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| Tuesday,
May 15, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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ACB
awaiting BCCI confirmation Defeat
against UAE “turning point” Davis Cup:
India have ‘chance to win’ India not to
take part in Dutch
tourney Erasing records of Cronje, others Will Cork
produce another magical spell? National
Stadium to be floodlit |
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Thousands
mourn victims
AAFI
shortlists 98 for camp Punjab
thrash Andhra eves India
‘aiming to set right record abroad’ Gursharan
to umpire WBC ties Lebanon
rout Pak 6-0 Punjab Jr
Basketball Jeev finishes
tied 27th Cricket
trials on May 16 Under-15 cricket
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ACB awaiting BCCI confirmation Sydney, May 14 The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has still not revealed its program for the winter. “We are waiting to hear from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and till we get some definite answer from them we cannot announce anything,” Brian Murgatroyd, ACB’s media relations officer, told IANS. While the Australians had organized a three-match limited overs series against South Africa in August last year in the newly constructed indoor Colonial Stadium in Melbourne, a possible series with India would involve holding an international cricket match at Brisbane in the winter months for the first time. The hint about a match at Brisbane was dropped by none other BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele while characteristically denying his own uttering that India had agreed to participate in the one-day series in Australia in September. Till now it was being believed that all three matches would be played in Melbourne’s indoor stadium, which has a retractable roof, like the inaugural and highly successful series against the Porteas last year. International cricket is usually played in the Australian summer from October-March. But the ACB decided to take advantage of the magnificent facilities available at Melbourne’s indoor stadium, which is the first of its kind in the world. The Colonial Stadium was originally built for Australian Football League (AFL) competitions, which are played in the winter Down Under. These games, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) among other Melbournian venues, were frequently interrupted due to inclement weather, which often lashes AFL’s home city. Hence the indoor stadium, which has also lightened the tight schedule the gigantic MCG had to persevere. Now, if Indians give their consent, the Colonial Stadium would host two games of winter cricket, the third would be played further north at Brisbane’s Gabba ground. But, notwithstanding Lele’s hint, the ACB has not made any announcement regarding organizing a game at Brisbane. “At this stage it is purely a speculation and nothing can be said till we get some information from the Indian board,” Murgatroyd said. The proposed series was not in the schedule earlier and the idea seems to have come to the Australian cricket administrators after experiencing the phenomenal success of the Indian tour a few months ago. It was a success not only because of the huge number of spectators thronging the cricket venues (and the hotels where cricketers were staying) but also because of the fact that it managed to attract the maximum number of pay television viewers for a sports event ever. The ACB is at the moment sitting on a sizable pile of revenue earned in the past few seasons and it recognizes the fact that this pile can be raised further if it plays its cards in a competent manner. And inviting the Indians, and not any other team, for the three-match series seems to be a sound strategy as the Australian cricket followers still have a craving for more encounters with the Indians. The controversies, both on and off the field, during the Australian tour of the subcontinent have also helped to keep the hunger for more Indo-Australian encounters going. Spectators here would definitely like to have another look at the cricketers who not only threw a spanner in the Australian juggernaut’s wheel but also turned their winning spree around with a Test series victory. They would like to see how the much-maligned captain of the Indian team, Sourav Ganguly, behaves on Australian territory and how the new crop of the Indian cricketing heroes like Harbhajan “Turbunator” Singh and V.V.S. Laxman perform under testing Australian conditions. It would also serve up the prospect of the highly motivated squad of sledgers in the shape of the Australian team waiting to conduct a “mental disintegration” of the Indians. Undoubtedly, the proposed three-match series in Melbourne has all the ingredients to turn it into a huge success and add to the ACB’s coffers. The ACB would also have to organize more winter cricket in Australia from time to time in the next decade because of the International Cricket Council (ICC) 10-year schedule, which requires all the ICC members to play at least two Tests and three one-day international matches at home. “We would be assessing our schedule in the light of the ICC schedule and if it requires to play more games in winters we would do that too,” Murgatroyd said. According to an ACB media release earlier in the week, the revenue for the last season was $ 78 million (A). The board hopes to increase the figure to a whopping A$109 million in few years’ time. There has been some opposition from the Australian cricketers regarding playing in the “off-season,” but it has been feeble and after the news that the ACB would be increasing the contract money of the players the opposition has mellowed down further.
