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Tuesday,
October
7, 2003,
Chandigarh, India  
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Preparation on
right track: Kiwi coach Key players’
absence will not affect chances: hockey coach
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Punjab Govt
honours hockey players Govt chalking out plans to promote sports Separate cadre
for sportsmen mooted HP Blue register
1-0 victory DAVC Jalandhar
storm into final Alisha, Shubhneet
help Amritsar win DFA Kapurthala
rout Nabha Academy
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Wright banking on bowling skills of Sachin, Sourav
Ahmedabad, October 6 Wright said he was confident of the capabilities of the likes of Ganguly and Tendulkar who could “win a match with the ball too.” “Sachin can be a match-winner with the ball. He had fantastic spells in both Challenger as well as Irani Cup recently,” Wright told reporters ahead of the first Test starting here on Wednesday. “This would be the best opportunity for players like Ganguly, who has improved his pace, and Virender Sehwag and Tendulkar to be used as bowlers as only four frontline bowlers would be playing in the first Test,” Wright said. He said the two spinners - Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh — would be playing while inclusion of a third spinner in Sairaj Bahutule was also not ruled out. However, the final playing XI would only be finalised tomorrow night, the coach said. On the new opening combination he said Sehwag had already proved himself and got runs as an opener while Akash Chopra too was in fine form being among runs in the three-day matches. The former Kiwi batsman said though it was “pretty hot”, these conditions would not be a problem as “we are used to this kind of weather”. The coach said the Indian think-tank had not insisted on preparation of any particular kind of wicket for the first Test. “We have not given any such instruction... generally, the wicket at Motera has been very good and it has produced some tremendous Test matches in the past and we expect a sporting wicket this time as well.” When asked to comment on New Zealand coach Ashley Ross’ statement that his team had plans for every Indian player, Wright said “everty team has plans, we have ours and they have theirs but the most important thing is that it should work on the field, which is not always easy. “The execution of plans to perfection during matches is the toughest part,” Wright said while stressing the team was not to bothered by what the opposition might be planning. “We know New Zealand is a competitive side and we know they have been doing very well in the past 18 months but we are prepared to face them... I am sure it’s going to be an interesting series.” Pacemen Laxmipathy Balaji and Avishkar Salvi, who were in Sri Lanka for a three-nation tournament, have joined the team and took part in the practice session today. Both were spotted bowling to captain Ganguly in the nets. The two umpires — David Shepherd of England and Rudy Koerzen of South Africa were also in the thick of things at the Indian nets. Shepherd was seen taking Tendulkar’s autograph on a cricket bat.
— PTI |
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Preparation on right track: Kiwi coach
Ahmedabad, October 6 Ross told reporters after the net practice that the team members had prepared themselves in right earnest and were looking forward to the encounter despite their top batsmen failing in the side game at Rajkot and not even getting a chance to bat (due to rains) in the Visakhapatnam tie. "We are not too worried about Nathan (Astle), Scott Styris and skipper Stephen Fleming not getting big scores as they are quality players and can strike form any time," he said. "Our preparation is going on the right track and we believe in our batsmen's ability to perform in Test matches. Our frontline bowlers — Jacob Oram and Daryel Tuffey — too had long spells at Rajkot and have proved that they can cope up with heat and humidity over here," Ross said. When asked about their not so impressive fielding in the three-day tie against India-A at Rajkot, Ross said "fielding shows the attitude of the players. The players took it easy as it was just a side game. Come the Test match they will pick up their fielding standards". Among the New Zealand batsmen, opening batsman Mark Richardson and allrounder Oram scored centuries at Rajkot while the other opening batsman Lou Vincent and Craig McMillan showed glimpses of their talent when they held the innings together in the second innings after their team had lost four wickets for just 39 runs. Among the bowlers Oram and Tuffey have shown they can generate pace on Indian wickets while left arm spinner Daniel Vettori has been quite impressive in the three-day matches. On security arrangements at the stadium, Ross said they were more than satisfied with it. "Security and hospitality has been top class so far and we hope it will continue to be good throughout the two-match Test series and the tri-series after that," he added.
