The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju has said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ddca-to-rename-feroz-shah-kotla-as-arun-jaitley-stadium-246017">Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA</a>) have taken the right decision of renaming the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium as Arun Jaitley Stadium.

"Indian cricket and Delhi cricket have been closely associated with Arun Jaitley. As a sports minister, I would like to say that DDCA has taken the right decision by deciding to rename Feroz Shah Kotla to Arun Jaitley Stadium. I will go to the program which will be arranged and it will be the right tribute to Arun Jaitley," Rijiju told ANI.

DDCA on Tuesday announced that the renaming of the stadium will be done on September 12.

The former Union Minister who passed away on August 24, was appointed as the chief of Delhi's cricket body in 1999 and he held the post for 13 years.

Rijiju also met shuttler PV Sindhu on Tuesday as she returned after a winning stint at the BWF World Championships.

The Sports Ministry awarded Sindhu with Rs 10 lakhs as she became the first Indian to win gold at the championship.

"We have felicitated everyone who have returned from the BWF World Championships. This was the first time, that we had the cheques ready before the players arrived in Delhi. I believe the government should help players in every way possible," Rijiju said.

"PV Sindhu was also awarded 10 lakhs, Sai Praneeth was given four lakhs for winning a bronze medal in BWF World Championships," he added.

Rijiju had also handed over cheques worth Rs 1.82 crores to para-badminton world championship winners.

The gold medal winners got Rs 20 lakh each while silver and bronze medallist took home Rs 14 lakh and Rs 8 lakh respectively.

Winners in doubles events were given Rs 15 lakh each for gold, Rs 10.5 lakh each for silver and Rs 6 lakh each for bronze.

"Para-Athletes who have returned from badminton championships have also been awarded. Players winning gold have been awarded 20 lakhs, players who have won gold in the doubles event, have been awarded 15 lakhs each," Rijiju said.

"All the para-athletes were very happy. The Narendra Modi-government is adamant on working hard and we will encourage every athlete in the country," he added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju has said that Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) have taken the right decision of renaming the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium as Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju has said that Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) have taken the right decision of renaming the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium as Arun Jaitley Stadium. "Indian cricket and Delhi cricket have been closely associated with Arun Jaitley. As a sports minister, I would like to say that DDCA has taken the right decision by deciding to rename Feroz Shah Kotla to Arun Jaitley Stadium. I will go to the program which will be arranged and it will be the right tribute to Arun Jaitley," Rijiju told ANI. DDCA on Tuesday announced that the renaming of the stadium will be done on September 12. The former Union Minister who passed away on August 24, was appointed as the chief of Delhi's cricket body in 1999 and he held the post for 13 years. Rijiju also met shuttler PV Sindhu on Tuesday as she returned after a winning stint at the BWF World Championships. The Sports Ministry awarded Sindhu with Rs 10 lakhs as she became the first Indian to win gold at the championship. "We have felicitated everyone who have returned from the BWF World Championships. This was the first time, that we had the cheques ready before the players arrived in Delhi. I believe the government should help players in every way possible," Rijiju said. "PV Sindhu was also awarded 10 lakhs, Sai Praneeth was given four lakhs for winning a bronze medal in BWF World Championships," he added. Rijiju had also handed over cheques worth Rs 1.82 crores to para-badminton world championship winners. The gold medal winners got Rs 20 lakh each while silver and bronze medallist took home Rs 14 lakh and Rs 8 lakh respectively. Winners in doubles events were given Rs 15 lakh each for gold, Rs 10.5 lakh each for silver and Rs 6 lakh each for bronze. "Para-Athletes who have returned from badminton championships have also been awarded. Players winning gold have been awarded 20 lakhs, players who have won gold in the doubles event, have been awarded 15 lakhs each," Rijiju said. "All the para-athletes were very happy. The Narendra Modi-government is adamant on working hard and we will encourage every athlete in the country," he added.

