Sachin Tendulkar to flag off Mumbai Half Marathon on Sunday
MUMBAI: Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar will flag off the Mumbai Half Marathon on Sunday which will return after a COVID-induced break and will witness participation of over 13,500 runners from all walks of life.
The runners will compete in three different categories with over 4,000 scheduled to take part in the 21k challenge, and 7,000 and 2,500 respectively in the timed 10k and 5k events.
"Running, as a form of exercise, has many benefits, both for your physical as well as mental fitness," Tendulkar, who will also felicitate the winners of the half marathon and timed 10k run, said in a release.
"Since the pandemic began, the focus on fitness has increased manifold, and people have realised the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle."
The half-marathon will start and finish at the Jio Gardens, BKC, and will comprise of two loops of 10k each through the interior roads of the complex.
The half-marathon (21k) will begin at 5.15 am, the 10k at 6.20 am and the 5k at 8.00 am.
The participation of various corporate teams will add competitive edge and excitement to the event, which is now in its fifth edition.
The event will also witness participation from over 2,000 runners from the Indian Navy.
The oldest male participant in the half-marathon will be an 82-year-old, while his female counterpart will be 72 years old. The youngest runners on the grid will be a 7-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, who will both feature in the 5K challenge.
SPIELBERG (Austria): Frenchman Johann Zarco set the fastest time in the first two free practice sessions of the Austrian MotoGP on Friday.
Zarco, who rides for Pramac Ducati, was 0.024 seconds faster than Australian Jack Miller on a factory Ducati, with another Pramac rider Jorge Martin at 0.029.
Zarco topped qualifying for the last race at Silverstone but then crashed out on lap five.
"Happy with this first day," said Zarco after the session, adding that he had given himself insurance in case the forecast rain arrives during the third practice session on Saturday.
"Important lap time in the afternoon in case of tricky conditions on Saturday morning. Overall a good feeling," he said.
World champion Fabio Quartararo was fastest of the title contenders.
The French rider, who again leads this year's standings, was fourth on his Yamaha at 0.040.
Italian Francesco Bagnaia, who is third in the standings after winning the last two races, was next on the second factory Ducati at a track where the Italian manufacturer has dominated in recent years.
The day finished with seven Ducatis in the top eight places.
Spaniard Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia, second in the standings, was 11th.
Top times:
1. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati-Pramac) 1min 29.837sec, 2. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) at 0.024, 3. Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati-Pramac) 0.029, 4. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/ Yamaha) 0.040, 5. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 0.160, 6. Luca Marini (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 0.193, 7. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 0.229, 8. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Ducati-Gresini) 0.229, 9. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Aprilia) 0.276, 10. Brad Binder (AFS/KTM) 0.291, 11. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 0.310
US Open to award record $60.1 million in prize money
NEW YORK: This year's US Open will award a record $60.1 million in total player compensation, the US Tennis Association (USTA) said on Thursday, with $2.6 million going to each singles champion, twice the runner-up total.
The prize money total tops the old mark of $57.5 million from last year, with an emphasis on boosting payouts for players in early rounds.
That means a boost to $80,000 for each singles competitor in the main draw first round and $121,000 in the second round.
Those figures represent hikes of 85% and 57% respectively since 2016.
The USTA arrived at the figures after consultation with the WTA and ATP Player Councils.
There will be more than $6.25 million distributed in qualifying rounds.
Doubles champions will be paid $688,000 per team, twice what the runner-up duo will receive.
Main draw matches for the year's final Grand Slam event on the New York hardcourts will begin on August 29.
We desperately wanted a podium finish at CWG after World Cup debacle, says Indian women's hockey team's midfielder Salima Tete
NEW DELHI: Talented midfielder of the Indian women's hockey team Salima Tete revealed that a podium finish was the only target that the team had at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after a disastrous World Cup campaign earlier this year.
The Indian women's hockey won a bronze medal in Birmingham after beating New Zealand 2-1 in the penalty shootout.
However, at the World Cup held in Spain and the Netherlands earlier this year which preceded the CWG, India finished a disappointing ninth.
"After we had a bad campaign at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022, the team's aim and our focus was very clear. We wanted to do well at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, there was no other option," she said in 'Hockey Te Charcha' programme.
"We were sure we had to get a medal before returning back to India. Kuch na kuch karna hi hai (have to do something)," she added.
At 20, Salima is one of the youngest members of the Indian women's hockey team. Although still new in the set-up, she credits the sport for changing her life.
