2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying round draw postponed
Kuala Lumpur, May 11: The qualifying round draw of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to be held in India, scheduled for May 27 was on Tuesday postponed until further notice due to rising COVID-19 cases in the host country and across the continent. “Taking into consideration the current challenges and logistical arrangements, the AFC agreed the postponement of the draw was necessary due to rising COVID-19 cases in the host nation as well as across the continent keeping in mind the wellbeing and safety of all teams, players, officials and relevant stakeholders,” the AFC said. “More details on the new arrangements for the draw for Asia’s flagship women’s tournament will be announced in due course,” it added in the statement. In January, the AFC had announced that the (main) tournament would take place between January 20 and February 6 next year. However, the draw for the qualifying matches of both the 2022 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup in Uzbekistan and the 2022 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in Indonesia will proceed as planned on May 27. (PTI)
Indian Olympic-bound shooting team leave for Croatia tour
New Delhi, May 11: The Olympic-bound Indian shooting team on Tuesday left for Croatia for a two and a half months training-cum-competition tour, its final tune-up to the upcoming Tokyo Games. With coaches and support staff in tow, a 13-member Indian shooting team took off for Croatian capital Zagreb, where it will undergo a training camp before leaving for Osijek to take part in the European Championships (May 20 to June 6) followed by the combined ISSF World Cup (June 22 to July 3). “Team India takes off in 20 mins. Bon Voyage, Get the nose to the ground and work hard for your inevitable success team,” Raninder Singh, president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) tweeted just before the team’s departure. After the stint in Croatia, the team will directly leave for Tokyo to participate in the Olympics, beginning on July 23. (PTI)
Steffen Baumgart appointed as Cologne coach from next season
Cologne (Germany), May 11: Cologne hired Steffen Baumgart as coach for next season on Tuesday even with the club’s place in the Bundesliga uncertain. Baumgart agreed to a two-year contract following four years with Paderborn. Baumgart oversaw back-to-back promotions to take Paderborn to the Bundesliga for the 2019-20 season but the team was relegated back to the second division. It’s not yet clear which division Baumgart will be coaching in next season. Cologne is in 17th place and in the relegation zone with two games remaining. Cologne fired Markus Gisdol as coach last month after a poor run of results and brought in veteran Friedhelm Funkel for the last six games. (AP)
Former world track chief Diack back in Senegal following release
Dakar (Senegal), May 11: Disgraced former world athletics head Lamine Diack returned home to Senegal late Monday after a local soccer club paid a bond of just over 600,000 to allow him to leave France. Diack, the president of world athletics from 1999-2015, was convicted in Paris in September on multiple charges of corruption during his tenure, some of it related to the Russian doping scandal. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with two of those years suspended. But French justice authorities said Diack, who is 87, was unlikely to spend any time in jail because of his age. A ban on Diack leaving France was lifted after the bond of 500,000 euros was paid to the authorities. Diack was found guilty of being part of a scheme that squeezed 3.2 million euros ( 3.8 million) in bribes out of Russian athletes suspected of doping. The hush money allowed the athletes, who should have been suspended, to keep competing. Diack was also found guilty on breach of trust charges but acquitted of money laundering. His son, Papa Massata Diack, who worked as an IAAF marketing consultant, was also convicted and was sentenced to five years in jail in his absence. (AP)
FIH Hockey Pro League: Australia and NZ to square-off in June
Lausanne, May 11: Australia and New Zealand hockey teams will compete in the two-leg FIH Pro League on June 26 and 27 in Perth, the game’s governing body said on Tuesday. The two teams were scheduled to play in April but the tie was put on hold due to travel restrictions in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “…the FIH Hockey Pro League matches between both countries, which were postponed because of the current global COVID-19 pandemic, will now be played on 26-27 June in Perth, Australia,” an FIH statement said. The double-headers between Australia and New Zealand were originally scheduled to be played on the April 24 and 25 before they were postponed due to the health crisis. (AP)
Goalkeeping great Buffon could leave Juventus at end of season
rome, May 11: Gianluigi Buffon, regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, wants to leave Italian league’s multiple champions Juventus at the end of this season. A club spokeswoman confirmed that the 43-year-old had said this in an interview to Qatar-based broadcaster Bein Sports on Tuesday. Buffon will either stop playing or find another opportunity that “motivates me to play or have a different life experience”. “This beautiful and very long experience with Juve will come to a definitive end this year,” Buffon was quoted as saying by DPA. “I think I gave Juve everything. I’ve received everything and more. We have reached the end of a cycle,” he added.
PSG’s Verratti out with injury, doubtful for Euro ‘20
PARIS, May 11: Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti will miss the rest of the season because of a right knee injury, the French club said Tuesday. The Italian will be sidelined for four-to-six weeks, possibly forcing him to also miss the European Championship. Italy’s opening match at Euro 2020 is scheduled for June 11 in Rome against Turkey. Verratti picked up the injury during training last week and did not play in PSG’s 1-1 draw with Rennes on Sunday in the French league. With two matches remaining, PSG trails league leader Lille by three points. (AP)