BADMINTON

China Open Grand Prix

Men’s Singles

Winner: Kidambi Srikanth (India)

Runner-up: Lin Dan (China)

Women’s Singles

Winner: Saina Nehwal (India)

Runner-up: Akane Yamaguchi (Japan)

Men’s Doubles

Winners: Lee Yong-dae/Yoo Yeon-seong (South Korea)

Runners-up: Chain Biao/Hong Wei (China)

Women’s Doubles

Winners: Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang (China)

Runners-up: Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei (China)

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CHESS

Magnus Carlsen retains world crown

Magnus Carlsen, of Sweden, asserted his supremacy over India’s Viswanathan Anand for the second year in running as the Norwegian retained his World Championship title after defeating the Indian Challenger in the 11th game, in Sochi, Russia. The Norwegian world champion closed the 12-game match with a 6.5-4.5 scoreline, courtesy his win in the penultimate game. 

While this may have been closely fought in the eyes of the experts, the fact remains that Anand lasted only one extra game compared to the 2013 match at Chennai when it was all over in the tenth game of the match itself.

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MOTORRACING

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Winner: Lewis Hamilton (Britain/Mercedes)

Second: Felipe Massa (Brazil/William-Mercedes)

Third: Valtteri Bottas (Finland/William-Mercedes)

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TENNIS

ATP World Tour Finals

Men’s Singles

Winner: Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

Runner-up: Roger Federer (Switzerland)

Men’s Doubles

Winners: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (U.S.)

Runners-up: Ivan Dodig (Croatia)/Marcelo Melo (Brazil)

Davis Cup Final, Lille (France)

Winner: Switzerland

Runner-up: France

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Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was appointed the UN Goodwill Ambassador for the South Asian region by UN Women at an event held to mark the International Day To End Violence Against Women.

Sania, India’s most successful women’s tennis player and the first Indian to break into the World Tennis Association’s top 50 rankings, is the first South Asian woman to be appointed the goodwill ambassador in the organisation’s history. 

In her capacity as the goodwill ambassador, she intends to educate women about gender equality. The issue, in her opinion, is a cultural problem where women feel they are second-class citizens. ”To that effect, there is an urgent need to change this mindset. Women must be made aware that they are equal to men,” Sania said. 

Emphasising the importance of the government’s involvement in affecting a change to make sports in India more inclusive and women friendly, she acknowledged the support of the sports minister to women’s sports. 

“Equality depends on each and all of us. From the government that changes its laws, to the company that advances equal pay and equal opportunity, to the mother and father who teach their daughter and son that all human beings should be treated equally, to the athletes who demonstrate equality and excellence,” Sania said. 

According to the latest UN report on gender violence in India, six out of 10 men have admitted to perpetrating violence against their wife or partner in various forms. The picture is even grimmer with the national average of 919 for 1,000 males. 

Explaining the reason for the UN Women’s choice of making Sania their voice in South Asia, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women deputy executive director Lakshmi Puri said: “Sania is a woman of achievement and represents girls’ and women’s struggle for equality. She has been a role model to many children, including girls to break barriers and strive for their goals in life and career choices. She has used the spotlight on her professional success to highlight social issues that are of concern for many Indians, speaking out on issues such as the need to halt the practice of female foeticide and the decreasing sex ratio in India”.

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