Dubai, February4
A series triumph over South Africa will not just consolidate India's number one status in the ICC rankings but will also win the team a USD 175,000 prize money and the coveted Test Championship mace.

"Whoever finishes top will win the annual $175,000 prize while Australia could yet finish second by the annual cut-off date (April 1) and pocket $75,000," the ICC said in a statement.

Apart from this, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir and South Africa captain Graeme Smith will battle out for the number-one batting position.

India are leading South Africa by four ratings points and the home side will drop to second if the Proteas win the series by 1-0 or better.

India though need to draw the series to retain the number-one position and the mace which it had snatched from South Africa on December 6 after defeating Sri Lanka 2-0. Although Bangladesh will host England and Australia will travel to New Zealand for two Tests series before the April 1 cut-off date, the result of those two series will have no impact on the number one position.

Chandigarh, February 4
Jeev is all set to capture an international title on home soil when he tees off on the DLF and Country Club greens in Gurgaon for the 1.5 million Euro (US $ 2.1 million) prize money Avantha Masters tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India.

Teeing off with the Indian star on February 11 will be 2007 Asian Tour champion Liang Wen-chong of China and the Thai duo of Thaworn Wiratchant and Chapchai Nirat.

The Indian star who was the Asian Tour champion in 2006 and 2008 is yet to win an international title on home soil. The Avantha Masters at Gurgaon matters a lot to Jeev who is aiming to improve his world ranking. Currently ranked 61 he hopes to make it inside top 50 so that he plays in the Augusta Masters tournament for the fourth successive time.

Jeev, who became a father barely 10 days back intends to make it a double celebration with a victory at the Avantha Masters, one of the biggest golf events in the country.

The Indian golf hero who was plagued by injuries in 2009 is determined to make it to the top-30 this year. His resolution this year is to remain in top shape. He has been playing well this year and is determined to fight his way into contention in front of a cheering home crowd at Gurgaon.

Other prominent Indians in the field include Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and SSP Chowrasia, all of whom have won in India. Of the three Chowrasia holds the unique distinction of winning the first-ever European Tour event in India, at the Indian Masters in 2008.

Liang, the Order of Merit winner in 2007 and runner-up last year, is also hoping to claim a second title in India having won the National Open in 2008.

Jammu, February 4
The organisers and players, who made their presence felt in the World Taekwondo Championship, are running from pillar to post to get permissions for an indoor stadium at MA Sports Complex, to be used as venue, for the 11th State Taekwondo Championship to be held from February 7 to 8 here.

With only three days left and the players from war-ravaged areas like Kargil having arrived in the city to participate in this championship, there is no assurance whether the championship will be held or not.

Sources revealed that the players were facing hardships as a faction within the J&K Sports Council had been patronizing a ‘fake Taekwondo Association’ to debar the ‘genuine’ players and organisation. The nexus between the fake organisation and sports council officials is spoiling the career of talented sportspersons, the source added.

At a time when the players should be taking part in practice sessions for the championship, all the participants, including international players namely, Mohd Ali, Vivek Padha, Varinder Manhas and Atul, are visiting the sports council office to try and fulfil their genuine demands.

All these players made their mark in the world championship held at Cairo in Egypt, last year. Besides these four, Mohd Saud Bhat, a resident of Ramban, won the Gold medal in the World Open Taekwondo Championship, is still waiting for this championship to start.

When The Tribune team visited the sports complex, it could be seen that even junior and sub-junior players were sitting outside the sports council office to lodge their protest against the sports authorities for their apathetic attitude.

Despite facing all the odds, these players have high hopes and are firm on their stand. “It is sure that the championship will be held, whether the J&K State Sports Council provides us with an indoor stadium or not,” said a Taekwondo coach, Varinder Manhas. He added, “We will definitely show our talent to the council. We can play in the open, without a roof, but will not foresake our stand.”

“On the one hand the government says they are ready to provide each and every facility to the sportspersons, but the authorities concerned are not ready to support us with bare necessities,” said Mohd Ali, a player, practicing in the open ground.

P.C. Sharma, president, J&K Taekwondo Association said, “Our aim is, to promote the sport and we are doing our best, but the authorities concerned are least bothered. Our repeated requests to get permission to use the stadium have not been accepted yet.” He added that their association was affiliated to the Taekwondo Federation of India (Bangalore).

