Delhi to host 2017 ISSF World Cup finals
New Delhi: Delhi will host the ISSF World Cup finals in 2017, the National Rifle Association of India said on Thursday. The International Shooting Sport Federation Executive Committee, which met in Moscow on Wednesday, made the decision to award the 2017 edition of the ISSF World Cup finals (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun combined) to the Indian capital. The event will be hosted in October. This is in addition to the ISSF World Cup series scheduled to be held in the capital in February 2017. NRAI president Raninder Singh said, “This is a recognition of India’s growing reputation in the sport of shooting and on the behalf of the entire federation, I would like to thank the ISSF for bestowing upon us the honour to host the World Cup Finals for the very first time.”
Indians continue to impress at Canada Open
Calgary: India witnessed another fruitful day at the Canada Open as all its shuttlers, including Ajay Jayaram and H S Prannoy, entered the third round of the $55,000 Grand Prix badminton tournament. Top seed Jayaram struggled past Canada’s Martin Giuffre 17-21, 21-17, 21-13 in a 54-minute match. Second seed H S Prannoy also made it to the pre-quarters after a hard-fought 13-21, 21-11, 21-15 win over Sweden’s Mattias Borg in another men’s singles match. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, RMV Gurusaidutt also stormed into the next round after an easy 21-8, 21-6 win over local shuttler Jonathan lai. Fourth seed B Sai Praneeth had to dug deep to eke out a 26-24 21-16 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Kan Chao Yu to set up a clash against Wenchao Shi of Canada.
Spieth uncertain if he will play in Rio
Washington: World number two Jordan Spieth remains uncertain if he will compete in the Rio Olympics when golf returns to the Games lineup for the first time in 112 years. Spieth and many of the world’s top golfers will compete this week at the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. “Right now, I’m uncertain,” Spieth said. “I have not received enough information to make an informed decision either way or not, so as we gather more information I will be able to make a decision one way or the other.” Spieth’s US compatriot, third-ranked US Open winner Dustin Johnson, says he intends to play while fourth-ranked Rory McIlroy said he will not go to Brazil due to Zika, which has been linked to birth defects and severe illness.
ATK strengthens team with three recruits
New Delhi: The champions of inaugural edition and the semi finalist of the second season of Indian Super league, Atlético de Kolkata, announced on Thursday the recruitment of three more International players. The team has signed Scottish midfielder Stephen Paul Pearson commonly known as ‘Pearo’, who plays for Motherwell FC and two other Spaniards, Daniel ‘Dani’ Mallo Castro plays for Albacete Balompié as Goal Keeperand centre back Pablo José Gallardo Zurera, who currently plays for Dreams Metro Gallery FC.