Saturday, December 5, 1998
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S P O R T | Saturday, December 5, 1998 |
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Hair not to stand in Lanka
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Aamir Sohail may be sacked
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Aamir Sohail may be sacked KARACHI, Dec 4 (ANI): The Pakistan cricket team's poor performance against Australia and Zimbabwe under the captaincy of Aamir Sohail may result in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) giving the boot to Sohail when its Executive Council meets on December 8. Informed sources quoted PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood as saying that every cricket board official was concerned about the performance of the team and therefore the meeting of the PCB council had been called. The sources also said that the Council would decide on who would be the captain for next month's tour of India. "Not only the captain's role would be discussed, the selection committee and the coach would also come under discussion. Not necessarily the captain would be changed, the entire setup can be replaced or nothing could happen. The Executive Council is the supreme body and has all constitutional powers to take decisions which can be in the best interest of the game," Mahmood was quoted as saying. Wasim Akram and Moin Khan are emerging as likely replacements for Sohail whose seven Test innings as captain have yielded only 223 runs with one century besides a 1-0 home series loss to Australia-the first in 39 years-and a seven-wicket drubbing at Peshawar by Zimbabwe on Monday. PCB officials, who did not want to be identified, said efforts were on to convince Wasim Akram to take over the captaincy again as he enjoyed support from the entire team. "The Indian tour is very crucial and the best player who can lead from the front and motivate the side into a winning one should be appointed the captain. At present, Wasim Akram is the only player who can deliver the goods," a councillor, on the condition of anonymity, said. Sources here said that if a new captain on the Indian tour was appointed, Sohail would probably not be included in the side. In this connection, chief selector Wasim Bari, according to sources, has already had a lengthy discussion with Khalid Mahmood and has recommended replacement of Aamir Sohail with Wasim Akram or Moin Khan. Mahmood has so far not taken any disciplinary action against Sohail for his outburst against the national selection committee. "I talked to Aamir (Sohail) who says that he had been quoted out of context in the newspapers. He (Aamir Sohail) claims that he had criticised the combination of the team, but didn't criticise the selectors or their policies. "No explanation letter was delivered to him. In fact, I checked verbally," Mahmood was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, coach Javed Miandad has been invited to brief the councillors regarding the performance and what were wrong in the team. "If the Executive Council thought the captain and the chief selector should also attend the meeting, they would be summoned," Mahmood said. "I plan to ask for additional powers to criticise the team and the players if they don't come upto expectations," Miandad was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, pace bowler Wasim Akram has declined Cantebury's offer to play in New Zealand's premier one-day competition, the Shell Cup. "This year has been a very difficult one for me. The future assignments of Pakistan are also very tough. So I have decided to turn down the offer," Akram said from Lahore on Wednesday. Akram admitted that the offer was handsome "but I think at this stage my priorities are different. I need sometime away from cricket. "I plan to spend a good holiday with my family, relax and return afresh for the tour of India and follow it up by next year's World Cup."
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Indian flag hoisted at games village BANGKOK, Dec 4 (PTI) — The Indian Tricolour was hoisted at the games village in the Thammasat University sports complex at a simple function in the presence of a fair number of the Indian contingent which had arrived here on December 2. Director of Thammasat University, Dr Narit Chaiyut, who is the Mayor of the village and complex director, presided over the function as the Indian and Bhutanese flag-hoisting ceremonies were held together. Billiards ace Geet Sethi, coach of the green baize squad Michael Fereira, woman weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, the entire boxing squad and a few of the woman hockey players, men’s hockey coach M.K. Kaushik and defender Dilip Tirkey were among those present at the ceremony. The Indian Chef De Mission G.S. Mander was presented with the key to the village by Dr Chaiyut and he in turn presented a memento to the Thai official. Applauding the facilities at the village, located about 50 km from downtown Bangkok, he said Thailand had raised the infrastructure despite problems in record time to make the fourth games to be held in Bangkok a success. The Indian and Bhutan flags were among the first ones to be raised at the spacious village square. The remaining parties of the Indian contingent, mainly athletes will arrive later. Meanwhile, hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony marchpast of the on Sunday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi said in New Delhi today. With the participation of tennis ace Leander Paes ruled out because of an injury and P.T. Usha, the seniormost member of the Indian contingent, leaving for Bangkok only on December 8 along with the second group of athletes, the honour was given to Pillay, Kalmadi told PTI. Mr Mander yesterday announced at Bangkok that Paes would be the flag-bearer in the opening ceremony. Reports today said the tennis ace mould miss the games as he had not received the nod from his doctors in Orlando, USA, regarding participation in the games. Paes suffered a bone spur in the heel and strained his hip while playing doubles with partner Mahesh Bhupathi at Stockholm. The injury got aggravated during the World Doubles Championships in Hartford, where the Indian duo had to pull out of their last league match.
