Virat Kohli's insatiable hunger for improvement is a certain characteristic of a great player, says Gary Kirsten, who had coached the Indian captain during his successful three-year stint with the national team.
Following the global outrage against racism, a lot of former and current players have opened up on the issue.
Hima Das missed the Asian Championships mark on the final day of competition
During the camp prior to the Asia Cup in Malaysia, gag orders were slapped on all the players, a move which evoked a lot of debate.
Hockey greats Vasudevan Baskaran, M M Somaya and Mervyn Fernandis relive India's gold medal-winning campaign at the Moscow Olympics in 1980.
Palpreet Singh Brar, standing 6'9 can be an intimidating figure. But sit with him for a chat and his easy-going demeanor and straight-faced humour will have you alter any perceptions harboured of the 21-year-old.
'The WFI has taken a decision in principle to let these wrestlers prepare on their own and not disturb them. On their requests, we have decided to let them skip the trials as they are best bets in their weight categories and hardly face any competition'
The 17-year-old Praveen, who hails from a village in Thanjavur district, cleared a distance of 15.68m to finish fifth in the Stage 2 competition on Tuesday night but his good showing in Stage 1, where he was third with a jump of 15.84m, took him to the podium with a combined effort of 31.52m.
Scotland's Clarke names uncapped trio in Euro squad.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist weightlifter Geeta Rani's confirmatory 'B' sample test has also returned positive for a banned substance and she is set to end her career in ignominy as she faces the prospect of a lengthy ban from the sport.
The administrators are busy thrashing out resumption plans but with the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, India's sportsperson are pleading for caution as discussion rages on whether competitions can resume by August. Top stars from various disciplines want the waiting period to continue, while others pointed out at the loss it would cause in terms of fitness and readiness.
'I am grateful to God that I am alive and he has made me differently-abled for a greater cause,' says Wing Commander Shantanu.
- 'I hope our training on creating early pressure will be evident when we go into the competition'
The postponement of the Tokyo Games and a break in training due to the COVID-19 lockdown last year brought with it a shoulder issue for the weightlifter that could have led to a completely different result, something Chanu had been worried about.
The World Cup bound Pakistani cricketers will have two counselling sessions with a well-known sports psychologist before leaving for the World Cup.
'When the Olympics were postponed last year there were talks of the virus situation improving, but we are going from bad to worst.'
Indian Cricket Board feel that President-elect Sourav Ganguly's cordial relations with both players and officials in Bangladesh cricket might help in salvaging the situation.
The Indian hockey team's stand-in captain and goalkeeper P R Sreejesh says the Champions Trophy in England and the following six-nation hockey tournament in Spain will give his side the opportunity to test players' mental strength ahead of the Rio Olympic Games.
Hockey India cracked the whip on Saturday, slapping a two-year ban on star players Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh for repeated indiscipline. The national federation imposed the sanction on Sandeep and Sardara after a marathon meeting, which was attended by Hockey India's top brass, including its secretary-general Narinder Batra.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Wednesday
'I've been working hard for this for the past 18 months and away from home for a long time...and it is good to know that it all paid off and the event is done and we've got what we came for'
The frustration for aspirant Olympians has been palpable and athletes like table tennis player Sathiyan Gnanasekaran have been forced to innovate to stay sharp during the lengthy lockdowns.
Luis Suarez had been told by new Barca coach Ronald Koeman that he was not in his plans for next season.
Sacked Australia coach Mickey Arthur has been left "extremely upset and disappointed" after his confidential lawsuit against Cricket Australia was leaked to the media leading to a massive controversy.
Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh claimed that former coach Sjoerd Marijne and current high performance director David John forced him to make a shock retirement in September.
Barcelona talisman has become just as dangerous from dead ball situations too
Abhishek Yadav holds a Limca record for training 5,700 girls in self-defence techniques in Kunda, Pratapgarh and other places in Uttar Pradesh.
'For years we train for the Olympics and when we are this close, how can we stop training?'
Their recent impressive showings have raised serious expectations from the national men's hockey team in the Olympics and it's chief coach Roelant Oltmans said if his wards can give their best in every match, India stand a good chance of finishing in the podium in Rio.
Guus Hiddink is in talks with Chelsea to take over as manager until the end of the season while continuing as Russia coach, he told Reuters on Tuesday.
News of all that transpired on and off the football field.
Haryana sprinter Dharambir Singh, who was barred from representing the country in the Rio Olympics at the last minute for failing a dope test, has been slapped an eight-year ban by the National Anti-Doping Agency.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Friday
Former India captain Rahul Dravid 'will not be available' for the senior Indian team's overseas tours owing to his commitments with the India A and Under-19 sides, the Committee of Administrators (COA) chief Vinod Rai said on Saturday.
Saqlain Mushtaq says the cricket authorities must seek help of former greats to find solutions for the batting woes, afflicting the national team.
Fast bowlers would be given preference compared to spinners, he said.
PR Sreejesh is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment, but he feels that the absence of an experienced back up custodian is a major worry.
'Our boxers are mature and strong enough to withstand these kinds of shocks.'
With an aim to enhance mental toughness of the players ahead of upcoming international tournaments, the Indian hockey team management is all set to rope in a Bangalore-based lady sports psychologist on temporary basis.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
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