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Pak outplay India 3-1
Sohail on threshold of history
Chandigarh ready for India-Pak hockey Test
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BCCI actions subject to judicial review: HC
Prasar Bharti gets telecast rights
Govt urged to take over BCCI
Injustice done to my state: Aghase
Kumble hints at spin trap
Honour was overdue, says Yashpal Sharma
Anju keen to cross 7-metre mark
Uncertainty dogs Raid de Himalaya
Sania sails into second round
National wrestling meet shifted to Solan
Gurdaspur girls shine in
sub-junior gymnastics
Punjab cycling team announced
Col Raminder Singh
dead
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Pak outplay India 3-1
New Delhi, October 4 Pakistan, who surged to a 2-1 lead in the Pakistan leg of the four-Test series, consolidated their position with an effortless victory against India in the first of the four-Test return series today. That Pakistan meant business, and that they had not come here to exchange pleasantries, was quite evident when they went for the ‘kill’ from the start, and drew blood in the sixth minute when their roving forward, the balding Kashif Jawad, effected a powerful hit off a cross from the right and the ball struck the inside of the crosspiece before falling into the net. The stunning goal virtually settled the argument about who was the better team, as three minutes earlier, the Indian goal had a narrow escape when captain Dilip Tirkey effected a goal-line save of drag flick exponent Sohail Abbas’ try off their first penalty corner. But Sohail could not be denied a goal for long as he Pakistan, after leading 2-0 at half-time, slowed down the pace on resumption, which was taken advantage of by India to mount a series of surprise raids. And one such raid fetched them a consolation goal in the 15th minute when Sandeep Michael cashed in on the confusion created by a Dilip Tirkey pass into the Pak goalmouth to give the finishing touches, with custodian Salman Akbar stranded on the wrong foot. However, Sohail Abbas was there to ensure that Pakistan won with a convincing margin as he struck again, with six minutes to go for the final hooter, following the visitors’ fifth penalty corner. Ironically, Indian skipper Tirkey also contributed to the goal this time, as he took the power of Sohail Abbas’ strike on his chin, and though he collapsed writhing in pain, umpire V.B. Singh enforced the rule to award a ‘stroke’, which was promptly despatched, high into the goal over the head of D’Souza by Sohail. Tirkey, who seemed to have suffered a cut on his chin, was carried off on a stretcher for medical attention, and India lost sting in their game. Though India earned their fourth penalty corner at the stroke of full time, they could not even make a decent attempt at it. The match taught many a lesson to the Indian team, packed with youngsters, who are being groomed for the Olympic Games in Beijing, four years from now. Pakistan dominated the show, as the scoreline suggets. They never allowed the hosts to hold on to the ball for long. Their tight defence nipped the Indian moves in the bud, well outside the ‘D’, to keep the hosts on a tight leash. The Indian boys were also guilty of not passing the ball when it came to the crunch, as often the players tried to show off individual “brilliance”, only to run into a brick wall in front of Pakistan goal. It’s not that India were bereft of chances. They had a few, including four penalty corners. The penalty corners were predictably executed, so there was no confusion in the mind of Pakistan custodian Salman Akbar as to what to do. But India did manage a few surprise moves, but no one was there to apply the killer punch. In the 28th minute of the first half, just before Pakistan scored their second goal, Tushar Khandekar worked his way up to float a nice pass box into the ‘D’, but Sandeep Michael was a bit late in reaching the ball. Tushar created another nice pass in the 16th minute of the second half, but before the Indians could have a shy at the goal, Pakistan defender Imran Khan snatched away the ball with the agility of an eagle. And five minutes before the final hooter, an Ignace Tirkey cross from the left, after a dash down the flank, went unconnected with the Pakistan defence in disarray. India also failed to finish a penalty corner awarded to them at the stroke of full time. Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) President K.P.S. Gill honoured four Pakistani Olympians during the recess of the match as a reciprocal gesture for honouring four Indian Olympians — Ajitpal Singh, B.P. Govinda, Aslam Sher Khan and Surinder Singh Sodhi — by the Pakistan Hockey Federation during the Pakistan leg of the series. The players honoured were Jahangir Ahmed Butt, Islahuddin Siddiqui, Akhtar Rasool Chaudhary and Hassan Sardar. |
