Sports in India

Ronaldo hat-trick delays Barca title party

2011-05-11T02:26:00.002-07:00

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to make it an incredible 36 league goals in the current campaign as Real Madrid defeated local rivals Getafe 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday to prevent Barcelona from winning the league title for at least one more day.

If Real had failed to win, Barcelona would have been crowned champions without playing, but Pep Guardiola's side need a point from their final three matches, with Wednesday's match at Levante the first opportunity, to collect a third successive league crown.

The league may seem lost, but Ronaldo has his own agenda to become the league's top-scorer and followed up his quadruple against Sevilla last time out with a hat-trick.

The Portuguese star is now in the box seat to win the Pichichi crown for the league's top-scorer with his 36-goal haul taking him five goals ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo is now within sight of the all-time Pichichi record, which is held by Real Madrid's Mexican forward Hugo Sanchez and Athletic Bilbao legend Telmo Zarra who scored 38 goals in 1990 and 1951 respectively.

Getafe were Ronaldo's latest victims and their 18th defeat of the season leaves them hovering one point above the bottom three with two games left.

Real took the lead on 23 minutes with Mesut Ozil bending in a superb cross with the outside of his left foot and Ronaldo leapt highest to poower in a header.

German international Ozil set another up for Ronaldo on 57 minutes cutting the ball back for the former Manchester United man to stroke home into an empty net.

Karim Benzema, largely ignored for the big games against Barcelona, came on and less than 60 seconds after his arrival the French forward scored his 13th league goal on 77 minutes.

Ronaldo then converted a 90th minute penalty for his hat-trick with a cheeky chip down the middle to deceive the goalkeeper.

It sealed a 15th home win of the season for Real and moved them five points behind Barcelona, but the champions need just a draw to retain the title due to their superior head to head record over Madrid.

"It looks like the league is all wrapped up but it isn't," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. "The sooner we can win it the better."

Earlier Deportivo La Coruna took a giant step towards safety with a 2-1 comeback home win over European hopefuls Athletic Bilbao at the Riazor stadium on Tuesday.

A 71st minute own goal from left back Xavi Castillo sealed a crucial three points for Depor who move out of the bottom three and are three points above the relegation zone with two games left to play, one of which is against Barcelona.

"We are happy but we still need some more points," said Depor coach Miguel Angel Lotina. "We have a complicated match against Barcelona on Sunday. Even if they are champions it is a difficult game."

Bilbao's 16th defeat of the season is a real setback to their European hopes and, although the Basque club stay fifth, they are just two points ahead of Sevilla who have a game in hand.

Depor, league champions in 2000, held on for a vital win as they bid for a 21st consecutive season in the top-flight.

Atletico Madrid failed to capitalise on Bilbao's slip as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Racing Santander on Tuesday.

The visitors took a 10th minute lead through Mario Suarez but Turkish midfielder Kennedy Bakircioglu equalised on 37 minutes and Markus Rosenberg struck the winner two minutes after the break.

In other matches, Malaga made it five consecutive league wins for the first time in their history with a 2-0 home victory over relegation rivals Sporting Gijon on Tuesday.

Brazilian Julio Baptista scored for the fifth successive game with a ninth minute opener as Malaga moved six points clear of the relegation zone and to the brink of safety.

'Home club' dream is keeping Bhutia on toes

2011-05-11T02:26:00.001-07:00

NEW DELHI: He is still the captain of the Indian national football team and he could still have played for any top-rung I-League team.

But Baichung Bhutia has decided to go back to his roots leaving all the limelight and adulation that has been the part and parcel of his life since 1996.

After launching his team United Sikkim Football Club, Bhutia is actually leading the team from the front, on and off the field. He is the heartthrob of the team - which is playing in the second division national league - often playing as a defender, something he has rarely done in his long and illustrious career.

He is also the brain behind the running of the team, so he has the added responsibility of managing the affairs of the team and gathering funds.

"It is very tough and the pressure is just double, I must tell you," Bhutia told TOI from Shillong.

But the skipper is immensely happy that he has been able to bring something back to his home state. "You should see the fans flocking the ground. They are so enthusiastic. It actually makes the effort worthwhile."

Bhutia knows that the passion of fans is not enough to run a club successfully and make it an institution. "For the time being, friends are contributing a lot but in the long run we need investments. In three to four years, the fan base will grow and hopefully it will help attract the sponsors."

The initial response to United Sikkim Football Club has been overwhelming. But Bhutia knows that qualifying to the top tier is imperative. "We have to qualify to play in I-League and we are confident in doing so. If we do that, we will start the sale of our team jerseys."

Not forgetting the support of national team colleagues Rennedy Singh and NS Manju, who have turned down I-League offers to be with Sikkim United, Bhutia said, "Their signing has given our venture a serious look. Their contribution to the club is unfathomable."

Still dreaming to play for the national team that has World Cup qualifying engagements in July, Bhutia said he is working hard to regain peak fitness. "I am not playing regularly. Once I start doing that, I will plan to get back to the national fold."

The playing pitch is a problem for the skipper and he has requested the Sikkim government to allot land for a ground and practice facilities. He has set the ball rolling. He will play only for United Sikkim but will retire in an East Bengal shirt after a couple of years or three.

Only time will tell whether Bhutia's dream of making Sikkim a successful club and a viable commercial entity come true. But one thing is certain - his heart is in the right place.

Beckham ponders return for Neville testimonial

2011-05-11T02:25:00.001-07:00

MANCHESTER: David Beckham could return to Old Trafford to play in his friend Gary Neville's testimonial when Manchester United face Juventus on May 24.

Nicky Butt and Phil Neville are set to play in the match, a repeat of the 1999 Champions League semifinal, as are Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

They, like Beckham and Gary Neville, were all members of United's celebrated 'Class of 92', a youth side that produced players who would later appear in the trophy-winning senior teams put together by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Former England skipper Beckham, now with the Los Angeles Galaxy, a US Major League Soccer side, has not pulled on a United shirt since leaving the club for Real Madrid in 2003.

When Ferguson brought several young players into the first team at once, former Liverpool captain turned television pundit Alan Hansen declared: "You'll never win anything with kids."

However, the stars of the 'Class of 92' helped bring six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the 1999 Champions League, which capped a treble-winning season, to Old Trafford.

"I have been fortunate to work with many exceptional young players, but the class of 92 was unique," Ferguson said.

"For so many of them to stay together and succeed at the highest level is a great tribute to their talent and this club's belief in the power of youth.

"I am convinced that no group of players will ever make such an impact on the English game as those boys have done - and continue to do."

Butt, who left United for Newcastle in 2004 and has just returned from a brief spell in Hong Kong, added: "When Gary asked me to play in his game I immediately said yes, especially when I heard that the class of 92 were going to be there too.

"It was a special time for all of us growing up and it is only now as you look back that you actually see what an amazing story it is."

Neville's brother Phil, who joined Everton in 2005, said: "I am so excited to be going back to Old Trafford to celebrate what will be an amazing night for my brother.

"It will be an emotional night for all the family but what a fitting way for Gary to bow out of a fantastic career.

"He will go down as the best full-back to play at Manchester United and he will miss pulling on the red shirt as I know how much it means to him."

Gary Neville, 36, will end his 18-year United career with United against Italian giants Juventus.

He played his final senior game at West Brom in January, when he was fortunate to escape a red card for the second time this season.

In total Neville, who made his United debut as a 17-year-old against Torpedo Moscow, made 602 appearances for the club he has supported all his life, won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and the 1999 Champions League.

In addition, the defender won 85 England caps.

FIFA members accused in UK parliamentary hearing

2011-05-11T02:18:00.000-07:00

LONDON: FIFA was rocked by new allegations of corruption on Tuesday as the former head of England's 2018 World Cup bid accused senior officials of demanding cash and honours in return for votes.

In an explosive session of a British parliamentary committee, six members of FIFA's graft-tainted executive were accused of involvement in bribery before last year's votes to decide the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts.

British lawmaker Damian Collins said the hearing had received evidence FIFA vice-president Issa Hayatou from Cameroon and Jacques Anouma from the Ivory Coast received bribes of $1.5 million to vote for Qatar's 2022 bid.

In separate testimony, Lord David Triesman, the chairman of England's 2018 bid until his resignation in May last year, accused four FIFA officials of "improper and unethical" behaviour ahead of last December's vote in Zurich.

"These were some of the things that were put to me personally, sometimes in the presence of others, which in my view did not represent proper and ethical behaviour on the part of members of the executive committee," Triesman said.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who is fighting for re-election as head of world football's governing body, immediately vowed to address the latest allegations.

"If this is true, I will fight this," Sky Sports reported Blatter as saying. "I am fighting for FIFA to clean FIFA.

"I cannot answer for individual members of our committee. I cannot say if they are all angels or if they are all devils."

Triesman revealed that Jack Warner, the influential head of the North and Central American federation CONCACAF, had demanded to be paid directly around £2.5 million ($4m) for construction of schools in Trinidad.

Triesman, who had met Warner along with England 2018 deputy chairman Sir Dave Richards, said the request was rejected immediately.

"I said immediately the proposition was out of the question. Sir Dave said 'You must be joking Jack. You're probably talking about £2.5 million.'

"Jack nodded at that. He said that the money could be channelled through him and he would guarantee the funds would be appropriately spent."

In a second incident involving Warner, Triesman revealed how the Trinidadian had sought a £500,000 "donation" to secure the rights to broadcast the 2010 World Cup in Haiti to lift the spirits of the earthquake-shattered nation.

Warner later dismissed Triesman's allegations as a "piece of nonsense" in a statement to Sky Sports.

"I've never asked Triesman nor any other person, Englishman or otherwise, for any money for my vote at any time," Warner stated.

In another episode, Triesman revealed that Paraguayan Nicolas Leoz, the head of the South American federation CONMEMBOL, had requested a knighthood during a meeting in Asuncion in November 2009.

"I said it was completely impossible, we didn't operate like that. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away," Triesman said.

The same month, Triesman and English bid members met Brazilian official Ricardo Teixeira on the sidelines of an England-Brazil friendly in Doha.

After remarking to Teixeira that he was happy to have heard positive sentiment about England's bid from former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Teixeira had replied: "Lula is nothing -- you come and tell me what you have for me."

The fourth official named by Triesman was Thailand's Worawi Makudi, who had demanded to be awarded broadcasting rights of a possible friendly match between England and Thailand in Bangkok that had been pencilled in for 2011.

England were knocked out in the second round of the World Cup ballot, mustering just two of 22 votes. Russia later went on to win with 13 votes.

Triesman said he had feared damaging England's bid if he had gone public with the incidents he detailed.

"The point was not pressed," he said. "And I think, in retrospect, we would have burned off our chances. In retrospect that was not the right view to take and I accept that."

Sania-Elena advance to quarterfinals of Madrid Open

2011-05-05T02:46:00.000-07:00

MADRID: Sania Mirza and her Russian partner Elena Vesnina continued their good run at the Madrid Open, storming into the quarterfinals after notching up a straight-set win over Nadia Petrova and Anastasia Rodionova.

The unseeded Indo-Russian combination recorded a 6-3, 7-5 win over the Russian-Australian pair in the second round of the euro 3,500,000 clay court event.

Sania and Elena converted all the three break chances that came their way in the first set and two of four in the second to record the win in one hour and 27 minutes.

They now have a tough job at hand as they face second seeds Kveta Peschke of Czech Republic and Katarina Serbotnik of Slovania in the last-eight round.

The second seeds saw off the challenge of Spanish team of Lourdes Lino Dominguez and Laura Pous-Tio 6-2 1-6 10-3 in their second round clash of the WTA Premier event.

Bopanna-Qureshi exit from Estoril Open

2011-05-05T01:50:00.000-07:00

Estoril (Portugal): India's Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan bowed out of the Estoril Open men's doubles tennis.

The top-seeded India-Pakistan pair went down to third-seeded American Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer of Netherlands Antilles 2-6, 4-6 in the semifinals here Saturday.

Butorac and Rojer play fourth-seeded Spaniards Marc Lopez and David Marreo in the title clash.

Somdev misses title again, ends runner-up at Johannesburg

2011-03-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

An ATP singles title slipped out of Somdev Devvarman's for the second time in his career as the Indian lost the fiercely-fought summit clash of the SA Tennis Open to local favourite Kevin Anderson in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Unseeded Somdev, who was aiming to win his maiden ATP singles title, lost 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 to the fourth seed and world number 59 South African after playing scintillating tennis for two hours and 19 minutes.

It was for the second time that Somdev had made the title-round of an ATP event. He had reached the Chennai Open final in 2009 when he lost to Marin Cilic.

The last Indian to win an ATP title was Leander Paes , who beat South Africa's Godwin in 1998 at Hall of Fame Tennis championship to lift his first and only singles trophy.

Before Somdev's sparkling show at the 2009 Chennai Open, Prakash Amritraj reached the final of Hall of Fame Tennis championship in Newport, United States, in July 2008.

Somdev paid the price of not converting three breakpoints in the sixth game of the final set when he was down 2-3 and could have levelled the scores.

But he not only failed to draw parity but dropped his own serve in the next game and Anderson had no trouble in serving out the match.

However, Somdev's ranking will get a boost after his brilliant show here as he earned 150 ranking points and also pocketed USD 40,300 as prize money.

Anderson got 250 points and USD 76,500 for his effort.

Davis Cup: Bopanna goes down fighting

2011-03-04T21:07:00.000-08:00

Rohan Bopanna up a gallant fight against world number 18 Viktor Troicki before losing as India a 0-1 lead against top seed and defending champions Serbia in the first round of the Davis Cup World Group tie in Novi Sad on Friday.

A formidable doubles player but ranked 629 in singles, Bopanna lost 3-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 3-6 in the first singles after fighting for three-hours and 19 minutes at Spens Sports Center.

The onus to bring India back in the tie lies with the 93rd rank Somdev Devvarman , who will now lock horns with world number 45 Janko Tipsarevic [ Images ] in the second singles.

Bopanna defied odds to stage an excellent comeback as he was down by two sets but kept fighting and things changed when he grabbed the must-win third set with a break of serve in the 12th game.

Going with the momentum, Bopanna came out firing on all cylinders, reducing the sea-difference between the rankings to mere a number, and stretched the match to the deciding fifth set.

Victor TroickiA lot of drama followed when Bopanna was serving for the fourth set in the ninth game having broken Troicki in the previous game as he argued with the chair umpire over a call.

Already incense with the home crowd, which was making a lot noise in backing the son of the soil, Bopanna lost his cool when a call resulted in his double fault.

India captain S P Misra was also not happy as many of the calls earlier also went against Bopanna.

However, Bopanna after saving two breakpoints in that game, stunned the crowd by winning the set when a Troicki return kissed the net.

A great comeback, though, did not produce the desired result for the Indian, who suddenly lost momentum as he dropped his serve twice to go down 0-4 in the deciding set.

Troicki raised his game at crucial juncture and justified his top-20 rank by giving his side a 1-0 lead.

Strong on their serves, Bopanna and Troicki played some scintillating tennis in the first set and throughout. The Indian saved two breakpoints in the opening game, in which he committed three double faults, to eventually hold.

Troicki, on the other hand, had more control and fired two aces to start with a bang. Bopanna, known for his booming serves, improved soon and held two consecutive service games at love to lead 3-2.

However, the double faults kept haunting Bopanna and three such faults combined with a few other unforced errors resulted in first break of serve as Troicki led 4-3 and consolidated the lead to 5-3 with a hold in the next game.

