India suffer shock defeat against Korea in Kabaddi World Cup

India failed to make a positive start as they were stunned 32-34 by South Korea in the opening match of the Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad on Friday. It was an extraordinary effort by Korea, who came back strongly at the death to clinch a thrilling win over favourites India. India were in the lead for most of the contest but Korea managed to reduce India's lead to three points with little over three minutes on the clock at the fag end of the match. India were 18-13 ahead at the half time but Korea were giving them a real run for their money. Anup Kumar lead from the front and has been in top form but his fellow raiders Jasvir Singh and Rahul Chaudhari could not get going. Dharmaraj Cheralathan and Manjeet Chhillar had a good half. In the second half, Korea reduced the deficit to just three points at 15-18 but two superb ankle holds from Manjeet put India 22-15 ahead. Not ready to give up, Koera, however, slowly and steadily made it 19-24 and then 26-29 before leveling at 31-31. Deepak Hooda was then outnumbered by Korea, who went into the lead at 33-31, courtesy Super raid by Jan Kun Lee.  Other Top Stories

Spirited India went down fighting against South Africa

Indian football team on Friday suffered their second defeat after going down fighting 0-1 against South Africa in the first BRICS U-17 tournament at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim.

South Africa warded off a strong Indian challenge especially in the second half as they scored a solitary goal to open their campaign on a winning note. Thus South Africa opened their account with three points, while the Indians who had lost to Russia in their opening match are yet to open their account. The flee-footed South African who looked far more fitter than the home team scored the all important goal in the 22nd minute through Ndamolelo Radzilani to help them to collect full points. Both the teams played attacking games and matched each other in both the sessions. The African who arrived late last night did not show any sign of fatigue as they moved the ball with quick short passes followed by overhead passes that caught the Indian defence napping as they conceded a goal in the 22nd minute. Lyle Foster who showed lot of agility made a quick run down on the left and send a high cross into the home team defence where the entire Indian defence was beaten and the tall Ndamolelo Radzilani who followed the ball got the better of his marker to head the ball into the net. India made inroads into the rival box with quick short passes but their moves somehow fizzled out as they could not get past the tall and robust defenders who kept the Indians striker at bay.

DesiTalent - Volleyball - Kumar Siddhant Rahar

"My dream is play for India" are the words of Kumar Siddhant Rahar, youngest among three children of a farmer in Nawalgarh town of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan.

Siddhant, who plays at the Libero position, is currently improving his defensive skills under the watchful eyes of his coach BS Samant at Sports Authority of India centre in Jaipur.

This 15 year old boy, who had started playing Volleyball 3 years ago, is already a two time State level gold medalist.

BRICS U-17 Football World Cup: Russia beat China by 4-1

Russia grabbed their second win of the Tournament and moved into pole position in the Under 17 BRICS Cup 2016 in Goa. Russia with a 4-1 win over China now top the group, displacing Brazil, at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolin, Goa.

Russia took the lead as early as the 6th minute over China when Kolesnichenko Kirill's header off a cross from the right flank made the score line read 1-0. Russia were awarded a chance to double their lead minutes before the half-time but Kirill this time could only skew the ball for an onrushing Semen Radostv, whose shot got lost in the defensive track. Russia secured the deal in the 60th minute when a quick flurry of passes saw Lopatin Daniil blasted the ball home after outfoxing a Chinese tackle to double the lead. Kirill added gloss to the score line nine minutes later as a thunderous left footed shot, which crashed into the back of the Chinese, made it 3-0 for Russia. Shortly after, Lopatin Daniil made it 4-0 for Russia and Tao Qianglong pulled a goal back for China in the dying embers of the match from the penalty spot as the full-time score line read 4-1 in Russia's favour.

Raina returns to India's ODI squad for New Zealand series

Batsman Suresh Raina staged a comeback while Haryana off-spinner Jayant Yadav was the lone new face in India's 15-member ODI squad for the first three games of a five-match series against New Zealand starting October 16.

