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Pargat: Only God can save Indian hockey Former players to ‘pressurise’ IHF Bedi champions Dhanraj’s cause Barog camp delayed by three days
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Gagged Akhtar promised fair deal Anwar,
Aquib appointed coaches Pak hospitality ‘exemplary’ Rhodes willing to
coach trainees
East Bengal secure
quarterfinal berth Roddick falls to Canas
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Pargat: Only God can save Indian hockey New Delhi, May 5 Pargat said he was surprised at the IHF’s decision to continue with experimentations with the side even though the Athens Olympics was just round the corner. “This is totally wrong. Experimentation before one or two years before a big event is understandable. But with just three months to go, I don’t know why they are doing this,” said Pargat even as yet another “experimental” side starts preparations for a four-nation hockey tournament at Gifu, Japan. “It’s not justified and not doing any good to the team. There is no long-term planning for promoting the game. They lack professionalism and vision,” the former full-back stated. The 39-year-old, who captained India in two Olympics — in 1992 at Barcelona and 1996 at Atlanta, also threw his weight behind “out of favour” strikers Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Singh Dhillon. The two veterans were ignored by the IHF from a pool of 30 hopefuls for the Athens Games in August. “If they are fit they should be in the team,” Pargat said referring to IHF chief K.P.S. Gill’s comments that only those players would be picked in the 16-member team for the Olympics who can play for the entire duration of a match. “These two players should have been given a chance to prove their fitness. They are very experienced players and must not be ignored. “But now it all depends on the coach (Rajinder Singh) and the IHF whether the two can play in the Olympics or not,” he said. The legendary player also said that the IHF should pay heed to former players who can help the game in a big way in the country. “Once you retire from the game, you mean nothing to the IHF. Even your visit to the IHF office bothers them. “It’s high time that the former players should take the IHF to task.” Pargat, currently the coach of Punjab Police, also spoke about penalty corner expert Jugraj Singh, who has resumed practice after recovering from a near-fatal accident near Jalandhar last year. “Jugraj has started training but would take some time before regaining full
fitness. I can’t say how long it will take before he resumes playing hockey but he has started jogging.”
— PTI |
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Former players to ‘pressurise’ IHF Former hockey players will meet in Mumbai soon to “pressurise” the Indian Hockey Federation for considering senior players, including former captain Dhanraj Pillay, among the Olympic hopefuls. “We have called a press conference with all the former players in Mumbai to discuss the issue,” former captain and coach Zafar Iqbal told reporters here today. “I do not know how far we will be able to achieve by pressurising the IHF... but with a very limited choice, Dhanraj becomes an indispensable element of the team,” he said. Iqbal said “Pillay is an extraordinary player as playing with the same determination for 15 years is no easy thing.” Keeping in view that the Athens Olympics are just 100 days away, this is no time for “experimentation but planning strategies against the rival teams,” the former left winger said. Former hockey player Ashok Kumar also supported the cause of senior players. “Senior players like Dhanraj are required to handle pressure in the dying moments and save the match. They can enliven the team,” Ashok Kumar, son of hockey legend Dhyanchand said. “If fitness is the issue in Dhanraj’s case why were (Baljit Singh) Dhillon and (Baljit Singh) Saini left out of the squad,” he said. “Dhillon is an intelligent player with good timing and experience. Who would the youngsters look upto in critical moments on the field,” Ashok Kumar said emphasising the need to have seniors in the team. “Such controversies also demoralise the team,” he said. Iqbal said the IHF should honour players for their services. “If it does not want Dhanraj it should be transparent about it and not hide anything from him...It is the time that IHF gives players some say”. On whether the Hockey Players Association could fight for the seniors, he said “we have a players association but it is not very active. We need to work more for the welfare of the former players”.
