Bhutia, Chhetri in AIFF's IPl style league
New Delhi: Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, striker Sunil Chettri and star defender Syed Rahim Nabi are set to play in AIFF's proposed franchise-based tournament in January next year. AIFF will conduct the tournament in collaboration with IMG-Reliance, who will be the marketing partner for the IPl styled league. AIFF sources said close to 10 prominent players have been approached to feature in the league including goalkeeper Subrata Paul. "Yes we are in talks with these players. Hopefully we will get to see them playing in the league," an AIFF source said.
boxers return after triumphant outing
New Delhi: A morale-boosting medal haul was secured but Indian boxers, who returned on Tuesday from tournaments in Russia and Cyprus, missed out on the vital experience of competing without headguards as neither of the two tournaments introduced the latest AIBA innovation as was expected. The boxers, 20 in all, returned to the country today after competing in Khabarovsk International Competition in Khabarovsk, Russia and Invitation FXTM International limassol Boxing Cup in Cyprus. While the team from Russia came back with two silver and three bronze medals, the contingent to Cyprus was even more successful with 10 medals (four gold, three silver and three bronze medals).
AIFF invites fresh tender for new Clubs
New Delhi: All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a fresh tender notice on Tuesday inviting bids for new clubs to be a part of the I-league. The winning bidders will be granted the right to own and operate a new club, which will compete in I-league from 2013 onwards and have an opportunity (if applicable and subject to qualification) to compete in the AFC Club competitions. All bidding parties need to fulfill the eligibility criteria (Club licensing) and other requirements specified. The invitation to the fresh tender will be available on working days between 10am and 5pm at AIFF Headquarters, Football House. The last date for submission is May 27 by 12 noon.
Winning start for Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy women began the defence of their title with 2-1 win over Chandigarh in Sub-Junior Men & Women National Championship, here on Tuesday. MPHA opened scoring through Neelu in the third minute while Preeti Dubey scored the other goal in the 19th minute. Saroj scored the only goal for Chandigarh in the 17th minute in the Pool A match at Aish Bagh Hockey Stadium. In Pool B, Haryana registered a 13-0 win over Andhra Pradesh. In another Pool B match, Jharkhand beat Maharashtra 7-1.
Gill takes lead in Usha Junior golf
Bangalore: Pukhraj Singh Gill made a good start in the Usha Karnataka Junior Golf with an opening round of even par 72 and took a one-shot lead on the first day. Gill started from the 10th and was one-under for his first nine holes with two birdies on the 13th and 18th. On his second nine, the front side of the course, Gill dropped a bogey on par-4 seventh and finished one-over and a day’s work of 72. little-known Raghu Bir Choudhary was one shot behind in tied second place alongside the junior National champion, Viraj Madappa, 15-year-old Piyush Sangwan, who was second in the last event, Usha Delhi Juniors. All three shot 73.
Baishya elected IWF Executive Board member
New Delhi: Indian Weightlifting Federation President Birendra Prasad Baishya has been elected as the Executive Board Member of the International Weightlifting Federation in the recently concluded Congress of the world body in Moscow. Baishya received second highest votes among those elected as Executive Board Member of the International Weightlifting Federation.
PNS/Agencies