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(PTI) NEW DELHI, May 22: Shiven Agarwal led a spirited bunch into the semifinals across categories as India were on Friday assured of eight medals at the 33rd Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships in Panzhihua, China. Shiven got the better of Singaporean Rehaan Singh in straight games in the boys’ U-17 quarterfinals, and will meet Lokesh Subramani in the semifinals. Lokesh, meanwhile, defeated compatriot Hridhaan Shah in the quarters. Aryaveer Dewan, who won the boys’ U-17 crown last year, advanced to the U-19 semifinals after beating countryman Yusha Nafees in four close games. Others to make the last-four stage were Anika Dubey in girls’ U-17, Abhyuday Arora and Amarya Bajaj in boys’ U-13 and Shanaya Parasrampuria and Divyanshi Jain in girls’ U-13.

(Agencies)

WOLFSBURG, May 22: Christian Eriksen is one game away from Bundesliga relegation with Wolfsburg after a scoreless draw with second-division Paderborn in the first leg of their playoff on Thursday.

Eriksen, who signed a two-year deal when he joined Wolfsburg in September, likely didn’t imagine he’d find himself on the verge of demotion to Germany’s second division at the end of his first season.

But if Paderborn wins the second leg of their promo-tion/relegation playoff at home on Monday, Wolfs-burg – the 2009 Bundesliga champion – would drop a division for the first time since it was promoted to the top tier in 1997.

Paderborn is bidding to return to the Bundesliga after it was relegated in 2020 after one season in the top flight.

The end-of-season play-off pits the team that finishes third from bottom in the Bundesliga against the third-place finisher in the second division to determine which will play in the top division the following season.

Wolfsburg clinched its place in the playoff in the final round of the Bundesliga with a win over St. Pauli, sending the Hamburg-based side down to the second division, while Paderborn earned its shot at promo-tion by beating Darmstadt and capitalizing on dropped points from Hannover.

Santiago Castaneda had an early chance for Pader-born, but otherwise Wolfs-burg created more in the first half with Paderborn goalkeeper Dennis Seimen denying Adam Daghim in a one-on-one.

Nerves played a role as the game progressed, how-ever. Paderborn’s Filip Bil-bija had an effort cleared off the line late on. Paderborn defender Jonah Sticker will miss the second leg after being sent off with two book-ings in as many minutes in stoppage time.

Paderborn, a city to the east of Dortmund in the Rhine-Westphalia, is taking part in the playoff for the first time, while Wolfsburg is navigating the showdown for the third time after wins over Eintracht Braunschweig in 2017 and Holstein Kiel the following year.

With everything now set to be decided in Monday’s return leg, the pressure has shifted squarely onto VfL Wolfsburg, a club that only a few years ago was compet-ing regularly in European competitions and boasting ambitions of challenging Germany’s elite.

The prospect of relegation represents not just a sport-ing setback but a potentially massive blow to the club’s financial stability, reputa-tion and long-term project, particularly after investing in experienced internation-als like Christian Eriksen to guide the team forward.

For Eriksen himself, whose career has already witnessed extraordinary highs and dramatic personal challenges, the possibility of ending his first season in Germany with relegation would be a cruel twist in an otherwise remarkable foot-ball journey.

Yet Wolfsburg can take some encouragement from their playoff experience and the fact that they managed to avoid conceding an away goal despite visible nerves during the opening leg.

Paderborn, meanwhile, will sense a historic oppor-tunity to complete a fairytale return to the Bundesliga in front of their home supporters after years of rebuilding fol-lowing relegation in 2020.

With emotions, financial stakes and top-flight status all hanging in the balance, Monday’s decisive clash promises to be a tense and fiercely contested encoun-ter where one moment of brilliance — or one costly mistake — could define the future of both clubs for years to come.

PTI

KARACHI, May 22: Pakistani hockey players’ financial woes continued as they are yet to receive pending dues from the national federation (PHF) and their daily training camp allowance has also been reduced ahead of the FIH World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium in August this year.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) interim set-up announced that players and officials of the national team will now receive a daily allowance of USD 110 on foreign tours. But the players have complained that their training camp allowance has been reduced from USD 11 (3000 rupees) to USD 3.5 (1000 rupees).

According to a reliable source close to the PHF, the senior players had asked the PHF to confirm about how much allowance they would get for the training camp duration.

Pakistan on Thursday named their 20-member squad for next month’s FIH Pro League matches in Belgium and England but didn’t name the captain, a move that didn’t go down well with the players.

Shakeel Ammad Butt has been leading Pakistan since early last year.

“They have announced we will get USD 110 daily allowance for foreign tours, including the World Cup qualifying event we had played in Egypt but we will only believe it unless we are paid that amount,” one player said on condition of anonymity.

