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Wednesday,
September 3, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Capriati moves into quarter-finals
Asia Cup: IHF for foolproof preparations India have good chance: Pargat |
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Top chess players for Mumbai meet Ritwik makes a mark in squash JCT favourites against Punjab cops Kambli in Mumbai team Notice to Sachin on Ferrari petition Faridkot lads lift hockey title SAI centre trials from Sept 10 Two Punjab
players in
volleyball team
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Capriati
moves into quarter-finals
New York, September 2 On a day when rain postponed four men’s fourth-round matches to today and suspended two women’s fourth-round matches in the first set, Henin-Hardenne and Capriati dodged the downpours long enough to book a date into the final eight. Belgian second seed Henin-Hardenne ousted Russian teen Dinara Safina 6-0 6-3 to reach her first US Open quarter-final. The Belgian waffled after winning the first 11 games before finally putting away Safina after 57 minutes. US sixth seed Capriati defeated Russian 11th seed Elena Dementieva 6-2 7-5 to reach her third consecutive US Open quarter-final, ignoring a fine mist through the last points to avoid yet another lengthy delay. Scattered showers played havoc with the schedule at the year’s final Grand Slam event, delaying the start 2 1/2 hours and halting play twice more for several hours before finally convincing officials to relent. World number one Andre Agassi’s match with fellow American Taylor Dent was postponed to today. Agassi worked out briefly with coach Darren Cahill and Dent before play began but played with son Jaden Gil most of the wet afternoon. Also today will be Spanish third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero’s encounter with US veteran Todd Martin, Argentine fifth seed Guillermo Coria’s match with Swede Jonas Bjorkman and Australian sixth seed Lleyton Hewitt’s showdown with Thai 11th seed Paradorn Srichaphan. Japanese 15th seed Ai Sugiyama was level 6-6 entering a tie-breaker with Italy’s Francesca Schiavone when their match was halted, 12 1/2 hours after it was to have started. Schiavone won the first game in six minutes and was at deuce in the second when rain struck. Upon resumption, Sugiyama won two points to level 1-1 before water poured once more, setting the stage for the final drenching later. Russian seventh seed Anastasia Myskina led France’s Mary Pierce 4-2 when their match was halted. Henin-Hardenne awaits the winner tomorrow. Henin-Hardenne and Safina warmed up twice when rain sent them off the court. — AFP
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Paes
discharged from hospital New York, September 2 Paes, who was admitted to the hospital for a suspected brain tumour, was released on August 29, hospital sources said on Tuesday. The player, who was suffering from neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection that causes a brain absces, is believed to be taking rest at his house in Orlando. He is under medication and would take some time before resuming tennis. A brain abscess is a mass of immune cells, pus and other material that can occur when the brain is infected by bacteria or fungus. Paes, during his days in the hospital, was taking albendazole, an anti-parasitic medication, to shrink the abscess, steroids to reduce the swelling and an anti-seizure medication.
— PTI |
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Asia Cup: IHF for foolproof preparations
New Delhi, September 2 The IHF wants to leave no loopholes this time around after it drew flak for picking Lucknow as the venue for the preparatory camp for the Champions Trophy in Holland. India’s ill preparations were widely blamed for their disappointing medal-less finish in the elite six-nation event. “We have put in a request to the Sports Ministry for clearance of the training stint in Singapore. We need at least five days for the boys to practice under floodlights as all the matches in Asia Cup will be held at night,” IHF Secretary K. Jothikumaran told PTI. “Since we do not have floodlit Astro-Turf stadiums in the country, it is imperative for the team to get some kind of exposure to night conditions,” the IHF secretary said. The probables would also undergo a training camp here beginning on September 8 for the September 21-28 Asia Cup. Mr Jothikumaran put to rest speculation that the IHF may sack chief coach Rajinder Singh in favour of a foreigner in the wake of India’s unimpressive show at Champions Trophy. “There is no question of changing the coach. But we are considering hiring the services of a foreign expert. I think there is no harm in acquiring an expert who can assist our coaches,” Mr Jothikumaran said. The IHF secretary also ruled out any major changes in the composition of the team as of now. “We will not make any drastic changes in the side at least till the Asia Cup. Since the Asia Cup comes at a short interval after the Champions Trophy, we do not want to upset the balance of the team. We will wait and watch till the Asia Cup.” The hockey administrator conceded that the performance of the team left much to be desired during the Champions Trophy. “The team was leading 3-0 (against Holland) and then conceded four goals in the dying minutes.... It is a matter for concern. Also our midfield needs to be strengthened. If we iron out these weaknesses we will be a tough team to beat,” he said. On India pulling out of Azlan Shah Tournament earlier this year in Malaysia citing harassment of Indian IT professionals, Mr Jothikumaran said it was the decision of the government. “It was a peculiar situation. This time around we have been given the go-ahead to participate in Malaysia.”
