Indian women's national football team is all set for their historic game against Brazil, here's what the players have to say! The Indian team will play in a four-nation international tournament in Manaus, Brazil and this is the first time that any senior Indian football team will play against Brazil. During their tour, the Indian team will lock horns with Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela in their three matches. The matches are part of the preparation for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022.

Indian women's team excited for the historic football match against Brazil

As Australia won the T20 World Cup 2021 edition, here's reliving the entire seventh edition held in the UAE.

T20 World Cup 2021: Reliving the seventh edition held in the UAE

Australia defeated New Zealand by eight wickets in the final to lift their maiden T20 World Cup title in Dubai. One of the most dominant teams in the history of cricket, the Aussies have now won a staggering five ODI World Cup titles and a T20 World Cup trophy.

Never write them off: Champions Australia's journey to maiden T20 World Cup triumph

Virat Kohli signed off as one of the most successful T20I captains in international cricket. Here's reliving his memorable stint.

Virat Kohli's memorable T20I captaincy stint for Team India

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a measure prohibiting transgender females from participating in female sports in schools into law on Monday.

According to The Texas Tribune, transgender student-athletes in Texas will be barred from participating in K-12 school sports teams that match their gender identification.

Student-athletes competing in interscholastic contests will be required to participate on sports teams that correspond to the sex recorded on their birth certificate at or near the time of birth under House Bill 25.

It was drafted by state Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, and is due to take effect on January 18, according to The Texas Tribune.

The bill goes beyond the University Interscholastic League's current guidelines, which control school athletics in Texas.

The gender of a student is established by their birth certificate under current UIL standards.

However, UIL acknowledges lawfully updated birth certificates in which a person's sex has been altered to match their gender identification.

Swanson expressed her delight at Abbott's decision to sign HB 25 into law in a statement.

Swanson has said that the measure aims to promote fair competition in girls' sports while also upholding Title IX, a federal rule against sex-based discrimination in education.&nbsp;

During a committee hearing, Swanson stated, "It's so very, very vital that we safeguard all that women have earned in the previous 50 years." 
 
Meanwhile, the Equal rights advocacy organisations, on the other hand, have slammed the law as discriminatory.

The Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group for LGBTQ+ rights, stated that it will continue to fight for the community.

It previously said that such measures will be challenged in court.

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BREAKING: Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs HB 25 banning trans youth from participating in sports alongside their peers. 
 
They are now the 10th state to pass such a law. 
 
We will not stop fighting to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetKidsPlay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetKidsPlay</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TXLege?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TXLege</a>
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HRC/status/1452754640714469376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Heartbreaking. Our trans youth in Texas - and everywhere - deserve to be loved and cherished, and to play the sports that bring them joy. We will never stop fighting to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetKidsPlay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetKidsPlay</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TxLege?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TxLege</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/brad_stuver?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brad_stuver</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ADunkin23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ADunkin23</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AnneLiebs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnneLiebs</a> <a href="https://t.co/2FkdpSQEZ8">https://t.co/2FkdpSQEZ8</a>
— Athlete Ally (@AthleteAlly) <a href="https://twitter.com/AthleteAlly/status/1452782278845865990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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According to The Texas Tribune, supporters of transgender Texans argue that the debate is harmful not just to transgender youngsters, but also to cisgender girls and women who may not follow precisely conventional standards.

Nine states have approved laws prohibiting transgender youth participation in sports this year, according to the Trevor Project, a national suicide prevention and crisis intervention group for LGBTQ children.

