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Bronze medal at CEC 2022 opens up new horizons for Indian esports

Up until 2010, esports as a concept was relatively obscure in India and rather non-existent, with low public awareness, lack of infrastructure, and little involvement in the development of this sector…reports Asian Lite News

India’s DOTA 2 esports team’s victory at the Commonwealth Esports Championship 2022 is a significant milestone in the history of the Indian esports and gaming ecosystem.

The Industry experts feel that the victory of Indian team will open up new horizons for aspiring athletes who dream to compete in international tournaments in the future. The win will open floodgates for subsequent industries to rise, birthing new-gen pro-gamers, careers, tournaments, brand associations and sponsorship opportunities among others. As the country celebrates 75 years of Independence today, this victory marks a historical achievement for India in the international gaming arena.

The Indian DOTA 2 esports team displayed a smacking performance and won the bronze at the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022 (CEC) held recently in Birmingham, England.

The winners of the Indian DOTA 2 team, consisting of Moin Ejaz (captain), Ketan Goyal, Abhishek Yadav, Shubhnam Goli, and Vishal Vernekar, defeated New Zealand by 2-0 in an unsurpassed format.

Up until 2010, esports as a concept was relatively obscure in India and rather non-existent, with low public awareness, lack of infrastructure, and little involvement in the development of this sector.

However, 2010 saw an enormous surge in the user base due to the popularity of smartphones, affordable high-speed internet, and notable investments in the space.
According to a report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and EY India, the Indian esports industry rose to Rs 3 billion in FY2021 and is expected to reach Rs 11 billion by FY2025. This only confirms that the growth opportunity for esports in India is exponential and expansive.

Bharat Patel, Co-Founder, and Director, of Yudiz Solutions Limited, said, “A big congratulations to team India for claiming the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Esports Championship for DOTA 2. A remarkable achievement, considering the countless scrims, lengthy LAN games, and complex strategies involved.”

With reference to esports athletes he said, “The intelligence, mettle, and enthusiasm DOTA players display is utterly amazing. This win will boost the morale of the younger generation to become more active participants, encouraging the industry and the gaming community going forward.”

Anurag Khurana, CEO & Founder of Penta Esports said, “Congratulations to team India on winning the bronze medal at CEC for DOTA 2. This win will surely bring esports more recognition in India and inspire more aspiring esports athletes at the grassroots level in the country.”

Talking about the win Abhishek Aggarwal, Co-Founder, and CEO, of Trinity Gaming India, said, “These are exciting times for the esports industry and a very proud moment for the country and the gaming community. This win by the DOTA 2 team at the Commonwealth Esports Championship has earned a spot for India on the global gaming map and the future of esports looks very bright. This will encourage a new breed of gamers to build their careers leading to a larger pool of talent in the country.

“This is also an opportunity for brands to step forward in supporting the industry and encouraging the new athletes who aspire to have a career in this arena. We, as industry players, are confident that the government will support this form of sport by providing adequate support to the esports athletes.”

The Indian esports ecosystem witnessed its first international representation (demonstration) at the Asian Games in 2018. Tirth Mehta, who won a bronze at the time, drew the attention of many developers and investors and their interest in Indian esports grew. Coverage and promotional campaigns on various online social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram increased public awareness and further stimulated the popularity of esports in India.

As esports is declared as a medal event at the next Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, India’s performance and win at the CEC 2022 has upped the ante for Indian esports in the international arena.

ALSO READ-Indian wrestlers hope for tough tasks at Paris

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Indian wrestlers hope for tough tasks at Paris

Wrestling as a sport has a rich history, and it has been part of the Olympics since 1896. It is one of the few sports which featured in every Olympic right from 1896….writes Chetan Sharma

As expected, Indian wrestlers had a medal rush as they got a perfect 12 at the Commonwealth Games from their contingent. However, a tougher test awaits them at Asiad, World Championships and Paris Olympics.

Before the start of the Birmingham Games, we had said that the Indian grapplers had a great opportunity to bag 12 medals in all their weight categories. And the results are in front of everybody to see.

Well, there is no rocket science to it. Actually, the past records have suggested that the CWG have always been a happy hunting ground for the Indian wrestlers. And the reason is the level of competition in CWG.

In 2022, the nation ruled the wrestling mat in a depleted field, getting medals in all 12 weight categories and also improving the gold tally from previous editions’ five to six this time.

Asked ‘if it is enough?’ Wrestling ‘gurus’ have their opinions.

