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Thursday,
September 13, 2001, Chandigarh, India
  
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UEFA, Champions League matches called
off
Salt Lake security to be
reviewed India team to prove fitness on Sept 23
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Board AGM on
September 29 Isha Toor moves into
semifinals Li Ruofan champ, Vijayalakshmi
runner-up Geet Sethi leads
Indian charge Eves hockey team leaves for
Delhi Jaffer, Agarkar
to the fore Haryana Sport
Fest renamed Polyurethane athletic turf
arrives Hockey team
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UEFA, Champions League matches called off Paris, September 12 The latest casualties were this evening’s prestigious European Champions League football matches which governing body UEFA called off after an emergency meeting at their Swiss headquarters. “The UEFA today announced all UEFA Club competition matches scheduled to be played this week (UEFA Cup and Champions League) are to be postponed as a mark of respect for the victims of yesterday’s terrorist attacks in the USA”, UEFA said in a statement. Chief executive Gerhard Aigner said UEFA would continue to monitor the security situation within Europe over the next few days and make a further decision to reschedule the games “in due course”. Eight games in the Champions League were completed yesterday after a minute’s silence was observed at each game. But the UEFA decided that the eight remaining games today involving such household names as Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona could not go ahead as planned. They also scrapped 43 games counting toward the less prestigious UEFA Cup, which were scheduled to be played today. In the immediate aftermath of the carnage Major League Baseball cancelled all 15 games scheduled around the USA yesterday with no decision on whether the games will be made up. The WTA women’s tennis tour postponed all matches scheduled for yesterday at its tournament in Hawaii. A decision was to be announced later today on the fate of the world middleweight boxing unification fight scheduled at Madison Square Garden on Saturday between Puerto Rico’s Felix Trinidad and American Bernard Hopkins. Major League Soccer postponed four matches scheduled for today and the scheduled US Women’s Cup football tournament matches in Columbus, Ohio, between Germany and China as well as the USA and Japan were postponed. The PGA Tour will not play tomorrow in the wake of the tragedy. The World Golf Championships event in St. Louis will play 36 holes on Friday while the Tampa Bay Classic will play 36 on Sunday to complete 72 holes. US players meanwhile questioned whether the biennial Ryder Cup against Europe’s best golfers should go ahead as planned at The Belfry near Birmingham, England, from September 28 to 30. Team member Mark Calcavecchia said he expected the eagerly-awaited inter-continental showdown to be called off. The ramifications of the US attacks were unlikely to be limited to the Ryder Cup, however, with sport becoming ever more international in nature and high profile. The International Olympic Committee expressed its “shock and sympathy” to US President George W. Bush over the New York and Washington massacres, but said nothing about the staging of the Winter Olmpics at Salt Lake City, Utah, in February. The global stage offered by the Olympics and the sheer scale of the games make them an inviting terrorist target. But Salt Lake City authorities said the attacks had strengthened their resolve to prevent any similar tragedy next year. “This makes the city more motivated to make our city air-tight against terrorism to be prepared for the Olympics,” said Josh Ewing, Communications Director for Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.
AFP |
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Salt Lake security to be reviewed Lausanne, September 12 Rogge said security has been the top priority at every Olympic Games since a terror attack at the 1972 Munich games left 11 Israeli athletes dead. But he added that the security situation would be discussed with the President of the Salt Lake City organising committee Mitt Romney at International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board meetings scheduled for next week in Lausanne. The issue is likely to be at the top of the agenda at the meeting which will be Rogge’s first in charge since taking over as the IOC President from Juan Antonio Samaranch in July. “We have always put security as the No. 1 priority since the Munich games,’’ Rogge told Reuters today. “We work closely with governments and organising committees to make sure all games are secure. “Security remains a top priority but what might change is the operation. I can’t say how at the moment. “Next week at the executive board meetings we will have a teleconference with Mitt Romney and this issue will be discussed.’’ The IOC had already expressed shock and sympathy yesterday at the attacks that have rocked the USA, sending letters of condolence to US President George W. Bush, the US Olympic Committee and the Salt Lake City organising committee. Rogge said he remained stunned by the devastation and his thoughts were with the victims and not on the Olympics. “Today is a day for mourning,’’ he said after a brief meeting with IOC General-Secretary Francois Carrard to discuss the situation. “Today I am not going to get into security issues, this is a day for prayer. “This is a tragic, horrendous attack and today my thoughts are not on the games it is on the horror in America.’’
