<p>Sprint legend Usain Bolt Thursday claimed he wasn't given "a fair chance" to prove himself in Australia's A-League after a failed attempt to become a professional footballer.</p>

<p>The Jamaican, an eight-time Olympic champion, tried out with the Central Coast Mariners in 2018 after quitting athletics, hoping to fulfil a childhood dream to become a soccer player.</p>

<p>His quest garnered worldwide attention, which intensified when he scored two goals in a pre-season friendly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But his abilities were questioned, notably by former Ireland striker Andy Keogh who said he had a "touch like a trampoline", and contract talks failed.</p>

<p>Bolt told Australia's Channel Nine television network: "I think I didn't get a fair chance.</p>

<p>"I didn't do it how I wanted to do it, but it's something I think I would've been good at," he added.</p>

<p>"But it's just one of those things you miss out on and just have to move on."</p>

<p>Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, had previously tried out with clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway.</p>

<p>Asked if he had any regrets about his attempted career shift, he replied: "I do think about it sometimes that it didn't work out the way that I wanted it to, because football is something that I love.</p>

<p>"The fact that it didn't work out I do think about it, but as I said, it's one of those things you've got to move past."</p>

<p>Earlier this year, Bolt and his partner Kasi Bennett became parents to a baby girl and he said he was content with life, despite disappointment at not becoming a footballer.</p>

<p>"Being a parent now, it's different. It gives you a sense of accomplishment so I'm really happy and just excited to go on this journey," he told the broadcaster.</p>

<p>"It's been just about living it and experiencing it day by day."</p>


Sprint legend Usain Bolt Thursday claimed he wasn't given "a fair chance" to prove himself in Australia's A-League after a failed attempt to become a professional footballer.

Sprint legend Usain Bolt Thursday claimed he wasn't given "a fair chance" to prove himself in Australia's A-League after a failed attempt to become a professional footballer. The Jamaican, an eight-time Olympic champion, tried out with the Central Coast Mariners in 2018 after quitting athletics, hoping to fulfil a childhood dream to become a soccer player. His quest garnered worldwide attention, which intensified when he scored two goals in a pre-season friendly. But his abilities were questioned, notably by former Ireland striker Andy Keogh who said he had a "touch like a trampoline", and contract talks failed. Bolt told Australia's Channel Nine television network: "I think I didn't get a fair chance. "I didn't do it how I wanted to do it, but it's something I think I would've been good at," he added. "But it's just one of those things you miss out on and just have to move on." Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, had previously tried out with clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway. Asked if he had any regrets about his attempted career shift, he replied: "I do think about it sometimes that it didn't work out the way that I wanted it to, because football is something that I love. "The fact that it didn't work out I do think about it, but as I said, it's one of those things you've got to move past." Earlier this year, Bolt and his partner Kasi Bennett became parents to a baby girl and he said he was content with life, despite disappointment at not becoming a footballer. "Being a parent now, it's different. It gives you a sense of accomplishment so I'm really happy and just excited to go on this journey," he told the broadcaster. "It's been just about living it and experiencing it day by day."

Sprint king Bolt says 'didn't get fair chance' in football

<p>Australian football club Central Coast Mariners, who gave a chance to Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt for the much-talked-about trial in 2018, face an uncertain future with its chairman/owners revealing that he is leaving the club.</p>

<p>Mike Charlesworth, who helped Central Coast Mariners from financial ruin in 2013, said he would sell majority of his stake or hand it back to the A-League if he could find a buyer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“After 10 years of involvement with the Mariners, I feel the time is right for me to now step aside and to look for a new investor to take on the ownership of the Club,” the Briton said in a club statement.</p>

<p>The Mariners, who defeated Melbourne Victory 3-2 in Western Sydney on Monday, are finishing bottom for the fourth time in five campaigns.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-owner-speaks-of-pride-after-extraordinary-trophy-run-318045" hreflang="en">Liverpool owner speaks of pride after 'extraordinary' trophy run</a></strong></p>

<p>However, Mariners Chief Executive Shaun Mielekamp is “optimistic” that a buyer would be found to keep the team on the Central Coast but conceded the future was unknown.</p>

<p>Cherlesworth’s chairmanship commenced in 2013 with an immediate triumph as the Mariners claimed the maiden trophy under Graham Arnold. But since then, it has been a downward spiral for the club with the chairman angering the fans for running the team on a shoestring budget.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/spurs-rose-says-tired-of-police-stopping-him-to-ask-if-car-is-stolen-318046" hreflang="en">Spurs' Rose says tired of police stopping him to ask if car is stolen</a></strong></p>

<p>The Mariners enjoyed a brief surge of global publicity when eight-times Olympic champion Bolt came to the sleepy Central Coast in eastern New South Wales state but the Jamaican was unable to agree terms and left after a few months.</p>

<p>England-based Charlesworth told Australian broadcaster SBS that he had tried to bring in investment from European clubs but the COVID-19 pandemic had changed everything.</p>

<p>“Everyone is suffering from top to bottom but even more so the small to medium-sized clubs,” he said.</p>

<p>“The global market has been very hard hit.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Reuters)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Australian football club Central Coast Mariners, who gave a chance to Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt for the much-talked-about trial in 2018, face an uncertain future with its chairman/owners revealing that he is leaving the club.

Australian football club Central Coast Mariners, who gave a chance to Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt for the much-talked-about trial in 2018, face an uncertain future with its chairman/owners revealing that he is leaving the club. Mike Charlesworth, who helped Central Coast Mariners from financial ruin in 2013, said he would sell majority of his stake or hand it back to the A-League if he could find a buyer. “After 10 years of involvement with the Mariners, I feel the time is right for me to now step aside and to look for a new investor to take on the ownership of the Club,” the Briton said in a club statement. The Mariners, who defeated Melbourne Victory 3-2 in Western Sydney on Monday, are finishing bottom for the fourth time in five campaigns. ALSO READ: Liverpool owner speaks of pride after 'extraordinary' trophy run However, Mariners Chief Executive Shaun Mielekamp is “optimistic” that a buyer would be found to keep the team on the Central Coast but conceded the future was unknown. Cherlesworth’s chairmanship commenced in 2013 with an immediate triumph as the Mariners claimed the maiden trophy under Graham Arnold. But since then, it has been a downward spiral for the club with the chairman angering the fans for running the team on a shoestring budget. ALSO READ: Spurs' Rose says tired of police stopping him to ask if car is stolen The Mariners enjoyed a brief surge of global publicity when eight-times Olympic champion Bolt came to the sleepy Central Coast in eastern New South Wales state but the Jamaican was unable to agree terms and left after a few months. England-based Charlesworth told Australian broadcaster SBS that he had tried to bring in investment from European clubs but the COVID-19 pandemic had changed everything. “Everyone is suffering from top to bottom but even more so the small to medium-sized clubs,” he said. “The global market has been very hard hit.” (With inputs from Reuters)

Australian club that gave Usain Bolt trial chance face uncertain future

<p>The eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt welcomed a daughter with his girlfriend, Kasi Bennett. Former sprinter himself has an unconventional name, but his daughter defeats him in that category.</p>

<p>The fastest man of all time shared pictures of his first child on Twitter as he wished his partner Kasi Bennett happy birthday, saying they have "started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Olympia Lightning Bolt ⚡️ <a href="https://t.co/Ovo5PzVQAt">pic.twitter.com/Ovo5PzVQAt</a></p>
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt/status/1280535203354677248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The 33-year-old decorated runner added a lightning bolt alongside the caption paired with the adorable photo.<br />
<br />
"I want nothing but happiness for you and will continue to doing my best keeping a smile on your face," he added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I want to wish my gf <a href="https://twitter.com/kasi__b?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kasi__b</a> a happy birthday. I get to spend ur special day with u. I want nothing but happiness for u &amp; will continue to doing my best keeping a smile on ur face. We have started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt ⚡️🎉🎊💫 <a href="https://t.co/FhlwdaF2Zx">pic.twitter.com/FhlwdaF2Zx</a></p>
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt/status/1280539058989604864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt welcomed a daughter with his girlfriend, Kasi Bennett. Former sprinter himself has an unconventional name, but his daughter defeats him in that category.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt welcomed a daughter with his girlfriend, Kasi Bennett. Former sprinter himself has an unconventional name, but his daughter defeats him in that category. The fastest man of all time shared pictures of his first child on Twitter as he wished his partner Kasi Bennett happy birthday, saying they have "started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt". Olympia Lightning Bolt ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Ovo5PzVQAt — Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 7, 2020 × The 33-year-old decorated runner added a lightning bolt alongside the caption paired with the adorable photo. "I want nothing but happiness for you and will continue to doing my best keeping a smile on your face," he added. I want to wish my gf @kasi__b a happy birthday. I get to spend ur special day with u. I want nothing but happiness for u & will continue to doing my best keeping a smile on ur face. We have started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt ⚡️🎉🎊💫 pic.twitter.com/FhlwdaF2Zx — Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 7, 2020 ×

Usain Bolt shares first photos of daughter, gives her a pretty epic name

<p class="MsoNormal">Usain Bolt is regarded as one of the all-time great athletes to have participated in the Olympics. The former Jamaican sprinter, who is also the world record holder in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay, sparked comeback rumours after a fan challenged Bolt to make a return in the next Olympics and beat his world record. Surprisingly, Bolt replied to the social media user sending his fans and followers into a frenzy.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">“I dare @usainbolt to go back to the next Olympics and beat his WR. Bet he can’t do it,” tweeted a fan to which Bolt replied: “How much u betting?”</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-suspends-haiti-football-chief-accused-of-rape-301073" hreflang="en">FIFA suspends Haiti football chief accused of rape</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I dare <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usainbolt</a> to go back to the next olympics and beat his WR. Bet he can’t do it</p>
— Cian (@mzfitz_child) <a href="https://twitter.com/mzfitz_child/status/1264994984266268673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">How much u betting? <a href="https://t.co/29qIKz0ba4">https://t.co/29qIKz0ba4</a></p>
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt/status/1265011561753649158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, after looking at the phenomenal response to his tweet, Bolt followed up with another post in which he hilariously asked his fans whether they really want him to see on the massage table.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My peeps you all really want me to be that guy living on massage table <a href="https://t.co/WajF09Jrco">https://t.co/WajF09Jrco</a></p>
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt/status/1265023835558023171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bolt’s reply has garnered a lot of raised eyebrows with thousands of retweets with fans requesting Bolt to come back and give it another go in the grandest stage of them all.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/young-pretender-haaland-takes-on-master-lewandowski-for-first-time-301080" hreflang="en">Young pretender Haaland takes on master Lewandowski for first time</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bolt was already the fastest man on earth after finishing 100m race in just 9.72 seconds. He surpassed every record by clocking 9.69 in the quadrennial event.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">As per experts, Bolt could have clocked 9.55 had he continued with the same speed and not slow down to showboat in the race.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">In the 2012 London Olympics, Bolt finished the 100m race in just 9.64 seconds which not only gave him a gold medal but also made him immortal.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Usain Bolt is regarded as one of the all-time great athletes to have participated in the Olympics. The former Jamaican sprinter, who is also the world record holder in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay, sparked comeback rumours after a fan challenged Bolt to make a return in the next Olympics and beat his world record.

Usain Bolt is regarded as one of the all-time great athletes to have participated in the Olympics. The former Jamaican sprinter, who is also the world record holder in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay, sparked comeback rumours after a fan challenged Bolt to make a return in the next Olympics and beat his world record. Surprisingly, Bolt replied to the social media user sending his fans and followers into a frenzy. “I dare @usainbolt to go back to the next Olympics and beat his WR. Bet he can’t do it,” tweeted a fan to which Bolt replied: “How much u betting?” ALSO READ: FIFA suspends Haiti football chief accused of rape I dare @usainbolt to go back to the next olympics and beat his WR. Bet he can’t do it — Cian (@mzfitz_child) May 25, 2020 × How much u betting? https://t.co/29qIKz0ba4 — Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) May 25, 2020 × However, after looking at the phenomenal response to his tweet, Bolt followed up with another post in which he hilariously asked his fans whether they really want him to see on the massage table. My peeps you all really want me to be that guy living on massage table https://t.co/WajF09Jrco — Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) May 25, 2020 × Bolt’s reply has garnered a lot of raised eyebrows with thousands of retweets with fans requesting Bolt to come back and give it another go in the grandest stage of them all. ALSO READ: Young pretender Haaland takes on master Lewandowski for first time Heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bolt was already the fastest man on earth after finishing 100m race in just 9.72 seconds. He surpassed every record by clocking 9.69 in the quadrennial event. As per experts, Bolt could have clocked 9.55 had he continued with the same speed and not slow down to showboat in the race. In the 2012 London Olympics, Bolt finished the 100m race in just 9.64 seconds which not only gave him a gold medal but also made him immortal.

