Anahat Singh to compete in 79th Western India Slam Squash C’ship
Mumbai, Dec 17: Top ranked female player in India and Asian Games bronze medallist Anahat Singh will be among the competitors in the 79th Western India Slam Squash Championship which got underway here on Tuesday. The opening day’s action witnessed boys and girls in junior categories competing in the qualification round, with the tournament being played at the Cricket Club of India. The competition will feature more than 725 players from 12 countries with an overall prize money of USD 9000 for both men and women. Apart from Anahat, the other elite players in the competition are Amneesh Chandran (PSA rank 103), who is seeded No 2, and Veer Chotrani (India rank No 4, WR No 85), who is also the winner of five PSA Tour Titles and is the country’s youngest seeded player. Czech Republic’s Viktor Byrtus (PSA rank 78), India’s Akansha Salunkhe who is ranked No 2 in the country, and Egypt’s Nour Khafagy (PSA rank No 85) are also among the elite players. (PTI)
HIL announces free entry for matches in Rourkela and Ranchi
New Delhi, Dec 17: Hockey India on Tuesday announced free entry for fans for both men’s and women’s matches of the Hockey India League to be played at Rourkela and Ranchi. The eight-team men’s HIL in a new format will start on December 28 at Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Stadium and will conclude on February 1, 2025. The women’s edition comprising four teams will be held at Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium from January 12-26. Additionally, HI said select matches of both men’s and women’s categories will be held at alternate venues to “expand the league’s reach”. “By foregoing revenue from ticket sales, Hockey India aims to build a stronger connection between the sport and its passionate supporters, encouraging more people to experience the thrill of live hockey,” HI said in a media release. HIL governing committee chairman Dilip Tirkey said, “By offering free tickets, we are ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial status, has the opportunity to experience live hockey at its best.” (PTI)
Sports minister launches ‘Fit India Cycling Drive’
New Delhi, Dec 17: Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the ‘Fit India Cycling Drive’ at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Tuesday. Close to 500 cycling enthusiasts joined the three kilometres ride from the stadium to Raisina Hills and back, the initiative aimed at promoting cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation. The event was flagged off by Mandaviya in the presence of Raksha Khadse, the minister of state (Sports), MP Tejasvi Surya, as well as elite athletes, including Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Simran Sharma, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Nitu Ghanghas and Asian Games bronze winner Preeti Pawar. Mandaviya said in a press release, “We have launched this event as ‘Fit India Cycling Tuesdays’ but for the convenience of cycling enthusiasts, this will now be conducted on Sundays and be called ‘Sundays on Cycle’. (PTI)
Neeraj Chauhan creates NR to top men’s recurve qualifying round
Jamshedpur, Dec 17: Uttar Pradesh archer Neeraj Chauhan shot 692 points to create a national record in the men’s recurve section of the Senior Nationals here on Tuesday. Representing AIPSCB, Chauhan, who was making a comeback, shot consistently, amassing 345 points in the first end and then 347 in the final end to shatter three-time Olympian Tarundeep Rai’s earlier national record of 687 points. Dhiraj Bommadevara of SSCB and Atanu Das (PSPB) took the second and third spots respectively. Rai, representing Sikkim, slipped to fourth place. Powered by Chauhan’s show, AIPSCB topped the team ranking as well. The other members of the team are Shrey Bhardwaj, Mukesh Boro and Rohit Kumar. In the women’s section, Olympian Ankita Bhakat, representing hosts Jharkhand, topped with 667 points, followed by Simranjeet Kaur (Punjab) and Deepika Kumari (PSPB). Hosts Jharkhand took the top spot of the qualifying round in the women’s team event. (PTI)