 3 June. Nepal, who qualified for the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2014, will open their campaign against Sri Lanka in one of four matches to be played at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

Upon completion of the group stage, the top two teams from each of the four groups will move into the Super Eight stage of the competition. Teams seeded first and second in their groups in the first round will retain that seeding in the Super Eight, provided they qualify. Super Eight matches are scheduled to be played in popular Caribbean tourist destinations Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The two top teams from each group in the Super Eight will progress to the semi-finals, which will be held in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 June respectively. The final will be held at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday 29 June.

ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice said: “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 marks an exciting expansion of our sport with more teams than ever before set to compete in this event. It’s going to be an incredible spectacle bringing together 20 international teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia, East-Asia Pacific and Europe.

“The release of the fixtures is made even more exciting for fans as we enter a new frontier, with the USA hosting a major ICC event for the first time. With 16 matches being played across three venues in the USA, it allows us to make a statement in the world’s biggest sports market.

“It will also be great to have an ICC event back in the West Indies, which has such a rich history of the game. It has hosted World Cups with great success in the past and this tournament will certainly provide a boost to the game there, especially with the final being played in Barbados.”

CWI Chief Executive Johnny Grave said: “The announcement of the match schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 marks a significant milestone in our preparations for this year’s tournament.  We know that teams, fans and cricket enthusiasts worldwide have been eagerly awaiting this announcement, and now that it is available, it provides a roadmap for the thrilling journey that lies ahead.

“In addition to the match fixtures, the announcement also highlights the host countries and iconic venues that will set the stage for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Each host country and city will bring its own unique flavour to the tournament, and fans from every corner of the globe can expect an exciting blend of T20 cricketing entertainment, local culture and warm hospitality.

“From classic rivalries to history making upsets and continental showdowns, fans can start looking forward to an action-packed month of games at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next June, and we encourage everyone to get tickets as soon as they go on sale as we expect the demand to be high.”

The Chair of T20 World Cup Incorporated, the entity established in the USA to deliver the event, Peter Hutton said: “The USA is already one of cricket’s biggest audiences for ICC events and bringing the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to New York City, Dallas and Florida is a massive opportunity to exponentially grow the sport. We’ve got three fantastic venues to host matches and we strongly encourage fans in the USA and around the world to start planning to secure their tickets for what will be a unique cricket spectacle featuring the best players in the world.”

Vijay Srinivasan, co-Founder, Major League Cricket said: “Major League Cricket is delighted to host the marquee opening match for the biggest-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the premier MLC venue, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in North Texas.

“We know that cricket fans from across the country will be out in force on June 1 as the United States hosts Canada in the curtain-raiser for the tournament. The match will mark a new chapter in a rivalry dating back longer than any other in international cricket, all the way to 1844.

“In addition, we can’t wait to welcome fans from Pakistan, the Netherlands, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to the Lone Star State for a further three matches at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium where many of the stars of Major League Cricket will be playing for their countries.”

Full fixtures for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Sat, 1 June 2024 – USA v CANADA, Dallas

Sun, 2 June 2024 – WEST INDIES v PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Guyana

Sun, 2 June 2024 – NAMIBIA v OMAN, Barbados

Mon, 3 June 2024 – SL v SOUTH AFRICA, New York

Mon, 3 June 2024 – AFGHANISTAN v UGANDA, Guyana

Tue, 4 June 2024 – ENGLAND v SCOTLAND, Barbados

Tue, 4 June 2024 – NETHERLANDS v NEPAL, Dallas

Wed, 5 June 2024 – INDIA v IRELAND, New York

Wed, 5 June 2024 – PAPUA NEW GUINEA v UGANDA, Guyana

Wed, 5 June 2024 – AUSTRALIA v OMAN, Barbados

Thur, 6 June 2024 – USA v PAKISTAN, Dallas

Thur, 6 June 2024 – NAMIBIA v SCOTLAND, Barbados

Fri, 7 June 2024 – CANADA v IRELAND, New York

Fri, 7 June 2024 – NEW ZEALAND v AFGHANISTAN, Guyana

Fri, 7 June 2024 – SRI LANKA v BANGLADESH, Dallas

Sat, 8 June 2024 – NETHERLANDS v SOUTH AFRICA, New York

Sat, 8 June 2024 – AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Barbados

Sat, 8 June 2024 – WEST INDIES v UGANDA, Guyana

Sun, 9 June 2024 – INDIA v PAKISTAN, New York

Sun, 9 June 2024 – OMAN v SCOTLAND, Antigua

Mon, 10 June 2024 – SOUTH AFRICA v BANGLADESH, New York

Tue, 11 June 2024 – PAKISTAN v CANADA, New York

Tue, 11 June 2024 – SRI LANKA v NEPAL, Florida

Tue, 11 June 2024 – AUSTRALIA v NAMIBIA, Antigua

Wed, 12 June 2024 – USA v INDIA, New York

Wed, 12 June 2024 – WEST INDIES v NEW ZEALAND, Trinidad

Thur, 13 June 2024 – ENGLAND v OMAN, Antigua

Thur, 13 June 2024 – BANGLADESH v NETHERLANDS, St. Vincent

Thur, 13 June 2024 – AFGHANISTAN v PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Trinidad