Usain Bolt savagely replies after fan challenges him to break his own world record in next Olympics

<p>Retired track star Usain Bolt showed he's still a few steps ahead when he posted an AFP picture of him outstripping his rivals at the Beijing Olympics with the cheeky caption: "social distancing".</p>

<p>Bolt's post, featuring a picture by AFP photographer Nicolas Asfouri of the 2008 Olympics 100m final, blew up on social media, drawing more than half a million likes and 90,000 retweets.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Social Distancing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyEaster?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyEaster</a> <a href="https://t.co/lDCAsxkOAw">pic.twitter.com/lDCAsxkOAw</a></p>
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt/status/1249708513066131457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>It showed the Jamaican crossing the finish line at the Bird's Nest stadium in a then-world record time of 9.69sec, glancing round from lane four as his despairing competitors trail two paces behind.</p>

<p>"Savage", commented one Twitter user, while New York Times journalist Christopher Clarey posted another picture of Bolt out in front on his own, captioned "self isolation".</p>

<p>Bolt's chest-thumping celebration in Beijing added to a legend that grew further when he won the 200m in another world-record time. He retired in 2017 with eight Olympic gold medals and the current 100m mark of 9.58sec, set in 2009.</p>

<p>Bolt, 33, has been encouraging Jamaicans to self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic, posting videos of himself exercising at home and juggling footballs with a friend. He also helped promote a major fundraiser, Telethon Jamaica.</p>

<p>After retiring from athletics, Bolt, a Manchester United fan, attempted to launch a career in football, and had a trial with Australia's Central Coast Mariners before contract talks failed.</p>


Retired track star Usain Bolt showed he's still a few steps ahead when he posted an AFP picture of him outstripping his rivals at the Beijing Olympics with the cheeky caption: "social distancing".

Retired track star Usain Bolt showed he's still a few steps ahead when he posted an AFP picture of him outstripping his rivals at the Beijing Olympics with the cheeky caption: "social distancing". Bolt's post, featuring a picture by AFP photographer Nicolas Asfouri of the 2008 Olympics 100m final, blew up on social media, drawing more than half a million likes and 90,000 retweets. Social Distancing #HappyEaster pic.twitter.com/lDCAsxkOAw — Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) April 13, 2020 × It showed the Jamaican crossing the finish line at the Bird's Nest stadium in a then-world record time of 9.69sec, glancing round from lane four as his despairing competitors trail two paces behind. "Savage", commented one Twitter user, while New York Times journalist Christopher Clarey posted another picture of Bolt out in front on his own, captioned "self isolation". Bolt's chest-thumping celebration in Beijing added to a legend that grew further when he won the 200m in another world-record time. He retired in 2017 with eight Olympic gold medals and the current 100m mark of 9.58sec, set in 2009. Bolt, 33, has been encouraging Jamaicans to self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic, posting videos of himself exercising at home and juggling footballs with a friend. He also helped promote a major fundraiser, Telethon Jamaica. After retiring from athletics, Bolt, a Manchester United fan, attempted to launch a career in football, and had a trial with Australia's Central Coast Mariners before contract talks failed.

Usain Bolt goes viral with 'social distancing' Olympic photo

<p>A buffalo jockey from Karnataka, Srinivas Gowda who recently went viral on social media for his Kambala victory has officially rejected the government offer for him to participate in national trials.</p>

<p>Kambala is a local sport where participants sprint through paddy fields with buffaloes.</p>

<p>Gowda, 28, reportedly finished the race in 13.42 seconds.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kiren-rijiju-calls-indias-usain-bolt-srinivasa-gowda-for-trials-280814">Kiren Rijiju calls 'India's Usain Bolt' Srinivasa Gowda for trials</a></p>

<p>His performance drew comparisons with Usain Bolt, who currently holds the world 100 metre record of 9.58 seconds.</p>

<p>After garnering the attention of netizens, Gowda received official affirmation from the Sports Minister of India, Kiren Rijiju.</p>

<p>However, Gowda recently told BBC Hindi that he does not intend to participate in the national sprint trials.</p>

<p>&nbsp;"I have injured my leg and my focus is on Kambala. I am used to running with buffalo in the paddy fields," he told the BBC.</p>

<p>Kambala is a revered race in Karnataka, and was conducted earlier in February. However, the videos went viral only recently, triggering nationwide and global attention for the racer.</p>

<p><img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9f71f35a-eb8d-4926-bd43-c0084c26f664" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%281%29_0.jpg" /></p>

<p>On Saturday, Rijiju tweeted and said that the authorities had arranged train tickets for the racer, so that he could participate in the trials at one of the centres of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).</p>

<p>The Kambala Academy oversees the event. In conversation with BBC, the founder-secretary of the academy, Gunapala Kambada said that Gowda would not attend the trials this time.</p>

<p>"The problem is that he has Kambala [races] on the next three Saturdays," Kambada said.</p>

<p>But Kambada suggested that he may go for trials later if the circumstances allow.</p>

<p>While referring to the comparisons that were drawn between Gowda and Bolt, Kambada cautioned against it and claimed that the Olympic teams have improved scientific methods to measure speed.</p>

<p>Many experts and responders on social media dubbed the comparison ''inaccurate'', for Gowda's speed was perhaps accelerated by the buffaloes that were draggin him.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/100-metres-in-955-seconds-karnataka-man-beats-usain-bolts-record-280838">100 metres in 9.55 seconds; Karnataka man beats Usain Bolt's record</a></p>

<p>Buffaloes can reach speeds of upto 56 kilometres per hour, which is definitely faster than Bolt.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Gowda works as a construction worker in Karnataka and has participated in Kambala for seven years.</p>

<p>He told the BBC that he became interested in Kambal after watching it during his school days.</p>


A buffalo jockey from Karnataka, Srinivas Gowda who recently went viral on social media for his Kambala victory has officially rejected the government offer for him to participate in national trials.

A buffalo jockey from Karnataka, Srinivas Gowda who recently went viral on social media for his Kambala victory has officially rejected the government offer for him to participate in national trials. Kambala is a local sport where participants sprint through paddy fields with buffaloes. Gowda, 28, reportedly finished the race in 13.42 seconds. Also read: Kiren Rijiju calls 'India's Usain Bolt' Srinivasa Gowda for trials His performance drew comparisons with Usain Bolt, who currently holds the world 100 metre record of 9.58 seconds. After garnering the attention of netizens, Gowda received official affirmation from the Sports Minister of India, Kiren Rijiju. However, Gowda recently told BBC Hindi that he does not intend to participate in the national sprint trials. "I have injured my leg and my focus is on Kambala. I am used to running with buffalo in the paddy fields," he told the BBC. Kambala is a revered race in Karnataka, and was conducted earlier in February. However, the videos went viral only recently, triggering nationwide and global attention for the racer. On Saturday, Rijiju tweeted and said that the authorities had arranged train tickets for the racer, so that he could participate in the trials at one of the centres of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The Kambala Academy oversees the event. In conversation with BBC, the founder-secretary of the academy, Gunapala Kambada said that Gowda would not attend the trials this time. "The problem is that he has Kambala [races] on the next three Saturdays," Kambada said. But Kambada suggested that he may go for trials later if the circumstances allow. While referring to the comparisons that were drawn between Gowda and Bolt, Kambada cautioned against it and claimed that the Olympic teams have improved scientific methods to measure speed. Many experts and responders on social media dubbed the comparison ''inaccurate'', for Gowda's speed was perhaps accelerated by the buffaloes that were draggin him. Also read: 100 metres in 9.55 seconds; Karnataka man beats Usain Bolt's record Buffaloes can reach speeds of upto 56 kilometres per hour, which is definitely faster than Bolt. Gowda works as a construction worker in Karnataka and has participated in Kambala for seven years. He told the BBC that he became interested in Kambal after watching it during his school days.

Srinivas Gowda, dubbed 'Usain Bolt of India' not attending national trials after official invitation

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidiq587y9jcHU0" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Twenty-year-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kiren-rijiju-calls-indias-usain-bolt-srinivasa-gowda-for-trials-280814">Srinivasa Gowda from Karnatak</a>a, India might just have created history. On February 1, Gowda from Mudbidri ran 142.5 metres in a mere 12.62 seconds while participating in the traditional buffalo race called Kambala.</p>

<p>This means that Gowda covered 100 metres in an incredible 9.55 seconds. The race is held in slushy paddy fields every year where participants run with a pair of buffalo.</p>

<p>Today Gowda is being hailed as the Usain Bolt of India.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"People are comparing me to Usain Bolt. He is a world champion. I am only running in a slushy paddy field",&nbsp;said the humble champion.</p>

<p>But Gowda's Kambala exploits have not gone unnoticed, not the least bit. Business honcho Anand Mahindra took to twitter calling for Gowda to be trained to become a 100m sprinter.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Just one look at his physique &amp; you know this man is capable of extraordinary athletic feats. Now either <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KirenRijiju</a> provides him training as a 100m sprinter or we get Kambala to become an Olympic event. Either way, we want a gold medal for Srinivasa! 😊 <a href="https://t.co/H3SBiOVSKr">https://t.co/H3SBiOVSKr</a></p>
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/anandmahindra/status/1228519350165889024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>BJP National General Secretary P Muralidhar Rao also tweeted saying that with adequate training Srinivasa Gowda can make a name for India internationally.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">India will rise and shine the Indic way!<br />
100 meters in just 9.55 sec is an amazing feat. Proper training to Srinivas Gowda will definitely help him to make name for the country. My best wishes.<a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KirenRijiju</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CTRavi_BJP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CTRavi_BJP</a> <a href="https://t.co/ImgR3W1v4W">https://t.co/ImgR3W1v4W</a> <a href="https://t.co/2zaUTBpLYo">pic.twitter.com/2zaUTBpLYo</a></p>
— P Muralidhar Rao (@PMuralidharRao) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMuralidharRao/status/1228567084977672194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor also took to twitter and urged the Athletics Association of India to transform Gowda into and Olympic champion.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Faster Than Usain Bolt? Karnataka Man Running With Buffaloes Covers 100 Metres in Just 9.55 Seconds. I urge the Athletics Association of India to take this man under their wing &amp; make an Olympic champion of him. Wonder how many hidden talents we have! <a href="https://t.co/G7jPE2zIng">https://t.co/G7jPE2zIng</a></p>
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1228529536607776768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister Of State for Youth Affairs and Sports was quick to react and said that the Sports Authority of India has already reached out to Gowda and that his train tickets have been booked for SAI centre.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes <a href="https://twitter.com/PMuralidharRao?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMuralidharRao</a> ji. Officials from SAI have contacted him. His rail ticket is done and he will reach SAI centre on monday. I will ensure top national coaches to conduct his trials properly. We are team <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji and will do everything to identity sporting talents! <a href="https://t.co/RF7KMfIHAD">https://t.co/RF7KMfIHAD</a></p>
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1228598558506409984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I'll call Karnataka's Srinivasa Gowda for trials by top SAI Coaches. There's lack of knowledge in masses about the standards of Olympics especially in athletics where ultimate human strength &amp; endurance are surpassed. I'll ensure that no talents in India is left out untested. <a href="https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0">https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0</a></p>
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1228541766090907648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Srinivasa Gowda has sure been propelled to overnight stardom by his incredible performance in the sport. Multiple such instances had stirred excitement among sports fans in India in the past too.</p>

<p>One Rameshwar Gurjar of Madhya Pradesh had enjoyed fame with a video emerged of him running 100 metres in a mere 11 seconds, that too barefoot. He too was hailed as Usain Bolt of India. However, unfortunately, Gurjas was not able to repeat the performance at SAI and the fame soon fizzled out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So, will Gowda be able to repeat his performance without his buffalos on the national stage? We sure hope so!</p>


Twenty-year-old Srinivasa Gowda from Karnataka, India might just have created history. On February 1, Gowda from Mudbidri ran 142.5 metres in a mere 12.62 seconds while participating in the traditional buffalo race called Kambala.

