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| Wednesday,
July 18, 2001, Chandigarh, India    |
Jayasuriya predicts
a tough contest Popov in
hospital |
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Saurav Ganguly writes Time for
Tiger Woods to break out of slump Hockey: India meet Wales
today Brazilians
heave sigh of relief |
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Ivanisevic
to skip Canada meet Kalmadi
felicitates Randhir, Rogge Football
team leaves for Delhi
Shooting
range stalemate ends Taekwondo
squad
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Jayasuriya predicts a tough contest Colombo, July 17 Sri Lanka, who start favourites in their own backyard, suffered a setback yesterday when left-arm paceman Nuwan Zoysa was ruled out with a stress fracture in his left ankle. Sri Lankan cricket board officials say the injury could put Zoysa out of action for almost two months and that he may also miss the three-Test series against India starting on August 14. Zoysa has been replaced in the 15-man squad by paceman Dinusha Fernando. But Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya was unperturbed. “We have to concentrate on the cricket,” he said on Monday. “It’s going to be a tough series, there is no guarantee of victory at an event like this. We are going to play hard against New Zealand and India.” The New Zealanders, who arrived three days ago from a severe winter and sub-zero temperatures at home, will have to brave stifling heat and humidity when they take on the hosts in the opening day-night game at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium. The Kiwis have been strengthened by the return of all-rounder Dion Nash and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori after almost a year away from international cricket because of back injuries. India are perhaps the team most under pressure to win after their seventh straight final loss in one-day tournaments, against West Indies in a tri-series event in Zimbabwe earlier this month. The defeat came after they had won all four round-robin games to reach the final as favourites. Their worst final losses over the last three years have also come against the Kiwis and the Lankans. They lost in the final of the ICC Knockout Cup in Kenya to New Zealand late last year after having knocked out Australia earlier in the tournament, and were bowled out for a paltry 54 by Sri Lanka in a tri-series final at Sharjah soon after. India’s biggest worry going into the tournament is the absence of batsman Sachin Tendulkar for the major part of the round robin phase. Captain Saurav Ganguly said on Monday that Tendulkar, who is nursing a foot injury, would join the squad in time for India’s match against the hosts on July 28. “He is a great player. We will miss him,” Ganguly said. India start their campaign against New Zealand on July 20. The final is scheduled for August 5. Squads: New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (Captain), Nathan Astle, Grant Bradburn, James Franklin, Chris Harris, Craig McMillan, Kyle Mills, Dion Nash, Jacob Oram, Adam Parore, Matthew Sinclair, Darryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent. India: Saurav Ganguly (Captain), Amay Khurasiya, Rahul Dravid, Vangipurappu Laxman, Hemang Badani, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Sameer Dighe, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Ashish Nehra, Debasish Mohanty, Rahul Sanghvi.
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Popov in hospital Moscow, July 17 “He was taken to a Moscow hospital over the weekend with a severe throat infection,” Marina Bantsekina, spokeswoman for the Russian Swimming Federation (RSF), told Reuters today. Bantsekina quoted RSF president Gennady Alyoshin as saying that Popov was unlikely to go to Japan to defend the world 100 metres freestyle title he won in Perth, Australia in 1998. “He was due to leave for Japan on Tuesday but he remained in hospital, so it’s unlikely he will go there to compete,” she said. Canberra-based Popov, who won both the 50 and 100 metres freestyle golds at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, attended the 112th session of the International Olympic Committee, which ended in the Russian capital on Monday.
