'Happy to see kabaddi receive attention'

August 14, 2015

Bengaluru, Aug 14: No team has been as consistent as U Mumba in the second edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. Their successful run so far can be attributed to team effort but even in that united assault, two individuals have stood out — Shabeer Bapu and Jeeva Kumar.

kabaddi

The two have been instrumental in helping Mumbai script fine victories and as a result, the runners-up of the inaugural edition are now sitting atop of the table with 50 points, having already qualified for the semifinals.

Apart from playing together for Mumba, both Jeeva and Shabeer turn out for Karnataka at the national level and are employed with the State Bank of Mysore in Bengaluru. Pleased with the response received for his show in the league, Jeeva said, "Kabaddi players are finally earning the respect they deserve. The game is receiving the attention it needs and we are happy about it."

The 34-year old from Kanyakumari represented Tamil Nadu for seven years before shifting his base to Karnataka. Son of a farmer, the experienced defender feels the franchises should spot emerging talents and nurture them in the upcoming editions to promote the sport.

For Shabeer, it has been all about being dedicated and passionate to the sport he loves. Hailing from Palakkad in Kerala, Shabeer has emerged as a one of the most valuable players for Mumbai. "My father is an auto driver in Kerala. It was challenging to beat financial hardships and realise my dreams but now I am very happy with my career," said the burly raider.

After training at Sports Authority of India, Chennai, Shabeer was coached by E Bhaskaran in the Indian Army before he settled down in Karnataka as an SBM employee.

"It has been four years since I made my debut for Karnataka. The State has immense talent and even in the league, there ten players from Karnataka playing in different teams," said Shabeer.

Both players exuded confidence ahead of the semifinal. “Irrespective of the opponent, our goal is to reduce our mistakes and not become complacent. In the remainder of the league stage, we would like to try out our bench strength and give chances to young players,” said Jeeva.

Shabeer, who was rested in the last couple of matches, said he was raring to go. “I had suffered a shoulder injury three months ago. Since we were assured of a place in the last four, I decided to rest my shoulder ahead of important matches,” he said.

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Agencies
January 11,2020

London, Jan 11: Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap around the Wankhede Stadium after the World Cup 2011 win has been nominated in Laureas's list for the most inspiring sporting event in the last twenty years.

The moment featuring Tendulkar has been described as "Carried on the shoulders by a nation".

On his sixth attempt at the World Cup and with India not having won the competition since 1983, Tendulkar finally became a part of the team that lifted the coveted trophy. Carried on the shoulders of the Indian team, he made a lap of honour, shedding tears of joy after the victory was sealed in his home city.

The 2011 World Cup was also the first time, in which a host nation ended up winning the trophy.

Apart from Tendulkar, England's Andrew Flintoff is the only other cricketer to feature in the list. In 2005, England managed to defeat Australia in an Ashes Test, but Flintoff chose to first shake hands with Brett Lee rather than celebrate with his side.

Matthias Steiner (weightlifting), Natalie du Toit (swimming), Sky Brown (skateboarding), Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee (triathlon), Xia Boyu (mountaineering) have been nominated in the list.

Female tennis stars also feature in the list for coming up with an equal play, equal pay campaign. After pressure from Venus Williams and others, Wimbledon announced that female tennis players would receive prize money equal to the men's.

German international footballer Miroslav Klose was playing for Lazio in Italy's Serie A in 2012 against Napoli when he rose for a ball in the early moments of the game.

The ball came spiraling off his hand and skirted into the back of the net and a goal was awarded. While most players would carry on as if nothing had happened, Klose was honest with the referee and admitted that he handled the ball.

As a result, he also finds a place on the list.

The Laureus Sporting Moment Award celebrates the moments where the sport has unified people in the most extraordinary way.

This campaign has shortlisted 20 sporting stories from the last 20 years that have left their mark on the world.

The winner will be decided on the basis of public voting. It has already started, and the final date to cast the vote is February 16.

Finally, the result will be declared on February 17.
With three knock-out rounds, the top-20 moments will be whittled down to ten then five, with the top-five moments going head-to-head.

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Agencies
July 31,2020

Northamptonshire, Jul 31: Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez has tested positive for coronavirus, and as a result, he will miss the British Grand Prix.

The Racing Point driver was absent from the circuit on Thursday after self-isolating following what his team called an "inconclusive" test. Perez then re-tested later in the day and it returned positive.

Formula 1 is following a strict testing regime as part of the safety protocols put in place when racing resumed earlier this month, and this is the first time a driver has tested positive.

"Perez has entered self-quarantine in accordance with the instructions of the relevant public health authorities, and will continue to follow the procedure mandated by those authorities," Formula 1 and the FIA said in a statement.

"With the assistance of the local organiser of the British Grand Prix, local health authorities and the FIA COVID-19 delegate, a full track and trace initiative has been undertaken and all close contacts have been quarantined," the statement added.

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Agencies
January 23,2020

Aurangabad, Jan 23: An FIR has been registered against three people including former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin for allegedly duping a travel agent, Mohammad Shadab, of more than Rs 20 lakh.

However, Mohammad Azharuddin has refuted allegations and said: "I strongly rubbish the false FIR filed against me in Aurangabad. I am consulting my legal team and would be taking action as necessary."

Azharuddin's personal assistant Mujeeb lives in Augurangabad and has good relations with the travel agency of Shadab.

The travel agent alleged that Mujeeb asked him to book some flight tickets but did not pay the amount.

The police have booked the three under Section 406, 420 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

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