Bindra named India's flag-bearer at Rio Olympics

Champion shooter Abhinav Bindra will be India’s flag-bearer at the Rio Olympics' opening ceremony on August 5.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist will be making his fifth Olympic appearance this year.

Alongside star boxer Vijender Singh, tennis legend Leander Paes and decorated grappler Sushil Kumar, Bindra's name was under consideration prior to the 2012 London Games too but the Indian Olympic Association gave the honour to the double Olympic medallist wrestler.

The 33-year-old is till date India's only individual gold medallist at the Olympics.

The usually reserved shooter achieved the feat when he clinched a historic gold in 10-metre air rifle event at the Games in 2008.

The National Rifle Association of India expressed delight at the development.

"He is India's only singular gold medallist, he is also in the executive board of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). We feel it's a just decision, a wise decision and we whole-heartedly support it," NRAI President Raninder Singh said.

A winner of numerous medals at top international competitions, including the World Championships, World Cup, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Bindra is also one of the goodwill ambassadors of the Indian contingent for the Rio Games and is working towards inspiring the athletes to give their best in the Brazilian city this summer.

Image: Abhinav Bindra on the victory podium after winning the gold medal in the 10-metre air rifle event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

24 Bollywood movies based on sports

With Sachin Tendulkar retiring from Test Cricket, dna finds Bollywood movies in the last 24 years. While some bombed at the box office, others went on to create history in Indian cinema.

Awwal Number

Directed by Dev Anand, the film features Dev Anand himself along with Aamir Khan. It was a box-office flop. The story revolves around cricket where a new star Sunny (Aamir Khan) has been included in the team in place of another famous star Ronny (Aditya Pancholi).

All this creates hatred in the heart of Ronny against Sunny, although Sunny respects him. Ronny decides to take revenge on Sunny; meanwhile a terrorist decides to put a bomb in the field where a match is to be organised between India and Australia.

DIG Vikram Singh (Dev Anand) comes to know about the plan of the terrorists and his brother goes on to prevent the attack, saving thousands of lives. Sunny also becomes a star by playing a match-winning stroke for the country.

Lagaan

Yet another Aamir Khan starrer, Lagaan was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. It starred Gracy Singh as the female lead; British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles. The film was shot in a village near Bhuj.

The film is set in the Victorian period of India's colonial British Raj and revolves around the peasants from a barren village who are oppressed by high taxes imposed by their rulers. They attempt to persuade the British officers to reduce the taxes because of poor agricultural production. Instead, a wager is offered: If their village team beats a British team in a game of cricket, their taxes for three years would be cancelled. After accepting this wager, the villagers face the arduous task of learning an alien game and playing for a result that will change their village's destiny.

Lagaan received critical acclaim and awards at international film festivals, as well as many Indian film awards. It became the third Indian film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film afterMother India (1957) and Salaam Bombay! (1988). It was one of the biggest box office hits of 2001.

Stumped

Written and directed by Gaurav Pandey, this film marks Raveena Tondon's debut as a producer.

Reena and her husband Major Raghav Seth; Ranga Khetrapal, Swadesh Deshpande and their respective wives; Laltu Singh, his wife, Neetu, and son, Bhola; the building watchman, Dukhiram; bachelor Subramaniam; and a visually-challenged Holy man, Baba, are some of the residents in Happy Home Society. The common interest shared by most of them is their love of playing and watching cricket. Reena experiences isolation after her husband is called back to Kargil to battle terrorists. She is befriended by three youngsters who have a crush her. Things, however, change dramatically after she gets word that her husband is missing and believed dead. Watch what impact this news has on the residents and their interest in cricket.

Iqbal

Written by Vipul K Rawal and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the film was released under Subhash Ghai's new banner, Mukta Searchlight Films. It starred Shreyas Talpade in the lead.

The story follows a cricket-obsessed boy from a remote Indian village as he aims to overcome his difficulties and become a cricketer and fulfil his dream of playing for the Indian national cricket team.

Say Salaam India

Written and directed by Subhash Kapoor, the film stars Sanjay Suri, Milind Soman and Sandhya Mridul.

Salaam India is the story of cricket. It revolves around a group of 4 boys and their passion for the game. The boys come from humble backgrounds and limited resources but what they have is a zeal for the game of cricket and undeniable natural talent. They study in the local corporation school where the most important sport on agenda is wrestling. Taught by Wrestling Guru Surinder Huda — a man driven by hatred for cricket because in his eyes it is cricket that is responsible for destroying traditional sports like Kushti, Kabbadi, and Hockey etc.

