News for 'Normal and Sport'

Hyderabad Open badminton cancelled due to COVID-19

Hyderabad Open badminton cancelled due to COVID-19

Rediff.com4 Jun 2020

The Hyderabad Open badminton tournament, scheduled to be held from August 11 to 16, was on Thursday cancelled by the world body BWF in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The event was part of the BWF's revised calendar to restart the sport after the pandemic-forced cancellations since March.

After Osaka and Nishikori, Nadal casts doubts over Olympics

After Osaka and Nishikori, Nadal casts doubts over Olympics

Rediff.com11 May 2021

Japan has extended a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas until the end of May as the country battles a surge in COVID-19 cases

Angry players speak out at Australian Open qualifying

Angry players speak out at Australian Open qualifying

Rediff.com15 Jan 2020

'They're just trying to shove us on the court because we're qualifiers'

UEFA scrap away goals rule from 2021-22 season

UEFA scrap away goals rule from 2021-22 season

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

With the decision to remove this rule, ties in which the two teams score the same number of goals over the two legs would be not decided on the number of goals scored away, but two 15-minute periods of extra time are played at the end of the second leg and in case the teams score the same number of goals or no goals during this extra time, kicks from the penalty mark would determine the team which qualifies to the next stage of the competition.

What F1 may have to do to get season started

What F1 may have to do to get season started

Rediff.com17 Apr 2020

Formula One could start the season behind locked gates due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the glamour sport will likely have to slim down considerably to get the green light to go racing. Across Europe, bans on mass gatherings and public events have been extended into July and August even as countries begin to emerge from the strict lockdowns that have put sporting activities on hold.

Lockdown: Liverpool, Chelsea to feed vulnerable groups

Lockdown: Liverpool, Chelsea to feed vulnerable groups

Rediff.com16 Apr 2020

Premier League leaders Liverpool are helping feed vulnerable and elderly people within the community during the novel coronavirus outbreak with the help of local church members. While, Chelsea will provide 78,000 free meals to Britain's National Health Service and charities that support the elderly and vulnerable during the coronavirus crisis.

Ronaldo on target as United draw with Chelsea

Ronaldo on target as United draw with Chelsea

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

Ronaldo's 62nd minute strike was his 17th league goal this season

It wasn't a normal challenge, says an emotional Neymar

It wasn't a normal challenge, says an emotional Neymar

Rediff.com11 Jul 2014

An emotional Neymar cried as he recalled the challenge that ended his World Cup on Thursday and said he felt blessed not to have ended up in a wheelchair.

Western and Southern Open: Murray makes winning return; Cilic out

Western and Southern Open: Murray makes winning return; Cilic out

Rediff.com23 Aug 2020

Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic fired 19 aces to topple Sam Querrey 6-4, 6-4 and set up a second-round clash with either Dan Evans or Russian 10th seed Andrey Rublev.

Djokovic not at fault, says Manchester United's Matic

Djokovic not at fault, says Manchester United's Matic

Rediff.com30 Jun 2020

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has defended his Serbian compatriot Novak Djokovic for hosting the ill-fated Adria Tour where a number of players, including the world number one, tested positive for COVID-19. Djokovic was criticised for hosting the tennis tournament amid a pandemic after his coach Goran Ivanisevic and players Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki returned positive tests over the two legs in Serbia and Croatia.

Semenya's reign to be ended by new IAAF gender rule

Semenya's reign to be ended by new IAAF gender rule

Rediff.com26 Apr 2018

South African Caster Semenya's long and controversial reign as the queen of middle distance running looks set to be ended this year not by a track rival but by a new hyperandrogenism rule that will stop her from running 800 and 1500 metres races.

Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony scandals and more...

Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony scandals and more...

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

A series of recent scandals engulfing officials working on the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Games

Champions League: All eyes on Ronaldo

Champions League: All eyes on Ronaldo

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

Juventus are desperate to win a first Champions League title in a quarter of a century

Nadal 'sorry' for Djokovic but says he knew the risks

Nadal 'sorry' for Djokovic but says he knew the risks

Rediff.com6 Jan 2022

Rafael Nadal said he feels sorry for Novak Djokovic after the world number one was denied entry into Australia but added that the Serb knew for months he could potentially face problems if he arrived without being vaccinated against COVID-19.

