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Indian eves lose to Aussies
Men play Malaysia today
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India blank Trinidad and Tobago
Paddlers shine on day one
Shooters take aim today
Indian gymnasts finish seventh
Poncha, Muralidharan fail to qualify
Vibrancy, colour dominate opening ceremony
Clark puts Aussies on top
Harmison ruled out of third Test
Sourav guides Bengal to victory
BCCI files FIR against Dalmiya
Bhupathi, Paes crash out
Indian Airlines clinch hockey title
Golf Club team elected unanimously
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Kunjarani lifts first gold
Melbourne, March 16 The 38-year old bespectacled Manipuri, the most decorated lifter of the country, thus retained her crown and title as she lifted a total of 166 kg to enable the Indian
Tricolour flutter high in the hall as the Games competition formally commenced today. Kunjarani lifted 72kg in snatch and 94 kg in clean-and-jerk for the gold, even though she could not rewrite the Games record of 167 kg — 75 kg in snatch and 92 kg in clean-and-jerk — that stands in her name. It was clearly not her best performance but Kunjarani did enough to give the Indian campaign a golden kick start in The Indian, a Deputy Superintendent with the Central Reserve Force, was pre-tournament favourite and she justified her billing in a field of 11 lifters. “I am very happy that I have the honour to win the first gold of the Games for my country,” a beaming Kunjarani said later. “I was confident of winning and was not worried when I muffed my first attempt in snatch,” said the modest gold medal winner. “I am thankful to all who had faith in me,” she added. It was not best of the competitions as the Indian never looked threatened though there was a sort of false alarm as she slipped and failed in her first attempt to lift 70 kg in snatch. The onus was on Kunjarani after the weightlifting team had come for the competition without two of its best medal prospects — P Shailaja (75kg) and B Prameelavalli (63kg) — which might have had dampened the spirits of the lifters to some extent. The diminutive lifter, who had lifted 178 kg (78kg+100kg) in the world championships at Doha last year which was her last major international outing before the Games, was determined to clinch the top honours in a neck and neck competition with the Canadian. Kunjarani first attempted to snatch 70 kg but failed and then cleared it in the second chance. She then raised the bar to 72 kg and easily hoisted it. But her closest competitor Dozois, who began the competition by lifting 69 kg, successfully went on to carry the weights of 71 kg and 73 kg in her subsequent attempts to overtake the bespectacled Indian. However, in clean and jerk, Dozois came under pressure when her first attempt to lift 89 kg failed and the second attempt was also not cleared immediately. In her third and last chance, she managed 92 kg. While it was a smooth proceedings for Kunjarani, who graduated from 88 kg to 91 kg followed by a successful 94 kg to romp home. Batta wins silver
India’s Vicky Bhatta came up with a superb effort bettering his World Championship mark to claim the silver medal while Edwin Raju missed the bronze in men’s 56 kg weightlifting event of the 18th Commonwealth Games here tonight. Batta lifted an overall 245 kg which included 114 kg through snatch and 131 kg through
clean and jerk. Malaysia’s Mohd Faizal Baharom won the gold for his effort of 250 kg (115kg+135kg) while his compatriot Matin Guntali took the bronze with lifts of 238 kg (107kg+131).
