Thursday, February 18, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Thursday, February 18, 1999 |
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India squander opportunities |
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Kirsten, Cronje give SA
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Skating panel denies Tonya's
"comeback" |
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India squander opportunities CALCUTTA Feb 17 (PTI) — India today squandered opportunities with their middle order batsmen caving in against the fury of the Pakistani bowling to leave the first Test of the tri-nation series wide open at the end of the second day here. New opener S Ramesh once again showed grit and determination to top score with 79 runs even as his illustrious peers Rahul Dravid (24), Sachin Tendulkar (0), Mohammed Azharuddin (23) and Saurav Ganguly (17) disappointed a crowd of one lakh at the Eden Gardens to leave India all out for 223, a slender lead of 38 runs over Pakistan’s first innings total of 185. When play was called off due to poor light, with 8.4 overs still to be sent down, Pakistan were, in their second knock, 26 for one, with skipper Azharuddin compounding his batting failure by dropping the dangerous Saeed Anwar, who was batting with 12. Paceman Shoib Akhtar (4/71) unleashed a fiery spell to lead the remarkable Pakistani fightback while captain Wasim Akram chipped in with three wickets to wrest the initiative from the hosts on another eventful day in the first match of the Asian Test Championship. India were cruising along comfortably at 147 for two before Akhtar changed the complexion of the game dramatically snapping up prized wickets of Dravid and Tendulkar with two successive in-swinging yorkers. India lost eight wickets for the addition of just 76 runs as their first innings folded up about 25 minutes before scheduled close, allowing Pakistan to garner all four bonus points for dismissing the opposition in the first 100 overs. The two teams have five bonus points each. Pakistan’s fightback from the post lunch session onwards threw the match wide open with both teams having an equal share of bonus points in what is turning out to be a low-scoring contest. Akhtar’s two yorkers which fetched him the prized scalps of Tendulkar and Dravid virtually broke the backbone of the Indian batting, as none of the other batsmen could stand up to the Akhtar-Akram assault. The morning session clearly belonged to the Indians as they put on 77 runs while losing the lone wicket of nightwatchman Anil Kumble. The visitors bounced back in the post-lunch session making amends for the overdose of shortpitched deliveries in the morning, which negated the swing. Only left handed opener Ramesh stood bravely amidst the ruins notching up his third successive half century against the Pakistanis as Dravid was the second highest scorer with a resolute 24. But Dravid perished to a gem of a delivery from Akhtar, which uprooted his leg stump as the yorker swung in sharply to beat the batsman all ends up. Tendulkar walked in to a thunderous applause, but a hush fell on the Eden Gardens as he was bowled neck and crop with the very first ball from Akhtar. Tendulkar was a little slow in bringing down his bat as Akhtar’s swinging yorker went through his gate to send his middle stump flying. It was the first time that Tendulkar was bowled off the very first ball in his distinguished Test career. Tendulkar’s shock dismissal came as a severe jolt for the Indians who were hoping to pile up a decent first innings total to tighten their grip on the match, which has seen fortunes fluctuating from one side to the other. Azharuddin, for whom Eden Gardens has been a happy hunting ground, and local hero Ganguly were left with the task of rebuilding the Indian innings, but neither could survive for long. Both Azhar and Ganguly perished in the space of three balls to leave the hosts gasping at 205 for seven and it was only a matter of time before the Pakistanis polished off the tail. Left handed Ganguly, who has still not managed to play a long innings in front of his home crowd, fell prey to wily off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as he edged a turning ball to Wasim Akram in first slip for just 17 after having a torrid time in the initial stages. Azhar, who looked quite comfortable in the middle during his 101 minute stay at the crease, got out to a poor shot as he drove an outside the off-stump ball straight to Saqlain Mushtaq at the cover region. Pakistan (1st innings) 185 India (Ist innings:) Ramesh lbw b Akram 79 Laxman b Akhtar 5 Kumble c Moin b Mehmood 18 Dravid b Akhtar 24 Tendulkar b Akhtar 0 Azharuddin c Mushtaq b Akram 23 Ganguly c Akram b Mushtaq 17 Mongia run out 5 Srinath c Moin b Akram 3 Prasad b Akhtar 0 Singh not out 8 Extras (lb-9, nb-32) 41 Total (all out in 76.2 overs) 223 Fall of wickets: 1/26, 2/91, 3/147, 4/147, 5/164, 6/205, 7/205, 8/211, 9/212. Bowling: Akram
