Sports - Current Affairs for January, 2017

Roger Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title and first for five years.

He secured a thrilling five-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

The 35-year-old Swiss won 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 to claim his fifth Melbourne title.

He was also able to extend his lead at the top of the all-time men's major winners' list.

Nadal, 30, remains tied in second with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slams following his first final since 2014.

Federer's previous major title came at Wimbledon in 2012.

Men's all-time Grand Slam singles titles leaders (in ascending order):

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal won the 2017 Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold title.

She won in the women’s singles category, marking her overall 23rd title.

In the final match held at the Sibu Indoor Stadium in Sarawak, Malaysia she defeated Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong by 22-20, 22-20 score.

Other category winners

• Men’s Singles title: Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong.
• Men’s Doubles title: Berry Angriawan and Hardianto.
• Women’s Doubles title: Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai.
• Mixed Doubles: Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing.

Saina Nehwal: Know More


• Born: 17 March 1990 at Hisar district
• Height: 1.65 m
• Coach: U. Vimal Kumar
• Awards: Padma Bhushan, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri.
• Olympic medal: Badminton at the 2012 Summer Olympics - Women's singles

Ronnie Screwvala, a producer and entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of UTV Group, is set to launch an electronic sports (eSports) league in India.

Called UCypher, the first tournament of its kind will have10 teams taking part in PC, console and mobile games’ league.

His company, USports, has earmarked INR 80-100 crore to spend on the league.

The full format of the league is expected to go live as soon as March and will be broadcast in May on linear television.

About eSports

• eSports will be a PC, console and mobile games league.
• The first season of the league will have six teams.
• It will be a pilot season lasting anywhere between 45 and 60 days.
• 10 teams will be going forward for the same duration.
• USports is already in talks with two youth channels to air the linear television format of the league.
• Target audience for mobile and PC is mostly in the age group of 9-12 year olds. For console it is 16-25 years.
• eSports is relatively new to the Indian market.
• It has a massive share in markets like US, China, Korea, Japan and many European countries. According to reports, the world’s eSports industry is expected to grow from US$493 million in 2016 to US$1.1 billion in 2019.

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba has become a major sponsor of the Olympic Games.

It has signed a deal with the International Olympic Committee that runs until 2028.

This is after joining The Olympic Partner (TOP) worldwide sponsorship programme.

At the Davos WEF, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Alibaba Group announced the formation of a long-term partnership that will last through 2028.

As part of the new collaboration, Alibaba has become the official “Cloud Services” and “E-Commerce Platform Services” partner of the Olympics, as well as a Founding Partner of the Olympic Channel.

The company will support the global development of digital opportunities including the Olympic Channel.

Other major sponsors of the games are Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Visa.

This strategic partnership underlines the global appeal of the Olympic values and opens an exciting new chapter in this digital age.

Jack Ma: Know More

• Born: 10 September 1964
• Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
• Alma mater: Hangzhou Normal University, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
• Occupation: Founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group
• Net worth Increase: US$22 billion

India have won four Tests in a row for the first time vs England.

They have won four Tests in a series for the second time - the first occasion was against Australia in 2012-13 when they won by 4-0.

India has established a record for contesting most Tests (18) in a row between August 2015 and December 2016 without a defeat.

Their earlier highest tally of most successive Tests without defeat was 17 between September 1985 and March 1987.

JetSynthesys, a digital and technology company on 11th Jan 2017 announced the launch of a game on cricket called “Sachin Saga Warm Up” under the gaming arm Playizzon.

The company is associated with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar who trains players to gain expertise in playing cricket.

A batting game where players across the globe can complete in real time, this 2 minute powerplay allows users to get assistance from Sachin on shot selection.

The choice of play is determined based on where the ball pitches and what kind of delivery it is.

Game targets 8-45 year olds and is made in 7 languages.

The game will serve as a prequel to Sachin Saga where gamers across age groups can play an exciting new format of cricket digitally.

Know More About Sachin Tendulkar

• Born: 24 April 1973, Mumbai
• Height: 1.65 m
• Education: Kirti M. Doongursee College
• Movies: Sachin: A Billion Dreams
• Awards: Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan

Ronaldo won the honour at the inaugural Best Fifa Football Awards in Zurich.

Real Madrid and Portugal forward Ronaldo, beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann to win the prize.

31-year-old Ronaldo also won the Ballon d'Or in December 2016.

Both are recognition for success in the Champions League with Real and Euro 2016 with Portugal.

Carli Lloyd of the United States was named the world's best female player.

Leicester's Claudio Ranieri was named best men's coach, ex-Germany boss Silvia Neid won the female coach award.

Penang's Mohd Faiz Subri received the Puskas award for the best goal of 2016.

FIFA has ended its association with Ballon d'Or awards in 2015 and introduced the Best FIFA Football Awards with Ronaldo as its first recipient.

Voting for the player and coach categories was by national team captains and managers, selected journalists and, for the first time, an online poll of fans.