The Serbian, encashed on erring Bopanna and seald the first set when the Indian hit a forehand long, although after saving a set point.

Bopanna, though bounced back brilliantly in the second set and converted his third chance in the first game to grab early break and led 2-0.

He saved two chances on his serve to make it 3-1 but the unforced errors again proved costly as the Indian dropped his serve in the sixth game to allow the home favourite to draw parity.

Bopanna needed to curb his unforced errors but the story remained same and that allowed Troiciki claw his way back and took it out of the reach of the Indian by getting two mere breaks -- sixth and eighth games.

Nadal bags Laureus ''World Sportsman of the Year''

2011-02-08T00:51:00.000-08:00

Poonam Mehra

Abu Dhabi, Feb 7 (PTI) Tennis ace Rafael Nadal''s remarkable run in the season gone by helped him pip star footballers Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta for the ''World Sportsman of the Year'' honour, while the World Cup winning Spanish football side walked away with the ''World Team of the Year'' trophy at the Laureus World Sports Awards here today.

The ''World Sportswoman of the Year'' award went to American alpine skiier Lindsey Vonn, who beat off competition from Belgian tennis ace Kim Clijsters, who won a second straight US Open and four other events last year, Serena Williams, and world number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki among others.

Vonn had secured her third straight skiing World Cup

and the Olympic Downhill gold medal last year.

World number one Nadal -- who completed a career slam last year by clinching the US Open, French Open and the Wimbledon to go with his 2009 Australian Open triumph -- walked away with the top honours by pipping pre-awards favourites Messi and Iniesta.

It was Nadal''s second after the Laureus Breakthrough

Award in 2006.

"Thank you very much for this," said the star who received the trophy from German tennis legend Boris Becker.

The Spanish celebrations did not end at that as their World Cup winning football side clinched the ''Team of the Year'' honour ahead of Europe''s Ryder Cup-winning team and the Italian football club Inter Milan -- which had won the treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia last year -- among others.

The Spanish team, however, could not make it to the awards ceremony because of training engagements for an international match.

French football legend Zinedine Zidane was presented the ''Lifetime Achievement'' award "in recognition of his remarkable career.

The ace midfielder walked in to a standing ovation from the gathering and received the trophy from legendary Moroccan athlete Nawal El Moutawakel and English football legend Sir Bobby Charlton.

"Thank you to all those who voted for me. I have to thank (former France teammate) Marseille Desailly for all that he did for me. Today is February 7 and it has been 20 years since I got married, it''s a special day for me," Zidane said in French, insisting speaking in English would be "too difficult" for him.

American Kelly Slater was presented with the ''Laureus Action Sports Award'' for the third time, after winning a record 10th World Surfing Championship.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/nadal-bags-laureus-world-sportsman-20110207-103000-902.html

Assam-Gujarat Ranji tie from today

2010-12-07T22:04:00.001-08:00

Sports reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 7 – Assam will take on Gujarat in a Ranji Trophy Super League match here at the Nehru Stadium from tomorrow.

It will be sixth outing for both the teams. The visiting team has already gathered 10 points from five matches while the hosts have seven points in their coffer.Gujarat, led by Niraj Patel, arrived here last evening and had their workout session this morning.

Gujarat will definitely miss the services of players like Parthiv Patel and Siddharth Tiwari who are in good this season. Their chief coach Vijay Patel, however, said they have a good young team and hope to perform well on the NehruStadium track which he said is a sporting one. Along with captain Niraj Patel, Bhavik Thakar is in good form and are among the runs. Salil Yadav and Ishwar Choudhury are capable to wreck batting line-up as they are in tremendous shape this season. The match will be played on the same track where the last ODI between India and New Zealand was played. Curator Sunil Baruah also said both the teams will get the same advantage.

Assam captain Amol Mazumdar must perform in this match as the hosts need atleast three points. Dhiraj Jadhav and S Sriram are in good touch and Assam can hope reasonable contributions from their bats. Local lads Tarjinder Singh, who is certain to play tomorrow, and Gokul Sharma are also in good form. If these two can maintain their form, Assam can hope for a big total. Assam’s bowling coach Zaved Zaman, who is quite experienced with 123 Ranji wickets, said in this match Arlen Konwar has to play a vital role. He also hoped that Arlen will definitely cross the 200-wicket mark soon considering his present form.

The teams

Assam (from): Amol Mazumdar (Capt), Dhiraj Goswami (vice-captain), S Sriram, Tarjinder Singh, Sib Sankar Roy, Gokul Sharma, Kunal Saikia, Rajdeep Dasa, Abu Naschim Ahmed, Ranjeet Mali, Arlen Konwar, Dhiraj Jadhav, Prakash Bhagat, Abhijit Sinha Roy, Sujay Tarafdar.

Gujarat (from): Niraj Patel (Capt), Salil Yadav, Bhavik Thakar, Rajdeep Darbar (wk), Rujul Bhatt, Amit Singh, Prathmesh Parmar, Rikin Chouhan, Rohit Dahia, Ishawar Choudhury, Priyank Panchal, Mehul Patel, Sunny Patel, Dhruv Rawal (wk), Jayesh Makla.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=dec0810/sports07

15-day practice is enough for CWG, says Tejaswini

2010-08-09T20:11:00.001-07:00

15-day practice is enough for CWG, says Tejaswini

NEW DELHI, Aug 9: Asserting that delay in completion of the CWG venues would not rob country’s athletes of home advantage, India’s first World Champion woman shooter Tejaswini Sawant on Monday said just 15-day vigorous practice is enough to prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

Sawant said lack of knowledge of the Munich venue, where she won gold on Sunday, hardly affected her chances.

“One month is enough to get trained for the Commonwealth Games. Even 10-15 days of rigorous training would be enough for us,” said Tejaswini, who was in the capital along with another shooter Gagan Narang to meet Sports Minister MS Gill.

“We will not lose the home advantage. It’s not that I had always practiced in Munich before clinching gold there. I was unaware of the conditions there. I straight went into the championship. What helped me there was my determination, clear aim and positive mindset.

“Same is here in India. You need all these three traits to win medals. You can’t pass on the buck by saying venues are incomplete. It makes a very small difference,” the rifle shooter said.

Some former athletes and administrators feel that India’s medal prospects will be hit badly as many of the venues have not been made available to athletes to get acclimatised.

Tejaswini though is confident that Indian shooters will do well at October 3-14 Games here.

“It’s very important to consider what conditions are you practicing. Practice, positive mindset, concentration are the most important assets of a player. We will produce our best in the Games,” she said.

Tejaswini shot a score of 597 (100, 100, 100, 99, 99, 99), equalling the 1998 record set by Marina Bobkova of Russia.

“I was not thinking about a medal or a world record. Having got both, it’s just amazing. It’s a dream come true. My coaches, including Kazakh coach Stanislav Lapidus, made some plans for me and I am glad that everything worked accordingly,” the shooter from Kolhapur said.

Tejaswini dedicated her victory to her late father. She recalled how at one point financial constrains forced her to consider giving up shooting, but the strong support of her family, especially her father, kept her going.

“I dedicate this medal to my father. I proved him right. I fulfilled his dreams,” she said.

Tejaswini’s father passed away on February 23 when she was competing at the Commonwealth Championships here. (PTI)

Under-pressure, Kalmadi says ready for CAG or judicial probe

2010-08-04T20:13:00.001-07:00

Under-pressure, Kalmadi says ready for CAG or judicial probe

NEW DELHI, Aug 4: Cornered by allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games’ preparations and isolated within his own party, under-fire Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Wednesday said he is ready to face any CAG or judicial probe into the financial transactions related to the event.

“I, as chairman of the Organising Committee, am prepared to face any scrutiny by (Comptroller and Auditor General) CAG or even a judicial probe for all financial transactions being reported by the media. All the people found guilty will be punished and brought to book,” Kalmadi said in a statement.

Kalmadi’s statement came a day after more allegations of irregularities and the Indian High Commission’s e-mails being ‘doctored’ came to light. The Congress party also distanced itself from Pune MP.

Bolt, Gay to race in 4x100 relay at Zurich

2010-07-29T20:12:00.001-07:00

Bolt, Gay to race in 4x100 relay at Zurich

ZURICH, July 29: Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay will race when Jamaica and the United States field teams in the 4x100 meter relay at the Diamond League meet in Zurich.

Organizers of the August 19 Weltklasse meet said on Thursday that Olympic and world champion Bolt will anchor a Jamaica team including Mario Forsythe, Yohan Blake, and Marvin Anderson. Gay, the second-fastest man in history behind Bolt's record of 9.58 seconds, heads a US lineup featuring Walter Dix, Wallace Spearmon and Trell Kimmons. Bolt and Gay are skipping the individual 200 at Zurich, which splits the Diamond League finals with Brussels the following week. Bolt, Gay and former world record-holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica will race the 100 at Stockholm's Diamond League meet next week. (Agencies)

Gill mum on Aiyar outburst

2010-07-28T20:14:00.001-07:00

Gill mum on Aiyar outburst

New Delhi, July 28: Sports Minister M S Gill today refused to join issues with his predecessor Mani Shankar Aiyar who had criticized the hosting of Commonwealth Games as waste of money, merely saying that he was happy with the pace of work allotted to his ministry. Asked to comment on Aiyar’s remarks yesterday that he would be ‘unhappy’ if the Commonwealth Games were a success and that only ‘evil’ will patronize them, Gill said ‘nothing’.

Gill said after he took over as the minister he had two things to do and he had done them satisfactorily till now. “The first was to see that the funds are given at the right time. Till last June, we gave all the funds. This is a matter of record and is also on the website. Our officials also examined the request of those who required additional funds and it too was given,” he told reporters outside Parliament House. Gill said the second task was to ensure the completion of 13 stadiums, nine of which were being constructed or renovated by the CPWD. “These stadiums have no defects. There is no leakage in them. The work has been executed with perfection,” he said, adding that these stadiums would be handed over to the Games Organising Committee on August 1. (PTI)

Gill mum on Aiyar outburst

2010-07-28T20:11:00.001-07:00

Gill mum on Aiyar outburst

Kalmadi dubs Mani Shankar Aiyar anti-national

2010-07-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

Kalmadi dubs Mani Shankar Aiyar anti-national

New Delhi, July 27: Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi labelled Mani Shankar Aiyar ‘anti national’ for wishing that the Commonwealth Games are ‘spoilt’.

Aiyar, who as a sports minister was a known critic of the Commonwealth Games and even had continuous run-ins with Kalmadi, maintained that the huge amount of money spent on Commonwealth Games could have been better used to train young athletes for international sporting events.

“Personally, I will be unhappy if the Commonwealth Games are successful,” Aiyar, a nominated Rajya Sabha member, told reporters outside parliament on Tuesday.

“I am very happy with the rains, firstly it will ensure a good agriculture for the country and secondly it will ensure that the Commonwealth Games are spoilt,” Aiyar said. “Just imagine, if we would have spent the Rs.35,000 crore ($7 billion) in providing training to the children, we would have won medals at every international sporting event,” Aiyar added.

Kalmadi retorted saying that had Aiyar continued as the sports minister, India could never have hosted the Games. “The Games are possible only because MS Gill is the sports minister. Had Mani Shankar Aiyar continued to be sports minister, the Games would not have happened at all. Gill has done a remarkable job since he has taken over,” Kalmadi said during the inauguration of the remodelled Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Later, talking to reporters, Kalmadi said: “He (Aiyar) is anti-national. When everyone is looking forward to the Commonwealth Games, he is going around wishing the Games are spoilt.” (IANS)

Low key appearance for Sunil Chhetri against Man United

2010-07-26T20:14:00.001-07:00

Low key appearance for Sunil Chhetri against Man United

NEW DELHI, July 26: Indian striker Sunil Chhetri made a low-key 21-minute appearance in the second half in Kansas City Wizard’s surprise 2-1 win over English Premier League giants Manchester United in an international friendly in Kansas City, United States.

Chhetri, who is yet to make his Major League Soccer debut, came in for Teal Bunbury in the 69th minute and had a couple of shots which however did not trouble Manchester United goalkeeper Benjamin Amos at the newly remodelled Arrowhead Stadium.

He was lively throughout his outing as he kept running and tried to pile pressure on the Manchester United defence in an open and free-flowing game that was played at a breakneck pace in front of more than 50,000 spectators last night.

Inquiry panel submits report to HI, does not draw conclusions

2010-07-23T20:10:00.001-07:00

Inquiry panel submits report to HI, does not draw conclusions

Hockey sex scandal

New Delhi, July 23: The inquiry panel probing the sex scandal that has rocked Indian hockey submitted its report to Hockey India today amid indications that the committee had only given a factual account and refrained from drawing any conclusions on coach M K Kaushik’s conduct. HI, on its part, will submit the report of the five-member inquiry committee to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) tomorrow.

“We have received the report from the committee. We will study and discuss the report thoroughly and accordingly give our recommendations and submit it to SAI tomorrow,” HI secretary general Narinder Batra said.

Chairman of the inquiry panel, Rajiv Mehta said the committee received testimonies from both the parties — coach M K Kaushik and complainant Ranjita Devi — and no other evidences were required for the probe. “We have had lots of testimonies from both the parties as well some other players and manager of the team Madhu Yadav and we don’t need to talk to any individual further.

We have given our report,” he said. It is learnt that the panel, comprising Rajiv Mehta (chairman), Zafar Iqbal, Ajitpal Singh, Sudarshan Pathak and Anupam Ghulati, refrained from drawing any conclusion and only presented facts in their report to HI. According to HI sources, the federation is also expected to refrain from giving any conclusion in their recommendation to SAI and will leave the entire matter on the government body as Kaushik was appointed by SAI. Indian hockey plunged into a deep crisis last Tuesday when fringe player Ranjita, in a written complaint to HI, accused chief coach Kaushik of sexually harassing her.

HI then sprung into action and formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter. Even though Kaushik tendered his resignation to HI president Vidya Stokes, which was accepted yesterday, he pleaded innocence and said the allegations were baseless and he was a victim of ‘big-time conspiracy’.

HI also sacked videographer Basavraj whose photographs with prostitutes in compromising situations during the recent Canada and China tour were also sent to the national body through an anonymous e-mail. (PTI)

FIFA begins inspection for 2018-2022 World Cups

2010-07-20T20:26:00.001-07:00

FIFA begins inspection for 2018-2022 World Cups

Tokyo, July 20: A FIFA inspection committee has started a visit to the 12 countries vying to host the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. The visit to Japan on Monday marks the start of a long tour to evaluate countries, which will conclude in Qatar in September, after the other seven candidates are visited and evaluated, Prensa Latina reported. Each city will be visited for at least for four days and the work of the FIFA commission is to see if they are really ready, and evaluate the conditions of their sites, facilities, infrastructure and other aspects. The commission is headed by Chilean Soccer Federation president Harold Mayne Nicholls. A new stadium will be built in Osaka - provisionally called Osaka Ecology Stadium - with a capacity for 83,000 people, and it could be the site of the 2022 World Cup’s opening and final matches if Japan is finally elected as the host. Australia, South Korea, Qatar, the US and Japan are the candidates for the 2022 World Cup, while Britain, the US, Russia, Australia, Belgium/Holland (dual candidature) and Spain/Portugal are bidding for 2018. Spain/Portugal will be evaluated Aug 30-Sep 2, the US Sep 6-9, and Qatar September 13-17. The final decision will be made Dec 2 in Zurich, Switzerland. (IANS)

Somdev at career-best 103 in rankings

2010-07-19T20:24:00.001-07:00

Somdev at career-best 103 in rankings

NEW DELHI, July 19: A semifinal appearance at the Aptos Challenger tournament helped India’s ace tennis player Somdev Devvarman rise back to his career-best singles ranking of 103 in the ATP charts.

