Grant sanctioned for olympians
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry has sanctioned a grant of `10,52,000 for purchase of sports equipments and other essential items for the participants of Winter Olympics Games at Sochi, Russia. "The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have sanctioned a grant of `10,52,000.00 (Rupees Ten lacs fifty two thousand only) from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for purchase of sports equipments, Ski, Ski Boots and other essential items for the participants of Winter Olympics Games 2014 at Sochi (Russia) in the disciplines of Alpine Skiing and Cross- Country Skiing," the Ministry said in a release. "This was decided at a meeting of the Executive Committee of NSDF held in New Delhi last week. Although such assistance is not normally given from NSDF, the Executive Committee decided to extend the assistance as a special case in view of the importance of the event." "The grant from NSDF is in addition to the assistance for sports kit, air fare, accommodation etc. Already sanctioned for the participants of the Winter Olympics Games."
‘Spend more time on court’
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court asked shuttler Prajakta Sawant who had levelled allegations of mental harassment against chief national coach Pullela Gopichand to improve her performance on badminton court to make herself eligible for selection in the core Indian team. A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha was hearing a petition filed by the 19-year-old shuttler last year alleging harassment by Gopichand and that she was left out of the All India National Coaching Camp in Hyderabad at his behest. She further alleged that Gopichand being the national coach and a member of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) selection committee he promoted players from his own private academy, Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, and she was being targeted. BAI counsel Nimay Dave informed the court that Sawant had performed poorly in recently held Syed Modi tournament due to which she was not selected in the All England Open and German Open events.
Barca unfazed by president's exit
Barcelona: Barcelona was unfazed by the recent departure of its club president amid a lawsuit as it eased to a 3-0 win over Malaga on Sunday to reclaim its share of the Spanish league lead. lionel Messi didn't score but he played a part in two goals, setting up Pedro Rodriguez to make it 2-0 in the 55th after Gerard Pique had opened the scoring five minutes before halftime. Pedro then took Messi's pass and crossed for Alexis Sanchez to tap in the hosts' third in the 61st. Atletico Madrid stayed level with Barcelona at the top of the standings by romping to a 4-2 win at Rayo Vallecano as Diego Costa scored his 20th league goal of the season. Both title rivals ended a run of two straight draws to restore a one-point advantage over Real Madrid.