Chhetri extends stint at BFC till 2021
BENGAlURU: Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri put pen to paper on a fresh one-year deal at the Indian Super league (ISl) club, the Blues announced on Tuesday. The deal, which adds to his current contract at the club, will see the AIFF ‘Player of the Year' be a part of side until the end of the 2020-2021 season. The 33-year-old Chhetri had earlier signed a three-year deal with the Blues ahead of their move to the ISl last season. Chhetri, who is the longest serving player at the club, spoke of his delight at the extension. "I have always said that this club and these fans have been the most fantastic experience of my life and signing a new deal here is only a way of giving back to a club that has given so much to me. I've made some fantastic memories here and I believe there are many more to make," he said.
Indian shuttlers shine in Russia
VlADIVOSTOCK: Five Indian shuttlers, including Ajay Jayaram, progressed to the men's singles second round of the $75,000 Russia Open BWF Tour Super 100 here on Tuesday. Jayaram, who finished runners-up at the White Nights International Challenge earlier this month, brushed aside Canada's Xiaodong Sheng 21-14, 21-8 in the opening round match to set up a clash with compatriot Subhankar Dey, who got a bye in the first round. Pratul Joshi dumped Canada's Jeffrey lam 21-11, 21-8 and will take on Israel's Misha Zilberman at the Sport Hall Olympic on Wednesday. Among others, Mithun Manjunath, Siddharth Pratap Singh and Rahul Yadav Chittaboina also reached the second round. Parupalli Kashyap and RMV Gurusaidutt, who got byes in the first round, will face Japan's Ryotaro Maruo and Russia's Vladimir Malkov respectively. Chirag Sen, who was also handed a bye in the first round, will take on the top seeded Spaniard Pabo Abian.
Federer withdraws from Rogers Cup
TORONTO: Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer has pulled out of next month's ATP Rogers Cup tournament in Toronto due to scheduling concerns. The 36-year-old Federer said he needs to be prudent about how many tournaments he plays in a season. "I'm so disappointed not to play at the Rogers Cup this summer," the World No 2 said. "I had a fantastic time in Montreal last year and always enjoy playing in front of the Canadian fans. "But unfortunately with scheduling being the key to my longevity moving forward, I have regrettably decided to withdraw from Toronto this year." Jeremy Chardy of France will take Federer's place in the main draw.
Barca host Real for 1st Clasico in October
madrid: Defending Spanish champions Barcelona will host Real Madrid on October 28 in the first Clasico of the 2018/19 season, the Spanish football federation said on Tuesday. Real Madrid, who finished third in the league, 17 points behind champions Barcelona, will host the second meeting of the two Spanish giants on March 3, the federation added as it unveiled the season calendar. The season opens on the weekend of August 18-19, and ends on May 18-19. The Spanish capital's derbies will be at Real's Santiago Bernabeu on September 30 and at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano on February 10. The Copa del Rey final will be held on May 25 at a yet-to-be determined stadium, the federation said.