 |
|
Indian security staff
likely with team Delegation to submit
report today
Indian colts toy with Scotland |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
West fight back against Central
New era in Punjab football Dhanraj to join team only if fully fit
Jalandhar, Patiala
colleges win
|
|
Indian security staff likely with team Islamabad, February 16 “The PCB expects that the Indian team would be accompanied by a few Indian security personnel and the issue was discussed during yesterday’s meeting with the BCCI delegation in Lahore,” PCB spokesman Sami-ul Hassan told PTI here today. “The BCCI would inform us the number of security officials,” he said adding the BCCI would bear the expenditure of their security officials. He, however, said Pakistan would be responsible for the overall security of the Indian team and that the security officials accompanying the team would co-ordinate with their Pakistani counterparts. The details of the Indian security officials would be included in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) being finalised by both the boards, he said. Hassan recalled that South Africa and New Zealand had also brought security personnel during their recent tours here and that the PCB expects India too to send few security personnel. Both South Africa and New Zealand brought three security persons each who closely co-ordinated arrangements with the Pakistan officials, Hassan said. The Indian officials had yesterday held the final round of talks with the Additional Secretary of Pakistan Interior Ministry, Abdul Rauf Chowdhary and PCB Chief Shaharyar Khan. Pakistan had allowed over 50 Indian security officials to guard Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the large entourage that took part in SAARC summit held last year. It had also allowed the Indian officials to bring jammer vehicles to avert explosives on the way. Hailing New Delhi’s decision to clear India’s full tour of Pakistan in one-and-a-half decade, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has directed the administration to gear up for extending a foolproof security to the visitors during the series. According to English daily The News, the Prime Minister has directed that the Governors or Chief Ministers of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Punjab and Sindh would head provincial adhoc-committees which will monitor security, administrative and other aspects of the tour. The committees would consist of sub-committees for security, administrative and media matters, it said. To help these committees, Jamali had asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to set up control rooms at the local headquarters, the reports said. — PTI, UNI MUMBAI: Lampooning India’s cricket tour to Pakistan, Shiv Sen, a key ally of the BJP-led ruling NDA, today sarcastically said it was a “new feel-good message” and asked the government to hand over cricket bats and balls to Indian soldiers along the Indo-Pak borders. “Hand over cricket bats and balls to lakhs of Indian soldiers on the Indo-Pak border, so that they could effectively counter the bombarding of their Pakistani counterparts,” said a hard-hitting editorial in Sena mouth piece ‘Saamna’. Making it clear that it was not criticising the policies or the leadership of the BJP-led NDA, the editorial said “if by resuming cricket ties, relations between the two countries can be normalised, what is the need for Army personnel to guard India’s border in bunkers irrespective of rain, scorching heat and cold,” it questions. “It is a new feel-good message of protecting India’s borders through the bat and ball,” it said sarcastically. The Sena’s objection is to the “attitude” of Pakistan, which continues to support infiltration of terrorists and support designs in India, it commented. India has taken the initiative in the past by starting ‘Samjhauta’ express and Lahore bus but Pakistan has responded by shedding blood of Indians only, the editorial criticised.
— PTI |
|
Delegation to submit
report today New Delhi, February 16 Joint Director in Intelligence Bureau Yashovardhan Azad, who was part of the delegation, would submit his report on the security aspects tomorrow. The itinerary for the tour would be announced by the week end after receiving the response from the Home Ministry, BCCI Joint Secretary Ratnakar Shetty told reporters at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here. The delegation visited six venues in Pakistan, including Karachi and Peshawar and also had meetings with top government and Pakistan Cricket Board officials over the security arrangements for the Indian team. Shetty said the main agenda of the delegation was to take a stock of the security scenario and added that nothing related to the itinerary was discussed with the PCB officials during the seven-day tour. “The BCCI is keen on the tour. But comfort and security of players will be the uppermost consideration when the itinerary is finalised,” he said.
