Trials for boxing WC start today
Patiala: One delay and many speculations later, Indian boxers will fight it out for a place in the national team for the World Championships when the three-day trials start here on Monday. With the Indian Boxing Federation suspended, they would not get to compete under the country’s flag but the boxers would nonetheless fight it out for a spot in the national team of 10 which would be sent to Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Championships, where India have won two bronze medals — in 2009 and 2011, would be held from October 11 to 27 in Almaty. Meanwhile, brushing aside speculations about his availability for the upcoming World Championship trials, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh on Monday returned to Patiala from a short leave and would be taking the ringon Tuesday to fight it out for a place in the team.
Koevermans names India squad
New Delhi: National Football coach Wim Koevermans on Monday announced the 20-member Indian squad for the upcoming SAFF Championship which is scheduled to be held in Nepal from August 31 to September 11. The Indian National Team, which will open its campaign against Pakistan on September 1, will leaves for Kathmandu on Tuesday. It is only be the second time since 1997 that Nepal will be hosting the tournament, where eight teams will fight it out for the coveted title. India has been clubbed alongwith Pakistan, Bangladesh and hosts Nepal in Group A, while Group B comprises Afghanistan, Maldavis, Sri lanka and Bhutan.
The squad: Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul, Karanjit Singh, Sandip Nandy. Defenders: Nirmal Chettri, Arnab Mondal, Gouramangi Singh, Raju Gaikwad, Sandesh Jhingan, Mohanraj Nalappan. Midfielders: Syed Rahim Nabi, Mehtab Hossain, Arata Izumi, lenny Rodriguez, Alwyn George, Jewel Raja Shaikh, Francis Fernandes. Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh, Dawson Fernandes, Jeje lalpekhlua.
Head Coach: Wim Koevermans.
India finish with silver & bronze
New Delhi: Balraj settled for a silver after narrowly losing his 76kg freestyle bout against Russia’s Batyrbek Tcakulov as the Indian grapplers returned with two medals from the Cadet World Championship which concluded in Zrenjanin, Serbia. Trailing 1-3 to Balraj with only 30 seconds left on the clock, Tcakulov drove through on a double leg, scoring a three-point takedown and one-point exposure hold to win 5-3 on the final day of the championship on Sunday. The bronze medal for India came in the 42kg event through Jatin in the freestyle repechage final.
Injury problems for Ancelotti
Madrid: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has a selection headache as his side prepares for Monday night’s game away to Granada. Real Madrid go to the game without midfield duo of Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira through injury. Alonso broke his toe during the week and will be out of action for two to three months after undergoing an operation in Murcia, while Khedira has a slight muscle problem, reports Xinhua. New signing Asier Illaramendi is also unlikely to start given that he only returned to full training Saturday after missing much of pre-season with a torn thigh muscle. Finally young central defender Rafael Varene is a long-term absentee after damaging his meniscus ligament, meaning that Pepe will continue to partner Sergio Ramos in the heart of the Madrid back line. PNS/Agencies