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Federer, Hewitt advance
Indian boxers forced to cancel Pakistan tour
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PCA to spend more on players, infrastructure
Poor show by Indians
Notice to Morarka
Mexico upset Brazil, enter semis
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Sania enters second round
London, June 20 Mirza arrived at the All-England Club having already achieved an impressive list of firsts during 2005 and further boosted her growing reputation by bludgeoning her opponent into submission. Sania’s victory set up an intriguing second-round showdown with US Open champion and fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, who thrashed Briton Rebecca Llewellyn 6-0, 6-1 and will now be aiming to avenge her surprise defeat by the Indian in Dubai earlier this year. Sania twice fought back from a break down in the third set before levelling it at 4-4 against Morigami, who at No. 71 in the world is ranked four places above her. Enjoying the majority of the crowd support on court 17, Sania kept her cool in the humid conditions and got her forehand firing winners in all directions to gain the break back in the fourth and eighth games. After seeing her first match point disappear with a backhand error, Mirza slapped a forehand into the corner to break Morigami for the fifth time and seal victory.
— Reuters |
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Federer, Hewitt advance London, June 20 The Swiss world number opened his campaign for a third consecutive All-England Club title as early morning storm clouds cleared to leave Centre Court bathed in sunshine. Federer, who clattered 18 aces past his French opponent, was joined in the second round by the man he considers a main rival for his crown, 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt. The Australian baseliner wasted no time sweeping aside Belgium’s Christophe Rochus 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in 92 minutes. While the leading men advanced with little fuss, women’s ninth seed Anastasia Myskina was forced to survive a scare before finally scrambling over the first hurdle. She was pressed all the way before beating Czech qualifier Katerina Bohmova 5-7, 7-6, 6-4. Top seed Lindsay Davenport of the USA thrashed Russia’s Alina Jidkova 6-0, 6-2 and third seed Amelie Mauresmo of France beat Hungary’s Melinda Czink 6-3, 6-2. Other results: Men’s singles:
Alessio Di Mauro (Italy) b Joshua Goodall (Britain) 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3; David Sherwood (Britain) b Ricardo Mello (Brazil) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Women’s singles: Barbora Strycova (Czech Republic) b Lilia Osterloh (United States) 6-3, 7-5; Maria Kirilenko
(Russia) b Els Callens (Belgium) 6-2, 7-6(3); Shenay Perry (United States) b Sarah Borwell (Britain) 7-6(11), 6-3; Anne Kremer (Luxembourg) b Abigail Spears (United States) 6-0, 2-6, 6-2; Dinara Safina (Russia) b Sanda Mamic
(Croatia) 6-3, 6-4; Roberta Vinci (Italy) b Ai Sugiyama (Japan) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4; Jamea Jackson (United States) b Marta Marrero (Spain) 6-2, 6-3; Aiko Nakamura (Japan) b Evie Dominikovic (Australia) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4; Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) b Rebecca Llewellyn (Britain) 6-0, 6-1; Antonella Serra Zanetti (Italy) b Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) 6-4,
6-7(7), 6-3; Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Republic) b Jelena Kostanic (Croatia) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; Michaela Pastikova
(Czech Republic) b Samantha Stosur (Australia) 7-6(1), 6-4; Sofia Arvidsson (Sweden) b Tatiana Perebiynis (Ukraine) 6-3, 7-6(5); Meghann Shaughnessy (United States) b Julia Schruff (Germany) 6-1, 1-6, 6-2; Mariana Diaz-Oliva (Argentina) b Anne Keothavong (Britain) 6-3,
6-4; Elena Likhovtseva (Russia) b Anna Smashnova (Israel) 6-2, 6-2; Jelena Jankovic (Serbia and Montenegro) b Anna Chakvetadze (Russia) 6-4, 6-2.
— Reuters |
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Indian boxers forced to cancel Pakistan tour
New Delhi, June 20 A 14-member Indian contingent was scheduled to take part in the inaugural Asian Junior Boxing Championship, beginning in Karachi today, but the denial of visas by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry came as a surprise. The team was hopeful to make it to the event after Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) officials yesterday assured the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) that it would look into the matter when the pugilists could not leave for Karachi as per schedule on Saturday. “Our team cannot leave for Karachi as the Embassy has not issued us visas. It said Pakistan’s Interior Ministry did not allow them to issue visas to our boxers,” sources in the IABF said. The sources said IABF President Abhay Singh Chautala spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Anwar Chaudhary over the issue, but he also blamed the Pakistan Government for not clearing the Indian visas. Chautala would write a letter to the PBF chief and ask the actual reason for denying the visas, they said. The championship was aimed at grooming young Asian boxers for the 2008 Olympics so that in three years, they could give a tough fight to the boxers of Europe and America. Islamabad: Expressing disappointment over denial of visas to Indian boxers, Pakistan Boxing Federation Chairman Anwar Chowdhary said the hosts could face a ban for the episode, which left a bad taste in both countries. “As per the rules of the International Boxing Federation, we are bound to arrange the visas of the participating teams in an international championship, but despite our repeated requests, the visas were refused to Indian and Chinese Taipei boxers,” Chowdhry was quoted as saying by ‘The News’. The PBF Chairman, also heading the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA), said the PBF could be banned from participating in international events for failing to fulfil its obligation of facilitating the visiting teams. “If the AIBA bans Pakistan for some years, our boxing teams will not be able to participate in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and other events,” he said. He also made it clear that in case the AIBA imposed a ban on Pakistan, he would not be able to do anything for the country. Chowdhry said despite pursuing visas for India and Chinese Taipei for three months, the ministries concerned were unmoved. “It is a disgraceful thing for the country and the officials in the Interior Ministry are unaware of its consequences,” he said.