— PTI |
|
Stage set for Indo-Pak match Chandigarh, February 16 The Pakistan team has a good blend of former and current players. The team will arrive on February 18 via the Wagah border. The Punjab CM’s XI will be captained by Kapil Dev and will include Navjot Sidhu, Mohinder Amarnath, Ajay
Jadeja, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Ajay Ratra, Sanjay Bangar, Akash Chopra, Pankaj Dharmani, Reetinder Sodhi, Ravneet Ricky, Gagandeep Singh, Rajesh Sharma, Sandeep
Sanwal, Hardevinder Singh and Binwant. |
|
|
Indian colts toy with Scotland Dhaka, February 16 Australia, the West Indies and South Africa also won their respective first league matches of the tournament. India amassed a huge total of 425 for three before restricting Scotland to 155 for eight in the one-sided match at Dhaka’s Bangabandhu National Stadium. Shikhar Dhawan smashed the tournament’s first century with an unbeaten 155 off 138 balls. Robin Uthappa fell three runs short of a century, while Suresh Raina plundered 90 off just 38 balls. Captain Ambati Rayudu hit 53 off 51 balls. Scotland captain Kyle Cotzer scored the highest 62 in the team’s 155 in 50 overs. Defending champion Australia beat Canada by six wickets in northwestern Rajshahi city. Canada, set in to bat first, was bowled out on 164 in 45.1 overs. Australia raced to the victory, 165 for four, in just 28.4 overs. T Doropoulos hit 57. In southeastern Chittagong, South Africa won by eight wickets against Uganda. Uganda was all out on 125, while South Africa scored 126 for loss of two wickets. The West Indies struggled to a narrow win by six runs against weaker Ireland in southwestern Khulna city.
— AP |
|
Joshi, Sharath
rescue South Dharamsala, February 16 Resuming from 93 for 3, South crashed to 159 for 6 with three of their top order batsman perishing in the first session of play. A resolute 90-run seventh-wicket partnership between southpaws Sunil Joshi and S. Sharath enabled South to avert the blushes of following on. M.S.K. Prasad, on whom South had pinned a lot of hope, flicked hard but failed to keep his stinging shot on the carpet. The ever-agile L.R Shukla, fielding at mid wicket, dived to pluck the ball. Hardly had the dust settled when the well set Venugopala Rao too departed when he spooned a return catch to off spinner
Sourasish Lahiri. And when S. Badrinath deliberately padded a straighter one bowled by Utpal Chatterjee, the threat of a follow on loomed large. South went to lunch at 159 for 6 and for the entire post lunch session, both Sunil Joshi and S. Sharath thwarted the attack by some steady batsmanship. Both the batsmen added 90 valuable runs for the seventh wicket. Scoreboard East zone: (1st innings) 388 South zone (1st innings):
R. Barrington c. Rajeev b D. Mohanty 15, S. Ramesh c D. Mohanty b
S.S Paul 57, S. Sriram run out 2, Venugopala Rao c&b S. Lahiri 41, M.S.K Prasad c L.R Shukla b
S. Lahiri 6, S. Sharath c D. Mohanty b S.S Paul 48, S. Badrinath lbw b U. Chatterjee 9,
S. Joshi C sub b Mohanty 51, P. Ram Kumar 19 n.o, N.P Singh 29 n.o. Extras:
27; Total (for 8 wickets): 304. FoW: 1-52, 2-56, 3-90, 4-119, 5-130, 6-159, 7-249, 8-259.
|
|
West
fight back against Central Gurgaon, February 16 The West bowlers, who were at the receiving end for the first two days, got their act together this morning removing the remaining three Central batsmen for an addition of just 19 runs. Resuming at an overnight score of 532 for 7, Central Zone lost Vineet Saxena (69) in the very second over of the day as rookie paceman Munaf Patel shattered the woodwork. Harvinder Singh (26) also joined Saxena in the
pavilion after adding just two runs to his overnight tally holding out to Kaushik Aphale at covers off Patel, who then finished the innings by making Narendra Hirwani (4) nick an outgoing delivery to wicket keeper Nayan Mongia.
— PTI |
|
Laxman ties nuptial knot
Hyderabad, February 16 It was a quintessential arranged marriage for the stylish Hyderabadi batsman as he tied the
nuptial knot in ‘Shukla Yajurveda’ traditions with a close-knit circle of family and friends attending the wedding at the majestic Jewel Gardens in Secunderabad. Amidst chanting of hymns by a family priest, the wedding was solemnised at the muhurat 12.55 a.m. The bride, looking resplendent in a deep orange Kancheevaram silk saree, was unveiled at a pre-wedding reception attended by a close circle of family and friends. Lakshman, wearing a black suit, received the guests with a broad smile at a specially erected dais. The food was strictly vegetarian with a wide variety of Chinese, North Indian and Andhra delicacies. None of the cricketers was present on the occasion but the Indian cricket team members were expected to call on the newly wed couple at a grand reception being hosted at Taj Krishna Hotel later in the evening. A galaxy of sportsmen, film stars, officials and politicians would attend the reception. Vangipurapu family house in Srinagar colony wore a festive look this morning with the arrival of the newly wed couple along with close relatives and friends. The post marriage
celebrations started with `gruha pravesham’, the new couple stepping
into the house together for the first time, with a chorus of Vedic mantras. Marriage formalities would come to a close with lunch after the puja and Laxman with bride will be hosting a reception of friends and celebrities in the evening at a posh hotel in Banjara Hills where star sportspersons are expected. Laxman, the wristy player, held the hand of Sailaja at the
designated muhurat last night at Jewel Gardens and walked round the ‘agnihotram’ (sacred fire) thrice, the ritual which pronounces them as life partners.
