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MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015 SPORTS Kerala Super League to commence in 2016 Omani footballers to participate in KSL MUSCAT: Passions in soccer mad Kerala throughout the State and telecast “live”. are likely to get re-ignited with the set- Each Franchise squad will comprise a ting up of the Kerala Super League (KSL), maximum of 30 players comprising max- during the first quarter of 2016. imum 4 overseas players and a minimum A brainchild of the Kerala Football of 5 Catchment and U-20 players each. Association (KFA) and the Celebrity KSL will involve teams owned and Management Group (CMG), KSL is a con- controlled by professional companies, cept that will take the game’s popularity business entities and entrepreneurs with to soaring levels in Kerala as well as in a deep and abiding love of the great India. KSL will be the biggest domestic game of soccer. soccer venture ever undertaken in India One such entrepreneur is based here at the State level. in Muscat and who a few days ago had Some of the striking features of KSL pledged his full support to this fledgling will include the roping in of extremely enterprise with the franchise purchase skillful overseas players, the chance for of the club representing KOZHIKODE budding home grown talent to make (also known as CALICUT), the Mecca of even before the creation of this tiny taken the first step in making that dream coaches and trainers. Nabeel sought full their mark on the big stage and of Kerala football. Nabeel Najeeb, General state and especially during the glorious a reality. For the moment, he is in close cooperation from local media in Kerala course, the opportunity to provide top Manager of Ships Agency and days of Indian football, particularly the discussions with famous Indian Football and abroad to popularize the project class entertainment to audiences International Logistics Co LLC, Oman 50’s and 60’s when the country was a Clubs to join hands along with sponsor- seeking support from sponsors and starved of quality football in their own (SHIPCO OMAN) has just arrived back in force to reckon with in Asia. The city had ship negotiations with potential corpo- associates. backyard. Muscat after attending the recently in the 60’s and 70’s hosted the wildly rates and major companies. “The Eight In keeping with the close diplomatic The KSL will consist of 8 Franchised organized Franchise purchase ceremony popular Sait Nagjee tournament at the Year Franchise would bring about excit- links that Oman and India have shared City teams during the inaugural season held in Cochin. famous Corporation Stadium, a tourney ing footballing opportunities for the for over six decades, Nabeel is keen on which will run for about 10 weeks. Each Kozhikode, the premier city of the that had witnessed a galaxy of Indian youth in my home district”, Nabeel went associating with the Oman Football Franchise will play against each other at Malabar region of Kerala has always stars dazzling their way into thousands on to state. While nurturing the local tal- Association. It is envisaged that the OFA home and away, the top 4 Franchises of been famous for its non-partisan and of hearts with their sorcery and skills. ents, KSL would provide opportunities to could consider the idea of permitting the league will contest the semifinals vociferous crowds. Soccer is almost a Nabeel Najeeb fondly hankers for a play with celebrated national players Omani footballers to participate in this and a total of 63 matches will be held religion in this part of the world. In fact, revival of those golden years and has and getting exposure to experienced League. Hirscher becomes first to win Alta Badia GS 3 straight years LA VILLA: Marcel Hirscher became the first Austrian’s wins came in slalom in 2011. “It’s skier to win the challenging Alta Badia better to think about that when I retire,” giant slalom in three consecutive years yes- Hirscher said. “Every victory, every podium terday, reclaiming the overall World Cup is nice.” lead from Aksel Lund Svindal in the process. UNBELIEVABLE SKIING Erasing a slim first-run disadvantage, Hirscher has finished on the podium in Hirscher finished 0.19 seconds ahead of every race he’s entered this season, includ- Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway on the ing his first career super-G victory in Beaver steep and twisty Gran Risa Course. Creek, Colorado, two weeks ago. “I skied totally my 100 percent,” Hirscher “Marcel is skiing unbelievable,” said. “I think Kristoffersen was a little bit Kristoffersen said. “For sure he’s the