RUPINDER NAMED AS CAPTAIN
New Delhi: Ace dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh will lead Delhi Waveriders in the upcoming fifth edition of the Hockey India league (HIl), starting January 21. Rupinder will take charge of the team from New Zealand's Simon Child, who has been named as the vice-captain. Rupinder, who was part of the 2014 Asian Games gold medal-winning Indian team, will lead a young squad, which includes some new faces in Austin Smith of South Africa, Argentina's Manuel Brunet, Vincent Vanasch of Belgium and Indian goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya, Mandip Antil and Pardeep Singh. The Waveriders also has in its disposal two promising Indian players, Junior World Cup-winning side captain Harjeet Singh and 19-year-old Mandeep Singh. New international faces of Waveriders include Manuel, who was part of the 2016 Rio Olympics gold winning Argentina team, Austin, competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, the 2010 and 2014 Hockey World Cups, and at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and Belgian goalkeeper Vincent, who represented his national side at the 2012 Olympics.
PRAFUl PATEl IN FIFA COMMITTEE New Delhi: All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel was on Thursday appointed member of FIFA's all-important finance committee for a four-year term. Patel was appointed senior vice-president of Asian Football Confederations (AFC) in December last year. Under Patel's tutelage, India won the rights to host its first FIFA World Cup, the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 and had hosted the AFC U-16 Championship last September. AIFF had also won the Recognition Award for grassroots football in 2014 and the AFC Member Association (Developing) Award for 2016. The FIFA finance committee monitors the financial management and advises the FIFA executive committee on financial matters and asset management. It also analyses the FIFA budgets and the financial statements prepared by the FIFA general secretary and submits them to the FIFA executive committee for approval.
FINE START BY CHAWRASIA
Abu Dhabi: India's SSP Chawrasia, who had two fine wins in 2016, opened his campaign this year with an excellent four-under 68 that placed him inside the top 10 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships golf tournament, here on Thursday. The lone Indian in the field, Chawrasia, a three-time winner on European Tour and winner of five titles overall in Asian Tour, overcame a late bogey on the eighth hole, which was his 17th to come home with his best start in five appearances at Abu Dhabi. This is his first appearance in Abu Dhabi since 2013, when he was tied 17th. Chawrasia, who defends his Hero Indian Open title in March, was tied 10th though there were many players still on the course. The leader was the 2016 British Open winner and Olympic silver medallist, Henrik Stenson, who carded a brilliant eight-under 64 to take sole lead and begin the defence of his Race to Dubai title to a great start. "I like this golf course and quite enjoy it. I remember I shot a 65 here in 2013 and I was looking forward to playing here again. Hopefully I can carry on the good work from today," said Chawrasia.