Indian boxers continue winning run at Asian U-15 & U-17 C’ships
Amman (Jordan), April 21: Indian boxers extended their winning streak at the Asian U-15 & U-17 Boxing Championships with three emphatic victories on the second day of the competition here. School Games Federation of India (SGFI) gold medallist Tikam Singh (52kg) dominated UAE’s Ali Almesmari, sealing the bout with a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) in the third round. Udham Singh (54kg) outboxed Iran’s Mohammadparsa Motevalianastanehsari to notch a commanding 5-0 win, while Rahul Gariya (57kg) overpowered Chinese Taipei’s Li Shou-Xun with an RSC verdict in the opening round. (PTI)
Indian women’s hockey team leaves for five-match series in Australia
Bengaluru, April 21: The Indian women’s hockey team led by Salima Tete has left for Australia to compete in a five-match friendly series starting April 26 in Perth, an engagement that will be crucial preparation for the side ahead of the FIH Pro League’s European leg in June. The team left late on Sunday night. The series will begin with two matches against Australia A on April 26 and 27, followed by three encounters against world No. 5 ranked Australian senior team on May 1, 3, and 4 at the Perth Hockey Stadium. Led by dynamic midfielder Salima, with experienced forward Navneet Kaur as her deputy, the 26-member squad will use the tour as a preparation ground ahead of the European leg of the Pro League, where India will start its campaign on June 7 against the Netherlands. “We’ve worked really hard at the national camp in Bengaluru, and everyone is excited to take on this challenge. Playing against Australia A and the Hockeyroos will give us the chance to test our strategies and grow as a unit,” Tete said ahead of the side’s departure. “This tour will help us fine-tune our performance before heading into the Pro League in Europe,” she added. The Indian team will be looking to continue the momentum from its recent FIH Pro League campaign, where it held world No.1 Netherlands to a 2-2 draw and secured a shootout bonus point in Bhubaneswar. Vice-Captain Navneet Kaur said the team is confident and united. “This tour is another great opportunity to push ourselves, improve on key areas like finishing and transitions, and keep building towards our bigger goals this year,” she added. (PTI)
Zimbabwe women to tour USA for historic white-ball series
Harare, April 21: Zimbabwe Cricket has announced that its women’s team will embark on a historic tour of the United States of America (USA) for a limited-overs series starting this week. The landmark tour – Zimbabwe women’s first-ever visit to the USA for a bilateral or any other cricket series – features three T20Is and two ODIs scheduled to run from April 25 to May 3 with all matches set to be played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. The two sides will start off with the T20I leg of the tour, with matches lined up for April 25, 27 and 29. These will be followed by the ODI series scheduled for May 1 and 3. “This historic engagement comes as part of ZC’s unwavering commitment to increasing international playing opportunities for the Zimbabwe Women’s national team across both formats of the game,” the Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement. Zimbabwe women and USA women last faced off in October 2024 when the Americans toured Harare for an ODI series. Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, Zimbabwe women’s head coach Walter Chawaguta described the tour as an important stepping stone for his side. For the upcoming series in Texas, ZC have named a balanced 15-member squad that blends experienced campaigners with exciting young talent. Veterans such as Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Josephine Nkomo, Modester Mupachikwa, Precious Marange, Loreen Tshuma, Chiedza Dhururu and Nomvelo Sibanda will provide valuable experience and leadership. They are joined by some of the country’s brightest rising stars, including youth prodigies Kelis Ndhlovu and Beloved Biza. (IANS)