Registrations open for 14th State Swimming Competition
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Swimming Association will organise the 14th State Swimming Competition on September 1 at Crinoline Swimming Pool in the city. Swimmers interested in participating in the event can register on August 25 at the office of the Meghalaya Swimming Association in Crinoline from 10 am to 12:30 pm. The entry fee is Rs 50 per swimmer. The competition will be held in three categories – under 10 years (boys and girls); under 14 years (boys and girls) and senior men’s and women’s events.
Rajput appointed full-time Zimbabwe cricket head coach
Harare: Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Friday confirmed former India international Lalchand Rajput as the head coach of the national team, a couple of months after he joined on an interim basis. “Zimbabwe Cricket is thrilled to announce Lalchand Rajput has been appointed as the substantive head coach of our men’s national team,” ZC confirmed in a statement on Twitter. “The former @BCCI international is a respected and successful coach reputed for his passion, hard work and intimate knowledge of the game #AllTheBest,” the statement added. Commenting on his association on a permanent basis, Rajput said: “It is an honour and privilege to work with Zimbabwe Cricket and I am really pleased to be given this opportunity to take this team to the next level, to work hard and ensure we make a difference in the coming years.” (Agencies)
Real intensify training ahead of La Liga clash vs Girona
Madrid: Spanish football giants Real Madrid’s squad had an intensive training session on Thursday under coach Julen Lopetegui in preparation for an upcoming La Liga match against Girona. After a 2-0 convincing win over Getafe in the La Liga opener, Real Madrid was set to be hosted by Girona on Sunday in the second round of the Spanish league, reports Efe. “The session started with a warm-up before the team focused on passing and pressing,” the Spanish club reported on its official website, adding that the players “then took a more tactical approach, taking shots on goal and playing games on a reduced size pitch.” The Real Madrid players participated in a longer-than-normal session amid temperatures of about 30 degrees Celsius. Defender Jesus Vallejo Lazaro was absent from the session due to injury. The players ended the training session with sprint-sets on the field. Real Madrid is on fourth in the La Liga standings with three points, on goal difference behind leader Sevilla, defending champion Barcelona and third-placed Levante respectively. (IANS)
Tottenham captain Lloris charged with drink driving
London: France and Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris has been charged with drink driving after the star goalkeeper failed a routine breathalyzer test in London, police said on Friday. The Frenchman, who captained his national squad to World Cup glory this year in Russia and is set to play for Spurs against Manchester United at Old Trafford in three days, was pulled over in central London in the early hours of Friday, police said, reports Efe. “Hugo Lloris, 31, of East Finchley, was charged with drink driving on Friday 24 August,” a police statement said. “He has been bailed to return to Westminster Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 11 September.” Lloris has played for the north London side since 2012 and boasts 104 international caps for France. (IANS)
East Bengal rope in Spanish defender Borja Gómez Pérez
Kolkata: City soccer giants East Bengal on Thursday announced signing Spanish player Borja Gómez Pérez for the upcoming season. Borja would play as central defender, alongside Costa Rican world cupper Johnny Acosta, and lend solidity to the rearguard, the club said in a release. Borja’s previous club was UD San Sebastián de los Reyes in La Liga. He comes with a vast professional experience, the release said. He has turned out at La Liga with clubs like Rayo Vallecano, Granada CF, Hércules CF, CD Lugo, Real Oviedo, Real Murcia and UD Logroñés. He also donned the jersey of FC Karpaty Lviv in the Ukrainian Premier League side. (IANS)
Chennaiyin FC to play friendly against MIFA on Sept 4
Chennai: Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC will play a pre-season friendly against Malaysian Indian Football Association at Kuala Lumpur on September 4. Plans to hold the match were announced at a press meet in Kuala Lumpur by members of the two teams, said a release here. MIFA currently competes in the Malaysian Premier League, the second tier of Malaysian football, and finished third in the 2018 season. “We are excited to play a pre-season friendly against a team that is doing great things for the Malaysian-Indian populace here. (PTI)
Aamir Khan to join ‘Mission Shakti’ for 2024 Paris Olympiad
Mumbai: Bollywood star Aamir Khan will be part of Maharashtra Government’s Mission Shakti’ initiative to groom sportspersons with medal-winning potential for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympiad, a top official said here on Thursday. Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said the actor has consented to support the patriotic initiative and will visit Tadoba Park in Chandrapur for a related programme soon. Starting this year (2018), ‘Mission Shakti’ will target sports like weight-lifting, archery, shooting, swimming, athletics, volleyball and gymnastics, with excellence in physical endurance, fitness, superior stamina and other features included in a rigorous selection test. “Along with all necessary educational facilities, the students from Chandrapur and Gadchiroli region will be provided training of international levels in these sports. Financial help will be sought from the corporate world for this initiative,” Mungantiwar said. (IANS)