Man United anti-football tactics hurting the game: Wenger

London, Aug 31 (ANI): Manchester United has been accused of employing "anti-football" tactics during their 2-1 victory at Old Trafford by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has reopened the hostilities between the two clubs in the new season.

Wenger is to receive an official apology for being banished from the dugout but he remains incensed by the standard of refereeing and his conviction that Sir Alex Ferguson's players, predominantly Darren Fletcher, were guilty of systematic fouling.

The Old Trafford match in which Arsenal had six players booked, triggered an automatic 25,000 pounds fine from the Football Association, The Guardian reported.

The conduct of Arsenal players was also brought into question by Emmanuel Eboue being shown a yellow card for diving, a day after Eduardo da Silva had been charged by UEFA for "deceiving the referee" for a similar offence.

"There are other points than diving that, for me, are more urgent players who play only to make fouls and who are never punished; players who make repeated fouls and who get out of the game without a yellow card. That, for me, is more anti-football than a player who did what Eduardo did."

Wenger also accused Ferguson's players of using similar tactics in the past, most notably saying his team had been kicked off the pitch at Old Trafford during the 2004-05 season. (ANI)

Former Pak sports official criticizes Butt for 'surrendering' to ICC

Mon, Aug 31 01:25 PM

Lahore, Aug.31 (ANI): Former Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General Zakir Hussain Syed has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt for succumbing under the International Cricket Council's (ICC) pressure and ending the legal war against it regarding the 2011 World Cup hosting issue.

Syed said Butt had befooled the nation by claiming that PCB has won the legal fight against the apex cricket authority.

"The honourable PCB chairman would have us believe that he has won a big battle against the ICC, but is it actually so? First of all we landed ourselves into this situation because of the PCB's incompetence and the downright failure of our police officials. But since then the handling of this entire unfortunate situation by the PCB has left a lot to be desired," The Daily Times quoted Syed, as saying.

He also came down hard on Butt for saying that BCCI's vice-president Sharad Pawar fully backed him in his efforts to pursue the case against the ICC.

"Firstly, are a few million dollars more important than our national pride? Ijaz now says that India's Sharad Pawar fully backed him in all his efforts. But the ground reality is that the ICC Champions Trophy and World Cup hosting rights have been taken away from us and everybody knows at the international level, except out 'pious' PCB chief," Syed said.

The PCB and ICC agreed to end their dispute over the staging of the 2011 World Cup matches last week. According to the agreement the PCB would retain its hosting fee of 10.5 million dollars and also receive an additional payment for the loss of hosting rights.

Syed urged President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also PCB's patron, to take immediate action against the current PCB administration to save Pakistan from being sidelined from the international cricket community. (ANI)

Women's boxing nod in Olympics could give China three more golds

China has high hopes of dominating women's boxing at the 2012 Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided earlier this month to include it on the London programme.

Women fighters will compete in three events in London, and China -- which topped the Olympic medals table with 51 golds in Beijing -- has an eye on at least two of the new titles.

"China will have a great chance to grab another two gold medals in the London Olympic Games," Chang Jianping, president of the Chinese Boxing Association, told the Global Times.

"To say that we have already booked the three London Olympic gold medals in women's boxing is surely an overstatement (but) there are possibilities that China strives for golds in all three divisions."

Although women's boxing only won formal approval in China three years ago, Chinese fighters won five golds, two silvers and four bronzes in 13 events at the last women's amateur world championships on home soil in Ningbo last year.

Inclusion in the London Games will almost certainly result in greater funding for women's boxing from a state system obsessed with Olympic success.

"The IOC's decision will not only glamorise the obscure sport in a wider context globally, but should also greatly elevate the sport of women's boxing in China," Chang added.

Another boost for the squad is the return of China's first professional world champion, Zhang Xiyan, to the amateur ranks earlier this year.

Zhang, who won the women's WBA flyweight belt in 2007, shed tears when she heard the news that her sport was to be included in the London schedule, China Daily reported.

"I couldn't be happier, I've been waiting for it for so long," the 29-year-old southpaw told the paper. "Nothing, nothing compares to an Olympic gold."

Twelve women will fight in each of three weights at the London Olympics -- flyweight (48-51kg), lightweight (56-60kg) and middleweight (69-75kg).

Force India's success raises expectations in India

Force India's first podium finish at the Belgian grand prix has raised expectation in the country of more consistent performances and of having an Indian driver on board the two-year-old team.

Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella finished second on Sunday to log the Indian team's first points in F1, triggering wild celebrations in the country of 1.1 billion people starved of sporting success.

Cricket-crazy India is trying to shed its tag of being a one-sport nation and interest in Formula One has zoomed upwards since Narain Karthikeyan became the first Indian driver in the series in 2005.