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India to lodge protest BANGKOK, Dec 4 (PTI) — India will lodge a "strong" protest tomorrow regarding the scheduling of its men’s hockey matches in the Asian Games starting here on Sunday. Chief coach M.K. Kaushik told PTI today that he in the managers’ meeting tomorrow would point out the fact that there was less than 24 hours gap between two of India’s crucial league phase matches. As per the match schedule, India would play their group "B" match against China at 7.05 p.m. on December 13 and their last league match, against strong contenders Korea was scheduled for 5.05 p.m. the next day. The gap of just 22 hours was in contravention of the rules which provided for separation of at least 24 hours, he said. For that matter, nothing seems to be going right for the Indian men’s hockey team. On arrival here on Tuesday the team was stuck at the airport for four hours as there were no arrangements to transport the players, to the athletes village, Kaushik said. The team made its own way to the village only to take two more hours to get in as their names were not listed in the computer. By the time they did get in, it was past midnight and they were not in a shape for practice the next morning. As if all that was not enough, Kaushik said the team was yet to get its track suits and other apparel, which the Indian Hockey Federation was to send from Delhi. Still, the team managed two practice sessions in the last two days and played a practice match against Japan which it won 3-2. The scorers for India were Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar and Sandeep Somesh. Earlier yesterday, Kaushik expressed optimism to win the Asiad gold after a gap of 32 years, adds UNI. Speaking after a practice session at the Queen Sirikit stadium on the outskirts of this metropolis, Kaushik said the boys were in fine fettle and a "healthy frame of mind". The chief coach hoped that the glory of 1966 would once again be "bestowed on our hockey squad" adding that it was here that India had its only success in Asian hockey when the barefoot railway right winger Balbir Singh had struck the winner from a near zero angle against Pakistan. However, India had to bite the dust in the 1970 and 1978 Asian Games finals here when they were beaten by their traditional rivals, Pakistan. India, who finished runners up in last Asian Games at Hiroshima as against Pakistan’s bronze, appeared to be unfazed by the fact that Asian champions South Korea are in the same pool. Kaushik said that "we have devised a game plan which we shall unravel on the appointed day". However, the Koreans cannot be taken lightly. "They are the defending champions of not only the Asiad but also the Asia Cup". In the last meeting between the two teams in the Utrecht World Cup in May, the Koreans had piped India 4-3 in the last second of the match from a controversial penalty corner decision awarded by Pakistani umpire Irfan Zaidi. Korea had finished seventh in the World Cup and by virtue of England’s withdrawal they became the sixth team for the Champions Trophy at Lahore last month, where they finished third. The veteran Korean Captain Park Shin Heum said that his team was in tremendous form and was comparable to the world’s best. "We will go all out here to defend the title as the winner gets an automatic entry at the next Olympic Games at Sydney", he said. "Our team has plenty of depth and bench strength and we shall exploit and take advantage of the abolition of the off side rule. Our strike rate of penalty corner conversion is also satisfactory", he added.
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Indian spikers in tough pool BANGKOK, Dec 4 (PTI) — The Indian volleyball team which made it to the Asian Games after much uncertainty and with hopes of reaching the last four, has been left in an unenviable position after three more withdrawals forced the groupings to be redrawn. India, who have travelled to the Thai capital at the Volleyball Federation of India’s expenses confident of topping a group with hosts Thailand and Lebanon are now left to fend off superpowers China, Japan and Iran thrown in for good measure. The last minute withdrawal by Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal left the field with only 12 teams in the field. India, who finished ninth in the Asian Championships earlier this year are bracketed in Group ‘B’ with Japan, China, Kazakhstan, Iran and Pakistan. Group ‘A’ comprised Taipei, Mongolia, Qatar, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand and is relatively easier. The decision was made by the Games Technical Committee in consultation with the Asian volleyball body. ‘this is a real jolt for us. It is a very, very tough pool. Anyway our boys will fight it out,’ said VFI Vice-President K Murugan. Initially, 15 teams had been lodged in four groups, but the rules of the world body (FIVB) says that if there are only seven teams they should compete in a single pool and as it was 12 teams they have distributed into two groups. The Asian ranking of the teams are taken into consideration and India found itself in the tough poll as they suffered an upset loss to Thailand and nosedived to ninth spot in the standings in the Asian Championship in Doha. Thailand find themselves in a relatively easy pool as the hosts are not placed according to their rankings. Volleyball competition will be held from December 7 to 19. India meet China in their opening match on December 7, run into Japan the next day, play Kazakhstan on December 10. Iran on 11th and Pakistan in their final group clash on December 12. Only the top two teams from either pool will progress to the four-team semi-final league.
