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IOA vice-chief Malhotra for firm stand on Ahmedabad
8 Shiv Sainiks arrested
Tendulkar can’t afford to miss series: Inzamam
Shoaib refuses to play in Patron’s Trophy
Ranbir Singh keen to boost junior cricket
S Africa complete 4-1 series win
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Sultans win PHL; Jalandhar runners up
Narain can drive for Ferrari: Karamjit
Fed Cup: Sania to lead Indian challenge
Bill not to undermine sports bodies’ autonomy: Thakur
Devi Lal University win wrestling title
Dudu’s guides Sporting to victory
Jorawar, Kawalpreet best athletes
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IOA vice-chief Malhotra for firm stand on Ahmedabad
New Delhi, February 13 He also asked the Pakistan government to see reason and cautioned it against turning sports into communal issue. ''I hope Pakistan will play in Ahmedabad so that people to people contact between the two countries are enhanced,'' he said but added, ''If Pakistan refuses to play in Ahmedabad then it will be better to call off the tour,'' he said. Talking to newspersons here this afternoon, Prof Malhotra asserted that Ahmedabad was the most peaceful place in the country and Pakistan had no business to object to it as a venue for the Test. He also supported Gujarat Cricket Association
(GCA) president Narhari Amin's demand that in case Pakistan is not interested in playing in that state it will be better not to have the series. Prof Malhotra wondered as why Pakistan had refused to play a Test in Ahmedabad citing ''political reasons'' when the venue possesses all the prerequisites plus more for the purpose. ''This becomes all the more incomprehensible in light of the fact that the West Indies played a one-day international in Ahmedabad in November 2002 and New Zealand a five-day Test in 2003,'' he added. The Pak refusal is further difficult to comprehend when seen in the light of efforts that had been made by the previous NDA government to revive sporting ties with Pakistan. Prof Malhotra, who is the president of the General Association of National Sports Federations
(GANSF), was of the view that Indian effort at that time was even more commendable in view of the fact that cricketing nations like Australia and New Zealand had earlier refused to play in Pakistan for reasons of security. At the initiative of the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, India had played in Karachi and Peshawar against all odds and opened the flood-gates for the Pakistanis who by then had been considered pariahs in the world sporting community. All these sincere efforts now appear threatened to be reduced to zero by Pakistan's obduracy. He asserted that by citing ''political reasons'' for its refusal to play in Ahmedabad, Pakistan is interfering in India's internal affairs and is trying to play one section of the community against the other in a nefarious design. He reminded Pakistan that India took its largest-ever contingent to the Islamabad SAF Games held in April 2004 without a second thought about security or any related matter. None can deny that the Indian participation largely contributed to the success of the Islamabad SAF Games. Pakistan should not forget that only last December Australia refused to play in Champions Trophy hockey at Lahore citing security reasons. It was again India which bailed out the Pakistani organisers by sending its team. Pakistan should desist from such low-down devices and not forget that on the sporting firmament it needs India more than India needs it. He said the Indian team's tour last year provided the much-needed money to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which was on the verge of bankruptcy but instead of appreciating the Indian gesture, they are displaying moral and ethical bankruptcy by raising issues which have nothing to do with sports. Prof Malhotra, who is deputy leader of BJP Parliamentary party, said, ''We want the tour to go on without any hitch but we will not tolerate any blackmail and the attempts to create fissures in our society.'' Pakistanis have taken part in several sports and other events held in Ahmedabad in the last three years but now they are raising non-issues to create a bad image of India. ''In case Pakistan does not agree to play in Ahmedabad because of what they call political reasons, the tour should be called off because of political reasons,'' he added.
— UNI |
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8 Shiv Sainiks arrested
Kanpur, February 13 The arrest were made in the last 24 hours following a futile attempt by Sena activists yesterday to enter the stadium, which is proposed to hold a one-day match during the upcoming series between India and Pakistan. Security has been beefed up in and around the stadium after a threat from Shiv Sena activists to damage the pitch, police said adding the Shiv Sainiks were arrested under various sections of the CRPC including rioting.
