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IWF lifts life ban on tainted lifters
Moody asserts he can handle Sachin and co.
Harbhajan flays ICC for confusion
Ceremony for ICC’s new base in Dubai
Younis Khan hopes for Barbados boost
Bhutia walks out of hospital
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India to play three-match football series against Pak
Al-Ahed edge past Dempo by solitary goal
Kuznetsova sent packing
Rastogi storms into last eight
Ludhiana in driver’s seat
Fine century by Amitoj
8 selected for wrestling meet
HP Sports Act “a black law”
Sahil excels
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IWF lifts life ban on tainted lifters
New Delhi, May 11 “We have recently received a letter from the IOA, suggesting reducing the ban on three women lifters and chief coach, and decided to reduce their suspension period to two years as per WADA laws,” IWF Secretary General Balbir Singh Bhatia said. The federation had conveyed the news to the lifters through the Police Force Control Board, he said, but added that an executive committee meeting would further deliberate on the fate of Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu, who tested positive for banned drugs for the second time at Athens. According to the rules, the weightlifters could be banned for life if caught twice for doping offence, he said. “We have sent letters to them conveying the news. But we will place the matter of Pratima and Sanamacha before our executive committee when it meets,” Bhatia said. Sunaina’s suspension period would be over in April 2006. Sanamacha, currently out of station, said she would meet federation officials after returning and only then could she give a statement over the issue. While Pal Singh Sandhu, who was the chief coach, said he had been informed by the IWF about it over telephone and he would be used by the federation in technical capacity, but not for coaching purposes. “I will not be able to take up any coaching assignments for two years, but will be used for technical purposes like referring and umpiring,” he said. “None of the girls have said that I advised them to take banned drugs, so I will use that to appeal and vindicate my point,” he added. Meanwhile, Pratima, who had appealed to the International Weightlifting Federation against the ban and filed a case holding coaches responsible for the Athens episode, said she was yet to receive any communication from the IWF. Claiming that the reduction in the weightlifters’ punishment was due to her persistent fight, Pratima slammed the IWF for not having enough courage to openly announce its decision. “If they called a press conference to announce the life bans on us, they should announce the reprieve also before the press. Why are they quietly sending us the letters,” Pratima said. “It was my persistant struggle for justice because of which today they had to reconsider their decision. I am happy that it did some good to other lifters also,” she said. When told that the decision could again be changed as the IWF was planning to place her and Chanu’s case before it’s executive committee since they were caught for the second time for the doping offence, the dope-tainted lifter said it was untrue. “I have never been caught for doping earlier. In 1996, which was my first competition, they tested me for banned drugs, but I returned a negative test,” she claimed. “Since I have filed a case in court, they are against me,” Pratima alleged.
— PTI |
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Moody asserts he can handle Sachin and co.
Dubai, May 11 Asked if handling players like Tendulkar and Ganguly would be tough in a country where cricketers are hailed as demigods, Moody told Gulf News, ''I have played cricket against Sachin Tendulkar and I know that he is a gentleman. Interacting with him will not be a problem.'' ''Not just Sachin, I have played against some other Indian cricketers from this current team as well. I'll be at home with all of them, that's for sure,'' Moody said. Admitting he was expecting a call from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Moody said, ''Although I had never appeared for any interview to coach a particular side, I was confident of crossing the first hurdle.'' Quite aware that cricket is not just any other game in India, Moody
said, 'I have played for Australia. I am now coaching in England. I am well aware of the fact that cricket is a religion in India. Whether you are the captain of the team or the coach you will always be under the glare of the media.''
— UNI |
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Harbhajan flays ICC for confusion
Jalandhar, May 11 Harbhajan Singh criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the confusion over the legality of his bowling action due to delay in resolving the issue while claiming that the episode had destroyed his mental peace. The off-spinner was reported for a suspect bowling action for his ‘doosra’, a delivery that spins away from a right-handed batsman, after the second Test between India and Pakistan at Kolkata. Harbhajan revealed that he was planning to play county cricket, but confusion over his bowling action had virtually destroyed his mental peace. “I have deferred my plans to play county cricket till the clearance of row over my bowling action. In fact, I feel being victimised for no fault of mine. The ICC should have acted swiftly to clear the row. Instead, the apex body has miserably failed to redress the issue. Instead of concentrating on the game to further improve my performance, I am just passing time to wait for clearance from the ICC,” lamented Harbhajan. Harbhajan was reported in December on the tour of Bangladesh and again in March during the series against Pakistan. The spinner termed as “unjustified” the provision in the rules for the umpires or referees to call or report a bowler although he was cleared before. “How many times a bowler will have to undergo the test, for which he has already been cleared?” he asked adding, “I am playing international cricket for the past seven years and it is really frustrating that I have to undergo the test every time, whenever I am pointed out for the same suspect action.” “The Indian cricket board had already written to the ICC and raised its objections on my undergoing one more test to clear the bowling action. A similar test had already been conducted on me in Australia in this regard and what is need of such a test again?” questioned Bhajji, who add such controversies had badly affected his performance. |
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Ceremony for ICC’s new base in Dubai
Dubai, May 11 The ICC headquarters will initially be based in the Dubai Media City until the completion of the Dubai Sports City. The financial wing of the ICC will also be shifted here from Monaco by August this year. After the ceremony, Mr Mani said the unification of the ICC's wings would enable the organisation to serve its members better. The ICC also unveiled plans of a cricket academy which will be ready by 2007. There will be indoor and outdoor training facilities, lecture theatres, classrooms, sports science and sports medicine facilities to serve the cricketers, coaches, umpires, curators and administrators. Apart from the ICC President, Chief Executive Malcolm Speed and board members Teddy Griffiths of the West Indies and Bob Marriman of Australia and Abdul Rahman Bukhatir — a partner in Dubai Sports City and the man behind cricket in Sharjah — were also present on the occasion.
