NEW DELHI: Ignoring UGC’s directive to start the admission process for undergraduate courses, Delhi University on Thursday threw the ball back in the Commission’s court by sending it a proposal suggested by academicians to resolve the issue.

The UGC had on Wednesday night set a deadline for Delhi University to roll back the controversial four-year undergraduate programme and start admission for the old three-year structure.

In response to the UGC’s order, the DU sent a letter on Thursday morning to the Commission, which said “the university is of the opinion that given the situation where admissions are being delayed, time is the essence and hence this blended proposal submitted by some eminent persons to the UGC and DU may provide the necessary way forward.

“This proposal entails admitting all students to a three-year undergraduate course with honours and will also obviate the need to call for fresh registrations. We await your response in order to convene the statutory bodies at the earliest in the best interest of the students and the academic community,” the letter signed by DU Registrar Alka Sharma read.

Speaking to media persons, DU’s Media Coordinator Malay Neerav said, “We received a new proposal wherein the honours degree will be given in 3 years. We won’t need much time to implement this proposal. We have written a letter to UGC stating the same. We are now awaiting UGC’s response on the new proposal from UGC.”

As uncertainty looms over the DU admission process, Neerav said time was “very precious” and the proposal which has given a six-point formula suggesting that honours degree be given in three years would be much easier for the university to implement and start the admissions at the earliest.

“The UGC has been writing letters to us urging us to start admitting students based on the old three-year format. We have told them that we need time to follow the old procedure because there are course committees, statutory bodies and they will need to meet for that purpose.

However, if we can tweak the existing (+4) course into the +3 format wherein BA (Hons) Degree will be given in 3 years and we can start admitting the students as soon as possible,” Neerav said. — PTI

N Srinivasan is new ICC chief

MELBOURNE: N. Srinivasan was on Thursday formally appointed the first Chairman of the ICC after its 52-member council approved a controversial revamp of the body’s administrative structure.

The full council approved amendments to the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association at the Annual Conference, in Melbourne.

As was widely known before the conference, Srinivasan was elected the Chairman despite being barred by the Supreme Court of India from carrying out his duties as BCCI president due to ongoing investigations into the match-fixing allegations relating to the 2013 edition of the IPL.

However, after the apex court refused to stop his nomination to the ICC position, decks were cleared for his anointment to the newly created post. The revamp will also hand major executive decision-making authority to the “Big Three” of the game — India, Australia and England.

“It is an honour to be confirmed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council. I will leave no stone unturned in trying to strengthen the pillars and foundations of our sport, both on and off the field,” Srinivasan said in a statement issued by the ICC.

“I want to ensure that cricket retains and grows its popularity, and that the ICC plays a leading role in this global growth. I want to see more strong teams in international cricket. For this to be achieved, we all need to work hard to develop local talent in our countries. Naturally, there will be more support to those who first show they can help themselves,” he added.

Srinivasan congratulated outgoing ICC president Alan Isaac for his contribution.

“Isaac has been an inspirational president of the ICC. He provided guidance to everyone during his two-year term and all three international formats remain incredibly popular. The game is unquestionably stronger than it was at the start of his term.”

The approval of the constitutional changes, which flowed from an ICC Board resolution taken in Singapore on February 8 and finalised on April 10, also meant that a new Executive Committee — which will report to the ICC Board — was formed.

The initial Chair of the Executive Committee will be Cricket Australia’s Chairman, Wally Edwards, while the Chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) will continue to be England and Wales Cricket Board’s Chairman, Giles Clarke.

The Annual Conference also saw Mustafa Kamal become the 11th president of the ICC.

“This is a memorable and historic day for Bangladesh cricket. On this day 14 years ago, Bangladesh became the tenth Test playing country. Today, a Bangladeshi becomes the 11th president of the International Cricket Council. Thank you for bestowing this honour on Bangladesh and me,” said Kamal.

From 2016, the ICC Board, which will continue to be the primary decision-making body, will elect the ICC Chairman for a two-year term.

The ICC Board confirmed that the USA Cricket Association (USACA) is a recognised member. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and ICC management will, however, continue to work with USACA and other interested stakeholders to assist in overcoming some challenges currently facing the governance and development of the game in the USA.

The ICC Board also approved the Development Committee’s recommendation that Oman Cricket (OC) become the 38th associate member of the ICC. However, affiliate membership of Brunei was suspended, while Tonga was removed as an affiliate member. The ICC now has 105 members.

