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DELHI THE HINDU 16 SPORT SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Olympics in doubt even in 2021: Tokyo CEO BCCI clears contracted Don’t know if it is going to be possible to get the virus under control by next July, says Muto players’ dues

Associated Press Press Trust of India Tokyo poned last month with a new qualifies as an event that is the financial year,” he opening set for July 23, 2021, covered is not clear yet.” New Delhi said. As the coronavirus spreads followed by the Paralympics The BCCI has cleared the The England and in Japan, the chief executive on Aug. 24. The flame quarterly dues of all its Australian players have of the Tokyo Games said on “We have made the deci­ He was also asked about the centrally­contracted admitted openly that they Friday he wouldn’t be able to sion to postpone the games Olympic flame, which was ta­ cricketers and vowed not are bracing up for pay guarantee that the post­ by one year,” said Muto. “So ken off public display this to let anyone suffer cuts. poned Olympics will be this means that all we can do week in Fukushima prefec­ despite the uncertainty The announcement of staged next year — even with is work hard to prepare for ture. Muto had an away­ triggered by the COVID­19 central contracts has been a 16­month delay. the Games. We sincerely from­the­microphone talk pandemic. postponed in Australia, Japanese Prime Minister hope that come next year, with Tokyo spokesman Masa Major cricket boards while England skipper Joe Shinzo Abe issued an emer­ mankind will manage to Takaya before talking about like those of England and Root has applied for gency declaration this week overcome the coronavirus the flame. Australia have indicated furlough along with his to battle the virus, putting crisis.” “After the Olympic torch that players will have to Yorkshire teammates. the country under restric­ Muto was asked several relay was cancelled, the take pay cuts. Under the furlough tions after it couldn’t avoid times about the added costs Olympic flame was put un­ “When the lockdown scheme, the British the spread. of postponing, which has der the management of To­ was announced on March government pays 80 per “I don’t think anyone been estimated by Japanese kyo 2020,” Muto said. 24, the BCCI was ready for cent of wages — up to would be able to say if it is go­ media at between $2 bil­ There are suggestions the any eventuality. The £2,500 — per month. ing to be possible to get it un­ lion­$6 billion. He said it was International Olympic Com­ Board clears quarterly A BCCI official said the der control by next July or too soon to know the price mittee is thinking of taking instalments of central Board’s financial stability not,” Tokyo organising com­ tag and who would pay. the flame on a world tour, contract payments to its helps in testing times mittee CEO Toshiro Muto He also revealed that the hoping to use it as a symbol players,” a BCCI official when some of the other said, speaking through an in­ Tokyo organisers had taken of the battle against the vi­ told PTI. boards are struggling to terpreter at a news confe­ insurance policies. “Tokyo rus. However, any tour “Plus the match fees of even pay their domestic rence conducted remotely. 2020 has taken out several would be impossible until all those who played for players. “Neither our “We certainly are not in a po­ insurance policies,” said Mu­ travel restrictions are lifted. India and India­A during international nor our sition to give you a clear to. Taking the flame away Around the world in solidarity: The Olympic flame, which was taken off public display this this period, all these dues domestic cricketers will answer.” “But whether the post­ from Japan could also upset week, could go on a world tour — as a symbol of the battle against the virus — if travel were cleared at the end of suffer,” the official said. The Olympics was post­ ponement of the Games the hosts. restrictions are lifted. * AFP ‘I want to play in next Candidates’ Online blitz event raises nearly ₹2.40 lakh HNZ cancels India tour World No. 23 Vidit has been busy with online games ‘Let’s Fight Corona Together’ attracts 180 players, including 17 GMs SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT RAKESH RAO rior tie­break score. There Seasoned GMs Dibyendu jayalakshmi, Sriram Jha and NEW DELHI CHESS NEW DELHI was no entry fee, but each Barua, K. Sasikiran and Nee­ S. Meenakshi donated