IANS |
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Defeat against UAE “turning point” Bangalore, May 14 “Our chances are over....This (next year’s World Cup) was the best chance to qualify,” Sukhwinder Singh told PTI here after the team arrived early today from Bandar Seri Bagawan, where it beat Brunei 1-0 in a pre-World Cup football qualifier. In the Asian Zone group 8, India have eight points from five matches. Yemen lead the group with 11 points, followed by UAE, also with eight from five matches. He said the fight for qualifying from the group is now between Yemen and UAE. Yemen, who stunned favourites UAE 2-1 in an away match over the weekend, just need a draw in the final game to enable them to join Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Iraq, Qatar and Bahrain in the second phase. Sukhwinder Singh said India’s away match against UAE proved to be the turning point. “If we had drawn with UAE, our chances would have been very much alive. But we played with 10 people. We also missed (skipper Baichung) Bhutia for 35 minutes (he was shown two yellow cards to be sent out of the match),” he said. The coach said India were in a position to win their away matches against Yemen and UAE but missed opportunities. Sukhwinder Singh disagreed with a suggestion that India should have scored more goals against Brunei, who are yet to open their account. “You cannot go by the past performance...Brunei are also improving with each game”. He said India played good football and the performance was consistent throughout the tournament and that gave him satisfaction. On the lessons learnt by India in the tournament, Sukhwinder Singh said India need to concentrate more and prepare well. “But we played well and continue to do so”. India play the last group engagement, return match against Brunei at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on May 20.
PTI |
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Davis Cup: India have ‘chance to win’ Bangalore, May 14 “If we had played at home, I would give it a 50-50 chance. Since we are playing away, I would say, we are the underdogs. My feeling is that the end result will be 3-2. So it could go either way,” he told newspersons last night after he was felicitated by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) on being appointed the UN Ambassador of Peace. The Indian Olympic Association, the All India Tennis Association and the KSLTA had approached him for getting the dates of the World Doubles Championship shifted. He hoped that the Association of Tennis Professionals, the governing body of the men’s tennis, would be in a position to shift the dates of the World Doubles Championship, scheduled between November 5 and 11, as it was clashing with the inaugural Afro-Asian Games in New Delhi. “In the first place, it should not be happening. But we are trying our best to change the dates to the convenience of the organisers (KSLTA). Both the tournaments are important to us. We have a chance of winning the gold in the Afro-Asian Games (November 3-11) and we have a chance of winning the World Doubles Championships also,” he added. Vijay Amritraj said it was important that the most successful Indian duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi should not be forced to choose one of the tournaments when both the events were being played on the home soil. “I have been talking to a lot of people on that. We have asked the KSLTA to tell us, what dates are comfortable and we will see how it goes,” Vijay, who played an important role in bringing the world doubles to India, added. He said the draw of the next US Open was likely to be held in the UN headquarters. “It will be good for the image of the game and in my capacity as UN Ambassador of peace I have been talking to the US Tennis Association on the matter.” On his son Prakash Amritraj, he said he was there because of his passion for the game and work ethic. “People like to make a comparison. We belong to two different eras,” he added. Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna, who is also the KSLTA President, honoured Amritraj with a Mysore peta (turban) and a memento. Mr Krishna said Amritraj’s appointment had brought joy to him and the KSLTA. Amritraj, in his reply, thanked the Chief Minister and the KSLTA for the honour and said as I see it, more than being a personal honour, the UN appointment is an honour to all Indians.