Reuters |
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India team to prove fitness on Sept 23 Mumbai, September 12 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) executive secretary Sharad Diwadkar confirmed here today that Lepius would carry out the fitness test on September 23 at the Wankhede Stadium here. The Chairman of the national selection committee Chandu Borde will also be present for the fitness test. The BCCI has made the test mandatory for all the selected players and those players who do not pass the fitness test will be dropped. Five standbyes have also been selected in case, any of the players fail the fitness test. However, the names of the standbyes have still not been made public. Earlier, the fitness test was supposed to have been undertaken by the BCCI official doctor Anant Joshi. Meanwhile, the four Indian pace bowlers selected for the South African one-day series Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra as well as Harvinder Singh will be sent to the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai for four days from September 14 to 18 to undergo training under Australian great Dennis Lillee, informed BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele.
Tough tour: Kumble Bangalore “It’s going to be a tough tour. South Africa is obviously a good side...But with me bowling in tandem with Harbhajan, the pressure would be much more on their batsmen,” Kumble, who, after a year-long lay-off, is staging a comeback to international cricket with the tour to South Africa later this month, said here. He said the Indian team had been reinforced with the return of key players and would put up a good performance in the three-Test series there. “I am looking forward to bowling with him (Harbhajan),” said Kumble who is India’s second highest wicket-taker with 276 victims from 61 Tests. “I have played matches along side Harbhajan. Now he has definitely developed into a fantastic bowler. Remember, he is only 21. He has a lot of potential. It’s a great thing bowling with him,” Kumble, who will be 31 on October 17, said. Kumble, out of action since last October following a shoulder injury, was responding to queries at a felicitation function organised by the local Advocates Association. He has been following a rehabilitation programme afer undergoing surgery in January this year.
PTI |
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Board AGM on
September 29 Chennai, September 12 Ostensibly, the meeting is to pick office-bearers for the board. But this time, the election for the post of the president, elected for a term of three years, is expected to be stormy. Former president of the ICC Jagmohan Dalmia is slated to contest for the post against the incumbent Dr A.C. Muthiah, who has completed two years in that office. The BCCI sources here confirmed the holding of the AGM in Chennai.
UNI |
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Isha Toor moves into
semifinals Chandigarh, September 12 In boys under 14 section, thin Simmerveer Singh extended top seed Vivek Showkeen of Delhi to three sets before bowing out. Top seed Tushar Liberhan had no difficulty in downing city boy Sanam K Singh 6-4, 6-4 in an under 16 quarter-final tie. Results: (all quarterfinals): Boys:
under 14: Vivek Showkeen (Dli) b Simmerveer Singh (Chd) 6-7(3), 6-0, 6-1; Simranjeet S. Cheema (Chd) b Nitish Raj (UP) 6-7(12), 6-4, 6-0; Honey Rana (Dli) b Kinshuk Sharma (Chd) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2; Paras Thakur (Chd) b Raghav Nanda (Dli) 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. Under 16: Jitin Bishnoi (chd) b Ardaman Sidhu (Chd) 6-2, 6-4; Tushar Liberhan (Chd) b Sanam K Singh (Chd) 6-4,6-4; Siddharth Gulati (Dli) b Simranjit S. Cheema (Chd) 6-1, 6-2; Vivek Showkeen (Dli) b Nikhil Badopalia (UP) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2. Girls: under 14: Isha Toor (Chd) b Taskeen Bains (Chd) 6-2, 6-2; Anukriti Prasad (Dli) b Alipt Sandhu (Chd) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4; Simmer (Chd) b Shubhneet Sandhu (Pb) 6-4, 6-1; Shilpa Dalmia (Dli) b Jilke Nelord (Dli) 7-6(4), 6-2. Under 16: Isha Toor (Chd) b Simmer (Chd) 7-5, 7-5; Neha Singh (Chd) b Neha Rana (Dli) 6-2, 6-0; Satvika Saboo (Chd) b Neha Rana (Dli) 6-2, 6-0; Geetanjali Sharma (Pb) b Shilpa Dalmia (Dli) 6-4, 6-3.
