Author: SpogoNews Team

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) The Indian women’s hockey team, led by Rani Rampal, on Sunday left the country for the tour of Argentina, looking to gain international match exposure after nearly a break of one year due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian team was forced to train at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru for several months as international competition came to a halt due to the pandemic. The Indian team is scheduled to play four matches against the world number two Argentina side (January 26, 28, 30, 31). Before that, it will play two matches each…

Sydney, Jan 5 (PTI) The series is level for now but Australia coach Justin Langer on Tuesday said India have been distinctly well-planned and disciplined, especially in bowling, so far even as his side races to address its batting woes ahead of the third Test starting here on Thursday. Asked about Australia’s low-scoring in the current series and if that is a concern, Langer cited various factors, the biggest being India’s lethal accuracy with the ball. “…their greatest strength over the last couple of series has been their discipline. They (India) have been so well disciplined…I have loved the last…

Esports has been named a full medal sport for the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. The inclusion of esports was announced at the Olympic Council of Asia’s general assembly in Muscat. In a statement released on Friday, the OCA’s Asian Games director, Haider Farman said: “I hope that electronic sports will add value to the Asian Games – and I am sure it will in the future, during the Asian Games 2022 and even beyond that.” The inclusion of esports as a medal event at the 2022 Asian Games means that all medals that are won under the…

Football is competitive business, both on and off the pitch. The sport is constantly evolving to find newer ways to gain an edge over other teams, and bring in the silverware, glory and jubilation for the fans. A trend we have seen emerging is the use of data analytics that has helped the German National team gain key insights that has helped them dominate the game. The German Football Association teamed up with SAP to use data analytics and improve the Die Mannschaft’s in game strategy. This led to the development of two new groundbreaking technologies, SAP Challenger Insights and…

New Delhi, Jan 6 (PTI) The entire Indian badminton contingent cleared the COVID-19 test on Wednesday and is set to begin training ahead of the Yonex Thailand Open, starting next week. The Indian team, part of the Green Zone, consisting of players and all stakeholders such as umpires, line judges, personnel from BWF, Badminton Association of Thailand, medical staff, and TV production crew, were tested after arrival in Bangkok. The Asia leg in Bangkok consists of two Super 1000 events — Yonex Thailand Open (January 12-17) and Toyota Thailand Open (January 19-24) followed by the USD 1,500,000 HSBC BWF World…

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) Tokyo Olympics hopeful Manu Bhaker on Sunday left for Bhopal to continue her practice at MP State Shooting Academy during the time the capital's Dr. Karni Singh range will be occupied with selection trials for rifle and shotgun shooters. The 18-year-old pistol ace, a Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics gold medallist, will train in Bhopal from January 4-10, before reporting for her selection trials here on January 11. "She has left for Bhopal as she cannot train at the range in Tughlakabad as the selection trials for rifle and shotgun shooters will be held there.…

Bambolim (Goa), Jan 3 (PTI) Two-time champion Chennaiyin FC would look to get back to winning ways when they clash with Hyderabad FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the GMC Stadium, here on Monday. Placed at seventh spot, just above their Monday’s opponent, Chennaiyin will are coming into the contest after two consecutive draws. Poor finishing has cost CFC in the games so far and they have given away goals from set-piece situations which would not please the coach Csaba Laszlo as team has two wins, two losses and four draws so far. “We are working on…

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) Describing Ajinkya Rahane as a “born leader”, legendary Ian Chappell has credited stand-in skipper’s “smart and brave” captaincy apart from his valuable contribution with the bat for India’s historic win in the Melbourne Test. Under Rahane, India made a remarkable comeback after their humiliating loss in the first Test in Adelaide by winning the second Test by eight wickets. “It was no surprise that Ajinkya Rahane captained India flawlessly at the MCG. Anyone who saw him in charge in Dharamsala in 2017 would have recognised a man born to lead cricket teams,” Chappell wrote in…

Vasco, Jan 3 (PTI) SC East Bengal finally made the right moves to beat a lacklustre Odisha FC 3-1 and secure their first win in their maiden Indian Super League season here on Sunday. In the basement battle, the Red-and-Gold scored through Anthony Pilkington (12th) and Jacques Maghoma (39th) to give them a 2-0 cushion at half time at the Tilak Maidan. The Kolkata heavyweights maintained their high intensity before their latest Nigerian recruit Bright Enobakhare sealed the issue with a terrific 88th minute strike. Odisha FC (two points) pulled one back through Diego Mauricio in the injury time (90+3rd…

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) World number one Kento Momota’s long-awaited return to the international circuit got delayed after the Japanese tested positive for COVID-19, prompting his national team to pull out of upcoming events in Thailand,Badminton World Federation (BWF) said on Sunday. Momota was looking forward to make his international comeback in Bangkok, a year after sustaining a career-threatening injury to his eye socket following a car accident on the way to Kuala Lumpur airport just hours after winning the Malaysia Masters last January. “Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) can confirm that Japan’s men’s…