AIFF President Accused of Corruption, Misuse of Funds

AIFF President Accused of Corruption, Misuse of Funds

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been rocked by allegations of corruption, with Principal Legal Advisor Nilanjan Bhattacharjee accusing President Kalyan Chaubey of misusing funds and awarding tenders in a non-transparent manner.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhattacharjee alleged that Chaubey had created “corruption avenues” through non-transparent tender processes and preferential allotment of contracts. He claimed that Chaubey had attempted to “siphon off money from the federation’s exchequer” and used AIFF funds for personal expenses.

Bhattacharjee specifically cited the awarding of broadcasting rights for the I-League, IWL, and Santosh Trophy to a single company that he alleged was close to Chaubey. He also claimed that crores of rupees had been spent on Chaubey’s personal trips and hotel stays.

Chaubey has denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and stating that he would take legal action. He said that he had gone through the allegations and would respond legally.

Bhattacharjee, who was appointed as Principal Legal Advisor after Chaubey took charge in September 2022, said that he had suggested safeguards in subsequent tenders, but Chaubey had attempted to “malign” his image and professional integrity.

The allegations have raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the AIFF, which is the governing body for football in India. The federation has been under scrutiny in recent months, with several former officials facing corruption charges.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet commented on the allegations, but the Sports Ministry has said that it is aware of the matter and is looking into it.

Jeswin Aldrin Disappoints at World Indoor Championships

Jeswin Aldrin Disappoints at World Indoor Championships

National long jump record holder Jeswin Aldrin’s disappointing performance at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow on Saturday has raised questions about his current form. The 22-year-old, who held the world lead for a few months in 2023 with his 8.42m jump, could only manage a 7.69m effort, finishing a lowly 13th.

Aldrin’s performance was particularly disappointing considering his recent international outings. In three other events last month, he had recorded jumps of 7.70m, 7.74m, and 7.83m. He had also finished eighth in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.

The Indian long jumper’s struggles in Glasgow were evident from the start. He cleared 7.69m in his first attempt but fouled the next two. With only three attempts allowed in the qualifying round, Aldrin was unable to improve his mark and was eliminated along with eight other competitors.

The top eight long jumpers after three rounds were permitted to have another three attempts. Reigning Olympic and world champion Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece won gold with a best jump of 8.22m, while 19-year-old Mattia Furlani (8.22m) of Italy and Carey McLeod (8.21m) of Jamaica were second and third respectively.

Aldrin’s performance in Glasgow is a setback for the Indian athlete, who has been touted as a potential medal contender at the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. However, it is important to note that Aldrin is still young and has time to improve. With the right training and support, he can still achieve his full potential.

Sourav Ganguly Praises Sarfaraz Khan's Five-Day Format Potential

Sourav Ganguly Praises Sarfaraz Khan’s Five-Day Format Potential

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket captain, has lauded young batter Sarfaraz Khan’s potential in the five-day format. Sarfaraz, a right-handed batter, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for the past three years. He recently made his Test debut against England in Rajkot, where he impressed with scores of 62 and 68 not out.

Ganguly believes that Sarfaraz’s game is well-suited to the longer format. “I think he’s more of a five-day player. His game is suited for that. T20 is a different format,” Ganguly said. “The amount of runs he scored in domestic cricket, in the Ranji trophy and in first-class cricket has been phenomenal.”

Sarfaraz’s rise to international cricket has been a long-awaited one. He has been a prolific run-scorer in first-class cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy. In the 2021-22 season, he topped the run-scoring charts with 982 runs in six matches. He also finished fifth in the 2019-20 season with 928 runs in six matches.

In the unofficial Test series against England Lions, Sarfaraz performed well for India A, scoring 96 in a Tour match and 161 in an unofficial Test.

Overall, Sarfaraz has scored 4056 runs in 47 first-class matches at an average of 68.74. He has scored 14 centuries and 13 fifties, with a best score of 301 not out.

Ganguly’s praise for Sarfaraz is a testament to the young batter’s talent and potential. Sarfaraz has shown that he has the ability to score runs consistently at the highest level. With his impressive record in domestic cricket, he is likely to be a key player for India in the future.

Nathan Lyon's Bounce Proves Key Weapon in Australia's Test Dominance

Nathan Lyon’s Bounce Proves Key Weapon in Australia’s Test Dominance

Nathan Lyon, Australia’s seasoned spinner, has revealed that his primary weapon is the bounce he generates from the surface, following his impressive performance with both bat and ball in the first Test against New Zealand.

Lyon’s heroics began with a crucial knock of 41 as a nightwatchman. His resilient batting propelled Australia’s score to 164, helping them set a total of 369. He then showcased his prowess with the ball, claiming the vital wickets of Tom Latham (8) and Kane Williamson (9) to reduce the Kiwis to 111/3 at the end of Day 3 in Basin Reserve.

