Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi qualifies for FIDE Grand Swiss League
Chennai, Aug 13: Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi has qualified for the FIDE Grand Swiss league which will be held in Riga, Latvia from October 25 to November 8. The Nashik-based player has also qualified for the FIDE Grand Prix 2022 after reaching the top eight at the recently-concluded Chess World Cup 2021. He has two shots to book his spot at the prestigious Candidates 2022 from which a player qualifies to challenge the world champion. Gujrathi had recently reached the quarterfinals at the World Cup in Sochi, becoming only the second Indian after maestro Viswanathan Anand to do so. (PTI)
Anurag Thakur launches Fit India Freedom Run 2.0
New Delhi, Aug 13: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday launched the nationwide programme of “Fit India Freedom Run 2.0” to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence. The run will start on August 15 and will go on till October 2. Thakur flagged off the event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here. The event was also held at 75 locations across the country, including iconic ones like the Cellular Jail in Port Blair; Kaza Post in Lahaul Spiti; Mumbai’s Gateway of India and the Attari Border in Punjab among many others. (PTI)
Dennerby named head coach of Indian women’s football team
New Delhi, Aug 13: Sweden’s Thomas Dennerby will take charge as head coach of the Indian women’s senior national team with immediate effect, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Friday. The 62-year-old Dennerby, who was earlier in charge of the Indian U-17 women’s World Cup squad, has been roped in to help the team prepare for the AFC Asian Cup, which will be hosted in the country from January 20 to February 6 in 2022. (PTI)
Indian handball federation’s director meet IHF president
NEW delhi, Aug 13: Handball Federation of India executive director Anandeshwar Pandey called on International Handball Federation president Hassan Moustafa to chalk out a roadmap for growing the sport in the country. he meeting, which happened on the sidelines of the Tokyo Olympics, involved discussions on how IHF can extend its support to give international exposure to Indian players and also provide top foreign coaches and experts to train local coaches and technical officials. Handball has been making rapid strides in India in recent times, especially with the launch of the Premier Handball League (PHL). The sport has also been included in Khelo India, facilitating grassroots development. IHF also promised to support the league, which is expected to bolster the progress of handball in India and attract more players to take up the sport professionally. (PTI)
FC Goa rope in Spanish striker
Panaji, Aug 13: Indian Super League (ISL) franchise FC Goa on Friday announced the signing of Spanish forward Airam Cabrera on a one-year deal. Cabrera, 33, has the experience of playing across some of the top leagues in Europe – having strutted his stuff at various levels in Spain and the top leagues of Poland (Ekstraklasa) and Cyprus (Protathlima Cyta), a media release issued by the club said. Coming through the ranks at CD Tenerife, Cabrera has gone on to play for a number of Spanish clubs, viz. Villarreal B, Cordoba, Numancia, Lugo, Cadiz and Extremadura. (PTI)
Odisha FC sign Spanish coaches
Bhubaneswar, Aug 13: Odisha FC on Friday roped in Spanish duo of Joaquin Valerio Olivera and Jose Mascaros Balaguer as goalkeeping coach and strength and conditioning coach respectively ahead of the eighth season of the Indian Super League. After retiring from professional football, goalkeeping coach Joaquin Valerio Olivera was associated with different Spanish clubs and has UEFA ‘B’ goalkeeper coach and UEFA ‘A’ Licence. Strength and conditioning coach Balaguer joins the Bhubaneswar-based club with more than 20 years of experience in fitness training in football. (PTI)
Chennaiyin rope in defender Singh
Chennai, Aug 13: Two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin FC (CFC) on Friday signed Indian defender Davinder Singh on a one-year deal ahead of the upcoming season. The 25-year old Indian international will be eager to get back to the field after missing the last three editions of the ISL with a knee injury suffered ahead of the 2018-19 campaign. Davinder’s rise was meteoric – from university football to the national squad. His performances for India’s U-23 team at the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Championship qualifiers had impressed former national team coach Stephen Constantine. Hence, the former Punjab University defender earned his senior team debut at 2018 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship. He has made three international appearances for The Blue Tigers so far. (PTI)
Lalengmawia joins Mumbai City
Mumbai, Aug 13: Defending ISL Champions Mumbai City FC have signed up NorthEast United player Lalengmawia on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Lalengmawia, or Apuia Ralte, as he’s fondly known, rose through the ranks of the AIFF Elite Academy and made his name after being the only player from Mizoram to make it to India’s squad for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Apuia marked a milestone season in his short career as he led out NorthEast United as the youngest captain in ISL history before being named ISL’s Emerging Player of the Season and the FPAI Young Player of the Season for 2020-21. (PTI)
Aditi, Tvesa toil in Scottish Open
Dumbarnie Links (Scotland), Aug 13: Olympic-returned Indian golfer Aditi Ashok had a disappointing outing at the Scottish Open as she carded a five-over 77 to lie T-129th after the opening round here. Fellow Indian Tvesa Malik too had a rough start on the first day, shooting a one-over 73 to lie at the 79th spot. Ashok, who finished 4th at the Tokyo Games, will need a great second round to make the cut, while Tvesa too will hope to produce a better show. (PTI)