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Krishna Poonia defends Mandeep, Juana
After Malhotra jibe, coaches in denial mode
India’s tour of west indies
second test: day 5
Big squad for a big tour
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Love All in the family
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Chirag brings some light to JCT players
I am unwanted: Gayle
Caruana clinches AAI Chess title
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Krishna Poonia defends Mandeep, Juana
Talking to The Tribune, Poonia said she, along with both these athletes, were on World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) ‘whereabouts list’ (the list which requires them to keep WADA informed about their whereabouts so that they can be tested at any time) and everyone from the sports fraternity knew the importance of this. “We fill a form every three months providing details as to where we will be for one hour of every day over three months to enable the collection of samples by doping agencies,” Poonia said. “The drug testers come unannounced and if any players fail to meet them, they get a warning and if they don’t meet them on three separate occasions over a period of 18 months, the athletes are automatically suspended for two years. “How can one take such a big risk deliberately when years of their hard work and medals are at stake?” Poonia asks. She further said that the WADA guidelines were so strict that even if there was an emergency and one had to be absent from the venue on any particular day, that athlete had to take prior permission and inform WADA about the alternate location where they would be available. “Therefore, there is no question of taking drugs when we know that the dope testing team can arrive any hour of any day,” she observed. About Mandeep and Murmu, Poonia said that they were her fellow campers and she knew how dedicated they were towards their event. “They would never take any banned substance deliberately as they are mature athletes and are well aware of the banned substances. This has got something to do with the food supplements they consumed. Sometimes it happens that the content is slightly different from what is mentioned in the list of ingredients or something might be missing. May be that’s where everything went wrong,” she said. Requesting WADA and IAAF of taking all factors in account, Poonia said they must consider their past record and performances before giving any final verdict because their careers were at stake. “They have everything a player can ask for and have earned it over years. They have brought laurels to the country and should not be judged based on this report. Everything should be minutely studied before IAAF reaches any conclusion,” Poonia concluded.
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After Malhotra jibe, coaches in denial mode
After IOA president VK Malhotra issued a statement, saying that the IOA suspects acts of doping were being done with the connivance of officials from the SAI and others involved with the athletes, coaches attached with international squads came out with predicted reactions, making it clear that their job was to train athletes and one should not try to involve them (the coaches) in the controversy. Talking to The Tribune, boxing chief coach, Gurbax Singh Sandhu, said his main job was to train boxers and he was leaving no stone unturned to better the performance of Indian pugilists. “We as coaches must guide players because no one these days can risk doping. The appreciation on winning medals is nothing compared to the criticism one has to face if they test positive for doping. Time and again, I keep warning my players to keep away from this practice and often visit their rooms just to see what supplements they are taking,” he said. “But to hold the coaches responsible for players’ doping was highly unfair,” Sandhu added. “How can a coach risk giving any banned substance to their players when they know that it was not just the players’ reputations at stake but his as well? Take for instance Mandeep and Dilbagh, who were found positive in the past. How can the coach be held responsible for their being caught? Do you think the players will spare us if we encourage them?” he asked. Seconding his opinion, women’s wrestling coach P.R. Sondhi said they were working hard to bring laurels to India and could never do anything that could harm the image of the nation. “All these things have started primarily due to use of unnatural diet in sports,” Sondhi said. “Coaches don’t have much knowledge about food supplements and therefore we don’t suggest much in this respect. We ask players to check with medical experts and dieticians. These days players are very smart but there are a few who are unaware of the supplements because of the lack of knowledge. All I can say is that they must keep a check on each and every thing they consume because a little negligence could cost them dear.”
