Jubilant Indian cricketers return home after winning the Twenty20 World Cup

Jubilant Indian cricketers return home after winning the Twenty20 World Cup
In this images shared on X by the official page of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Modi holds the Twenty20 World Cup trophy as he poses with the Indian cricket team at his residence in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 04 July 2024
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Jubilant Indian cricketers return home after winning the Twenty20 World Cup

Jubilant Indian cricketers return home after winning the Twenty20 World Cup
  • India pulled off a sensational seven-run win against South Africa in a gripping final last weekend

NEW DELHI: Jubilant India cricketers have received a rousing welcome home from fans after winning the Twenty20 World Cup final in Barbados.
India skipper Rohit Sharma held up the World Cup trophy after arriving at New Delhi International Airport early Thursday morning.
Hundreds of supporters were gathered at the airport, many waving the national flag and chanting “India, India.”
There were thousands more waiting to continue the celebrations, which started Saturday and were about to ramp up. Some of the players danced to drum beats when they reached their hotel.
India pulled off a sensational seven-run win against South Africa in a gripping final last weekend, ending a drought in global International Cricket Council limited-overs competitions.
The team’s return from the Caribbean was delayed because of a shutdown forced by Hurricane Beryl in Barbados.
“It’s a lifetime experience,” cricket official Arun Dhumal said.
The T20 triumph was India’s first World Cup title since it won the 50-over version in 2011.
Over the last 12 months, India lost the World Test Championship final to Australia in England and the 50-over World Cup final at home, also to the Australians.
After meeting India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, the cricketers were due to fly to Mumbai and participate in an open bus roadshow, followed by a celebration ceremony later Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced a cash bonus of $15 million for the winning squad.
Soon after winning the title, Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from international T20 matches.


Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row

Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row
Updated 10 sec ago
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Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row

Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row
  • Since he joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, the Portuguese forward’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million
  • Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is second at $156 million, followed by boxer Tyson Fury with $135 million

 

Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in his career.
Following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million.
The Portuguese forward increased his income by $15 million through off-field endorsements as well as lucrative sponsorship deals backed by his large social media followers: 939 million in total as of May.
Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who in March became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers, jumped to second place in the rankings with $156 million.
Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $135 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, reached fourth with $137 million, thanks to record-breaking signing bonuses and a lucrative contract extension.
Meanwhile, Argentine Lionel Messi dropped to fifth place with $135 million — the same as last year — having moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, as well as continuing to receive high-profile endorsements from Adidas and Apple.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, nearing the end of his illustrious career, came sixth with $133.8 million.
MLB New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto came in at a remarkable seventh place, earning $114 million. The 26-year-old Dominican signed a $765 million, 15-year contract, the largest in baseball history.
French striker Karim Benzema, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, is eighth with earnings of $104 million.
Japanese Shohei Ohtani is in ninth place with $102.5 million, having deferred most of his earnings from his mega-contract with MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers. His earnings were boosted significantly by their World Series victory last year.
NBA Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant rounds off the top 10 with $101.4 million.


Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis

Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis
Updated 30 min 28 sec ago
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Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis

Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis
  • Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome
  • The 23-year-old demolished sixth seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis

ROME: Jannik Sinner marched into the semifinals of the Italian Open on Wednesday after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 and sending a warning that the world number one is officially back.

Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in Madrid earlier this month.

In his previous matches Sinner looked to be still finding his feet after his suspension, accepted from the World Anti-Doping Agency for testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year.

But the 23-year-old demolished sixth seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis, his domination such that the home fans at the packed center court, seemingly out of sympathy, began to cheer the rare points that Ruud won.

Ruud even got the loudest cheer of the match when he held his serve for the only time, in game three of the second set, holding his arms aloft in ironic celebration.

“I was feeling great on court today. I think we all saw that,” said Sinner.

“How I felt today was very, very positive signs for me... I was serving well and also returning well. Moving great on the court, so I’m very happy about that.”

Tommy Paul, a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 winner over Hubert Hurkacz in the day’s first match, will have wondered what on earth he can do to stop Sinner if the Italian brings that form to Friday’s last-four clash.

Sinner won the first set in just 27 minutes, giving up only seven points as he stalked the court with intent, dressed all in black as he has been all week.

And he then maintained his record of not dropping a set in the tournament to not so much stroll as smash into the last four, and send a message to Carlos Alcaraz.

Spaniard Alcaraz, Sinner’s key Grand Slam rival ahead of the French Open, will contest the other semifinal with Lorenzo Musetti on Friday afternoon, with the blockbuster final tennis fans wanted still on.

Home hope and sixth seed Paolini became the third Italian woman to reach the Foro Italico final, and the first since her doubles partner Sara Errani was thumped by Serena Williams in 2014.

