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Tuesday,
June 17, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Sunil toils to down Dooyev
‘Agassi still a contender for Wimbledon’ Gritty Furyk clinches first major
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Hockey: Govt ready for India-Pak series Hockey coach, captain promise better showing Dhanraj Pillay seeks corporate backing
After Olympic quota, Abhinav returns home
Commonwealth winners to
get cash awards Punjab
Police regain trophy Punjab powerlifters win title Aiming to make it big in weightlifting Kulu shot out for 161
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Sunil toils to down Dooyev New Delhi, June 16 Sunil Kumar, who was the top seed in the first two legs of the circuit in Mumbai and Chandigarh, has had the humbling experience of being unseeded here, and perhaps, this factor weighed heavily in his mind when he drove himself hard to down the tenacious Dooyev after a battle lasting one hour and 45 minutes. It was indeed extremely sapping to battle it out in the middle for so long on this humid and searingly hot day, but fortunately for Sunil, before it became hotter, he was done with the Israeli, as the match had begun at 8 a.m. In a tussle from the baseline as the players tried to conserve their energy, Dooyev seemed to be in no mood to capitulate easily, though the left-handed Sunil kept on driving his opponent to the limit. Dooyev matched Sunil shot for shot, but his defence was lowered in the ninth game, in which Sunil got the vital breakthrough, and then held on to his serve in the 10th to pocket the set. In the second set, the Israeli seemed to lose his focus, and Sunil gratefully seized his chances by breaking Dooyev in the fifth and ninth games to win the set and the match. Only four first round matches of the main draw were held today as ITF referee Khaled El Sergany opted to complete the final rounds of the qualification matches today to beat the heat, though the qualifying rounds should have been completed yesterday itself. Eighth-seeded Rohan Gajjar put paid to the pretensions of wild card entrant Parantap Chaturvedi by recording a quick 6-1,6-4 victory while fourth-seeded Prima Simpatiaji of Indonesia came back from a set down to oust Richard Crabtree of UK 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Takeshi Itoh of Japan accounted for Tomer Sussa of Israel, also in three sets, at 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile, three other Indians —Kedar Tembe, Manoj Mahadevan and Vishal Punna — made it to the main draw of 32 through the qualifying route. Kedar Tembe defeated Moti Maaravi of Israel 6-2, 6-4; Manoj Mahadevan beat Tobias Huelsen of Israel 6-1, 6-4 and Vishal Punna beat Wrik Ganguly 6-1, 6-1. Two other Indians in the fray, Arjun Goutham and Ajay Talwar, crashed at the last hurdle. Goutham lost to K. Fukuda of Japan 2-6, 3-6 while Talwar was ousted by Brian Hung of Hong Kong, who won 6-2, 6-1. |
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‘Agassi still a contender for Wimbledon’
London, June 16 Agassi, now 33, reached the semifinals of the recent Queen’s Club grasscourt event and is among the favourites for Wimbledon which gets underway in seven days’ time. “To me it’s outstanding,” said Edberg. “Agassi is playing great at 33. They say it’s difficult to win a Grand Slam once you are past 30. But every once in a while you get an exception,” added Edberg (37) of Agassi, who won the Australian Open in January. But three-times Wimbledon champion Boris Becker said the fact that Agassi had endured some lean years - he dropped to 141 in the rankings in 1997 - had helped extend his career. “Stefan and I were in the top 10 for 12 or 13 years, playing 60 or 70 matches a year,” said Becker. And the 35-year-old German added that it was the strain of consistently playing so many matches that had caused the 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras to lose form. “You look at Pete. He was No 1 for six or seven years straight. Eventually that takes its toll. Andre’s had times when he’s slipped to nearly 150 in the world, almost having a few years out and that’s given him a couple of years.” Looking ahead to Wimbledon, Becker said he “had to go” with defending champion Lleyton Hewitt even though the Australian lost in the quarterfinals of Queens to eventual runner-up Sebastien Grosjean. “Also there is Agassi and Queen’s winner Andy Roddick. “And Roger Federer is one of the most naturally gifted players out there. He can play on any surface. “The last couple of years there have only been two, three or four guys who could win it but this year it’s pretty open.” Between them Becker and Edberg won five Wimbledon titles between 1985 and 1990, a period when they were acknowledged as the best serve-and-volley players around. But they admitted times had changed. “A lot of tennis is played from the back of the court and the guys do it well,” said Edberg, who twice beat Becker in the final to claim his two Wimbledon titles in 1988 and 1990. “Perhaps these things go in cycles. What the game needs is a contrast in