UNI |
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India not to
take part in Dutch
tourney
New Delhi, May 14 As per
the tentative schedule of the tournament India were to play Pakistan
on June 28. Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Mussaratullah
Khan had made it very clear that the “tournament will only be played
if India takes part in it” Pakistan is also scheduled to play a
four-nation tourney next month in Germany, in which Holland and Spain
are the other teams. Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) secretary K.
Jothikumaran said the reason for declining the invitation was
“packed programme which has been finalised well in advance and lack
of time”. “We are going to New Zealand for two Test series and
the team will come back only on June 26 and it is just not possible to
fly again after a long journey to go to Holland” he said. UNI |
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Erasing
records of Cronje, others London, May 14 The
International Cricket Council responded today after newspaper reports
suggested that an interim investigation by the ICC’s anti-corruption
unit would recommend that players’ names should be removed from the
record books. ICC spokesman Mark Harrison said: “That’s
completely speculative and has not come from the ICC. “The
(anti-corruption unit) report is not in the public domain...it has not
been published or leaked.” The investigation, headed by former
London Metropolitan police chief Paul Condon, has taken six months to
date and focuses on how match-fixing took hold. It is due to be
presented to the ICC’s code of conduct commission next week and will
then be published before being presented to the world governing
body’s executive board in June. Three former national captains —
South African Cronje, Mohammad Azharuddin of India and Salim Malik of
Pakistan — have been banned for life by their national boards after
the scandal broke last year. All were charged with having links with
bookmakers. Cronje, who blamed his downfall on Satan, has challenged
his ban, which not only outlawed him from playing but also barred him
from further contact with the sport in South Africa. Cronje argued
that it would stop him from coaching underprivileged children in
particular. Azharuddin, regarded as one of the most gifted batsmen of
his generation, played in 99 Tests and 334 one-day internationals. He
launched his career in 1984 with three centuries in consecutive
matches. Cronje played in 68 Tests and 188 one-dayers while Malik
played 103 Tests and 283 one-dayers. The anti-corruption unit has
visited Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sharjah and Sri Lanka, as well as supporting investigations in England, Pakistan and
West Indies. Reuters |
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Will Cork produce another magical spell? London, May 14 The figures — an average of 18 with the bat and 28.50 with the ball, during 31 Tests spanning six years — suggest a man who does not deserve the title of a genuine allrounder. Eighteen with the ball and 28.50 with the bat, of course, would be worthy of real discussion. So it is odd that Cork, recalled to the England squad for the first Test against Pakistan starting on Thursday, does manage to get himself so talked about. Over recent seasons, much of that talk has been uncomplimentary, the 30-year-old variously regarded as abrasive, opinionated, immature and under-achieving. A man supremely confident in his own lack of ability. A man not adding up to much. Which might be the whole story, if only Cork had not contrived to provide England supporters with some of their most memorable moments in recent years. As he did in 1995, with seven for 43 against the West Indies at Lord’s to earn the man-of-the-match award and the best bowling figures by an Englishman on his debut. Or as he did two matches later at Old Trafford, when he removed Richie Richardson, Junior Murray and Carl Hooper, in successive balls. Or as he did last year in the second Test, again versus the West Indies and at Lord’s, after an 18-month exile from the England dressing room. With the tourists looking set to go 2-0 up, Cork contributed four for 39 in the first innings, three for 13 in the second and then hit a back-to-the-wall 33 not out, including the winning runs through extra cover, to rescue the match and, ultimately, to pave the way to an England series victory. Cork had celebrated that day by raising three fingers as he ran off the pitch and, for one appalling moment, it seemed as if he was indulging in a characteristic gesture of defiance aimed at the selectors. It was only later that he explained that it was a coded expression of affection for his girlfriend. His love affair with Lord’s, meanwhile, looks certain to continue this week. His swing bowling is at its best in English conditions and Cork is fit and eager again after missing the tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka with a back injury. Do not put it past him to produce another in-your-face, magical performance worthy of his idol, Ian Botham. And do not put it past him to at last begin to produce some consistent form. Cork is better placed than ever before to do that. He has made his peace with his county Derbyshire following various ructions among players and club officials. He has settled down after a turbulent passage in his private life. He has begun to accept some of his past errors — “Everyone has done a few things wrong in their time and I’ve got to hold my hands up and admit I’m no exception.’’ And he has at last begun to feel wanted. England captain Nasser Hussain laughed when Cork had the audacity to phone him earlier this season to tell him how well he was playing and to argue that he should be recalled immediately. “He’s my kind of cricketer,’’ Hussain says. As for his detractors, well, Cork does not seem ready to change his style too much to accommodate them. “I only know one way to play my cricket and that’s to give it everything,’’ he says. “Love me or loathe me,’’ he might have added, “just don’t ignore me.’’
