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India in Sri Lanka
Hockey India poll today
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Ministry withdraws observer
Bindra, Saina among 6 brand ambassadors
Remove Jaitely, Amin from panel, demands Modi
Santosh Trophy
India’s ‘lucky’ manager’s long innings ends
Another draw for Parimarjan
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Batsmen continue to make merry
Colombo, July 27 The hosts piled up a massive 642-4 declared on the second day of the match as India's bowling attack could do little to stop the flow of runs. India replied strongly to reach 95 without loss at the close with Murali Vijay unbeaten on 22 and Virender Sehwag 64 not out. Sangakkara and Jayawardene pounded the hapless Indian bowlers on a placid batting pitch putting together a third wicket partnership of 193 runs. Sangakkara went on to score a chanceless 219 off 335 balls hitting 29 fours before being dismissed in the fourth over after lunch when he attempted to punch the ball through point but only succeeded in getting an edge to slip. Runs continued to flow when Jayawardene became the third batsman in the Sri Lanka first innings to complete a century. Following opener Tharanga Paranavitana's 100 on the first day and captain Sangakkara's double ton, Jayawardene continued to plunder runs with ease against India's limited bowling attack reaching his 28th Test hundred with 12 fours. Jayawardene innings came to a tame end at 174 when flicked a ball from Harbhajan Singh to short mid wicket to give the spinner his first wicket in the series. He hit 20 fours and a six. It was Jayawardene's 10th Test century at the Singhalese Sports Club ground and it surpassed Bradman's nine hundreds at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Thilan Samaraweera added more misery to India's bowlers when he figured in a 176-run stand with Jayawardene. Samaraweera was left unbeaten on 76 when Sri Lanka declared their innings at the fall of Jayawardene's wicket. Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0. — Reuters Scoreboard Sri Lanka 1st innings: (Overnight 312 for two) Paranavitana b Ishant 100 Dilshan c Laxman b Ojha 54 Sangakkara c Dravid b Sehwag 219 Jayawardene c Raina b Harbhajan 174 Samaraweera not out 76 Extras: (b-4, lb-8, nb-5, w-2) 19 Total: (for 4 wkts decl) 642 Fall of wickets: 1-99, 2-273, 3-466, 4-642. Bowling: Mithun 23-5-117-0, Ishant 23-5-102-1, Ojha 46-9-172-1, Harbhajan 42.4-4-147-1, Sehwag 20-0-71-1, Raina 5-0-21-0. India 1st Innings: M Vijay batting 22 Sehwag batting 64 Extras: (nb-7, w-2) 9 Total: (without loss) 95 Bowling: D Prasad 3-0-27-0, Fernando 7-0-31-0, Mathews 4-0-13-0, S Randiv 3-1-15-0, Mendis 1-0-9-0.
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Hockey India poll today
Chandigarh, July 27 Olympians make successful National Sports Federations chiefs. India’s archrival and neighbour Pakistan that has done extremely well on international hockey scene after partition already had three Olympians at helm of affairs. Starting with AIS Dara, Pakistan has been served well by Brig SMH Atif and now Qasim Zia - both Olympians. Ramesh Patel, who was a member of the New Zealand team that shocked India in the opener of the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico, has been commanding the New Zealand Hockey Association very well. Unfortunately, India has never before placed its confidence in the capabilities of an Olympian who understand the sport better than those who just administer it. “Vidya Stokes has had her innings. She has contributed her bit for 23 long years and now it is time for her to make way for much younger, energetic and more acceptable youngster to head the national hockey body,” says former international Gurdishpal Singh. “Change and freshness,” he says, “will do the Indian hockey good. It is not only me but a long big family of hockey Olympians and internationals who all are looking forward to some freshness in running the affairs of our national game,” he adds. “Sports administrators like Suresh Kalmadi have been working more for themselves than doing anything good for sports in the country. I wish they were in the construction or infrastructure development business than sports,” says another Olympian. Sukhvir Singh Grewal, a former international and coach of the 1992 Indian Olympic hockey team, feels that India could not get a better person than Pargat Singh to head its national body. “He is one person whom the entire hockey world recognises as a good player and an able administrator,” adds Sukhvir Singh Grewal. Vidya Stokes on the other hand is hoping for support for her neat and clean image. Her added strength is unstinted support from the Suresh Kalmadi-led Indian Olympic Association as well as the ad hoc committee of the HI that had been holding the fort after dissolution of the Indian Hockey Confederation. Interestingly, some of her former team members, including Secretary-General Amrit Bose, are supporting Pargat Singh and not her. Initially not included in the list of two representatives of the Delhi Hockey Association to attend tomorrow’s election meeting, Amrit Bose, had to seek legal recourse.