— PTI |
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Tendulkar can’t afford to miss series: Inzamam
Karachi, February 13 “He is a great player and would hate to miss the mother of all series. I think even if he is half-fit, he will take the risk of playing in the series because he knows his influence over his team and the confidence his presence gives to his players,” Inzamam told PTI in an interview here yesterday. Tendulkar is recovering from an elbow injury but is expected to be fully fit before the first Test begins early next month. Inzamam was all praise for the Indian batting genius saying that one could always learn something new from Tendulkar. “We have been under Sachin’s hammer quite often but I have always enjoyed watching him bat. Each time he bats out there, he teaches you something new. He is a thorough entertainer, a great cricket teacher and a true model for the youngsters,” Inzamam said. The Pakistani skipper was also effusive in his praise of Sourav Ganguly and had no hesitation in declaring that he was the best captain around, given the way he had transformed the Indian team. “The present Indian team has started believing in itself. They now know that they can win matches abroad. A few years ago, there was only one match-winner in the Indian team and now every player is capable of single-handedly guiding India to victory,” Inzamam said. “The Indian team is no more dependent on just one player anymore. This is a great turnaround and the credit for this massive transformation has to given to Sourav Ganguly. In my book, he is the best captain today,” he said. On the kind of wickets he expected his team to face in India, Inzamam said it was the prerogative of the home team to prepare tracks although personally he would like to play on faster tracks. “It is the prerogative of the home team what type of pitches they want to prepare. I would let Sourav decide on that but if he asks me, I will opt for fast tracks.”
— PTI |
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Shoaib refuses to play in Patron’s Trophy
Islamabad, February 13 Sources close to Shoaib said the bowler was “surprised” at the instruction to play in the match as he had been advised rest till February 18 and also because none of the physical trainers would be at hand to assess his fitness. Shoaib, recovering from a hamstring injury, has also sought a meeting with PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan to put forward his point of view as he had no intention of resuming playing so soon. South African trainer Grant Compton, who has been supervising Shoaib’s rehabilitation programme, had told him to rest till February 18 before a fresh assessment of his injury was carried out, the sources were quoted as saying in local daily The News. “Compton is due to return home on February 18 but Shoaib is surprised at the instructions given to him to play in a first-class match from February 14,” they said. “Shoaib is also surprised at these instructions since even the foreign trainer and physiotherapist would return only on February 18 from South Africa, so he (Shoaib) is wondering who is going to assess his fitness even if he plays in the match.” The sources said Shoaib was also armed with a medical report on his injury, which he wanted to show to the PCB Chairman before finding out the logic behind the directive to play in a first-class match when he had been asked to rest by Compton. A lot of hue and cry was raised on Friday when Shoaib did not appear before the PCB-appointed trainer, Dr Meesaq Rizvi, while the other injured pace bowlers, Mohammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed, did. “Shoaib has made it clear to the board he does not believe Dr Rizvi has the qualification or credentials to give any assessment on his hamstring injury,” they said. The latest insistence by the board that he play in the Patron’s Trophy to prove his fitness was an attempt to keep the fast bowler under pressure, a PCB official said. “We also realise Shoaib is a valuable bowler when he is 100 per cent committed. But his antics in recent times are not acceptable. The board wants to not only ensure he is completely fit for the Indian tour but also keep him under pressure so that he does not take his selection for India for granted,” a board official stated.
