Pankaj Advani wins Indian Snooker Championship
Indore, Feb 11: India’s most accomplished player Pankaj Advani secured his 36th overall national title and 10th men’s snooker crown at the Yashwant Club, in a commanding display of skill and determination. The ONGC employee overcame an early setback to defeat Brijesh Damani in a final where Damani managed to take the opening frame, the only one he would claim throughout the match. The tournament serves as the only selection event for the Asian and World Championships. Advani’s performance was marked by consistency and precision. After falling behind by a frame, he maintained his composure and controlled the table, leaving little room for error. In the final frame, Advani delivered an impressive 84 break, sealing the frame, match and championship. (PTI)
Esports Olympics to debut in Saudi Arabia later than expected in 2027
Lausanne (Switzerland), Feb 11: The first Olympic Esports Games will be hosted in Riyadh in 2027, two years later than expected when a 12-year deal with Saudi Arabia was signed last year. The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday its founding partner for the event will be the kingdom’s Esports World Cup Foundation. The first annual Esports World Cup was held last July and August in Riyadh with tens of millions of dollars in prize money paid for games including Call of Duty, Fortnite and Street Fighter. It is unclear which, if any, shooter games the IOC will allow on the Esports Olympics program, which it has repeatedly said must align with Olympic values. Details of the inaugural Esports Olympics were confirmed two days after Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted a visiting Olympic delegation in Riyadh, including its president Thomas Bach, who leaves office in June. The 12-year deal was confirmed last July on the eve of the Paris Olympics as the latest prime sporting asset for the oil-rich kingdom to own or host. (AP)
Surrey confirm deal with Reliance, keep control of Oval Invincibles
London, Feb 11: Surrey County Cricket Club (SCCC) has confirmed its deal with Reliance but said it will continue to retain majority stake of 51 percent in the Oval Invincibles. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) – owners of Mumbai Indians (MI) – through its subsidiary, RISE Worldwide, bought 49 per cent stake in The Hundred team for £60m. “R1SE will have a 49 per cent share of the Hundred team, with Surrey retaining the majority 51 per cent,” SCCC said in a statement. “The Club hopes to benefit from Mumbai Indians’ vast experience and proven success, fresh off lifting yet another league title in South Africa over the weekend, to further strengthen and maintain the team’s position as the leading franchise in the competition.” The Oval Invincibles have established themselves as a dominant force in The Hundred, securing four titles in as many years. (PTI)
Torrent Group in line to buy majority stake in Gujarat Titans
New Delhi, Feb 11: Former IPL champions Gujarat Titans are set to have new owners as Indian business conglomerate, the Torrent Group, is in line to acquire a majority stake in the franchise. The Ahmedabad-based conglomerate will purchase a 67 per cent stake in the team from CVC Capital Partners (Irelia Company Pvt Ltd), who had bought the team in 2021. The deal is awaiting final approval from the IPL governing council, which would allow Torrent Group to take control ahead of the upcoming season, which will begin on March 21. “The talks of Torrent Group taking two third ownership (67 per cent) is at an advanced stage. The lock-in period for CVC group as sole owners ends in February 2025 after which they are free to sell the stakes,” an IPL source said on conditions of anonymity. “Torrent group is one of the biggest names in Pharmaceutical sector in India and in 2021 when BCCI invited bids for two new teams, they had shown active interest. Obviously any change in ownership pattern requires approval from BCCI which is expected to be given in coming days,” he added. While the valuation of the stake being sold by CVC remains unconfirmed, they had invested Rs 5,625 crore to acquire the Titans. (PTI)