Pakistan, Chad face FIFA suspension amid disputes
Zurich, April 7: FIFA suspended the national soccer federations of Pakistan and Chad on Wednesday amid disputes about how they should be run. The Pakistan soccer federation, known as the PFF, was suspended for “third-party interference” for the second time in four years after a group of officials and protesters occupied the body’s headquarters last month. “This suspension will only be lifted once FIFA has received confirmation from the normalization committee of the PFF that the PFF’s premises, accounts, administration and communication channels are again under its full control and it can continue to carry out its mandate without further hindrance,” FIFA said. FIFA opposes governments or courts getting involved in soccer disputes. The suspension for Chad comes after the African country’s government tried to dissolve the national soccer federation and appoint new officials to run the sport. (AP)
Sania Mirza included in Target Olympic Podium Scheme
New Delhi, April 7: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was on Wednesday included in the government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), four years after she opted out of the programme. Sania was selected in the TOPS during the 56th meeting of the Mission Olympic Cell here. The 34-year-old multiple Grand Slam winner had opted out of the scheme when she was selected last in 2017 because of an injury breakdown which had led to a lay-off. “Yes, Sania has been selected in the recent TOPS list,” a Sports Authority of India source told PTI. Sania has already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics based on her protected ranking before she took a break from the game due to pregnancy. (PTI)
Bengaluru confirm positive cases ahead of AFC qualifiers
Panaji, April 7: Indian football club Bengaluru FC on Wednesday said three COVID-19 cases have been detected among its players and staff after the side assembled for training here ahead of its AFC Qualifiers (Preliminary Stage Two) match on April 14. The positive cases were reported during BFC’s training camp which began here on April 5. “Latest COVID-19 tests within the Blues’ camp in Goa have shown three positive cases among players and staff,” the club informed on its twitter handle. Earlier, BFC skipper and India star Sunil Chettri had tested positive for COVID-19. The striker, however, has recovered. (PTI)
Indian judo team out of Olympic qualifiers due to COVID
New Delhi, April 7: A 15-member Indian judo team has withdrawn from the ongoing Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan after two judokas – Ajay Yadav and Ritu tested positive for COVID-19 just before the start of the tournament. Yadav, a 73kg class judoka, and Ritu (52kg) tested positive in the second test conducted after landing in Kyrgyzstan and both are asymptomatic. All the 15 judokas and four coaches had returned negative in the first test conducted after landing in the central Asian country. The entire 19-member contingent is currently in quarantine at a hotel in Bishkek. (UNI)
Mary Kom, Lovlina included in Asian Championship squad
New Delhi, April 7: Olympic-bound six-time world champion M C Mary Kom (51kg) will spearhead the Indian women’s challenge in the Asian Boxing Championship slated to be held here from May 21 to 31. Mary Kom is a six-time Asian medallist, including five gold medals. She had opted out of the previous edition of the event in 2019. Another prominent name in the team for the continental showpiece is two-time world bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain (69kg).
The Team: Monika (48kg), Mary Kom (51kg), Sakshi (54kg), Jasmine (57kg), Simranjit Kaur (60kg), Pwilao Basumatary (64kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Pooja Rani (75kg), Saweety (81kg), Anupma (+81kg). (PTI)