Russia drop football chief
Moscow: The Russian Football Union has voted out president Nikolai Tolstykh in the culmination of long-running tensions over how the game is run in the 2018 World Cup host nation. Tolstykh's three years in charge of Russian football were marked by a crackdown on fan racism which saw some of the country's biggest clubs punished, but his time in office was also blighted by financial problems. Tolstykh came under particular fire for his role in signing national team coach Fabio Capello to a new contract worth a reported 7 million euros a year in January 2014, and his removal as president calls into question the Italian coach's future in Russia. The RFU's long-running financial difficulties led to Capello going unpaid for seven months until February.
Chen long wins Aus Open crown
Sydney: China's world No.1 shuttler Chen long defeated Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 21-12, 14-21, 21-18 for the men's singles title at the Australian Open Superseries here on Sunday. Axelsen's nerves against the world champion were showing, pushing the shuttle wide on the Chinese's right side. Chen kept his cool under the power of Axelsen, using his experience to strike when needed, taking the first game 21-12, reports Xinhua. "These days men's singles is very hard. If you lose the first, you might lose everything," Chen said. "It doesn't matter if you are number one or number two. You have to prepare for everything." World No.9 Axelsen changed his strategy to combat the technical skill of Chen, using soft drop shots rather than raw power, opening up a six-point lead at 14-19. Chen fell flat on his feet under pressure, losing the second game 14-21. "I was quite tense in the first game, but I just tried to focus on things I could do to get into a good rhythm," Axelsen said.
Player, 22, dies of heart attack
Melbourne: A 22-year-old Australian Rules football player has died of an apparent heart attack during a reserve-grade match in Melbourne. Club officials said Sunday that Northern Saints Football Club player Mohamed Ali Jamil Allouche collapsed after kicking a goal during the game at suburban Fawkner on Saturday. He was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after. The match against Avondale Heights was later called off.
BI calls ECm on June 17
New Delhi: Embroiled in an administrative tug of war, Boxing India (BI) will hold an Executive Council meeting on June 17, in which conducting elections for the posts of President and Secretary General would be on the agenda. "An Executive Council meeting of Boxing India is hereby convened on May 17 to be held in New Delhi. All the Executive members are requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting," read a letter sent out by BI's acting President Meren Paul to its members. The call for this meeting has come after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) warned that the country's pugilists will "suffer" ahead of this year's Olympic qualifiers if the warring factions do not resolve their differences and get the federation registered. On the agenda during the meeting will be "registration of the federation under the Societies Act, recognition of the BI by the Government of India and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and election to the posts of President and Secretary General" among others.
Four Indians bag gold in wrestling
New Delhi: Four Indian grapplers, including Yogeshwar Dutt, struck gold at the International Wrestling tournament in Sassari City, Italy, after finishing on top in their respective weight categories in Men's Freestyle. Yogeshwar bagged the yellow metal in 65kg division, while Praveen Rana claimed the gold in 70kg category, according to the information received here. Amit Kumar and Narsingh Yadav also finished on the top of the podium in 57kg and 74kg categories, respectively. Other Indians in fray were Mausum Khatri (97kg) and Hitender (125kg). After World Wrestling Federation introduced variations in the weight categories at the end of year 2013, Yogeshwar chose to compete in 65kg category, climbing up from 60kg division, in which he won the bronze medal in the 2012 london Olympics. Since jumping up the weight category, Yogeshwar has won gold in all four tournaments he has taken part so far.