Wrangling goes on ahead of BI polls
New Delhi: The long-pending elections to form a new Indian Boxing Federation have run into rough weather yet again with Rakesh Thakran, a contestant for the Secretary General’s post, demanding the rejection of his rival Jay Kowli’s nomination papers on technical grounds. Thakran, who represents the Haryana State Boxing Association, claims that Kowli’s nomination papers cannot stand scrutiny as his candidature has been seconded by the same man, who has acted as a proposer for two other candidates. As per rules, a person, in this case Bharatkumar Whaval from the Maharashtra Boxing Association, cannot be both a proposer and seconder for different candidates. Thakran has already written to the Returning Officer, Retired Justice D K Deshmukh, demanding the cancellation of Kowli’s nomination along with Hiren Pandit and Amarjit Singh.
‘Better facilities, more medals’
Ghaziabad: Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar on Tuesday said if the budding wrestlers are provided better facilities, especially in villages, India could end up winning more medals than China in top international events. “Had the government ever thought of promoting sport of wrestling in villages, India could have won more gold medals than that of China,” said Sushil during the closing ceremony of 6th Baldev Dangal Mahotsav at the Sadarpur village.
Want to learn from mistakes: PV
Hyderabad: Expressing happiness over winning a bronze medal in the just-concluded World Championship, young Indian shuttler P V Sindhu today said she would like to learn from her mistakes and do well in the future. “I am very happy to get a Bronze medal. This is memorable because I got it in a big event like world Championship,” said the 19-year-old, flanked by Chief National Coach Pullela Gopichand, upon her return from Denmark. Observing that it is difficult to give a cent per cent performance every time, Sindhu said she would like to rectify her errors for improving further. “As I said, we can’t do our 100 per cent. Sometimes you may play brilliantly, sometimes nothing may go in your favour. You need to just rectify and come back with improved performance. It is not that other players are any less, whoever plays best on the given day is the winner,” she said.
Mumbai FC sign Chandra
Mumbai: I-league club Mumbai FC has signed AFC ‘A’ license coach Kundan Chandra as the head of its Youth Development wing. Chandra is an AIFF ‘D’ license Instructor as well as an AIFF scout for the U17 World Cup to be played in the country in 2017. “Chandra brings his valuable expertise to Mumbai FC in areas such as youth football, grassroots, women’s football as well as organising football festivals,” said a media release on Tuesday. On his signing with Mumbai FC, Chandra said his focus would be to produce players of high calibre. “My objective is to produce players of high quality who are technically, mentally, psychologically and physiologically fit and are also model citizens of the society. We are in process of designing and implementing one of the most ambitious grassroots football structures in India.”
lahiri, Kapur, ssp keen to do well
Crans Montana (Switzerland): Anirban lahiri, Shiv Kapur and SSP Chowrasia will have specific goals in mind when they tee off at the Omega European Masters, the only event on European soil to be sanctioned by Asian and European Tours, to be held from September 4 to 7 here. While lahiri, high on confidence having played two Majors and then being honoured with Arjuna Award at home, will seek to augment his lead at the top of the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, Kapur will be looking to make an upward movement to qualify for the European Tour’s Grand Finale in Dubai and Chowrasia will be keen to continue his decent run on the Tour and try to win back his European Tour card. Also in the fray will be Gaganjeet Bhullar, who has had an up-and-down season and Jeev Milkha Singh, who has been struggling this season.
Mary joins fight against cancer
Gurgaon: Olympic medallist boxer Mary Kom on Tuesday joined hands with multi-super speciality hospital Artemis in the fight against cancer and cardiac diseases among women in the country and asked them to take care of their health. Mary Kom was present at the ‘Women’s cancer and cardiac awareness and screening camp’ organised here by Artemis Hospital. The initiative aims at spreading awareness about these diseases across the country, including the North East where these are highly prevalent. The primary objective of the camp was to educate people on the early symptoms of the disease and the preventive measures that one can take at an early stage.
Cycling league gets good response
New Delhi: Country’s first ever School Cycling Initiative proved to be a runaway success with 700 children from 60 schools and over 300 parents and teachers hitting the pedal on a bright Sunday morning. The inaugural edition of the initiative — Avon Cycles Dwarka School Cycling league — organised by Artsmith Concepts and Vision under the aegis of Cycling Federation of India and with the support of St. Mary’s School, Dwarka, the school partner for the event, was not just an attempt to spread awareness for a cleaner environment but also identify talent with an eye on the 2020 Olympics.