Sunday, January 10, 1999
today's calendar
|
S P O R T | Sunday, January 10, 1999 |
|
| weather n
spotlight today's calendar |
|||
|
RCF
eves lift hockey title
|
|
India go down to Ukraine DUBAI, Jan 9 — Ukraine dethroned defending champions India with an emphatic 3-1 victory in the final of the fourth Rashid International Volleyball Championship last night. Dempo
get past JCT Lanka
squad for World Cup |
|||||
|
|
TAUPO (New Zealand), Jan 9 (PTI) — Rahul Dravid’s superb unbeaten 123 went in vain as New Zealand registered a five-wicket win over India with one over left in the truncated first one-day cricket tie marred by floodlight failure at the Owen Delany Park today. Chasing India’s 257 for five in 50 overs after skipper Mohammed Azharuddin chose to bat first, the contest was hotting up with the hosts placed at 168 for three in 30.4 overs when failure of the light towers forced a 50-minute stoppage. The target was revised to 200 in 39 overs - 32 runs in 8.2 overs - and the Kiwis despite losing two more wickets notched up exactly 200 for five wickets in 38 overs to go 1-0 up in the five-match series, playing the final few overs under near darkness at this new one-day venue. The Indian bowlers had fought back to give themselves a fighting chance - New Zealand needing to make 90 runs in 19.4 overs - after the Kiwi top order had set up a hot chase to be well ahead of the challenging asking rate of 5.16 per over, when the intervention occurred. Robin Singh, who otherwise proved expensive, dismissed all-rounder Chris Cairns off the first ball on resumption and left-hander Chris Harris was run out close to victory but Adam Parore (16 no) with Dion Nash (1 no) brought about victory as India’s dismal run continued. Rahul Dravid (123 no - 123 b, 10 x 4, 1 x 6), fresh from scoring centuries in both innings in the final Hamilton Test, maintained his golden run as he and left-hander Saurav Ganguly (60 - 88 b. 7 x 4) raised a rapid 113 for the second wicket. Dravid, who arrived after Tendulkar was out for nought in the very third over, set a new record score against New Zealand by bettering Tendulkar’s 117 made in Bangalore in 1996-97, and revelled in another breezy 60-run fifth wicket stand with veteran all-rounder Robin Singh (27) to pull India past the 250-run mark. The stylish Karnataka batsman was denied a major share of the strike, but he played brilliant strokes and faced only 111 balls to his second century in the 46th over. Opener Matt Horne (57 - 62 b) and in-form Craig Mcmillan (73 - 76 b, 8 x 4) went after the Indian bowling to raise a quick 105-run stand after paceman Srinath (2/35) had got rid of left-handed opener Roger Twose (10) as the Kiwis raced to 124 for one in just 20 overs. India made a comeback as Tendulkar, who trapped Horne leg before, along with off-spinner Nikhil Chopra denied much freedom to the batsmen as only 44 runs came in the next 10 overs to give the visitors a chance to bounce back. But India were hamstrung on resumption as both Srinath and Chopra were out of the firing line having completed eight overs each. Prasad bowled his final
two overs tight but the Kiwis with seven wickets in hand
on resumption took singles easily and eventually could
afford the luxury of skipper Stephen Fleming, nursing a
groin strain, not batting. |
|
DUBAI, Jan 9 (PTI) — Ukraine dethroned defending champions India with an emphatic 3-1 victory in the final of the fourth Rashid International Volleyball Championship last night. Three-time champions India, who stormed into the title clash defeating arch rivals Pakistan in the semifinals, went down 16-17, 9-15, 15-10, 15-2 to world number 10 Ukraine. The Indian spikers who had lost their opening encounter to the CIS Republic could never really measure up to their rivals who entered the final with an all-win record. "Our blocking and defence was not good enough though we could attack well,’’ said G Sridharan, the Indian coach. "But we have learnt from our mistakes and the exposure has helped the boys a lot.’’ India started off well with the first set being a close affair. But the Indians failed to capitalise, faltering at crucial moments to lose the set narrowly at 16-17. Ukraine then easily pulled off the second at 15-9 without much resistance. But the next set saw India get back into rhythm with ONGC player, the 18-year-old Subba Row, playing well to wrest the set at 15-10. However in the decider, the Indian challenge petered out as they were never allowed to take control. After the two teams drew parity at 2-2, Ukraine reeled off winners to race to a 10-2 lead and claim the set easily at 15-2 and the match. Skipper Surjit Singh was adjudged the tournament’s best attacker and Jobi Joseph the best player of the finals. "Libero, Manoj Dhian Singh also played well to defend but that was not enough against a world class team like Ukraine,’’ said Sridharan. We have to improve our blocks and defence’’. Ukraine had come to Dubai with four members of their world ranked side. Both on paper and on court Ukraine, who had not lost a single match, looked impregnable with their modern, power packed game. The central Asian republic had come with their "side of the future’’ though not as young as Sweden and Australia and were too good for India. Setter Igor Zaytsev, Libero Serada Serhiy, spikers Igor Novikov, Zhula Volodymyr and Gennadiy Nalozhnyy had impressed. India had come to the championship with five players of their plan 2001 programme, a worldwide Federation International De Volleyball (FIVB) initiated scheme, had dropped only one match in their run up to the finals. The Indian players including Roy Joseph, who has a jump height of 354 cms, impressing with his full and half spikes and S.V. Ravi Kanth, also man of the match in an earlier encounter have now set their eyes on the ‘fajar’ international tournament in Iran to be held next month. "We have to go the
camp for training now so that we can put up a better show
at the ‘Fajar’ tournament,’’ said
Sridharan. |
‘Spontaneous action’ threat by Joshi HYDERABAD, Jan 9 (UNI, PTI) — Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi today said the Shiv Sena would resort to spontaneous action if the Pakistani cricket team went ahead with its tour to India. Mr Joshi, who was here to attend the World Marathi Conference, told newspersons here that the Pakistan cricket team might call off its tour of India in the wake of the digging of pitch in Ferozeshah Kotla grounds at Delhi by the Shiv Sainiks. "There is a possibility that Pakistan might not come. Signals to this effect have come from the Pakistan cricket board," he said. He said it was not possible to welcome Pakistani cricketers as the neighbouring nation was abetting terrorism in Kashmir adding that if the trend persisted, terrorists would infiltrate into other parts of the country. "They want to extend the hand of friendship and at the same time, they attack the people. This is not possible," he said. Referring to the public outcry against the incident, Mr Joshi said there was also public support for the Sainiks' action. MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has appealed to the Sainiks to prepare a ‘green-carpet’ welcome for the Pakistani cricket team on its arrival and stop their pitch damaging tactics as the country needs the Pakistani team more than a ‘nationalist generation’ "The need of the hour is to have a Pakistani team playing in the country and I appeal to all the Chief Ministers of the states in which the team will play to severely punish all the Sainiks who try to damage cricket pitches" he said in his party mouthpiece ‘Samna’, adding "The pitches are more important than the life of these young nationalists and they should be given appropriate punishment for their crime of being an Indian in a Pakistani country." Reacting to the allegations, Mr Thackeray said "the Sainiks should now make preparations for a grand welcome of the Pakistani team and lay out a green carpet for them inviting men like Sharad Pawar to blow trumpets to welcome the cricketers." CALCUTTA: The Trinamool Congress today condemned as "anti-national activity" the damage to the pitch at Ferozeshah Kotla ground in Delhi by Shiv Sena workers to disrupt cricket Test match between India and Pakistan. Calling for mobilising strong public opinion against such acts, the party’s sports cell chairman and former Indian soccer captain Prasun Banerjee said, the "vandalism" had lowered India’s prestige and endangered national unity and integrity. Meanwhile, Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jahangir Qazi today held a meeting with Mr Nikhil Kumar, Special Secretary (Security) in the Home Ministry, to discuss the measures being taken by the authorities to ensure the safety of players and officials of the Pakistani cricket team during their India tour. The one-hour meeting, was also attended by Mr Vivek Katju, Joint Secretary (Pakistan) in the External Affairs Ministry, and senior police officials. India has already assured Pakistan that fool-proof security arrangements would be made for the Pakistan cricketers in view of the threat by the Shiv Sena to disrupt the matches. The Shiv Sainiks had on January 6 night dug up the Ferozeshah Kotla pitch, where the first Test is to be played from January 28. The BJP today hoped that Pakistan cricket tour of this country would go ahead as per schedule following government’s assurance to provide them security. "After the
