1,476 para-athletes to vie for honours at Natl Para Athletics C’ship
Chennai, Feb 17: Nearly 1,500 para-athletes from across India will showcase their skills when the 23rd National Para Athletics Championship begins at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday. This historic event, marking Chennai’s first-ever hosting of the championship, will feature a record 1,476 para-athletes competing in 155 events by 30 teams, making it one of the largest para-athletics gatherings in the country. “We are confident that this championship in Chennai will set new benchmarks for para-athletic competitions in India,” Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia said in a release. “With an impressive 1,476 para-athletes competing in 155 events, this tournament reflects the rapid growth and increasing competitiveness of para sports in the country. With world-class facilities and a commitment to inclusivity, we are witnessing a new era for Indian para-athletics.” (PTI)
Shaw performs Black Power salute after goal for Man City Women
Manchester, Feb 17: Khadija Bunny’ Shaw bowed her head and raised a gloved fist after scoring a goal on her first start for Manchester City Women since pulling out of the team because of racist abuse directed at her on social media. The Jamaica international, one of the world’s best strikers, performed the Black Power salute during City’s 4-0 win over Liverpool in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, when she scored two goals. “It’s powerful, obviously” City manager Gareth Taylor said. “Bunny’s a proud Black woman and where she’s come from means a lot to her.” Shaw was targeted by online abuse after a league game against Arsenal on Feb. 2. She withdrew from the League Cup semifinal match against the same opponent four days later, before returning – as a substitute – for an FA Cup match on Feb. 9. Sunday’s match against Liverpool marked Shaw’s return to the starting lineup and she said it was “definitely good to get back on the scoresheet after a difficult couple of days.” Taylor said Shaw’s teammates “were there for her” during the game. (AP)
‘Conducting ’30 CWG will be right step in India’s goal to host Oly’
New Delhi, Feb 17: Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) CEO Katie Sadleir says hosting the 2030 CWG would be a step in the right direction for India as the country pursues the ambition of playing host to the 2036 Olympics. Sadleir was speaking on the second day of The Times Group ET NOW Global Business Summit here on Sunday. “Hosting the Olympics would be an incredible achievement, and having the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India would be the right step towards that goal,” she said. Her comments come in the backdrop of informal discussions between the CGF and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on the possibility of hosting the 2030 CWG. Sadleir said she is optimistic that India would be among the top-10 performers in the Olympics in the near future. (PTI)
Woods expects golf to ‘heal quickly’
San Diego, Feb 17: Tiger Woods expects the fractured landscape of golf to “heal quickly” when the PGA Tour and the Saudi backers of rival LIV Golf reach an agreement that appears to be imminent. Woods is the only player on the PGA Tour board without term limits and has been active in negotiations between PGA Tour Enterprises and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. He was scheduled to join Commissioner Jay Monahan and Adam Scott for a Feb. 4 meeting with Presidents Donald Trump. Woods flew home to Florida when his mother died unexpectedly. “I think that things are going to heal quickly,” Woods said Sunday in the CBS booth at the Genesis Invitational, where he is the tournament host. “We’re going to get this game going in the right direction,” he said. “It’s been heading in the wrong direction for a number of years and the fans want all of us to play together, all the top players playing together and we’re going to make that happen.” (AP)
Justin Leonard wins first PGA Tour Champions
Naples, Feb 17: Justin Leonard won the Chubb Classic for his first PGA Tour Champions victory, overcoming a slow start with a back-nine charge on Tiburon’s Black Course. Leonard birdied five of the last seven holes for a 4-under 68 and a four-stroke victory over Billy Andrade. The 52-year-old Texan won in his 45th start on the 50-and-over tour, his first victory since the last of his 12 PGA Tour titles in the 2008 St. Jude Championship. “It’s been a long time since I’ve won, and I tell myself all the time that I have won,” Leonard said, fighting back tears on the 18th green. “But it’s easy to kind of forget a little bit, and say, `Well, you know, is it going to be? “I just put a lot of work in. … I mean, last year was so bad it was good. It was good for me. Made some changes with my golf swing. … It’s just so fun to finally be here because I always felt like I would be. But it’s nice to finally get it done.” (AP)