"Playing for India has really changed my life a lot, it has given me everything I could have asked for. I just want to keep performing for the country and win more matches," Salima noted.
Salima added that she idolises former India captain Asunta Lakra and Nikki Pradhan, both of whom have been mentors to her.
"I came to hockey through the junior nationals and I had a role model in Asunta Lakra. I wanted to become like her. When I saw her playing. I felt that if she can do it, so can I.
"Nikki Pradhan is a very important figure in my development and has always had enough time for me. My family too is very supportive and they don't think of the difficulties, my family, my parents and siblings are very supportive," she said.
Salima also revealed that interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the team's return from Birmingham turned out to be very motivating.
"Meeting the PM was a very big thing for someone like me. All of us meeting the PM is a source of motivation. It is a motivation for us to keep working hard and achieve good results."
AFC raises doubts over ATKMB tie
PANAJI: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has told ATK Mohun Bagan that the Kolkata club is “currently unable to fulfil its obligations in respect of the AFC Cup 2022 inter-zone semi-finals”, scheduled for September 7 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
FIFA’s suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday means no Indian team can take part in international competitions. Gokulam Kerala FC have already been left out of next week’s AFC Women’s Club Championship in Uzbekistan and now ATK Mohun Bagan could suffer the same fate, if the suspension is not lifted at the earliest.
“As stated in the FIFA circular and in accordance with Article 13 of the FIFA statutes, with effect from August 14, 2022, the AIFF has lost all of its membership rights. The AIFF representative and club teams are therefore no longer entitled to participate in international competitions until the suspension is lifted
“Accordingly, in view of the aforementioned decision, we note that ATK Mohun Bagan is currently unable to fulfil its obligations in respect of the AFC Cup 2022 (InterZone semifinals),” AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John wrote in an email to AIFF acting general secretary Sunando Dhar on Friday.
Crucially, AFC has not yet cancelled the match but instead said it “will continue to monitor this situation closely.” A copy of the email has been sent to the club.
ATK Mohun Bagan will take on the winners of Kuala Lumpur City FC and Indonesia’s PSM Makassar next month. Last year, the Kolkata giants suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf at the same stage of the AFC Cup, Asian football’s second-tier club competition after the AFC Champions League.
Playing at home, and in front of fans this time around, Juan Ferrando’s team is expected to make a big impression and go beyond the zonal semi-finals.
ATK Mohun Bagan have also invested heavily with the AFC Cup in mind.The club’s best hope is an early resolution to the crisis.
AIFF ban: Sports Ministry requests FIFA, AFC to allow Indian clubs play AFC tournaments
NEW DELHI: The Sports Ministry has requested the world football governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to allow Indian clubs -- Sree Gokulam Kerala FC and ATK Mohun Bagan -- compete in the tournaments as scheduled despite the ban on AIFF.
With FIFA suspending the All India Football Federation (AIFF) late on Monday, there was chaos as Gokulam Kerala women's team had already reached Uzbekistan to participate in their second AFC Women's Club Championship.The women's team is scheduled to compete against a team from Iran on August 23 and one from the host nation on August 26 in Qarshi, while ATK Mohun Bagan is slated to play the AFC Cup 2022 (Inter-Zone semifinals) on September 7 in Bahrain.
The ministry wrote an email to FIFA and AFC, apprising them of the fact that Gokulam Kerala was already in Uzbekistan when FIFA's suspension of AIFF was announced.
"It has requested FIFA and AFC to therefore consider allowing the team to play in the AFC Women's Club Championship (West region) in the interest of the young players," the Ministry said in a release.
The ministry said that it has also "reached out to the Indian embassy in Uzbekistan to extend assistance to the team in all possible ways. The ministry is also in constant touch with the Gokulam team's management."
Following the news of the ban, Gokulam Kerala women's team president VC Praveen had called up the sports ministry with the players standing by his side.
The ministry had then promptly taken up the matter with the AFC, which offered the team an extension of 48 hours in Tashkent.
On Monday, FIFA had suspended India for "undue influence from third parties" and said the U-17 Women's World Cup "cannot currently be held in India as planned".
This is the first time AIFF has been banned by FIFA in its 85-year history, with the apex body saying there have been "flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes".
Bhaichung Bhutia leads field for AIFF president's post
PANAJI: Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia was backed by a male and female ‘eminent’ player for the All India Football Federation’s president post, but other footballers have distanced themselves from an administrative role.