Late bloomer Paolini, 29, will face one of Coco Gauff and China’s Zheng Qinwen, who beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday night, after beating Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1.

“It’s a privilege to be in this position. I matured late as a tennis player but everyone has their own path. Some mature earlier and some later,” said Paolini.

“I’m just enjoying it without thinking too much about the past.”

Paolini was favorite to get past unseeded Stearns but early on her American opponent showed why she got to her first 1000 series semifinal by knocking out a succession of big names including Naomi Osaka and fifth seed Madison Keys.

Paolini looked way off the pace when she lost the first three games of the match in surprisingly timid fashion, serving weakly and mishitting a host of simple shots.

But she slowly began to force herself back into the contest, putting pressure on Stearns to find shots with her serving and finding both more power and accuracy on her forehand.

Stearns’ frustration was clear to see after being broken to allow Paolini to serve for the set, lashing her racket into her bag before giving herself a telling off in her seat.

And a break of serve in the third game of the second set deflated Stearns, whose fate was sealed two games later when Paolini took the third of three break points, roaring her joy to her delighted supporters in the center court stands before comfortably seeing out the match.

Paolini could yet win both the singles and women’s doubles tournaments, with her and Errani taking on Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in the semifinals on Friday.


Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors

Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors
Updated 15 May 2025
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Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors

Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors
  • Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh chairs the board
  • The step marks an important move to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sports stage

RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports and president of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee, approved the formation of the Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors on Thursday.
Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh will chair the board, which was formed in a step that marks an important move to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sports stage and develop the sport of boxing locally, said a media statement.
The board also includes Eng. Faisal Bafarat, Dr. Rakan Al-Harthy, Mohammed Al-Khereiji, Abdulrahman Al-Hamoud, Majid Al-Gharabi, Mohammed Al-Hamdan, Firas Moaddan, and Sultan Alalshikh.
The members bring with them a range of expertise and experience, according to the statement, that will significantly contribute to the growth of the sport and help expand its presence in the Kingdom, paving the way for global aspirations.
Alalshikh extended his thanks and appreciation to Prince Abdulaziz and to Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, the committee’s vice president, for their trust and continued support in developing Saudi sports in general, and boxing in particular.
This appointment aligns with a comprehensive vision aimed at expanding the base of boxing practitioners in the Kingdom, raising the level of competitiveness, and hosting international tournaments that reinforce Saudi Arabia’s status as a leading destination for major global sports events.
The decision comes at a time when the sports sector in the Kingdom is witnessing a major leap in terms of investment and event hosting.
Boxing has received considerable attention following the organization of several world class bouts that drew global audiences, in addition to the participation of Saudi champions in various continental and international championships, concluded the statement.


Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says

Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says
Updated 15 May 2025
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Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says

Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says
  • The Sweden international was injured in the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace
  • “Obviously disappointing news,” Postecoglou told reporters

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Dejan Kulusevski will be out for a few months after having knee surgery, said manager Ange Postecoglou, and will miss Wednesday’s Europa League final.

The Sweden international was injured in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend

“Obviously disappointing news. Initially we thought it wasn’t too serious ... it kind of blew up the day after and we knew there was an issue,” Postecoglou told reporters on Thursday.

“He’s had the surgery which will put him out for at least a few months.”

Asked if Kulusevski would be back for the start of next season, Postecoglou said it was too early to say.

“We’ll see. I only have basic information at the moment in terms of recovery, but it’ll certainly put him out for a while,” he added.

Spurs face fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao.


Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting

Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting
Updated 15 May 2025
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Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting

Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting
  • FIFA said a new start time was set for three hours later
  • Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup in 2022 and Saudi Arabia will host in 2034

ASUNCION: FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s late arrival from the Middle East, where he joined US President Donald Trump’s state visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week, delayed the opening of FIFA’s annual meeting of 211 member federations on Thursday.

Infantino’s flight in a private jet to Paraguay from Doha, via a stop in Nigeria, was still in the air at the 9:30 a.m. local time (1230GMT) scheduled start of the meeting he was to address in Asuncion.

FIFA said a new start time was set for three hours later.

Officials from the national federations have gathered in Paraguay all week ahead of the last FIFA Congress before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Infantino opted to join President Trump on the first legs of the tour instead of meeting with his voting members. Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup in 2022 and Saudi Arabia will host in 2034.

On Wednesday in Doha, Qatar’s ruling Emir — a fellow member of the International Olympic Committee with Infantino — hosted the visiting delegations at a state dinner at Lusail Palace.

Infantino has built close ties to both Trump administrations. President Trump is set to present the trophy at the finals in New Jersey of both the Club World Cup in July and the World Cup next year.