England great Finney passes away
london: England football great Tom Finney has died at the age of 91, his former club Preston North End said. “Preston North End have been informed of the extremely sad news of the passing of Sir Tom Finney,” a statement on the English third tier club’s website said on Friday. “Sir Tom was the greatest player to ever play for Preston North End and one of all time greats for England. “The thoughts of everyone at the club, and those connected with it, are with his family at this time. Finney, a winger who could play in several positions across the forward line, was famously loyal to his hometown side in lancashire, north-west England. Finney made his debut for North End in 1946 and remained with the club until his retirement in 1960, scoring 210 goals in 473 appearances for the lillywhites. His England record was equally impressive, Finney scoring 30 goals in 76 matches for his country. One of the most popular British sportsmen of his era, with fans and fellow players alike, Finney was nicknamed the ‘Preston Plumber’ after his father insisted he complete an apprenticeship at the family business he later ran alongside his football career.
Karthik eager to play under gary
Mumbai: Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who was the second-costliest buy at Rs 12.5 crore in the IPl auction at Bangalore earlier this week, is keen to play under Delhi Daredevils coach Gary Kirsten in season 7 of the T20 tournament starting April 9. “Everybody knows him as a wonderful human being and his track record has been phenomenal. It is going to be wonderful to be working with a person like him and you require a calm head in T20 and he will definitely bring that to the table,” Karthik told reporters here about ex-India coach Kirsten. “I think it is a very balanced squad. It is one of those squads where you don’t have huge names, but I think we have the potential to win games of cricket. But T20 is such a format. It is not about how strong a team is, but at that given day who plays the best,” said the Tamil Nadu wicket keeper-batsman who will lead India Cements in the BCCI Corporate Trophy tournament starting on Sunday.
Mohammedan win IFA Shield
Kolkata: Mohammedan Sporting came back from behind and overcame a spirited challenge from Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to emerge winners in the penalty shootout and clinch the IFA Shield for the first time since 1971. Playing in front of a frenzy 40,000-odd home support at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, both the teams were locked 1-1 at extra time. Substitute goalkeeper Naseem Akhtar, who came in place of an injured luis Barreto in the extra time in a fine move by Mohammedan Sporting coach Sanjoy Sen, thwarted Didarul Haque’s spotkick for a 4-3 win in the shootout. Down 0-1 in the 28th minute after Sony Norde’s curling freekick, Mohammedan Sporting made a comeback at the stroke of halftime when Mehrajuddin Wadoo made it 1-1 in the 45+1st minute to spark a celebration.
Dempo beat Rangdajied, jump to 5th
Vasco: Two first half strikes saw Dempo FC score a 2-0 win over Rangdajied United FC to move to fifth place in their return match of the I-league at Tilak Stadium here on Saturday. Dempo scored through Alwyn George (7th) and Haroon Amiri (44th). With 19 points from 16 matches, they jumped to fifth place. Rangdajied United FC, who suffered their second straight defeat here, remained at the bottom with 12 points from 16 matches. Dempo who were at the tenth position, just four points above bottom place Rangdajied United, strengthened their defence and strike force with the recruitment of foreigners, Afghanistan captain Haroon Amiri and Tolgay Ozbey.
3 athletes return ‘defective’ medals
Margao: Three Goan athletes have returned their medals won at the lusofonia Games-2014 here after they allegedly began losing sheen, leaving the organisers red-faced even as they stopped payment to the medals’ manufacturers. Athletes Anik Naik (silver), Desiree Pereira (Bronze) and Hinanshu Velingkar (Bronze) returned their medals yesterday to the Games Organizing Committee, claiming that they were “defective.” The silver medal was fading while the bronze medals had black spots all over them. Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, V M Prabhudesai said the lusofonia Games Organizing Committee (lUGOC) had earlier inspected the medals after receiving unofficial complaints and were shocked to see that most of them were not in good shape.
Bozoljac wins Kolkata title
Kolkata: Continuing his dream run, unseeded Ilija Bozoljac of Serbia outplayed Russian third ranked Evgeny Donskoy in straight sets to clinch the singles title at the $50,000 ATP Challenger Tour event, here on Saturday. Having made the final without dropping a set, the Serbian fired 11 aces en route to a thumping 6-1, 6-1 win in a matter of 58 minutes at the BTA Courts. The Serbian, who pocketed USD 7200 and 80 ranking points, said he’s least interested in following rankings. Asked about rankings, Bozoljac said “I don’t know... I did not even check my ranking for three years!” “I was 5-2 up in the second set and had a chance of getting the set but he played well,” he said.
Perera lifts title, lahiri second
Bangalore: Defending champion Anirban lahiri gave a spirited charge on the final round with a card of four-under 68 but Sri lankan golfer Mithun Perera came up with a resolute one-under 71 to win the PGTI Eagleburg Open, his second title in two weeks. Perera signed off with a tournament total of 22-under 266 to register a three-shot win despite lahiri’s brilliant show on the final day here. local favourite lahiri secured runner-up position after ending up with a total of 19-under 269. Perera (65-66-64-71) and lahiri (68-65-68-68) were involved in a very keen contest today with a few twists and turns. Anirban made all the moves on the first 11 holes with five birdies against a lone bogey to overcome a huge six-shot deficit and draw level with Mithun, who had only two bogeys to show on that stretch.
Grand finale of School of Speed
New Delhi: PUMA kicked off India’s first relay race for students with the Delhi edition of School of Speed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday. School of speed is a relay race for children between the 7th and 10th standard who compete for the title of the Fastest Team and School. The Delhi edition of School of Speed saw the relay race with over 1,500 students who participated enthusiastically for the title. Vidya Gyan School made a clean sweep in the junior boys category and GSS School bagged the junior girls title. Not to be left behind the senior teams raced competitively to see Vidya Gyan School and GBSSS School win the title in the senior girls and boys category, respectively. The national winners from the senior category boys and girls teams- GBSSS School and Vidya Gyan School will now move on to exclusive meet with Usain Bolt.