Advani wins Asian 6-Red Snooker
Mumbai: India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani created history in Abu Dhabi by clinching the Asian 6-Red Snooker title. Advani thus became the first in the world to hold both world and continental titles in 6-red snooker at the same time, according to information received here. The double IBSF World Six-Red Snooker Champion stamped his authority again in the short format of the game, defeating top seeded Malaysian Keen Hoh Moh 7-5 on Sunday night. Advani won the final in a battle of fluctuating fortunes by keeping his nerves intact. Advani will now spearhead the Indian challenge in the team event with Aditya Mehta, Manan Chandra and Kamal Chawla.
lajja, Anjum advance
Munich: India’s lajja Gauswami and Anjum Moudgil booked their respective qualification round slots in the women’s 50-metre rifle 3 positions event on day three of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup here on Monday. lajja shot 576 to finish 19th in her elimination relay, while Anjum scored 574 to end 23rd in her relay. Both will vie for a place in the eight-woman final of the rifle/pistol world tournament at the Olympic Shooting Centre. In the men’s 50-metre rifle prone, Olympic-bound Chain Singh shot 624.3 to end in 29th place, while london Olympics bronze medallist Gagan Narang shot 620.6 to finish 52nd.
‘Expedite work on upgrading J&K stadiums’
New Delhi: Newly-appointed Sports Minister Jitendra Singh has directed the officials to expedite the upgradation of sports stadiums in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir and sort out land issues related to the Sports University in Manipur. Singh assumed the additional charge of Union Sports Ministry after Sarbananda Sonowal resigned to take over as Chief Minister of first BJP Government in Assam. “Dr Jitendra Singh issued instructions for expediting the up-gradation of sports stadiums at capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, and bringing up sports centers in other parts of Jammu & Kashmir, for which Rs 200 crore has been earmarked by the Government of India,” the ministry said in a release. Jitendra Singh is Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region apart from being MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.
Dynamos retain Edathodika, Ghosh
New Delhi: Delhi Dynamos FC have retained their star defender Anas Edathodika and dynamic goalkeeper Sanjiban Ghosh for the third edition of the Indian Super league football tournament. Edathodika was dubbed as the ‘Great Wall of Delhi’ during the last season for his heroics as he kept the Dynamos defence steady. He was also picked as an Indian senior team probable for the SAFF Cup 2015. Ghosh was signed by the Delhi outfit in 2015 after injuries to goalkeepers, and he immediately managed to impress the technical staff and management with his performances on field and at training.
Sarjubala, Seema enter quarters
Astana (Kazakhstan): Previous edition’s silver-medallist and second seed Sarjubala Devi (48kg) advanced to quarterfinals along with Seema Poonia (+81kg) as India rounded off a reasonably good day at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, here on Monday. The Indian contingent had reason to celebrate after Sarjubala and Seema advanced in the non-Olympic categories. Sarjubala gave a perfect start to the day for India by pummelling Sri lanka’s Erandi Kaluhath 3-0. Seema was equally dominant in her win over Azerbaijan’s Aynur Rzayeva, who was sluggish for most part of the bout and was hardly a match to the attacking Indian. Agencies