government’s assurance, Pakistan cricket team should
go ahead with its tour of this country later this
month", party spokesman K.L.Sharma told reporters in
New Delhi. |
RCF eves
lift hockey title JALANDHAR, Jan 9 — Last year's runners-up Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala created a flutter by defeating defending champions Northern Railway by a wafer-thin 3-2 margin to lift the trophy in the final of the Surjit Singh Memorial Women's Hockey Tournament while State School of Sports, Jalandhar, emerged winners in the first Surjit Singh Junior Boys Hockey Tournament here today. State School of Sports defeated Surjit Hockey Academy, Jalandhar, 2-0, in the final. With today's title win RCF emerged as the only unbeaten team in the tournament. Bibi Jagir Kaur Begowal, Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Social Security Development of Women and Children, Punjab, gave away the prizes and announced a grant of Rs 51,000 for the society. The winners pocketed Rs 25,000 while the runners-up got Rs 16,000 along with trophies. Northern Railway surged ahead in the 21st minute when Kamla Dalal scored a field goal. Three minutes later, RCF restored parity when penalty corner expert Tressa's powerful hit found target. Pritam Thakran scored a goal after receiving a pass from Kamla Dalal (2-1). At half time the Railways girls were leading by 2-1. In the second half RCF played a better game and equalised through Sumitra Minz (2-2). RCF scored the winning goal in the 61st minute when centre forward Lotam P captitalised on a pass by Sumitra (3-2). In the junior section
(boys) State School of Sports, Jalandhar defeated Surjit
Hockey Academy, Jalandhar, 2-0. At half time, the winners
were leading by 1-0. Nippy centre forward Sarbjit Singh
scored in the 30th and 58th minutes for the winners. |
Bagan have task cut out against Air-India CALCUTTA, Jan 9 (PTI) — Defending champions Mohun Bagan, who struggled to find form in their campaign opener, have to shrug off their lethargy when they lock horns with Air India in a group-A match of the third National Football League here tomorrow. The city giants were held to a goal-less draw by a new-look JCT in the inaugural match of the league in New Delhi and would have to put up a more inspired performance to garner full points against the Mumbai outfit. Mohun Bagan’s failure to win against JCT has deflated the reputation of the century-old club to some extent and coach P.K. Banerjee would be hoping that the players would pull up their socks before it is too late. Air-India, handicapped by injuries to several key players, also launched their league campaign on a disastrous note suffering a 0-3 defeat against debutants Tollygunge Aggragami in their opening match and would be keen to improve their performance in the subsequent outings. Star-studded Mohun Bagan were a pale shadow of themselves in the lung-opener as they missed a number of sitters and would have to play with much more guts and passion to harbour hopes of retaining the coveted title. The two star strikers Chima Okerie and I. M. Vijayan, who had not played together for a long time, were a bit off colour. The ageing Okerie quite inexplicably missed a penalty against JCT and the Nigerian veteran would be hoping to make amends for the costly lapse which deprived his team from picking up full points. Under pressure after their defeat against Tollygunge Aggragami, a depleted Air-India may find the going tough against the defending champions who would get the support of the home crowd. The injuries to frontline players like Debdas Singh, Tapas Ghosh, Jacinto D’Silva and Sandip Kharar have weakened the team considerably, while the thin bench strength has hardly helped matters for coach Bimal Ghosh. The Mumbai outfit paid a heavy price for the defensive lapses in the second session against Tollygunge as they conceded three goals in quick succession and the defenders Ajay