Lego to launch life-size WC trophy as part of FIFA deal
LONDON, Dec 3: It’s a life-size World Cup soccer trophy – made of 2,842 Lego bricks.Lego teamed up with FIFA on Wednesday to announce the product that will launch the classic Danish toy brand’s first World Cup range next year.The Lego version of the trophy first presented at the 1974 World Cup will be the exact same height of 36.8 centimeters (14 ½ inches).But the Lego brick trophy will be plastic instead of 18 carat solid gold and green malachite, and easier to pick up than the original’s 6.175 kilograms (13.6 pounds).It goes on sale for $200 in March and will include “a hidden scene which can be opened via a pullable slip in the upper globe section,” Lego said in a statement.FIFA keeps the original trophy in Zurich.The first 48-team men’s World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico opens June 11. (AP)
Joshna upsets second seed Nardine; 4 Indians in semis
CHENNAI, Dec 3: Former world number 10 Joshna Chinappa rallied to beat Egyptian second seed Nardine Garas in a five-game thriller to move to the semifinals of the HCL Squash Indian Tour 4 here Wednesday.Velavan Senthilkumar and Anahat Singh, the reigning men’s and women’s National champions respectively, and top seeds, recorded straight-games victories at the Indian Squash Academy, while men’s second seed Veer Chotrani bowed out.In the semifinals on Thursday, Joshna, 39, who won the Japan Open in October and finished runner-up in the Daly College Indian Open last month, will meet sixth seed compatriot Tanvi Khanna, who edged out Hong Kong fourth seed Nga Ching Cheng over five games.
The results (Quarterfinals; Indians unless specified):
Men: 1-Velavan Senthilkumar bt 6-Joseph White (Aus) 11-9, 11-3,11-5; 5-Diego Gobbi (Bra) bt 3-Daniel Poleshchuk (Isr) 11-5, 11-4, 11-3; 7-Maceo Levy (Fra) bt 4-Ibrahim Elkabbani (Egy) 5-11, 11-5, 3-11, 14-12, 11-6; Adam Hawal (Egy) bt 2-Veer Chotrani 11-9, 11-7, 11-8.Women: 3-Hayley Ward (RSA) bt 5-Ching Hei Fung (HK) 11-9, 11-8, -11, 7-11, 11-7; 1-Anahat Singh bt 8-Akari Midorikawa (Jpn) 11-2, 11-2, 11-8; 6-Tanvi Khanna bt 4-Nga Ching Cheng (HK) 7-11, 12-10, 14-12, 7-11, 11-4; Joshna Chinappa bt 2-Nardine Garas (Egy) 6-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7. (PTI)
Navneet Kaur and Jarmanpreet Singh to lead SG Pipers in HIL
NEW DELHI, Dec 3: Hockey India League franchise SG Pipers on Wednesday announced defender Jarmanpreet Singh and forward Navneet Kaur as captains of their men’s and women’s teams respectively, for the upcoming season of HIL.Australian midfielder Ky Willott will be taking up the role of vice-captain of the men’s team.In the women’s team, star forward Navneet Kaur retains the captaincy, with Australia’s Kaitlin Nobbs being made her deputy ahead of her first season with the Pipers.Last season, Jarmanpreet emerged as one of SG Pipers’ standout performers. His impressive contribution to India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph further underscores his readiness to lead from the front.Willott stepped up last season with his exceptional work rate, maturity on the ball, and ability to dictate play, attributes that now see him assume a formal leadership role.He comes into the League on the back of playing an influential role in Hockey Club Melbourne’s Hockey One title triumph on Sunday.The women’s team will see Navneet returning as captain, after a strong campaign where she led the attack, scored decisive goals, and showcased her influence in India’s international outings.Supporting her will be Nobbs, whose international pedigree, defensive awareness, and calm decision-making add tremendous balance to the squad. The 2025 HIL winner Nobbs starred in Perth Thundersticks’ triumph in the Hockey One Final on Sunday. (PTI)
