Bagan rope in Haitian playmaker
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan on Wednesday roped in Haitian playmaker Sony Norde as their fourth foreigner for the 2014-15 season. The 25-year-old had won many hearts in the Maidan after his power-packed performance for the Bangladeshi outfit Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi who finished IFA Shiled runners-up earlier this year. Impressed by his performance, Mohun Bagan had gone all out for Norde before sealing the deal today. After a trial match with Mexican Side San Luis FC, Norde secured a spot at Argentine Club Boca Juniors and represented the Haiti national football team at the youth and senior levels. He represented Haiti at the 2008 CONCACAF Men Olympic qualification tournament and also represented the National side in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Earlier, Mohun Bagan had announced Cameroon forward Pierre Boya as their marquee player. Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa and and Nigerian central defender Fatai Adisa Alao are the other two foreigners in the Mohun Bagan squad. Mohun Bagan now have three forwards with Boya, and Indian duo of Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh. (PTI)
Adhoc committee welcomes AIBA’s decision
New Delhi: IOA appointed Adhoc committee, which is currently running Indian boxing, on Wednesday welcomed AIBA’s decision to allow the Indian coaches to sit on the ringside during bouts at the 20th Commonwealth Games. “It is very good decision taken by AIBA regarding the entry of Indian Boxing Coaches at the ring corner to second and guide the boxers,” Ad-hoc Committee (Boxing) said in a release. “AIBA has given its decision after intervene by Adhoc Committee and IOA. “This will boost the moral of boxers and coaches and enhance their chances of winning the medals at Glasgow.The decision is welcomed in sports fraternity and Boxers in particular,” the release added. The Chairman and members of the Adhoc Committee have reached Glasgow to take care of Indian Boxing Squad. “As intimated by National Boxing Coach G S Sandhu the meeting of technical committee will be held today and the draws will be done on next day,” the release said. “The final Selection of the boxing teams (Men and Women) for Asian Games will be conducted at NS NIS Patiala from 6-9 August, 2014,” it added. The boxing competition starts on July 25 and Cuban coach, BI Fernandes and GS Sandhu, will now be able to be there at the ring corner, when the Indian boxers take to the ring. AIBA had first suspended Indian Boxing Federation in 2012 and then de-recognised it this year on the basis that they were “damaging the image, reputation and interest” of the sport. Later AIBA accepted the new body, Boxing India, as a member but that is subject to AIBA approving its election and election process. (PTI)
HC reserves verdict on PIL for agency to regulate sports bodies
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a plea seeking establishment of a monitoring and regulatory agency for controlling the functioning of sports departments and autonomous organisations across the country. The PIL seeks setting up of the regulatory agency for the protection of the rights of sportspersons as has been done for women, children, minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, etc. by the government. Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Centre, contended the petition is not maintainable as it primarily pertains to activities of the sports department of Haryana government and should have been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. After hearing the contentions of the Centre and the petitioner, Rajiv Boolchand Jain, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw reserved its judgement. In his plea, Jain has also sought a CBI probe into the working of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs of Haryana government alleging “rampant corruption and misuse of allocated funds” there. (PTI)
Indian paddlers will find it tough to better Delhi medal haul
Glasgow: The Indian table tennis team at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games will find it tough to match the record medal tally of the Delhi edition. India, who won five medals including a gold and silver in Delhi four years ago, begin their challenge with the team championships beginning here on Thursday. The Indian men’s team spearheaded by Sharath Kamal, a three-time gold winner at at the Games, has been seeded third and finds himself in Pool C. It will play two matches on the opening day, against Vanuatu and Northern Ireland respectively. The team comprising Sharath, Harmeet Desai and Soumyajit Ghoosh is aiming to do better than Delhi where it had to settle for a bronze against England and champions Singapore. “The boys are are in good shape. It is good that we arrive here a week before the competition. It has helped us adjust to the conditions. There is no target as such but I feel we should get a minimum of three medals here,” India’s foreign coach Peter Engel told PTI. (PTI)