— PTI |
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Ranbir Singh keen to boost junior cricket
Chandigarh, February 13 Mr Ranbir Singh said after the successful experiment of holding the National Cricket Championship for the Ranji Trophy in two groups — elite and plate — he proposed to advise the board to conduct the national championship for under-17 also on the same pattern. Currently, this tournament is held first on a zonal basis and then on an inter-zonal basis. By introducing the Ranji Trophy system in the under-17 group, Mr Ranbir Singh said the competition among the stronger teams would become more intense, thereby preparing players for the tougher competition at the senior level. Mr Ranbir Singh, who was actively associated with the running of the National Cricket Academy at Bangalore, said he planned to have zonal cricket academies in all five zones of the country. This scheme has been hanging fire for some time. To spot talent for the proposed cricket academies, the BCCI chief planned to appoint at least 15 to 20 talent search development officers. Currently, the BCCI has only one talent search officer, former Test star Dilip Vengsarkar. These talent officers would be former Test players dedicated to the game, preferably having no link with state associations. Since this is a paid post of the board, it would open up new opportunities to former Test players who like to give something back to the game. Mr Ranbir Singh said no decision had yet been taken on the centres which would have these cricket academies but he hoped to work it out at the earliest. Another area where he hopes to give more attention during his tenure is that of umpires. Mr Ranbir Singh, who has remained Chairman of the Umpires Committee of the BCCI, said he hoped to improve the skill level of Indian umpires by establishing an academy for umpires. He said the BCCI scheme of giving an opportunity to retired Test players to become first class umpires without going through the rigours of a test and interview had not received a good response. Even players who had opted to become umpires after retiring from Test cricket had not stayed long enough to graduate to the Test level as they had found other opportunities, Mr Ranbir Singh said. After the retirement of R. Venkataraghavan from the International Cricket Council panel, no Indian umpire had found a place in the panel. Mr Ranbir Singh hoped that this lacuna would be corrected at the earliest. |
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S Africa complete 4-1 series win
Centurion, February 13 Despite a superb century under pressure by England's Kevin Pietersen, who lifted England to 240 all out in 49.5 overs, South Africa won with an over to spare after Ashwell Prince struck a career-best 62 not out in 76 balls. The hosts finished on 241 for nine, with further contributions from captain Graeme Smith (47) and Mark Boucher, a brisk 44. England: Trescothick c Gibbs b Pollock 0 Jones c Kemp b Nel 14 Vaughan b Ntini 1 Strauss c Boucher b Nel 15 Pietersen b Hall 116 Solanki c Smith b Boje 5 Collingwood run out 10 Giles b Ntini 41 Kabir Ali b Hall 25 Wharf not out 3 Harmison b Hall 0 Extras
(nb-3, w-7) 10 Total (49.5 overs) 240 FoW: 1-0, 2-1, 3-32, 4-36, 5-54, 6-68, 7-172, 8-225, 9-240. Bowling:
Pollock 10-1-36-1, Ntini 9-2-47-2, Nel 10-1-60-2, Hall 9.5-1-52-3, Boje 10-0-34-1, Kallis 1-0-11-0. South Africa: Smith c Solanki b Giles 47 Hall c Harmison b Wharf 23 Kallis c Trescothick b Vaughan 36 Gibbs lbw b Harmison 0 Prince not out 62 Boucher run out (Strauss) 44 Kemp c Giles b Ali 4 Pollock c Collingwood b Wharf 6 Boje not out 1 Extras
(lb-2 nb-2 w-14) 18 Total (7 wickets, 49 overs) 241 Fall of wickets:
1-46 2-106 3-107 4-148 5-218 6-228 7-236. Bowling: Wharf 10-2-51-2 (nb-2 w-1), Harmison 10-0-55-1(w-8), Ali 9-0-48-1, Collingwood 5-0-25-0 (w-5), Giles 10-0-38-1, Vaughan 5-0-22-1— Reuters
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Sultans win PHL; Jalandhar runners up
Hyderabad, February 13 For Sultans Sameer Dad (20th) and Chadda (65th) found the mark while Deepak Thakur (49th) scored for Sher-e-Jalandhar. The winners, who finished with 19 points to emerge champions, took home a prize money of Rs 30 lakh and the runners up Rs 10 lakh as the inaugural edition of the event concluded here today. Sultans were followed in the points table by Sher-e-Jalandhar (14), Maratha Warriors (13), Bangalore Hi Fliers (9) and Chennai Veerans (5). In today's match, Sultans surged ahead into the lead after a barren first quarter when a move from the right was taken by Wasim Ahmed who put the ball in Sameer Dad's possession. Dad dodged past two players, including Baljit Singh Dhillon, before driving home to draw the