Acharya, Subir Sinha, Henry Picardo and Radhakrishna Dubey have to do a better job against stronger rivals. Star player Godfrey Pereira, having just recovered from an injury, has lacked the sting to pose much problems, while their forwards Abbas Aali Rizvi and Khalid Jamil have not been able to get their act together inside the box. IB to meet FC Kochin KOLLAM: An interesting tussle for supremacy is very much on the cards when star-studded Indian Bank, Chennai, lock horns with talented FC Kochin, in the third national Football League at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium grounds here tomorrow. FC Kochin, the country’s first professional club, hit hard by desertion of top players to other clubs, will have a tough task to contain the bankmen, who have international players like former India captain V.P. Sathyan, speedy Syed Sabir Pasha, who was in the Indian team that went to the Bangkok Asian Games and brilliant attacking medio Hamilton Bobby, a member of the Freedom Cup winning team at Colombo last year. However, the Kochin team, who finished fourth in the national league last year, had fielded this season a bunch of talented youngsters, whose average age is around 22 years. Though the team lost their first encounter to East Bengal at Calcutta, it has the advantage of playing in front of the home crowd, which should boost their morale. But the absence of goalkeeper Ali Abubacker, who had gone to his native place for personal reasons, international C.V. Pappachan and another Ghana import Abu Sadik, both nursing injuries, should cause them some worry. P.V. Paul, management trustee and president of the club, expressed optimism saying "we will go all out for three points. All our boys are performing well and playing in front of the home crowd is an advantage for us" The Chennai-based Indian Bank had met with a reverse going down to Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) 0-1 in their opening match at Bangalore this week. It has some foreign flavour in their ranks - three Sri Lankans, striker Hameed Mohammed Nazar and medios T.N. Bagoos and Anton Silva, besides stopper back Nigerian Adewale Fatai and junior international Loganathan Balaji and India camper Sebastian Netto in the goal. On the other side, the Kochin team rely on nippy striker Abu Jomo of Ghana, hard working Nitin Pradhan and speedy Najeeb to deliver the goods. Along with international K.V. Dhanesh, the team captain, they could prove to be a handful for any defence on their day. The Kochin team has a good mid-fielder in Roque Baretto, a fine playmaker, who excels when it comes to a crunch situation and also has the ability to motivate the team, as was seen in the south zone Federaion Cup matches last year at Kannur. Prabhjoth Singh, reliable
Mir Farooq Hyder, Mahesh Gawoli and experienced Firoz
should form the defence cordon. |
|
NEW DELHI, Jan 9 (UNI) — Delhi girl Shruti Dhawan played excellent tennis to claim a golden double in the AITA Delhi Women's Open Tennis Tournament here today. In the singles final she beat second-seeded Karishma Patel (Guj) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 and later teamed up with Karishma to defeat Shalini Thakur and Yamini Sekhri 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles finals. Shruti started her campaign well in the singles match and broke Karishma in her first two serves to go up 4-0. The top seed finished the set (6-2), breaking Karishma in the eighth game, with the latter managing to break her service only once. The second set saw Karishma finding her rhythm as she came back to break Shruti in her first two serves to lead 3-0. Although Shruti broke Karishma twice, the latter kept going as she broke the top seed in the seventh and the ninth games to take the set 6-3 and equalise the set score at 1-1. The third set, which was to decide the winner, saw a rejuvenated Shruti who broke Karishma in the third, fifth and the seventh game to easily take the set (6-1) and ultimately the championship. Shruti collected the winners cheque for Rs 6,500 and 12 AITA points while Karishma got Rs 4,500 and 10 points. In the doubles final, the first set saw action with both pairs trading breaks to level the score at 2-2. But the top seeds Shruti and Karishma broke the third seeds in the sixth and the eighth game to lead 5-3 and retain the next serve to take the set 6-3. The second set saw the pairs trading breaks to take the score at 3-3. But then the top seeds took control of the match as they broke the third seeds in the ninth game to lead 5-4. Shruti then retained her serve to take the set (6-4) and the match in 65 minutes. The top-seeded duo collected the winners cheque for Rs 3,150 while collecting eight AITA points and the runners up got Rs 1,650 and five points. The tournament was