The fan award went to supporters of Liverpool and German club Borussia Dortmund. Colombian side Atletico Nacional were given the fair play award.

Records by Ronaldo

• 44 games, 42 goals, 14 assists.
• The third best minutes-per-goal rate (83.68) of anyone scoring a minimum of 10 goals across Europe's top five leagues during 2016.
• Finishing top scorer in the Champions League in 2015-16 with 16 goals.
• Ronaldo and Messi have a history of not voting for each other for major awards.

Virat Kohli has taken over from Mahendra Singh Dhoni as India's limited-overs captain, becoming his country's skipper in all three formats of the game, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said on 6th Jan 2016.

Dhoni has been named wicketkeeper in the squads for three one-dayers and three Twenty20 Internationals against England beginning on Jan 15.

The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman gave up the limited-overs captaincy on 4th Jan 2016 after nine trophy-laden years, which included two World Cups and a Champions Trophy.

Having taken over the test captaincy from Dhoni in late 2014 and led the team to top the top of the ICC rankings, the 28-year-old Kohli was an obvious choice to skipper the limited-overs squads.

India's limited-overs stalwart Yuvraj Singh returned to both the one-day and Twenty20 squads after his impressive form in domestic cricket.

MS Dhoni has informed the BCCI of his decision to step down as the captain of the Indian Cricket Team from the One Day Internationals and the T20 Internationals formats of the game.

Dhoni will however, be available for selection in ODI and T20 format. The decision of how long he would be captain of the limited over squads in light of Virat Kohli's success in the longer format was being debated.

Mr Rahul Johri, CEO of the BCCI appreciated how under Dhoni, Indian team has touched new heights and his achievements will remain etched forever in the annals of Indian cricket.

Dhoni gave up Test Captaincy in Dec 2014 when he retired from the format after the Melbourne Test. However, he stayed on as ODI and T20 international captain after having taken on those roles in 2007.

Although the next captain was not announced, Virat Kohli, currently captaining the Test team, will take over the mantle.

Dhoni has phenomenal success as a limited overs captain, winning the World T20 (2007), the ICC World Cup (2011) and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

He also holds the record for most matches as captain of an international side, with 331 games across formats.

He is also the only player to have captained more than 50 matches in each of the three formats apart from being the only captain to win all three ICC Trophies-World Cup, WT20 and Champions Trophy.

He debuted in 2004 internationally. He was named captain of T20 side in 2007. He became ODI captain after Rahul Dravid relinquished his post.

He became the Test Captain after the retirement of Anil Kumble.

Record of Dhoni's wins

• Tests: 27 Wins /60 Matches.
• ODIs: 110 Wins /199 Matches.
• T20s: 41 Wins /72 Matches.

There is a resignation spree among top cricket administrators post the Jan 2 decision of the SC to sack BCCI President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke for failure to implement Lodha committee reforms.

On Jan 4, 2016, ex Indian skipper Dilip Vengsarkar (Mumbai Cricket Association Vice President) resigned. Also stepping down were Jyotiraditya Scindia (MP Cricket Association chairman) and Sanjay Jagdale (MPCA president).

Earlier, the administrators who put in their papers included Kerala Cricket Association president TC Mathew and Former test cricketer Brijesh Patel, the Karnataka State Cricket Association Secretary.

Know More About Dilip Vengsarkar

• Date joined: January 24, 1976 (India national cricket team)
• Batting style: Right-handed
• Awards: Arjuna Award for Cricket
• Served two 4 year terms as MCA V from 2002 to 2010.
• Chairman of the Cricket Improvement Committee in 2015.
• Played 116 tests and served as chairman of TRDO scheme (2002-2004).
• Chief National Selector from 2006-2008.
• In 2010, he held a post in CIC of BCCI.
• Currently, he is chairman of National Cricket Academy.

Australian opening batsman Arthur Morris on 3 Jan 2017 was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame.

With this, Morris has become the 82^nd cricketer to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

Aussie cricketer Morris was given the honour posthumously during the first day of the third test between Pak and Australia in Sydney.

Born on 19^th January 1922, Arthur Robert Morris played 46 test matches between 1946 and 1955.

He is one of the greatest left handed batsman of Australia.

He is known for his pivotal role in the Invincible side of Don Bradman which has made an undefeated tour of England in 1948.

He is the leading scorer in tests on tours and scored three centuries.

In 2001, he was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

He made his test debut in England.

He passed away at age 93 on Aug 22 2015.

ICC Hall of Fame: Know More

• The Hall of Fame recognises gaming legends in cricket.
• It was launched by the ICC on Jan 2, 2009 as part of ICC centenary celebrations.
• Launched in association with FICA or Federation of International Cricketers Associations, its initial inductees were 55 players in the FICA hall of fame.
• Inaugural inductees included Graham Gooch and WG Grace.
• Six women are in the hall of fame.
• The first woman in the ICC Hall of Fame is England's women cricket team captain Rachael Heyhoe-Flint.

SC on 2^nd Jan 2016 removed Anurag Thakur as President of BCCI for not complying with orders and also issued notices by contempt and perjury cases should not be lodged against him.