styles. It’s good when an aggressive player is up against a defensive player. But the difference today is that the guys return so much better.” Becker, who beat Edberg in 1989 to claim his third Wimbledon crown, said home favourite Tim Henman (28) still had a shot at winning the title — something no Briton has done in the men’s singles since Fred Perry in 1936. “Tim’s one of the few players who knows how to play on grass,” said Becker, who added that he did not see Henman’s shoulder injury being a major problem. “If you play for five sets your shoulder will be sore anyway,” explained Becker, who won his first Wimbledon, in 1985, aged 17. Edberg said: “It’s not quite too late for Tim. He’s got a few more good years left in him. I thought he had a good chance when he lost to Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 semifinal. AFP
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Gritty Furyk clinches first major title
Olympia Fields (Illinois), June 16 Despite bogeys he could afford on the last two holes yesterday, Furyk won by three strokes at Olympia Fields and joined Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Janzen with a 272, the lowest 72-hole score in the 103 years of the US Open. His loopy swing might not be conventional, but the strategy was all too familiar: He sent the ball down the middle of the fairway and no one could catch him. Furyk led by at least three shots the whole way, but never allowed himself to enjoy the moment until the gallery rose to salute him as he walked up the 18th green. He missed a 6-foot par putt that would have given him the record outright, but all that mattered was the silver championship trophy waiting for him. “The concentration was gone,” he said. “I knew I could pretty much do anything on that green and still win the golf tournament.” Woods shot 12-under 272 three years ago at Pebble Beach, which played as a par 71. He remains the only player to finish a US Open in double digits under par. Furyk was on the verge of joining him until he failed to get up-and-down from behind the 17th green, then three-putted from about 40 feet on the final hole. Stephen Leaney of Australia, in contention at a major for the first time, fell five strokes behind at the turn and couldn’t catch up. He closed with a 72, but his runner-up finish assures him a PGA Tour card for next year. The only other players under par were Masters champion Mike Weir (71) and Kenny Perry, whose 67 was the best score on the toughest day at Olympia Fields. Furyk is known as much for his grit as his unorthodox swing, and he relied on that throughout a sunny day south of Chicago. He never flinched the few times he was in trouble. He didn’t come unglued when a streaker ran out of the gallery on the 11th green. When he tapped in for bogey, he dropped his putter and raised his arms, then hugged caddie Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan, who hasn’t been in this position since he was on the bag for Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters. Woods was never a factor, closing with a 72 to tie for 20th. For the first time since 1999, he is not the defending champion at any of the four majors. "When you’re playing bad, it’s a lonely world out there,” Woods said. When you’re hitting fairways and greens with a three-shot lead in the US Open, life couldn’t be better. Just ask Furyk. “It’s beyond some dreams,” Furyk said on the 18th green, choking back tears as he looked at his father, Mike, who taught him a swing only a mother could love. Furyk heard the snickers about his swing growing up in western Pennsylvania, as an All-American at the University of Arizona, and even while winning seven times on the PGA Tour. All he has to do now is show them the US Open trophy. "He's consistent,” Woods said. “You know he’s going to hit every fairway and every green when he’s playing well.” The toughest part for Furyk was seeing his father when he arrived last afternoon. He hugged him long and hard, intent on giving him the best Father’s Day present available. They were together on the practice green minutes before the final round began, just like old times — the father squatting behind the son, making sure everything was in place. “Looks good,” he told his son, and sent him on his way to win a US Open. Furyk takes the club back on the outside, loops it around and brings it back to the inside. Some say it looks like a one-armed man trying to kill a snake in a phone booth. AP
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Hockey: Govt ready for India-Pak series