Liquor baron Vijay Mallya bought into the Spyker team two years ago and renamed it Force India but there is no Indian driver currently in Formula One.

"Being a motorsport enthusiast and involved in the sport in the country, I feel tremendous pride in seeing an Indian-owned team up there at the pinnacle of motorsport," said Sanjay Sharma, head of motorsports division of tyre manufacturer JK Tyre.

HUGE PRIDE

"You are talking of a team that is just 30 races old, about a team that has changed its technical team twice in two years, about a team that is on the low end in a high budget sport," Sharma told Reuters on Monday.

"But look at the man (Mallya) and his conviction in his dream and his drivers. This was no fluke. This is just the start. We are bound to see more Indian involvement in F1."

India hopes to host a Formula One grand prix in 2011 despite exchange control obstacles and Force India's success is expected to generate further interest in the build up to the event.

"With F1 the second largest watched sport in the world after World Cup soccer, just to have the name Force India up there is a matter of huge pride for 1.1 billion Indians," said Vicky Chandhok, former president of the Indian motorsport body.

Chandhok's son Karun is seen as India's next Formula One hope and is currently competing in the GP2 series.

"Surely, the next thing would be to have an Indian driver on the Indian team," said Jiju Jacob, a Chennai-based motor racing fan. "We need to see if they are good enough first."

http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090831/375/tsp-force-india-s-success-raises-expecta.html

I'm coming to U.S. Open to win, declares Nadal

Mon, Aug 31 01:37 PM

Two months on the sidelines nursing tendinitis in both knees will not derail Rafa Nadal's bid for the only grand slam to elude him, the Spanish world number three said as the U.S. Open kicks off in New York.

"I am not scared," the 23-year-old Mallorcan told Spain's El Pais daily. "I was out for two months and then (this month) I got to the quarter-finals at the Montreal Masters and the semis at the Cincinnati Masters.

"I know that here (at the U.S. Open) a quarter-final or a semi would be a very good result but I am coming to win," added the six-times grand slam winner.

"When I retire nobody will remember if I get to quarters or semis."

Australian Open champion Nadal said his first-round match against Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who is making his return after a ban for inadvertently taking cocaine, could be very difficult.

"He has the potential of one of the very best and if he has a good day it will be a very tough match," he said.

"Although I know that if I play well I have a chance to beat Gasquet and a great deal more."

(To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Former kabbadi player selling vegetables

Mon, Aug 31 01:56 PM

Jamshedpur, Aug 31 (PTI) Shanti Devi, a 40-year-old former Bihar Kabbadi team is now selling vegetables at the Sonari Aerodrome Market here to feed her three sons and a daughter. Shanti Devi, who represented Bihar in the 30th, 31st and 32nd National Kabbadi Championship in the 1980s, said, "Our meagre income has forced us to discontinue school for the children, while two of my sons work.

" Stating that she had represented undivided Bihar team more than thirty times in various championships, including national ones, Devi regretted that she was ignored. Devi admits that she studied upto only class five.

"But any government could have offered me a job. "Though I was keen to represent West Bengal in the hope of getting a job, but the then team officials did not allow it," she said.

She said she could have carried on with the game after her marriage as she had the support of her in-laws. "But I quit the game to support my husband, whose earnings were insufficient," she added.

She said she had kept aside her medals as she did not want her children to take up the game. "I have never encouraged them, as I don''t want them to face the same frustration.

" PTI PVR ATK.

Barek wins Guwahati Half Marathon

By our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI, Aug 30: Ace runner Abdul Barek, bagged the Guwahati Half Marathon title which was held in the city today. Barek needed less than one hour to complete the 21 kilometre race. The event, which was of two segments– professional and non-professional, was organized by IIT, Guwahati, as a part of their Techniche ’09. Though the condition of the sky was not good this morning, as the city witnessed huge shower last night but still good number of runners took part in today’s race. Altogether 99 participants listed their names in the professional segment while in the non-professional segment the turn out was nearly about 1,000. Asom Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi flagged off the race from Jalukbari and it was culminated at the Latasil ground. Top ten runners of the professional segment were given cash award and Barek, who got the highest amount, received Rs 30,000 for finishing the race first. The other cash award winners: Somesh Uddin (Asom), Saket Ali (Asom), Pankaj Singh (Manipur), Lokendra Sharma (Manipur), Md Saiful Ali (Asom), M Oria (Asom), Y Rameswar (Manipur), N Ajit Singh (Manipur) and Md Saiful Islam (Asom). Top five position holders in men and women categories in non-professional segment: Men-Bipul Barua, Ratul Das, Md Islam, Manoranjan Oria and Bikash Singh. Women- Rishimoni Orang, Surya Bhanu, Laxmi Tirky, Matora Ahmed and Pinki Lahkar. THE SENTINEL

Somdev, Prakash play higher-ranked opponents in US Open qualifiers

New York, Aug 25: India’s No 1 Somdev Devvarman will take on American Alex Bogomolov Jr in the first round of the US Open tennis qualifiers.
Somdev, ranked 161, is tied 1-1 with the 16th-seeded Russian-born American, who is ranked 133rd.