24-5-65-3, Akhtar 19.2-1-71-4, Mehmood 18-5-40-1, Mushtaq
13-4-31-1, Afridi 2-0-7-0. |
National Games Kerala, Punjab forge ahead IMPHAL, Feb 17 (PTI) — Karnataka woman swimmer Nisha Millet kept up her golden splash with a fifth title and Bihar woman archer Dola Banerjee gathered a double with one national mark, while Kerala surged ahead in the overall medal count on the third day of the National Games competition here today. Teenager Nisha Millet kept up her winning spree to claim all three gold on offer in the women's section to be four adrift of the nine she won in the 1997 Bangalore edition where she was hailed as the best sportswoman. Bihar claimed their fifth gold out of eight decided in archery as 19-year-old Dola Banerjee emulated statemate Chekrovolu Swuro by winning women's 30m and 50m gold medals with a national mark to boot in the shorter distance. With competition hotting up, Kerala scooped up eight gold medals today with yet another scintillating show of four out of five from canoeing and kayaking, besides two each from athletics and swimming to head the table with 16 gold medals. Punjab added two more to their tally to be second overall with 11 gold medals, followed by Karnataka with eight. Kerala's athletics gold came from 800m runner Anil Mathew who erased a 14-year-old meet mark held by former Asian Games champion Charles Borromeo (Bihar) and national junior record holder Roshan Kumar. The 17-year-old Nisha Millet cornered glory on the third day as the star Karnataka swimmer claimed all three events she participated in to add to the two gold medals she had won yesterday. Bangalore-based Millet won the 200m butterfly and the 100m backstroke before steering her state to victory in the 4x200m freestyle medley as Karnataka held sway at the pool with five gold medals followed by Delhi with three and Kerala two, including their star Sebastian Xavier's win in the 100m backstroke. Jamshedpur-based Dola Banerjee's twin gold medals helped Bihar rule the archery field with five out of eight titles decided so far. But UP's 20-year-old Satya Dev Prasad ensured his state's strong presence by claiming a double, adding the 30m title to the 90 m event he won yesterday. Punjab 20-year-old cyclist Kulbir Singh rode away to his second gold of the games by guiding his state to the men's 1500 metres team time trial at the velodrome. In basketball, defending champions Bengal will take on Andhra Pradesh, while Maharashtra will clash with Punjab in the women's section. While Bengal survived a scare before defeating the strong Punjab to top pool 'B', Maharashtra had a relatively easy victory over Delhi on their way to the last four stages as the pool 'A' toppers. In the men's section, holders Punjab moved into the semifinals as pool 'B' champions while last editions' runner-up Bihar and the strong Tamil Nadu team sailed into the last four stages from the first pool. In football, Assam stunned formidable Punjab 1-0 while defending champions Kerala missed chances galore to play a 1-1 draw with Bengal in group-A men's football encounters. In group-B, Maharashtra
overcame their opening match setback to edge out Goa by a
solitary first half goal at the Kondompokpi Stadium. |
Chandigarh eves hold Orissa IMPHAL, Feb 17 (PTI) — Manipur routed Delhi 6-1 while Chandigarh ad Orissa shared points in pool 'B' league matches of women's hockey in the fifth National Games here today. In pool 'A' Punjab romped to a 3-1 victory over Uttar Pradesh. Delhi struck as early as the sixth minute when skipper Sushila Sharma scored a field goal, but the hosts soon overcame the initial setback to pump in half a dozen goals. Manipur's T. Nandini Devi converted three penalty corners, while Sanghai Ibemhal and Romla Devi scored a field goal each. The in-form Surajlata Devi rounded up the tally converting a penalty stroke. The pressure mounted by Manipur women on Delhi was evident from the fact that the hosts got 11 penalty corners as against Delhi's four. In the other match, Chandigarh, who finished runners-up in the Bangalore meet, held defending champions Orissa 1-1. Chandigarh went ahead through Amit against the run of play in the first session, but Orissa kept on the pressure to draw level after the breather through Toppo Jasinta. Formidable Punjab did
justice to their reputation dominating the exchanges
against Uttar Pradesh and struck through Snehbala,
Jasneet Kaur and Harbinder Kaur, while Neha Singh scored
a consolation goal for the losers. |
