 |
|
Wednesday,
May 28,
2003, Chandigarh, India  
|
THREE-NATION
HOCKEY Kim
Clijsters, Lleytyon Hewitt sail through in French Open
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Klusener can ‘ruin a team’ Hard to see team on TV: Warne Rafath Habib beats Manan Ludhiana score 347 for 9 Will destiny follow his optimism?
Football coaching camp at Kurali
|
|
THREE-NATION
HOCKEY
Perth, May 27 Playing their first tournament this year, the Indians are keen to strike the right balance in the team and are essentially looking at the event as a build-up for bigger battles ahead — notably the Champions Trophy in Holland in August followed by the Athens Olympics. The team was shaping up well for the tournament which has Pakistan and Australia as the other two teams and comfortably won a practice match against a local side yesterday. Even as all attention was focussed on the India-Pakistan encounter on Saturday, the first since October last year, coach Rajinder Singh was concentrating on the bigger picture. “We are not looking at individual match results. We are here to prepare for the Olympics next year and focussing entirely on building up the right team for that,” Rajinder Singh said. “Of course, winning is important and we will try to win all our matches. But the thrust is on carrying out some experiments and get our combination and planning right,” he said. The Indians are woefully short on match practice, having not played any international this year. India skipped the Azlan Shan tournament in Malaysia in March this year in protest against ill-treatment to some Indian software professionals in Kuala Lumpur. However, Rajinder Singh said the team, which is an interesting blend of youth and experience, was gelling well and looked in fine nick. The team has already had four extensive practice sessions since reaching here on Sunday. The team also had a meeting today to chalk out plans for tomorrow. “The only hiccup is the faster grounds in this country,” Rajinder Singh said. “Our boys are not used to it and are taking a bit of time to settle down. But it should not be a big problem. “Today’s meeting discussed in detail how best to adjust on the faster grounds here and I am sure the boys will cope up with it.” India will take on Australia on Thursday and Pakistan on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s final for which Australia ‘A’ is not eligible to qualify. Australia take on Pakistan in the first match of the tournament tomorrow. The second leg of this tournament will be held in Sydney from June 4. Australia has announced a set of 24 players who will be rotated in both Australia and Australia ‘A’ squads. India: Devesh Chauhan, Kamaldeep Singh, Dilip Tirkey, Kanwaljeet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Ignace Tirkey, Bimal Lakra, Vikram Pillay, Viren Rasquinha, Prabodh Tirkey, Baljit Singh Saini, Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Gagan Ajit Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Tejbir Singh, Tushar Khandkar, Mukesh Kumar, Arjun Halappa and Sandeep Michael. PTI  |
|
Kim Clijsters, Lleytyon Hewitt sail
Paris, May 27 Defending men’s champion Albert Costa just avoided a French Open first-round exit today, coming from two sets down to beat Argen-tine unknown Sergio Roitman in five sets on court one. Grand Slam debutant Roitman, a 24-year-old lucky loser from the qualifiers and playing only the fourth Tour match of his career, lost his way after a brilliant start as Spain’s Costa won 6-7 (3/7), 2-6,
7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in 3 hours 38 min. He now meets Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic, who beat Wayne Arthurs of Australia 6-1, 4-6,
6-7 (7/2) having avoided becoming the first defending men’s champion ever to crash in the opening round here. Lindsay Davenport, the sixth seed, opened her bid for the only title missing from her Grand Slam collection with a 6-2,
6-0 hammering of Indonesian qualifier Wynne Pra-kusya today. Jennifer Capriati, the 2001 champion and seventh seed, got off to a winning start here today with a 6-2 6-1 win in her first meeting with South African Joannette Kruger. Belgian second seed Clijsters raced through a 6-2, 6-0 win in just
45 minutes over Amy Frazier of the US — but even that speedy showing gave her precious little time to head for the Suzanne Lenglen court, where Hewitt overcame an attack of third-set jitters to send American Brian Vahaly packing 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 despite 100 unforced errors by the Adelaider. Clijsters explained she and boyfriend Hewitt were in a hurry to get the job done so they could have time together in the world’s ‘most romantic city’, having been fortunate to see their matches scheduled closely together. The Belgian, who turns 20 on June 8 and who lost the final in 2001 to Jennifer Capriati 12-10 in the final set, pounded down a steady stream of winners in what was a hopelessly mismatched contest. Having fulfilled her part of the bargain by winning in double quick time Clijsters found Hewitt, who has yet to make the last four at Roland Garros, held up in his third set by by Vahaly, a 23-year-old from New Jersey, who recovered from 1-3 to force and win a tiebreak, saving three match points along the way. But Hewitt could afford a break against him in the eighth game of the fourth set to advance after 3hr 15min. Also advancing among the men was British 25th seed Tim Henman, who thrashed former Wimbledon semi-finalist Vladimir Voltchkov of Belarus 6-2, 6-3,
6-1 to set up a meeting with US veteran Todd Martin, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 conqueror of Argentina’s Jose Acasuso. Jelena Dokic, seeded 10, won through in the women’s event as she cruised past Angelika Roesch of Germany 6-4, 6-4. Yesterday, Andre Agassi showed with his 6-2, 6-3,
6-3 win over Karol Beck of Slovakia that even at 33 he was well capable of adding another success to the one he achieved here four years ago. Agassi, the reigning Australian Open champion with eight Grand Slam crowns to his name, took his record for 2003 to 24 wins for only two losses by pulverising Beck in 95 minutes to make a mockery of his scant preparation.
