Schumi ‘stable’, says spokeswoman
Grenoble (France): Formula One legend Michael Schumacher remains in a stable condition after his December 29 skiing accident, his spokeswoman said on Friday, after a wave of speculative reports that he may never recover. “Michael’s condition is still considered as stable,” Sabine Kehm said of Schumacher, who has been in a medically-induced coma since his life-threatening off-piste fall in the French Alps. “Unfortunately I have to repeat that any information regarding Michael’s health not coming from the doctors treating him or from his management must be treated as pure speculation,” she said. “I also repeat that Michael’s family is very happy and confident with the work of the team of doctors treating Michael, and they trust them completely.” Investigators probing the crash have ruled out faulty skis, inadequate signage and excessive speed as reasons for the accident, in which he slammed his head against a rock. Schumacher appears to have skied on a partially covered rock, lost his balance and fallen on another rock further down, according to the prosecutor in charge of the probe. (AFP)
Manipur boxer arrested for assault
IMPHAL: Ace boxer Ngangom Dingku Singh was produced before a court here on Friday, and was remanded to 14-day judicial custody after police arrested him on Thursday on the charge of assaulting three female weightlifters. Singh was remanded to police custody until January 31. The international boxer and Arjuna awardee was arrested by police last evening after being accused of assaulting three female weightlifters at the SAI complex, Khuman Lampak, here on January 13. It is said that Dingku, a boxing coach at Sports Authority of India (SAI), Imphal, had beaten up the three after one of the victims named Soibam Aranbala, 17, scribbled some words saying “Ojah Dingku” (teacher Dingku) over the dust on his car. Reports had said that Dingku Singh assaulted the three young athletes with sticks after being poured water on their bodies at Special Area Games (SAG) Hostel. He called out the players from the hostel room and thrashed them about 7:30pm. Dingku Singh received Arjuna Award in 1998 and the Padma Shri in 2013 after he won gold medal in the 1998 Asian Games held at Bangkok. The SAI has also suspended the boxer. (NNN)
Srikanth crashes out of Malaysia Open
Kuala Lumpur: National champion K Srikanth’s dream run came to an end after he suffered a straight-game defeat against fourth seed Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Super Series Premier here on Friday. The Indian, who had notched up victories against higher-ranked Yun Hu of Hong Kong and Korea’s Wan Ho Sun in the last two rounds, went down 21-10, 21-15 against Sugiarto, a silver medallist at the World Junior Championships in Incheon. (PTI)
Perera, Mathews foil Pakistan
Sharjah: Dilruwan Perera missed a century on his debut while skipper Angelo Mathews fell for 91 as Sri Lanka frustrated Pakistan in the third and final Test in Sharjah on Friday. Perera (95) and Mathews made life difficult for Pakistan through their 112-run seventh wicket stand before Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 428-9, leaving Pakistan to score 19-0 in a tricky six overs before the close of the second day’s play. Pakistan paceman Junaid Khan finished with figures of 3-81. Mohammad Talha finished with 3-99 while spinner Saeed Ajmal had 2-120. (AFP)
Bhullar best Indian at 13th in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: Gaganjeet Bhullar moved to a fine tied 13th at the midway stage of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships here on Friday. Bhullar, who shot an even par 72 in first round, added a four-under 68 aided by four successive birdies from eighth to 11th holes. Jeev Milkha Singh (69-75) and Shiv Kapur (71 and one-under through 13 holes) are also likely to make the cut. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (67-67) was in the lead at 10-under. Meanwhile, in Thailand, Anirban Lahiri finished with a card of one-under 71 to lie tied 14th at the halfway stage of the King’s Cup Golf in Hua Hin. Lahiri at four-under 140 was the best among the four Indians. Thailand’s Prom Meesawat maintained his share of the lead with Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg. (PTI)