Bogomolov Jr beat Somdev in their first meeting in Calabasas challenger last year, but the Indian avenged the defeat, beating the American in straight sets at the LA Tennis Open qualifiers in July.
Somdev's former Davis Cup teammate Prakash Amritraj, ranked 253, will meet 159th-ranked Alejandro Falla of Columbia in the first round in his bid to qualify for the US open. (IANS)

IP Univ looks into Delhi water crisis

The Centre for Disaster Management (CDM) at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) recently conducted a workshop on 'Water Crisis Management' at its newly constructed campus in Dwarka, Sector 16. The campus will be operational within the next six months.

The workshop explored the role of geospatial technology in sustainable utilisation of water, in the wake of an ever increasing water crisis. Amarjeet Kaur, head, CDM, said, "Geospatial technology can play a vital role in resolving Delhi's water crisis. The technology is used to map the water distribution system and link it to a database including reservoirs, pipe segments and other services."

New campus

On his vision for the new campus, Dilip K Bandyopadhyay, vice-chancellor, GGSIPU, said, "We plan to make this campus eco-friendly. We shall create water bodies through natural processes and also have plans to plant at least a 1,000 trees on the campus."

The new campus would have state-of-art facilities spread over an area of 60 acres. "The campus would be made 'disabled-friendly' with ramps and lift facilities in place. Also, it will have the provision to recycle waste-water and will be equipped for rain water harvesting, solar water heating and waste management," added Bandyopadhyay. The university also plans to start another campus in Surajmal Vihar.

Future plans

With the new campus in place, the university will also increase its student intake by over 3,000. Bandyopadhyay added, "We also plan to start new centres in urban studies and polymer chemistry to promote research and development." Further, the University School of Information Technology (USIT) is also launching a new MTech course in digital wireless communication from this academic session. It will focus on various advances in the fields of wireless communication and the support telecommunication networks.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/IP-Univ-looks-into-Delhi-water-crisis/articleshow/4926121.cms

Ignou symposium on leveraging ICT

The mounting presence of information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives in the higher education landscape has propelled the relevance of open educational resources (OER), which simplify the search for inputs on a particular subject. Through an OER it is possible to get multiple inputs from various universities on the same subject.

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) organised a two-day symposium last week to draw an action plan to further the cause of OER. The action plan stressed the need to leverage existing ICT facilities as well as other untapped options for OER. The plan categorically stated that content repositories will be developed in as many subjects as possible and that content translation will be organised systematically. Enhancing the scope of community radios, creation of common access to OER through free softwares like Skype and creation of metadata formed the other points of the action plan.

Addressing the symposium, Ashok C Kolaskar, former vice-chancellor, Pune University, stated that the full potential of open and distance learning (ODL) and open education (OE) in India has not been harnessed due to the lack of appropriate coursewares. He reiterated the need to develop a mechanism to create and make accessible standard quality, usable and appropriate coursewares for ODL and OE in forms of repositories. "In India, we lack the mechanism to access courseware free of cost. Moreover, there is a general lack of awareness in terms of the standard techniques of accessing courseware. This symposium has been instrumental in bringing together key people to take cognisance of these issues," informed Kolaskar.

The symposium, among other things, emphasised the need to educate people about the educational scope and benefits of IT in general. It also resolved to develop community level partnership in relation to issues like general education, computer literacy and documentation of environmental and ecological stock.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ignou-symposium-on-leveraging-ICT/articleshow/4926124.cms

Khalsa College offers new courses

In view of the fact that India is hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games, there is an immediate need for trained professionals in the area of sports management. In order to meet the growing demand for sports managers, Khalsa College, DU, has launched a course in 'Sports Economics and Marketing' for both students and working professionals.

A first of its kind, the course presents core concepts of sports economics and marketing. It is designed to introduce business majors to the rapidly expanding sports and leisure related industry, informs Smita Mishra, course co-ordinator, Khalsa College. She adds, "The course will not only provide insights into the managerial and economic aspects of sports, but will also focus on international broadcasting rights, brand endorsement, and so on. Study and analysis of case studies will be part of the course."

