Author: S Kannan

In sporting parlance, when the word “ban” is used, the temptation would be to think of some kind of a massive doping scandal. No, this is not like the big news-break moment which rocked the Seoul Olympics in 1988, when superstar sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive for Stanozolol, a steroid. Nor is this ban about what happened in Indian cricket over two decades ago, 24 years back to be precise, when some famous Indian cricketers’ reputations were blown to smithereens. Cricketers, who were worshipped as Gods, fell for the lure of the lucre. Anyway, that’s history. Banned: A Social Media…

There are two faces of Vinesh Phogat as well as two phases. If one has tracked her in the last 16 months, one can relate to her persona. The first is of an elite athlete out on the streets, taking on the establishment, fighting the police, and seeking justice. In this, she is in anger and shedding tears. Sports fans have wanted to see Vinesh Phogat the athlete, someone who dares, dreams and delivers. That’s what this 29-year-old has done, clinching an Olympic quota for India. If this sounds simple, hang on, there are many twists in this tale, stories…

From one chess champion to another, V.Anand to D.Gukesh, the chess romance for those who love the 64 squares soared on early Monday morning, India time. After the highs of watching two Indian Premier League matches on Sunday, sleep became a rarity. After all, a 17-year-old kid from Chennai who has become a big man, in a chess parlance, made the world wait. And sit up. It’s fine for sports lovers to catch action all night, be it football, NBA, cricket or any other sport. Yes, chess following is massive. The increase has been phenomenal, simply because the number of…

One of the longest and back-breaking exercises undertaken by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) involves the elite shooters aspiring to board the flight to the Paris Olympics. The way the NRAI has put in place four trials in New Delhi and Bhopal is a typical effort to ensure “the best” are selected. After all, 20 quota places sealed until now means expectations from fans are soaring. Perhaps, Harpreet Singh, the personal coach of Anish Bhanwala put it in right perspective when he spoke to RevSportz on Saturday. “You don’t clinch 20 quota places by luck, enormous efforts have…

Far from the madding crowd and hustle and bustle of the city, a few billboards welcomed a sparse but motley crowd to the Karni Singh ranges in Tughlakabad. The shooting trials for the Paris Olympics have been hyped, and rightly so, in the capital. Yet, the way the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) had paid scant attention to a putting up even decent posters or photos close to the firing point was shocking. These trials are part of the process to determine who represents India on the biggest stage this summer, yet to see posters of the Para…

Call it anxiety or stress, the 37 shooters competing in the first of the four pistol and rifle trials for the Paris Olympics at the Karni Singh ranges in Tughlakabad, on the outskirts of New Delhi, on Saturday, got to test their weapons and own calm. The first day programme began with the first phase of sports pistol event, where Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan, Esha Singh, Abhidnya Patil and Simranpreet Kaur Brar were in action. Friday’s second part is for the men’s rapid-fire pistol event, where Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu. Adarsh Singh, Bhavesh Shekhawat and Ankur Goel will test their…

Happy birthday, IPL. Many fans will cut a cake and celebrate the birth of the premier domestic limited-overs (T20) cricket tournament, born in 2008. Thousands, if not lakhs, from this young teen generation watching the IPL would be unaware that the birth of this ‘murderous’ T20 format, if you go by the centuries now being belted out, can be traced back to Kapil Dev. The legend of Kapil, winning captain of the 1983 Prudential World Cup, is intact. However, for those who are not too familiar with the nuances, Kapil’s decision to float the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007…

What is the relation between cricket and politics? No, one is not talking about politicians who have headed the BCCI, from Sharad Pawar to Arun Jaitley, or respected Rajeev Shukla continuing to be a part of the establishment for so long. Yes, cricket and politics have meshed, so much so, that with the General Elections for the Lok Sabha starting on April 19 and ending on June 1 for 543 Lok Sabha seats, it overlaps with the Indian Premier League (IPL). There have been references to the IPL with a dual meaning – Indian Premier League and Indian Political League.…

Twenty Indian shooters winning quota places for the country at the Paris Olympics is a massive achievement. With Palak Gulia the latest, in air pistol, to fire her way to a quota place in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, it does appear that Indian shooters are in the mood and mode similar to what we have seen in old Wild West movies featuring Clint Eastwood. These shooters, both men and women, have mostly done very well in the last two years. But that does not mean they are going to win India a handful of medals at the Olympics. Yes,…

With 100 days to go for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, French President Emmanuel Macron has said in a TV interview that the much-hyped event on river Seine could even be scrapped, due to terror threats. Given the existing global uncertainties, not just relating to Russia and Ukraine, but also between Israel and Iran, there is palpable tension. It is well known that Paris has planned a beautiful opening ceremony along the river Seine. On Monday, in an interview, Macron spoke with confidence and assured the world there are other plans for the opening ceremony. Security is the main concern,…