New Delhi: Saina Nehwal's chances of defending her title at the Commonwealth Games looks bleak as she has decided to skip the selection trials for the upcoming multi-sport events.The big-ticket events include the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the Hangzhou Asian Games.The selection trials are scheduled here from April 15 to 20.The 32-year-old Hisar-born shuttler, a two-time CWG gold medallist and 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist, has informed the Badminton Association of India (BAI) about her decision to skip the trials."Saina has written to BAI, informing her decision to not play in the trials which will be the only tournament to pick players for CWG, Asiad and Thomas and Uber Cup," a BAI source told PTI.The CWG squad will consist of 10 members with equal number of men and women, while the Asian Games and Thomas &amp; Uber Cup contingents will have 20 members each, including 10 men and 10 women.The BAI has made it clear that players inside the top 15 in the BWF rankings will be picked directly, while the rest will be chosen from the trials which will see participation of shuttlers ranked between 16 to 50 in the latest world rankings, released on March 29.The national governing body will also be "finalising probables for the senior core group for the 2024 Olympic Games" during the trials.Injuries and recent form A former world number one, Saina has been battling a series of injuries and poor form for the past couple of years, which saw see her ranking slip to 23rd.Saina, who had won gold medals at the 2010 and 2018 CWG, had suffered a career-threatening knee injury ahead of the Rio Olympics.She had hurt her groin during the Thomas &amp; Uber Cup Final in Aarhus, Denmark in October last year, and she was also forced to withdraw midway in the first round match at the French Open due to a knee injury.Her return to the circuit at the India Open ended in the second round when she lost to the fast-rising Malvika Bansod. After a gap of few weeks, she played three events last month -- German Open, All England and Swiss Open -- but failed to cross the second round.A semifinal finish at 2021 Orleans Masters Super 100 and quarterfinals at Barcelona Spain Masters Super 300 and Malaysia Masters in 2020 have been Saina's highlights in recent years.—PTI

 Saina Nehwal's chances of defending her title at the Commonwealth Games looks bleak as she has decided to skip the selection trials for the upcoming multi-sport events.

Saina Nehwal Decides To Skip Selection Trials For CWG, Asian Games

London: The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will be held in five cities in the Victoria state of Australia in March 2026, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed.The host city contract was signed in Victoria on Monday."In what will be a first-ever predominantly regional Commonwealth Games, Victoria 2026 will be staged in March 2026 across multiple cities and regional hubs including Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. The Opening Ceremony will take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground," the CGF informed in a release.The announcement follows a successful exclusive dialogue period between the CGF, Commonwealth Games Australia (CGAus) and Victoria, where an exciting proposal to stage the major multi-sport competition across the State was agreed upon.The proposal capitalises on the 2026/30 Strategic Roadmap, which provides renewed flexibility to be innovative and creative in delivering the Games, the CGF said.CGF President Dame Louise Martin said, "The Commonwealth Games Federation is absolutely delighted to award the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Victoria. Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government have set out a bold and innovative vision for hosting our major multi-sport event. In Victoria, we believe we have found the perfect partner for the next stage of our journey."This is a very special moment for the Commonwealth Sports Family and on behalf of the entire Movement, I would like to congratulate Commonwealth Games Australia and Victoria on their successful Games submission. We now look forward to a bright future as we work together to stage a Commonwealth Games like no other," she said.On the occasion, Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said, "It's a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games -- we can't wait to welcome the world to our state.""The Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria is great for jobs, hospitality and our economy," he added."Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games on five occasions, with Victoria playing host to the Melbourne 2006 Games; widely considered one of the most successful editions of the event in history. The country has also staged the Games in Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982 and most recently Gold Coast in 2018. Victoria has also hosted the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo in 2004," he added.Victoria has a strong track record for staging high-profile sporting competitions including The Australian Open tennis grand slam, the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is a major cricket venue in Australia and hosts international and domestic matches regularly. The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be staged in Birmingham, England from July 28 to August 8.—IANS

 The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will be held in five cities in the Victoria state of Australia in March 2026, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed.

Victoria Confirmed As Host For 2026 Commonwealth Games, To Be Held In March In Five Cities

New Delhi (The Hawk): In a bid to strengthen Asian Games and Commonwealth Games preparations, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) approved financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh per month to re-hire Mathias Boe as the doubles coach of India. He will specifically be looking after the men's doubles pair of Satwik and Chirag Shetty and also other members of the doubles team. Boe's hiring has been done until Asian Games 2022.In a Mission Olympic Cell meeting on Thursday, proposals from the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to assist in the participation of shuttlers at the Asian championships in Philippines scheduled to start April 26, were also approved.The support has been extended to Women's Singles player Aakarshi Kashyap, Women's Doubles pair Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam, Mixed Doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Ishaan Bhatnagar, Men's Doubles pair Vishnuvardhan Goud P and Krishna Prasad as well as Arjun M R and Dhruv Kapila.Currently ranked 52 in the world, Aakarshi Kashyap has been included in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games squad. Expressing her joy, she said, "I'm grateful to God that this has been possible (being named in the Commonwealth and Asian Games teams). It is entirely because of the support from my team and the coaching staff."Looking forward to the tournament in Philippines scheduled for next week and her challenging opening match, she added, "I am very thankful to TOPS because they accepted my request for assistance at the last minute. I have a tough draw there as I'm playing Akane Yamaguchi in the first round who recently won the All England Open 2022. I'll try my best but the more matches I play, the more exposure I get and it all helps for the bigger cause."While Akarshi gets ready for the challenges ahead this year, she also makes sure to do the best in her upcoming exams. Revealing her ambitions from the big upcoming tournaments, the B.A. 3rd year student said, "I feel proud to have played many tournaments in the international circuit and I have the much-needed exposure. I really feel I can get a medal for India from the Commonwealth Games and I'm also looking forward to giving my best at the Asian Games."The Target Olympic Podium Scheme meanwhile also accepted the request from Olympics double medalist PV Sindhu to provide assistance to Vidhi Chaudhary, who will accompany the player at the Asian Championship in Philippines, in the place of existing coach Park Tae Sang. The Korean coach is currently on annual leave till May. Chaudhary is a NIS qualified coach who is training Sindhu at the Suchitra Academy Hyderabad.