Somdev lost to Donald Young in the last four stage but the effort was enough to jump two places up. Yuki Bhambri, who has resumed practice after nursing a broken ankle, has lost 14 positions to slip to 489th spot. In the doubles chart, veterans Leander Paes (6) and Mahesh Bhupati (7) kept their places in the top-10 while Rohan Bopanna rose a rung to career-best 38. Meanwhile, a struggling Sania Mirza gained a position to be at 131 in the WTA singles chart. (PTI)

Sunil Chhetri closing in for MLS debut

2010-07-15T20:22:00.001-07:00

Sunil Chhetri closing in for MLS debut

NEW DELHI, July 15: Indian striker Sunil Chhetri’s Major League Soccer debut may not be too far away as his club Kansas City Wizards on Thursday said he will be soon included in the 18-man match-day squad. Chhetri signed for KC Wizards in late March and has made his debut for the Kansas-based side in the Lamar Hunt US Open match against Colorado Rapids in April. He is yet to make his debut in MLS, which is halfway through this season. “Hopefully he will be able to make the 18-man active roster sometime in the coming weeks,” KC Wizards Public Relations Officer Dave Borchardt said. Chhetri has also a chance to play against the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Dimitar Berbatov and Edwin Van der Sar in KC Wizards friendly match against Manchester United on July 25. “The teams (KC Wizards and Manchester United) are still finalising how many players will be available for the game day roster as well as how many substitutions will be allowed,” he said. (PTI)

India draw 3-3 with Belgium in 1st hockey Test

2010-07-14T19:56:00.001-07:00

India draw 3-3 with Belgium in 1st hockey Test

New Delhi, July 14: Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh’s twin strikes went in vain as India were held to a 3-3 draw by Belgium in the first hockey Test match at Temse, Belgium. Sandeep converted two penalty corners for India in the 26th and 28th minute of the match yesterday, while the third goal was scored by Vikas Pillay (58th).

For Belgium Jeff Thys (13th minute), Jerome Truyens (48th) and Thomas Briels (59th) were the goal-getters. The second Test between the two sides will be played at Antwerp tomorrow. In yesterday’’s encounter, Belgium began strongly with an attack by Greg Gucassoff after being set up with an overhead pass from his captain Truyens, but the danger was waived off momentarily by an alert Indian goalkeeper P Sreejesh. Shortly after, Belgium created a fast break through the centre but Cedric Charlier’’s short went wide off the target.

Saina Nehwal confident of extending unbeaten run

2010-07-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Saina confident of extending unbeaten run

New Delhi, July 13: After her three-title winning streak last month, top Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal looks confident of taking her unbeaten run into the World Championships next month.

The 20-year-old from Hyderabad won three titles in three weeks, including two Super Series events, in June and was Tuesday named the captain of the nine-member squad for the World Championships in Paris.

World No. 3 Saina said she is not in awe of facing Chinese players in the Championships and she has comfortably beaten them in the recent past.

“I cannot predict which round I will reach in the World Champioships, but I hope I win the tournament,” said Saina, who was faciliated by Badminton Association of India (BAI) and team sponsors Premier Brands for her achievement here Tuesday.

Why world’s swiftest sprinters are of African origin

2010-07-12T21:01:00.001-07:00

Why world’s swiftest sprinters are of African origin

Washington, July 12: Scientists may have uncovered why the world’s fastest sprinters are usually of West African origin. The centre of gravity tends to be located higher on the body of blacks than whites, according to new research.

However, the research team — Adrian Bejan, professor of engineering at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering, Edward Jones, a Ph D candidate at Cornell University currently teaching at Howard University, and Duke graduate Jordan Charles — believes these differences are not racial, but rather biological.

Spaniards set up title clash with Dutch

2010-07-07T20:03:00.001-07:00

Spaniards set up title clash with Dutch

DURBAN, July 7: Spain needed a 73rd minute goal from defender Carles Puyol to edge past Germany 1-0 in Durban on Wednesday and set up a World Cup final against Netherlands.

Puyol climbed above the defence to head the winner from a Xavi corner and send Spain to their first World Cup final. The Spaniards dominated most of the match but struggled to finish off a German side that was lacking their usual pace.

European champions Spain dominated possession early on and needed only five minutes to carve out their first chance against a nervous German defence.

Spain forward Pedro, who started ahead of the misfiring Fernando Torres, played the ball for David Villa, who caught Arne Friedrich napping but could not beat keeper Manuel Neuer.

Loew out to pain Spain

2010-07-04T20:05:00.001-07:00

Loew out to pain Spain

CAPE TOWN, July 4: He has tamed Fabio Capello’s Three Lions, demolished Diego Maradona’s dream and snuffed out Lionel Messi’s magic, but can Germany coach Joachim Loew now inflict some World Cup pain on Spain?

After routing Argentina 4-0 in Sunday's quarterfinal, Germany face Spain in Wednesday’s semifinal in Durban with a place in the July 11 final against either the Netherlands or Uruguay at stake.

“My team showed great resolve, a great willingness to win and it wasn't just a high-level victory, but a true champions’ performance,” beamed Loew after Germany out-classed Maradona's Argentina.

The 50-year-old's contract with the German Football Federation (DFB) expired last Wednesday, but if Germany are crowned world champions next Sunday, Loew will be able to name his price.

A deep thinker, Loew has admitted to seeing a psychologist in the past and although he never got higher than Germany's Under-21 team as a player, he has won titles at club-level as a coach in Austria, Turkey and Germany.

Like most of his squad before this World Cup, Loew was largely unknown outside of Germany, but his tactical ability and reading of the game has seen his side claim the scalps of two of international footballs giants.

Having noted England's defence struggled for pace, Loew insisted on fast counter-attacks to allow pacey midfielders Mesut Ozil and Thomas Mueller to exploit the space at the back with devastating consequences for Capello's side.

Against Argentina, Germany's tireless work in defence cut off Messi's supply of possession and without the ball to showcase his attacking brilliance, Loew's team reduced the world footballer of the year to a redundant midfielder.

Even Maradona was humbled by Germany's performance on what he decribed as the 'toughest day of my life' as Bastian Schweinsteiger bossed the midfield and Miroslav Klose scored twice in the rout.

Despite his low profile, Loew succeeded Jurgen Klinsmann as head coach four years ago and guided the Germans to the Euro 2008 final where they lost 1-0 to Spain in Vienna.

He showed he can handle Germany's big-name stars during a player revolt in October 2008.

First, reserve striker Kevin Kuranyi stormed out at half-time of the qualifying victory over Russia, bitter about a lack of opportunities, then captain Michael Ballack questioned Loew's commitment to his senior players.

Ballack was brought back into line without losing face, while Kuranyi was simply told he will never play for Germany again while Loew in in charge.

The key to Loew's success here has been his squad's fitness, allowing them to exploit the gaps in defences, blended with established senior players like captain Philipp Lahm, Klose and Schweinsteiger leading by example.

To a man, the Germany squad - with an average age of just under 25 - has risen to the occasion. There were only glimpses in the warm-up games to the dazzling form produced in South Africa by rising stars Ozil and Mueller.

Ironically, the blow of losing Ballack has transpired to be a blessing in disguise as the next generation have seized their chance.

Likewise, senior forwards Lukas Podolski and Klose scored just five Bundesliga goals goals between them last season, compared to the six World Cup goals they have already scored here in just six games.

Now just two more blockbusting displays could well see Loew's side claiming a fourth World Cup title for Germany. (Agencies)

Flying Dutchmen undaunted by Brazil

2010-07-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Flying Dutchmen undaunted by Brazil

Coach Dunga has a few injury and suspension worries. Ramires is suspended while Elano has been confirmed to be out with an ankle injury.

Felipe Melo is training normally but he may not start on Friday afternoon. Daniel Alves will be the replacement for Elano while Josue or Kleberson will be drafted in as replacement for Ramires.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Bastos; Gilberto Silva, Josue; Alves, Kaka, Robinho; Luis Fabiano

The Dutch have no injury concerns. Arjen Robben will start again and coach Bert van Marwijk is unlikely to chance his lineup. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mark van Bommel and Nigel De Jong will be the two central midfielders entrusted with the task of protecting the back four and breaking Brazilian moves while Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt will be the two widemen with Wesley Sneijder playing through the middle.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst; Van Bommel, De Jong; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; Van Persie

PORT ELIZABETH, July 1: The impressive Dutch march through the World Cup finals might hit a brick wall on Friday when they meet a Brazil side in startling form and looking everything like becoming champions for a sixth time.

Netherlands have their sights set on lifting the trophy themselves but coach Bert van Marwijk faces a tactical dilemma for a quarterfinal in Port Elizabeth against a team that has mercilessly punished their opponents, whatever their approach.

With three forwards, Chile boldly attacked the Samba Boys in their second round encounter but lost 3-0 after being torn to shreds by a side that looked close to flawless in all areas of the pitch.

Likewise, putting up the shutters in defence does not seem to work much either, with the likes of the brilliant Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano relentlessly chipping away.

Coach Dunga, who was captain when Brazil beat Netherlands in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, said their opponents were technically strong and his team had to be prepared.

However, accommodation arrangements and an unfamiliar training venue seemed to be more of a concern to Dunga than the threat of Brazil's in-form and confident opponents.

“It interferes with things,” he said. “We will have to share a hotel with more people, there will be more confusion, and we will have to overcome this situation. Now, we are going to move to another reality,” he said.

Elano will be missing on Friday with a bruised ankle sustained during Brazil's game with Ivory Coast and Dani Alvez will likely fill the void, as he did against Chile.

Felipe Melo has an ankle injury and his replacement Ramires is suspended for two yellow cards, meaning Josue will likely get a start against the Dutch.

Netherlands have won all four of their matches and Arjen Robben's early goal on his return from injury in their 2-1 win over Slovakia has given the team a major lift.

They have endured criticism about dull play but winger Ryan Babel insisted the Dutch had so far faced opponents who had used negative tactics and Brazil's attacking flair would bring the best out of them.

“We play our better games against teams that want to play football as well and on Friday, Brazil is not going to wait,” he said.

Van Marwijk believes his team can go all the way having been in control in their group matches. He will be expecting something entirely different against Brazil, however.

“Perhaps we might be the underdogs for the first time in South Africa. We are confident but the Brazilians also convey this confidence. It’s almost like they’re invincible,” he said.

“But we’re here for one reason, to get the big prize. We have to believe in it,” he said. (Agencies)

Saina not worried about ranking

2010-06-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

Saina not worried about ranking

Hyderabad, June 30: After notching up a hat-trick of international titles, Saina Nehwal is in no hurry to become the numero uno badminton player in the world and now wants to do well in forthcoming World Championships and Commonwealth Games in October. “This year there is the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and also the Asian Games. So I will be working towards that. I did not expect to reach number three ranking, but have reached there and I am quite confident I can also reach number one position. But before that, it is important for me to play well in the World Championships and the Delhi Commonwealth Games,” Saina told PTI.

Saina, who pocketed the hat-trick of titles by defending the Indonesian Open Super Series trophy in Jakarta recently, also made it clear that she had never set deadlines for improve in the world ranking.

“I did not keep a target to reach number three. I thought by this year end I may be at number four or five, but I have reached number three so fast. So, I can be number one or may go down also because I am not playing so many tournaments,” she pointed out.

The 20-year-old, however, feels that there is enough space for further improvement. “A player is never perfect. You have to work hard to keep on improving every time. I have to improve my defence, net, backhands and forehands. I should work on the areas where I am weak,” she said. “The coaches are finding something special. They will try to improve and tell me to learn something new. Right now, I am not thinking of what to do. The plan is to start (practice) from the next week. (PTI)

World Cup opens with on a joyous, noisy note

2010-06-11T23:02:00.001-07:00

World Cup opens with on a joyous, noisy note

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Nelson Mandela would have loved it. The joy, the pulsating music and dazzling colors, the big party to celebrate the world's embrace of South Africa -- even the scrappy 1-1 draw.

Dashing the hopes of many, the anti-apartheid hero and former president couldn't make it to the opening of the World Cup on Friday. Nearly 92, Mandela is frail, and his family was sent into shock when his 13-year-old great-granddaughter was killed in car crash on the way home from Thursday night's gala pre-tournament concert.

But Mandela sent a message, via South African President Jacob Zuma, that the revelers should enjoy themselves. They took it to heart.

From the start of the ceremony to the final whistle of the first match, four hours later, Soccer City was abuzz with vuvuzelas -- the plastic horns favored by South African fans that collectively sound like the amplified interior of a beehive.

Most of the crowd of 84,000 wore the yellow jerseys of Bafana Bafana, the host country's team, with a few pockets of green -- fans of Mexico, South Africa's foe in the opener.

Even the result did little to did dampen the festive mood. Mexico is ranked much higher among football nations, after all.

The level of euphoria somehow ratcheted to a higher level when Siphiwe Tshabalala gave South Africa a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute. Mexico's equalizer, 24 minutes later, subdued the noise only briefly.

It was a day that many South Africans welcomed with amazement. Only 20 years ago, their nation was still in the throes of apartheid -- and the target of an international sports boycott because of those racial segregation policies.

On Friday, whites and blacks cheered side by side for the home team.

Just before kickoff, Zuma, wearing a scarf in national colors, and FIFA President Sepp Blatter spoke briefly to the crowd from midfield.

Blatter depicted this World Cup as a triumph for Africa, which had never before hosted the event despite its passion for the game. He added: "The spirit of Mandela is in Soccer City."

The crowd then rose for the Mexican and South African national anthems -- the latter a fusion of the main hymn of the anti-apartheid movement and the anthem of the former white-minority government.

Then it was game time and the horns sounded louder than ever.

Several key players in South Africa's political transformation were there, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who at one point was dancing in his seat to the music. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden also was among the VIPs.

It was not an occasion for those who like it quiet, thanks to the vuvuzelas -- although they were briefly drowned out by the overflight of military jets just before the opening ceremony.

The public address announcer then begged the crowd to ease up on the noise so the global television audience could hear the music. The plea met with limited success.

An all-star cast of musicians, including South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and American singer R. Kelly, performed. Cast members brought out large placards with the flags of the 32 nations competing in the tournament, holding them high as a final burst of fireworks ended the show.

Before long, the video screens were showing South Africa's players were dancing, singing and chanting in the tunnel on their way to the field.

Soccer City was nowhere near full at the start of the opening ceremony. Thousands of fans were stuck in traffic jams on roads leading to the stadium -- regaled along the way by groups of dancing, chanting young people in Bafana shirts and by vendors selling the multicolored South African flag.

"The traffic was mad! There should have been better organization," said 24-year-old Farzana Essop, whose party turned back before reaching the stadium, where they'd hoped -- somehow -- to obtain tickets.

Those who didn't go to the stadium had ample options.

South African city officials set up 10 official fan parks in the nine host cities to cater to fans who couldn't get match tickets.

In downtown Johannesburg, a viewing area was so packed that a crowd-control barrier was toppled. It didn't stop the party.

