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Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the former champion of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All-India hockey tournament, has secured its place in the semifinals after a 3-1 victory over Odisha in a Pool-B contest. With this win, IOC has assured itself of a spot in the knock-out stage.IOC, studded with Olympians and Internationals, has played hard and ticked all the boxes in this year's tournament. The team has scripted its third successive win, leaving nothing to chance. Odisha, from Pool-B, is the other team that has made it to the last four.In Pool-A, Indian Army tamed Tamil Nadu 3-1 with a delectable mix of aggression and caution. However, the picture in Pool-A is still unclear as to who will reach the semifinals. Tamil Nadu, after its wonderful win over Maharashtra, flattered to deceive against a strong Army unit.Army was the better side throughout the match, be it in attack, defense, or midfield. Tamil Nadu will rue its chances in the fourth quarter. Trailing 1-3 in the fourth quarter, the host had four back-to-back penalty corners but wasted each one of them.

India's historic triumph at the Chess Olympiad 2024 has etched their name in the annals of the sport. Both the men's and women's teams scripted history by claiming their maiden gold medals, a testament to their exceptional talent and unwavering determination.The men's team, led by the prodigious D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, faced a formidable challenge in their final round match against Slovenia. However, the trio displayed their mettle, securing crucial victories in their respective matches to seal the gold.The women's team, featuring the impressive Vantika Agrawal, also rose to the occasion in their final match against Azerbaijan. Their collective brilliance and unwavering spirit propelled them to victory, securing the coveted gold medal.Vantika Agrawal, a key member of the Indian team, expressed her immense pride and joy in an interview with NDTV. "We are so proud to be playing for India and we are very happy," she exclaimed.Agrawal revealed that the team had meticulously planned their celebration, including a special dance and dinner. She also acknowledged the immense pressure they faced as the top seeds, but their determination and resilience prevailed."There was a lot of pressure from the start to the end," Agrawal said. "But I was not thinking about anything and I just knew that I was playing for India."Agrawal's inspiration, she revealed, is the legendary Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion. She also expressed her admiration for multiple-time world champion Magnus Carlsen.India's double gold triumph at the Chess Olympiad 2024 is a testament to the country's growing prowess in the sport. It is a moment of immense pride and celebration for the nation, and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring chess players across the globe.

The Indian men's hockey team, fresh off their historic bronze medal performance at the Tokyo Olympics, will face off against hockey powerhouse Germany in a two-match bilateral series at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on October 23 and 24.The last time these two hockey giants clashed was in the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics, where Germany emerged victorious with a narrow 3-2 margin. India, however, went on to secure the bronze medal by defeating Spain in the third-place play-offs.Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his excitement for the upcoming series, stating, "This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.""We are honored to host this event, which will not only promote the spirit of hockey but also strengthen the bond between the two nations," added Tirkey, a former India captain.Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh echoed Tirkey's sentiments, saying, "The India-Germany hockey rivalry has always been a thrilling contest. Our players are eager to compete against such a good side, and I believe this series will offer both teams a chance to fine-tune their skills and strategies ahead of future international tournaments.""We are proud to be part of this Indo-German collaboration, which brings together not just business and diplomacy but also the love of sport," Singh added.German Hockey Federation President Henning Fastrich expressed the national team's anticipation for the challenge. "India has always been a special place for hockey, and our team is excited to play in front of passionate Indian hockey fans. This series will be a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the sporting ties between Germany and India while offering both teams a competitive platform to prepare for upcoming global events.""We look forward to the challenge and the experience of playing at the historic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium," Fastrich concluded.The India-Germany bilateral series promises to be an exciting spectacle for hockey enthusiasts, showcasing the skills and strategies of two of the world's top hockey nations.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic Disqualification Sparks Political Feud with Yogeshwar DuttVinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympic Games 2024 has ignited a heated debate in India, with fellow wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt criticizing her actions and calling for an apology.Phogat, who announced her retirement from wrestling after her disqualification, has since joined the Indian National Congress ahead of the upcoming Haryana elections. However, Dutt, who has also transitioned to politics, believes Phogat should have apologized for costing India a medal.In an interview with AajTak, Dutt expressed his disappointment with Phogat's behavior, both during the Olympic Games and the protests she participated in over the past year. He accused her of tarnishing India's image and creating a false narrative."She should have apologized to the entire nation for her mistakes," Dutt said. "Instead, she blamed a conspiracy and even dragged the Prime Minister into it. The disqualification was fair, and she should have accepted responsibility."Dutt also criticized Phogat's role in the protests, claiming that she misled people and created a negative atmosphere in the country."If I were in Vinesh's place, I would have apologized to the country," Dutt said. "She cost India a medal and then tried to justify her actions by spreading false information."Phogat has yet to respond to Dutt's comments, but her decision to join politics has raised questions about her motives. Some believe that she is using her platform to advance her political career, while others argue that she is genuinely committed to serving the people of Haryana.The feud between Phogat and Dutt highlights the growing divide within India's wrestling community. As the sport continues to gain popularity, it is likely that more wrestlers will enter the political arena, potentially leading to further clashes and controversies.