The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), now running AIFF, had come up with a draft constitution that reserved five spots for former players in the AIFF executive committee. Thirty-six players were also added to the electoral college for the first time, inviting objections, and later a ban, from FIFA, the governing body for world football.
On the final day of nominations, Bhutia – India’s second most capped footballer after Sunil Chhetri — threw his hat in the ring for the president’s post. For the five eminent players spots, Madhu Kumari (Bihar) was the lone contestant. Four other spots in the executive committee reserved for eminent players will now go unfilled.
“The problem is that there is lot of confusion,” Bhutia told TOI on Friday. “A lot of players are not aware that they can (still) vote and contest, or that the players themselves can propose and nominate, without backing from state associations. I was also in two minds and got clarity only much later.”
Bhutia will be challenged by former India goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey, whose nomination was proposed by Gujarat and seconded by Arunachal Pradesh. The importance of the backing from politically-significant states for Chaubey, now a BJP leader who contested assembly elections in West Bengal, wasn’t lost on anyone.
Chaubey, though, is not part of the electoral college and cannot vote for himself. The two former India players are joined by several state association representatives. According to sources, Shaji Prabhakaran (Delhi), NA Haris (Karnataka), Ajit Banerjee (West Bengal) and Manavendra Singh (Rajasthan) all filed their nominations for the president’s post on deadline day.
For the first time in the federation’s 85-year history, the president’s post will see a woman candidate in the fray after Valanka Alemao, CEO of Churchill Brothers FC, was nominated by Sikkim FA and seconded by Daman & Diu. Valanka, daughter of Goa Football Association (GFA) president and former chief minister Churchill Alemao, has also filed nominations for the posts of treasurer and executive committee member.
“The love that the states have for Churchill Bros is crazy,” said Valanka. “I am overwhelmed by their support. All of them have admired that I am the only woman in football administration. They have all pledged their support.”
Former India midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh, now an active politician, is among the candidates for an executive committee member.
He was handpicked as the Meghalaya FA representative after Larsing Sawyan was “deemed disqualified as per provisions of the draft Constitution,” for being part of the AIFF executive committee for three terms, the last two as vice-president.
“I think it’s important for former players to get themselves involved in state associations and help the game. They can make a difference,” said Lyngdoh. If needed, elections will be held for president, one treasurer, five members from representatives of member associations and five eminent players.
Haryana’s Manisha Kalyan becomes first Indian to play in UEFA Women's Champions League
Even as the Fifa ban dominated most Indian minds and timelines on Thursday, a new chapter was added to the history of Indian football at Engomi, near Cyprus’s capital of Nicosia. At the stroke of the 60th minute in the match between Apollon Ladies FC and SFK Riga, Manisha Kalyan came in as a substitute for the former at Makareio stadium and became the first Indian footballer — among both men and women — to play in the topmost European club competition, the Uefa Champions League.
For Haryana girl Manisha, it was not the impending history for the nation but the personal milestone and earnestness to stay focused that topped the mind ahead of her debut.“Coach (Laurent Fassotte) had told me before the match to be prepared and that I would get some time in the match, even if it was for 10-15 minutes. So I had begun preparing myself,” Manisha told TOI on Friday. “I was telling myself that I needed to be ready, to give my very best. The entire time, the focus was on giving my best for the club.”
In fact, I had played some matches for the national team that had more intensity than yesterday’s (Thursday) game and I believed I was ready for it,” Manisha added.
The closest that Indian football had come to such a feat was when Gurpreet Singh Sandhu represented Norwegian club Stabaek in the Europa League qualifying in 2016. The first round Women’s Champions League qualifying tie was also Manisha’s competitive debut for Apollon Ladies, having already scored for the Cypriot women’s champions in a pre-season friendly.
It was also a winning Champions League debut for the 20-year-old as they beat the Latvian topflight club 3-0 in their European opener this season.
“I was a bit concerned that it was my first match for the club and I had got about one and a half months of training with them. Communication was also a bit of a worry ahead of the match. But once I was in, my teammates were supportive and also appreciated my game,” she said of her match experience where she played in her favourite position — the left wing — and also created a couple of chances for Apollon.
Manisha donned the No. 12 jersey on Thursday, the same number that graced her jersey at Gokulam Kerala. Having come into limelight with her strike against Brazil — in the South American’s home — during a four-nation friendly tournament last year, it was her superlative show for Gokulam in the last edition of the India Women’s League that got her the contract in the Mediterranean country.
