Tan Kim Her returns as India’s badminton doubles coachNew Delhi, Feb 25: Malaysia’s Tan Kim Her returned for a second stint as the doubles coach of the Indian badminton team after the Sports Ministry on Friday approved his appointment for a five-year period till the 2026 Asian Games. The 50-year-old, who was India’s doubles coach from 2015 to 2019, was tipped to take over the position which was left vacant following the departure of Denmark’s 2012 Olympic silver medallist Mathias Boe after the Tokyo Games. During his first stint, Tan had played a vital role in the rise of Indian doubles players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy as they made breakthroughs on the Tour, besides winning individual silver and team gold at Commonwealth Games in 2018. (PTI)
Djokovic loses in Dubai QF, Medvedev set to be World No 1
Dubai, Feb 25: Novak Djokovic will fall from No. 1 in the ATP rankings and be replaced by Daniil Medvedev after losing 6-4, 7-6 (4) to Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Championships. Djokovic’s latest stay atop the rankings began on February 3, 2020, and his total of 361 weeks there are the most for any man since the tour’s computerized rankings began in 1973. On Monday, Medvedev will move up from No. 2 for the first time and become the 27th man to reach No. 1. Medvedev is the first man other than Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray to be No. 1 since February 1, 2004. (AP)
Zverev fined $40K, loses prize money, points for outburst
Acapulco, Feb 25: Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Alexander Zverev was fined $40,000 by the men’s professional tennis tour and will forfeit more than $30,000 in prize money and all rankings points from the Mexican Open after hitting the chair umpire’s stand with his racket following a loss in doubles. In addition to those penalties, the ATP announced on Thursday it would undertake “a further review of the incident.” The 24-year-old German was kicked out of the tournament after yelling and cursing at official Alessandro Germani and violently striking the umpire’s chair no fewer than four times. Zverev and partner Marcelo Melo had just lost a doubles match to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara. Just before the match ended, Germani gave Zverev a code violation for yelling and swearing while arguing about a shot that was ruled in, setting up match point. The ATP said Zverev was fined $20,000 each for verbal abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct, the maximum penalty for each violation. He loses his full prize money for singles and doubles of $31,570 and all rankings points earned at the tournament. (AP)
FIFA suspends Zimbabwe, Kenya over govt interference
Harare, Feb 25: FIFA suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya from international competitions for government interference in the running of their national football bodies. Zimbabwe was banned after its government-run Sports and Recreation Commission refused to relinquish control of the Zimbabwe Football Association and reinstate the federation’s leadership. ZIFA officials were removed from office in November on allegations of corruption. Kenya was banned after its sports ministry also removed the football federation’s leaders and accused them of corruption. Kenyan football president Nick Mwendwa is facing criminal charges. FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced the bans. It means Zimbabwe and Kenya national teams and clubs can’t play in any international competitions. Funds from FIFA are also cut off. Kenya’s women’s national team was already thrown out the qualifying competition for the African Cup of Nations because of the crisis at the federation. The bans on the two African nations will be lifted if their governments allow the federations to operate normally again. (AP)
Chikka, Aman Raj placed 5th and 6th in Royal’s Cup
Kanchanaburi (Thailand), Feb 25: India’s S Chikkarangappa produced a second successive 67 to get to 10-under at the halfway stage of the Royal’s Cup on the Asian Tour here on Friday. Chikka, who has two Asian Development Tour titles, is still in search of his maiden Asian Tour success. One shot behind him at 9-under was Aman Raj, who followed up his first round 68 with a second round 67 and was Tied-sixth. Apart from Chikka and Aman Raj, the other Indians to make the cut were Rahil Gangjee (67-73), who at 4-under was T-36, Rashid Khan (72-69) and Viraj Madappa (69-72) at 3-under were T-45th. (PTI)
Disappointing start for Lahiri
Palm Beach (US), Feb 25: Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri endured a disappointing start as he carded a 3-over 75 in the first round of the Honda Classic at the PGA National here. Though the round was not complete with three more players having to come next morning to finish their first round, Lahiri was way behind at T-104th. American Kurt Kitayama, who is ranked 289th in the world, carded 6-under 64 to take a one-shot lead over Daniel Berger, Chris Kirk and Rory Sabbatini. (PTI)