As to the need for such a programme, Mishra says, 'Despite the recession, sports business necessitates sports centric management skills, which can only be provided through specialised courses."

The objectives of the three-month course include providing an overview of sports business and economics. In order to be eligible for the course, one must have completed his or her class XII exams and should be pursuing graduation in any stream. Admissions will be granted on a first-come-first-serve basis. If the number of applicants is large, the college will conduct an entrance examination or interview to select deserving candidates. The fee for the entire course is Rs 9,990.

The college has also started a three-month certificate course in web journalism. This will include blogging, journalistic writing for the internet, packaging, designing, and cross media options, to mention a few. The course — a blend of theory and practical aspects — aims to equip students with skills to produce online articles, audio and video by using multimedia packages.

The last date for applying to both the courses is September 15.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/education/Khalsa-College-offers-new-courses/articleshow/4926127.cms

We're committed to F1 race in India: Gaur

NEW DELHI: Sameer Gaur, MD, JPSK Sports told TOI on Monday that his company had indeed gone to the ministry of sports for getting approval for F1 race in India.

"Yes, we went to the ministry seeking government concessions. If need be, we will go again. We are 200 per cent committed to the F1 race in India. We are building a motor car racing track capable of holding an F1 race. It could be used for other purposes too, like a motorbike race. We have an obligation to the UP govt," Gaur told TOI.

He said that the delay in the race, which was to be held in India in 2010, happened because of the time taken in land acquisition. "We got the land three-four months ago and we are getting ready for 2011. In fact, sports ministry is not the nodal agency for the F1 race.

But as I said, if need be we will go to Dr M S Gill with a request again. F1 race will have a lot of spin-offs as far as the tourism industry is concerned. It's good for the country," Gaur said. JPSK Sports had signed a contract with Formula One Administration in November 2007 after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) pulled out of the venture.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/top-stories/Were-committed-to-F1-race-in-India-Gaur/articleshow/4930549.cms

Formula One is not a sport, says sports ministry

NEW DELHI: It's a letter which is likely to create a huge debate in sports circles and rattle the motorsports fraternity.

According to sources, the ministry of sports in January 2009 wrote to JPSK Sports, the promoters of Formula One in the country, that their request for getting approval for remittance of $36.5 million (about Rs 177 crore) to be paid to Formula One Administration (UK) for holding an F1 race in India had been rejected on the grounds that "it (the race) would have no impact on the development of sports in the country".

JPSK had first gone to the Reserve Bank of India, which asked them to get the ministry's approval.

The basic premise of the ministry is that F1 is not needed in India and the money can be spent on development of disciplines which have a wider base in the country, ministry sources said.

"F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JKSP is a commercial initiative," said a ministry source. In fact, the letter states that F1 will not have an impact on Indian sports "in terms of either participation, broad-basing or promotion of excellence".

"The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards," said the source.

Sameer Gaur, MD, JPSK confirmed to TOI that their request had been rejected by the sports ministry.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/top-stories/Formula-One-is-not-a-sport-says-sports-ministry/articleshow/4930539.cms

Shane Bond rearing to go

CHENNAI, Aug 23: New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has regained the motivation to spearhead his nation’s bowling after a two-year break from international cricket.

The 34-year-old is preparing for a comeback in the One-day tri-series in Sri Lanka next month but wants to push his injury-scarred body and excel in all three forms of the game. Bond has earned New Zealand selection again after he cut his ties with the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League (ICL). He has been included in the One-day and Twenty20 sides for Sri Lanka, after being ignored for the Test series.

“I did miss playing for New Zealand and found it difficult to keep myself motivated,” Bond said. “But I suppose since it is all finished with the ICL, the main thing is seeing if I had the motivation to do the training. I started it out and I really wanted to do it.” Bond is currently in Chennai with New Zealand ‘A’, featuring in an Indian domestic tournament to gain useful match practice in sub-continent conditions. He took three wickets in his first outing last week.

“I pushed myself as hard as I could in terms of my training, in terms of all the preparation and build-up,” he said. “I feel I’m really in good shape. “The last hurdle I suppose was coming here (to India) and getting match fitness. I got some good overs under the belt.”One of the quickest bowlers in world cricket at his peak but frequently hampered by injuries, Bond played 17 Tests and 67 ODIs before signing up with ICL in 2007. The Christchurch bowler initially thought he would play only limited-overs cricket to prolong his career but decided against it, revealing his test ambitions were still intact. “It’s obviously going to be hard on me, the chances of getting injured is high, but playing Test is the ultimate,” he said. “I’d love to play a few more Test matches. “I figure because I’ve had two years pretty quiet and I have got a couple of years left I don't want to spend most of my time watching guys play, I want to just play. “Like other bowlers perhaps, I haven’t played huge amounts of cricket. So my body hasn't been worn down I suppose, even though I've had injuries. (Agencies)

Federer's serve solid, Roddick loses at Cincinnati

Mason (Ohio), Aug 20 (AP) Roger Federer held serve throughout a 6-3, 7-5 win over Jose Acasuso in the second round of the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters, facing only one break point in his opener.

