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Wednesday,
July 17, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Squad unchanged, Kaif & Mongia to stay
ICC rejects captains’ suggestion
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Umpires seminar at Delhi
Record 325-run win for
Singapore Barrichello, Montoya stand in Schumacher’s path TT team confident of medal
Malhotra named NSC
Chairman
Jeev Milkha fails to qualify Maldini to consider Trapattoni’s
request
US golfer Tiger Woods drives from the 2nd tee during his practice round for the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield in Scotland on Tuesday. The 131st Open Championship is due to start on Thursday. — Reuters photo Six-member squad for jr
athletics
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Squad unchanged, Kaif & Mongia to stay Kolkata, July 16 The selectors, summoned by board President Jagmohan Dalmiya for the emergency meeting following the sensational victory in the final last Saturday, deliberated for nearly two hours before taking the decision for the sake of keeping the entire one-day squad in active cricket in view of the ICC Trophy in Sri Lanka in September. Dalmiya told newsmen after the meeting that Yuvraj Singh, who had fashioned the outstanding win with Kaif, however, has been asked to return to India because of a finger injury which would keep him out of action for at least three weeks. The meeting, which led to speculations that both the heroes of the NatWest Trophy might force their way into the Test squad for their brilliant performance, felt that all the three players should have been retained with the contingent so that the entire one-day squad would be in proper physical condition for the ICC Trophy. Dalmiya, however, said there was no doubt that it was “great performance” by both youngsters, but there was a wrong impression that the meeting had been summoned to put somebody in the Test team. “There is no change in the Test squad, it remains intact without any addition or deletion,” he said adding that Kaif and Mongia will only be playing in the first class matches. Dalmiya said it was observed at the selection committee meeting that there was very little gap between the end of the England tour and beginning of the ICC Trophy. Since there was hardly any cricket back home due to the monsoon, the selectors were of the opinion that all three players remain with the team so that they should be amidst active cricket, he said. The Indian team is scheduled to complete its England tour on September 9 and required to assemble in Sri Lanka on September 11 for the ICC Trophy beginning on September 12. India’s first match is on September 14. As per original plan Kaif, Yuvraj and Mongia were scheduled to return home after the NatWest Trophy, while four others — Shiv Sundar Das, Sanjay Bangar, Wasim Jaffar and Partive Patel — have already joined the team to complete the 16-member squad for the Test series. He, however, made it clear that Kaif and Mongia would only play in the first class matches which would serve the dual purpose of giving rest to the players in the Test squad and keeping the two players in active cricket. Apart from the four Tests the Indian team would be playing five first class matches which include a three day match against West Indies ‘A’ beginning today. The first Test begins on July 25 at Lord’s. Asked whether the services of the two players would be utilised in the Test matches in the case of any eventuality, Dalmiya said, if the team management wanted any change in the Test squad, they had to approach the board. Dalmiya also hinted at some more players joining the team saying that pace bowlers might require rest by rotation and hence it was decided that the situation would be closely monitored. “If necessary, one of the pace bowlers from India under-19, now touring UK, could be included in the Indian contingent or any other bowler could be sent from India to play the first class matches,” he said. Commenting on the injury sustained by Yuvraj Singh in his right little finger, Dalmiya said as per report of the team physio Andrew Leipus, the player would be out of action for a minimum period of three weeks and thereafter has to undergo physiotherapy to restore mobility in his finger. He, however, did not rule out the possibility of Yuvraj rejoining the team in England after he becoming fully fit saying “we want that all players should be in practice.” Dalmiya said the board would provide the best possible treatment to the youngster and after that he would be put through a fitness schedule so that he could be in proper physical condition before the ICC Trophy.