— PTI |
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Key players’ absence will not affect chances: hockey coach
New Delhi, October 6 After India’s maiden title win in the Asia Cup, the Indian Hockey Federation decided to rest Pillay alongwith six other members of the side — Baljit Singh Dhillon, Baljit Singh Saini, Tejbir Singh, Didar Singh, Dinesh Nayak and Kamaldeep Singh — for the October 24 to November 1 event with an eye on the December Test series against the Netherlands and the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia in January. “These players absence will not make much difference to our performance. Rather it will help groom young players and provide them with international exposure,” Rajinder Singh said ahead of the probables’ training camp, which will commence here tomorrow. “In Asia Cup we had no Jugraj (Singh), one of our best players, but still we were able to win the title,” he said. Jugraj, considered one of the world’s best drag flickers, missed the Asia Cup due to an injury suffered during a road accident last month and is currently recovering in a hospital here. “Giving rest to seven players does not mean that we are not taking the Afro-Asian Games seriously,” the chief coach said. “India is the host country and it is an important event for all of us. There are so many strong sides in the field. We will come up with our best-possible performance,” Rajinder Singh said. He said the seven players were rested after the IHF took into consideration the amount of hockey played in the last six months. “Dhanraj, Dhillon and Saini played a lot in the last six months. All the players needed rest. What is the use of having them in the side if we can’t take their help. “So we decided to give rest to seven players since it will not only charge them up physically but also mentally.” The chief coach also highlighted several areas where the Indians needed to work in order to put up an improved performance in the Afro-Asian Games. “We seem to have some problem or the other in almost all the departments. “We are looking for a short corner expert who can fit in to Jugraj’s shoes. The forwards missed several chances during the Asia Cup and during the camp we will be working on that too,” Rajinder Singh said. “We also need to work on our midfield, fine tune tackling and the goalkeeping,” he added. India are expected to face a tough competition in the Afro-Asian Games since all the top nations from the two continents have confirmed their participation. Pakistan, South Korea and Malaysia are the other three countries from Asia besides India who will be taking part in the event while Africa will be represented by South Africa, Egypt, Zimbabwe and Ghana.
— PTI |
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Jugraj walks, to
fly to USA soon New Delhi, October 6 Assisted by father Rajinder Singh and Indian Hockey Federation president KPS Gill, Jugraj walked a few steps, and doctors said he would soon be back to the field. The team of doctors attending on the 20-year-old penalty corner specialist said he would be taken to the US in a week for further treatment. The Indian Olympic Association has requested the US
Olympic Committee to facilitate his treatment under their Medical Commission. “Jugraj is recovering fast and we hope he will be able to play in his normal form soon,” his doctors said. The player told UNI that he was feeling absolutely fine and hoped he will be back to the field soon. The player was brought here from Ludhiana on September 28. Meanwhile, Batra Hospital chairman AL Batra today handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to Mr Gill for the national hockey team which has for the first time lifted the Asian Cup, held at Kuala Lumpur last week.
— UNI |
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Punjab Govt honours hockey players
Chandigarh, October 6 Nine players of the winning hockey team who belong to Punjab were each given Rs 75,000 by the Sports Minister Punjab, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang. The players honoured were, Gagan Ajit Singh, Baljit
Saini, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Tejbir Singh, Kanwalpreet Singh, Didar Singh, Kamaldeep Singh, Prabhjot Singh and Deepak Thakur. Kang also gave Rs 5 lakh to Mrs Gurmeet Kaur, mother of injured hockey player Jugraj Singh for his treatment. The minister disclosed that Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, Punjab was also keen to personally congratulate the players, but could not do so as he was unwell. He appealed to hockey players to continue to bring glory to the state and hoped that they would perform to their optimum level in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Later, Deepak Thakur, is a trainee at the SAI Centre of Excellence, Patiala, said, he was deeply moved by the generosity showered on him by the Punjab Government by honouring him. Deepak a native of Una in Himachal Pradesh, said he did not expect any positive response from his state. He evinced his keen interest to represent Punjab. Mr DS Bains, Secretary Sports, Punjab and Mr Kartar Singh, Director Sports, were also present on the occasion. |
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Govt chalking out plans to promote sports Fatehgarh Sahib, October 6 He said the state government was formulating plans to promote sports and encourage sportspersons in the state. He said now sports had become a means of earning livelihood. “Good players can earn handsome money, name and fame,” he said. Mr S.K.Ghai, AGM, State Bank of Patiala, highlighted various schemes of the bank for sportsmen, students, traders and farmers. He said theirs was the only bank whose all branches had been computerised. The bank was sponsoring various social and sports events to create awareness among the youth. Mr Bir Devinder Singh announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh to the club for constructing shed of the stadium and holding its activities. He also distributed prizes to the winners. Vaid Hari Krishan, president, DCC, Mr R.N. Sharma, Mr Subhash Sood, Mr Naresh Sharma, Mr Sadhu Ram, Congress leaders, Mr Varinder Takyar, patron of the club, also spoke on the occasion. |