Raina, who had been rested from the ODI series against Zimbabwe in June, returns to the fold even as senior off-spinner R Ashwin, pacer Mohammed Shami and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were given a break. Medium pacer Jasprit Bumrah, batsman Mandeep Singh and Kedar Jadhav were included in the squad announced by new Chairman of selectors M S K Prasad after a meeting of the committee in Mumbai on Thursday. The team, to be captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, retained batsman Manish Pandey, while paceman Umesh Yadav was brought back into the team after missing the Zimbabwe tour.  India Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni(Capt), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Suresh Raina, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Amit Mishra, Jasprit Bumrah, Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav.  The first match of the series will be held at Dharamsala (October 16), followed by games in Delhi (October 20), Mohali (October 23), Ranchi (October 26), and Visakhapatnam (October 29).

source:PTI

Squad for Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2016 Hockey tounament announced

Hockey India today announced the squad for the fourth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy organized by the Asian Hockey Federation which will be held in Kuantan, Malaysia, starting 20 October 2016.

The 18-member squad will be led by goalkeeper P.R Sreejesh while 24-year-old midfielder Manpreet Singh will be his deputy for the tournament.

Defender Jasjit Singh Kular, from India’s hockey hub Sansarpur, finds himself in the squad and will be expected to double-up as drag flicker in place of V R Raghunath who is rested for the tournament. Making a strong comeback after a long lay-off due to injury is Birendra Lakra, who showed his prowess in the recently held Obaidullah Khan Heritage Hockey Cup in Bhopal and the MCC-Murugappa Cup in Chennai. He will form India’s defence along with the experienced Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar and Pardeep Mor.

While the midfield line-up remains unchanged, the forwardline will miss Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh. The duo will be replaced by Talwinder Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.

Scheduled two months after the Olympic Games, the men’s Asian Champions Trophy will see India, Korea, Japan, China and hosts Malaysia challenge defending champions Pakistan. “The Asian Champions Trophy is an important tournament for us and going by the world rankings, India will go in as favourites to win the title. The team has been upbeat since their return to the camp after the Olympic Games and are eager to start the season on a winning note,” expressed Roelant Oltmans, Chief Coach India Men Hockey Team and Director High Performance.

Meanwhile, Captain P.R Sreejesh emphasised on playing with caution. “We may be the top ranked team in Asia right now but no team can be taken lightly. The defending Champions (Pakistan) are known to spring a surprise and Korea too will be a team to watch out for as they have been playing good quality hockey lately,” stated the goalkeeper.

Squad: 
Goalkeepers1. P.R Sreejesh (Captain)
2. Akash Chikte

Defenders3. Rupinder Pal Singh
4. Pardeep Mor
5. Jasjit Singh Kular
6. Birendra Lakra
7. Kothajit Singh
8. Surender Kumar

Midfielders9. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam
10. Manpreet Singh (Vice Captain)
11. Sardar Singh
12. S.K Uthappa
13. Devindar Walmiki

Forwards14. Talwinder Singh
15. S.V Sunil
16. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
17. Nikkin Thimmaiah
18. Affan Yousuf

source: Hockey India

Sharapova's doping ban cut from 2 years to 15 months

Maria Sharapova's doping ban was reduced from two years to 15 months today, meaning the Russiantennis star can come back in April and return to Grand Slam play at the French Open.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut nine months off the suspension imposed on Sharapova, who tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January.

Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1-ranked player, appealed to CAS in June seeking to overturn or reduce the two-year suspension imposed by the International Tennis Federation.

The CAS panel found that Sharapova "bore some degree of fault" for the positive test, saying a 15-month sanction was "appropriate."

The ban took effect on Jan. 26 and was originally due to run until Jan. 25, 2018. Now she will be eligible to return nearly a year earlier.

"I've gone from one of the toughest days of my career last March when I learned about my suspension to now, one of my happiest days, as I found out I can return to tennis in April," Sharapova said in a statement.

"In so many ways, I feel like something I love was taken away from me and it will feel really good to have it back," she added. "Tennis is my passion and I have missed it. I am counting the days until I can return to the court."

Steve Simon, CEO of the WTA tour, welcomed the ruling.

"We are pleased that the process is now at completion and can look forward to seeing Maria back on court in 2017," he said.

An independent ITF panel had found that Sharapova did not intend to cheat but that she bore "sole responsibility" and "very significant fault" for the positive test.

The panel also said the case "inevitably led to the conclusion" that she took the substance "for the purpose of enhancing her performance."

Sharapova acknowledged taking meldoni um before each match at the Australian Open, where she lost in the quarterfinals to Serena Williams.

Sharapova said she was not aware that meldonium, also known as mildronate, had been included on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances from Jan. 1, 2016.

The ITF said she also tested positive for meldonium in an out-of-competition control in Moscow on Feb. 2.

