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Beijing set to quench thirst
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Shoaib set to miss Champions Trophy Indian Premier League
No IPL if it clashes with Oz series: PCB
Tendulkar raring to go
in Tests
Junior Asia Cup
Chinese tea tourists’ favourite
Amritraj enters Hall of Fame final
Surendra makes it in 10,000m race
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Nothing will keep Ronaldinho away
Newspaper O Globo reported yesterday that the two-time FIFA player of the year will next week tell the Spanish club of his plans to help Brazil win its first Olympic gold medal. "On Tuesday, Ronaldinho will announce that nothing will keep him away from the Beijing Olympics," the newspaper said. "And if Barcelona insists on not allowing him to play, he will break his contract with the Spanish club. "The first demonstration of his determination will take place on Monday when he will not report to (Barcelona coach) Josep Guardiola for training." The Associated Press was unable to contact Ronaldinho's agent and brother, Roberto de Assis, for comment. The Brazilian Soccer Confederation said on its Web site that Ronaldinho is in the southern city of Porto Alegre where he is "training intensely to play for Brazil in the Beijing Olympics." The confederation said Ronaldinho will hold a news conference on Tuesday in Porto Alegre. Earlier this week, Barcelona said Ronaldinho "will have to report for training on Monday, the first session of the 2008-09 season." "The Olympics do not form part of the official FIFA calendar, and no official decision has ever been made in that respect, so the club is under no obligation to allow its player to travel," the club said in a statement. The Brazilian star, who last played on March 9, is under contract with Barcelona but has been linked with transfers to Manchester City and AC Milan.
— AP |
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Beijing set to quench thirst
Beijing, July 13 And it seems Herculean efforts to ensure the capital will not run dry, despite several years of drought, have paid off: the main reservoirs feeding the capital are holding more than enough water for the 1 million or more domestic tourists and up to 500,000 foreign visitors expected during the Games. “Beijing has combined all water resources, including reservoirs, underground water and rainfall, to ensure the supply for the Olympics,” Yu Yaping, a Beijing Water Bureau official, said in remarks reported on Sunday by Xinhua news agency. To ensure there was no risk of Beijing running short for the Games, officials ordered a 309-km (192-mile) northern section of the larger South-North Water Transfer Project first be completed to pump more water if needed from Hebei, a largely rural province adjoining the capital that is itself acutely short of water. The authorities are also stockpiling plenty of petrol and diesel, even though cars will be allowed on Beijing’s road only on alternate days from July 20. PetroChina and Sinopec, China’s two leading oil producers, are expected to import 310,000 tonnes of petrol and 410,000 tonnes of diesel for use in eastern China, according to ChemNet, a chemical and petrochemical industry information website. By contrast, supplies of vegetables coming into Beijing have dropped about 10 per cent recently, pushing up prices by an average 65 per cent, according to Wang Xiaodong, the director of the city’s agricultural office. Xinhua quoted Wang as saying 15 percent fewer trucks transporting vegetables had come into the city in the first 10 days of July because drivers feared falling foul of traffic restrictions being introduced for the Games. Some checks are already in place, to enhance security and reduce pollution, and they are about go get tougher both in and around the capital. From July 20, authorities in Hebei will check all vehicles headed for Beijing from more than 50 towns and cities, according to a local media report. Security will also be stepped up at airports, railway stations and airports, the report in the Yan Zhao City Journal said. Travel agents and sports hospitality companies are worried that stifling security, difficulties obtaining visas and recurring warnings about the threat of terrorism will keep many tourists away from the Games, which run from August 8-24.
