Two more Indian track athletes may have failed dope tests
New Delhi, July 10: Two days before the start of Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, there is widespread speculation that one woman quartermiler who was in the original Indian team may have failed a dope test, although no official confirmation is available. India had originally named a 54-member team for the continental championships beginning on Wednesday but three of them – long jumper Jeswin Aldrin, triple jumper Praveen Chitravel and javelin thrower Rohit Yadav – pulled out due to injuries. Another two – quartermilers Mohammed Anas and Anjali Devi (who was named only for women’s 4x400m relay) – also did not travel to the Thailand capital apparently because their entries were sent late. On Monday, there was speculation that one woman quartermiler failed a dope test. When contacted, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla simply said, “Ask NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency).” There is also a speculation that another athlete, a woman sprinter who is not in the team for Asian Championships, could have failed a dope test. Last Saturday, shot putter Karanveer Singh was also left out of the Indian team after failing an out-of-competition dope test. (PTI)
India ends team event campaign at Badminton Asia Junior C’ships
New Delhi, July 10: India suffered a 1-3 loss to Indonesia to sign off their mixed team event campaign at the quarterfinal stage of the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Monday. In the mixed doubles encounter, Samarveer and Radhika Sharma fell short against Adrian Pratama and Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, losing 16-21, 15-21 as India conceded a 1-0 lead to Indonesia. Ayush Shetty exhibited his resilience and skill in a nail-biting boys’ singles match against Alwi Farhan but narrowly lost to further increase Indonesia’s advantage. Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj rejuvenated India’s hopes with her exceptional performance in a thrilling girl’s singles match against Ruzana to make the tie score 2-1. However, in the boys’ doubles event, Divyam Arora and Mayank Rana were against Muhammad Al Farizi and Nikolaus Joaquin and lost 10-21, 21-15, 12-21. While the Indian team’s journey in the team event has concluded, the young players will begin their individual campaign on July 12. (PTI)
Pak to host FIH Olympic qualifiers
Karachi, July 10: Pakistan is set to host an international hockey event after nearly 19 years with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) allocating the Olympic qualifying rounds to the country for early next year. Pakistan, which last hosted an FIH event back in 2004, will host eight teams in Lahore from January 13 to 24 next year. “Pakistani hockey fans have been deprived of seeing international hockey stars at home for 20 years now and the FIH Olympic qualifiers will no doubt boost the sport in Pakistan again,” said Haider Hussain, the Secretary-General of the FIH. He said the Pakistan Hockey Federation had succeeded in convincing the FIH to allocate the event to Pakistan after much lobbying in the apex body. According to the given format, the top five Asian teams, seven from Europe, two from Pan America, and one each from Africa and Oceania can compete in the qualifying rounds. The top three teams in each Olympic qualification tournament will qualify for Paris 2024. (PTI)
Salam Johnson joins Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru, July 10: Indian Super League franchise Bengaluru FC, on Monday, said they have signed attacker Salam Johnson Singh on a three-year deal that runs through till 2026. The 21-year-old, who most recently represented Tiddim Road Athletic Union FC in the I-League, has previously turned out for Lonestar Kashmir FC and East Bengal U18s. “I’m really excited to take the next step in my professional career. I have heard many good things about Bengaluru FC and it is the club that every Indian footballer wants to play for. The Manipur-native, who began his career at the SAI Centre in Guwahati, was part of the East Bengal U18 side that took part in the U18 I-League in 2019-20. In 2020, Johnson moved to Keinou Library and Sports Association before a move back to the I-League with Lonestar Kashmir FC. During the 2022-23 season, Johnson picked up five goals and one assist in the I-League, as TRAU finished fourth. (PTI)
Nikhil, Ronit start with wins at Junior Boys Natl Boxing C’ships
ITANAGAR, July 10: Rising pugilists Nikhil Nandal and Ronit Tokas kicked off their campaign at the 5th Junior Boys National Boxing Championships by registering contrasting victories here on Monday. In the 50kg category, Nikhil of Chandigarh ousted Bihar’s Roushan Kumar in a hard-fought 4-1 victory. Contrary to Nikhil’s result, Ronit (66kg) of Delhi hardly had to break a sweat as he defeated Anantha Krishna of Kerala by referee stopping the contest (RSC) verdict in round one on the opening day of the tournament. (PTI)