 |
|
|
Taking decisions is my job, says Dravid
BCCI unaware of More-Greg ‘nexus’
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Cup is a different ball game: Samresh
New Delhi, April 1 Anuja and Samresh Jung are back in the country. The couple, who between them won nine medals at the Commonwealth Games, flew into the Capital late last night from China.  Profile:
He never misses the target
Federer, Ljubicic for title clash
Brazilian coach for volleyball team
Pariyar stars in India’s win
Narang, Bindra disappoint
Bheema awards function put off
Kartar disputes holding of nationals
Aziz banned for six months
Pawan in semis of Dutch meet
Sports meet ends
|
||||||
|
Taking decisions is my job, says Dravid
New Delhi, April 1 “We agree on a few points, disagree on some points. Once we are on the field, it is my job to take decisions, it is my call. “He does give advice and suggestions. And his job is preparing the team and getting the boys ready for the match. He does a good job and is innovative,” Dravid said. Asked about reports that Chappell was all in all and he was a mere spectator, Dravid said, “I don’t know from where they form these assumptions. People form judgements about one’s character when they actually don’t even know you and have never been to the dressing room”. Dravid has said Sachin Tendulkar’s presence in the dressing room is being missed as he is a huge motivating factor for the team. “Sachin is a huge factor. He has a big presence and it is something that we do miss. But having said that, it gives opportunity for some of the young players to cash in on,” Dravid said. He also said Tendulkar was doing fine after undergoing a shoulder surgery in London and the team was hoping for him to make a comeback soon. “He send me an SMS saying he was doing fine. I hope that he recovers quickly and gets back as soon as possible,” he told NDTV. Dravid also said it was a good sign for the team that it was consistently winning matches while batting second. “We were not really good at chasing in the past and it is the most difficult part of one-dayers. It gives us a lot of confidence. We are playing good cricket at the moment but we need to keep our feet on the ground,” he said. Dravid blamed inexperience of the team for its unimpressive show in Tests of late. “The Mumbai Test was a disappointment. In Pakistan also we gave away a lot of runs and were fighting with our backs to the wall. Our catching has not been good. But there are some young kids in the side and they are learning.” Sachin making rapid recovery
London: Sachin Tendulkar is making rapid recovery after his shoulder surgery and could be fit for the tour of the West Indies starting later next month, according to his doctor Andrew Wallace. “The surgery was fairly straightforward. He’s made an excellent recovery. I expect he will be back for India some time in the very near future,” said Dr Wallace, who operated upon the star batsman on Monday. Tendulkar, who suffered a tear on his shoulder, will miss the ongoing seven-match one-day series against England but his availability for the tour of the West Indies, where the first one-dayer begins on May 18, is still in doubt. The batting maestro underwent an arthroscopic surgery to stabilise his right shoulder joint and reattach his biceps. Wallace said the 32-year-old player had only been in discomfort while throwing and neither his batting nor bowling was affected by the injury. “His batting was not affected and most of the shoulder does not take too much of the force when bowling. It’s a common injury in baseball pitchers and tennis players — anyone who is doing a lot of overhead throwing,” he was quoted as saying by BBC Sports.
— PTI
|
|
Raina bowls over British media
London, April 1 Describing the 19-year-old Raina as a “frightening potential”, the media went on to suggest that his coming of age in the second one-dayer at Faridabad would ease India’s despair at life after Sachin Tendulkar. A report in ‘The Guardian’ said: “England’s constant pleas that they lack experience are genuine enough but, when a teenager in his 15th one-day international can play like this, those pleas begin to sound a little wearing,” it said. Observing that England lacked the killer punch, it said the series was only two games old but already England must be wondering what they have to do to finish India off. “After Tuesday’s debacle in Delhi they looked all set yesterday for a win that would have leveled the series and convinced a raw squad that they are not here simply to collect the T-shirt. “Instead they were denied by Suresh Raina, who at 19 is more than a year younger than anyone in the England team and is a cricketer of such frightening potential that a nation’s collective frown about life after Sachin Tendulkar might even begin to ease.” The newspaper noted that in 89 balls of left-handed poise Raina mixed fluent drives with impudent paddles over his right shoulder. “Just as impressively he outscored Mahendra Dhoni by two to one during a match-winning stand for the sixth wicket of 118. Grace, power, timing and youth: sometimes life does not seem fair.” With a headline reading, “Raina storm pours cold water on England hopes”, ‘The Times’ wrote that for the second time in three days, England lost from a position of strength, but this time they were undone not by their failings but through the brilliance of youth. “Suresh Raina produced an innings encompassing all the attributes of a star in-the making,” it said. ‘The Daily Telegraph’ said “should Raina go on to become the next superstar of Indian cricket, as coach Greg Chappell is predicting, future biographers are likely to cite yesterday’s match as the moment he came of age. “Still only 19, Raina is a slight but sinewy left-hander who has every shot in the book, plus a few originals of his own.”
