Indian sports wrap, July 2: East Bengal FC signs Provat Lakra

Here are all the major updates, scores, and results of Indians in the world of sports on July 2.

East Bengal FC has roped in full-back Provat Lakra on a two-year contract that will run until the end of the 2025-26 season. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

FOOTBALL

East Bengal FC signs Provat Lakra on a two-year deal

East Bengal FC has roped in full-back Provat Lakra on a two-year contract that will run until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Lakra joins the Red & Gold Brigade on a free transfer after his contract with Jamshedpur FC expired in May this year.

Lakra was part of United Sports Club’s youth system before making his first senior appearance for Southern Samity in 2017.

The Kalyani-born defender played the 2017-18 season for Gokulam Kerala FC before making his foray into the Indian Super League and representing NorthEast United FC for the next five seasons. The 26-year-old joined Jamshedpur FC in July last year.

A full-back who can play both left and right, Lakra accumulated 1,283 minutes of playing time across 15 ISL and 3 Kalinga Super Cup matches last season. He played a vital role in helping JFC reach the Kalinga Super Cup semifinals.

In ISL 2023-24 Lakra registered 30 interceptions, 60 successful duels, 19 successful aerial duels, three blocks, 84 recoveries and 26 clearances. He has featured in a total of 51 matches in his ISL career.

-Team Sportstar

Shanti Mullick to coach U-13 underprivileged girls

India’s first Arjuna Awardee in women’s football Shanti Mullick was on Tuesday roped in by the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club for its ‘football school’ project.

The ‘football school’ which will be headed by Mullick will impart training to underprivileged girls in the under-13 age group.

“In the first phase, 25 girls have been selected for the training programme. CSJC will bear all their costs and provide training,” said a CSJC statement.

-PTI

TENNIS

ITF women’s tournament: Soha Sadiq beats McKenzie

Soha Sadiq beat Erin McKenzie 6-3, 7-5 in the first round of the $25,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Hillcrest, South Africa, on Tuesday.

The results

$15,000 ITF men, Hillcrest, South Africa

Singles (first round): Aryan Shah bt Luca Bluett (GBR) 6-4, 6-3; Connor Van Schalkwyk (Nam) bt Parth Aggarwal 7-6(2), 6-3.

$15,000 ITF men, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan

Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Egor Agafonov & Sergey Fomin (Uzb) bt Nitin Kumar Sinha & Siddharth Vishwakarma 7-5, 6-4; Daniel Ibragimov & Karan Singh bt Bekhan Atlangeriev & Maxim Shin (Uzb) 6-3, 6-4.

$15,000 ITF men, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Singles (first round): Kasidit Samrej (Tha) bt Dhakshineswar Suresh 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 6-0.

Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Adil Kalyanpur & Vishnu Vardhan bt Rishi Reddy & Dhakshineswar Suresh 6-3, 7-6(6).

$15,000 ITF men, Monastir, Tunisia

Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Pedro Araujo (Por) & Patrick Schoen (Sui) bt Sai Karteek Reddy & Dev Javia 7-5, 6-4.

$15,000 ITF men, Store, Slovenia

Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Matic Dimic & Filip Planinsek (Slo) bt Manas Dhamne & Daniel Orlita (Cze) 6-3, 7-5.

$25,000 ITF women, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Vaidehi Chaudhari & Peangtarn Plipuech (Tha) bt Natsuho Arakawa & Hikaru Sato (Jpn) 6-2, 6-2; Pawinee Ruamrak & Bunyawi Thamchaiwat (Tha) bt Laalitya Kalluri & Sofiia Nagornaia (Isr) 6-3, 6-1; Monique Barry (Nzl) & Alicia Smith (Aus) bt Abhilasha Bista (Nep) & Sonal Patil 6-1, 6-3; Humera Baharmus & Pooja Ingale bt Amittalai Prasutnawin & Yosita Sriporn (Tha) 6-3, 4-6, [10-6]; Honoka Kobayashi (Jpn) & Salakthip Ounmuang (Tha) bt Laquisa Khan (Aus) & Akanksha Nitture 6-4, 6-4; Haley Giavara (USA) & Ayumi Koshiishi (Jpn) bt Jemma Carbis (Aus) & Sameeksha Shroff 7-5, 6-2.

$25,000 ITF women, Hillcrest, South Africa

Singles (first round): Soha Sadiq bt Erin McKenzie (RSA) 6-3, 7-5; Darja Suvirdjonkova (Srb) bt Smriti Bhasin 7-6(2), 6-3; Maddalena Giordano (Ita) bt Ashmitha Easwaramurthi 6-2, 3-6, 6-0.

- Team Sportstar