France, Uruguay play 0-0 draw

2010-06-11T23:01:00.001-07:00

France, Uruguay play 0-0 draw

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- Nil-nil draws can be the scourge of soccer. Yet nobody who participated in Friday night's 0-0 World Cup match between France and Uruguay was complaining.

The game between former champions produced an opening day dud, yet there was much satisfaction expressed by each team for gaining a point.

"It is almost a beautiful 0-0," France coach Raymond Domenech said. "But the result is what it is."

Even if some of the tournament's top stars -- France's Franck Ribery and Uruguay's Diego Forlan -- showed flashes, the fear of losing the opening game stifled both offenses.

The low point came when Uruguay's Nicolas Lodeiro was ejected after a wild challenge on Bacary Sagna in the 81st minute for his second yellow card.

In the end, an early short-range miss by France's Sidney Govou and an excellent save from Uruguay's Fernando Muslera left Group A as wide open as possible.

"There weren't many chances for either team, neither team wanted to take many chances," Forlan said. "It was very complicated. The whole game was equal, I thought."

The match at the sold-out 64,100 Green Point Stadium had few of the thrills and drama of the 1-1 opener between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City, but the result left all four teams tied with one point.

South Africa plays Uruguay next on Wednesday, one day before France meets Mexico. Lodeiro will be suspended for the game with the host team.

Down to 10 men for the last 9 minutes plus 3 minutes of injury time, Uruguay concentrated on kicking the ball away from its penalty area and net. But even with a man up, France failed to find a goal.

"We had to guard against an unlucky counter," Domenech said.

After the final whistle, the Uruguayans embraced, happy to have escaped with a point, while most French players looked sullen, saddled with the disappointment of a lost opportunity.

French coach Domenech swiped his hand in frustration and then dug them deep in his pockets before going to shake Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez's hand.

Both teams were bothered by a slippery pitch that made deep passes next to impossible and left even Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimmura unsure of his footing at one stage.

France dominated the first half, but its lack of a finishing touch showed the lack of confidence that has long affected the 1998 champion.

Great work from Abou Diaby set up Ribery on the left side and his pinpoint low cross found Govou in the center. But Govou didn't blast the ball home, sending it far wide instead.

Some of France's best chances came from set pieces, usually taken by Yoann Gourcuff. On one, the midfielder curled a free kick to the near corner, forcing Fernando Muslera to make an excellent save.

Uruguay, which won the title in 1930 and 1950, sometimes had at least seven players in its penalty area to contain a lone Frenchman.

It clearly wanted to give its standout forward duo of Forlan and Luis Suarez room to take on the French defense. And in the 17th minute, he outwitted Bakari Sagna and swept past a slow-moving William Gallas to give goalie Hugo Lloris his first test. It was Uruguay's only first-half chance.

In the 72nd minute, Forlan had an open shot from 15 yards he sent just went wide.

Paes-Dlouhy cruise to French Open final

2010-06-04T00:21:00.002-07:00

PARIS, June 3 (PTI): Leander Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy are just one step away from winning back-to-back French Open men’s doubles title after they stormed into the final with a straight set victory over Julian Knowle and Andy Ram here today.

The third seeded Indo-Czech duo defeated their 10th seeded opponents Knowle of Austria and Ram of Israel 6-4, 6-2 in a lop-sided semifinal match which lasted 75 minutes at Roland Garros.

If Paes and Dlouhy win the summit match against second seeded duo of Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia, it would be the fourthFrench Open men’s doubles title for the Indian.

Paes has already won the title in 1999 and 2001 (both with Mahesh Bhupathi) and then with Dlouhy in 2009.

With already six men’s doubles and five mixed doubles Grand Slam crowns in his pocket, Paes, if he wins the final this time, will become the Indian with most Grand Slam triumphs with 12 titles – one more than his estranged partner Bhupathi. Paes and Cara Black, who won the Australian Open mixed doubles Grand Slam title early this year, however, are already out of theFrench Open after losing their match in the quarterfinals here.

Paes and Dlouhy made a rollicking start breaking their opponents’ serve in the first game and then held their own to surge 2-0 ahead.

The defending champions then broke Knowle-Ram in the seventh game to go 5-2 up and wrapped up the first set 6-4 in 37 minutes. A set up, Paes and Dlouhy, however, did not show any complacency and won five points in a row by breaking their opponents in the first, third and fifth games to go 5-0 up in the second set.

Nadal in semis

2010-06-04T00:21:00.001-07:00

PARIS, June 3 (Agencies): Rafael Nadal is so good on clay he has reached this week’s semifinals at the French Open, and not many top players can say that.

Eager to reassert himself as the king of clay, Nadal has been immune to the recent wave of upsets at Roland Garros. The four-time champion advanced on Wednesday to the final four by beating fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3), 6-4.

“When I am in semifinals, it’s very good news for me,” Nadal said.

His opponent on Friday will be journeyman Jurgen Melzer, who joined the upset trend by rallying past No. 3-seeded Novak Djokovic 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-4. Melzer never advanced beyond the third round in his previous 31 Grand Slam tournaments.

There was also a shocker on the women’s side – top-ranked Serena Williams lost to Australian spoiler Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-7 (2), 8-6. The surprises began Monday, when Stosur ended four-time champion Justine Henin’s Roland Garros winning streak at 24 matches. On Tuesday, top-ranked Roger Federer lost to Robin Soderling.

Kuznetsova eases into French Open second round

2010-05-23T19:32:00.001-07:00

Kuznetsova eases into French Open second round

PARIS, May 23: Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova reeled off 11 of the last 12 games to move into the French Open second round with a 6-3, 6-1 win against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Kuznetsova arrived in Paris having won just one claycourt match this season and was in trouble early on against her 20-year-old opponent who made the quarter-finals last year.

Kuznetsova was 1-3 down as Cirstea, the world number 34 who just missed out on a seeding, quickly settled into her rhythm on a sweltering spring day in Paris.

But the Russian, who had won the pair’s only other clash in the second round of the 2008 US Open, rattled off the next five games to claim the opener after 38 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Somdev Devvarman qualifies for French Open

2010-05-21T19:58:00.001-07:00

Somdev Devvarman qualifies for French Open

PARIS, May 21: Somdev Devvarman became the first Indian in 13 years to qualify for the men’s singles event of the French Open after scoring a 6-4, 6-1 win over Adrian Mannarino.

It took sixth seed Somdev one hour and 25 minutes to quell the challenge of his French rival in the third and final round and seal one of the 16 main draw spots up for grab.

Leander Paes was the last Indian to play in men’s singles event of the French Open in 1997 when he made the second round of the clay court Grand Slam.

This is for the second time that Somdev has qualified for the men’s singles of a Grand Slam tournament. He first played in a tennis Major at the US Open last year and had reached second round.

Shoaib opts spiritual treatment for knee pain

2010-05-18T20:20:00.001-07:00

Shoaib opts spiritual treatment for knee pain

KARACHI, May 18: Eager to make a comeback to the national team, Pakistan’s controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has approached a spiritual healer for the treatment of his chronic knee pain, which could not be cured even after a major surgery in England last year. According to sources close to the bowler, Shoaib went to see a spiritual/faith healer in Karachi who specialises in treating people with orthopedic and muscular problems. A source said the healer has attributed the pain to a nerve being trapped inside the knee resulting in blockage of normal blood circulation. According to the source Shoaib had admitted taking injections regularly and medications to fight the pain. (PTI)

Webber wins Monaco Grand Prix

2010-05-16T20:50:00.001-07:00

Webber wins Monaco Grand Prix

MONTE CARLO, May 16: Mark Webber leapt into serious contention for this year’s drivers’ world championship on Sunday when he drove to an imperious victory ahead of his precocious young teammate Sebastian Vettel in the Monaco Grand Prix. The 33-year-old Australian led from start to finish and made light of four interruptions for the introduction of the Safety Car on his way to a second comprehensive win in succession, having won equally impressively in Spain last weekend. It was the fourth win of his career, his second this year and he became the first Australian victor on the famous Mediterranean street circuit, bathed in more glamour than sunshine this time, since Jack Brabham won in 1959, on his way to the world title. It was also the Red Bull team’s third one-two triumph in succession and their fourth in six races this year, sufficient evidence to confirm with reasonable certainty that they have overcome their reliability problems - at least on slower circuits.(Agencies)

Beckham confirms offer of England coaching role

2010-05-14T20:24:00.001-07:00

Beckham confirms offer of England coaching role

ZURICH, May 14: David Beckham has confirmed he is keen to accept England manager Fabio Capello’s invitation to join his coaching staff at the World Cup. Beckham has been ruled out of the tournament in South Africa after rupturing his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan in March, but Capello wants the 35-year-old midfielder to play his part on the sidelines instead. Capello and his assistant Franco Baldini have given Beckham the chance to work as an intermediary between manager and players, as well as assisting on the training ground. Beckham, speaking on Friday at the presentation of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, admitted he is hopeful his rehabilitation from the injury will have progressed far enough to allow him to make the trip to South Africa. “I’ve spoken to the manager and Franco Baldini and they have made it well aware that I have a role to play with the players and the team,” Beckham said. “We have not discussed specifics but I’m honoured that a manager of Fabio’s status feels I can be important. “I am hoping to travel with the team but obviously we’ll have to see how my therapy goes.” The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is believed to have initially been concerned that his presence in the England camp could become a distraction. But Capello and Baldini have assured Beckham that he would be a valuable part of their bid to win the World Cup. Beckham is not expected to travel to England’s pre-World Cup training camp in Austria when the squad leaves on Monday, but he is set to be on the plane for South Africa on June 2. (Agencies)

WADA ‘whereabouts’ clause won’t create problem in World Cup: Shetty

2010-05-13T20:15:00.001-07:00

WADA ‘whereabouts’ clause won’t create problem in World Cup: Shetty

MUMBAI, May 13: Stand off between cricket authorities and the World Anti-Doping Agency over the controversial “whereabouts” clause in the WADA Anti-Doping Code is unlikely to create any problem for the 2011 ICC World Cup, feels tournament director Ratnakar Shetty.

“I don’t foresee a problem. WADA has told ICC it’s their problem to get it resolved. BCCI (Indian cricket board) has expressed certain concerns only about the whereabouts clause, nothing more than that,” Shetty, who is also BCCI’s chief administrative officer, said in an exclusive interview.

“ICC, WADA officials and BCCI had a meeting three months back in Dubai. It went off very well where we made it very clear that India is not opposed to the dope test, it’s only about the whereabouts clause where 24 hours the sportsman has to file in the details. That could be resolved,” Shetty explained.

“We are seeking the support of other boards also. N Srinivasan (BCCI secretary) and Shashank Manohar (BCCI president) have been working with other cricket boards as well as with ICC to find an early solution to this problem.

Anand retains world chess title

2010-05-11T20:21:00.001-07:00

Anand retains world chess title

Sofia, May 11: Viswanathan Anand held his nerve and focus way better than his opponent Veselin Topalov here on Tuesday to win the 12th and final game to retain his World Chess Championships title. The 40-year-old Indian beat local man from Bulgaria in the closing game with black pieces to emerge a 6.5-5.5 winner and seal his place as one of the dominant players of his era.

Anand first won the world title in 2000 and held it till 2002 when the chess world was still split. He became the undisputed World champion in 2007 and then retained the title in 2008 when he beat Vladimir Kramnik. This time around he beat Topalov to cement his place among one of the games’ all-time greats. Anand, who travelled more than 40 hours by road to reach the venue as flights in Europe were suspended due to the volcanic ash from Iceland, lost the first game. He, however, quickly hit back with wins in the second and third game.

India beat South Korea 3-2 in Azlan Shah

2010-05-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

India beat South Korea 3-2 in Azlan Shah

Ipoh (Malaysia), May 9: Defending champions India quelled a late Korean surge to eke out a narrow 3-2 victory and stretch their unbeaten run in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here today. The Indian scorers were Arjun Halappa (10th minute), Tushar Khandker (45th) and Shivendra Singh (60th), while Korea scored through two penalty corner strikes by Nam Hyun Woo in the 12th and 70th minutes.

India began aggressively mounting onslaughts with central midfielders Arjun Halappa and Vikas Pillay setting up wingers Mandip Antil and Tushar Khandker who penetrated and split the Korean defence. They earned the first penalty corner in the fifth minute after Halappa found the foot of Korean captain and sweeper Lee Nam Yong.

India beat Pakistan 4-2

2010-05-07T20:12:00.001-07:00

India beat Pakistan 4-2

Ipoh (Malaysia), May 7: Defending champions India breathed life into their Azlan Shah hockey campaign with a resounding 4-2 win over arch rivals Pakistan here on Friday. India opened the scoring in the 26th minute through Sardar Singh to go 1-0 up at half time. Pakistan’s Muhammad Imran converted a penalty stroke to draw level in the 37th minute in the action-packed second half. India then scored thrice to take a decisive 4-1 lead with contributions from Mandeep Antil (47th), Gurbaj Singh (53rd) and Tushar Khandekar (56th minute). Pakistan pulled back one through Kasif Ali's drag-flick strike in the 66th minute but it was too little too late. It was an improved performance by India who wasted five penalty corners and struck in the dying moments to escape with a 1-1 draw against China in their first match. India, who defeated Pakistan in their last meeting at the hockey World Cup in New Delhi, had to win this match to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. India seized the initiative and started making deep forays into the Pakistani half led by Arjun Hallapa who did not play the match against China on Thursday

Serena in quarters

2010-05-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

Serena in quarters

ROME, May 5: World number one Serena Williams overcame a mid-match slump to defeat unseeded Andrea Petkovic in three sets at the Foro Italico on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Rome Open.

The Australian Open champion won 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 against the 49th ranked German but rarely looked to be at her best.

Serena is playing in her first tournament since winning in Melbourne in January but unlike her second round match on Tuesday when she started slowly, here she was out of the blocks quickly enough.

She broke Petkovic in the fifth game with a backhand winner down the line and then again in the seventh with a cross-court forehand winner. Petkovic had not been overawed by her illustrious opponent, though, and was matching her for winners while Serena was producing as many unforced errors as the 22-year-old. Things got interesting in the second set as Petkovic broke Williams in the fourth game and had three break points for a 5-1 lead in the favourite's next service game.

Serena saved those, held and then broke back after Petkovic netted a forehand, a regular feature of her play.

However, the German of Serbian origin then stepped up her game and made two outright forehand winners and a backhand winner on break point to move ahead 5-3.

Serena had two chances to break back immediately but could not take either and she handed her opponent the set with a netted forehand. That seemed to focus her mind, though, and she romped through the final set with little fuss. (Agencies)

AIFF president in damage-control mode

2010-05-04T20:39:00.001-07:00

AIFF president in damage-control mode

New Delhi, May 4: Realizing the seriousness of the controversy surrounding national coach Bob Houghton’s resignation, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel has called the members of the executive committee for a crisis management meeting on Thursday.

In a bid to defuse the crisis, Patel will have an informal dinner meeting at his residence with all the committee members before the executive meets the next day (Friday).

Even as Patel started talking to senior AIFF officials, he maintained that Houghton has not resigned.

“The news about Houghton resigning as the football coach is not correct. I myself spoke to him last night in Cape Town. I think the only issue between the AIFF and the coach is that Houghton wants to know his future post-January 2011, when his contract comes to an end,” Patel, who is also the civil aviation minister, told reporters outside Parliament on Tuesday.

Patel said that there is no other issue between him and the federation.