extended by a day as play was cancelled for two
consecutive days due to rain. |
|
MARGAON, Jan 9 (UNI) — Determined Dempo Sports Club, Goa, put up a dazzling display and quelled the challenge of JCT Phagwara by 2-1 in their second match on the group 'A' of the National Football League match played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here today. Dempo's goals came in the first half through striker Henry Okoro (eighth minute) and medio Jadao Sdares (15th minute) while JCT reduced the margin in the 50th minute. With this win Dempo increased their points tally to four from two outings with a win and a draw and JCT remained on one point only with a draw against defending champions Mohun Bagan. After the breather, JCT played a more organised game attacking from both the finals and reduced the margin through striker Hardip Gill who tapped in from the box off a flag kick taken by Hardip Saini. This goal was due to defensive lapse. Dempo dominated the
proceedings right through the game and fired the first
salvo as early as in the eighth minute of the contest
with the Nigerian import striker Henry Okoro finding the
target from the top of the box off a cross from Tejinder
Kumar 1-0. Dempo consolidated their lead seven minutes
later through hard working Joao Soares, who headed home
off a flag kick taken by Tejinder Kumar 2-0. |
|
COLOMBO, Jan 9 (AFP) — Sri Lanka cricket authorities yesterday announced a 30-member squad led by skipper Arjuna Ranatunga for this year’s ICC World Cup in England. The squad includes all the players from the 1996 team that won the cup apart from Asanka Gurusinghe, who is now playing in Australia. The Board of Control of Cricket in Sri Lanka said the list would be trimmed by February after monitoring the performance of the players. The squad: Arjuna
Ranatunga (captain), Aravinda De Silva, Sanath
Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Roshan Mahanama, Hashan
Tillekeratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas,
Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana, Pramodaya
Wickremasinghe, Suresh Parera, Nuwan Soysa, Avishka
Gunawardena, Tilan Samaraweera, Ruchira Parera, Mahela
Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Ruwan Kalpage, Mario
Villavarayan, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Eric Upashantha,
Chamara Soysa, Indika De Seram, Bathiya Perera, Jeewantha
Kulatunga, Sajeewa De Silva, Upeka Fernando, Prassana
Jayawardena and T.M. Dilshan. |
H
Punjab Police in last four CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 (TNS) — Punjab Police, Jalandhar, today beat Fine Switchgear, Phagwara, 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the club category of the Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Tournament currently under way at Mahilpur, near Hoshiarpur. Under the college category, SN College, Banga, beat DAV College, Hoshiarpur 4-2 in the semifinals. SN College will now meet SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur, in the finals. Uppal, Sridhar win CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 (FOSR) — Vishal Uppal and Rishi Sridhar of India won their respective matches against Aniola of Poland and M. Ghouse of India in the qualifying rounds of the Gold Flake Aces ITF Men's Future Circuit Tennis Tournament which began here today at the Chandigarh Club grass courts. The other Indian players who won today included A. Minda, A. Viplav, H. Mankad, V. Laad, PK Sreenivasan and Saurav Panja. CLTA has made elaborate technical and infrastructural arrangements according to Mr Rajan Kashyap, chairman of the association. The tournament director, Mr M Ramsekhar, said 20 players had been given direct entry on the basis of their international ranking. The semifinals and finals will be played at the CLTA courts while till January 13, all matches will be played at the Chandigarh Club. COA to conduct trials CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 (BOSR) — The Chandigarh Olympic Association has decided to field a strong contingent in 14 disciplines to represent Chandigarh in the 5th National Games to be held at