— PTI |
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Indian eves lose to Aussies
Men play Malaysia today
Melbourne, March 16 The Indian eves recovered from a first-minute goal by Wendy Beattie to lead 2-1 with Asunta Lakra and Mamta Kharab scoring in the 13th and 22nd minute through penalty corners. But the Hockeyroos, touted as favourites despite India’s gold at Manchester Games in 2002, hit back through Karen Smith for the equaliser before Rebecca Sanders (41st) and Angela Skirving put it past the Indians in the second half. Throughout the match, the Aussies, who lost to Holland in the title match of the Champions Trophy at home last December, showed great opportunism in their ball possession and enjoyed superior territorial advantage. But Australia, ranked fourth in the world as compared to India’s 13th position, could convert only two of the 10 penalty corners they forced. On the other hand, India had a 100 per cent success rate of penalty corner conversion. The Aussies surprised the Indians with their exuberance and took the lead just seconds after the match started. Beattie made full use of a pass from the right and showed opportunism in sounding the boards. After Saba Anjum’s good effort at the goal was saved by Aussie goalkeeper, Toni Cronk made a couple of replacements and once Skirving’s carpet drive shot off a corner was saved by Kanti Baa. India matched the hosts for a brief period, making good use of the wings and also the centre but lost the ball frequently at the top of the circle, Kim Walker doing a good job for the Aussies with her sharp interceptions. In the second half, Australia changed their gameplan and denied India a good look at their goal. The men’s team would go all out with guns blazing to draw first blood in their tournament opener against Malaysia in the 18th Commonwealth Games here tomorrow. After a series of indifferent performances recently, the Indians did well to regroup and win the three-match away series with Pakistan 1-0 last month to ensure they embarked for Australia with a positive mindset. Pitted in Group-B with Pakistan, Malaysia and Trinidad and Tobago, India need to finish on top by winning all their matches to avoid meeting hosts Australia in the semifinals. India cannot afford to relax, as except against the lowly Trinidad and Tobago, both Malaysia and Pakistan would throw a tough challenge in the league stage. Coach Rajinder Singh told PTI that each match would be tough and they will have to put up a strong show throughout the competition to ensure a medal. The coach expressed confidence that the team had settled down well and was raring to go. “The Malaysians have been tough customers whenever they play against us and they should not be allowed any space and not allowed to force too many penalty corners,” he said. India got an early jolt when Harpal Singh, adjudged the best defender in the series against Pakistan recently, was ruled out due to chicken pox and had to be replaced by William Xalxo, who arrived here this morning. The Indians had suffered an early setback when skipper Dilip Tirkey and goalkeeper Adrian D’souza opted out of the high-profile event. The return of Deepak Thakur and Viren Rasquinha has, however, strengthened the team while goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, who won kudos for his performance in the Champions Trophy, is also expected to deliver the goods. — PTI |
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Australia crush India
Melbourne, March 16 It was a fight between unequals. On one side was a thoroughly professional team and on the other side was a fledgling side trying to figure out as how to stay put on the court against their ruthless rivals. Australians showed no mercy to the Indians despite coming to know that their rivals are novice in the game. The realisation dawned on the hosts in the very first quarter of the match in which they led 41-6, but that seemed to have annoyed them more and hence this severe punishment. Ranked 41st in the world, the Indian women were pitted against the team which had one of the world’s best basketballers — Lauren Jackson —in their ranks. Basketball is making its debut in the Games and Australians are determined to win the gold, but for the Indians who had come here for getting good exposure got thoroughly exposed. The Indian girls just had no clue against the assault launched and directed by Lauren Jackson who has played in WNBA team Seattle Storm, WNBA All Star, besides being a member of the team which won two Olympic silver medals and two world championship bronze medals. —
UNI |
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India blank Trinidad and Tobago
Melbourne, March 16 It became very obvious that organisers in their bid to add the numbers have not given any consideration to the standards of the teams participating nor have they laid down any qualifying norms leading to virtual no contests. The India-Trinidad and Tobago badminton match did not deserve to feature in this level of the Games. —
UNI |
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Paddlers shine on day one
Melbourne, March 16 Indian men quelled the challenge of Kiribati 3-0 in a Group D league match, while the women’s team disposed off Fiji Islands with the same score in Group C. Soumyadeep Roy took just nine minutes to breeze past Tokannata Ioatene 11-2, 11-6, 11-3 to give India the lead. India’s top paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal defeated Allie Johnny 11-2, 11-6, 11-1 while national champion, Subhajit Saha registered a 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 victory over Toaaki Taoroba to make it 3-0. In the women’s matches, national champion Mouma Das scored a confident 11-1, 11-3, 11-3 win in nine minutes against Shriti Jeet, a player of Indian origin. Veteran Poulomi Ghatak then beat Venetia Koi 11-2, 11-4, 11-3 while Nandita Saha won the third match against Qu Rujuan with a 11-8, 11-4, 11-6 score to pocket the first round match.
