Bhakti keeps lead in Asian Chess
Tashkent (Uzbekistan): Woman Grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni remained in sole lead following a draw with Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova of Uzbekistan in the sixth round of Asian continental women’s chess championship here. The draw took Bhakti to five points out of a possible six and she remained a half point ahead of nearest rivals — Dinara Saduakassova of Kazakhstan, li Xueyi of China and Tokhirjonova — all of whom have 4.5 points apiece. With just three rounds to go, Soumya Swamithan is also within striking distance of the leaders on four points. In the sixth round Soumya came up with an inspired performance to beat Pham le Thao Nguyen of Vietnam.
li Na becomes member of laureus
paris: Retired Chinese tennis star li Na has been named the 60th member of the laureus World Sports Academy. She was inducted in Paris, the city where she became the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam title in 2011. The former world No.2 joins the 59 fellow sporting legends in the laureus Academy including tennis greats Boris Becker, Ilie Nastase, Martina Navratilova and Monica Seles. One of China’s greatest ever athletes, the 34-year-old li Na’s tennis career was defined by firsts. She was the first Chinese player to win a WTA title, the first Chinese player to break into the top ten in the world rankings and the first Asian player ever to win a Grand Slam.
Star India bags broadcast rights for French Open
New Delhi: Country’s leading broadcaster Star India on Wednesday announced that it has bagged exclusive broadcasting rights for the next five French Open from 2017 to 2021. Under this contract, which includes media and digital rights, Star India will become Roland-Garros exclusive media partner for India and the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri lanka). Star India will offer extensive coverage of the full 15 days of the tournament.
Chinappa moves to 11th in rankings
new delhi: India’s highest ranked player Joshna Chinappa has risen to a career-best 11th place in latest rankings released by Professional Squash Association. Joshna was in 13th place, her previous personal high, before her final appearance in Hong Kong last week pushed her further up in the rankings. Her India teammate Dipika Pallikal also improved her position by a rung to be 18th. Saurav Ghosal, who is nursing an injury, moved up a spot to be 17th in men’s rankings.
Navin Agarwal appointed NADA chief
paris: Senior IPS officer Navin Agarwal was on Wednesday appointed chief of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), working for dope-free sports. Agarwal is a 1986 batch IPS officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved Agarwal’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer/Director General of NADA, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said. He has been appointed to the post for five years, it said. Agarwal is presently working in his cadre state — Jammu & Kashmir.
Messi’s ex-advisors absolve him
barcelona: lionel Messi’s former tax advisors came out in support of the football star Wednesday as his trial for alleged fraud continued in Barcelona, saying he never handled his wealth management. Messi, 28, and his father Jorge Horacio Messi are accused of using a chain of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on 4.16 million euros ($4.6 million) of Messi’s income earned through the sale of his image rights from 2007-09. The trial kicked off in Barcelona on Tuesday, and the Argentina star himself will take the stand on Thursday. He “didn’t take any decisions and I didn’t see anyone consulting him for anything,” said Angel Juarez, one of the partners at law firm Juarez Veciana which managed Messi’s tax affairs at the time. “I don’t know if any of my correspondence has been included in the case, but they will see that lionel Messi does not appear in any of it,” added Inigo de loyola, another partner.
Russia on track for WC: Infantino, Putin
moscow: Stadium construction for the 2018 World Cup is on time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday, contradicting recent reports of delays and cost increases. Russia has been working to avoid a repeat of the problems that complicated preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Of the 12 stadiums for the tournament in Russia, nine have significant construction work remaining. “Preparation for the World Cup is in full swing,” Putin said. “All of the developers promise and are confident that they will comply with the commitments to finish facilities on time.”
I am too good for Swedish league: Ibra
bastad: Keeping everyone guessing about his next move, Zlatan Ibrahimovic brushed aside rumors linking him to Manchester United or hometown club Malmo on Wednesday. “I want you to still write a lot of stories so I get excited when I see them,” the 34-year-old striker said at Sweden’s pre-European Championship training camp. “Because I want to see who is making up the best story and when I’m tired of it I will let you know where I will go.” Asked about comments he made two days ago suggesting he will be back in Malmo, he said he meant with the national team, not the Swedish league. “I’m still not interested. I’m too good for the Swedish league,” Ibrahimovic said.