— PTI |
|
New era in Punjab football Chandigarh, February 16 Although the stadium was made floodlit for the 31st National Games hosted by Punjab in 2001, the floodlights remained in disuse ever since. The only occasion when football matches were played at night was during the 31st National Games when Punjab clinched the gold, beating Goa 1-0 in a pulsating final on November 30,2001. According to Arjuna awardee Inder Singh, secretary, Punjab Football Association, the lights have already been tested. Generators have been installed for the floodlights and the JCT football team is expected to have a practice session at the venue on February 18. The All-India Football Federation announced the draw for the second phase of the league a few days back. In all, 11 rounds have been completed in the first phase while the second round of 11 rounds is scheduled to begin on February 21. After meeting Indian Bank, JCT will play Goa's Churchill Brothers and Haywards Sporting
Club on February 27 and March 7,2004, respectively. The football final of the 31st National Games on November 30,2001, was watched by a capacity crowd, something unprecedented in the history of Punjab soccer. Will the NFL ties under floodlights draw the same crowd? Until now, sports enthusiasts have been witnessing day-night cricket matches at Mohali's PCA Stadium under floodlights. If night football catches on, it might turn out to be a money- spinner in the long run, pushing the sport higher on the popularity chart. |
|
Dhanraj to join team only if fully fit New Delhi, February 16 The Indian team is preparing for the Olympic qualifying tournament to be held in Madrid from March 27. Dhanraj was not picked for the coaching camp due to his injury. He suffered a “jerk” to his right knee while scoring the second goal against Australia in the Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur last month. The ace forward said he would join the team only after undergoing all the tests suggested by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF). Dhanraj said he has been doing weight training at a new Mumbai gymnasium for the past 15 days for two hours every day in the morning from 8 am to 10 a m. and was satisfied with his recovery. He said he had been playing for the country for the past 15 years with over 400 international caps to his credit, but never sat out a match on fitness ground. “I was always a fit player”, he asserted, during a flying visit to New Delhi to become the “brand ambassador” of the World Bamboo Congress, along with women’s hockey team captain Suraj Lata Devi. Dhanraj said penalty corner specialist Jugraj Singh’s injury in a car crash was a “big blow to the Indian team”. “Jugraj was coming up really big after the Asia Cup. We miss him”, Dhanraj observed. The ace forward noted that “Jugraj was not only a penalty corner specialist, but also a very good defender of shots, a morale-booster and a real good all-rounder”. Dhanraj said he had been in touch with the players during the three-Test series against Holland in Hyderabad last week, and “being the seniormost player, I gave lots of instructions to the boys”. He said the Test series did not really serve the purpose for which it was intended as both India and Holland played at reduced pace and did not open up. “If the idea was to gain experience from the Test series, considering that both India and (Olympic champions) Holland would be competing in the Olympic qualifier at Madrid, then that purpose has not been served”, he pointed out. Still, he was in favour of such Test series involving other countries, and wanted every city in the country to host such series. |
|
Jalandhar, Patiala colleges win New Delhi, February 16 Despite the defeat in the league match, the Annamalai side too qualified for the last 16 stage. In the Pool C match, Khalsa College, Patiala took a 3-0 lead within 22 minutes with Jatin Kumar, Harinder Singh and Gurvinder Singh scoring once each. M. Harikrishnan reduced margin in the 31st minute(3-1) and the score read so at breather. Gurvinder scored in the second half for the Patiala side to regain the three-goal lead(4-1). S. Sudharshan scored the second and final goal for his side(4-2) in the 47th minute and the match came to an end with the same result. The defeat, however, could not prevent the Annamalai side from entering quarterfinal. In a Pool B match, it was a cakewalk for DAV Jalandhar as they completely outplayed the Loyola lads and Navpreet Singh and Roop Singh scored in the first half to give them a 2-0 lead at breather.
— UNI |
|||||
|
Haryana
netball body meeting Ambala, February 16 Mr Hari Om Kaushik, president of the state unit, presided over the meeting. It was decided to organise training for Ambala team in netball from February 18. The training would be imparted by Dr Shailendra
Parashar. Releasing the schedule of forthcoming events, Mr Kaushik said 10th Sub-Junior National Championship will be held in Bangalore from May 16 to 20, 8th Youth Girls’ National Championship in Bangalore in August, 24th Senior National Championship in Ranchi from September 22 to 26, while Under 19 Junior Girls and Boys National Championship will be held in Guwahati from October 27 to 31. |
|||||
AIFF’s denial Indoor stadium |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | National Capital | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Dhaka, February 16
New Delhi, February 16
Video