first blood. Jalandhar tried hard for the equaliser, which came when Deepak Thakur, after getting a cross from Didar Singh, tapped the ball in. With the score level 1-1 and the match entering into the last quarter, it appeared as if the fate could be decided in extra-time. But Chaddha had other plans as with just five minutes to go he slammed one past the Jalandhar goalkeeper to seal the issue in favour of his side. Hyderabad skipper Dilip Tirkey was injured in the first quarter and was out of the rest of the match. But his absence did not hurt the hosts much since former Pakistan captain Wasim Ahmed displayed good stick work and was brilliant in the first half of the match. The hosts built up some very good moves in the initial stage of the match and they attacked in waves with Chaddha and Dad leading from the front and Ajitesh Rai providing adequate support from the mid-field. But all the raids could yield nothing positive in the face of some very good work by the Jalandhar deep defenders. After the Sultans took the lead, Jalandhar stepped up their attack and pace and the hosts survived a scare when Prabhjot Singh tried his reverse hit but Vikaram Pillay dived brilliantly to intercept the ball before custodian Ahmed Alam averted any further damage. Jalandhar missed out on a good chance when Prabhjot took a through ball into the circle but Thakur failed to connect it. In the third quarter, short corner specialist Sohail Abbas failed to convert a penalty corner, much to the disappointment of the home crowd that cheered for Hyderabad throughout the match. Sohail, however, ended as the second highest goal scorer of the competition with seven goals, one less than Len Aiyappa of Bangalore Hi Fliers. — PTI
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Narain can drive for Ferrari: Karamjit
New Delhi, February 13 “Narain has shown that he can touch tremendous speeds. It’s unfortunate that he has had to wait so long for the big break but he has got enough talent to drive for Ferrari,” Malaysian national Karamjit told UNI during a chat here today. Karamjit (43) rubbished claims that at 28, Karthikeyan was too old to make a mark in F1. “Michael Schumacher is 36. He is eight years older than Narain and still going strong. So, if Narain can remain as fit and is on the circuit for another 10 years, the sky will be the limit,” said the six-time Asia-Pacific Rally Champion, who also won its last edition in December, 2004. The growing interest in motor sports, especially track racing, in this part of the world will stand Karthikeyan in good stead, feels Karamjit, whose ancestral home is in Amritsar. “Support can be a terrific motivating factor. It enhances belief in the self. The whole of Asia is proud of Narain. Even in Malaysia, where sports stories are always insiders, Karthikeyan is regularly making it to the front pages. “The media too has a role to play. There should not be any negative reports. Let the man be in a good, relaxed state of mind,’’ he said. “I will talk to Karthikeyan on the phone and tell him not to rush things. Hundreds before him have made that mistake. He should take his time and that is the least that his supporters and sponsors should grant him.’’ Both Karamjit and Karthikeyan are co-sponsored by JK Tyre. —
UNI |
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Fed Cup: Sania to lead Indian challenge
Hyderabad, February 13 The Asia-Oceania Group 1 zonal tie, to be held in New Delhi on April 18 to 20, will also see the US-based Shikha Uberoi make her debut for India. Ankita Bhambri and Rushmi Chakravarthy are the other two members of the team that will be coached by Enrico Piperno while Sanaa Bhambri and Punam Reddy were named as reserves today. The selection committee of the All India Tennis Association, which met here under the chairmanship of Shyam
Minotra, also announced the Davis Cup team to take on China in the Asia-Oceania Group 1 first round tie at New Delhi from March 4 to 6. Leander Paes will as usual be the key singles player but his burden will be that much than last year with Nandan Bal taking over as coach. The teams: Fed Cup: Sania
Mirza, Shikha Uberoi, Ankita Bhambri and Rushmi Chakravarthi, Reserve: Sana
Bhambri, S Punam Reddy. Coach/Captain: Enricho Piperno. Davis Cup: Leander Peas (Playing Captain), Mahesh
Bhupathi, Prakash Amritraj, Harsh Mankad. Reserve: Karan Rastogi. Coach : Nandan Bal
— PTI, UNI |
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Bill not to undermine sports bodies’ autonomy: Thakur