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Ministry withdraws observer
New Delhi, July 27 In a letter, the ministry stated that it decided to withdraw its observer SK Mendiratta from the poll process on the instruction of the High Court, which today said IHF was the solely representative of the national game in the country and HI was a private body. “The government election observer's presence at the Annual General Meeting of HI, which is scheduled to be held tomorrow, does not in any manner reflect government's endorsement of the election process or its outcome. However, in deferrence to Honourable High Court’s directives, the government has decided not to depute the government election observer to oversee the elections,” the letter signed by Joint Secretary Injeti Srinivas said. The government has also taken note that during the scrutiny of nominations for the election, HI took a stand that they were not bound by the government guidelines relating to age and tenure limits. “The government is of the view that every National Sports Federation is fully bound by the government guidelines for it to function as an NSF and perform the public function of selecting the national team and deputing it for participation in international competitions,” the letter said. “In the present situation with two recognised NSFs in place for the promotion of hockey in India, only one of which namely HI, enjoying the required support of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the government will comply the directions of the High Court to obtain the co-operation of IHF and IOA and any other body that may have been set up to resolve the matter in the best interest of hockey in the country,” the letter added. The Sports Ministry's decision came after the Delhi High Court, earlier in the day, asked the government not to associate itself with tomorrow's election as HI was a private body. The High Court said IHF is the sole recognised body for the game in the country as it had already quashed the government's notification for de-recognition of the KPS Gill-led sports federation. The High Court had on May 21 set aside the Centre's decision to de-recognise IHF and the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) de-affiliation of the federation. — PTI |
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Bindra, Saina among 6 brand ambassadors
New Delhi, July 27 "These champions have done India proud with their achievements and will serve as remarkable brand ambassadors of the games," noted Suresh Kalmadi. "Their passion, personality, and presence as well as their amazing pursuit of excellence truly reflect the vision of the Organising Committee", added Kalmadi. "We are poised at the cusp of staging the biggest-ever sporting event in the country, and I am confident that this squad of six brand ambassadors will find universal appeal across the nation. I am sure they will lend their charisma to ensure that the games are a huge draw with the people", Kalmadi added. Tennis stadium handed over to organising committee
New Delhi: Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy formally handed over the renovated RK Khanna Tennis Stadium to Suresh
Kalmadi, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, here on Monday. Accepting the key, Kalmadi said criticising the Delhi government for hosting the Commonwealth Games was illogical, as all the developments meant better infrastructure for the national capital. The stadium has a built-up area of 11,500 sq m and consists of 14 courts including a centre court and six match courts. The centre court has a capacity of 5,000 spectators while the number one court has a 1000-seater gallery with updated facilities. India is expecting huge inflow of tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states. The Sports Ministry has spent an additional sum of 300 million rupees to upgrade and renovate the hostels of the Delhi University, as a measure of accommodation for the Games tourists. — ANI Oz tennis star Stosur pulls out
The Australian tennis ace joins country's top male tennis player Lleyton Hewitt in pulling out of the Games, according to an 'Australian Associated Press' report. Stosur had lost to Italy's Francesca Schiavone in the French Open final this year. Tennis is making its debut at the Commonwealth Games in this edition but the draw is expected to be quite weak with top British player Andy Murray also expected to give the event a miss. The Games clash with the China Open and Stosur is due to defend her title in Osaka from October 11, a day before the Delhi event draws to a close. Stosur wants to qualify for the season-ending championships in Bali and missing the China and Osaka tourneys would jeopardise her chances. Other top tennis players expected to pull out of the Games include 25th-ranked Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus. — PTI Govt not to fix responsibility for delays