Legal battles have already erupted in two of those states, Florida and West Virginia.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a measure prohibiting transgender females from participating in female sports in schools into law on Monday. According to The Texas Tribune, transgender student-athletes in Texas will be barred from participating in K-12 school sports teams that match their gender identification.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a measure prohibiting transgender females from participating in female sports in schools into law on Monday. According to The Texas Tribune, transgender student-athletes in Texas will be barred from participating in K-12 school sports teams that match their gender identification. Student-athletes competing in interscholastic contests will be required to participate on sports teams that correspond to the sex recorded on their birth certificate at or near the time of birth under House Bill 25. It was drafted by state Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, and is due to take effect on January 18, according to The Texas Tribune. The bill goes beyond the University Interscholastic League's current guidelines, which control school athletics in Texas. The gender of a student is established by their birth certificate under current UIL standards. However, UIL acknowledges lawfully updated birth certificates in which a person's sex has been altered to match their gender identification. Swanson expressed her delight at Abbott's decision to sign HB 25 into law in a statement. Swanson has said that the measure aims to promote fair competition in girls' sports while also upholding Title IX, a federal rule against sex-based discrimination in education. During a committee hearing, Swanson stated, "It's so very, very vital that we safeguard all that women have earned in the previous 50 years." Meanwhile, the Equal rights advocacy organisations, on the other hand, have slammed the law as discriminatory. The Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group for LGBTQ+ rights, stated that it will continue to fight for the community. It previously said that such measures will be challenged in court. BREAKING: Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs HB 25 banning trans youth from participating in sports alongside their peers. They are now the 10th state to pass such a law. We will not stop fighting to #LetKidsPlay. #TXLege — Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 25, 2021 × Heartbreaking. Our trans youth in Texas - and everywhere - deserve to be loved and cherished, and to play the sports that bring them joy. We will never stop fighting to #LetKidsPlay. #TxLege @brad_stuver @ADunkin23 @AnneLiebs https://t.co/2FkdpSQEZ8 — Athlete Ally (@AthleteAlly) October 25, 2021 × According to The Texas Tribune, supporters of transgender Texans argue that the debate is harmful not just to transgender youngsters, but also to cisgender girls and women who may not follow precisely conventional standards. Nine states have approved laws prohibiting transgender youth participation in sports this year, according to the Trevor Project, a national suicide prevention and crisis intervention group for LGBTQ children. Legal battles have already erupted in two of those states, Florida and West Virginia. (With inputs from agencies)

Texas bans transgender girls from participating in female sports in schools

Ahead of the second Qualifier, Delhi Capitals’ players received a special mailbox from their fans back home. Filled with hand-written letters and touching, personalised gifts, the players were visibly moved by the outpouring of support and love from their loyal supporters.

Rishabh Pant-led DC get massive boost from fans ahead of Qualifier 2 vs KKR

The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur on Monday held a meeting with state sports ministers to draw a roadmap for preparing the country`s athletes for the future. "Meeting (with state sports ministers) was held to draw a roadmap to prepare our athletes for future Olympics, Asian Games, &amp; Commonwealth Games. We`ve agreed to meet at least twice a year, to evaluate progress on better infrastructure," Thakur told reporters after the meeting.

"We will also be holding regional meetings in various zones and will be looking at creating a dashboard where the data regarding the sports infrastructure available at block level in each state," he added. Following the major success of the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Thakur interacted with the States and UTs about the ways forward and how they would contribute to the mission to make India a top sporting nation. He was also joined by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Nisith Pramanik.

The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur on Monday held a meeting with state sports ministers to draw a roadmap for preparing the country`s athletes for the future.

The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur on Monday held a meeting with state sports ministers to draw a roadmap for preparing the country`s athletes for the future. "Meeting (with state sports ministers) was held to draw a roadmap to prepare our athletes for future Olympics, Asian Games, & Commonwealth Games. We`ve agreed to meet at least twice a year, to evaluate progress on better infrastructure," Thakur told reporters after the meeting. "We will also be holding regional meetings in various zones and will be looking at creating a dashboard where the data regarding the sports infrastructure available at block level in each state," he added. Following the major success of the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Thakur interacted with the States and UTs about the ways forward and how they would contribute to the mission to make India a top sporting nation. He was also joined by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Nisith Pramanik.

Anurag Thakur to meet state sports ministers twice a year to evaluate progress on infrastructure

Decoding maximum salary drawn by Indian players from cash-rich IPL league.

Indian players who have raked in big in IPL ​| Sports News

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez confirmed that he will face Caleb "Sweethands" Plant for the undisputed super-middleweight title on Nov. 6 in Las Vegas. 
 
Mexican Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) holds three 168-pound titles (WBC, WBA and WBO) while American Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) owns the fourth, the IBF. 
 
"This Nov 6th we`ll put Mexican boxing on top," Alvarez wrote on Twitter on Thursday. 
 
"Going for the missing belt!" 
 
Both boxers dominated in their opponents in their most recent fights. 
 
Alvarez claimed his third title when Billy Joe Saunders` corner threw in the towel in the eighth round of their May bout. 
 
