Shortpasses

Footballer cycles 600km to training to raise funds

RIO DE JANEIRO: Former Brazil international Fred took off on a five-day, 600km cycle ride on Monday to come to the help of poor families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The 36-year-old announced on Twitter his “Tour de Fred” from the south eastern city of Belo Horizonte to Rio de Janeiro, where he plays for Fluminense. He said he wants to “help 4,000 poor families” and vowed to donate a food basket for every kilometre he rides, while he has also launched an online campaign to collect donations. Fred left at dawn on Monday and is due to take dirt tracks and small roads to avoid main highways and the potential of crowds breaking social distancing rules.

Rani, Phogat get Khel Ratna recommendation

NEW DELHI: Hockey India Tuesday nominated women’s team captain Rani Rampal for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award while Vandana Kataria, Monika and Harmanpreet Singh were recommended for the Arjuna Award. Rani, who is the first Indian to be named World Games Athlete of The Year, has also got the Arjuna Award (2016) and Padma Shri (2020). The wrestling federation nominated Vinesh Phogat for Khel Ratna, while Deepak Punia, Rahul Aware, Sakshi Malik, Sandeep Tomar and Naveen were nominated for Arjuna. The Table Tennis Federation recommended Manika Batra for Khel Ratna. Madhurika Patkar, Manav Thakkar and Suthirtha Mukherjee were nominated for the Arjuna.