Amitabh Bachchan has congratulated ace Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who won gold at the Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup. The megastar also praised her by saying that he was a proud Indian because of her.

Amitabh on Monday tweeted: “Congratulations to Dipa Karmakar. She has won gold in the world championships for gymnastics on the vault. You proved to the world that what was wrongly denied to you in the Olympics, you won it here. Proud of you. We are proud Indians because of you!”

Karmakar, 24, bagged gold in the women’s vault event at the Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup on Sunday held in Mersin, Turkey.

The Tripura girl, who returned to action after two years due to injury, scored 14.150 to clinch the yellow metal. Dipa had topped the qualification round with a score of 13.400.

She also qualified for the balance beam finals by finishing third in the qualification with a score of 11.850.

She will now feature in the Indian gymnastics squad at the upcoming Asian Games.

Croatia have the vitality to beat England in their World Cup semi-final despite playing in two consecutive matches that have gone to extra-time and penalties, coach Zlatko Dalic said.

After overcoming Denmark on penalties in the last 16, Croatia defeated hosts Russia in another shootout last Saturday.

On Wednesday, Croatia will confront England at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium for a place in the final on July 15.

“Of course there is some power left for the English,” Xinhua news agency reported quoting Dalic.

“We will not stop, we will try to play to get the best out of ourselves. We have two matches to play, we are very motivated, we will give our all,” he said.

While Croatia endured a gruelling 120-minute battle against Russia, England progressed to the last four with a relatively straightforward 2-0 win over Sweden last Saturday.

Croatia will be sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Danijel Subasic after he played through the latter part of the quarterfinal with a hamstring injury.

Former India hockey team captain Sandeep Singh has given a thumbs up to sports films. Singh, on whom the forthcoming film “Soorma” is based, says sports biopics can play an important role in doing away with drugs in India.

Movies such as “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, “Mary Kom”, “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story” and “Sachin: A Billion Dreams” delved into the lives of sports stars like Milkha Singh, M.C Mary Kom, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar.

Singh praises filmmakers for coming forward and engaging the masses in films made on such personalities.

“If biopics are made on sports and sports stars then a sports culture will develop in India. Through such biopics, you get to know that sports is a different world. It is important to inculcate sports culture in children because today if we talk about India and not just north India, there is a major problem of drugs.

“Sports is something that can help in doing away with drugs as drugs and sports don’t go hand in hand. You have to stay miles away from drugs if you want to play a sport,” Singh told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

“If there is a sports culture, then future generations will stay away from drugs, and sports biopics can play a role in this. Like they say, ‘What sells is what you see’. So, if biopics are shown then it will leave an impact on children and they will aspire to become sports stars like Sachin, Dhoni and Dhyan Chand.”

In fact, Singh wants his film to be tax-free in India.

“I request the chief ministers of different states to make ‘Soorma’ tax-free so that it can reach out to kids, families in villages and those who come from poor families. They can watch the film and inspire kids to take up sports,” said Singh, who hails from Haryana.

He also wants the film, which is slated to release on July 13, to inspire people who give up easily in life.

“I hope people like the film because the message is to never give up. Nowadays, whenever there is some problem, youngsters get scared easily. But you should not give up,” he said.

Singh is a fighter himself. He was left almost paralysed after he was accidentally shot by an Railway Protection Force jawan inside a train in 2006 while he was on his way to join the national squad due to leave for the World Cup in Germany. The incident forced him to be wheelchair-bound for two years.

But his passion for hockey brought him back on his feet and on the field. He took over as the captain of the Indian national team in 2009.

Asked about the fall and his rise, he said it’s all about will power.

“Every person has it. If you believe in yourself, then you can do anything. You just need to have the confidence and faith in yourself,” said the dragflick expert, who is nicknamed “Flicker Singh”.

And for sharing his life story with the world, he charged only Rs 101.

“My movie should reach every household. It’s not about getting money out of it. Had I been after money, I would have sold the rights of my story to somebody else long time back.

“Many regional channels and filmmakers had offered to make a film on my life. I ignored them as I thought that if I have to do it, then it should be done on a high level so that it can reach more number of people.”

