Chopra nominated for Laureus World Breakthrough award
London, Feb 2: Olympic gold medal-winning javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was on Wednesday nominated for the prestigious Laureus ‘World Breakthrough of the Year’ award, making him the first Indian to be featured in the short-list for this category. The 23-year-old, who became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal was clubbed alongside tennis stars Daniil Medvedev and Emma Raducanu among others. He is now only the third Indian to fetch a Laureus nomination after cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and wrestler Vinesh Phogat. (PTI)
Hertha’s troubles continue as sporting director leaves
BERLIN, Feb 2: Hertha Berlin just can’t get any peace and quiet. Sporting director Arne Friedrich is leaving at the end of the season, a further blow to the Bundesliga club’s hopes for stability after years of upheaval. Hertha said on Tuesday the 42-year-old Friedrich decided not to renew his expiring contract and will leave after 2 ½ seasons. Hertha also announced that Benjamin Weber, the head of its academy program, was leaving at the end of this month. Weber has been working for Hertha since 2003 and took over the club’s youth setup in July 2014. (AP)
Barcelona boss says Dembélé rejected two offers to leave
MADRID, Feb 2: Barcelona came agonizingly close to losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It never really had a chance of getting rid of Ousmane Dembélé. Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Tuesday the deal to sign Aubameyang was sealed a minute before the transfer window deadline ended, and that Dembélé rejected two good offers to leave the club. The club did not want Dembélé to stay after the French player’s agents turned down several offers to extend his contract in negotiations that lasted nearly six months. “We had made a good offer for him to renew his contract and stay, but it became a financial issue and he wanted more,” Laporta said. Dembélé’s contract ends in June and he will be able to leave for free.(AP)
Nmecha gets nod to play for Germany instead of England
ZURICH, Feb 2: Former England youth international Felix Nmecha has switched to play internationally for Germany after FIFA approved a change of nationality. The 21-year-old midfielder was born in Germany before moving to England and progressing through Manchester City’s academy into the first team before leaving last year for Bundesliga club Wolfsburg. Nmecha started out playing for England’s under-16 team before opting to play for Germany’s under-18 team and then switching back to England to feature for the under-19s. (AP)