Twenty-year-old Srinivasa Gowda from Karnataka, India might just have created history. On February 1, Gowda from Mudbidri ran 142.5 metres in a mere 12.62 seconds while participating in the traditional buffalo race called Kambala. This means that Gowda covered 100 metres in an incredible 9.55 seconds. The race is held in slushy paddy fields every year where participants run with a pair of buffalo. Today Gowda is being hailed as the Usain Bolt of India. "People are comparing me to Usain Bolt. He is a world champion. I am only running in a slushy paddy field", said the humble champion. But Gowda's Kambala exploits have not gone unnoticed, not the least bit. Business honcho Anand Mahindra took to twitter calling for Gowda to be trained to become a 100m sprinter. Just one look at his physique & you know this man is capable of extraordinary athletic feats. Now either @KirenRijiju provides him training as a 100m sprinter or we get Kambala to become an Olympic event. Either way, we want a gold medal for Srinivasa! 😊 https://t.co/H3SBiOVSKr — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 15, 2020 × BJP National General Secretary P Muralidhar Rao also tweeted saying that with adequate training Srinivasa Gowda can make a name for India internationally. India will rise and shine the Indic way! 100 meters in just 9.55 sec is an amazing feat. Proper training to Srinivas Gowda will definitely help him to make name for the country. My best wishes.@KirenRijiju @CTRavi_BJP https://t.co/ImgR3W1v4W pic.twitter.com/2zaUTBpLYo — P Muralidhar Rao (@PMuralidharRao) February 15, 2020 × Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor also took to twitter and urged the Athletics Association of India to transform Gowda into and Olympic champion. Faster Than Usain Bolt? Karnataka Man Running With Buffaloes Covers 100 Metres in Just 9.55 Seconds. I urge the Athletics Association of India to take this man under their wing & make an Olympic champion of him. Wonder how many hidden talents we have! https://t.co/G7jPE2zIng — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 15, 2020 × Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister Of State for Youth Affairs and Sports was quick to react and said that the Sports Authority of India has already reached out to Gowda and that his train tickets have been booked for SAI centre. Yes @PMuralidharRao ji. Officials from SAI have contacted him. His rail ticket is done and he will reach SAI centre on monday. I will ensure top national coaches to conduct his trials properly. We are team @narendramodi ji and will do everything to identity sporting talents! https://t.co/RF7KMfIHAD — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020 × I'll call Karnataka's Srinivasa Gowda for trials by top SAI Coaches. There's lack of knowledge in masses about the standards of Olympics especially in athletics where ultimate human strength & endurance are surpassed. I'll ensure that no talents in India is left out untested. https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0 — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020 × Srinivasa Gowda has sure been propelled to overnight stardom by his incredible performance in the sport. Multiple such instances had stirred excitement among sports fans in India in the past too. One Rameshwar Gurjar of Madhya Pradesh had enjoyed fame with a video emerged of him running 100 metres in a mere 11 seconds, that too barefoot. He too was hailed as Usain Bolt of India. However, unfortunately, Gurjas was not able to repeat the performance at SAI and the fame soon fizzled out. So, will Gowda be able to repeat his performance without his buffalos on the national stage? We sure hope so!

100 metres in 9.55 seconds; Karnataka man beats Usain Bolt's record

<p>Srinivasa Gowda, a Kambala jockey from Moodabidri in Karnataka, has been called for trials by the Sports Ministry after he set a new record as the fastest runner in the history of the traditional sport of the coastal region&nbsp;Kambala.</p>

<p>Union Sports Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sports-bill-will-be-a-reality-soon-says-kiren-rijiju-242202">Kiren Rijiju</a> was tagged in a post on Twitter about Srinivasa's accomplishment by Mahindra's chairman Anand Mahindra.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/clean-sports-is-our-agenda-sports-minister-rijiju-267400">Clean sports is our agenda: India Sports minister Rijiju</a></strong></p>

<p>In a response to that tweet, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/clean-sports-is-our-agenda-sports-minister-rijiju-267400">Rijiju </a>confirmed on Twitter that he will call Srinivasa for trials.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I'll call Karnataka's Srinivasa Gowda for trials by top SAI Coaches. There's lack of knowledge in masses about the standards of Olympics especially in athletics where ultimate human strength &amp; endurance are surpassed. I'll ensure that no talents in India is left out untested. <a href="https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0">https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0</a></p>
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1228541766090907648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>He confirmed later on confirmed that officials from Sports Authority&nbsp;of India has&nbsp;called the 28-year-old for a trial which will be conducted on Monday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes <a href="https://twitter.com/PMuralidharRao?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMuralidharRao</a> ji. Officials from SAI have contacted him. His rail ticket is done and he will reach SAI centre on monday. I will ensure top national coaches to conduct his trials properly. We are team <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji and will do everything to identity sporting talents! <a href="https://t.co/RF7KMfIHAD">https://t.co/RF7KMfIHAD</a></p>
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1228598558506409984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Srinivasa took just 9.55 seconds to run a distance of 100 metres and netizens were quick to point out that he was faster that eight-time Olympic gold medallist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/life-fun/i-am-bolt-movie-offers-glimpse-into-sprinters-racing-life-9456/amp">Usain Bolt</a>.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/life-fun/i-am-bolt-movie-offers-glimpse-into-sprinters-racing-life-9456/amp">Bolt </a>currently holds the world record in the 100-metre race at 9.58 seconds in 2009.</p>

<p>Srinivasa,&nbsp;is a construction worker who&nbsp;took just 13.62 seconds to cover a distance of 142.5&nbsp;metres at the Kambala at Aikala village about 30 kilometres from Mangaluru.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karnataka: Srinivasa Gowda from Mudbidri, Mangaluru ran 142.5 meters in 13.62 seconds at a buffalo race (Kambala) in a paddy field on Feb1 in Kadri. He says, "People are comparing me to Usain Bolt. He is a world champion, I am only running in a slushy paddy field". <a href="https://t.co/tjq03M5m0C">pic.twitter.com/tjq03M5m0C</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1228554960595341312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kambala is an annual race held in Karnataka where people sprint 142m through paddy fields with buffalo.</p>

<p>Traditionally, it is sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.</p>


Srinivasa Gowda, a Kambala jockey from Moodabidri in Karnataka, has been called for trials by the Sports Ministry after he set a new record as the fastest runner in the history of the traditional sport of the coastal region Kambala.

Srinivasa Gowda, a Kambala jockey from Moodabidri in Karnataka, has been called for trials by the Sports Ministry after he set a new record as the fastest runner in the history of the traditional sport of the coastal region Kambala. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju was tagged in a post on Twitter about Srinivasa's accomplishment by Mahindra's chairman Anand Mahindra. Also read: Clean sports is our agenda: India Sports minister Rijiju In a response to that tweet, Rijiju confirmed on Twitter that he will call Srinivasa for trials. I'll call Karnataka's Srinivasa Gowda for trials by top SAI Coaches. There's lack of knowledge in masses about the standards of Olympics especially in athletics where ultimate human strength & endurance are surpassed. I'll ensure that no talents in India is left out untested. https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0 — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020 × He confirmed later on confirmed that officials from Sports Authority of India has called the 28-year-old for a trial which will be conducted on Monday. Yes @PMuralidharRao ji. Officials from SAI have contacted him. His rail ticket is done and he will reach SAI centre on monday. I will ensure top national coaches to conduct his trials properly. We are team @narendramodi ji and will do everything to identity sporting talents! https://t.co/RF7KMfIHAD — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020 × Srinivasa took just 9.55 seconds to run a distance of 100 metres and netizens were quick to point out that he was faster that eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt. Bolt currently holds the world record in the 100-metre race at 9.58 seconds in 2009. Srinivasa, is a construction worker who took just 13.62 seconds to cover a distance of 142.5 metres at the Kambala at Aikala village about 30 kilometres from Mangaluru. Karnataka: Srinivasa Gowda from Mudbidri, Mangaluru ran 142.5 meters in 13.62 seconds at a buffalo race (Kambala) in a paddy field on Feb1 in Kadri. He says, "People are comparing me to Usain Bolt. He is a world champion, I am only running in a slushy paddy field". pic.twitter.com/tjq03M5m0C — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2020 × Kambala is an annual race held in Karnataka where people sprint 142m through paddy fields with buffalo. Traditionally, it is sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

Kiren Rijiju calls 'India's Usain Bolt' Srinivasa Gowda for trials

Reliving the decade via pictures

A high school senior in Texas ran a 100-meter dash in 9.98 seconds- a time that would have earned a spot in the 2016 Olympic final. Runner Matthew Boling smashed the US high school 'all conditions' record on Saturday.

Bolt in making: 18 Year-old sets new sprint record in Texas

<p>A high school senior in Texas ran a 100-meter dash in 9.98 seconds - a time that would have earned a spot in the 2016 Olympic final. Runner Matthew Boling,&nbsp;smashed the US&nbsp;high school "all conditions" record on Saturday (April 27).</p>

<p>Boling's 9.98-second sprint is the fastest time ran by an American under the age of 20 but it does not count as a national record because of the existing 4.2-mph (6.76kph) wind on the track at the time.</p>

<p>The official record is held by Trentavis Friday who ran 10 seconds precisely in July 2014.</p>

<p>Boling, 18, also ran in two relay events and the long jump at the event, held at Challenger Columbia Stadium in the Houston suburb of League City.</p>

<p>He will attend the University of Georgia in the autumn to run track, and wants to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.</p>


A high school senior in Texas ran a 100-meter dash in 9.98 seconds - a time that would have earned a spot in the 2016 Olympic final. Runner Matthew Boling, smashed the US high school "all conditions" record on Saturday (April 27).

A high school senior in Texas ran a 100-meter dash in 9.98 seconds - a time that would have earned a spot in the 2016 Olympic final. Runner Matthew Boling, smashed the US high school "all conditions" record on Saturday (April 27). Boling's 9.98-second sprint is the fastest time ran by an American under the age of 20 but it does not count as a national record because of the existing 4.2-mph (6.76kph) wind on the track at the time. The official record is held by Trentavis Friday who ran 10 seconds precisely in July 2014. Boling, 18, also ran in two relay events and the long jump at the event, held at Challenger Columbia Stadium in the Houston suburb of League City. He will attend the University of Georgia in the autumn to run track, and wants to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

<p>Turkish top-tier soccer club Sivasspor has contacted Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt over a potential deal for the second half of the season, state-run TRT television reported.</p>

<p>Earlier this month, Bolt finished his&nbsp;football&nbsp;trial at Central Coast Mariners in Australia and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday.</p>

<p>Last week, Bolt said he may give up on his dream of becoming a professional&nbsp;footballer despite having "a lot of offers" and added that he will make a decision on his future by the end of November.</p>

<p>"I have received offers from many clubs. I will make a decision at the end of November. Either I will continue or I will end my dreams. This is not about money. This is my dream," he told reporters.</p>

<p>The mid-season transfer for the Turkish league is between Jan. 5 and Jan. 31, 2019.</p>

<p>Sivasspor could not immediately be reached for comment.</p>

<p>The Turkish club, currently sitting in 11th place in the Super Lig, already has multiple international stars such as Robinho, Carl Medjani, Arouna Kone, Gabriel Torje and Douglas.</p>


Turkish top-tier soccer club Sivasspor has contacted Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt over a potential deal for the second half of the season, state-run TRT television reported.

Turkish top-tier soccer club Sivasspor has contacted Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt over a potential deal for the second half of the season, state-run TRT television reported. Earlier this month, Bolt finished his football trial at Central Coast Mariners in Australia and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday. Last week, Bolt said he may give up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer despite having "a lot of offers" and added that he will make a decision on his future by the end of November. "I have received offers from many clubs. I will make a decision at the end of November. Either I will continue or I will end my dreams. This is not about money. This is my dream," he told reporters. The mid-season transfer for the Turkish league is between Jan. 5 and Jan. 31, 2019. Sivasspor could not immediately be reached for comment. The Turkish club, currently sitting in 11th place in the Super Lig, already has multiple international stars such as Robinho, Carl Medjani, Arouna Kone, Gabriel Torje and Douglas.

Usain Bolt contacted by Turkey's Sivasspor for potential deal: Reports

<p>Superstar sprinter <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=usain+bolt">Usain Bolt</a> is adamant he can become a professional footballer despite his trial with an Australian club ending, insisting Saturday: "I still have it".</p>

<p>The eight-time Olympic champion's "indefinite" try-out period with the A-League's Central Coast Mariners <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/usain-bolt-trial-finished-at-central-coast-mariners-175039">collapsed on Friday after contract talks failed</a>.</p>

<p>The club reportedly offered him only a fraction of the Aus$3 million (US$2.1 million) his managers were seeking, and the outside sponsors needed to make the deal viable could not be found.</p>

<p>"It's sad that it didn’t work out," the Jamaican 100m and 200m world record holder told Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper at the Derby Day horse races in Melbourne, where he arrived in a suit, sunglasses and with a gold-handled cane.</p>

<p>"But we parted on good terms, and that's a good thing.</p>

<p>"I had a great experience with them. The guys were great -- we just couldn't work out things with the contract, but hopefully I get another chance with another team."</p>

<p>Bolt, who retired from athletics last year, has long dreamed of becoming a soccer player and had been training with the Mariners since August, sparking global interest when he scored two goals in a pre-season friendly.</p>

<p>But the staunch Manchester United fan's abilities were questioned by pundits and some players and he has now had trials with clubs in Germany, South Africa, Norway, and Australia to no avail.</p>

<p>Asked if he would keep pursuing his quest to become a footballer despite another setback, the 32-year-old said: "For sure.</p>

<p>"We'll see what happens. I think people are still contacting my agent now about opportunities, so we'll see in which direction it goes.</p>

<p>"For me, I've learned that I still have it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I figure that I was improving a lot, so as you can see from the first game to the last game, I really improved and did better. I've learned that it's a little bit harder, but it's all about dedication and work with the team."</p>

<p>Bolt recently turned down a trial-free contract from cashed-up Maltese champions Valletta to focus on trying to make the grade in Australia.</p>

<p>He has been urged by the head of the Jamaican FA to return home and play for a local club, with the prospect that he could be called up for international duty.</p>


Superstar sprinter Usain Bolt is adamant he can become a professional footballer despite his trial with an Australian club ending, insisting Saturday: "I still have it".