AFP
|
|
Hingis closes door on past
Paris, May 27 Hingis, 22, is a premature retiree having had surgery on damaged ankle ligaments which finally forced her to accept her career is over — and it was as a tourist only that she visited the French Open yesterday with horse riding, rather than racquet-wielding, now her main sporting interest. “Everybody is asking me. ‘What are you doing these days?’ It’s nice for me — now I’m no longer in competition with anyone,” Hingis told L’Equipe. The Swiss miss twice was a finalist here — in 1997, then again in 1999, when she lost a commanding lead against German legend Steffi Graf. That prompted on-court tears and a tantrum — and it was only her mother who persuaded her to return for the winners ceremony. That kind of heartache is now in the past. “It’s very moving to come back here and see the centre court, talk to the players and drink in the atmosphere. “I played here eight to 10 years — I know all about it. It’s nice to come back three or four days — but for me that chapter of my life is closed. I can’t play any more. Life goes on. “Now I just play a couple of times a week, purely for fun. I don’t train at all.” Hingis now goes riding on her horse Laetitia — more difficult to deal with than a racquet. “It’s easy to leave a racquet in the corner for a few days — but not a horse.” In response to whether she might just try a comeback Hingis was adamant she would not. “Physically for me it’s not possible. “The decision I took at the end of last year to retire was one I had duly reflected upon. I live in the future and not the past. “Now I live my life like a normal person — I have more intimacy. “I met Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt yesterday on the Champs Elysees in an ice cream parlour and we fell into each others arms.” Asked if she might just try a spot of mixed doubles here, Hingis hesitated. “Just for fun, okay — I haven’t got my return ticket yet! No I’m joking — I’m going back in a couple of days.” AFP
|
|
Mongia
enters wedlock Chandigarh, May 27 On her reaction when she came to know about their plan, she said: “I was excited at the prospect of my daughter’s marriage with a cricketer who had represented the country in the South Africa World Cup? We all felt proud and happy that our daughter was marrying a cricket star.” Pointing towards sky, Ms Shiela whispered, “You see, God wanted that the two should live together. Nothing ever happens without his blessings.” Aarti’s businessman father, Mr Dalip said: “We had never thought that our daughter would one day marry a cricket star. How can anyone tell what will happen till it actually takes place.” Asked whether they were nervous now that their daughter, born and brought up in Chennai, was getting married in a Punjabi family, they said: “We are sure that Aarti will get along with everyone very well. We are Marwaris and there is not much of a difference between the two cultures,” Ms Shiela said: “Right now, we are feeling great because of all the attention that our daughter is getting, not only from the media, but from everyone around”. Adjusting her
saree, she added, “Aarti was always a brilliant girl. In her school days, she was a state-level badminton player. Later, she went ahead to do her postgraduation in mass communication and diploma in business administration from Loyola College in Chennai”. As she spoke, guests kept pouring in to bless the couple. Special arrangements had been made to welcome them. There was no doubt about it. For once, there was no need for outsiders to stop their vehicles to ask for directions. From a distance, they could see eucalyptus trees on either sides of the road decked up with colourful blinking lights. Even the bushes on the median had been decorated. The venue was illuminated as guests stood there waiting for the “barat” to come, while a live band kept them in good spirits. At about 10.45 p.m., the bride, clad in a cherry
lehnga, walked on the carpet grass before the “jai-mala” ceremony. Surrounded by friends and relatives, she trotted under an umbrella of flowers. Though Mongia’s father objected to the clicking of photographs by journalists, the issue was resolved amicably after Mongia intervened. Though renowned cricketers failed to turn up at the wedding, Mongia’s family said a large number of “distinguished guests” were expected to attend the reception at the resort on Wednesday. The ceremony was attended by over 500 “select” guests.