The Swiss star made 70 per cent of his first serves and piled up 14 aces while getting accustomed to the tournament's heat, humidity and famously fast courts yesterday.

"The transition to Cincy is always a difficult one," Federer said. "I've had very up and down results here. But it just showed sort of how hard it is to get used to these kind of courts. We don't usually play on these fast courts, you know. That's why I'm happy with today's match."

Parts of his game were a little slow, but his accurate serve pushed the speed limit and carried him through a star-packed day.

Y E Yang upstages Tiger Woods

Hazeltine (US), Aug 17: South Korean Y E Yang produced one of the biggest surprises in golfing history as he upstaged world number one Tiger Woods on Sunday to win the 91st US PGA Championship at Hazeltine National.

The 37-year-old produced a nerveless final-round 70, 2-under-par, to finish on 8-under-par and win his first Major, three shots clear of world number one Woods, who could only manage a 75.
Woods had begun the final round with a two-stroke lead, having never lost a Major when holding the lead or a tie for the lead, but for once he was found wanting.

Two bogeys on the front nine dropped Woods back to 6-under-par and when Yang chipped in from the bunker at the short-par four 14th hole, he moved ahead by one stroke.

The Korean bogeyed the 17th hole but so did Woods and with the American off the green in two at the 18th, Yang birdied the final hole to clinch the biggest victory of his career. Englishman Lee Westwood finished tied for third with young Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy on 3-under-par, while US Open champions Lucas Glover was a shot further back. (IANS)

Xie stuns top seed Zhou to enter semis

Hyderabad, Aug 14: China’s Xie Xingfang knocked out top seed Zhou Mi of Hong Kong 21-15 21-18 to move into the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the the World Badminton Championships here on Friday.

It was a day of surprise results as women's seventh seed Lan Lu of China stunned third-seeded Dane Tine Rasmussen 21-15, 21-13 in 31 minutes to enter the semi-finals. Fifth seed Xie’s opponent in the semi-final is France's eighth seed Pi Hongyan, who defeated 11th seed Juliane Schenk of Germany 15-21, 21-15, 21-19 in an hour-long duel. Pi, who moved to France after failing to make it to the Chinese national team, said it was her best performance in the world championships. “I can’t say how happy I am today. This is my best performance in the World Championhips. I am having a good time here,” said Pi, who has been a quarter-finalist for three consecutive years between 2005-07 at the World Championships. In the men’s singles, Indonesian fourth seed and Athens Olympics gold medallist Taufiq Hidayat stopped the giant-killing run of unseeded Dane Jan O Jorgensen 21-19, 21-19, to enter the semi-finals. Jorgensen, 21, had upset South Korean eighth seed Park Sung-hwan and 16th seed Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the previous two rounds, and made it tough for Hidayat before bowing out. In the semi-final, Hidayat takes on Chinese second seed Chen Jin, who beat Indonesia's Simon Santoso 21-10, 21-13. (IANS)

Boxing body’s meet

GUWAHATI, Aug 12 – An executive committee meeting of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association will be held at their Nayanpur office here on August 16 at 2 pm, a release said.

Rajiv Gandhi soccer

GUWAHATI, Aug 12 – The Guwahati City District Congress Committee will hold the third Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Football Tournament at SAI ground here from August 16-20.

Teams intending to take part in the prize-money tournament may contact Ratan Boro president of the organization at the Rajiv Bhawan before August 14.

Maharana win opener

Sports reporter
GUWAHATI, Aug 12 – Maharana Athletic Club defeated Rajbari AC in the opening match of the Career Concern Cup prize-money football tournament at the AEI playground here today.

After a goalless regulation time, Maharana won 5-4 in sudden death. The tournament is being organised by the Guwahati Cultural and Sports Organisation in association with Chandmari Sports Club.

Former State footballer Pradip Phukan, former international umpire Suren Ram Phookun and former State Minister Biraj Kumar Sarma were present in the inaugural function as guests. They were also introduced to the players before the match.

Today’s match: AP Blues vs Deepjyoti Club.

