New Delhi, August 29
N Pappachan Pradeep shot in on the run three minutes before the half time break to help India beat Syria 1-0 and realise their dream of winning the title in the 13th edition of the ONGC Nehru Cup Prize Money International Football Tournament at the flood-lit Ambedkar Stadium here tonight.

The title win brought India a huge cash bonanza of $ 40,000 as prize money and an equal amount as bonus from sponsors ONGC in a magnanimous gesture to reward the good work of Baichung Bhutia and his boys.

Mahesh Gawli, who yet again gave a standout display in the defence, was adjudged the Man of the Match while captain Baichung Bhutia was given a special cash prize of Rs 10 lakh by All-India Football Federation president Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.

Playing in front of a packed house, with every inch of the stadium occupied by enthusiastic spectators, India roze to dizzy height to script a captivating victory, which was their best-ever performance in the Nehru Cup. It was a victory India will savour for a long time, though Syria had been reduced to 10 men after defender Wael Ayan was given the marching orders during injury time play in the first half for threatening to hit Bhutia with a water bottle.

Referee Sikhrakar Surendra of Nepal took out the card only after Bhutia brought the intimidating behaviour of the rival player into his notice, though. But it was a timely and just decision, as the Syrians were getting physical when their moves floundered in the face of stout resistance put up by the enterprising Indian defence.

Though India mounted pressure and came by many scoring chances, they could put the ball in only when Pradeep took the ball on the run to blast it into the empty goal to bulge the net after a Sunil Chetri cross was chested down by Bhutia, which hit a defender before Pradeep latched on to it to home in with a grounder.

It was just as well that Pradeep, who opened the scoring in the tournament when he powered in a long-range goal against Cambodia to start the goal-glut in the inaugural match, signed off in style by scoring the last goal too.

India played a no-holds-barred game with their focus on attack and sustained it throughout even when Syria challenged the Indian goal with quick counter raids. Many thought they would not last the distance after the initial fury, but the defence, midfield and attack held out with marvellous consistency.

The Syrians, for once, found their attacking tactics fetching no rewards as they found India more than a match. The many daring, difficult saves effected by custodian Subrato Paul also frustrated the Syrians as they just could not beat this 'wall' even after dodging the defence many a time, to suffer their first defeat in five matches.

India's English coach Bob Houghton fielded the best possible combination to start with as for the first time, Ajayan was given precedence over Renedy Singh. And Ajayan, along with Stevean Dias, used the flanks to rip open the Syrian defence, with Bhutia brilliantly marshalling the attack, despite taking many shoves and blows on his body.

The Indian defence, manned by Irungbani Surkumar Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Mahesh Gowli and N.S.Manju gave effective coverage to goalie Paul with their quick tackles and clearances to dispossess Syrian strikers Maher Al Sayed, Zyad Chaabo and Mahmoud Al Amena whenever they closed in at the goal area. The midfield played admirably as well with Ajayan, Pradeep and Stevan Dias playing their parts to the hilt to create moves and take shots.

India played with the short and long balls to suit the occasion to fox the Syrian midfield and defence, but a fine chance they earned in the 10th minute went abegging as Chetri shot wide with an open goal in front after Baichung's cross from the left was shot into the box by Manju which was palmed away by rival custodian Mowssab Blahowss.

Manchester, August 29
The Indian cricketers have some soul searching to do. Do they adhere to the five-bowler formula, which stood them in good stead against South Africa only two months ago, or adopt a safety measure of selecting seven batsmen?

The profligacy of Munaf Patel and Ajit Agarkar, in particular, could influence a judgement that part-timers like Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh cannot do any worse. In such a scenario, Robin Uthappa or Gautam Gambhir would naturally enter the frame.

Either way, though, it would have minimal impact on the fundamental malaises - fielding and running between the wickets. The misfields, dropped catches, screwed up stumpings and unsecured extra runs have been an agonising sight.

For this to persist four months into the tenure of a specialist fielding coach proves that Robin Singh is either unable to transpose his knowledge or the material in hand is unalterable.

The fourth of seven ODIs in the current series is again a day/night affair. It being the north-west of England in a year in which the summer has virtually bypassed Britain, it is likely to be colder than other venues - a high of not more than 18 degrees centigrade.

“Sunny intervals” was the forecast. What happens otherwise is the multi-crore question. Rain was anticipated overnight, prior to the match.

Meanwhile, England captain Paul Collingwood skipped practice on Wednesday due to a virus infection. But this quite determined cricketer from Durham, which became the 18th and most recent county to be granted first-class status in 1991, should recover before start of play.