“Bob continues to be our coach and I am sure the Indian team will play under his leadership in the Asian Cup in Doha in January. The news about the shoddy treatment meted out to him was incorrect,” Patel added.

Patel said that the executive committee will meet on Friday to discuss the issue.

“We are meeting on Friday where this issue will also be discussed. Once again, Houghton has not resigned,” Patel said.

Houghton resigned as India’s chief football coach on Monday following his differences with AIFF secretary general Alberto Colaco.

A top official in the AIFF told IANS that Patel has requested Houghton to reconsider his decision.

“But Patel will have some tough time in pacifying the executive committee members, who are angry with Colaco. Thanks to Colaco, Indian football is facing another crisis,” the source said.

The official said that differences between Houghton and Colaco reached the flash point when the secretary general during his visit to Malaysia for an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting last month, met a top agent and asked him to look for a replacement for Houghton.

“Despite several differences, Houghton was willing to extend his contract after the mega-event and had even informed Colaco about it on April 5. But when Houghton heard that Colaco had asked the agent to look for a new coach, he was furious and resigned on Monday through an e-mail, giving a notice of three months,” the official said.

Speaking to IANS from Cape Town, Houghton said: “Yes, I have resigned. But it is a more complicated issue.” (IANS)

AIFF to renew Houghton’s contract

2010-05-02T20:47:00.001-07:00

AIFF to renew Houghton’s contract

NEW DELHI, May 2: Faced with a resignation threat, All India Football Federation is set to renew national coach Bob Houghton's contract beyond Asian Cup in January next year.

Houghton had threatened to resign if his contract is not renewed till 2013, besides also demanding a hike of $10,000 per month after his current tenure ends in January 2011. The Englishman was apparently ticked off by the AIFF looking for a new coach after his current stint.

AIFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco said that with President Praful Patel's consent and consultation with some executive committee members, the federation has informed Houghton, through his manager, its willingness to renew the contract.

“Bob’s agent communicated to us Bob’s willingness to extend his contract. After consulting the AIFF President Praful Patel and some of the committee members we have written to the agent that we are willing to renew the contract,” Colaco said.

Houghton himself is incommunicado but sources who have been talking to him said it was a top AIFF official who told the English coach's agent that the national federation was looking for a coach after his contract ends in January next year. That ticked off Houghton who, through his agent, informed the AIFF that he would resign if his contract is not renewed till 2013 besides also demanding a pay hike of $10,000 per month, sources said.

“Houghton never said that he would not want to continue beyond Asian Cup in January 2011. He has some offers from other countries but that is in future, only after January 2011.

“He doesn't want to end up jobless after January given that AIFF was on a lookout for a new coach. If your employer is looking for another coach then naturally you will feel insecure,” the sources said.

The AIFF is a divided house and its executive committee meeting on May 7 could see some fireworks from pro and anti Houghton groups.

Those against Houghton feel that the Englishman, who reportedly is earning $2,40,000 per year as salary, has taken the chance of AIFF looking for a coach to his advantage and has inserted a term to increase his salary. “Houghton’s contract will be reviewed by the executive committee and if at all it is to be renewed some clauses will be added and it is upto him to accept or reject them,” an executive committee member said. (PTI)

Nadal wins Monte Carlo Masters

2010-04-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

Nadal wins Monte Carlo Masters

MONTE CARLO, April 18: World number three Rafael Nadal won the Monte Carlo Masters for a record sixth consecutive time with a 6-0 6-1 drubbing of fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the final on Sunday.

Nadal, who had not claimed an ATP title in the past 11 months, won his 32nd straight match in the glitzy principality with yet another stunning display of claycourt tennis.

Four-times French Open champion Nadal raced through the opening set as Verdasco, playing in his first Masters final, proved unable to live with him. (Agencies)

Abhinav Bindra shoots out at the India International Sports Summit

2010-04-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

Bindra sprung to life when he donned the role of the keynote speaker on the topic: Winning 20 Gold Medals in 2020.

India’s lone Olympic gold medallist spoke with a burning passion, was sharp, displayed a clinical thought process and spoke his mind.abhinav_bindra

“We have been too content for too long. When we don’t excel at the highest level we fall back on our lofty ideals. Now the time has come to play to win at all costs,” he said.

Bindra juxtaposed Martina Navratilova’s lines to further highlight the underlying lack of killer instinct among the sporting community in the country. “Whoever said ‘It’s not whether you win or lose that counts,’ probably lost.”

The sharpshooter wasn’t going to mince his words. “Our current group of elite athletes won’t fetch us any medals in 2020. We don’t have a plan for the next two years,” Bindra added, wondering whether there was any vision beyond this year’s Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi in October.

Bindra said his 10-metre air rifle gold at the Beijing Olympics was the culmination of nearly two decades of hard work, training and sacrifice.

“Athletes and champions cannot be groomed overnight. We must go and look for talent and make investments. We need to talent scout from the sub-junior age-group. The level of domestic competition also needs to be improved else our athletes will be found out of depth at the international level,” Bindra said.

The ace shooter also believes that no emotion or sentiment should be attached and favouritism shouldn’t come to the fore when teams are picked to represent the country at the junior or senior levels.

“There should be no room for non-performers. Sports associations and federations should rid themselves of regional biases and sycophancy.”

Eight-time world billiards champion Geet Sethi, who is also a driving force behind the Olympic Gold Quest, said: “India has consolidated its position. Now it the time to take the graph higher. In 1996 Leander Paes won the bronze in tennis and Karnam Malleshwari won a bronze in weightlifting in 2000.

“We did better when shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won silver in 2004.

“We went a step ahead with Bindra’s gold and the two bronze medals from Vijender Singh (boxing) and Sushil Kumar (wrestling) at Beijing. “Winning 20 gold medals in 2020 is not a pipedream if we can provide world-class infrastructure, training and sustained support to our best athletes.”

Talking on the sidelines of the summit, Bindra, when asked what continues to motivate him, said, “Olympic gold is an ultimate dream but now I have to challenge new limits. But even if I don’t do well now, I’ll die as a gold medallist.”

On India’s chances in shooting at the CWG, Bindra said, “we have done really well in the past at the CWG. I see no reason why we can’t win medals again this year. I am sure we will win more than one medal in the next Olympics in shooting alone.”

Bindra also revealed that the recent shooting selection controversy, which first saw him being excluded from the core group of the CWG, was an incentive to excel.

“It was a motivational factor for me to do well. I had in mind that I have to perform to prove them wrong. But I was never really concerned about it. Luckily I’ve been shooting well and I tried to use that criticism positively.”

Chhetri set to make official debut

2010-04-15T18:49:00.001-07:00

Chhetri set to make official debut

NEW DELHI, April 13: Sunil Chhetri is all set to become the first Indian to play for a Major League Soccer side when he makes his official debut for Kansas City Wizards in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifier match against Colorado Rapids.

Chhetri is expected to play against the Rapids at the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus early morning on Wednesday (IST) after KC Wizards made official announcement that he has been added to the 24-man roster.

The diminutive Indian did not play in Wizards’ second MLS match against the Rapids on April 10 as he did not have his clearance papers from the United States Soccer Federation and the MLS.

Chhetri was pleased to see his name on the roster and said, “I’m very excited to be able to appear with the team. We have a good squad and I’m going to give my best to help us on the field.” (PTI)

Chhetri set to make official debut

2010-04-14T19:04:00.001-07:00

Chhetri set to make official debut

The diminutive Indian did not play in Wizards’ second MLS match against the Rapids on April 10 as he did not have his clearance papers from the United States Soccer Federation and the MLS.

Somdev touches career-best ranking

2010-04-12T19:56:00.001-07:00

Somdev touches career-best ranking

New Delhi, April 12: India’s Somdev Devvarman continues to prosper on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour and has risen to a career-high ranking of 110 on its charts here on Monday. Somdev, who came close to knocking out former World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the second round of the US men's Clay Court Championship, has improved upon his previous best of 116 last week. Somdev, who shot into prominence at the university of Virginia, winning back-to-back US collegiate singles titles in 2007-8, was largely instrumental in taking India into the Davis Cup World Group this year, though they lost to Russia in the first round. US-based Indian Prakash Amritraj climbed two places to 198. In the men’s doubles ranking, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi remain unchanged at sixth and seventh position. (IANS)

Drogba keeps Chelsea on course

2010-04-11T19:39:00.001-07:00

Drogba keeps Chelsea on course

LONDON, April 11: Didier Drogba sent holders Chelsea on their way to a 3-0 win over top flight rivals Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.

The Ivory Coast striker broke the deadlock in the 68th minute before Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard completed the win with two late goals as Premier League leaders Chelsea remained on course for a domestic ‘Double’. Chelsea will now return to Wembley on May 15 where they will face the winners of Sunday’s second semi-final between fellow Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth. This was no routine victory but once Drogba had turned home John Terry’s shot on goal following a mistake by Villa defender Richard Dunne, the outcome was never in doubt. Malouda added a second in the 89th minute, connecting with Michael Ballack’s right wing cross and Lampard completed the scoring in added time by capping a fine run with a composed finish.

For Villa, defeat meant a second Wembley disappointment this season after their League Cup final defeat at the hands of Manchester United in February. Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti had warned his side they would face a very different Villa team to the one that capitulated so meekly at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.

Relieved that Sachin won't play World T20: Bosman

2010-04-08T23:24:00.000-07:00

South African opener Loots Bosman is relieved that Sachin Tendulkar won't be playing in the Twenty20 World Championships later this month but he feels even without the senior batsman India remains a very dangerous outfit.

Bosman has been honing his skills with coach Corrie van Zyl while most of his teammates play in the Indian Premier League.

The Proteas will take on India in their first match of the World Championship in St. Lucia, the West Indies on May 2 and Bosman said he and his teammates were happy to know that Tendulkar would not be playing in the Caribbean.

"But India still has a lot of very dangerous players that one has to keep in account," he told Afrikaans daily 'The Beeld'.

Bosman said is ready to take on the spinners if India decides to open with them in the event.

It will be Bosman's first Twenty20 World Cup after he missed the inaugural one at home in 2007 due to a back injury and the second in England last year because of a knee injury.

Bosman said he did not regret being one of only three South Africans, who were not playing in the IPL, as he might just have been injured again like captain Graeme Smith, Wayne Parnell and Justin Kemp.

AATA releases new ranking list

2010-04-08T11:38:00.001-07:00

AATA releases new ranking list

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 7: The All Assam Tennis Association (AATA) has released the new ranking list of the state players. Aloke Kumar Tripathy ranked number one in the mens section. The other players who ranked top in different categories are Parikshit Somani (Boys U-12), Priyana Kalita (Girls U-12), Tanvir Aman (Boys U-14), Amrita Nath (Girls U-14), Madhurya Dutta (Boys U-16), Manaswinee Hazarika (Girls U-16), Alok Kumar Tripathi (Boys U-18) and Marisha Dutta ( Girls U-18).

Jumbo is mascot for 2011 World Cup

2010-04-06T11:59:00.001-07:00

Jumbo is mascot for 2011 World Cup

MUMBAI, April 5: “Appu”, the elephant was the mascot of the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi and almost two decades down the line, the pachyderm has been chosen to perform the same role at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The CWC mascot was unveiled at a function in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 2 and the World Cup organisers on Monday announced that cricket fans based in the host nations would be able to participate in a contest to name the mascot. The details pertaining to the consumer contest (address on which to send entries and deadline) will be intimated in due course, said Tournament Director Professor Ratnakar Shetty. (PTI)

Sutil fifth

2010-04-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

Sutil fifth

Sepang, April 4: Force India’s point-scoring spree continued unabated as Adrian Sutil drove a flawless race, keeping 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton at bay, for a fifth place finish to earn 10 invaluable points from today’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

Teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi, who scored points in both the previous races this season, was less fortunate as the Italian retired on lap 12 with a suspected throttle problem.

Indian Formula One driver Karun Chandhok finished the race 15th, ahead of Hispania teammate Bruno Senna. After failing to score point in the first two races this year, Sutil started the race fourth on the grid and drove a faultless race to open his account.

Force India chairman Vijay Mallya said ideally both the cars should have scored points but he had no complaints. “Three races and three times in the points, I am absolutely delighted,” Mallya said.

“Adrian had a strong race, keeping a cool head under pressure when a charging Lewis Hamilton was right on his tail.

‘Thackeray’s comments on Sania cheap gimmick’

2010-04-04T09:21:00.001-07:00

‘Thackeray’s comments on Sania cheap gimmick’

NEW DELHI, April 3: Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy Saturday termed as “cheap political gimmicks” Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s comments on Sania Mirza’s proposed marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.

“The comment of Bal Thackeray is highly symptomatic of his notorious tendency to lend a communal colour to every issue. The people of India, in the second decade of 21st century, are much too mature and sophisticated for such cheap political gimmicks,” Reddy said in a statement released here.

Calling it to be the personal decision of Sania Mirza, Reddy said: “It is unfortunate that the Shiv Sena leader, Bal Thackeray, has chosen to criticise the decision of Sania Mirza to marry a Pakistani cricketer on political grounds.”

Sania’s heart beats for Pakistani: Thackeray

2010-04-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Sania’s heart beats for Pakistani: Thackeray

MUMBAI, April 2: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, on Friday, flayed tennis star Sania Mirza for her decision to marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, saying “had Sania’s heart been Indian, it wouldn’t have beaten for a Pakistani.”

“Henceforth, Sania will not remain an Indian. Had her heart been Indian, it wouldn’t have beaten for a Pakistani. If she wished to play for India, she should have chosen an Indian life partner,” 84-year-old Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna.

“More than victories on tennis court, Sania became famous for her tight clothes, fashion and love affairs,” Thackeray alleged.

“More than her play, people’s attention was on her mannerisms,” he claimed.
The Shiv Sena supremo alleged that “for Shoaib, India is an enemy, not only in sports arena but also in the battlefield.

“We have heard that Shoaib has many affairs in India and has promised many girls he will marry them,” he said.

Thackeray also expressed surprise over the alacrity with which Sania’s family members were granted Pakistani visas.

“Getting a Pakistani visa is tough even for a singer like Lata Mangeshkar,” he said.

Lajong stun Mohun Bagan

2010-03-28T10:25:00.001-07:00

Kolkata, March 27: Last year’s runners-up Mohun Bagan’s title hopes today went up in smoke after succumbing to a humiliating 1-4 defeat at the hands of debutant Shillong Lajong FC in a round 18 match of the I-League here. Having stunned by last-placed Sporting Clube de Goa in their last round fixture, Mohun Bagan were dealt another big blow at Yuba Bharati Krirangan today when the club from North-East scored two goals in each half to register a comfortable win against the local favourite.

Lajong drew first blood through Seikhohao Tuboi in the ninth minute and then Kelechi Okoya doubled the scoreline in the 20th minute. Bagan, however, reduced the margin through Surkumar Singh in the 37th minute.

But injury time goals from Niwan-O-Gatphoh (90+2”) and Anil Gurung (90+3”) sealed Bagan’s fate. With this win , Lajong climbed up from the relegation zone to be on third last spot with 20 points.

The drop of points for Mohun Bagan (25) meant their title aspirations are over as they are 10 points below leaders Dempo (30), who scored a 2-1 win over JCT in another round 18 match today. Irate Bagan fans hurled abuses against the club officials, especially the management’s decision to replace experienced Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa with rookie Satyajit Chatterjee.