— PTI |
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Bedi champions Dhanraj’s cause New Delhi, May 5 Bedi strongly advocated the inclusion of Dhanraj Pillay in the Indian hockey team for the Olympic Games at Athens in August-September this year. He requested the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to bury the hatchet, and sort out the problem with Dhanraj to felicitate his return to the national team, along with other senior players like Baljit Singh Dhillon and Baljit Singh Saini. Bedi said India could not afford to cast away an experienced player like Dhanraj, who was still fit and agile, from the Olympic team if India were hoping to figure among the medallists. Bedi’s views were echoed by former Olympians Ashok Kumar and Zaffar Iqbal during an interaction with the media. Bedi said if cricket was doing well, it was because the “players are together”. Ashok Kumar said both the IHF and the senior players should sit together and thrash out their differences, and not stand on “personal
egos”, for the larger interest of Indian hockey. He felt the sympathy wave emanating in favour of Dhanraj was a “good sign” as no former player had received such support from fellow players as Dhanraj was getting now. Ashok Kumar said the presence of senior players like Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Singh Dhillon on the bench would be a morale-booster for the rest of the team members even if they were not able to play a full 70-minute game. He said Dhanraj was a valuable player who could be used judiciously for the best interest of the team. Zaffar Iqbal asserted that “Dhanraj Pillay should be there in the Olympic team”. He felt that the coach should be able to handle all the players well and foresaw no problem if Dhanraj was included in the Olympic squad. Meanwhile, Bishan Singh Bedi announced that he would hold his annual summer cricket camp this year at
Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh from May 15 to June 30. Bedi said after the month-long camp at
Dharamshala, a select group of boys would be taken for a tour of England under the banner of the Bishan Singh Bedi Sports Trust. He said the idea of the camp was to scout for hidden talent and then bring such players to the mainstream by giving them proper coaching tips and guidance. He said players in the age group of under-15 and under-20 will be selected for the camp. |
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Barog camp delayed by three days New Delhi, May 5 The camp, originally scheduled to begin on May 10, would now start on May 13 and continue till May 28, IHF sources said here today. “We could not start it on time as we did not get enough rooms there. We have been forced to delay the camp by three days,” the sources told PTI. The Indian Hockey Federation has chosen this picturesque venue, situated 33 km on the Kalka-Shimla highway and 1680-m above the sea level, for some high-altitude training in the build-up to the Athens Games. In the first phase only 12 probables, including veteran Dilip Tirkey and three strikers — Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh — would be attending the camp. They would later be joined by the members of the 18-member “experimental” Indian team that would be playing a four-nation tournament in Japan from May 13 to 18. Meanwhile, the camp for the Japan tournament started at the National Stadium here today with most of the players reporting to coach Harendra Singh on the first day. The side, containing mostly junior players, would be led by Services’ Ignace Tirkey. The event, also featuring Asian Games winners Korea, China and hosts Japan, would provide a great opportunity to both coach Harendra Singh and some of the youngsters, keen to prove their mettle at the highest level. Harendra, a highly successful junior coach, would be looking to put behind the disappointment of the Azlan Shah Cup where under his guidance India had finished last. But this time Harendra is not taking any chances and is determined to take India to the victory podium. “We are aiming to win the title at Japan. We would be working on our weaknesses during the short camp. Our stress would be on fast rotation of ball and preventing our opponents from scoring from counter-attacks,” he said. The addition of five players, who played in the national team in Australia recently, has boosted India’s chances, admitted the coach. “With Ignace and Bimal Lakra coming into the side, our mid-field play would be much better. They have to play crucial roles in our win,” said Harendra, who led the Indian juniors to their maiden Asia Cup triumph in Pakistan recently. The first match of the tournament will see India play Japan followed by a game against Korea on May 15. India and China would clash on May 16 while the play-offs would be held on May 18.
