Indian Sports Highlights, 14 August: Vinesh Phogat's appeal dismissed, Morkel named India's bowling coach

IOA statement on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal being dismissed: “(IOA president) PT Usha expresses shock and disappointment at the decision of the Sole Arbitrator at the CAS to dismiss wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application against the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).”

“The operative part of the August 14 decision, which dismisses Vinesh’s application to be awarded a shared silver medal in women’s 50 kg category at the Paris Olympic Games has significant implications for her in particular and the sporting community at large,” the IOA stated.

“The marginal discrepancy of a 100 grams and the resultant consequences has profound impact, not only in terms of Vinesh’s career but also raises serious questions about ambiguous rules and their interpretation.”

“The IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination. Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator.”

“The matter involving Vinesh highlights the stringent and, arguably, inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes, particularly female athletes, undergo. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards that prioritise athletes’ well-being.”

“In light of the order of the CAS, the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms. Phogat and is exploring further legal options. The IOA is committed to ensuring that Vinesh’s case is heard. It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports, ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes and everyone in the sports fold are upheld at all times.”

“We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our stakeholders, athletes, and the public.”

In an interim order, CAS ad-hoc panel has dismissed Vinesh Phogat’s appeal to award a joint silver medal in women’s 50kg wrestling at Paris Olympics.

With Paris Olympics done and dusted, the next in focus for Paris are the Paralympics. India have a 84 member contingent with 52 male athletes and 32 female athletes.

Indian contingent will try to equal or better their haul of 19 medals from Tokyo 2020 – five gold, eight silver and six bronze.

The Paris Paralympics begin on August 28 and go until September 8.

From X: “President Droupadi Murmu met the Indian Contingent of the Paris Olympics 2024 at Ganatantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President congratulated the players for their excellent efforts and great performance; and said that they are a source of inspiration for all the youth of the country, especially the young players.”

President Droupadi Murmu met the Indian Contingent of the Paris Olympics 2024 at Ganatantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President congratulated the players for their excellent efforts and great performance; and said that they are a source of inspiration for all the youth of… pic.twitter.com/iUequ3kd8y

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 14, 2024

With the announcement of his signing an hour before start, Yuzvendra Chahal has already made a mark for Northamptonshire. On his debut in the 50-over competition, Chahal took five wickets for Northamptonshire Steelbacks to help them to a nine-wicket victory over the Kent Spitfires at Canterbury.

Chahal took 5 for 14 during an unbroken 10-over spell, as the hosts were dismissed for just 82 in 35.1 overs.

16.1 | Yuzi strikes! 🌀

Chahal beats the bat of Singh and McManus produces some brilliant work behind the stumps. ⚡

Spitfires 49/5.

Watch live 👉 https://t.co/CU8uwteMyd pic.twitter.com/Mm1phl6dLZ

— Northamptonshire Steelbacks (@NorthantsCCC) August 14, 2024

Former India seamer Dodda Ganesh has been appointed the new Kenya cricket team head coach on a one-year contract.

“Privileged to be named the head coach of the Kenya cricket team,” Ganesh posted on X (formerly Twitter).

India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has joined Northamptonshire for their last fixture in the One-Day Cup and remaining five matches in the County Championship Division Two.

“Northamptonshire County Cricket Club are delighted that Indian international Yuzvendra Chahal will join the club for the final One-Day Cup match at Kent and the remaining five County Championship fixtures,” Northamptonshire said in a statement.

“Also previously an India youth international in the sport of chess, Chahal spent time at Kent in the 2023 season, taking nine wickets in two of their three Division One matches of the campaign,” it added.

“Yuzvendra is another high-profile overseas player who brings with him a wealth of experience and some incredible skills. His record speaks for itself and his wicket-taking ability will add strength to our attack,” said Northamptonshire head coach John Sadler.

Team A: Shubman Gill (C), Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, Shaswat Rawat.

Team B: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, N Jagadeesan (WK).

Team C: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Umran Malik, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (WK), Sandeep Warrier.

Team D: Shreyas lyer (C), Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (WK), Saurabh Kumar.

The All India Football Federation will hold two charity football matches to raise funds for the relief work in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh. Both the states have been devastated by natural disasters.

The AIFF is trying to schedule its first benefit match in Manjeri in Malappuram district of Kerala on August 30 between Kolkata outfit Mohammedan Sporting Club and a Super League Kerala XI. AIFF has proposed September 2 as the date for the second charity match in Lucknow. However, further details are still being chalked out by the governing body with the prospective clubs.

🇮​​🇨​​🇴​​🇳​​🇮​​🇨​ ​🇯​​🇪​​🇷​​🇸​​🇪​​🇾​ ​🇳​​🇴​ 1️⃣6️⃣ ​🇳​​🇴​​🇼​ ​🇼​​🇮​​🇱​​🇱​ ​🇳​​🇴​​🇼​ ​🇧​​🇪​ ​🇦​ ​🇵​​🇦​​🇷​​🇹​ ​🇴​​🇫​ ​🇮​​🇳​​🇩​​🇮​​🇦​​🇳​ ​🇭​​🇴​​🇨​​🇰​​🇪​​🇾​ ​🇫​​🇴​​🇱​​🇰​​🇱​​🇴​​🇷​​🇪​.

Hockey India has decided to retire the Jersey… pic.twitter.com/MCv4VtSnZe

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 14, 2024

“There are two views, one being an athlete she deserves a medal, getting into the final, they snatched it from her, silver for sure. She was strong. If I was in her situation, I don’t what I would have done,” Sreejesh said.

“The next day before our bronze medal match I met her and she said ‘Bhai good luck, play well’. I felt like she was hiding her pain with that smile. She is a real fighter.”

“Hockey India is being run well at the moment… there is no question about it. I am young now, let me grow old a bit and then I will think about it.”

VIDEO | Here's what Indian hockey star PR Sreejesh (@16Sreejesh) said responding to a question whether he would like to play a role in Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) in the future.

"Hockey India is being run well at the moment... there is no question about it. I am young now,… pic.twitter.com/KZjsOaepPy

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 14, 2024

This is the most interesting bit as CAS has not given any reason so far except saying that the deadline has been extended.

“By application of Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the President of the CAS Ad Hoc Division extends the time-limit for the Panel to give a decision until 16 August 2024 at 18h00 (Paris time),” CAS’s ad-hoc division said in a statement. READ MORE

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali is worried Pakistan can lose 2025 Champions Trophy hosting rights due to recent disturbances in Balochistan and Peshawar.

“Since the Champions Trophy is in Pakistan, and teams like England and West Indies are scheduled to tour after Bangladesh, we must pay attention to security. God forbid, the Champions Trophy won’t be played here if there is any incident in these tours. Our soldiers are getting martyred in Balochistan and Peshawar. Only the government can answer why it has been happening, but it’s wrong,” Ali said on YouTube. { READ MORE }

Hockey India’s event to felicitate legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh is currently underway in Delhi. Sreejesh retired from Hockey after winning bronze with men’s team at Paris 2024.

3️⃣ champions in 1️⃣ frame 💪🏻#IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia
.
.
.
.@CMO_Odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @sports_odisha @Limca_Official @CocaCola_Ind pic.twitter.com/dSujUF79Wa

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 14, 2024