 In a bid to strengthen Asian Games and Commonwealth Games preparations, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) approved financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh per month to re-hire Mathias Boe as the doubles coach of India. He will specifically be looking after the men's doubles pair of Satwik and Chirag Shetty and also other members of the doubles team. Boe's hiring has been done until Asian Games 2022.

TOPS Approves Financial Assistance To Re-Hire Mathias Boe As Badminton Doubles Coach

: In a bid to strengthen Asian Games and Commonwealth Games preparations, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) approved financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh per month to re-hire Mathias Boe as the doubles coach of India. He will specifically be looking after the men's doubles pair of Satwik and Chirag Shetty and also other members of the doubles team. Boe's hiring has been done until Asian Games 2022.





New Delhi (The Hawk): Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will declare the second Khelo India University Games 2021 open at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bengluru on Sunday. Governor of Karnataka Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Minister of Home Affairs Shri Amit Shah, Chief Minister Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman, Union Minister Of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Nisith Pramanik will be the Guests of Honours.A star-studded line-up of past and present athletes who have brought glory to the nation will grace the opening ceremony of the Games.Karnataka Minister of Youth Empowerment and Sports Shri Narayana Gowda, will be among the guests of honour. Karnataka MLC Shri Basavaraj Horatti, Minister of Higher Education; IT &amp; BT, Science &amp; Technology, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship &amp; Livelihood Dr Ashwathnarayan CN. Shivaji Nagar MLC Rizwan Arshad will also grace the occasion.Over 2,500 attendees including delegates from across the country will assemble in the Stadium to witness a cultural programme designed to reflect the essence of Karnataka’s rich cultural tradition while a laser show promises to leave audience mesmerised and showcase the State as one in which technology has flourished.The Khelo India University Games 2021, hosted by Jain University with unparalleled support ftom the Karnataka State Government and the Sports Authority of India will be India’s biggest sporting event and first mass participative competition post the Pandemic that spread almost as soon as the curtain came down on the inaugural edition in Bhubaneshwar.Through the Khelo India University Games 2021, the Karnataka Government is also focusing on a pressing issue - environmental sustainability. Everything used in the Games outside the field of play will be made of reusable material; Electric vehicles will be used to transport athletes and all waste will be segregated as wet and dry at the source in every venue. KIUG 2021 will be a Green Games.About 3879 competitors from 200-plus universities will be in action across 20 different disciplines including indigenous sports like Mallakhamba and Yogasana. The Kanteerava Stadium Complex will host Athletics and Basketball while Shooting will be held in the SAI Campus and Hockey competitions at the Cariappa Stadium. All others events will be in the Jain educational institution premises.Over 8000 participants, coaches and officials taking part in the KIUG 2021 have access to first-of-its-kind mobile app for any information related to the competition. The one-stop app will have information about accommodation, food, transport service, emergency contacts, maps to reach various venues and important notifications about the Games among other details.Speaking about the opening ceremony, Shri KC Narayan Gowda, Minister of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Government of Karnataka, said: “All preparations are in place for the Opening Ceremony on Sunday. This morning&nbsp;the Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu ji has arrived in Bengaluru.”“Apart from all the ministers from Union Government and the state, we will have several top athletes including Prakash Padukone, Pankaj Advani, Anju Bobby George, Ashwini Nachappa, Reet Abraham among many others who have brought laurels for Karnataka and India at the international level attend the ceremony.”The Government of Karnataka has made special arrangements for the participants of the Khelo India University Games 2021, allowing the athletes to carry their sporting equipment on the Bengaluru metro when they travel from their accommodation to their respective competition venues.The State Government has also made tremendous efforts to make the entire Bengaluru city a part of the Khelo India University Games 2021 through hoardings in landmark locations of the city. The participants will enter the KIUG environment right from the time they step out of the railway and bus stations as the Khelo India University Games 2021 advertisement boards will be waiting to welcome them.

Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will declare the second Khelo India University Games 2021 open at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bengluru on Sunday. Governor of Karnataka Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Minister of Home Affairs Shri Amit Shah, Chief Minister Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman, Union Minister Of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Nisith Pramanik will be the Guests of Honours.A star-studded line-up of past and present athletes who have brought glory to the nation will grace the opening ceremony of the Games.

VP To Declare Khelo India University Games 2021 Open April 24

Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will declare the second Khelo India University Games 2021 open at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bengluru on Sunday. Governor of Karnataka Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Minister of Home Affairs Shri Amit Shah, Chief Minister Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman, Union Minister Of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Nisith Pramanik will be the Guests of Honours.A star-studded line-up of past and present athletes who have brought glory to the nation will grace the opening ceremony of the Games.





New Delhi (India) (The Hawk): Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday interacted with participants from various universities ahead of the Khelo India University Games 2021 in BengaluruThe Union Minister paid a surprise visit to the Jain University Global Campus-venue for 13 disciplines including new additions Mallakhamba and Yogasana.He walked to various sporting arenas and took cognizance of the arrangements made for the participants to ensure they have a memorable event at the KIUG.Reminiscent of his playing days as a cricketer, the minister said, “Jain University along with the Karnataka State Government is doing a fantastic job of hosting these events with best facilities for athletes taking part in the Khelo India University Games. Watching these athletes here today, I am reminded of my University days when I played cricket. In some of the tournaments held in places like Darbhanga and Samastipur in Bihar, the facilities used to not be up to the mark. But infrastructure has improved so much today and you can see the kind of facilities being provided here for athletes. Our initiative through the KIUG is to provide athletes with a platform that is on par with international standards.” Advising the budding athletes of the country, Thakur said, “Play in the spirit of sportsmanship. I would advice them to propagate clean sports and not use performance enhancements drugs. That is why we have NADA here to give athletes the right information and create more awareness about doping particularly among young athletes at the university level.” The minister arrived at the Volleyball venue in the morning when the matches between HRM (Himachal Pradesh University) and AWU (Adamas University West Bengal) in the women’s section and SRM university Chennai and AWU in the men’s section were underway. He interacted with both the teams and wished them good luck for their upcoming matches. He also had an interaction with the referees and the audience too. Apart from this, the minister indulged in a round of volleyball himself.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday interacted with participants from various universities ahead of the Khelo India University Games 2021 in Bengaluru