James Anderson, playing his first match for England at his home ground after coming of age this summer, will doubtless be hoping for a hard pitch, which has been the nature of surfaces at Old Trafford - a stone’s throw from the Manchester United football stadium - of late.

Fellow Lancastrian, Andrew Flintoff, raring to return to the English fold after missing the Birmingham match because of a knee inflammation, is bound to be expecting the same.

Greater bounce either negates driving on the up or pushes players on to the backfoot. This could have the effect of curbing the strokeplay of the generally short-statured Indian batsmen.

Thus, trailing as they are 1-2, the timing of the Old Trafford game is, perhaps, not the most convenient for the tourists. At the same time, the higher elevation has helped Lancashire spinners like Muttiah Muralitharan and Murali Kartik, admittedly more in first-class games. However, there could be greater wear and tear for Ramesh Powar and Piyush Chawla is this is the fag end of the season.

On this tour, India have successfully overcome the adversity of illnesses and unhelpful conditions in one-dayers against South Africa and deservingly clinched the test series versus England after an unimpressive 1st Test.

Now, with some of the mainstays perhaps running out of steam after two and a half months on the road, they need to summon a fresh push, if they are to maintain a clean slate on this visit.

At Old Trafford, the immortal Kumar Sri Ranjitsinhji signalled to the world India’s potential in cricket. Making his Test debut for England in 1896, he took his overnight score of 41 to 154 by lunch, thus adding 113 runs in a session - a record unsurpassed in the Ashes. In 1983, India eclipsed England in the semi-finals of the World Cup en route to winning the title. It would do no harm for Rahul Dravid to highlight such feats in an effort to galvanise his troops. 

New Delhi, August 29
Though the Essel Group-promoted Indian Cricket League (ICL), headed by former Indian captain Kapil Dev, has been proving a great bother to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the rebel body has not yet approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) for any kind of approval or recognition. Nor is the ICC going to give any official stamp of recognition to the ICL bypassing the BCCI.

ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed told reporters here today that the ICL "has not approached the ICC so far" though he conceded that the ICL was on the expected lines.

He said when the Twenty20 cricket was gaining popularity two years ago, the ICC had visualised a senario of private players entering the fray to cash in on the shortest form of competitive cricket.

Speed said this while unveiling the Twenty20 World Championship Trophy here today. The Twenty20 World Championship will be played in South Africa from September 11 to 24.

Speed said the ICC had a five-point process to accord sanction to private promoters wanting organise cricket competitions which include the safety of the venues, who are all playing, where are they playing, whether the venues fulfil ICC's anti-corruption requirement, whether any charitable aspect is involved in the tournament, and last but not the least, whether the private promoter has the consent of the member country (in the Indian context whether ICL has the backing of the BCCI).

Speed said even if the ICL wants to get the approval of the ICC, it would have to come through the proper BCCI channel. "For, the ICC recognises the BCCI as the regulatory body of cricket in India, and it has been happily dealing with it ever since its formation in 1928", Speed explained.

Speed's announcement will come as a welcome relief to the beleaguered BCCI as the ICL will find the going tough, without a formal sanction from the international body.

New York, August 29
Maria Sharapova's dazzling play matched her eye-catching attire as the Russian opened the defence of her US Open crown in impeccably stylish fashion.

Sporting a flaming red dress with over 600 Swarovski crystals on the bodice, second-seeded Sharapova needed just 50 minutes to see off Italy's world number 51 Roberta Vinci 6-0 6-1 and move into the second round, yesterday.

''Every corner I turn here I get goose bumps because of all the great memories,'' Sharapova said.

''When you come back to the place where you won your second major it's incredible.''

There were few upsets on the second day of the final grand slam of the year, played under sunny skies in the day and with a cool, comfortable breeze during the evening.

The most notable upset of the day had ninth seed Daniela Hantuchova sent packing by Ukrainian Julia Vakulenko 6-4 3-6 6-1, marking the 24-year-old Slovak's earliest exit at Flushing Meadows since her 2001 debut.

Elsewhere, 2004 Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova whipped Czech Klara Zakopalova 6-2 6-3 while 1997 winner Martina Hingis bounced Frenchwoman Mathilde Johansson 6-0 6-3.

Other winners included sixth seed Anna Chakvetadze, number 11 seed Patty Schnyder, 13th seed Nicole Vaidisova and number 26 Sania Mirza.

On the men's side, 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt rolled over Amer Delic 6-2 6-4 6-2, while third seed Novak Djokovic looked like a legitimate threat to end Roger Federer's three-year reign with a 6-2 6-1 6-3 victory over Robin Haase.

Fifth seeded Andy Roddick and fellow American, sixth seed James Blake, also advanced to the second round with straight sets victories.