— PTI |
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Shooters take aim today
Melbourne, March 16 Rathore would be in direct competition with his former coach Russell Mark of Australia while top pistol shooter Samresh Jung would also run into a tough rival in defending champion Michael Giglt of England in free and air pistol. New faces in rifle shooters Tejaswini Sawant and Avneet Kaur Sidhu, and Harveen Srao in pistol would also hope to add to the Indian tally as the competitions in men’s 10m air rifle pairs, 50m pistol pairs and trap pairs and women’s 10m air rifle pairs, 25m pistol pairs and trap pairs are held tomorrow. The Indians would be seen in action in clay target, pistol, small bore and air rifle over next nine days. India have not fielded shooters in full bore event, a non-Olympic event. Coach Sunny Thomas believes his shooters should do well to repeat their performance in Manchester’s edition where they bagged 14 gold, seven silver and three bronze medals, given the tougher competition this time around. Of the 40 gold medals on offer in four different events, India are tipped to grab about 25 medals, including 15 gold in the men and women events. Rathore said cold weather conditions were the only worry for the Indian shooters, who were otherwise in good form. On his own chances, the ace shooter said, “I am feeling well and shooting well. My overall preparation has been good.” —
PTI |
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Indian gymnasts finish seventh
Melbourne, March 16 The Indian team comprising Sharat Chandra, Rohit Jaiswal, Ashish Kumar, Vivek Mishra and Mayank Shrivastava totalled 240.30 points. The Canadians led the qualifiers with 269.70 points with hosts Australia second with 268.85 and England third with 260.00. —
UNI |
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Poncha, Muralidharan fail to qualify
Melbourne, March 16 Poncha finished fourth in the first heat returning a time of 2 min 08.72 secs, while Muralidharan was fifth in clocking 2 min 06.58 secs competing against the best in business. Moss Burmester of New Zealand won the gold with a Games record time 1 min 56.64 secs while Travis Nederpelt (1:57.26) and Joshua Krogh (1:59.18) of Australia took the silver and bronze. Tomorrow, Shikha Tandon (100m backstroke for women), Kanchanmala Pande (50 m free style in Elite Athelte disabled) and Puneet Rana (100m breast stroke for men) will be seen in action.
— PTI |
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Vibrancy, colour dominate opening ceremony
Indian flag bearer Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore leads the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Melbourne, March 16 It was a night to remember for more than 4,500 athletes, thousands of guests and millions watching around the world as the city of Melbourne diverted from
rational opening ceremonies to organise a party that aptly went with the spirit of “The Friendly Games.” Different, it definitely was. For the first time ever the ceremony spilled out of the main arena onto the city itself. A closely guarded secret, the opening ceremony with 6,000 performers in all did not disappoint. Australia’s most famous sports arena, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was for two hours transformed into a stage for a one-off show that was heavily contemporary but could delight the old fashioned. The splash of colour, haunting music and incredible technology gave the 85,000-odd spectators a thrilling beginning to the Games and showcased Melbourne’s creativity and vibrancy. Watched by the Queen, Presidents and Prime Ministers the show began with 18 beats, each introducing an image from a previous Commonwealth Games. Outside the arena, a flotilla of 18 surfboats sailed upstream along the Yarra river, each flying the flag of the previous host cities and of Melbourne. Decorated wooden vessels, the historic icons of Victoria’s fishing community, followed the surfboats along the river that was flanked with 71 illuminated flags of the participating nations. Starting under a brightly lit sky, the ceremony was a colourful mosaic featuring the way lifestyle has undergone a change in the various regions of the country. More than 6,000 volunteers put on a show that had a constant flow of energy. That Australia reached out to the world was represented by a fish or marine animal that represented the participating nations, a symbol that the waters of the Yarra were connected to the oceans of the world. India was represented by Butterfly fish, the unmistakable symbol of Lakshwadeep Island. Inside the stadium, it was wacky show. A young boy on a pier, carrying a skateboard and accompanied by a duck looks towards the stadium roof as a tram flashes by dropping passengers to show Melbourne’s cosmopolitan look. But then began the somber ceremonies. For a moment India came into focus, to tell the world that the next Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi in 2010. The flags of England, which hosted the last games, that of Australia and then of India were raised after which the dignitaries were ushered in with fanfare - the Queen, Prime Minister John Howard, Chairman of the Games Committee Ron Walker, Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennel and Prince Edward. The Australian national anthem was performed by a cast using the Australian sign language. Outside, a pyrotechnic chase travelled along the Yarra river and the city buildings. The fireworks reached a crescendo as the surfboats entered through the Princess bridge, preceding down the rier towards the stadium and the Swan Street Bridge carrying 18 Victorian sportswomen. Then followed a college of events - birds entering the arena, a fantastical winged woman, emergency sirens wailing, troops of Havoc Koalas running into space on a mad and hysterical rescue mission to save children stranded among this manic activity. All of a sudden there is change of weather as winds howl, the rescue Koala collapse, the boy is trapped. But then comes help. A bark canoe floats down the river and a young woman reaches out to fish him out of the water. After that was a musical tribute to the history of the Victorian land, its indigenous people, with the stadium resembling a star field. The Australian ballet played Music Under the Milky Way before the athletes of the Commonwealth Games entered the stadium. But after that Australia’s most talented signers and musicians, including pop starlet Delta Goodrem and opera Diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa took over indicating that the night was far from over as they invited the world to dance. Any one thing is certain, it will take a lot for India to outdo what Melbourne did for two hours tonight.
