Torrent Group becomes majority stakeholder in Gujarat Titans
Ahmedabad, Feb 12: Healthcare major Torrent Group became the majority shareholder of Gujarat Titans after acquiring 67 percent (2/3rd) stake from current owners CVC, the IPL franchise announced on Wednesday. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals, including from the BCCI. “Torrent Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire majority stake of 67% in the renowned Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Gujarat Titans (Irelia Sports India Private Limited) from Irelia Company Pte Ltd (“Irelia”) – currently fully owned by funds managed or advised by CVC,” the press release stated. “As part of the deal, Irelia will retain a substantial minority stake of 33% in the franchise,” it further stated. (PTI)
Australia’ Kuhnemann to undergo testing on his bowling action
Sydney, Feb 12: Australian cricketer Matt Kuhnemann will be forced to undergo biomechanical testing on his bowling action after the left-arm spinner was reported by umpires during the recent Test series win in Sri Lanka. Australian media reported Wednesday that Kuhnemann has been referred to the International Cricket Council and faces a ban if his bowling action is deemed to be beyond the the limit for the degree of arm flexion permitted. “The Australian team was notified of the match officials’ referral following the second test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will support Matt through the process of clearing this matter,” Cricket Australia said. The sport’s Australian governing body said Kuhnemann had played 124 professional matches since his debut in 2017, including five Test matches, and had never previously had his bowling action questioned. The 28-year-old Kuhnemann took 16 wickets in the two-match series at an average of 17.18. He has taken 25 wickets in his five Test match appearances. Kuhnemann is expected to undergo biometric testing in Brisbane, Australia, later this month and the results will be forwarded to the ICC for analysis. If he fails the testing, Kuhnemann will be suspended while undergoing remedial work on his bowling technique. (AP)
ESFI welcomes move to include medallists, coaches in cash program
New Delhi, Feb 12: Hailing the sports ministry’s decision to include e-sports medallists and their coaches under its cash incentive program, the ESFI on Wednesday said the move would lead to “exponential rise in grassroots participation”. The ministry has come out with a list of 51 sports that will be eligible for cash rewards, including all those which are part of the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the World University Games roster. The list includes sports like mallakhamb, e-sports and kho kho. This move aligns e-sports with traditional sports, opening doors for millions of gamers to represent India on the global stage, the Esports Federation of India said in a media release. (PTI)
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif vows to fight back after lawsuit
Paris, Feb 12: Algeria boxer Imane Khelif, who found herself in the middle of a bitter divide about gender in sports during the Paris Olympics, has denounced “false and offensive” accusations from the International Boxing Association. “I have been knocked down more times than I can count. But I have never stayed down,” Khelif said late Tuesday on her Instagram account. The IBA said this week it will file criminal complaints against the International Olympic Committee in the US, France and Switzerland. The Swiss-based IOC allowing female boxers Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete and win gold medals in Paris last year “may serve as grounds for criminal prosecution,” the IBA claimed. Khelif responded by saying she “will take all necessary legal steps to ensure that my rights and the principles of fair competition are upheld.” “Those responsible of these actions must be held accountable, and we will pursue all available legal avenues to ensure that justice prevails,” she added. (AP)
Suspension of Rybakina’s former coach Vukov remains in place: WTA
London, Feb 12: The suspension of Elena Rybakina’s former coach Stefano Vukov “remains in place,” the WTA Tour said after confirming it had completed its investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct. The governing body did not specify how much longer Vukov, who had been provisionally suspended initially, would remain banned. The Croatian coach has denied wrongdoing. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, said last month at the Australian Open that Vukov “ never mistreated me “ in their years working together and that she disagreed with the provisional suspension. “The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA code of conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded,” it said in a statement. “Following this process, the suspension remains in place. To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details.” (AP)