 Anurag interacts with participants from various  Varsities ahead of Khelo India University Games 

New Delhi(The Hawk): The Khelo India University Games 2021 were declared open by the Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in Bengaluru today. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi shared his message at the inauguration of the Khelo India University Games virtually during the inaugural ceremony.Governor of Karnataka Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot; Chief Minister Shri Basavaraj Bommai; Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur; Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Nisith Pramanik; Secretary Sports Smt Sujata Chaturvedi&nbsp;were among those present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President , Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu&nbsp;emphasised the need to encourage sporting activity upto village level, he called for developing the necessary sports infrastructure at the grassroots level, with concerted efforts of the centre, state and local bodies. Together, these will take the Indian sporting potential to new heights, he added. The Vice President also called for awarding some extra marks to sportspersons in college admissions and promotions in various departments. “Incentives like this will go a long way in encouraging the sports in the country,” he said.The Vice President gave a call to return to our roots and asked all stakeholders to give top priority to our indigenous and rural sports. He expressed happiness over the fact that this edition of Khelo India would feature 20 sports disciplines with indigenous sports like Yogasana and Mallakhamba introduced for the first time. “This is very important in order to preserve and promote our rural and indigenous games which are rooted in tradition and are a part of our cultural heritage,” he saidIn his message, the Prime Minister said that Bengaluru symbolizes the youthful enthusiasm of the country and is pride of the professionals. He said that it is significant that a confluence of startups and sports is happening here. “Holding of the Khelo India University Games in Bengaluru will add to the energy of this beautiful city.”, he said. The Prime Minister saluted the resolve of the organizers as organization of the Games amidst the challenges of the pandemic epitomizes their determination and passion. This youthful passion is driving New India in every field with new momentum, the Prime Minister added. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of team spirit as the first mantra of success. “This team spirit we get to learn from sports. You will experience it directly in the Khelo India University Games. This team spirit also gives us a new way of looking at life”, the Prime Minister said. Similarly, holistic approach and 100 percent dedication are the key requirements of success in sports. Strengths and learnings from the sports field also takes one forward in life. “Sports, in real sense, is the genuine support system of life”, Shri Modi emphasized. The Prime Minister also drew similarities between sports and life with regards to various aspects such as passion, challenges, learning from defeat, integrity and ability to live in the moment. “Wearing the victory well and learning from defeat is an important art that we learn in the sports field”, he said.Welcoming nearly 4000 athletes to India’s tech capital Bengaluru, the Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Basavaraj Bommai expressed, “It is our pleasure and privilege to host Khelo India University Games 2021 in Bengaluru. It adds to our pleasure that Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, and&nbsp;Hon’ble Union Minister Of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Thakur joined us at the Opening Ceremony of such an important tournament in Bengaluru. KIUG 2021 is a great opportunity for us to prove our hospitality and our dedication to maintaining the national integrity of our nation and culture. PM Narendra Modi has given the impetus and a new dimension to our sporting world with his mission of Khelo India.”Union Minister Of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said, “When the first KIUG took place in Odisha, there was great pride and enthusiasm among people. But then, all our lives were affected by Covid and we had to wait nearly two years to return with Khelo India University Games 2021. After two years, it is the first opportunity for us to assemble together for the University Games and I see a similar passion among the youngsters this time around. With close to 4000 participants from nearly 200 Universities, this is the largest multi-discipline event taking place in the state of Karnataka. I visited the hosts, Jain University, and met over 500 enthusiastic athletes who will be taking part in the competition. I was also very happy to see that world-class facilities have been provided for the Games there, which are truly one of the best all-around in the world.” Breath-taking performances depicting Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage, Mallakhambha , Yogasana&nbsp;and a captivating sound and light show added to the grandeur of a sparkling opening ceremony of the 2nd Khelo India University Games 2021 at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Sunday, 24th April 2022. Representing the hosts Jain University in KIUG 2021, the youngest Indian swimmer to achieve Olympic standard time – Srihari Nataraj took the oath on behalf of all athletes after the Games were declared open by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu. Sports legends such as Vimal Kumar, Anju Bobby George, Reeth Abraham, Ashwini Nachappa, Malathi Holla, BR Beedu, AB Subbiah, SV Sunil, VR Raghunath were also part of the opening ceremony were KY Venkatesh, Sahana SM, Shashikanth Naik, Sahana SM, Manikandan,&nbsp;Thanya Hemanth, Farman Basha. KIUG 2021 anthem a big hit While a line-up of cultural programmes such as dollu kunitha, a traditional folk dance enthralled the audience of 2500 attendees, a peppy dance ensemble for the Khelo India University Games Anthem composed by pop icon Chandan Shetty got the spectators tapping their feet to the catchy number. High octane performances by drummers – Kerala Chande, Nashik Dhols &amp; Punjabi dhols from across the country set the mood of the 10-day sporting event which has drawn participation from various parts of the nation. New addition to this year’s Khelo India University Games, Mallakhamba, a traditional sport dating back to the 12th century which showcases the skillset of youth in an indigenous manner, was also intricately displayed during the opening ceremony. This was followed by an amazing acrobatic performance by popular youth artists Kings United left the young audience wanting more. A host of sports fans braved the tightened security to witness the opening ceremony on a giant screen erected outside the stadium. The opening ceremony was broadcast on DD Sports, All India Radio, and Radio City.

 The Khelo India University Games 2021 were declared open by the Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in Bengaluru today. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi shared his message at the inauguration of the Khelo India University Games virtually during the inaugural ceremony.