— PTI |
|
BCCI unaware of More-Greg ‘nexus’
Vadodara, April 1 In a telephonic conversation with the UNI, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said the board had not received any such complaint against More from any board official as reported in a section of the Press today. Mr Shah, however, did not rule out the possibility of BCCI discussing the issue at its next working committee meeting scheduled to be held in Mumbai on April 9 and said, “The matter is not there on the agenda, but the board could take it up if the members raise the issue.” Regarding More’s “unbecoming conduct” on the ground of allegedly undermining the office of the chairman, BCCI secretary said since More was the chairman of the selection panel, he was bound to face criticism from different quarters. More, who is also the secretary of the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), was, however, not available
for comment. A leading national daily quoting a BCCI official today claimed that several board officials were unhappy with the “business nexus” between Kiran More-run cricket academy in Vadodara and the Australian International Sports Academy
(AISA) of Greg Chappell. More was quoted as saying that though he had been sending boys from his academy to Australia and England for the past three years for training, the board had never raised this issue before him.
— UNI |
|
Johannesburg, April 1 Australia were 246 for seven in reply to South Africa’s 303 when bad light ended play 14.4 overs early. The home side’s innings was built around a fine 93 by Ashwell Prince. South Africa added 65 to their overnight score of 238 for six before they were dismissed in the 19th over of the day. Ntini then reduced Australia to 89 for four on his way to a haul of five for 80. Brett Lee was 42 not out at the close. Ntini hit Justin Langer, playing in his 100th Test, on the helmet with the first ball of the Australian innings and the left-hander retired hurt. Langer was diagnosed with concussion, received two stitches to his head, and was taken to hospital for precautionary scans. In Ntini’s next over after hitting Langer, Matthew Hayden edged a drive and was well caught by Herschelle Gibbs in the gully. Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn responded aggressively and put on 56 off 49 balls for the second wicket. Ntini ended the partnership when Martyn, on 21, skied a pull to Andre Nel at mid-on. Four overs later Ponting, who hit five fours and a six in his 34, pushed forward to an Ntini delivery and edged it to AB de Villiers at third slip. Ntini struck again in his next over when he trapped Symonds in front for four to reduce Australia to 89 for four. Adam Gilchrist scored 12 before pulling a ball from fast bowler Andre Nel down Jacques Rudolph’s throat at deep square leg. Scoreboard
South Africa (1st innings) De Villiers c Martyn Gibbs b Kasprowicz 16 Dippenaar c Gilchrist Kallis b Lee 37 Rudolph c Hayden Boucher lbw Symonds 24 Pollock c Ponting b Clark 8 Boje c Langer Nel c Martyn b Lee 0 Ntini not out 0 Extras (lb-4, nb-9) 13 Total
(all out, 97.2 overs) 303 Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-38, 3-97, 4-106, 5-161, 6-233, 7-251, 8-285, 9-303. Bowling: Lee 24-8-57-3, Clark 28-8-81-3, Kasprowicz 24.2-4-86-2, Warne 13-2-49-1, Symonds 8-2-26-1. Australia (1st innings) Langer retd hurt 0 Hayden c Gibbs b Ntini 3 Ponting c De Villiers Martyn c Nel b Ntini 21 Hussey lbw Boje 73 Symonds lbw Ntini 4 Gilchrist c Rudolph b Nel 12 Warne c Pollock b Ntini 36 Lee not out 42 Kasprowicz not out 0 Extras
(b-5, lb-14, w-2) 21 Total (7 wkts, 58.2 overs) 246 Fall of wickets:
1-12, 2-68, 3-73, 4-89, 5-106, 6-174, 7-242. Bowling: Ntini 16.2-2-80-5, Nel 15-2-42-1, Pollock 13-1-52-0, Kallis 10-2-43-0, Boje 4-1-10-1. — Reuters, AFP
|
|
World Cup is a different ball game: Samresh
New Delhi, April 1 However, the gun-totting couple did manage to take out some time from their “trying-to-maintain-a-low-profile schedule” today to talk to The Tribune about how it felt clinching a bagful of medals at Melbourne, followed by the disappointing show at the World Cup in China. Which perhaps could be the reason why the best athlete at the Melboune games is feeling just “OK” — not ecstatic, not on top of the world. Wife Anuja, though, is quite happy. The Commonwealth gold medal is her first international medal since she began shooting in 1991 during her second year in college. “ I am very happy for myself. Samresh was expected to win,” she laughs. But despite the performance in China, it is rare that an Indian wins the best athlete award at the Commonwealth Games and also comes tantalisingly close to equalling the games record for most number of gold medals. “The World Cup is an altogether different level of competition from the Commonwealth Games,” says Samresh. Looking back at the Melbourne show, he says he was quite cool even when he was on the verge of equalling the games record. It was only after the fifth gold that Samresh realised how close he was to emulating Ian Thorpe and Susie O’Neill. “In my last event, I was shooting well and missed the bronze by just about 11-12 points . Of the seven malfunctions, I could manage five, but not two,” he adds. Samresh is now preparing for the next World Cup in April at Brazil. Though he started shooting when he was already 24 years old, he says there still is a long way to go. “Age doesn’t matter in this sport. When you get started, it is 90 per cent physical effort and 10 per cent mental. Later, the equation gets reversed. Shooting is a mind sport. I feel I am shooting good scores, but can do better with more organised training.” As he braces