Saina aims to become World No.1
Hyderabad: Upbeat over winning the China Open title and moving up to the fourth spot in the latest BWF rankings, star shuttler Saina Nehwal says she is working on becoming the best in the world. “I am happy that, from world number nine to I reached world number four with three titles. Now, I am hoping to do well in the Dubai Super Series final next month,” she said on Tuesday. Besides seeking more success on the tour, the Hyderabadi is focused on maintaining fitness in the run up to the 2016 Olympics. “I will try my best. World Number One is a target obviously everyone wants to achieve. But it is not easy as the other Chinese are also strong. So, I would just keep working hard and you never know anything can happen.”
Govt to pursue Sarita’s case
New Delhi: Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday said that the government is more than keen to pursue Indian woman boxer l Sarita Devi’s matter with AIBA to get her suspension, which was imposed on her for not accepting the bronze medal at Asian Games medal ceremony, overturned. “We will be strongly pursuing Sarita Devi’s matter internationally. I will be attending the meeting on Wednesday, which will see the members of Boxing India, IOA and prominent sportspersons present there. We will try to get her ban lifted,” Sonowal said. “Sarita Devi should be allowed to play for the country,” said the minister.
Sourav wins, Jayram exits
Macau: Sourav Verma, B Sai Praneeth and HS Prannoy comfortably progressed to the second round of the men’s singles event even as compatriots Ajay Jayram and Arvind Bhatt failed to clear the opening hurdle at the 2014 Macau Open, here on Tuesday. Seventh seed Verma defeated Chinese Taipei’s Yang Chih Chieh 21-14, 21-15, Sai Praneeth hardly broke a sweat as his Malaysian opponent Woon Kok Hong conceded the match due to an injury in the opening game. HS Prannoy also made short work of Taipei’s Shih Kuei Chun winning 21-12, 21-18. However, it was curtains for 14th seed Jayram and Bhatt. Jayram lost 15-21, 11-21 to Kazumasa Sakai of Japan, while Bhatt was shown the door by China’s Shi Yuqi, losing 15-21, 5-21.
hhil opener in Bhubaneswar
New Delhi: The newly-built Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneswar will stage the opening match, while capital’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium will host the semifinals and final of the third edition of Hero Hockey India league to be held across the country from January 22 to February 22. In the opening match of the 2015 edition of HHIl, hosts Kalinga lancers will play debutant Ranchi Rays. Dabang Mumbai, another new franchise in the league, will play their tournament opener against Jaypee Punjab Warriors on January 23 followed by the clash of Uttar Pradesh Wizards and defending champions Delhi Waveriders on the same day in lucknow.
Jeev, Kapur eye victory in Dubai
Dubai: Star Indian golfers Jeev Milkha Singh and Shiv Kapur have hailed the Asian Tour’s entry into the Middle East and hoped to put their name on the inaugural Dubai Open trophy at The Els Club Dubai next month. Two-time Asian Tour number one, Singh believes the new Dubai event, which will be the final tournament of the 2014 season from December 18 to 21, is a wonderful addition on the region’s premier Tour Schedule and hopes it would pave the way for more events to emerge in the Middle East.
messi vs suarez in copa 2015
VINA DEl MAR (Chile): Brazil will face Colombia and Argentina will play defending champions Uruguay after the group-stage matchups were drawn for the 2015 Copa America on Monday. Brazil was drawn against Colombia, Peru and Venezuela in Group C of the South American competition, while Argentina was placed with Uruguay, Paraguay and Jamaica in Group B. Host Chile will be trying to win the Copa America for the first time. Uruguay is the competition’s most successful nation with 15 titles.
‘difficult being sania in india’
New Delhi: Sania Mirza says “it’s difficult to be a Sania Mirza in this country” due to the prevailing “gender inequality” and called for an urgent need to bring about a cultural change. “I think a lot of controversies that I had faced in my career was because I am woman. Had I been a man, I could have avoided some of the controversies,” she said. “We need a cultural change and I hope media takes the responsibility, too.”