The 29-year-old Sharapova missed this year's French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open, as well as the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Sharapova said she was first prescribed the Latvian-made drug, typically used for heart conditions, by her family doctor for various medical issues in 2006. She cited a bout of the flu, possible onset of diabetes and a magnesium deficiency.

Meldonium increases blood flow, which improves exercise capacity by carrying more oxygen to the muscles.

More than 100 athletes, including many Russians and other eastern Europeans, tested positive for meldonium early in the year.

Some escaped with no sanctions because they argued successfully that they stopped taking the drug before Jan. 1 and that traces had lingered in their system. Sharapova, however, acknowledged that she used meldonium after Jan. 1.

Pakistan barred from Kabaddi World Cup in India

The 12-nation Kabaddi World Cup kicks off this week in India, with a row over a decision to bar arch-rivals Pakistan from competing threatening to overshadow the tag-wrestling sport's showcase event.

Formidable Iran clash with newcomers the United States in Friday's opening round of the competition that also includes top sides from Australia, South Korea, England, Poland, Kenya and Argentina. With the World Cup last staged nine years ago, teams are relishing the chance to compete in the two-week event being held in India's western city of Ahmedabad. But the traditional South Asian sport that mixes tag and wrestling and is growing in popularity has been hit with controversy over a decision to exclude highly fancied Pakistan. International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) chief Deoraj Chaturvedi, who is from India, said Pakistan has been denied entry because of a spike in tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations. "This is not the right time to engage with Pakistan," Chaturvedi said. "Pakistan is a valuable member of the IKF but looking at the current scenario and in the best interest of both the nations, we decided that Pakistan must be refrained from the championship." Pakistan accused the IKF of unfairly targeting the country, saying both rival nations should have been excluded if there were security concerns. "We have called a meeting to discuss this issue but let me tell you that a Kabaddi World Cup is no world cup without Pakistan," said Pakistan kabaddi federation secretary Rana Muhammad Sarwar. "This is just like a football world cup without Brazil," Sarwar said. Pakistan captain Nasir Ali said his players had been favourites to clinch the cup after defeating India at the six-nation Kabaddi Cup held in Pakistan in May and last month's Asian Beach Games in Vietnam. "We were hoping to win the world cup in India by beating India," Ali said, adding that fans were being denied matches between the top two sides. Hostilities between the nations have flared after India said last week it conducted military strikes inside Pakistan against militants, sparking fury from Islamabad. The strikes came after gunmen staged the deadliest attack on an Indian army base in more than a decade, which an enraged New Delhi blamed on Pakistani-based militants. The World Cup comes as the ancient game, played in sandy parks across India for generations and once tagged with a dowdy image, is enjoying a new lease of life. The Pro Kabaddi League, launched in India in 2014 with live television coverage, corporate sponsors and brightly coloured lyrca strips, has proved hugely popular and drawn players from Iran and South Korea. Iran's skipper Meraj Sheykh, who has played in the league's last three editions, said his side had grown stronger by playing in India and other international tournaments. "We have more young players playing for us now and they have the experience of playing in India," Sheykh told the Times of India newspaper. Kabaddi requires yoga-like breathing skills as two seven-member teams send a raider into their enemy's half of the court to tag an opponent before returning - in just one breath.

The 2016-17 season of the Ranji Trophy will start from Thursday.

For the first time, 28 teams will be taking part in the tournament's 83rd edition, with new entrants Chhattisgarh making their way into a ten-team Group C. The Ranji Trophy had become a 27-team affair with the addition of Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Tripura in 1985-86. Thereafter, though the format of the competition changed often, the number of teams remained constant. The only change was Jharkhand replacing Bihar in 2004-05.

Russia beat India 1 - 0 in BRICS U–17 Football tournament

India failed to capitalise on the numerical superiority in the second half as they lost 0-1 to 10-man Russia in their opening match of the BRICS U-17 football tournament at GMC Stadium on Wednesday.