“Gold medallists are fine, because they can’t go beyond gold (laughs). But that doesn’t mean they should not work on their weaknesses. Like the margin of win can be improved. But whoever loses gold, will have to work hard as the level of competition will go up from here to Asiad, Worlds and then the Paris Olympics.

“I was impressed with many wins by fall. This is good for wrestling,” a former coach told.

Another coach said, “Women could have won five gold medals. Not impressed with the number frankly. Nothing less than gold in CWG excites me. Paris is too far, so WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) must plan accordingly and grapplers need to give everything in training.”

With a good show at CWG 2022, wrestling fans would be upset with the news that the sports will not be part of the 2026 Games as the host nation Victoria has decided to exclude shooting and wrestling. However, the matter is still in discussion and the decision might get changed (under pressure from several nations).

Wrestling as a sport has a rich history, and it has been part of the Olympics since 1896. It is one of the few sports which featured in every Olympic right from 1896.

Focusing on India’s ‘Road to Paris’ blog, if one checks records, the country has so far won seven medals in wrestling in Olympics.

The first Indian wrestler to win an Olympic medal was K.D. Jadhav, who won bronze way back in the 1952 Helsinki Games. Though India’s next triumph came after a long wait of 56 years with Sushil Kumar’s bronze at Beijing 2008. From there on, India has won at least one wrestling medal in each of the last four Olympics.

The latest Olympics medallists in wrestling are Ravi Dahiya (Silver) and Bajrang Punia (Bronze) from Tokyo 2020. Both are in prime form as they also won gold in Birmingham.

Apart from them, few familiar names continued their dominant run, youngsters shot to the limelight, and old guards successfully sought redemption in Birmingham. Sakshi Malik scripted a superb comeback after she was written off following her failure to qualify for Tokyo Olympics. Deepak Punia dethroned two-time gold medallist from Pakistan, Muhammad Inam, to win Gold.

Young Anshu Malik lost her final but finished with a silver in her maiden Commonwealth Games appearance. Vinesh Phogat overcame the lows of Tokyo Olympics and her battle with mental health to become the first Indian woman to win three successive Gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.

Ravi Kumar Dahiya needed a little less than seven minutes to win his maiden Commonwealth Games gold medal as the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist was at his dominant best in the men’s 57kg category. On the other hand, the 19-year-old Naveen won Gold, beating Pakistan’s Mohammed Sharif in the final.

The WFI would be feeling proud with all the wrestlers coming home with medals in their hands.

Overall, the performances were satisfactory but this is just the beginning of a tough journey ahead.

ALSO READ-Olympic champion Eve Muirhead announces retirement

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Olympic champion Eve Muirhead announces retirement 

Muirhead competed in four Winter Olympic competitions, and also won bronze at the Sochi 2014 Games…reports Asian Lite News

Olympic curling champion Eve Muirhead on Thursday announced her retirement from the sport, calling it “the hardest decision of my life”.

The Scot was the skipper of the Great Britain women’s team who claimed the gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in February. The 32-year-old Muirhead, who is reigning Winter Olympic, world, and European champion, revealed her decision on social media.

“After 15 years of international curling and 21 international titles I have made the hardest decision of my life to hang up my curling shoes and retire,” Muirhead said in a statement on Twitter.

Muirhead competed in four Winter Olympic competitions, and also won bronze at the Sochi 2014 Games.

She won her first world title in 2013, is a three-time European women’s team champion, claimed European mixed team gold too, and “completed the set” with her fourth major title by winning gold in the World Mixed Doubles Curling championships alongside Scottish teammate Bobby Lammie in April.

“Retiring from curling as a current European, World, and Olympic champion is something I’ve always dreamed of, and I am signing off with a huge smile on my face,” Muirhead further said.

“I always dreamed of winning all three and to do it all in one season was amazing. To bow out at this stage is definitely the right time.With regards to what’s next… I’m looking forward to exploring more opportunities and getting my golf clubs out… but watch this space,” she added.

ALSO READ- BCCI awarded Rs 4cr in cash to Tokyo Olympic medallists

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BRICS Games to be held online in Sept

Gao Zhidan, director of China’s General Administration of Sport, expressed his belief that the BRICS Games will enhance solidarity and friendship, promote peace and development…reports Asian Lite News

Athletes from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will compete online at the 2022 BRICS Games, which are to be held from September 1 to 30, organisers announced on Thursday.

The 2022 BRICS Games features breakdancing, chess and Wushu (Chinese martial arts) as medal events and yoga, dragon and lion dance, dragon boat racing, Brazil jiu-jitsu, sambo and dibeke as demonstration events, reports Xinhua.

Gao Zhidan, director of China’s General Administration of Sport, expressed his belief that the BRICS Games will enhance solidarity and friendship, promote peace and development.