— PTI |
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Batsmen-friendly tracks will ‘kill’ bowlers: Lee Chennai, May 5 Talking to newspersons as the brand ambassador of Timex watches, he expressed concern over Test wickets becoming increasingly batsmen-friendly. The Australian fast bowler pointed to the 400 Test runs scored by Brian Lara of West Indies against England recently to substantiate his view that the pitches were becoming batsmen-friendly. “As a fast bowler one should pitch the ball in the right spot. There will hardly be any assistance for the medium pacers on batsmen-friendly wickets. In the long run, it will kill the bowlers,” he added. He dismissed the view that the absence of strike bowlers Glenn McGrath and himself had led to India performing creditably well during the recent tour to “Down Under.” Showering encomiums on the Indian team, he said the way they played showed their confidence. The Indian team had improved by leaps and bounds, thanks to skipper Sourav Ganguly, who had taken the team to high levels, Brett Lee remarked. He expressed disappointment for not playing the entire series against India back home and said he was raring to go when the Aussies arrived here in October for a Test series. “Come October, I will be raring to go at the Indians,” he remarked. “The tour will not be so easy as playing in India is very difficult. We will be coming with a lot of confidence and do our home work well leading up to the series.” Praising the leadership qualities of skipper Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee said: “He (Ponting) keeps going higher and higher. He is very focussed. He showed very good leadership qualities during the Sri Lankan tour and the other guys backed him up well.” Brett Lee said India had a great potential for fast bowlers and pointed out that the youngsters were being trained at the MRF Pace foundation under the leadership of “pace guru” Dennis Lillee. “There is a lot of potential (in pace bowling) coming through in India. (Aashish) Nehra is back after the injury and he did well in recent Tests. If the young bowlers get the right type of guidance, the future of India will be very bright and they can be ideal successors for bowlers like (Javagal) Srinath,” he added. To a question, he said leggie Shane Warne and offie Muttiah Muralitharan would continue to compete for the next couple of years for the world record of Test wickets. “They will be beating each other frequently.” “When Kapil took 434 wickets, nobody would have thought that it would be broken. After Courtney Walsh bettered it and touched the 500-wicket mark before finishing with 519 wickets, one thought that it will stay for long,” Brett Lee said and added that Warne was mentally very strong and was very determined. Both of them were world class bowlers. Just a couple of wickets separate Shane Warne and Muralitharan who have joined the elusive 500-wicket club and who are within striking distance of the record set by Walsh. Referring to the controversy surrounding Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar that he had allegedly feigned injury during the deciding test against India at Rawalpindi recently, Brett Lee said “knowing Shoaib for the last five to 10 years, I couldn’t see he (Shoaib) faking an injury.” He also cautioned people making allegations of suspect action against some bowlers and said “one has to be very careful while accusing others of indulging in illegal acts (like chucking or throwing). It really hurt me when somebody said about my action.” |
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Gagged Akhtar promised fair deal
Islamabad, May 5 Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan met Shoaib for 45 minutes at the PCB headquarters in Lahore after receiving the report of the medical inquiry commission about the nature of injury sustained by the bowler during the Pindi Test against India. The PCB chief also told Shoaib that he would be given an opportunity to explain his conduct before it initiates any action. “The basic objective of the meeting was to give Shoaib Akhtar a complete background of the situation that led to the appointment of the Medical Commission as also related cricketing issues,” Shaharyar said in a press release after the meeting. “Shoaib Akhtar was assured that the PCB would be fair to him and that he would be given every opportunity to explain his conduct.” The PCB chief’s meeting with the player is being seen as an attempt by the board to put an end to the raging controversy. Shaharyar, in turn, asked Shoaib not to address a press conference or make public statements, which the fast bowler obliged by declining to speak to the media soon after the meeting.
— PTI |
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Anwar,
Aquib appointed coaches Lahore, May 5 The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) launched the first proper cricket course at the academy here yesterday. Meanwhile, Ali Zia has been appointed the fielding coach’s role in the programme to be attended by 25 cricketers of 17-19 age group. Another programme, the 10-week Graduation Programme for 19-22 age group, will commence at the NCA from June 28. The six-week regional academies in nine cities will also commence from May 24 for which the PCB has appointed its coaches.