The court also ordered the removal of Ajay Shirke as BCCI Secretary and slapped show cause notice on him as well.

Senior most vice president of the BCCI will chair meetings till the names of administrators are decided.

Thakur and Shirke will now have to respond for lying under oath to scuttle reforms of the Lodha committee.

Lodha committee submitted three reports before SC which were accepted by the SC in its July 18, 2016 order.

The Justice RM Lodha Committee's recommendations for a revamp of the BCCI were also taken into serious consideration, with the SC disqualifying all the board and its state association office bearers who have failed to meet the new norms set by the panel.

The SC will replace the top brass of the BCCI with a new panel of administrators, also to be decided on January 19.

The SC appointed senior advocates Fali S Nariman and Gopal Subramaniam as amicus curiae and asked them to suggest the names of those deemed capable of administering the BCCI.

The SC has said Anurag Thakur may face a jail term if he was found guilty of lying under oath in an attempt to obstruct the Lodha Committee reforms, but reserved its order on a verdict.

BCCI: Know More

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Sponsor: Star India
• Founded: December 1928
• Regional affiliation: Asian Cricket Council
• Operating income: 1.669 billion INR (2015, US$25 million)

The Union Sports Ministry has derecognised the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on the issue of nominating scam tainted duo Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Chautala as its life presidents.

The deemed recognition of IOA has been suspended until it reverses its decision. Kalmadi was jailed in connection with the Common Wealth Games (CWG) scam while Chautala is facing charges in disproportionate assets case.

Earlier on 27 December 2016, Kalmadi and Chautala were elevated to the honorary position of life

Presidents at the IOA’s Annual General Meeting in Chennai.

The IOA was given time to reply the show-cause notice issued by the Ministry threatening de-recognition if it does not reverse its decision.

Chess prodigy Kush Bhagat created history by winning all three gold medals on offer in the 1st Western Asia Youth Chess Championships.

The event held at Al Ain Chess Club in UAE.

He won in all the three categories – rapid, blitz and standard.

With this he becomes only Indian to bag all the crowns in the competition.

To win all three events, he overcame the challenges from 158 participants from 20 countries across the world.

Kush Bhagat is second standard student of the NSS Hill Spring International School, Mumbai (Maharashtra).

Know More About FIDE Ratings of Kush Bhagat

• Federation: India
• Rating std.1289,rapid 1141, blitz1237
• Born: 2009

British tennis champion Andy Murray and athlete Mo Farah have been knighted in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

Paralympic dressage rider Lee Pearson is also knighted, while heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower Katherine Grainger are made dames.

There are CBEs for cyclists Jason and Laura Kenny, swimmer Sascha Kindred and equestrians Charlotte Dujardin, Nick Skelton and Sophie Christiansen.

Former athlete Sir Roger Bannister is made a Companion of Honour.

Kinks singer Ray Davies was knighted, actor Patricia Routledge made a dame.

Boxer Nicola Adams, Great Britain hockey captain Kate Richardson-Walsh and Wales football manager Chris Coleman receive OBEs.

Other OBEs include rowers Pete Reed and Andrew Triggs Hodge, cyclist Ed Clancy, Paralympians

Jody Cundy and Anne Dunham and racehorse trainer John Gosden.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew is made a MBE, as are a host of gold medal winners from the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio, with more than 100 people in sport included on the list.

Great Britain's women's hockey players - including Richardson-Walsh's wife Helen - are all honoured, together with other champions including gymnast Max Whitlock, swimmer Adam Peaty, golfer Justin Rose, and Paralympic gold medal-winning cyclist and athlete Kadeena Cox.

KNIGHTHOOD

• Mo FARAH, CBE, for services to athletics, London
• Andy MURRAY, OBE, for services to tennis and charity, Surrey
• Lee PEARSON, CBE, for services to equestrianism, Staffordshire


DAMEHOOD


• Jessica ENNIS-HILL, CBE, for services to athletics, Sheffield
• Katherine GRAINGER, CBE, for services to sport and charity, Maidenhead.


MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF HONOUR


• Sir Roger BANNISTER, CBE, for services to sport, Oxfordshire.


MEDALLIST OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (BEM)


• Brian ROBINSON, for services to cycling and charity, Mirfield, West Yorkshire.

Lionel Messi has been voted as the best playmaker in the world for 2016 earlier on 29th Dec 2016, after the results were made public by the IFFHS.

According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, the Argetine player collected 172 points, four more than last year, finishing ahead of Andres Iniesta, second in ranking with 66 points and Toni Kross, third with 45 points.

The top 10 as per votes collected in 56 countries are:

• The IFFHS started this award in 2006.
• It has been dominated by La Liga players since then.
• The first recipient of the accolade was in 2006: Zinedine Zidane.
• Kaka won it in the following year.
• Toni Kroos won the award in 2014.
• Messi won it last season.
• This award is decided by votes from 56 countries from five different continents.
• Messi is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner.