A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
Chennaiyin FC, on Thursday, managed a 1-0 win over FC Goa to move to the third place in the Hero Indian Super League, thanks to a own goal by defender Narayan Das.
After a goalless first half, Chennainyin FC created more scoring chances in the second half and the all important goal came in the 52nd minute as the visitors gathered full points.
Chennainyin thus put themselves in a strong position for a place in the play-off after grabbing the third place with 27 points from 15 matches.
FC Goa came back strongly after conceding the goal and had lot of scoring chances but failed to materialise. Luck also did not smile on them as the ball hit the woodwork twice and they remained on the sixth place with 20 points from 14 matches.
India remain at World No 102 in football ranking
The Indian football team remained static at the 102nd position in the latest FIFA rankings released.
Sunil Chhetri and co didn't have any international fixture throughout the previous month and held on to their spot with 333 points in the ranking list that was topped by 2014 World Cup Champions Germany with 1602 ratings.
With few internationals taking place last month, the top 10 remained the same with Olympic champions Brazil and European champions Portugal at the second and third positions.
Iceland, meanwhile, jumped two places to be at the 18th position, while Russia, who will host the World Cup this year, are at the 61st place.
Barcelona name Turkish firm Beko as training kit partner
Barcelona announced on Thursday a three-year extension to their existing sponsorship agreement with electronics brand Beko, which will see the Turkish firm sponsor the team's training kit.
The club did not give financial information about the deal, which was unveiled by president Josep Maria Bartomeu at a news conference on Thursday, attended by Barca defender Gerard Pique.
Local media reported the deal was worth 57 million euros ($71 million).
Beko currently sponsors the sleeves of Barca's first team kit and the back of their training kit as part of a deal first signed in 2014.
The firm's name will now be front and centre of the team's new training kit, which was unveiled by the club.
"This association with a brand that is a leader in its field is vital for the club to continue to lead the elite of world football," said Barca president Bartomeu.
Indian boxers claim 5 gold medals at Asian Games Test event
Indian boxers packed a heavy punch at the Asian Games Test event, signing off with five gold, a silver and four bronze medals in Jakarta.
India Open gold-medallist Manish Kaushik (60kg) notched up a second successive top finish, continuing his impressive rise to prominence since claiming the national title last year.
Pavitra (60kg) was the lone Indian gold-winner in the women's draw, while three-time King's Cup gold-medallist K Shyam Kumar (49kg), Shaikh Salman Anwar (52kg) and Ashish (64kg) finished with the yellow metal along with Manish.
Pavitra opened the proceedings for India and defeated Thai Nilawan Techasuep 5-0 to start the gold rush.
K Shyam Kumar was the next man in and got the better of Mario Blasius Kali in a split verdict of 4-1 to claim the top honours. The win came about despite a warning the Indian received for his tactics.
Salman Anwar defeated Filipino Rogen Ladon 5-0, while Manish defeated Japan's Rentaro Kimura to claim a gold each in their respective categories.
Ashish also claimed a gold by out-punching local favourite Sugar Rey Ocana in a lop-sided contest.
Shashi Chopra (57kg), also a bronze-medallist at last month's India Open, lost 0-5 to Thailand's Ratchadaporn Saoto to settle for a silver medal.
British IOC member Pengilly expelled from Games
A British member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Adam Pengilly, has been told to leave the Pyeongchang winter Games after an incident involving a security officer on Thursday, the IOC said.
"The IOC wishes to apologise for the behaviour of one of its members, and feels extremely sorry for the incident caused by Mr Adam Pengilly," it said in a statement.
"Following an interview with the IOC Ethics and Compliance officer he will leave the Olympic Games and South Korea with immediate effect."
The statement gave no details but a source told Reuters the incident took place at the Intercontinental hotel in Pyeongchang where the IOC members are staying for the duration of the Games.
Pengilly, whose term at the IOC ends on Feb. 25, could not be immediately reached on his mobile phone.
Powar quits as coach of MCA academy
Former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar has quit as the spin coach of the Mumbai Cricket Association's cricket academy, it was learnt in Mumbai.
Powar, who played for India in both Tests and One-Day Internationals, and also featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL), had been associated with the academy since the past six months, a senior MCA official, who did not wish to be named, told PTI.
Powar resigned yesterday due to "personal reasons", the official maintained, adding that his resignation will now be placed before the Managing Committee of the cricket body for approval.
Asked whether the MCA has initiated the process to select Powar's successor, the official replied in the negative.