— UNI |
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Pak hospitality ‘exemplary’ Islamabad, May 5 “Let me thank you for the courtesies extended to my colleagues and me during our memorable visit to Lahore,” Verma said in a letter to Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan. “I feel overwhelmed by the affectionate feeling and sentiments expressed by citizens of Pakistan for Indians and India. I am delighted the way you and your officials helped us during our stay and look forward to your support and enthusiasm in strengthening Indo-Pakistan friendship and cooperation in all spheres,” Verma said. Dalmiya, in his letter to PCB Chief Executive Rameez Raja, said the BCCI was delighted that the Indian team’s tour of Pakistan after a long gap of 14 years went so successfully.
— PTI |
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Rhodes willing to
coach trainees Bangalore, May 5 Rhodes has already expressed his willingness to share his experience and train the cricket wards at the academy, NCA Director and Karnataka State Cricket Association Secretary Brijesh Patel said here today. Patel said ‘’we are working on the financial terms and if he agrees, he is likely to be here by next month.’’ The NCA was also attempting to sign in veteran cricketer Geoffrey Boycott, he said, adding that ‘’it is still in negotiation stage.’’ The NCA’s training programme for the current year was launched by Indian vice-captain Rahul Dravid on May 2 here. The first camp had 42 wards.
— UNI |
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Diego Maradona in hospital again Buenos Aires, May 5 Maradona, the 43-year-old 1986 World Cup winning captain, spent 12 days in the Suizo-Argentina hospital in Buenos Aires before checking outlast Thursday without the full support of medical staff. Since then Maradona has played golf, practiced skills with a football and had constant visits at General Rodriguez, a town 50km outside the capital city. Maradona said in a television interview on Friday that he would soon travel to Cuba and Italy though he intended to be in Buenos Aires for the 15th birthday party of his youngest daughter on May 21. However, he was readmitted to the same hospital, where he stayed from April 18 to 29, at 3 pm IST today. Neither the hospital nor his personal doctor Alfredo Cahe have officially given reasons for the hospitalisation or details of Maradona’s state of health though media reports say he had been suffering breathing difficulties. Maradona’s roller-coaster career, which included 34 goals in 91 matches for Argentina, began in 1975 and ended in 1997. He also played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Seville and Newell’s Old Boys.
— AFP |
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East Bengal secure
quarterfinal berth Kolkata, May 5 Earlier, East Bengal had defeated Geylang 3-2 in the away match. East Bengal now have 13 points with one more league match to go while Geylang are on 10 points from the same number of outings. Geylang United took the lead against the run of the play in the 32nd minute from a sharp counter-attack. Duric Aleksander sent a low cross inside the six yard box and Daniel Anthony Hill tapped into the far post 1-0. East Bengal restored parity 67 minutes into the match. Dipankar Roy, who substituted Bijen Singh in the 63rd minute, sent a fine through from the top of the box and Surkumar Singh, collecting the ball near the rival goal-line, sent a deft minus that Mike Okoro volleyed into the net 1-1. The draw assured East Bengal of a quarterfinal berth because even if they lose the final tie against Negri Sembalan in Malaysia they will be tied on 13 points with Geylang United anticipating that the Singapore Club will easily defeat the Maldivian outfit Island FC who have lost all their matches so far. That would virtually allow East
Bengal to qualify for last eight either as group topper from group E or as one of the three second best teams.
— UNI |
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Roddick falls to Canas Rome, May 5 The American world number two served poorly and produced 35 unforced errors on his way to a crushing 7-6 (9/7) 6-1 defeat to unseeded Argentinean Guillermo Canas at the Foro Italico yesterday. Roddick, the 2003 US Open winner, said Saturday’s blaze — during which he rang his mother in Florida to ask for her advice on what to do and then offered to buy the firemen pizzas if they rescued him and several other guests who had made it into his room — had been playing on his mind, but refused to use it as an excuse for his straight sets loss.
— AFP |
IOC monitoring Athens situation Indian eves lose Drugs ban |
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