F1 boss breaks silence on Hamilton's jewellery battle

F1 boss breaks silence on Hamilton's jewellery battle

Rediff.com16 May 2022

Lewis Hamilton and the FIA were in a standoff at this month's Miami Grand Prix over piercings

Nadal meets Ruud resistance in final

Nadal meets Ruud resistance in final

Rediff.com4 Jun 2022

Nadal, who would pass fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno as the oldest Roland Garros men's singles champion if he wins, had to dig deep again in a three-hour slugfest in the semi-final against Alexander Zverev before the German was forced to retire mid-match after injuring his ankle.

Retailers reached 93% of pre-COVID sales in Feb

Retailers reached 93% of pre-COVID sales in Feb

Rediff.com16 Mar 2021

The retail industry's business is on the brink of full recovery as it achieved 93 per cent of the pre-COVID sales in February, according to a report. Segments such as consumer durables and quick service restaurants (QSR) have shown positive growth of 15 per cent and 18 per cent respectively in February 2021, the report from the Retailers Association of India (RAI) said. "The quantum of de-growth in retail sales has reduced as most segments in retail have started to show significant improvement," it said. Categories like footwear, beauty, wellness and personal care, sports goods and food and grocery are showing steady month-on-month recovery.

Federer mulling French Open pull out

Federer mulling French Open pull out

Rediff.com6 Jun 2021

The 20-times Grand Slam champion suggested after the third-round clash which ended past midnight that he could preserve himself for Wimbledon which begins on June 28.

Indy 500 puts spotlight on racing's gender diversity

Indy 500 puts spotlight on racing's gender diversity

Rediff.com21 Aug 2020

Beyond the empty stands and coronavirus-induced delay, this year's Indianapolis 500 will see another profound change at the famed Brickyard on Sunday -- for the first time in 21 years, there are no female drivers on the starting grid.

COVID-19: FIFA to release $150 million to associations

COVID-19: FIFA to release $150 million to associations

Rediff.com24 Apr 2020

Each of FIFA's 211 member associations would receive $500,000 in the coming days as well as any remaining entitlements for 2019 and 2020, it added. The coronavirus outbreak has brought soccer to a standstill and clubs have struggled to cope with the loss of revenue.

Russia still on the pitch but anthem ban could hurt

Russia still on the pitch but anthem ban could hurt

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

Russia was banned from taking part in or hosting world championships, including the World Cup as part of doping sanctions imposed by WADA.

Mbappe will bounce back after penalty miss, says Deschamps

Mbappe will bounce back after penalty miss, says Deschamps

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

Striker Kylian Mbappe will bounce back from missing the decisive penalty in France's shootout loss to Switzerland on Monday that saw the world champions exit Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage, coach Didier Deschamps said.

It's about staying grounded for GM Praggnanandhaa

It's about staying grounded for GM Praggnanandhaa

Rediff.com27 May 2022

His semifinal match against Giri went up to 2am and a few hours later, he had to be at his school to take his 11th-class board examination.

PIX: Medvedev, Tsitsipas defuse US bombers to set up Cincinnati showdown

PIX: Medvedev, Tsitsipas defuse US bombers to set up Cincinnati showdown

Rediff.com20 Aug 2022

Madison Keys swept past Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-4 at the Cincinnati Open on Friday, setting up a semi-final clash with Petra Kvitova after the Czech defeated Ajla Tomljanovic.

Man City's Guardiola makes surprise Champions League admission

Man City's Guardiola makes surprise Champions League admission

Rediff.com16 Mar 2019

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that the club's achievements in the Champions League will ultimately determine if his stint in England has been a success.

Tiafoe wants to draw more black kids to tennis

Tiafoe wants to draw more black kids to tennis

Rediff.com27 May 2020

American Frances Tiafoe has already changed the lives of his immigrant parents thanks to his tennis career and the 2019 Australian Open quarter-finalist hopes he can also inspire more black kids to take up the sport. Tiafoe, 22, was born to immigrant parents from Sierra Leone, with his father working as a janitor at a tennis centre in Maryland while his mother had to work double shifts as a nurse to help the family make ends meet.