Directed by Shaad Ali, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh plays his role in “Soorma”, which is produced by Sony Pictures Networks Productions, Chitrangda Singh and Deepak Singh.

Singh and his brother Bikramjeet have contributed a lot to the film.

“We have done the sports choreography. We have trained Diljit and Taapsee Pannu,” said the 32-year-old.

Does he miss playing hockey?

“Yes, I do. I still play, but not at the international level,” he said.

Hockey is not his only passion.

“I love listening to music. I also like to visit different cities and places and explore old structures. I like to know about them and their history,” said Singh. Former India hockey team captain Sandeep Singh has given a thumbs up to sports films. Singh, on whom the forthcoming film “Soorma” is based, says sports biopics can play an important role in doing away with drugs in India.

Movies such as “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, “Mary Kom”, “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story” and “Sachin: A Billion Dreams” delved into the lives of sports stars like Milkha Singh, M.C Mary Kom, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar.

Singh praises filmmakers for coming forward and engaging the masses in films made on such personalities.

“If biopics are made on sports and sports stars then a sports culture will develop in India. Through such biopics, you get to know that sports is a different world. It is important to inculcate sports culture in children because today, if we talk about India and not just north India, there is a major problem of drugs.

“Sports is something that can help in doing away with drugs as drugs and sports don’t go hand in hand. You have to stay miles away from drugs if you want to play a sport,” Singh told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

“If there is a sports culture, then future generations will stay away from drugs, and sports biopics can play a role in this. Like they say, ‘What sells is what you see’. So, if biopics are shown then it will leave an impact on children and they will aspire to become sports stars like Sachin, Dhoni and Dhyan Chand.”

In fact, Singh wants his film to be tax-free in India.

“I request the chief ministers of different states to make ‘Soorma’ tax-free so that it can reach out to kids, families in villages and those who come from poor families. They can watch the film and inspire kids to take up sports,” said Singh, who hails from Haryana.

He also wants the film, which is slated to release on July 13, to inspire people who give up easily in life.

“I hope people like the film because the message is to never give up. Nowadays, whenever there is some problem, youngsters get scared easily. But you should not give up,” he said.

Singh is a fighter himself. He was left almost paralysed after he was accidentally shot by an Railway Protection Force jawan inside a train in 2006 while he was on his way to join the national squad due to leave for the World Cup in Germany. The incident forced him to be wheelchair-bound for two years.

But his passion for hockey brought him back on his feet and on the field. He took over as the captain of the Indian national team in 2009.

Asked about the fall and his rise, he said it’s all about will power.

“Every person has it. If you believe in yourself, then you can do anything. You just need to have the confidence and faith in yourself,” said the dragflick expert, who is nicknamed “Flicker Singh”.

And for sharing his life story with the world, he charged only Rs 101.

“My movie should reach every household. It’s not about getting money out of it. Had I been after money, I would have sold the rights of my story to somebody else long time back.

“Many regional channels and filmmakers had offered to make a film on my life. I ignored them as I thought that if I have to do it, then it should be done on a high level so that it can reach more number of people.”

Directed by Shaad Ali, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh plays his role in “Soorma”, which is produced by Sony Pictures Networks Productions, Chitrangda Singh and Deepak Singh.

Singh and his brother Bikramjeet have contributed a lot to the film.

“We have done the sports choreography. We have trained Diljit and Taapsee Pannu,” said the 32-year-old.

Does he miss playing hockey?

“Yes, I do. I still play, but not at the international level,” he said.

Hockey is not his only passion.

“I love listening to music. I also like to visit different cities and places and explore old structures. I like to know about them and their history,” said Singh.

Belgium winger Nacer Chadli has said Spanish coach Roberto Martinez deserved credit for the team’s success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Under Martinez, Belgium won Group G ahead of England and impressively rallied back from a 0-2 deficit against Japan to make it a 3-2 win before defeating Brazil 2-1 in the quarterfinals, reports Efe.

“Roberto Martinez started with a small club (Wigan), he did a very good job and went to Everton, and with his experience, style and way of thinking, we are here today, it’s because of him,” Chadli said in a press conference on Sunday ahead of the semifinal clash against France.

