Force India miss Q3 again
Sepang: Sahara Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez were 13th and 14th fastest in a wet qualifying at the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix here on Saturday. It was the second time in a row that either Force India failed to make Q3. However, the team can hope for some points on Sundayas it had secured a double points finish at the season opener in Melbourne with Hulkenberg and Perez finishing seventh and 10th from 14th and 15th on the grid. “It was a short qualifying session in the end with the rain arriving quite early in Q2. Maybe it would have been better for us if the rain had arrived five minutes earlier and Q2 was completely wet because everybody was able to complete a lap on slicks when the track was quite dry,” said Hulkenberg. “It was only on the in-lap that the skies really opened. As it happens I think it would have been very difficult to reach Q3 anyway. The race on Sundaywill be tough, especially managing the tyres in the high temperatures. “There is always the chance of more rain and that’s when you have to adapt quickly because it’s all about being on the right tyre at the right moment,” the German added. (PTI)
Balbir Singh Sr. conferred Lifetime Achievement Award
New Delhi: The legendary Balbir Singh Senior, member of three Olympic gold medal winning teams, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Hockey India Awards here on Saturday. The action-packed ceremony culminated with the 90-year-old receiving the trophy for Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award along with a cheque of Rs 30 lakh. Recipient of other top awards were Birendra Lakra and Vandana Kataria, who were named Player of the Year in their respective categories. Their efforts fetched them Rs 25 lakh each. The loudest applause was expectedly reserved for Balbir Singh, who was part the famous gold winning teams from 1948 to 1956 Olympics. His 1952 record of most goals (five) in an Olympic final still stands and he also figures in the list of 16 iconic Olympians of all-time. “I felt greatly honoured about being named among 16 iconic Olympians during the London Olympics but this award is sweeter as it is given by own country. I am deeply honoured with this gesture,” said Balbir. In what comes as a big boost to the players and coaches, a total prize money of Rs 2.81 crore was distributed at the felicitation ceremony. The efforts of current senior and junior teams were also recognised. The men’s team, which is now looking forward to next month’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, was rewarded for its showing at the 2014 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, where it won gold and silver respectively. (PTI)
Indian seek redemption in AFC Under-23 Championship
Dhaka: Following their 0-2 loss to Uzbekistan in their Group E opening match of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Under-23 Championship, the Indian team will hope to turn the tide against Syria here on Sunday. “The boys are understandably disheartened. That’s the biggest challenge for me as the coach — to get them motivated and ready or the next match,” India’s coach Savio Medeira said on Saturday. He added, “We need to bring them back. We have to motivate ourselves and stay motivated. “We are speaking to them. There are two more matches to go in the Championship. I am really proud of the manner my boys played against Uzbekistan.” Indian defender Pritam Kotal said he has got over the disappointment of the opening match loss and is looking ahead. “We need to learn from our mistakes. Repenting won’t help us as it won’t come back. We need to stick to the instructions of the coach,” he said. “It’s an experience for us to learn at every step in such a tournament. Syria are a strong side and we have to be cautious and confident at the same time.” Medeira wants the team to be resilient and show their fighting spirit against Syria. Syria beat hosts Bangladesh 4-0 in their opening match of the group at the Bangabandhu stadium on Friday. (PTI)
