Rosberg signs new Mercedes deal
Paris: Nico Rosberg, locked in a titanic duel with team mate Lewis Hamilton for this year’s drivers’ title, signed a new “multi-year” contract with Mercedes, the German F1 team announced on Wednesday. Rosberg, 29, joined Mercedes on the German car giant’s return to F1 in 2010. In five seasons he has won six times, with 17 podiums and eight pole positions. “Mercedes….is delighted to announce that it signed a multi-year contract extension with Nico Rosberg on 14 July 2014,” a statement on the team’s official website confirmed. Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff added: “This new contract brings us important stability and continuity for the future and I am delighted to be able to make the announcement in time for the home race of Mercedes-Benz and Nico in Hockenheim.” Rosberg leads the 2014 drivers title race by a mere four points from Hamilton going into the German Grand Prix on Sunday. Hamilton, the 2008 champion, made up ground on Rosberg when claiming victory at Silverstone last time out, with Rosberg, who had set pole, failing to finish. Up to the British Grand Prix Rosberg had finished first or second in all previous eight races. Rosberg said he was “proud” to drive for the team he described “as the best in the world”. “It has been a difficult road to get to where we are now – but everybody kept believing and, thanks to the fantastic support from Mercedes-Benz, we are now leading the way in F1,” he said. (AFP)
47 sports federations amend constitutions
New Delhi: As many as 47 out of 54 sports federations in the country have amended their constitution setting 70 years as the age limit for all office bearers, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said during Question Hour, “Out of the 54 National Sports Federations (NSFs) recognised by the government, 47 have amended their constitution as per provisions of the National Sports Development Code of India (NSDC), 2011 relating to age and tenure of office bearers.” Seven federations – Basketball Federation of India, Gymnastics Federation of India, Indian Gold Union, Jump Rope Federation of India, Roller Skating Federation of India, Shooting Ball Federation of India and Wrestling Federation of India have not fully incorporated the provisions, he said. “These NSFs have given in writing that they will amend their constitutions in accordance with the NSDC. Government has given time up to October 2014 to these seven NSFs to amend their constitutions,” he said. As per the Sports Code, 70 years is the age limit for all office bearers, with the tenure regulations only applying to the president, secretary general/secretary, and treasurer. The Minister said the government is helping sportspersons prepare for the Rio Olympics so as to win maximum number of medals. Best possible coaching and training as well as food supplements are being provided to the sportspersons, he said, adding, “Our target is to bring more and more medals for the country.” (PTI)
Powell makes modest return to track
Lausanne (SWITZ): Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell wasted no time getting back into the thick of the action a day after his doping ban was reduced, running a modest 10.30sec in the 100m at the Lucerne meeting on Tuesday. Powell, who along with fellow-Jamaican Sherone Simpson was told on Monday the Court of Arbitration in Sport had cleared him to run again, finished third behind compatriot Julian Forte, who won in 10.23, and Antoine Adams of St Kitts and Nevis, second in 10.29. The former world record holder, who is still the fourth fastest man in history, was suspended for 18 months but the ban was reduced to six months on appeal, leaving him free to compete immediately, the CAS ruled. He and Simpson were suspended by a Jamaica Anti-doping disciplinary panel after testing positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine, which they claimed had been taken in a contaminated food supplement. They appealed to CAS to have their bans reduced to three months and the appeals were partially upheld. As they had already served six-month bans, they are now eligible to compete again. (AFP)