The ICC Board also noted the associate and affiliate members’ decision, which re-elected Imran Khawaja and Neil Speight for another two years as their representatives on the ICC Board, while Keith Oliver was replaced by Francois Erasmus. — PTI

DHAKA: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday held talks with her Bangladeshi counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on key bilateral issues, including Land Boundary Agreement and proposed Teesta river water sharing deal, during which the Indian side also raised the issue of illegal immigration.

Swaraj, who arrived in Dhaka late Wednesday, was assisted by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and senior ministry officials during her talks with Ali at the Foreign Office in Dhaka.

Ali welcomed Swaraj, after which both the Ministers talked about the weather condition which was very humid in Dhaka.

The two leaders talked in a restricted format before the delegation-level deliberation.

Though there are no pacts to be signed and no big expectations, the trip, which is termed as a “goodwill” visit, is aimed at taking forward the bilateral ties which are on a “positive trajectory” for past few years.

Among other issues the meeting also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in important areas, including economic.

On the “touchy” issues of LBA and Teesta, the Indian side may not have “clear answers” but the effort would be to assure Bangladesh side of Indian government’s positive intention.

Significantly, it was the BJP’s opposition, coupled with that of the Trinamool Congress and Asom Gana Parishad which prevented the UPA government from formalising the land boundary agreement and signing the Teesta water-sharing deal with Bangladesh.

According to official sources, Swaraj made a call to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to “touch base” and tell her about the visit.

In 2011, Banerjee, then a UPA ally, backed out from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Bangladesh visit, opposing the Teesta water-sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh, following which it was shelved.

The Indian side maintains they were not going with the “shopping list” and that the minister will review the status of bilateral ties and what to expect in the coming years. — PTI

RIO DE JANEIRO (Brazil): A second-string France side clinched top spot in World Cup Group E while Ecuador, who had captain Antonio Valencia harshly sent off, were eliminated after a sprightly 0-0 draw at the Maracana stadium on Wednesday.

Switzerland, who beat Honduras 3-0 to finish runners-up, will play Argentina in the last 16 while the French will face Nigeria.

Ecuador, who had to play most of the second half with 10 men after Valencia’s dismissal in the 50th minute, became the only one of the six South American sides not to progress.

France topped the group with seven points while Switzerland finished on six, Ecuador ended with four and Honduras none.

With little pressure on France, who were all but assured of a place in the second round, coach Didier Deschamps made six changes to his starting lineup.

It was not a performance that will have excited France’s fans but Deschamps was delighted to reach the knockout stage.

“Nothing will spoil our satisfaction tonight. We were there to qualify for the last 16 and we finished top of the group. We were up against a team that was strong in defence even with 10 men,” he said.

Ecuador knew they needed a victory to have any hope of progressing but they struggled to create many chances in the first half and then had to attack with a numerical disadvantage.

Ecuador coach Reinaldo Ruedo said Antonio Valencia’s sending off had cost his team dearly.

“It was a pity all that happened. I am very respectful of referees and it is now a done deal that we can do nothing about,” he said.

“But we lost a very important man for our structure, the most experienced and one who means a lot for Ecuador, and we suffered,” he said.

A relaxed-looking France team had the better of the early exchanges, but it was not until the 38th minute that they truly threatened when Ecuador keeper Alexander Dominguez, who had an outstanding game, tipped over a powerful header from Paul Pogba.

Ecuador’s only first half opportunity came when Michael Arroyo burst down the left flank and Enner Valencia met his cross with a downward header which was blocked by the feet of France keeper Hugo Lloris.

France almost broke the deadlock shortly after the interval when Bacary Sagna crossed from the right and Antoine Griezmann’s volley bounced off Dominguez on to the post.

Ecuador’s hopes suffered a major blow, though, moments later when Antonio Valencia was sent off for a challenge on Lucas Digne which left the France left back needing treatment.

Valencia played the ball and caught Digne with his follow-through and, while there was little protest from the French players, Ivorian referee Noumandiez Doue brandished the red card.

The decision appeared to galvanise Ecuador and they should have had the lead when Cristian Noboa was put through by Enner Valencia but he lost his balance and screwed a shot wide.

Pogba missed a great chance for France in the 73rd minute when, unmarked at the back post, he headed wide.

With Switzerland beating Honduras, Ecuador knew a draw was not enough and substitute Alex Ibarra forced a good save out of Lloris in the 82nd while at the other end Karim Benzema went close for France.