The all-important goal for Russia was scored by Lopatin Daniil in the 4th minute. The Indians made an all out attempt in search of the equaliser but the rival defence and keeper did well to deny the hosts the equaliser. Russia, who used their superior height to their advantage, used the long ball to unnerve the Indian defence and succeeded in taking an early lead in the 4th minute through Lopatin Daniil.  India vs Russia on 05.10.2016 The early goal gave them the advantage as they had better ball possession in first half. The Indians did put pressure on the visitors occasionally but could not breach the rival defence who thwarted their moves. Russia were reduced to ten men four minutes after resumption after Unimov Nail received a red card from referee for a dangerous foul on substitute Aniket and the home team built up pressure and tried to make inroads. But their moves were foiled by the Russian defence, with substitute Aman Chetri coming close to scoring midway in the second half when his left footer missed the target narrowly. The home team enjoyed better ball possession in the second half, made desperate attempt to find the equaliser in the closing stage bur the Russian defence did well to keep their slate clean. (PTI inputs)

First BRICS U – 17 Football Tournament kicked off in Goa

First ‘BRICS’ U-17 football tournament inaugurated by Union Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel today in Goa. Chief Minister of Goa Laxmikant Parsekar, Sports Minister of Haryana Anil Vij, Sports Minister of Gujrat, Rajendra Trivedi, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, Sports Minister of Sikkim Ram Bahadur Subba, Sports Minister of Mizoram Zodintluanga were also present on the occasion. 

Inaugurating the tournament Vijay Goel said, it is an honour for India to host the inaugural BRICS U-17 Football Tournament. This tournament have transcended the traditional areas of interaction and opened a new vista in the field of sports. India is looking towards a growth of a sporting culture in the country. The initiative by Ministry of Sports such as ‘Khelo India’, ‘Mission 11 Million’ and the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup are all aimed at giving an impetus to this endeavour, shri Goel added. 

‘BRICS’ U-17 football tournament will definitely promote bonhomie amongst the participants and will create a rapport with the audience. This is best example of people to people contact, said Shri Goel. 

The captains of the football teams lit the torch, followed by an entertainment programme performed by local artists. 

The Government of India initiative the BRICS U – 17 Football Tournament will be played among the ‘BRICS’ countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Final of the tournament will played on 15th October, 2016 at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Fatorda. The tournament is free to all. 

ISL: NorthEast United beat FC Goa 2-0

NorthEast United beat FC Goa 2-0 to register their second consecutive win in the Indian Super League 2016 today at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.

 

For the Highlanders, Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro scored twice in 20th and 62nd minutes. FC Goa goalkeeper Laxmikanth Kattimani handed NorthEast United the lead on a platter in the 20th minute thanks to a howler when his desperate clearance deflected from Emiliano Alfaro onto his own goal. Alfaro struck again in the 62nd minute to take the game away from FC Goa's reach.  

NorthEast United had beaten Kerala Blaster in their campaign opener at the same venue on October 1.

Maharashtra Derby

The first Maharashtriyan Derby of the season promises to be an exciting affair when FC Pune City host Mumbai City FC tody at Balewadi Stadium, Pune.

The match will kickoff at 7:00PM.

For latest updates and scores, visit our Facebook page Sports Team of India

Kolkata all set to witness clash between current and first season champions

In the second match of Hero Indian Super League 2016, first season champion Atletico de Kolkata will take on current champions Chennaiyin FC at 7:00PM today at Rabindra Sarovar Stadium, Kolkata.

For latest updates and scores, visit our facebook page Sports Team of India

India beat Pakistan 3-1

India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 to storm into the summit clash of the 4th men's Under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament in Dhaka on Thursday. 

It was the Indians who were more clinical in front of the goal, as three minutes from half time they doubled their lead through a penalty corner conversion by Dilpreet Singh. 

India will meet hosts Bangladesh in the final on Friday.

Centre announces a total cash reward of Rs. 90 lakh for the medal winners of Rio Paralympics

The Centre on Wednesday announced a total cash reward of Rs. 90 lakh for the medal winners of Rio Paralympics. 

Gold medal winners -- paralympic high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu and javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia -- will be rewarded with Rs. 30 lakh each while Deepa Malik, who won silver medal in shotput, will get Rs. 20 lakh and high jumper Varun Singh Bhati, who won a bronze medal at the Rio games, will be given Rs. 10 lakh, an official statement said. 

The cash reward will be given by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot under the Awareness Generation and Publicity (AGP) scheme. 

"Indian para-athletes bagged impressive four medals at the Rio Paralympics 2016 and made history. The success of para athletes has made India proud. The department has decided to give a cash prize of total Rs. 90 lakh to the medal winners," Mr Gehlot said. 

It was India's best-ever performance in Paralympics history with Thangavelu making a leap of 1.89 metres to bag the gold medal while Mr Bhati jumped his personal best of 1.86 m to finish third and won bronze. 

Mr Jhajharia clinched gold in javelin throw while Malik bagged silver in short put and became the first Indian women to win a medal at the Paralympics games.

