MARY KOM TO LEAD INDIA’S CHALLENGE AT BOXING WORLDS

NEWDELHI: Five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom will lead the Indian charge at the AIBA World Elite Women’s Boxing Championships, to be held here from November 15-24. Along with Mary Kom, who will compete in the 48kg category, nine others pugilists have been selected to represent India.

Pinky Jangra (51kg), Manisha (54), Sonia (57), Sarita (60), Simranjit (64), Lovlina (69), Saweety Boora (75), Bhagyabati Kachari (81) and Seema Poonia (+81) are the other members, making it a strong 10-member squad.

Of the 10 boxers, five --- Mary Kom, Lovlina Borgohain, Sarita Devi, Baghyabati Kachari and Simranjit--- have made it to the team on the basis of their performances in Poland (13th International Silesian Championships) and Turkey (32nd Ahmet Comert Tournament).

FENESTA OPEN TENNIS

NEW DELHI: Young tennis players will get an opportunity to showcase their skills when the 24th edition of the Fenesta Open National Championship kicks off from October 1. Siddhanth Bhantia is the favourite in the U-18 boys’ list, followed by Megh Patel. Arjun Kadhe headlines entry in the men’s section, followed by Manish Sureshkumar. Zeel Desai and Mahak Jain will lead the fight for women’s title.

DELHI HALF MARATHON

NEW DELHI: Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete Sanya Richards-ross has been named the event ambassador for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon scheduled to be held on October 21.

“It is an honour to be the ambassador of one of the world’s most prestigious half marathons,” said Sanya, who is the fastest American woman in the history of 400m.

PLANNING FOR FUTURE

In the other are sides for whom planning for the future seem as important as staying relevant this term and Kerala Blasters would feel at home among them.

The Blasters have given coach David James a three-year deal and asked on Friday how involved he was in building the roster, the former England goalkeeper said “heavily”.

“We saw hundreds and hundreds of videos but we also looked at the future of Kerala Blasters. For that we saw videos of some young foreign talent, got some players who have come through the system and also some youngsters who may