Superstar sprinter Usain Bolt is adamant he can become a professional footballer despite his trial with an Australian club ending, insisting Saturday: "I still have it". The eight-time Olympic champion's "indefinite" try-out period with the A-League's Central Coast Mariners collapsed on Friday after contract talks failed. The club reportedly offered him only a fraction of the Aus$3 million (US$2.1 million) his managers were seeking, and the outside sponsors needed to make the deal viable could not be found. "It's sad that it didn’t work out," the Jamaican 100m and 200m world record holder told Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper at the Derby Day horse races in Melbourne, where he arrived in a suit, sunglasses and with a gold-handled cane. "But we parted on good terms, and that's a good thing. "I had a great experience with them. The guys were great -- we just couldn't work out things with the contract, but hopefully I get another chance with another team." Bolt, who retired from athletics last year, has long dreamed of becoming a soccer player and had been training with the Mariners since August, sparking global interest when he scored two goals in a pre-season friendly. But the staunch Manchester United fan's abilities were questioned by pundits and some players and he has now had trials with clubs in Germany, South Africa, Norway, and Australia to no avail. Asked if he would keep pursuing his quest to become a footballer despite another setback, the 32-year-old said: "For sure. "We'll see what happens. I think people are still contacting my agent now about opportunities, so we'll see in which direction it goes. "For me, I've learned that I still have it. "I figure that I was improving a lot, so as you can see from the first game to the last game, I really improved and did better. I've learned that it's a little bit harder, but it's all about dedication and work with the team." Bolt recently turned down a trial-free contract from cashed-up Maltese champions Valletta to focus on trying to make the grade in Australia. He has been urged by the head of the Jamaican FA to return home and play for a local club, with the prospect that he could be called up for international duty.

Usain Bolt hopeful of getting 'another chance'

<p>Usain Bolt has finished his football trial at Central Coast Mariners and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday.</p>

<p>The Olympic sprint champion's mission to win a professional contract in Australia at the age of 32 dominated the A-League's pre-season and proved a marketing boost to the sleepy Central Coast region north of Sydney.</p>

<p>But his performances in training and trial matches over the last two months did little to remove doubts about the eight-time Olympic gold medallist's chances of making the grade.</p>

<p>Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth said the Mariners had been "thrilled" to have worked with the Jamaican.</p>

<p>"Despite the fact that we could not come to an agreement that would continue Usain Bolt's football journey with the Central Coast Mariners, we've been thrilled to have the Olympic champion sprinter and world record holder as part of our Club for these past eight weeks,” he said in a joint statement with Bolt.</p>

<p>The Mariners said they had worked with Bolt and his agent Ricky Simms to engage with external partners in a bid to strike a commercial deal.</p>

<p>"Despite several promising potential partners, both Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners have amicably concluded that they will not be able to settle on a suitable deal in a timely manner," the statement said.</p>

<p>Bolt thanked the club and wished them well for the new season.</p>

<p>"I would like to thank the Central Coast Mariners owners, management, staff, players and fans for making me feel so welcome during my time there. I wish the club success for the season ahead,” he said.</p>

<p>Bolt drew thousands of fans to Mariners' pre-season games that would normally struggle to draw a few hundred, and his two goals in a match against a local amateur side generated headlines worldwide.</p>

<p>However, it was not enough for the Mike Mulvey-coached club to produce a contract before the season started last month.</p>

<p>With the league's next registration period not opening until Jan. 3, that left Bolt as little more than a high-profile cheerleader.</p>

<p>Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop also said he would not dig into the A-League's marquee fund to secure a contract with Bolt.</p>


Usain Bolt has finished his football trial at Central Coast Mariners and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday.

Usain Bolt has finished his football trial at Central Coast Mariners and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday. The Olympic sprint champion's mission to win a professional contract in Australia at the age of 32 dominated the A-League's pre-season and proved a marketing boost to the sleepy Central Coast region north of Sydney. But his performances in training and trial matches over the last two months did little to remove doubts about the eight-time Olympic gold medallist's chances of making the grade. Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth said the Mariners had been "thrilled" to have worked with the Jamaican. "Despite the fact that we could not come to an agreement that would continue Usain Bolt's football journey with the Central Coast Mariners, we've been thrilled to have the Olympic champion sprinter and world record holder as part of our Club for these past eight weeks,” he said in a joint statement with Bolt. The Mariners said they had worked with Bolt and his agent Ricky Simms to engage with external partners in a bid to strike a commercial deal. "Despite several promising potential partners, both Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners have amicably concluded that they will not be able to settle on a suitable deal in a timely manner," the statement said. Bolt thanked the club and wished them well for the new season. "I would like to thank the Central Coast Mariners owners, management, staff, players and fans for making me feel so welcome during my time there. I wish the club success for the season ahead,” he said. Bolt drew thousands of fans to Mariners' pre-season games that would normally struggle to draw a few hundred, and his two goals in a match against a local amateur side generated headlines worldwide. However, it was not enough for the Mike Mulvey-coached club to produce a contract before the season started last month. With the league's next registration period not opening until Jan. 3, that left Bolt as little more than a high-profile cheerleader. Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop also said he would not dig into the A-League's marquee fund to secure a contract with Bolt.

Usain Bolt trial finished at Central Coast Mariners

<p>Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt has been offered a professional contract by Australian A-League outfit the Central Coast Mariners but a deal is unlikely without an external third party financial contribution, the club said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The 32-year-old Jamaican, a passionate football fan, has been on trial at the club since August as he attempts to make an audacious switch to a second professional sport after one of the most decorated careers in athletics.</p>

<p>"The club can confirm that&nbsp;a contract proposal has been offered by the Central Coast Mariners and&nbsp;negotiations remain ongoing with Usain Bolt and his management regarding his football future," the Mariners said in a statement.</p>

<p>"The Central Coast Mariners want to ensure that Usain Bolt is given every chance possible to fulfil his dream to become a professional football player."</p>

<p>Despite two goals in one pre-season friendly, Bolt's performances for the Mariners have not been overly impressive and manager Mike Mulvey suggested at the weekend that the Jamaican would not on current form be worth a place in his side.</p>

<p>The club said Bolt had made "great progression" in his time at the Gosford-based club and they were looking at ways to give him "more individual intensive training and competitive game time" but that it would have to be away from the A-League.</p>

<p>The club statement said the other main discussion point in negotiations was around commercial matters.</p>

<p><strong>'COMMERCIAL SOLUTION'</strong></p>

<p>Football Federation Australia (FFA) has made it clear that the "marquee" money that has in the past helped Australian clubs lure the likes of Italian forward Alessandro Del Piero to the A-League would not be available to sign Bolt.</p>

<p>Home crowds for the Mariners last season averaged just over 7,000 but the club said that while they would need third party help to fund a deal, media reports that it could be worth as little as A$150,000 ($106,185) a season were "inaccurate".</p>

<p>"Usain Bolt's management and the Central Coast Mariners are in conversations with external partners to find a commercial solution that suits all parties," read the statement.</p>

<p>"Without the financial contribution of an external third-party, it is unlikely that Usain Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners will agree to terms."</p>

<p>According to Forbes, eight-times Olympic gold medallist Bolt was earning upwards of $20 million a year mostly from endorsements before his retirement from athletics in 2017.</p>

<p>Last week, he turned down an offer of a two-year contract from Maltese outfit Valletta FC and his representatives have made it clear that he is the subject of interest from other European clubs.</p>

<p>Bolt will not train with the Mariners until a deal is finalised, the statement added.</p>


Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt has been offered a professional contract by Australian A-League outfit the Central Coast Mariners but a deal is unlikely without an external third party financial contribution, the club said on Tuesday.

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt has been offered a professional contract by Australian A-League outfit the Central Coast Mariners but a deal is unlikely without an external third party financial contribution, the club said on Tuesday. The 32-year-old Jamaican, a passionate football fan, has been on trial at the club since August as he attempts to make an audacious switch to a second professional sport after one of the most decorated careers in athletics. "The club can confirm that a contract proposal has been offered by the Central Coast Mariners and negotiations remain ongoing with Usain Bolt and his management regarding his football future," the Mariners said in a statement. "The Central Coast Mariners want to ensure that Usain Bolt is given every chance possible to fulfil his dream to become a professional football player." Despite two goals in one pre-season friendly, Bolt's performances for the Mariners have not been overly impressive and manager Mike Mulvey suggested at the weekend that the Jamaican would not on current form be worth a place in his side. The club said Bolt had made "great progression" in his time at the Gosford-based club and they were looking at ways to give him "more individual intensive training and competitive game time" but that it would have to be away from the A-League. The club statement said the other main discussion point in negotiations was around commercial matters. 'COMMERCIAL SOLUTION' Football Federation Australia (FFA) has made it clear that the "marquee" money that has in the past helped Australian clubs lure the likes of Italian forward Alessandro Del Piero to the A-League would not be available to sign Bolt. Home crowds for the Mariners last season averaged just over 7,000 but the club said that while they would need third party help to fund a deal, media reports that it could be worth as little as A$150,000 ($106,185) a season were "inaccurate". "Usain Bolt's management and the Central Coast Mariners are in conversations with external partners to find a commercial solution that suits all parties," read the statement. "Without the financial contribution of an external third-party, it is unlikely that Usain Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners will agree to terms." According to Forbes, eight-times Olympic gold medallist Bolt was earning upwards of $20 million a year mostly from endorsements before his retirement from athletics in 2017. Last week, he turned down an offer of a two-year contract from Maltese outfit Valletta FC and his representatives have made it clear that he is the subject of interest from other European clubs. Bolt will not train with the Mariners until a deal is finalised, the statement added.

A-League club confirm offer to Olympic champion Usain Bolt

<p>Olympic sprint champion Usain&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;managed to upstage the first weekend of Australia's A-League season without kicking a ball after his agent said he had been offered a professional contract by the Central Coast Mariners.</p>

<p>The 32-year-old Jamaican has been on trial with the Gosford-based club since August as he attempts to make an audacious switch to a second professional sport after one of the most decorated careers in track and field.</p>

<p>The Mariners on Monday were sticking to their line from last week that his "indefinite" trial continues as do negotiations between the club and&nbsp;Bolt.</p>

<p>Club manager Mike Mulvey said after the club's season-opening 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar on Sunday that he knew nothing about any contract, even if he admitted such matters would be well above his "pay grade".</p>

<p>The former Manchester United trainee has said in the past that he thinks it might be until next year that&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;was fit enough to make a proper call on, and questioned on Sunday whether he could displace any of the club's front three.</p>

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<p>Questions will always be asked about whether signing&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;was more about public relations than footballing prowess and, despite two goals in one pre-season friendly, it is fair to say that his performances for the Mariners have not been overly impressive.</p>

<p>Several former players and coaches, including former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou, have expressed doubts about whether the sprint champion could make the switch.</p>

<p>The public relations value of having&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;as a squad player might prove tempting to a smaller club, however, as Maltese outfit Valletta FC proved last week when they made the Jamaican an offer of a two-year contract that he turned down.</p>

<p>Football Federation Australia (FFA) have made it clear that the "marquee" money that has in the past helped Australian clubs lure the likes of Alessandro Del Piero to the A-League will not be available to sign&nbsp;Bolt.</p>

<p>That means any contract from the Mariners, whose average home crowd last season was just over 7,000, is unlikely to be highly lucrative with local media speculating it would be worth about A$150,000 ($106,560) a season.</p>

<p>According to Forbes,&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;was earning upwards of $20 million a year mostly from endorsements before his retirement from athletics in 2017, however, and he has made it clear that his football dream is about a lot more than money.</p>


Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt managed to upstage the first weekend of Australia's A-League season without kicking a ball after his agent said he had been offered a professional contract by the Central Coast Mariners.

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt managed to upstage the first weekend of Australia's A-League season without kicking a ball after his agent said he had been offered a professional contract by the Central Coast Mariners. The 32-year-old Jamaican has been on trial with the Gosford-based club since August as he attempts to make an audacious switch to a second professional sport after one of the most decorated careers in track and field. The Mariners on Monday were sticking to their line from last week that his "indefinite" trial continues as do negotiations between the club and Bolt. Club manager Mike Mulvey said after the club's season-opening 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar on Sunday that he knew nothing about any contract, even if he admitted such matters would be well above his "pay grade". The former Manchester United trainee has said in the past that he thinks it might be until next year that Bolt was fit enough to make a proper call on, and questioned on Sunday whether he could displace any of the club's front three. × Questions will always be asked about whether signing Bolt was more about public relations than footballing prowess and, despite two goals in one pre-season friendly, it is fair to say that his performances for the Mariners have not been overly impressive. Several former players and coaches, including former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou, have expressed doubts about whether the sprint champion could make the switch. The public relations value of having Bolt as a squad player might prove tempting to a smaller club, however, as Maltese outfit Valletta FC proved last week when they made the Jamaican an offer of a two-year contract that he turned down. Football Federation Australia (FFA) have made it clear that the "marquee" money that has in the past helped Australian clubs lure the likes of Alessandro Del Piero to the A-League will not be available to sign Bolt. That means any contract from the Mariners, whose average home crowd last season was just over 7,000, is unlikely to be highly lucrative with local media speculating it would be worth about A$150,000 ($106,560) a season. According to Forbes, Bolt was earning upwards of $20 million a year mostly from endorsements before his retirement from athletics in 2017, however, and he has made it clear that his football dream is about a lot more than money.