Under Chatterjee the club suffered two back-to-back defeats against little known teams. Missed chances from their dependable players Jose Ramirez Barreto, Edeh Chidi and Snehashish Chakraborty were the order of the day for Bagan as Stanley Rozario’s boys from Shillong took the early lead through Tuboi. (PTI).

SAISC best team

2010-03-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

SAISC best team

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 13: Sports Authority of India Sports Club (SAISC) lifted the best team title in the GSA Inter Club Athletic competition which concluded at the Nehru Stadium here today. SAISC altogether won 45 medals in the tournament which included 25 golds, 12 silvers and 8 bronze medals. Maharana Athletic Club won the runners-up title collecting 15 golds, 13 silvers and 11 bronzes.

In the individual categories, Rinchu Rava of Maharana collected the best athlete award in the U-18 Boys’ section. The trophy for the U-18 Girls’ section was won by Puja Kumari Gupta of SAISC. The best athlete trophy of the U-14 Boys’ and Girls’ section were claimed by Ramu Das (Manipuri Basti High School) and Krishna Saikia (Sarusajai Sports Club).

It may be mentioned here that altogether 92 athletes from different clubs of the city took part in the championship. The closing function of the championship were attended by the president and secretary of the Gauhati Sports Association Pulak Goswami and Munin Nobis respectively along with few other veteran sports organizers. THE SENTINEL

India out of semifinal race, lose to England 2-3

2010-03-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

India out of semifinal race, lose to England 2-3

New Delhi, March 6: India’s marginal hopes of entering the semifinals of the hockey World Cup went up in smoke as England thrashed the home team 3-2 to secure their place in the last-four stage of the mega-event here today.

The defeat not only saw India go out of contention for the semifinal race but the hosts also registered their third straight loss in the tournament after having bruised an equally unimpressive Pakistan 4-1 in their tournament opener.

With four wins from as many matches, England are through to the last-four stage of the tournament and will take on Spain in their inconsequential last pool match on Monday, while India will play South Africa.

Ashley Jackson (42nd and 47th minutes) and James Tindall (16th) of England continued their good show in the tournament, while Gurvinder Singh Chandi (54th) and captain Rajpal Singh (58th) scored for India at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

India lacked the hunger for victory after their back-to-back defeats and looked like a club side in front of their home crowd, committing numerous errors in the all departments of the game. The Indians seemed to have not learnt from their mistakes in the last two matches as they kept on giving open spaces to their opponents inside their circle.

India’s ball-control and trapping was awful. To add to it, the defence, for the third consecutive day, faltered. (PTI)

Germany toy with Canada

2010-03-04T10:43:00.001-08:00

Germany toy with Canada

New Delhi, March 3: Defending champions Germany sounded a warning to their rivals with a 6-0 pounding of Canada in their second pool A match of the Hockey World Cup here on Wednesday. After being held 2-2 by South Korea in the opening match, Germany breathed life into their campaign with a clinical routing of Canada. Germany, who are looking to win the World Cup third time on the trot, went 4-0 up in the first half with a field a score from Benjamin Wess (3rd minute), and penalty-corner conversions from Jan-Marco Montag (21st), captain Maximilian Muller (22nd) and Martin Haner (27th).

Promising striker Florian Fuchs slotted two goals in the second half (58th, 63rd minute) as Germany logged three points to take their tally to four. It was the second biggest victory for Germany in their World Cup history. They came close to their best performance, 7-0 win against India in 1998. Germany completely dominated the first half and controlled the game right from the start. Much of the play was in the Canadian half as German strikers made relentless forays. Canadian goalkeeper Dave Carter had a busy day and made some good saves. Germany, who wasted half a dozen penalty corners against South Korea, earned eight penalty corners in the match and converted three, all in the first half. Wess scored his second goal of the tournament after Oskar Deecke set the ball up for him. Germany then got two successive penalty corners but Canadian goalkeeper Dave Carter and defender Paul Wettlaufer did well to save the drag-flicks of skipper Muller and Montag. But Montag found his touch five minutes later, striking home the second goal from the next penalty corner.

Montag and Muller then combined to score the team's third goal with a beautiful set piece. The former set the ball for his captain who slammed the ball high into the Canadian goal. Haner added to the tally with a low drag flick to the bottom left corner. Germany maintained the tempo in the second half as well. Matthias Witthaus with a neat dribble paved the way for Fuchs to score the fifth goal and the latter then finished in style with a brilliant reverse flick for the sixth. (IANS)

JCT beat Lajong to earn full points

2010-03-03T18:27:00.000-08:00

JCT beat Lajong to earn full points

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 3: Poor run in I-League continued for Shillong Lajong FC as the side lost its home match against JCT by 0-1 in Shillong today. The all important goal of the match was scored by Emmanuel Okoro in the 75th minute of the match to give his side full points. It was just a bad day for Shillong Lajong FC as they dominated the entire first half and failed to convert as many as three open chances. While JCT too failed to utilize the two chances that fell in the their kitty. Lajong started the game on attacking note and came close to open the account through Rohmingthanga, but his 10th minute strike was just inches wide of the woodwork.

A good work from JCT’s custodian Karanjit Singh, who was later adjudged man of the match award, again denied Lajong to take the lead in the 17th minute. Gumpe Rime, Lajong custodian, too made a few similar saves in the first half. JCT scored the only goal in the 75th minute when unchecked Okoro headed in substitute Jaswinder Singh’s cross into the far post. THE SENTINEL

India open with a blast

2010-03-01T18:10:00.000-08:00

India open with a blast

Hero Honda FIH World Cup • Sandeep Singh scores twice as the host outclass Pakistan 4-1

NEW DELHI, March 1: Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh rose to the occasion and converted two penalty corners as hosts India outplayed Pakistan 4-1 in a thrilling Pool B match of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday.

With this victory India had avenged their 3-6 Champions Challenge defeat at the hands of the sub-continental rivals in Salta, Argentina last December.

The victory not only gave India a 3-2 head-to-head record against Pakistan in the quadrennial event but also one lakh purse each to the players and support staff of the team.

Sandeep (35th minute, 57th), Shivendra Singh (27th) and Prabhjot Singh (37th) were the scorers for India, while Sohail Abbas (59th) scored Pakistan’s lone goal.

Both India and Pakistan earned five penalty corners each, out of which the home team converted two while their opponent found the net once.

The match was also of huge significance for India and Pakistan on diplomatic front as both the countries are meeting in the sporting arena in India for the first time after 26/11 Mumbai carnage.

More gold for Samaresh

2010-02-26T19:28:00.001-08:00

More gold for Samaresh

New Delhi, Feb 26: Samaresh Jung shot down two more gold medals while Gagan Narang and Joydeep Karmakar combined to shatter a meet record as the Indians continued to rule the roost in the C’wealth Championships here today. (PTI)

Rajput outshines Gagan, 2 more gold for India

2010-02-23T20:21:00.001-08:00

Rajput outshines Gagan, 2 more gold for India

New Delhi, Feb 23: Sanjeev Rajput stole the show from Gagan Narang in the 50m Rifle 3 Position by shattering the meet record as India's medal tally swelled to 30, including 14 gold, on the sixth day of the Commonwealth Shooting Championships here today.
Rajput, who had teamed up with Gagan yesterday to clinch the team gold, outshone his more accompalished compatriot today by shooting a score of 1272.9 (1172+100.9), a major improvement on the previous meet record of 1260.2 set by Pemmiaha Subbiah in the 1999 edition in New Zealand.
Gagan settled for silver with a score of 1269 (1168+101.1), while another Indian Hasan Imran Khan took home the bronze medal after shooting 1259.6 (1161+98.6).
India fetched the second gold in the 25m center fire pistol team event. Vijay Kumar teamed up with with Mahender Singh to claim the top honours notch as the duo shot a combined score of 1159.
The silver in the event went to Welshmen Alan Green and Steve Pengelly (1131), while England's Michael Gault and Iqbal Ubhi, who shot a score of 1103, bagged the bronze. (PTI)

Sehwag develops sore back

2010-02-22T20:41:00.001-08:00

Sehwag develops sore back

Jaipur, Feb 22: Star opener Virender Sehwag has developed a sore back even though it is unlikely to affect his participation in the second cricket one-dayer against South Africa in Gwalior on Wednesday.

“Sehwag has a sore back and he underwent a scan yesterday. But it doesn’t look serious enough to render him unavailable for the Gwalior match,” a team official said.

Sehwag batted in last night’s humdinger against South Africa which India clinched by a wafer-thin one-run margin in the final delivery.

Sehwag scored a brisk 46 before he got out and he could not fill in the part-timer’s role during South Africa’s chase because of the sore back.

Sehwag left the field during South Africa’s innings and was replaced by Mumbai all-rounder Abhishek Nayyar.

Pak security expert warns of threat to hockey team in India

2010-02-21T22:44:00.001-08:00

KARACHI: Pakistan's hockey team leaves on Monday for the World Cup in New Delhi amid warnings from a security expert that there is a genuine threat to the players' safety in India.

Sohail Khan, a high ranking police official in the Interior ministry who has worked with many foreign cricket teams as their security expert in Pakistan, said the PHF should not relax at all during the World Cup.

"All the talk about being satisfied with the security arrangements is fine and I am sure the Indians will also be providing good security cover for all teams including Pakistan but we need to be on guard all the time," Khan said.

Sohail said the players should remain on guard all the time.

"As far as Pakistani players and officials are concerned they are genuine security threats for them in India and they must be very careful and follow a proper security plan during the World Cup," Khan said.

PHF secretary Asif Bajwa, who will go to India as manager of the team, said he was satisfied with the arrangements made by the Indian federation.

"They have promised to provide our team with state level security so we are happy to leave security issues in their hand, we are going to India with a clear mind to promote peace and hopefully to play our role in some way to improve relations between the two countries," Bajwa said.

Pak PM Gilani to give Rs 1 crore to hockey team

2010-02-21T22:43:00.002-08:00

LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday announced Rs 1 crore for the Pakistan hockey team which would take part in the World Cup commencing in New Delhi from February 28.

The team would get the amount irrespective of their performance in the World Cup.

Wishing them the best of luck, Gilani told the players that the nation expected them to demonstrate team spirit and sportsmanship, irrespective of results, he said.

He asked them to display the best behaviour and conduct as representatives of Pakistan. He also assured that contracts of all the members of the Pakistan hockey team with government departments and organisations would be converted into regular appointments.

Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia was also present on the occasion.

New Zealand to play in hockey World Cup despite terror threat

2010-02-21T22:43:00.001-08:00

WELLINGTON: New Zealand's hockey team will leave for India later on Monday to take part in the World Cup that begins in New Delhi next Sunday.

Officials had earlier put the team's departure on hold following an Al Qaeda threat to international sports events in India. But they have now decided in favour of participation.

The team, called the Black Sticks, will fly out of Australia's Perth city as originally planned despite warnings from terror group Al Qaeda that warned against participation in sports events in India, New Zealand Herald reported on Monday.

Last week, officials had decided that the team would remain in Perth after their two practice matches against Australia ended on Friday but coach Shane McLeod said on Sunday that they would depart as scheduled and take their place in pool A when the World Cup starts.

Hockey officials said on Monday that they had assessed advice from the New Zealand government and an independent adviser on security arrangements in India.

"The detail we have received has reassured us that the required level of security is in place, therefore we have kept the team in the tournament," said Hilary Poole, chief executive of Hockey New Zealand.

Poole said one player, Simon Child, had made a personal decision to pull out.

She said Hockey New Zealand had been closely liaising with other nations, "all of whom still plan to participate".

The Asia Times online newspaper said it had received a message on February 15 from guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of Al Qaeda, indicating the tournament and other scheduled sporting events in India this year would be targeted.

The warning also referred to next month's Indian Premier League and the Commonwealth Games.

Bollywood celebrities cheer for hockey ahead of World Cup

2010-02-21T22:42:00.000-08:00

CHANDIGARH: Bollywood actors Suniel Shetty and Irfan Khan gathered to cheer hockey players at a charity match here in Chandigarh, the proceeds of which would go towards the promotion of the game.

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty said, "Seeing the enthusiasm of the people here, we can say that hockey still has a place in the hearts of the people."

The actors believe that such attempts would go a long way in promoting the national sport of the country that has been overshadowed by cricket's popularity.

"The Sports Minister should see to the security of the players and should also see that not just one sport gets all the attention, other sports should get equal chance of prospering," said actor Irfan Khan.

The match was initially to be played by the national team, but it was put off owing to some differences of payments.

The local team later played the match.

The Hockey Championship is scheduled to start in New Delhi from February 28.

Security has been tightened for the Hockey World Cup following a threat issued by the al Qaeda guerrilla Ilyas Kashmiri.

Kashmiri, who commands the 313 Brigade, an operational arm of al Qaeda, specifically issued his warning to international players asking them not to participate in the '2010 Hockey World Cup'.

Injured Zaheer ruled out of ODI series against SA

2010-02-19T10:16:00.001-08:00

Kolkata, Feb 18: India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against South Africa beginning February 21. Zaheer sustained a muscle strain in his leg Wednesday on the fourth day of the ongoing second cricket Test here. He bowled only six overs on Wednesday and did not return to take the field on Thursday. The left arm pacer has been replaced by S. Sreesanth, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement on Thursday. The pacer is the latest to join the growing injury list. Opener Gautam Gambhir and middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh are already out of the ODI series with injuries. While Gambhir sustained a groin injury, Yuvraj is sitting out of the ongoing Test series with a ligament tear in his wrist. (IANS)

India calms terror fears over hockey World Cup

2010-02-18T10:26:00.001-08:00

India calms terror fears over hockey World Cup

New Delhi, Feb 17: India on Wednesday allayed security apprehensions of New Zealand and Australian hockey teams maintaining that it was pulling out all stops for the forthcoming World Cup in the wake of terror threats issued to foreign teams during the 12-team quadrennial event. The renewed assurance comes after New Zealand’s hockey team, which earlier planned to continue with its trip to the February 28-March 13 Hockey World Cup in New Delhi despite an Al Qaeda threat against sports events in India, appeared to be having second thoughts on Wednesday.

The team is in Australia’s Perth city to play two practice matches Wednesday and Friday, and will then decide if it will travel to India as per schedule for the World Cup that begins February 28, the New Zealand Herald reported. As for the Australian team, its players say they ready to play, but Hockey Australia says it is awaiting the result of a new security assessment in view of the terror threat. Assuring security to sportspersons visiting India for the Hockey World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament that starts March 12, Home Minister P Chidambaram stressed that militants would not be allowed to dictate terms. “All security would be provided to players. No one would be allowed to dictate terms to us,” Chidambaram said at a press conference in Jammu after reviewing the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sania out of Dubai

2010-02-16T10:52:00.001-08:00

Sania out of Dubai

DUBAI, Feb 15: Sania Mirza yet again failed to move beyond the first round of a WTA tournament and crashed out of the $2 million Dubai Tennis Championships following her 3-6, 4-6 defeat against Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues on Monday. Since going down in the second round of Auckland event at the start of season, Sania has lost her opening rounds in the subsequent events at Hobart, Australian Open and Pattaya Open and the trend continued here as well. (PTI)

OILFC and Assam Rifles win in Premier League Soccer

2010-02-15T10:28:00.001-08:00

OILFC and Assam Rifles win in Premier League Soccer

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 14: Oil India Limited Football Club (OILFC) and Assam Rifles won their respective matches in the State Premier League Soccer Tournament held at two different venues today. OILFC defeated Assam Police Blues by 3-0 at Sivasagar while at Tezpur Assam Rifle came victorious against Green Valley by 2-1.