PTI Lucknow, July 16 In a message, she said Mohammed Kaif’s feat was a matter of pride for the country. The government was making all possible efforts to encourage sports and extend cooperation to the players so that they could earn laurels for the state and the country, she said. Mohammed Kaif proved that any target could be achieved by self-confidence, strong will power and team spirit, she added. |
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Arundel, July 16 Laxman produced a flurry of strokes in the hour before tea, in the company of Dinesh Mongia, as the Indians tried to make up for the lost time. The visitors were crawling in the first two hours, producing 13 at the first drinks break and added only 36 more in the second hour as they took lunch at 49 for one. However, the Indians were in a positive frame of mind after lunch with Shiv Sunder Das, who joined the squad last week for the Test series, beginning to find gaps and moved to 29 before he played back to left-arm spinner Ryan Hinds and was trapped leg before wicket. The arrival of southpaw Dinesh Mongia saw Indians changing gears. Mongia, who along with Mohammad Kaif, was asked to stay back after their impressive performance in the NatWest tri-series, attacked from the outset driving on the up past covers and hitting straight. It seemed to have an immediate effect on Laxman who produced an array of brilliant strokes, square driving, hitting straight and playing inside-out to spinners on the offside. Indians (1st innings): Das lbw b Hinds 29 Jaffer c Hubbert b Lawson 5 Laxman batting 80 Mongia batting 26 Extras: (b-4, nb-4) 8 Total: (for 2 wkts, 53 overs 148 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-69. Bowling:
King 15-3-34-0, Black 14-6-26-0, Lawson 13-3-51-1, R Hinds 9-2-29-1, Bravo 2-0-4-0.
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ICC rejects captains’ suggestion London, July 16 ICC’s Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said no changes would be made to the cricket calendar till 2007 despite Test captains warning of player burn-outs due to the increasing volume of cricket. Eight of the 10 Test captains, who attended the annual ICC meeting at the Lord’s yesterday, voiced concern over cramped fixtures which was leading to increasing injuries and threatening careers of leading cricketers. The ICC officials presented a paper about the Tests and one-day internationals at the meeting and said they did not anticipate cuts to the programme. Fears over player burn-out was the main agenda as the Test captains sat down for their annual meeting with senior administrators of the game’s apex body as more players quit one version of the game to prolong their careers. England’s middle order batsman Graham Thorpe was the latest player to scale down his commitments by announcing his retirement from the shorter version of the game on Sunday. The hectic cricket calendar had forced several other top players like South Africa’s Allan Donald, Daryli Cullinan and Jonty Rhodes and New Zealand’s Adam Parore to quit one form of the game in a bid to prolong their careers. Test captains had been calling for a reduction in cricket matches for quite some time now but the ICC could do little since it had approved the cricket calendar well in advance. The ICC felt schedules were a matter for discussion between individual member countries and some expansion was inevitable given the recent elevation of countries like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh to Test status. Another demand by the Test captains was to space out the one-day games and ensure at least a week’s rest between tours. Speed said the ICC would look into finding the right balance of Tests and one-day internationals to be played in a year without taking a toll on the players. He said playing 14 Tests and upto 25 one-day internationals a year was a realistic figure but it was upto the respective countries to address breaks between games. India’s Saurav Ganguly, who also attended the meeting, joined the captains’ chorus calling for a reduction of matches. “I did make a point about excessive cricket being played these days,” Ganguly said. India have been playing a lot of cricket, both Tests and one-day internationals, in recent times and the players have begun to feel the strain. Ganguly was also against the over-use of technology and certain playing conditions. The skipper was not in favour of umpires consulting the third umpire for even leg before wicket decisions, saying that it would rob the game of its human element. The ICC will permit on-field umpires to refer an lbw decision to the television umpire in specific cases and it will be tried out on an experimental basis during the Champions Trophy in Colombo in September.