Fri, 14 June 2024 – USA v IRELAND, Florida

Fri, 14 June 2024 – SOUTH AFRICA v NEPAL, St. Vincent

Fri, 14 June 2024 – NEW ZEALAND v UGANDA, Trinidad

Sat, 15 June 2024 – INDIA v CANADA, Florida

Sat, 15 June 2024 – NAMIBIA v ENGLAND, Antigua

Sat, 15 June 2024 – AUSTRALIA v SCOTLAND, St. Lucia

Sun, 16 June 2024 – PAKISTAN v IRELAND, Florida

Sun, 16 June 2024 – BANGLADESH v NEPAL, St. Vincent

Sun, 16 June 2024 – SRI LANKA v NETHERLANDS, St. Lucia

Mon, 17 June 2024 – NEW ZEALAND v PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Trinidad

Mon, 17 June 2024 – WEST INDIES v AFGHANISTAN, St. Lucia

Wed, 19 June 2024 – A2 v D1, Antigua

Wed, 19 June 2024 – B1 v C2, St. Lucia

Thur, 20 June 2024 – C1 v A1, Barbados

Thur, 20 June 2024 – B2 v D2, Antigua

Fri, 21 June 2024 – B1 v D1, St. Lucia

Fri, 21 June 2024 – A2 v C2, Barbados

Sat, 22 June 2024 – A1 v D2, Antigua

Sat, 22 June 2024 – C1 v B2, St. Vincent

Sun, 23 June 2024 – A2 v B1, Barbados

Sun, 23 June 2024 – C2 v D1, Antigua

Mon, 24 June 2024 – B2 v A1, St. Lucia

Mon, 24 June 2024 – C1 v D2, St. Vincent

Wed, 26 June 2024 – Semi 1, Guyana

Thur, 27 June 2024 – Semi 2, Trinidad

Sat, 29 June 2024 – Final, Barbados

by Abhishek Shukla

ICC Awards 2023: Final nominees revealed for Sobers, Heyhoe Flint and Test Awards

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the final group of outstanding performers shortlisted in three ICC Awards 2023 categories; the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year.

The reveal of the final set of categories means that global cricket fans can now vote for their favourite cricketers from 2023 in nine ICC Awards categories.

The nominees for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy see Australia and India share two candidates each after a year in which they met in both the ICC World Test Championship Final and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final.

Pat Cummins lifted the silverware on both of those occasions, and the Australia skipper is nominated in the top men’s category following a landmark year. Cummins, a former ICC Test Cricketer of the Year (2019), hit new heights in 2023, showcasing outstanding captaincy skills and also dazzling with ball in hand, taking 59 wickets in Tests and ODIs. 

Travis Head also enjoyed a momentous year as one of the primary architects of Australia’s trophy-winning success. Head became the player for the big occasion in 2023, starring with the bat in both Finals to claim the Player of the Match award. The all-rounder amassed almost 1700 runs across formats during the year and claimed important wickets with the ball.

India icon Virat Kohli is in contention to win his third Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after more notable run-scoring feats in 2023. Kohli eclipsed ICC Hall of Famer Sachin Tendulkar last year with a record-breaking 50th ODI century, and can also boast the Player of the Tournament award from CWC23 and 2048 international runs.

Ravindra Jadeja completes the lineup of nominees for the top men’s award following a year in which he took 66 wickets – more than any other player – and recorded 613 runs across formats, providing valuable contributions in India’s spin attack on their way to two Finals.

The shortlist for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy features 2022 winner Nat Sciver-Brunt, after another year of dominance across formats in women’s international cricket. The England all-rounder took nine wickets and scored 894 runs in 2023, holding an impressive batting average of 45.50 in T20Is and 131.00 in ODIs.

Chamari Athapaththu is the only player nominated in three categories in the ICC Awards 2023 thanks to a standout year in the women’s game. The Sri Lanka skipper was in dazzling form for much of 2023, leading from the front as her side claimed landmark series victories and scoring 885 runs along the way in ODIs and T20Is.

Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner took more wickets than anyone else in women’s internationals in 2023, taking 58 wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Beyond the statistics, Gardner also won the Player of the Tournament award at the record-breaking ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for her all-round brilliance, and became the first player to win back-to-back ICC Women’s Player of the Month prizes in June and July.

Her compatriot Beth Mooney also stands in contention for the top women’s award thanks to a memorable year in which she scored more runs than anyone else in women’s international cricket. Mooney registered 1040 runs in 2023, which included a match-winning 74 not out in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final victory over hosts South Africa.

The ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year contenders include two heroes from Australia’s World Test Championship winning campaign.

Opener Usman Khawaja topped the run-scoring charts in the longest format last year, amassing 1210 runs at an average of 52.60 which included three centuries. As well as his crucial performances in Australia’s maiden WTC triumph, Khawaja was leading run-scorer in the high octane Ashes series in June and July.

Also nominated is Travis Head, the all-rounder recording 919 runs in the longest format at an average of 41.77. The highlight of his Test year was undoubtedly his starring role in the WTC Final win over India hitting a memorable knock of 163 in the first innings at the Oval.