“I believe the 2022 BRICS Games will play a unique role in improving BRICS sports development and promoting understanding and friendship in the BRICS sports community and among BRICS peoples, and contribute to fostering high-quality partnership and embarking on a new journey of BRICS cooperation through the power of sports,” Gao said in a speech posted on the Games’ official website.

Registration for the competition begins on August 15.

ALSO READ-Saudi, Turkey, Egypt set to join BRICS

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Serena announces retirement after US Open

The 40-year-old admitted afterwards she was “getting close to the light at the end of the tunnel” with regards to her remarkable career, before furthering that statement with her article…reports Asian Lite News

Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, on Tuesday hinted towards her retirement, saying that she is “evolving away from tennis” after the US Open.

Writing for Vogue, the American said she is moving towards “other things that are important to me”, adding she does not like the word “retirement”.

Williams made her singles return at Wimbledon in June after a lengthy injury lay-off that had led to speculation about her retirement. She registered her first singles win in 14 months, beating Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz to reach the second round of the National Bank Open in Toronto on Monday.

The 40-year-old admitted afterwards she was “getting close to the light at the end of the tunnel” with regards to her remarkable career, before furthering that statement with her article.

“I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people,” Williams wrote in Vogue.

“Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.

“I’ve been reluctant to admit that I have to move on from playing tennis. It’s like a taboo topic. It comes up, and I start to cry. I think the only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist,” she added.

The star player was knocked out by Harmony Tan at Wimbledon in her first singles match for a year earlier this summer, but has her sights set on the US Open in what could prove her farewell tournament.

Williams’ last Grand Slam title came in 2017 to take her tally to 23, leaving her one shy of a 24th that would bring her level with Margaret Court’s record for most majors.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try. And the lead-up tournaments will be fun,” she added in the article.

“I know there’s a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then maybe beat her record in New York, and then at the trophy ceremony say, ‘See ya!’, I get that. It’s a good fantasy. But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst.”

ALSO READ-Lanka Premier League 2022 to start on December 6

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Qatar WC to start a day earlier

Under the requested change the Netherlands game would then move from a 1pm kick-off slot to the 7pm slot originally for Qatar v Ecuador, while the England and US games would not be affected…reports Asian Lite News

The upcoming football World Cup is to start a day earlier than planned to allow hosts Qatar playing the first match.

DPA and other media have learnt that the council of the world governing body FIFA is dealing with an according request. The match between Qatar and Ecuador on November 20 would start at 7pm (1700 GMT) at Al Bayt Stadium.

FIFA is yet to comment on the issue.

Under the original tournament format the game would have been the third of four matches scheduled for the first day, November 21, starting with the Netherlands v Senegal and the other games being England v Iran and the United States v Wales.

Under the requested change the Netherlands game would then move from a 1pm kick-off slot to the 7pm slot originally for Qatar v Ecuador, while the England and US games would not be affected.

The request was made after an according agreement of both teams and the South American confederation CONMEBOL. It also apparently won’t lead to changes of release dates for players.

The host nation has played the first match between 1958 and 1970, and again since the 2006 tournament in Germany.

The 1974-2002 tournaments were opened by the defending champion who however is no longer automatically qualified. There was no official opening game between 1930 and 1954.

ALSO READ-India-Qatar bilateral trade touched $15 billion: Naidu

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PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Saina Nehwal handed tough draws in BWF

Malvika Bansod is the third Indian in the women’s singles draw and starts her campaign against Danish world No. 21 Line Christophersen…reports Asian Lite News

After a successful campaign at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, Indian badminton players, including PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, will be keen to continue their stellar run at the BWF World Championships 2022 which starts in Tokyo from August 22.

World No 7 Sindhu, who won her maiden singles gold at CWG 2022 in Birmingham, will be eyeing her second world title, having won the event in 2019.

However, it will be a challenging task for the two-time Olympic medallist, who may run into Wang Zhi Yi of China, the reigning Asian champion, and An Se Young of Korea, ranked No. 3 in the world badminton rankings, even before the semi-finals.

Sindhu got a bye in the first round and will potentially face Wang Zhi Yi in round three. An Se Young remains a possible opponent for the quarterfinals if the seedings play out.

Meanwhile, former World No 1 Saina Nehwal will return to the court after missing the CWG. The London Olympics bronze medallist, currently ranked 28th, will meet Jong Kong’s Cheung Ngan Yi in her opener and may come across world No 6 Nozomi Okuhara of Japan as early as in the second round.

