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Friday,
July 13, 2001, Chandigarh, India  |
IOC VOTING TODAY
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England selectors opt for
experienced Atherton Dhanraj Pillay out of reckoning |
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Colombia, Chile start campaign with wins
Bailey to
quit after
Edmonton meet
Mahindra players
join camp Haryana to take part in 17
events Haryana gears up for National
Games
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IOC VOTING TODAY
Moscow, July 12 Beijing is clear favourite among the five candidate cities to win the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s vote on the venue of the 2008 summer games. But Olympic sources said the Chinese capital, whose bid has faced several demonstrations from human rights groups in the last few months, was likely to face a fierce challenge from Toronto. Beijing, Paris and Toronto were ranked together as being capable of staging “excellent games’’ when the IOC published a key report on the technical aspects of their bids in May. Istanbul and the Japanese city of Osaka, the other two cities in the contest, did not receive such a favourable review and are seen as outsiders. But Paris has the disadvantage that the next summer games in 2004 will also be held in Europe — in Athens. The IOC is unlikely to bring the world’s most prestigious sporting event back to the continent for two games in succession. Gone are the days when the huge cost of staging the Olympics provided an intimidating prospect. In the modern sports world of billion-dollar deals for television rights and sponsorship, winning the right to stage the games has huge economic advantages as well as political and sporting prestige. The 2008 winning city will be guaranteed at least $ 1.2 billion from the sales of television rights and sponsorships for the games. The contracts have already been signed. Many of the world’s stock markets will be watching Friday’s vote with special interest. A Beijing victory could have a major influence on China’s economic development in the next seven years and on the international blue chip companies that are working hard to tap its attractive market. China’s bid has been controversial, however. The ghost of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre helped to derail the Chinese capital’s campaign for the 2000 games which were awarded to Sydney. This time Beijing has faced opposition from US Politicians and groups supporting Tibet which China has ruled with an iron fist since the 1950s. In March, a bipartisan coalition of US politicians asked the IOC to reject the Beijing bid because of human rights concerns. Tibetan groups protested on the doorsteps of the IOC in the Swiss city of Lausanne when the key evaluation commission report was published. Russian police detained nine people after a similar demonstration in Moscow on Wednesday. Despite the glossy brochures, colourful posters and slick CD-roms from the bidding cities, one of the most striking images of the campaign was painted on a banner by protestors in Lausanne. It portrayed a picture of a Tibetan monk with his hands cuffed behind his back by the five Olympic rings. The IOC members have also received threats, warning them of attacks if they vote for Beijing. But, although the vote is expected to be close, a majority of the 119 members attending the session are likely to back Beijing, believing there is more chance of influencing China in the next seven years by handing it the Olympics than by turning their backs on the country for the second time in a decade. Many also believe retiring President Juan Antonio Samaranch wants to make a grand political gesture by taking the games to China before he stands down and his successor is elected at the end of the four-day IOC session which begins business on Friday.
Reuters
Sydney |
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Academy of martial arts
completed Chandigarh, July 12 Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Punjab, said here today the project, launched on the eve of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth in April, 1999, was funded exclusively by the Planning Commission of India. The academy would provide the state-of -the-art training in traditional as well as modern martial arts. Training in yoga was also proposed to be provided. The
architectural design of the complex had been prepared by M/s Satnam Namita and Associates. The academy was spread over 32 acres. A multipurpose gymnasium was the central piece of the complex. The fully air-conditioned hall has a viewers’ gallery and a VIP lounge. Special arrangements had been made for the media. The Minister said archery was expected to be a major focus of the academy and a separate shooting range has also been completed. A core feature of the open area is an equestriaden arena of international standards and dimensions. It has open seating arrangement on both the sides. The other facilities expected to be provided include fencing, gatka, judo, karate, wrestling and kabbadi. |
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England selectors opt for experienced Atherton London, July 12 The selectors opted for experience rather than youth, giving the job to Atherton ahead of fellow opening batsman Marcus Trescothick after England lost last week’s first Test by an innings and 118 runs. Hussain broke a finger in that match at Edgbaston, the second time he has suffered a fracture in his hand this season and the fourth time in the last two years. He is expected to be sidelined for around three weeks, which could also see him struggling to make the third Test at Trent Bridge starting on August 2. The 33-year-old Atherton led England from 1993 to 1998 in 52 Tests after taking over from Graham Gooch. The 26-year-old Trescothick, who captained England at under-19 level, has played 12 Tests compared to Atherton’s 111. “We believe that Michael’s previous experience of Test captaincy makes him the right person to stand in for Nasser,” England chairman of selectors David Graveney said. “He was very happy to take on the responsibility. We looked at all our options within the team, in particular Marcus Trescothick, who continues to play a central role in decision making. “But at this stage of his career, the selectors felt that the captaincy was an unnecessary burden for Marcus to undertake.” Earlier, Alec Stewart, another former England captain, ruled himself out of contention for the job. He had replaced the injured Hussain in the second Test against Pakistan, as well as in last month’s one-day triangular tournament against Australia and Pakistan. Mark Butcher, who returned to the England side for the first Test after an 18-month absence, also said he did not want to be considered.