Karnataka's performance in the ongoing MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All-India hockey tournament has been a far cry from their impressive run in the previous edition, where they reached the final. In the 95th edition of the tournament, Karnataka has struggled to assert its dominance, failing to replicate the robust display and penalty corner prowess that characterized their previous campaign.On Monday, Karnataka managed to eke out a hard-fought 4-3 victory over NCOE (Bhopal) in a Pool-B encounter, thanks to a brace each from Abharan Sudev and C. J. Rahul. However, the win came after two disappointing losses, highlighting Karnataka's current struggles.NCOE, which entered the tournament with a reputation to defend after winning the Lakshmi Ammal memorial tournament in June, has also failed to live up to expectations. The team has lost two of its three matches so far, including the defeat to Karnataka.The match between Karnataka and NCOE was a closely contested affair. NCOE opened the scoring early on through their captain Faraz Md., who converted a penalty corner in the seventh minute. Karnataka responded quickly with goals from Abharan Sudev and Rahul, taking a 2-1 lead. Rahul extended Karnataka's advantage to 3-1 with a back-push from close range.NCOE came close to equalizing in the closing stages of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter through penalty corners. However, Karnataka's goalkeeper A. C. Subramani came up with some timely saves to preserve his team's lead.In another Pool-A contest, defending champion Indian Railways defeated Maharashtra 3-2. Yuvraj Walmiki, Simranjot Singh, and Shivam Anand scored for Indian Railways, while Rohan Patil and Venkatesh Kenche netted for Maharashtra.

India's chess teams made history on Sunday, claiming gold medals in both the men's and women's categories at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest.The men's team, led by D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanadhaa, defeated Slovenia 3-0 in the final round to secure the title. Gukesh, playing with black pieces, displayed his technical prowess against Vladimir Fedoseev, while Erigaisi and Praggnanadhaa also emerged victorious.The women's team, featuring Tania Sachdev, Koneru Humpy, and Harika Dronavalli, clinched the gold with a 3.5-0.5 triumph over Azerbaijan. Sachdev and Humpy won their matches, while Dronavalli drew hers.This marks the first time that India has won gold medals in both the men's and women's categories at the Chess Olympiad. The men's team had previously won bronze medals in 2014 and 2022, while the women's team had won bronze in 2022.After their victory, the Indian contingent celebrated with a unique gesture, imitating the iconic slow-walk celebration of Rohit Sharma and Lionel Messi after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and FIFA World Cup 2022, respectively.The Indian men's team finished the tournament with an impressive 21 points out of a possible 22, conceding only a single draw to Uzbekistan. The women's team also performed exceptionally, scoring 3.5-0.5 against Azerbaijan.This historic victory is a testament to the growing strength of chess in India and the dedication and hard work of the players and coaches. It is a proud moment for the nation and a significant milestone in the history of Indian chess.

