Yogeshwar shines in Haryana’s 4-3 win
Noida: On a day of upsets, Haryana Hammers prevailed 4-3 over Uttar Pradesh Wizards as India’s Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt registered a brilliant win in the deciding bout of the Pro-Wrestling league here on Saturday. While Haryana Hammers’ livan lopez Azcuy stunned World Championship silver medallist Purevjav Unurbat, representing UP Wizards in Men’s 74kg, UP captain Babita then scored an upset win over Haryana’s Tatyana Kit in women’s 53kg. After the two upsets, the scores were tied at 3-3 with onus on Hammers’ captain and icon player Yogeshwar Dutt to bail the team out. And Yogeshwar did just that by posting a 9-4 win by Fall verdict over Vikas Kumar of UP team in Men’s 65kg category.
I-league has been a failure: Bhutia
New Delhi: Former captain and current advisor to All India Football Federation, Bhaichung Bhutia has admitted that the eight-year old I-league has been a failure and feels that the “successful” Indian Super league should be given a few more seasons before a possible merger of the two. “let’s be honest, I-league was not successful and that’s why ISl came,” Bhutia said at an event organised by Confederation of Indian Industries here last night. “Had I-league been successful, the ISl would not have been there. I-league failed and that’s why ISl was started and we have seen that it (ISl) has been a success so far.”
‘Russia meddled in Senegal vote’
Paris: Former world athletics chief lamine Diack, suspected of accepting Russian bribes in return for covering up positive drug tests, says Moscow poured cash into Senegal’s 2012 presidential campaign to help influence the result, sources close to the case said. Diack said Russia gave 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) to “associations and spheres of influence” in his native Senegal ahead of the vote in a bid to help prevent the re-election of Abdoulaye Wade, a source told AFP, confirming a report in le Monde. The payments were allegedly made via Valentin Balakhnishev, former president of the Russian Athletics Federation and ex-treasurer of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The election was won by Macky Sall in March 2012.
Pujara is brand ambassador of RHM
Rajkot: Indian cricketer and local boy Cheteshwar Pujara was on Saturday appointed as the brand ambassador of Rajkot Half Marathon to be organised here on January 24. The marathon is jointly organised by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) and the city police. RMC Commissioner Vijay Nehra said the right-handed batsman has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the marathon.
‘SABR’ still part of arsenal: Federer
Singapore: Roger Federer said he will keep honing his chip-and-charge “SABR” tactic as he prepares for the 2016 season. Short for “Sneak Attack by Roger”, it involves rushing towards the net at the moment of a second serve and chipping back the ball. The 17-time Grand Slam winner successfully employed it against Novak Djokovic at the Cincinnati final in August. “I would love to keep trying it, now I have time to practise, so I am sure I will spend some time on that as well and see if... It’s something I should keep up,” said the 34-year-old.