Plant successfully defended his title with a unanimous decision win over Caleb Truax in January.

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez confirmed that he will face Caleb "Sweethands" Plant for the undisputed super-middleweight title on Nov. 6 in Las Vegas. Mexican Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) holds three 168-pound titles (WBC, WBA and WBO) while American Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) owns the fourth, the IBF.

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez confirmed that he will face Caleb "Sweethands" Plant for the undisputed super-middleweight title on Nov. 6 in Las Vegas. Mexican Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) holds three 168-pound titles (WBC, WBA and WBO) while American Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) owns the fourth, the IBF. "This Nov 6th we`ll put Mexican boxing on top," Alvarez wrote on Twitter on Thursday. "Going for the missing belt!" Both boxers dominated in their opponents in their most recent fights. Alvarez claimed his third title when Billy Joe Saunders` corner threw in the towel in the eighth round of their May bout. Plant successfully defended his title with a unanimous decision win over Caleb Truax in January.

Boxing - Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to battle Plant in November in Las Vegas

Water Sports, Rugby, Golf, Cricket, Soccer & Martial Arts, youngsters in Kashmir are taking to sports in a big way. In this episode of 'Kashmir Road To Progress,' we meet role models who are transforming the culture of sports in the Valley.

Kashmir- Road To Progress: Sports spirit in the Valley

From Virat Kohli to Simone Biles: Sports icons who battled with mental health issues

Golf courses of Kashmir Valley are famous across the world, but Kashmir has not produced a single international player in Golf. The reason being no Golf academies or training. The state administration is now focussing on developing sports infrastructure across the region by giving training and organising sports events.

Kashmir golf academy gives training to youngsters

Female athletes at the Olympics are pushing for inclusive & comfortable attires. Why do federations persist with scant clothes for female athletes, despite the obvious discomfort? WION's Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Female athletes push for inclusive clothing

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are set to come face to face this weekend for the first time since the Uruguayan left the Camp Nou for Atleti last summer. They combined for an incredible 478 goals in the six years that they played alongside each other for Barcelona.

LaLiga Special: Best friends and strike partners Messi and Suarez meet again

A British soccer-instigated boycott of the world's biggest social media platforms by professional athletes, sports teams, governing bodies, and broadcasters got underway on Friday in response to continued online racist abuse against a number of Black athletes.

The boycott, announced by England's football authorities a week ago and swiftly bolstered by a number of other sports bodies, is aimed at pressurizing social media giants to take more action against all forms of abuse on their platforms and runs from 1500 BST on Friday to 2359 BST on Monday.

Manchester United said earlier on Friday its own analysis had found that since September 2019, there had been a 350% increase in abuse directed towards its players.

"By taking part in this boycott this weekend, we, alongside the rest of English football, want to shine a light on the issue," United's group managing director Richard Arnold said.

Britain's soccer clubs were joined by European soccer's governing body UEFA, British Cycling, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton among others, plus media companies including Sky Sports and BT Sport.

"Sky Sports stands with our football, cricket, and other sport partners to urge social media companies to do more to eradicate online hate and ensure social media can be a place for sports fans to discuss, debate, and consume the best sporting action without discrimination and abuse," the broadcaster said.

Announcing it was joining the boycott this week, BT Sport said the "horrific cycle of online abuse had to end".

The International&nbsp;Tennis&nbsp;Federation (ITF) was one of the bodies to join on Friday.

"The level of abuse individuals are forced to endure is completely unacceptable, which is why we are... calling on social media companies to act now to protect individuals who are merely doing their jobs," ITF president David Haggerty said.

BOYCOTT RESPONSE

In response to the boycott, Twitter said that since the English soccer season started in September it had removed 7,000 of the 30 million Tweets in the UK about soccer.

"Racist behavior, abuse, and harassment have absolutely no place on our service and alongside our partners in football, we condemn racism in all its forms," a Twitter spokesperson said.

"We are resolute in our commitment to ensure the football conversation on our service is safe for fans, players and everyone involved in the game."

A Facebook company spokesperson said: "No one should have to experience abuse anywhere, and it's against our policies to harass or discriminate against people on Instagram or Facebook. We agree with and have already made progress on many of the players’ suggestions, including taking tougher action against people breaking our rules in DMs.