Pratyasa Ray, a rising star in Indian swimming, has been selected for the prestigious Ekalabya Puraskar for 2024. The award recognizes her exceptional performance at the Khelo India University Games in Guwahati earlier this year, where she secured an impressive haul of six medals, including four gold, one silver, and one bronze.The Ekalabya Puraskar committee, comprising jury members from various sectors, unanimously selected Ray for the award at a meeting in Bhubaneswar. She will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh, an increase from the previous Rs 5 lakh, along with a citation at a ceremony to be held at a later date.Ray's selection is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. She has consistently performed at a high level, representing Odisha and India in various national and international competitions. Her achievements have not only brought glory to her state but have also inspired aspiring swimmers across the country.In addition to Ray, sprinter Dondapati Mrutyam Jayaram and badminton player Tanvi Patri will also be felicitated for their remarkable performances in various international and national-level events. Each of the citation winners will receive a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh, up from Rs 1 lakh, along with citations at the award ceremony.The Ekalabya Puraskar was instituted by the charitable body IMPaCT in 1993 and is managed by IMFA, the leading ferro alloys producer in the country. It is now considered the most prestigious sports award in Odisha. The award is given every year to young sportspersons of Odisha in recognition of their outstanding performance in the preceding two years.Announcing the names of the award winners, Baijayant Panda, chairperson of the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee and Trustee of IMPaCT, said, "The award was instituted to encourage young sportspersons of the state to perform at the national and international arenas."The Ekalabya Puraskar has played a significant role in promoting sports in Odisha and has helped to identify and nurture young talent. The award winners have gone on to represent India at the highest level and have brought laurels to the country.

World champion Max Verstappen has expressed his frustration over a community service punishment for swearing, threatening that it could hasten his exit from Formula One.Verstappen finished second to Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix, but the controversy surrounding his punishment continued to overshadow the race. The Red Bull driver was sanctioned by the FIA after using the F-word in a live press conference on Thursday.In response, Verstappen staged a one-man protest by giving only short answers or offering "no comment" to reporters in the official FIA post-qualifying press conference on Saturday. After Sunday's race, he again limited his responses before conducting a lengthy press conference with some members of the written press inside the Red Bull hospitality unit."These kinds of things definitely decide my future as well, when you can't be yourself or you have to deal with these kinds of silly things," the 26-year-old said. "I am at the stage of my career where you don't want to be dealing with this all the time. It's really tiring."Verstappen is chasing a fourth world title this season, but he has said in the past that a long career in Formula One is not on his agenda. He is also keen to explore other forms of motor racing once his current contract with Red Bull ends in 2028."F1 will go on without me. It's not a problem and also not a problem for me. It's how it is," he added. "If you can't really be yourself to the fullest, then it's better not to speak. But that's what no one wants because then you become a robot and that's not how you should be going about it in the sport."Verstappen's comments have raised concerns about his future in Formula One. The Dutchman is one of the most talented drivers in the sport, and his departure would be a major blow to the series. However, it is clear that Verstappen is frustrated with the FIA's decision, and it remains to be seen whether he will continue to race in Formula One beyond his current contract.

Daniel Ricciardo's illustrious Formula 1 career may have come to an end with a bittersweet performance at the Singapore Grand Prix. Despite finishing last, the Australian driver left an indelible mark on the race by securing the fastest lap and earning the coveted "Driver of the Day" accolade.Ricciardo's final lap was a testament to his unwavering determination and skill. Despite his McLaren's lack of pace, he managed to snatch the fastest lap from race winner Lando Norris, potentially handing a crucial bonus point to his former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen in the title race.Verstappen, who finished second, expressed his gratitude to Ricciardo and the junior Red Bull team for preventing Norris from claiming the extra point. "Thank you, Daniel," Verstappen said over team radio.Ricciardo's departure from Formula 1 will leave a void in the paddock. Known for his infectious smile and witty humor, the Australian has been one of the most beloved drivers in the sport. He introduced the iconic "Shoey" celebration to the podium, guzzling champagne from his sweaty racing boot after each of his eight Grand Prix victories.Throughout his 13-year career, Ricciardo has amassed 32 podium appearances, representing Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, and McLaren. He has scored an impressive 1,329 points, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful Australian drivers in Formula 1 history.In a post-race interview, an emotional Ricciardo reflected on his journey. "Typically, the 'Driver of the Day' thing is not something we drivers look too much into," he said. "But today, I can say it's something I'm appreciative of. So that one means a little something."While the fairytale ending may have eluded him, Ricciardo expressed pride in his accomplishments. "I have to look back on what's been 13 or so years, and I'm proud," he said.