Sivasangari makes q-final of World Junior Squash tourney

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2016 Asian Junior Under 19 champion, S. Sivasangari cruised into the quarter-finals of the 2017 World Junior Individual Squash Championship in Tauranga, New Zealand on Friday.

Sivasangari, the joint 5/8th seed, defeated her compatriot, the joint 9/16th seed, Zoe Foo Yuk Han winning in 11-5, 11-6 and 11-9 in the fourth round match held at Devoy Squash and Fitness Centre, said the tournament's website, www.wsfworldjuniors.com.

Another Malaysian player, the joint 5/8th seed Andrea Lee also made it to the last eight after scoring a 11-9, 11-8 and 11-8 win over the joint 9/16th seed, Elise Lazarus of England.

Four other Malaysian players were eliminated from the tournament after they were beaten by their respective opponents.

Chan Yiwen lost 3-11, 5-11 and 4-11 to the top seed, Hania El Hammamy of Egypt while the two-time British Junior Open winners, Aifa Azman was beaten by another Egyptian player, the second seed, Zeina Mickawy 1012, 11-13 and 7-11.

In the men's category, Ong Sai Hung put up a stiff competition against the top seed, Youssef Ibrahim of Egypt, before going down 11-9, 14-16, 1614, 7-11 and 5-11 in a 66-minute encounter.

Darren Rahul Pragasam also suffered the same fate after losing 6-11, 6-11 and 0-11, to Victor Crouin of France. - Bernama

Finals MVP Durant to visit India next week

NEW YORK: NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant will visit India next week, hosting a clinic for 5,000 children, donating two basketball courts to a school and instructing top youth players.

Durant sparked the Golden State Warriors to their second NBA crown in three seasons last month. The 28-year-old star forward won his first NBA crown in his first season after leaving Oklahoma City for the Warriors.

"I'm excited to travel to India to help promote the game of basketball and meet the prospects at the NBA Academy India," Durant said. "I've wanted to visit India for a long time and I can't wait to experience the country's unique culture and share my knowledge with the kids there."

Durant, who also helped the US Olympic team capture gold in 2012 at London and last year in Rio, will travel to New Delhi next Thursday.

He will donate two courts to the Ramjas School as part of his charity foundation's court renovation program, then visit the NBA Academy India in Noida, becoming the first active NBA player to appear at the school, where he will provide a master class in shooting, passing, dribbling and defensive drills.