DDCA has taken right decision in renaming Feroz Shah Kotla after Arun Jaitley: Kiren Rijiju

Unprecedented scenes of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing face masks have reignited debate about hosting major sports in heavily polluted New Delhi, where doctors are increasingly vocal about the health risks posed by smog.

Medics on Monday urged cricket`s governing body to revise its rulebook after a Test match between India and Sri Lanka went ahead in the capital despite players vomiting and wheezing for air.

International cricketers returned Monday for day three of the third Test even as air pollution at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium soared to hit 18 times the World Health Organization`s safe level.

The play had been disrupted three times on Sunday as Sri Lankan players complained of illness, but umpires ruled the match would proceed. The Indian Medical Association condemned the decision, warning that playing in such conditions put athletes` health at serious risk.

&quot;This match should not have taken place in the first place. It is time the ICC (International Cricket Council) comes up with a policy on pollution,&quot; said IMA president K. K Aggarwal.

&quot;You have fast bowlers, batsmen and fielders out there exposed to these very harmful pollutants over five days at a stretch. It takes a serious toll on your health in the long run.&quot; The sport`s governing body declined to comment.

India`s powerful cricket board accused Sri Lanka of making a &quot;big fuss&quot;, pointing to Indian skipper Virat Kohli who hit a record sixth Test double century despite the smog. 
But the US embassy website on Monday urged Delhi residents to &quot;avoid all outdoor exertion&quot; as concentrations of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants known as PM2.5 soared to hazardous levels.

These tiny particles -- a fraction the size of human hair -- lodge deep in the lungs and are linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease. 
The concentration of such particles Monday hit 448 -- compared to a maximum level of 25 considered safe by the World Health Organization over a 24-hour period.&nbsp; 
Even limited exposure can cause shortness of breath and make the eyes weep and throat burn.Pollution levels generally rise during the winter in Delhi and across northern India and neighbouring Pakistan, fuelled by crop burning in the region and the fact that cooler air traps particulates close to the ground.

The smog has become especially alarming in the past two years, casting doubt on the future of sports events in the sports-mad swathe of South Asia. 
&quot;This should be a wake-up call for Pak. Our children are at a huge risk because of dangerous pollution levels,&quot; tweeted former Pakistani cricketer and political opposition leader Imran Khan on the India-Sri Lanka Test.

Doctors and public health campaigners have escalated their fight against sports events in Delhi in recent years.

Last month more than 30,000 runners competed in the Delhi half-marathon -- just days after smog shut schools amid a public health emergency in the capital. 
Doctors warned of dire health consequences and challenged the race in court but it went ahead, with runners complaining of burning eyes and sore throats. 
Greenpeace lobbied in October against India hosting the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, warning it poses unacceptable risks to the world`s youngest soccer stars. 
It also proceeded but the schedule was adjusted to avoid Delhi at its worst.

&quot;Others should also think about athletes health first,&quot; tweeted tournament director Javier Ceppi after images of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing face masks went around the globe.

Other events in Delhi -- like an Asian tour golf title in November and Indian Super League football matches -- attract less controversy but doctors say pose no less risk.

&quot;Ideally, sporting events should not be scheduled in the winter months in Delhi,&quot; chest and lung cancer specialist Doctor Arvind Kumar told AFP.

&quot;We cannot expose our athletes to inhuman levels of pollution just because a few hundred crores (tens of millions of dollars) is at stake.&quot;

The Test debacle in Delhi is not the first time cricketers have complained of air pollution in the capital, with Australia citing smoggy air following their loss to India in 1996.