up for the next international event, Samresh is hoping for more support from the government in matters like getting prompt clearances for international competitions “and not at the last moment”. “Competing more frequently gives a sportsman the cutting edge. That’s why we also need clearance for more competitions. Not just big events, but more international exposure. Moreover, I can do better with good quality ammunition of a different type,” he says. Things are improving for shooting in the country with the government making efforts such as liberalisation of the process of import licence for air weapons, he says. Air pistol and free pistol are his favourite events, while standard pistol and centre pistol are more of fun events. For all those interested in taking up shooting, he recommends a good club to try their hand. “ It is basically talent and hard work”, says Samresh, who trains for five to six hours for an equal number of days in a week. Anuja has a message for all women who think it is all over after marriage. “Life does not necessarily come to a stop after marriage. All you do need the support of your family,” she says. |
|
C’wealth winners get rousing welcome
Jalandhar, April 1 Punjab Police Sports secretary Shivdev Singh and SPs Gurdev Gill and Pawan Uppal along with school time coach of Manjit and Rajwinder, R.S. Sidhu, were present on the occasion. Acting president of the IAAF Umrao Singh, and president of the Punjab Athletic Association Olympian Ishar Singh too welcomed them outside the railway station. The athletes were taken in an open jeep in a convoy of 20 vehicles to the PAP complex where they were welcomed by the ADGP, PAP, Mr Rajan Gupta. Manjit’s parents, Harbhajan Singh and Baldev Kaur, Rajwinder’s father Sardara Singh Gill and brother of Vicky Batta, Sunil Batta, were also present on the occasion. |
|
Federer, Ljubicic for title clash
Key Biscayne (USA), April 1 “I didn’t give him much chance,” Federer said. “I’m playing so well this week, it was tough for him from the start.” The result was hardly a surprise: Federer has advanced to the final in his past 11 tournaments, the longest such men’s streak since John McEnroe made 12 consecutive finals in 1984. Federer will bid for his second successive Key Biscayne title tomorrow against sixth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic, a Croat who advances to his first final in the United States by beating No 3 David Nalbandian 6-1, 6-2. Federer has won his past six meetings against Ljubicic, although three times they split sets. Overall Federer leads 9-3. Ljubicic is the first Croat to reach the men’s final since Goran Ivanisevic in 1996. Ivanisevic woke up with a stiff neck the morning of his final and was forced to retire against Andre Agassi. The women’s final will be an all-Russian matchup between No. 4 seed Maria Sharapova and No. 12 Svetlana Kuznetsova, each bidding for her first Key Biscayne title. Ferrer was coming off a win over Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals, but Federer quickly cooled him off, taking the opening set in 18 minutes. A flurry of errors, including two sloppy volleys, then put Federer in a 3-0 hole to start the second set. “I played very aggressive in the beginning, but obviously it’s not so easy to do that on a consistent basis,” Federer said. “Once I was down 3-0, I chose to play with a lower risk and sort of make him play a few shots.” Federer rallied to win the next five games with a typically vast array of winners, including a crosscourt backhand that almost sent Ferrer spinning into the concrete like a corkscrew in pursuit. Federer improved his match record to 27-1 this year and extended his record-winning streak in the ATP Masters Series to 23 matches. Ljubicic was nearly as dominant in his semifinal win. Bidding for his first Masters Series title at age 27, he lost only five points on his serve. Ljubicic hit 12 aces and faced no break points. The Croat won 24 of 25 points with his first serve, making him 60-for-62 in the past two rounds. He closed with a 226-kph (141-mph) ace, his fastest serve of the day. Nalbandian played nearly flawless tennis in his quarterfinal victory over Mario Ancic, but he struggled from the start against
Ljubicic. — AFP |
|
Brazilian coach for volleyball team
Chennai, April 1 A former coach of the Brazilian national team, Oliveira was appointed by the Sports authority of India, President of the Volleyball Federation of India B. Sivanthi Adityan told a press conference here. The new coach will have the right to pick players for senior, junior, youth and sub-junior categories and train them for international tournaments. “We are confident that the Brazilian coach will be able to help our team obtain an Olympic quota berth next year and also to win an Asian Games Medal at the Doha Games in December,” Adityan said. The coach will take decisions regarding the schedule of training, Adityan said. “Selection of players will totally rest with the coach. He will hold clinics for the national coaches in these categories and recommend coaching methods in tune with the existing system in the world,” he added. The VFI has roped in the services of the Brazilian coach keeping in view the potential of the teams to win laurels for the country, VFI Secretary K. Murugan said. He said all players in both senior and junior categories have been summoned to assemble in Bangalore and the coach would form a team of his choice keeping in mind the two stated objectives. Murugan said the junior team would compete in the 24th Ferrusio Memorial International tournament from April 14 to 17 in Italy where 12 top teams would be in action.