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Umpires seminar at Delhi Solan, July 16 The proposed seminar would be to sort out work related problems and grievances, if any, of the fraternity of the board’s empanelled umpires. However, the occasion will also be utilised to apprise the umpires of the technological advancements as depicted in a presentation made by the International Cricket Council at Cape Town, South Africa, recently. Mr Bajpai said that the umpires subcommittee meeting had decided to recommend allocation of more matches to those umpires who were found to be more efficient in discharge of their duties. This would be determined through an elaborate process starting with the reports of captains and match referees concerning the performance of umpires in matches in the domestic season. These reports would be made on a board supplied format. The subcommittee also decided to recommend the raising of the maximum age limit of umpires from the present 55 to 58 years. |
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Record 325-run win for Singapore
Singapore, July 16 Man-of-the-match Kapila Mendis blazed his way to 191 off 139 balls, including 15 fours and nine sixes, while captain Zubin Shroff chimed in with a merry 159 from 127 balls with 16 fours and five sixes. Thailand were then bundled out for 115. The previous best recognised one-day score was 398 for 5 by Sri Lanka against Kenya in 1996, but Singapore’s whirlwind onslaught was for nought with the side no longer in a position to make the semi-finals from Group B. The two berths have already been secured by unbeaten Malaysia and Hong Kong, the runners up in the last ACC Trophy tournament two years ago. Defending champions United Arab Emirates confirmed their semi-final berth from Group A with a six wicket win over Nepal, with the second spot to go to the winner of tomorrow’s match between Nepal and Kuwait. Nepal, electing to bat first against UAE, were 159 for nine after 50 overs with Prakash Lunya not out 35 and Ahmad Nadeem, Mohammad Touqir and Khuram Khan taking two wickets apiece. Arshad Ali cracked 67 as UAE reached the target in the 45th over with the loss of four wickets. Kuwait strolled to an eight wicket win against Oman. After dismissing the winless Oman for 66, Kuwait picked up the runs for the loss of only two wickets. Rakesh Sharma was the only Omani batsman to put up any resistance, finishing on 24 not out. For Kuwait, Zakar Hussain finished with three for 27, and with the bat Waheed Iqbal scored an unbeaten 36. In the semi-finals on Friday, defending champions UAE will play Hong Kong, and Malaysia will play the winner of tomorrow’s match between Nepal and Kuwait. The two sides which make Sunday’s final also qualify for the Asia Cup which involves regional big guns India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The 10-nation ACC Trophy draws the non-Test playing nations from Asia and the Middle East.
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Barrichello, Montoya stand in Schumacher’s path London, July 16 Far enough for Colombian Montoya to recall how the Brazilian, now world champion Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari team mate and his own Formula One rival, once raced against his father — and lost. ‘’I’ve known Rubens from years ago, he raced against my dad,’’ the Williams driver said, to laughter, when asked about his friendship with Barrichello after securing pole position at the British Grand Prix earlier this month. “He was about 15, the race was in the South American kart championship in Colombia. It was in a small city and my father beat him. “My father was really fast, he used to be able to kick my ass in go-karts as well. He was quick.’’ On Sunday, the two South Americans will again be in the spotlight as the world waits to see whether Schumacher can seal the title in France and become the quickest world champion in Formula One history. Barrichello and Montoya, firm friends off the track, can ensure that the title is put on hold for at least another week, even if the German secures his eighth win in 11 Grands Prix, if one of them finishes second on Sunday. Both the South Americans have been setting the pace this year, boasting between them seven pole positions from 10 Grands Prix to date. Montoya has been on pole in half of them, including the last four, while Barrichello has been closer to Schumacher this season than ever before. But Barrichello, who won at the Nuerburgring, is 54 points behind Schumacher, while Montoya is third and 55 points adrift of the Ferrari leader. Ralf Schumacher is a point back. The title will be over with six races to spare if Schumacher wins and neither of the Latin drivers is second. Other permutations are more complicated. Given that the last two races have been Ferrari one-two wins, Barrichello will be fancied for another top-two placing to keep things ticking over until the next race at Hockenheim in Germany on July 28. Schumacher will not be too concerned if he has to wait until he has an adoring home audience. But he may be more unsettled by the obvious rapport between his team-mate and the Colombian, a sworn rival who could well become his eventual successor both at Ferrari and as world champion. Montoya said when he arrived in Formula One as Ralf’s team-mate that he was there simply to do a job and not to make friends. He has been as good as his word in dealing with Ralf but has found an ally in the only other man sharing a garage with a Schumacher. “We’re quite good friends I’ve got to say,’’ Montoya said of Barrichello. “We race hard but we respect each other. I know if I put the car beside him he’s not going to take me off.’’ Those are not words likely to be heard in relation to the older Schumacher, with whom Montoya has tangled several times after front row faceoffs. Yet he is happy to fool around with the experienced Brazilian, whose own relations with the Schumachers have been strained at times. “Rubens and I...you could tape our drivers’ briefings and you wouldn’t believe how many little kid things we do. We punch each other...it’s very good fun,’’ said Montoya. In Canada, after Montoya took pole position, the Colombian occupied himself by slyly squirting water at Barrichello under the table top during a news conference as the Brazilian attempted to answer questions. Before the European races, drivers are paraded around the circuit on a truck trailer. The groupings can be telling and inevitably the Schumachers stick together while Barrichello and Montoya stay close. The two South Americans also share a common hero in Brazilian Ayrton Senna, Barrichello’s compatriot, friend and mentor until the triple champion’s death at Imola in 1994. Barrichello, as Montoya’s little dig about his past might suggest, has been around for ages in Formula One but he is still only 30 years old despite his 156 Grands Prix. Montoya (26) is still finding his way — albeit in pretty sensational style — and knows his best years stretch out ahead of him. With the championship gone, the Colombian can look forward to some energetic battles while also enjoying the sight of Schumacher being made to sweat by his own team-mate.
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TT team confident of medal New Delhi, July 16 The table tennis and gymnastic squads, the first batch, will be leaving for the Commonwealth Games late on Tuesday night. The games will be held from July 25 to August 4. The TT squad comprises six men, four women, two coaches and one manager. They are: Men: Raman Subramanian, Sourav Chakraborty, Subhajit Saha, Chetan Baboor and Soumyadeep Roy. Women: Mantu Ghosh, Paulomi Ghatak, Vishakha Vijay and Nagapattinam R Indu. Zoram Djolic and Manjit Dua (coaches). Birender Prasad Baisha (manager). The gymnastic team is: Vikash Pandey, Mayank Srivastav, Rohit Yadav, Mohit Yadav and Abhinav Dixit. Li Ziyang (coach). Niranjan Arya (manager). Indian TT team captain S. Raman said the team was in peak form after four months of "scientific" training under the watchful eyes of foreign coach Zoram Djolic. Raman said the medal prospects of the Indian team were "quite high". He was speaking from past experience as in the Commonwealth Championships held in Glasgo (1999) and Singapore (2000), India had bagged the gold in the doubles event, in which Raman had partnered Chetan Baboor. India had won a silver medal in the last edition of the Commonwealth Championship held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium in the Capital two years ago. The paddlers have been undergoing coaching camps first at Ajmer, then Bangalore, and then back to Ajmer for a 21-day final camp. Raman said both men’s and women’s teams have "bright prospects" of winning medals, and in the individual events, Chetan Baboor stood a good chance for a medal of a bright hue. India expect tough challenge from England, Singapore, Canada and Nigeria, though India had narrowly beaten Nigeraia (3-2) in the last World Championship. Minor challenges would be posed by Australia and New Zealand. Raman revealed that Canadian player Johny Huang, ranked number one in the Commonwealth and 30 in the world, would be the one to be watched. "But we are confident", Raman said. He said India’s participation in the Commonwealth Games would give a big boost to the game in the country, as the government would be recognising the medal winners, and that itself would be a great incentive to the players, particularly the younger lot. |
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Rupa new Dy Director (Phy Edu) Chandigarh, July 16 Dr (Ms) Rupa Saini took over the charge of her new assignment today. Mr Chabra belongs to the Punjab Education Service