best smoother but I pushed harder.” technical skier right now and also one of Kristoffersen beat Hirscher in a slalom in Val the greatest of all time. d’Isere, France, last weekend and feels he Tomba’s wins on the Gran Risa came in can do the same in GS. 1987, ‘90, ‘91 and ‘94. Kalle Palander of “I’m getting closer and closer to Marcel,” Finland and Massimiliano Blardone of Italy Kristoffersen said. “Soon somebody has to also each have three GS wins in Badia. The beat him, so why not me?” Opening-leg 36-year-old Blardone finished 22nd Sunday leader Victor Muffat-Jeandet of France end- - which was an accomplishment with the ed up third, 0.86 behind. “It’s a new experi- No. 56 bib - then told the crowd it was his ence starting the second run in the lead,” last time racing the Gran Risa. He plans to Muffat-Jeandet said. “It was a really strong retire at the end of this season. emotion. If I want to fight with them I need In the overall standings, Hirscher moved two really crazy runs. But that will come.” 20 points ahead of Norwegian rival Svindal, Olympic and three-time world champion who finished 28th. Kjetil Jansrud, who is Ted Ligety moved up from 10th after the third overall, didn’t qualify for the second morning run to finish fourth, missing the run in 37th. It was Hirscher’s 35th World podium by nearly half a second. Cup win and puts him back on track to “It was a nice step in the right direction,” become the first man to win five consecu- said Ligety, who has been struggling since tive overall titles. missing a month of training due to back Ligety led a strong day for the U.S. Ski and hip injuries after the season opener in Team, with Tim Jitloff finishing seventh and Soelden, Austria. “I’m just trying to get Tommy Ford placing 12th after posting the healthy again and get the feeling back.” fastest second run by a large margin. BUFFALO: Matt Moulson #26 of the Buffalo Sabres skates after the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks at the First Niagara Center on Saturday Ligety has won twice on the Gran Risa and Alta Badia is celebrating its 30th in Buffalo, New York. —AFP been on the podium six times. Italian great anniversary of World Cup racing, with Alberto Tomba holds the course record Swedish great Ingemark Stenmark having with four GS wins. Hirscher also has four won the first race on the Gran Risa in Kane leads Blackhawks to 3-2 victories in Badia, although one of the 1985. — AP shootout win over Sabres BUFFALO: Patrick Kane made his Buffalo home- game skid that followed a 10-game winning since hiring Mike Sullivan as coach to replace the coming a winning one by scoring the tying goal streak. Jaroslav Halak stopped 28 shots for the fired Mike Johnston. Cam Ward made 37 saves in in the final minute and then adding the lone Islanders. his second start in as many nights. Evgeni Malkin shootout goal in leading the Chicago Blackhawks ended Pittsburgh’s 0-for-19 power-play drought to a 3-2 victory over the Sabres on Saturday. Kane STARS 6, CANADIENS 2 with his 15th goal of the season in the second tied it with 34 seconds left while the Blackhawks Jamie Benn had two goals and an assist and period. Matt Murray stopped 24 shots in his first enjoyed a 6-on-3 advantage. Dennis Rasmussen the Stars beat the Canadiens in a matchup of NHL start for Pittsburgh. also scored for Chicago, which improved to 6-2 in first-place teams. Benn regained the NHL lead its past eight. Ryan O’Reilly and Cody Franson with 22 goals, passing the Blues’ Vladimir BLUE JACKETS 3, FLYERS 2, SO scored for Buffalo, which is 0-7-1 in its past eight Tarasenko. Jason Spezza had a goal and two Brandon Dubinsky scored in the sixth games against Chicago. assists, and Tyler Seguin and Patrick Sharp each shootout round, rookie Joonas Korpisalo got his had a goal and an assist. Patrick Eaves added a first NHL win and the Columbus Blue Jackets AVALANCHE 5, OILERS 1 power-play goal. Stars goalie Antti Niemi made beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Saturday Semyon Varlamov made 39 saves, Jarome 21 saves. Daniel Carr scored on the power play night. Cam Atkinson also scored in the shootout Iginla scored his 598th career goal and the for Montreal, and Paul Byron added a short- for Columbus. Brandon Saad and Ryan Murray Avalanche beat the Oilers for their fifth consecu- handed goal. scored to give Columbus a 2-0 lead. Korpisalo ALTA BADIA: Marcel Hirscher of Austria competes in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup tive win. Varlamov tied his career high with his had 30 saves before the shootout, where he Men’s Giant Slalom yesterday in Alta Badia, northern Italy.