Indian sports wrap, April 4: Pakistan Volleyball Federation invites India for tournament in Islamabad

VOLLEYBALL

Pakistan Volleyball Federation invites India for tournament in Islamabad

The Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) has extended an invitation to India to send its team for the Asian Challenge Volleyball League, to be held in Islamabad next month.

Chaudhary Yaqoob who heads the PVF said that they had also sent invitations to the Indian volleyball federation for the event in which 10-12 teams are expected to participate.

“We won the bid to host the Asian challenge volleyball championship after much effort and we would like to see all the top teams in the continent competing in the event from 11-17 May,” he said.

Iran, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan have confirmed their entries while other confirmations are awaited.

Yaqoob said that the training camp for the Pakistan players is already underway in Islamabad.

– PTI

TENNIS

Houston Open: Balaji-Begemann pair knocks out top seeds to reach quarterfinals

Sriram Balaji, in partnership with Andre Begemann, beat top seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram 3-6, 7-6(5), [10-6] in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event in Houston, USA.

The Indo-German pair was scheduled to face the Indian pair of Arjun Kadhe and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan in the quarterfinals.

At the ATP 250 event in Marrakech, Morocco, the Indo-French duo of Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti reached the men’s doubles semifinals with a 7-6(5), 6-7(1), [10-7] win over third-seeded pair of Nicolas Barrientos (Colombia) and Rafael Matos (Brazil).

In the $60,000 ITF women’s event in Split, Croatia, Prarthana Thombare in partnership with Valentina Grammatikopoulou made the doubles semifinals.

– Team Sportstar

WRESTLING

Federation Cup to be held in Varanasi from April 24

The Federation Cup wrestling tournament will be held in Varanasi from April 24 to 26.

According to a notification from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), 15 states participating in the Pune National championships, which was conducted by the WFI and did not have the Sports Ministry’s approval, will be eligible to send entries in all three styles — freestyle, Greco Roman and women.

However, the WFI has given wild card entries to 10 units, including several non-traditional states, apparently to include the wrestlers who competed in the Jaipur Nationals conducted by the Indian Olympic Association appointed ad-hoc committee, in select categories.

– Team Sportstar

GOLF

Angad moves into joint lead with Yashas and Ortolani at Chandigarh Open golf

Angad Cheema carded five-under 67 to move into joint lead along with Mysuru’s Yashas Chandra (66) and Italian Michele Ortolani (69) at 11-under 133 in round two of the Rs one crore Chandigarh Open golf tournament on Thursday.

City-based Gaganjeet Bhullar (67) was in fourth position and one shot off the lead at the Chandigarh Golf Club. Ajeetesh Sandhu (71) and Karandeep Kochhar (72) were tied for eighth at seven-under 137.

Indian golf legend Jeev Milkha Singh (73) ended the day in tied 32nd position at two-under 142.

Jeev’s 14-year-old son Harjai Milkha Singh followed up his impressive first round of 71 with a 74 on the second day for a total of one-over 145 and narrowly missed the cut by one shot.

The cut was applied at even-par 144 with 60 professionals making it to the money rounds. Angad (66-67), who was overnight tied fifth and two off the lead, made the most of a good start to gain four spots on Thursday.

A 10-feet birdie putt on the first and a 20-feet eagle conversion on the second got the 34-year-old Cheema’s round going.

Angad, a winner on PGTI, who has been performing consistency since last season having finished fifth on the PGTI Order of Merit in 2023, added three more birdies and a bogey to his card.

He finished with a flourish, sinking a 12-feet birdie on the last hole.

“It was a steady round barring one mistake on the 14th. I’m looking to make the most of my good form at my home course. I started well and that kept the momentum going. The rest was all about keeping it as simple as possible. I feel I have a good understanding of my game at the moment and that is helping me perform well,” said Angad.

Yashas Chandra (67-66), who was overnight tied eighth and three off the lead, posted a bogey-free 66, the day’s joint lowest round, to move up seven spots into the joint lead.

His round featured four birdie conversions from 10 to 25 feet. Like Angad, Yashas too has dropped just one bogey over the first two rounds.

Ortolani (64-69), the overnight joint leader, continued at the top of the pack following his 69 on Thursday. He chipped in for birdie on the 17th.

-PTI