Manoj Kothari to guide young talents in billiards, snooker academy
Kolkata, April 7: Former world champion Manoj Kothari will mentor rising youngsters in a first of its kind billiards and snooker academy in north Kolkata. The Oswal Academy of Billiards and Snooker at Nando Mullick Lane near Girish Park will be a “school” of cue sport and anyone above 14 years with an interest in the sport can join the centre. “For the first time in Kolkata, private coaching in billiards and snooker will be taught in a systematic and scientific way at affordable rates,” Kothari said. “There will be blackboard training, scientific training like cueing and feathering. A lot of whys and whats will be answered,” Kothari said. “Cue sport facilities are very rare in Kolkata. Only elite clubs offer them but normal people cannot become members there.” Bengal coach Debu Mukherjee will also be associated with the Academy, while former world champion Sourav Kothari will also be present to inspire the youngsters. (PTI)
Haryana City FC win ‘Road To Old Trafford’ tournament
Chennai, April 7: Haryana City FC was on Sunday crowned national champion in the Road To Old Trafford 5-a-side football competition, organised by English football club Manchester United, with a win over Gunners from Bengaluru. The second edition of the event saw over 100 clubs from across the nation take part, with Haryana prevailing against Gunners FC from Bengaluru in a nail-biting penalty shootout in the finale. The game was locked at 1-1 at the end of the regulation time, while Haryana maintained its composure during the shootout and eventually walked away with a 3-2 margin. Haryana City FC now has a chance to play on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, the legendary home ground of United. The Delhi-based club will play there to determine the tournament’s ‘Global Winner’ on May 31. Following the triumph, Haryana skipper Pranav Sharma said, “Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet! We were pretty confident of ourselves right from the qualifying round but to compete against some of the best 5-a-side football teams in India and winning the national finals of the Road To Old Trafford tournament is really exciting. “We can’t wait to go to Manchester and play at the historic turf at Old Trafford; it will be a great experience, a huge honour.” The previous edition was won by Mumbai’s Kalina Rangers, who were also the champions of the India leg. (PTI)
Verstappen bounces back with dominant win at Japanese GP
Suzuka, April 7: Max Verstappen’s record-breaking dominance in Formula 1 resumed on Sunday with his victory in the Japanese Grand Prix, leading almost the entire race on a sunny day in central Japan. His abrupt breakdown two weeks ago in Melbourne, Australia, looks like a blip in his total command over F1. He was out on the fourth lap when he rear brakes caught fire. Nothing like that this time. Verstappen basically led from start to finish except briefly after a pit stop. He was followed across the finish line by Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez – 12.5 seconds behind – and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari. Sainz was 20 seconds off the pace. The three-time defending F1 champion is again this season’s points leader and now has won 22 of the last 26 races dating from the start of the 2023 season. Only two other drivers have won in that span – Red Bull teammate Perez and Sainz, the winner in Australia two weeks ago. (AP)