Skating panel denies Tonya's "comeback" PORTLAND (Oregon), Feb 17 (AP) — Tonya Harding announced her latest comeback to skating , saying there has been a recent easing of her lifetime ban from the sport for her role in the 1994 Naniy Kerrigan knee whacking. That was news to the US Figure Skating Association, which emphasised that absolutely nothing has changed. "We have not changed our stance on a lifetime ban for Tonya Harding," USFSA spokesman Bob Dunlop said. That’s about as simple as I can make it.’’ Harding revealed her plans yesterday on the KPTV’s "Breezy — good day Oregon" morning show. Between hugs with her dog, Dakota, and talk of a new man in her life, Harding said the USFSA had a meeting last week in which officials said she could skate professionally with their skaters in competitions and shows. "They say I can skate with their skaters and in shows," Harding said, adding that she has turned her life around and wants to return to the ice. "Skating always been my whole life,’’ she said. I just love it. I miss my old friends.’’ Dunlop said Harding continues to be banned from all USFSA sanctioned events, including the popular televised champions on ice, featuring such stars as Michelle Kwan. Non-sanctioned events are the only venues in which Harding can skate professionally. That’s what she’s aiming at, said Michael Rosenberg, Harding’s former manager who is now acting as her adviser. Rosenberg said he spoke informally with the USFSA officials last week to clarify that the ban included no reprisals against other skaters who appeared in professional events with Harding. "For the last five years, skaters have been worried that if they skated on the same ice with Tonya, they would never be invited to a pro-am event,’’ Rosenberg said. He noted that in the past five years, Harding has tried other comebacks but no promoters or tour producers ever approached her. "She has been like a pariah in the skating world,’’ Rosenberg said. "She’s tried to sing, she’s tried to wrestle, she’s done interviews for money... That’s how she’s scraped out a living.’’ "She should be able to resume her life and do what she was born to do,’’ Rosenberg said. Harding, 28, was convicted
of hindering prosecution in the attack on Kerrigan at the
USFSA national championships in Detroit. She was fined $
110,000 and ordered to perform community service. Her
ex-husband and two other men were convicted and served
time for planning and carrying out the attack. |
Kirsten, Cronje give SA 7-wicket win CHRISTCHURCH, Feb 17 (Reuters) — Two century partnerships involving Gary Kirsten took South Africa to a resounding seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second one-day international here today. Chasing a modest 221 to win, South Africa were reduced to 12 for two before Kirsten added 103 with Jacques Kallis to rebuild the innings and then an unbroken 109 with captain Hansie Cronje to win the match. Apart from the win, which levelled the six-match series at one-all, Kirsten’s innings signalled a return to form for the once prolific opener after enduring a wretched run that produced just 80 runs in his last 10 matches. Kallis, who scored 100 in the first match in Dunedin, continued his brilliant form in reaching 50 from 60 balls before falling lbw to Gavin Larsen while Cronje was brutal in his treatment of spinner Daniel Vettori, helping himself to 17 — including two sixes — off one over. Cronje reached his 34th limited overs half-century from 45 balls with three sixes and six fours but the day belonged to Kirsten who also reached 50 from 60 balls before hitting the winning runs with his 10th boundary to finish unbeaten on 81 from 109 deliveries. Cronje was 74 not out when the match was won with seven overs to spare. Earlier, Dion Nash’s decision to bat first backfired when his side slipped to 29 for three inside seven overs before the innings was held together by a stubborn innings of 78 from Roger Twose who batted for 42 overs and faced 123 balls. Scoreboard Horne c Cullinan b Pollock 5 Astle c Pollock b Kallis 1 Mcmillan c Cullinan b Pollock 6 Twose c Symcox b Klusener 78 Parore c Boucher b Pollock 47 Nash c Cullinan b Donald 6 Harris not out 45 Vettori b Donald 9 Larsen b Donald 0 Doull c and b Pollock 6 Extras (7lb 3nb 7w) 17 Total (for nine wkts, 50 overs) 220 Fall of wickets: 1-7 2-11 3-29 4-131 5-143 6-188 7-213 8-213 9-220. Bowling: Pollock 10-1-45-4, Kallis 6-0-28-1 (3w 1nb), Donald 10-0-34-3 (1w 2nb), Klusener 6-0-25-1 (1w), Symcox 8-1-38-0 (1w), Boje 10-0-43-0 (1w). South Africa Kirsten not out 81 Klusener c Twose b Allott 0 Cullinan c Parore b Allott 7 Kallis lbw b Larsen 53 Cronje not out 74 Extras (b-4 lb-1 w-3 nb-1) 9 Total (for three, 43 overs) 224 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-12, 3-115. Bowling: Doull
4-1-24-0 (3w), Allott 10-1-42-2, Mash 5-0-25-0, Vettori
5-0-41-0, Harris 6-0-23-0, Larsen 7-1-32-1, Astle
3-0-12-0, McMillan 3-0-20-0 (1nb). |
