FIFA names Ballon d’Or shortlist
Zurich: Cristiano Ronaldo and lionel Messi again head the list of candidates for the player of the year award, which they have combined to win for the past seven years. All 23 players named on the Ballon D’Or Award shortlist on Tuesday play for European clubs. Other shortlisted players for FIFA World Player of the Year award: Sergio Aguero, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Robert lewandowski, Javier Mascherano, lionel Messi, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Neymar, Paul Pogba, Ivan Rakitic, Arjen Robben, James Rodriguez, Alexis Sanchez, luis Suarez, Yaya Toure, Arturo Vidal. The winners will be announced on Jan. 11 at a ceremony in Zurich. The list of Ballon d'Or nominees will be shortened to the final three contenders on Nov. 30.
Randhir, IOC condole Ashwini’s demise
New Delhi: Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Vice President Randhir Singh on Tuesday condoled the death of former Indian Olympic Association President Ashwini Kumar, saying the nation has lost a capable and renowned sports administrator in him. "Ashwini Kumar was an astute sports administrator whose sole aim was to develop Indian sports and produce Olympic champions for the country. The sporting fraternity will deeply miss him," said Randhir, also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in his condolence message. Ashwini, who was honoured with the Olympic Order in 2002, passed away last evening. International Olympic Committee in a statement condoled the passing away of its former member Ashwini Kumar, describing him as someone who spent his whole career promoting Olympic values at the highest level.
Sanam scripts big upset
Bengaluru: While unseeded Indian Sanam Singh scripted the biggest Air Asia Open upset by trouncing tournament eighth seed Germain Gigounon of Belgium in straight sets, India’s ace Davis Cupper Somdev Devvarman and Saketh Myneni, won their respective match to storm into the second round of the event on Tuesday. Singh, ranked 279, won the first set after bit of a battle 6-4, but shunted out his opponent in 20 minutes in the second set, winning the set and the match 6-0. Somdev beat Austrian Maximillian Neuchrist 6-4, 6-3. Vietnam Challenger title-holder Myneni outwitted Serbia’s Nikola Milojevic 6-3, 7-6.
Kuwait criticises FIFA suspension
KUWAIT CITY: A Kuwaiti official says the FIFA decision to suspend the country’s soccer association because of government interference is "utterly unconvincing and unjustifiable." The official Kuwait News Agency quoted Information Minister Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al Houd Al Sabah as saying the country would work with international authorities to resolve the issue. FIFA suspended Kuwait on Friday. Kuwaiti teams and clubs are banned from international competition, and the association and its members are barred from receiving any FIFA development assistance. Kuwait is currently second in Group G of Asian World Cup qualifying