He said in the past also the PHF officials had made similar promises but never fulfilled that.

“Right now we just want to know whether it is true they will pay us just 1000 rupees daily for the camp duration. This amount is an insult to national players,” another player said.

The third leg of the FIH Pro League is scheduled from June 13 to 27 with Pakistan playing Belgium, Spain, England and arch-rivals India. Pakistan will then participate in the FIH World Cup.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 22: East Khasi Hills stamped their authority on the State Level Inter-School Athletics Meet 2026, clinching the overall championship after a string of impressive performances across categories at the SAI STC Shillong, NEHU Campus on Friday.

Organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in collaboration with the Meghalaya Athletics Association, the meet witnessed intense competition among young athletes from across the state, with several emerging talents making their mark on the track and field.East Khasi Hills also dominated the team events, securing the Best Boys Team and Best Girls Team titles. North Garo Hills finished runners-up in the boys’ section, while West Jaintia Hills claimed the runners-up spot in the girls’ category.

The meet also highlighted the growing standards of athletics in Meghalaya, with athletes from different districts producing commendable performances and challenging the traditional dominance of East Khasi Hills.Among the standout individual performers, Ewandame Mark Syiemlieh of East Khasi Hills was adjudged Best Athlete in the Under-14 Boys category following his high jump exploits, while Lamsaka Dkhar of East Jaintia Hills secured the Under-14 Girls honour for long jump.

In the Under-16 division, Highbornson Muksor of East Jaintia Hills emerged as the Best Athlete in the boys’ category, while Amandy Rumnong of East Khasi Hills bagged the girls’ title.

North Garo Hills athlete Cherim Ch Sangma was declared Best Athlete in the Under-18 Boys category, while Tusame N Marak of East Khasi Hills clinched the girls’ award.

(PTI)

NEW DELHI, May 22: The Delhi High Court on Friday pulled up the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for its decision to declare celebrated grappler Vinesh Phogat “ineligible” to participate in domestic events, and said it would pass an order on whether she can join the upcoming Asian Games selection trials.

A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the WFI was denying the Olympian the opportunity to compete in the trials despite clearance from the international body, and the federation’s departure from the earlier practice of permitting the participation of reputed athletes based on past performance “speaks volumes”.

It stated that Phogat, who is seeking her return from a maternity break, is a wrestler of international repute and should not be “denounced” for becoming a mother.

The bench emphasised that motherhood is celebrated in the country, and the federation should not act with “vengeance”.

Even as the WFI counsel clarified that the selection criteria is not to the exclusion of new mothers and the issue in the present case arose from Phogat’s decision to retire, the court remarked that the consequence of the WFI policy was that she had been excluded.

Had she not become a mother, she would have participated and become eligible, the court said, adding that an athlete should concentrate on preparations, not litigation.

The Centre’s counsel submitted that if Phogat succeeds in the trials, the framework provided by the Sports Authority of India permits relaxation of the eligibility criteria to pave the way for her participation in the Asian Games.

The criteria for her participation in the selection trials, however, has to be relaxed by the WFI, the lawyer clarified.

He further said the trials could be conducted under the supervision of a technical team of WFI in the presence of independent observers nominated by the Centre and the Indian Olympic Association, and the entire exercise would be videographed.

The WFI counsel requested the court to list the matter on Monday and ask Phogat to make a representation to the federation.

“We will pass orders,” the bench, however, said.

The court was hearing Phogat’s appeal against a single-judge’s order of May 18 refusing her immediate relief on the issue of her participation in the selection trials on May 30-31 for this year’s Asian Games despite being declared “ineligible” by the WFI.

In her petition, Phogat challenged the WFI’s selection policy and circular, which limited eligibility for participation in the Asian Games trials only to medal winners of certain tournaments.

Phogat asserted that the “qualification window” chosen by WFI substantially overlapped with her notified sabbatical on account of pregnancy and post-partum recovery, which created a “closed and inflexible gate-keeping mechanism” that was arbitrary and discriminatory.

Phogat’s senior counsel on Friday urged the bench to grant her the opportunity to participate in the trials, contending that the show-cause notice issued to her on May 9, a day before her participation in a domestic event in Gonda, showed that “somebody is clutching at straws” to oust her.

The court expressed its displeasure at the show-cause notice claiming that Phogat’s disqualification in the Paris Olympics was a “national shame” and questioned why it should not be presumed that the WFI changed the selection criteria for her.

It also questioned why the 2024 Olympic episode was brought up in the show cause which was issued to her earlier this month.