Khelo India University Games 2021 kick off with a glitzy opening ceremony

New Delhi: Dismissing the revision petition of an organiser of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in the national capital, the Delhi High Court observed that corruption is a silent killer in society, saying it was a serious economic issue that affects the country's development.Justice Chandra Dhari Singh noted that corruption adds to the deprivation of the poor and weaker sections of society. Therefore, every effort should be made to eradicate the same.At the end of the day, it is society and the downtrodden who bear the pangs of the corrupt acts of a few. If the court below finds that evidence against an accused is prima facie sufficient for framing of charge, then it has the jurisdiction to proceed with the same concerned accused must face trial, said the order dated April 29.The bench was hearing the revision plea of V.K. Verma, the then DG of the CWG's Organising Committee (OC), which sought the setting aside of a 2017 CBI court order for quashing criminal proceedings against the petitioner.As per the FIR, Verma and other OC officials entered into a criminal conspiracy with Suresh Kumar Seenghal, Director of Premier Brands Pvt. Ltd (PBPL), with Chairman, Compact Disc India Ltd., and others. It said that the officials extended undue favour to PBPL by appointing it as Official Master Licensee for Merchandising and Online and Retail Concessionaire for the Games against a minimum royalty amount of Rs 7.05 crore.PBPL, however, after earning a huge amount from the CWG band properties, did not pay anything to the committee and the cheque amounting Rs 3.525 crore was dishonoured by the bank on instructions from PBPL, which caused pecuniary advantage to Seenghal and PBPL and corresponding loss to the government exchequer.After detailed observations, the court said, the revisional jurisdiction is not meant to test the waters of what might happen in the trial.The Revisional Court has to consider the correctness, legality or propriety of any finding inter se an order and as to the regularity of the proceedings of the court below. A perusal of the material on record shows that the petitioner herein was interested in bringing accused Seenghal and his company in the bidding process for the Merchandising and License programme and had raised frivolous objections to get the first request for proposal annulled.Considering the aforesaid, a prima facie case against the petitioner cannot be ruled out.Accordingly, the plea has been dismissed by the court, saying the petitioner has utterly failed to point out what is causing a grave miscarriage of justice in the impugned order. By the instant petition, rather than pointing out patent irregularities, the petitioner is asking the revisional court to critically examine and analyse the evidence on record which is a matter of trial and cannot be examined at this stage.The petitioner has been unable to satisfy why this court should use its revisionary jurisdiction and quash the charges framed against the petitioner.—IANS

 Dismissing the revision petition of an organiser of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in the national capital, the Delhi High Court observed that corruption is a silent killer in society, saying it was a serious economic issue that affects the country's development. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh noted that corruption adds to the deprivation of the poor and weaker sections of society. Therefore, every effort should be made to eradicate the same.

Corruption Is A Silent Killer In Society: Delhi HC Notes On 2010 CWG Scam Case

 Dismissing the revision petition of an organiser of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in the national capital, the Delhi High Court observed that corruption is a silent killer in society, saying it was a serious economic issue that affects the country's development.
Justice Chandra Dhari Singh noted that corruption adds to the deprivation of the poor and weaker sections of society. Therefore, every effort should be made to eradicate the same.





Sachin Gupta leads a clean sweep in recurve, Lovely Professional University rise to second

New Delhi (The Hawk): Winning the gold in 86-92kg light heavyweight category in men’s boxing at the Khelo India University Games here at the Jain University Global Campus has reinstated Nitin Kumar’s confidence whose career graph nose-dived after he sustained a shoulder injury in 2019 after his silver-medal outing in Khelo India Youth Games in Pune. Having represented India at the Youth Amateur World Championship in 2018, and a host of other international events held in Thailand, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Nitin was on the right path to achieve success in the international stage. But the injury in 2019, left him in doubt of a career in the competitive contact sport. “The injury really set me back by a few years. I was adviced to not train for almost 9 months. In 2020, when I was ready to hit the ring again, the pandemic struck and lockdown forced me to stay indoors. My hopes of a comeback remained in a limbo,” recalls Nitin, who beat Anmol of Lovely Professional University in the final. Recalling those days when he was out of action, Nitin said: “I doubted myself and I was mentally very disturbed. When I saw my compatriots participate at the AIBA World Boxing Championship in Serbia last year, it further affected me mentally." also put on nearly 20 kilos during this time which meant I could no longer participate in my weight category. Those were the darkest days of my life but my family backed me a lot during this time,” an emotional Nitin said.Having gone through months of self-doubt and struggle to reach desired form, Nitin finally feels like he is ready for bigger events. “Winning in the Khelo India University Games has brought back the lost confidence. I had not competed in any event over the past two years so winning back-to-back gold medals in Khelo India University Games and All India University Games gives me a sense of assurance that I can bounce back in the sport and look forward to represent India again. This win has motivated me to work harder and I know I can bounce back,” he said. Next, Nitin’s aim is to reduce his weight and aim to participate in the 80kg category. He will make his next appearance in the Senior National Championship later this year and hopes for a good show at the World University Games. “I always participated in the 75kg category before my injury. Now, my aim is to work on losing weight and start competing in the 80 kg category. For my height and physique, that is the best category and I am sure of doing well,” he added. &nbsp;

 Winning the gold in 86-92kg light heavyweight category in men’s boxing at the Khelo India University Games here at the Jain University Global Campus has reinstated Nitin Kumar’s confidence whose career graph nose-dived after he sustained a shoulder injury in 2019 after his silver-medal outing in Khelo India Youth Games in Pune.