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Sohail on threshold of history
Chandigarh, October 4 Born on June 9, 1977, at Karachi to Iftikar Hussain, a cricketer, Sohail made his debut in the India-Pakistan series in 1998. Ever since, he has remained a key member of the team in all major tournaments, including the Olympics and the World Cup. Rated among the best penalty corner specialists in the world, Sohail displayed his lethal power in the 2002 World Cup at Kuala Lumpur where he, along with Argentina’s seasoned campaigner Jorge Lombi, emerged as the top scorer with 10 goals to his credit. Sohail is perhaps Pakistan’s first-ever master flicker and was his team’s potent weapon during the Sydney Olympics where he scored a hat-trick against Britain. This Karachi-born player also played a key role in Pakistan’s title win in the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Malaysia. Having already overhauled the legendary Hassan Sardar’s tally, Sohail seemed destined to become Pakistan’s all-time top scorer but his sack on the eve of Pakistan’s tour of Australia, along with that of Nadeem and Wasim, had delayed the realisation of his dream. Over the years, Sohail has emerged as Pakistan’s trump card in international hockey. After his sack, Pakistan lost to Australia and India in the three-nation tournaments at Perth and Sydney. After emerging as the highest scorer with 16 goals in the Asia Cup, Sohail attracted worldwide attention in 2002 during the 10th World Cup at Kuala Lumpur. All goals that Sohail scored at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium in the Malaysian capital came off penalty corners. I witnessed Sohail’s debut at Peshawar’s Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium more than six years ago. In the first match of the India-Pakistan hockey series, Pakistan manager Islahuddin effected a substitution midway through the gruelling tie, but the tall, lean newcomer did not make an immediate impact. The following day, on March 1,1998, in the second Test at Rawalpindi’s Army Hockey Stadium, the boy announced his arrival on the international scene in a dramatic fashion, slamming in the match winner off Rahim Khan’s push as Pakistan won 2-1. Ever since, there has been no looking back. He was recalled into the team in national interest along with former skipper Mohammed Nadeem for the Champions Trophy at Amstelveen last year. A veteran of 210 international matches, Sohail appears destined to soar much higher in the years to come. |
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Chandigarh ready for India-Pak hockey Test
Chandigarh, October 4 As many as 13 sub-committees under the championship of various heads of the departments have been constituted. The organising committee has also decided to publish a souvenir and make the event memorable. The Pakistan contingent comprising 34 members, including 18 players will arrive here tomorrow from Delhi by the afternoon flight. Star Olympians, including S.S. Sodhi, Ajit Pal Singh, B.P. Govinda, Aslam Sher Khan of India, Akhtar Rasul Chaudhary, Hassan Sardar, Islahuddin Siddiqui and Jahangir Ahmed Butt from Pakistan will also be arriving for the Test match. The Indian and Pakistan Hockey Federation officials will be lodged in Hotel Mountview and Hotel Shivalikview. The teams shall arrive here tomorrow at 1.20 p.m. and shall leave for Amritsar on October 7 by road. Three neutral umpries, namely Mr Amarjit (Malaysia), Mr Butt (Pakistan), Mr Satinder Sharma (India), along with Tournament Director Kuku Walia, have been deputed for the smooth conduct of the match. Doordarshan will telecast live the match on October 6 from 1.30 p.m. onwards. All the prominent sports persons of all disciplines and sports promoters alongwith officers of the Army, Air Force, CRPF and ITBP have been invited to witness the match. The CTU will ply buses from all corners of the city to pick and drop spectators. The organising committee will bear the expenditure to transport students of various school to the stadium and back. The Chandigarh Hockey Association has proposed to host a goodwill dinner in the evening in the honour of both the teams, officials, technical officials and members of the organising committee. The stadium, a capacity of 22,000 will have
separate enclosures with for VIPs. Entry to the stadium for the public is free. |
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BCCI actions subject to judicial review: HC