There were tears in the eyes of the Ecuador players as they stood on the field at the end of a World Cup campaign which had promised so much more. — Reuters

Porto Alegre (Brazil): Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2 in their last World Cup group match on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi and Ahmed Musa scoring two goals each before Marcos Rojo kneed in the winner.

Argentina won Group F while Nigeria also advanced despite the loss, becoming the first African team in the Round of 16 in Brazil.

Messi had his best match of the World Cup so far, scoring twice in the first half to boost his tournament total to four goals, and repeatedly cutting up Nigeria’s defense with dazzling runs and clever passes.

“We played against a team that wanted to play,” Messi said. “I think we saw a good Argentina. We need to continue on this path.”

The Argentina captain needed less than three minutes to finish Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s clean sheet in Brazil, slamming in the rebound after Angel Di Maria’s shot bounced off the post. Nigeria replied within a minute as Musa cut in from the left and beat Sergio Romero with a curling shot toward the far post.

Nearing halftime Messi tested Enyeama with a 25-meter free kick that the goalkeeper struggled to push to a corner. Having found his aim, Messi was ice cold when Nigeria gave up another free kick just moments later from a slightly shorter distance.

This time Enyeama was stunned as the ball hooked over the wall and slipped in just inside the post.

“Messi is one of heck of a player, he’s blessed. You can’t take it away from him,” Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said. “Messi is from Jupiter, he is different.”

The second half started at the same furious pace as the first, with two goals within the first five minutes. First Musa took advantage of confusion in the Argentine defense to score his second. Then Rojo made it 3-2 as he got his right knee on a corner kick three minutes later.

Both teams continued to chase more goals but the intensity dropped off somewhat as Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella substituted Messi after the hour-mark. The Barcelona wizard enjoyed the space he was given by Nigeria, which surged forward rather than locking down in defense like Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran did against Argentina. He has scored in each of the team’s three matches.

Finding more space to attack, Argentina created more chances than in its previous games, but its defense caved in on both of Musa’s goals. Another concern for Argentina: Striker Sergio Aguero was injured in the first half, and replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi.

“I think we had a lot of chances, and could have scored a few more goals,” Sabella said.

Tens of thousands of Argentine fans had traveled to Porto Alegre for the match, taunting Brazilian spectators by singing “Maradona is greater than Pele” at the 44,000-capacity Beira-Rio Stadium.

The Brazilians booed and held up five fingers to remind the Argentines of how many World Cups they’ve won. Argentina has two. — AP

SAO PAULO (Brazil): Brazil loves to hate Argentina but Lionel Messi is one of a kind and his wizardry with the ball, which best captures the essence of the 'beautiful game', has even caught the fancy of his country's biggest rival in international football.

From one of their very own legends, Ronaldo, to a group of drunken youths roaming the streets of Rio de Janeiro at the dead of night, the just-turned 27-year-old man with boyish looks has been the buzzword for a while now.

Ronaldo had said that Messi would be the first player chosen by him if he could include a foreign player in Brazil's national team.

"If Messi did not play for Argentina, I would love to have him (with us). I would prefer Messi to Diego (Maradona), even though Diego is also my friend," Ronaldo had said.

Then there was a lookalike of another Selacao great, Ronaldinho, who was escorted off the field after an attempt to get closer to the Barcelona star during one of Argentina's open training session in Belo Horizonte recently.

Messi tops the goal chart with four goals to his name alongside Brazil's Neymar.

The admiration that Messi is earning in Brazil is in stark contrast to the hostile rivalry the two teams share on the football field.

And it appears set to get better with his double strike paving the way for Argentina's qualification into the pre-quarterfinals of the ongoing tournament as group leader.

Fans sporting Messi's number 10 jersey or showering praises on the genius from Rosario has become a normal thing in the host cities of Rio, Belo Horizonte or Sao Paulo.

"Messi is good, a great player and we acknowledge that. Though a lot of people in Brazil don't like Argentina for obvious reasons, Messi gets the respect he deserves," said Stella, a tourist guide who has already watched two games at the Maracana Stadium in the ongoing World Cup.

"Neymar is going to be a great but I prefer Messi as of now. He is being overburdened. If Argentina are to do anything in the World Cup, Messi needs to get the support the way he gets in Barcelona," another Brazilian said.

Asked about the rivalry, he said, "It is probably because of the fact that like us, Argentina has also got a rich football tradition producing talented players. So Brazil wants to beat them. Even this time around, it will be great if Brazil play Argentina in the final and we end up winning."

