Leeds, May 20 (IANS) Colin Graves, the Chairman of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club, has said the club must go from a traditional members-owned club to becoming a private structure -– through a process of demutualisation — in order to survive in the future. Graves was re-elected as Yorkshire’s chairman for a second stint in February this year. Through a statement on the club’s official website, Graves said Yorkshire lost 2.7 million pounds, despite hosting an Ashes Test last year, which takes the total losses beyond 9 million pounds.

“As discussed at our AGM in April, the Club’s current status as a mutual society continues to prove a blocker to attracting private financing. A demutualisation -– thereby converting the club to a private structure, which unlocks potential private investment – appears at this point essential for the Club’s future.”

“My firm intention is that members’ current rights are protected, and that demutualisation would represent no change to their current interaction with YCCC. The Club would be better structured to be self-sustaining, still in existence, and to capture maximum value for YCCC from any processes such as The Hundred.”

“Other county clubs, including Hampshire and Northamptonshire, have successfully demutualised and are realising the benefits of this structure. We expect to share further guidance around demutualisation and the required process in the coming months. As ever, I will look to keep members fully informed and involved,” said Graves.

The losses also include 1.9 million pounds of “exceptional” (i.e. non-cricketing) expenses being incurred, more so probably due to the legal costs of fighting racism cases. The situation becomes more dire considering Headingley won’t be hosting men’s Tests in 2024, 2027 and 2028.

Talking about the financing that Yorkshire has been able to secure, Graves said, “In addition to £4 million of new funding secured during the first quarter, the Club now requires a further £5 million during the summer to ensure that it has a sustainable future.”

“We are currently engaged in discussions with several credible potential funding partners and are scrutinising them based on their commitment to: i) Yorkshire cricket, ii) our members, and iii) the preservation of our Club for future generations. We will continue to provide regular and timely updates, as appropriate.”

“While there is continued speculation around potential future cash inflows from an auction process in respect of The Hundred competition this winter, this continues to be speculation, without any guarantee.”

“As there is no certainty around the amount or timing of payment that YCCC might receive, we cannot rely on this process and must proceed with sourcing our own much-needed additional financing. These fundraising efforts are being undertaken alongside a thorough exercise of reducing the Club’s cost base, targeting material efficiencies and the reduction of our funding need,” concluded Graves.

–IANS

nr/bsk/

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) With questions flying thick and fast about his retirement, former India and Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is planning a visit to London for treatment of a muscle tear injury, CSK sources have said. Dhoni will take a call on his future course of action post-recovery, the sources said.

CSK got eliminated from the Playoffs race of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 after a heart-wrenching defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a do-or-die match on Saturday.

It will be only the third time that the five-time champion won’t feature in the IPL playoffs. The defending champions suffered a 27-run defeat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and as soon as M.S. Dhoni walked out of the ground scoring 25 off 13 deliveries, the speculation grew regarding his future.

However, in the latest development sources privy to information told IANS that Dhoni would be deciding about his retirement only after having surgery in London.

“Dhoni might head to London for his muscle tear surgery which saw him struggling during the IPL. He is not fully fit but wants to continue to play cricket and he will only decide about his future after treatment which will take him five to six months to recover,” sources told IANS.

Chasing 219, CSK faltered in the middle overs after recovering from the sloppy start. Rachin Ravindra’s 61-run and Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 42 failed to guide the defending champion over the line.

Despite finishing the campaign with 14 points same as RCB in the league stage, CSK failed to seal the berth due to the latter’s superior net run-rate.

With CSK ending their campaign in the IPL, fans and experts speculated that it could be Dhoni’s final season for the franchise, but the veteran has kept his cards close to heart and headed back home after the match on Sunday.

–IANS

hs/bsk/

Kobe (Japan), May 20 (IANS) Ace para discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya secured a silver medal in the F56 category at the 2024 World Para-Athletics Championships here on Monday, taking to four India’s medal tally in this event. Kathuniya achieved a remarkable throw of 41.80 metres, earning him second place behind Brazil’s Claudiney Batista Dos Santos, who took gold. The bronze medal went to Slovakia’s Dusan Lackzo.

The final saw an impressive start from Kathuniya, who initially led with a throw of 40.26m. However, Claudiney Batista Dos Santos surpassed him with throws of 44.10m on the second attempt and 45.14m on the fourth attempt. Kathuniya consistently improved his performance, with throws of 40.81 meters on the third attempt, 41.34 meters on the fifth, and finally 41.80 meters on the sixth attempt, securing his silver medal.

Expressing his joy, Kathuniya said, “I am very happy with my performance, and I would like to thank my coach who helped me prepare. There are a few more things I need to work on, which I will do. I also want to congratulate Claudiney and Dusan for their amazing performances. Now, my next focus is the Paris Paralympics.”

Kathuniya is the fourth Indian to win a medal in the 2024 World Para-Athletics Championships.

Nishad Kumar set the ball rolling for India by clinching a silver medal in the Men’s High Jump T47 final with an impressive season-best mark of 1.99 metres. Preethi Pal then added to the tally by winning a bronze medal in the Women’s 200m T35 category, bringing India’s tally to two medals after Day 3 of competitions.

The 20-year-old Deepthi Jeevanji smashed the world record in the women’s 400m T20 and grabbed her first gold and also India’s first of the World Para-Athletics Championships. Deepthi clocked 55.07 seconds, breaking American Breanna Clark’s earlier world record of 55.12 seconds, which she had set during last year’s edition of the championships in Paris.

–IANS

ab/bsk/

London, May 20 (IANS) English Premier League club West Ham United are set to appoint Julen Lopetegui as a replacement for the outgoing boss David Moyes.

The official announcement will be issued by the club later this week, the BBC reported.

Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui and the Hammer’s reached an agreement earlier this month. He was the club’s first choice to replace Moyes.

West Ham finished their season in ninth place with 38 points following their Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to eventual champion Machester City in Manchester.

After signing the new contract, Lopetegui will have enough time to prepare for pre-season which starts with a two-week trip to the United States for matches against Crystal Palace and Wolves.

Lopetegui led Wolves to safety during the second part of the 2022–2023 season. Nevertheless, he departed on the eve of the next campaign due to unresolved concerns with transfer funds.

According to reports, German giant Bayern Munich were also interested in buying his services but Lopetegui opted to resume his future in English football.

Before joining Wolves two years later, former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020.

On the other hand, Moyes disclosed on Sunday that he has already had job offers, but he is probably going to take some time off given that he only had three weeks off last summer.

–IANS

ab/

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) Former Australia batter Matthew Hayden believes that in-form Virat Kohli has the opportunity to carry forward his sensational league stage performance in the IPL playoffs and surpass his all-time highest run-scorer feat in the ongoing edition.

With 708 runs in 14 matches, Kohli is having the second-best IPL season after the 2016 season where he amassed 973 runs in 16 games including seven half-centuries and four hundred. In the ongoing season, Kohli has struck five fifties and one century. He is still 265 runs behind his previous-best tally. He is also the leading run-getter in the season and holds the Orange Cap.

With Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) qualified for the playoffs, the star batter has the chance to close the gap and even surpass his feat. RCB progressed to the knockout round after a 27-run win over defending champion Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru on Saturday.

“We are looking at Virat Kohli celebrating his second-best season thus far. He could go well past his IPL 2016 performance in the kind of form that he’s in. So more than anything, I just think it’s the energy and the love of the game, the passion, the commitment for it all—all of those describing words that you can glorify this great man with, whether it be on the field or with bat in hand,” Hayden told Star Sports.

“He just loves it; it’s crazy. The thing is, he’s so committed. And he gives it to the crowd as well. There were a couple of moments where he was telling CSK fans to be quiet,” he added.

RCB will take on Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday after Kolkata Knight Riders’ Qualifier 1 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the same venue on Tuesday.

–IANS

ab/