Really happy to win a silver, gave my heart out: Sindhu

August 20, 2016

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 20: P V Sindhu today said she is happy to win a silver in the women's singles badminton event after her gallant attempt to win a coveted gold for India ended in heart-break at the Rio Olympics here today.

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"I ended up with silver medal but am really happy," said Sindhu moments after losing her final clash 21-19 12-21 15-21 against two-time World Championship Marin here. "I'm really proud about it. I'm really happy. I could not win the gold. But I really worked hard. It was anybody's game.

"I really fought very hard and gave my heart out. When I came to final, I told myself just one match to go and you could win a gold medal. Give it your best, and I tried very hard. I feel it was her day," she added.

Sindhu also lauded Sakshi Malik, who opened the India's medals tally with a bronze at the Rio Games and became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a medal in Olympics. "A day before a girl has got a bronze, it's me now. We have all played well. There will be ups and downs in sport like in life. Losing one or two points. I would like to congratulate everyone. It's been a great week for me.

"I never thought I would make it to the final, but when I finally made it I thought I've to... I really worked hard. I missed the gold." Praising Marin on her Olympic gold, Sindhu said: "I also congratulate Carolina. It's been a wonderful week for me. It's anybody's aim to win a medal at the Olympics."

Talking about the final match, Sindhu said: "In today's match both players were attacking and playing aggressive on court. One has to win and one has to lose. It was her day on centre court today. I'm very happy for her. She's doing a great job.

"Overall, it's not that I didn't play well or get points. It was a good match, I can tell you. After the second game, we both were 10-all in the third. She took a lead of four points, and that lead went on. There were simple errors from my side," she explained.

The 21-year-old from Hyderabad said bright days are ahead for Indian badminton. "Future is good definitely. There are many players coming up, and many more will succeed. Badminton is doing really well in India. In men's singles Srikanth lost very closely," she said.

Despite finishing a notch higher with a silver medal at the Olympics as compared to her senior colleague Saina Nehwal, who had bagged a bronze at the 2012 London Games, Sindhu stayed grounded and said, "It's a different comparison. She has also achieved a lot, and is senior to me.

"Today I feel finally I've achieved something in life. It's my dream, anybody's dream to win an Olympic medal. I've done it. Everybody in top 20/30 are kind of equal and don't know what will happen as things may change anytime."

On whether she would turn this silver into a gold at 2020 Tokyo Games, Sindhu said: "Hopefully yes. I will really work hard for it." With a new found confidence and ranking, which is set to improve, Sindhu's next target is to win a Super Series.

"I feel it would change a lot from now onwards. With more confidence I would go further and maybe I would win a Super Series." Giving credit of her success to coach Pullela Gopichand, Sindhu said: "I've really worked hard before coming. I've been training hard and made so many sacrifices. Gopi sir has also sacrificed a lot. He's been in court all throughout. Parents have also made so many sacrifices."

Going into the match, Sindhu said she never thought about Marin's world number one status and wanted to play her natural game. "I had belief that I can do it in the second game but she played extremely well. I made simple errors and she won the match. I did not feel she's world number one. I thought it's anybody's game and whoever does well would win it. Both of us played aggressively but she was better on the day."

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News Network
March 19,2020

London, Mar 19: Talking about the break in cricketing activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa pacer Dale Steyn said that the disease seems to be to the only topic of conversation these days.

"I don't know how to describe it. Doesn't matter where you go, everyone is talking about it - whether it is on an airplane or you are just popping into a grocery store. It just seems like it is the only topic of conversation," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Steyn as saying.

"Yeah, it's so strange. Normally if I am on holiday I'll be planning a fishing trip or a surfing trip. At the moment I am just chilling at home," he added.

Steyn was last seen in action in the Pakistan Super League where he took two wickets in two matches.

When asked whether he has enough hand sanitizers, he replied: "We just decided that stockpiling is definitely not the way to go. It is not fair on everybody who needs that stuff. I went to the grocery store the other day and everyone had bought all the toilet paper. We have what we need, and when that runs out, that runs out, and we need to go and get some more".

"We didn't feel it was necessary to go and absolutely just, like, zombie our lives up. There's other people that live on a day-to-day basis. They are not going to get all of that stuff, so we thought it was best not to do that".

Steyn also had a message for the fans, "Stay healthy, wash your hands, look after yourself, don't be greedy. Right now they are saying old people are really struggling, so if in a position to help, rather help them than help yourself. Pretty simple, really."

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the ODI series between India-South Africa and Australia-New Zealand have been postponed.

The start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has also been postponed until April 15.

Cricket South Africa has suspended all forms of cricket for 60 days while Cricket Australia has advised all its employees to work from home.

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News Network
June 10,2020

Kingston, Jun 10: "Enough is enough", said West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as he opened up on the raging issue of racism and called for "respect and equality" for black people, who have faced discrimination for years.

Bravo joined the likes of his former captain Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle in denouncing racism in the wake of African-American George Floyd's killing at the hands of a white police officer in the USA.

"It's sad to see what's going on around the world. As a black man, we know the history of what black people have been through. We never ask for revenge, we ask for equality and respect. That's it," Bravo told former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa in an Instagram live chat on Tuesday.

"We give respect to others. Why is it that we are facing this over and over? Now enough is enough. We just want equality. We don't want revenge, war.

"We just want respect. We share love and appreciate people for who they are. That's what is most important."

The 36-year-old, who has played 40 Tests, 164 ODIs and 71 T20Is for West Indies, said he wants the world to know that they are powerful and beautiful people and gave the example of greats such as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan.

"I just want our brothers and sisters to know that we are powerful and beautiful. And at the end of the day, you look at some of the greats of the world, whether it is Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan we have had leaders who paved the way for us," he said.

Two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Sammy had earlier alleged that a racist nickname was used to address him during his IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad and demanded an apology.

Sammy said he was called 'Kalu' while he was in India. 'Kalu' is a derogatory word to describe black people.

Gayle, who too plays in the IPL, took to Twitter to back Sammy, saying that racism does exist in cricket.

"It's never too late to fight for the right cause or what you've experienced over the years! So much more to your story, @darensammy88. Like I said, it's in the game!!," Gayle tweeted.

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News Network
July 21,2020

Jul 21: The tickets sold for the now-postponed ICC T20 World Cup will remain valid if Australia hosts the edition in 2021 instead of India.

In case the event is shifted to 2022, all ticket-holders will be entitled to a full refund, the ICC stated on its website on Monday night after postponing the mega-event this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tournament was to be held in October-November but will now be conducted later because of the pandemic.

The ICC has not yet announced which country will host which edition as there are operational issues that both the Indian and Australian cricket Boards need to sort out.

The world body had opened ticket booking through its ticketing partners and a significant number was already sold.

"Ticket holders are welcome to retain their tickets, noting, if Australia hosts in 2021, tickets will remain valid for fans who have already bought and will be automatically updated to reflect the new dates.

"If Australia hosts in 2022, for tickets already bought a full refund will be processed automatically," ICC stated in a series of FAQs.

Fans can retain their tickets until a date is confirmed for the event.

Refund requests can be made until December 15 and they will be processed within 30 days after an online submission.

The hospitality package will also remain valid for the 2021 fixtures.

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