Bayern extends Thomas Müller’s contract by a year to 2025
Munich, Dec 19: Bayern Munich has handed experienced forward Thomas Müller a one-year contract extension through to the end of the 2024-25 season, putting him within sight of the club’s all-time appearance record. The new deal has the 34-year-old Müller in line to mark a quarter of a century at the club he joined at the age of 10. “He’s a leader both on and off the pitch, always a role model and incredibly valuable for the entire team,” Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said in a statement. “Thomas pushes every team with his open and positive manner on and off the pitch. The way he plays is extremely clever, for the team, and he’s very versatile in where he can play. Thomas is also almost never injured, always there – just quality and reliability personified.” Müller’s contract was last renewed in May 2022 and had been due to run out at the end of this season. The one-year extension follows a similar deal handed to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer last month after his return to action following a broken leg. Müller has played 684 times in all competitions for Bayern and is 22 games shy of the all-time record set by goalkeeper Sepp Maier in the 1960s and 70s. (AP)
Albania gives citizenship to
Brazilian coach Sylvinho
Tirana, Dec 19: Albania coach Sylvinho, a Brazilian, received Albanian citizenship in a show of appreciation for qualifying the tiny Western Balkan country for the European Championship. Albania reached Euro 2024 atop a group including the Czech Republic and Poland. It’s only the second time the country has qualified. Prime Minister Edi Rama invited President Bajram Begaj and Sylvinho to the podium of the “Best of 2023” gala for the ceremony. “Today, together and due to the president, we declare you an Albanian citizen,” Rama said. “I am signing a legal contract (with Sylvinho) legalizing him as an Albanian,” Begaj said before handing him a passport. (AP)
Maha, AAI crowned champions at Badminton Sr Natl Team C’ships
Guwahati, Dec 19: Airport Authority of India (AAI) stamped their authority with power-packed performances to clinch the women’ team title and finish runner-up in the men’s event at the 75th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championships here on Tuesday. AAI outclassed Karnataka 3-0 in the final to claim the men’s title at the RG Baruah Sports Complex. They had also reached the summit clash in women’s event but lost to Maharastra. The individual events will kick-off on Wednesday with star shuttlers like BWF World championships bronze medallist Lakshya Sen, experienced Sameer Verma, Aakarshi Kashyap, home favourite Ashmita Chaliha among many more vying for the coveted titles. Finals will be played on Sunday. (PTI)
Gukesh outguns Sjugirov, leads Chennai Chess C’ship table
Chennai, Dec 19: Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh scored his second straight win, outclassing Sanan Sjugirov in the fifth round of the Chennai Grand Masters Chess Championship here Tuesday. The victory and a full point took Gukesh to 3.5 points and gave him a clear lead in the eight-man field. The 40-move win with black pieces also gave the 17-year-old Gukesh a push in the quest for qualification for the Candidates tournament next year. Gukesh had started the tournament with three straight draws before hitting the winning form. His compatriot P Harikrishna, who was in joint lead after the fourth round, dropped to second spot with 3 points after a draw with Parham Maghsoodloo, the GM from Iran. Ukrainian GM Pavel Eljanov moved up to 3 points after outwitting Serbian GM Alexandr Predke. Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi, another contender for a spot in the Candidates like Gukesh and Maghsoodloo, could only draw against American GM Levon Aronian and has 2.5 points after 5 rounds. Gukesh will face Eljanov with the White pieces in the penultimate round on Wednesday. (PTI)