Dolby

Football popularity in India can be broken in 2-3 different groups. First, the traditional football strongholds in India: Kerala/West Bengal/Goa and North East. These regions have been the bedrock of Indian football since a long time and Football World Cup is a big deal there. Normally, you would find a lot of Brazil/Argentina fans in these regions. Also, a lot of Indians in Qatar/Middle East are from the Indian state of Kerala which is crazy about football. Second and newer group of football fanatics are the EPL/Champions League watchers in urban areas. I don't have numbers but viewership of EPL in India is quite high. And, in the recent past, I have seen that not only is this new generation consuming football and part of the online fan groups of various clubs, but is also contributing to fan driven data/tactic analysis. And in recent past with ease of following other leagues as well, other European leagues are also getting a foothold in India. And third group would be the followers of Indian football, outside the traditional regions in group 1. Those who follow Indian team and ISL. First 2 groups are excited about the World Cup. But, it is the usual excitement and not insane hype. There is not much media coverage or ad campaigns regarding WC. Normal Indian sports fan is more excited about the India-NZ T20 series but there is still a significant group which is excited about Football World Cup. And obviously, those who are residing in Qatar or other Gulf states, are really excited about the World Cup as for them it is almost like a home World Cup.

These rules are not applicable on European countries like Spain. If India had denied visa to a support staff on such flimsy grounds, by now whole of IOC/European media would be threatening us with ban.

1) I would not say people in India are overwhelmingly pro-Russia but there is a divide in general public. When we compare it to Europe where public opinion is almost unanimous, this divide seems pro-Russia. 2) Legacy issues. Many don’t trust USA as traditionally USA has supported Pakistan over India while Russia has helped India. 3) Some in Indian RW are more averse to US/Europe because of their habit of interfering in our internal matters using NGOs and their overt/covert support to missionaries. 4) Majority would just go with the government stand. In past, we were firmly in Russian bloc. In the present Ukraine conflict, govt has not taken a clear Russia or US stand. There are enough signs in recent past to suggest that India might pivot towards a more hardline stand against Russia. Public sentiment would also shift then. 4) With respect to China, I think apart from a small minority, there is consensus in Indian polity and public sentiment. And no I wouldn’t say that we see them as allies. 5) In fact it is fear of China that is forcing India and US to forge close ties (Quad).

Once again rain deals a huge blow to SA’s chances in a WC

Basically, allot 200-250 quota to host nation? Let Australia use it for Cricket, Japan for Baseball?

Yes, you need atleast 2-3 stadiums to have any meaningful tournament. 6 team tournament would mean 15 + 15 group stage matches followed by 4 semis and 4 medal matches. 38 matches in 3 stadium would also mean each stadium hosting a game everyday for 15 days. Would require one hell of a curator team. Aren’t you missing UK? Olympic Gold medal match at Lord’s would be quite iconic.

Even a 6 team tournament requires 6x15x2= 180 athletes.

The KING is back. What a game! What an innings!

Rhythm

It seems that the eliminated shooter with the highest score becomes 5th, second highest becomes 6th and so on. So, we could have a situation where both 5th and 6th are from same ranking round.

1) A shooter can only earn one quota. 2) Quota is allocated to NOC and not athlete. 3) If Greece nominates Korakaki for 10m quota, she can take part in any other event where she has achieved MQS, as long as there are max 2 Greek athletes in that event.

Not sure. Maybe the shooter with higher score in ranking match gets 5th place.

qualify for final of 25m Pistol Women. and not eligible for quota.

qualify for final of 50 Rifle 3 Positions Men. already won the quota in European Championship so not eligible for quota. So, 6 nations fighting for 4 quota.

Problem is not of talent. Atleast not in T20. Players like Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmeyer, Roston Chase, Fabian Allen are missing from the WC squad. For a decade or so, WI board simply fails to get the top players to prioritize "National team" over various T20 leagues across the world.

is the final team to join Super 12. Final groups: Super 12 Group 1: Super 12 Group 2:

50x3 Rifle Women: qualify for final. 4 Quota places on offer.

First tie break: Inner tens takes 6th spot (33 Xs), takes 7th spot (31Xs) takes 10th spot(27Xs), while and are tied at 28Xs Second tie break: Score of last 10 shot series pips 98 to 97

defeats and qualify for next stage. If defeats , they also qualify for next stage, else go through.

yes in that case, NRR would matter.

NRR would only matter to decide who goes in which Super 12 group. Winners of vs and vs would advance to the next stage.

1) Embassy staff are going to be held up to a higher level of scrutiny. We shouldn't expect them to behave in the same manner as us. If you or I pee on the street, it won't make the news but tomorrow if Biden/Xi/Modi/Putin do it, I am sure all will agree that it is newsworthy. 2) Media is biased. I find Western media's coverage of India highly racist and problematic. But, that doesn't mean that we have to attack them for any and everything. 3) Burning a civilian alive is bad. Irrespective of the political position of the victim and culprit.

Mass shootings are bad. Duh. There is a systemic problem with gun violence in USA and I don't think any one can say that media has not covered it. But that does not mean that if Diplomats beat random citizens in another country, it is not wrong. If Chinese embassy staff do it in London, it is wrong. If American embassy staff do it in Beijing, it is wrong. If Indian embassy staff do it in Islamabad, it is wrong (and trigger for nuclear war). I don't get why we need to go in the whole Western media, racism, bullshit to defend it? P.S.: Fie on thee for making me defend Western Media on racism.

Are you comparing Chinese embassy staff with deranged people who go on killing spree?