Ranking TT meet

DULIAJAN, Aug 12 – The All Assam Major Ranking TT Tournament is going on here without any major upsets. The results of the second day are:

Youth Boy’s Singles (QF): Saidul Alam Ahmed (nfr) bt Manasjyoti Sangmai (Dul) 4-0, Salim Zaved (Ghy) bt Benoy Sonowal (Dib) 4-2, Chinku Rajkhowa (Dul) bt Paresh Dutta (Dul) 4-0, Radeshsyam Sahu (Jor) bt Sekhar Suman Bora (Dul) 4-3. Cadet Girl’s Singles (QF): Akankyasha Bhuyun of (Dib) bt Gitakhi Bhuyun (Ghy) 3-0, Biswarupa Bania (Nag) bt Adarsha Sarma (Gola)3-1, Jyotika Dutta (Gola) bt Abhidsikha Mahanta (Gola) 3-2, Ajupi Phukan (Dul) bt Naimisha Hazarika (Nag) 3-0. Cadet Girl’s (SF): Akanksha Bhuyun (Dib) bt Biswarupa Bania (Nag) 3-2, Ajupi Phukan (Dul) bt Jyotika Dutta (Gola) 3-2. Cadet Boy’s (SF): Sankar Gautam Baruah (Gola) bt Hrisikesh Bora (Nag) 3-0, Bastav Bikas Barbaruah (Gola) bt Probal Saikia (Jor) 3-2. Junior Girls (QF): Maheshweta Batsalya (Ghy) bt Dipika Gogoi (Dib) 4-1, Jaspreet Kour (Nag) bt Samhita Kausik (Ghy) 4-2, Sanjan Raj (Ghy) bt Barsha Singh (Gola) 4-3. Women’s Singles (QF): Sanjana Sarma (NFR) bt Shivangi Borthakur (Siv) 4-1, Mrigakhee Bordoloi (NFR) bt Kesturi Sarma (Nag) 4-0, Murchana Gohain (Siv) bt Karishma Azmi (Siv) 4-0. Sub Junior Girl’s Singles (QF): Barsha Singha (Gola) bt Mallika Gogoi (Dul) 3-1, Kritika Upadhya (Ghy) bt Jaspreet Kour (Nag) 3-0, Sanjana Raj (Ghy) bt Harshita Bhagawati (Nag) 3-0, Samhita Kausik (Ghy) bt Himakhi Gogoi (Dul) 3-2. Youth Girl’s Singles (QF): Murchana Gohain (Siv) bt Bidisha Bora (Dib) 4-0, Shivangi Borthakur (Siv) bt Parnita Tamuly (Dul) 4-2, Kasturi Sarma (Nag) bt Karishma Azmi (Siv) 4-3, Mahasweta Batsallya (Ghy) bt Sneha Saikia (Ghy) 4-2. Men’s Singles (QF): Chinmoy Sarmah (Ghy) bt Salim Zaved (Ghy) 4-2, Koshik Phukan (Dib) bt Radeshsyam Sahu (Jor) 4-1, Chiranjit Hazarika (Siv) bt Saidul A Ahmed (NFR) 4-3, Suneswar Deka (Ghy) bt Plaban Sonowal (Dib) 4-2.

Saina downs Russian opponent, in pre-qtrs

It took World No 6. Saina a mere 27 minutes to dispatch the feeble Russian challenger. She will next face 10th seed Petya Nedelcheva of Bulgaria who beat Aiying Xing of Singapore 26-24, 19-21, 21-16 in a tough encounter.

Saina, who was down with chicken-pox a week back, showed no signs of tiredness even though she committed a couple of unforced errors in the second game.

Prokopenko was no match for the Indian who engaged her Russian opponent in long rallies before going for the kill.

Saina, India’s best medal hope in the tournament, said she had done her homework for the match. “I was playing her for the first time. She also plays doubles and yesterday I came to see her match. I was ready with a plan.”

“She is a very good net player and is good with the dribble. She has a good smash. So, I decided to go more for rallies than quick-finishing smashes.”

“I was not feeling tired so that’s a good sign. But tomorrow I face a tougher opponent and will have a better idea of my fitness level,” said Saina, who got a bye in the first round.

On the pressure to play at home, Saina said she is not bogged down by expectations.

“I am not feeling any pressure, the crowd was good and it will only help the sport in the country,” she said.

Saina kept herself ahead in the first game and never looked in trouble. She opened up a 6-3 lead and then grabbed four points at 12-8 to race to 16-8. She was in command from 16-10 and took five points in a reel.

The second game was a bit close as Saina’s errors allowed Anastasia to nose ahead 7-6. But Saina managed to break free from 13-14 with some deceptive drop shots.

“Because of the drift from one end, the shuttle was coming faster. And on the other side it’s slow. But it’s better than it was in the Indian Open when there was more drift.