"We also recently announced that starting next week, we'll provide new tools, based on consultation with footballers and anti-discrimination experts, to help prevent people from seeing abusive messages from strangers.

"We continue to work with UK police on hate speech, and respond to valid legal requests for information, which can be essential for investigations. We’ll continue listening to feedback and keep fighting hate and racism on our platform."

Britain's seven-times Formula One world champion Hamilton has switched off his social media channels in a show of support.

"While a boycott might not solve this issue overnight, we have to call for change when needed, even when it seems like an almost impossible task," Mercedes driver Hamilton, F1s only Black driver, told his 22 million Instagram followers.

The driver is currently at the Portuguese Grand Prix and not available for further comment.

Race series organizer F1 continued to be active on social media but said it was wholly committed to combating any form of discrimination online or otherwise.

When asked, F1 did not explain why it was not joining the boycott. Teams have left it up to individual drivers to decide.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin endorsed the action. "Allowing a culture of hatred to grow with impunity is dangerous, very dangerous, not only for football, but for society as a whole.

"We've had enough of these cowards who hide behind their anonymity to spew out their noxious ideologies," he said in a statement.

A British soccer-instigated boycott of the world's biggest social media platforms by professional athletes, sports teams, governing bodies, and broadcasters got underway on Friday in response to continued online racist abuse against a number of Black athletes.

A British soccer-instigated boycott of the world's biggest social media platforms by professional athletes, sports teams, governing bodies, and broadcasters got underway on Friday in response to continued online racist abuse against a number of Black athletes. The boycott, announced by England's football authorities a week ago and swiftly bolstered by a number of other sports bodies, is aimed at pressurizing social media giants to take more action against all forms of abuse on their platforms and runs from 1500 BST on Friday to 2359 BST on Monday. Manchester United said earlier on Friday its own analysis had found that since September 2019, there had been a 350% increase in abuse directed towards its players. "By taking part in this boycott this weekend, we, alongside the rest of English football, want to shine a light on the issue," United's group managing director Richard Arnold said. Britain's soccer clubs were joined by European soccer's governing body UEFA, British Cycling, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton among others, plus media companies including Sky Sports and BT Sport. "Sky Sports stands with our football, cricket, and other sport partners to urge social media companies to do more to eradicate online hate and ensure social media can be a place for sports fans to discuss, debate, and consume the best sporting action without discrimination and abuse," the broadcaster said. Announcing it was joining the boycott this week, BT Sport said the "horrific cycle of online abuse had to end". The International Tennis Federation (ITF) was one of the bodies to join on Friday. "The level of abuse individuals are forced to endure is completely unacceptable, which is why we are... calling on social media companies to act now to protect individuals who are merely doing their jobs," ITF president David Haggerty said. BOYCOTT RESPONSE In response to the boycott, Twitter said that since the English soccer season started in September it had removed 7,000 of the 30 million Tweets in the UK about soccer. "Racist behavior, abuse, and harassment have absolutely no place on our service and alongside our partners in football, we condemn racism in all its forms," a Twitter spokesperson said. "We are resolute in our commitment to ensure the football conversation on our service is safe for fans, players and everyone involved in the game." A Facebook company spokesperson said: "No one should have to experience abuse anywhere, and it's against our policies to harass or discriminate against people on Instagram or Facebook. We agree with and have already made progress on many of the players’ suggestions, including taking tougher action against people breaking our rules in DMs. "We also recently announced that starting next week, we'll provide new tools, based on consultation with footballers and anti-discrimination experts, to help prevent people from seeing abusive messages from strangers. "We continue to work with UK police on hate speech, and respond to valid legal requests for information, which can be essential for investigations. We’ll continue listening to feedback and keep fighting hate and racism on our platform." Britain's seven-times Formula One world champion Hamilton has switched off his social media channels in a show of support. "While a boycott might not solve this issue overnight, we have to call for change when needed, even when it seems like an almost impossible task," Mercedes driver Hamilton, F1s only Black driver, told his 22 million Instagram followers. The driver is currently at the Portuguese Grand Prix and not available for further comment. Race series organizer F1 continued to be active on social media but said it was wholly committed to combating any form of discrimination online or otherwise. When asked, F1 did not explain why it was not joining the boycott. Teams have left it up to individual drivers to decide. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin endorsed the action. "Allowing a culture of hatred to grow with impunity is dangerous, very dangerous, not only for football, but for society as a whole. "We've had enough of these cowards who hide behind their anonymity to spew out their noxious ideologies," he said in a statement.

