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BCCI decision on Kale today
Shahryar’s remarks
disappoint Shoaib
Sarwan rocks B’desh with 3 wickets
Rushmi, Ankita record easy wins
HP girls defeat Orissa
Balpreet leads in junior golf
Sangrur win swimming title
Wrestlers’ show lauded
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Regain lost glory, minister exhorts players
New Delhi, June 1 “I am really delighted to meet you all. The motto of my college was ‘I can and I’ll win’, that should be your motto as well. Be confident that you can win,” he told the players, who responded with a round of big applause. The film star-turned-politician, who took over as the new Sports Minister in the United Progressive Alliance government, said “The nation is confident that you will win a medal, even a gold, in Athens.” The squad will work on its physical fitness at the prestigious Athletics Professional Institute in Phoenix, USA till June 21 before moving to Amsterdam for another training session from June 22 to 24. The team will also play a four-nation tournament in Holland from June 25 to July 4. “I have witnessed on television the passion of players when they attain Olympic glory. Standing on the podium with the national anthem being played, they are overwhelmed with pride,” he said to inspire the squad, which will go into the Olympics with the tag of eight-time champions, the last gold coming in Moscow in 1980. Dutt, who addressed the players in the presence of Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi, Indian Hockey Federation President K.P.S. Gill, secretary K. Jothikumaran and senior Sports Authority of India officials, said they should not have any “inferiority complex.” “We are not a weak country any more. Neither financially nor physically,” he said. The minister also told the bubbling players that he will be meeting them often. “When I see you I feel younger and younger. So I’ll be meeting you more frequently.” Thanking the government for all the support, Gill said: “On the last two
occasions India had come very close to qualifying for the semifinals but missed by a hair’s gap.” “This time, with the dedication of these youngsters we shall make it. And this is the result of hard work over the last 2-3 years,” he said. “The sad part is that 10 out of the 26 players will fail to make it to Athens as only a team of 16 can go to the Olympics.” Gill, who drew a lot of flak for omitting star striker Dhanraj Pillay from the first probables list, said the IHF will make sure that only the best will represent the country. “We will ensure that only the best will go and the best
represent the country,” he said. “With the blessings of all the people, we shall not disappoint this time.” Dutt signed off gesturing all the best with a thumps up sign.
— PTI |
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Complacency worst enemy: Tirkey
New Delhi, June 1 Tirkey, who is the favourite to lead the team for the Athens Olympics, said India had to pull up their socks and be consistent throughout the tournament. “We have defeated formidable teams like Australia and Pakistan but then failed against weaker opponents. This is absolutely undesirable and uncalled for at the international level,” he added. Tirkey said the team had to peak at the right time and maintain consistency for at least two weeks to clinch a tournament. The former skipper said the team had to pay attention to defending along with its forte - an attacking game. “What’s the point in scoring a fantastic goal if the opponent levels it up in a counter-attack?” he asked. He pointed out that modern-day hockey demanded an all-out game and due attention to all aspects of the game. “If we focus only on skill and scoring goals, it will definitely backfire on us. We must have a balanced approach towards the game,” Tirkey noted. When asked about roping in former German international Oliver Kurtz and coach Gerhard Rach, Tirkey said the two would help the team develop new strategies to be adopted while playing in European conditions. The defender particularly pointed out the
unnecessary mispasses and overindulgence in dribbling and ball possession as players’ wrong inclinations which have long been the bane of Indian hockey.
