New Delhi, August 25
The players’ mutiny spearheaded by Virender Sehwag’s against the all-powerful Sports Committee of the Delhi and District Cricket Association today fizzled out to a tame compromise with former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi brokering peace. DDCA President Arun Jaitley said that Sehwag and his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir met him in Pataudi’s presence last night when the compromise was reached.

Accordingly, Sehwag was not going anywhere and would be representing Delhi, Jaitley said, without disclosing how he managed to pacify the star opener who had threatened to move to Haryana protesting nepotism in selection and the high-handedness of the Sports Committee.

“Last evening, both the senior players met me and my DDCA colleagues and we were fortunate to have Mr Pataudi among us. We discussed several issues and I can tell you that the nature of discussion was not adversarial,” Jaitley said.

“They had primarily two concerns - to ensure that selection process is absolutely fair and that no interference of any kind would be tolerated. Their suggestions were well-intentioned and I told both the players and my colleagues that both the steps should be taken so that the standard of fairness of the highest level is maintained,” he added.

Jaitley said he never feared the issue would snowball into a crisis and called it an opportunity to set things right. “I did not see it developing into a crisis. It was not a conflict of interest. Their and our objectives are same. I rather saw it as an opportunity to reform,” he said.

Jaitley also took a dig at some of the former players who had sided with Sehwag and criticised the DDCA. “It was funny to see some of the causes of problems in the past becoming commentator of the problem,” he remarked.

Even though DDCA officials were quoted in the media as saying that Sehwag was free to collect his No Objection Certificate and move to Haryana, Jaitley completely denied that. “No body ever said Sehwag can go if he wanted. The moment I came to know about his view on the subject, I told him to meet me on his return to Delhi (from Bangalore where he was undergoing rehabilitation). He did just that and we resolved the issue,” Jaitley said.

He said DDCA was toying with the idea of reducing the number of selectors and avoid any conflict of interests following reports of nepotism. “It was a healthy discussion and both the players put their point across in a dignified manner,” he said.

In the entire exercise, not a single Sports Committee head rolled as Jaitley sprang in support of the panel, which has been in the eye of the storm. “The Sports Committee only recommends and it’s upto the Executive Committee to take the final decision. When it comes to selection, it all depends on the selector’s individual discretion,” Jaitley explained, adding DDCA would find the right people for the selector’s job.

In what seemed the only consolation for Sehwag, Jaitley said DDCA was ready to form a panel comprising senior players. “In principle, we are ready to have such a body but we need to explore the idea before deciding what function it can perform and shortlist individuals who have the time and intention for the job,” he said.

Finally, paying a rich tribute to Pataudi for brokering peace, Jaitley said, “I want to officially put in record our appreciation for his time. We are contemplating a Cricket Advisory Body and if he is willing and has the time, we would be happy to have him there.” — PTI

Melbourne, August 25
In consonance with its commitment to embrace traditional Australian values - justice, equality, fairness and mate ship - Cricket Victoria has decided to start a $15 million programme for denouncing racism, prejudice and intolerance by inviting Indian students to watch all games of its team, Victoria Bushes to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November this year.

“We have decided to distribute one hundred thousand tickets of the face value of $ 150 each to international Indian students in our endeavour to assimilate them in the Australian lifestyle,” says Greg Shipperd, coach of Delhi Daredevils, and a key figure in the coaching wing of the Victoria Cricket Association. Invitations and tickets will start flowing to Indian students in time before the Victoria Bushes start their Sheffield campaign in the first week of November at MCG here.

“We all feel sorry for whatever has happened during the past few months. These unfortunate incidents are inexcusable,” says Greg Shipperd, who will be soon off to India for the Champions Trophy.

“We believe that Indian students are very much part of our society and in our sincere attempt to assuage their hurt, we have decided to extend a warm friendly hand to them by inviting them to our games. We hope this programme will continue and we will keep on inviting them to visit the MCG and watch the games as guests of Cricket Victoria,” adds Shipperd.

“The idea is to make Indian students feel a part of the community. We want them to actively participate in our various activities, not only as spectators but also as active participants by taking to the game that has been a great unifying factor the world over,” Shipperd adds.

Cricket Victoria, with an annual budget of $26 million, has several community outreach programmes, including Harmony in Cricket, through which it tries to establish cordial and friendly relations with various ethnic minorities. Cricket Victoria has 70 regular employees besides thousands of volunteers.

“We are a multicultural society and owe a duty to the society and communities we represent. For the past 10 years, Cricket Victoria has been encouraging its affiliate clubs to promote the message of harmony to their peers and community. Some clubs play for the Harmony Shield in their local competition while some others issue an open invitation to both their own community members as well as new comers as a reminder to all Victorians that cricket welcome all people of all backgrounds,” says John Watkin, General manager, Game Development, Cricket Victoria.

“Some of the major issues facing the refugee children participating in mainstream sport are alack of understanding, interest, familiarity and financial constraints,” says Tony Dodemaide, chief executive officer of Cricket Victoria.