Uzma not to defend grasscourt title NEW DELHI, Feb 17 (PTI) — Reigning national champion Uzma Khan will skip March grasscourt national championship in Calcutta to concentrate on earning valuable WTA ranking points in the USA. Uzma, the national champion on both — grasscourt and hardcourt — surfaces, and now based in the USA on a tennis scholarship, said: "Nationals are not important now." "I have to earn important WTA points by playing more tournaments in America," Uzma told PTI today. Uzma has not yet chalked out her schedule for the season, "If the dates of Calcutta nationals clash with that of ranking tournaments in the USA, I will prefer to stay there." Another reason weighing in more is the cost of travel. "A player like Uzma, who is trying to rise on the international scene, cannot afford to travel too often with tennis in India not a paying sport, particularly after doors were opened to foreign players," her father said. Uzma won the 1998 grasscourt nationals in Duliajan, Assam and stamped her authority on the women’s tennis in India by annexing hardcourt national title in New Delhi in October last. The Hyderabad girl, who is here as part of India’s Fed Cup team preparing for Asia-Oceania Zone-I qualifiers in Thailand next week, has big plans for future with sponsors showing interest in her capabilities. With her engineer brother to support her stay in the USA, Uzma is planning to join tennis guru Nick Bollettieri’s Academy. Bank of Baroda has shown interest in sponsoring her programme in the Bollettieri or at Harry Hopman Academy. Bollettieri’s tennis stable is renowned for churning out champions one after another. To name a few, world number one Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, Mary Peirce, teen sensation Anna Kournikova are all from the famous academy. Uzma, who has a splendid record of being country’s number one in her age group (under-14, u-16, u-18) since 1993 by winning nationals for all the groups, has been representing India since then. She has been part of India’s team for World Youth Cup, Fed Cup — the women’s equivalent of Davis Cup. Uzma is the only Indian woman to have been selected by International Tennis Federation (ITF) for its junior world team after she won tournaments in Dhaka, Colombo, India and finished runner-up in Switzerland last year. In the Fed-Cup zone-II qualifiers, Uzma was part of the team comprising Nirupama Vaidyanathan, Shruti Dhawan and Aarti Ponappa who beat Pacific Oceania in the final to move into zone-I. India beat Tajikistan in the semifinals before downing arch-rivals Pakistan and Iran in the preliminary stage. Uzma’s remarkable performance saw her getting a chance to play in junior tournaments at Wimbledon, US Open, German Open and Holland Open. With Fed Cup bringing
toughest competition from the region after
not-so-inspiring show at the Bangkok Asian games, Uzma
Khan is ready to face the challenge. |
Railways, Maharashtra settle for
draw PATIALA, Feb 17 — Railways rode on the resilience of Sanjay Banger to salvage a draw against Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy super league match played at the DCW Sports Stadium here today. The qualities of Sanjay Banger, who batted like a champ for a rejuvenated looking Railway side, were on severe test throughout the day. The youngster showed correct technique, immense maturity and remained focussed for every one of his 300 minute stay even as he warded off an intimidating spell of fast bowling by seamers Iqbal Siddique and Sachin Nair in the pre-lunch session — a session in which the Maharashtra bowlers needed a couple of wickets the most. Sanjay Banger's shot selection was perfect although there were a few nervous errors in the nineties en-route to the rookies sixth first class century. Banger's innings was his way of underlining the importance of this game, which, had it been lost outrightly, might have meant the end of the road for the railmen in this year's super league. Now with three points from this match added to the three snatched against Orissa in their previous tie, it has at least been ensured that Railways are on the right track for their remaining two fixtures against Tamil Nadu and Delhi. The pitch even on the last day, did nothing for the bowlers except to severely test their resolve as Banger and Rawat never chocked under sustained pressure. True, the visitors were in with a semblance of a chance for an outright victory, but that was till their captain Surinder Bhave grassed a simple catch at first slip in the over after lunch when Rawat tried to square cut Siddique off a delivery which was neither short nor wide. Rawat survived and Railways survived as he combined with Banger not only to put on 111 runs for the fourth wicket but also nip in the bud whatever hopes the visitors might have nurtured for a outright victory at that stage. The Railways played for survival in the first session, tried to consolidate their gains in the second one and in the last session the match had little importance except for the statisticians and the record books. Scoreboard: Railway (Ist innings) 270 Maharshtra (Ist Innings) 442 for 8 declared Railways (2nd innings) 309 for 4 Sanjay Banger c (sub) Niranjan b U. Ghothkinikar 131. A. Murtaza c M. Sane b 1. Siddique 1, A. Sharma c S. Bhave b I. Siddique 31, Zakaria Zuffri c S. Bhave b M. Sane 38, P. Rawat 61 not out, Yera Gaud 10 not out, Extras 36. Total 309 for 4 Fow: 1-19, 2/100, 3/172. 4/283 Bowling:
Sachin Nair 17-5-35-0, I. Siddique 19-5-57-2, U.