— PTI |
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PCA to spend more on players, infrastructure
Chandigarh, June 20 The association plans to spend a minimum of Rs 1 crore annually on cricketing/coaching activities. Also, the association will spend about Rs 20 lakh on inter-district matches and another Rs 30 lakh on various coaching camps. Mr
Pandove, who at the age of 18 years and 10 months became the youngest-ever first class captain in the country back in 1964 when he led Punjab against Jammu and Kashmir in a Ranji Trophy match at Srinagar, has served both as senior selector and junior selector with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He first served the PCA as Joint Secretary in 1978. He is now bringing his cricketing and administrative experience into play to improve cricketing facilities in various districts of Punjab. This emphasis is not misplaced. Over the years, the functionaries of the PCA have seen that there is a lot of talent in these so-called backward districts which can go on to represent the state in the various age groups. In recent years, Punjab has become a major force in various age-group tournaments conducted by the BCCI and its senior team finished runners-up in the National Cricket Championship for the Ranji Trophy earlier this year. It was in 1996 that the PCA started regional coaching centres at Patiala, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana. The state body not only paid for the nets and all ground and watering equipment but also 50 per cent of the salary of the coach employed by the district association so that coaching of the boys could continue round the year. Initially, the PCA, which was spending about Rs 20 lakh on the scheme annually, was able to rope in a sponsor who paid Rs 10 lakh annually. The sponsor backed out last year but it has not stopped the association from extending the scheme to Mohali, Bathinda, Faridkot, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. Now the PCA has decided that in case any district unit does not have a dedicated cricket ground then it can lease a ground either from a school or a college and thereafter the state body would provide all facilities being now given to maintain various cricket stadia in the districts. Under this scheme, coaching centres have already started in DAV School, Sector 8, and St John’s School, Sector 26, in Chandigarh, YPS Mohali, MES School and YPS School, Patiala. More such schools are coming forward to adopt the scheme in various districts. Further, districts with first class cricket facilities will be given Rs 1 lakh annually for the maintenance of the facilities, Mr Pandove said. In fact the PCA Secretary wants a string of first class cricket facilities across the state so that Ranji Trophy or Duleep Trophy matches need not be held only at Mohali but also at places like Ludhiana (which has hosted Ranji Trophy matches in the past), Amritsar or even Bathinda. Presently the PCA has allowed three district units, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala, to employ three coaches each while Mohali and Chandigarh have been permitted to have two coaches each. The other districts have one coach each. Also, the PCA has employed two physios for junior cricketers while a doctor will be attached permanently with the senior team. Punjab is the first state in the country which has employed a foreign coach, Pakistan’s Intikhab Alam, for its Ranji team. From now, the best district unit of the PCA will be given a cash award of Rs 1 lakh. This prize will be decided on the basis of performance of the district in various age-group tournaments as also the senior tournament. Also the best senior cricketer and best junior cricketer of the state will be given cash prizes. For 2004-05, Pankaj Dharmani of Patiala has been named the best senior cricketer while Vipul Chauhan of Amritsar has been declared the best player in the junior category. |
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London, June 20 Glamorgan made 211 for seven with B Croft scoring 88, with Hampshire achieving the target with seven wickets to spare. At Southgate, Irfan Pathan picked only one wicket conceding 61 runs playing for Middlesex, who beat Nottinghamshire by 31 runs. Electing to bat, Middlesex made 314 for five with P Weekes blasting a century and Scott Styris hitting 82 while their opponents were all out for 283 with S Patel top scoring with 82. Dinesh Mongia also failed with the bat as he made an early exit after making eight runs off nine balls, including one four, in Leicestershire’s score of 218 for three. Leicestershire, however, overhauled Warwickshire’s score of 217 for six to win the match by seven wickets.