Sport unites for social media boycott against online abuse

Top British stars from across sports signed off from social media over online racism and abuse. The 4-day boycott is being billed as a 'symbolic gesture' to those with power. Can this internet exodus challenge systemic racism in football.

Gravitas: UK sports stars boycott social media over racism

The boycott — embraced by sports including soccer, rugby and cricket — comes as the U.S. tech giants continue to face criticism for failing to remove racist and sexist abuse that gets posted on their platforms.

British sport to boycott social media giants over online abuse

In China, tiny little kids are subjected to ruthless training to become Olympics Champions. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how China's state-sports system is robbing children of their childhood & turning them into factory products.

Gravitas: Inside China's Sports Centres for Children

It was&nbsp;50&nbsp;years&nbsp;ago but Zhang Xielin still remembers vividly&nbsp;how&nbsp;a shaggy-haired American&nbsp;table&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;player stepped onto the Chinese team's bus, a chance encounter which would shape history.

It was the&nbsp;world&nbsp;championships in Nagoya, Japan, and Glenn Cowan mistakenly hopped in with Zhang and his teammates -- an awkward moment because the United States and China were then deeply at odds.

"We were&nbsp;on&nbsp;the bus and were talking and laughing," Zhang, now 80, told AFP.

"But when we realised that an American had come onto the bus, we fell silent."

The Chinese triple&nbsp;world&nbsp;champion Zhuang Zedong eventually came forward and famously broke the ice, giving Cowan a silk embroidery as a souvenir from China.

They did not know it at the time, but it was the spark for China and the United States to begin normalising relations, in what became known as 'ping-pong&nbsp;diplomacy'.

Zhang, a doubles&nbsp;world&nbsp;champion and later China's coach, recalled: "Mr. Zhuang understood that there was a difference between the American people and the American government, and that we should be nice to American people, so he took the initiative to chat with Glenn."

Photographers captured Zhuang and a 19-year-old Cowan shaking hands and smiling.

"The newspaper came out the next day and it seemed that China and the United States were about to have a relationship," said Zhang.

Days later,&nbsp;on&nbsp;April 10, 1971 the US team became the first Americans to step foot in China for nearly a quarter of a century when they were invited to play friendly matches in the country.

The thaw saw President Richard Nixon visit China in February 1972, and a Chinese&nbsp;table&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;squad visit the US.

In 1979 formal relations were established between the two countries.

<h2>'Compete peacefully'&nbsp;</h2>

Yao Zhenxu played Cowan, who died in 2004, during the Americans' ground-breaking trip.

Yao still remembers the score, he won 21-12, 21-14, and says that Cowan thanked him afterwards for "a serious game".

The American team were vastly inferior to the Chinese, so the hosts sometimes let their visitors win points in the spirit of sportsmanship and goodwill.

Now 74, Yao says that it was only afterwards that he realised that he had played a part in something historic.

"Because of&nbsp;ping-pong&nbsp;diplomacy we&nbsp;changed&nbsp;the&nbsp;world&nbsp;order, and the people of China and the United States started friendly exchanges," he said.

Yao appeared alongside Zhang in Shanghai&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday to mark&nbsp;50&nbsp;years&nbsp;of&nbsp;ping-pong&nbsp;diplomacy, with the city authorities hosting an event with speeches and friendly amateur matches.

But the anniversary comes at a time when relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated markedly over a number of issues, notably trade, the fate of China's Uyghur minority and a clampdown in Hong Kong.

In a recorded speech to mark the 50th anniversary, China's ambassador in Washington, Cui Tiankai, accused some in the US of "ideological bias and zero-sum thinking".

But he and Chinese state media took a largely positive tone, with Xinhua news agency hailing&nbsp;ping-pong&nbsp;diplomacy's "wonderful legacy".

Yao and Zhang hope that the spirit of 1971 can help shape future relations between the&nbsp;world's top two economies for the better.

"Everyone knows that the relationship between China and the United States is a bit tense nowadays," said Yao.

"We hope that we can agree to disagree and keep friendly relations.

"Don't be afraid of competition, we can compete peacefully."

It was 50 years ago but Zhang Xielin still remembers vividly how a shaggy-haired American table tennis player stepped onto the Chinese team's bus, a chance encounter which would shape history.

It was 50 years ago but Zhang Xielin still remembers vividly how a shaggy-haired American table tennis player stepped onto the Chinese team's bus, a chance encounter which would shape history. It was the world championships in Nagoya, Japan, and Glenn Cowan mistakenly hopped in with Zhang and his teammates -- an awkward moment because the United States and China were then deeply at odds. "We were on the bus and were talking and laughing," Zhang, now 80, told AFP. "But when we realised that an American had come onto the bus, we fell silent." The Chinese triple world champion Zhuang Zedong eventually came forward and famously broke the ice, giving Cowan a silk embroidery as a souvenir from China. They did not know it at the time, but it was the spark for China and the United States to begin normalising relations, in what became known as 'ping-pong diplomacy'. Zhang, a doubles world champion and later China's coach, recalled: "Mr. Zhuang understood that there was a difference between the American people and the American government, and that we should be nice to American people, so he took the initiative to chat with Glenn." Photographers captured Zhuang and a 19-year-old Cowan shaking hands and smiling. "The newspaper came out the next day and it seemed that China and the United States were about to have a relationship," said Zhang. Days later, on April 10, 1971 the US team became the first Americans to step foot in China for nearly a quarter of a century when they were invited to play friendly matches in the country. The thaw saw President Richard Nixon visit China in February 1972, and a Chinese table tennis squad visit the US. In 1979 formal relations were established between the two countries. 'Compete peacefully' Yao Zhenxu played Cowan, who died in 2004, during the Americans' ground-breaking trip. Yao still remembers the score, he won 21-12, 21-14, and says that Cowan thanked him afterwards for "a serious game". The American team were vastly inferior to the Chinese, so the hosts sometimes let their visitors win points in the spirit of sportsmanship and goodwill. Now 74, Yao says that it was only afterwards that he realised that he had played a part in something historic. "Because of ping-pong diplomacy we changed the world order, and the people of China and the United States started friendly exchanges," he said. Yao appeared alongside Zhang in Shanghai on Saturday to mark 50 years of ping-pong diplomacy, with the city authorities hosting an event with speeches and friendly amateur matches. But the anniversary comes at a time when relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated markedly over a number of issues, notably trade, the fate of China's Uyghur minority and a clampdown in Hong Kong. In a recorded speech to mark the 50th anniversary, China's ambassador in Washington, Cui Tiankai, accused some in the US of "ideological bias and zero-sum thinking". But he and Chinese state media took a largely positive tone, with Xinhua news agency hailing ping-pong diplomacy's "wonderful legacy". Yao and Zhang hope that the spirit of 1971 can help shape future relations between the world's top two economies for the better. "Everyone knows that the relationship between China and the United States is a bit tense nowadays," said Yao. "We hope that we can agree to disagree and keep friendly relations. "Don't be afraid of competition, we can compete peacefully."

How table tennis changed the world, 50 years on

This month`s League Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will be allowed to host 8,000 spectators as part of pilot events to pave the way for the return of large crowds to stadiums, the British government said on Sunday. 
 
The final will be held at London`s Wembley Stadium on April 25. It was due to be played on Feb. 28 but was pushed back in the hope that a later date would allow fans to attend. 
 
"The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has given the green light for 8,000 spectators to attend as part of the UK Government`s Events Research Programme," City said in a statement. 
 
Tickets will be made available to both Tottenham and City fans as well as local residents around the stadium and the National Health Service (NHS) workers. 
 
The trial, to be run at nine events including the FA Cup final and one semi-final, will be used to assess whether large events can be held in closed settings without social distancing. 
 
The FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton on April 18 will be allowed to host an audience of 4,000, while a crowd of 21,000 will be permitted for the final on May 15. Both matches will be held at Wembley.

This month`s League Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will be allowed to host 8,000 spectators as part of pilot events to pave the way for the return of large crowds to stadiums, the British government said on Sunday.

This month`s League Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will be allowed to host 8,000 spectators as part of pilot events to pave the way for the return of large crowds to stadiums, the British government said on Sunday. The final will be held at London`s Wembley Stadium on April 25. It was due to be played on Feb. 28 but was pushed back in the hope that a later date would allow fans to attend. "The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has given the green light for 8,000 spectators to attend as part of the UK Government`s Events Research Programme," City said in a statement. Tickets will be made available to both Tottenham and City fans as well as local residents around the stadium and the National Health Service (NHS) workers. The trial, to be run at nine events including the FA Cup final and one semi-final, will be used to assess whether large events can be held in closed settings without social distancing. The FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton on April 18 will be allowed to host an audience of 4,000, while a crowd of 21,000 will be permitted for the final on May 15. Both matches will be held at Wembley.

Man City v Spurs League Cup final to host 8,000 spectators in pilot event

83 Runners from 6 countries challenged themselves to brave Siberian sub-zero temperatures on Sunday (February 28) to take part in Baikal Ice Marathon.

Russian veteran footballer, ex-national team captain wins Baikal marathon race

It all started after the coronavirus pandemic broke out and lockdowns prevented youth from Basra to take to the streets. Stuck at home, Mustafa Ibrahim, a student, started to watch skateboarding videos online. But when government-imposed restrictions started to ease, Ibrahim and a few of his friends took to the streets to practice this newly-discovered hobby.

Basra youth pioneer skateboarding in their city

A 12-year-old boy from Nigeria who set a world record for the most consecutive soccer ball touches in one minute while balancing a second ball on his head is planning to take his skills global when he grows up.

Nigerian boy hopes for future in soccer after setting freestyle world record

Swiss freeskier Fabian Bosch reached speeds of up to 90km/h when he completed a double front flip off the 50-metre jump in Engelberg. The two-time world champion and Winter X Games gold medallist completed the jump down the steepest hill in the World Cup, a full 36-degree incline that usually brings ski jumpers up to speed.

Swiss freeskier reaches 90km for double front flip

Postponements and resumption: A turbulent year of 2020 for sports world

Women in Iran will be able to take part in official powerlifting competitions for the first time, as restrictions have recently been removed.

Iran allows women to take part in official powerlifting competitions

Rajasthan Royals have been enjoying a good pre-season, stationed at One & Only Resort, Royal Mirage in Dubai, ahead of the start of the #IPL2020 campaign. On a relaxed morning at the beach of One & Only Resort, Royal Mirage, Dubai, Team #RajasthanRoyals were in for a mind-blowing surprise when they witnessed the Red Bull Skydiving and Wingsuit Athlete Dani Roman twist and turn through the air at break-neck speed. The Spanish skydiving athlete jumped out of a plane, several thousand feet above the Palm Islands, carrying with him a Rajasthan Royals bag. Flying over the awe-struck Rajasthan Royals players as he left a strew of smoke through the air, he parachuted on to the beach and dropped off a bag full of Rajasthan Royals 2020 jersey for the players to grab them later.

IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals reveal new jersey in jaw-dropping fashion

Venus Williams bowed out of the US Open in the first round for the first time in her professional career on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.

The 40-year-old Williams, making her 22nd appearance at Flushing Meadows in a career that has spanned four decades, was beaten 6-3, 7-5.

It marked Williams' second consecutive first round defeat at a Grand Slam event after exiting the Australian Open at the same stage in January.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not been past the third round at a Slam event since 2017.

Muchova -- who was only one when Williams was playing in her first US Open final in 1997, where she lost to Martina Hingis -- always had the veteran American star on the back foot on Tuesday.

Also Read | <a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/us-open-serena-continues-bid-for-24th-grand-slam-title-after-round-one-victory-324621">US Open: Serena continues bid for 24th Grand Slam title after round one victory</a>

After losing the first set, Williams rallied in the second and opened up a 5-3 lead, seemingly poised to force a third set.

But a string of unforced errors allowed Muchova to roar back into the match and she reeled off four consecutive games to close out the win.

Muchova, the 20th seed, will play unseeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya in the second round. 
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Venus Williams bowed out of the US Open in the first round for the first time in her professional career on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.

Venus Williams bowed out of the US Open in the first round for the first time in her professional career on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic. The 40-year-old Williams, making her 22nd appearance at Flushing Meadows in a career that has spanned four decades, was beaten 6-3, 7-5. It marked Williams' second consecutive first round defeat at a Grand Slam event after exiting the Australian Open at the same stage in January. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not been past the third round at a Slam event since 2017. Muchova -- who was only one when Williams was playing in her first US Open final in 1997, where she lost to Martina Hingis -- always had the veteran American star on the back foot on Tuesday. Also Read | US Open: Serena continues bid for 24th Grand Slam title after round one victory After losing the first set, Williams rallied in the second and opened up a 5-3 lead, seemingly poised to force a third set. But a string of unforced errors allowed Muchova to roar back into the match and she reeled off four consecutive games to close out the win. Muchova, the 20th seed, will play unseeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya in the second round.