— UNI |
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Clark puts Aussies on top
Cape Town, March 16 Clark helped restrict South Africa to 205 all out after they won the toss and chose to bat. Australia were 63 for one in reply at the close. Matthew Hayden was 22 not out with Ricky Ponting on 20. Clark maintained a disciplined line and length and made good use of the responsive pitch. Fast bowler Brett Lee offered Clark steady support and took three for 37. Scoreboard South Africa (1st innings) Smith c Gilchrist b Clark 19 De Villiers b Kasprowicz 8 Gibbs b Clark
18 Kallis c Hayden b Clark 6 Prince c Hayden b Lee 17 Rudolph c Gilchrist b Kasprowicz 10 Boucher c Gilchrist b Clark 16 Hall c Hayden b Lee
24 Boje lbw Clark 31 Nel lbw Lee 18 Ntini not out 17 Extras (lb-6, nb-15) 21 Total (all out, 63.5 overs) 205 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-42, 3-48, 4-61, 5-76, 6-104, 7-124, 8-148, 9-173. Bowling: Lee 14.5-2-37-3, Kasprowicz 13-0-44-2, Symonds 10-2-22-0, Clark 17-3-55-5, Warne 9-0-41-0. Australia (1st innings) Langer lbw Nel 16 Hayden not out
22 Ponting not out 20 Extras (lb-5) 5 Total (1 wkt, 23 overs) 63 Fall of wicket: 1-21. Bowling: Ntini 9-1-30-0, Nel 8-4-14-1, Hall 5-2-14-0, Boje 1-1-0-0. — AFP |
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Harmison ruled out of third Test
Mumbai, March 16 “Harmison has been ruled out of the Test. He’s been diagnosed as having a shin stress on his right leg. We are seeking further medical opinion from the UK,” said the visiting team’s media manager Andrew Walpole.
— PTI |
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Sourav guides Bengal to victory
Kanpur, March 16 Chasing a modest target of 229 set by Punjab, Bengal was off to a flying start with openers Ganguly and Subhomoy Das sharing 95 run stand. The cruising Bengal ship was, however, destabilised by the incisive spell of pacer V R V Singh, who claimed four scalps for 53 runs. The seasoned southpaw, however, kept his composure and alongwith Sanjib Sanyal (11) sealed a four wicket win for Bengal in the 39th over. The former India skipper clouted the Punjab bowlers to every corner of the Green Park stadium in his sterling knock of 89 not out which had 11 boundaries. Earlier, winning the toss, Bengal decided to field first. Despite a powerful knock of 76 by former India player Dinesh Mongia, the Punjab side, however, failed to withstand the menacing bowling of seamer
Ranadeb Bose, who grabbed five crucial wickets for 34 runs. The entire team was bundled out for 229 in the 50th over. In the other quarterfinal played at OEF ground, Baroda pipped Jharkhand by 35 runs. Batting first after losing the toss, Baroda scored 213 for eight in the stipulated 50 overs thanks to knocks of 59 and 29 by Hrishikesh Parabl and Ajit Bhoide respectively. Mihir Diwan and Shahbaz Nadeem claimed three wickets each for Jharkhand, while Sunny Gupta finished with two sclaps. In reply, Jharkhand were all out for 178 in the 44th over, against the bowling of Yusuf Pathan (four wickets) and Ketan Panchal (three wickets). Manish Kumar with 45 waged the lone battle for Jharkhand willow-wielders. In the remaining two quarterfinals tomorrow, hosts UP take on Karnataka and Tamil Nadu clash with Railways. Tamil Nadu and UP were the joint winners of the last edition of the limited overs tourney.
