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In the footballing world, the second leg of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between India and Kuwait will take place in Hyderabad. Brentford manager Thomas Frank has confirmed star Ivan Toney is slated to leave West London in the summer transfer window.
Badminton star Jwala Gutta posed with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, after their recent meeting. Andy Roddick shared his thoughts on Rafael Nadal and Billie Jean King promoting tennis in Saudi Arabia.
Read below to know what happened in sports in the last 24 hours around the world.
Badminton
Jwala Gutta poses with cricket star Mohammed Siraj
Badminton star Jwala Gutta posed with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, after their recent meeting. The picture was shared by Basanth Jain, a sports agent who manages both Siraj and Gutta. Not only this, but he also manages names like Hanuma Vihari, Piyush Chawla, and Pragyan Ojha. Notably, Siraj was rested for the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam due to workload management. Siraj was replaced by Mukesh Kumar in the playing XI, who ended up picking one wicket in the game.
Hockey
Varun Kumar accused of raping teen on pretext of marriage, booked under POCSO act
Indian hockey player Varun Kumar has been booked in Bengaluru for raping a woman multiple times on the pretext of marriage. The star defender of the Indian hockey squad as well as the Punjab Warriors was accused of raping a 22-year-old woman when she was 17 years of age. Bengaluru Police received a complaint, according to which, the woman met Kumar through Instagram when he was training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI). As per the complainant, the 28-year-old player raped her multiple times in the last five years on the pretext of marriage.
Great opportunity to familiarise with game: Harmanpreet Singh ahead of FIH Pro League
Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh said that the FIH Pro Hockey League would act as a great opportunity for players to familiarise themselves with the play style. Singh said, “A few young players have been included in the squad this time and this will be a great opportunity for them to familiarise themselves with the play style of some of the best teams in the world. We are taking the Pro League very seriously as winning it would not only mean direct qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 but these games will also be crucial in the build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics.”
Tennis
Maybe they’re seeing something: Andy Roddick on Rafael Nadal and Billie Jean King endorsing Saudi tennis
Andy Roddick shared his thoughts on Rafael Nadal and Billie Jean King promoting tennis in Saudi Arabia. Roddick said, “The WTA Finals since they took that stance against China have been a dumpster fire. They put it on at the last minute in Dallas a couple years ago. They’re doing a disservice to the product that these women are putting out by being unorganised, maybe unorganised is an unfair term—but by being reactionary and waiting till the last minute. He added, “Maybe they’re seeing something that you know the rest of the earth isn't, and maybe they can affect it, but I’m afraid that we won’t know that until it’s too late, and it’s hard to say that I hope their eyes are wide open.”
I want to play Grand Slam qualifiers: Sahaja Yamalapalli sets her goal
Indian tennis player Sahaja Yamalapalli said that she aims to play Grand Slam qualifiers by the end of 2024. World ranked 336 is currently participating in the L&T Mumbai Open WTA. She said, “I don't want to say a ranking like a number. Of course, I want to build on this, keep working on my game. I think there's still a lot more to learn and a lot more things to improve. There's always things to improve. So, I just want to take this match, take the confidence and motivation and keep going. And you know I want to at the end of the year play the qualifying at the Grand Slams. I'm going to keep working hard and keep going towards it.”
Football
Hyderabad to host India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
The second leg of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between India and Kuwait will take place in Hyderabad. The Telangana Football Association confirmed the development with the fixture slated to take place on June 6, 2024. The Telangana Football Association (TFA) secured the right on the back of some incredible behind-the-scenes work from President Dr. K.T. Mahi and Secretary G. Palguna.
Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer: Thomas Frank
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has confirmed star Ivan Toney is slated to leave West London in the summer transfer window. Speaking to Danish magazine Tipsbladet, Thomas Frank said, "It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer. It can be expensive to sell your best player, but on the other hand, I also know that by the summer, he’ll only have a year left on his contract with us. We also know what he’s worth."
Ireland to play Hungary and Portugal in international friendlies in June
The Republic of Ireland men's team will play Hungary and Portugal in two international friendlies in June. The Boys in Green will host Hungary in Dublin on 4 June before facing Portugal on 11 June in Aveiro. Before these games, Ireland will host Belgium and Switzerland in Dublin for friendlies in March. Friendlies against Belgium on March 23 and Switzerland on March 26 are already scheduled to take place in the Aviva Stadium to kick off the Republic's year.
Major Footballing scores:
FA Cup Round 4
Coventry City 4 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday
Plymouth Argyle 1 -4 Leeds United
Southampton 3 - 0 Watford
AFC Asian Cup
Jordan 2 - 0 South Korea