Reuters |
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National Stadium to be floodlit New Delhi, May 14 “Of course, the days in November and December will be pleasant and there should be no problem of heat for the players during that part of the year,” he said. After a meeting with Sports Minister Uma Bharti earlier in the day, Mr Gill said it was conveyed to him that IHF’s proposal for floodlighting the National Stadium, the main venue for hockey in the Capital, had been cleared by the Central Vista Committee and that it had been sent to the Urban Arts Commission for its green signal. The proposal had run into rough weather with fears being expressed that the heat generated by the powerful lights could damage the greenery around the India Gate. Along with the floodlighting at the National Stadium here, the Sports Ministry has cleared similar proposals for Bhopal, Chennai and Jalandhar. If by any chance, FIH does not agree to the Challenger Trophy in New Delhi because of non-availability of floodligh-ts, the tournament could be shifted to any of the other venues which install the lights by then, IHF secretary-general K. Jothikumaran said. Once we get the permission for floodlighting the National Stadium, we will have world class facilities for hockey here, the IHF chief said. At the meeting, held in “a very cordial atmosphere”, Mr Gill said he explained to the Sports Minister the problem regarding the participation of Pakistan and South Korea, in the Afro-Asian Games, who would be busy at that time with the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. With second string teams from those countries not acceptable, it had been decided to invite Bangladesh and Japan who have put in markedly improved performances in the recent Prime Minister’s Gold Cup in Dhaka. Today’s meeting was a follow-up of the meeting Ms Uma Bharti had with representatives of various sports federations to discuss their preparations for the Afro-Asian Games later this year and, on a long-term basis, for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games next year and the Olympic Games in 2004.
PTI |
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Thousands mourn victims Accra, May 14 Around 5,000 Ghanaians, many clad in the black and red of traditional mourning, attended an inter-faith memorial service in the capital yesterday in the wake of Wednesday’s tragedy, Africa’s worst soccer disaster. Relatives and friends of the dead sobbed as Christian and Muslim leaders recited prayers, interspersed with choral songs and solemn music played by a military brass band. “It’s important that we resist all attempts by fringe elements who seek to politicise this tragedy,” Mr Kufuor told mourners after laying a wreath on a small altar. The police and soldiers in armoured vehicles guarded the roads leading to the venue after a series of violent protests against the police, including an attack on a police station on Friday. Ghana’s top police officer has apologised for the behaviour of his force at the soccer stadium after they were accused of triggering the stampede by firing teargas into a packed spectator section at the end of a match between the two top Ghanaian teams. The protests took on a political dimension on Friday when youths chanted for the return of former President Jerry Rawlings, who stepped down in January after nearly two decades in power following Mr Kufuor’s victory in an election. A former Sports Minister and senior official of Rawlings’ National Democratic Congress, Mr Enoch T. Mensah, has been detained on suspicion of instigating Friday’s demonstrations. Lawyer Brahm Larbi said Mr Mensah denied involvement and had presented himself voluntarily to the Bureau of National Investigation on Saturday. Government officials have accused Mr Kufuor’s opponents of trying to whip up public anger. “The evidence emerging suggests, unhappily, that a few extremists may be attempting to give an ugly political colour to this national tragedy and exploit it for their personal agenda,’’ Interior Minister Malik Yakubu Alhassan said on Saturday.