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Separate cadre for
sportsmen mooted Chandigarh, October 6 The committee, which held its third meeting today, considered various options available to it while finding a solution to this "reversion" issue following a direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on which the State has to file an action taken report later this month. There appeared to be near unanimity on the issue of creating a separate cadre by earmarking five per cent of C-2 positions for outstanding sportsmen and women. Mr M.S. Bhullar, a former Director-General of Police, revealed that a committee headed by him had proposed some years ago that 10 per cent discretionary quota of promoting outstanding Constables from C-1 to C-2 be raised to 20 per cent, by earmarking 5 per cent seats only for outstanding players. Once this was done with retrospective effect, he said, the problem being faced now, would be automatically resolved. His suggestion was strongly supported by not only Mr Rajdeep Singh Gill, Additional Director-General of Police, but also by Mr Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Chief Whip of Punjab Congress Legislature Party and President of Chandigarh Olympic Association. Mr Kang made it clear that it was "bureaucracy which has to suggest ways and means to ensure that no outstanding sportsman or woman is reverted. |
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HP Blue register 1-0 victory Mandi, October 6 In the first match of the day played between HP Red and Signals, the latter wasted six penalty corners in the first half whereas HP Red boys failed to convert their lone penalty corner. At half time both the teams were locked goal-less. Both the teams tried hard to beat the defence of each other in the second half but failed to hit the target. The day’s second match played between Air Force Chandigarh and I.T.B.P was a virtual replay of the first match. The third match of the day played between Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy and HP Blue witnessed excellent moves right from the beginning. HP boys procured penalty corner in the first minute of the game but faltered. HP team displayed good teamwork and stopped Academy boys from converting two penalty corners which they earned in quick successions in the first half. The HP boys continued to mount pressure. In the 22nd minute of the game Himachal’s Pradeep struck a field goal taking a 1-0 lead . At half time the scores were 1-0 in favour of HP Blue. In the second half both the teams tried hard but the game remained in the midfield. HP Blue won the match 1-0. |
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DAVC Jalandhar storm into final Jalandhar, October 6 Earlier, in a one-sided encounter, defending champions DAV College, Jalandhar, thrashed last year’s runners-up Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, 5-0 to enter the final. The DAV boys opened the score in the fifth minute through Jarnail Singh who scored a field goal 1-0. Consolidating the lead further, Roop Lal made it 2-0, In the following minute Yadwinder Singh netted, moving the score to 3-0 till the lemon break. In the 44th minute, DAV’s Amarjit Singh tactfully converted a penalty corner 4-0. The defending champions struck their last blow during the 45th minute as Amarjit Singh made no mistake in converting the penalty corner 5-0. In another high-voltage encounter, this year’s new entrants Khalsa College, Patiala, ousted SGGS College, Chandigarh, 1-0. The excellent defending techniques of both the teams kept the scoreboard empty during the first half. The winning goal for the Patiala boys came in the 34th minute as Jasdev Singh converted a penalty corner. The Chandigarh boys got four penalty corners but failed to convert any. Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar and SGGS College, Chandigarh, will clash for the third place. |
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Alisha, Shubhneet help Amritsar win Amritsar, October 6 Amritsar secured the first position by grabbing two points while Sangrur were the runners-up. Alisha beat Meenu Sharma and Shubhneet beat Harpreet by 9-0 each. In the under-17 boys, Patiala grabbed first position and Ropar took second, Navinder of Patiala defeated Karan of Ropar by 9-2 and Kuldeep Chug of Patiala beat Manpreet of Ropar 9-4. In the under-14 boys and girls, Amritsar bagged the first positions. In the boys category, Ankit beat Sudhanshu of Ropar 9-1 and Ujwal thrashed Gurinder of Ropar 9-4. In the girls section, Amritsar and Ropar both won a match each. The winner was decided in the doubles. Ayushi and Malika of Amritsar beat Shifali and Inderjit Kaur of Ropar 8-0. In the girls U-19, Patiala beat Ropar by two points. Both the two matches were won by Patiala. Navchetan routed Jaslin 9-7 and Neha defeated Manmeer 9-7. In the boys U-19 Amritsar grabbed the first position while Jalandhar finished second. The hosts won both the singles. Kushagra Mahajan outplayed Gurpreet Singh of Jalandhar 6-2, 6-3 while Sunil Kumar outclassed Satveer Singh of Jalandhar 6-2, 6-4. |
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DFA Kapurthala
rout Nabha Academy Nabha, October 6 Union Club started off impressively and in the third minute of the match, stopper back Vijay Kumar’s shot was fisted out by an agile goalkeeper, Mohammad Akram. Towards the fag end of the first half, medio Farookh Khan deftly placed the ball in the far side of the netting to open Muslim Club’s account. DFA, Kapurthala, went on a scoring spree in the first half itself when they ran up a lead of four goals. They added two more in the second half to carve out a comfortable 6-1 victory against their opponents. |
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