Making a comeback after two-year injury break, Nitin beats self-doubt to clinch gold in boxing at KIUG	

New Delhi (The Hawk): Ashish was 10 years old when his father forced him into the sport of Wrestling. At that time, Ashish had no idea about the sport and had never even seen it before. But his father, who worked as a farmer in Joshi Jat village of Sonepat district in Haryana, had seen Wrestling all around in his village and believed it to be a tough, individual sport that can bring discipline into his son's life."Because winning or losing in this sport is completely dependent on the individual, my father believed this sport will really give me important life lessons," Ashish said.While initially reluctant to pursue the sport, Ashish fell in love with Wrestling in 2017 when he bagged his first medal in the Sub-Junior Nationals in the 97kg category. "Slowly and steadily, I started winning medals and getting better at it. I started enjoying it when I won a Sub-Junior Nationals in Andhra Pradesh. I felt proud of my hard work and started enjoying the sport," he said.Ashish continued to attain success in his career, as he went on to win three more medals in Junior Nationals in the same category, and in 2021, at the Senior Nationals in Noida, he attained a Bronze medal in the 97kg weight category.Ashish then went on to win a Gold medal in the All India University Games and at the Khelo India University Games 2021, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Sunday, Ashish attained another Gold medal in the 97kg Freestyle Wrestling, defeating Maharshi Dayanand University's Ajay in the Final by Technical Superiority."This is my first Gold medal in Khelo India University Games. Now my focus is completely on Commonwealth Games. I competed here to check out the competition and prepare for the multi-sport event. There will be trials to get selected for CWG, and I am eagerly awaiting the same now," a pumped-up Ashish said after receiving his Gold medal at the KIUG 2021.On being asked how his training for the Commonwealth Games is going on, Ashish said that his big focus is to avoid any significant injuries as they can really derail a wrestler's career."I am training along with my father. Hum kamde maarte hain, dand lagate hain... training is going really strong," he said. "We are taking a lot of care to avoid injuries. I have never suffered a major injury and I don't ever want to suffer one as well (laughs)," he added.Praising the level of competition and the organisation of KIUG 2021, Ashish said: "The Khelo India Games were amazing. The competition was great. I had good fights and I feel confident now."But while many athletes at the KIUG 2021 are eyeing a chance at the Paris Olympics 2024, Ashish said his complete focus is on the upcoming calendar year and qualifying for the CWG and the Asian Games 2022."My sole focus at this point is on the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games this year. I am not thinking too far ahead of Paris at this point, as I am deeply focused on performing this year at the two major international events," he signed off.

Ashish was 10 years old when his father forced him into the sport of Wrestling. At that time, Ashish had no idea about the sport and had never even seen it before. But his father, who worked as a farmer in Joshi Jat village of Sonepat district in Haryana, had seen Wrestling all around in his village and believed it to be a tough, individual sport that can bring discipline into his son's life.

After KIUG 2021 Gold-Medal, Haryana's Wrestler Ashish Eyes Commonwealth Games Glory

New Delhi (The Hawk): The sports fans across India have been treated with fantastic kabaddi over the years and the game provided the same excitement at the Khelo India University Games 2021 at the Jain University campus in Bengaluru.Post the Semi-final matches on Monday, an exciting&nbsp;final clash between Chaudhary Bansi Lal University and University of Kota has been set up much to the delight of the local fans. Chaudhary Bansi Lal University (CBLU) defeated Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) 41-35 in the semis, while University of Kota booked a place in the Final after defeating Dr. C. V. Raman University 39-34. When asked about their final clash against University of Kota, CBLU Captain Yogesh Kumar didn't hold back in saying, "Gold toh hamara hi hai. We have a lot of confidence in ourselves. We have worked so hard and therefore we will definitely take the Gold. It feels really good to play at a high-level tournament like the Khelo India University Games. We are motivated to achieve something and take the Gold."The 23-year-old also shared thoughts about his mother's impact on his life, "My mother has played a huge role in my life as my father passed away when I was two years old. I attain some income through tournaments and we also have income from our farm and that's how we are acquiring our needs. I have two elder brothers as well, who take care of our family. When I walk on the mat for the Final, I will keep my mother and coach in my mind."Meanwhile, the Captain of the University of Kota kabaddi team - Ashish Badersa also felt confident about his team's chances, "It feels great to be in the Final. We are quite confident about our abilities ahead of the Final. Our team has played really well. The teams competed well in the tournament and it was tough to reach the summit clash. As a Captain, I am really happy with the side's performance."It hasn't been an easy year for the University of Kota Captain. Before taking the mat in the Final, Badersa will certainly have his father on his mind, "My father passed away last year due to a heart problem. He used to work as a peon in a school. However, we still receive my father's salary and that's how we are running our home. It's been difficult post my father's passing, but we have enough support from my uncle and aunt."The Chaudhary Bansi Lal University will take on University of Kota in the Final of the Men's kabaddi competition at the Khelo India University Games 2021 on Tuesday.

The sports fans across India have been treated with fantastic kabaddi over the years and the game provided the same excitement at the Khelo India University Games 2021 at the Jain University campus in Bengaluru.

We Will Definitely Win Gold: Chaudhary Bansi Lal University Kabaddi Captain

The sports fans across India have been treated with fantastic kabaddi over the years and the game provided the same excitement at the Khelo India University Games 2021 at the Jain University campus in Bengaluru.




Bengaluru: Hosts Jain University clinched the Khelo India University Games championship title after finishing on top of the standings with 32 medals, including 20 golds, here on Tuesday.Besides 20 gold, Jain University also bagged seven silver and five bronze medals to finish win the overall crown in the Games, which concluded on Tuesday after 10 days of high octane sporting action. Jain University sealed the title a day in advance on Monday, courtesy Priya Mohan's exploits on the track and two gold in karate (Syed Baba in the 55kg and another in the team men kumite).Lovely Professional University (17 gold, 15 silver, 19 bronze) finished second while defending champions Punjab University had to be satisfied with the third spot (15 gold, 9 silver, 24 bronze). In total 97 KIUG records were broken or equalled in the competition. A mind boggling 42 were in weightlifting, 28 came in the pool, while 23 came in athletics. Two national records were also broken in the competition -- Siva Sridhar setting a new mark in the men's 200m individual medley and MT Ann Mariya breaking the clean and jerk record in the women' weightlifting +87kg class.Sridhar was the runaway athlete of the Games, winning seven golds and two silvers. The swimmer also set a new KIUG mark with each gold he won in the pool. Swimmer Shrungi Bandekar's four gold and one silver made her the most successful female athlete of the Games. Mohan's 200m, 400m double secured her spot as the most dominant athlete on the track.—IANS

 Hosts Jain University clinched the Khelo India University Games championship title after finishing on top of the standings with 32 medals, including 20 golds, here on Tuesday. Besides 20 gold, Jain University also bagged seven silver and five bronze medals to finish win the overall crown in the Games, which concluded on Tuesday after 10 days of high octane sporting action. 