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Saurav Ganguly writes We landed in Sri Lanka on Monday for a seven-week tour. The Emerald Isle is a place liked by most of us. It’s very similar to Chennai and facilities are outstanding. It’s a place where we have played good cricket in the last couple of outings. The last but one time we toured here, we won the Independence Cup, beating Sri Lanka three times and New Zealand twice in an equal number of games. My fondest memory of that tournament was my record-making opening partnership with Sachin Tendulkar. Hopefully he will be here towards the crucial stages of the tournament, from the last league game onwards. This is going to be a good series of one-day cricket with three very good one-day sides in the fray. Both New Zealand and Sri Lanka have come from a lay-off. They have had a break and although they may be fresh, it would take them a couple of games to get into a good rhythm. We are coming back after a seven-day break that followed the tour of Zimbabwe, where we won four of the five one-day games we played. I look forward to playing in the two venues at Colombo. Khettarama, where we’ll play day-night cricket, boasts of a good batting surface. India has a good track record there and it will be good to see people filling up the stands to watch one-day cricket, which is a passion among the Sri Lankans. The SSC is the best wicket in Colombo with bounce and carry and the best venue in Lanka. They have built a new stadium in Dambulla, just outside the city, which is going to be the venue for three of the one-day games. The Sri Lankans are a formidable one-day side, and there will be a lot of pressure on Jayasuriya for there is a lot of expectation when a team from the subcontinent plays at home. That’s why I have always found touring more relaxing for one is away from the public glare and one has time to oneself. The weather is going to be hot and humid with rain on and off. In such conditions, it would be easier to play under floodlights after sunset. We will be playing under lights after around nine games and I am looking forward to it. We have a young and fit side and this is the reason for our wastly improved fielding standards. The youngsters have raised the fitness level of the team. The form of Dravid, Laxman and yours truly would be very important on this tour. Laxman has been in great touch, I as a captain can see a big score round the corner for him. He is a quality player and everytime he bats 50 overs, he is going to put up a match-winning score. Sehwag and Yuvraj are the ones to watch out for on this tour. The Sri Lankan wickets will suit both of them for they like to go out there and hit through the line. Dighe had a good tour of Zimbabwe, and I’m sure this would have given him plenty of confidence. He will simply have to pick up from where he left off in the last game. He has to play such knocks more often in order to strengthen the side and lend depth to the batting. It gives me a lot of confidence to land in Sri Lanka with such a team, but I would not like to make any statements but would like to let our performance speak for itself. We should remember that this game is played across 22 yards and not off the field. It will be a good tour, and the side that is better physically will have the advantage.
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Time for Tiger Woods to break out of slump Lytham (England), July 17 On that occasion, Woods came into the 2000 Open having just won the US Open at Pebble Beach by a record 15 strokes and the golfing world was in awe. As expected he laid waste to the competition in Scotland leading from the second round and winning by a modern era record of eight strokes. This year Woods is still far and away the dominant golfer on the globe and he will start as everyone’s tip for the title. But at least there are some glimmers of hope for the others. Following his Masters win in April when he became the first golfer to hold all four Majors at the same time, the 25-year-old Californian has been relatively subdued and winless. He also lost his US Open crown to Retief Goosen in June, although he still managed to finish 12th after a bad start. And he has left his preparations for playing the tight and windy Lytham links late, opting for some fishing in Ireland last week before taking up residence in the scenic Lake District of northwestern England. But for coach Butch Harmon, it would not take Woods long to get to grips with the course as he started his first practice round late yesterday with Mark O’Meara. “When he played here in 1996, that was one of his best events as an amateur. He likes the course and he is excited,” O’ Meara said. Woods finished tied for 22nd on that occasion, but the Stars and Stripes were still flying thanks to Tom Lehman’s triumph, the first time an American had won here since the legendary Bobby Jones in 1926. Lehman at 42 is back again and a recent resurgence in form has re-positioned him as a possible challenger. But things have changed at the course in the last five years, he said, most notably tougher rough and more bunkers -196 in total. The man who succeeds best in staying out of both will in all probability lift the Auld Claret Jug on Sunday according to the American. “The guy who hits it straightest, and manages his game the best is going to win,” he said. “Length is helpful, but it is not necessary out there.” Woods and Lehman apart the American challenge will be headed by world No 2 Phil Mickelson and David Duval, both still in search of their first win in a Major. With Lee Westwood missing cuts and Colin Montgomerie blowing more cold than hot, the best of the British could well be Ulsterman Darren Clarke, winner of the European Open earlier this month. Clarke has been in contention before at the Open, only to wilt over the last round, but he now has experience on his side as well as his work with in-fashion Belgian psychologist Jos Vanstiphout. Vanstiphout has also been working with South African Retief Goosen, the in-form golfer coming into Lytham. Goosen joined the big league with his win in the US Open at Southern Hills in June and he followed that with a comfortable post-to-post triumph in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on Sunday. It was Goosen’s fourth consecutive top six finish on the 2001 European Tour schedule and with compatriot and world No 3 Ernie Els currently out of sorts, he will be the best hope of providing a third South African win at Lytham after Bobby Locke and Gary Player. “It’s great for my confidence coming here this week and winning,” said Goosen at Loch Lomond. “I think if people say I was lucky winning (the US Open) than maybe I’ve proved myself a little bit this week in what was a pretty strong field.” Back on the European side of things, the Ryder Cup pairing of Sergio Garcia of Spain and Jesper Parnevik of Sweden are being touted as well as Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, second at Loch Lomond and one player who has gone head-to-head with Woods and won as he did in the Dubai Desert Classic in March.