Hattrick

Directed by Milan Luthria, this 2007 Bollywood film, stars Paresh Rawal, Rimi Sen, Kunal Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Danny Denzongpa.

Despite of cricket fever, there are two people in India who dislike it's influence over their lives. The first is Dr Satyajit Chavan, who will not permit anyone in his home nor the hospital to view nor hear anything related to it; and the second is Kashmira, who is recently married to Sarabjeet Singh, and hates cricket as her husband is obsessed with it and has even neglected to be attentive leave alone take her for a honeymoon.

Then there is Hemandra Patel, located in England for over 10 years, works as an airport Janitor, but has told everyone he is a Customs Officer, is awaiting word on his becoming a Citizen, but his fate rests with Immigration Officer, Cook, who hates all Patels, including Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Watch how the world cup influences them, and the shock that awaits Hemandra when he finds that his daughter is secretly seeing an English-African man by the name of Silver.

Chain Kulii ki Main Kulii

Directed by Kittu Saluja, it stars Zain Khan and Rahul Bose in the leads. The film's title is taken from lines spoken by Amitabh Bachchan's character in the 1982 film Satte Pe Satta. The film is based on the Hollywood movie Like Mike in which a 13-year-old boy finds sneakers once belonging to NBA legend Michael Jordan. The film features music by Salim-Sulaiman and lyrics by Irfan Siddiqui. Cricketer Kapil Dev also makes a cameo appearance in the film.

Meerabai Not Out

Meerabai Not Out stars Mahesh Manjrekar, Mandira Bedi, Eijaz Khan and Anupam Kher. Presented by Pritish Nandy Communications, the film is directed by Chandrakant Kulkarni.

Mandira Bedi plays a deglam role of a cricket-crazy fan. Anil Kumble is also seen for a small role in the film.

Jannat

Jannat was directed by Kunal Deshmukh, and produced by Mukesh Bhatt. The film stars Emraan Hashmi opposite Sonal Chauhan in lead roles. It released on May 16, 2008, and received positive response from critics, and managed to do well at the box office and was a huge success worldwide.

Victory

With Harman Baweja, Amrita Rao and Anupam Kher in the lead, the film is related to cricket. It is Harman Baweja's second release after his debut filmLove Story 2050, which performed very badly at the box office.

The movie was filmed in Australia and India, and is said to be one of Bollywood's most expensive movies to date. Victory tells the story of a struggling cricketer who defies all odds to realise an almost impossible dream.

Dil Bole Hadippa!

Dil Bole Hadippa! is directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner. It stars Shahid Kapoor and Rani Mukerji in pivotal roles in the story about a young woman who pretends to be a man to join an all-male cricket team.

It also has Anupam Kher, Dalip Tahil, Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra in supporting roles. The film was a box office failure. It is loosely inspired from 2006 Hollywood film She's the Man, which is itself adapted from Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night.

World Cupp 2011

World Cupp 2011 is a sport and crime film directed by debutante Ravi Kapoor. It deals on match fixings and involvement of the Underworld. It stars Ravi Kapoor and Manisha Chatterjee in the leads.

Patiala House

Patiala House is a family drama/sports directed by Nikhil Advani and starring Akshay Kumar and Anushka Sharma. British Asian actor Armaan Kirmani makes his debut in this film as Akshay's brother. It was produced by Bhushan Kumar, Mukesh Talreja, Krishan Kumar and Twinkle Khanna under the banner of People Tree Films, Credence Motion Pictures and Hari Om Entertainment. Akshay Kumar plays the role of a fast bowler, loosely based upon Monty Panesar.

Ferrari Ki Sawari

Ferrari Ki Sawaari is a 2012 sports comedy film directed by Rajesh Mapuskar. The film is written by Rajesh Mapuskar and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, starring Sharman Joshi in the lead.

Kai Po Che

Kai Po Che! directed by Abhishek Kapoor based on Chetan Bhagat's novelThe 3 Mistakes of My Life. Sushant Singh Rajput, Raj Kumar Yadav and Amit Sadh star as the three main protagonists while Amrita Puri plays the female lead.

Set in Ahmedabad, the story revolves around three friends, Ishaan (Sushant Singh Rajput), Omi (Amit Sadh) and Govind (Raj Kumar Yadav), who want to start their own sports shop and sports academy. The film tracks their deep friendship, and innocence tarnished by religious politics and communal hatred, which results in their fallout, and an eventual death.