New Delhi, October 4 Distinguishing between “public” and “private” functions performed by the BCCI, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice BC Patel and Justice BD Ahmed said the board’s public duties and functions were open to judicial scrutiny under the extraordinary writ jurisdiction of Article 226 of the Constitution. While other functions like private contracts and internal rules which did not affect the public at large were in the field of “private law”, the Judges said. In such cases, an individual could not approach the court alleging infringement of his Fundamental Right. However, the BCCI could not be said to be beyond the sweep of Article 226 in all eventualities for all times to come, they said. On August 18, the court had reserved its order on the question of maintainability of a public interest litigation seeking probe into the functioning and accounts of the board. The PIL, filed by advocate Rahul Mehra and businessman Santanu Sharma in April, 2000, had sought independent investigation into the board’s functioning and account of five years (1995-2000). The court would now hear the PIL on merits from November 23. — UNI
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Prasar Bharti gets telecast rights
New Delhi, October 4 The agreement was signed last night, Prasar Bharti CEO K S Sarma said, adding that the development followed talks with BCCI officials, including Jagmohan Dalmiya “I tried to convince the BCCI that once they give (the telecast rights) to DD there is no need to give (them) to any private channel in the country due to the reach of public broadcaster,” he said. As per the agreement DD will pay Rs 3 crore per day for the Test matches and Rs 7 crore for one dayer. The overall agreement will be to the tune of Rs 100 crore, Sarma said. As soon as the immediate problem of these matches has been resolved there will be talks between the two for the telecast rights of matches spread over the next two years, he said. The
controversy over cricket rights was stirred up after ESPN filed an appeal against Indian cricket board’s decision to grant telecast rights for all cricket matches played in India between 2004-2008 to ZEE, prompting the BCCI to cancel the entire tender process. On September 30, the cricket board had announced that it would arrange for live coverage of the upcoming tournaments with the help of Ten Sports and Sony Entertainment Network. Aggrieved over BCCI’s decision, Prasar Bharti on Friday said it would challenge the decision in Supreme Court. Asked whether Prasar Bharti has dropped plans to approach to approach the Supreme Court on the matter, Sarma said it will implead itself as a party in the telecast rights case today so as to avoid any problems in the future. He said the agreement was signed by BCCI
Secretary S K Nair and DD’s Additional Director General, Administration, Sanjeev Nanda. Earlier, Sarma claimed that Prasar Bharati had bid higher than Sony in the initial bids invited by the BCCI for telecast rights.
— PTI |
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Govt urged to take over BCCI
Bangalore, October 4 “The government should take over the BCCI and run the game in the interest of the people of the country. In the process, the money of over Rs 400 crore will not leave India,” Mr Agrawal told reporters here. Mr Agrawal, who had fought with former BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya in the past on a television contract issue, said during Mr Dalmiya’s regime, telecast rights were negotiated for a period of five years instead of a yearly basis. Noting that the BCCI was registered as a charitable organisation in 1940, he said in the changed circumstances where Indian cricket was a mega-money spinner, the BCCI could hardly claim itself to be a charitable organisation.
— PTI |
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Injustice done to my state: Aghase
Kolkata, October 4 Talking to UNI over phone from Mumbai today, Mr Aghase said, “I have sought legal opinion and in all likliness will come to Kolkata tomorrow to file a suit challenging the decision to disallow me to caste my vote for the election to the post of board President.’’ He had earlier said; “I am seeking legal opinion and if the lawyers tell me to move court I will do so. It is not a question of my vote, but my association’s vote that was disallowed.’’ “By doing this not only did Mr Pawar lose the election but it also affected the other voters and two to three changed sides in the last moment,’’ he added. Mr Aghase further expressed his surprise as while he was allowed to vote under the same objections in the last three Working Committee meetings and the extraordinary EC meeting in Chennai, where Mr Dalmiya was elected patron-in-chief why was he disallowed this time. “This was done as I am a known Sharad Pawar man,’’ he said. Asked if he was angry, he said, “I am a sportsman and have played at the Ranji level. I have taken in the spirit of the game. There is no question of getting angry. But under these circumstances the players would be affected and they might leave the association and move elsewhere.”
