Saina, Kashyap, Arundhati win
Shanghai: Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap advanced to the second round but it was rising shuttler Arundhati Pantawane who emerged as the star of the day as she registered a stunning victory over higher-ranked Japanese Eriko Hirose in the opening round of the China Super Series Premier here on Tuesday. Ranked 47th in the world, Arundhati outclassed World No. 14 Eriko 21-14, 21-18 in a first round clash that lasted less than half an hour. The Japanese was a runners-up at the 2011 All England and 2012 Japan Open. For top shuttler Saina, it was a relatively easy round as the sixth seed Indian, Saina overcame Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-14, 21-19 in a 39-minute opening match, while world number 12 Kashyap recorded his fourth victory over the eighth seeded Thai Boonsak Ponsana when he beat him 22-20 21-15 in men's singles opening round match that lasted 46 minutes.
Mary Ann moves closer to title
Chennai: Woman Grandmaster Mary Ann Gomes, with 8 points, moved closer to the title after the 10th and penultimate round of the Women International Grand Master Chess Tournament held in celebration of the FIDE World Championship Match 2013, here on Wednesday. Swathi Ghate shares the second spot along with compatriots S Vijayalakshmi, S Meenakshi and Georgian duo of Keti Tsatsalashvili and Batsiashvili Nino.
Ministry for Prevention of Fraud Bill
New Delhi: Sportspersons committing fraud while competing, including under-performance, can be slapped with a punishment of a maximum of five-year imprisonment, according to the proposed 'Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill'. The Sports Ministry in consultation with the Ministry of law has drafted a legislation for "cleansing of sports" in the country. According to the draft bill, a person is said to commit an offence of sporting fraud if he, directly or indirectly "manipulates or tries to manipulate result, irrespective of whether the outcome is actually altered or not, or "deliberately misapplies the rules of the sport". Disclosure of "insider information" and "failure to disclose knowledge of or attempt for sporting fraud" will also fall in the category of sports fraud. "Maximum punishment that has been proposed is imprisonment for five years and a fine of Rs 10 lakhs or five times the economic benefits derived by the person from sporting fraud, whichever is greater," the Sports Ministry said in a release.
Kolhapur, Mumbai win Kabaddi c’ship
Thane: Kolhapur won the boys title and Mumbai claimed the girls crown at the state-level kabaddi championship meet here. Kolhapur boys defeated Sangli 5-3 to emerge winners in the finals playedon Monday. The third position went to Central Mumbai and Ahmednagar. Among girls, Mumbai beat Pune 12-9. while Ratnagiri stood third. PNS/Agencies