— UNI |
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BCCI files FIR against Dalmiya
Mumbai, March 16 The BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, accompanied by another board official, came to the Marine Drive police station late in the afternoon to file the FIR. The two BCCI officials spent a few minutes at the police station but it was still not known whether all the formalities related to the FIR were completed. Shah did not speak to waiting reporters but a top BCCI source confirmed that a FIR against Dalmiya would be filed. The new BCCI regime headed by Sharad Pawar had recently accused Dalmiya of swindling BCCI money during the 1996 World Cup and had also pointed out certain irregularities in the PILCOM account. The PILCOM (Pakistan-India-Lanka Committee) was formed to conduct the 1996 World Cup, which was held in the sub-continent. HC admits BCCI’s appeal Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday admitted the BCCI’s appeal against a lower court’s order of stay on the show-cause slapped on former board President Jagmohan Dalmiya. Refusing to pass any interim order, a Division Bench comprising Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice P.N. Sinha admitted the appeal and directed that the matter would be heard by it on Friday. — PTI
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Bhupathi, Paes crash out
New Delhi, March 16 Fifth seeds Paes and his Czech partner Martin Damm seemed well in control as they dropped just one game to win the first set before the Russians hit back. Uncowered by their rivals’ stature, The Andreev-Davydenko duo clawed their way back to the game and won the set 6-3 to force the decider. The third set was a see-saw battle between the pairs who had fluctuating fortunes as they went on stretching the contest. Eventually it was the Russians who had the last laugh as they walked away with a marathon 1-6, 6-3, 10-8 victory to move into the next round. Earlier, Mahesh Bhupathi and his South African comrade-in-arms Wesley Moody had made an early exit after putting up a gritty show against the top seeded Americans, Bob and Mike Bryan, according to information received here today. The Indo-African duo began emphatically, winning the first set but the Bryan siblings came back strongly, winnng the second set and in the end, it was the local favourites who ended up on the right side with a 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 win. —
UNI |
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Indian Airlines clinch hockey title
Ludhiana, March 16 BSF went into an early lead when Peter Tirkey scored an opportunistic goal in the fourth minute of the game. Indian Airlines players pressed hard for the equaliser but their repeated attempts failed to elicit the desired results. They raided the rival’s territory time and again but fumbled at the crucial juncture. IA’s Sumeer Dad restored parity in the 48th minute through a fine field goal. Three minutes later, Brozan Singh pumped in to make it 2-1 in favour of Indian Airlines and in the very next minute Sumeer Dad converted a penalty stroke to increase the lead 3-1. Sumeer struck again in the 54th minute to score his third goal while Brozan Singh found the target two minutes later to complete the rout 5-1. Earlier in the semifinals played yesterday, Indian Airlines beat Namdhari XI 4-1 and BSF prevailed upon Punjab Police 2-1 to set up the title clash. Indian Airlines pocketed the cash prize of Rs 51,000 besides gold cup while the runners up received a cash prize of Rs 31,000. Dhanraj Pillay was named the player of the tournament and got a cash prize of 10,000 in addition to a trophy. Namadhari XI of Bhaini Sahib lifted the fair play trophy. |
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Golf Club team elected unanimously
Chandigarh, March 16 The Tribune had reported the unanimous election of the President, Mr G.S. Sandhu, two days back.That time efforts were on to persuade two members to step down so that a unanimous chosen team could take over. When the nominations were invited there was only one candidate for the Presidentship. But 13 candidates had filed their nomination papers for the 11-member Managing Committee. The Golf Club members got down to making it a unanimous team. After a lot of persuasion they convinced Mr Satwant Singh Sandhu and Mr Sukhdeep Singh Brar, to withdraw their candidatures
from the Managing Committee elections, thus paving the way for a unanimous election of the entire Managing Committee. |
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Melbourne, March 16
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