Second Indian GP begins today
New Delhi: With less than four months to go for Rio Games, a slew of stars, former champions and upcoming athletes will go all out to clinch Olympic qualification berths when the second Indian Grand Prix gets underway at the NS NIS Patiala stadium on Friday. There is high expectations from sprinter Dutee Chand, who created a new National Record in the women's 100 metres sprint, clocking 11.33sec on the opening day of the Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championships. Rajiv Arokia created the National record in Men's 400m event clocking 45.47s to erase the 12-year old mark of 45.48s created by KM Binu in 2004. Whereas in Women's 400m event Anilda Thomas clocked 52.40s to finish first in the Federation Cup but both missed the Olympics qualification mark of 45.40s and 52.20s respectively. Ace discus thrower Krishna Poonia finished sixth in the 2012 london Olympics and is returning to action after a gap of two years, post-surgery. Though she couldn't qualify in first leg of Indian GP and Federation Cup earlier, Poonia will be competing in Indian GP to be part of the Rio contingent.
Ghosh best Indian in TT rankings
New Delhi: Rio Olympics-bound Soumyajit Ghosh upstaged his icon Achanta Sharath Kamal to become the best placed Indian in the latest world Table Tennis rankings issued on Thursday. As per the latest International Table Tennis Federation world rankings, Ghosh find himself at the 65 spot, eight places ahead of Sharath. Sharath, who had occupied 61st position only last month, has dropped down to world No 73. Among women paddlers, National champion Manika Batra too gained six places to be at 128th spot after putting up a fine display at the Asian Cup's Continental group event. Mouma Das, another Rio-bound paddler, however lost eight places to be at 158th position since her outing in the World Championships in Malaysia.
Ticket sales for MI's opener commences
Mumbai: Online ticket sales for defending champions Mumbai Indians' opening IPl game at Vishakapatnam, against Sun Risers Hyderabad on May 8, commenced on Thursday. The tickets for the game, priced between `400 and `1,250, can be purchased online through www.Bookmyshow.Com and www.Mumbaiindians.Com or at the box office counter at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vishakapatnam, a media release said. MI are scheduled to play their three remaining home matches, shifted out of the Wankhede Stadium, against SRH (4:00 pm; May 8), Kings XI Punjab (8:00 pm; May 13) and Delhi Daredevils (8:00 pm; May 15).
Fellaini, Huth get 3-match bans
lONDON: Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini and leicester defender Robert Huth were banned on Thursday for three matches following their clash in the English Premier league. Fellaini reacted to getting his hair pulled by Huth by appearing to elbow his opponent as they jostled during a set-piece in Sunday's 1-1 draw. The incident wasn't seen by the match officials but was caught on video. The FA said both players accepted charges of violent conduct. Huth appealed against the ban, saying a three-match suspension would be "clearly excessive," but it was rejected at an independent hearing. It rules both out for the rest of EPl. Fellaini will be available for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 21.