With many organisations or associations or even communities harbouring prejudices and biases towards refugee children and children of newcomers, it becomes very difficult for them to have a real sense of belonging within many community groups.

“Cricket Victoria has scripted a success story through Sunshine Heights Club that proudly boasts that its junior and senior members are predominantly from non-English speaking backgrounds. The Club has created a culture to foster a sense of belonging to everyone, needless of their race, colour, sex, religion or financial status,” adds Tony Dodemaide. Banners that adorn the office of Cricket Victoria read ‘Cricket smashing cultural, gender, ethnic and physical boundaries.’

London, August 25
Victory in the Ashes series in his swansong Test was a perfect way to bid adieu to Test cricket and now Andrew Flintoff longs to end his one-day career on a similar high, by winning the 2015 World Cup. Flintoff, who underwent a knee surgery last night, said he is keen to return to cricket field.

“Obviously there are no guarantees but, having spoken to the surgeon, I’m confident I’ll be able to get back on the field. However long the rehab takes I’m prepared to do it to give myself the best chance of playing international cricket again. I want to play at the World Cup in 2011 and the one after that too. I’ve finished my Test career with an Ashes victory and I want to finish my one-day career with a World Cup win in 2015. That would be perfect,” Flintoff was quoted as saying.

The burly all rounder also revealed how emotions overpowered him after playing the final Test of his career at The Oval on Sunday. “I admit I was tearful. And then I saw one of the Sky Sports cameras hovering and thought ‘Nobody’s seeing my crying’, so I nipped into the toilets, gave myself a minute, got myself together and got on with the job of celebrating.” — ANI

Chandigarh, August 25
There are men who fight the demons, hostile rivals, fierce challenges and win laurels and trophies for the country. These are extraordinary men, who are mobbed on the roads, adored in the hearts and worshipped during battle. But then why is that these fearless sporting warriors are afraid of getting tied up into a relation that is celebrated across the globe? Why is that so many top sportsmen from Punjab (Harbhajan, Rajpal, Reetinder Sodhi, Anwar Ali, Yuvraj, Abhinav Bindra.. to name a few) have not chosen their partners ?

“You have to wait for the right time and the right person. Sportsmen have a busy schedule and whoever comes into our lives has to be able to cope with this,” feels India’s ace spinner Harbhajan Singh. “I don’t have an ideal person in my mind. I have just two conditions, one that she has to be a girl and second ….she should be playing my ‘doosra’ and not bowling them to me,” he adds with a smile.

For star Indian hockey player Rajpal Singh, who has just returned from the European tour, the uncertainty is forced as Indian hockey goes into it’s biggest year. “We have the Commonwealth Games and World Cup in New Delhi next year, right now marriage is not really the hot topic. It is important, yes, but after the WC and CWG, maybe, there can be more on this,” he says.

Former India cricketer Reetinder Sodhi also believes that one has to be careful about a decision like this. “At times when you are batting on 99, it’s hard to decide whether to go for a patient single or a thumping six. A lot depends on this one call. For the thrill of a six now, do you want to take chances with the excitement of a hundred? ….It’s the same with marriage I guess. Let’s see how I get there.”

Busy with the ongoing Nehru Cup, India defender Anwar Ali, is not fielding questions on marriage, therefore, he is taken totally off guard. “Marriage? I thought you would ask about the Sri Lanka game,” he laughs. But like any eligible bachelor, he has to be talking marriage soon. “Right now I am concentrating on my career only. This is the time to think about things on a priority basis and marriage, (laughs) unfortunately will be taking a backseat.”

New Delhi, August 25
Kyrgyzstan salvaged some pride when they held Lebanon to a 1-1 draw to split points in the Nehru Cup International Football Tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium here tonight. Both the goals came in the second half.

Roving forward Zemlianuhin Anton put Kyrgyzstan in the lead in the third minute of second half when his booming drive from 40 yards out brooked no denial. Lebanon drew parity seconds later off a counter attack. Mohmoud El Ali essayed a precise pass to Abbas Ahmad Atwi, who seized the chance to slam the ball in quickly.

This was a just reward for Lebanon as before their rivals struck, the West Asian country missed the mark narrowly when Hassan Maatouk’s diagonal shot rubbed the bar and bounced back into play.

The drawn tie may not do much to swing the fortune of Kyrgyzstan, who lost to Syria and India in their earlier matches. But they certainly spoilt the chances of Lebanon, as the shared points may prove costly for the latter. Lebanon, who got off the mark with an upset victory over defending champions India, then blotted their copybook when they lost to Sri Lanka.

And the draw today would be beneficial to the hosts, who, after their 2-1 victory against Kyrgyzstan, now look ahead to get the better of Sri Lanka to keep themselves in the fray for a berth in the challenge round.

Kyrgyzstan, who have been the whipping boys of this edition of the Nehru Cup, for once cast off their defensive mindset to go for the attack, though in the first half, all they managed were four abortive corner kicks, and a couple of missed shots by Mirzaliev Almazbek.

The second half witnessed two goals, and a resurgent Lebanon, after the equaliser, stepped on the pedal to mount the heat on the Kyrgyzstan goal.