Chak De! India (Hockey)

Chak De! India is a 2007 Hindi-language Indian sports drama film about field hockey in India. Directed by Shimit Amin and produced by Yash Raj Films, with action by Rob Miller of ReelSports, the film stars Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, the former captain of the Indian hockey team. Chak De! India was critically acclaimed and went on to win numerous awards in the Best Film category including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (Cycling)

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar was directed by Mansoor Khan. The film stars Aamir Khan, Ayesha Jhulka, Mamik Singh, Deepak Tijori and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in the lead roles, Aamir's brother Faisal Khan makes a special appearance. The film won the Filmfare award for best movie.

Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (Football)

Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal was produced by Ronnie Screwvala and directed by Vivek Agnihotri for UTV Motion Pictures. The film stars John Abraham, Bipasha Basu, Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani. Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal is a contemporary fictional story of the South Asian community in the UK, told through the prism of professional football.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is based on the life of "The Flying Sikh" Milkha Singh, an Indian athlete who was a national champion runner and an Olympian.

The film has been produced and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra on a script written by Prasoon Joshi, with sports action by Rob Miller of ReelSports. The film stars Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor, Divya Dutta, Pavan Malhotra, Meesha Shafi and Yograj Singh.

Paan Singh Tomar

Paan Singh Tomar is based on the true story of an athlete Paan Singh Tomar who served the Indian Army and won a gold medal at Indian National Games, but was forced to become a notorious bandit. It is directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and produced by UTV Motion Pictures. Irrfan plays the titular role, with Mahie Gill, Vipin Sharma and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in supporting roles.

Striker

Striker is an action-drama film written, directed and produced by Chandan Arora. It stars Siddharth, Padmapriya, Vidya Malvade, Nicolette Bird, Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas and Aditya Pancholi. It also premiered on YouTube the same day, thus becoming the first ever Indian film to premiere on YouTube internationally on the same day as its domestic theatrical release.

Apne

Directed by Anil Sharma, this is the first and one of the three films to feature real life father and sons Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol together. Sunny and Bobby had worked together before in Dillagi and Dharmendra and Sunny had also appeared together in Sultanat (1986) andKshatriya (1993). Kiron Kher, Shilpa Shetty and Katrina Kaif play the female leads. The film opened to an excellent response across India and emerged as a hit overseas as well

Bend it Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham is a comedy-drama film starring Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Anupam Kher, Shaznay Lewis, and Archie Panjabi, first released in the United Kingdom. The film was directed by Gurinder Chadha. Its title refers to the football player David Beckham and his skill at scoring from free kicks by bending the ball past a wall of defenders.

Ehsaas

Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, the film stars Sunil Shetty as Ravi, who could not fulfil his dream to become an ace athlete but now wants his son — Rohan (Master Mayank Tandon) to fulfil that and get everything in his life which he (the father) could not get. For this purpose, he behaves with him like a strict disciplinarian without caring for the fact that his harsh attitude is taking his little son away from him.

For Team India's coaching job: List of all veterans who have applied for the prestigious position

Shastri had worked with the Indian team for 18 months as its director, before his contract came to an end after ICC World Twenty20.

New Delhi: BCCI's advertisement for the next Indian coach has received a huge response, as several stalwarts of the game have applied for the prestigious job.

Former India medium pacer Balwinder Singh Sandhu is the latest Test player to apply for the position.

Former medium-pacer Venkatesh Prasad applied for the job of India coach on Wednesday.

Soon after the advertisement was posted by the Indian board, reputed names like Ravi Shastri, Lalchand Rajput, Sandip Patil and Vikram Rathour applied for the position.

Shastri is the biggest name that has so far applied for the coveted post apart from current chairman of selectors and another former coach Sandeep Patil , who has also thrown his hat in the ring.

Shastri had worked with the Indian team for 18 months as its director, before his contract came to an end after ICC World Twenty20.

India's Seema Tomar records her second best, finishes fifth at International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup

Seema Tomar from India came fifth at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup being held in San Marino.

India's trap shooter Seema Tomar recorded her second best finish in a World Cup ever as she came fifth in the Women's Trap event on day one at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for Shotgun, which got underway in the tiny European republic of San Marino on Friday.

The former World Cup silver medallist shot a terrific 72 out of 75, which was her best qualification score in a World Cup, to be one of six women to reach the final rounds. Seema's score was second best and only one less than Emma Elizabeth Cox's 73. While Seema could not then qualify for the medal matches and bowed out in fifth position, the Australian Emma eventually landed the Gold medal.