Jain University Clinches KIUG Crown

 Hosts Jain University clinched the Khelo India University Games championship title after finishing on top of the standings with 32 medals, including 20 golds, here on Tuesday. Besides 20 gold, Jain University also bagged seven silver and five bronze medals to finish win the overall crown in the Games, which concluded on Tuesday after 10 days of high octane sporting action. 






Beijing: The 2022 Asian Games, which were scheduled to take place in Hangzhou in September, were on Friday postponed amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in China.According to state-run CGTN TV, the Olympic Council of Asia has postponed the 19th edition of the multi-sports Games, the second biggest sporting event after the Olympics in size.The Games were scheduled to take place from September 10-25 in the capital of Zhejiang province, about 175 kilometres southwest of Shanghai."The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that the 19th Asian Games, originally scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 25, 2022, will be postponed," said a statement on the official Games website, first posted on Chinese state media.The development comes at a time when China is battling a record number of daily cases in Shanghai, which is only a short train ride away from Games host city Hangzhou—PTI

The 2022 Asian Games, which were scheduled to take place in Hangzhou in September, were on Friday postponed amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in China.

Asian Games postponed amid COVID surge: Chinese media

Mumbai: 'I am not a big fan of maths. Even in school, I wasn't good at it. Thinking of the net run-rate doesn't help. You just want to enjoy the IPL.'Chennai Super Kings might have had a 'perfect game' against Delhi Capitals but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni doesn't want to lose his sleep over qualification for the IPL 2022 play-offs as he feels that even if they fail in that pursuit, it won't be 'end of the world'.CSK beat Delhi Capitals by 91 runs and moved to the eighth position in the league table. They need to win three games and depend on other results to make it as fourth place entrants in the play-offs."If we make the play-offs, great. But even if we don't it's not the end of the world," a pragmatic Dhoni said after the victory against Delhi on Sunday."I am not a big fan of maths. Even in school, I wasn't good at it. Thinking of the net run-rate doesn't help. You just want to enjoy the IPL. When two other teams are playing, you don't want to be under pressure and thinking. You just have to think about what to do in the next game," he said.However, he did admit that the cricket they are playing now could have been played a few game earlier."It would have been better if we would have had a win like this somewhere early. It was a perfect game."Rishabh Pant had no hesitation in admitting that his team was outplayed in every department of the game but it was good to get such a one-sided defeat out of the way."I think they outplayed us in all departments. As Delhi Capitals, we have played a lot of close games, there had to be a game where there is a massive difference between the two sides and unfortunately we are on the receiving end," he said.Pant said that the equation is simple for Delhi Capitals from hereon as they must win three games and not depend on any other result to qualify."The only thing we can look forward to is the next three matches, if we win them then we will qualify."With a net bowler being found COVID-19 positive and opener Prithvi Shaw in the hospital, Pant agreed that a lot of off-the-field incidents were happening but at the same time wouldn't like to use them as an excuse."There is a fair bit going on amongst us, especially COVID-19 and we had few stomach infections, but we are not making an excuse and we just want to keep improving."Right now, we can be more positive and that's what we are going to be talking about to the boys, let's be more proactive and let's be in a good frame of mind to make good decisions in the next few matches," he said—PTI

'I am not a big fan of maths. Even in school, I wasn't good at it. Thinking of the net run-rate doesn't help. You just want to enjoy the IPL.'

Not the end of the world if CSK don't make play-offs: Dhoni

Islamabad: Pakistan women's cricket team captain Bismah Maroof has decided against skipping the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham despite the organisers denying accreditation to her infant daughter and nanny to access the Games village.A source in the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that it had been decided that Bismah will play in the Commonwealth Games and her baby and nanny will stay at a hotel or residence outside the village."The baby and nanny will travel to Birmingham for the games but will not stay with her in the village as the organisers didn't give permission as they don't have a parental policy," he said.The Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to share the travel, lodging and boarding expenses with Bismah in line with its Parental Support Policy.The board had also shared 50 percent of the ticket fare for Bismah's mother and baby, who accompanied her to the ICC Women's World Cup in New Zealand.But during the World Cup, Bismah was permitted to have her baby and mother stay with her in her hotel room as the ICC regulations permitted this.The PCB, meanwhile, also retained Bismah as captain of the white ball teams for the 2022/23 season.Pakistan have an action-packed season in which they will play, at least, 25 matches with the schedules for the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup and ICC Women's T20 World Cup yet to be announced.Pakistan's season begins by hosting Sri Lanka in Karachi for three T20Is and three ODIs in what will be the first instance of ICC Women's Championship matches being staged in Pakistan from later this month.Bismah's team will then head for Belfast to play hosts Ireland and champions Australia in a T20I triangular series from July 12-24 before they move to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games to be held from July 25 to August 8.Bismah, the senior most player in the Pakistan women's team, thanked the PCB for its continued support."I want to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for its immense support throughout my career and especially in helping me strike the right work-life balance after the birth of Fatima," She said."There was a time when I contemplated giving up on my passion of playing cricket, but the PCB ensured it never came to that with the introduction of the maternity policy, which has made the game as inclusive as it can be for the women in our country."I also want to thank my family and especially my husband, Abrar, who has been a great support throughout my career, and has provided me encouragement to continue to play for Pakistan."—PTI

Pakistan women's cricket team captain Bismah Maroof has decided against skipping the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham despite the organisers denying accreditation to her infant daughter and nanny to access the Games village.

