PSPB wins Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department Natl C’ship
Pune, Sep 15: Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) edged out Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) in a thrilling shootout to win the 4th Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship title here on Sunday. Services secured the third place by defeating FCI 4-0 at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium in Pimpri. In a nail-biting finale, the two teams were locked in a fierce contest that ultimately had to be decided by penalties. Darshan Vibhav Gawkar (11’) initially gave RSPB the lead, but Talwinder Singh (59’) scored a late equalizer as the two team were tied 1-1 in the regulation time. In the shootout, Sumit Kumar, Shilanand Lakra, captain Devindar Walmiki were on target, while Goalkeeper Pankaj Kumar Rajak stood tall to guide Petroleum Sports Promotion Board to victory. Earlier, after a goalless first half, Sushil Dhanwar (33’, 41’) and Harman Singh (35’, 47’) each scored twice to seal a commanding victory for SSCB. (PTI)
Haryana, Karnataka, Punjab win in men’s Natl Jr Hockey C’ship
Jalandhar, Sep 15: Haryana, Karnataka and Punjab secured wins on day six of the 14th Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship here on Sunday. Andhra Pradesh and Delhi played out a 5-5 draw. In the first match, Haryana thrashed Rajasthan 6-1. Rohit Rana (2nd minute), Sunil Maan (11th), Sahil Ruhal (17th) and Ami Khasa (60th) scored one goal each, while Navraj Singh (7th, 37th) struck a brace for Haryana. Anurag Suthar (50th) scored the consolation goal for Rajasthan. In the second match, Karnataka also notched up a 6-1 win over Kerala with Aryan Uthappa Mt (6th, 35th) and Sunil P B (8th, 45th) scoring a couple of goals each. Vivek Ravi Bagade (22nd) and Dhanush Kaveriappa Ma (32nd) too scored one goal each, while in response, Anujith P (47th) scored the only goal for Kerala. In the last match of the day, Punjab trounced Mizoram 7-1. For Punjab, captain Ujwal Singh (10th) opened the account before Harshdeep Singh (12th), Japnit Singh (15th), Om Rajnesh Saini (36th), Lovenoor Singh (40th), Jarman Singh (48th) and Abhishek Gorkhi (59th) joined him with a goal each. In response, Akash Yadav (48th) scored the only goal for Mizoram. (PTI)
First Pakistani woman nominated as international cricket umpire
Islamabad, Sep 15: Saleema Imtiaz became the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICC international panel of development umpires, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Sunday. Imtiaz’s nomination on the panel means she is now eligible to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC women’s events. “This isn’t just a win for me, it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan,” Imtiaz said in a statement. “I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport. “This moment reflects the growing influence of women in cricket and the PCB’s commitment to fostering that development.” Imtiaz’s daughter, Kainat played 40 international games for Pakistan that included 19 one-day internationals and 21 T20s. (AP)
Indian F2 driver Kush Maini survives scary crash in Baku
Baku (Azerbaijan), Sep 15: Indian driver Kush Maini on Sunday survived a horrifying crash after he stalled at the start of the feature race in Formula 2, a support race to Formula 1. The scary incident occurred on the opening lap of the Formula 2 race which preceded the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The 23-year-old Indian had nowhere to go at the race start as his car’s engine stopped working suddenly. That left fellow drivers Josep Maria Marti and Oliver Goethe unsighted, leading to a massive collision. The rear of Maini’s car was totally destroyed by the impact of the crash and fortunately, he came out of it unscathed. Maini’s father Gautam confirmed that his son is doing fine. “He is doing okay. As part of the standard protocol all medical check ups were conducted on Kush and all reports are normal,” he said. Maini, representing Invicta Racing in his second Formula 2 season, is 11th in the standings. The race was won by Richard Verschoor of Trident. After an investigation, the stewards handed the Indian a 10-second time penalty for causing the collision. (PTI)