— UNI |
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Paris, June 1 ''It's about time, frankly, that I won one of these matches,'' a delighted Capriati said. ''It wasn't the greatest quality match. "We were both nervous but I just played a little bit better than she did.'' Her reward is a semi-final against Russia's Anastasia Myskina who beat Serena's elder sister Venus in straight sets 6-3 6-4. Having lost eight times in a row to Serena, Capriati beat her fellow former world number one in the semi-finals of the Rome Masters in May. Williams, French champion in 2002, has won nine of their 15 matches. The pair started tentatively and Williams held two break points in Capriati's first service game. Scrambling from the baseline, the seventh seed managed to hang on, however. Boosted by her survival in the face of some ferocious hitting, Capriati immediately broke her rival as Serena drove a volley long over the baseline. She held comfortably for a 3-1 lead as Williams' frustration grew. Capriati held serve confidently to lead 5-3 then broke the second seed to love with a series of bullet returns to wrap up the set in 35 minutes. Williams gave Capriati a taste of her own medicine the next game, breaking with ease before consolidating it with a solid service game. By now into her stride, the 2002 champion broke once more to stretch 3-0 ahead. More sloppy returning turned that lead into 4-0 as rain once more began to fall on court. From playing some superb tennis at the end of the first set to barely being able to keep the ball in court, Capriati seemed more playground hacker than Paris contender as she struggled to stay with Williams on the sodden centre court. But Williams too was far from her best and she allowed Capriati to gain a small foothold in the set at last. It was only temporary respite, though, and Williams moved to within a game of the set before the players were called off court for a second time as the rain returned. Forty-five minutes later the pair resumed battle as their support groups huddled together in the windswept players' box. Capriati got into a rhythm quicker, clawing a game back to trail 5-2 before Williams closed it out to force a third set. Nothing could separate the pair at the beginning of the decider as they inched deeper into the set. Then, trailing 2-1, Williams appeared to tighten. She let slip a 30-love lead to hand Capriati the break, sending a forehand sailing way beyond the baseline on break point. Breathing heavily, Capriati played an awful game to hand the advantage straight back. But four games later it was Williams who cracked again. Capriati pummeled a return deep into the corner and smashed away the resulting lob for a 5-3 lead and the opportunity to serve for the match. She made no mistake, although an over-rule forced her to replay one match point she had already won and clinched victory before bowing and blowing kisses to the crowd. Myskina upsets Venus Russian Anastasia Myskina upset former world number one Venus Williams 6-3 6-4 to reach the semi-finals. Myskina, the sixth seed, took advantage of an error-strewn performance from fourth seed Williams to seal victory in one hour 12 minutes and reach her first grand slam semi-final. Williams, runner-up at Roland Garros in 2002, began slowly as Myskina raced to a 4-1 lead and the Russian took the first set in 28 minutes when Williams fired a forehand over the baseline. After trading early breaks in a tense second set, Myskina broke serve in the seventh game and held her nerve to serve out for victory two games later. The 22-year-old Myskina will now play seventh seed Jennifer Capriati in the semi-finals.
Sharapova humbled Russian teenager Maria Sharapova made 40 unforced errors today in a 6-1 6-3 loss to Paola Suarez of Argentina in the quarter-finals. On a damp, overcast day, 14th seed Suarez romped through to the semi-finals for the first time in her career with victory in just under an hour. Sharapova, 17, had reached the last eight without losing a set but 19 unforced errors handed Suarez the first five games as the first set went to the Argentine in just 26 minutes. The 18th-seeded Russian battled hard in the second set and twice led by a break but Suarez proved too consistent. She now faces either third seed Amelie Mauresmo of France or another Russian, ninth seed Elena Dementieva.
— Reuters |
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BCCI decision on Kale today
Kolkata, June 1 The three-member committee, headed by the BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya concluded its hearing on the matter on May 15 and now just has to decide on the action to be taken. Vice-Presidents Kamal Morarka and Ranbir Singh Mahendra are the other two members of the committee. The crucial meeting is being held after two rounds of hearing amidst reports that Kale had admitted that he tried to bribe his way into the Indian team. The bribery issue, the biggest controversy to hit Indian cricket since the 2000 match-fixing episode, came to light in mid-November when the two selectors Pranab Roy and Kiran More alleged that Kale had offered Rs 10 lakh to each of them for a place in the Australia-bound Indian team last year.
— PTI |
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Shahryar’s remarks disappoint Shoaib
Lahore, June 1 Severe shock awaited Shoaib after his brilliant show against Derbyshire in the English national league yesterday as a daily quoted Shahryar Khan ruling out the bowler for the Asia Cup and also saying that he had to change his attitude and no special treatment would be given to him. ''I don't know what has prompted the PCB Chief to say this. But I am very much available for the Asia Cup and have recovered well from my rib cage injury after two weeks of rest,'' Shoaib told ''The News'' from Durham. ''I am sending my latest medical reports to the Board for their knowledge but doctors have cleared me to resume playing and have advised me to continue taking treatment also. But they have cleared me because they know I am fit to play after two-week rest,'' he said. Talking about his injury, Shoaib said,''I think things had cleared up with the Board before I joined Durham and even after reaching England I have kept the Board informed about my fitness. As far as my attitude is concerned, I know I have made mistakes but it is something that I had a clear discussion with the Chairman about and have made myself very clear.'' Expressing his desire to do the national duty during the Asia Cup, he said, ''Pakistan is always first for me. There is no question about that.''
