Pak reschedules tri-nation Kabbadi series
Karachi: The Tri-nation Kabbadi International series involving India, Pakistan and Iran was rescheduled after the organisers on Tuesday failed to get security clearance for the inaugural matches in Jhang. The organizers said that the series was scheduled to start from Tuesday with a clash between Pakistan and Indian teams at Jhang but the tournament will now be held from January 10 to 14. "We didn't get security clearance from the interior ministry and now the event will start from January 10th from Bahawalpur and continue in Sahiwal and end in Lahore on the 14th," the organisers said.
Egypt to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
Dakar: Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations between June 15 and July 13, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad announced on Tuesday. The CAF executive committee preferred Egypt to South Africa as replacements for original hosts Cameroon, who were dropped due to delays in preparations and concerns over security. It will be the fifth time Egypt stage the biennial showpiece of African football after 1959, when the country was called the United Arab Republic, 1974, 1986 and 2006. Egypt only entered the running to host the Cup of Nations when fellow north African country Morocco announced they would not bid to do so.
Weah joins Celtic on loan from PSG
Paris: Scottish champions Celtic reinforced their striking options on Monday with the signing of USA international Timothy Weah on loan from Paris Saint-Germain for the rest of the season. Son of 1995 Ballon d'Or winner and Liberian president George Weah, the 18-year-old has scored two goals in three appearances for PSG this season but saw his opportunities limited by a star front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. "He has a long career ahead of him but he has those natural attributes in terms of his pace and technique. He's hungry too," Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told the club's website.
Kroos facing 3-week injury layoff
Madrid: Spanish football giants Real Madrid have announced that their German midfielder Toni Kroos faces three weeks on the sidelines after tearing his left hamstring. Kroos will miss both legs of the club's Copa del Rey tie against Leganes as well as La Liga matches against Real Betis and Sevilla. The 2014 World Cup winner, who celebrated his 29th birthday last Friday, has played 14 league matches so far this season, contributing one assist. Real Madrid have been beset with injuries since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, and are currently languishing in 5th place in La Liga.
Ramkumar, Ankita make winning start
Melbourne: India's Ramkumar Ramanathan and Ankita Raina recorded straight sets victories to make a promising start at the Australian Open qualifiers but Karman Kaur Thandi went down fighting in the first round here on Tuesday. Seeded 21st, Ramkumar knocked out Spain's Sergio Guiterrez-Ferrol 6-3, 6-2 in his men's singles opening round. Appearing in her third Grand Slam Qualifiers, Ankita (ranked 205) got the better of Myrtille Georges (ranked 238) from France 6-2, 6-2 in her opening round.