(Schools — Inspection Cadre-II) and had been holding the additional charge for the past some years in the absence of any suitable candidate. She has been taken on deputation from the Punjab Education Department, College cadre, where she was employed as a Senior Lecturer at Government College of Physical Education, Patiala, in the PES-I cadre. When contacted, Mr D.S. Saroya, Joint Secretary, Education, confirmed the appointment of Dr (Ms) Rupa Saini, saying that the state government has drawn up an ambitious plan to promote sports at the grassroots level. It may be mentioned here that at some stage, Flying Sikh Milkha Singh had also held this post before his elevation as Additional-Director and finally Director, Youth Services and Sports in the Punjab Education Department. The Punjab Government had a couple of names under considerations for the post. Other name was of Ms Ajinder Kaur, also a former captain of Indian women's hockey team. Since Ajinder Kaur is employed in the Education Department of the Chandigarh Administration, the State Government decided against getting drawn into a long and cumbersome procedure of taking her on deputation especially when an equally illustrious player, who could work as a role model for youngsters, was available within the Education Department, though in the college cadre. Dr (Ms) Rupa Saini, who represented India in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, has played international competitive hockey almost all over the globe. After retiring from active hockey, she has been associated with the game in various capacities, including coaching, team manager, organiser, judge, selector and several other capacities. She has been one of the most regular manager of the Indian women's hockey team for the past several years and is scheduled to accompany the Indian women's hockey team to Manchester for the coming Commonwealth Games. Her association with sports spells over more than three decades. |
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Malhotra named NSC
Chairman New Delhi, July 16 The appointment of the 71-year-old BJP MP from South Delhi constituency was announced by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Uma Bharti today. “The government had felt the necessity to revive the body in an attempt to promote sports activities in the country, as it was planning to bid for hosting the Olympic and the Commonwealth Games,” Ms Bharti said adding Mr Malhotra’s rank will be that of a Cabinet Minister. The council would advise the government on the issue and preparations to be done for holding such mega sports events, Ms Bharti said in the presence of Mr Malhotra. The minister said Mr Malhotra will be at liberty to pick his team in the council. There will be two vice-presidents and some Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs as members. Mr Malhotra who had been associated with sports for the past more than four decades is the President of Archery Association of India and had been the Vice-President of Indian Olympic Association and Chef-de-Mission of the Indian contingent to Teheran Asian Games in 1974. The appointment of Mr Malhotra has been cleared by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his tenure will be for three-year, the Sports Minister said. |
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Tyson wants rematch, Lewis retirement New York, July 16 Britain’s Lewis took home more than $ 30 million for knocking out Tyson in the eighth round last month. A rematch clause is in their contract but the champion doubts there is enough interest in a repeat performance. “People don’t want to see that again because of the way I destroyed him,” Lewis said. “People feel sorry for him.” Lewis said Tyson, whose $17 million mostly went to paying off debts from prior deals, has asked for a rematch. Under contract terms, each would be allowed one fight before they met again. But 36-year-old Lewis said he might retire rather than fight anyone else unless fight telecasters HBO and Showtime came up with a $30 million deal for Tyson-Lewis II, a doubtful prospect. “If they don’t pay $ 30 million, I will retire,” Lewis said. “This is the perfect opportunity. Retirement is definitely an option.” Should Lewis decide to return to the ring, he must face mandatory challenger Chris Byrd or lose his International Boxing Federation title - Tyson was the World Boxing Council’s mandatory challenger. Reunifying the heavyweight crown by going for the World Boxing Association title is a doubtful prospect. Promoter Don King wrestled the title from Lewis in a 2000 court dispute but the WBA title has been lightly regarded since. Unbeaten Canadian Kirk Johnson will challenge American champion John Ruiz for the WBA crown on July 27 in Las Vegas. The winner is likely to face former champion Evander Holyfield, who last month beat Hasim Rahman to become the top WBA contender.
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Jeev Milkha fails to qualify New Delhi, July 16 The British Open commences at Muirfield on July 18. According to information received here, Chandigarh-based Jeev, playing the Gullane No. 1 course, gave himself a good platform to make it his second straight Major championship with an opening round of 68. However last evening's round of 75, put paid to his dream of playing for the second successive time in the British Open. The Gulliane No 1 was one of the four courses hosting the British Open final qualifiers. As many as 384 players were chasing as few as 24 spots on the first round draw of the Open. The top six were selected from each of the four courses. Among the big names who passed the final qualifying test were former Walker Cup player, Luke Donald, former USPGA champion Steve Elkington and Andrew Coltrat.