Malvika Bansod is the third Indian in the women’s singles draw and starts her campaign against Danish world No. 21 Line Christophersen.

Among the men, India’s Kidambi Srikanth (ranked 13th), Lakshya Sen (10th) and HS Prannoy (18th) are in the same half of the draw, and only one of them can make the semi-finals.

The focus will be on Lakshya, who won the men’s singles gold in Birmingham this week. He also got a first-round bye for the Tokyo world championships.

Srikanth and Lakshya won the silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the last edition of the world championships in Spain. World No 5 Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia and World No 2 Kento Momota of Japan will be the major threats for the Indian men.

B Sai Praneeth is also part of the touring party but has a tough first assignment against Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen, the current world No 4 in his way, an olympics.com report said.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, gold medallists from Birmingham 2022, will lead the Indian charge in men’s doubles. Indian pairs Manu Attri/B Sumeeth Reddy, Krishna Prasad Garaga/ Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala and MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila are also in the fray.

On the other hand, Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand and Ashwini Ponnappa/ N Sikki Reddy will be India’s best hopes in the women’s doubles, where Pooja Dandu/ Sanjana Santosh and Ashwini Bhat K/ Shikha Gautam will also be looking to impress.

The mixed doubles section will see two Indian pairs, Ishaan Bhatnagar/Tanisha Crasto and Venkat Gaurav Prasad/ Juhi Dewangan, in action. Overall, a total of 27 shuttlers will be part of the Indian contingent in Japan.

Indian shuttlers have ensured 12 podium finishes at the world badminton championships but Sindhu’s gold medal in women’s singles back in 2019 remains the only gold in the lot.

ALSO READ-Lanka Premier League 2022 to start on December 6

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Sport Sports Sri Lanka

Lanka Premier League 2022 to start on December 6

Asia Cup, set to begin on August 27, was also shifted from Sri Lanka to the UAE due to similar reasons…reports Asian Lite News

The rescheduled 2022 Lanka Premier League will be held from December 6 to 23, the organisers announced on Tuesday.

The third season of the LPL was initially slated to be held in August, but the economic crisis engulfing the island nation had forced a postponement last month.

“It’s my pleasure to announce that the LPL will be held from 6th to 23rd December,” LPL tournament organiser Samantha Dodanwela told the media. The news was also confirmed by IPG, the LPL’s official promoter, on Twitter.

According to ESPNcricinfo report, the sponsors of LPL felt that organising the tournament in August during the crisis was suboptimal, which led to the official postponement in July. Later, the Asia Cup, set to begin on August 27, was also shifted from Sri Lanka to the UAE due to similar reasons.

Meanwhile, no decision has been taken yet on a potential LPL re-draft. It is understood that the tournament organisers are deciding between two options: either holding a fresh draft, or going ahead with as many of the available players as possible with only the slots taken up by any unavailable foreign players being re-drafted.

As per Sri Lanka’s Future Tours Program, the tournament will likely be sandwiched between a home Test series against West Indies in November and an away ODI series against India in December-January.

The LPL is a five-team competition being held since 2020. Jaffna Kings, formerly the Stallions, have been champions in the two previous seasons while Galle Gladiators have been runners-up in both those editions.The other three teams are Colombo Stars, Kandy Falcons and Dambulla Giants – all three of whom have also gone through changes in ownership since the inaugural edition.

ALSO READ- Indian women’s hockey team wins bronze medal

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 Indian women’s hockey team wins bronze medal

India started the match cautiously, holding the ball in the midfield, trying to draw the New Zealand players out…reports Asian Lite News

In a perfect culmination to its more than two month journey on the road, the Indian women’s hockey on Sunday won the bronze medal in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games here on Sunday.

It was a fitting retribution for India as it defeated Zew Zealand 2-1 in the penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in regulation time to finish third. India had lost to Australia in the semifinal in penalty shoot-out after the Hockeyroos were asked to take the first shoot-out again after Indian goalkeeper Savita had saved it.

On Sunday, there was no such drama as Sonika and Navneet converted their penalty shoot-out attempts while Savita thwarted four attempts by the New Zealand attackers, sending the team into wild celebrations.

Earlier, Salima Tete has given India the lead in the just before the half-time and they looked on their way to victory as they attacked well.

However, New Zealand scored in the last 15 seconds off a penalty stroke that was awarded to them when a Indian defender kicked the ball off a desperate last-ditch attack by New Zealand. Olivia Merry converted the stroke to push the match into a shoot-out.

Savita made three sensational saves in the shoot-out, while Sonika and Navneet Kaur struck past Kiwi goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon as India pulled off a thrilling win. With the bronze medal win, Indian women’s hockey team ended their 16-year wait for a medal at the Commonwealth Games.

