She’s in really good place: US gymnast technical lead not concerned about Biles’ preparation for Paris

Paris, July 24 2024-

US Olympic gymnastics technical lead Chellsie Memmel is not concerned about the most decorated gymnast Simone Biles’ preparation for the Paris Olympics and believes she has been “doing great” ahead of the Games.

Biles endured a tough time at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as she withdrew from a number of events due to mental health struggles. The 27-year-old took a two-year break from the sport after Tokyo Games.

Now, after a hiatus, she returned to action and is ready for her redemption at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Simone has been doing great. She’s been solid in training since Katy, Texas and seems to be in a really great place, she’s a great leader for this team, and together they are really looking forward to the competition. It is kind of their redemption tour,” Memmel was quoted by Eurosport.

Memmel made it clear they are trying not to put too much pressure on Biles at this forthcoming competition.

“We don’t say to her that she is keeping us all together, and we’re relying on you and you alone. I’ve had the conversation with (head coach) Cecile (Landi) already about team finals and what the expectation for Simone is,” said Memmel.

“If she doesn’t feel like it’s going to be in her best interest to do all four events that day, is that an option for her? Absolutely. If that’s what she needs to continue to be at her best for her team and for herself, that’s what we’re going to do because there are still four members on our team.

“I want them to get through this and be happy, healthy, and proud of what they accomplish no matter what the outcome is. I want them to be proud and to look back and say I’m so glad I had this experience,” she added.

Biles and the U.S. women’s first competition in Paris is set for 28 July 28. (Agency)

‘Still getting packed crowds & amazing viewership’: Brett Lee on playing in leagues post-retirement

New Delhi, July 24 2024-

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee feels it is exciting for a cricketer to continue playing cricket after retirement, and seeing the stands filled with crowds brings them immense happiness.

Brett Lee, former Indian bowler Irfan Pathan and former South African batter Hashim Amla spoke about their life after retirement from cricket and how they are giving back to the society.

Lee while speaking about the amazing viewership cricket gets, shared his insights in on the podcast series ‘180 Not Out’.

“Even when you hang up the boots and you’re not playing from a professional point of view, the chance to play in these leagues, post the age of 40, and still getting packed crowds, still getting amazing viewership on television, it is exciting for us, that there are still people who watch you,” Lee said.

Irfan Pathan, who also graced the podcast, said he always wanted to give back to cricket post retirement. “When I came to Jammu Kashmir cricket for two years, my contract was about … I don’t talk about money, but my contract was only 20% of the money I was getting with the Carribean Premiere League. I had a contract of Canadian Premiere League, on top of whatever the franchise will pick me, the league had promised me a certain amount. Canada Premiere League, T10 premiere league, in 2018, and one more league,” said Pathan.

“There were four leagues. Compared to that I was getting only 15-20% amount in JKCA, so it was not about money, I wanted to give something back to cricket, Indian cricket that too. So I am glad I took that decision and came to serve JK cricket, which helped not only me as a mentor, but overall Jammu & Kashmir cricket as well, and a lot of guys came up,” he added.

Meanwhile, Amla highlighted the increasing scope for commentary in modern cricket due to the extensive analysis involved. He also mentioned some of his favorite commentators.

“What I would say is that there is a greater scope for commentary now because there is so much analysis now and you need someone to explain the analysis. And if you can speak on TV like a 10 year old is watching, you reach a really huge market. I think that’s why I love some of the commentary that I enjoy,” said Amla.

“When I listen to them, I listen to parts that are very basic and there are technical parts that I as a former cricketer can really enjoy. Different commentators cater to different age groups. Danny Morrison for T20 … I love him, he’s so casual. Test Cricket you have Mark Nicholas, Michael Holding, and Michael Atherton as well, I’ve enjoyed listening to their analysis and they explain the game really well! They are catering to a variety of age groups,” he conculded. (Agency)

Lunch with Federer to pep talk with shooter Rathore: Sharath Kamal recalls special Olympics moments

New Delhi, July 24 2024-

Achanta Sharath Kamal, who has been the face of Indian table tennis for over two decades now, is all set to mark a record fifth Olympic appearance at the Paris Olympics 2024.