Reuters |
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AAFI shortlists 98 for camp New Delhi, May 14 AAFI secretary Lalit Bhanot said here today that the camp at Patiala will be held from May 16 to July 6 while athletes for middle and long distance, steeplechase and walking events will train at shilaroo from May 20 to June 17. He said the athletes who have been picked up for the camps are born in 1982 or later. The probables: (boys) 100m, 200m, 4x100m: Arpit D’Souza, Umesh Patel (Guj), Sanjay Sishra (Bih), Ranjit Rana (Ori), Shashi Dhar, M.Kumar (Kar), S.Srinivasan (AP), Hira Lal (Dli). 400m, 4x400m: Parameshwaran Bakht, Sameer Kispota (MP), K.Suresh (TN), Dharmendra Hansda (Jhar), Shiva Dewan (Ker), P.Shankar (AP), O.Sabhilash (Ker), Shiekh Shamshir (Ben). 800m, 1500m: Kuldip Kumar (UP), Karamvir Yadav (Raj), Mallappa (Kar), P.Sunny Sharma (AP), Bhupinder Singh (MP). 500m, 10000 m, 3000 M.S.C: Mukesh Yadav, Suresh Kumar (UP), Parmik Singh (Pun), Vasvarat C.D (Kar), Shyam Deo Mahato (Jhar). Hurdles: Navnidh Singh, Harminder Singh (Pun), Sapra Joru (Guj), Sandeep Parmar, Vithal Rathod, Kunal Roy Choudhery (Mah), P.S.Pahi (Jhar). Long, triple jump: Amritpal Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Amarjeet Singh (Pun) Shani A.K (Ker), N.Vinod Kumar, Lakshmi Narayan (TN). High jump: Omvir Singh (Raj), R.Purshotam Raju (TN), Ilyas Bamana (Bih). Shot put: Dinesh Kumar (Har), Babu Krishna (Bih), Amit Tyagi, Ranvijay Singh (UP), Jagminder Singh (Raj). Discus: Jaibir Singh (Bih), Maxon Furto (Mah), Amrit Pal Singh-II (Pun). Javelin: Dinesh Pal (Dli), Sudhir Kumar (UP), Anil Kumar, Om Narayan (Har). Hammer: Laiq Ahmed (UP), Vikas (Raj), Vijay Singh (Har). Walk: Vijay Ghelot (UP), Gurmeet Singh, Jasbir Singh (Pun) Parminder Singh, Sriram Singh (Mah), Rajesh Kumar (Har). (Girls): 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay:K.N.Priya, K.Sweta (TN), Meera Singh, Rajni (Dli), Gwarama G.D.(Kar), Shilja V.D (Ker), Mukta Saha (Rly), Prathima Gaonkar (Goa). 400m, 4x400m relay: Manjit Kaur (Pun), N.Tharani (TN), Chitra K.Somen, Soumya Thomas (Ker) S.Geetha (AP). 800m, 1500m: Tejinder Kaur (Pun), Sinimol Paulose (Ker), Abha Rani (Guj), K.Krishna Veni (TN). 3000m, 5000m: Manjula, L.G.Narsinghvar (Kar), B.Nagmani (AP). Hurdles: AAKalyani, S.Bindusree (AP), Arvin Rathwa (Bih). Long jump, triple jump:Ruta Patkar (Mah), Binta Sonwal (Asm), Libya V.S.(Ker). Javelin: Suman Devi (UP), Gurpreet Kaur (Har). Hammer: Ritu Rani (Dli), Satinder Pal Kaur (Pun), Archana Bari(bih)g. Subha (TN) Brojeshwari Devi (Mani). 10, 000 m (walk): Ravina Antil (Har). Joginder Singh Saini will be the chief coach for these camps and he will be assisted by a panel of 19 coaches.
