Afghan skipper in Dempo
New Delhi: Afghanistan football captain Zohib Islam Amiri has extended his contract with Goan giants Dempo Sports Club for another year. After having a strong second half in the 2013/14 I-league season, where Amiri helped Dempo SC finish 4th, it was an easy decision for the defender to extend his stay at Dempo SC. “I am glad to stay here for another season, as I am enjoying my time here at Dempo SC. I definitely have improved as a player over the past 4 months under the guidance of Mr Papas and rest of the staff. I hope to build on from last season, and contribute towards the club picking up some silverware in the coming season”, said Amiri, who is a libero sports client, after penning his contract extension. Dempo SC and its management kept faith in the Afghan skipper by offering him a new deal, as Amiri was an important member of their squad which saw the club turn around their season with impressive displays in the Federation Cup and the second half of the I-league. Dempo SC head coach Arthur Papas was quoted as saying “As a club we are very pleased to have re-signed Haroon Amiri. It was evident that he was instrumental in our resurgence last season and by re-signing Amiri, we move a step closer to completing our squad for season 2014/15. Without doubt Amiri will continue to influence our group positively, add much needed stability and continue to entertain our fans in the way he did last season.”
Aus send biggest track team to cwg
Sydney: Australia will send its biggest-ever track and field team to a championships outside its shores at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games next month. The 103-strong squad, headlined by Olympic and world 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson, includes 44 athletes making their major championships debut and 12 para-athletes. The team is second only in size to the 120 athletes who competed at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. The Glasgow team easily outnumbers the 86 that travelled in the squad to the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland. Pearson will contest the 100m flat and hurdles and the 4x100m relay at the Glasgow Games. Among those added to the squad on Thursday were US collegiate stars Steve Solomon (400m and 4x400m relay) and discus thrower Julian Wruck. “It’s fantastic to see such large numbers and that comes first from the sport giving the athletes the opportunity and second from the athletes taking advantage of the opportunity,” Australian team chef de mission and former marathon champion Steve Moneghetti said. “The Commonwealth Games has often been the first multi-sport team experience for young athletes and many of those selected fall into that category.” A 66-strong Australia team finished a close second behind Kenya on the athletics medals table at the 2010 Games in Delhi.
lahiri struggles to 75 at Queen’s Cup
Samui (Thailand): Anirban lahiri, who needs a win in order to have a chance to make the U S Open next year, opened with a modest three-over 75, even as Shankar Das (70), in tied 13th place, turned out to the best Indian at the Queen’s Cup here on Thursday. Other Indians in the fray, Manav Jaini was three-under through 15 holes, while Chiragh Kumar and Jyoti Randhawa carded even par 71 each to be 19th. Youngsters Angad Cheema and Abhijit Chadha shot one-over 72. Meanwhile, the scores of others read: Digvijay Singh (76), S Chikkarangappa (77), M Dharma (78), Rashid Khan (78) and Abhinav lohan (80). lahiri, who got married last week, struggled to a 75 after carding a triple bogey seven, three bogeys and two birdies. At the top of the leaderboard was Thai newcomer Poom Saksansin.
India to play Pak in before Asian Games
New Delhi: As part of its build-up for the September Asian Games in Korea, India’s under-23 football team will play two friendlies against Pakistan in Bangalore in the month of August. The two matches will be played at the Bangalore Football Stadium on August 17 and August 20, the All India Football Federation said in a statement. The 30-member Indian contingent under head coach Wim Koevermans will be having their training camp in Bangalore from July 1. The three seniors in the Squad of U-23 players are Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh and Francis Fernandes. All India Football Federation will also provide an exposure tour for the Team after the two Friendlies.
Pomersbach retires due to depression
Brisbane: Explosive former Australian T20 batsman luke Pomersbach announced his retirement from professional cricket on Thursday to deal with depression. Pomersbach only played one T20 for Australia in 2007 but his hard-hitting exploits earned him contracts with the Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier league. He has most recently been playing for the Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat. “We appreciate the difficulties and challenges that luke faces with his illness,” said Queensland Cricket chief Geoff Cockerill.
De Villiers is SA Cricketer of the Year
Johannesburg: AB de Villiers dominated the Cricket South Africa Awards banquet by bagging four awards, including Cricketer of the Year 2014, here on Wednesday evening. De Villiers was also named Test Cricketer of the Year, was recognised by his peers as SA Players’ Player of the Year and by popular vote of the public, SA Fans’ Cricketer of the Year. The only award for which De Villiers was nominated but did not win was the ODI Player of the Year which went to Quinton de Kock.