— PTI
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India have good chance: Pargat
New Delhi, September 2 The present Indian team has some very talented players and with proper direction this squad is capable of winning the title in Kuala Lumpur which will enable India a direct entry into the 2006 World Cup, Pargat Singh told UNI here . The ace defender was of the view that after a long time India had found a very good goal keeper, defence is effective and forwards now keep the rivals on their toes “We have a good bunch which just needs proper handling’’. Pargat cautioned the players getting overexcited with the wins “The players should know that they are capable of defeating the fancied teams. They have proved it repeatedly so victory or victories should not surprise them’’. He said Indians did play well in the Champions Trophy but then “World Cup and Champions Trophy are different ball game’’ and added “We are now getting into winning mould but it will take some time to reach the ultimate height so we should not get demoralised by defeats’’. He agreed that media hype also effects the team but said “Hockey needs such hype, let the people see, discuss and get criticise. It is better to get criticised then get ignored’’. — UNI
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Top chess players for Mumbai meet
Mumbai, September 2 Chairman of Mumbai Chess Association and Dronacharya award winner, Raghunandan Gokhale told reporters here today that the Indian challenge would be spearheaded by Vishwanathan Anand. Prominent chess stars like Valadimir Karmnik of Russia, Peter Leko of Hungary, Alexander Grischuk of Russia, Alexei Shirov of Spain, Peter Svidler and Evgeny Bareev (both from Russia) and Michael Adams of England also likely to take part in the mega tournament. “Others who are likely to take part in the tournament, which has a total prize money of Rs 30 lakh, are Judit Polgar of Hungary, Ruslan Ponomariov and Vassily Ivanchuk (both from Ukraine), Vladimir Akopian of Armenia, Zurab Azmaiparashvili of Georgia, Nigel Short of England, Alexey Dreev and Vladimir Malakhov (both from Russia) and Boris Gelfand of Israel”, he added. The tournament to be played in the all-play-all format will also witness special lectures series and training sessions by Super GMs apart from a series of rapid games, blindfold games, where a top super GM will play blindfolded exhibition matches”, Gokhale said.
— PTI
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Ritwik makes a mark in squash
New Delhi, September 2 Ritwik could climb the ladder of success in the tough professional squash circuit only because of the financial support extended to him to pursue his dream by JCT, Asahi India Glass, Punj Lloyd and the Delhi Squash Association. “I could not have achieved what I have without the backing of my sponsors, particularly JCT,” said the soft-spoken Ritwik, at a function organised to felicitate him by JCT chairman and managing director Samir Thapar here, in which his proud parents were also present. Samir Thapar said JCT had been financially supporting Ritwik for the last six years, and Ritwik’s success in the professional circuit had vindicated the Punjab company’s commitment to promote talented sportspersons. Ritwik, who took to squash at the age of 13 in 1992, started playing in the professional circuit in 2000. National champion for the last three years, he has been training under former world No 12 and UK No 1 Neil Harvey for the last two years at Chingford, north east London. His first major victory was in the Asian Junior Championship in 1996, and since then he has not looked back. Ritwik, who is ranked India No 1, enjoys the fifth position in Asia and is ranked 70th in the world, which is a great achievement for this talent player. Ritwik has represented the country in the Asian Championship, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the World Championship. Ritwik said JCT’s sponsorship had helped him compete alongside the greats of the game like world No 1 Peter Nicol of UK and world No 9 Ong Beng Hee.