— UNI |
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Sarwan rocks B’desh with 3 wickets
Gros Islet (St. Lucia), June 1 Sarwan removed Mohammad Ashraful, Faisal Hossain and Mushfiqur Rahman in a dramatic half-hour spell in the final period of an action-packed, weather-affected fourth day to leave Bangladesh on 94 for six in their second innings when bad light stopped play nine overs early. The West Indies vice-captain ended with three wickets for 22 runs from eight overs, after the visitors gained a first innings lead of 64 when they dismissed the West Indies for 352 in their first innings. Chris Gayle hit the top score of 141 for the West Indies and Mushfiqur Rahman was the best Bangladesh bowler with a career best four wickets for 65 runs from 25.4 overs. It was only the third time that Bangladesh had taken a first-innings lead over their opponents in 29 Tests. Two wickets in consecutive overs, one apiece to Fidel Edwards and Pedro Collins, set them back on 21 for two before they spiralled out of control in the final hour. Edwards bowled opening batsman Hannan Sarkar for nine and Collins, his brother, added the wicket of fellow opener Javed Omar, caught down the leg-side for seven glancing an ill-directed delivery. A partnership of 49 for the third wicket between Habibul Bashar, the Bangladesh captain and first innings century-maker,@stabilised the innings, but Tino Best, belatedly introduced into the attack, made the breakthrough with his second ball. Bashar, a compulsive hooker and puller, essayed a cross-batted waft at a short ball that rose knee-high, missed the shot, and was bowled for 25 to leave Bangladesh on 70 for three. Scoreboard Bangladesh (1st Innings) 416 West Indies (1st Innings) (overnight 262 for five) Devon Smith run out 0 Gayle c Bashar b Baisya 141 Sarwan c Rafique b Baisya 40 Lara c Mashud b Rahman 53 Chanderpaul c Mashud
b Rafique 7 Dwayne Smith c Aziz b Rafique 42 Jacobs not out 46 Best b Rafique 3 Collins c Bashar b Rahman 4 Lawson c Sarkar b Mushfiqur 0 Edwards lbw b Rahman 5 Extras (lb3, nb8) 11 Total (all out) 352 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-89, 3-162, 4-183, 5-253, 6-312, 7-321, 8-336, 9- 342. Bowling: Tapash Baisya 26-5-87-2, Tareq Aziz 22-3-95-0, Mushfiqur Rahman 25.4-8-65-4, Mohammad Rafique 36-12-90-3, Rajin Saleh 6-0-12-0. Bangladesh (2nd Innings) Sarkar b Edwards 9 Omar c Jacobs b Collins 7 Bashar b Best 25 Saleh not out 34 Ashraful c and b Sarwan 1 Hossain c Gayle b Sarwan 2 Rahman lbw b Sarwan 0 Mashud not out 8 Extras (lb2, nb6) 8 Total (6 wkts) 94 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-21, 3-70, 4-73, 5-79, 6-79. Bowling: Collins 7-3-12-1, Edwards 7-1-26-1; Lawson 4-0-19-O, Sarwan 8-2-22-3; Best 5-1-12-1; Gayle 1-0-1-0. — AFP |
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Rushmi, Ankita record easy wins
New Delhi, June 1 Rushmi, weathering the searing heat, posted a quick 6-3, 6-0 victory against Ragini Vimal while Ankita had to toil a bit harder to tame Nudnida Luangnam of Thailand 6-2, 6-4. Like Ankita, third-seeded Sonal Phadke also scored an
identical 6-2, 6-4 victory over Preeti Rao while fourth
seeded Sai Jailakshmi disposed of Dorian Driessen of Netherlands 6-2, 6-1. Seventh seed Archana Venkataraman however, became
a first-round casualty when she was outgunned by Naoko Horikawa of Japan 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2). The heat seemed to take the toll on the foreign participants, who virtually went through their motions when the matches hotted up. In other matches, Samrita Sekar beat Deepa
Chakarabrty 6-2, 6-0, Orawan Lamangthon of Thailand beat Nandini Perumal of India 6-1, 6-4, Geeta Manohar beat Prul Goswami 6-4, 6-3,
sixth-seeded Liza Pereira beat Rati Kumar 7-6, 7-6, Sanaa Bhambri beat Vishika
Chhetri 6-2, 6-2 and Lata Assudani shocked fifth-seeded Susanne Aigner of Austria 6-2, 6-2. Karishma Patel beat Iciri Rai in a hard-fought match at 7-6, 2-6, 6-1.
