Sharath, Poulami miss the bus

New Delhi: India paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal and national champion Anthony Amalraj failed to book a berth for London after crashing out of the World Olympic Qualification table tennis tournament in Doha, on Saturday.

Former national champion Poulami Ghatak also could not qualify after a 2-4 loss in the second round late on Friday.

Sarita’s step

New Delhi: Asian champion L Sarita Devi (60kg) on Saturday took her first step towards the qualifying for the Olympics after she posted an easy win over Azerbaijan’s Ayzanat Hajiyeva in the opening round of the women's World Championships-cum-Olympic Qualifiers in Qinhuangdao.

Unique protest

Kiev: A Ukrainian women’s rights activist stripped to the waist and seized the Euro-2012 soccer trophy while it was on public display in Kiev on Saturday in a protest against the exploitation of women during the forthcoming championship.       

HI grant

New Delhi: Hockey India (HI) has decided to give an annual grant of Rs 5 lakh to all its state associations in order to help them improve the sport at the grassroot level in their respective region.

Pato recalled

Rio de Janeiro: Striker Alexandre Pato was recalled to Brazil’s squad on Friday for friendlies in May and June but there was no place for his former AC Milan teammate Ronaldinho.

Noble cause

Calcutta: Sunil Gavaskar distributed books to needy children during the annual book distribution function of Smriti Sengupta Pathagar of the Palli Priti Club, on Saturday. Also present at the function was state education minister Bratya Basu.       

Lanka’s no

Karachi: Sri Lanka has dropped plans to host a limited-overs series between Pakistan and Australia in August as it clashes with the island’s Premier League, Pakistani cricket officials, said, on Saturday.

“It’s disappointing,” said Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed. “Initially the SLC (Sri Lankan Cricket) offered to host the series and we stopped negotiating with others.”

Danish hearing

London: The disciplinary hearing into corruption charges against former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and English county player Mervyn Westfield has been adjourned until the week of June 18, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday.       

The hearing was scheduled for May 21 but has been delayed at the request of Kaneria's lawyers, the ECB said in a statement.