Pak captain Maroof decides against skipping CWG games

London: Children who spent an above average time playing video games increased their intelligence more than the average, claims a study. Children are spending more and more time in front of screens. How this affects their health and whether it has a positive or negative impact on their cognitive abilities are hotly debated.But the results, published in the journal Scientific Reports, showed that those who played more games, than the average, increased their intelligence between the two measurements by approximately 2.5 IQ points more than the average. No significant effect was observed, positive or negative, of TV watching or social media."We didn't examine the effects of screen behaviour on physical activity, sleep, wellbeing or school performance, so we can't say anything about that," said Torkel Klingberg, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden."But our results support the claim that screen time generally doesn't impair children's cognitive abilities, and that playing video games can actually help boost intelligence. This is consistent with several experimental studies of video-game playing," Klingberg added. For the study, researchers at Karolinska along with those in Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam specifically studied the link between screen habits and intelligence over time in over 9,000 boys and girls aged nine or ten, in the US. Just over 5,000 of the children were followed up after two years.On average, the children spent 2.5 hours a day watching TV, half an hour on social media, and 1 hour playing video games. The team noted that the results are also in line with recent research showing that intelligence is not a constant, but a quality that is influenced by environmental factors."We'll now be studying the effects of other environmental factors and how the cognitive effects relate to childhood brain development," Klingberg said. One limitation of the study is that it only covered US children and did not differentiate between different types of video games, which makes the results difficult to transfer to children in other countries with other gaming habits. There was also a risk of reporting error since screen time and habits were self-rated.—IANS

Children who spent an above average time playing video games increased their intelligence more than the average, claims a study.

Video games can help boost children’s intelligence, says study

Los Angeles: &nbsp;Marvel Studios and Stan Lee Universe have entered into a 20-year agreement to license the name and likeness of Stan Lee so that the late comic legend will continue to be part of pop culture. Lee, the beloved co-creator of&nbsp;Marvel characters Spider-Man, Avengers and Hulk who died in 2018 at the age of 95, became a fan favourite of new-age fans who would recognise him through his funny cameos in Fox’s X-Men and Sony’s Spider-Man franchises and later in the several Marvel Cinematic Universe films.According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal will allow the studio to use Lee’s name and likeness in future feature films and television productions, as well as Disney theme parks, various “experiences” and merchandising. “It really ensures that Stan, through digital technology and archival footage and other forms, will live in the most important venues, the Marvel movies, and Disney theme parks. It’s a broad deal,” said Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of Genius Brands. “The audience revered Stan, and if it’s done with taste and class, and respectful of who he was, (uses of his likeness) will be welcomed. He is a beloved personality, and long after you and I are gone, he will remain the essence of Marvel,” he added. However, this new deal does not necessarily spell the return of Lee cameos in movies, at least not in the way fans traditionally knew them. Lee’s last cameos were for Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame which released just months apart from each other in 2019. Apart from his name and likeness, the agreement allows Marvel to use Lee’s voice and signature in movies and television projects, as well as to use images, existing footage and existing audio recordings featuring him.The rights to use Lee’s name, voice, likeness and signature exclusively in theme parks, cruise lines and in-park merchandise were also included in the deal. Audiences and park goers could see Lee turn up as figures and toys, and on apparel and stationery. Stan Lee Universe is a venture between global kids media company Genius Brands International and POW! Entertainment, a media company co-founded by Lee along with Gill Champion and Arthur Lieberman, in July 2020. Lee filed a USD 1 billion lawsuit against POW! Entertainment in 2001 for allegedly forging his signature on legal documents, but later dropped the claim.—PTI

Marvel Studios and Stan Lee Universe have entered into a 20-year agreement to license the name and likeness of Stan Lee so that the late comic legend will continue to be part of pop culture.

Marvel Studios signs 20-year deal with Stan Lee Universe

Cannes: "Squid Game" star and seasoned South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae has broken into the big league as a director with his debut film "Hunt", which premiered at the ongoing 75th Cannes Film Festival's Midnight Screenings section."Hunt", an action-packed spy thriller set in the early 1980s, revolves around two agents of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) who differ drastically in their approaches to the job of protecting the nation. The film, written and directed by Lee, also features the star in one of the two lead roles. The other protagonist is played by Lee's longtime friend and business partner Jung Woo-sung. Lee and Jung first worked together in 1999's "City of the Rising Sun". This is the "Squid Game" lead actor's second trip to the Cannes Film Festival. He was here in 2010 as the male lead of Im Sang-soo's "The Housemaid". The film competed for the Palme d'Or. Despite being set 40 years ago, "Hunt" has clear contemporary relevance. That, Lee insists, isn't a coincidence. The contemporary relevance of the story was, of course, in my mind when I wrote and directed Hunt, he says. When I bought the rights for the original screenplay, it had a different subject matter and spin, says the actor-turned-director. The character played by Jung was much smaller and the focus was solely on the role (of Park Pyong-ho) that I play, he says. I decided to work on it. In the times that we live in there is so much fake information going around and I wanted to weave that into the film. I retained the 1980s setting because that was a period in which not only Korea but also many other countries saw information being routinely manipulated by those in power. This, says Lee, happens now as well. So, we have to question ourselves: will we allow all the misinformation to shape our values? Once I decided what 'Hunt' will be about, I developed the parallel character of Kim Jung-do (played by Jung) as a person with his own values and convictions. He is a man with a strong will to right what he thinks is wrong. That is how 'Hunt' became a two-character story. Lee agrees that writing and directing a film while also acting in it is no cakewalk.Initially, I only wanted to produce 'Hunt'. I did not think about writing and directing it. I took on those responsibilities because I could not find the right director and scriptwriter. But once Lee had locked the scenario, he knew he had to wear the director's hat, too. I felt I was the best person to helm the project, but writing a screenplay takes a lot out of you. So, I am not confident that I will be writing and directing another one soon. About Park Pyong-ho, the character that he embodies on the screen in his directorial debut, Lee says: He is instigated to become a part of the spy ring operated by North Korea aimed at reunification. Pyong-ho's KCIA colleague Kim Jung-do, on the other hand, is loyal to the authoritarian regime. He is a soldier. He decides he has to suppress the enemies of the state in a very brutal way. It is apparent that both men are pawns in a larger game, explains Lee. To what extent has the international success of "Squid Game" changed his life?I wouldn't say my life has changed so much, says Lee. It is just that I am now known to a global audience. Career-wise, he is on an undeniably exciting new curve.I can now also work in overseas productions. Global projects are reaching me and they want me to be on board. I am open to these opportunities. Therefore, the principal change that has occurred is that I now have more projects to choose from, says the actor. He adds: I am looking forward to the future. I have been in this business for quite some time but this feels like an all-new start.Trying to put a finger on the increasing popularity of Korean films and web series, Lee says: I think it is all about the story. We have a lot of fun, novel and unique stories. That is why audiences are drawn to K-dramas and overseas producers are enthused to remake Korean content. Although the budget of "Hunt" was a fraction of that of a Hollywood espionage drama, it is the passion and flair with which it is made that lends it an appeal that is universal. Lee says he made "Hunt" even as he was shooting for "Squid Game".Asked if it was tough switching between two dissimilar characters in two dissimilar projects, the actor-director quips: Do not forget, I have 30 years' experience in this field.—PTI

