Sandhu creates landmark
New Delhi: National football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has achieved a historic feat as he became the first Indian to feature in a top-tier league match in Europe by turning out for his Norwegian side Stabaek FC. The 24-year-old Indian kept a clean sheet in his first Tippeligaen (Norwegian Premier league) start for Stabaek FC, helping them claim a dominant 5-0 triumph over IK Start in an away league match on Sunday night. Sandhu, who signed for Stabaek FC in 2014, has not played in the Tippeligaen till Sunday though he has already featured in five matches in the Norwegian Cup. He has thus far played second fiddle to Ivorian goalkeeper Sayouba Mande who is the first choice Stabaek FC goalkeeper. Sandhu has been the number one goalkeeper in the Indian team since Stephen Constantine took over last year.
Manu-Ashwini reach main draw
Jakarta: Indian mixed doubles pair of Manu Attri and Ashwini Ponnappa notched up twin victories in the qualifiers to reach the main draw of the $900,000 Indonesia Super Series Premier here on Monday. Manu and Ashwini defeated local combo of Hendra Tandjaya and Monika Intan Tutiharta 21-18, 21-13 in the opening round and then notched up a thrilling 19-21, 21-10, 21-11 win over another Indonesian pair of Didit Juang and Keshya Nurvita Hanadia here. Manu and Ashwini will next take on Singapore combo of Yong Kai Terry Hee and Wei Han Tan in the main draw on Tuesday. India's Saina Nehwal and Sameer Verma will start their campaign in the women's and men's singles respectively on Tuesday.
Thapa hopeful of more Indian boxers in Rio
Mumbai: The lone Indian boxer to have qualified for Olympics so far, Shiva Thapa said he is hopeful that more boxers will make the cut for Rio even though only one qualifying event is left on the calender."In the london Olympics there were so many boxers and Vijender Singh gave Indian boxing a face (to be proud of). I am hopeful that more boxers will qualify for the Rio Games as some qualifiers are left (to make the grade)," said the 22-year-old boxer on Monday after being felicitated by the NGO Olympic Gold Quest along with eight other Rio-bound sports persons. The 22-year-old pugilist is the lone Indian to have booked a berth for Rio in boxing and it will be the second Olympics for the 56-kg fighter after he became the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.