After the suspension of P.K. Ajith Kumar The online­friendly nature of participant was expected to lotpal Das contributed ₹7000. matches in the Europe leg chess played its part perfect­ donate a minimum of ₹100 ₹20,000 each. of the Pro League, the In­ idit Gujrathi may be par­ ly as Chessbase India organ­ and a maximum of whatever Nihal, the eventual cham­ Unknown contributor dian men’s hockey team’s Vdoned if he thought he ised a one­day event that he/she was comfortable pion who was a last­minute Shiv Shome, 13, chose to home games against New wouldn’t be too busy after helped raise ₹2,39,742 to­ with. entry, pitched in with shell out ₹2,500 while an un­ Zealand have also been the coronavirus crisis forced wards PM­CARES fund. ₹7,500. GMs Magesh Chan­ known contributor, who did cancelled due to the CO­ him to cancel his flight tick­ Titled, “Let’s Fight Coro­ Live streaming dran, Arun Prasad, M.S. Thej not play, donated ₹10,000. VID­19 pandemic. The New ets to Europe and the United na Together”, this online Interestingly, Vidit also did Kumar, N. Srinath and Ankit IM Sagar Shah and FIDE Zealand men were sche­ States. blitz chess event attracted live streaming of his games Rajpara contributed ₹5,000 instructor Niklesh Jain are duled to play back­to­back But,the strongest Indian 180 players including 17 that raised ₹37,028 in two each. holding online classes since games on May 23 and 24 in chess player after Viswanath­ GMs, with India No. 2 Vidit hours. GM R.R. Laxman not only the beginning of the lock­ Bhubaneswar. an Anand (World No. 15), Vi­ Gujrathi being the top seed. Out of this, a donation of chipped in with ₹4,500, but down to raise funds. “Following the New Zea­ dit (No. 23) has been playing For the record, Kerala’s ₹25,000 came from a gener­ also encouraged many to Shah, also the co­founder land government’s travel one online event after the rising star Nihal Sarin won ous Coimbatore­based chess play the event. GM Diptayan and CEO of Chessbase India, restrictions and lockdown, other from his home in Nash­ the title, ahead of Aravindh lover, C. Vinith. Ghosh donated ₹3,000. said, “We have raised an ad­ combined with the medi­ ik. Chithambaram and Vidit. Among players, notable Interestingly, Sasikiran, ditional ₹74,179 in the last 16 cal advice of team doctors The goal: Vidit Gujrathi says he wants to break into the The trio tallied eight was the contribution of 16­ Arun and Thej were among days through online classes. and in the interests of the

Fund­raiser world’s top 10. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT points each from nine year­old GM Arjun Erigasi those who contributed with­ More importantly every day health, safety and well­be­ On Saturday, the 25­year­old DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD rounds but Nihal was ad­ who gave ₹25,000 a day be­ out playing the fund­raiser. close to 500 people learn ing of our players and sup­ will take on around 20 <> I think I will be DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD judged champion on supe­ fore the event. Likewise, the trio of S. Vi­ chess live.” port staff, the decision has players from across the peaking as a player B On Saturday, Vidit will take been made by Hockey New world, at the same time on in two years when on around 20 players Zealand to cancel our tour chess.com, in a fund­raising simultaneously, on of India (men) and China the Candidates is chess.com, in a fund­raising programme for India’s fight held (women) at this present against the virus. event for India’s fight Idea was to win back fans: Pat Cummins time,” HNZ chief executive against the virus Anand, P. Harikrishna, B. event against Abhijit Kunte,” Ian Francis said in a Adhiban, Koneru Humpy he said. “I had drawn that B V. Anand, P. Harikrishna, B. Rejects Clarke’s contentious IPL contracts claim statement. and D. Harika will also be game and Kunte went on to Adhiban, Koneru Humpy While expressing disap­ making their moves. The do­ become my coach.” and D. Harika will also be Press Trust of India David Warner’s suspensions at ₹15.5 crore, told the BBC. pointment, Hockey India nations from the partici­ He said he was happy to making their moves Melbourne and an overall criticism of However, he didn’t rule accepted that the situation DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD pants will go to the PM­ be part of the chess.com The Australian cricket team’s their ‘win at all cost’ out that some players might was not