Paul contradicts AIFF president Chaubey’s stance on coach Marquez’s status
The All India Football Federation is keen not to lift the lid on the future of its men’s national team coach even though Manolo Marquez has informed his intention to leave even before India’s defeat in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier on 10th June. The Spaniard had already decided in April and had informed the AIFF on the sidelines of the Super Cup in Bhubaneswar but accepted a request to extend his stay on the understanding of initiating a mutual termination process after the away game in Hong Kong, in which they conceded a 1-0 defeat. While president Kayan Chaubey insisted at a press conference on 13th June that a call on Marquez’s status would only be taken at its executive committee meeting on 2nd July, national team director Subrata Paul let the cat out of the bag in an e-mail on June 24. Sent to all the head of the departments of the AIFF, Paul had informed: “A crucial decision needs to be taken regarding the appointment of the head coach for the Indian senior football team. The committee must discuss whether to entrust this responsibility to an Indian coach or to appoint a foreign expert, keeping in mind the current complex scenario in the Asian Cup Qualifier group.” His declaration is at odds with what Chaubey, in the presence of Paul, said in New Delhi. “In the last few days, we’ve received several calls questioning whether he should continue. A decision will be taken during the Executive Committee meeting,” he told a room full of journalists at the Press Club of India in Central Delhi.
Neeraj Chopra claims Jasprit Bumrah could be a perfect fit for javelin throw!
In an interview with former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu during a segment on Star Sports ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra mentioned Jasprit Bumrah could have been a perfect javelin thrower if he was in the field. Neeraj, citing one of the reasons behind his explanation said that running speed is a key essential in javelin throw and Bumrah could have been the ideal for the sport. “I feel it will be fast bowler only. I want to see Jasprit Bumrah in his prime, with proper fitness, try out javelin throw,” he said. Chopra began his 2025 campaign with an invitational meet in Potchefstroom. He bagged gold with an 84.52m throw and showed good form. Then he was next in action at the Diamond League in Doha and surpassed the elusive 90m mark, but had to settle for silver. Having reclaimed the top spot in the javelin throw world rankings, Neeraj Chopra will be back in action at the upcoming inaugural NC Classic, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on 5th July.
Crispin Chhetri says Timor Leste more organized than Mongolia
After a record-breaking win in the campaign opener, the Indian senior women’s team will look to continue the winning momentum in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers when it takes on Timor Leste on Sunday at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. The five-team Group B is currently led by Iraq, which is on four points after a 5-2 victory over Mongolia and a 0-0 draw with Timor Leste. India, which beat Mongolia 13-0, and Thailand, which beat Timor Leste 4-0, are on three points each. Despite Timor Leste being ranked 158th, 32 places below Mongolia, Indian coach Crispin Chettri believed that the Southeast Asian side would pose a stronger challenge. Having watched all teams in action after the first two matchdays, there’s now a much clearer assessment of all the remaining three opponents. “Timor Leste are a better-organized team than Mongolia, and I feel they are better organized defensively than Iraq as well. They prefer going for counter-attacks. They don’t mind keeping the ball either. So, in patches, they are good. But as Thailand dominated the match completely, we can’t say much about their attack. But they have got pace in their team as well,” said Chettri.
Kishane Thompson breaks his career best record; Fastest in last 10 years!
Paris Olympics silver medalist Kishane Thompson clinched gold at the Jamaican national athletics trials. He finished the men’s 100m final with a 9.75 seconds timing which made him the sixth fastest 100m sprinter in the history and fastest in last 10 years. He delivered a performance for ages. The 23 year-old, who was beaten by 0.005 seconds in the Paris Olympics 2024, has beaten his own career best of 9.77 seconds. “I am never going to surprise myself, because I know how capable I am” Thompson said after retaining the title, “ I am very confident even if I make world record, it would not surprise me because I am that confident and I am working to achieve all my goals and the accolades”. Meanwhile, Shelly-An-Fraser-Pryce, even at the age of 38, secured a third-place finish in the women’s 100 meters in 10.91 seconds. “One thing I knew I had on my side was experience,” said Fraser-Pryce, now 38. “I am grateful for that fighting spirit that says it’s never over until it’s over, and once I step on the start line, I am ready. Knowing that I’m not race sharp and running 10.91 is a big deal.
Yashashvi Jaiswal only 97 runs away from a 49-year-old record
Yashashvi Jaiswal is just 97 runs away from breaking the 49-year-old record by little master, legendary Sunil Gavaskar. Yashasvi needs to score only 97 runs, to become the fastest Indian to score 2000 runs in Tests. In his 20th Test match career Yashashvi has scored 1903 runs with a magnificent average of 52.86. Sunil Gavaskar still holds the record, who reached this milestone in his 23rd Test back in 1976. In this transition phase for Team India, Jaiswal’s form and overall performance in test cricket are a significant positive for the team. He scored an impressive century in the first innings of the opener match of the Anderson- Tendulkar Trophy. Yashashvi Jaiswal scored a century his first century in his debut against West Indies. After that, he proved himself in Australia and now in his first match on the English soil, he again proved why he belongs here. After Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag are in the list who reached the milestone of two thousand Test runs in their 25th Tests, respectively.
