IAAF to return to four-year bans from 2015
Moscow: World athletics’ governing body, the IAAF, will adhere to a new WADA code and happily revert to four-year bans for drugs offenders from 2015 as part of its “unwavering commitment against doping”. “The new WADA Code, which will come into force on 1 January 2015, will reflect our firm commitment to have tougher penalties and the IAAF will return to 4 year sanctions for serious doping offences,” the IAAF said after its council met ahead of the world championships that start in Moscow on Saturday.
BCCI lost Rs 50 crore on fraud land deal
New Delhi: The BCCI is in a soup over a Rs 50 crore land deal for its cricket academy near Bangalore after it emerged that a fraud has occurred. At a meeting of the sub-committee of the National Cricket Academy on Thursday, members were apprised of the role of a person, who is believed to be the kingpin in the fraud. Sources said the person is neither an employee of BCCI nor associated with any state association but signed documents on behalf of the Board with Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) for procuring 49 acres of land at a place near the airport. The BCCI made a payment of Rs 46.135 crore for this deal in 2010.
Dhoni to promote EPl in India
New Delhi: Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni would be seen promoting his second love soccer on STAR Sports after being roped in as the brand ambassador of the upcoming Barclays English Premier league in India. “A keen soccer enthusiast and a Manchester United fan, MS Dhoni will invite all sports fans to ‘Join the Game’ in a clutter breaking integrated marketing campaign which will be launched early next week. The campaign will have a strong on-air and digital media thrust,” the channel said in a release.
Now behave son, Bedi to Monty Panesar
New Delhi: Indian spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi, who mentored Monty Panesar at the beginning of his international career, on Thursday called on the England spinner to “behave” after being fined for urinating on a nightclub’s bouncers in an inebriated state. “Very naughty MontyP!Never thoght U’d b so originaly adventuresome!I’d pardon yur 1st attempt at rediscovereing yurself Monty!Now behave Son!,” tweeted Bedi.
more funds for Mary Kom Boxing Foundation
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry has approved additional funds for the construction of an outdoor hall in the Imphal-based Regional Boxing Foundation being run by london Olympics bronze-medallist and five-time world champion woman pugilist M C Mary Kom. “The Executive Committee (EC) of National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) has decided to give in-principle approval for additional financial assistance for construction of an Outdoor Boxing Hall at the Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation, Imphal,” the ministry said in a statement.
DelhiSmashers to hold preparatory camp
New Delhi: Indian Badminton league franchisee Krrish Delhi Smashers will begin their preparations for the inaugural edition of USD one million prize money tournament with a three-day camp starting at Siri Fort auditorium from August 11 with special focus on team bonding and tournament planning. Delhi Smashers begin their campaign on the home turf against Pune Pistons on August 14 and the team is determined to put their best foot forward in front of their supporters. The team was forced to replace their foreign singles player Wing Ki Wong of Hong Kong due to an injury at the ongoing World Championship in China and have picked Daren liew of Malaysia to shoulder the responsibility.
IBl gets a title sponsor
New Delhi: The Indian Badminton league (IBl) organisers on Thursday announced telecom major Vodafone India as the title sponsor of the US$ one million event, starting August 14. “It’s a matter of pride for Indian Badminton league today that Vodafone India has decided to promote the league and this association will take BAI and Sporty Solutionz’s attempt to promote badminton in India to the next level,” said Ashish Chadha, CEO, Sporty Solutionz, the commercial partner for IBl.
Mahato, Saini recommended for Dronacharya
New Delhi: long-serving archery coach Purnima Mahato and women’s hockey coach Narendra Singh Saini were among five who were today recommended for the prestigious Dronacharya award this year. Wrestling coach Raj Singh and athletics coach K P Thomas have been recommended for the Dronacharya lifetime Achievement award. The other Dronacharya awardee this year is little-known boxing coach Mahavir Singh, who has been with the women’s national team for quite a few years. PNS/Agencies