Usain Bolt deal talk dominates first weekend of A-League

<p>Former Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has cast doubt on Usain Bolt's hopes of re-inventing himself as a soccer player and earning a professional A-League contract at the age of 32.</p>

<p>The Olympic champion sprinter is trialing at Central Coast Mariners in Australia's top flight and scored two goals in a pre-season match a week ago.</p>

<p>However, the Jamaican has yet to be offered a contract, and most soccer pundits in Australia have questioned his ability to break into the league.</p>

<p>Postecoglou, who won back-to-back A-League titles as coach of Brisbane Roar, said "good on" Bolt for trying but the 53-year-old was quick to underline the scale of his task.</p>

<p>"It seems to have got some good attention for Central Coast Mariners, the club there," Postecoglou, now coaching Japanese club Yokohama, told local media.</p>

<p>"But beyond that I've always believed that football is one of those sports that's very, very difficult to just change from one to the other.</p>

<p>"If you haven't done it from a very small age and hone your technique and skills, (it's) very, very difficult at a later age to switch to our sport and play at the highest level."</p>

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<p>Earlier this week, Bolt was offered a two-year deal by Valletta FC, local champions in the tiny Mediterranean island state of Malta, but turned it down, ESPN reported, citing his manager.</p>


Former Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has cast doubt on Usain Bolt's hopes of re-inventing himself as a soccer player and earning a professional A-League contract at the age of 32.

Former Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has cast doubt on Usain Bolt's hopes of re-inventing himself as a soccer player and earning a professional A-League contract at the age of 32. The Olympic champion sprinter is trialing at Central Coast Mariners in Australia's top flight and scored two goals in a pre-season match a week ago. However, the Jamaican has yet to be offered a contract, and most soccer pundits in Australia have questioned his ability to break into the league. Postecoglou, who won back-to-back A-League titles as coach of Brisbane Roar, said "good on" Bolt for trying but the 53-year-old was quick to underline the scale of his task. "It seems to have got some good attention for Central Coast Mariners, the club there," Postecoglou, now coaching Japanese club Yokohama, told local media. "But beyond that I've always believed that football is one of those sports that's very, very difficult to just change from one to the other. "If you haven't done it from a very small age and hone your technique and skills, (it's) very, very difficult at a later age to switch to our sport and play at the highest level." × Earlier this week, Bolt was offered a two-year deal by Valletta FC, local champions in the tiny Mediterranean island state of Malta, but turned it down, ESPN reported, citing his manager.

Former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou doubtful on Usain Bolt's football hopes

<p>Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has been offered a two-year contract to play soccer with a Maltese club, ESPN reported, triggering speculation he may be set to walk out from his trial at Australian team Central Coast Mariners.</p>

<p>Maltese champions Valletta FC said they hoped to sign the eight-times Olympic gold medallist in time for him to participate in their Maltese Super Cup match on Dec. 13 against Balzan.</p>

<p>"A champion is always welcome and at Valletta FC we believe nothing is impossible," ESPN quoted Valletta managing director and CEO Ghasston Slimen as saying.</p>

<p>Bolt's agent in Australia, Tony Rallis, had also confirmed the approach, ESPN said.</p>

<p>Bolt scored two goals for the Mariners in a pre-season trial match on Friday but has not been offered a professional contract by the A-League team.</p>

<p>A Mariners spokesman said there was no change in Bolt's position at the club, describing reports that he might quit his trial as "rumours".</p>

<p>The 32-year-old Jamaican has repeatedly expressed his hope to win a contract ahead of the Mariners' 2018-19 A-League campaign which kicks off this weekend.</p>

<p>Most Australian soccer pundits said Bolt had shown signs of improvement and better fitness in the Mariners' 4-0 win over an amateur local side on Friday but felt he was some way off the level of being able to compete in the Australian top flight.</p>


Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has been offered a two-year contract to play soccer with a Maltese club, ESPN reported, triggering speculation he may be set to walk out from his trial at Australian team Central Coast Mariners.

Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has been offered a two-year contract to play soccer with a Maltese club, ESPN reported, triggering speculation he may be set to walk out from his trial at Australian team Central Coast Mariners. Maltese champions Valletta FC said they hoped to sign the eight-times Olympic gold medallist in time for him to participate in their Maltese Super Cup match on Dec. 13 against Balzan. "A champion is always welcome and at Valletta FC we believe nothing is impossible," ESPN quoted Valletta managing director and CEO Ghasston Slimen as saying. Bolt's agent in Australia, Tony Rallis, had also confirmed the approach, ESPN said. Bolt scored two goals for the Mariners in a pre-season trial match on Friday but has not been offered a professional contract by the A-League team. A Mariners spokesman said there was no change in Bolt's position at the club, describing reports that he might quit his trial as "rumours". The 32-year-old Jamaican has repeatedly expressed his hope to win a contract ahead of the Mariners' 2018-19 A-League campaign which kicks off this weekend. Most Australian soccer pundits said Bolt had shown signs of improvement and better fitness in the Mariners' 4-0 win over an amateur local side on Friday but felt he was some way off the level of being able to compete in the Australian top flight.

Usain Bolt offered two-year contract with Maltese club: Report

<p>Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he's stunned after being handed a drug testing notice despite retiring from athletics and having no professional contract as he bids to launch a football career in Australia.</p>

<p>The 100m world record-holder quit athletics last year and is yet to be offered a deal by Australia's Central Coast Mariners, where he is currently on trial.</p>

<p>"So guys I've retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this," Bolt said Monday via an Instagram video as he zoomed in on the notice.</p>

<p>The demand for the out of competition test - to collect urine and blood - appears to have been issued by Football Federation Australia.</p>

<p>"How am I going to get a drug test today? I'm not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously," said Bolt.</p>

<p>"So I asked the lady, 'Why am I getting drug tested when I haven't signed for a club yet?’ and she said they told her I'm an elite athlete so I have to get tested. Okay then."</p>

<p>Despite his displeasure, it appears the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority guidelines mean he is eligible to be tested.</p>

<p>Their legislation defines an athlete as a "person who competes in sport" if "the sport has an anti-doping policy".</p>

<p>The eight-time Olympic champion, who dominated sprinting after taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is now bidding to become a professional footballer.</p>

<p>He made his case on Friday by scoring two goals for the Mariners in a pre-season friendly.</p>

<p>The superstar, a massive Manchester United fan, has been handed a chance to train with the A-League side for an indefinite period in order to pursue his dream.</p>


Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he's stunned after being handed a drug testing notice despite retiring from athletics and having no professional contract as he bids to launch a football career in Australia.

Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he's stunned after being handed a drug testing notice despite retiring from athletics and having no professional contract as he bids to launch a football career in Australia. The 100m world record-holder quit athletics last year and is yet to be offered a deal by Australia's Central Coast Mariners, where he is currently on trial. "So guys I've retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this," Bolt said Monday via an Instagram video as he zoomed in on the notice. The demand for the out of competition test - to collect urine and blood - appears to have been issued by Football Federation Australia. "How am I going to get a drug test today? I'm not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously," said Bolt. "So I asked the lady, 'Why am I getting drug tested when I haven't signed for a club yet?’ and she said they told her I'm an elite athlete so I have to get tested. Okay then." Despite his displeasure, it appears the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority guidelines mean he is eligible to be tested. Their legislation defines an athlete as a "person who competes in sport" if "the sport has an anti-doping policy". The eight-time Olympic champion, who dominated sprinting after taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is now bidding to become a professional footballer. He made his case on Friday by scoring two goals for the Mariners in a pre-season friendly. The superstar, a massive Manchester United fan, has been handed a chance to train with the A-League side for an indefinite period in order to pursue his dream.

Usain Bolt not happy over drug test notice

<p>Sprint legend Usain Bolt scored his first professional goal in a pre-season game for Australia's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/sprint-legend-usain-bolt-grabs-double-after-painful-kick-171105">Central Coast Mariners against Macarthur South West United</a> in Sydney.</p>

<p>The eight-time Olympic champion recovered from a painful kick in the groin to net two goals in the same match.</p>

<p>The 23-year-old finished with his left foot after some slack marking on 55 minutes, celebrating with his trademark 'Lightning Bolt' pose.</p>

<p>He then capitalised on a defensive mix-up to score his second on 69 minutes before being substituted six minutes later with the score at 4-0.</p>

<p>It was the first game Bolt has started since joining the A-League club in August for an indefinite trial.</p>

<p><em>Watch Bolt's stunning goal:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usainbolt</a> has scored for <a href="https://twitter.com/CCMariners?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CCMariners</a> again! This time he brings out the <a href="https://twitter.com/FortniteGame?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FortniteGame</a> celebration 😂<br />
<br />
📽 <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXFOOTBALL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FOXFOOTBALL</a><br />
<br />
Follow the game LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/H3buvFVl9b">https://t.co/H3buvFVl9b</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SWSvCCM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SWSvCCM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y6u7JWW2e6">pic.twitter.com/Y6u7JWW2e6</a></p>
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ALeague/status/1050690222533500928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">El multimedallista olímpico en la disciplina de atletismo. Acaba de hacer su primer GOL como jugador de fútbol profesional...<br />
<br />
Usain Bolt. <a href="https://t.co/PRxkdWMEYO">pic.twitter.com/PRxkdWMEYO</a></p>
— Julio Navarrete (@JulioCmnvrt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JulioCmnvrt/status/1050735024130134016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, he had admitted that he was struggling with the tempo of professional football but is working hard to raise his fitness levels.</p>

<p>His lack of football fitness was evident as he appeared to tire quickly, resting more than his teammates during the training sessions.</p>

<p>"The most challenging thing for me is the stop and go because I'm not used to picking up speed, going back down, then back again," said Bolt.</p>

<p>"It's all about practising and getting used to the system. I have time so will just learn the ways and keep pushing."</p>


Sprint legend Usain Bolt scored his first professional goal in a pre-season game for Australia's Central Coast Mariners against Macarthur South West United in Sydney.

Sprint legend Usain Bolt scored his first professional goal in a pre-season game for Australia's Central Coast Mariners against Macarthur South West United in Sydney. The eight-time Olympic champion recovered from a painful kick in the groin to net two goals in the same match. The 23-year-old finished with his left foot after some slack marking on 55 minutes, celebrating with his trademark 'Lightning Bolt' pose. He then capitalised on a defensive mix-up to score his second on 69 minutes before being substituted six minutes later with the score at 4-0. It was the first game Bolt has started since joining the A-League club in August for an indefinite trial. Watch Bolt's stunning goal: .@usainbolt has scored for @CCMariners again! This time he brings out the @FortniteGame celebration 😂 📽 @FOXFOOTBALL Follow the game LIVE: https://t.co/H3buvFVl9b#SWSvCCM #ALeague pic.twitter.com/Y6u7JWW2e6 — Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) October 12, 2018 × El multimedallista olímpico en la disciplina de atletismo. Acaba de hacer su primer GOL como jugador de fútbol profesional... Usain Bolt. pic.twitter.com/PRxkdWMEYO — Julio Navarrete (@JulioCmnvrt) October 12, 2018 × Earlier, he had admitted that he was struggling with the tempo of professional football but is working hard to raise his fitness levels. His lack of football fitness was evident as he appeared to tire quickly, resting more than his teammates during the training sessions. "The most challenging thing for me is the stop and go because I'm not used to picking up speed, going back down, then back again," said Bolt. "It's all about practising and getting used to the system. I have time so will just learn the ways and keep pushing."

Watch: Usain Bolt's first goal as professional footballer for Central Coast Mariners

<p>Sprint legend Usain Bolt scored his first goals in professional football Friday after starting up front in a pre-season game for Australia's Central Coast Mariners.</p>

<p>The 100 metres world record-holder, who is bidding for a professional contract, recovered from a painful kick in the groin to grab a double against Macarthur South West United in Sydney.</p>

<p>Bolt, 32, finished with his left foot after some slack marking on 55 minutes, celebrating with his trademark 'Lightning Bolt' pose.</p>

<p>The Jamaican then capitalised on a defensive mix-up to score his second on 69 minutes before being substituted six minutes later with the score at 4-0.</p>

<p>It was the first game Bolt has started since joining the A-League club in August for an indefinite trial.</p>


Sprint legend Usain Bolt scored his first goals in professional football Friday after starting up front in a pre-season game for Australia's Central Coast Mariners.