— Reuters |
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Captain Smith rides to SA’s rescue
London, July 13 At the close, South Africa were 242 for one, needing 104 to make England bat again with a day's play remaining. Smith, who was out for eight in the first innings, was unable to capitalise on a huge slice of good fortune after reaching his century in the final session. An edge off Kevin Pietersen's occasional off-spin, which seemed destined for Paul Collingwood at first slip, went through Tim Ambrose's gloves as the wicketkeeper lunged to his left. However, he was out without adding a run when a skied pull shot off James Anderson was taken safely by Pietersen running in from backward point. The England team and a near-capacity crowd gathered on a fine, sunny morning started the day with high hopes that England were about to end a sequence of five successive test draws at cricket's world headquarters. Instead the South African openers, resuming on 13 for no wicket, gradually took command on a pitch offering nothing to the bowlers except for some slow spin for Monty Panesar, who took four for 74 in the first innings. Scoreboard
England first innings (dec for 8) 593 South Africa first innings 247 South Africa second innings (13-0 overnight) Smith c Pietersen b Anderson 107 McKenzie not out 102 Amla not out 20 Extras:
(b-4 lb-5 w-3, nb-1.) 13 Total: (1 wicket, 96 overs) 242 Fall of wickets: 1-204 Bowling: Panesar 33-8-70-0, Pietersen 6-1-19-0, Sidebottom 18-6-23-0, Anderson 19-4-52-1, Broad 15-3-55-0, Collingwood 5-3-14-0.
— Reuters |
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Shoaib set to miss Champions Trophy
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) postponed the announcement of its preliminary squad until Tuesday and sent a notice to paceman Shoaib asking him to pay the 7 million rupees ($247,600) fine imposed on him by an appeals tribunal in June. A PCB spokesman said on Friday: “Shoaib’s name would only be considered for selection if he clears the fine first.” However, the player’s lawyer, Abid Hasan Minto, said on Sunday: “Shoaib will pay the fine as soon as the High Court decides the matter (in September). If they (the PCB) think the fine payment is a norm for inclusion in the squad, it is up to them. If they want to deny the national team his presence and keep someone like him away from the team... then it is their decision,” he added. Pakistan host the Champions Trophy in September. Shoaib was banned for five years by the board in March for various acts of indiscipline. He appealed against the ban to an appeals tribunal, which reduced it to 18 months but imposed the fine on him. The fast bowler then filed a petition to the Lahore High Court against the ban and fine last month. The court suspended the ban but refused to clear the fine until the case is taken up for regular hearing in September. Minto said a reply would be sent to the board on Monday regarding the fine. — Reuters
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No IPL if it clashes with Oz series: PCB
Karachi, July 13 “We don’t see any confrontation with the players over the clash of dates of the IPL with the Australian tour. IPL is a domestic tournament. International commitments take precedence over the domestic tournaments and IPL is no exception,” he said. “We will work strictly under a principle which has been decided at the International Cricket Council (ICC) level. Obviously the home series against Australia is very important for us and nothing will take precedence over it,” he added. When reminded of the ongoing tussle between the Lankan board and its players over the England tour next year, which clashes with IPL set to be held in April and May, Naghmi said it was their internal issue. “That is SLC’s internal matter. As far as our players are concerned they have been told in clear terms about their priorities when they signed the IPL contracts,” he said. Around a dozen Pakistani players appeared in the IPL in its first season with Sohail Tanvir, Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan representing the eventual winners Rajasthan Royals. Australia have said they would tour Pakistan in April next year to play a full Test or ODI series as part of their rescheduling agreement with the PCB after they had postponed their Test tour to Pakistan earlier this year due to security reasons. Naghmi said the PCB remained confident about next year’s tour by the Australians despite their security concerns over the Champions Trophy. “We are quite confident Australia will tour Pakistan next year and we are not working on any other assumptions at the moment,” Naghmi added. — PTI
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Indian Premier League New Delhi, July 13 “Two days ago the IPL received a letter from a Swiss agency, mandated by WADA, which said one sample had tested positive. The IPL will follow set procedures from now on,” Modi said. Describing the procedure, Modi said, first of all the identity of the player with the sample has to be matched. Then the form, which the player filled before the tournament will be scrutinised for any pre-declared or prescribed drug. And if that matches the drug found in the sample, the matter ends there. In case that does not happen, the player is informed and a ‘B’ sample is sent for testing. If that, too, is positive the matter will be taken up by the IPL's drugs tribunal. The tribunal will consist of a leading doctor, a former cricketer and a lawyer. The committee will study the issue and take a decision, for which there will be a separate appeals tribunal. “This is just the procedure. As of now we are at the first stage where one sample has tested positive. The issue is now with the IPL’s medical committee. The identity of the player will matter only after we check on the pre-declared drugs,” he said. — PTI