Sharapova said she thought she did ''everything solid'' in her victory over Vinci on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

''She's a pretty quick opponent, rushing from side to side,'' the Russian said. ''A couple of years ago, those types of opponents would have been difficult on me.

''But I feel like I'm a much more patient player now.'' FIST PUMP Vinci said she suffered from a painful toothache this week and received injections of antibiotics that sapped her energy.

The diminutive Italian said she had not practised for three days prior to the match.

When Vinci won her only game to trim Sharapova's lead to 6-0 5-1, she delighted the crowd by jumping up in the air and pumping her fist.

''I tried to do my best,'' said the 24-year-old. ''I won one game. I'm happy. She played good. I think if I played her another day, I'd lose. But not 6-0, 6-1.'' Hewitt smacked 31 winners and won 95 percent of the points on his first serve during his victory over the shell-shocked Delic. — Reuters

New Delhi, August 29
World trap shooting champion Manavjit Sandhu led the star parade as President Pratibha Patil conferred a Rajiv Khel Ratna Award on him and bestowed Arjuna Awards on 14 other sportspersons at a glittering function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here today.

The packed hall reverberated with thunderous applause as 31-year-old Sandhu received the honour from President Patil - her very first award presentation ceremony since she assumed the office last month.

The Rajiv Khel Ratna Award comprises of Rs 500,000, a scroll of honour and a medal in recognition of spectacular and most outstanding performance in sports.

Sandhu is the only Indian trap shooter to win a medal - a gold - at the world level last year, after a gap of 44 years. Dr Karni Singh was the first when he struck a silver in the 1962 World Championship.

Earlier last year, Sandhu won a bronze at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and followed it with two silvers at the Doha Asiad in December last year. He has already qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Pentala Harikrishna (chess) was the only awardee who did not turn up but his mother Padmavati received the award on her son’s behalf.

Four women Arjuna Award recipients - Anjum Chopra (cricket), Jyoti Sunita Kullu (women’s hockey), Geeta Rani (weightlifting) and Geetika Jakhar (wrestling) - also received big ovations when their names were called for the honours.

Geetika also earned the distinction of being the first women grappler to receive this prestigious award.

The Arjuna Award, country’s oldest sports honour, was started in 1961 and comprises a cheque of Rs 300,000, a statuette of legendary archer Arjuna, and a scroll of honour, in recognition of outstanding achievements at international competitions.

Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, created a record by winning the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy for the 20th time. Vice-chancellor Jai Rup Singh received the trophy for the university.

The MAKA trophy carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh and a rolling trophy.

Cricketer Kapil Dev chaired the panel that picked the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Awards and the Dhyan Chand Awards. Badminton legend Prakash Padukone headed the panel that chose Dronacharya Award winners.

The award winners:

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: Manavjeet Sandhu (Shooting)

Arjuna Awards: Jayanta Talukdar (archery), K. M. Binu (athletics), Chetan Anand (badminton), Vijender (boxing), Pentala Harikrishna (chess), Anjum Chopra (cricket), Jyoti Sunita Kullu (women’s hockey), Vijay Kumar (shooting), Sourav Ghosal (squash), Subhajit Saha (table tennis), Geeta Rani (weightlifting), Geetika Jakhar (wrestling), Naveen Gautam (kabaddi) and Rohit Bhakar (badminton-disabled category) Dhyan Chand Awards: Varinder Singh (hockey), Shamsher Singh (kabaddi), Rajendra Singh (wrestling).

Dronacharya Awards: R. D. Singh (athletics/paralympic games), Damodaran Chandralal (boxing) and Koneru Ashok (chess).

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure awards: Palden Giachho (land adventure), Motuku Indra Kanth Reddy (air adventure) Tapas Chowdhury(water adventure), Gurdial Singh (life-time achievement).

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy: Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar) — UNI

Osaka (Japan), August 29
Tyson Gay stayed on course for a world championship sprint double today by qualifying fastest for Thursday’s 200m final. The American, who won gold in the 100m, coasted home in 20.00 seconds in the second semifinal with Jamaica’s Usain Bolt winning the first in 20.03.

Gay, inspired by Sunday’s victory over 100m world-record holder Asafa Powell, cruised home despite feeling a twinge in his left hamstring coming out of the blocks.

Wallace Spearmon, Gay’s training partner and 2005 world silver medallist, was second behind Bolt in 20.05 and both will be expected to push Gay in the final. American Rodney Martin finished third in 20.18.

US win maiden gold: Bernard Lagat became the first American man to win a global 1,500m title for 99 years when he swept to victory down the home straight here today.