Sprint legend Usain Bolt scored his first goals in professional football Friday after starting up front in a pre-season game for Australia's Central Coast Mariners. The 100 metres world record-holder, who is bidding for a professional contract, recovered from a painful kick in the groin to grab a double against Macarthur South West United in Sydney. Bolt, 32, finished with his left foot after some slack marking on 55 minutes, celebrating with his trademark 'Lightning Bolt' pose. The Jamaican then capitalised on a defensive mix-up to score his second on 69 minutes before being substituted six minutes later with the score at 4-0. It was the first game Bolt has started since joining the A-League club in August for an indefinite trial.

Sprint legend Usain Bolt grabs double after painful kick

<p>Visitors gathered at the Madame Tussauds wax museum in New Delhi on Wednesday for the unveiling of the wax figure of India's cricket captain, the highly popular Virat Kohli.</p>

<p>The cricketer's likeness is the latest entry to the museum that opened its doors last year in the Indian capital - after Lionel Messi, former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev and Usain Bolt.</p>

<p>"Presenting #TussaudsDelhi's next big unveil! The run machine, the chase master, @imVkohli is here!", Tussauds said in a post on Twitter. "Come 6th of June, let's play statue! Excited to be at MadameTussauds,"&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kohli had tweeted earlier this week.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Come 6th of June, let’s play statue! ? Excited to be at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadameTussauds?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadameTussauds</a> ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TussaudsDelhi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TussaudsDelhi</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MadameTussauds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MadameTussauds</a><a href="https://twitter.com/tussaudsdelhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tussaudsdelhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/074c3lQF0o">pic.twitter.com/074c3lQF0o</a></p>
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli/status/1003922737365245952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In his wax avatar, Kohli, who has won several national and international awards for his performances, including the ICC World Cricketer of the year and three BCCI international cricketer of the year awards, is seen wearing the Indian national team colors and striking his signature batting pose.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Madame Tussauds New Delhi currently features 50 wax figures of personalities from Bollywood, sports, music, history and politics.</p>


The cricketer's likeness is the latest entry to the museum that opened its doors last year in the Indian capital - after Lionel Messi, former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev and Usain Bolt

Visitors gathered at the Madame Tussauds wax museum in New Delhi on Wednesday for the unveiling of the wax figure of India's cricket captain, the highly popular Virat Kohli. The cricketer's likeness is the latest entry to the museum that opened its doors last year in the Indian capital - after Lionel Messi, former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev and Usain Bolt. "Presenting #TussaudsDelhi's next big unveil! The run machine, the chase master, @imVkohli is here!", Tussauds said in a post on Twitter. "Come 6th of June, let's play statue! Excited to be at MadameTussauds," Kohli had tweeted earlier this week. Come 6th of June, let’s play statue! ? Excited to be at #MadameTussauds ?#TussaudsDelhi@MadameTussauds@tussaudsdelhi pic.twitter.com/074c3lQF0o — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 5, 2018 × In his wax avatar, Kohli, who has won several national and international awards for his performances, including the ICC World Cricketer of the year and three BCCI international cricketer of the year awards, is seen wearing the Indian national team colors and striking his signature batting pose. Madame Tussauds New Delhi currently features 50 wax figures of personalities from Bollywood, sports, music, history and politics.

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli makes debut at Delhi's Madame Tussauds

<p>Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt played the last 20 minutes of a friendly soccer match with Norwegian club Stromsgodset against Norway's under-19 national team, losing 1-0.<br />
<br />
The world record holder for the 100 and 200-meter races took the field in front of several hundred spectators and members of the press wearing the number 9.58, after his record 100-meter time.<br />
<br />
Bolt tried to take advantage of his speed and even had a chance to tie, but could not hit a crucial header despite being in great position.<br />
<br />
The former sprinter, who previously trained with Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, thanked the fans and his teammates for their support, but admitted that he was a little frustrated that he did not score.<br />
<br />
Bolt, who left athletics after the London World Championships last year and is a well-known soccer fan, had spent several days training with the Norwegian club in preparation for a UNICEF charity match he is to play June 10 at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.</p>


Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt played the last 20 minutes of a friendly soccer match with Norwegian club Stromsgodset

Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt played the last 20 minutes of a friendly soccer match with Norwegian club Stromsgodset against Norway's under-19 national team, losing 1-0. The world record holder for the 100 and 200-meter races took the field in front of several hundred spectators and members of the press wearing the number 9.58, after his record 100-meter time. Bolt tried to take advantage of his speed and even had a chance to tie, but could not hit a crucial header despite being in great position. The former sprinter, who previously trained with Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, thanked the fans and his teammates for their support, but admitted that he was a little frustrated that he did not score. Bolt, who left athletics after the London World Championships last year and is a well-known soccer fan, had spent several days training with the Norwegian club in preparation for a UNICEF charity match he is to play June 10 at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.

Usain Bolt plays soccer friendly in Norway, loses 1-0

<p>Usain Bolt, one of the most successful athletes of all time having won eight Olympic gold medals, is ready to start a new career and live his dream of playing football at an age when most footballers hang&nbsp;up their boots.</p>

<p>&quot;My goal is to make a top team and play in one of the top leagues in the world&quot;</p>

<p>31-year old Bolt was recently invited by German&nbsp;giants Borussia Dortmund of Bundesliga league to train with the &#39;Black &amp; Yellow.&#39; Almost 200 journalists and 1500 fans had gathered to cheer for the sprinting legend.</p>

<p>Borussia Dortmund live-streamed the training session and in China alone 1.2 million viewers tuned in. The Chinese seemed excited because in recent years football has grown massive&nbsp;in the country.</p>

<p>Recently, Chinese teams have bought some good players, not to forget the recent transfer of Javier Mascherano from FC Barcelona to&nbsp;Hebei China Fortune, to increase their presence&nbsp;in the game.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the training session, Bolt sent a warning to the footballing fraternity by netting with a beautiful header.</p>

<p><i>Watch the video here:</i></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He just needs good service ⚡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usainbolt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BVBolt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BVBolt</a> <a href="https://t.co/qe5K7xykNv">pic.twitter.com/qe5K7xykNv</a></p>
&mdash; Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bundesliga_EN/status/977142325251137536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&ldquo;Overall, I&rsquo;d give myself a seven out of 10,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It was fun, the guys were cool and they were welcoming, but I can tell I was unfit.&quot;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I like to play on the wing, right now I am unfit so I try to stay up top [as a striker]. I&rsquo;ve heard a lot about the fans here &ndash; that really was an experience.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bolt said he is serious about realising his &#39;dream&#39; of becoming a top-class footballer after training with Borussia Dortmund. But the question here is, whether he is ready or not?</p>

<p>He will undoubtedly have speed, more than anyone who has ever played, but the dribbling&nbsp;skills are certainly not there. Speed is nice, skills and accuracy are necessary. Football skill has no value to sprint speed, but sprint speed has a big value to football skill.</p>

<p>As expected, Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, showed phenomenal pace over the turf during the training sessions but to play in the world&#39;s competitive leagues against legends like Messi, Ronaldo etc, speed is not enough.</p>

<p>Speed also is often a curse in football as the twists and turns on the pitch often lead to lengthy injury spells for fleet-footed players.</p>

<p>His weight is also an issue, Usain Bolt is too heavy for football. The only place he can play for 90 minutes is as the goalkeeper. Nobody plays football or soccer at 90 kg and above. Even the big central defender is only 80 kg.</p>

<p>In the recent training session, he refused to measure himself against Dortmund&rsquo;s professionals that he advocated by saying, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t compare myself to them yet. I want to play at the level I know I can, to improve and to learn from them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Until then, I am just going to working hard and pushing myself,&rdquo; he further added.</p>

<p>Fans and spectators will find the answers soon as is already due to play at Old Trafford stadium in a charity football match on June 10.</p>


Bolt was recently invited by German giants Borussia Dortmund

Usain Bolt, one of the most successful athletes of all time having won eight Olympic gold medals, is ready to start a new career and live his dream of playing football at an age when most footballers hang up their boots. "My goal is to make a top team and play in one of the top leagues in the world" 31-year old Bolt was recently invited by German giants Borussia Dortmund of Bundesliga league to train with the 'Black & Yellow.' Almost 200 journalists and 1500 fans had gathered to cheer for the sprinting legend. Borussia Dortmund live-streamed the training session and in China alone 1.2 million viewers tuned in. The Chinese seemed excited because in recent years football has grown massive in the country. Recently, Chinese teams have bought some good players, not to forget the recent transfer of Javier Mascherano from FC Barcelona to Hebei China Fortune, to increase their presence in the game. During the training session, Bolt sent a warning to the footballing fraternity by netting with a beautiful header. Watch the video here: He just needs good service ⚡️ @usainbolt #BVBolt pic.twitter.com/qe5K7xykNv — Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) March 23, 2018 × “Overall, I’d give myself a seven out of 10,” he said. “It was fun, the guys were cool and they were welcoming, but I can tell I was unfit." “I like to play on the wing, right now I am unfit so I try to stay up top [as a striker]. I’ve heard a lot about the fans here – that really was an experience.” Bolt said he is serious about realising his 'dream' of becoming a top-class footballer after training with Borussia Dortmund. But the question here is, whether he is ready or not? He will undoubtedly have speed, more than anyone who has ever played, but the dribbling skills are certainly not there. Speed is nice, skills and accuracy are necessary. Football skill has no value to sprint speed, but sprint speed has a big value to football skill. As expected, Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, showed phenomenal pace over the turf during the training sessions but to play in the world's competitive leagues against legends like Messi, Ronaldo etc, speed is not enough. Speed also is often a curse in football as the twists and turns on the pitch often lead to lengthy injury spells for fleet-footed players. His weight is also an issue, Usain Bolt is too heavy for football. The only place he can play for 90 minutes is as the goalkeeper. Nobody plays football or soccer at 90 kg and above. Even the big central defender is only 80 kg. In the recent training session, he refused to measure himself against Dortmund’s professionals that he advocated by saying, “I don’t compare myself to them yet. I want to play at the level I know I can, to improve and to learn from them.” “Until then, I am just going to working hard and pushing myself,” he further added. Fans and spectators will find the answers soon as is already due to play at Old Trafford stadium in a charity football match on June 10.

Watch: Usain Bolt scores header, but far away from getting footballer's tag

<p>Usain Bolt, the fastest man on earth has finally revealed that which football team he has signed for after announcing his interest to conquer the football field since retiring from sprint racing last year.</p>

<p>Multiple Olympic champion Usain Bolt is a die-hard Manchester United fan but his football debut is not for The Red Devils, it is actually&nbsp;for the &#39;Rest of the World&#39; team in the charity match.</p>

<p>Earlier he had revealed playing football is something that he wants to pursue and since then, the world was waiting for his arrival on the football ground.</p>

<p>He will lead the &#39;Rest of the World&nbsp;XI&#39; against &#39;Robbie Williams&#39; England&#39; side on Sunday, June 10 at Soccer Aid 2018 Old Trafford.</p>

<p>Soccer Aid, which has raised over &pound;20 million for UNICEF&nbsp;was started in 2006. The event previously featured Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane and Peter Schmeichel, along with celebs such as Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson and James McAvoy.</p>

<p>The Jamaican multi-time sprint champion also took to the racing track to greet young fans and show off his trademark &#39;lightning&nbsp;bolt&#39; pose.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I&#39;ve signed for a football team! Find out which one this Tuesday at 8am GMT ???? <a href="https://t.co/iFTlWxfy7x">pic.twitter.com/iFTlWxfy7x</a></p>
&mdash; Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt/status/967821399430705152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Excited to announce that I will be playing in <a href="https://twitter.com/socceraid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@socceraid</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/UNICEF_uk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNICEF_uk</a> 2018 at Old Trafford on Sunday 10th June. Make sure you&#39;re ready <a href="https://twitter.com/robbiewilliams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@robbiewilliams</a>! ⚽️???? <a href="https://t.co/t2sDB1iLP8">pic.twitter.com/t2sDB1iLP8</a></p>
&mdash; Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt/status/968395228855062529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UsainBolt</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/robbiewilliams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobbieWilliams</a> to go head-to-head at Old Trafford this summer... all in the name of charity, of course!<br />
<br />
Don&rsquo;t miss <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SoccerAid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SoccerAid</a> on 10 June: <a href="https://t.co/tRIPE78SvO">https://t.co/tRIPE78SvO</a> <a href="https://t.co/orSpfpLF7E">pic.twitter.com/orSpfpLF7E</a></p>
&mdash; Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/968396063110557697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Usain Bolt to play at Old Trafford in 2018 Soccer Aid charity match