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Tendulkar raring to go in Tests
Tendulkar missed last month's Bangladesh tri-series and the Asia Cup in Pakistan due to a groin injury. He was, however, included in the 16-member Test squad for the three-match series against the Lankans from July 23 to August 12. "I am fully fit and eager to give my best in the Sri Lanka series," Tendulkar told reporters here after joining the team. The Anil Kumble-led side is scheduled to leave for Colombo Tuesday afternoon. Tendulkar also expressed optimism over the team's chances in the upcoming series. "The team is in good form and would like to maintain it to win the series," he said. Asked about mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, who created a sensation during the Asia Cup with his 'carrom ball' delivery, Tendulkar said, "I have not played him so I won't comment anything. I will go there and see." — PTI
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Baichung sizzles among stars
Munich, July 13 Playing for the 'Edu' team under the captaincy of Dutch star Clarence Seedorf in number 30 white jersey, Baichung scored in the 28th and 68th minutes though for a lost cause as the Michael Ballack-led 'Cation' side won the match 9-6 at the Bayern Munich home ground late last night. Brazilian stars Kaka and Ronaldo, Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, England midfielder Steven Gerrard and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba did not turn up, nor were there Samuel Eto'o, Michael Essien, Emanuel Adebayor, Paolo Maldini and Andrea Shevchenko who were listed to play in the match. Arsenal's Robin van Persie, AC Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida, Dutch star Mark van Bommel, Italian World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso and Bayern Munich's Ze Roberto were the few big names besides Ballack and Seedorf. Bayern coach and former German striker Jurgen Klinsmann and former Brazilian star Zico kicked off the match in the absence of all-time greats Pele and Michael Platini. Playing alongside some of the best in the business, Baichung, who played the entire duration of the match, was in the thick of action as early as the fourth minute but his shot went straight to Dida. Another shot in the 24th minute from a one-to-one with Formula One legend Michael Schumacher produced the same result. In the 28th minute, Baichung made the scoreline 3-3 with a beauty of a goal. He coolly chested down a Nigel de Jong aerial pass from the left and blasted a first time left-footed half volley and Dida had no chance to stop it. First in the 38th minute, he could not beat Dida after being fed by Schumacher and a minute later his right footer on the run from another fine pass from the German ballooned inches over the near post. Three minutes after the changeover, Seedorf fed Baichung on the clear and the Mohun Bagan striker's right footer beat the substitute goalkeeper Kasey Keller but missed the upright by inches. Baichung also initiated Schumacher's only goal of the match in the 64th minute with the Sikkimese Sniper sending a defence-splitting pass to Seedorf who set up the German to tap the ball into the net. Four minuted later, Seedorf was alone with the opposition goalkeeper and the Dutch star instead of scoring himself sent a parallel pass to Baichung who had all the time in the world to just tap the ball into an empty net for his second goal.
— PTI |
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Junior Asia Cup
Hyderabad, July 13 After a win and a draw from two matches, both Pakistan and South Korea are on four points each and both can go to the semifinals with either a win or a draw in their final matches on Tuesday against Bangladesh and Oman, respectively. Hosts India had already made it to the semifinals from pool ‘A’. South Korea put up an impressive performance in the first half and Nam Hyun Woo put them into lead by converting their second penalty corner in the 14th minute before Lim Woo Geun sounded the board from another penalty corner in 33rd minute. The Pakistanis fought back in the second half with Inayat Ullah first reducing the margin through a field goal in the 50th minute and then levelled the score in the 55th minute via a Kashif Ali penalty corner conversion. Pumped up by the two goals in quick succession, Pakistan went for the kill and it was Kashif Ali who put them ahead for the first time in the match in the 67th minute by converting another penalty corner. Just as it looked like the Koreans would bite the dust after doing so well in the first half, Lee Yong Kuk saved the day for them by converting a penalty corner in the last minute of the game to the huge disappointment of the Pakistanis. Earlier, in the first pool ‘B’ match of the day, Bangladesh registered their first victory with an emphatic 7-1 win over Oman. For Bangladesh, who led 2-1 at the first half time, Rasel Mahmud and Mohd Hasan Jubair scored a brace each while Rimon Kumar Gosh, Krishno Kumir and Ashaduzzaman Chandan scored one goal each. For Oman, Basim Rajab scored the lone goal in the 32nd minute. In their previous matches, Pakistan and South Korea had easy outings thrashing Oman 5-1 and Bangladesh 8-0, respectively.