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JCT favourites against Punjab cops Chandigarh, September 2 With a clean slate from seven victories from as many matches, JCT are far ahead of their rivals with 21 points. Punjab Police, on the other hand, have won only two matches in the current league so far. JCT have beaten RCF 2-1, Punjab Police 1-0 ( away match), BSF 3-0, PSEB 5-2, RCF 1-0, BSF 2-1, and PSEB 4-1, to top the table. Punjab Police recorded only two victories, beating PSEB 2-0 and again 3-2 in an away match at Hoshiarpur on August 26. The police men have drawn two ties and have lost three. JCT start as firm favourites in tomorrow’s tie. As the only team from north India playing in the National Football League ever since its inception in 1996, JCT’s strength lies in its impressive roster which includes a couple of foreigners like Ghanian goalkeeper Mansuru Mohammed and Nigerian striker Stephen Abarowei. The team also boasts of some well known national stars like IM Vijayan and Joe Paul Ancheri. Vijayan is just back after receiving the Arjuna Award in New Delhi. Among the new faces who have impressed are Charanjit Kumar besides experienced players like Jaswinder Singh. Punjab Police as underdogs also have some well known faces like internationals Parveen Kumar and Hardip Singh Sangha. Incidentally Sangha was with JCT sometime back before joining Punjab Police. The other well known players include Sher Singh, who lends strength to the attack, and medio Harinder Singh. The earlier encounter between the two outfits in the current league at the PAP Stadium in Jalandhar on August 17 ended in favour of JCT who won 1-0. With the concluding tie now to be played at Phagwara tomorrow, the mill men appear well set to capitalise on home advantage to end the campaign on a memorable note. The kick-off is at 4.30 pm. |
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Kambli in Mumbai team
Mumbai, September 2 The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) joint secretary and former Indian opening batsman, Lalchand Rajput, told PTI here today that the team to be led by batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, would be coached by former India stumper Chandrakant Pandit. “Leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule will be the vice-captain while talented youngster Vinayak Samant will be the wicketkeeper. The team also includes Indian seamers Ajit Agarkar and Avishkar Salvi”, Rajput added. Indian opener Wasim Jaffer and Vinayak Mane are the two opening batsmen while left hander Nishit Shetty and youngster Bhavin Thakkar, both with successful season behind them, also figure in the 15-member squad. The team: Sachin Tendulkar (capt), Wasim Jaffer, Vinayak Mane, Nishit Shetty, Vinod Kambli, Bhavin Thakkar, Sairaj Bahutule (vice-capt), Vinayak Samant (WK), Ramesh Powar, Nilesh Kulkarni, Ajit Agarkar, Avishkar Salvi, Swapnil Hazare, Robin Morris and Vinit Indulkar. Coach:
Chandrakant Pandit. Trainer: Amogh Pandit. — PTI
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Notice to Sachin on Ferrari petition Chennai, September 2 A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice B Subhashan Reddy and Ms Justice Prabha Sridevan, also ordered notice to the Union Secretary of Finance and Commerce, Central Board of Excise and Customs, New Delhi and Chief Commissioner of Customs, Import, Mumbai, while admitting a PIL from Mr K.T. Kuppiah of Chennai. In his PIL, Mr Kuppiah had submitted that the Ferrari was presented to Sachin by the Italy-based car manufacturing giant Fiat for equalling Australian Sir Donald Bradman’s record of 29 Test centuries. The car was presented to Sachin by motor racing icon M Schumacher at a function held at Silverstone in England in May 2002.
— UNI
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Faridkot
lads lift hockey title Chandigarh, September 2 In the final today, it was Mandeep Singh of Sukhchain Academy, who stole the limelight scoring the first goal in the 14th minute by converting a penalty stroke. Just after half time, he again showed his prowess by converting a
penalty corner in 26th minute, thus making it 2-0. However, Baljinder Singh, captain of the Chandigarh team, bounced back to score a superb field goal in the 41st minute, thus reducing the margin. Thereafter, the Faridkot boys never allowed the Chandigarh boys to take advantage of any situation and managed to clinch the title. Mandeep Singh of Sukhchain Academy was chosen as the best forward, Rajneesh also of same team as best half back, H. Singh of Chandigarh Academy the best goal-keeper while Dupinder Singh was adjudged the best full back. Friends Academy, Doraha, were adjudged the most well-behaved team. The winners were given a cash prize of Rs 5,000 while the runners received Rs 3,000. |
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SAI centre trials from Sept 10 Chandigarh, September 2 The selected girls will be provided free board, lodging, sports training and equipment, sports kit, competition exposure and medical insurance, according to Ms Ritu Pathik, Assistant Director, SAI. She further said that five girls of their centre were key members of the Combined Universities Indian Women’s Hockey team which secured the second place in the recently concluded Senior National Women’s Hockey
Championship. |
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Two Punjab players in volleyball team New Delhi, September 2 The team, announced here yesterday by Volleyball Federation of India secretary-general K.
Murugan, is as follows: Kapil Dev K.J. (Railways), Suraj Prakash (Punjab), Abhijit Bhattacharjee (Uttaranchal), Avinash Kumar Yadav (Uttaranchal), Amir Singh (Haryana), Raghuvir Singh (Haryana), Y. Subba Rao (Uttaranchal), S. Rajeev (Kerala), S. Vinod (Kerala), Tom Joseph (Kerala), Shijas Mohammad (Services) and Manoj (Punjab). Officials:
Hristo Iliev (chief coach, foreign expert), Dr
H.D. Krishnappa (assistant coach, SAI), Raj Singh Khatri (referee, Delhi) and
B.K. Ojha (manager, Rajasthan).
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Chakravarthi
loses New Delhi, September 2 Three other seeds seen in the action scored contrasting wins to join four other ranked players in the next round.
— UNI
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New York, September 2