"We don't like Argentina for sure and that's why we want to beat them in the final. But I really like Messi because he is such a good player. We have no problems with him," said 23-year-old Brasilia-based professional Jessica.

Messi's is an exceptional case and the Argentine supporters, who have come here in large numbers and are acquainted with hostile receptions that they often get here, just as the Brazilians face when they visit their rivals' den, know it well.

"We have not won a World Cup for 28 years and I hope they win it this time around with Messi leading by example," said Matias Jesus Garcia of Buenos Aires.

With Messi once again guiding the team to a 3-2 win over Nigeria in their last round robin fixture for a place in the last 16 stage, Garcia doesn't sound far-fetched. — PTI

MANAUS: Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri erased his side's lingering World Cup pain in Manaus on Wednesday, scoring a hat-trick to see off Honduras 3-0 and secure a daunting last-16 tie against Lionel Messi's Argentina.

Four years ago the Central Americans denied Switzerland a place in the knockout rounds by holding out for a 0-0 draw but two first-half goals from the impressive Bayern Munich player gave Honduras a mountain to climb.

Coach Luis Suarez's team fought hard to get back into the game even though they had no chance of progressing but a third goal from the midfielder killed their hopes.

Ottmar Hitzfeld's team, sixth in the FIFA rankings, came into the game level on points with Ecuador in Group E, three points off leaders France, knowing a victory would likely see them progress.

They went close to scoring with their first attack of the game, when young forward Josip Drmic burst forward and centred for Shaqiri but goalkeepr Noel Valladares blocked his shot.

In just the sixth minute Bayern Munich midfielder Shaqiri found the target with an unstoppable left-footed strike from just outside the area that flew past a helpless Valladares and into the top corner.

Honduras, who came into game on the back of two defeats, enjoyed long spells of possession but did not threaten Diego Benaglio's goal and just after the half-hour the Swiss doubled their lead following a swift counter-attack.

Victor Bernardez made a mistake in midfield and Drmic raced forward before playing in Shaqiri, who kept his composure with just the goalkeeper to beat, slotting the ball to his left.

He became the first Swiss player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1954.

Honduras came out of the blocks impressively after the half-time break and Jerry Bengtson nearly pulled one back with an attempt at a diving header but failed to make contact.

Swiss defender Ricardo Rodriguez was then forced into a goal-line clearance after Bengtson beat the Swiss keeper and about 15 minutes later Fabian Schaer also had to clear off the line.

But Switzerland killed the game 20 minutes from time. Drmic, enjoying his role on the left, beat Bernardez and again found Shaqiri, who was unerring in his finish.

Despite their lofty current ranking the Swiss, playing their 10th World Cup finals, last reached the quarter-finals in 1954 when the tournament was held on home soil.

They will meet Argentina in Sao Paulo on Tuesday while France, who topped the group after a 0-0 draw with Ecuador, will play Nigeria in Brasilia the previous day. — AFP

SALVADOR: Bosnia-Herzegovina ended Iran's hopes of advancing to the knockout stages and registered its first World Cup win in the process with a 3-1 victory in Group F on Wednesday.

The Bosnians took a commanding 2-0 lead with goals from Edin Dzeko in the 23rd and Miralem Pjanic in the 53rd before Iran hit back.

Reza Ghoochannejhad gave some hope to the Iranians with a tap-in goal in the 81st, but Avdija Vrsaljevic replied immediately with his low shot from the edge of the area to restore the two-goal buffer.

Iran needed a win to have any chance of advancing. The Bosnians were already out of contention at their first World Cup following consecutive losses to Argentina and Nigeria.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz brought in strikers Khosro Heydari and Karim Ansari Fard in the second half but the shift in systems only netted one goal.

Iran, playing its fourth World Cup, faced criticism for its dour defensive tactics after a 0-0 draw against Nigeria in its group opener. The Iranians also spent much of their game against Argentina packing the defense, but created several chances on counterattacks and nearly caused a major upset before conceding a late winner by Lionel Messi.

Bosnia created most of the chances in the match, with Dzeko - criticized for missing several opportunities during Bosnia's earlier two matches - firing a volley over the bar in the 3rd minute, and then heading straight onto Iranian goalkeeper from close.

He opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a low shot from 20 yards (meters), deflecting in off the post.

Pjanic doubled the lead a half hour later with an angled shot from inside the box.

Iran's only genuine chances came after the goal and in the last frantic minutes with Ghoochannejhad's close-range shot narrowly missing late. — AP