Heena wins silver in issf world cup
New Delhi: World number two air pistol shooter Heena Sidhu continued her impressive form as she clinched a silver medal at the ISSF World Cup in Fort Benning, USA, the feat taking her closer to the numero uno spot in her event. The 24-year-old shooter from ludhiana shot an impressive 386 with rounds of 98, 96, 96, 96. Heena shot a good 200.8 in the finals to clinch the silver. She now has the maximum medals in a World Cup by any Indian pistol shooter. This was Heena’s third successive medal at the international stage, the first having come in the ISSF World Cup Final at Munich last November when she made the final world record followed by the Asian Airgun Championships in Kuwait last month.
Biswal briefs Gavaskar on IPl
New Delhi: BCCI’s Interim President Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday met IPl chairman Ranjib Biswal who briefed the former Indian captain on “various aspects” related to the upcoming seventh edition of the cash-rich Twenty20 league. “I had a meeting with Ranjib Biswal, chairman, IPl, and the management staff, in Dubai, earlier today. They briefed me on the various aspects related to the Pepsi IPl 2014, and updated me on the current status of this year’s season, which will commence on 16 April 2014 in the UAE,” Gavsakar said in a statement. Handed over the reins of BCCI for IPl-7 by the Supreme Court yesterday, Gavaskar is confident of hosting a successful event. The BCCI already has a proper set-up in place for running the IPl and there had been speculation about what role Gavaskar would play during the league.
Sehwag aims comeback via ipl
New Delhi: Senior batsman Virender Sehwag on Saturday conceded that he had not scored enough runs in the last season to be in the India team but said he would hope to be back in the reckoning with a good performance in the IPl beginning next month. Sehwag, who was bought by Kings XI Punjab in players’ auction early this year for Rs 3.2 crore, said he was looking forward to the IPl to come back to form and make his presence felt. “last season was not good for me as I was not making runs. But I hope I can do well in the IPl. It’s a new team, new players. I hope I can justify the faith my new franchise has on me,” Sehwag told reporters at a programme to launch ‘Dairy Best Junior Pitch 2014’, an U-14 cricket league for boys in NCR region to be jointly organised by Sehwag Academy and dairy products company Kwality limited.
Sourabh in final of Malaysian GPG
Johor Bahru: India’s Sourabh Verma entered the finals of $120,000 Malaysian Grand Prix Gold after receiving a walkover from Chong Wei Feng of Malaysia in the men’s singles competition at Pasir Gudang here on Saturday. Second seed Wei Feng conceded the match to Sourabh, seeded eighth in the tournament, as he picked up a back injury while practicing for the semi-final tie. The only Indian left in the competition, Sourabh will now take on 15th seed Simon Santoso of Indonesia in the final on Sunday.
New FIH rules in India from June 1
New Delhi: The new hockey rules announced by the international sport governing body, FIH, will be introduced in India for its domestic competition from June 1 this year, Hockey India (HI) said on Saturday. HI implemented the new FIH tournament rules featuring four quarters of 15 minutes, in all domestic tournaments from June 1 at its 22nd Executive Board meeting held here. The body also discussed issue of Harbir Singh who was denied a visa for participation in the Commonwealth Games 2014 at Glasgow. HI secretary general Narinder Batra has been authorised to take further action on this matter after consultation with Indian Olympic Association. Among other decisions, HI appointed Sports Mechanics to provide video analysis to each of the four national teams including men and women teams in senior and junior category.
HI aid for Afghans
New Delhi: With the aim of promoting hockey as a sport across the world, Hockey India today took a strategic decision to provide aid to the Afghanistan Hockey Federation. The decision was taken in the 22nd Board Meeting of Hockey India held here. Afghanistan Hockey Federation had requested for aid in a communiqué received early this month. HI Board has agreed to send hockey sticks, balls and goalkeeper pads to them. In another initiative, Hockey India has increased the annual grant of State Units members from Rs 6.00 lacs to Rs 8.00 lacs. In addition, associate member (non-institutional) will get Rs 3.00 lacs and other members will get Rs 2.00 lacs per annum.
IBl to be held in September: BAI
New Delhi: The second edition of the cash-rich Indian Badminton league (IBl) will be held in September, Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Akhilesh Das Gupta said on Saturday. “Indian badminton is growing by leaps and bounds, we have the India Super Series next week, then the Thomas and Cup Cup in May. Also there is Commonwealth Games and then the second edition of IBl will be held in September,” Das Gupta said.
Ranti double sinks Salgaocar
Vasco: Rangdajied United poured cold water on Salgaocar’s title ambitions with a 2-1 victory in an Airtel I-league clash at the Tilak Maidan on Saturday. Salgaocar had taken the lead in the 81st minute through Francisco Fernandes but Rangdajied United hit back with goals from Ranti Martins in the 86th and 90th minute.