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Li Ruofan champ, Vijayalakshmi runner-up Chennai, September 12 Tournament top seed WGM S. Vijayalakshmi of India totalled eight points to finish runner-up while compatriot Nisha Mohota, despite losing today, was placed third with seven points on account of higher progressive score in tie-break. The three players, along with Huang Qian (China), Wang Yu (China), Aarthie Ramaswamy (Ind) and Swati Ghate (Ind) have qualified for the World Women’s Chess Championship beginning on November 24 in Moscow, FIDE vice-president P.T. Ummer Koya said. Qian, Yu, Aarthie and Swati all tallied seven points and were placed in that order after the top three as per the progressive tie-break scores. The 23-year-old Li Ruofan was impressive in her match against IWM Swati Ghate. Employing the classical variation of Ruy Lopez opening, Li went for an attack towards black’s king. Swati’s weak structure of pawns before her king made white’s job easy and Li Ruofan struck a wonderful sacrifice of her knight to expose the black king. Anticipating a checkmate in the next few moves, Swati resigned on her 26th move. National champion Vijayalakshmi survived some anxious moments against WIM Levushkina Elena (Uzbekistan) in two knight’s defence. Against white’s king pawn opening Vijayalakshmi chose a rather dull defence. However, the game was balanced as long as the queens were on the board. In the rook and minor piece ending, Levushkina maintained microscopic advantage, but she preferred a rather danish variation when she was left with rook and knight and her opponent with rook and two scattered pawns. Although Levushkina was a piece up here, she had to settle for a draw as the game reached a deadlock. The players split the point after 66 moves. WGM norm holder Aarthie Ramaswamy carved out a neat victory over Khamrakulova Iroda (Uzbekistan). In a game involving sicilian dragon variation, Aarthie started her campaign with white pieces, striving for a win for a berth in the world championship. Castling on the queenside, Aarthie terrified her opponent by sacrificing her rook and secured a win. Uzbekistan’s Khamrakulova could not sustain the onslaught of the former world under-18 champion Aarthie Ramaswamy. When Aarthie made a powerful pawn manoeuvre of her queen, rook and bishop towards the enemy king, her opponent resigned on the 30th move. Nisha Mohota, who had a fine run during the first half of the tournament, was at the receiving end against WGM Zhao Xue (China). In a queen pawn game, Nisha with white pieces maintained an inferior position, although materially it was equal. In the ensuing end game, the Chinese WGM cleverly exchanged the only knight available on the chess board to reach a rook versus rook end game with an extra passer on the ‘c’ file for her. The Chinese WGM marched her king towards the queening square to wind up the game in her favour in 42 moves. Huang Quian scored an important victory over Maria Sergeeva (Kazakastan) in a king’s Indian defence game, with white pieces. Qian, who made her maiden WIM norm yesterday, qualified for the world women championship with this win. Alongwith the title, Li Ruofan carried home the Champion’s purse of $2000, while Vijayalakshmi got $1750 and Nisha Mohota $1400.
PTI |
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Geet Sethi leads Indian charge Sydney, September 12 Sethi did not have to strive too hard and recorded breaks of 253, 201 and 188 against the hapless New Zealander at Christchurch’s Hornby Working Men’s Club Tuesday. Compatriot Ashok Shandilya scored an equally facile win as he took Australian veteran Keith Taylor to the cleaners 2280-299. A third Indian, Devendra Joshi recorded the day’s biggest break of 330 on his way to posting a 2030-577 victory over seasoned New Zealander Joe Ifa. Young Indian sensation Vishal Madan will be seen in action when he takes on New Zealand’s No. 1 player Peter de Groot. Groot is leading New Zealand’s 14-strong contingent at the eight-day championships. He, however, has his work cut out for him as he is drawn in the same group as Australian Matthew Bolton, the top ranked player of the tournament.
IANS |
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Eves hockey team leaves for
Delhi Patiala, September 12 Chief coach Mr A.K Bansal expressed optimism at the manner in which the team trained at the NIS in preparation for the qualifiers. Mr Bansal felt that with the recall of experienced striker Manjinder Kaur and veteran midfielder Sita Gossain a lot of confidence had been instilled among the team members. The chief coach added that the forward line comprising Manjinder Kaur, Jyoti Sunita Kulu, Sanghai Ibhemal Chanu, Neha Singh, Mamta Kharab, Surinder Kaur and Suraj Lata Devi had a lot of experience. They are backed by the time trusted trio of Sita Gossain, Samurai Tete and Agnecia Lugun in the midfield while the custodians- captain Tingoliema Chanu and Helen Mary-had experience on their side. However, the chief coach lamented that the team would be missing the services of the versatile striker Pritam Rani Thakran, midfielders Marystilla Tirkey and Kamla Dalal, all three who had opted out citing ‘domestic’ reasons. England, Ireland and the hosts France are expected to be the main opponents for the Indians who have been placed in pool `A’ in which Ukraine, Kenya, Uruguay and Kazakhistan are the other teams. Scotland, Belgium, USA, Russia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Canada and Japan are the teams that comprise pool `B’. The Indians will play a couple of practice matches against Russia before they open their engagements with a match against Uruguay on September 17.
