Franchises from Guwahati, Ahmedabad join PBL
The Vodafone Premier Badminton League (PBL) will become an eight-team affair in the next edition with two franchises from Guwahati and Ahmedabad being confirmed to join the existing six teams, it was announced on Wednesday. The Ahmedabad franchise, owned by Padmanabh Sports Pvt. Ltd, will be known as Ahmedabad Smash Masters and the Guwahati team has been named the Guwahati Eastern Warriors, according to a release from the Badminton Association of India (BAI). "The new additions underline BAI's and its President Himanta Biswa Sarma's philosophy of taking badminton to all the corners of the country as well as making it the most followed sport in the country," the release noted. The upcoming season will begin from December 22 to January 14, 2018 and will be played in four cities in a rolling format with the final being hosted by Chennai.
Second edition of RFYS football competition begins
The second edition of the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports' (RFYS) national football competition kicked off in Kochi on Wednesday. RFYS chairperson Nita Ambani, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), cheered on by hundreds of school kids at the Rajagiri Public School here in Kochi, launched the second season along with India striker and Kerala Blasters star C.K. Vineeth. The championship will be played in 30 cities across the country.
PSG's Jese Rodriguez joins Stoke City on one-year loan
Paris Saint Germain's forward Jese Rodriguez has joined English Premier League (EPL) team Stoke City on loan until June 30, 2018, with a permanent purchase option, the French football side announced on Wednesday. PSG signed the 24-year-old Spaniard from Real Madrid in August last year with a contract until 2021, reports Efe. "The Club wishes its player all the very best for the challenge that awaits him in the English Premier League," the club said. In a statement issued on its official website, Stoke City confirmed the signing of Rodriguez on a one-year loan.
Paes-Zverev bow out of Cincinnati Open tennis
India tennis star Leander Paes and his German partner Alexander Zverev bowed out of the Cincinnati Open, losing their men's doubles first round match in Basel on Wednesday. The Indo-German pair was outplayed by the Spanish duo of Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 6-2 6(2)-7 6-10 at Court 11 here. The Spanish pair will now take on fourth seeded American twins Bob and Mike Bryan in the second round.
Pakistani cricketer dies after being hit by a bouncer
In a tragic incident, Pakistani batsman Zubair Ahmed has died after being hit by a bouncer during a domestic match at Mardan. Ahmed, who had played four List A matches and represented the T20 team Quetta Bears, was hit on the head on August 14. Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the news today in a message in social media and stressed on the need to wear the safety gears all the time. "Tragic death of Zubair Ahmed is another reminder that safety gear i.e. helmet must be worn at all times. Our sympathies with Zubair's family," PCB wrote on its twitter handle. Australian batsman Phillip Hughes had died after being hit on the neck by a cricket ball during a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2014. Australian opener David Warner was yesterday forced to retire hurt following a blow to the side of his neck by a bouncer from Josh Hazlewood during Australia's intra-squad match at Darwin.
Stoneman the only change for England against West Indies
Mark Stoneman will be the lone change to England's side for the start of the first Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston tomorrow, captain Joe Root announced. Surrey opener Stoneman, 30, was all set for a Test debut the moment a 13-man squad was unveiled after England dropped his struggling former Durham team-mate Keaton Jennings following a recent 3-1 home Test series win over South Africa. Stoneman apart, the team is the same that beat South Africa by 177 runs in the fourth Test at Old Trafford earlier this month.
Sri Lanka sports minister calls for report on Test series loss
Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera has called for a report from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after the hosts were whitewashed 3-0 by India in the recent three-match Test series. "This teams capability is not a question but we must know the reasons for the defeat," Jayasekera told reporters, adding that he also had a two-hour meeting discussing the defeat. "We also have to remember that India is the top team in the world, so the defeat has to be seen from that view point too," he said. Sri Lankan fans are lambasting the team for the series loss with most of the criticism levelled at the Thilanga Sumathipala administration at SLC. The Chairman of selectors, Sanath Jayasuriya has also faced stinging criticism in social media. The former world cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who is also Jayasekera's Cabinet colleague, had called for Sumathipala to step down as SLC boss.
Lakshya Sen enters semifinals of Bulgaria Open
Talented shuttler Lakshya Sen today dished out a gritty performance against Poland's Michal Rogalski to advance to the semifinals of the Bulgaria Open International Series at Sofia in Bulgaria. Lakshya, who had reached the finals at Senior National Championship in February, defeated Michal 20-22 21-18 21-15 in a men's singles match that lasted an hour and 10 minutes. The Uttarakhand shuttler, who turned 16 today, will next take on Sri Lanka's Dinuka Karunaratna in the semifinals on Thursday. The World Junior No. 1 shuttler was recently sent to train under former All England champion Peter Gade, who is currently the head coach of France.