R Ashwin ended the year as the top ranked Test bowler in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Bowler Rankings, taking 41 wickets at a striking average of 17.02 and recording the most five-wicket hauls of anyone in Tests in 2023 with four.

England’s Test resurgence continued in 2023, and Joe Root was at the forefront of England’s success. Root last claimed the Test Cricketer of the Year award back in 2021, and this time around he registered 787 runs in eight Tests, finishing the year with a strong average of 65.58.

More information about each of the nominees can be found here.

Fans are now able to vote for their favourite players in selected ICC Awards categories here.

Shortlists have revealed in nine ICC Awards 2023 categories, and have been determined by a specialist panel of cricket writers and broadcasters, who selected the nominees according to on-field performances and overall achievements in international cricket through the calendar year.

Fan voting results will be combined with selections made by the ICC Voting Academy to identify the winner in each of the shortlisted categories.

Other categories which will be celebrated in the ICC Awards 2023 include the ICC Men’s and Women’s Associate Cricketers of the Year, the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award and the ICC Umpire of the Year, making a total of 13 prizes.

In addition to the individual awards, five ICC Teams of the Year will be also decided by the ICC Voting Academy, identifying the standout XIs across men’s and women’s international cricket in 2023.

Winners of the ICC Awards 2023 will be announced later in January 2024.

ICC Awards 2023 – Shortlists

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year; Pat Cummins (Australia), Travis Head (Australia), Ravindra Jadeja (India), Virat Kohli (India)

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year; Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), Beth Mooney (Australia), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)

ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year; R Ashwin (India), Travis Head (Australia), Usman Khawaja (Australia), Joe Root (England)

ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year; Shubman Gill (India), Virat Kohli (India), Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand), Mohammed Shami (India)

ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year; Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)

ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year; Mark Chapman (New Zealand), Alpesh Ramjani (Uganda), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Suryakumar Yadav (India)

ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year; Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Ellyse Perry (Australia)

ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year; Gerald Coetzee (South Africa), Yashasvi Jaiswal (India), Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka), Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year; Marufa Akter (Bangladesh), Lauren Bell (England), Darcey Carter (Scotland), Phoebe Litchfield (Australia)

by Abhishek Shukla

Kansas City Royals Hire Johnny DiPuglia and Fred Guerrero for Key Scouting Roles

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Kansas City Royals have made significant additions to their International Scouting department by hiring Johnny DiPuglia as Special Assistant of International Scouting and Fred Guerrero as Coordinator of Player Evaluation.

Rene Francisco, the Royals’ Sr. VP of Major League & International Operations/Assistant GM, expressed enthusiasm about these appointments: “Their wealth of experience and stellar reputations as scouts make them valuable assets to our team.”

DiPuglia brings a wealth of experience from the Washington Nationals, where he oversaw international operations for 15 seasons, recently serving as Vice President & Assistant General Manager of International Operations. A recognized figure in the scouting community, DiPuglia was honored as the Professional Scouts International Scout of the Year in 2019 and inducted into the South Florida Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020. His illustrious career includes stints with the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals. He has been instrumental in signing notable players such as Juan Soto, José Iglesias, and Xander Bogaerts.

Fred Guerrero moves to the Royals after a successful tenure with the Minnesota Twins, where he was the Director of Latin American Scouting & US Integration since 2014. He started with the Twins as Dominican Scout Supervisor in 2004. Guerrero has been pivotal in the signings of several key players, including Luis Arraez and Miguel Sanó, during his 20 years with the Twins.

The Royals’ decision to bring in DiPuglia and Guerrero indicates a strategic move to strengthen their international scouting capabilities. Their extensive experience and successful track records in identifying and signing international talent are expected to significantly enhance the Royals’ scouting operations and contribute to the team’s future success.

by Abhishek Shukla

World Curling to promote floor curling globally

Perth, Scotland – The World Curling Federation has today announced that it is expanding its long-standing partnership with Rock Solid Productions Inc., the global leader in iceless curling.
 
The partnership will promote floor curling within the World Curling Federation’s membership and aid in the establishment of new Member Associations. The partnership will see the World Curling Federation manage the governance for the floor curling discipline.
 
World Curling Federation President, Beau Welling said, “The World Curling Federation is delighted to grow our partnership with Rock Solid Productions and expand the role that floor curling can provide in promoting and developing our sport.
 
“We’ve seen substantial membership growth over the last number of years but many of our younger members don’t have access to ice to practice. Floor curling has a track record of successfully introducing curling to the masses and this new partnership will allow us to take it one step further by introducing tournaments to the off-ice discipline.”
 
Rock Solid Productions was founded in 2008 and its products are currently present in over 60 countries worldwide. Since its establishment, Rock Solid Productions has provided floor curling opportunities to millions of people. Tens of thousands of these floor curlers —primarily school children— eventually started playing on ice.
 
Rock Solid Productions President, Chad McMullan said, “As official partners of the World Curling Federation since 2015, we are very excited about this next step in the evolution of floor curling.
 