New Delhi, June 16 “We are playing against Pakistan in different hockey tournaments. As far as bilateral series is concerned, we have not received any proposal from the Indian Hockey Federation in this regard,” Sports Minister Vikram Verma told reporters here on the sidelines of a meeting with members of the Indian hockey team who had recently returned from a successful campaign in Australia. “We will certainly consider if at all we get any proposal from the IHF,” he said. The last bilateral series between the arch-rivals was held four years back in 1999 when Pakistan toured India for a four-match series. India also reciprocated by playing five Test matches in Pakistan the same year. Both the teams have, however, clashed in several multi-nation tournaments in the past four years with the latest being the double-leg hockey tournament in Australia where they played against each other twice. With Pakistan planning to invite India for participation in a nine-nation hockey tournament to be held in Lahore in December, the Centre is likely to give the nod to the team to tour Pakistan. “I am not aware of any such invitation. But we are playing against them in almost all other sports. So if we get any such request we will see what can be done,” Mr Verma said. Mr Verma refused to comment on cricket ties saying he just wanted to talk about hockey. PTI
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Hockey coach, captain promise better showing
New Delhi, June 16 The victory and overall performance in the two recently concluded tournaments in Perth and Sydney has served as a tremendous morale booster for the Indian team which consists mostly of promising youngsters, they said. The forthcoming four-nation tournament in Hamburg (Germany) will provide the boys with the much needed exposure prior to the prestigious Champions Trophy in Holland, they said. Germany, Spain and Argentina are the other teams taking part in the four-nation tourney starting from June 26. Rajinder Singh and Dhanraj Pillay were talking to mediapersons here this afternoon after meeting Union Sports Minister Vikram Verma. The coach and the captain accompanied by some members of the victorious team, including Gagan Ajit Singh, Baljit Singh, Prabjot Singh and Jugraj Singh were felicitated by the minister for their splendid showing in Australia. Pillay was candid and frank in his observations about the team’s showing Down Under. “This is for the first time in the past 15 years, (since I have been playing) that India had scored five goals against Australia on the rival turf,” the ace forward said, adding, “We also learnt from our mistakes.” He admitted that India had a very tough task ahead of the Athens Olympics. “The Champions Trophy in August and the Olympic qualifier early next year will be acid tests for us.” Pillay said he was “very satisfied” by the way youngsters played in Australia. “If they continue to play like this, then the future of hockey is bright in India.” He refused to single out any player for praise saying “every body gave his best. The boys now have a confidence that they can beat any team in the world and this is the biggest gain of the Australian tour.” The Indian captain said the month-long camp at Bangalore helped the team “a lot” in its preparation for the tournaments. Coach Rajinder Singh was also very frank in his views and admitted that the Olympics, Asian Games, World Cup or Champions Trophy were a totally different ball game compared to the three or four-nation tournaments. “But these small tournaments enable the teams to analyse their good and weak points in preparation for the bigger event,” he said. Rajinder Singh said conceding 19 goals in the two tourneys Down Under was a cause for concern and added “We have to improve our defence.” He agreed with Pillay that the “boys now are not overawed by the reputation of their rivals. They have now started in believing that they can win.” About the Indian showing against Pakistan, the coach said: “We played attacking hockey in both the matches we faced our traditional rivals. We definitely had an edge over them.” He did not agree to a query that the absence of three star players effected the Pakistan team’s showing and said “We had beaten Pakistan (in last year’s league match of the Champions Trophy and in Busan Asiad) when those three players, including Sohail Abbas and Mohd Nadeem were playing for them.” He said he adopted an attacking strategy coupled with traditional style and that paid rich dividends. “I told the boys to go all out on attack. Attack is the best defence and that enabled our forwards to score.” When reminded that India had always done well in the tournaments and series before the Olympics, but falied at the crucial juncture, the coach said: “Yes, I know that but this time we still have 14 months to prepare for the Olympics. Previously we used to prepare for two months before the Games and tended to lose momentum when the big event started. Hopefully this will not happen now.” Asked why the team lost the grip over the match in the last few minutes of a match as seen in Perth and Sydney against Pakistan and Australia, the coach said: “Yes, this is one of the grey areas and we are looking into it.” Rajinder said most of the teams in the world were at present going through the process of rebuilding. “We have several new faces. So is the case with Pakistan, Australia, Germany and Holland.” Asked about the incident in which Baljit Singh Dhillon came to blows with a Pakistani player and was shown the red card in the Sydney tourney, he said: “The Pakistanis were trailing 1-3 and were very tense. They wanted to create some trouble to break the concentration of our players