The match between Assam Rifles and Green Valley was well contested but Assam Rifles, who were more experienced between the two sides, finally managed to leave the ground with winning note. Both goals of the winner was scored by Akum Ao. Green Valley returned one through Abraham Goodluck.

Meanwhile, OILFC today registered their second victory in the tournament defeating Assam Police Blues by 3-0. The first half witnessed only one goal and that was scored by Z Hmar. The side increased the margin in the second half through Jayanta Basumatary and Prasanta Choudhury.

PSPB dominate in the individual events too

2010-02-15T10:27:00.001-08:00

PSPB dominate in the individual events too

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 14: Players of PSPB dominated in the individual events also as three of their pairs have entered into the final of the doubles event of the 71st Senior National and Inter State Table Tennis Championship held at the Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan Indoor Stadium here today. The women’s double would be all PSPB affair while in the men’s double it will be PSPB vs West Bengal.

The highlight of the doubles event was the loss of PSPB pair- A Sharat Kamal and S Saha who were shown the door by West Bengal’s S Chakraborty and Anirban Nandi. The duo won the men’s doubles semi final by 11-8, 11-9 and 11-5. They will now face Soumyadeep Roy and Zubin Kumar (PSPB) in the title clash. Soumyadeep Roy and Zubin Kumar in the other men’s doubles semi final defeated A Koparkar and Sanil Shetty of Maharastra by 11-9, 11-6, 11-6.

Osmania University rocked by violence again

2010-02-15T10:26:00.001-08:00

Osmania University rocked by violence again

HYDERABAD, Feb 15 : The Osmania University here was Monday rocked by clashes between the police and students over the Telangana issue. Security personnel used batons, teargas and fired rubber bullets to disperse the mobs, leaving many injured. Mediapersons were particularly targeted.

For the second time since Sunday evening, the sprawling campus turned into a battle zone with pro-Telangana students taking to the streets and police using force to tackle them.

Protesting the police firing and baton charge on them Sunday night, students took out a rally and threw stones at policemen and paramilitary personnel deployed on the campus.

The police hit back with batons, rubber bullets and teargas. Witnesses said some policemen were injured in the stone-pelting while a few students and mediapersons also were wounded when the police used force.

Dheeraj, Parvez fail to save Assam

2010-02-14T21:02:00.001-08:00

Dheeraj, Parvez fail to save Assam

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 14: A fantastic performance by the team’s batsmen went in vain as Assam suffered the second successive defeat in the Vizay Hazare Cricket Tournament against Bengal at Ravenshaw College Ground in Cuttack today. Bengal won the match by seven wickets.

Today’s match witnessed over 600 runs and it itself told the story about the condition of the wicket where hardly anything was left for the bowlers. It was Bengal who won the toss and invited Assam to bat first. However, their decision looked backfired as Assam openers Dheeraj Jadhav and Parvez Aziz scored fluently and the opening pair added 176 runs within 32 overs. Aziz departed for 83 runs and he needed 97 balls to score those runs. The left handed hit eight boundaries and one six. Jadhav, who is in very good form this season, continued the charge, and remained not out for 148 runs that came in 150 balls. His innings comprised of 15 fours. Assam finished their 50 overs quota scoring 299 runs for the loss of five wickets. Ashok Dinda scalped 3 wickets for 57 runs.

However, like the bowler of Bengal, Assam bowler too didn’t get any assistance from the wicket and riding on a fine century from Shreevats Goswami, Bengal reached the target in 42.3 overs scoring 303 runs for three wickets.

Goswami hit a breezy 133 of 114 balls, smashing 18 fours and three sixes and during this innings he also made two good partnerships with Sourav Ganguly (64), and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala (83 not out). Dhiraj Goswami claimed two wickets and Abu Nechim Ahmed picked up the other one.

Marcel Siem leads Avantha Masters, Gangjee tied third

2010-02-12T11:01:00.001-08:00

Marcel Siem leads Avantha Masters, Gangjee tied third

Gurgaon, Feb 11: Germany’s Marcel Siem took the opening honours at the at the 1.5 million euros (approximately $2.1 million) Avantha Masters golf with an eight-under-par 64 for a single shot lead over Chinese Taipei's Chan Yih-shin here on Thursday.

Rahil Gangjee was the best Indian in the field in tied third with a birdie-birdie finish that saw him card a 67 for the day alongwith six others.

The event is tri-sanctioned event by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

“I also feel I am getting my game back,” said Gangjee. “The plan is to play one shot a time and to stay in the present. I don't want to get ahead of myself. Last week (in Asian Tour International) I was rusty. I actually planned to start with an Indian Tour event in Dhaka, but I fell ill and began last week in Bangkok. Now I am feeling fine and the rust is going."

The 29-year-old German looking for his second career win on the European Tour gave the 16-year-old Indian ladies No. 1 Vani Kapoor the credit for his flawless eight-under 64 to take the lead at the end of the first round.

SA aim to topple India from Test top spot

2010-02-03T23:23:00.002-08:00

South Africa will draw confidence from their record on the subcontinent as they seek to replace India at the top of the world rankings in their two-Test series starting Saturday.

India dislodged South Africa as the number one Test side in December after beating Sri Lanka 2-0 at home, and a series victory against the Proteas would consolidate their position.

South Africa can snatch back the coveted ranking only if they win the series 2-0. A 1-0 victory would leave both teams level on 123 points.

"India now hold the mantle of number one in the world, which is a credit to the way they have played," South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said ahead of the first Test in Nagpur.

"But we have come here to hopefully play better than them, and take it away from them. That's something we are talking about."

Smith said it was tough to win a series in the subcontinent and success is "a real feather in your cap."

"But we won in Pakistan on our last tour there, we won in Bangladesh, we came very close to winning the series here in India. We were 1-0 going into the last Test, so I think generally we have played well," he said. "I think we have got a very positive mindset when it comes to playing in the subcontinent, which is important."

On their last tour of India in 2008, South Africa won on a greentop in Ahmedabad, before the hosts levelled the series on a turning wicket in Kanpur. The first Test was drawn.

The task this time appears more daunting for South Africa, who are going into the series after a week of turmoil at home that ended in the resignation of long-serving coach Mickey Arthur.

And the entire selection committee, headed by former Test all-rounder Mike Procter, was sacked following a 1-1 series draw to England at home.

National high performance coach Corrie van Zyl has taken over from Arthur for the Indian tour, which also features three one-day internationals after the Tests.

India are depleted by injuries to key players -- sustained during a 2-0 away victory over Bangladesh -- upsetting the team combination. Rahul Dravid, a vital cog in the middle order, is recuperating after undergoing surgery for a fractured jaw while the aggressive Yuvraj Singh is nursing a sore left wrist.

"They still have quality players there, but to lose somebody of the calibre of Dravid with an incredible career of over 10,000 runs is always very difficult," said Smith.

"Number three is obviously a key position in any batting line-up, so it is going to be very interesting to see whom they choose to use there."

Dhoni, India's first-choice wicketkeeper, has also been suffering from a troublesome back, forcing the national selectors to pick uncapped Wriddhiman Saha as his cover in the 15-man Test squad.

The Indian pace attack will be without the mercurial Shanthakumaran Sreesanth who impressed against Sri Lanka, before being laid low by a hamstring injury in Bangladesh.

The second and final Test will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from February 14.

I will not resign: Ejaz Butt

2010-02-03T23:23:00.001-08:00

Undeterred by scathing criticism at a hearing of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports, PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt has refused to step down.

Butt was grilled at the hearing, where PCB Governing Council members accused him of ignoring senior officials while taking key decisions.

The hearing was attended by PCB COO Wasim Bari, Director General (Cricket) Javed Miandad and council members Shakil Sheikh and Dr Muhammad Ali Shah.

Miandad, Sheikh and Shah said at the hearing that Butt took decisions without consulting the governing council citing the example of a 100 million rupees development project at the National stadium in Karachi which they said was not approved by the council.

However, Butt who was told directly by the NA committee Chairman Jamshed Dasti to resign and spare Pakistan cricket, said he would not resign.

"Some people are trying to pressurize and blackmail me but why should resign, I have done nothing wrong. All these allegations they are making against me, let them prove it and I will resign.

"Only the chief patron who has appointed me can ask me to resign and the day he does that I will take less than five minutes to step down," he said.

Attacking the governing council members, Butt said if they were not satisfied with his style of functioning they should leave their jobs.

"I have taken all governing council members into confidence before taking any decisions. And if the governing council members are mere dummies why don't they resign?" Butt asked.

During the hearing, the committee members threatened to freeze the PCB accounts to which Butt contended that the committee had no authority to do so.

The hearing saw the committee members grill Butt on various issues and accused him of mishandling many cricket issues bringing a bad name to Pakistan cricket.

He was also accused of interfering in cricket team affairs with Miandad insisting that despite his experience and services to Pakistan cricket, the board was not willing to utilise his expertise and knowledge.

Butt said that the PCB would be carrying out a thorough investigation into why the team had lost in Australia and what had gone wrong.

He also said that the PCB planned to take up the issue of the IPL snubbing Pakistani players at the auction at the ICC executive board meeting on February 10.

The committee also discussed the issue of the attack on the Sri Lankan team last year and the incident at Perth during the fifth and final one-dayer against Australia last Sunday when a spectator jumped into the ground and tackled Pakistani opener Khalid Latif to the ground.

Miandad said had he been at Perth he would have taken the team out of the ground as it was a very serious issue.

Aussie legend McGrath finds love again

2010-02-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath has found love again, 18 months after his wife's tragic death from breast cancer, a report said on Thursday.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph pictured the smiling father of two, 39, at a restaurant with 28-year-old Italian Sara Leonardi, saying he met her late last year.

"Glenn is happy for people to know he has a girlfriend," his agent Warren Craig was quoted as saying. "He's happy and so are his children."

The former fast bowler has devoted much of his time to raising funds to fight breast cancer since the death of his wife, Jane, in June 2008.

Bedi calls for more matches in series

2010-02-03T23:21:00.002-08:00

Former captain Bishan Singh Bedi today questioned the need of a two-Test series between India and South Africa and said Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men should have played at least one more match in the rubber.

"I think, a two-match series is not enough to test the mettle of the teams. I wish that there should have been three or five matches in the forthcoming series between India and South Africa," Bedi said.

"Since both the teams are at par and the series is expected to produce some close contests, the number of matches should have been more. After all, it will not be the real test of the teams," added Bedi, who has played in 67 Tests.

The VCA Stadium in Nagpur will host the first Test, commencing from February 6, while the second match will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from February 14.

Bedi, however, was not ready to bill anyone as the favourite in the series.

"If one team is currently number one in Test ranking, then the other one is the former number one and is certainly striving to wrest the tag from India. Both the teams have enough firepower to give other trouble. So we should not consider anyone favourite," the former spinner said.

"Expectation will create pressure on the team. Dhoni's men should not take the pressure and go all out against the Proteas," Bedi added.

Although two big names in batting department -- Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh -- are out of the series due to injuries, Bedi feels that will not hamper the team's performance.

"Yes, Rahul and Yuvraj are not in the squad, but we should not think about players who are absent. I am sure, there are others in the team who can compensate for them," he said.

Dravid, who sustained a jaw injury in the second Test against Bangladesh, has been advised rest for three weeks, while Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out of the Test series due to an injured left wrist.

The 15-member squad for the first match of the series has six specialist batsmen, three spinners, four pacemen and two wicketkeepers in captain Dhoni and Bengal's Wriddhiman Saha.

The pace unit will be lead by Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma and debutants Sudeep Tyagi and Abhimanyu Mithun.

Except for Zaheer, the side lacks experience and former skipper Kapil Dev had said that India should rely on their spin department and prepare spin friendly tracks.

However, Bedi said he just wants to see a strip that will last for five days.

"We can't make spinning pitch nor the pacer's pitch properly. I only expect that the pitches will last for five days and the spectators enjoy good contest," Bedi said.

Asked if he is happy with the current Indian spin attack, Bedi said, "It is not important whether I am happy or not. I feel spinners like Mishra and Chawla should consider themselves lucky to play for India and should give everything for the country.

Rohit Sharma added as cover for Laxman

2010-02-03T23:21:00.001-08:00

VVS Laxman hasn't yet recovered fully from the finger injury he sustained during the first Test against Bangladesh, and the selectors have called in Rohit Sharma as cover for Laxman.

Laxman's injury had already seen him miss the second Test against Bangladesh.

Rohit was selected as the captain of the Board President's Eleven that faced South Africa in their warm-up match, and though he made only 20 runs, he has been in good form in the Ranji Trophy.

"It feels good that I've been asked to stay back...Bahut hi achcha lag raha hai (I'm feeling great)," Sharma was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

Laxman skipped the team's fielding practice on Wednesday afternoon, but did have a bat at the nets.

Unfazed SRK refuses to submit to Sena threat

2010-02-03T23:20:00.000-08:00

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has stuck to his stand of inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League, saying he has said nothing on the issue that should be retracted.

"What should I retract?," an unfazed Khan asked reporters when asked about the sharp reaction from the Shiv Sena on his remarks.

Khan said he is not going to submit to this threat.

Shiv Sena has demanded an apology from him for backing Pakistani cricketers participation in the IPL after the players from that country were not picked during the auction last month.

"I don't know what the issue is all about... I don't know what I am supposed to retract. Am I supposed to retract the fact I'm an Indian but I don't want anyone to come to my country?" he said.

Khan, who was addressing a press conference along with Director Karan Johar and actress Kajol to promote their film 'My Name is Khan', said: "All that I've said is that I would like people to come to my country to participate in the biggest event and it scares me to say anything because our stakes are very high."

He was apologetic to his business partners for his stand on the IPL as it might affect the prospects of the film.

Khan, who is in London to promote his film, said: "I have no idea what people would like me to say. If somebody could tell me this is what you would want me to say, I'll say it."

"When I said it was not directed towards a person or a group of people. It was not towards any person from any nation - Pakistan, Bangladesh, America or England," he told reporters last evening.

"If you have differences in ideology why should it not be allowed?" he asked and recalled the teachings and values that he received from his father who was a freedom fighter.

"I am really sorry. I would like to apologize to Karan Johar, to Kajol and I am immensely sorry to all our business partners that because of what I said, or what I believe in, their film and their work is going to be affected," Khan said.

SA get good batting practice

2010-02-03T19:46:00.001-08:00

Nagpur, Feb 3 (PTI): South Africa made the most of their drawn practice match against Board President’s XI with their top order looking in good nick even though Piyush Chawla and R Ashwin proved that the Proteas can be vulnerable against quality spin here today.

Having bowled out the local side for 318, Graeme Smith and his men did overwhelm the target to reach 354 before folding but leg-spinner Chawla (4/88) and offie Ashwin (3/96) exposed the vulnerability of the Proteas, especially the middle and lower order, against turning balls.

The visitors, on their part, can draw confidence from the fact that Ashwell Prince (42), Smith (45), Hashim Amla (72 retired), Jacques Kallis (63 retired), AB de Villiers (27) and JP Duminy (39) all got the starts and looked in form.

Resuming the second and final day on 44 for no loss at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, South Africa lost their captain when Abhimanyu Mithun had Smith caught behind.