The second Test at the Lord’s begins on July 19. Reuters |
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Dhanraj Pillay out of reckoning New Delhi, July 12 “Pillay has written to me expressing his inability to attend the camp as his mother is worried about his security there,” Indian Hockey Federation President K.P.S. Gill told PTI here today. Mr Gill said the security arrangements in Jammu were very good and there was nothing for anyone to fear about. “But, Pillay, who expressed his happiness with the interest we have taken in his welfare, has chosen not to go and that is that”. Pillay was among three top Indian sportsmen — the other two being cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly — who reportedly received threats from militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba. Pillay had requested a change of venue for the camp but the IHF decided to have the camp in Jammu itself with adequate security. The IHF chief said only one player, Dinesh Naik was yet to report for the camp which began on July 9. Naik, who is injured, has taken permission from the federation to join the camp by Sunday. Bangalore: Mercurial forward Dhanraj Pillay said he was not disappointed with the Indian Hockey Federation’s decision not to consider him for the coming Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia following his refusal to join the training camp in Jammu due to security reasons. “I am not disappointed... The country should be disappointed that Dhanraj Pillay is not playing for the country. I have played enough hockey. I wanted to play because I want to serve the country,” he told reporters here. Pillay probably knew about the decision as his comments came hours before IHF President K.P.S. Gill said in Delhi the former captain would not be considered for the Indian team. Ruling out the possibility of his joining the training camp in Jammu, Pillay, who reportedly faced a kidnap threat from the Lashkar-e-Toiba, said: “I have trained in Jammu before, but Jammu is not a safe place for me to train now.” He said he was aware that “if I don’t go (to Jammu), I can’t play for the country”. “I am ready for training anywhere in the country except Jammu. I have to take care of my security. In the last 12 years, I have proved what Dhanraj is”, he said, adding, he wanted to play for the country for two more years. Pillay, a Padmashri awardee, clarified that he had not received any kidnap threat directly from Lashkar-e-Toiba. However, the Maharashtra Police had intimation to that effect. For the last 45 days, he said he had been moving around with security cover provided by the Maharashtra Police.
PTI |
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Steffi Graf pregnant? Berlin, July 12 The mass circulation daily said Graf’s mother Heidi had recently told friends in southern Germany about the pregnancy. Graf, 32, and her partner, American tennis player Andre Agassi, have been together for two years. She has often talked about her fondness for children. Bild said Graf’s management company in Mannheim, Stefanie Graf Marketing GmbH, had declined to comment. It responded to a faxed query from Bild by saying: “Graf has no comment on personal matters.’’ Graf, who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles during her career and was ranked number one in the world for a record 378 weeks, spends most of her time away from Germany. She has a strained relationship with the German media, however, partly because of her irritation at the coverage of her father’s tax evasion trial and subsequent conviction. Her father Peter was released from a Stuttgart jail in 1998 after serving half of a three year and nine month sentence for tax evasion. Steffi Graf won Wimbledon seven times and retired in 1999 just weeks after winning the French Open. Meanwhile, German magazine Bunte reported yesterday that Graf was planning to hold a big party at her brother’s house in Florida on July 14, adding that there was speculation about a marriage. Bunte said her father Peter and mother Heidi would both be there, the first time the divorced parents have been together in years. The magazine said Graf and the 31-year-old Agassi, winner of seven Grand Slam tournaments, were currently working out the details of a prenuptial agreement.
Reuters |
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Colombia, Chile start campaign with wins Barranquilla, (Colombia), July 12 Colombia eased past Venezuela 2-0 while Chile scored an upset 4-1 thrashing of in-form Ecuador in a Group A double-header at Barranquilla’s Metropolitan Stadium. With hundreds of armed soldiers policing the ground and sniffer dogs scouring the stadium before kick-off, the opening matches of the tournament passed off peacefully. A second-half goal blitz sealed victory for Chile after they had taken the lead through Reinaldo Navia on 29 minutes in their match. Navia pounced on a mistake by Ecuador’s Alex Aguinaga to score and give the Chileans a 1-0 lead at the break. Ecuador — who have been one of the revelations of South America’s World Cup qualifiers — levelled soon after half-time when Kleber Chala rose to bury a pinpoint cross from Angel Fernandez on the right. But thereafter it was all one-way traffic and Chile took every chance that came their way as Ecuador struggled desperately to pierce the opposing defence. Chile regained the lead on 74 minutes when Cristian Montecinos unleashed a spectacular 30-metre shot that flew in from the left flank, giving Geovanni Ibarra no chance. Montecinos helped put Chile 3-1 up in the closing minutes, chipping delicately for Marcelo Corrales to score on 86 minutes. Montecinos doubled his tally in injury time, hooking in from close range after some good work by Corrales. Ecuador struggled to find their normal rhythm throughout, and several key players including skipper Aguinaga, looked short of match fitness. They had started the match brightly, passing smoothly and frustrating Chile. But for all Ecuador’s slick movement they were unable to find a way through some resolute Chilean defending. For Ecuador’s Colombian coach Hernan Dario Gomez it was a disappointing return to his homeland. Gomez, who has now recovered after being shot by mystery gunmen