and that led to this incident.” “Though we were drained out after our outing against Pakistan, the boys showed tremendous grit and put up a spectacular display the very next day against Australia,” he added. He rated Australia as the best hockey side followed by Germany while Pillay was of the view that “Australia and Holland are good sides as they have some skillful players who can adapt to Indian style of hockey and Germany is a very tough (not rough) side.” Pillay said he would not like to comment on India’s chances in the Champions Trophy. “Last time we performed well, but still every tournament is different.” He did not agree with a query that playing too many tournaments before the Olympics “exposes the team” and said: “You are not playing among yourselves. Other teams are also playing against you, so if they don’t get exposed, why should we be the only team to get exposed.” Pillay was full of praise for coach Rajinder Singh saying he (Rajinder) has instilled confidence and self belief in the players. “The coach believes in an attacking game and that suits the youngsters. Also he has told us not to underestimate any team but play to the potential against every side.” Rajinder hinted that there might be a couple of changes in the side for the Hamburg tourney. “Now Deepak Thakur is fit and we will have to see where he will fit in.” “Our focus and interest is to select the best possible team and we will not compromise on player’s physical fitness,” he added. UNI
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Dhanraj Pillay seeks corporate backing
New Delhi, June 16 With Castrol withdrawing its sponsorship as a cost-cutting measure just before the team’s departure to Australia last month to play a double-leg tournament, the side is without any sponsor. “We do need a sponsor and the multinational companies should extend their assistance to the team immediately as we have many important assignments coming ahead,” Pillay said here today. Coach Rajinder Singh echoed Pillay’s sentiments but said it was upto the Indian Hockey Federation to do the talking regarding sponsors. “My job is to look after the players’ performance on the field. It is the IHF who takes decision on such matters. But hopefully things will sort out soon and we will have some sponsors,” he said. Though the IHF President, Mr KPS Gill, has already made it clear that talks were on with corporate houses, IHF sources said that “negotiations are at an advance stage and we will come up with some concrete decision within a few days.” Mr Gill denied that the development would have any negative bearing on the Indian team’s preparation for the Athens Olympics next year. “Our preparations will not be affected. We already have some funds lined up,” he said. PTI
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After Olympic quota, Abhinav returns home Chandigarh, June 16 First it was Anjali Ved pathak Bhagwat who clinched an Olympic quota position for the women’s 10-metre rifle event in the World Cup at Atlanta last year and now Abhinav has shot past other contenders for the coveted position to ensure a place in the shooting competitions at Athens next
year. Abhinav was able to secure a berth in the men’s 10-metre air rifle individual event for the Athens Olympics by winning the bronze medal in the World Cup in Munich, according to information received
here. Abhinav shot a brilliant score of 596 yesterday to enter the final amid a strong field of 211 top shooters from around the world. Having the seventh position going into the final, Abhinav displayed exceptional skill to finish third. Alan Parker from the USA took the top spot in the event. It was the second bronze medal in a World Cup for
Abhinav, who had achieved his first at the same venue two years ago when he accomplished the task with a world junior record of 597. Of the eight finalists, five had already got the Olympic quota and Abhinav on 596 was in competition with two others, one shooter each from Korea and Slovenia, who were also on the same score, for the solitary spot for Athens. In the final, Abhinav shot an impressive 103.9 thus ending with a tally of 699.9, narrowly missing the silver. The Indian champion will now be leaving for Seoul (South Korea) with the Indian shooting team on June 28. The secretary-general of the Punjab Olympic Association, Raja K.S. Sidhu, in a message today congratulated Abhinav Bindra for qualifying for the Athens Olympics. “It is a big achievement and we hope Manavjit also emulates the feat,” he said in statement issued here. |
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Commonwealth winners to get cash awards