The 42-year-old is also the male flag-bearer for the Indian contingent. The multiple-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist also played a pivotal role in helping India create history as the men’s team qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in history.

The table tennis legend, who has also been the mainstay of Chennai Lions team in the Ultimate Table Tennis, has been inspiring numerous young table tennis players pursuing a dream of playing for the country.

During an interview with Ultimate Table Tennis, Sharath, who made his Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games, spoke about his top five Olympic moments as he prepares to give his best shot at a medal in Paris.

Unexpected lunch alongside tennis legend Roger Federer:

Going to the first-ever Olympics is a special moment for any athlete. It is about soaking in the atmosphere, feeling the special vibe of the Games village and interacting with sportspersons from various disciplines.

And understandably, Sharath’s top of the chart Olympic moment is when he shared a table with Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer in the dining hall in 2004. And watching the camaraderie between him and USA’s Andy Roddick was just the icing on the cake.

“One day I was just out for lunch and as I was entering from this side, there was another person coming from the other side with a tennis bag and hair let loose. I feel like I have seen him somewhere. I couldn’t recognise who he was with his hair let loose. We pass each other, we actually cross paths. He goes to give his bag at the baggage keeping area. I walk in, take my plate looking at what to eat and it suddenly strikes me. Man, it’s Roger Federer.

“I was very shy then. So, I took something to eat and searched for him. He was sitting at one of the tables all by himself. I went as close as possible. I didn’t want to get in his place, but I still got close, and I was eating (at the same table). And then suddenly, a guy comes in with a reverse hat and shorts and they are clapping hands. I look at him and it’s Andy Roddick,” Sharath recalled.

Taking a game against legendary Ma Long:

China’s Ma Long is regarded as one of the greatest table tennis players of all time and was coming into the Tokyo Olympics as the defending champion. The Tokyo Games had been postponed by a year due to the Covid pandemic and it had been a real struggle for Indian sportspersons to prepare well for the Games due to a long lockdown and the subsequent second wave.

Sharath had gotten the better of Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia in the second round and was facing Ma Long in the third.

“The match against Ma Long was one of the best I have ever played in my career. Out of the five times I have played with him, I have won just one set against him and that was in Tokyo. And I am very proud of what happened there, especially coming in after Covid.

“India had a very tough situation especially after the second wave. People in the rest of the world started their training back and, mid-way in the lockdown in India, we were still confined to home workouts, I was playing on my terrace. It was very tough. I was training all the time in India with the limited resources we had. From that difficult mindset to getting to the Olympics and doing my best, I really feel I did well,” he said.

Sharath won the second game 11-8 but went down fighting 4-1 (7-11, 11-8, 11-13, 4-11, 4-11) in the match. Later, Ma Long went on to win the gold medal.

A knee injury couldn’t dampen Sharath’s spirits:

Sharath had qualified for his second successive Olympics and had worked hard to prepare himself for the 2008 Beijing Games by training in Europe with other top players. But just before the start of the competition, he slipped and fell during training and damaged his knee.

However, instead of getting disheartened by the injury, Sharath decided to fight it out and reached the second round after beating Spaniard Alfredo Carneros. In the second round, he faced his good friend Chen Weixing of Austria and pushed his much higher ranked opponent to five sets.

Experiencing the ‘Mamba’ mentality:

Although he was making his second Olympic appearance in 2008, he was still in awe of the big international stars whom he could only see at the Olympics stage. And in Beijing, the special moment for him was to watch US basketball legend Kobe Bryant in person at the opening ceremony and witnessed the ‘Mamba’ mentality from up close.

