BCCI to releases Rs 1 crore for cancer-stricken Gaekwad
Mumbai, July 14: In a noble gesture, the BCCI on Sunday decided to release Rs one crore for the treatment of former India coach Anshuman Gaikwad, who is battling blood cancer at a medical facility in London. BCCI’s decision has come following emotional appeals for support from former captain Kapil Dev and Sandip Patil, who had enjoined the cricket board to help Gaikwad. “Mr. Jay Shah has instructed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release Rs 1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to India’s veteran cricketer Mr Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling cancer,” BCCI apex council said in a statement. Gaekwad, son of former India captain D K Gaekwad, is undergoing treatment for blood cancer at the King’s College Hospital in London. “Shah has also spoken to Mr Gaekwad’s family to take stock of the situation and extend support. The board stands by Gaekwad’s family in this hour of crisis and will do whatever is essential for Mr Gaekwad’s quick recovery,” the statement continued. “The BCCI will continue to monitor Mr Gaekwad’s progress and is confident that he will come out of this phase strongly,” it added. The 71-year-old Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987. (PTI)
Anahat, Shaurya enter fourth round of World Junior Squash
New Delhi, July 14: India’s Anahat Singh and Shaurya Bawa entered the fourth round of the World Junior Squash Championships in Houston in the girls’ and boys’ sections respectively. Reigning women’s national champion Anahat defeated Samantha Jaffe of the US 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 in the third round. She will meet Japan’s Akari Midorikawa for a place in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Bawa rallied to beat USA’s Rustin Wiser 4-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 in the third round and will lock horns with Segundo Portabales of Argentina in the pre-quarterfinals. Other Indian results (Boys): 3rd round: Yuvraj Wadhwani lost to Javier Emilio Romo Lopez (Ecuador) 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11. (PTI)
Saneeth, Tasnim clinch titles in VV Natu Memorial tournament
Pune, July 14: IKarnataka’s Saneeth DS and Gujarat’s Tasnim Mir notched up comfortable wins over their respective opponents to secure the men’s and women’s singles titles in the Yonex-Sunrise VV Natu Memorial All India Senior Ranking badminton tournament here on Sunday. Third seed Saneeth ended the dream run of qualifier Tushar Suveer 21-15, 21-12 in a 44-minute clash between two Karnataka players in the men’s final, while Tasnim got the better of Devika, who won the last ranking meet in Bengaluru, 21-16, 21-13. While the youngsters ruled the singles categories, the experienced Aarthi Sara Sunil showed that she is still a force to reckon with, clinching the women’s doubles crown in the company of VS Varshini. The top seeds came from a game down to beat Karnataka’s former national champions Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat K 17-21, 22-20, 21-18 in 53 minutes. Shikha, however, stood atop the mixed doubles podium as she and Nitin Kumar, seeded second, defeated Dhruv Rawat and Radhika Sharma 15-21, 21-14, 21-17 in the final. Rawat clinched the men’s doubles crown, pairing up with Assam’s Suraj Goala. The top seeds defeated Akshan Shetty and Ravikrishna PS 21-15, 22-20 in 40 minutes. (PTI)