KKR likely to release Ponting

Nigel Short to grace Kolkata Open chess
For the first time in recent years in the city’s chess history,a rare view will unfold,with three top Grand Masters,all rated above 2700,taking part in a championship. As the Kolkata Open 4th Grand Masters chess championship gets under way in Kolkata next month,the biggest attraction will be British chess legend Nigel Short,who took world chess by storm by defeating Victor Korchnoi.

The two other top names are Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan) and Ni Hua from China. The tournament will be played at the Alekhine Chess Club at Gorky Sadan from September 1 to 10. 124 players from 18 countries have confirmed participation,with 33 foreign players. Fifteen GMs with a minimum ELO rating of 2600 are expected to take part in the event. Indian stars Surya Shekhar Ganguly,Parimarjan Negi and Sandipan Chanda will cross swords with the likes of Victor Laznicka from Czech Republic. Neelotpal Das,Nisha Mohta,Sayantan Das and Diptayan Ghosh will also participate in the tournament.

IFA honours Rahim
The best coach of the IFA Shield will be awarded with Syed Abdul Rahim memorial trophy. The Indian Football Association (IFA) has decided this as a mark of respect to the former India coach on his birth centenary.

Former India captain and Arjuna awardee Prasun Banerjee hailed the IFA’s decision saying: “I congratulate IFA secretary Utpal Ganguli for honouring Rahim Saab. He is arguably the best football coach India has produced. Unfortunately,he has now become a forgotten hero and the All India Football Federation did nothing to honour him. But the IFA has showed the way.”

Banerjee also said that he was planning a grand felicitation for Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia for becoming the first Indian footballer to play 100 international matches.

Hard Court tennis
The Calcutta Hard Court Tennis Championship will be played at the South Club from August 30 to September 19. The Rs 61,000 prize money event will see more 500 players vie for the title.

Meanwhile,after a gap of two years,the Calcutta South Club will once again play host to the National Grass Court Championship to be played from December 21 to 26.

Snehashis signs for Bagan
The Indian Football Association (IFA) has given Snehashis Chakraborty the go-ahead to play for Mohun Bagan this season. This follows Chakraborty’s apology letter,along with a fine of Rs 50,000 to the state association. Earlier,the IFA had fined Chakraborty Rs 2 lakh for “distorting facts” as he alleged that East Bengal “forged” his signature on the contract paper. The promising winger,who played for Chirag United last season,signed for Bagan on Friday. Bagan has also signed Jose Barreto,Edeh Chidi,Habibur Rahman and Tomba Singh on Friday.

Meanwhile,Union Minister of State for Urban Development Sougata Roy will inaugurate the IFA Shield at the Mohun Bagan ground on Sunday. State sports minister Kanti Ganguly has informed about his unavailability on the opening day. The match between Mohammedan Sporting and Lajong FC will mark the beginning of the tournament.