— UNI |
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Younis Khan hopes for Barbados boost
Karachi, May 11 Younis will don the mantle of captaincy for the first time when he leads the team at Barbados as skipper Inzamam-ul Haq serves out the one match ban for dissent against umpiring decisions on the recent series in India. "I believe that Barbados Test will have a huge impact on my career and if I manage to win it, it would not only provide me an ideal start but it will also lay the foundation of our first series win in nearly five decades," Younis told PTI shortly before the team's departure on a four-week tour for three one-day internationals and two Tests in the Caribbean. The Pathan is embarking on the tour with a huge reputation after a successful tour of India. Some even have tipped him as future captain. However, Younis is trying to handle things as coolly as possible. "To tell you the truth, I am not at all over-excited or over-enthusiastic or its not that butterflies are flying in my belly with the prospects of leading Pakistan at Barbados,"
Younis, who was Pakistan batting's mainstay in India with scores of 9,1, 147, 0, 267 and 84 not out, said. "But yes, I am happy because this (captaincy) is a proof that you really have something extra in your personality and cricketing abilities", he said. "You may not believe it but I have captained Peshawar and Habib Bank in domestic matches and I felt tremendous pressure from all quarters. So in that context, I don't think there will be huge pressure on me," Younis said. He said the series would lose its attraction and interest if seven cricketers, including Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan, did not play because of dispute between rival sponsors. "We want to face a full strength team because it is difficult to motivate and lift yourself against depleted opponents," Younis said.
— PTI |
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Bhutia walks out of hospital
Kolkata, May 11 Bhutia, who was admitted to the hospital two days ago, has been detected with hyper-thyroid and minor liver dysfunction. Dr Mahesh Goenka, who is treating the ace striker, said, “medication has already begun and looking at the way he is responding we feel that he should start practising within three weeks and within seven weeks he should be back at his prime.” Bhutia, who looked a lot more fresh today, said, “I am still feeling depressed at letting down my club at the crunch time. The fact that I will not be able to don my country’s colours during the Pakistan tour is also hurting me.” He said he was feeling much better after medication started and was confident that he would be back soon. Baichung Bhutia said he would start jogging after three weeks and early next season he would be ready for competitive soccer. Asked if the break would affect his game, he said, ‘’Every time I am injured, I come back stronger. The urge in me to prove myself increases and I work harder.’’ “I needed a break from hectic soccer. If anything, it will do be good,” Bhutia said, who would leave for Sikkim by the end of this month. Asked to comment on the club transfer as the season was coming to an end, he said, ‘’I don’t want to talk about that now.’’
— UNI |
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India to play three-match football series against Pak
Lahore, May 11 Meanwhile, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced a two-day trial camp from May 15 at Quetta for the 31 probables who would train under the supervision of coaches Tariq Lutfi and Akhtar Mohayouddin. Peshawar will host the second match on June 13 which will be played under lights and the third match is slated for June 17 here at the Punjab Stadium. Talking to reporters, Director Technical PFF Lt-Col Mujahid Ullah Khan admitted it would be quite hot in June. ‘’We suggested dates in February last but the Indian federation (AIFF) proposed the dates in June,” he said. “So keeping in mind the hot weather, we have arranged matches under lights. The weather at Quetta will be manageable plus in evening the match will also pull crowd in handsome number,’’ he said. He also refuted reports that India would send their under-21 team and confirmed the visitors would come with their national team. The Chief Ministers of the respective provinces would grace the matches for which a comprehensive security system would be put in place, the PFF official said.
— UNI |
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Al-Ahed edge past Dempo by solitary goal
Margao, May 11 Al-Ahed, who had territorial advantage throughout the match, scored the all-important goal in the 72nd minute when Maatouk got the better of defender Raju Singh inside the box and beat goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal from an acute angle. Al-Ahed utilised the flanks well with long passes and could have easily won the return match by a bigger margin had they not missed at least three clear chances. Dempo, who defended well, also had their chances to score, but goalkeeper Biilal Hachem made two good diving saves. The win took Al-Ahed to Dempo, who lost to Al-Ahed in the away match earlier through a controversial goal, finished their league engagements, losing all their four matches.