On his second ball on Day 3, Lyon dismissed Latham with a short and wide delivery. After the day’s play, he discussed his strategy for dealing with the opposition batters.

“My biggest weapon, and it’s no secret, is my bounce all around the world. So I’ll continue to try and put some over spin on the ball and try and get the bounce and try and hit the stickers on the bat and challenge the guys’ defense on the crease. I’ve got a fair understanding of what their plan is going to be. So it’s a good opportunity for me tonight to reset some goals and reset some plans and we’ll go from there,” Lyon said.

Apart from his exceptional bowling skills, Lyon also displayed his resilience with the bat earlier in the day, scoring 41 off 46 deliveries, including six boundaries. While his knock boosted Australia’s scoreboard, the rest of the batters failed to make a significant impact in the second innings. Glenn Phillips dismissed five of Australia’s first seven batters.

Lyon acknowledged that the batters might be frustrated with the manner in which they lost their wickets.

“I dare say so. But I’ll never criticize our batters the way they go about it because they’ve been exceptional for a number of years now. But then you’ve got to give credit to the bowlers and this is my big thing. Bowlers are actually there to bowl good balls. And it’s not always the batters’ fault getting out and bowlers are allowed to come up with plans and execute and take wickets. No doubt there will be some frustration in there,” Lyon added.

Dale Steyn Steps Down as SRH Bowling Coach, Pat Cummins Eyed as Captain

Dale Steyn Steps Down as SRH Bowling Coach, Pat Cummins Eyed as Captain

Former South African pace legend Dale Steyn will not be part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coaching staff for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Steyn has requested a break from his coaching responsibilities, prompting the franchise to search for a replacement bowling coach.

Steyn’s departure comes after a successful stint with SRH, where he played a pivotal role in the development of young speedster Umran Malik. Malik has since earned an India cap in T20Is and ODIs, and recently received a fast-bowling contract from the BCCI.

Despite his absence, Steyn is expected to return to the franchise next season if all necessary arrangements are met. SRH has already appointed former New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori as their new head coach.

The franchise is also considering appointing Pat Cummins as their captain for the upcoming season. Cummins, who was acquired for a whopping INR 20.5 crore in the auction last year, has led Australia to victory in the 2023 World Test Championship and Men’s ODI World Cup.

SRH, who finished at the bottom of the points table last year, will be hoping for a turnaround under Vettori and Cummins’ leadership. They will open their 2024 campaign on March 23 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, followed by their first home match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on March 27 against Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai Indians Restrict Bangalore to 131, Win by 11 Runs

Mumbai Indians Restrict Bangalore to 131, Win by 11 Runs

Mumbai Indians’ bowlers put up a clinical performance to restrict Royal Challengers Bangalore to a modest 131/8 in the Women’s Premier League match on Saturday.

After being asked to bat first, Bangalore lost three wickets in the powerplay and struggled to gain momentum. Ellyse Perry (44* off 38) and Georgia Wareham (27) provided some stability with a 52-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but the Mumbai bowlers kept the pressure on.

Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Pooja Vastrakar picked up two wickets each, while Issy Wong and Saika Ishaque took one apiece. The surface appeared slow, making it difficult for the batters to score freely.

In the chase, Mumbai openers Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews got off to a solid start, putting on 29 runs for the first wicket. Bhatia was particularly impressive, hitting two boundaries and a six in her 18-ball 23.

However, Bangalore fought back with the wickets of Bhatia and Matthews in quick succession. Sophie Devine then dismissed Richa Ghosh for a duck, leaving Mumbai at 35/3.

Natalie Sciver-Brunt (15) and Amelia Kerr (14*) steadied the ship with a 29-run partnership, but the required run rate continued to climb.

In the end, Mumbai fell short by 11 runs, with Perry and Wareham remaining unbeaten at the crease.

Avesh Khan's Pace Prowess Gives MP Control in Ranji Semifinal

Avesh Khan’s Pace Prowess Gives MP Control in Ranji Semifinal

Avesh Khan’s incisive bowling spearheaded Madhya Pradesh’s dominance on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Vidarbha in Nagpur. The pacer’s four-wicket haul, complemented by Kulwant Khejroliya and Venkatesh Iyer’s two wickets each, restricted Vidarbha to a paltry 170.

The VCA Stadium pitch offered ample carry, allowing the MP bowlers to exploit the conditions. Avesh struck early, dismissing opener Dhruv Shorey, and continued to trouble the Vidarbha batsmen throughout the innings. Khejroliya and Iyer provided valuable support, keeping the pressure on the opposition.