On Sunday, the third Test between India and Sri Lanka was stopped three times -- because of pollution

Unprecedented scenes of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing face masks have reignited debate about hosting major sports in heavily polluted New Delhi, where doctors are increasingly vocal about the health risks posed by smog. Medics on Monday urged cricket`s governing body to revise its rulebook after a Test match between India and Sri Lanka went ahead in the capital despite players vomiting and wheezing for air. International cricketers returned Monday for day three of the third Test even as air pollution at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium soared to hit 18 times the World Health Organization`s safe level. The play had been disrupted three times on Sunday as Sri Lankan players complained of illness, but umpires ruled the match would proceed. The Indian Medical Association condemned the decision, warning that playing in such conditions put athletes` health at serious risk. "This match should not have taken place in the first place. It is time the ICC (International Cricket Council) comes up with a policy on pollution," said IMA president K. K Aggarwal. "You have fast bowlers, batsmen and fielders out there exposed to these very harmful pollutants over five days at a stretch. It takes a serious toll on your health in the long run." The sport`s governing body declined to comment. India`s powerful cricket board accused Sri Lanka of making a "big fuss", pointing to Indian skipper Virat Kohli who hit a record sixth Test double century despite the smog. But the US embassy website on Monday urged Delhi residents to "avoid all outdoor exertion" as concentrations of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants known as PM2.5 soared to hazardous levels. These tiny particles -- a fraction the size of human hair -- lodge deep in the lungs and are linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease. The concentration of such particles Monday hit 448 -- compared to a maximum level of 25 considered safe by the World Health Organization over a 24-hour period. Even limited exposure can cause shortness of breath and make the eyes weep and throat burn.Pollution levels generally rise during the winter in Delhi and across northern India and neighbouring Pakistan, fuelled by crop burning in the region and the fact that cooler air traps particulates close to the ground. The smog has become especially alarming in the past two years, casting doubt on the future of sports events in the sports-mad swathe of South Asia. "This should be a wake-up call for Pak. Our children are at a huge risk because of dangerous pollution levels," tweeted former Pakistani cricketer and political opposition leader Imran Khan on the India-Sri Lanka Test. Doctors and public health campaigners have escalated their fight against sports events in Delhi in recent years. Last month more than 30,000 runners competed in the Delhi half-marathon -- just days after smog shut schools amid a public health emergency in the capital. Doctors warned of dire health consequences and challenged the race in court but it went ahead, with runners complaining of burning eyes and sore throats. Greenpeace lobbied in October against India hosting the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, warning it poses unacceptable risks to the world`s youngest soccer stars. It also proceeded but the schedule was adjusted to avoid Delhi at its worst. "Others should also think about athletes health first," tweeted tournament director Javier Ceppi after images of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing face masks went around the globe. Other events in Delhi -- like an Asian tour golf title in November and Indian Super League football matches -- attract less controversy but doctors say pose no less risk. "Ideally, sporting events should not be scheduled in the winter months in Delhi," chest and lung cancer specialist Doctor Arvind Kumar told AFP. "We cannot expose our athletes to inhuman levels of pollution just because a few hundred crores (tens of millions of dollars) is at stake." The Test debacle in Delhi is not the first time cricketers have complained of air pollution in the capital, with Australia citing smoggy air following their loss to India in 1996.

Doctors say no to sport in Delhi as cricketers choke in smog

Dinesh Chandimal scored 164 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 373 in their first innings against India on day four of the pollution-hit third Test in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The visitors, who started the day on 356-9, conceded a 163-run lead after Ishant got skipper Chandimal caught on another hazy morning at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

The final Test had been marred by Sri Lanka protests over bad air on Sunday.

New Delhi suffered another bad day of pollution on Tuesday, but the play was not disrupted.

Dinesh Chandimal scored 164 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 373 in their first innings against India on day four of the pollution-hit third Test in New Delhi on Tuesday. The visitors, who started the day on 356-9, conceded a 163-run lead after Ishant got skipper Chandimal caught on another hazy morning at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium. The final Test had been marred by Sri Lanka protests over bad air on Sunday. New Delhi suffered another bad day of pollution on Tuesday, but the play was not disrupted.

3rd Test, Day 4: Sri Lanka all out for 373, concede 163-run lead to India

India&#39;s run-machine Virat Kohli and in-form Murali Vijay smashed big centuries in a massive 283-run stand to deflate Sri Lanka on the opening day of the third and final test on Saturday.

The tourists claimed two wickets in the morning session and two more in the final one but it otherwise was a microcosm of a series dominated by the hosts as India scored at more than four runs an over to reach 371 for four 4 at the close.