— UNI |
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Sachin unlikely for first Test
Bangalore, October 4 “He is very doubtful for the first Test,” Leipus told reporters. Tendulkar was named in the 15-member Indian squad for the first two Tests on Friday but cricket board Secretary S.K. Nair said his featuring in the playing eleven would be subject to match fitness. When captain Sourav Ganguly was asked whether he was hopeful of Tendulkar making it to the team, he said “you, me and all of us are hopeful — that’s what I can say.” —
PTI |
Kumble hints at spin trap
Bangalore, October 4 After a close look at the wicket at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kumble declared that it would “definitely” spin as the match progressed. “It is pretty dry — it is going to be a good wicket. definitely it is going to spin although it depends when and how,” the veteran leg spinner said. “So I think, John Wright, Sourav and the team management are probably leaning towards three spinners.” Asked specifically if India would go into the match, starting Wednesday, with three spinners, he said, “I don’t know (but) that’s probably the intention, it all depends...” However, Kumble did not think that the track would give India an edge over the Aussies, “it (advantage) would be even for both. Definitely, home advantage is with us. We have done very well at home and we would like to take that confidence into the game.” Kumble reminded that India had also done well against Australia when they toured the country in the last season. “We have done well against Australia both at home and away, we would like to take that confidence into the games,” he said. Kumble also conceded that Australians had improved from the last time that they visited India in 2001. “Obviously (they have improved). They have played in these conditions and have done well in Sri Lanka — they batted well. The more you play (in these conditions) the better you get. They are a very good side, we respect them for that. But we will also go out and play to our potential, if we play to our potential, we will be able to witness a very good series.” The Bangalore player also said that one-day cricket should not be a criteria for judging form in the longer version of the game. “It’s only one-day cricket that we have been playing (recently). In Test cricket we have really done well this year. Unfortunately people start looking at form in one-dayers and take it to be Test cricket form. I’d like to reiterate that our Test cricket form has been really good.” Kumble, just three wickets short of completing 400 Test scalps, said he would like to reach that milestone in the first Test before his home crowd but was not putting himself under unnecessary pressure on that account. “It would be really nice to get there as soon as possible. I don’t want it to linger on for a long time. Hopefully it will happen here — but not on the first day as we would like to bat first!” Kumble said. “It would be nice to do it in front of the home crowd, family and friends. I started my cricket career here and it would be nice if it happens here,” he said adding he would not be under added pressure. “I don’t think so. Pressure will always be there, but we don’t generally think about that. It is important that we start well and the first Test is always important, specially in a four-match series.” On his Australian rival Shane Warne, Kumble said he had always enjoyed a good friendship with him. “It’s really nice that he is pretty close to the world record. I am sure he will go past that (in this series). He has been a great bowler for Australia and for the leg spinners.
— PTI |
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Honour was overdue, says Yashpal Sharma
New Delhi, October 4 “It was an overdue honour, but I am happy that it has finally come to me”, said Yashpal during a felicitation function, organised by the Delhi University Teachers Club, to honour the newly elected BCCI vice-presidents C.K. Khanna of Delhi and Rajeev Shukla of Central Zone. C.K. Khanna, who is the senior vice-president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association, has returned to the BCCI for a second term as the vice-president from North Zone. He had given way to Mr Ranbir Singh Mahendra, who has now been elected as the BCCI president, four years ago. Mr Khanna is also the vice-chairman of the National Cricket Academy. Yashpal Sharma, who has also coached the Delhi Ranji Trophy team following the exit of Bishan Singh Bedi, said he deserved to be the national selector long back, and should have been the chairman of the selection committee by now, considering his track record in the game. But he was happy that it was “better late than never”. Yashpal is the senior most player of the present selection panel, which has former stumper Kiran More as the chairman and Gopal Sharma and V.B. Chandrasekhar as the new members. Yashpal said his endeavour would be to pick the best players and it did not matter whichever zone they belonged to. |
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Anju keen to cross 7-metre mark
New Delhi, October 4 Anju, whose personal best is 6.83m, signed off this season in style winning the gold at the Asian All-Star Championships in Singapore. Prior to that, she also had a memorable win against Olympic champion Tatyana Lebedeva at Yokohama where the Indian bagged the gold. She was also awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award last month. “I know I can clear seven metres in the next season but wish it came earlier, maybe in the Athens Olympic Games. It was not a bad show there. It feels good when you set a new national record. But my dream was to finish in the medal bracket and that was not to be.’’ “Anyway, no point talking about the past. I’m preparing for the next season, especially the Helsinki World Championship,’’ she said.