However, S.A. Laharwal, director general (DG) sports council of J&K said, “The matter is under process and I have forwarded the application to the concerned officers. They will definitely take action, as per the rules.” 

Patiala , February 4
Punjabi University , Patiala , maintained its supremacy by winning its respective matches in both men and women section on Day-1 of the All-India Inter-University Handball Championship that is underway at Raja Bhalendra Stadium of the university. With this, both the university teams have reserved their berth in the semifinals.

Winning their way up, Punjabi University , Delhi University , MG Kotyam and Kurukshetra University eves made it to semifinals whereas in the men’s section, Punjabi University , Kurukshetra University , Acharya Nagarjuna University and MDU, Rohtak, moved to the semis.

Results of Day-2 In the men’s section, Punjabi University lads defeated Osmania University , Hyderabad , by a huge margin of 38-19. Sukhwinder Singh 8, Manpreet Singh 7 and Harmanjeet Singh were the main scorers for the winners. In the second match, MDU, Rohtak defeated Osmania University by 39-26. Karamveer Singh 14, Sachin 9 and Balram 9 were the highest scorers for MDU. In the third match, Punjabi University lads defeated LNUPE, Gwalior , by 39-20, Sukhwinder Singh 14, Manpreet 11 and Harvinder Singh 7 were the main scorers for winners. In the women’s section, Punjabi University defeated Acharya Nagarjuna University , Gantur, by 29-13. Rajwant Kaur 7 and Sandeel Ali 6 were the main scorers for Punjabi University . In the second match, Kurukshetra University defeated Mumbai University by 29-15. Gujranpriya 9 and Mudhurkirti 9 were the main scorers for winners. In the third match, Punjabi University defeated Mumbai University by 38-14. Rajwant Kaur 11 and Mandeep Kaur 8 were the main scorers. 

BRIEFLY

India beat Pak to defend volleyball gold in SAG
Dhaka: Defending champions India made a remarkable comeback from a set deficit to beat arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 and claim the gold medal in volleyball at the 11th South Asian Games here on Thursday. India beat Pakistan 23-25, 25-23, 25-16 in the summit clash at the Soharwardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur. Sri Lanka won the bronze after beating Maldives 25-15, 25-16, 25-18 in the third-fourth place play-off match. — PTI

AB de Villiers during a training session in Nagpur on Thursday. — AFP

Indian shooters dominate
Dhaka: Indian shooters continued their dominance, bagging all the four gold medals up for grabs, including a clean sweep in the women's 10m air pistol event at the 11th South Asian Games here on Thursday. On the third day of shooting event, India bagged four gold, two silver and a bronze medal. — PTI

Indian shuttlers rule the roost
Dhaka: Indian shuttlers bagged five gold and five silver medals today to end their campaign on a high in the 11th South Asian Games here. Having made it an all Indian issue in the open category, Indian shuttlers completed the formalities at the Wooden Floor Gymnasium courts to return home with a rich haul of seven gold and five silver. — PTI

South Zone in charge
Hyderabad: Rampaging Dinesh Karthik lit up third day's proceedings with his second century of the match to put South Zone in firm control of the Duleep Trophy final against West Zone here on Thursday. Karthik, who had slammed 183 in the first inninsgs, struck 150 today as South Zone declared their second essay at 386 for nine to set West a mammoth 536-run winning target. — PTI

Cricket trials on February 9
Chandigarh: The Fatehgarh Sahib District Cricket Association will conduct trials to select the under-22 cricket team at Municipal Committee (Dushera Ground) near market committee, Mandi Gobindgarh on on February 9 at 2 P.M. Selected boys will represent the district in the under-22 inter-district cricket tournament being organized by Punjab Cricket Association from Feb 15 onwards. Boys born on or after February 1 1988 are eligible to participate. — TNS

Fatehgrah Sahib win
Chandigarh: The Fatehgarh Sahib won its second consecutive inter district under 19 Cricket match against Nawanshahr by 71 runs which is being organized by the Punjab Cricket Association held at Nawanshahr. Earlier they beat Kapurthala. Batting first Fatehgarh Sahib were all out at 218 runs in 49.2 overs. Opener Gurpinder Singh scored 63 runs in 93 balls and Gaurav Singh scored 51 runs in 72 balls. Both the batsman shared 91 run 2nd-wicket partnership. — TNS