5-a-side Championship begins in pune today
Pune: After tasting success in their 1st edition last year, the futuristic Hockey India 5-a-side Senior Hockey National Championship 2017 (Men and Women) is back with its second edition starting in Pune, Maharashtra on Tuesday, November 14 at the Shivaji Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Boxing Hall. The six-day domestic extravaganza will see teams vie for top honours in three categories — Men's, Women's and the all-new Combined Men & Women event which will see men and women play in a combined team on November 18. Hosted by Hockey Maharashtra, the 2nd Hockey India 5-a-side Senior National Hockey Championship 2017 will see a star-studded line-up with members of the Indian Women's Hockey Team, who recently created history by clinching the 2017 Asia Cup in Japan, turn up for their respective state teams. The Combined event is pegged as the most exciting event of the tournament. A team participating in this category will feature a minimum of either 4 men or women in their team of nine member 5-a-side team.
Malhotra thanks Jaitley for considering his request
New Delhi: Vijay Kumar Malhotra, President, All India Council of Sports thanked Arun Jaitley, union minister for finance, for accepting his recommendations to reduce GST on Sports Sectors. He said that reduction of GST on Sports especially on Sports Goods and Event Management will go a long way in promoting sports in the country as the prices of sports equipment will come down to affordable level to help sportspersons. Similarly, reduction in GST on Sports Events will further encourage the Event Management Firms to come forward to organize more and more sporting Events. Malhotra also appealed to the minister for considering launching Sports loan Scheme in line with Education loan at much lower rate of interest and easy terms and conditions. Malhotra further recommended that the Sports loan should be given at much easier terms & conditions and lower interest rate than what is being charged for Education loan.
Saeed Ajmal retires from all cricket
Karachi: Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Monday, two years after losing his wicket-taking bite with a remodelled bowling action that was twice deemed illegal. During a successful but controversial career, Ajmal was once celebrated as the world's number one bowler in one day internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 cricket, and was almost as successful in Tests. He famously captured 24 wickets in three Tests against England in 2012. But his time in the limelight was cut short after a temporary ban for chucking saw him return to the sport in 2015 without the same form. "I am quitting all forms of cricket after the current National Twenty20 tournament," Ajmal told AFP from Rawalpindi on the phone.
DImitrov beats thiem in ATP FINAlS
lONDON: Grigor Dimitrov withstood a comeback attempt from Dominic Thiem on Monday and held on for a 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 victory in his debut at the ATP Finals. The sixth-ranked Dimitrov, the first player from Bulgaria to qualify for the season-ending event, quickly settled into his new surroundings at the O2 Arena. After winning the first set, he had a break point at 5-5 in the second set. But Thiem produced a forehand winner to hold. The Austrian then broke in the final game to even the score. Dimitrov broke to take a 4-3 lead in the third, but Thiem broke back when the Bulgarian was serving for the match. Dimitrov then managed another break, and there was nothing more Thiem could do. In the late match, top-ranked Rafael Nadal will face David Goffin.
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