Imphal (Manipur) from February 14 to 25, according to Mr K.S. Sahota, Secretary of the COA. The disciplines are: athletics, gymnastics, fencing, boxing, kayaking, lawn tennis, rifle shooting, volleyball, hockey (women), rowing, judo, wrestling, triathlon and weight-lifting. Meanwhile, the COA will be conducting the selection trials in athletics and judo to select the team for these games. The athletic trials for (men and women) will be organised at Panjab University grounds on January 13 at 9 a.m. while the judo trials will be hosted at the PU Gymnasium hall on January 12 at 5 p.m. All the interested players who want to take part in the trials should contact the selection panels whose names are Mr S.N. Vohra, Dr J.P. Sidhu, Mr Vijaypal Singh and Mr Reet Mohinder Singh at the date and time stated above for the trials. UT kho-kho CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 (BOSR) — SD Club, Sector 32 B team bagged the Chandigarh Senior State Kho-Kho Championship which concluded here at the SGGS School, Sector 35, yesterday. Mr A.R. Talwar, President of the Chandigarh Kho Kho Association, gave away the prizes. Judo meet CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 (BOSR) — Panjab University, Chandigarh, is organising the All-India Inter University Judo Championships for men and women from January 23 to 27 at the PU Gymnasium Hall. Fifty men and the same number of women teams are scheduled to take part in the championship. |
Shimla varsity in semis AMRITSAR, Jan 9 (BOSR) — Shimla and Delhi University today entered the semifinals of the Inter-Varsity North Zone Cricket Tournament being played here today at the Gandhi grounds. Shimla by virtue of some fine bowling by Ashok Kumar (5/8) and Pushwinder (3/13) enabled them to trounce Rohikhand University, Bareilly by eight wickets. Brief scores: Rohilkhand 44 all out (Ashok Kumar 5 for 8 and Pushpinder 3 for 13) Shimla University 45 for 2. In the second match, Delhi beat Jammu University by five wickets. Brief scores: Jammu: 109 all out (Rupinder Singh 42, T. Anand 3 for 19, Rajesh 2 for 23 Nitesh Malik 2 for 22) Delhi: 111 for 5 (Haridass Dillon 32 not out Kishore Choudhry 25 not out). Tennis champs AMRITSAR (FOSR): Nakul Kapoor and Roman won titles in the under-10 and under-14 sections in the Amritsar District Junior Championship for boys and girls which concluded here on Saturday. In the finals, Nakul beat Karan Vaish in a thrilling two-set encounter 7-5 and 6-3, while Roman beat Kamalpreet 6-0, 6-4. Haryana, UP move into hockey final CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 (TNS) — Uttar Pradesh entered the hockey final by prevailing over defending champions Orissa 6-1 in the first semifinal of 23rd National Women's Sports Festival at Dronacharya Stadium, Kurukshetra, today. Centreforward Priya Singh scored the first goal for UP in the eleventh minute but Anjana Dharwa of Orissa equalised in the fourteenth minute. The strong UP team consisting of players from Sports Hostel Lucknow broke the defence line of Orissa and again took the lead when Shasi Naved scored the second goal in the 24th minute. In the second half UP dominated the show. Moni Sonkar sounded the third goal through penalty stroke as also the fifth goal. Sushila scored the fourth goal while Shashi Naved scored the sixth in the 65th minute. In the second semifinal star studded Haryana forced Karnataka to leave the ground before half and entered the final with a 7-1 verdict. Kiran Bala scored the first goal in favour of Haryana in the third minute while international Surinder Kaur scored the second goal by breaking the defence of Karnataka in the fifth minute. Suman, Kiran Bala, Gurprit Kaur and Simaranjit Kaur along with Surinder Kaur continuously attacked the Karnataka defence to win with a heavy margin. The only goal for Karnataka was scored by Divya in the ninth minute. In kho-kho semifinals West Bengal entered the final defeating AP by 8-4 points. In the second semifinal MP out classed Punjab 8-3 and entered the final. The hardline match was played between Punjab and AP and Punjab outclassed AP team 10-6 points to finish third. Ski Cup KULU (FOC): The first
Himachal Ski Cup Championship will be organised from
February 3 to 7, according to Mr RD Dhiman, Deputy
Commissioner. |
 |
 |
| Nation
| Punjab | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | | Chandigarh | Editorial | Business | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail | |
