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The Indian men’s hockey team vice-captain Hardik Singh won the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for the Player of the Year 2023 in the men’s category. The Indian athletes will reportedly be provided special Indian cuisine at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Read below to learn more about the latest happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Hockey
India Vice Captain Hardik Singh wins Player of the Year Award
The Indian men’s hockey team vice-captain Hardik Singh won the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for the Player of the Year 2023 in the men’s category. Apart from this, he also won the Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year at the Hockey India 6th Annual Awards 2023 in Delhi. Singh also won the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2022. The 25-year-old received the award as a recognition of his exceptional talent, dedication as well as outstanding contributions to the sport.
There is an increased amount of responsibility when you win such awards: India hockey vice captain Hardik Singh
The Indian hockey vice captain Hardik Singh said that there is a strong amount of responsibility when you win awards like Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year. He said, “This will further push me to perform even better. I didn’t expect to win as there were a lot of strong contenders like Harmanpreet Singh, and PR Sreejesh, who have been outstanding in the past year. I believe we had a roller-coaster year as a team. There is an increased amount of responsibility when you get such individual awards and recognition. I feel that when the federation gives you such prestigious awards, it means that they trust you and you should be able to perform to your best in matches that you play.”
Indian athletes to be provided Indian cuisine for the Paris 2024 Olympics: Reports
The Indian athletes will reportedly be provided special Indian cuisine at the Paris 2024 Olympics. A report by the Indian Express revealed that the players will be provided with lightly spiced Indian food during the competition. According to the report, “In a first, in the dining halls of the Athletes Village will be specially curated steamed Basmati rice, dal, roti, aloo-gobi, gently-spiced Indian-style chicken curry and an assortment of South Asian broths”. The chef de mission revealed that the menu for the Indian players was given to the organisers during the IOA meeting.
Men’s hockey team heads to Australia for five-test series
The Indian men’s hockey team left for Australia to compete in a five-match Test series which is set to begin on April 6. The series will begin on April 6 and has matches on April 7, 10, 12, and 13. Before departing, Harmanpreet Singh said, “As we embark on this crucial tour to Australia, we are filled with determination and excitement. The series presents an excellent opportunity for us to assess our strengths and areas for improvement ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Tennis
My cat could coach Novak Djokovic and do a good job: Andy Roddick
Andy Roddick spoke about Novak Djokovic’s coaching prospects after the Serbian split with his former coach Goran Ivanisevic. Roddick questioned whether Novak needed a coach at all, to which he said that even his cat could lead him to victory. He said, "But it’s already a weirdly framed question because does he need a coach? Like I think my cat could coach him and do a pretty good job, probably win a bunch of matches. It’s a weird moment where does he think he’s in there with these other three superhumans? I think that you would want someone, I don’t think you would do a trial run with no coach before Roland Garros and Wimbledon.”
Get me the best player, compare his talent to Roger Federer: Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios hit back at pickleball player Christian Alshon after he said that paddle sport requires more talent than tennis. Kyrgios responded to Alshon’s tweet and said, "Yeah. Let’s hide under the bed after this statement hahahaha bro get me the best pickleball player and compare his talent to Roger Federer. Wild tweet, wild thought. Delete right now. I love pickle but you had too many tequilas.” Alsohan said, "Pickleball has made me a much better athlete than Tennis ever did. Faster reaction time and speed are needed since the ball is only coming from 10 feet away. Point for point, pickleball requires more skill than tennis.”
Football
Pep Guardiola defends Erling Haaland after poor show against Arsenal
Pep Guardiola defended Erling Haaland after Roy Keane criticised him after his poor performance in the goalless draw against Premier League title rivals Arsenal. Guardiola said that the striker should be respected as the ‘best striker in the world’. Notably, the former Manchester United captain Keane said Haaland’s game was “so poor”, which was “almost like a League Two player.” Haaland is the leading scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals this term after he won last season’s Golden Boot during a remarkable season with City.
PSG coach Luis Enrique addresses team chemistry amidst rift rumours
The Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said that he was ‘very happy’ with the team including Kylian Mbappe during a press conference ahead of the French Cup semi-final clash against Rennes. He said, “What’s curious is everything that’s being said based on a piece of false news. Someone has invented an insult and then from that comes all kinds of speculations. I’m taking it all in my stride. I’m very happy with all my players, Kylian included, he’s always behaved admirably.” Notably, Enrique’s former side Barcelona visit PSG for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. He said, “We’re all in the same boat, sailing and seeking success. I’d love this to end well for PSG, for Kylian, for everyone.”
Major football leagues
Australia A-League Men
Perth Glory 1-1 Sydney FC
CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarter-Final
Columbus 1-1 Tigress
Japan-J League
Gamba Osaka 0-0 Kyoto Sanga FC
Northern Ireland-Premiership
Carrick Rangers 2-3 Linfield