Usain Bolt, the fastest man on earth has finally revealed that which football team he has signed for after announcing his interest to conquer the football field since retiring from sprint racing last year. Multiple Olympic champion Usain Bolt is a die-hard Manchester United fan but his football debut is not for The Red Devils, it is actually for the 'Rest of the World' team in the charity match. Earlier he had revealed playing football is something that he wants to pursue and since then, the world was waiting for his arrival on the football ground. He will lead the 'Rest of the World XI' against 'Robbie Williams' England' side on Sunday, June 10 at Soccer Aid 2018 Old Trafford. Soccer Aid, which has raised over £20 million for UNICEF was started in 2006. The event previously featured Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane and Peter Schmeichel, along with celebs such as Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson and James McAvoy. The Jamaican multi-time sprint champion also took to the racing track to greet young fans and show off his trademark 'lightning bolt' pose. I've signed for a football team! Find out which one this Tuesday at 8am GMT ???? pic.twitter.com/iFTlWxfy7x — Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) February 25, 2018 × Excited to announce that I will be playing in @socceraid for @UNICEF_uk 2018 at Old Trafford on Sunday 10th June. Make sure you're ready @robbiewilliams! ⚽️???? pic.twitter.com/t2sDB1iLP8 — Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) February 27, 2018 × .@UsainBolt and @RobbieWilliams to go head-to-head at Old Trafford this summer... all in the name of charity, of course! Don’t miss #SoccerAid on 10 June: https://t.co/tRIPE78SvO pic.twitter.com/orSpfpLF7E — Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 27, 2018 ×

Now, Usain Bolt to clash against Robbie Williams in football

<p>India&#39;s legendary runner Milkha Singh in one of our casual conversations at the front lawn of his posh Chandigarh bungalow, told me, &quot;If you are looking for another Milkha Singh, you must go to villages, smaller towns. Kids, there are hungry, hungry not only to do something big but also for food. Kids in bigger cities do not want to work hard. They might play popular sports and not get into less fancy sport like athletics.&quot; His words struck me like cold bite on a relatively warm April morning.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>His words have stood the test of time! India&#39;s leading track and field athletes have come from lesser known towns or cities or villages. Let&#39;s take a reality check. P.T. Usha came from a village named Payyoli in the Kozhikode district of Kerala. Anju Bobby Gorge hailed from Cheeranchira village of Kottayam, Kerala. Tintu Luka, the Asian Games gold medalist, is from Valathode again from Kerala. Milkha Singh himself was Govindupra, a village in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The trend for athletics to move from big rural to urban has picked up speed in the last decade. While we have cricketers, shuttlers, tennis players buzzing in the rural areas the sleeping giant in urban India is beginning to wake up and earn a name for themselves in a world, where they are looked down upon, in a world where they hold no place, in a world where they find it difficult to sleep with their bellies filled.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>One such story emerges from a lesser heard part of New Delhi -- far away from the blistering national capital -- along the railway tracks of Bada Bazar, Azadpur. Nisar Ahmed, who lives in a 10x10 shack -- literally -- has risen from the slums and earned a name for himself. He is just 15 but holds the national records in the Under-16 100 and 200 metres. He has broken his own timings five times and still remains unbeaten.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>What makes him stand out is the question?</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Well for starters his personal best timing for the 100m is 10.85 seconds -- Bolt holds the record 9.58 seconds -- and in 200m is 22.08 seconds -- the Jamaican holds it at 19.19. Yes, the 15-year-old is yards away from the world record but he is not that far off too! If he stays on track, puts his head down and works hard, you never know he might win us a medal or two at the Olympics. He might just gift the Flying Sikh his last wish -- watching an Indian win a gold in track and field at the Olympics -- before he travels to the other side!</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Running happened to me by accident. My coach Surendar Singh spotted me at one of the local events and gave me proper running shoes. He has worked hard on me and when he saw potential in me, he asked Sunita Rai (Sports Authority of India&#39;s coach) to take me under her wings. And ever since I have improved,&quot; Ahmed said.</p>

<p>For now, Ahmed -- the son of a rickshaw puller and a housemaid -- is all set to train at Racers Track Club in Kingston -- Usain Bolt&#39;s workplace. In a unique partnership between Gas Authority of India and Anglian Medal Hunt, has selected 16 athletes -- including Nisar -- between the age group of 15-18 to train at the Kingston track for a month.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I am really excited that I am going to the same place where legends like Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and a lot more have trained. It is a huge opportunity for me to go there and just soak in the atmosphere. I will be able to watch them train, monitor what they eat closely and pick up a trick here and there. I will try and make the most of it,&quot; the U-16 national record holder said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But sadly Nisar Ahmed is flirting with danger. He is falling into the trap of seeking money. Yes, he is not well to do. Yes, he has gone to sleep empty stomach. Yes, his family is struggling. Yes, he deserves a better lifestyle. Yes, his family deserves a decent home. Yes, he deserves a mattress to sleep for eight hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>But not this way.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pullela Gopichand, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Vijender Singh, Mary Kom and a lot more of India&#39;s sporting icons -- again hailing from smaller cities -- never sought money or sponsorship to climb up their ranks. They were old-fashioned that way. They kept their head down, trained hard, performed when it mattered and moreover made waves in their own sport. A quote that comes to mind as I finish this piece is one of my favourite quotes from Rocky Balboa. A character I always draw inspiration from.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the fifth part of the Rocky Balboa movie, Sylvester Stallone hands out an advise to his son, Robert Rocky Jr. Balboa. Balboa says, &quot;Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain&#39;t all sunshine and rainbows. It&#39;s a very mean and nasty place and I don&#39;t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. But it ain&rsquo;t about how hard you hit; it&rsquo;s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.. It&rsquo;s how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That&rsquo;s how winning is done.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Now, if you know what you&rsquo;re worth, then go out and get what you&rsquo;re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not point fingers and blame other people. Cowards do that and that ain&rsquo;t you. You&rsquo;re better than that!&rdquo; he concluded.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>From what I have seen of Nisar, he can be anything but a coward. He has the gut to go all the way. Hope he stays on course going forward and does not fall into the trap of seeking money. The kid has it in him to go the distance. Just needs to be guided along.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>So Nisar, go out there and get what you deserve. Don&#39;t use poverty as an excuse and seek money. Financial benefits will come along and so will the medals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


Nisar Ahmed is the son of a rickshaw puller and a housemaid -- is all set to train at Racers Track Club in Kingston -- Usain Bolt's workplace.

India's legendary runner Milkha Singh in one of our casual conversations at the front lawn of his posh Chandigarh bungalow, told me, "If you are looking for another Milkha Singh, you must go to villages, smaller towns. Kids, there are hungry, hungry not only to do something big but also for food. Kids in bigger cities do not want to work hard. They might play popular sports and not get into less fancy sport like athletics." His words struck me like cold bite on a relatively warm April morning. His words have stood the test of time! India's leading track and field athletes have come from lesser known towns or cities or villages. Let's take a reality check. P.T. Usha came from a village named Payyoli in the Kozhikode district of Kerala. Anju Bobby Gorge hailed from Cheeranchira village of Kottayam, Kerala. Tintu Luka, the Asian Games gold medalist, is from Valathode again from Kerala. Milkha Singh himself was Govindupra, a village in Pakistan's Punjab province. The trend for athletics to move from big rural to urban has picked up speed in the last decade. While we have cricketers, shuttlers, tennis players buzzing in the rural areas the sleeping giant in urban India is beginning to wake up and earn a name for themselves in a world, where they are looked down upon, in a world where they hold no place, in a world where they find it difficult to sleep with their bellies filled. One such story emerges from a lesser heard part of New Delhi -- far away from the blistering national capital -- along the railway tracks of Bada Bazar, Azadpur. Nisar Ahmed, who lives in a 10x10 shack -- literally -- has risen from the slums and earned a name for himself. He is just 15 but holds the national records in the Under-16 100 and 200 metres. He has broken his own timings five times and still remains unbeaten. What makes him stand out is the question? Well for starters his personal best timing for the 100m is 10.85 seconds -- Bolt holds the record 9.58 seconds -- and in 200m is 22.08 seconds -- the Jamaican holds it at 19.19. Yes, the 15-year-old is yards away from the world record but he is not that far off too! If he stays on track, puts his head down and works hard, you never know he might win us a medal or two at the Olympics. He might just gift the Flying Sikh his last wish -- watching an Indian win a gold in track and field at the Olympics -- before he travels to the other side! "Running happened to me by accident. My coach Surendar Singh spotted me at one of the local events and gave me proper running shoes. He has worked hard on me and when he saw potential in me, he asked Sunita Rai (Sports Authority of India's coach) to take me under her wings. And ever since I have improved," Ahmed said. For now, Ahmed -- the son of a rickshaw puller and a housemaid -- is all set to train at Racers Track Club in Kingston -- Usain Bolt's workplace. In a unique partnership between Gas Authority of India and Anglian Medal Hunt, has selected 16 athletes -- including Nisar -- between the age group of 15-18 to train at the Kingston track for a month. "I am really excited that I am going to the same place where legends like Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and a lot more have trained. It is a huge opportunity for me to go there and just soak in the atmosphere. I will be able to watch them train, monitor what they eat closely and pick up a trick here and there. I will try and make the most of it," the U-16 national record holder said. But sadly Nisar Ahmed is flirting with danger. He is falling into the trap of seeking money. Yes, he is not well to do. Yes, he has gone to sleep empty stomach. Yes, his family is struggling. Yes, he deserves a better lifestyle. Yes, his family deserves a decent home. Yes, he deserves a mattress to sleep for eight hours. But not this way. Pullela Gopichand, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Vijender Singh, Mary Kom and a lot more of India's sporting icons -- again hailing from smaller cities -- never sought money or sponsorship to climb up their ranks. They were old-fashioned that way. They kept their head down, trained hard, performed when it mattered and moreover made waves in their own sport. A quote that comes to mind as I finish this piece is one of my favourite quotes from Rocky Balboa. A character I always draw inspiration from. In the fifth part of the Rocky Balboa movie, Sylvester Stallone hands out an advise to his son, Robert Rocky Jr. Balboa. Balboa says, "Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. But it ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.. It’s how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done." "Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not point fingers and blame other people. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!” he concluded. From what I have seen of Nisar, he can be anything but a coward. He has the gut to go all the way. Hope he stays on course going forward and does not fall into the trap of seeking money. The kid has it in him to go the distance. Just needs to be guided along. So Nisar, go out there and get what you deserve. Don't use poverty as an excuse and seek money. Financial benefits will come along and so will the medals. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Nisar, go out there and get what your worth

<p>16-year-old Nisar Ahmed will soon be heading to the&nbsp;Racers Track Club in Kingston, Jamaica, home of athletics superstar Usain Bolt.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Nisar will train there for a month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the recent Delhi State Athletics meet, the Government Boys Secondary School, Ashok Vihar&nbsp;student broke two national under-16 records.</p>

<p>He shaved 0.02 seconds off the 100m record, running it in 11 seconds. He ran the 200 metres in 22.08 seconds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nisar is also called &quot;Delhi&#39;s Usain Bolt&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nisar hails from the Bada Bagh slums in the capital&#39;s Azadpur area.</p>

<p>His father is a rickshaw puller, his mother a domestic maid. They could not attend the meet at which he broke the two national records, he said, because of a lack of money.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nisar is going to Kingston courtesy the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and sports management company Anglian Medal Hunt who have picked 14 athletes from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Delhi in the 15-18 age group to train at Racers Track Club.&nbsp;</p>


16-year-old Nisar Ahmed, also called 'Delhi's Usain Bolt', will undergo a month's training at the Racer's Track Club in Kingston

16-year-old Nisar Ahmed will soon be heading to the Racers Track Club in Kingston, Jamaica, home of athletics superstar Usain Bolt. × Nisar will train there for a month. At the recent Delhi State Athletics meet, the Government Boys Secondary School, Ashok Vihar student broke two national under-16 records. He shaved 0.02 seconds off the 100m record, running it in 11 seconds. He ran the 200 metres in 22.08 seconds. Nisar is also called "Delhi's Usain Bolt". Nisar hails from the Bada Bagh slums in the capital's Azadpur area. His father is a rickshaw puller, his mother a domestic maid. They could not attend the meet at which he broke the two national records, he said, because of a lack of money. Nisar is going to Kingston courtesy the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and sports management company Anglian Medal Hunt who have picked 14 athletes from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Delhi in the 15-18 age group to train at Racers Track Club.