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Maldini to consider Trapattoni’s request Milan, July 16 Italy’s most capped player with 126 appearances, the AC Milan player has said on several occasions he intended to quit the ‘Azzurri’ after the World Cup finals that ended on June 30. Italy were knocked out in the second round by South Korea and Trapattoni has since asked Maldini to stay on for at least part of the European Championship qualification campaign. “My decision doesn’t depend upon the result of the match between South Korea and Italy,’’ Maldini told his club’s television station Milan Channel. “I had already taken it some months before. But I was pleased with the phone call I received a few days ago from Trapattoni who wanted to confirm his confidence in me.’’ “The coach advised me to wait before officialising my farewell to international football. And as there’s no hurry, I think I’ll follow his advice. I’ll make a final statement about my decision in 20 days.
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Els hit by Woods syndrome Muirfield (Scotland), July 16 The 32-year-old South African admitted today that his goal has changed since Tiger burst on the scene in 1997. Els, who already two US Opens under his belt, the last at Congressional in 1994, said everything is now more difficult than pre-Woods. “After Congressional I felt very comfortable I would win the Grand Slam and win all four at least once. “It is still a goal of mine but its changed a little bit now. I think before ‘97 it was looking pretty good because Tiger wasn’t around then,” explained Els. “It seems now when you play a major tournament you really play the golf course, and you play Tiger. “It seems like he is there everytime and he’s such a veteran now playing major championships that even if he is not playing very well he is still going to be there. “And if he is only five behind there is always the feeling he can get something going on the Sunday.” Els said there was no doubt Woods is by far the best player of his generation. “You can beat the field but it does not mean you are going to beat Tiger. “He’s going for the Grand Slam and you know he is going to be in contention this week so you can beat the field by a couple of shots but you might not beat Tiger at the end of the day,” he said. “If it wasn’t for one guy, maybe I could have won four or five more majors. This guy is just a totally different talent that the world has ever seen,” Els said. But Els hit back at critics who suggested he and other top players like David Duval and Phil Mickelson were not up to challenging Woods. Last month veterans Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson suggested the top players were giving Woods an easy ride as world No 1. “I think it’s unfair the way other people from the outside just criticise you because you don’t beat the guy. “We play a different game out there nowadays. Equipment has changed, also the players. “You don’t see guys with fat bellies out there anymore. Guys are fit and strong and it’s a different game,” he said.
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Woods denied entry Gullane (Scotland), July 16 The 2000 champion, who is gunning for the third leg of a unique Grand Slam here after winning this year’s US Masters and US Open, arrived for practice before any other player.
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Six-member squad for jr
athletics Patiala, July 16 The Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) announced a six-member squad, comprising five boys and one girl, to take part in the meet after the conclusion of the camp held at the NIS here. Although the gold medal won by Seema Antil in the last edition of the championships held at Santiago (Chile) turned out to be `tainted’ as she was tested positive for using IOC banned stimulant ephidrene, this time the Haryana girl will go out to remove the stigma attached to her name. She has been throwing the discuss to a distance of 58m during practice sessions here, her real test will be in Kingston. When Seema tested positive after winning the gold in last edition of the meet, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) refrained from banning her although they asked her to return the medal. 400m hurdler P.Shanker is expected to face tough competition from Lashinda Demus of the USA, who created a new junior world record in the 400m hurdles clocking 54.85 seconds during a meet held in the USA in May this year. The team: Seema Antil (discus), V. Gouda (shot put, discus), Navneet Singh (110m hurdles), Ranvijay Singh (shot put), Amritpal Singh (long jump), P. Shanker (400m hurdles). Dronacharya awardee J.S Saini will accompany the team as the chief coach. |
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