— UNI |
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Uncertainty dogs Raid de Himalaya
Shimla, October 4 The annual event is being organised in the first fortnight of October since 1999 as the weather in the tribal Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh areas is ideal. However, the current spell of freak weather has upset the plans this year. The high reaches of the tribal region have been experiencing heavy snow for the past two days as a result of which the Manali-Leh road which forms the major part of competitive stretch has been blocked at several places. The 13,050 ft Rohtang Pass has recorded 50 cm of snow, while 16,500 ft Bara La Cha Pass is under 90 cm of snow. The 15,000 ft Kunzum Pass and the 16,600 ft La Cha La have also been closed due to heavy snow. Officially the Kunzum Pass is closed from October 15 and the Rohtang pass from November 15, though traffic continues upto November 25 if there is no snow. The weather cleared today in the Rohtang and Lahaul areas and work to clear the road was in progress from both sides of the pass. However, the snow-cutter deployed from the Koksar side was stuck up in snow as a result of which not much progress could be made. Mr B.R. Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul and Spiti, expressed hope that the GREF (General Reserve Engineering Force) of the army would be able to clear the Rohtang pass by tomorrow evening. It will take sometime to open the Bara La Cha pass, which is much higher and received more snow. He was not sure about the La Cha La and Tang Lag La as the road became extremely slippery after snow. Mr Manjiv Bhalla, general secretary of the Himalayan Motorsport Association which is organising the event, said that he was in touch with the GREF which maintains the road, and work to clear the passes was progressing on war footing. He said if the weather remains clear and there is no more snow the event would be held as scheduled. In case some high mountain passes could not be cleared the route would be changed. As per schedule the rally will be flagged off from here on October 7 and conclude at Manali on October 11. It will pass through Narkanda, Jalori Pass, Manali, Rohtang pass, Kunzum Pass, Kaza, Keylong, Bara La Cha, Sirchu, La Cha La, Tang Lag La and after touching Rongo, close to the Chinese border in Ladakh return to Manali. The rally comprises two events, which run concurrently on the same route. The less arduous “reliability trial” is for the first timers to enable them to gain experience. Unlike the Raid which is conducted on the sheer speed format called X-TREME, the “Reliability Trial” will be run on the speed -time-distance format in which the average speed has to be maintained under 40 km per hour. The X-treme version is for the experts. In all 94 entries, including eight of the Indian Army and two of the MRF tyres, have been received for the two-wheelers and four-wheeler categories. |
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Sania sails into second round
Hyderabad, October 4 The 17-year-old Indian, who had a good run in a tournament at Lebanon last month, played a fast-paced game and forced her way to a thumping 6-1 win in the first set after dropping just one game, according to information received here today. The Armenian put up some resistance in the second set by winning two games but the Indian outplayed her before taking the second set 6-2.
— PTI |
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National wrestling meet shifted to Solan
Chandigarh, October 4 This was stated by Dr M.S. Malik, President, Wrestling Federation of India, here today. He said the competitions would be held at Dr Y.S. Parmar
University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. Arrangements have been made to receive the
teams at the railway station About 600 wrestlers and technical officials will participate in this prestigious championship. Boys between the age of 18 and 20 years will take part in nine weight categories in each Greeco Roman and Free Style form of wrestling 46 kg, 50 kg, 55 kg, 60 kg, 66 kg, 74 kg, 84 kg, 96 kg and 120 kg. Weighing will be done on the venue on October 10. Himachal Pradesh is hosting National Championship for the first time. |
Gurdaspur girls shine in
sub-junior gymnastics
Chandigarh, October 4 The championship was inaugurated by Mr K.A.P. Sinha, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, who is also the senior vice-president, Punjab Gymnastics Association, Mr S.K. Verma, SP (Headquarters), Bathinda, gave away the prizes. The best all-round gymnasts in various categories were: Boys: under-12: Parveen Kumar (Patiala); under-13: Love Kumar (Jalandhar); under-14: Shalinder Kumar. Girls: under-10: Simarjeet Kaur (Gurdaspur); under-11 Sonia Jasrotia (Gurdaspur); under-12: Santosh Kumari (Gurdaspur). This was stated in a press note issued by the Punjab Gymnastics Association here today. |
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Punjab cycling team announced
Patiala, October 4 Team teams: (men): Harpreet Singh, Inderpreet Singh, Jitendera Singh. (women): Kamaldeep Walia, Hardeep Kaur, Kulwinder Kaur. (U-18 boys): Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Sharma, Iqbaljit Singh. (U-16 boys): Deepinder Singh, Ravinder Kaur, Harpinder Singh, Jagdeep Singh. (U-14 boys): Karan Singla, Gurdeepak Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Jagpreet Singh. (U-14 girls) Malveen Kaur, Harmanjit Kaur, Taranjit Kaur. The coaches who will accompany the squad are Kiran Bala, Mittarpal Singh and Shivraj Bhatia. |
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Col Raminder Singh
dead
Col Raminder Singh (60) was the Director of Sports, Punjab, during the Chief Ministership of Beant Singh. The cremation will take place in Ludhiana district tomorrow at 2 pm, said family sources. He is survived by his wife, a son, Aman, and daughter, Jinny. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has expressed great shock at the demise of Col Raminder Singh. In a condolence message, he said Col Raminder Singh was an international hockey player and an able sports administrator. |
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New Delhi, October 4
In video
Chandigarh, October 4