Poor Sunderland fail to find way past Stoke

2010-02-02T00:43:00.001-08:00

London, Feb 2 (DPA) Sunderland's poor form continued in a goalless draw at home with Stoke City in Monday's only English Premier League match.

After a promising start to the season, Steve Bruce's side have now gone 11 matches without a win in the league. The result leaves them languishing in 13th place on 24 points, two points behind their opponents on Monday in 12th.

With the respective form of both sides - Stoke themselves have won only one match from their last nine away from home - a draw was always a possibility, but the visitors will nevertheless feel they had the better chances and should have taken all three points.

After just three minutes had elapsed, and in their first attack of the match, Stoke should have taken the lead. Turkish striker Sanil Tuncay found Dean Whitehead in the penalty area with only the goalkeeper to beat, but his weak shot was fired straight at Craig Gordon.

Sunderland will feel aggrieved they were not rewarded for a strong penalty appeal on the hour, when Robert Huth appeared to move his arm toward the ball to block Darren Bent's cross for the home side.

With 10 minutes remaining, Ricardo Fuller had another good chance to win the game for Stoke, but he, too, failed to break the deadlock as, after powering away from the home defence, his shot was again fired straight at Gordon.

DPA

Hockey World Cup Schedule 2010

2010-01-29T22:54:00.001-08:00

Hockey World Cup Schedule 2010

Sunday February 28:

16:35 Pool B South Africa vs Spain

18:35 B Australia vs England

20:35 B India vs Pakistan

Monday March 1:

16:35 A New Zealand vs Canada

18:35 A Germany vs Korea

20:35 A Netherlands vs Argentina

Tuesday March 2:

16:35 B South Africa vs England

18:35 B Pakistan vs Spain

20:35 B India vs Australia

Wednesday March 3:

16:35 A Canada vs Germany

18:35 A Argentina vs Korea

20:35 A New Zealand vs Netherlands

Thursday March 4:

16:35 B South Africa vs Australia

18:35 B England vs Pakistan

20:35 B India vs Spain

Friday March 5:

16:35 A Korea vs New Zealand

18:35 A Netherlands vs Canada

20:35 A Germany vs Argentina

Saturday March 6:

16:35 B Australia vs Spain

18:35 B South Africa vs Pakistan

20:35 B India vs England

Sunday March 7:

16:35 A Korea vs Canada

18:35 A New Zealand vs Argentina

20:35 A Germany vs Netherlands

Monday March 8:

16:35 B Spain vs England

18:35 B Australia vs Pakistan

20:35 B India vs South Africa

Tuesday March 9:

16:35 A Germany vs New Zealand

18:35 A Netherlands vs Korea

20:35 A Canada vs Argentina

Wednesday March 10: Rest Day.

Thursday March 11:

15:35 Classification.11-12 6th Pool A vs 6th Pool B

18:05 Semi-final 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B

20:35 Semi-final 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A

Friday March 12:

15:35 Clas. 9-10 5th Pool A vs 5th Pool B

18:05 Clas. 7-8 4th Pool A vs 4th Pool B

20:35 Clas. 5-6 3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool B.

Saturday March 13:

15:35 Bronze medal match

18:05 Final

U-21 ID soccer

2010-01-22T11:40:00.001-08:00

U-21 ID soccer

Correspondent

CHABUA, Jan 22 – Karimganj trounced Golaghat 4-1, while Charaideo defeated Nagaon 2-0 on the opening day of the U-21 inter district football championship which got off here today. Local MLA Raju Sahu inaugurated the championship. ASSAM TRIBUNE

GCCC to play NFR in final

2010-01-22T11:37:00.001-08:00

Sports reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 22 – The Guwahati Cricket Coaching Centre (GCCC) have made it to the title clash in the Ramesh Baruah Invitational Inter Club Cricket Tournament.

In the day/night first semifinal played at the Judges’ Field here last evening, GCCC posted a deserving 43-run victory against host Gauhati Town Club.

Put to bat first, GCCC riding on some good scores by Nishanta Bordoloi (59) Pallab Das (46), Hrishikesh Tamuly (29) and Sanzow Brahma (28) gathered a commendable total of 234 in the allotted 45 overs losing eight wickets. Studded with some leading medium pacers of the State like Sujay Tarafdar and Pritom Das, the GTC team hardly had any impact on the GCCC batsmen. ASSAM TRIBUNE

‘Indians harshly taunted me’

2010-01-22T11:36:00.001-08:00

‘Indians harshly taunted me’

Chittagong, Jan 21: Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim today alleged that Indian bowlers sledged him by calling him a “school boy” during his century knock on the fifth day of the first cricket Test here.

“The Indian bowlers picked me for sledging when I was batting well. They called me school boy. But I was enjoying it and I had answered it with my bat,” Mushfiqur, who scored a 114-ball 101, said at the post-match press conference after his side lost to India by 113 runs to go down 0-1 in the two-Test series. Sehwag, however, refused to comment when asked about Mushfiqur’s charge.(PTI)

Referees irked by assaults; AFC matchessuspended

2010-01-20T11:04:00.001-08:00

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Jan 20 – It is time out for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) initiated football tourneys in Manipur following current attacks on match referees.

The All Manipur Football Association (AMFA)’s 4th Manipur State League and the 24th Senior Men Inter-district Football Tournamentheld as part of AFC’s football development programme have been suspended since Monday after referees declined to conductmatches following assaults on their colleagues by a player during a match here on January 18.

On January 14, four North Imphal Sports Association (NISA) players were suspended from future matches for entering the field and challenging the referee’s decision.

“This is not the first time we’re being targeted frequently during thematches”, a senior national football referee said. “We decided not to conduct matches showing solidarity to our injured colleague. A memorandum has also been sent to AMFA for necessary action”.

More than 60 football referees, including FIFA and national referees, who want implementation of serious “disciplinary code”, so that such unwanted incident do not occur in the future, will be meeting tomorrow to chalk out their further course of action.

To stabilize the situation and to resume the tourneys, AMFA has put United Sports Association player N Rakesh, who physically assaulted a referee for giving a penalty in a match with NISA on January 18, under suspension for 5 years besides imposing a fine of Rs 10,000.

“A committee is all set to update our ‘Disciplinary Code 2004’ to avoid such unwanted incidents in future”, AMFA’s secretary Ranjoy Roy told The Assam Tribune on Wednesday. “We’ve also decided not to give certificates to those players who show dissent on the field”.

Manipur which is the home of more than a hundred footballers, presently playing for premier football clubs of the country and Delhi, are the only two States selected for AFC’s Vision Asia Project 2006 to nurture international class footballers. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Diphu’s Morning Star Academy in MUPC

2010-01-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

Diphu’s Morning Star Academy in MUPC

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 18: Nike announced the kick off of its annual grass root initiative for football in India — the Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) India 2010 — which will be conducted across the country from January 19 to February 4. The tournament has attracted participation from teams across different parts of the country such as Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Bangalore, Orissa, Pondicherry, Kerala, Gujarat, Delhi, Chandigarh, Goa, Kolkata and Assam . This year over 65 teams from across the country are vying to be the Indian finalists.

The tournament is conducted under the aegis of the All India Football Federation. The secretary of the Assam Football Association Ankur Dutta, who also holds the post of vice president in the All India Football Federation, said, “This annual event has helped in popularizing the sport at the grassroots level.”

The participating teams include, Dempo, St Stephens Football Academy, Mahindra United FC, JCT, Pune FC, Viva Kerala, Salgaocar Sports Club, Sporting Club de Goa, Shillong Lajong FC, Sikkim Football Academy, Morning Star Football Academy of Diphu, Mumbai School Sports Association, Pondicherry Coaching Centre etc.

The matches of the North, North East & East Zone qualifiers will be held in Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Gurgaon & Garhi from January 19 to 24. THE SENTINEL

Assam women in qtrs

2010-01-17T10:15:00.000-08:00

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 16 – Assam, participating for the first time, entered quarterfinals in the Senior National Baseball Championship. In the quarterfinal defeating Chandigarh yesterday at Cuttack. Now Assam will play against host Orissa in the quarterfinal tomorrow. Meanwhile the Assam women team has been qualified to take part in an prize-money event to be played in Goa early in February next.

HI presents Rs.2.5 lakhs to Baljit Singh

2010-01-15T11:03:00.001-08:00

HI presents Rs.2.5 lakhs to Baljit Singh

2010-01-15 20:50:00

Hockey India (HI) Friday presented a cheque of Rs.2.5 lakhs to goalkeeper Baljit Sigh for his rehabilitation after his eye injury.

Baljit, who sustained the career threatening injury at the national camp in Pune last year, had Thursday appealed to Sports Minister M.S. Gill and HI for his continued treatment as promised by them.

Baljit was sent to the US for treatment and surgery but on Thursday claimed that he was called back mid-way.

The cheque was handed over to his relatives by the HI president Ashok Kumar Mattoo.

NFR humble Nagaon outfit

2010-01-10T20:13:00.001-08:00

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 10 – NF Railway Sports Association recorded a huge 234-run victory against Radial Club of Nagaon in today’s match of the Gauhati Town Club organised Ramesh Baruah Trophy Cricket Tournament at the Judges’ Field here.

Using the track first, the railwaymen piled up a mammoth 355 losing six wickets in the stipulated 40 overs and later bundled the opponent for 121 in 26.5 overs. The highlight of the match was a swashbuckling unbeaten 158 by Pritam Debnath. Tarjinder Singh (46), Kunal Saikia (42) and Chandan Rawat (31) were the other notable contributors for the Railway team. The Nagaon batsmen performed poorly as Krishanu Mazumdar was their top scorer with 17, while Sarupam Purkayastha (4/19) wrecked their innings.

Brief scores: NF Rly 355/6 (Pritam Debnath 158, Tarjinder Singh 46, Kunal Saikia 42, Chandan Rawat 31, Bichitra Baruah 5/62). Radial Club 121 (Krishanu Mazumder 17, Sarupam Purkayastha 4/19). Today’s match: GCCC vs Santipur AC. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Chetan, Trupti emerge champs

2010-01-10T20:12:00.001-08:00

Sports reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 10 – B Chetan Anand of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) and his teammate Trupti Murgunde emerged proud winners in the men’s and women’s singles titles of the 74th Senior National Badminton Championship which concluded at the Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium, Sarusajai here today. Jwala Gutta of PSPB won double crown by clinching mixed doubles and the women’s doubles titles.

In the summit clashes, 14th seed Chetan rallied to beat 13th seed Anup Sridhar, also of PSPB, 16-21, 21-19, 21-10, while Trupti got the better of Sayali Gokhle 21-17, 21-7.

Chetan was not in perfect form in the first set and Anup, champion of 2004 and 2005, took advantage and clinched the set quite convincingly 21-16. But the experienced Chetan staged a fine fightback and took the next sets 21-19, 21-10 with some delightful strokes and drop shots. The second set was evenly fought but in the final set, Anup virtually gave up to his sturdy opponent.

Second seed Trupti Murgunde of PSPB upset defending champion and top seed Sayali Gokhale of Air India 21-17, 21-7 in straight sets. It was the maiden title for the PSPB girl who dominated the proceedings from the very beginning.

Trupti was so accurate in her drop shots that Sayali was forced to run from one corner to another. In the first set, the Air India girl tried to stage a fightback in the middle of the set when Trupti lost her composure. Sayali narrowed the gap at the later stage but finally Trupti managed to keep her cool and fetch the set after a tough fight. But the second set was quite a one-sided affair.

Earlier, third seed PSPB duo V Diju and Jwala Gutta won the mixed doubles title upsetting top seed pair Arun Vishnu (Kerala) and Aparna Balan (PSPB) 21-12, 21-7 in the one-sided final.

In men’s doubles final, Rupesh Kumar (PSPB)-Sanave Thomas (Kerala) beat AI duo Akshay Dewalkar-Jishnu Sanyal 21-15, 21-18, while in the women’s section, Ashwini Ponnappa (Kar)- Jwala Gutta beat Aparna Balan- Shruti Kurien, both PSPB players, 21-15, 22-20. ASSAM TRIBUNE

United XI thrashed Langsning by 128 runs

2010-01-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

United XI win

From a Correspondent

SHILLONG, Jan 6: United XI thrashed Langsning by 128 runs in a Super Division Cricket match held at Shillong today. United XI, who batted first, scored 217-7 in 35 overs. Asa Warjri played a well composed knock of 75 runs that came in just 54 balls and Mark Ingty added 39 runs. In reply, Langsning bowled out for 89 runs. Jeff Sun contributed 22 runs on the board while Jobeth Chyne picked up 5 wickets.

Tomorrow’s game: NFU XI vs Malki CC. THE SENTINEL

Radiance win

2010-01-03T06:45:00.001-08:00

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 2: Radiance Club of Sivasagar registered 23 runs win against Bud Cricket Club in the Ramesh Barua Invitational Cricket Tournament held at the Judges’ Field here today. Batting first, Radiant scored 245 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 40 overs. Bharat Newar scored 65 runs. Gokul Sharma and Rishav Das captured two wickets win. In reply, Bud were bowled out for 222 runs in 39 overs. Bhaskar Kalita though played a good knock of 86 runs but it was not enough for the team to win the match. Rafiquddin claimed three wickets while Bhaskar (2-40), who was also successful with the ball, received the man of the match award. THE SENTINEL

T20 format has helped Test cricket: Afridi

2010-01-01T20:37:00.001-08:00

KARACHI, Jan 1: Contrary to Mohammed Yousuf’s assumption that T20 cricket would eventually destroy Test cricket, Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi says it has actually made the five-day games more result-oriented.

Test skipper Yousuf feels that batsmen these days are paying more attention to adjust to the slam-bang format and hardly care to develop technique, which is essential to be successful in Test cricket.

However, T20 skipper Afridi differs with Yousuf. “I don’t think that will happen because Test and ODIs both have their own charm. Infact I would say T20 cricket has introduced a more positive attitude in players and led to Tests also being played more aggressively and being more result oriented,” Afridi said.

“What we need to do is strike the right balance in our teams for all three formats of the sport,” he added.

Afridi advocated the need to develop the national teams according to the abilities of the players.

River Rine win by 8 wickets

2009-12-18T19:32:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI, Dec 18: River Rine Club defeated City Cricket Coaching Centre by 8 wickets in the Ankurjyoti Challange Cricket Tournament held at the Latasil ground here today. In reply to City Cricket Coaching Centre’s 103 runs, River Rine reached the target losing just two wickets. Nayan Deka remained not out for 72 runs. the sentinel

India, Pakistan in same pool in hockey World Cup

2009-12-15T20:06:00.001-08:00

India, Pakistan in same pool in hockey World Cup

New Delhi, Dec 15: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan were today clubbed in the same pool in the 2010 hockey World Cup scheduled to start in the capital from February 28. Apart from the 1975 champions India and four-time winner Pakistan, Pool B also has Australia, Spain, England and South Africa. Defending champion Germany is the top seed in Pool A and will meet Netherlands, Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina in the group phase of the event. India won their maiden World Cup in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, while Pakistan won the inaugural edition in Spain (1971) before winning back-to-back crown in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1978) and Mumbai (1982). The last time they won was in Sydney in 1994. Following the preliminary phase, the best two ranked teams of each pool would proceed to the semifinals, the International Hockey Federation said in a statement today. The match schedule for the World Cup will be released later this month, FIH said.

Pool A: Germany, the Netherlands, Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Pool B: Australia, Spain, England, Pakistan, India and South Africa. (PTI)