|
|
|
Klusener can ‘ruin a team’
Cape Town, May 27 Last week Klusener was left out of the South African one-day and Test squads for the tour of England which begins next month. A poor attitude in the dressing room was widely quoted in South African media as the principle reason for his omission. “We decided Lance as a team man can only cause hassles and we want to move forward in SA cricket,” Smith said at the breakfast. “To be honest Lance, as fantastic as he is...can sometimes ruin a team.” “His ability as a cricketer is very good, but his ability as a team-man is not very good and he kind of can infect a team and bring down the youth,” Smith said. Klusener was the Player of the Tournament at the 1999 World Cup in England. Smith said he was confident his team would perform well in England without Klusener as South Africa look to win a series there for the first time since readmission to the international game in 1991. South Africa drew 1-1 in 1994 and were controversially beaten 2-1 in 1998 after a series of umpiring decisions went against them in the deciding Test at Headingley. “We are determined to go there and win the series — a daunting task when looking at our two previous tours there,” Smith said. Prior to Smith’s comments, Klusener said after hearing he had been dropped: “I am the way that I am. If personality gets in the way of statistics and performance, then so be it.” He added: “If the powers-that-be want to make decisions like that then so be it. It’s their loss.” Klusener added that he had received offers from Australia and was also interested in playing county cricket in England. Reuters
|
|
Hard to see team on TV: Warne
Melbourne, May 27 Test cricket’s second-leading wicket-taker will be available for selection in February next year and is also considering making a comeback to one-day internationals. “I still think I have a few good years left in me,’’ the leg-spinner said in an interview on Australia television aired last night. “I’ll use this 12 months wisely, keep myself fit as I am now, come up with a few new deliveries,’’ the 33-year-old added. “Hopefully I will come back better than ever.” Warne missed Australia’s successful World Cup defence in South Africa when he was banned for 12 months in February after testing positive for diuretics. The Australian announced in January he would retire from one-day internationals after the World Cup. He had dislocated his shoulder a month earlier and wanted to reduce his workload in order to preserve his Test career. One of Wisden’s five cricketers of the last century, Warne has been watching Ricky Ponting’s side take a 4-1 lead in the seven-match one-day tournament in the West Indies after Steve Waugh-led Australia to a 3-1 win in the Test series. “I’m really missing it at the moment. I missed it the other night when Australia had to keep the Windies to about 50 runs and they had three wickets in hand,’’ Warne said. “I would have loved to have the ball in my hands trying to get them out.’’ Reuters
|
|
Rafath Habib beats Manan Jalandhar, May 27 Manan Chandra shot into a seemingly invincible lead of 3-0 when Habib came from behind with some stupendous brakes to level the score. He rifled 88 in the 5th, 66 in the 6th and 49 in the 7th frames before Manan put a full stop to his break building streak. The decider also went Habib’s way when he amassed a crucial 43 to storm into the semifinals. The scores were 46-70, 29-65, 72-16, 94-1, 92-1, 87-6, 39-65 and 103-15. India’s child prodigy Pankaj Advani failed to make a dent in Davinder Joshl’s winning run even as the latter had annexed almost all the trophies that came his way. Joshi set the tempo in the match, making two splendid runs of 39 and 54 to win the first frame. Joshi won 93-17, 27-57, 88-45, 94-40, 80-57, 42-63 and 70-53. Ashok Shandilya sprang a major surprise by defeating Dharminder Lilly 5-4. Ashok took a leeway lead of 4-0 when the match seemed lost, Lilly made it 4-4. In the end Shandilya triumphed by the skin of his teeth. Alok Kumar had an easy win against Anuj Uppal when he triumphed by 5 frames to 2. Alok won 87-38, 74-43, 57-25, 36-78, 82-46 and 74-65. In the quarterfinal match Rishabh Thukral beat Manan Chandra to reach the semifinals while Siddhartha Anand got the better of Ashok Shandilya. Rishabh and Siddharth are slated to play in the
