Topic: Sports

This ICC ODI World Cup, enjoy the matches vertically

In a first-of-its-kind coverage for the sport across all 48 World Cup matches, ICC will provide vertical feed for fans with an easier and more intuitive viewing experience on mobile phones, allowing them to consume content on the go in the most convenient handheld position.

KnowALLedge Plus

> ICC TV will produce an additional vertical video feed.

> The vertical feed will provide a special experience with the addition of split screens in its coverage.

> The production will also feature match graphics and bespoke production enhancements to enhance the vertically oriented coverage.

> Key features like ball tracking, player tracking and field plot will be tailored to fit the vertical format.

Marco Bezzecchi wins the inaugural Indian Grand Prix

Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi created history by winning India’s 1st MotoGP race at the Buddh International Circuit. The MotoGP Bharat title trophy was presented to him by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The main race was reduced from 24 to 21 laps due to hot and humid conditions.

Representing Mooney VR46 Racing Team, Bezzecchi had to face stiff competition from Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, the championship leader, before standing on the podium.

KnowALLedge Plus:

>The Buddh International Circuit held a world championship-level event for the first time in a decade. Between 2011 and 2013, the track hosted three Formula One races.

>Chennai-based Kadai Yaseen Ahamed was the only Indian rider at MotoGP Bharat. He was given a surprise wildcard for the Petronas MIE Racing team in the Moto3 class.

La Liga to sponsor Welsh team that boasts the longest name in world football

On September 13, 2023, LALIGA announced that they would join forces as the official front-of-shirt partner of fifth-tier Welsh side Clwb Pêl Droed Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Football Club starting from the current 2023/24 season. Their full name is displayed on the club badge, although they more commonly go by the shortened version, Llanfairpwll.

LALIGA is among the most followed leagues in the world, while CPD Llanfairpwll FC will be celebrating their 125th anniversary in 2024.

KnowALLedge Plus:

This name was deliberately created in the 19th century as a publicity stunt to attract tourists to the village.

Here’s a breakdown of the name:

“Llanfair” – This is a common element in Welsh place names and usually refers to a church or parish.

“pwll” – Means “pool” in Welsh.

“gwyn” – Means “white” or “fair.”

“chyll” – The exact meaning is unclear, but it may refer to a hazel grove.

“goger” – This element possibly refers to a “spur” or “promontory.”

“ychwyrn” – This part is believed to mean “rapid” or “swift.”

“drobwll” – Likely means “whirlpool.”

“llantysilio” – Refers to the church of St. Tysilio.

“gogogoch” – This is a poetic addition that means “red cave.”

So, while the name may seem long and complex, it’s essentially a descriptive and somewhat whimsical way of referring to the village and its surroundings.

Germany creates history by winning their maiden FIBA World Cup

A nation primarily known for football, Germany leaves their imprint in the world of basketball, becoming world champions for the first time in the sport, following a tense 83-77 win over Serbia. The German hoopsters caused a major upset in the semis, as they defeated perennial favourites USA 113-111. The victorious team was led by Dennis Schröder, who plies his trade for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA.

KnowALLedge Plus:

>The FIBA World Cup 2023 saw a series of first. Not only did Germany win their first championship title, Canada too won their first medal, that too by defeating their neighbours 127-118 in the bronze medal match. Germany’s and Canada’s respective wins over the US means basketball is no longer American monopoly.

>Germany’s achievement is even more impressive, especially put in the context of their last few outings. They finished 17th in 2010, didn’t qualify in 2014, and finished 18th in 2019.

>The last time the Germans finished on the podium in the FIBA World Cup was way back in 2002. The team, led by NBA superstar Dirk Nowitzki, won the Bronze medal.

India record their biggest ODI win against Pakistan

On September 11, 2023, India crushed arch-rivals Pakistan by 228 runs in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match, played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The previous day, rain played a spoilsport as India was left stranded at 147 for 2 in 24.1 overs. The match resumed on the reserve day as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul helped post 356/2 on the scoreboard, both scoring a ton. Pakistan’s innings folded at 128, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 5 wickets.

KnowALLedge Plus:

>This was only the fourth time India’s top four made fifty-plus scores in ODIs.

>Virat Kohli became the fastest batsman to score 13000 ODI runs. This record previously belonged to Sachin Tendulkar, who took 321 innings. Kohli achieved the same in his 267th inning.

>Kohli also posted his fourth century in four successive innings he played at the R Premadasa Stadium, in the process becoming only the second batter to achieve the feat of scoring four successive hundreds at a particular venue after Hashim Amla, who made this sequence at Centurion.

Novak Djokovic wins his 24th Grand Slam, pays tribute to Kobe Bryant

On September 10, 2023, Novak Djokovic won his record-extending 24th Grand Slam, defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the US Open Final. Right after creating tennis history, Djokovic changed into a custom shirt with an image of himself and the basketball star Kobe Bryant with the phrase “Mamba Forever” on the front and No. 24 on the back.  The legendary Kobe Bryant, nicknamed the “Black Mamba”, sported jersey no. 24 for 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others. After Bryant’s death in 2020, Djokovic shared that the two had developed a personal relationship over ten years and called the late superstar a mentor and “one of the greatest athletes of all time.”

KnowALLedge Plus:

>This win at the Flushing Meadows moved him past Serena Williams and tied him with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles of all time.

>Novak Djokovic is the oldest US Open champion in the Open era, and he has now won the tournament four times.

>The Serbian tennis star is also the first man to have won three grand slam titles in a season on four separate occasions.

Piloo Reporter was one of the first neutral umpires in international cricket

Piloo Reporter, who passed away on September 3rd, 2023, in Mumbai, was part of the first pair of neutral umpires to stand in international cricket. This landmark feat took place in November 1986 when he, along with VK Ramaswamy, stood in a test played in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium between Pakistan and West Indies. This was one of the turning points in cricket, as Pakistan captain Imran Khan requested the ICC to setup a system with neutral umpires, to put an end to biased home umpiring.

KnowALLedge Plus:

In 1993, Piloo Reporter officiated a Hero Cup ODI game in Bengaluru between Zimbabwe and South Africa as an umpire. 19-year-old Heath Streak made his debut in that match. Co-incidentally, Heath Streak too passed away on the same date as Reporter.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant wins Durand Cup 2023, ends a 23-year wait.

On September 3rd, 2023, Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated arch-rivals East Bengal FC in a high profile Kolkata Derby to lift the Durand Cup for the 17th time, thanks to a solitary goal by Dimitri Petratos. The Mariners became the most successful club in the tournament’s history in the process.

KnowALLedge Plus:

>First played in 1888, the Durand Cup is the oldest existing football tournament in Asia and the third oldest in the world.

>This edition of the tournament had 24 teams, four more than the last edition, including 12 Indian Super League (ISL) sides.

>The tournament is named after its founder Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, who served as the foreign secretary of British India from 1884 to 1894.

Arsenal unveils Wenger’s statue at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal Football Club has unveiled a statue of their legendary manager for 22 years, Arsene Wenger, in front of their home ground. The bronze statue, created by award-winning sculptor Jim Guy, is 3.5 metres high and weighs approximately half a tonne, and depicts the former French manager of the club lifting the Premier League trophy.

KnowALLedge Plus

Between October 1996 and May 2018, Arsène Wenger was the coach of Arsenal men’s first team for an incredible 1,235 matches and led the club to:

> Three Premier League titles (including an entire season unbeaten)

> Seven FA Cup wins

> 20 successive years in the UEFA Champions League.