Boxers will not suffer: minister
New Delhi: The Indian Boxing Federation might be in trouble following its termination by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), but Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesdayassured the boxers that their training would not suffer and would be provided with all the required facilities. “All training facilities will be given to the athletes. We will make sure that the athletes don’t get affected as long IBF is excluded from AIBA,” said Jitendra on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of National Cycling Academy at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. Meanwhile, clarifying Sports Ministry’s decision on granting Hockey India (HI) the status of a National Sports Federation, Jitendra said: “Overall, all the NSFs, which have been approved by their respective international federations, we would like to approve those.”
New cycling academy inaugurated
New Delhi: Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the National Cycling Academy at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and launched a project to create swimming pools at three separate stadiums in the capital. At an estimated cost of Rs 907.50 lakhs, the project of creating swimming pools will come up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS), Indira Gandhi Sports Complex (IGSC) and Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range. On the occasion, Singh also launched a Community Connect Scheme to include sports and recreational facilities in JNS, IGSC and the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex. The Sports Authority of India’s National Cycling Academy (SAI NCA), with complete back-up facilities, has been set up following the decision taken in the 42nd meeting of the Governing Body of SAI.
Somdev ousted from Indian Wells
Indian Wells: Somdev Devvarman has crashed out of the Indian Wells ATP Masters as the top seeded Indian suffered a first round defeat at the hands of Spaniard Daniel Munoz-de la Nava, here. Ranked 78th, Somdev lost his first round contest 2-6 7-5 3-6 to a player, who is ranked as low as 287. Somdev had beaten Daniel last year in the first round of the French Open. The defeat is Somdev’s second successive against a lower-ranked player, having lost to Malek Jaziri (137) at the Dubai Duty Free Championships. last year also Somdev had failed to clear the first round hurdle at the Indian Wells Masters. He had lost in straight sets to Matteo Viola from Italy.
Chhattisgarh, TN are champions
New Delhi: Chhattisgarh produced a scintillating comeback in the final quarter to clinch the women’s title at the 64th National Basketball Championship, while Tamil Nadu men overwhelmed Punjab in the final, here on Wednesday. Chhattisgarh women, who were trailing in each of the first three quarters, went past defending champions Indian Railways 81-77 in the final minutes of the game at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium. Kavita came up with a match-winning performance scoring 25 points for Chhatisgarh, while Saranjeet Kaur (20) and Bharti Netam (16) also made significant contributions. Railways team was quick to get off the blocks and dominantly led the first quarter 23-12. They maintained their advantage at the end half-time with 46-38.
Big win for Manipur
New Delhi: Riding on Sarita Devi’s nine goals, Manipur women thrashed Tripura 24-0 in a Pool A match of the 4th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2014 (Division B) in Mysore on Wednesday. From the very first minute of the match, Manipur women started to dominate, even as Tripura’s defence was not in a position to control the attack of the opponents. PNS/Agencies