— PTI |
|
Pariyar stars in India’s win
New Delhi, April 1 India dominated the Group A encounter from the outset with Pariyar’s shot in the 19th minute hitting the woodwork. However, the opener was not long in coming. Bungo Thokchom Singh skirted two defenders in the 35th minute and supplied the ball to Pariyar, who had an easy tap in. Afghanistan mounted some attacks in the second half but missed two easy chances. In the 52nd minute, Hafizullah Qadami missed a sitter on a cross from Mohammad Dalal Afshar before failing to find the net 13 minutes later. Pariyar doubled the lead in the 60th minute on a pass from Xavier Vijay Kumar to make the match safe. Chinese Taipei and the Philippines are the other two teams in the group. The tournament features 16 Asian teams and is planned for every two years. It hopes to give low-ranking teams a chance to compete for an international trophy. Other teams in the fray are Guam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Palestine, Brunei, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Macau, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
— PTI |
|
Narang, Bindra disappoint
New Delhi, April 1 Sanjeev Rajput was the highest placed Indian at 13th position. He shot a score of 1165 with a series of prone 388 (97,95,99,97), standing 385 (96,97,96,96) and kneeling 392 (98,97,99,98), according to information received here. Narang, who won the 10m air rifle gold medal in the event becoming the first Indian shooter to book a spot for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, fired 1157. He shot a series of prone 391 (96,99,98,98), standing 384 (99,94,94,97) and kneeling 382 (96,96,95,95). Bindra, who was earlier ninth in 10m air rifle event, carded 1148 with prone 396 (100,99,99,93), standing 373 (92,91,95,95) and kneeling 379 (96,94,93,96). Vebjoern Berg of Norway won the gold medal with a score of 1273.8 and Sergei Kovalenko of Russia bagged the silver with a score of 1271.1.
— PTI |
|
Bheema awards function put off
Chandigarh, April 1 Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Sports Minister Phool Chand Mullana would both be occupied with the PM’s visit and thus they won’t be able to attend the function. At the awards function, Governor A.R. Kidwai was to confer the Bheema Puraskar on five sportspersons from Haryana — Jasjeet Kaur (hockey), Sunil Kumar (athletics), Sanjay Kumar (volleyball), Archana (judo) and Neha Rathee (wrestler). The proposal to honour Commonwealth Games stars at the function was awaiting the go-ahead from the Chief Minister. Mr Hooda has already announced cash rewards for medal winners. |
|
Kartar disputes holding of nationals
New Delhi, April 1 Kartar, a former Asian Games gold medallist, said in a statement here that “since the control of the Wrestling Federation of India is with the ad hoc committee, which has been constituted by the Indian Olympic Association as per the order of the court, no other body/person has any right to run such type of activities”. Kartar Singh said the PWA has decided not to participate or send teams for the championship. |
|
Karachi, April 1 PHF President Tariq Kirmani banned Aziz on Friday after getting reports from the team management as well as some observers who witnessed the incident, a report in The News said today. Aziz was given a red card in the final for hitting Australia’s Robert Hammond. The player received stitches on his top lip and had to sit out for the remainder of the gold medal match. — PTI
|
||
|
Pawan in semis of Dutch meet
Chandigarh, April 1 Pawan Kapoor, a sports officer with CITCO, has represented the country for over 12 years.
|
|
Sports meet ends Baddi, April 1 The principal of the college, Dr R.C. Behl inaugurated the meet and later gave away prizes to the winners. Secretary Gaurav Jhunjunwala, faculty members, deans of various departments and the registrar of the institute attended the meet. Rajguru House was declared the overall winner. Sourabh Vaid was adjudged the best athlete among boys while Nisha Goverdhan bagged the prize in the girls’ category. Sourav Kalia and Anil Chauhan were declared best player for football and volleyball, respectively while Nishant made it to the top in the basketball category. Among girls, the prize was won by Shruti.
|
|||||
Atwal misses cut |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
(