— PTI |
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Kuznetsova sent packing
Rome, May 11 Sharapova, who as one of the top eight seeds was given a first round bye, beat Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-4, 6-2, while fifth seed Kuznetsova was defeated 6-2, 6-4 by
Argentinean doubles specialist Paola Suarez. Reigning Wimbledon champion Sharapova, who hit 32 winners, but made 26 unforced errors, admitted that there was plenty of room for improvement after a patchy second round performance riddled with mistakes. “The first match was never going to be easy and I had to be really patient, but it was good to get it over with,” said the Siberia-born 18-year-old, who would become world number one for the first time if she wins the title here. Suarez, number 28 in the singles rankings and one of the world’s best doubles players, was delighted with her second round victory over Kuznetsova after first round exits in her last four tournaments. Seeded trio Tatiana Golovin, Elena Likhovtseva and Daniela Hantuchova all suffered humiliating first round exits at the Foro Italico. Serbian Ana Ivanovic defeated French 12th seed Golovin 6-3, 6-4, while Israel’s Anna Smashnova beat Russian 11th seed Likhovtseva 6-1, 6-3 and Slovakian 16th seed Hantuchova lost 6-1, 6-2 to Croatian Sanda Mamic. Spain’s Conchita Martinez, a four-time Rome champion, beat Angela Haynes of the USA to claim a second round place, while Japanese 15th seed Ai Sugiyama ousted Bulgarian Magdalena Maleeva to make the last 32.
— AFP |
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Rastogi storms into last eight
Mumbai, May 11 According to information received here, Rastogi, who had earned a wild card in the main draw, enjoyed a consistent game in his second round encounter and after winning the opening set in the tie-breaker, dominated the second set. In the first round yesterday, Rastogi shocked third seed Jamie Delgado of the UK 7-6, 6-1. It was Rastogi’s second win over Delgado, ranked world number 207.
— UNI |
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Ludhiana in driver’s seat
Ludhiana, May 11 In reply to Minor Districts Zone A’s first innings total of 196 all out, Ludhiana were cruising at 72 runs for one wicket after 27 overs. Brief scores:
Minor Districts Zone A (Ist innings): 192 all out in 67.3 overs (Gurtej 102, Gagandeep Dhand 4 for 40, Nakul Sharma 3 for
53); Ludhiana (Ist innings): 72 for 1 in 27 overs. |
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Fine century by Amitoj
Patiala, May 11 At one stage, the hosts were cruising comfortably at 158 for 1 before Sandeep Bhatacharya and Pankaj put the skids under the hosts to bowl them out for 259. Brief scores: Patiala:
1st innings: 259 all out
(Amitoj Singh 106, Jeewanjot Singh 89, Rajwinder Singh 14, Sandeep Bhatacharya 5 for 75, Pankaj 3 for 43, Sumit Dhiman 2 for 82) Chandigarh: 1st innings:
41 for 1
(Gurkeerat Singh 20 n.o, Rajwinder 1 for 2) |
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8 selected for wrestling meet
Hisar, May 11 The team: 44 KG: Sudesh Kumari (Nidani), 48 KG: Guddi Panwar (UP), 51 KG: Geeta (Har), 55 KG: Rachna Shekhawat (Har), 59 KG: Poonam Bamal (Har), 63 KG: Geetika Jakhar (Har), 67 KG: Suman Dahiya (Har), 72 KG: Kavita (Har). The team was selected during national coaching camp here today.
— PTI |
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HP Sports Act “a black law”
Shimla, May
11 Mr Sanjay Sharma, spokesperson of the association,
ridiculed the statement of Mr S.C.Nayar, a former general secretary of
the association, hailing the enactment of the new law and said they were
making such misleading statements to hide their own failures. Obviously,
Mr Nayar and others who managed the sports all these years were finding
it difficult to swallow the success achieved by Mr Anurag Thakur as the
president of the association in promoting cricket in the state and
improving the lot of cricketers. He said Mr Nayar, during whose tenure
Mr Lalit Modi was given the right to vote on behalf of the state
association, had no locus standi to accuse Mr Thakur of undermining the
interests of the state. Under Mr Nayar even the account of the
association had not been maintained, he said. |
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Sahil excels
Chandigarh, May 11 As per fax message received here from Ms Madhu Bahl, manager of the Indian team, the scores remained 9-3 in favour of India in the first half. Sahil Khattar scored six goals followed by Manpreet Singh who also struck six goals. Parminder Singh scored three goals for India. |
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Aslam favours full-time manager
Bhopal, May 11 "IHF members/voters are being obliged and offered foreign trips by making them team managers. This trend should stop and full-time managers should be appointed to realise team's potential," Khan told reporters here.
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