Ghotkhinikar 20-5-73-1, M. Sane 24-4-68-1, G. Godbole
3-2-6-0, A. Kale 4-2-14-0, Satyen Lande 2-0-11-0. |
Dodda Ganesh sends Haryana packing BANGALORE, Feb 17 (PTI) — A fine unbeaten century by Haryana opener Jitender Singh went in vain as Karnataka romped home to an innings and 36-run victory, on the final day of the Ranji Trophy cricket super league match here today. Needing 306 to make Karnataka bat again, Haryana, reeling at 131 for four overnight, were sent packing in less than an hour after lunch for 270 runs in their second innings. Test discard Dodda Ganesh was the chief wicket taker for the hosts, claiming five batsmen, while Mansoor took three. Replying to Haryana’s first innings score of 206, the Ranji champions had piled up a mammoth 512 runs. Jitender Singh 107 (382m, 252b, 14x4) was the lone Haryana batsman to show resistance. This is his eighth century in 37 matches in Ranji Trophy. Skipper Ajay Jadeja (overnight two), who chose to bat in the middle order, chipped in with 25 runs before he was foxed by Yalvigi to be stumped by wicket-keeper Shiruguppi. And once he departed, there was no one to give company to Jitender. Jadeja was lucky to get a life off the very first ball of the day as he was dropped by Tilak Naidu at first slip off D. Ganesh. Dhanraj Singh displayed some fine shots, including a six, before he was trapped leg before by Mansoor for 26 runs. SCOREBOARD Haryana (Ist innings): 206 Karnataka (Ist innings): 512 Haryana (2nd innings): Jitender Singh not out 107, Nitin Goel lbw b Ganesh 13, Parinder Singh c S. Shiruguppi b D. Ganesh 7, Amarjeet Kaypee c Tilak Naidu b Mansoor 20, Rajesh Puri c Mansoor b A. Yalvigi 22, Ajay Jadeja st Shiruguppi b A. Yalvigi 25, Dhanraj Singh lbw b Mansoor 26, Ajay Ratra c S. Shiruguppi b Mansoor 11, Pankaj Thakur c Sujith b D. Ganesh 7, Sonu Sharma b D. Ganesh 10, Vineet Jain c A. Katti b D. Ganesh 0. Extras (b-4, lb-3, nb-14, w-1) 22. All out in 84.5 overs: 270. Fall of wkts: 1-28, 2-42, 3-86, 4-127, 5-181, 6-219, 7-247, 8-258, 9-270. Bowling: D. Ganesh
25.5-2-114-5; Mansoor 26-7-65-3; Vijay R. 1-0-1-0; A.
