India retains men’s gold medals in 24-hr ultra-running c’ships
CANBERRA, April 8: Amar Singh Devanda smashed his own national record en route retaining the individual gold medal and helping the men’s team to finish on top of the podium for the second consecutive edition of the IAU 24-hr Asia-Oceania Ultrarunning Championships in Canberra, Australia.Devanda completed a distance of 272.537 km in the 24-hour run to win the gold in the competition which ended on Sunday.He had also won a gold in the previous edition held in Bengaluru in 2022 by completing a distance of 257.618 km.Devanda rewrote his national record by nearly 15 km, according to information provided by the Athletics Federation of India.Among other Indians in the fray, Ullas Narayana finished third by completing a distance of 245.574 km while Saurav Ranjan was fourth with 240.137 km.The Indian men’s team also retained the gold medal with a combined total distance of 758.248 km.The results of the best three competitors from a country are added to the team rankings.The Australian team was second with 719.560 km while New Zealand was third with 636.679 km.India had won the men’s team gold medal in 2022 in Bengaluru with a total distance of 738.359 km.In the women’s section, Shashi Mehta was the best-placed Indian at eighth in the individual competition with a total distance of 190.772 km.The Indian women’s team of Mehta, Meenal Kotak and Preeti Lala finished fourth by completing a total distance of 527.354 km.Australia (666.580 km) won the women’s team gold, while New Zealand (568.401 km) and Chinese Taipei (551.686 km) took silver and bronze respectively.Indian women’s team had won silver in the 2022 edition. (PTI)
Everton docked 2 more points by Premier League
LONDON, April 8: Everton was docked two more points on Monday for its latest breach of the Premier League’s financial rules, plunging the team back toward the relegation zone with seven games remaining.Everton had already received a six-point deduction — reduced from an initial 10 following an appeal — for the club’s overspending in a three-year spell up to the end of the 2021-22 season.This latest punishment came after Everton was found to have spent too much in the three seasons up to 2022-23.The league’s profit and financial sustainability rules allow clubs to lose a maximum of 105 million pounds ($132.5 million) over a three-year period or face sanctions.Everton had, in effect, already been punished for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, potentially explaining why its second points deduction was reduced. (AP)
Völler to stay on as Germany sporting director until 2026 WC
BERLIN, April 8: Rudi Völler is set to stay on as sporting director of the German men’s national football team through to the 2026 World Cup, with coach Julian Nagelsmann’s future still uncertain.Völler was initially hired early last year, initially only until this year’s European Championship, as a response to Germany going out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stage. He oversaw the signing of Nagelsmann in September to replace Hansi Flick.After a slow start, Nagelsmann led Germany to friendly wins over France and the Netherlands last month to lift the spirits around the Euro 2024 host team.Nagelsmann’s future remains unclear with the coach only contracted through the end of the tournament amid reported interest from some of Europe’s major clubs.In a statement Monday, Völler said his return as sporting director “perhaps began initially out of a feeling of obligation,” but he had grown to enjoy his new role.“Together, we now want to create a wonderful European Championship in Germany and then keep that momentum with us for further challenges,” he added.Before Nagelsmann’s arrival, Völler briefly returned as caretaker coach for one game, overseeing a 2-1 win over France in September. (PTI)
Hockey India names 33-member national women’s team core group
BENGALURU, April 8: Seasoned campaigners like goalkeeper Savita Punia and forward Vandana Katariya were on Monday included in Hockey India’s 33-strong list of core probables with some new faces also finding their way into the pruned group that will train here till May 16 for the upcoming FIH Pro League fixtures.The HI had earlier selected 60 players for the camp before trimming the squad strength based on the selection trials which were held here on April 6 and 7 after the recent National Championship.The Indian women’s hockey team is set to travel to Antwerp and London to face Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain in the FIH Hockey Pro League starting May 22.Hockey India High Performance Director Herman Kruis said the new core group has the potential to achieve big things in future.
The 33-member core group: Goalkeepers: Savita Punia, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, Madhuri Kindo.Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Ropni Kumari, Mahima Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Preeti.Midfielders: Salima Tete, Marina Lalramnghaki, Vaishnavi Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Edula Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Ajmina Kujur, Nisha.Forwards: Mumtaz Khan, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. (PTI)
Fenerbahçe team walks off after 1st-minute goal for Galatasaray
SANLIURFA (Turkey), April 8: The Turkish Super Cup ended in chaos on Sunday after only 101 seconds when Fenerbahçe players walked off after conceding an early goal against rival Galatasaray, which was declared the 1-0 winner.Fenerbahçe had already decided to field its under-19 team for the match to protest alleged unfavorable treatment by Turkish football authorities.Argentine forward Mauro Icardi scored in the first minute at Sanliurfa GAP stadium after being set up by Baris Alper Yilmaz. The Fenerbahçe players then left the field before the game could resume, drawing whistles from fans.Galatasaray was subsequently declared the winner, prompting earlier-than-expected celebrations for Icardi’s team.Fenerbahçe president Yildirim Ali Koç spoke of a “rebellion” in a statement on the club’s website, where he detailed alleged injustices going back over the years. “It is time for a reset’ for Turkish football,” Koc said.Two Fenerbahçe players Irfan Can Egribayat and Jayden Oosterwolde were banned for one match last week after their match against Trabzonspor, whose fans had charged onto the pitch after the final whistle. (PTI)