“Floor curling is a naturally inclusive sport, allowing people of all abilities to be able to compete together, at the same time. We have delivered almost three million floor curling experiences in Canada over the past 15 years, and this expanded partnership will help bring those opportunities to the rest of the world as well.”
 
World Curling Federation, Head of Development, Scott Arnold added, “One of the goals of this partnership was to standardise the rules of floor curling. This has been accomplished with the publishing of the World Floor Curling™ Official Rules of Play and Official Rules of Competition.
 
“To make these new rule books more accessible, we created online courses. These are presently in English, but our intention is to translate the courses into other languages to aid in the adaptation and growth of floor curling throughout our membership.”
 
World Curling Federation Commercial Partnerships Manager James Beatt said, “The partnership will provide our member associations the opportunity to create new pathways to further commercialise the sport in their respective nations. This is the first step to break down barriers to entry and reduce the cost to participate worldwide.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Results of IWLF National Senior, Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships – 8th Day

Friday, 5th January 2024 – The results of eight day of IWLF National Senior, Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships at Itanagar will be as under:-

175Kapil SonowalAssam102 kgYouth Boys123153276I05-01-2024
176Prince RuhilHaryana102 kgYouth Boys123152275II05-01-2024
177Ch. VamsiAndhra Pradesh102 kgYouth Boys124150274III05-01-2024
178M. Rakesh KumarTamil Nadu102 kgJunior Men129157286I05-01-2024
179Sagar KumarBihar102 kgJunior Men124160284II05-01-2024
180Prashant Kumar KalleyPunjab102 kgJunior Men119160279III05-01-2024
181Sambo LapungSSCB102 kgSenior Men147191338I05-01-2024
182Harshit SehrawatHaryana102 kgSenior Men148180328II05-01-2024
183Ajeet SinghRSPB102 kgSenior Men137183320III05-01-2024
184Harshit SehrawatHaryana102 kgInter-State Men148180328I05-01-2024
185AmitHaryana102 kgInter-State Men139177316II05-01-2024
186Gursewak SinghChandigarh102 kgInter-State Men141174315III05-01-2024
187Oviya K.Tamil Nadu81 kgYouth Girls83105188I05-01-2024
188K. SubikshaTamil Nadu81 kgYouth Girls7697173II05-01-2024
189Santushti ChaudharyUttar Pradesh81 kgYouth Girls7795172III05-01-2024
190Oviya K.Tamil Nadu81 kgJunior Women83105188I05-01-2024
191R.P. KeerthanaTamil Nadu81 kgJunior Women83104187II05-01-2024
192Sheetal BhatiHaryana81 kgJunior Women7996175III05-01-2024
193Vanshita VermaRSPB81 kgSenior Women96124220I05-01-2024
194Rakhi PurohitRajasthan81 kgSenior Women86109195II05-01-2024
195Navdeep KaurChandigarh81 kgSenior Women86104190III05-01-2024
196Rakhi PurohitRajasthan81 kgInter-State Women86109195I05-01-2024
197Navdeep KaurChandigarh81 kgInter-State Women86104190II05-01-2024
198Anjana SreejithKerala81 kgInter-State Women83107190III05-01-2024
by Abhishek Shukla

85th Youth and Junior National TT: Hosts WB will rely on Syndrela for the podium finish

Kolkata, January 5: The 85th edition of the UTT Inter-State Youth and Junior National Championships, beginning at the Netaji Indoor Stadium tomorrow, get underway with the Team Events of Under-19 Girls as 31 teams have entered the fray in what looks like an interesting, but tough competition for the coveted title.

Concurrently, the events will also witness group matches in the Under-17 section alongside the team events for the Youth Girls, making the first leg of the all-girls show at the nationals fascinating.

The Maharashtra girls, who won gold in the previous edition in Chennai, is still the team to beat on its sheer strength and deservingly occupies the top slot in Group A. Haryana, hosts West Bengal and first-timer National Centre of Excellence (Kolkata) follow them in that order to take their positions in the first four groups, while Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are in Group E to H at the end of the team draw held at the venue this afternoon.

For the team draw, the competition department has considered the rankings of the best three players of teams for the top slots, while the rest of the teams going in different groups are random.

Before we dwell into the team prospectus at the Nationals, one is equally worried over the relegation of Karnataka, whose girls finished on the podium to claim the bronze. The absence of Yashaswini Ghorpade, who has since moved to PSPB, has also graduated to the senior section, ruling out her participation.

Similarly, Maharashtra has preferred Pritha Vartika over Jennifer Verghese, who was a part of the gold-winning squad in Chennai. The induction of Pritha has undoubtedly strengthened the team, but dropping Jennifer was not a good option.

From the hosts’ point of view, they will mostly rely on Syndrela Das. The U-15 girl has remained a phenomenon this season, including winning three titles at the Vadodara National Ranking championships in November. Syndrela, on her day, can be a real threat to the best in business. However, she will have the support of teammates Dista Roy, Nandini Saha and Saanvi Roy, who all can make a difference.

But their job, apart from countering the Suhana Saini-led Haryana, the West Bengal girls will feel the heat from Subhakrita Datta of NCOE, the team from Kolkata SAI Centre. They have capable hands in Dharshini Mouriya, Vartica Bharat and Sandika Bhattacharjee.