New Delhi: The delay in infrastructure construction which marred the build-up to the Commonwealth Games may have irked many and dented India's international reputation but the government does not plan to fix any responsibility for it. The delays have led to a situation where work is being done at break-neck pace to ensure completion of the venues and other infrastructure. Asked whether there would be any accountability for it in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Sports Pratik Prakashbapu Patil merely said, "No, madam." The government does, however, plans to maintain a vigil over the construction work being carried out for the October 3 to 14 event. "The works of the Commonwealth Games are being intensively monitored at various levels of the government," Patil said. "Most of the sports-related projects related to the Commonwealth Games have been completed. Rest of the projects would be completed by August 15," he added. Most of venues missed their completion deadlines and even the other civic infrastructure is not ready with contractors racing against time to get it ready. — PTI Baton reaches Manipur
Imphal: Led by Olympian hockey player Nilakomol Singh, the Queen's Baton Relay for 2010 Commonwealth Games today travelled to different corners of the city amid fanfare. Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh flagged off the Baton's journey in the north-eastern state. The Baton passed through all-important points of the Imphal city before ending its journey here at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. Official sources said the Baton would enter Mizoram tomorrow. — PTI |
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Remove Jaitely, Amin from panel, demands Modi
New Delhi, July 27 At the second hearing of the disciplinary committee here tonight, Modi's lawyers again debated the on the recusal issue. "The core issue of recusal of two members from the panel was debated. Our lawyers argued the case. The BCCI will be allowed to come out with a rejoinder," Modi's counsel Mehmood Abdi told reporters after the hearing which lasted three-and-a-half hours. Abdi said that next meeting of the committee will be held on August 1 in New Delhi. "The meeting has been scheduled for a Sunday considering that the Parliament session is going on and taking into account the convenience of the lawyers," Abdi said. At the meeting the Modi lawyers sought a number of documents from the BCCI related to the IPL and the Board's meetings. Abdi said the issue of recusal will hopefully be sorted out at the next meeting. "A retired Supreme Court judge must be there in the committee. We have grave concern about the BCCI's stance. If they have already decided then what's the point in all their meetings? Whosoever is doing this is hurting BCCI's cause more," Abdi had said before going into the meeting. Modi again skipped the disciplinary committee meeting but Abdi was also of the view that his client's absence would not affect the proceedings.— PTI
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Delhi beat Chhattisgarh, enter quarters
Howrah, July 27 Tuishim Mashangva scored the decisive goal for Delhi in the shootout that they won 4-3 under poor light condition. Earlier, a brace by Mashangva who scored in the 39th and 48th minutes saw Delhi take a 2-0 lead but Chhattisgarh made a strong second-half comeback to restore parity 2-2 and take the match into extra time. Chhattisgarh made it 1-2 through Mohammad M Siddique in the 65th minute, while the scoreline became 2-2 with Delhi conceding an own goal by Amjan Ali Khan in the 80th minute. Delhi joined last year's runner-up Bengal, Tamil Nadu and winners of the fourth pre-quarterfinal in the Group B of the quarterfinal league stage. They will open their last-eight campaign against Bengal on July 30. Delhi took the lead in the 39th minute when Mashangva headed it home following a goalmouth melee. Chhattisgarh defenders were beaten in an aerial tussle with Mashngva giving Delhi 1-0 lead in the first 45 minutes of the match. Both teams started watchfully with Cluster V toppers Delhi dominating on few occasions inside the first-half, even as Chhattisgarh looked pale in comparison. After taking the lead, Delhi intensified the pressure with the Cluster VI toppers finding the going slippery. In a twin blow for Chhattisgarh, Delhi made it 2-0 immediately after the changeover. Just three minutes after the break, Mashngva continued his fine run when he headed the ball from a midfield lob for his second