Venus out of US Open in first round for first time

Serena Williams took her first step toward a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title on Tuesday (September 1), defeating Kristie Ahn 7-5 6-3 in the first round of the U.S. Open.

Williams got off to a slow start, showing signs of nervousness early in the first set, but kicked her game into high gear in the second, firing off 13 aces and 28 winners during the match and harnessing her powerful return to keep her opponent on the run.

A final serve forced Ahn into an error, as Williams claimed a record 102nd U.S. Open match victory, as she scored her first straight-sets win since the sport was put on a coronavirus hiatus.

Williams, who reached the final of the U.S. Open in her last two campaigns, is gunning for her first Grand Slam title since 2017 to equal Margaret Court's record in a depleted field in which six of the top 10 players are not competing this year.

She next faces Margarita Gasparyan of Russia in the second round.

Also Read: <a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/venus-out-of-us-open-in-first-round-for-first-time-324619">Venus out of US Open in first round for first time</a>

Williams' U.S. compatriot Madison Keys needed just 55 minutes to beat Timea Babos 6-1 6-1 to advance in her opening match as the 2017 finalist looks to claim her elusive first Grand Slam title.

The hard-hitting American won 92% of her first serve points and never faced a break point while playing smothering defense against the overmatched Hungarian.

The 25-year-old Keys, who drew comparisons to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams when she joined the tour in 2009, has been consistently ranked in the top 25 and won five titles.

But the lack of a Grand Slam title has cast a shadow over her career.

She fell to fellow American and friend Sloane Stephens in the final at Flushing Meadows three years ago, her closest brush with Grand Slam glory.

This year's depleted field could open the door for the seventh seeded Keys, who will face either Jil Teichmann of Switzerland or Aliona Bolsova of Spain in the second round. 
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Serena Williams took her first step toward a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title on Tuesday (September 1), defeating Kristie Ahn 7-5 6-3 in the first round of the U.

Serena Williams took her first step toward a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title on Tuesday (September 1), defeating Kristie Ahn 7-5 6-3 in the first round of the U.S. Open. Williams got off to a slow start, showing signs of nervousness early in the first set, but kicked her game into high gear in the second, firing off 13 aces and 28 winners during the match and harnessing her powerful return to keep her opponent on the run. A final serve forced Ahn into an error, as Williams claimed a record 102nd U.S. Open match victory, as she scored her first straight-sets win since the sport was put on a coronavirus hiatus. Williams, who reached the final of the U.S. Open in her last two campaigns, is gunning for her first Grand Slam title since 2017 to equal Margaret Court's record in a depleted field in which six of the top 10 players are not competing this year. She next faces Margarita Gasparyan of Russia in the second round. Also Read: Venus out of US Open in first round for first time Williams' U.S. compatriot Madison Keys needed just 55 minutes to beat Timea Babos 6-1 6-1 to advance in her opening match as the 2017 finalist looks to claim her elusive first Grand Slam title. The hard-hitting American won 92% of her first serve points and never faced a break point while playing smothering defense against the overmatched Hungarian. The 25-year-old Keys, who drew comparisons to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams when she joined the tour in 2009, has been consistently ranked in the top 25 and won five titles. But the lack of a Grand Slam title has cast a shadow over her career. She fell to fellow American and friend Sloane Stephens in the final at Flushing Meadows three years ago, her closest brush with Grand Slam glory. This year's depleted field could open the door for the seventh seeded Keys, who will face either Jil Teichmann of Switzerland or Aliona Bolsova of Spain in the second round.

US Open: Serena continues bid for 24th Grand Slam title after round one victory

87-year-old Hiromu Inada from Japan holds the title of the world’s oldest Ironman. The enthusiast is sill training on his bike with the hope to continue competing into his 90s. Inada took up the sports after his retirement.

World's oldest Ironman | 87-year-old Inada prepares for next year's championship

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