— PTI |
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Chinese tea tourists’ favourite
New Delhi, July 13 The respondents said they were likely to visit China during or after the Olympic Games, one-third said Chinese tea would be the souvenir they were most likely to take home. The second most popular choice was Chinese arts and craft, followed by clothing. “China not only offers interesting attractions to visitors, it also promises tourists a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. With all the visitors expected during the upcoming Olympic Games, we may see a shopping spree of Olympic-sized proportions in China this August,” Xinhua quoted Richard Chang, executive vice president and general manager of Visa China, as saying. According to the survey, women are more likely to buy Chinese silk with 26 percent of women questioned saying they had an interest in the material as opposed to 19 percent of men surveyed. Twenty percent of men questioned said they were more likely to buy electronic products, compared to 15 percent of women. The survey also found that younger travellers aged between 18 and 24 were more interested than older travellers in buying both traditional and modern Chinese memorabilia and were interested in both antiques and electronics. Sixty-two percent of visitors from Hong Kong said they were most interested in buying local food products, while Australians, New Zealanders and Singaporeans said they were more likely to opt for buying clothing in China. The survey revealed that 36 percent of the Japanese questioned and 49 percent of Koreans placed Chinese tea on the top of their lists. Sixty-three percent of Malaysians said silk would be their souvenir of choice, while 46 percent of Taiwanese and 60 percent of Indians said they would chose electrical products.
— ANI |
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Amritraj enters Hall of Fame final
New Delhi, July 13 The California-based Indian Davis Cupper upset his Canadian rival 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 in a battle lasting two hours and 18 minutes to join Australian Mark Philippoussis, who went on to clinch the title in 2006, as the only other wild card to make the Newport finals. Giantkiller Prakash will now be up against second seed and defending champion Fabrice Santoro, who beat Vince Spadea 7-6 (4), 6-1 in the other semifinal, in the summit clash. The 24-year-old Prakash is the first Indian to reach an ATP final since Leander Paes won the 1998 Newport title. Prakash’s hard-fought win was watched by his illustrious father Vijay Amritraj, who clinched three of his 16 ATP titles at Newport.
— PTI Bopanna-Quereshi in final
Indian Davis cupper Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Quereshi have made their way into the men’s doubles final of the Hall of Fame tennis championships here. The fourth seeded Indo-Pakistani pair came back strongly after losing the first set and defeated Rik de Voest of South Africa and Ashley Fisher of Australia 5-7, 6-4, 11-9 yesterday.
— UNI |
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Surendra makes it in 10,000m race
Vigo, Spain, July 13 Surendra was determined to achieve the qualification for Beijing Olympics and planned his race with 2min 49sec pace per kilometre yesterday. But it was the pace for the second kilometre (2:43) which put him in the fast lane along with Spanish runners and he kept running consistently below 2 min 50 sec per kilometre before speeding up the last kilometre in 2 min 38 seconds to clock 28:02.79s. ''I couldn't believe I have made it'' said an elated Surendra after the race. He further added, ''It's been two years since I was preparing for the Olympics and finally all my hard work has paid today.'' Surendra, who joined Garhwal Rifles regiment in 1999, first represented Army in the National cross country held in Simla (2003) which earned him his maiden international cap for India. His brilliant run in the Asian Cross Country held in Pune in 2004 brought him in the notice of Army Sports
Institute where he trained for the next one year before joining India's middle and long distance coach Dr Nikolai Sneasrav's army in 2006 at
Bangalore. — UNI |
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