conducive. “It is CARES fund. event. “It is great that all the Vidit’s aim is to be a parti­ low­key aggression against mentality. have harboured thoughts disappointing that the “I am really looking for­ top six Indian players are cipant in the next Candidates India during the 2018­19 Test “I think probably a bigger about Clarke’s assumption matches need to be can­ ward to the event and it is joining for this noble cause,” tournament. Given his con­ series was more about win­ factor was six months before that they went soft on Indian celled, but these are un­ the first time I am giving a si­ he said. “I am told the res­ sistency and age, he is proba­ ning back fans rather than leading into that Indian se­ skipper Virat Kohli in fear of avoidable circumstances multaneous exhibition on­ ponse from the chess fans bly India’s best bet to qualify protecting their IPL con­ ries, the media and everyone losing out on IPL pay­checks. and we support Hockey line,” Vidit told The Hindu. “I has been excellent.” for the Candidates, the win­ tracts, said pace spearhead commentating on the Aussie “I’d say that would have New Zealand’s decision. have been part of such ner of which will earn the Pat Cummins, rejecting cricket team were pretty been a bigger factor than try­ Safety of players and their events physically, though. Dual role right to challenge the World former skipper Michael clear in their direction in the ing to win or lose friends out support staff is a top prior­ Two years ago, I had played “I enjoyed it as well; I was champion. Clarke’s contentious claims. way they wanted the Aussies on the cricket field. But you ity. We hope to host them against 60 in Rajasthan, and giving commentary on my “That is my aim now; I team to go. never know, that might have again soon once the situa­ won all the games.” own live games,” he said. “I think I will be peaking as a Overall criticism “And that was playing a lit­ been a factor for some tion improves,” HI CEO His career in chess had be­ was also part of the com­ player in two years when the The India series was only the tle bit less aggressively out players.” Elena Norman said, adding gun in a simultaneous dis­ mentary team for the recent Candidates is held,” he said. second Test series after the on the field,” Cummins, who Australia skipper Tim that tickets already bought play by a Grandmaster. “I Candidates tournament in “I also want to break into the ball­tampering controversy was supposed to be IPL’s Paine had also rubbished Virat Kohli and Tim Paine. for the same will be refund­ was seven when I played that Russia.” world’s top 10.” that led to Steve Smith and highest paid overseas player Clarke’s claims. * FILE PHOTO ed. AIFF and FIFA IN BRIEF Lockdown more challenging to finalise new Milan ederby today MILAN dates: Patel Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan are set to face off in a than injury recovery: Tirkey video game derby as the football­mad country remains in lockdown. AC Milan's Portuguese striker Rafael Leao will take on WOMEN’S U17 WC Inter's Sebastiano Esposito on Saturday at 6 p.m. IST on eFootball Former India hockey skipper says he misses playing golf Pro Evolution Soccer. The Milan eDerby will be available live on Press Trust of India Y.B. Sarangi Inter and AC Milan's official channels. “Being a derby there is New delhi KOLKATA always the desire to win. But the main objective is to be close to Ex-Olympic champ to The All India Football Fed­ our fans in this complicated time,” said Leao. AFP stage Ironman fundraiser For the first time in his life, eration is in discussion Tendulkar to help feed BERLIN Dilip Tirkey could not go to with world body FIFA to re­ 5000 people Woods recovers from Beijing Olympics triathlon church on Good Friday. He injury, but... tain the original age crite­ MUMBAI champion Jan Frodeno has knows that will be the case ria of the participating Sachin Tendulkar, who has MIAMI come up with an idea to raise even on Easter Sunday. Tiger Woods says he has players and finalise new already donated ₹50 lakh for money to fight COVID­19. Confined to his home in recovered from a sore back dates for the U­17 Women’s the fight against the Frodeno plans to livestream a Bhubaneswar during the that hindered his preparations pandemic, has decided to complete ‘Ironman challenge’ World Cup, AIFF president for the now­postponed lockdown, the former India feed 5000 people for a from his home in Genova, Praful Patel said on Friday. Masters but is missing the hockey captain — and re­ month. “Thankyou, Spain, from 11.30 a.m. IST on Scheduled to be held in Augusta showdown.