Churchill signs Costa Rican striker
Panaji: Defending I-League champions Churchill Brothers have signed Costa Rica striker Cristian Lagos Navarro to bolster their struggling forwardline and turn their fortunes as the Goan side are presently languishing at the bottom of the league. The 29-year old, who is contracted to Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica, has signed a contract until the end of the season and is likely to replace Syrian striker Yaser Shahen. “I’m happy and grateful to Saprissa because I was provided all the facilities to join this important Indian team. I am excited about this new challenge and the offer I was presented,” Navarro said in a statement. “This is a unique opportunity for myself and my family that I could not pass. I hope to do well and worthily represent the country abroad,” he added. Churchill has scored the least number of goals in the league – a meagre 12 from their 13 matches. The club management has now pinned its hopes on the new recruit, who will pair up with Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Anthony and expect improved performances in their quest to climb up the ladder and avoid relegation. (PTI)
I am not great: Paes
Chennai: Fourteen Grand Slam trophies, an Olympic medal and 53 titles on the ATP tour makes him one of the greatest tennis players India has produced but veteran Leander Paes refused to be labelled as great. “I don’t have a great serve, a great forehand or backhand. I just do things with my partners, whoever it is,” the 40-year-old star said in a modest self assessment on the eve of Chennai Open. Paes said he dreams of winning more Grand Slams in 2014 and wants to compete in 2016 Brazil Olympics before hanging his boots. “I will consult the right people at the right time on retirement and making way for young talents and at the same time set a solid Indian team. I think you are reading my mind. I’ll come back to you when I take a decision on this,” Paes said. He said he was concerned about the wide gap in the rankings of the Indian players and that has to be “bridged”. “More than their talent, technique and skills, our players need to drastically improve upon their physical fitnesses. The kids abroad are 6ft or more these days. The way they run and stay fit is phenomenal.” (PTI)
Coaching legends good, says Federer
BRISBANE: Roger Federer, who has taken on childhood hero Stefan Edberg as part of his team, thinks the recruitment of former great players as coaches will be good for tennis in the long term. The 17-time major champion said bringing the likes of Edberg, Ivan Lendl, who coaches Andy Murray, and Boris Becker, who is now working with Novak Djokovic, back into the sport was a positive move. The 32-year-old had been surprised at Becker’s involvement, though. “I didn’t think he wanted to become a coach, I didn’t expect to see him back on tour, that was a bit of a surprise,” Federer told reporters here on Monday. “But then again, I’m happy to see former greats and legends excited to be doing such a job and wanting to help the next generation and it brings them back into the game. I think it’s a good thing, I think in tennis we have tendency to, I won’t say drive out, our legends and former greats (but) I think we should integrate them more. I don’t think it’s the best way to integrate them as a coach,” he chuckled. “But at least you see them again. And maybe they actually get a taste of it and other greats see that they are welcome and that we are so happy to see them. I think it sends out a good message.” (Reuters)
I’m not anti-Semite, says Anelka
Paris: French footballer Nicolas Anelka on Sunday strongly defended a controversial gesture he made during a weekend match, saying “I am neither anti-Semite nor racist”, even as British football authorities mulled possible punishment. The West Bromwich Albion striker and former member of France’s national team issued a series of tweets rejecting claims that the gesture he made on Saturday was anti-Semitic or a thinly veiled Nazi-like salute, as many have interpreted. Anelka argued in his tweets that the gesture – in which he thrust his straightened right arm downwards while tapping his bicep with the other hand – was merely “anti-establishment”. “I don’t know what religion has to do with it. Of course I’m not an anti-Semite or racist and (I) stand by my gesture.” (AFP)