Haile Gebrselassie to flag off Bangalore Marathon
Bangalore: Athletics lovers will have a rare opportunity of seeing World Champion in Distant Running Haile Gebrselassie when he flags off the Bangalore Marathon at the Kanteerava Stadium on October 19 here on Wednesday. Expressing his eagerness to participate in the event, Olympian Gebrselassie said “I have heard a lot about the ever-growing passion for running in India and now I am looking forward to experiencing this in person at the Bangalore Marathon.” The Ethiopian has won two Olympic gold medals, seven world outdoor championship medals, and has to his credit dozens of world records, including the marathon best of 2:03:59 in Berlin in 2008. The 41 year-old athlete will also meet city runners at Bengaluru Marathon Expo, Kanteerava Stadium on October 18, he said. Haile is also known for his business ventures. He founded Haile and Alem International PLC company in Ethiopia, which has built three hotels, two primary schools among other things. (UNI)
Indian Para-Asiad contigent leaves for Incheon
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry has cleared a contingent of 135 persons including 87 athletes, 3 guide runners, 40 coaches and escorts and five officials for 2014 Para-Asian Games starting from October 18 in Incheon, South Korea. The first batch of 60 persons has already left for Incheon. The remaining members of the contingent will leave later on Wednesday and Thursday. Indian contingent will take part in events of Athletics, Badminton, Swimming, Shooting, Powerlifting, Para Table Tennis, Blind Judo, Archery and Wheel Chair Fencing. (UNI)
Chennai duo to take part in Under-20 Futsal World Event
Chennai: Two young players from Chennai will represent India in the first ever Under-20 Futsal World Championship to be held at Chile from October 17 to 25. Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, the duo, Anwar Abazir and Haaroon Sherif, claimed they would also be the sole representatives from the Asian continent. The decision to hold the event at Chile was taken at the World Futsal Association during its meeting at Canada. Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller field and mainly indoors. It can be considered a version of five-a-side football. Its name comes from the Portuguese – futebol de salão -which can be translated as ‘hall football’. It was developed in Brazil and Uruguay in the 1930s and 1940s. They said it was a proud moment for the country and for ‘Namma Chennai’ (Our Chennai City). (UNI)
China beat Paraguay in friendly
Undated: Asian Cup finalists China continued their encouraging form under Alain Perrin as they beat Paraguay 2-1 in a home friendly to record their first win over the South Americans. Captain and AFC player-of-the-year Zheng Zie opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, with Wu Lei converting a second at the back post in the 18th minute. Nestor Ortigoza pulled one back for Paraguay in the 82nd minute with a header at the back post but Perrin’s side hung on for the morale-boosting win in Changsa, south-central China. The 2004 Asian Cup runners-up have lost only once in seven games since the French coach took charge with wins coming over Macedonia, Kuwait and Thailand as they continue preparations for January’s edition. (Reuters)
Johor Cup: India trounce Pak
Johor Bahru: Defending champions India thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan 6-0 in the third pool match of the fourth Sultan of Johor Cup played at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium here on Wednesday. India will now take on Malaysia in their fourth match Thursday.