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Football team confident BANGKOK, Dec 4 (PTI) — Confident in their approach after a fighting display against Japan in their opening encounter against a strong Japan, India take on South Asian neighbours Nepal hoping to win handsomely and clinch a berth in the second round of the Asian Games men’s football competition. India, who put up a plucky show before going down by a solitary goal against Japan, will look forward to beating a demoralised Nepal when they clash at the main stadium in Trang province. Coming into the competition, India were not given much chance of keeping the margin low against Japan. But they not only held their superior rivals at bay till the 55th minute, but carried out impressive sallies on their own with nippy striker Baichung Bhutia impressive playing most of the time alone upfront. Nepal, who were pounded 5-0 by Japan in their opening match in the Group ‘C’ preliminary league, should be a comparatively easy rival for India if their performance against Japan yesterday is anything to go by. The Indian defence of Jiju Jacob, Franky Barretto and Roberto Fernandes found good support from the midfield. The lanky midfielder B. Venkatesh, included in the squad at the last minute by Syed Nayeemuddin and brought in as first half substitute for Amit Ghosh vindicated his coach’s faith in him by giving an impressive show.
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Glitches threaten Bangkok Asian Games BANGKOK, Dec43 (Reuters) — Two days before Asia’s biggest sporting event kicks off, harried Thai organisers are still battling bugs that threaten to turn the 13th Asian Games into farce. With the opening ceremony due on Sunday, bugs are everywhere, and not just the thousands that have dropped nightly from surrounding countryside into the pools of the main swimming arena on the outskirts of Bangkok. Unfinished road links threaten traffic delays, journalists are up in arms over coverage arrangements, the pitch of the main soccer stadium has been called unplayable, and equestrians fear horses could be crippled by conditions at their arenas. Perennially "lucky" Thailand is praying its reputation for last-minute fixes will pull it through in time for the opening ceremony and overcome the unlucky "13" tag the games carry. Initial signs have not been promising. Many of the 41 national teams have scaled back squads because of the regional financial crisis and a long-running diplomatic squabble led to the last-minute withdrawal of the entire Saudi Arabian team. Organisers, meanwhile, have struggled to provide timely results for the three or four daily soccer fixtures this week, many of which have been played in near-empty stadiums. Journalists have complained of traffic delays and inadequate telephone facilities and organisers have been unable to provide all news organisations with results or enough electricity for editorial systems. With media blood pressures rising, it’s perhaps as well organisers have extended insurance cover against unexpected death during the games to all journalists, as well as athletes and officials. Even some games officials have begun to despair at the organisational snafus. "People are just not going to put up with it. We keep saying you’ve got to do something or you’ll have a riot on your hands," said one, complaining that many officials were unable to take responsibility for key decisions. The senior organiser of the games, Santiparb Tejavanija, has worked tirelessly with horrendous logistical problems but with only two years on the job, time has not been on his side. We can’t do it like this again," he told the Nation newspaper, arguing that a company should be set up to organise such events in future. "The current system is based on seniority. We are bogged down in red tape and we simply don’t have the right people to do the job." The finger-pointing has already begun, with the head of the sports complex where the main press centre is located lashing out at the committee in charge of communications. "That committee which was assigned to handle this important function didn’t act professionally," Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi told local media. Many outsiders are baffled, given Thailand’s experience in hosting three previous Asian Games and the fact it had eight years’ notice. Many outsiders are baffled, given Thailand’s experience in hosting three previous Asian Games and the fact it had eight years’ notice. However, frequent changes of government, murky Bangkok city politics, and frequent allegations of graft and corruption meant it was not until two years ago that serious preparations began. And then, once the huge enterprise finally gathered steam, the Thai economy collapsed in the middle of last year, touching off a financial crisis that enveloped the entire region and threatened to bury the games completely. Despite all the problems, the current government of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai pledged the games would go on when it took office in December. Deputy Prime Minister Bhichai Rattukul, one of Thailand’s most respected and influential politicians, was assigned to speed up preparations and put the games back on track. Bhichai, whose judicious string-pulling has been credited with bringing the tournament back from the brink of disaster, has complained of many sleepless nights since. It remains to be seen whether the nightmares are over. AFP adds: Meanwhile, the battle over the insect infested swimming pool intensified with new accusations by coaches that the water is too cold. Squads of workers are trying each day to clear thousands of dead insects attracted by the lights and water in the open air $ 38 million dollar complex at Thammasat University here. Now coaches have increased pressure on the Thailand Amateur Swimming Association with their complaints about the temperature.
