Rangers take Indian striker Bala Devi on trial
Glasgow (Scotland): Rangers Football Club, a Scottish professional football club, welcomed Indian women’s team star Bala Devi Ngangom for trials this week.The 29-year-old, an icon in the country, has led India for the past five years, and through Rangers’ partnership with Bengaluru FC is looking to advance her career in the UK.Bala plays as a striker or an attacking midfielder. To date she has 43 caps for the country and an impressive tally of 36 goals, having been called up to the senior side aged just 15. Domestically Bala also has a superb record, racking up over 100 goals in 120 games – she has been the top scorer in the Indian Women’s League for the past two seasons. She has also been named as All India Football Federation (AIFF) Women’s Player of the Year twice, in 2014 and 2015. A policewoman by day, her current club is Manipur Police but the forward will now look to make an impression at Rangers. Women’s & Girls’ Football Manager, Amy McDonald said in an official statement: “We are looking forward to having Bala here in Glasgow and seeing what she can do at first hand. Planning has already started for next season and we plan to build a really strong squad over the winter break to truly compete in 2020”. (ANI)
Have worked hard on technique and fitness: Vijender Singh
New Delhi: Ace boxer Vijender Singh said that he has been working hard on his technique and fitness and is now aching to have a go at a 12th consecutive win in his professional career. Vijender takes on Ghana’s Charles Adamu at the Caesars Palace Bluewaters in Dubai later in the day. “I am fully excited for my Dubai debut. I know Charles Adamu is an experienced boxer but I can easily knock him in the early rounds. I am sure he will try his best but I have worked hard in the last two months on my technique and fitness.” said Vijender. This will be Vijender’s second fight of the year. His previous bout, which was also his first in the US, was in August in which the Olympic bronze medallist beat Mike Snider via a fourth round TKO. The match can be viewed on Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 1 HD on November 22 from 9 pm. (IANS)
Fouaad Mirza seals historic Olympic qualification
New Delhi: Fouaad Mirza on Friday became the first Indian equestrian in 20 years to seal an Olympic quota. The double Asian Games medallist finished top in Group G in the individual event category of the qualifiers for South East Asia, Oceania. Mirza is thus in line to becoming only the third individual to have represented the country in an equestrian event at the Olympics after Imtiaz Anees (Sydney 2000) and Late Wing Commander IJ Lamba (Atlanta 1996). Mirza finished with a total of 64 points from six qualifying events, securing 34 on his first horse Fernhill Facetime and 30 with his second horse Touchingwood. (IANS)