Delhi rickshaw puller's son to train at same Jamaica academy as Usain Bolt

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/medical-council-bill-sent-to-standing-committee-doctors-call-off-protest-28339">Medical Council Bill sent to Standing Committee, Doctors call off protest</a></p>

<p>The Medical Council Bill which had led to protests by doctors was sent to the Standing Committee today.&nbsp;The move led the doctors to call off the 12-hour nationwide stir that was called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-protesters-in-chembur-disrupt-traffic-over-bhima-koregaon-clash-28335">Watch: Protesters in Chembur disrupt traffic over Bhima Koregaon clash</a></p>

<p>A day after a youth died in Pune during the 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, protesters in Chembur and Mulund in Mumbai area disrupted traffic and virtually halted the eastern<br />
expressway.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/high-court-stays-jail-term-for-ex-jharkhand-cm-madhu-koda-in-coal-scam-case-28321">High Court stays jail term for ex-Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda in coal scam case</a></p>

<p>Delhi High Court today stayed the 3-year jail term to former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda in the coal scam case. The court also stayed the 25 lakh fine imposed on the former chief minister of Jharkhand, till the next date of hearing.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/finance-minister-jaitley-announces-guidelines-for-electoral-bonds-28329">Finance minister Jaitley announces guidelines for electoral bonds</a></p>

<p>In a move aimed at electoral reforms, finance minister Arun Jaitley today announced guidelines for electoral bonds for funding of political parties.The finance minister said the electoral bonds would be available in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-rickshaw-pullers-son-to-train-at-usain-bolts-club-28296">Delhi rickshaw puller&#39;s son to train at same Jamaica academy as Usain Bolt</a></p>

<p>16-year-old Nisar Ahmed will soon be heading to the Racers Track Club in Kingston, Jamaica, home of athletics superstar Usain Bolt.&nbsp;Nisar will train there for a month.&nbsp;At the recent Delhi State Athletics meet, the Government Boys Secondary School, Ashok Vihar student broke two national under-16 records.</p>


Medical Council Bill sent to Standing Committee, Doctors call off protest The Medical Council Bill which had led to protests by doctors was sent to the Standing Committee today. The move led the doctors to call off the 12-hour nationwide stir that was called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). Watch: Protesters in Chembur disrupt traffic over Bhima Koregaon clash A day after a youth died in Pune during the 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, protesters in Chembur and Mulund in Mumbai area disrupted traffic and virtually halted the eastern expressway. High Court stays jail term for ex-Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda in coal scam case Delhi High Court today stayed the 3-year jail term to former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda in the coal scam case. The court also stayed the 25 lakh fine imposed on the former chief minister of Jharkhand, till the next date of hearing. Finance minister Jaitley announces guidelines for electoral bonds In a move aimed at electoral reforms, finance minister Arun Jaitley today announced guidelines for electoral bonds for funding of political parties.The finance minister said the electoral bonds would be available in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore. Delhi rickshaw puller's son to train at same Jamaica academy as Usain Bolt 16-year-old Nisar Ahmed will soon be heading to the Racers Track Club in Kingston, Jamaica, home of athletics superstar Usain Bolt. Nisar will train there for a month. At the recent Delhi State Athletics meet, the Government Boys Secondary School, Ashok Vihar student broke two national under-16 records.

WION Evening News Brief, January 2, 2018

<p>Multiple Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt has described the unveiling of his statue in front of Kingston&#39;s National Stadium as one of the greatest moments of his career.</p>

<p>The statue, commissioned by the Jamaican government and revealed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, stands in front of the place where 15 years ago Bolt won the junior championships to announce himself to the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;For me this is up there, it can&#39;t be doubted that this is one of the greatest moments in my career,&quot; Bolt told Reuters after the unveiling on Sunday.<br />
<br />
&quot;Having a statue in the National Stadium where it all began; there are no words, I am just happy and really excited about this.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statue was sculpted by Jamaican artist Basil Watson and features the 31-year-old in his trademark &quot;lightning bolt&quot;&nbsp;pose, seen many times over the years as he set world records in the 100 and 200 metres, winning 11 world and eight Olympic golds.</p>

<p>&quot;It was all worth it: the losses, the injuries, everything I&#39;ve been through, it&#39;s all worth it,&quot; said Bolt, who signed off his stellar career with a&nbsp;bronze in the 100 m at the world championships in London earlier this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s a wonderful thing to look back and see what your career has brought you. I`m very happy and proud of myself for the work. It&#39;s just a good time and I am in a good place.&quot;</p>

<p>Holness has previously said that Bolt&#39;s performances over the years have elevated the status of Jamaican sport.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I have always aimed to make my country proud and to put my country in the best light possible so for the Prime Minister to say that it showed that my work paid off and it`s something that I am happy about,&quot; Bolt added. &quot;In any way that I can continue doing that, it would be great.&quot;</p>

<p>Bolt was stripped of one of his nine Olympic gold medals when his former 4x100m relay team mate Nesta Carter retroactively tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexanamine at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.</p>

<p>Carter has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision resulting from the doping test.</p>

<p>Bolt, the only sprinter to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100 relay titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016) until Carter`s test result, was not losing any sleep over the medal missing from his glittering collection.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I haven`t really been following it (the appeal). I`m just waiting on the time for them to say what is what. I`m just focusing on which direction I want my career to go,&quot; he said.</p>


The statue, commissioned by the Jamaican government and revealed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, stands in front of the place where 15 years ago Bolt won the junior championships to announce himself to the world

Multiple Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt has described the unveiling of his statue in front of Kingston's National Stadium as one of the greatest moments of his career. The statue, commissioned by the Jamaican government and revealed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, stands in front of the place where 15 years ago Bolt won the junior championships to announce himself to the world. "For me this is up there, it can't be doubted that this is one of the greatest moments in my career," Bolt told Reuters after the unveiling on Sunday. "Having a statue in the National Stadium where it all began; there are no words, I am just happy and really excited about this." The statue was sculpted by Jamaican artist Basil Watson and features the 31-year-old in his trademark "lightning bolt" pose, seen many times over the years as he set world records in the 100 and 200 metres, winning 11 world and eight Olympic golds. "It was all worth it: the losses, the injuries, everything I've been through, it's all worth it," said Bolt, who signed off his stellar career with a bronze in the 100 m at the world championships in London earlier this year. "It's a wonderful thing to look back and see what your career has brought you. I`m very happy and proud of myself for the work. It's just a good time and I am in a good place." Holness has previously said that Bolt's performances over the years have elevated the status of Jamaican sport. "I have always aimed to make my country proud and to put my country in the best light possible so for the Prime Minister to say that it showed that my work paid off and it`s something that I am happy about," Bolt added. "In any way that I can continue doing that, it would be great." Bolt was stripped of one of his nine Olympic gold medals when his former 4x100m relay team mate Nesta Carter retroactively tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexanamine at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Carter has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision resulting from the doping test. Bolt, the only sprinter to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100 relay titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016) until Carter`s test result, was not losing any sleep over the medal missing from his glittering collection. "I haven`t really been following it (the appeal). I`m just waiting on the time for them to say what is what. I`m just focusing on which direction I want my career to go," he said.

Bolt overwhelmed by unveiling of statue where it all began

<p>Botswana&#39;s star run machine Isaac Makwala was denied entry to the London stadium which is hosting the World Athletics Championships after the runner was reportedly hit by the norovirus bug in his hotel.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&quot;Isaac Makwala was withdrawn from the men&#39;s 400m (Final) due to a medical condition on the instruction of the IAAF medical delegate,&quot; world athletics&#39; ruling body said in a statement.</p>

<p>However, Makwala tried to get into the warm-up track at the London stadium ahead of the final but was denied entry by security personnel leading to huge furore during the event.</p>

<p>&quot;There have been no medical tests at all, it&#39;s just generalised assumptions because of the outbreak of sickness and he has just one of those symptoms,&quot; he told the BBC.</p>

<p>The IAAF issued a second statement later on Tuesday saying Makwala had been diagnosed with an &quot;infectious disease&quot; following an examination by a doctor in the warm-up medical centre on Monday.</p>

<p>&quot;The team doctor, team leader and team physio had been informed following the medical examination that the athlete should be quarantined for 48 hours and would, therefore, be missing the 400m final on Tuesday,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>&quot;The IAAF is very sorry that the hard work and talent of Isaac Makwala won&rsquo;t be on display tonight but we have to think of the welfare of all athletes.&quot;</p>

<p>The Botswana&#39;s athletics federation chief, Falcon Sedimo hit back, saying, &quot;There has been no official communication, no formal communication from the IAAF at all.&quot; However, the IAAF in its statement denied the allegation, reiterating the player had been informed prior to the event.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, at least 30 athletes at the world athletics championships have been infected in a suspected outbreak of norovirus, reports said.</p>


Botswana's star run machine Isaac Makwala was denied entry into the stadium after he was reportedly hit by the norovirus bug

Botswana's star run machine Isaac Makwala was denied entry to the London stadium which is hosting the World Athletics Championships after the runner was reportedly hit by the norovirus bug in his hotel. "Isaac Makwala was withdrawn from the men's 400m (Final) due to a medical condition on the instruction of the IAAF medical delegate," world athletics' ruling body said in a statement. However, Makwala tried to get into the warm-up track at the London stadium ahead of the final but was denied entry by security personnel leading to huge furore during the event. "There have been no medical tests at all, it's just generalised assumptions because of the outbreak of sickness and he has just one of those symptoms," he told the BBC. The IAAF issued a second statement later on Tuesday saying Makwala had been diagnosed with an "infectious disease" following an examination by a doctor in the warm-up medical centre on Monday. "The team doctor, team leader and team physio had been informed following the medical examination that the athlete should be quarantined for 48 hours and would, therefore, be missing the 400m final on Tuesday," it said. "The IAAF is very sorry that the hard work and talent of Isaac Makwala won’t be on display tonight but we have to think of the welfare of all athletes." The Botswana's athletics federation chief, Falcon Sedimo hit back, saying, "There has been no official communication, no formal communication from the IAAF at all." However, the IAAF in its statement denied the allegation, reiterating the player had been informed prior to the event. Meanwhile, at least 30 athletes at the world athletics championships have been infected in a suspected outbreak of norovirus, reports said.

IAAF denies Botswana's Isaac Makwala entry into London Stadium

<p>Usain Bolt partied with his devoted fans in an emotional farewell at the National Stadium on Saturday as he ran his final race on Jamaican soil.</p>

<p>Bolt is retiring in August following the London World Championships.</p>

<p>On Saturday Bolt was determined to put on a spectacle as he won the 100 metre &quot;Salute to a Legend&quot; race in front of a raucous crowd of 30,000 on the same track where he launched his international career in 2002.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 30-year-old Bolt exploded out of the blocks and cruised to victory in a time of 10.03, well below his world record time but good enough to beat a solid field that included runner-up Javaughn Minzie of Jamaica.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the race the world&#39;s fastest man took a victory lap then returned to the track and the number&nbsp;five&nbsp;lane where he kissed the finish line before flashing his signature lightning bolt pose for the final time at home in his glorious career.</p>

<p>The nine-time Olympic gold medallist Bolt did not run in the fastest 100 metre race of the evening, but his devoted fans didn&#39;t care.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bolt ran in front of a sea of green and yellow clad Jamaican fans who showed their pride by dancing, waving flags and blowing vuvuzela horns while fireworks lit the sky.</p>

<p>Since this was his first 100m of 2017, Bolt said he was more concerned with putting on a good show Saturday as he eases his way into the season.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Jamaican speedster Bolt said at Thursday&#39;s news conference that 2017 will be more about saying thank you to his fans rather than trying to break his world records of 9.58 seconds in the 100 metres and 19.19 seconds in the 200 metres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jamaica&#39;s Yohan Blake won the other 100m in a time of 9.97 seconds, finishing ahead of South African Akani Simbine who clocked 10.00&nbsp;</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


The nine-time Olympic gold medallist ran for the time last in his home country, and is retiring in August after the London World Championships

Usain Bolt partied with his devoted fans in an emotional farewell at the National Stadium on Saturday as he ran his final race on Jamaican soil. Bolt is retiring in August following the London World Championships. On Saturday Bolt was determined to put on a spectacle as he won the 100 metre "Salute to a Legend" race in front of a raucous crowd of 30,000 on the same track where he launched his international career in 2002. The 30-year-old Bolt exploded out of the blocks and cruised to victory in a time of 10.03, well below his world record time but good enough to beat a solid field that included runner-up Javaughn Minzie of Jamaica. After the race the world's fastest man took a victory lap then returned to the track and the number five lane where he kissed the finish line before flashing his signature lightning bolt pose for the final time at home in his glorious career. The nine-time Olympic gold medallist Bolt did not run in the fastest 100 metre race of the evening, but his devoted fans didn't care. Bolt ran in front of a sea of green and yellow clad Jamaican fans who showed their pride by dancing, waving flags and blowing vuvuzela horns while fireworks lit the sky. Since this was his first 100m of 2017, Bolt said he was more concerned with putting on a good show Saturday as he eases his way into the season. The Jamaican speedster Bolt said at Thursday's news conference that 2017 will be more about saying thank you to his fans rather than trying to break his world records of 9.58 seconds in the 100 metres and 19.19 seconds in the 200 metres. Jamaica's Yohan Blake won the other 100m in a time of 9.97 seconds, finishing ahead of South African Akani Simbine who clocked 10.00 (AFP)

Usain Bolt provides fireworks in Jamaican swan-song

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Opinion: Nisar, go out there and get what your worth