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Sunil Gavaskar’s helping hand MUMBAI, Dec 4 (PTI) — Needy sportspersons in the country who have made their mark now have a new supporter in Sunil Gavaskar. The legendary batsman last night announced the setting up of a foundation, "champs", to help those who brought fame to the country but now find it difficult to make the two ends meet. "Champs", which is an acronym for caring, helping, assisting, motivating and promoting sports persons, would help the needy irrespective of the games they represented, Gavaskar told a press conference here. "There are plenty of foundations for other fields like education, health, art, culture and for the disadvantaged but none to my knowledge specifically for sports," Gavaskar said while detailing how the idea germinated in his mind. "Champs" will extend financial help to the eligible persons or help them in finding sponsors besides motivating budding talents by providing equipment and facilities, the former India skipper said. Besides Gavaskar, the other trustees of the foundation are Chairman of Mid-Day Publications Khalid Ansari and former Sheriff of Mumbai Nana Chudasama. The foundation, to be set up with a corpus of Rs 70 lakh, also expects to rope in the corporate world for raising funds, Gavaskar said.
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Hair not to stand in Lanka ties SYDNEY, Dec 4 (PTI) — Top-ranked Australian Test cricket umpire Darrell Hair has withdrawn from officiating in the forthcoming triangular one-day international series involving Sri Lanka. Australian Cricket Board Chairman Denis Rogers said Hair’s offer on Saturday to withdraw from the Sri Lankan games during the World Series Cup involving Sri Lanka beginning in January, had been accepted by the board. Hair, who triggered an international furore by no-balling Lankan off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan seven times for throwing in a 1995 Test in Melbourne, sparked further controversy after revealing in his just released autobiography that he would call the bowler again if he didn’t change his action. The Sri Lankan cricket authorities had asked the ICC to take action under its code of conduct against Hair and the book, Decision Maker, in which he detailed his reasons for no-balling the Sri Lankan off spinner. Hair’s offer comes ahead of any decision by the International Cricket Council. The ACB has last week urged the ICC to make a quick decision or declare it had no role in the matter. ACB Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said the ICC should either charge Hair under its rules after a complaint from Sri Lanka about his recently published autobiography. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has also asked ACB to ban hair from umpiring their matches in the series. In his book, Hair wrote: "I could have called him (Muralitharan) 27 times or even more. I did not want the matter to become a complete farce." Muralitharan, who was also no balled for chucking by umpire Ross Emerson in Brisbane later that tour, but never since then, has, meanwhile, gone on to become a key weapon in the Sri Lankan team. In fact, he has already been named in the Sri Lankan side which arrives in Australia on New Year Day for a triangular one-day series against Australia and England beginning next month. In his autobiography, Hair deals in detail about the controversy surrounding the no-balling incidents. Calling Muralitharan’s bowling action as "diabolic", Hair wrote he would no ball the off spinner again should he deem his action illegal. "Initially he bowled with a bent arm which is perfectly legal. As he warmed up and attempted to impart more spin, the arm straightened fractionally and progressively became more illegal." "I don’t think he straightens his arm all the time, just on some occasions." Hair also revealed that in another Test at Perth during the same tour, he and another umpire Peter Parker had made out official reports to ICC regarding two other Lankan bowlers, Kumara Dharmasena and Ruwan Kalpage. "We considered their bowling actions to be also very doubtful, in particular Dharmasena," Hair said.