Katti 21-7-44-0; A. Yalvigi 11-3-39-2. |
ITI shock FC Kochin THRISSUR, Feb 17 (PTI) — Indian Telephone Industries (ITI), Bangalore, signed off in style in their last league match in the National Football League with a solitary-goal win over formidable FC Kochin at the Municipal Stadium here today. The all-important goal was booted in by substitute Abraham in the 76th minute of the game. Though lost, the professional club had already booked their berth in the super league scheduled to start in a couple of days. The goal-bound move had emanated from midfield where stocky striker R C Prakash, who got possession of a stray ball. He sped menacingly chased by Kochin’s Noha Rozario. Prakash dodged past Rozario and sent in a neat lob into the centre where an unmarked Abraham, who replaced Ravi Babu, collected the ball and neatly placed into the goal much to the delight of his teammates. The Kochin team had to blame themselves for the defeat as they had missed innumerable chances inside the box. They either drove over the horizontal or lost possession to the rival defenders at the crucial juncture. The telephone men, at the other end were unlucky not to have won with a bigger margin as they completely dominated the proceedings after lemon break and gave several anxious moments to the Kochin custodian Casmiro Palha. Earlier, the professional club, began rather sedately to avoid any injury to their players. They tried their bench strength and also the two new recruit from Bermuda, who failed to create a good impression as they often fumbled with passes. The clash warmed up only as it progressed. The telephonemen were more enterprising as their midfield functioned with flexibility and dominated the exchanges in the second session. The Kochin team could have forged ahead in the 15th minute but ITI goalkeeper Balaji was alert to gather a dangerous cross by Noushad into the centre and before Najeeb could take his shot, Balaji flung forward and averted the danger. Nearing half time, Kochin team had another chance but this time, striker Nitin Pradhan was wayward in his shot which flew over the cross-piece. The Bangalore league champions could have found the target midway through the second session, but attacking medio Sudhakar was a bit late in latching on to a neat through pass from Suresh Babu. The Kochin team went all
out in the dying moments of the game to find an equaliser
but in vain. |
Tamil Nadu frustrate Delhi NEW DELHI, Feb 17 (PTI) — A gritty Tamil Nadu played a patient second innings to frustrate Delhi bowlers and forced a draw by ending the final day on 223 for six in the four-day Ranji super league match here today. Tamil Nadu, who conceded 183-run lead to the hosts, crossed the psychological mark losing just two wickets before Hemang Badani was claimed by Delhi. The visitors lost three more wickets but their skipper Robin Singh (15 n.o) saw the day through without any more damage. Delhi earned five points by virtue of their first innings’ lead while Tamil Nadu settled for three points. Delhi will host Railways in their third super league tie from March 4 to 7, while Tamil Nadu play Railways in the second match in Chennai from February 23 to 26. Tamil Nadu openers Anand George (68 - 186b, 11x4) and R C Vasant Kumar (59 - 167b, 6x4) gave a solid start with a 131-run first wicket partnership. Delhi’s right arm paceman Amit Bhandari provided the breakthrough, when trying to square cut, Geroge, who was at the crease for 243 minutes, could not keep the ball low and was caught by Aakash Chopra in the gully. Vasant Kumar departed after adding 10 runs for the second wicket with Badani (20 - 3x4) when he edged behind for wicketkeeper Devender Sharma to complete an easy catch as Bhandari picked up his second wicket. Brief scores: Tamil Nadu — 239 and
223 for six (George 68, Vasant Kumar 59; Bhandari 3/58);
Delhi — 422. |
Saroj, Nimisha to meet in final CHANDIGARH, Feb 17 — Saroj Chaudhary of AG (A&E) Haryana sailed into the final in women's singles where she will meet Nimisha Kumari of AG (UP) on the penultimate day of the North Zone Audit and Accounts Badminton Championship at the indoor badminton hall, Sector 42 here today. In men's section Vijay Sharma of CAG (Delhi) will take on Deepak Saxena of AG (UP) in the tomorrow's singles final. Earlier, in the men's team
championship, CAG (Delhi) the defending champions
retained the title before they were involved in a cliff
hanger with AG (UP) before the former won at 3-2. The
architect of Delhi's victory was Vijay Sharma who bagged
both his singles and doubles ties. In the first singles,
UP men got an initial lead when Sunil Yadav of Delhi went
down fighting to Deepak Saxena who wrapped up the match
at 15-13, 15-4. But the star of the Delhi team, Vijay
Sharma dethroned Dinesh Kapoor of UP at 15-5, 15-4. The
duo of Deepak Saxena and Salil braved and surged ahead
when they edged past Sunil Yadav and Apinder of Delhi in