“Was it a national shame? She was in the finals. How did the people of the country look at the event? Would you describe it as a national shame? Is that how you are serving the cause of wrestling in the country? What was the mood of the country at that time,” the court stated.

It further stated that the WFI’s selection policy was “absolutely retrograde” and asked if the Centre was taken into confidence when the WFI changed it.

“She became a mother in July 2025. We are in May. She is a wrestler of international repute. Why can’t it be presumed that you changed it (selection criteria) for her. Whatever may be the feud or dispute, why should the cause of sports suffer? Motherhood is celebrated in the country, should it come to the detriment of a person?” the court orally remarked.

“The change in circular says all. Don’t conduct yourself like this. This is not in the best interest of sports. Deviation from the earlier circular speaks volumes,” it added.

Earlier today, the court had orally asked the Centre to constitute an expert panel to evaluate Phogat after the government counsel submitted that the framework provided by the Sports Authority of India permits relaxation of eligibility criteria in certain cases.

Earlier this month, the WFI had declared Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic events till June 26, 2026, citing the mandatory six-month notice period linked to athletes retiring from retirement under anti-doping rules.

A defiant Phogat, however, showed up at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda.

She had participated in the protest by women wrestlers in 2023 against alleged sexual harassment by WFI’s then-president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In August 2024, she was disqualified from the 50kg category Olympic finals for being 100 gm overweight in the morning weigh-in.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 22: Nongkseh SSCC and Shillong Lajong FC grabbed the two semifinal spots from Group A in the 5th Meghalaya State League by winning their respective quarterfinal league stage matches on Friday.

While Nongkseh comfortably beat bottom side Rangdajied United 4-1, the second fixture of the day involving Lajong and Mawlai SC was far more enthralling. Lajong’s 1-0 win thanks to a 72nd minute strike by Fridison Wannianng not only secured their berth in the semis but also ensured that reigning champions Mawlai would not be able to progress.

In the standings, Nongkseh lead the group with 11 points to Lajong’s 10 and Mawlai’s 7. RUFC have 0. Although there is still a round remaining, losing twice to Lajong means that Mawlai, based on head-to-head, cannot hope to reach the Top 2 even if they beat Nongkseh on Monday and SLFC lose to Rangdajied.

Mawlai lacked composure in defence during the first half but still managed to hold on, though rather desperately. Their custodian, Lambhamiki Lamare, was made to work overtime, from the very first minute in fact, when Deibormame Tongper tested him with a powerful shot on target. Fridison would do the same in the 20th minute but Mawlai also had their chances, with Fairming Suting rattling the woodwork in the 12th minute. Both teams were somewhat understrength due to suspensions of key players but Lajong did not let that stop them. Coach Bobby L Nongbet brought on Emanbha Marbaniang in the second half and practically his first touch of the game was to set up Fridison’s thundering left-footer. Earlier, Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw (30′) scored his first goal of the tournament but Nongkseh had to wait until the second half to stamp their authority on the game.

(AP) PARIS, May 22: Their legs don’t move as fast on the red clay. They recover more slowly. But the French public still loves them just as much. Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils have been involved in some of the most memorable matches in recent Roland Garros history. The two veterans are back at the French Open for a final dance at the Grand Slam tournament after announcing they will retire at the end of the season.

(AP)

MANCHESTER, May 22: Pep Guardiola confirmed what Manchester City fans had been fearing. The club’s most successful manager is leaving, bringing to a close a trophy-laden, 10-year spell in which he established City as one of major forces in Europe and changed the face of English soccer.

Guardiola, who had a further year left on his City contract, will take charge of his final game against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

“Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time,” Guardiola said. “Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.” City said Guardiola would take up a role as global ambassador.

Enzo Maresca – the for-mer Chelsea manager who was previously assistant to Guardiola at City – is the favorite to take on the daunt-ing task of filling Guardiola’s shoes after a decade of un-precedented dominance.

Since joining City in the summer of 2016, Guardiola led the Abu Dhabi-backed team to six Premier League titles and the Champions League for the first time in 2023.

He won 17 major trophies in all, including a domestic double this season of the English League Cup and the FA Cup. He has won 35 ma-jor titles across his coaching career including his time at Barcelona and Bayern Mu-nich. Guardiola’s departure marks the end of one of the most transformative eras not only in the history of Manchester City but also in modern English football it-self. During his decade-long reign, the Spaniard revolu-tionised the club’s identity with a fearless attacking phi-losophy, relentless pursuit of perfection and a style of football that set new bench-marks across Europe.

From turning City into serial Premier League cham-pions to finally delivering the elusive UEFA Champions League crown, Guardiola leaves behind a legacy built on consistency, innovation and sustained excellence rarely witnessed in the mod-ern game.

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