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Air-India outplay Pak outfit NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (UNI) — Punjab XI (Pakistan) opened their campaign on a disastrous note when they lost 2-4 to Air-India in the quarter-final league match of the Ninth Lal Bahadur Shastri Hockey Tournament here yesterday. Earlier, Bharat Petroleum upset Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) 3-2 while Nehru Cup winner Border Security Force (BSF) were held to a 1-1 draw by Northern Railway. Air-India, with several internationals in their ranks, surged ahead in the 14th minute through Edward Aranha and two minutes later increased the tally when Gagan Ajit Singh scored the second goal. Punjab XI (Pakistan) struck back in the 19th minute with skipper Mohd. Khalid making no mistake in converting the stroke. Five minutes into the second half, Air-India again raised their tally with Kishore Kumar making it 3-1. Edward Aranha scored his second and team’s fourth goal to complete the tally (4-1) in the 66th minute. A minute later the Pakistan team reduced the margin through Ijaz Ahmed who converted a penalty corner (2-4). Earlier, in a fast paced match, it was PSB which took the lead in the sixth minute through Baljit Singh. However the bankmen could not defend the lead for long as Bharat Petroleum drew parity 12 minutes later when S Bishnoi scored off a penalty corner (1-1). Five minutes before the lemon break Bishnoi was again on target when he converted another penalty corner to give his side the lead (2-1). The oilmen consolidated their lead in the 59th minute when Amar Aimmya shot the ball home (3-1). A minute later PSB reduced the margin when international Sanjeev Kumar scored off a penalty corner (2-3). Bharat Petroleum, however, managed to defend their solitary goal lead for the next ten minutes. In another match, an equaliser by Parmod Kumar three minutes before the final whistle enable Northern Railway to hold mighty BSF to a 1-1 draw. BSF took the lead in the 33rd minute through W Bismabir and held on to it till the 67th minute before Parmod Kumar struck for Northern Railway to draw parity.
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Garbin, Hopmans in final NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (PTI) — Mediterranean champion Tithiana Garbin of Italy swamped Germany’s Miriam Schnitzer to storm into the final of the $ 75,000 WTA Women's Challenger here today. Garbin, who recorded a 6-3 6-1 win in just one an hour, will clash with Amanda Hopmans of the Netherlands in an all-European final for the "ITF-Flash Sports" Tennis Trophy here tomorrow. The Dutch woman ended the challenge of Japan’s Rika Hiraki 7-5 6-4 in the second semi-final. Sixth seed Garbin, who had a tough quarter-final match against Jolene Watanable of the United States, dominated her fourth-seeded German opponent right from the start. Garbin’s forehand returns and backhand slices landed perfectly and Schnitzer, ranked 140 on WTA computer, found it hard to continue lengthy rallies, invariably smashing the returns long. The Italian broke Schnitzer in the fourth game of the first set with a down-the-line passing winner and then thumped three aces to close out the set 6-3. Schnitzer, who yesterday defeated India number one Nirupma Vaidyanathan, started the second set cautiously. After taking a 40-0 lead in the opening game on serve, the German was taken to deuce but grabbed the initiative. The Italian’s court coverage was fantastic while Schnitzer, who recorded victory over Garbin just three months ago in Spain, found nothing going right for her. Holland’s Amanda Hopmans, the seventh seed, had another easy victory this time over Japan’s Rika Hiraki. Hopmans faced two Indians — Uzma Khan and Manisha Malhotra — in the first two rounds and then crushed Briton Lorna Woodroffe 6-3 6-2 in the quarters to reach the last four. Unseeded Hiraki, who accounted for fifth seed Tina Krizan in the last eight, could not repeat her spectacular run and lost to the stronger-built Dutchwoman 5-7 4-6. Amanda Hopmans partnering Lenka Cenkova of the Czech republic stormed into the final of the doubles event as well. Hopmans-Cenkova will take on top seeds Tina Krizan (Slovenia) and Karin Kschwendt (Austria) in the doubles final. The semifinal turned out to be an upset for Japan when the second seeded pair of Hiraki-Lousie Fleming (Australia) lost to third seeds Hopmans-Cenkova 6-3, 2-6, 3-6 for another all-European final at the WTA event.