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HP girls defeat Orissa
Mandi, June 1 Inaugurating the championships, Deputy Commissioner Ali Raza Rizvi said that it was for the time that Mandi town is playing host to a national-level meet. "I hope that all players would play the game with sportsman's spirits in which the Himachal Pradesh Handball Sangh, the organisers, had put in a lot of hard work". Welcoming the players, Himachal Handball Association president and Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh Yadav said that over 22 teams of girls and 20 boys teams are participating in the tournament. "The teams would also play day and night matches during the championships which would be a new attraction for the residents and fans from outside", he said.  |
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Balpreet leads in junior golf
New Delhi, June 1 While Balpreet stole the show in category A, restricted to the 15-17-year age group, Fatehbir Singh Dhaliwal of Punjab carded a level par 72 to lead in category B in the 13-14-year group. Zibin Nijhawah shot an 82 to lead in category C for 11-12-year group. Tied in a two-way lead in the second position in Category A were Himmat Singh Rai and Kunal Balhara. Amanjyot Singh was second in category B at four-over 76. The 17-year-old Balpreet erred just once in his round, when he dropped a shot on the eight hole. His outward journey was otherwise studded with birdies on the second and fifth holes. Dhaliwal, the top-ranked junior in the Category B list, had an evenly matched outward journey. A 10th tee starter, the 14-year-old recorded birdies on the 12th and 14th holes but lost focus immediately thereafter to bogey the 15th and 16th holes. On his return, Dhaliwal birdied his very first hole. |
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Sangrur win swimming title
Sangrur, June 1 Results (all finals): 200m free style: boys group III: 1 Jatinder (Sang), 2 Jashandeep (Rpr), 3 Simarvir (Sang). 100m backstroke: 1 Jatinder (Sang), 2 Savtantar (Pat), 3 Pankil (Rpr). 100m butterfly: 1 Karandeep (Sang), 2 Gagandeep (Sang), 2 Pankil (Rpr). Girls (group III): 100m breaststroke: 1 Mankiran (Sang), 2 Arpanjit (Sang), 3 Nikhat (Rpr). 200m medley: Mankiran (Sang), 2 Harsimran (Rpr), 3 Manjot (Pat). 50m butterfly: Karandeep (Sang), 2 Vishwas (Asr), 3 Gagandeep (Sang). 100m backstroke: 1 Himanshi (Rpr), 2 Arpanjit (Sang), 3 Ravneet (Sang). 200m freestyle: Manjot (Pat), 2 Nikhat (Rpr), 3 Jaskiran (Sang). Boys group IV 100m freestyle: 1 Karan (Pat), 2 Haroop (Sang), 3 Abhinav (Asr). 200m medley: 1 Karan (Pat), 2 Haroop (Sang), 3 Abhinav (Asr). 50m freestyle: 1 Karan (Pat), 2 Abhinav (Asr), 3 Haroop (Sang). 50m backstroke: 1 Jatinder (Sang), 2 Savanter (Pat), 3 Navneek (Sang). Girls group IV 50m backstroke: 1 Navneet (Sang), 2 Gargi (Asr), 3 Jasmin (Sang). 50m breaststroke: 1 Jasmin (Sang), 2 Navneet (Sang), 3 Anmol (Pat). 100m freestyle: 1 Navneet (Sang), 2 Navjot (Pat), 3 Bhavneet (Pat). 200m medley: 1 Navneet (Sang), 2 Gargi (Asr), 3 Bhavneet (Pat). |
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Wrestlers’ show lauded
Chandigarh, June 1 Nidani school had secured 47 points in freestyle and 57 points in Greeco Roman style of wrestling and also achieved the overall second position in both styles. Keeping in view the performance of the school at the national level the Central Government had sanctioned a multi-purpose hall at Nidani. The Wrestling Federation of India had also provided recognition to the Nidani school to compete as an independent body at the national level. The school has produced nearly 40 wrestlers, who have won laurels in national and international wrestling competitions. Nidani grapplers won three gold and three bronze medals. Hardeep (58kg), Mukesh (63kg) and Sandeep (69kg) won gold medals and Dharmeder (42kg) won bronze in Free Style, while Rakesh (46kg) and Narender (58kg) won the bronze medals in Greeco Roman. |
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