goal. Chhattisgarh custodian Partha Dey charged out to take the possession as Mashngva latched on the opportunity to convert it without any hassle. But soon the match tilted in favour of Chhattisgarh with coach Santanu Singh making a tactical substitution in the forward line-up. After the changeover, Kulwant Singh was replaced by Siddique who brought some much-needed vigour to their side, attacking from the right. Chhattisgarh had some luck as well in their favour with Delhi custodian Vikrant Sharma pulling his groin in the 55th minute as he was replaced by Pronoy Roy in the 60th minute. In between, Sharma saved a brilliant attempt by Subir Maji. Minutes after the substitution, Chhattisgarh pulled one back with Siddique converting a fine attempt from his solo run from the right. — PTI
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India’s ‘lucky’ manager’s long innings ends
Inder Mohan Mahajan was first genuine player, who in 1980 became President of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), formed in 1925. Mahajan was 86 when he passed away on Sunday (July 25) after brief illness. Born in Sialkot on September 9, 1924, Mahajan joined the police where he held senior position. Coincidentally, since Independence, Indian hockey has been in grasp of the police. Mahajan was the second IHF president, the first was Ashwini Kumar, who had a long and abiding tenure before he resigned at the sharp comment of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. ND Nagarwala (Gujarat) was the IHF secretary, while KPS Gill has been at the helm of the IHF since 1994. Mahajan wore the label of being “lucky manager” after India bagged the Lyons International Tournament in 1963. This label helped him to become manager of the Indian team for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. India regained gold after losing it to Pakistan in the 1960 Olympic Games. He was again in charge of the team that bagged the gold medal in the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games. Apart from being considered lucky, Mahajan was also the longest survivor of the Indian hockey since he stayed connected with the game for more than 50 years. He stayed the president of the Delhi Hockey Association for unlimited years until he fell ill.
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Biel (Switzerland), July 27 Negi played it safe yet again against a higher rated opponent and signed peace in just 28 moves. After succumbing to three losses, Negi registered four consecutive draws in a row. But with only two points under his bag, the Indian is lying at the last spot along with David Howell of England with just two rounds to go in the category-17 event. Italy's Fabiano Caruana continued to lead the table as all five games of the day ended in draws. As a result of the draw melee, Caruan inched himself to 4.5 points and remained half a point ahead of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, Wesley So of Philippines, Israel's Maxim Rodshtein and Russian duo of Evgeny Tomashevsky and Andreikin. Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam is in sole seventh spot with 3.5 points while Anish Giri of Holland occupies the eighth position with three points. Playing white, Negi opted for the open Sicilian and faced the Paulsen set up from Andreikin. After the initial complications, the Russian came up with a thematic central break through after which the exchanges became imminent. Negi temporarily won a pawn, which he had to part with as the game progressed and the peace treaty was signed in just 28 moves. — PTI
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Olympic champion rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra and ace shuttler Saina Nehwal are among the six sportspersons who have been named as brand ambassadors of the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi from October 3 to 14. Scotching rumours of non-sportspersons like film stars being appointed as brand ambassadors of the prestigious event, Organising Committee chairman of CWG Suresh Kalmadi said Olympic and world 10-metre air rifle champion Abhinav
Bindra, world No. 2 badminton star Saina Nehwal, Olympic bronze medallists, boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Sushil Kumar, 2006 Commonwealth Games shooting champion Samresh Jung, who was adjudged the best athlete of the Melbourne event and world boxing champion MC
Marycom, would be the brand ambassadors of 2010 CWG.
Melbourne: Star pull-outs from this year's Commonwealth Games continue with French Open finalist Samantha Stosur becoming the latest to decide against competing in the Delhi event to focus on top WTA tournaments.
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