The dark horse in the competition for medals could be Delhi. They have a good mix of Lakshita Narang, Prisha Goel, Riddhima Kapoor and Vanshika Mudgal. UP will depend on Avni Tripathi, Suhani Mahajan, Disha and Aarti. Tamil Nadu, though the Group E leader, needs to push their case through Shriya Anand, Kavyashree Baskar, Ananya Muralidharn and Sharvani Nagam. Beyond these teams, one doesn’t expect the rest in the fray to upset the applecart. Not even a miracle is possible.

However, there is some concern for the organisers, the Bengal State Table Tennis Association (BSTTA), on the eve of the championships. The equipment-laden truck from STAG was struck somewhere near Dhanbad and may not make it to the venue before midnight. The BSTTA Secretary, Sharmi Sengupta, said she hoped the championships would begin at 9 a.m. as per the scheduling by the competition, Manager N. Ganeshan.

He said A.S. Kler (referee), K.R. Manjunatha (deputy), and about 60 Blue Badge, International and National umpires, will oversee the smooth conduct of the championships, coming to Kolkata after 2014.

by Abhishek Shukla

DP World ILT20 introduces Super-Sub and Wildcard for Season 2

Dubai, 5 January 2024: The DP World International League T2o has introduced the Super-Sub and Wildcard for Season 2. The UAE’s biggest T20 tournament commences on Friday, 19 January with a clash between defending champions Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriors at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The two new features are set to add even more excitement for the fans with the six tournament franchises required to put on their thinking cap while putting together their strategies for both the composition of their final tournament squads through the Wildcard as well as their playing elevens and Super-Sub nominations during the 34-match tournament.

Super-Sub – DP World ILT20 Season 2:
Each team will have an option to substitute one player at any stage of the match after completion of the first over of the innings. If desired by the team, Super-Sub can be introduced right from the start of the second innings. A player once substituted cannot participate in the remaining part of the match.

The Head Coach shall nominate the Super-Sub to the fourth umpire and the on-field umpire will signal the scorers (wrists crossed above the head) indicating that the Super-Sub is being introduced.

The Super-Sub can be introduced after the start of the match or after completion of an over or in case of a batter, at the fall of the wicket or the batter retiring at any time during the over. The bowling team may also utilise a Super-Sub at the fall of a wicket, but that Super-Sub will not be permitted to bowl the remaining balls in that over if the wicket has fallen mid over.

Wildcard – DP World ILT20 Season 2:
Each franchise is permitted to add up to two additional players to its squad, beyond the original limit of 22 players. This is an option and not mandatory. If franchises have already reached the maximum $2.5m salary spend, they will be permitted to spend a maximum of 10% of the salary cap which is $250,000 on Wildcard players.

If teams still have some room within the original maximum $2.5m salary spend, they will be able to spend that remaining amount and if required, a further amount up to $250,000  while remaining within the Wildcard player spend.

Wildcard players may come into DP World ILT20 at any stage during the season. Wildcard players will not be eligible to be replaced by further replacement or Wildcard players.

DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “We are excited to introduce the Super-Sub and Wildcard in the DP World ILT20 Season 2. The Wildcard will help the teams further strengthen their squads in the lead-up and during the season while the Super-Sub provides the teams, the tactical option of replacing a player during a match.
“The DP World ILT20 saw some thrilling on-field action in Season 1, the two new Season 2 features are set to make the tournament even more interesting and engaging for both the spectators at the stadiums and viewers from around the world.”

by Abhishek Shukla

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

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

SAI Shakti Team records comprehensive win:     

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

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

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

Anantpur Sports Academy overcomes Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta:    

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

by Abhishek Shukla

Join the Action: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Fantasy Football is Now LIVE!

The wait is over as the Official AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Fantasy Football game is now LIVE for fans worldwide! Fans can now visit the-AFC.com or download the AFC LIVE app to play the game.
 
Fervent supporters of Asian football can start playing by creating their virtual squad featuring AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ players with a virtual currency budget of 100 million, which will increase to 105 million during the Knockout Stage. Each squad will consist of 15 players in total with 11 players in the starting line-up and four bench substitutes. Fans can strategise, manage, and compete against users worldwide and join private leagues with their friends.
 
The game will last for the entire tournament and provides a thrilling platform for fans to showcase their strategic skills in team management by using transfers and boosters to earn more points based on the players’ real-life performances. At the end of the competition, the top 20 participants with the highest accumulated points will win one of many prizes, with the top three highest scoring winners earning the exclusive opportunity to attend their preferred team’s match for the AFC Asian Qualifiers in 2024.
 
Join the action now and start selecting your team in preparation for the first AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ match on 12 January 2024. Let the games begin! Terms and conditions apply.

by Abhishek Shukla

Odisha’s athletes and para-athletes recognised with cash awards for their remarkable performances in December 2023

Bhubaneswar, 05 January 2024: Shri Tusharkanti Behera, Hon’ble Minister, Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha today feliciated and presented cash awards to various athletes from the state for their remarkable performances in December 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium. Also present at the occasion were Sports Director, Shri Siddhartha Das and officials of DSYS to congratulate and encourage the athletes.