India started the match cautiously, holding the ball in the midfield, trying to draw the New Zealand players out.

Navneet Kaur and Vandana Katariya got into the circle in the early minutes, but New Zealand defence cleared away the danger. Nisha made a solid save after Rose Tynan made a dangerous pass inside the circle. Salima Tete almost put her team in the lead after India forced their way into the Black Sticks: circle through the central channel, but her shot went just wide as the first quarter ended with both teams goalless and searching for perfect rhythm.

The second quarter started with India making circle penetrations from the left flank and keeping the rival defence true. Navneet Kaur created chance but New Zealand kept their composure and cleared the ball. A counter-attacking move was set up Rose Tynan as she struck a shot towards Alex Lukin in front of the goal. But the ball just went wide and the Kiwis missed the opportunity to score.

India went ahead in the 29th minute when Salima Tete broke the shackles and found the back of the nets with a reverse hit as India entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.

New Zealand, who were contend to sit back in defence and look for counter-attack, started showcasing urgency in the second half, and pressed deeper in India’s half. Sonika broke into the circle from the left flanks, and Lalremsiami managed to get a shot, but was denied by a Kiwi defender.

Neha and Navneet Kaur created a beautiful chance for India to extend their lead. But the pass to Sonika in front of the goalpost just went wide. Before the end of the third quarter, New Zealand managed to hit the ball into the nets. But India used their referral well and the goal was disallowed due to an infringement in the lead-up.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, India burst into New Zealand’s half with Sushila Chanu making threatening runs from the central channel. Kaitlin Cotter got a shot away from an acute angle, but Indian goalkeeper Savita made a good save, only to see the ball go to Olivia Shannon. Shannon’s shot, though, went above the goalpost. India created a string of Penalty Corner opportunities, but the Kiwi goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon continued to make the saves. Olivia Merry scored from a penalty stroke in the final seconds of the regulation time to push the match to a Shoot-Out.

Megan Hull scored from New Zealand’s first attempt in the shoot-out, while Sangita Kumari, who was a surprise pick, missed India’s first attempt. Savita pulled off a great save as she denied Ralph Hope to keep India in the hunt.

Sonika levelled the score line 1-1 as she struck past Grace O’Hanlon. With Savita covering the distance and denying her a claer look at the goal, Rose Tynan struck the side netting.

Navneet Kaur struck past Grace give India a 2-1 lead in the shoot-out. With Katie Doar and Olivia Shannon missing for New Zealand, India went on to the win the match to claim the bronze medal.

ALSO READ-Nitu, Asian champion Amit Panghal stormed into the finals at CWG

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Sindhu qualifies for women’s singles semi-final

The Indian ace tried to mount a comeback using her height to create angles but Goh Jin Wei unleashed a flurry of smashes to take the opening game…reports Asian Lite News

Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu reached the women’s singles semifinals at the Commonwealth Games 2022 after seeing off a tough challenge from Malaysian No 1 Goh Jin Wei in the quarter-finals, here on Saturday.

Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, beat Goh Jin Wei 19-21, 21-14, 21-18 at the National Exhibition Centre for her second win over the Malaysian at CWG 2022. She had beaten the Youth Olympic Games champion 22-20, 21-17 in India’s mixed team final earlier in the week.

Former world champion Sindhu started the match strongly but Goh Jin Wei, seeded sixth, went into the break trailing by just two points. Goh Jin Wei then used her skillful drop shots to trouble PV Sindhu and lead for the first time in the match at 16-15.

The Indian ace tried to mount a comeback using her height to create angles but Goh Jin Wei unleashed a flurry of smashes to take the opening game.

Sindhu, known for her endurance, amped up her game to tire out Goh Jin Wei with longer rallies and lead 11-8 at the second break. Goh Jin Wei, who is on a comeback trail after retiring due to health reasons last year, struggled physically and could not close the gap as the match stretched into the decider.

With tactics paying off, Sindhu continued to test Goh Jin Wei physically with an average of nine shots per rally. Despite trailing at one stage, she persisted to beat Jin Wei in one hour and 17 minutes.

This will be Sindhu’s third straight semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games. She has a bronze and a silver from the 2014 and 2018 editions, respectively. The 27-year old will now take on the fourth seed Yeo Jia Min from Singapore for a place in the final.

World championships silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth and India’s highest-ranked men’s badminton player Lakshya Sen will be in action later in the day in the men’s singles badminton event.

ALSO READ-Sindhu, Srikanth win singles openers at Commonwealth Games