Covid-19: PM seeks support of sports heroes

New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday turned to India’s sporting heroes for support in the battle to contain the Covid-19 pandemic and athletes, including the likes of Virat Kohli and PV Sindhu, responded by vowing to raise awareness and spirits amid a national lockdown. The athletes, along with Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, participated in nearly an hour-long video call which started at 11am. “Your suggestions will be taken note of. We are fighting this pandemic like Team India. I am confident that India will be rejuvenated by the inspiration provided by you,” the Prime Minister can be seen telling athletes in a video clip shared by shuttler B Sai Praneeth.

Paris
Tour de Suisse cancelled for first time since WWII
The Tour de Suisse was cancelled on Friday in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the organisers of June’s eight-day cycling race said they would not reschedule it for later in the year. “This is the first time since the Second World War that the traditional event will not take place,” said the statement on the race website.

Hangzhou
2022 Asian Games mascots unveiled
Three sporty robots representing the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hangzhou in eastern China were on Friday unveiled as the official mascots of the 2022 Asian Games. With social distancing measures still in place due to coronavirus outbreak, mascots Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen were introduced to the public in an online launch ceremony. — Agencies