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Captain's knock by Kanitkar CHENNAI, Dec 4 (PTI) — Hrishikesh Kanitkar played a captain’s knock with an unbeaten 73 as India ‘A’ crawled to 162 for five at close on the first day of the second and final four-day cricket ‘Test’ against West Indies ‘A’ at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here today. Electing to bat, the home side saw yet another top order collapse with four wickets falling for just 66 runs. But Kanitkar, playing the sheet anchor, stemmed the rot. Kanitkar, who occupied the crease for 326 minutes of the entire day’s 365 minutes of play, was well supported by keeper MSK Prasad (25, batting). The two added 70 runs in 38 overs for the sixth wicket. Though the West Indian pace attack lacked venom as the bowlers concentrated more on short-pitched deliveries outside the off-stump, the visitors, aided by excellent fielding, were able to restrain the Indians. Opener Wasim Jaffer started the slide when he was run out for nought, Amay Khurasia made 17 before being caught off Carl Tuckett. Just as other opener Sadagopan Ramesh and Kanitkar started to steady the innings, the former too made his exit before lunch for 22. In the post-lunch session two more wickets fell as Rohan Gavaskar (11) and Sanjay Raul (7) failed yet again with the willow, leaving their side at a precarious 92 for five, But Kanitkar and Prasad with the unfinished sixth-wicket stand avoided any further casualty. Brief score: India ‘A’ 162 for five in 82 overs (S Ramesh 22, Kanitkar batting 73, Prasad batting 25; IAM Bishop 1/30, Carl Tuckett 1/11).
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Bhandari rocks South Zone MUMBAI, Dec 4 (PTI) — Fine piece of bowling by North Zone’s paceman Amit Bhandari (three for 17) reduced South Zone to 124 for four off 41.3 overs in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day of their Duleep Trophy quarterfinal match at the Wankhede Stadium here today. Needing another 293 runs for an outright win, South were fighting with their back to the wall with middle order batsmen from Karnataka Vijay Bhardwaj (batting on 35) and wicketkeeper-batsman Somashekar Shiraguppi (batting 32) putting on unbeaten 55 invaluable runs for the fifth wicket after their side was reduced to 69 for four at one stage. Earlier, North who resumed at their overnight score of 224 for two, declared their second innings close at 445 for nine off 130.3 overs 15 minutes before tea. Their skipper Vikram Rathore (136 off 245 balls with 14 fours and a six), vice-captain Pankaj Dharmani (72 off 176 balls including five fours and three sixes) and allrounder Virender Shewag (70 off 74 balls with nine hits to the fence) were the main scorers. H. Ramkishen was the most successful South bowler, taking six for 141 followed by leg-spinner Ananthapadmanabhan (two for 87). South, despite taking a slim 29 runs first innings lead find themselves staring at defeat with four of their main batsmen — Somasunder, left handers Arvind Shetty, S. Sriram and S. Sharath — all back in the pavilion. Scoreboard North Zone (1st
innings): 225
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Golfers hope to do well NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (PTI) — The debutant women golfers and the men's team were given a ward sendoff on the eve of their departure for the Bangkok Asian Games by the Indian Golf Union (IGU) here yesterday. The women's team, a fine blend of youth and experience with Nonita Lal Qureshi, Parneeta Garewal and Urvashi Sethi Sodhi, has a fair chance of winning medals IGU (Ladies) Convenor Sarah Philip said. With the women having performed well in international tournaments after having finished joint fourth in the last Queen Sirikit Cup in Mumbai, "our chances of winning a medal have never been better". Sarah Philip said. The team has been preparing for the games under coach Ajay Gupta. The men too exuded confidence with non-playing captain Lakshman Singh saying the team had the potential to win medals in Bangkok. Lakshman Singh will be guiding the men — Harmeet Kahlon, Amit Luthra, Digvijay Singh and Amit Dube — on the course during the competition, which begins on December 10. The team will complete in individual and team events in both men's and women's categories at the 7000-yard par-52 golf course at the Alpine Sports and Country Club in a Bangkok suburb. Kakshman Singh, who is making his second stint as non-playing captain and manager of the men's team, felt Japan, South Korea and Taiwan would be India's main opponents. "Japan and Taiwan are better than us, South Korea is also a good team with a fairly young side but are inexperienced. This will tilt the balance in our favour," he said. The men's team were exposed to the Alpine Sports and Country Club golf course where the event will be held during the Thai Amateur Open in October. All the four players had finished in the top-15 with Kahlon entering the top-10. The team also has also gained from its training under veteran Italian coach Danato Ponziano.
