PM Modi launches Khelo India Games
new delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday declared the inaugural Khelo India School Games open and said the event will highlight the country's sporting talent and its potential to the world. Modi declared open the KISG at a colourful opening ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here. The ceremony showcased the rich 'Guru-Shishya' tradition of the country in grand style. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said sports should occupy a central place in the lives of the country's youth. "Sports is an important means of personality development and Khelo India is not a programme, it's a mission. The Games will highlight India's young sporting talent and showcase India's sports potential," Modi said.
Saina, Sindhu win; Prannoy bows out
new delhi: Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu advanced to the second round while H S Prannoy made an early exit after playing with corns on his feet in the $350,000 India Open Super 500 badminton tournament here on Wednesday. With BWF making it mandatory for top shuttlers to play 12 tournaments in a year, World No 10 Prannoy took the court against compatriot Shreyansh Jaiswal despite developing foot corns and handed over the opening round match to his younger colleague 4-21, 6-21 within 13 minutes. In the women's singles, Indonesia Masters finalist Saina got across Denmark's Sofie Holmboe Dahl 21-15, 21-9, while defending champion Sindhu dumped another Danish girl Natalia Koch Rohde 21-10, 21-13. Saina will face Denmark's Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt.
Mary Kom in final, Shiva upstaged in semis
new delhi: Five-time world champion MC Mary Kom advanced to the final but Shiva Thapa settled for a bronze medal after an upset semifinal loss in the India Open boxing tournament for men and women here on Wednesday. Seeded 12th, Mary Kom (48kg) was up against a rather gritty Mongolian Altansetseg Lutsaikhan. But the five-time world and Asian champion gained the upper hand with her aggressive approach in the first two rounds. The Manipuri did seem drained in the final three minutes but managed to connect just enough blows to come up trumps. Mary Kom will face Philippine's Josie Gabuco.
India favourite to lift U-19 World Cup trophy: dada
kolkata: Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday tipped India as the favourites to win the Under-19 World Cup final against Australia on Saturday. India crushed arch-rivals Pakistan by 203 runs yesterday to set up a summit clash against Australia on February 3 at Mount Maunganui in New Zealand. "India (will win U-19 World Cup). U-19 team is playing very well. There are immensely talented boys like Prithwi, Shubman, Nagarkoti, Mavi, Porel are players who have come up from the BCCI system. Our Board members have invested time to prepare them from the junior, under-19 and senior level," Ganguly said.
Trials for Baichung football Academy in Delhi NCR
new delhi: Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools is launching its first football residential academy - BBFS Residential Academy at Vedas International School in Greater Gurgaon (Sohna). The purpose of the trials is to scout the best talent who would get a chance to join the upcoming residential academy. A team of coaches from BBFS will conduct the trials for interested students aged between 11 and 15 years.