“I feel a Wright appointed cently turned professional @sachin_rt for stepping in & Saturday. The German will use India in November, the little edgy. I want to get out Derbyshire president golfer — is missing golf and helping Apnalaya help the a home pool for the 3.8km event was postponed by FI­ there. I want to compete,” LONDON public life. But the ex­Mem­ ones suffering the most swim, an exercise bike for the FA last week. “I am happy Woods said. AFP Former New Zealand captain ber of Parliament under­ In competition mode! Tirkey playing ludo with wife Meera during this lockdown. He will 180km ride and run a full to share that we are work­ John Wright has been stands his responsibility. and son Jayesh. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT be taking care of the ration of marathon on a treadmill. AFP appointed president of the ing with FIFA to choose a around 5000 people for a “As a player, captain, and Derbyshire Cricket Club. He new and earliest possible month. There are many more political leader, I have per­ mindset is different. Now, Tirkey, who has been replaces Harold Rhodes, who timeline to host the U­17 individuals who need your formed my responsibilities. it’s more challenging.” named chairman of the new­ was president over the past Women’s World Cup. The support, people! Donate Now, I am performing my Tirkey feels bad for the ly formed Odisha Hockey year. Speaking about the LOC [Local Organising below!,” tweeted Apnalaya. responsibilities as a citizen boys and girls who have Promotion Council (OHPC), appointment, chairman Ian Committee] and FIFA are Tendulkar replied, “My best and obeying the government been sent home from diffe­ hoped that the organisation Morgan, said: “John is one of working to finalise new wishes to @ApnalayaTweets order to stay at home and rent hockey academies in his will begin work for the over­ the greatest batsmen to ever dates keeping health and to continue your work in the contribute in the fight home district Sundargarh all development of the sport play for Derbyshire, scoring safety a priority,” Patel service of the distressed and against coronavirus,” Tirkey because of the lockdown. in the State once the lock­ more than 14,000 runs for tweeted. needy. Keep up your good told The Hindu on Friday. down ends. the club.” IANS China SC rules in favour “We are also in discus­ work.” PTI Tirkey is spending time ‘Tough for trainees’ Right now, Tirkey misses of Michael Jordan sions with #FIFA to keep doing exercises, watching “It’s tough for these young his new love: golf. He finds No match worth risking a life: FIFA boss Infantino BEIJING the age criteria of U­17 Wo­ news programmes, reading, players. Even though they himself addicted to the ZURICH China’s Supreme People’s men’s World Cup the same, FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday said “no match” is worth Court (SPC) has overturned and playing hockey and ludo are safe at home, they get a sport, having teed off at the so that all the players who “risking a single human life” and that world football’s governing earlier rulings by Beijing with son Jayesh. He doesn’t lot of facilities at a hostel. Golconda Masters (Hydera­ have been working very body would be able to help financially national federations during courts to favour U.S. remember when he last Their daily training schedule bad) and PGTI Players’ hard to prepare for the the coronavirus pandemic. “Our first priority, our principle, the basketball legend Michael stayed at home for such a is stopped. Some of them be­ Championship (Bengaluru) tournament, do not miss one we will use for our competitions and encourage everyone to Jordan’s trademark appeal long period. “Once, my an­ long to poor families and in February. “I am missing an opportunity to play due follow is that health comes first,” he said in a video message. “No against a Chinese sportswear kle injury took a long time to their parents are daily wage golf. It’s early in my career, to the postponement,” Pa­ match, no competition, no league is worth risking a single human firm that allegedly infringed heal. But when you are reco­ earners. It is the most diffi­ but I am enjoying it,” he tel added. life.” AFP upon his naming rights. IANS vering from an injury, the cult phase for those kids.” said.

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