Mandaviya leads ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ in Delhi
NEW DELHI, Feb 23: Sports Minister Manuskh Mandaviya led the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ campaign here, with Olympic rower Arjun Lal Jat among a host of other participants.Drawing from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to fight obesity by reducing oil consumption by 10 per cent, exercising and eating right, Mandaviya dedicated the initiative to nation’s fight against obesity.Speaking at the event, the Sports Minister said, “In our fight against obesity, which the Honourable PM has initiated, we must come together to include daily fitness activities in our life.“Cycling is the easiest exercise and it has a very positive impact on the environment as well. It reduces carbon footprints and is a solution for pollution.” The Fit India Sundays on Cycle invites a special set of people every week. The army personnel, postmen, and wellness experts have been invited as guests in the past.In this week’s event, corporate India stepped forward to support the campaign and participate. Representatives of industry bodies FICCI and CII as well as members from fitness brand Decathlon, Yoga Bharat and My Bharat participated.Olympian Arjun Lal Jat said, “As an athlete I am happy to see that so many people have stepped out on a Sunday morning and have dedicated time to fitness. Staying fit is not an option, it is compulsory for everyone and the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative is a wonderful motivation for people to start their fitness journey.” In Guwahati, doctors from the Indian Medical Association joined the Fit India Sundays on Cycle celebration at the SAI National Centre of Excellence. More than 300 members rode to spread the message of fitness.“The Fit India Sundays on Cycle has been organised across 4,200 locations in India in the past few weeks and in 1,200 locations today,” a ministry release said. (PTI)
Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva wins title in Dubai
DUBAI, Feb 23: Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (1), 6-1 in the Dubai Championships on Saturday to earn the biggest title of her career.The victory will earn Andreeva her debut in the top 10 of the rankings next week – the first 17-year-old to achieve that since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.It caps quite a week for Andreeva, who also had wins over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, five-time major champion Iga Swiatek and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to become the youngest player to defeat three major champions at a single event since Maria Sharapova at the 2004 WTA Finals. She also became the youngest player to reach the final of a WTA 1000 event.(PTI)
GM Iniyan loses to French IM Mahel in tiebreak
DUNKIRK, (France) Feb 23: Indian Grandmaster P. Iniyan finished runner-up in the 41st Cappelle La Grande International Open Tournament after losing to IM Mahel of France in the tie-breaks here.The fifth seed Indian scored 7.5 points, with six wins and 3 draws to be tied first alongside Mahel after nine rounds.However, luck was against Iniyan in tie-breaks as the French IM emerged victorious.After starting with four wins in a row, Iniyan drew the fifth game with fellow Indian IM Muthaiah.He then drew with the eventual third-place finisher GM Raja Rithvik of India. A win in the penultimate round left him leading the event along with Mahel.The result has helped Iniyan gain 16 rating points and his live rating now is 2566. (PTI)
Veer Ahlawat slips in third round in Kenya Open
NAIROBI, Feb 23: Veer Ahlawat had a disastrous third round of 8-over 79 as he slipped to T-67 with one round to go in the Magical Kenya Open.The Indian rookie had a nightmarish 11 on the par-5 seventh besides four other bogeys against just two birdies for a 79.His earlier rounds were 70 and 72.Shubhankar Sharma had earlier missed the cut.South African Jacques Kruyswijk moved into pole position as he bids for his first DP World Tour title. He had a stunning seven-under-par round of 64 that gave him a one-stroke lead.The South African came home in five-under par at the Muthaiga Golf Club to lead England’s John Parry by one. (PTI)