India maul Jamaica 13-0 to enter hockey 5s WC quarters
MUSCAT, Jan 29: Maninder Singh struck four goals as India mauled Jamaica 13-0 in their third and final pool match to enter the quarterfinals of the FIH Hockey5s men’s World Cup here on Monday.Maninder scored twice in the second minute and once each in the 28th and 29th minutes, all field goals.Manjeet (5th, 24th), Raheel Mohammed (16th, 27th) and Mandeep Mor (23rd, 27th) struck a brace each while Uttam Singh (5th), Rajbhar Pawan (9th) and Gurjot Singh (14th) were the other scorers.India initiated the onslaught right from the start, with Maninder scoring two quick goals through precision shots. The early momentum continued as Uttam and Manjeet also contributed with one goal each, propelling India to a commanding 4-0 lead within the first six minutes of the game.Despite establishing a substantial lead, India maintained relentless pressure on Jamaica’s defence with persistent attacks. Pawan and Gurjot capitalised on the opportunities as India entered the half-time break with an impressive 6-0 lead.The second half mirrored the first, as India focused on ball possession and maintained an aggressive offensive strategy. That approach proved effective as Raheel, Mandeep, Manjeet and Maninder collectively scored numerous goals, securing India’s dominant 13-0 win.The Indian team had defeated Switzerland before losing to Egypt in its opening two Pool B matches on Sunday. (PTI)
India squad for SAFF U-19 Women’s C’ship announced
NEW DELHI, Jan 29: India coach Shukla Dutta on Monday announced a 23-member squad for the upcoming SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship, beginning in Dhaka on Friday.The Young Tigresses will leave for Bangladesh on Tuesday before playing their opening fixture against Bhutan on February 2, followed by matches against Bangladesh (February 4) and Nepal (February 6).The final will take place on February 8, with all the matches happening at the BSSS Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka.India’s only success in the event came in 2022 in the U-18 version when they beat Bangladesh as hosts.India’s U-19 squad: Goalkeepers: Khushi Kumari, Anika Devi Sharubam and Hempriya Seram. Defenders: Heena Khatun, Vikshit Bara, Sonibia Devi Irom, Juhi Singh and Nishima Kumari. Midfielders: Shivani Toppo, Lalita Boypai, Akhila Rajan, Rivka Ramji, Arina Devi Nameirakpam, Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Menaka Devi Lourembam, Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam and Thoibisana Chanu. Forwards: Babita Kumari, Nitu Linda, Sulanjana Raul, Neha and Pooja, Sahena TH. (PTI)
Sports Ministry approves Sable and Parul’s training in USA
NEW DELHI, Jan 29: The Sports Ministry on Monday approved Asian Games medallists long distance runners Avinash Sable and Parul Choudhary’s request for training in Colorado, USA.The government also cleared training stints for wrestlers Anshu Malik and Sarita Mor in Japan and USA respectively.While national record holders Sable and Choudhary will train at high altitude centre at Colorado Springs under coach Scott Simmons, Mor will head to United States Olympic/Paralympic Training Center (USOPTC), which is a training base of several top grapplers, including a few Olympic medallists.World championship silver medallist grappler Anshu will head to Kanagawa to train at Yokohama’s Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU) which is known for producing many of Japan’s top wrestlers.Up and coming table tennis player Payas Jain will also be heading to Osaka, Japan to train under coach Qiu Jian on the ministry’s expense. The ministry will be funding the athletes, their coaches and physiotherapists. (PTI)