Speaking at the occasion, Hon. Sports Minister, Shri Tusharkanti Behera said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes of Odisha for their remarkable performances and achievements in December 2023. This is our continued effort towards recognizing and incentivizing talented athletes for their performances. I’m sure this will motivate them to better their performances and they have our support throughout their sporting journey.”

Odisha’s Kayaking and Canoeing team, who were the overall champions of the 34th National Canoe Sprint Championship (Senior Men and Women) 2023 held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in December 2023, were felicitated by the Hon’ble Sports Minister. The were 18 different medallists in the contingent, who won a total of 66 medals at the National Championship held in December 2023.  

Sachima Kerkata, Rashmita Sahoo and Moirangthem Sophia Devi were awarded with Rs 90,000 for their multiple medal wins. Sachima won four Gold and three Silver, Rashimta won four Gold, two Silver and a Bronze, while Sophia won three Gold and two Silver medals.

Oinam Bidya Devi (1 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze) and Fulmani Xaxa (1 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze) received Rs 55,000. Avinash Singham, who won two Silver and two Bronze medals received Rs 50,000, while Salam Kishan Singh (4 Silver medals), Sagar Kumar (3 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal) and Ahongshangbam Naobi Singh (1 Gold medal, 2 Silver medals and 1 Bronze) received Rs 40,000 each, while Pukhrambam Roji Devi (1 Gold and 2 Silver) and Sruti Chowgule (1 Gold and 2 Silver) were presented with Rs 35,000 each.

Phairembam Borish Singh who returned with three medals – Gold, Silver and Bronze – received Rs 30,000, while Thongam Monocha Singh (1 Gold and 1 Silver), Salam Arshi Devi (1 Gold and 1 Silver) and Laishram Borish Singh (1 Gold and 1 Silver) received Rs 25,000 each. Madhusmita Nayak, who won a Gold received Rs, 15,000, while Elin Alrica Toppo (Silver) and Moirangthem Jabez Meitei (2 Bronze medals) received Rs 10,000 each.

Meanwhile, para-athletes who won medals and took part in the recently concluded World Ability Sports 2023 (previously known as IWAS World Games) in Thailand were also felicitated and awarded cash prizes on the occasion.

Suchitra Parida (Para-athletics), who attained a Gold and a Silver was awarded Rs 34 lakh, while Jayanti Behera (Para-athletics), who won a Silver and two Bronze medals received Rs 30 lakh from the state government. Swadhin Mahar received Rs 14 lakh for winning Silver in Para-athletics.

Para-badminton player Deep Ranjan Bisoi, who won a Gold and a Bronze, received Rs 18 lakh, while Para-badminton Bronze medallist Subhrajeet Maharana was awarded with Rs 4 lakh.

The sports minister also presented a cash award of Rs. 50,000 each to para-athletes for their participation in the World Ability Sports 2023. Para-badminton players G Dillaswar Rao and Nurul Hossain Khan, along with Wheelchair Fencing athletes — Rakhal Kumar Sethy, V Ramesh Rao, Prafulla Kumar Khandayatray, Pujaswini Nayak, Sheela Mantri, Pabitra Sahu and Malti Panaure– each received Rs 50,000 for their participation in the World Ability Sports that is held once in every 2 years.

by Abhishek Shukla

PET ITF Mandya Open from Jan 7 to 14

Mandya, Jan 5: The New Year begins on a bright note for tennis in Karnataka as the Sugar Town of Mandya will be back on the global tennis map after a gap of eight years when it hosts the PET ITF Mandya Open ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour at the PET Stadium here from Jan 7 to 14. Mandya had last hosted an international event in May 2015 with previous events being held in 2010 and 2012.

The tournament boasts a prize pool of US $25,000 and has drawn top talent from around the globe which includes players from over 18 countries. The top five players on the acceptance list include Eric Vanshelboim of Ukraine, South African Kris van Wyk, Giles Hussey of Great Britain, Thomas Fancutt of Australia and India’s Sasikumar Mukund. One of Karnataka’s brightest talents SD Prajwal Dev from the neighbouring Mysore district and who has just been inducted in the Indian Davis Cup team is amongst five Indians who have got a direct entry.

Dayanand KR, President of Mandya District Lawn Tennis Association who is also Chairman of Organising Committee said: “I’m extremely proud that the ITF World Tennis Tour event is coming back to Mandya after a gap of eight years. We have left no stone unturned to ensure that the players have a comfortable time in Mandya both on and off the court. I would like to thank all the sponsors, especially the president of PET KS Vijayanand and co-sponsors Stone Co, without whom the event would not be possible. I request the public to come and watch some of the best talent on display. On behalf of everyone, I wish all the players the very best.”

Maheshwar Rao, Honorary Secretary, KSLTA in a statement said: “It is our endeavour to develop and grow the sport of tennis across the state. In the recent months, we have had ITF events in Dharwad, Davanagere and Kalaburagi where the spectators came in large numbers and supported the players. KSLTA is the only state Tennis association in the country to boast of 12 districts capable of holding such international events. We hope that events like these will benefit the local players while giving small towns an international exposure.”

