Nine cities to host 2023 Women’s World Cup
Sydney, April 1: The 2023 Women’s World Cup will be spread across nine cities in Australia and New Zealand. It will be the first-of-a-kind World Cup, co-hosted by members of different confederations. This World Cup will also be the first to feature 32 teams, up from the 24 that participated in the 2019 women’s tournament in France. The schedule for the event will be announced later this year, FIFA said in announcing the host cities Wednesday in Zurich. The host cities include Adelaide, Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau, Brisbane, Dunedin, Hamilton, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Wellington. (AP)
Seoul proposes hosting 2032 Olympics with Pyongyang
Moscow, April 1: South Korea’s Seoul had sent a proposal to the International Olympic Committee of its bid to host the 2032 Olympics jointly with North Korean capital Pyongyang, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday. “The IOC selected Australia’s Brisbane as the preferred host for the 2032 Summer Olympics in a surprise move announced on Feb. 25. The South Korean government and the Seoul city immediately expressed regrets at the decision and held consultations with the IOC, leading to the presentation of the co-hosting proposal,” the local government said, as quoted by Yonhap. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to cooperate on hosting the 2032 Olympics in 2018 through the Pyongyang Joint Declaration. (UNI)
Osaka governer keen on cancelling Olympic torch legs in city
Tokyo, April 1: The governor of Osaka prefecture said on Thursday that he wants to cancel the Tokyo Olympics torch relay legs going through Osaka later this month. Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said the prefecture is coming under new COVID-19 control measures because of rising case numbers. “I think the torch relay through the middle of Osaka should be canceled,” he said. The Olympic torch relay began March 25 in northeastern Fukushima prefecture. It is scheduled to go through the Osaka area on April 13 and 14. (AP)
Rijiju, IOA officials review athletes’ preparation for Tokyo 2020
New Delhi, April 1: With the Tokyo Games a little more than three months away, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju held a review meeting with top officials of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and National Sports Federations regarding the preparations of the athletes. The meeting, held on Wednesday, was attended by top officials of Sports Authority of India, IOA president Narinder Batra, secretary general Rajeev Mehta and Athletics Federation of India chief Adille Sumariwalla. “Took a review meeting of Olympic preparations with officials and Indian Olympic Association President Dr Narinder Batra, Secretary General Rajiv Mehta and other members at SAI Headquarter. Will make short & attractive videos of our athletes who have qualified for Tokyo Olympic!” Rijiju tweeeted. (PTI)
Haryana to host two USD 25,000 ITF women’s events in Jhajjar
New Delhi, April 1: After successfully hosting the pending 2020 Nationals, the state of Haryana is now gearing up to host two back-to-back USD 25000 ITF women’s events in a few weeks from now. The two events will be played on the clay courts of the Joygaon Academy in Jhajjar. The first event will begin on April 26 and the second on May 3. Haryana Tennis Association had hosted the Davis Cup against Korea in Chandigarh in 2016. (PTI)
Woman weightlifter fails dope test, asked to return home
New Delhi, April 1: A woman weightlifter, who was part of the ongoing national camp at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substance. The weightlifter, a national record holder who has participated in several international tournaments including the Commonwealth Championship where she won gold, was set to be a part of the Indian team for the Asian Championship to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from April 16 to 25. “Yes, she has failed a dope test. The report came about 10-15 days back,” a source in the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) confirmed the development to PTI. The name of the weightlifter has been withheld as per the rules. Further action will be taken if her ‘B’ sample also tests positive. (PTI)
Belgium to face Greece in Euro 2020 warm up
Brussels, April 1: Belgium will take on Greece in June in a friendly game as part of its preparations for the European Championship. The match will take place on June 3 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Belgium’s first game at the European Championship is against Russia on June 12. (AP)
McKennie and Juve teammates face fines after party
Turin, April 1: Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and two of his teammates are facing fines from the police following a party at the American’s home in Turin. McKennie held a party on Wednesday with Juventus teammates Paulo Dybala and Arthur with about 20 other friends in attendance. Parties are forbidden under current coronavirus restrictions in Italy with a nightly curfew in place in the country between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Police were reportedly alerted by neighbors and arrived at McKennie’s house at around 11:30 p.m. The trio will be fined and will also face sanctions from Juventus. (AP)
Juve defender Bonucci contracts COVID-19
Turin, April 1: Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday after returning from international duty. Bonucci is isolating at his home in Turin, the Italian club said. He was tested Thursday morning. Four members of the Italy staff tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. Previously, Juventus defender Merih Demiral also tested positive when he was with the Turkish national team. (AP)