Shimla, February 13 Addressing a press conference soon after being elected as president of the Himachal Olympic Association for the fifth time here today, he said he was a sportsperson and sports organiser first and minister later and as such fully aware of the fact how important was autonomy for those managing sports. He said a wrong impression was being created in the media that government was out to bring sports associations under its control through a legislation which, in fact, has not been even finalised so far. He said all the 32 delegates representing 16 affiliated associations attended the meeting of the state Olympic association today and no one had any apprehensions in this regard. Only those who had tempered with the constitution, enrolled life members from outside state with voting rights to capture sports bodies and committed other illegalities were making a hue and cry. The government only wanted to safeguard the interests of the Himachalis and ensure that the sports bodies did not become captive organisations of outsiders. Mr Thakur said that the fact that the new office-bearers of the state Olympic association were elected unanimously indicated that there were no differences in the apex body. The new office bearers of the association are:- president -Mr Ram Lal Thakur, senior vice-president- Mr Sunder Pal Das, vice-presidents — Mr P.N. Chauhan, Mr S.C. Pathik, Mr Rajesh Bhandari, Mr Randhir Singh and Mr Nand Lal Thakur, seretary — Mrs Suman Mehta, treasurer — Mr Ramesh Chauhan (v’ball), joint secretaries — Mr Surinder Singh, Mr Shma Lal, Mr K.N. Tiwari, Mr Ramesh Chauhan (judo) and Mr O.P. Ranot. |
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Devi Lal University win wrestling title
Rohtak, February 13 Hosts Maharshi Dayanad University, Rohtak, finished runners-up with 22 points. Ch Charan Singh University, Meerut, secured 14 points to finish third. On the second and concluding day of the championship, CDLU grappler Poonam Bamal (67kg), an international player, defeated Taruna of CCSU, Meerut. Though Meena and Krishna had to remain content with the silver medals in 51 kg and 59 kg categories, respectively, their efforts proved good enough to clinch the team title. Neha Rathi (51kg) and Kamlesh (59kg) of MDU defeated Meena and Krishna of CDLU, respectively, to win gold medals. The vice-president of the MDU Sports Council, Dr Krishna Chaudhary, and the Deputy Director, Railway Sports Promotion Board, Mr Vikram Dahiya, presented trophies to the winners and runners-up, respectively. Results: 51kg: 1. Neha Rathi (MDU, Rohtak); 2. Meena (CDLU, Sirsa); 3. Rashmi Bedi (GNDU, Amritsar) and Shweta Punia (CCSU, Meerut). 59 kg: 1. Kamlesh (MDU, Rohtak); 2. Krishna (CDLU, Sirsa); 3. Saroj Yadav (Pbi University, Patiala) and Jyoti (CCSU, Meerut). 67 kg: 1. Poonam Bamal (CDLU, Sirsa); 2. Taruna (CCSU, Meerut); 3. Gagandeep Kaur (Pbi University, Patiala) and Jainam (MDU, Rohtak).
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Dudu’s guides Sporting to victory
Margao, February 13 Fransa, who beat strong contenders Mohun Bagan and Dempo in their earlier matches, however, played a subdued game today and scored their lone goal in the 78th minute through Saikhom Singh. Fransa, who suffered their third defeat, remained on 13 points from eight matches, while with the win Sporting moved to the seventh place with seven points from four matches, displacing Salgaocar, who have an inferior goal difference. Dudu, who troubled the rival defence along with Edeh Chidi, gave Sporting the lead in the 24th minute when he drove home a powerful right footer off a deflection from defender A S Firoze after Nicholas Rodrigues had taken a shot at the goal. The goal inspired Sporting as they controlled the midfield and made inroads at regular interval and increased the lead in the 53rd minute through a penalty. — PTI |
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Jorawar, Kawalpreet best athletes
Amritsar, February 13 Jorawar Singh, a BA Part I student, stood first in six events — 100 m, 400 m, 1500 m, 5000 m, triple jump and obstacle race. Kawalpreet Kaur, a BBA Part I student, stood first in 200 m and 400 m. She remained second in 100 m, long jump and discus throw and was third in shot put. The other winners in the men’s section were Sukhdev Singh (200 m), Gurpreet Singh Sekhon (800 m), Sukhwant Singh, Jatinder Singh, Karanbir Singh and Billu (4x100 m relay), Karanbir Singh (high jump), Harjeet Singh (long jump), Prabhjot Singh (shot put), Karanbir Singh (javelin throw), Karanbir Singh (Discus Throw). In the women’s section, the winners included Anjali Sharma (100 m), Kawalpreet Kaur, Sandeep Kaur, Mashal and Anjali Sharma (4x100 m relay), Tejinder Kaur (high jump), Sania (long Jump), Harinder Kaur (shot put), Harinder Kaur (javelin throw) and Geetanjali (discus throw). |
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Karachi, February 13