The main draw in the singles competition will comprise of 32 players with 20 of them gaining direct entry while four of them will earn a wild card. The remaining eight players will come from a pool of 32 players who will be playing the qualifying rounds to be held on 7th and 8th of January. As many as 16 pairs will vie for the doubles title. The doubles finals will be played on 13th January while the singles finals will be held on January 14.

The tournament would not only provide a platform for emerging talents but also offer tennis enthusiasts in Mandya and neighbouring regions a unique opportunity to witness high-level professional tennis. Going by the quality of the field, an exciting week of tennis action is in store for the tennis enthusiasts.

GR Amarnath would be the Tournament Director while Puneet Gupta would be the ITF Supervisor for this event.

Meanwhile, the wildcards for the main event included Rishi Reddy, Manish G, Manish Sureshkumar and Neeraj Yashpal.

by Abhishek Shukla

PKL 10: Visvanth V and I will refurbish the homes affected by floods in Thoothukudi : Masanamuthu Lakshnanan

MUMBAI, 5th January 2024: Masanamuthu Lakshnanan was the talk of the town when he was picked by the Tamil Thalaivas for INR 31.6 lakh in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Auction last year. However, Lakshnanan’s home in his village in Thoothukudi was damaged due to the heavy floods in the region in December. 

The raider said that he’s taking the responsibility of building a new home for his parents, “My parents are currently staying in a school in the village. The government has made temporary homes in the school for all the people, who have been affected by floods. We are going to build a hut before we can complete building the new home.”

Furthermore, Lakshnanan and U Mumba’s Visvanth V will donate funds for the renovation of all the homes that were affected by the floods, “Visvanth V, who is also from Thoothukudi, and myself are going to donate funds to refurbish the homes, which were affected by the floods in our district. I am going to donate the entire amount (INR 31.6 lakh) I earned at the Pro Kabaddi League Auction last year.”

When asked about how he started playing kabaddi, Lakshnanan said, “I started playing kabaddi in the sixth standard in my village, which is in Thoothukudi district. I moved to a different school in the eleventh standard and improved my game even more with the coaches present in that school. Post my schooling, my game improved even more when I joined the Sports Authority of India in Chennai.”

The raider expressed that his parents weren’t too happy with his move to Chennai, “My parents weren’t too keen to see me become a kabaddi player because it’s an injury-prone game and they half-heartedly sent me to Chennai. I moved from my village to the SAI hostel at the age of 18. I moved out of the hostel and I took a room on rent recently. I work as a Tax Assistant in the Income Tax Department in Chennai when I am not playing kabaddi.”

Masanamuthu Lakshnanan, who has played three games in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 so far, will be hoping to play a major role in Tamil Thalaivas’ campaign in the team’s upcoming matches in the season.

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 10 matches today
Game 1 – Patna Pirates vs Dabang Delhi K.C. – 8 pm
Game 2 – U Mumba vs Bengaluru Bulls 

Venue: Mumbai

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

Most memorable performances by Indian players in Australian Open 

Australian Open has witnessed some of the most stellar performances by Indian players at the Rod Laver Arena. Through sheer determination, resilience and grit, Indian tennis players have engraved their names in the history books at this prestigious Grand Slam tournament. Join us, as we revisit the moments when Indian athletes displayed their sporting spirits making the entire nation proud. 

Sania Mirza’s history making performance in the 2016 Australian Open 

The 2016 Australian Open will be remembered as a defining moment in Indian tennis history as Sania Mirza along with her doubles partner Martina Hingis lifted the coveted title. Their victory in the final over Czechia pair Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka [(7-6 (1), 6-3)] made the history books, as Sania Mirza became the first Indian woman to secure a Grand Slam title in women’s doubles category at the Australian Open. With this win, they soared to new heights of success, securing their 12th title win together and maintaining an impressive 36-game winning streak. 

Leander Paes achieves the unthinkable 

Shockwaves were sent across the globe when India’s first entrant into the International Tennis Hall of Fame – Leander Paes along with his doubles partner Radek Stepanek defeated 16-time Grand Slam champions and the most successful tennis duo of all-time Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in the men’s doubles category at the 2012 Australian Open final. After losing to the Bryan brothers five times, Leander Paes finally got the upper hand by denying them their record 12th Grand Slam title. This victory marked a historic milestone as Paes lifted his first Australian Open trophy.  

Bhupathi-Sania duo scripts Indian victory 

Mahesh Bhupathi clinched his second Australian Open mixed doubles title by pairing up with the then 22-year-old Indian prodigy Sania Mirza, crushing Andy Ram and Natalie Dechy in straight sets in the 2009 Australian Open final. This triumph marked Bhupathi’s 11th Grand Slam title, an impressive seventh in the mixed doubles category. For the young Sania Mirza, this was her first-ever Grand Slam title.

Ramesh Krishnan pulling off a major upset 

The 1989 Australian Open proved to be a game-changer for the Indian tennis fraternity when the iconic Ramesh Krishnan was drawn against the then No. 1 ranked Mats Wilander in the 2nd round and achieved the unthinkable. Despite the potential for Wilander to secure a seventh straight victory against Krishnan, the match concluded with a straight sets scoreline of 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 in favour of Krishnan, leaving the spectators in awe. 

