Vijender talks up pro boxing in India
New Delhi: India’s star boxer Vijender Singh on Friday met Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at his residence here and discussed about his plans of developing professional boxing in the country. Vijender also thanked the minister for his constant support in his professional debut. The Olympic bronze medallist also said that Sonowal has assured him full support in his endeavour to develop professional boxing in India. “I also discussed with him about the plans of developing professional boxing in India. I am happy that Mr. Sonowal gave a very positive response for the development of pro boxing in our country,” said Vijender.
Advani enters semis
Hurghada (Egypt): Gunning for his 15th World tittle, ace cueist Pankaj Advani entered the semi-finals of the IBSF World Snooker Championship to assure India of a medal here on Friday. Advani, who now remains the only Indian in the fray in the men’s category, outplayed Maltese Alex Borg 6-0 to better his last year’s performance when he went down to Yan Bingtao of China in the quarterfinals in Bengaluru. In the best-of-11-frame battle, Advani consistently put brakes against Borg to put up a century break during his excellent showing of 70-62, 112-0 (57), 107(90)-14, 83 (50)-46, 114 (108)-12, 64-27.Advani also scored the highest break of 141, which he hit in the first game.
Platini appeals to CAS
Paris: Suspended UEFA president Michel Platini has lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his 90-day ban. Platini lost his appeal to FIFA’s appeals committee this week against the ban that halts his candidacy for the FIFA election on Feb. 26. Platini’s legal team, which needs expected cooperation from FIFA to fast-track the case, said “we are confident that CAS will issue a ruling very quickly given what is at stake.”
Asian shooting body backs Kuwait
New Delhi: The Asian Shooting Confederation made it clear that it completely supports the continent’s shooters and Kuwait Shooting Federation in their stand towards the decision of IOC to revoke the Olympic quota status of the 13th Asian Shooting Championship held in Kuwait this month. Sheikh Salman Al Sabah, President of Asian Shooting Confederation said, “We assure you that we will fight for the rights of all our athletes in Asia. We do not find any faults on the part of Kuwait Shooting Federation and we would like to reiterate that their actions have been legally, ethically and morally correct.”