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Taiwanese flags replaced BANGKOK, Dec 4 (AFP) — Officials scrambled to haul down Taiwanese flags flying over Asian Games venues today following an angry complaint from China. The Taiwanese flags were quickly replaced by Olympic flags in line with the policy of other major sporting events involving Taiwan, regarded by China as a renegade province. "China sent a protest letter over the Taiwanese flags, saying they should not be raised over the venues," Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Kobsak Chutikul told AFP. The letter from the Chinese Embassy listed five venues throughout Bangkok where the flag was spotted. Thailand follows the one China policy in its links with Taiwan and does not maintain diploamtic links with the island. It established diplomatic relations with China in 1976. Taiwan is competing in the games as Chinese Taipei.
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Leander pulls out NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (PTI) — India’s best gold medal prospect Leander Paes has pulled out of the Bangkok Asian Games with an ankle injury giving a major blow to the country’s hopes at the continental games. Top Asian tennis player at number 91 in the world, Paes was billed to win at least three gold medals for India — team, individual and doubles — but a nagging heel injury has put the spanner into India’s hopes. "I am out, I can’t play and I am not going to Bangkok," the India number one announced on his website "Paessite" today. Paes said his heel was still hurting and the doctor had advised total rest for another week which would make it impossible for the star tennis player to make it to Bangkok. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, the world’s second ranked doubles team, along with Prahlad Srinath, Nitin Kirtane, Syed Fazaluddin and Vijay Kannan were the hot favourites for the team gold at the games. With Paes’s withdrawal, India’s chances have suffered a big jolt, however, the All-India Tennis Association is optimistic that Bhupathi will "do the Leander" as he did in the recently concluded ATF Asia Cup here beating strong Uzbekistan player Oleg Ogorodov in a hotly contested final. Paes injured his ankle while playing in ATP world doubles championship in Hartford where the Indian pair lost two round robin matches before pulling out of the tournament.
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Iqbal, Sanjeev best HOSHIARPUR, Dec 4 (FOC) — Iqbal Kaur of DAV Senior Secondary School, Tanda was declared the best athlete among women and Sanjeev Kumar among men in the District Sports festival which concluded here yesterday. The following are the results: Kabaddi — (men) Khalsa College, Mahilpur, I Garhdiwala Club 2. Women: Chatala Club I, Garhdiwala Club 2. Handball (men) JC Club Dasuya I, Sat Sahib Sports Club Meghowal Ganjian 2. Women Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College Dasuya 1, Sat Sahib Sports Club Meghowal Ganjian 2. Volleyball (men) Hoshiarpur Police I Garhshanker II. Women Rampa Club, Hoshiarpur I, Khandiala Sheikhan Club 2. Kho-kho (men) SD College Hoshiarpur I, Piplianwala 2, Women Government Girls Senior Secondary School Railway Mandi Hoshiarpur I, Government School Jaura Bajhian 2. Basketball (men) Punjab Police Hoshiarpur I, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Club Dasuya 2. Wrestling 54 kg: Amit Sharma I, Tajinder Sekhon 2. 58 kg Tej Bahadur I, Jagdip Singh 2. 63 kg Kiran Singh I Devinder Singh 2. 64 kg Kular Singh I, Balwinder Singh 2. 76 kg Dalwinder Singh I, Rakesh Kumar 2. Guru Nanak School in final CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 (BOSR) — Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, and St Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, will clash in the final of the Chandigarh Sub-Junior Football League for the St Xavier's Trophy here at the Sector 17 Football Stadium. In the semifinal today, Guru Nanak School got the better of St Soldiers International School, Sector 28, by two goals to nil. The half-time score was 1-0 in favour of the winners. Right striker Sandeep Singh scored the first goal for the winners in the 25th minute of the match. Left-half Rajbir scored the second goal for the ultimate winners in the 49th minute of the match. St Soldiers School tried their best to come back, but in vain. In the second semifinal, St Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, were declared winners against Sanjay Public School via tie breaker (3-1) as both teams failed to score any goal in the stipulated period. St John's cricket CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 (BOSR) — St John's High School, Sector 26 will be organising the Inter-House Cricket Tournament in the age group of under-12 (4th to 6th class), under-14 (7th and 8th class) and under-16 (8th and 9th class) on December 6 and 13. These matches will be
played with white balls of 25 overs a side. The matches
in this tournament will be played on league basis and 20
matches are planned from December 21 to January 3 next
year. It will also be the basis for selecting 45 boys for
under-12, 14 and 16 teams of the school who will be
trained in the proposed cricket academy which is likely
to start functioning at the school premises from March
next. |
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