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Hockey: India meet Wales today Edinburgh, July 17 Coming into the tournament with an indifferent form, losing to Poland and then drawing with Canada in practice matches, India will be going all out for goals in what is seen as an easy match for the eight times Olympic champions. But coach Cedric D’Souza doesn’t think so. “Every team comes into a tournament to win,” he said as the Indian team trained at the hockey stadium. “We have to play our normal game and most importantly use the opportunities to get in the goals fast so that pressure is on the Welsh team.” As D’Souza said before the tournament, the important thing is to qualify. But India, considered favourites here would want to go all the way to the final to regain some confidence. Apart from that, the Indian team sponsored for the first time in years by Castrol would also want to instil some faith in the sponsors by entering the final or winning the tourney. Wales don’t play out of Europe much and they would have a problem holding the Indian forwards at bay. Only three Welsh players, Paul Cannock with 85 internationals, captain Zak Jones with 53 and Owen Griffiths with 55 have the experience but a majority of the team have only played between five and 10 internationals. The Indians, on the other hand, are the most experienced team in the tournament along with Argentina and Canada. On sheer experience alone, beating the Welsh shouldn’t be a problem.
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Brazilians heave sigh of relief Sao Paulo, July 17 “Finally the squad gets a win!” said the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper, while in Rio de Janeiro, O Globo announced: “Victory allows team to breathe easier!” Photos in several papers showed new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari grinning as he embraced players after Sunday’s match that kept alive Brazilian hopes of a third straight title in the Copa America, currently being played in Colombia. According to sports daily Lance, Brazilians could smile again after “a dearth of goals in a series of bad results.” The smiles were there, but they were still hesitant. “Considering it was against Peru, I think Brazil played reasonably well,” said Marcos Tadeu, 30, a shopworker in Sao Paulo. “I think maybe this win will give the team a bit more peace to concentrate on improving their game.” “Playing Peru is easy, a win was obligatory, but still I believe the squad is getting better,” agreed Alcides Ney, a 33-year-old office worker. Scolari, still smarting from his team’s humiliating 1-0 defeat by Mexico last Thursday, said he had bowed to superstition and sent the squad out Sunday in their blue, reserve kit. Changing six players, Scolari packed the team with five defenders to try to keep Peru out of range of the net. It seemed to work. The goals, which came from Guilherme and Denilson, ended a four-match losing streak — the team’s longest since 1921. Before the four straight losses, Brazil had notched up two draws in the Confederation Cup in Asia. “It wasn’t the eighth wonder of the world,” Scolari admitted after Sunday’s match, but he added: “We saw the first light after passing through a winding tunnel.” Despite a shaky start, Scolari, or Big Phil as he is usually referred to locally, still seems to have the support of ordinary Brazilians. “The win will give the team a bit more spirit, at least if the press and the fans allow them to work in peace,” said Iara Lacerda, a 21-year-old marketing assistant. “Brazil was under a lot of pressure.”
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Costa Rica hold Uruguay Medellin, (Colombia), July 17 Wanchope opened the scoring with a solo goal in the 28th minute. He left three Uruguayans in his path, saw his first shot blocked by a defender but still managed to get to the rebound first to put Costa Rica ahead. Uruguay, like many teams in the event fielding their reserves, equalised through a Carlos Morales header in the 53rd minute but the lanky English-based striker continued to give the South American defence a torrid time. In the 64th minute, another piece of brilliant play by Manchester City’s Wanchope set up a good chance which was wasted by Rolando Fonseca. The 1-1 draw left both teams with four points from two games in group C and the two countries were guaranteed a quarterfinal place when Honduras beat Bolivia 2-0 in the match which followed. Amado Guevara scored twice in the second half for Honduras while Bolivia finished with nine men after having Marco Sandy and Milton Coimbra sent off in the second period. Honduras, fielding less than half their regular first team, have three points from two games. Bolivia’s experimental side have yet to get off the mark but either nation could still make the last eight as one of the best third-placed teams. Most teams are taking part without their top players due to fixture congestion and chaotic organisation by the South American Football Confederation, which staged the tournament at six days’ notice after earlier postponing it until next year.
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Ivanisevic
to skip Canada meet Montreal, July 17 After his unexpected triumph at the All-England Club two weeks ago, Ivanisevic postponed shoulder surgery to meet a crowded tennis schedule. But since he has already earned a spot in this fall’s Masters Cup championship, the Croat can afford to miss the Montreal tournament, which runs from July 28 to August 5.