Chadli said defeating Brazil gave the team a big boost, but confirmed the team would not get caught up in the hype.

“The enthusiasm in Belgium after the Brazil-Belgium clash is just wonderful. But we have to be with our feet on the ground now,” the West Bromwich Albion player said.

“If you can beacounter-attackdo not have to fear anyone. We respect everybody, but if we play with fear we will not be able to beat France,” Chadli said.

Chadli praised France, calling it a team of high quality that masters the counter-attack and paying special tribute to Kylian Mbappe.

“Apart from (Argentine star Lionel) Messi, I have not seen (players) doing things like what Mbappe does at his age, but yet there is no anti-Mbappe plan as we have not spoken yet about how we are going to play,” Chadli said.

Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V.Sindhu rang in her 23rd birthday with a straight-game win over Japan’s Aya Ohori, while H.S. Prannoy notched up a brilliant come-from-behind win over Wang Tzu Wei of Chinese Taipei to enter the quarter-finals of the $1,250,000 Indonesia Open here on Thursday.

But it was curtains for London bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, who lost in straight games to China’s Chen Yufei 18-21, 15-21 here.

World No.3 Sindhu, who had reached the semi-finals at Malaysia Open last week, completed an easy rout of No.17 Ohori with a 21-17, 21-14 win in a 36-minute women’s singles match. This is Sindhu’s fifth win over the Japanese in as many meetings.

In the quarters, Sindhu will be up against China’s He Bingjiao, who beat Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-15, 21-12 in a 32-minute battle.

In another women’s singles tie, Saina, who crashed out of the second round of Malaysia Open last week, failed to find the momentum going against the Chinese Chen Yufei, losing in straight games.

In men’s singles, World No.14 Prannoy then recovered from an opening game loss to outwit No.17 Wang 21-23, 21-15, 21-13 in an entertaining men’s singles contest that lasted an hour.

He will meet third seed and All England champion Shi Yuqi of China in the quarters.

However, the other Indian in men’s singles action — Sameer Verma proved a no-match for World No.1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, who dominated the 39-minute match 21-15, 21-14 to advance to the quarters.

India’s Purav Raja and his French partner Fabrice Martin lost a hard-fought five-set battle to crash out of the men’s doubles competition at the Wimbledon tennis tournament here on Wednesday.

Up against Dušan Lajovic of Serbia and Bosnia’s Mirza Bašic in the first round, the Indo-French combination lost 2-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 9-11 in a mammoth encounter which lasted three hours and 37 minutes.

Lajovic and Bašic will next meet the winner of the first round contest between Nikola Mektic of Croatia and Austria’s Alexander Peya and the Canadian-Austrian team of Daniel Nestor and Jurgen Melzer.

The Japan Football Association (JFA) said on Thursday that national team coach Akira Nishino will step down when his term ends at the end of July.

“We will not ask Nishino to stay on the job but hope he will continue to make a contribution to Japanese football in other forms,” said JFA President Kozo Tashima at a press conference after the national team returned from Russia.

Nishino, who also appeared at the press conference, thanked his team, saying that he hopes Japan could break the cycle of reaching the World Cup round of 16 every eight years (in 2002, 2010, 2018) and make a breakthrough at Qatar 2022, reports Xinhua news agency.

Nishino took up the job after the JFA abruptly fired former head coach Vahid Halilhodzic in April, citing lack of trust and communication between Halilhodzic and his team members.

Under Nishino’s reins, the Samurai Blue reached the World Cup round of 16 for the first time since the 2010 tournament in South Africa but were knocked out after a 2-3 defeat to Belgium.

Former FC Barcelona left-winger Luis Garcia Sanz feels that Spain’s elimination from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia did not signify the death knell for possession-based football, although he stressed the need to have a Plan B.

“Spain’s participation was nothing to write home about,” he said of Spain’s loss on penalties to hosts Russia in the round of 16.

Spain pummelled Argentina 6-1 in an international friendly four months ago, but Garcia said that result was “deceiving”.

“In March, you saw a team that controlled every situation, but Argentina left space open and Spain did well. Here we realized that result was deceiving,” he told EFE on Wednesday in an event organised by FIFA.

