Sayed, Abhishek and Sowmya win gold
New Delhi: Sayed Hassan Rezay and Abhishek Dubey won the gold in men’s category, while M C Sowmya bagged the yellow metal in the women’s competition of the Kukkiwon Cup-India Open National Taekwondo Championship at Talkatora Stadium here. Adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the Championship, Sayed Hassan Rezay from Afghanistan was awarded a Hyundai Eon Car on the last day of the tournament. “I am very happy after winning this championship because this is the first time I am playing in India, although I have won many medals at an International level,” said Rezay, who won the gold in senior men above 18 category.
Johan botha to undergo testing
Melbourne: Cricket Australia says former South Africa international Johan Botha will undergo biomechanical analysis after being cited for a doubtful bowling action. Botha, who is captain of the South Australian limited-overs team, played five tests and 75 limited-overs internationals for South Africa, taking 17 test wickets and 72 in the ODI format. The 31-year-old offspinner has been tested previously. He made his test debut against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2006, but was reported for throwing at the conclusion of the match. He was reported again in April 2009 in South Africa. Cricket Australia said in a statement today that three umpires in a match must agree on a suspect delivery, but did not say in which match Botha had been reported.
Pak grapplers not invited
Jammu: In the wake of the ceasefire violations by Pakistan and twin terror attacks in Samba and Kathua district, Jammu & Kashmir Indian Style Wrestling Association has for the first time decided not to invite grapplers from across the border for the 9th Mission Dosti International Indian Style Dangal. “We have not invited the Pakistani wrestlers this year. Although they (Pak grapplers) were interested to come and take part in the International Indian Style Dangal at Katra, but we did not invite them at all”, Association’s President Shiv Kumar Sharma said. “The decision to not invite the wrestlers from Pakistan was taken in view of the increasing loC ceasefire violations, firings, attacks on Indian posts, infiltrations and terror attacks in Kathua and Samba recently,” Sharma said.
Deborah sizzles in Track Asia Cup
New Delhi: Teen cyclist Deborah clinched another gold medal at the ACC Track Asia Cup while the pair of V G Parvathy and Rutuja claimed bronze in senior women’s category as India finished the event with a rich haul of six medals in Thailand. Talented junior rider Deborah, who earlier grabbed gold in 500m Time Trial, won the individual Sprint title while the bronze medal came in team Sprint on the final day of the continental event yesterday. The Indian contingent returned home today after delivering their best-ever performance in an international cycling competition -- winning two gold, three silver and a bronze -- in the three-day long event. India had won two silver and two bronze at the home Asian championship in March.
‘Nothing conclusive from state units meet’
New Delhi: The suspended Indian Boxing Federation on Monday sought to downplay the meeting of its state units here, saying that it was not as well attended as claimed and “nothing conclusive” came out of the gathering. More than half of the IBF’s state units met here on Sunday and decided to write to the International Boxing Association, seeking the formation of an interim committee to run the sport due to the provisional suspension imposed on the Indian body. The meeting was attended by IBF vice-President P K Muralidharan Raja but interestingly, the IBF referred to him as a former Secretary General in the statement sent out on Monday. “First and foremost the 6 Oct 2013 meeting called by Brig Raja failed miserably to deliver on its promise of attendance. The congregation present at the meeting included not just IBF Members but boxing coaches, managers and boxers as well,” said a statement from current IBF Secretary Rajesh Bhandari. “The meeting was later termed as a conclave, after the Indian Boxing Federation and AIBA, the world body for the sport, accorded their disapproval for holding of such a meeting,” he added, referring to an AIBA letter which prohibited the state units from discussing the constitution and deciding on a date of re-election.
Mizoram enter Subroto Cup final
New Delhi: Govt Chawfianga Middle School, Mizoram edged out NCC (NER) by an injury-time goal to enter the final of the U-14 category of the 54th Subroto Cup here on Monday. It was a battle of equals for the most part but it was heartbreak for NCC right at the end as Ramfangliana (70+2) popped up seconds before the final whistle to punch in a cross. The winners will face-off with Betkuchi High School, Assam in the clash for the title. In the U-17 boys’ event, Govt Model School, Chandigarh, thrashed Goa 10-0. Gurkirat and Anil scored a brace each for Chandigarh.