 "Squid Game" star and seasoned South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae has broken into the big league as a director with his debut film "Hunt", which premiered at the ongoing 75th Cannes Film Festival's Midnight Screenings section.

Squid Game' star hunts down fresh glory in Cannes

Amaravati: A race among three predominant castes in&nbsp;Amalapuram who pursued a game of one-upmanship, and its unintended political consequences, appear to be the trigger for the violence and arson in the Andhra Pradesh town where the situation thankfully returned to normalcy on Wednesday. Though not very apparent, division of people along caste lines is a feature of the picturesque Konaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.The forward caste Kapus, the backward caste Setti Balijas and the Dalits are the predominant social groups holding sway over the region and a key factor in deciding the fortunes of political parties. Over the years, though such groups developed animosity towards one another, recently the Kapus and the Setti Balijas seemed to get closer sidelining the Dalits and this is seen as upsetting the 'political balance' particularly&nbsp;of the ruling YSR Congress, which is seeking to consolidate its Dalit base, according to an observer. In 2019, the Kapus and the Setti Balijas threw their lot behind the YSRC and contributed to its massive victory but, three years down the line, their loyalties seem to have drifted. The fishermen community, which too has a sizeable presence in the coastal belt, is also said to be siding with the Setti Balijas of late, causing consternation in the YSRC camp.The abrupt decision of the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime to rename the newly-formed Konaseema district as B R Ambedkar Konaseema district is being attributed by a section of local people to the ongoing changes in the political landscape in the region.The arson in Amalapuram, headquarters of the new district, on Tuesday allegedly by those opposed to the name change is, thus, suspected by local political observers to be a result of 'political machinations' of 'vested interests.'The violence snowballed into a political row with the ruling YSRC blaming the opposition parties, particularly the Telugu Desam Party and the Jana Sena, while the latter rebutted the charges with equal alacrity.The police took Annam Sai, said to be a close follower of Transport Minister Pinipe Viswarupu, into custody as he allegedly led a mob attack. Incidentally, Viswarupu's was one of the houses torched in the arson.Several ministers pointed an accusing finger at the TDP and the Jana Sena over the Amalapuram violence, alleging that Chandrababu Naidu was known for such “dirty politics”.Hitting back at the ruling party leaders, Jana Sena chief K Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday said, "The YSRC leadership has this self-righteous attitude. They blame others for everything, even their failures. They had, in the past, even blamed the judiciary when things did not go in their favour."He said it was a “well-orchestrated” plan by the YSRC to create a rift in the name of renaming the district.“Why did not the government name the new district after B R Ambedkar in the first place when the districts were reorganised,” Kalyan questioned and said the government should conduct a referendum if it was so keen on naming Konaseema district after Ambedkar.The TDP also took strong exception to the YSRC's allegation that the TDP-Jana Sena combine instigated the violence in Amalapuram. “The YSR family itself has a history of resorting to such violent acts. It was YS Rajasekhara Reddy who was behind the communal riots in the old city of Hyderabad. None other than the then chief minister (of erstwhile united AP) Marri Channa Reddy stated this. Likewise, Jagan instigated the attacks on Reliance outlets after YSR's death,” TDP state president K Atchannaidu alleged.It was only to deflect the backlash from the Dalit driver Subrahmanyam's murder that the YSRC instigated the Konaseema violence, he claimed.—PTI

A race among three predominant castes in Amalapuram who pursued a game of one-upmanship, and its unintended political consequences, appear to be the trigger for the violence and arson in the Andhra Pradesh town where the situation thankfully returned to normalcy on Wednesday.

Complex caste equation likely cause of AP arson; parties begin blame game

Ankara: Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to switch his training base from Turkey to Finland which will host the Paavo Nurmi Games, where he will square off against Johannes Vetter on June 14.The 24-year-old Indian, who is currently training at Turkey's Gloria Sports Arena, is scheduled to fly out on Thursday to train in Finland's Kuortane Olympic Training Centre till June 22. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) said the "four-week training camp has been sanctioned by the government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and would cost the sport ministry Rs 9.8 lakhs approximately.""From Kuortane, Neeraj will then head out to Turku to participate in the Paavo Nurmi Games, followed by Kuortane Games and then Diamond League in Stockholm," SAI said in a release."The finance would be used towards expenditure for Neeraj and his coach Klaus Bartonietz's travel, accommodation, training, local travel, and daily out-of-pocket allowance among other expenditures." Neeraj, who has a personal best of 88.07m and won gold in Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 87.58m, will be taking the field for the first time in 10 months when he competes at the Paavo Nurmi Games, which the one of the biggest track and field events outside the Diamond League.His next event will be on June 18 at Kuortane Games in Finland where he had finished third last year.He is planning to feature in the top-flight Diamond League Meeting in Stockholm on June 30 before heading for the July 15-24 World Championships in Eugene, USA.—PTI

 Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to switch his training base from Turkey to Finland which will host the Paavo Nurmi Games, where he will square off against Johannes Vetter on June 14.

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Saina Nehwal Decides To Skip Selection Trials For CWG, Asian Games

Sunil Aswal

Tag : Game

Saina Nehwal Decides To Skip Selection Trials For CWG, Asian Games

Sunil Aswal

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