RANGERS SIGN BALA DEVI
Glasgow: Rangers Football Club on Wednesday announced the signing of Bala Devi from Manipur Police Sports Club. The 29-year-old joins the club on an 18-month-deal after a successful spell on trial at Rangers in November. This will make Bala the first Indian woman to become a professional footballer anywhere in the world and she also becomes Rangers' first Asian international footballer. Bala is the current top scorer for the Indian national women's team, netting an impressive 52 times in 58 games since 2010, also making her the top international goal scorer in the South Asian region. Speaking of her delight at signing for Rangers, Bala said: “To play my football in Europe with one of the biggest clubs in the world is something I could never have dreamed of. “I hope my move to Rangers serves as an example to all the women footballers back home in India who dream of taking up the sport professionally.
Injured Felix to miss Madrid derby
Madrid: Atletico Madrid said on Wednesday that Joao Felix has sustained a muscle injury, meaning the striker is likely to miss Saturday's city derby against Real Madrid. Atletico confirmed in a statement that Felix was injured during last weekend's goalless draw with Leganes in La Liga. “Joao Felix suffered a muscular injury in his right leg during the match against Leganes,” the statement read. “With the persistence of discomfort after a day of rest, the medical services have performed tests that detected the injury. His return will depend on his recovery.”
Ind Open kickboxing tourney announced
New Delhi: India Kickboxing Federation, affiliated to the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, on Wednesday announced the launch of the first-ever WAKO Indian Open Kickboxing int’l tournament. The tournament is scheduled to be held in the capital's Talkatora Indoor stadium from February 10th to 13. Over 1000 male and female athletes and officials from over 12 countries are expected to participate across two formats and seven disciplines of the sport.
Fortuna sack ‘coach of the year’
Berlin: Fortuna Duesseldorf, who are bottom of the Bundesliga, sacked Friedhelm Funkel, just a day after he received a ‘coach of the year' award. On Tuesday, Fortuna tweeted “congratulations” to Funkel for receiving the accolade from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. However, the 66-year-old was sacked less than 24 hours later in the wake of Sunday's 3-0 loss to mid-table Leverkusen. “We have scored just 18 goals this season, statistically we are the weakest team in attack, and one of the weakest in defence, in the Bundesliga,” said sports director Lutz Pfannenstiel. “As a result, we no longer believe we can stay up if things stay as they are. We had to react.”
Pacer Jamieson in line for ODI debut
Christchurch: Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson is likely to make his debut for New Zealand during the three-match ODI series against India beginning in Hamilton on February 5. The 25-year-old had impressed during the One-day series against India A, taking six wickets. He was left out of New Zealand A's squad for the upcoming first unofficial Test at Christchurch, keeping in mind the upcoming series against India. New Zealand pace trio of Lockie Ferguson (right calf), Trent Boult (left hand) and Matt Henry (left thumb) are recovering from injuries and selector Gavin Larsen said Jamieson would be a cover for the ODI series.
Lea Tahuhu added to NZ squad
Dubai: New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu, who recently had her first child, has returned to the national team's squad for the T20Is against South Africa and the ICC Women's T20 WC. Tahuhu had taken a break for the birth of her daughter Grace and skipped the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. “It's been a whirlwind last couple of weeks — becoming a mum for the first time and everything that goes with it,” Tahuhu told ICC. “I'm very excited to be back. I'm grateful of Amy's support back home and can't wait to get stuck in at training ahead of the T20 series against South Africa,” she added.