a thrilling three-game encounter. The UP pair won at
11-15, 15-5, 15-4. UP had a weak third singles which
proved beneficial for the defending champions Delhi, as
Arul Sunderam trounced Salil Srivastava at 15-3, 15-2 to
make it 2-2. The decider was played between Vijay and
Arul of Delhi against the UP combination of Harish Tiwari
and Manoj Goel who put up little fight before Vijay and
Arul romped home with the title at 3-2. |
Greene wins, fails to break record MADRID, (Spain) Feb 17 (AP) — American athlete Maurice Greene has failed to fulfil predictions that he would break his own 60-metre world record in Madrid . Greene won the event yesterday at the annual Jose Maria Cagigal Athletics meet in Madrid in a time of 6.49, 10 hundredth of a second off his own world record of 6.39 that he set at last year’s competition. Deji Aliu of Nigeria was 10 hundredth of a second behind him, while American Vincent Henderson came in third in a time of 6.61. As he passed the 50-meter mark Greene clocked a time four hundredth of a second behind the 5.56 world record he set for the distance in Los Angeles. The women’s 60-metre flat was won by 18-year-old Nigerian Athlete Joan Ekah in 7.10, two hundredths of a second ahead of Sevatheda Fynes of the Bahamas with Petya Pendareva of Bulgaria coming in third with a time of 7.21. World record holder Russian Privalova confirmed doubts about her form, taking fourth place in a time of 7.22. In other events, Yago
Lamela set a Spanish long jump record of 8.22 metres and
Conchi Paredes of Spain won the triple jump with a leap
of 13.81 metres. |
Sydney organisers turn to gambling SYDNEY, Feb 17 (AFP) — Struggling Sydney Olympic organisers said today they may turn to gambling as a source of raising desperately needed revenue to reach sponsorship targets. Sydney needs to raise another $ 230 million to cover its $ 2.6 billion budget, but the recent bribery scandal that has rocked the Olympic movement has dented its chances. John Moore, marketing manager for the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG), said the introduction to pubs and clubs of slot or poker machines with an Olympic theme was one idea being considered. A slice of the profits would go to the SOCOG. "The various products that fit into recreational gambling, we’ve had a look at — whether we might do an Olympic poker machine or a licensed company to take a short-term opportunity to do a poker machine," he told the Australian. Discussions were also under way to stage horse race meetings similar to the carnivals that raised $ 8.0 million for the Sydney Games bid in 1993. Moore said there were "three or four" recreational gambling concepts that were under investigation, but declined to give details other than to say that the socog was "coming in with all guns blazing" to attract new sponsors. A socog spokesman did not refute Moore’s comment today, but said the Olympic ring would not appear on poker machines at any time. He said a sponsorship
announcement would be made tomorrow. |
Kucera to play at Chennai CHENNAI, Feb 17 (PTI) — Karol Kucera of Slovakia, world number six would be seen in action in the ATP Tour Open Tennis Championship scheduled to begin here on April 5. The Slovak would be playing in India for the first time, and was looking forward to the championship, tournament director, Brian Cooney said in a press release here. He quoted Kucera as saying, "I hope the people of India will like the way I play". The third edition (fourth in all) in Chennai has emerged as one of the major ATP Tour tournaments. Kucera is coached by one of the top players of late eighties, Miloslav Mecir, who was known as the "Big Cat’’ because he moved about the court with effortless ease. Much of Mecir’s game can be seen in Kucera, which prompted some observers to dub him the "Little Cat’’. Kucera, has four titles to
his credit. In 1998, he won the Adidas International in
Sydney and the Pilot Pen International in New Haven. He
was a finalist at the Stuttgart (outdoor) tournament and
a semi-finalist at the Australian Open and the Grand Slam
Cup in Munich. In 1998, his on-court earning amounted to
more than US $ 1.40 million. |
H
Hero Club, APS XI register wins LUDHIANA, Feb 17 (FOSR) — Hero Club and APS XI registered convincing victories in the sixth Veera Devi Memorial Cricket Tournament at the S.D. Government College grounds here today. Hero Club defeated NKH XI by six wickets while APS XI outplayed Unity Club by 27 runs. Brief scores: NKH XI 131 for 6 in 20 overs (Ajitpaul Singh 47 no. Rakesh Sethi 25, Krishanlal 2 for 22. Vishu 2 for 24) Hero Club 132 for 4 in 19.3 overs (Sukhpal 47. Bhupinder 41. Surinder 33. APS XI 158 for 6 in 20 overs (Goldy 25. Harbhajan Kala 42. Narinder 30, Amarjeet 3 for 39. Unity Club 131 for 6 in 20
overs (Inderjit Singh 48. Baldev 3 for 20). |
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