New Delhi, June 16 Sports Minister Vikram Verma today assured the medal winners that they would get the full amount as promised to them by the government but due to lack of funds it would be handed over to them in two instalments. Impressed by India’s best-ever performance at the Commonwealth Games, where the country bagged 69 medals, the then Sports Minister Uma Bharti had announced an exponential increase in the cash rewards for medal winners — a gold medal fetching Rs 20 lakh instead of Rs 5 lakh, a silver getting Rs 15 lakh in place of Rs 3 lakh and a bronze medal getting Rs 10 lakh instead of Rs 2 lakh. However, the government later realised that it did not have sufficient funds to keep its promise as the rewards added up to Rs 13 crore while the Finance Ministry had allotted only Rs nine crore for the incentive awards scheme. Mr Varma said under the first instalment to be distributed before the end of this month, the medal winners would be rewarded under the original scheme — Rs 5 lakh for gold, Rs 3 lakh for silver and Rs 2 lakh for bronze. The rest of the money would be give in the month of August. “We will be hosting a function in August where the medal winners will be felicitated and they will be given their due amounts,” Mr Verma told reporters today. PTI
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Punjab Police
regain trophy Mandi, June 16 The teams were level 1-1 at half time. The final was played at a fast pace despite the ground being wet. State Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who had himself been a football player in his prime, gave away the prizes. Playing their third final in succession, Punjab Police took 15 minutes to open the account. Following a flag kick the ball was rolled by Manjit to Pradeep who shot home. But it took the academy just a minute to fight back to restore parity. A free kick was awarded to them outside the area and Pradeep shot past goalkeeper Paramjit Singh. The Punjab Police attack clicked effectively in the second half and completely demolished the opposition. A nice placement by Manjit left the academy goalkeeper beaten and paved the way for one-sided trend. Parveen added another to the tally. Leading the champions was
Himachal's produce Harish Sharma who put his side 4-1 ahead with a rising left-foot shot. Praveen completed the margin with a low shot from top of the box. In the semifinals yesterday, Punjab Police had defeated Delhi’s Simla Youngs by a solitary last-minute goal netted by Rajesh Kumar.
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Punjab
powerlifters win title Ranchi, June 16 Punjab men squad showed superb team work, winning the group with 63 points, way ahead of the runners-up hosts Jharkhand’s 49 points. Deepak Jyoti of Jammu and Kashmir was declared the best lifter of the meet while U. Sudhaprabhu of Karnataka was adjudged the best woman lifter. Rajinder Singh of Punjab, who also performed brilliantly in the 60 kg group and lifted 170 kg, was honoured with a special prize. Bhupender Singh of Phagwara, who won a silver lifted 190 kg in his third attempt in the 125 kg and above category.
UNI
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Aiming
to make it big in weightlifting Patiala, June 16 Stockily built Gurjot Singh, whose favourite weight category is the 105 kg class, and Harwinder Singh, who takes part in the 69 kg category, have already proved their worth while competing in the junior circuit and now have drawn up elaborate plans to make an indelible mark in the senior ranks. Both are protege of SAI coach Jaspal Singh, who is known for having produced many national and international lifters. A soft spoken and affable Jaspal is a hard taskmaster and regularly sees to it that his training plan, based on scientific output, is rigorously adhered to by his pupils. Jaspal has already earned a name for himself by producing some reputable women lifters like Gurwinder Kaur, Asha Rani and Jasveerpal Kaur. Now he is concentrating on Harwinder and Gurjot and if everything goes according to his plans, both these lifters may well become part of the national squad. The coach has put Harwinder and Gurjot on a strict schedule. Emphasis in the morning session is laid on physical training and later in the evenings the lifters are made to improve their techniques. Efforts are also made to make their temperament rock solid — so that they do not “choke” when the going gets tough in a competition. In the evenings, both Harwinder and Gurjot can be seen doing sit-ups on a 45 degree inclined bench with a 15 kg load tied behind each lifter’s neck. And Jaspal says this is just “light training”! Gurjot announced his arrival on the national scene by winning a bronze medal in the All India Inter-university Championship held at Amritsar last year and followed it up with a silver medal in the next edition of the meet held at Gwalior. Besides, he has been frequently winning local tourneys in his category. Harwinder started his career by winning Mr Punjabi University title in 1998 and won the gold medal in the All India Inter-university Championship held at Gwalior this year. |
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Kulu shot out for 161 Chamba, June 16 Kulu elected to bat first but lost two quick wickets. Abhishek, Sarang and Shiva Sharma saved them from a collapse. Kulu were all out for 161. Brief scores: Kulu:
161 (Abhishek 58, Sarang 22, Shiva Sharma 22; Vinay 5 for 38, Neeraj 2 for 47; Anuj 2 for 15).
Kangra: 39 for one (Tilak Raj 20 n.o.). |
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Olympia Fields (Illinois), June 16