earlier this year, said his side had deserved to lose. “You have to give credit to Chile,” Gomez said. “Chile played a tactically strong game and they waited for the openings to present themselves. As soon as they got a chance they took it,” Gomez said ruefully. The coach said Ecuador might have been affected by the occasion and the fiercely partisan crowd. “My players did not behave like favourites, it was a hard match for them,” he said. Gomez said the sending off of goalscorer Chala in the 78th minute had been critical. “I’m not making excuses but it was an important moment for us,” Gomez said. Gomez must now hope his side can regroup for their remaining fixtures against Colombia and Venezuela. He will be concerned over the form and fitness of the sluggish Aguinaga. “He’s still recovering from an injury. He just needs more time and match experience,” Gomez said. Gomez’s compatriot and counterpart in the Colombia hotseat, Francisco Maturana, had no such problems as his side wrapped up a clinical victory over Venezuela, the group whipping boys. A 16th-minute effort from midfielder Freddy Grisales put the hosts on the way to victory, with Victor Aristizabal making sure with a penalty in the 60th minute. The build-up to the Copa America was thrown into turmoil by the wave of violence that has swept across Colombia this year. The tournament was postponed last week because of fear for the safety of teams taking part, but a spectacular u-turn by South American officials saw them decide to press ahead with the competition. Argentina however, have pulled out along with invited side Canada, dealing a blow to the prestige of the competition, already hit by the withdrawal of top South American stars based in Europe.
AFP |
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Bailey to
quit after
Edmonton meet Toronto, July 12 “I’m happy that I’m competing, for sure, but it would be good if I was completely healthy,” Bailey said yesterday. “But it’s my last race, so why not do it at home?” “After competing with a bone spur in his right heel at the Canadian championships, an ultrasound showed a second smaller spur on Bailey’s left heel.
AP |
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Mahindra players
join camp Patiala, July 12 Six players, Jules Alberto, Khalid Jamil, Suresh Kumar,
Najeeb, Varinder Singh and Surkumar-reported at the NIS for the camp. However, East Bengal are yet to release their key players. The club officials are reportedly willing to send I.M. Vijayan and Deepak Mondal on the condition that both will join the team on July 18 at New Delhi, just a day before the squad flies to England to play a series of four matches.
However, the club authorities are willing to release two footballers, Deepankar Roy and Sangram Mukherjee, for the ongoing camp and both of them are expected to report at the NIS any time. The squad has received a big jolt as ace midfielder and captain of the Indian squad which took part in the recently concluded Merdeka cup, Joe Paul Ancheri, has been ruled out due to a groin injury. At present, Ancheri is not even turning out for East Bengal in the super division league. The Indians are scheduled to play their first match against Brentford on July 24 and will follow this up with a match against Notingham Forest on July 28. The team will square off with Leyton Orient on July 28. |
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Haryana to take part in 17
events Chandigarh, July 12 Stating this here today, Mr Abhay Singh Chautala, President, HOA said Haryana would participate in 17 sports disciplines — athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, handball (women), hockey (women), judo, kabbadi (national style), rifle shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and tug-of-war. It was decided to send only those teams and players who would be in a position to win medals in the games. The concerned sports associations had been directed to conduct intensive coaching camps. The HOA would approach the Haryana Government to give Rs 51,000, Rs 31,000 and Rs 21,000 to the winners of gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, in individual events and Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 51,000 to the winners of gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, in team events. Mr Devender Singh, President, District Olympic Association, Karnal, has been nominated as Chef-De-Mission of the contingent. The HOA has also approved a budget of Rs 12 lakh for the games. The HOA had also decided to sponsor budding badminton player Prerak Sharma of Panchkula for an international tournament. The HOA would pay to him one-way air fare. Besides, the District Olympic Association, Hisar and Sonepat were directed to give cash incentives of Rs 51,000 each to the wrestlers Sunita Sharma and Ramesh Kumar for their achievements at the international level. |
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Haryana gears up for National
Games Chandigarh, July 12 Mr Sinha said synthetic tracks would be ready soon. He said Haryana was going to lay down largest number of these tracks in the country. The Director said his department was working in co-operation with Haryana Olympic Association to promote sports in the state. He said the new SAI Sports Training Centre (STC) at Hisar Agricultural University would go a long way in promoting the sports in the state, the centre with 200 trainees was biggest STC centre of SAI in India. Regarding the performance expected of state sportspersons in the forthcoming 31st National Games to be held in Punjab, he said the performance would be better than what was in the last National Games held at Manipur. Mr Sinha said they were waiting for the decision of SAI regarding allotment of office space to them which was to be either at Gurgaon or Panchkula. On the recent decision by the Haryana Sports Department to host schools sports meet at different places in the state, he said, though, it was primarily the responsibility of the Haryana Education Department, yet the sports department would co-operate in organising the meet so that talent from the grassroots level was tapped in a more effective manner. |
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