“We blindly thought we were going to win easily by always having the ball and with our quality up front, but the other teams also know how to play. Iran, Morocco and Russia are difficult teams,” he noted.

The Spanish side was “handcuffed in every match” because the other “teams lock down defensively and it’s tough to play; it’s a shame. We won (the 2010 World Cup in South Africa), but it’s not easy,” Garcia, who represented Spain from 2005 to 2008, said.

The 40-year-old, who has also represented Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, added that the last-minute decision to name then-director of soccer Fernando Hierro as Spain’s interim head coach (in place of Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked after negotiating a deal to coach Real Madrid) was not a factor is Spain’s upset loss.

“We knew Hierro, and he’s been with the team for a long time, and when the referee blows the whistle you put these situations behind you,” Garcia said.

Joachim Loew’s fighting spirit seems to have returned only a few days after Germany’s disastrous group stage exit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

After the 58-year-old’s decision to continue as national coach, he announced he would present a “rescue plan” for the struggling international heavyweight to secure future success.

The 2014 World Cup winning coach announced he is working on a new strategy ahead of Germany’s match against France in the newly-formed Nations League on September 6, reports Xinhua news agency.

Said to be abandoning possession-based football, loew promised in an official statement to be made by the German Football Association (DFB) “to organise the relaunch” of the team with “full commitment”. He also spoke about a “new German team” and “significant changes.”

“Joachim Loew and I feel a lot of energy to set sail and shape a new era for German football,” the German team’s general manager Oliver Bierhoff said.

Despite the relief of the DFB president Reinhard Grindel about Loew’s decision, the coach remains under heavy fire from the media, former internationals and fans. The Die Welt newspaper said “heads will have to roll” indicating that Loew will have to do without several of his World Cup-winning heroes.

The paper said he missed the chance to rejuvenate the team and assumed many of his established performers will have to be discarded. Kicker football magazine told its readers that “Loew has to deliver quickly” and that there will be no trial period. Loew will have to develop a new structure wrote the weekly news-magazine Der Spiegel.

Loew will have to reinvent himself as a coach to avoid further disappointment. While the general public remains suspicious when it comes to Loew’s next steps, the coach said it will take a few weeks to present a plan.

Rumors mentioned changes in Loew’s coaching staff and a possible return of former sports director Hans-Dieter Flick. The pundits and the media don’t expect a new German football revolution like the one Loew and former German national coach Juergen Klinsmann initiated in 2004.

“What we need is new inspiration and the opportunity to discuss things much more openly than in the last (few) years,” former international Thomas Berthold said on German television.

Former national coach Hans-Hubert Vogts demanded a change in the team’s tactical approach. The time of endless passing and possession is over said Vogts who won the European Championship in 1996. Argentina, Spain, and Germany have failed with that style. Vogts demanded that German football needs to modernize.

Vogts said he supports Loew’s decision to continue and is convinced the coach knows how to handle pressure. However, Loew is not the only one to blame for the poor World Cup campaign.

According to rumors, Loew is thinking about changing Germany’s style significantly. He told Bierhoff that the 2018 World Cup will prove that possession-oriented teams will not be successful in the future.

In other words, “Tiki-Taka” is dead. Loew also informed the general manager that the reigning world champions will have to follow the example of France, Brazil, and England and design the future without too much ball-possession and endless passing situations.

Loew is expected to talk to several of his aged performers over the next weeks and tell some of them they are no longer needed in the national team.

Brazil were put through their paces on the training field here Wednesday, two days after overcoming Mexico in a 2-0 victory that secured the South Americans a spot in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.

Once again, David Lucca da Silva Santos, son of star forward Neymar Jr, watched from the sidelines of the practice ground at Brazil’s World Cup headquarters, reported Efe.

At six years old, his youth means he is not likely to play any role against Belgium in the quarterfinal match at the Kazan Arena on Friday.

His father, Neymar, opened the scoring against an on-form Mexico on Monday, a lead solidified later by Liverpool man Roberto Firmino.

Brazil remains hot favourites to win the World Cup in Russia, but Belgium present arguably their biggest hurdle yet.