Pep talk with Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore before the shooter clinched historic silver:

India may be aiming to reach double figures on the medals chart at the Paris 2024 but in 2004, at Sharath’s first Olympic Games in Athens, winning even one medal would have been considered a big deal 20 years ago.

He was moving around the Games village in the evening with team coach and now Table Tennis Federation of India secretary general Kamlesh Mehta when the latter asked him if he knew the person they were passing by.

Mehta then introduced Sharath to Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who was considered to be India’s best medal prospect at Athens and was scheduled to compete in the Double Trap final the next day.

“Probably I disturbed him in his alone time but he was sitting outside and relaxing. Coach Kamlesh Mehta said, ‘Come, let’s go and wish him.’ And then we both went and he spoke very nicely, asked about my match etc. He went on to win the medal and after he won the medal, it was so easy for me to go and look at the medal because I had already spoken to him the night before,” said Sharath.

India will feature in the team as well as individual events of table tennis in Paris and Sharath, in his fifth Olympics appearance, will be aiming to win that elusive table tennis medal for the country.

After the Paris Olympics, top table tennis stars from the world will engage in the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 in Chennai from August 22 to September 7. (Agency)

Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia opens up on the importance of recovery in her fitness journey

Mumbai, July 24 2024-

Actress Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, who will be soon seen as a contestant in the upcoming season of the stunt-based reality show ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 14’, has shared that she has learnt the importance of recovery during her fitness journey.

The actress spent over eight weeks preparing herself both physically and mentally for the show. She shared that in addition to MMA, her regimen included increasing strength training, and mobility exercises to help her gain the required flexibility to pull off the tasks in the show.

Reflecting on her experience, Nimrit told IANS: “I was already on a fitness journey but I had to dial things up. I had to prepare for any of the physically and mentally straining activities that would come my way. MMA has been a game-changer for me.”

The actress was recently in the news for her inspiring weight loss journey. Her fitness regimen included preparing mentally by restoring to breathing techniques and meditation, and physically, she spent time learning new skills including kickboxing.

She further mentioned: “It taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance and not backing down, which proved crucial during the show. Alongside MMA, my regimen included increasing my strength training, and mobility exercises to help me be flexible to perform the tasks at hand. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned the importance of adequate recovery, often overlooked in our routines. I have found a whole new side to my fitness than I ever did before.” (Agency)

Desperate measures by CM Siddaramaiah, says K’taka BJP on FIR against ED officials

Bengaluru, July 24 2024-

Karnataka BJP on Wednesday alleged that the act of lodging an FIR against two Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials was a desperate measure by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to save himself in the tribal welfare scam.

Taking to the X on Wednesday, Karnataka BJP stated that the official named Kallesh B, who filed a police complaint against the ED, was suspended by the state government last month on corruption charges.

Upon learning that Kallesh had revealed information about the involvement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during the ED investigation, the Congress party started the drama, the party said.

“The Congress government while misusing its power got the false complaint filed by Kallesh, a tainted official. By influencing and luring, the Congress is forcing him to say that the ED officials are forcing him to name the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister,” BJP said.

“We demand that CM Siddaramaiah, instead of clinging to his seat, should take moral responsibility for the Valmiki Tribal Welfare Board and Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scandals, resign from his position as Chief Minister, and cooperate with the CBI investigation,” BJP stated.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday charged that the ED officials threatened the former Tribal Welfare Development Board Managing Director B. Kallesh to mention his name in the alleged case.

“They (ED) pressured him (officer Kallesh) with arrest, subjected him to mental pressure and coerced him with life threat only to implicate me legally in the case. Kallesh filed a police complaint. In the complaint, he had detailed his ordeal,” the Chief Minister said while staging a protest at the Vidhana Soudha, condemning the alleged high handedness of the ED.