The Kenyan-born 32-year-old only qualified to run for his adopted country past year, but his three minutes 34.77 seconds was enough to a break an American drought stretching back to the 1908 Olympics.

Ohuruogu wins 400m gold: Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu produced an astonishing late fightback to win gold in the women’s 400m, here today.

Ohuruogu caught Jamaica’s Novlene Williams in the last 60m to win a pulsating final in 49.61 seconds with fellow Briton Nicola Sanders taking silver in 49.65. Williams, who had looked to be home and dry coming off the final bend, had to settle for the bronze in 49.66.

Dietzsch wins 3rd discus title: Germany’s Franka Dietzsch won her third world discus gold medal when she retained her title at her ninth championships here today.

As in her 1999 and 2005 triumphs, the 39-year-old’s first attempt was good enough to take the title and none of her rivals was able to get close to the 66.61m she opened with.

Russian Darya Pishchalnikova grabbed silver with a personal best of 65.78m on her penultimate throw, while Cuban Yarelis Barrios’s opening 63.90m was also her career best and enough for bronze.

Perry retains hurdles title: American Michelle Perry retained her world title in the women’s 100m hurdles with a powerful late surge, here today.

Perry, who won gold at the last world championships in Helsinki two years ago, finished strongest in a tight final to clock a winning time of 12.46 seconds.

Canada’s Perdita Felicien took silver in 12.49 with Jamaican Delloreen Ennis-London sneaking the bronze medal in 12.50.

Thomas wins high jump title: Bahamian Donald Thomas completed his remarkable rise to the top of international athletics when he clinched the high jump title, here today.

The 23-year-old equalled his personal best by clearing 2.35m at his first attempt and, despite failing three times at 2.37m, it proved good enough to win gold at his first global championships.

Russian Yaroslav Rybakov grabbed his third world championship silver after taking two attempts to clear 2.35m, while Kyriakos Ioannou had to settle with bronze. — Reuters

Sanawar, August 29
Hosts Lawrence School completed their Pool B engagements with an all-win record and qualified for the semifinals with nine points in the 10th Bhupinder Singh Memorial Football Tournament being played at the Lawrence School ground here this morning.

In their last pool fixture, Lawrence School defeated Army Public School, Dagshai, by 2-0 and emerged pool champions. The winners led 1-0 at the half time.

Trapping a stray pass near the centreline, Karan Hora dashed down the middle before scoring Lawrence School’s first goal with a solo effort in the 20th minute. Five minutes before the end, Penjo Wangchuk dribbled past a couple of APS defenders before scoring the second and the last goal for the hosts.

It was the third successive win for Lawrence School in the four-team league phase. Lawrence School had beaten their traditional rivals Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, by 3-1 and Yadvindra Public School, Mohali, by 7-0.

Defending champions Sherwood College of Nanital also finished their league programme with two victories and one draw. In their last league fixture in pool B, Sherwood College outplayed YPS Mohali by 3-0.aGosal stole the show for Sherwood College as he scored two goals within a span of four minutes. His first goal came in the 30th minute and second in the 34th minute. Khanal made the victory margin more authentic with a fine goal in the 50th minute. — UNI

Karachi, August 29
Four Indian boys and five girls moved into the quarterfinals of their respective singles events in the ITF juniors ranking tennis tournament here.

However, giant-killer Indian Kaza Sharma, who had surprised Pakistani Davis Cup winner Yasir Khan in the first round, failed to reproduce the same form and was ousted by Nasir Mushtaq in straight sets 4-6, 0-6.

The Indian boys making the last eight grade are Nehal Kapoor, Chandril and Lakshit Sood, and Gugan Varma.

Nehal accounted for Heera Ashiq 6-4, 6-4, while second seed Chandril dropped second set, but managed to register a 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 win over M. Abid.

Fifth seed Lakshit overcame Sri Lankan Sunil Michael 6-4, 6-4, while Varma struggled to beat fighting compatriot Sumeet Shinde 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.

Third seed Pakistani Tanveer Ashiq kept his hopes alive overpowering Thailand’s Wasin Wijaya 6-3, 6-2.

Thailand’s unseeded Nuttorn Tanchainant made a 6-3, 6-2 short work of Omer Babar 6-3, 6-2, while Sri Lankan Thanga Raja defeated Waqas Malik 7-5, 6-3.

In the girls category top seed Jithmie of Sri Lanka prevailed 6-0, 6-0 over Ushna.

Second seed Inayat Khosla of India outpaced compatriot Richa Valecha 6-4, 6-1. Third seed Soniya Dayal beat Ratnika 6-4, 6-2 in an all-India encounter. — UNI