Official emblem of Fifa U-17 World Cup India 2017 unveiled

The Local Organising Committee of the Fifa U-17 World Cup India 2017 on Tuesday unveiled the official emblem for what will be the country's first international football event.

The ceremony held in Goa was attended by Fifa President Gianni Infantino, and Chairman of the All India Football Federation Praful Patel along with Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel.

Shaped like the World Cup trophy, the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 emblem combines the global look of the beautiful game with a quintessentially Indian feel.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 will happen in six venues across the country during the month of October 2017.

Infantino, who is on his first visit to India since being elected the FIFA President, also mentioned that its needs to be made sure that there is a "steady growth of Football in India."

Union Sports minister Vijay Goel said it's a great oppurtunity for the youth to make their marlk in international arena.

The U-17 World Cup will see participation from 24 countries.

The teams will be divided in six groups with each group playing their league matches in Goa, Kochi, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati.

Sania Mirza maintains top position in the latest WTA women's doubles rankings

India's Sania Mirza maintained her numero uno position in the latest WTA women's doubles ranking following her recent victory in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, partnering Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic. 

Sania with 9730 points continued to be world number one in doubles but only five points separate her from her estranged partner Martina Hingis. 

Sania and Strycova had earlier ousted Hingis and CoCo Vandeweghe in the final of the Cincinnati Open last month. 

Sania and Strycova have lost just once since pairing up in Cincinnati, reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open and taking home a second title at the Pan Pacific Open. 

Among Indian men, Sakth Myneni is the highest place singles player. Myneni, who entered the main draw of the US Open after winning three rounds in the Qualifying event, dropped a rung to be placed 138th in the list. 

Second highest-ranked Indian singles player Ramkumar Ramanathan, who featured in the recent Davis Cup tie against Spain, plummeted 10 places to 229, while out of action Yuki Bhambri dropped a whopping 62 places to be placed 282nd in the chart. 

In the men's doubles chart, Rohan Bopanna is static at 18th, while veteran Leander Paes has moved four places to 60th.

Latest ICC Rankings

Courtesy his 10-wicket haul in the Kanpur Test against New Zealand, India off-spinner R Ashwin on Wednesday gained a place to be second in the latest ICC Rankings and another good performance in the second match in Kolkata will propel him to the coveted top spot.

Ashwin's match haul of 10 for 225, that helped India notch a 197-run victory in the first Test, saw him overtake England's James Anderson by one point.

He is now within seven points of number-one ranked Dale Steyn of South Africa, who leads the Rankings for Test Bowlers with 878 points.

A strong performance in the Kolkata Test, starting Friday, will potentially see Ashwin top the bowling charts for the second time in 2016 after first claiming the number-one position last year following the Boxing Day Tests.

Ashwin also contributed with a useful innings of 40 to consolidate his position at the top of the list of all-rounders. Ashwin has reached a career-best rating of 450, opening up a 66-point gap with second-placed Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.

New Zealand captain Williamson has similarly edged England's Joe Root by one point with innings of 75 and 25 in Kolkata to reach 879 points in the Rankings for Test Batsmen, which is led by Australia captain Steve Smith with 906 points.

However, to move ahead or edge even closer to Smith, Williamson will have to produce strong performances in the remaining two Tests.

There was not much to cheer for other New Zealand batsmen apart from Williamson, but for India, opener Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara made significant gains.

Vijay and Pujara, who became the first Indian pair in 10 years to notch century partnerships in both innings of a Test match, moved up from joint-20th position to joint-16th position. 

Other Indian batsmen to move up were Lokesh Rahul, who gained five ranks to reach 57th position, and Rohit Sharma, who gained two slots to reach 52nd rank.

Victory in its 500th Test means India is now one victory away from reclaiming the ICC Test Championship mace from Pakistan. India had entered the series trailing Pakistan by one point and needed to win the series to move ahead of its traditional rival.

Meanwhile, India's Ravindra Jadeja, who took six wickets in the Kanpur match and also contributed with the bat in the lower order, gained a place of to be seventh.

Ajinkya Rahane dropped out of top-10 after losing three positions to be 11th and India captain Virat Kohli, who struggled to score in both the innings is now at number 20, a, loss of four positions.

Jayaram, Praneeth enter second round of Korea Open 2016

Indian shuttlers Ajay Jayaram and B Sai Praneeth advanced to the men''s singles second round of the Korea Open in what turned out to be a mixed day for India at the USD 600,000 Super Series badminton tournament in Seoul.