Kohli remained not out after a majestic 156, which contained 16 fours and followed his 104 not out in the first test in Kolkata and 213 in Nagpur.

The 29-year-old also joined the 5,000-test run club in his 105th innings.

Rohit Sharma was on six at the other end, with the hosts chasing a record-equalling ninth consecutive test series win after Kohli won the toss.

Right-handed opener Lokesh Rahul made way for the left-handed Shikhar Dhawan as India, 1-0 up in the series, shuffled the top of their batting order for a third match in a row.

Dhawan could not make the most of the opportunity, though, his attempted sweep shot off Dilruwan Perera finding Suranga Lakmal at deep square leg.

The opener made 23 before becoming the off-spinner&#39;s 100th test victim in a Sri Lankan record of 25 tests, two less than spin great Muttiah Muralitharan.

Cheteshwar Pujara hit four boundaries before walking into a Sri Lankan trap.

Paceman Lahiru Gamage stationed Sadeera Samarawickrama at leg slip and bowled the perfect delivery which Pujara tickled to the fielder to depart for 23.

Kohli, however, was simply unstoppable as the right-hander scored at nearly a run a ball, treating the weekend crowd to some exciting shot-making.

Gamage was on the receiving end of Kohli&#39;s sublime batting in an eventful 37th over when the batsman hit the bowler for three boundaries - a drive through extra cover, followed by a leg glance and an imperious pull in front of square.

Vijay brought up his 11th test century with a ninth four, celebrating the feat with a little jig.

The right-hander, who scored 128 in Nagpur, hit 13 boundaries in his elegant 155 before a lapse in concentration.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan, one of the three new faces in the Sri Lankan team, dismissed Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane stumped in successive overs in the final session.

Kohli put on a 283-run third-wicket stand with opener Murali Vijay, who scored 155, after electing to bat first at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi

India's run-machine Virat Kohli and in-form Murali Vijay smashed big centuries in a massive 283-run stand to deflate Sri Lanka on the opening day of the third and final test on Saturday. The tourists claimed two wickets in the morning session and two more in the final one but it otherwise was a microcosm of a series dominated by the hosts as India scored at more than four runs an over to reach 371 for four 4 at the close. Kohli remained not out after a majestic 156, which contained 16 fours and followed his 104 not out in the first test in Kolkata and 213 in Nagpur. The 29-year-old also joined the 5,000-test run club in his 105th innings. Rohit Sharma was on six at the other end, with the hosts chasing a record-equalling ninth consecutive test series win after Kohli won the toss. Right-handed opener Lokesh Rahul made way for the left-handed Shikhar Dhawan as India, 1-0 up in the series, shuffled the top of their batting order for a third match in a row. Dhawan could not make the most of the opportunity, though, his attempted sweep shot off Dilruwan Perera finding Suranga Lakmal at deep square leg. The opener made 23 before becoming the off-spinner's 100th test victim in a Sri Lankan record of 25 tests, two less than spin great Muttiah Muralitharan. Cheteshwar Pujara hit four boundaries before walking into a Sri Lankan trap. Paceman Lahiru Gamage stationed Sadeera Samarawickrama at leg slip and bowled the perfect delivery which Pujara tickled to the fielder to depart for 23. Kohli, however, was simply unstoppable as the right-hander scored at nearly a run a ball, treating the weekend crowd to some exciting shot-making. Gamage was on the receiving end of Kohli's sublime batting in an eventful 37th over when the batsman hit the bowler for three boundaries - a drive through extra cover, followed by a leg glance and an imperious pull in front of square. Vijay brought up his 11th test century with a ninth four, celebrating the feat with a little jig. The right-hander, who scored 128 in Nagpur, hit 13 boundaries in his elegant 155 before a lapse in concentration. Left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan, one of the three new faces in the Sri Lankan team, dismissed Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane stumped in successive overs in the final session.

Cricket: India 371-4 after big hundreds from Kohli, Vijay