On Saturday, in the Men's Trap event, Kynan Chenai was the best finishing Indian among three, as he shot 117 to end in 24th place ahead of his compatriot Prithviraj Tondaiman, who shot the same score but was placed 28th. Manavjit Singh Sandhu, the most experienced of the three, came into his own in the last round of shots with a perfect 25, but having started poorly, could only manage a score of 115 to finish in the 38th place.

Kynan and Manavjit are preparing for this year's Olympics to be held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janerio in August.

Nita Ambani nominated to IOC

IOC is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement and is responsible for holding of the summer and winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Nita Ambani has been nominated for membership in the International Olympic Committee. (Source: BCCI)

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s wife Nita Ambani has been nominated for membership in the International Olympic Committee and will become the first Indian woman to be on the apex sporting body if she gets elected at the IOC Session scheduled from August 2 to 4.

The Switzerland-based IOC is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement and is responsible for holding of the summer and winter Olympics and Paralympics.

“Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation has been nominated as a candidate to be a new member, pending election, of the IOC,” a statement said.

The election will be held at the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro on August 2-4.

The independent selection process follows a new procedure for recruitment of IOC members based on the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations.

Once elected, she will continue to be a member until the age of 70.

Ambani is the first Indian woman to be nominated to the IOC.

Sir Dorabji Tata was the first Indian representative in the IOC while Raja Randhir Singh is currently a honorary member of the IOC and he was a member from 2000-2014.

Technically, as per the Olympic Charter and the IOC rules, the category under which Ambani is being considered is the one for volunteers who represent the IOC and Olympic Movement in their country.

They are not delegates of their country within the IOC.

The retirement age for such nominees is until they reach 70 years.

Since December 1999, the number of members has been limited to 115, which includes a maximum of 70 individual members, 15 active athletes, 15 representatives of the International Federations, and 15 representatives of the NOCs.

The term of office of members is 70 years for those whose election took place after 1999.

The 70 IOC members (excluding those from International Federations, athletes and representations of National Olympic Committee) are volunteers who represent the IOC and Olympic Movement in their country.

New members are elected by the IOC Session.

Each candidature file is analysed by the IOC Nominations Commission, then forwarded to the Executive Board.

The latter submits its proposals to the Session, which elects new members by secret ballot.

Ambani said, “I believe in the power of sport to shape our youth, to bring together communities and bridge gaps between cultures and generations. I am grateful to IOC for this opportunity, it’s a recognition of India and Indian women. I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute in meeting the goals of IOC.”

Her nomination is acknowledgement of her work at the grassroots and in promoting education and sports.

Sushil Kumar misused public money, alleges WFI; judgment on June 6 .

WFI alleged that Sushil Kumar 'misused public money' by training away from the Indian team in Georgia
The judgement in Sushil-Narsingh case would be announced on June 6. (Source: File)

In the latest twist in the ongoing Sushil Kumar vs Narsingh Yadva saga, Wrestling Federation of India has alleged that Sushil Kumar ‘misused public money’ during his Georgia training.

In March, Indian wrestlers were sent for a training camp in Georgia but Sushil didn’t train with the team.

• He was training 40 kms away from the camp with the Georgian wrestling team. He defended his decision saying “if I had to train with Indian wrestlers, I could have done that in India only. I get to train with better Georgian wrestlers.”
  
  14 RetweetHe was training 40 kms away from the camp with the Georgian wrestling team. He defended his decision saying “if I had to train with Indian wrestlers, I could have done that in India only. I get to train with better Georgian wrestlers.”

During the hearing on Thursday in Delhi High Court WFI alleged that Sushil ‘misappropriated public money’ by training away from the Indian team.

• 3 Retweets6 like

The case has ended and the judgment will be pronounced on Monday, June 6. Sushil had filed a petition in Delhi HC seeking trails in the 74 kg category for a spot in the Rio Olympics team. Narsingh has won the quota for India in that category.

Maria Sharapova with perfect keepy-uppies

Maria Sharapova who is away from the tennis courts while she awaits decision on her suspension, she's been training and staying fit.

Maria Sharapova was suspended after testing positive for meldonium. (Source: Reuters)

Maria Sharapova showed some of her football skills as the ace tennis player uploaded a video on her Instagram account. The Russian did some perfect keepy-uppies using both her feet and thighs.

Sharapova was suspended from the game after she was tested positive for meldonium, a banned drug.

Here’s a look at Maria Sharapova’s football skills.