Sr. No. Player Year 
1 Leander Paes and Martina Navratilova 2003 
2 Mahesh Bhupathi and Martina Hingis 2006 
3 Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza 2009 
4 Leander Paes and Cara Black 2010 
5 Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek 2012 
6 Leander Paes and Martina Hingis 2015 
7 Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis 2016 

Ahead of the 2024 edition of Australian Open, Sony Sports Network is delighted to have two-time Australian Open champion Sania Mirza as an expert on its studio show Extraaa Serve along with former India No. 1 singles player Somdev Devvarman, and the accomplished two-time ATP World Tour title-holder in men’s doubles, Purav Raja who will provide unparalleled insights, making it a must-watch for tennis enthusiasts. 

by Matt Windsor (US)

Jets Overcome Sharks 2-1, Extend San Jose’s Losing Streak to 10 Games

SAN JOSE — The Winnipeg Jets secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center on Thursday, extending the Sharks’ losing streak to a disheartening 10 games. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s 27-save performance was crucial for the Jets (24-9-4), who have now won four straight and extended their point streak to five games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8QjRYDIUjk

Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi scored for Winnipeg, with Vilardi’s third-period goal proving decisive. Winnipeg’s Brenden Dillon acknowledged the challenge posed by the Sharks, saying, “We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game. Obviously, they’re desperate with the way the last nine games had gone for them.”

Alexander Barabanov was the lone scorer for the Sharks (9-27-3), and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 28 saves. Despite a strong effort, the Sharks haven’t managed a win since defeating the Jets 2-1 on Dec. 12. This marks their second losing streak of at least 10 games this season, highlighting the team’s ongoing struggles.

San Jose coach David Quinn expressed his belief in the team’s resilience: “Our guys are competing their [butts] off and they keep plugging away, and they’re going to show up again tomorrow and we’re going to get out of this.”

Barabanov’s second-period goal initially gave the Sharks a lead, but Barron quickly responded for Winnipeg, tying the game with a deflected shot. Vilardi’s third-period power-play goal then put the Jets ahead, a lead they maintained until the final whistle.

Luke Kunin of the Sharks voiced his frustration, emphasizing the need to persevere: “At the end of the day, you’ve got to find ways to win. It’s frustrating right now.”

Jets coach Rick Bowness praised the Sharks’ performance, acknowledging their speed and competitiveness: “They played hard. They didn’t give us much. They’re fast. They were hard to play against tonight.”

In additional notes, both Hellebuyck and Sharks forward Tomas Hertl were selected to represent their teams at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto. Hellebuyck’s personal point streak now stands at 11 games, the longest run by a goaltender in Jets/Thrashers history. Hertl also had an impressive night in face-offs, winning 17 of 19 attempts.

The Jets’ victory underscores their solid form and resilience, while the Sharks continue to search for ways to snap their prolonged losing streak.

UP NEXT

The Jets look to extend their winning streak, building on their recent successes. The Sharks, facing a challenging period, will aim to regroup and find a winning formula in their upcoming games.

by Matt Windsor (US)

Reinhart’s All-Star Day Highlighted by Win as Panthers Defeat Golden Knights 4-1

LAS VEGAS — Sam Reinhart celebrated his first career selection to the NHL All-Star Game with a standout performance, contributing a goal and an assist in the Florida Panthers’ 4-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday. The Panthers extended their winning streak to six games, showcasing their strength and depth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D267vf89e50

Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe each added a goal and an assist, while Brandon Montour provided two assists for Florida (24-12-2). Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky supported the effort with 26 saves, ensuring the Panthers maintained their lead throughout the game.

Florida’s win was even more impressive considering they played most of the game with only 10 forwards. Captain Aleksander Barkov and Evan Rodrigues both exited the game in the first period due to injuries. Coach Paul Maurice praised the team’s resilience: “One of my favorite games of the year. … The best part of the game was the bench, because they were up against it. They were cheering for each other. They’re pulling for each other. Just fun to be behind the bench.”

Pavel Dorofeyev scored the lone goal for Vegas (22-12-5), and goalie Logan Thompson made 32 saves. The Golden Knights have now lost six of their last seven games, leading captain Mark Stone to call for a harder, more simplified approach from the team.

Vegas initially took the lead with Dorofeyev’s goal early in the first period, but Florida responded with Sam Bennett’s power-play goal to tie the game. Tkachuk’s and Verhaeghe’s goals in the second period gave the Panthers a comfortable lead, and Reinhart’s third-period power-play goal sealed the victory.

Tkachuk spoke highly of Verhaeghe, noting his scoring instinct and passing ability, and emphasized the team’s motivation, particularly given their history with the Golden Knights in last year’s Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers’ performance demonstrates their capability to overcome adversity and pull together as a team, while the Golden Knights will be looking to address their recent form and bounce back in upcoming games.

UP NEXT

The Panthers aim to extend their winning streak, drawing confidence from their cohesive team play and effective strategies. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights will seek to reverse their recent slide and recapture their earlier season form in their next matchups.