IAAF rejects AFI's request for Chitra New Delhi:
The IAAF on Sunday rejected the Athletics Federation of India's request to include P U Chitra in the Indian squad for the upcoming World Championships, ending drama around her participation in the prestigious event. The AFI had on Saturday requested the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to consider Chitra's case after Sports Minister Vijay Goel asked the national federation to honour the Kerala High Court directive. "We did what we could. We did what is within our powers. But the IAAF has rejected our request. We cannot do anything. That (rejection) was their discretion and they must have done it taking into account relevant rules," an AFI official, who cannot be quoted, told PTI. The Kerala High Court had, on Friday, directed the central government to ensure participation of Chitra in the World Athletics Championships in london next month.
Shiva, Manoj strike gold at tourney
New Delhi: Indian boxers packed quite a heavy punch at the 48th Grand Prix Usti Nad labem, clinching five gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the event in the Czech Republic. World Championships bronze-medallist Shiva Thapa (60kg), former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Manoj Kumar (69kg), Amit Phangal (52kg), Gaurav Bidhuri (56kg) and Satish Kumar (+91kg) claimed gold medals after winning their respective summit clashes Saturday night. Kavinder Bisht (52kg) and Manish Panwar (81kg), on the other hand, settled for silver medals. Earlier, Sumit Sangwan (91kg) had claimed a bronze after going down in the semifinals.
Rhodes signed up by Trichy Warriors
Chennai: Jonty Rhodes, the former South Africa batsman, has been signed up as mentor and brand ambassador of the Ruby Trichy Warriors for the India Cements Tamil Nadu Premier league (TNPl), 2017. Rhodes will arrive for his stint on August 7. Rhodes represented South Africa in 52 Tests and 245 One- Day Internationals (ODIs) and became synonymous with brilliant fielding. Post retirement, he has successfully moved into coaching with the stint in the TNPl being the latest.
Gill takes Round 1 of MRF Championship
Coimbatore: Two-time Asia-Pacific Rally (APRC) champion Gaurav Gill began his MRF FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) on a positive note, winning the first round of the compititon here on Sunday. The 35-year-old ace rallyist and his co-driver Musa Sherif, who were fourth off the blocks, stormed into the lead in the first stage itself. Gill tackled the gravel road with all its twists and turns in his typical aggressive way to round it up in just 12 minutes and 11 seconds, a full 18 seconds ahead of the 24-car field.