UNI |
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Punjab thrash
Andhra eves Ludhiana, May 14 The Goan girls started playing an attacking game right from the word go but missed many opportunities. Right winger Sapna of Bihar opened the account but her team could not sustain the lead for a long time and after two minutes, Reshma D’Souza of Goa restored parity (1-1). Three minutes before the lemon break, Pinki of the winning squad, made it 2-1. In another match, Meghalya outclassed Rajasthan 5-0. Ladica scored two goals in the first 10 minutes and just one minute before the breather , Abalumalin increased the lead to 3-0. After the breather Abalumalin scored another goal to make it 4-0. Just a few minutes before the end Amilin made it 5-0. |
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India ‘aiming to
set right record abroad’ Bangalore, May 14 As the probables engaged themselves in fitness and fielding drills at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the six-day conditioning camp began yesterday, skipper Sourav Ganguly said a series victory over Zimbabwe would set right a “lot of things.” “Our aim is to win a series abroad which will set right a lot of things,” Ganguly said and emphasised the need for India to play competitive cricket and as a team to the hilt. He warned against any complacency, saying that Zimbabwe should not be taken lightly. “They are a good side and have home advantage...last time we lost a Test match which we should have won.” “The team is working on its fitness since it has a hectic international schedule ahead,” he added.
PTI |
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Gursharan
to umpire WBC ties Chandigarh, May 14 This rare honour has been conveyed to Gursharan Singh by Mr Tostern Berg, Chairman, Court Officials Committee of the International Badminton Federation. Thirtyseven umpires from all over the world will converge on Seville for the major international event. This is not the first time that Gursharan Singh has been nominated for supervising international matches. His earlier assignments as umpire have been in the Thomas Cup, the Uber Cup, the Commonwealth Games , the Asian Games and the Grand Prix finals. |
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Lebanon
rout Pak 6-0 Beirut, May 14 Zein opened the scoring five minutes into the match, played at the Municipal Stadium in the Lebanese capital yesterday, and then made it 2-0 in the 31st minute. Moussa Hjeij scored Lebanon’s third goal with a 49th-minute strike. Gilberto Dos Santos scored Lebanon’s fourth goal from the penality spot in the 51st minute and Zein scored again in the 87th minute. Ride Antar netted the match’s final goal with a 91st-minute strike seconds before the game’s end. Lebanon and Thailand, who beat Sri Lanka 4-2 earlier yesterday, lead the group after one match with three points apiece. Sri Lanka and Pakistan have yet to secure a point. Thailand will next play Pakistan tomorrow and Lebanon on Thursday, while Sri Lanka will play Lebanon tomorrow and Pakistan on Thursday. All matches will be played in Beirut. The top team in each of the 10 Asian groups advances to the final qualifying round. Two or three teams from Asia will qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan. South Korea and Japan qualify as hosts.
AP |
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Punjab
Jr Basketball Sangrur, May 14 Teams from all the districts of Punjab have confirmed their participation. Mr Aulakh said the Punjab teams for the National Junior Championship will be held at Bhilai from June 17 to 22 be selected on the basis of the performance in this championships. |
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Jeev finishes
tied 27th
New Delhi, May 14 The 29-year-old Indian ace shot a three-over 75 on the final day yesterday at the par-72 course under testing conditions. That saw Jeev drop 16 places from tied 11th after the previous round with an aggregate of one-under 287. The tournament was won by Henrik Stenson of Sweden.
PTI |
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Cricket
trials on May 16 Chandigarh, May 14 The selected teams will participate in the tournament slated to be organised by Punjab Cricket Association Mohali. Under 16 and senior teams will play matches against Fatehgarh Sahib at Ludhiana. |
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Under-15 cricket Patiala, May 14 Brief scores: Patiala: 155 for 5 (Navjot Matharu 44 (n.o), Kailash 32 (n.o), Hardavinder Singh13, Parminder Singh 2 for 29, Karan 1 for 27, Gagan Singh 1 for 23). In the other semifinal SAS Nagar defeated Bathinda by four wickets to set up title clash with Patiala. |
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