In the men’s doubles, Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal lost to 16th seed Vitalij Durkin and Alexandr Nikolaenko of Russia 21-17, 13-21, 18-21 in the second round.

Malaysian coach quarantined but chances of swine flu low

Hyderabad, Aug 11: A Malaysian coach has been quarantined in a hospital here with symptoms of swine flu, but Badminton World Federation (BWF) and health officials on Tuesday said there are no immediate concerns as his condition has improved and his chances of being affected with H1N1 virus are low. The coach complained of fever and a sore throat on Monday and was admitted to the Government Chest hospital. The result of his sample test will come in 48 hours. “He was assessed by the medical team and was then taken to hospital for further tests and observation,” Mahesh Joshi, consultant head of emergency medical department, told reporters here. “He has been quarantined but the degree of suspicion of a swine flu is low. His condition has also improved and he does not have fever. He is receiving a general treatment for flu like symptoms and he is doing well,” he said. “There were two other coaches staying with him and precautionary treatment has been provided to them as well,” he added. BWF chief-operating officer Thomas Lund said there were no immediate concerns, but precautions are being taken. All team managers were called for a meeting and the health officials have briefed them about personal hygiene and precautionary measures. “There is no reason of any concern, but we do not want to take any chances and we are monitoring the situation. No other player or official has complained of illness. This is an issue of worldwide concern. The players travel every week and it’s not uncommon for them. We are working closely to ensure that there are no health concerns during the tournament,” Lund said. The BWF requested the media not to publicise the name of the coach as it could create panic. Lund said that a number of preventive medical services are in place at the venue and the hotels which include regular monitoring of temperature and personal hygiene advice. (IANS)

Kashyap moves up, Bhat falls short in World Badminton

Hyderabad, Aug 11: India’s Parupalli Kashyap had a cake-walk against Ali Shah Hosseini of Iran while his compatriot Arvind Bhat fell short of pulling off a major upset against ninth seed Yu Hsien Hsieh of Chinese Tapiei in the first round of men's singles of the World Badminton Championships at the Balayogi Stadium at Gachibowli here on Tuesday.

Kashyap defeated Shah Hosseini 21-9, 21-13 to advance to the second round where he is likely to face second seeded Chinese Jin Chen. Earlier in the day, world No.24 Bhat suffered a heartbreaking 14-21, 21-19, 22-24 loss to Hsien Hsieh in an hour long duel.

Disappointment was in store for India in women's singles too as Sayali Gokhale lost to Dutch girl Jie Yao 15-21, 14-21. The men's doubles pair of Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu went down to 13th seed Hung Ling Chen and Yu Lang Lin of Chinese Taipei 12-21, 14-21.

But men’s doubles pair Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal got a walkover against Thai pair Patipat Chalarchaleam and Nuttaphon Narkthong.

In other matches, Kenichi Tago of Japan upset seventh seed Joachim Persson of Denmark 16-21, 21-14, 21-13 in an hour while veteran Indonesian Taufiq Hidayat, seeded fourth, defeated Christian Boesiger of Switzerland 21-14, 21-14.

For Kashyap the win against the Iranian came easy.
“It was a warm-up match for me because the opponent was not so tough. But next match will be a tough one. I felt comfortable on the court today,” the Hyderabad-based shuttler said.

But it was Bhat’s match that left the supporters disappointed. It was a see-saw contest and Bhat fought back strongly in the second game. The Indian also made a remarkable comeback in the third game from 4-11 down after the change of ends.

Bhat said: “You can attack more from one side of the court. In the first game he attacked from the same side and then I won the second game. I shifted to attacking mode after the change of ends, but some errors crept in at crucial moments.”

Bhat even saved three match points, but lost his sole match point opportunity to go down in an hour long match.

A visibly upset Bhat threw down the racquet after the match. It was third time unlucky for Bhat against Hsien Hsieh.

“I deserved to win. I was feeling good about the match. This is the third time I am losing to him in a close battle. He is beatable and I was well-prepared for this match. I played safe in the last few points and that perhaps made the difference,” Bhat said. (IANS)

Organizers dismiss reports of China pullout plans

HYDERABAD, Aug 11: The organisers of the Badminton World Championships have dismissed reports that China was planning to pull out of the event over security concerns as England had on the eve of the tournament. “I have the entire BWF (Badminton World Federation) team with me. Nothing like that has come to our notice,” BWF vice-president and Indian federation chief V K Verma said on Tuesday. “The Chinese coach has gone on record saying he is more than happy with the arrangements, particularly with the security cover,” Verma added. “There is no issue at all.” The England squad withdrew from the Championships on Sunday citing a “specific terrorist threat”. Badminton England said in a statement the decision followed “concerns about the English team potentially being a target of attack in the event of a terrorist act”. An Indian official blamed media reports for causing the panic that had forced China to make contingency plans in the event of a call to withdraw.