Crowned AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2021-22, Manisha is the second Indian woman footballer to join an overseas club this year, the other being Dangmei Grace, who signed for Uzbek club PFC Sevinch Karshi.
They joined a group of elite footballers after Aditi Chauhan and Bala Devi to have plied their trade abroad. But the young winger, who has been praised by India head coach Thomas Dennerby for her “excellent speed and dribbling” and been termed “our best player” by the Swede, has age on her side to reach her full potential and fly higher in career.In fact, I had played some matches for the national team that had more intensity than yesterday’s (Thursday) game and I believed I was ready for it,” Manisha added.
The closest that Indian football had come to such a feat was when Gurpreet Singh Sandhu represented Norwegian club Stabaek in the Europa League qualifying in 2016. The first round Women’s Champions League qualifying tie was also Manisha’s competitive debut for Apollon Ladies, having already scored for the Cypriot women’s champions in a pre-season friendly.
Manchester United agree to sign Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro
LONDON: Manchester United said on Friday they have agreed to sign Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro in a deal worth up to a reported £60 million ($70 million).
United manager Erik ten Hag has been desperate to land a defensive midfielder since taking charge at Old Trafford and has finally settled for Casemiro after failing to sign Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.
Troubled United, who sit bottom of the Premier League after embarrassing defeats against Brighton and Brentford, are set to pay an initial £50 million.
The overall fee would rise by another £10 million if certain clauses in the contract are met.
Casemiro has been offered a four-year contract with the option of a further 12-month extension, with the transfer subject to the agreement of personal terms.
The 30-year-old joined Real from Sao Paulo in 2013 and has been a key figure in midfield for the Spanish club, winning five Champions League titles.
"Manchester United is delighted to announce that the club has reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of Casemiro," a statement from United said.
"The transfer is subject to the agreement of personal terms, UK visa requirements and a medical."
Ten Hag refused to discuss the transfer at his press conference earlier on Friday, but Real boss Carlo Ancelotti was more forthcoming when speaking to the media in Spain.
"I've discussed it with him this morning. He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity," Ancelotti said.
"The club understand it. With all he's done for this club and the person he is, we have to respect it.
"If he doesn't stay, we'll have an enormous sense of gratitude to him for all he's done. We have replacements within the squad."
Real Madrid said they will hold a "tribute and farewell" to Casemiro on Monday which will be attended by the club's president, Florentino Perez.
In a statement, the Spanish giants called him "one of the most transcendental players in one of the most significant and successful periods in our history."
"Real Madrid are and always will be his home, and we wish him and all his family the best of luck in this new chapter of his life," it added.
Casemiro played alongside current United stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane in the Spanish capital.
His arrival will fill a void in Ten Hag's midfield after his prolonged pursuit of De Jong ended in failure.
Casemiro's wealth of experience and success at the highest level will make him a certain starter instead of either Fred or Scott McTominay in central midfield.
He is unlikely to be available for United's next match against arch rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday.
Instead, Casemiro's debut could come at Southampton in the Premier League on August 27.
Jemimah Rodrigues out of The Hundred with wrist injury, Gaby Lewis replaces her
BIRMINGHAM: India batter Jemimah Rodrigues' stint at the ongoing 'The Hundred' lasted just two matches after she was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a wrist injury.
Rodrigues was a part of the Northern Superchargers side.
"Northern Superchargers batter Jemimah Rodrigues has unfortunately been forced to end her season in The Hundred due to injury," the tournament's official website said.
Rodrigues, who was part of India's silver medal-winning side at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, had earlier injured her wrist during a league stage match against Barbados at the quadrennial event. She finished as the fifth highest scorer in the CWG with 146 runs.
The extent of the injury is not known yet. The Indian team would hope Rodrigues recovers in time for the away series against England next month.
India and England are scheduled to play a white-ball series comprising three T20Is and as many ODIs, starting September 10.
In The Hundred, the 21-year-old Rodrigues smashed 51 off 32 balls in Superchargers' opener against Oval Invincibles in a losing cause before making two in the next match against London Spirit.
The Indian batter has been replaced by Ireland's Gaby Lewis.
Superchargers campaign began with a nine-wicket defeat to the Invincibles last week but they bounced back in their second game, beating London Spirit by five runs in Leeds. She was the top scorer for the Superchargers last year.