Cueist Pankaj Advani wins Singapore Open title
New Delhi, Oct 6: Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani won the coveted Songhe Singapore Open title with a 5-1 win over local favourite Jaden Ong in Singapore on Sunday. On his way to the final, Advani beat former IBSF world snooker champion Dechawat Poomjaeng of Thailand 4-3 in a thrilling quarterfinal at the Lagoon Billiards Room. While the 5-1 score of the final seems lopsided, the first two frames were won by the Indian clearing the colours from a deficit to pip the Singaporean on both occasions to take a 2-0 advantage. With some heavy scoring in the third by Advani, Ong needed to turn up the attack to offer himself a chance to survive in the final stage of the prestigious event. A resurgent Ong pulled a frame back to be in contention. However, in the fourth, a brilliant snooker put by Advani on the final brown allowed him back in the frame and with a clean clearance from brown to black, Advani was one frame away from the championship. In the final frame, Advani scored a 74-6 win to lift the title. Advani will defend his world billiards title in Doha in November. (PTI)
Delhi, Bengal win final round matches but fail to reach quarters
Ranchi, Oct 6: Delhi and Bengal secured inconsequential wins in their respective final group league matches at the 14th Junior Women National Hockey Championships on Sunday which were not enough to earn them quarterfinal spots. The quarterfinal lineup is set with Madhya Pradesh facing Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand taking on Maharashtra , Haryana clashing with Punjab, and Chhattisgarh going up against Odisha on Monday. Delhi edged out Puducherry 2-1, with goals from Pooja (34th minute) and Anshika (60’), while Riya (58’) netted a consolation goal for the losing side in a Pool D clash. In a Pool E match, Bengal dominated Bihar 9-1. Horo Selestina (18’, 24’, 36’, 42’) was the standout performer, scoring four goals. Z Laldintluangi (40’, 52’) added a brace, while captain Subila Tirkey (15’), Ekka Jamuna (38’), and Shivani Kumari (50’) each contributed a goal. Fensi Khatun (25’) scored the lone goal for Bihar. (PTI)
Sachin joins America’s National Cricket League ownership group
Houston/Washington, Oct 6: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has joined America’s National Cricket League (NCL) ownership group, a move that is expected to give a big boost to the sport in the United States in the coming years. “Cricket has been my life’s greatest journey and I am pleased to join the National Cricket League at such an exciting time for the sport in the US,” Tendulkar said after the NCL announced that the batting legend has joined them. “The NCL’s vision to create a platform for world-class cricket while inspiring a new generation of fans to resonate with me. I look forward to being part of this new initiative and witnessing the growth of cricket in the US first-hand,” Tendulkar said. The NCL tournament opens with a performance by singer Mika Singh and features themed nights, bringing a Coachella-like energy, a media release said. This season, the NCL brings together cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sir Vivian Richards, Venkatesh Prasad, Sanath Jayasuriya, Moin Khan and Blair Franklin. The cricketing heroes will mentor and coach the next generation of players. It will also feature top-tier players from around the world, including Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib Al Hasan, and more. (PTI)