“The first priority is the safety of the team. I don’t exclude the possibility of pulling out,” Beijing News quoted China’s head coach Li Yongbo as saying. “The World Championships take place every year. We needn’t risk our lives,” he told the paper. Li said the Chinese team had started working on the return tickets and would decide whether to stay after speaking to Sports Minister Liu Peng on Tuesday. (Agencies)

Scorers’ seminar

Sports reporter, Assam Tribune

GUWAHATI, Aug 2 – The two-day seminar for the State scorers, organised by the Assam Cricket Association, began at Hotel Prag Contionental here today. Noted umpire and BCCI panel scorer P Jayapal from Bangalore is attending the seminar as resource person.

ACA vice-president Bhakti Medhi formally inaugurated the seminar where 22 scorers from all over the State ate taking part. Subjects like scorers’ duty, kits, symbol and characters used in scoring, laws of cricket pertaining to scoring, box method, etc., will be discussed during the seminar.

BCCI scorer Tapash Roy welcomed the gathering in the inaugural function of the seminar.

Rajbari AC hold Gauhati Town Club 1-1

Sports reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 2 – Rajbari Athletic Club rallied to hold Gauhati Town Club 1-1 in a A Division Football League match on the second ground of the Nehru Stadium here today.

After a golless first session, Nwjwrsing Basumatary put Town Club ahead in the 46th minute off a counter attack. But they failed to guard their fort in the later part as substitute W Nanao Singh restored parity in the 74th minute.

The Town Club team, studded with two foreign players, miserably failed to satisfy their supporters as they neither could trouble the opponent defenders nor guard their own territory. Their team work was far from satisfactory considering the players they have recruited.

On the other hand, the Rajbari players put up a spirited show and on several occasions they entered the Town Club striking zone.

Academy for umpires proposed

Sports reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 2 – The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has proposed to set up umpires academy in every State this year in order to improve the country’s umpiring standard.

Informing this, Assam Cricket Association secretary Bikash Baruah, who is a member of the BCCI umpires’ sub committee, said the decision was taken in the umpires’ committee meeting held in Mumbai yesterday. The meeting also sent the names of Sanjay Hajare, Amit Saheba and N Tarapur to ICC to for the world cricket body’s panel of umpires.

The meeting also resolved to enhance the umpires’ pension from Rs 10,000 per month to Rs 15,000. The match referees’ fee also would be increased to Rs 10,000 per day instead of Rs 5,000. The meeting further decided to bar the umpires from officiating in Ranji Trophy matches this year who’s performances were not satisfactory during the last year. BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, Arun Jaitley and Sanjay Jugdale were also present in the meeting.

FCI outplay Dynamo

Sports reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 2 – Food Corporation of India (FCI) Sports Club handed a 4-0 drubbing to former champions Dynamo Club in today’s match of the GSA Super League for the RG baruah Trophy.

In a totally one-sided affair at the Neheu Stadium here, FCI went 2-0 ahead in the first session through stylish striker Thomson Langthasa.

Thomson opened the account in the 25th minute with a smart drive after getting the ball from a melee and at the fag end of the first session he struck again displaying his dribbling skills.

Receiving a pass from midfielder David March Gayary, Thomson dribbled past two opponent defenders before pushing home.

After the break, Bhaskarjyoti Bora made it 3-0 in favour of FCI in the 57th minute. Anticipating a pass from defender Bikram Borgohain, Bhaskarjyoti deceived the Dynamo defenders who were trying to trap him in off side. Finally, Kamal Das completed the rout in the 74th minute with a pile drive from inside the box.

The Dynamo defenders were totally exposed by the fast moving FCI attackers today. Thomson, Kamal and David virtually tore apart the Dynamo defence with brilliant combination at the mid-field and wings.

The Dynamo defence line, comprising of Suman Malakar, Maduekwe Emeka Ejike, Raja Guha Thakurata and Karna Tanti left enough space among themselves which gave easy passage to the FCI forwards. Their mid-fielders were also totally outsmarted by David and Kamal.

Studded with two Nigerians players, the Dynamo team today totally disappointed their supporters. The frontline players hardly could show the ability to disturb the rock-solid FCI defence.

Their only positive scoring opportunity came in the later part of the second session when Onyebi Mandos Ogboma, who was leading his side today, missed an easy sitter.

If the Dynamo boys cannot improve their performance in the forthcoming matches, they may face some trouble in the later part of the championship.

Today’s match - ASEB vs Sunrise