semifinals. |
|
Ludhiana
score 347 for 9 Ludhiana, May 27 Tarun won the toss and decided to bat first. Ludhiana began on a solid note with Karan Goel and Amrit Pal Singh put on 123 runs for the first wicket. Karan made a quick 81, which came off just 86 balls with the help of 15 fours. After the dismissal of Karan Goel, Varun Gupta joined Amrit Pal and the pair took the score to 151 before the later giving a simple catch at backward point. Varun contributed 18 runs. For the third wicket, Amrit Pal Singh (86) and Dushyant Kohli (42) added 88 runs. In the later order, Tarun Kanish, a student of mechanical engineering part-I at the Chandigarh Engineering College made a quickfire 53 while Ashish Vinayak and Yogesh Kumar chipped in with 24 and 23 runs, respectively as Ludhiana made 347 for nine in the stipulated 90 overs. In reply, Minor Districts, at draw of stumps, were 13 for no loss . Brief scores: Ludhiana (Ist innings):
347 for 9 in 90 overs ( Karan Goel 81, Amrit Pal Singh 86, Varun Gupta 18, Dushyant Kohli 42, Ashish Vinayak 24, Tarun Kanish 53, Yogesh 23, Deepak Gatta 4 for 101, Gagandeep 2 for 102 and Gurdeep 1 for 78) Minor Districts (Ist innings):
13 for no loss in 3 overs. |
|
|
Will destiny follow his optimism?
Patiala, May 27 The first thing his coach told him was that football, like all other games, is a great leveller. A champion one day can be below par in the next match. And the lessons taught by his coach have been thoroughly learnt by
Harninder. Otherwise, the youngster would have called it quits by now had it not been for the mental toughness he imbibed from his guru,as he likes to address
Gill. Harninder has a natural flair for being an attacking forward. He made his debut for Punjab in the state junior championship held at JCT stadium in Phagwara in 1996. Then he slowly yet steadly graduated into playing in the senior ranks when he bagged a spot in the Patiala team in the senior state championship held at Fatehgarh Sahib in 2000. It was at this time that Harninder lost form and with it his interest in the sport also weaned. To combat the adversities he had his grit, determination and his guru to fall back on. Harninder displayed character to make it to the Punjab schools’ team for the 47th national school games held at Jammu, where his goal in the final enabled his team to win the gold medal. Embedded in his memory are some moments which he will cherish forever. Like the goal he scored in the final at the Punjab junior championship at Phagwara in 2000. He collected the ball in his own half and dodged his way past a dazed defense before sending in a rasping shot from the top of the box which beat the rival keeper all ends up. The applause had not yet died down when he scored his team’s second goal. As Harninder puts it “That was a defining momment in my career. A lot of professionals were watching the game and showered praise on me.” His dream is to play for India. Destiny follows no predictable path but if everything goes according to the script that his coach has written for him, Harninder may well find himself in the senior Indian team. And the youngster knows that even at the best of times dreams get shattered. But this he is mentally prepared for that moment, if at all it comes. |
|
|
Football
coaching camp at Kurali Chandigarh, May 27 The highlight of the camp will be a special session by former national coach Sukhwinder Singh, who is also the coach of JCT Phagwara, and his deputy Parminder Singh, former Asian star. Coaching will be imparted by Ram Narain Singh, Parminder Singh, and Dr S.S. Chawla. Interested boys can register for the camp from May 30.
|
|
Wrestling
trials tomorrow Amritsar, May 27 Meanwhile, the
District Sports Officer, Mr Harinder Singh Malhi, said the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had adopted Padam Shiri Kartar Singh Wrestling Stadium, Gol Bagh, for promotion of the sport. |
|
Chess meet in Amritsar from tomorrow Amritsar, May 27 President of ACA Narinder Singh said chess would be played through FIDE (Swiss system) rules. Top 10 players from this championship will be selected for Punjab A Chess Championship. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 123 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Paris, May 27