French Open 2016: Sania Mirza-Ivan Dodig to face Leander Paes-Martina Hingis in mixed-doubles final

Sania Mirza last won a mixed doubles Grand Slam trophy at 2014 US Open with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares.

Sania Mirza and her partner Ivan Dodig won 6-1 3-6 10-6 in the quarterfinal contest. (Source: File)

On a day that saw the mixed doubles pairings play twice, due to the rain backlog, it was Sania Mirza and Ivan Dodig along with  Leander Paes and Martina Hingis who emerged on top in battling semifinals.

Both teams had to go through two tough sets followed by a supertiebreak to seal their place in the final which will be played on Saturday.

Playing simultaneously on side-by-side courts, Paes and Hingis overcame the challenge of Andrea Hlavackova and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 3-6, 10-7. On the other hand, Mirza and Dodig had the tougher task of beating French pairing of Kristina Mladenovic and Pierre-Hugues Herbert 4-6, 6-3, 12-10.

A win for Paes would mean a Grand Slam for him in mixed doubles – i.e. winning all four Majors – something he has already achieved in men’s doubles. An unprecedented and daunting task for someone who is 42 and still chasing the dream of representing his country at the Olympics.

Earlier in the day, Mirza and Dodig overcame a mid-match lapse to beat the seventh seeded Yung-Jan Chan and Max Mirnyi 6-1, 3-6, 10-6 in the quarterfinals.

Sania last won a mixed doubles Grand Slam trophy at 2014 US Open with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares.

And in the top-half of the draw, Paes and Hingis cruised to the semifinals after beating Elena Vesnina and Soares 6-4, 6-3.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali hospitalised with respiratory issues

Ali has been hospitalized several times in recent years, most recently in early 2015 when he was treated for a severe urinary tract infection.

Muhammad Ali has suffered from Parkinson’s for three decades, most famously trembling badly while lighting the Olympic torch in 1996 in Atlanta.

Boxing great Muhammad Ali is hospitalized in the Phoenix area with what two people familiar with his condition say may be more serious problems than his previous hospital stays.

The people told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ali is fighting respiratory issues that are complicated by the Parkinson’s that he was diagnosed with in the 1980s.

The two spoke separately in describing Ali’s condition that they say is concerning to family members.

The people declined to be identified because they were not speaking on behalf of the family.

A spokesman for Ali sent out a release earlier Thursday saying the former heavyweight champion is being treated at an unidentified hospital for a respiratory issue.

Spokesman Bob Gunnell said that the 74-year-old was in fair condition, and that a brief hospital stay was expected.

Ali’s longtime Parkinson’s doctor declined comment when reached by the AP on Thursday night.

“I can’t really say much more than what’s in the papers,” said Dr. Abraham Lieberman of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Ali has been hospitalized several times in recent years, most recently in early 2015 when he was treated for a severe urinary tract infection initially diagnosed as pneumonia.

Ali has looked increasingly frail in public appearances in recent years, including on April 9 when he wore sunglasses and was hunched over at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner in Phoenix, which raises funds for treatment of Parkinson’s.

His last formal public appearance before that was in October when he appeared at the Sports Illustrated Tribute to Muhammad Ali at The Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, along with former opponents George Foreman and Larry Holmes.

Ali has suffered from Parkinson’s for three decades, most famously trembling badly while lighting the Olympic torch in 1996 in Atlanta.

Despite the disease he kept up a busy appearance schedule until recently, though he has not communicated verbally in public for years.

Doctors say the Parkinson’s was likely caused by the thousands of punches Ali took during his career, where he traveled the world meeting opponents in big fights.

An iconic figure who was at one point arguably the most recognized person in the world, Ali has lived quietly in the Phoenix area with his fourth wife, Lonnie, who he married in 1986.

News of his hospitalization brought well wishes from boxers and others on Twitter, including Sugar Ray Leonard, who modeled his career after Ali.

“Prayers & blessings to my idol, my friend, & without question, the Greatest of All Time @MuhammadAli ! #GOAT,” Leonard wrote.

IPL 2016 Final: Who said what about SRH’s win

Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs to win their maiden Indian Premier League title.

Sunrisers Hyderabad defended 208 against Royal Challengers Bangalore to win IPL 2016 title by 8 runs. (Source: PTI)

Sunrisers Hyderabad clinched the 2016 IPL title by beating Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final. The Hyderabad unit sucessfully defended 209 runs even after fifties from Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli for RCB.

After their effort, Twitterati was in full praise of the team as they won their maiden title.