Hockey India League to return with fresh outlook
After hosting five successful editions that generated tremendous interest from hockey fans across the globe, the sixth edition of Hockey India League will be hosted in 2019. The tournament's Governing Committee, comprising representatives of Hockey India and other stakeholders, have unanimously decided to schedule the next edition of India's only professional hockey league in 2019 instead of 2018 January and February. Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, Chairman Hockey India League and Secretary General, Hockey India, further clarified that this will only be a temporary discontinuation.
Kaur in top 10, Jhulan also surges in ICC rankings
Indian all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur has made a jump of seven slots to move to the sixth position in the latest ICC ODI Rankings for Batswoman. Kaur's swashbuckling 171 not out helped India defeat Australia by 36 runs in the semifinal of the recently concluded ICC Women's World Cup and she followed it up with a fighting 51 in the final against England, which India lost by nine runs. She is now the second India batswoman to feature in the top 10 after Mithali Raj, who is ranked second—10 points behind Australia captain Meg Lanning. Australia's Ellyse Perry is third, trailing Raj by 12 points. Among bowlers, world's leading ODI wicket-taker Jhulan Goswami has gained four slots to reach second position and within four points of South Africa's Marizanne Kapp after figures of 3 for 23 in the final and two for 35 in the semifinal.
'Battleground Asia' to feature two title fights
IOS Boxing Promotions announced its complete fight card for the much-awaited fight night 'Battleground Asia' scheduled to take place on August 5 in Mumbai. Knockout king Vijender Singh headlines a quality-packed card that also features debut of Beijing Olympic quarterfinalists Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar. In the double title fight, Vijender will take on Chinese No.1 boxer Zulpikar Maimaitiali and both will compete for double title—WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight and WBO Oriental Super Middleweight. Akhil (Junior Welterweight - 63.5 Kg) will take on Australian TY Gilchrist and Jitender (Lightweight - 61.2 Kgs) will face Thanet Likhitkamporn from Thailand. Other boxers who will be part of 'Battleground Asia' are WBC Asia Welterweight Champion Neeraj Goyat, Pardeep Kharera, Dharmender Grewal and Kuldeep Dhanda.
Hashan Tillakaratne roped in as Lanka's batting coach for India series
The Sri Lanka cricket team have roped in former batsman Hashan Tillakaratne as their temporary batting coach for the upcoming series against India. India's tour of Sri Lanka will feature a three-match Test series, five-match ODI series and a lone T20 match, beginning July 26 at the Galle. The team has been without a permanent head coach after Graham Ford stepped down from the position following an unsuccessful Champions Trophy campaign. Last week, former paceman Chaminda Vaas joined the team as the specialist fast bowling coach. Hashan notched up a total of 4,545 runs in 83 Tests he played for Sri Lanka between 1989 and 2004.
UTT: Gacina gives Shaze Challengers edge over Maharashtra United
Andrej Gacina won two matches to put Shaze Challengers ahead 7-5 against DHFL Maharashtra United after four matches in the ongoing tie on day 12 of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi last evening. Croatian world No 46 Gacina provided Shaze Challengers a 3-0 lead with a dominant 11-6, 11-9, 11-5 win over Surat-born world No. 79 Harmeet Desai in the men's singles, the opening match. On Tuesday, Oilmax Stag Yoddhas will lock horns with Dabang Smashers T.T.C. in their respective fifth and final round league fixture.
PKL: Tata Yodha named official sponsor of UP Yoddha franchise
Automobile giants Tata Motors announced their association with Pro Kabaddi League's (PKL) new franchise Uttar Pradesh (UP) Yoddha for the fifth season of the tournament, starting July 28. The company's new pick-up vehicle Tata Yodha was named the official sponsor of the team during the official team jersey launch by state Sports Minister Chetan Chauhan.
Injured Rutherford to miss World Championships
Britain's Greg Rutherford has been ruled out of the World Championships in London after the defending long jump champion suffered an ankle injury. Rutherford, who won Olympic gold at London 2012, was forced to withdraw from his title defence after failing to recover from the ligament damage he sustained competing in Italy last month. The 30-year-old's absence was announced by British Athletics today. Apart from an Olympic title, Rutherford also claimed the Commonwealth Games crown and European gold medal in 2014.
Will take up Chitra's issue with Centre: Kerala CM
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed disgust at the manner in which Kerala athlete P.U. Chitra, who had qualified for next month's World Athletics Championship has been left out of the national squad. Addressing reporters, Vijayan said Chitra is not just the pride of Kerala but the entire country and it's most disgusting that she has been left out of the Indian squad. Chitra, who hails from Palakkad in Kerala, comes from a family where her parents are daily wage-earning labourers who work in the farmlands. Chitra told the media that she is deeply sad in the way she has been treated and so did her coach N.S. Sijin, who is planning to move Kerala High Court against this treatment.
Premier Futsal announces tie-up with with Proneo Sport
Aiming to help grow the sport in India, Premier Futsal has collaborated with a leading futsal company in the world, Proneo Sport, ahead of the second season. It also welcomed St. Agnelo VNCT as the team owners of Chennai 5's after announcing a three-year association with Ronaldinho and the Mumbai 5's team owners last week. One of the leading real-estate developers in India, St. Agnelo VNCT will aim to promote the sport in Chennai by providing the right guidance and platform to the youth. Proneo Sports, the company that specialises in managing professional sports players, will assist in promoting the sport in India.
Klopp confirms Markovic set to leave Liverpool
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has said the Premier League club intend to sell winger Lazar Markovic during the current transfer window. The Serbia international, who spent the last season out on loan at Sporting Lisbon and Hull City, featured in Liverpool's first pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers but was left out of the squad for the tour to Hong Kong. Markovic, 23, arrived at Anfield from Benfica three years ago and has made 34 appearances for the club in all competitions.