Vidarbha’s only resistance came from Karun Nair, who top-scored with a gritty 63. However, he lacked support from his teammates, as wickets fell at regular intervals. Atharva Taide and Aman Mokhade shared a 36-run partnership, but it proved insufficient to build a substantial total.

MP’s fielding was equally impressive, with Yash Dubey taking a stunning catch to dismiss Akshay Wadkar. The visitors’ bowlers maintained their accuracy throughout the day, preventing Vidarbha from gaining any momentum.

In response, MP reached 47 for one at close, trailing by 123 runs. The lone wicket to fall was that of Dubey, who edged Umesh Yadav to Wadkar.

Avesh Khan’s performance has put MP in a commanding position in the semifinal. The pacer’s ability to extract bounce and movement from the pitch has made him a key threat to Vidarbha’s hopes of a comeback.

Mumbai Bowlers Dominate Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy Semifinal Opener

Mumbai Bowlers Dominate Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy Semifinal Opener

Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur, dominated the opening day of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Tamil Nadu, bowling out the visitors for a paltry 146.

Deshpande (3/24) and Thakur (2/48) exploited the movement and turn on offer at the BKC Ground, making life miserable for the Tamil Nadu batters. B Sai Sudharsan was trapped leg-before on the fourth ball of the match, setting the tone for a disastrous start for the visitors.

Mohit Avasthi had N Jagadeesan caught at short leg, while Deshpande took a fine return catch to dismiss Pradosh Ranjan Paul. Tamil Nadu skipper B Sai Kishore promoted himself ahead of Baba Indrajith, but his footwork was all over the place as Deshpande bowled him for 17.

Tanush Kotian took a sharp diving catch to remove Indrajith, leaving Tamil Nadu reeling at 17/4. Vijay Shankar and Washington Sundar fought back with a 67-run partnership, but Deshpande’s relentless pressure led to Shankar’s dismissal for 44.

Sundar, who was dropped twice, showed some resistance with a 43-ball 43, but Mohammed Mohammed’s late flurry of fours helped Tamil Nadu reach 146.

Mumbai lost Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani cheaply, but Musheer Khan (24 not out) and nightwatchman Mohit Avasthi (1 not out) guided the hosts to 45/2 at stumps, trailing by 101 runs.

DRS Controversy Erupts After Joe Root's Controversial Dismissal

DRS Controversy Erupts After Joe Root’s Controversial Dismissal

Joe Root’s controversial LBW dismissal in the fourth India-England Test in Ranchi has sparked a heated debate over the use of DRS (decision review system). The England camp has vehemently criticized the technology, demanding its abolition, while former skipper Michael Vaughan has labeled Root’s dismissal a “shocker.”

Paul Hawkins, founder of Hawk-Eye, the technology provider for DRS, has hit back at Vaughan’s comments, dismissing them as “uneducated.” He maintains that the correct decision was made by third umpire Joel Wilson in overturning on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s call.

Hawkins has accused Vaughan of lacking understanding of the technology and its operation. He has urged journalists to be more responsible in their reporting and to ensure factual accuracy.

Vaughan, in response, has demanded full transparency from Hawk-Eye, requesting them to demonstrate the exact workings of the system. He believes that this will help dispel any misconceptions and provide a clearer understanding of how DRS operates.

The DRS controversy has cast a shadow over the ongoing Test series, which India has already clinched with an unassailable 3-1 lead. The fifth and final game will commence in Dharamsala on March 7.

Eric Dier's Bayern Munich Loan Move Made Permanent

Eric Dier’s Bayern Munich Loan Move Made Permanent

Eric Dier’s loan move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich has been made permanent after he completed the required number of appearances mentioned in his contract, the German Bundesliga club announced on Saturday. The 30-year-old England midfielder joined Bayern on loan in January in a deal to the end of the season after spending a decade with Spurs, reuniting with former team mate Harry Kane.

Bayern confirmed that Dier’s contract has been extended until June 2025. Max Eberl, Bayern’s board member for sport, praised Dier’s contributions, stating that the 30-year-old England international provided “valuable support” in defense.

Dier has made seven appearances for Bayern in the Bundesliga, including five starts. He has impressed with his versatility, playing both as a center-back and a defensive midfielder.

“I’m happy in Munich,” Dier said. “Now my future is sorted and I can focus on playing well for the club and trying to help the club to win games, win competitions, even though it’s been a difficult period for us.”

Bayern, who have won the Bundesliga 11 years in a row, are currently second in the standings this season, seven points behind unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen who have a game in hand. Bayern will host Lazio on Tuesday in the Champions League last 16 with the German side trailing 1-0 from the first leg.

Dier’s permanent move to Bayern Munich is a significant development for both the player and the club. Dier brings experience and leadership to a Bayern team that is looking to regain its dominance in the Bundesliga and make a deep run in the Champions League.

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