'Football will be the unifying factor soon'

'Football will be the unifying factor soon'

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

At a time when #StayHomeStaySafe echoes the sentiment of not just 1.3 billion people but the entire world, India football player Sandesh Jhingan, a born optimist, feels "it's not long before smiles will be back." Currently, in Chandigarh with his family, Jhingan stated the day is not far when he foresees "football reuniting the entire world."

F1 fires up, four months late and without a crowd

F1 fires up, four months late and without a crowd

Rediff.com29 Jun 2020

Since the traditional Australian opener was cancelled in March, Formula One has agreed changes to help teams hard hit by COVID-19.

'Not right players to be tested ahead of key workers'

'Not right players to be tested ahead of key workers'

Rediff.com16 May 2020

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster says it would be wrong for English Premier League players to be tested for the coronavirus ahead of medical workers as plans for Project Restart continue. Twice weekly tests for Premier League players are part of the plan to resume the Premier League next month after it was suspended in March because of the pandemic.

Japanese towns drop plans to host Olympic athletes

Japanese towns drop plans to host Olympic athletes

Rediff.com13 May 2021

Dozens of Japanese towns have abandoned plans to host Olympic athletes because of concern they will overburden stretched medical resources amid a fourth wave of coronavirus infections.

11 things that make Lisa Haydon HOT!

11 things that make Lisa Haydon HOT!

Rediff.com17 Jun 2021

As Lisa celebrates her 35th birthday on June 17, Namrata Thakker lists 10 things about the leggy beauty that make her so HOT!

PIX: 1000 fans allowed for baseball game in Taiwan

PIX: 1000 fans allowed for baseball game in Taiwan

Rediff.com9 May 2020

Taiwan reopened baseball games to a limited number of fans on Friday for the first time since controls were imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus, part of government efforts to slowly allow normal life to resume. Taiwan has been relatively successful at controlling the virus, with 440 cases to date and 6 deaths, with only 85 active infections, thanks to early prevention and detection efforts.

COVID-19: UK Paralympian battles virus in scrubs

COVID-19: UK Paralympian battles virus in scrubs

Rediff.com7 May 2020

Daybell said that after a difficult few months a sense of normality was returning to the COVID-19 ward in the north London hospital where he works.

Bundesliga PICS: Eerie silence across stadiums on restart

Bundesliga PICS: Eerie silence across stadiums on restart

Rediff.com16 May 2020

The games sounded more like Sunday kickabouts or high-intensity training sessions than the return to action of highly-paid professionals in the world's best attended football league with normally an average of about 42,000 spectators per game.

Good Samaritan Bhutia continues to help the needy

Good Samaritan Bhutia continues to help the needy

Rediff.com23 Apr 2020

During his playing days he brought joy to millions and now Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia is making a difference to the people of his state Sikkim, who have been stranded in other states because of the lockdown. After having opened his doors to migrant workers, the former India captain has been trying to help his people from his state Sikkim, who have been stranded in other states due to the coronavirus-forced nationwide lockdown.

How lifting queen Chanu got back after Rio flop...

How lifting queen Chanu got back after Rio flop...

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

India's world record holder weightlifter Mirabai Chanu revealed that she was 'completely broken' after the failure at the 2016 Rio Olympics and talking to a psychologist helped her get back on track.

Nadal, Serena support strict COVID-19 protocols in Australia

Nadal, Serena support strict COVID-19 protocols in Australia

Rediff.com27 Jan 2021

'The world is suffering in general, so we can't complain'

SEE: Ritu Phogat shares her training routine amid lockdown

SEE: Ritu Phogat shares her training routine amid lockdown

Rediff.com22 Apr 2020

Ritu Phogat, who registered her second ONE Championship win in February, is training for around three and a half hours a day. Phogat also admitted that cooking food is challenging and she is missing the food cooked by her mother.

Will local spectators be banned from Tokyo Olympics?

Will local spectators be banned from Tokyo Olympics?

Rediff.com18 Jun 2021

Organisers should be prepared to act swiftly to ban spectators or declare another state of emergency if needed, the experts said. If spectators are allowed, rules should be strict, such as limiting fans to local residents, the experts said.

Keane tells EPL players: Don't take pay cuts

Keane tells EPL players: Don't take pay cuts

Rediff.com25 Apr 2020

'I know there is pressure on players, but it is nobody's business what you do with your wages. You take your wages and if you want to be generous, go ahead and do it'