Majority back 48-team Qatar WC, says FIFA president
DOHA:A “majority” of football federations support increasing the number of teams playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in Doha on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference after a three-day FIFA summit in the Qatari capital, Infantino said the idea had widespread backing from associations across the globe. So far, of course the majority is in favour because 16 more teams to participate, not only means 16 more countries with World Cup fever but also 15 or 16 more countries being able to dream. FIFA has said it will make its final decision in March after the completion of a feasibility study. (AFP)
Syria to send athletes to winter Olympics for 1st time
DAMASCUS: Syria intends to participate in Winter Olympic Games for the first time in its history and is currently looking for Syrian athletes living abroad who could represent the country at the competition, President of the Syrian Olympic Committee Mowaffak Joumaa said. “We are planing to encourage Syrians living abroad, particularly in Europe, to participate in the Winter Olympics under the Syrian flag. So far, we have not succeeded in our searches, but we continue to work to that end,” The president of the committee noted that Syria also intended to raise the popularity of winter sports in the country despite its warm climate. Joumaa also said that local authorities were planning to complete the postwar rebuilding of major sports complexes in the western provinces of Latakia and Aleppo next year. (Sputnik)
Fit-again Pandya eyes Test comeback with Ranji Trophy
MUMBAI: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has his eyes set on a comeback to the Indian Test side that is currently playing in Australia and for that is taking part in Baroda’s match against Mumbai in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy after an injury layoff.Hardik picked up a back injury during the Asia Cup in September and has since been sidelined.He was originally selected in the India A squad for their three-match one-day series against New Zealand A but the 25-year old decided to focus on Tests instead with the ODIs against Australia only scheduled after the Test series ends.”If I am playing a Test match, I should play a four-day game (rather) than one-day,” Hardik told Times Now.”Because one-day is later on. I am focusing right now that if I can make it to the team, because there is scope of me making a comeback into the Test team, if I am fit to play a Test match. That’s why I wanted to take my time and see where exactly I stand in Ranji Trophy.”Playing a Test match is a different league. The workload goes very high, so I wanted to see if I can manage the workload. I knew I would get enough match preparation before the Australia ODIs. He said. (IANS)