— PTI |
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Notice to Morarka
New Delhi, June 20 RCA secretary Subhash Joshi said the executive committee of the RCA had also decided to suspend Morarka’s membership for six months or till the completion of the inquiry. |
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Campbell pips Woods for title
Pinehurst, June 20 Despite dropping two shots in the last three holes, he finished on a level 280 to become the first Kiwi to win a major title since left-hander Bob Charles took the British Open at Royal Lytham 42 years ago. “I can’t believe I’m holding this trophy,” said the New Zealander, the first come-from-behind winner at a US Open since American Lee Janzen overhauled a five-stroke deficit at Olympic in 1998. US Masters champion Woods, who had been chasing his 10th career major, rallied from a bogey-bogey start and reeled off four birdies in the last nine holes to secure second place with a matching, best-of-the-day 69. However, his bid to match Ben Hogan as the only player to win the first two majors of the year on two occasions was dashed when he missed an eight-footer for par on 16 and three-putted for bogey on 17. Campbell, who had to pre-qualify to book his place at Pinehurst, holed a 12-foot birdie putt at the first, dropped his first shot of the day at the par-four eighth and then sank a 30-footer for birdie at the par-five 10th to forge two clear. Although he ended up bogeying the treacherous 16th and also the final hole, he effectively closed the door on Woods’ challenge by holing a 25-foot birdie putt at the par-three 17th. Spaniard Sergio Garcia and South Africa’s Tim Clark both carded 70s to tie for third at five over, level with Australia’s Mark Hensby who registered a 74. South Africa’s Retief Goosen, three strokes clear overnight, threw away his chance of a third US Open title by dropping six shots in the first nine holes. Five more bogeys after the turn led to a dismal 81 and a share of 11th place at eight-over 288. “I got off to a bad start and from there on it pretty much went downhill the whole way,” said Goosen, US Open champion at Southern Hills in 2001 and again at Shinnecock Hills last year. The world number five ran into early trouble at the second where he overshot the green with his approach and then chipped the ball back over the front side with his third. Unable to get up and down from there for a bogey-five, he slipped to one under for the tournament before a three-putt at the third dropped him further to level. After bogeying the par-four fifth, where he pulled his tee shot into the left rough, he dropped further shots on six and nine after missing relatively short putts before his struggles continued on the back nine. He was in good company, though, as most of the field struggled on Pinehurst’s tight fairways and humpbacked greens. American qualifiers Jason Gore and Olin Browne, who started the day three strokes off the lead, both imploded. Gore ballooned to a 14-over 84 to tie for 49th while Browne returned an 80 for a share of 23rd. Twice champion Ernie Els fired his lowest score of the week, a level-par 70 earning him a share of 15th at nine-over 289 while Phil Mickelson, winner of last year’s US Masters, returned a 74 to finish at 12 over in a tie for 33rd.
— Reuters |
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Mexico upset Brazil, enter semis
Frankfurt, June 20 Mexico joined Germany and Argentina in the semifinals of this high-profile showcase, a two-week tuneup for next year’s World Cup.
“It’s a great triumph for Mexico. It was a great battle,” said Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
In yesterday’s other Group B game, Asian champions Japan beat European champions Greece 1-0. Greece is out of the chase to reach the semis. The other berth will be decided on Wednesday when Japan play Brazil. Mexico’s victory gave them six points in Group B. Japan and Brazil have three each, and Greece none. In Group A yesterday, Germany defeated Tunisia 3-0, and Argentina beat Australia 4-2. The semis are next weekend and the final on June 29. In Hanover, Borgetti headed in a corner kick that beat flat-footed Brazil goalkeeper Dida. The corner was set up when Ramon Morales raced down the left side, and cut the ball across the goalmouth with Brazilian Lucio just deflecting it across the endline. It was justice for Borgetti. In the 29th, Roque Junior was called for pulling him down in the area. Borgetti netted the first penalty, but the play was called back by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti. He ruled that a Mexican player strayed into the area. His next penalty attempt went off the crossbar, but Rosetti also called that one back. He said Dida moved off the goal line before the shot. The third attempt was stopped by Dida diving to his right. It was also a sweet victory for Mexico’s Argentine coach Ricardo Lavolpe. “It’s never easy playing against a great team like Brazil,” Lavolpe said. “My players made a double effort to secure this result.” Brazil controlled most of the first half with Adriano, Ronaldinho and Robinho getting several good chances. In the first 25 minutes, Brazil outshot Mexico 8-0. Mexico got their first shot in the 27th when Morales struck a hard drive from the left wing into goalkeeper Dida’s hands. But Mexico edged back, seemingly encouraged by the penalty mix-up. “We could have finished the game off in the first half,” said Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. “We had plenty of chances. We weren’t quick enough and we had trouble finding any gaps in their defence.”
— AP |
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Sasikiran draws
Paks (Hungary), June 20 Grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi, the 74-year-old player from Switzerland, regained the sole lead with a thumping victory over former world junior champion Peter Acs of Hungary in the category-15 double round-robin event. The Swiss took his tally to an enviable 5.5 points out of a possible seven and was half a point clear of his nearest contender Zoltan Almasi of Hungary, who drew with compatriot Ferenc Berkes in his seventh round game. Sasikiran and Sutovsky remained at the joint third spot with three points each after their none-too-eventful draw while Berkes improved his position marginally to move to fifth position on 2.5 points. With just three rounds remaining, Acs was at the bottom of the table on two points.
— PTI |
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Closure of judo nursery resented
Sirsa, June 20 The nursery had produced two students who were selected to represent India in international events. The school was running badminton, judo and hockey nurseries for the past four years. |
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