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Kalmadi
felicitates Randhir, Rogge New Delhi, July 17 Randhir Singh, who is also the IOA secretary-general, had secured the maximum number of votes to be elected as an IOC member, to occupy the seat his late father, Raja Bhalendra Singh, had adorned for more than three decades. “As president of the National Olympic Committee of India, I congratulate my colleague, secretary-general Randhir Singh, for being elected as a member of the IOC. On behalf of India’s NOC, and the entire sports fraternity of India, I wish Randhir Singh all success in his new role. His election to the coveted post is a result of his sustained and dedicated work toward Olympics. I am sure Randhir will be a vital link between Asia and the IOC and under the able guidance of Dr Rogge, he will bring India and Asia to greater heights”. Mr Kalmadi, in his congratulatory message to Dr Rogge, said Dr Rogge was a key figure behind the successful organisation of the Olympic Games in Sydney. CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Rifle Shooting Association has termed the recent election of the IOA Secretary Raja Randhir Singh as executive member of the IOC a great moment for entire sports fraternity. Gurbir Sandhu, president of the association, said Randhir Singh is a total believer in Olympic spirit. He is also secretary general of the Olympic Council of Asia and his present elevation will be a great boost for the Indian sports. |
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Football
team leaves for Delhi Patiala, July 17 The AIFF had selected 25 probables for the England tour scheduled to begin on July 20. However, with the three top clubs of the country, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mahindra United, deciding not to release their key players, the camp, which commenced on July 9, was severely hit and progressed only in fits and starts. However, the camp gathered momentum when Mahindra United released all the six players selected for the camp reportedly under pressure from the AIFF president, Mr Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi. Last week, East Bengal also decided to release two of its footballer’s, Sangram Mukherjee and Deepankar Roy. The club, however, kept silent on the release of I.M. Vijayan and Deepak Mondal and took the stand that both the players would join the team directly in New Delhi on the eve of the departure of the squad on July 18. This became a contentious issue for chief coach Sukhwinder Singh who wanted both the players to join the camp at the NIS so that the team could practice as a cohesive unit. The chief coach has also yet to solve the vexed issue of naming the skipper of the squad. East Bengal’s Joe Paul Ancheri, widely perceived to be named the skipper, has already been ruled out with a groin injury while the status of the other contender, I.M. Vijayan, is not clear as his case for selection is yet to be decided. To further complicate matters, ace striker Baichung Bhutia is yet to be released by his club FC Bury for the tour. |
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Shooting
range stalemate ends
Chandigarh, July 17 Late talking to this correspondent, Mr Gurbir Sandhu who came specially from Delhi for the meeting, said they were quite happy the way Chief Minister P.S. Badal took keen interest and initiated efforts before leaving for the USA a couple of days back, for solving the problem. He said the new range with technical guidance from the Punjab Rifle Shooting Association in Punjab will have all ranges for different events conforming to international standards. He said three acres were enough to hold any kind of world-level meet. The range will have 25 base point facility each in air rifle and pistol events for 10 metres, 25 metres, 50 metres range and all important trap and skeet events. Mr Sandhu who is also the vice-chairman of the games technical conduct committee (GTCC) of the 31st National Games said, the nearest facility available for trap and skeet events was in Tughlakabad, near Delhi. The National Rifle Association of India was compelled to host all major national meets there only. He said in the present area earmarked for the SAS Nagar range, the Patiali Ki Rao choe existed behind the range and 200 metres were sufficient for the pellets to fall in case of trap and skeet events. He said another point taken into account was safety as well as the direction of the sun so that it did not disturb the shooters. He said the state Sports Department was already in touch with various foreign firms for the important of equipment. Raja Sidhu said the civil works relating to the execution of the project had been given to Markfed and they were already on the job. Mr V.K. Bassi, chief consultant, said the range would be covered from all sides but in the next phase it could be air-conditioned. The president of the PRSA said the range would be of immense benefit to the college students who could now get regular training. He said the college principal had informed him that many aspiring shooters of their college went to Patiala for practice. Mr Sidhu said camps in preparation of the Punjab shooting contingent for the National Games might begin at the Sector 25 range in air rifle and pistol while for trap, skeet they could begin by August 15 at SAS Nagar range. He said many of the top shooters from Punjab like Manavjit, Mansher, and Abhinav Bindra who would be taking part in the forthcoming National Games, were busy in tournaments and national camps.  |
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Taekwondo
squad Bangalore, July 17 The following is the team: Women: fin: Karishma Malik (Bengal); fly: Krupali Borse (Maharashtra); bantam: Seema Deswal (Haryana); light: Y. Shantibala Devi (Manipur); and welter: Priyanka (Haryana). Coach: Kim Hong Jo (Korea) and Head of the team: Harish Kumar.
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