The Karnataka Police on Monday registered an FIR against two ED officers who are probing the Tribal Welfare Board case. The FIR was registered by Wilson Garden police station in Bengaluru based on the police complaint by B. Kallesh, former Managing Director of the Tribal Welfare Board and incumbent Additional Director in the Social Welfare Department. (Agency)

Outrageous allegation: Sitharaman blasts Oppn over claims of ‘biased’ Budget

New Delhi, July 24 2024-

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a strong rebuttal to the Opposition’s charge of the Union Budget being ‘politically biased’ towards the non-NDA states, said that all states have got equal and dedicated funds allocation.

“If any state is not named in the Budget speech, this doesn’t mean that they have been left out,” the Finance Minister said in Rajya Sabha.

Further, hitting out at the Opposition parties, she said that a deliberate attempt was made by parties including Congress to give an impression that nothing is being given to states ruled by non-NDA parties.

“I would challenge the Congress party, in each of their budget speeches, have they named every state of this country. This is an outrageous allegation,” Sitharaman said.

Notably, the INDIA bloc leaders described the Budget as anti-people and discriminatory towards non-NDA states. They claimed that the Budget was not a ‘BJP document’ and it must cater to all states while referring to the bonanza given to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

FM Sitharaman took exception to these charges and cited the example of Maharashtra to counter the Opposition’s claims of discrimination.

“The cabinet, under the leadership of PM Modi, took the decision to set up a very big port in Vadhavan in Maharashtra. Did Maharashtra get ignored because I did not mention the name? Rs 76,000 crore has been announced for the project,” she said.

“If the speech does not mention a particular state, does it mean that the schemes and programmes of government don’t extend to these states?” she asked.

Doubling down her attack, she said that the Congress party having stayed in power for a very long time has presented many budgets and they know it very well that you don’t get an opportunity to name every state in the Budget speech.

She said that a deliberate attempt was being made to mislead the people.

As some members of Trinamool Congress returned to the House during her speech, the Finance Minister said, “Yesterday, TMC questioned the Budget, saying nothing has been given to Bengal. Several schemes given by the Prime Minister in the last 10 years have not been implemented in West Bengal. And, you have the audacity to ask me now?” (Agency)

12-year-old K’taka boy dies of electrocution in bid to save pigeon on power line

Chitradurga (Karnataka), July 24 2024-

In a tragic incident, a kindhearted boy who climbed an electric pole to rescue a pigeon stuck on one of the high-tension power wires was electrocuted and succumbed to the electric shock, in Chitradurga District of Karnataka.

The incident occurred in Hanumapura Village on Wednesday and the deceased has been identified as 12-year-old Ramachandra, a sixth-standard student.

According to the police, the boy saw a stuck pigeon struggling on one of the high-tension wires on the electric pole.

The brave child climbed the electric pole to rescue the pigeon and got electrocuted himself.

The braveheart died on the spot, and his body was left hanging on the pole.

Rampura police have visited the spot and taken up the investigation. More details are yet to emerge regarding the incident. (Agency)

Experts hail customs cut on X-ray components, raise concern on inadequate health investment

New Delhi, July 24 2024-

The Union Budget 2024-25 is “real world” and harnesses domestic and international currents optimally, but not mentioning health among the nine top priorities of the government is a concern, said experts here on Wednesday.

The Budget, presented on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, exempted customs duty on X-ray components like tubes and flat panel detectors.

“This shows the government realises that those products which can be import substituted in the near term only should be protected. Any other protectionist barriers bring unintended consequences and we are hopeful that eventually those products which cannot be import substituted in the mid or short term, their custom duties will also be reduced,” Pavan Choudary, Chairman, of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) told IANS

Calling the Budget “very real world”, Choudary said it “harnesses both the domestic and international currents optimally”.

He also hailed the Budget’s emphasis on skilling. Choudary said this will also “benefit the healthcare sector dramatically. Because today, 24 per cent of the foreign workforce in healthcare globally comes from India”.

“The target for manpower exports in healthcare is 300,000 including doctors, nurses, technicians annually.”

However, Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director, Population Foundation Of India, said, “It was highly unexpected to see health to be missing among the nine top priorities of the government”.

Muttreja said she is “surprised and disappointed” that the Budget “virtually neglected adequate investment in the health, nutrition, education, and social empowerment of critical demographic groups identified by the government as GYAN — Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women)”.

“One of the most concerning findings of the last round of the National Family Health Survey was the poor nutritional outcomes of young people,” said Muttreja.

“How can an unhealthy, malnourished population form a productive workforce?”

She also raised concern about “an increase of only 1.7 per cent from last year” in the Budget.

The Budget of the Department of Health and Family Welfare has increased from Rs 86,175 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 87,656 crore in 2024-25.

“India is the most populous country, with the largest young population in the world. For the country to leverage this demographic advantage, holistic investments in the health of this population are imperative. Women constitute half of our population. Comprehensive support for women requires not just economic opportunities but also access to healthcare, especially sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and social security,” said Muttreja. (Agency)

Several killed as plane with 19 people on board crashes in Nepal

Kathmandu, July 24 2024-

Several people were killed after a plane with 19 people on board crashed at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu on Wednesday, local media reported.

Four bodies have been recovered, but according to Nepal media 18 of 19 people have been killed.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. when the Pokhara-bound plane of Saurya Airlines crashed shortly after taking off from the runway, TIA spokesperson Premnath Thakur said, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Firefighters and security personnel, including Nepal Police and the Nepali Army, are carrying out the rescue operation.

Plane’s Captain Manish Shakya was rescued from the wreckage and taken to KMC Hospital, Sinamangal for treatment, according to the police, The Himalayan Times reported.

Further details are awaited. (Agency)

‘It was challenging’: Nicole Bolton reflects on balancing love and ambition in elite cricket

New Delhi, July 24 2024-

Former Australia cricketer Nicole Bolton shared the complexities she faced while balancing her relationship with fellow cricketer Elyse Villani and their competitive careers in the national setup.

Speaking on the ‘Stories After Stump’s’ podcast by cricket.com.au, Bolton opened up about the emotional and mental challenges of competing with Villani, her partner at the time, for an opening spot in the dominant Australian side.

Bolton, 35, who now serves as an assistant coach for South Australia and Adelaide Strikers, described the struggle of separating her personal relationship with Villani from their professional rivalry, revealing the strain it placed on both her mental health and their partnership.

“I really struggled with competing against each other and being able to disassociate between Elyse as my partner and Elyse as the cricketer. I think at times I made it quite challenging for our relationship, and that was probably through my own sheer ambitions to want to play at the highest level,” said Bolton.

Bolton’s journey in cricket was marked by significant highs and lows, from her impressive debut century in ODIs to an ongoing battle with depression.

“To me, it was quite simple: I wanted to be with Elyse, I loved Elyse and I needed to find ways where how I was feeling wasn’t impacting our relationship,” Bolton explained. “I’m at a point now where, Elyse has won a three-peat with Tasmania and I think that’s a freaking unbelievable achievement. She makes runs and I’m genuinely ecstatic for her, but back in those days – I’ll be honest – you want her to fail because you want to play, and that’s shit because you don’t want to feel like that for someone that you’re supposed to love.”

Reflecting on her journey, Bolton acknowledged the intense emotions she experienced during her playing days. “I look back on it now and, you know, I’m 35, but at 25 everything feels just so raw and it feels so intense that you’re not sure how to navigate it.”

Bolton’s struggles were not unnoticed by her teammates. Alyssa Healy, now the captain of the Australian team, witnessed the difficulties Bolton and Villani faced.

“It was almost hard to watch it all unfold. I think I felt for the both of them. Neither of them probably got the most out of themselves and their careers simply because that was always filtering away in the background. I definitely felt like ‘Bolts’ probably struggled and seemed to grapple with that a lot more, and probably let that affect her,” Healy said on the podcast. (Agency)

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