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Jaffer, Agarkar
to the fore Mumbai, September 12 Mumbai, batting first, made 321 for six off 50 overs with left hander Vinod Kambli (50) and Ramesh Powar (33 not out) also chipping in with useful scores. Leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule (3/14) left arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni (2/4), off-spinner Ramesh Powar (2/26) and medium pacer Robin Morris (2/38) then skittled out Baroda for a paltry 145 off 41.2. overs. Conner Williams (26) and Ajit Bhoite (25) reached double figures for Baroda according to informatoin received here today. Kenya is the third team in the tournament. Brief scores: Mumbai 321 for 6 off 50 overs (W. Jaffer 117, V. Kambli 50, A. Agarkar 90 n.o., R. Powar 33 n.o.) beat Baroda 145 all out in 41.2 overs (C. Williams 26, A. Bhoite 25, S. Bahutule 3/14, N. Kulkarni 2/4, R. Morris 2/38, R. Powar 2/26).
PTI |
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Haryana Sport
Fest renamed Chandigarh, September 12 Stating this here today, Mr Abhey Singh Chautala, President, HOA, said that the Chief Minister Mr Om Parkash Chautala, would inaugurate the games while Governor Babu Parmanand, would give away the prizes to the winners. Bhim Award, the highest sports award given by the Haryana Sports Department, would be distributed on the occasion of prize distribution function of the Haryana Olympic Games. Mr M.S. Malik General-Secretary, HOA, and Director-General of Haryana Police, said competition in archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, gymnastics, fencing, football, hockey, handball, judo, kabaddi (circle) kabaddi (national), kho-kho, lawn tennis, swimming, TT, triathlon, volleyball weightlifting and wrestling (free style and Greco Roman) — would be conducted at the playgrounds and gymnasiums of Daronacharya Stadium and Kurukshetra University. All the equipments and technical assistance would be provided by the Haryana Sports Department. HOA Director H.S. Bhadu would be the competition director of the games, Mr M.S. Malik would be the Chairman of the Technical & Games Conduct Committee (T&GCC) while Dr B.K. Sinha, Director, Sports, Haryana, would be co-chairman of the T&GCC. Mr Malik further said that the issue of performance of certain sports associations, which were not taking interest in the promotion of their respective games, was also taken up at the meeting. |
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Polyurethane athletic turf
arrives New Delhi, September 12 The Sportilux hockey track, being imported from Desso DLW, Netherlands, will arrive in Delhi tomorrow, and the turf will be laid at the main National Stadium from Sunday. The sub-base of both the athletic track and the hockey ground have been laid, and according to Superintending Engineer (infrastructure) Akhilesh Kumar work on the relaying of the track will be completed in 20 days. The athletic track will be laid by German technicians as the mixing of the chemicals with the polyurethane granule and raisin is a highly skilled process. If the track is not properly laid, the cushioning effect will not be very apparent. The polyurethane track is an advanced variety of athletic surface as its cushioning effect is known to help athletes give better performances, and prevent them from getting knee and muscle injuries. The track is laid in layers, and precision work is required. |
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Hockey team Jalandhar, September 12 The selection committee comprised Pargat Singh, B.S. Bodhi, Prof. K.S. Matharu, Jhilman Singh Mann and Nisha Sharma. The selected players are: Sandeep Singh, Balbir Singh, (goalkeepers), Sukhdev Singh, Rajesh Kumar (full backs), Pardeep Singh, Gurvinder Singh, Varinder Singh, Gurjit Singh, Bachitar Singh (half backs), Rahul Bhardwaj, Lovepreet Singh, Kulwant Singh, Narinder Singh Major Singh, Harpreet Singh, Sarvanjeet Singh (forwards). |
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