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India’s tour of west indies
second test: day 5
In the Indian innings, VVS Laxman top-scored with 87 while Rahul Dravid scored 55. Fidel Edwards was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies, with the quickie picking up five wickets. The declaration meant Indian bowlers will have almost two-and-a-half sessions to bowl West Indies out and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Earlier, senior pros VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid struck half-centuries as India consolidated its position by extending the overall lead to 240 runs. Resuming at 23 for no loss, India ended the rain-hit fourth day at 229 for three with Laxman (72) batting in company of Virat Kohli (26) at Kensington Oval. They have added 75 runs so far for the undefeated fourth wicket. Dravid scored a slow 55 off 171 balls while Abhinav Mukund (48) was unlucky to miss out on his maiden Test half-century. However, almost all the Indian batsmen employed a sedate approach as the visitors could only manage 206 runs in the whole day's play with the Caribbean bowlers sending down 83.2 overs. It will be interesting to find out as to when Mahendra Singh Dhoni decides to declare so that he can give his bowlers enough chance to take 10 wickets. India are 1-0 up in the series having clinched the first Test in Jamaica by 63 runs last week but the chances to seal the series look remore considering the bad weather. Dravid and Laxman put on 65 runs for the fourth wicket but it was their presence that helped two young Indian batsmen to play confidently.
— PTI |
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Big squad for a big tour
New Delhi, July 2 Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh are now out of the grey zone and predictably make a comeback, though Sehwag will be joining the team fortnight later, after the first Test at Lord’s. Also back in business is Sachin Tendulkar, but no surprises there. In fact the only surprise in the side is Bengal’s Wriddhiman Saha replacing Parthiv Patel. But since the reserve wicket-keeper isn’t likely to be involved too much with the goings-on, this can be put down to an orientation for a younger and better keeper. The selection committee, however, evidently couldn’t juggle with the process of biting the bullet and telling one of all those so keen to jump on the bandwagon that they hadn’t made it. One wonders where India would be playing five fast bowlers, especially given that Praveen Kumar has decidedly been a better deal than S. Sreesanth. But then, like we said, this is an important tour. So Sreesanth comes in, to share the seam-up stuff with Zaheer, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel and Praveen. Harbhajan Singh keeps his place, as does Amit Mishra. The latter quite deserved, the former creeping towards the questionable quite steadily. The toss-up between the Tamil Nadu openers Abhinav Mukund and Murali Vijay fell in Mukund’s favour. Among those who miss out, one feels a little sorry for Virat Kohli, but then the Delhi batsman would now get time to prepare for the one-dayers to follow. Abhimanyu Mithun, Parthiv Patel, Pragyan Ojha and Vijay pack their bags after the West Indies series. One can’t really complain, since this would by and large be the best possible team, though why five seamers and 17 players are needed is a little debatable. But then, this is a big series, so there is no question of dropping those in favour or those favoured.
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Chirag brings some light to JCT players
New Delhi, July 2 The oil majors are also thinking of disbanding their team following their relegation from the I-League, along with JCT. The R.P. Chirag Group from Kolkata has reportedly spent around Rs 4 crore to own about 60 per cent shares of Viva, and will have controlling authority. For the present, the club will be based in Kerala, though in future Chirag may shift them to Kolkata. Viva were the second professional soccer club to be founded in Kerala following the disbanding of FC Kochin. Viva held out for seven years, before finding the going tough, due to cash crunch. Chirag Sports is under the ownership of the R.P. Group, which had earlier promoted another I-League club, Chirag United. Chirag, who are into the computer business, have eyes on expanding their business in the southernmost State, which has already earned a name for itself as a tourism paradise and software hub. Some JCT players were already in discussion with the Chirag management much before the Phagwara club was disbanded. Now the Chirag management has a flexible option, as they can recruit as many jobless JCT players as they want, and for a lesser price. Former India international Subroto Banerjee is likely to be appointed the technical director of the team, while some top players like former Indian captain Ajayan are likely to bolster the Chirag ranks. Chirag thus will become the fourth I-League Club to be owned by a Kolkata group. East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Chirag United are the other clubs from Bengal, while Goa with three clubs -- Salgaocar, Dempo and Churchill -- has the next big representation in the I-League. Chirag’s interest in the JCT players will come as a welcome relief as the Punjab players were facing an uncertain future after JCT suddenly decided to shut shop, following their relegation from the top tier of the I-League. Still, it will be no consolation for fans in North India, as the zone will be without representation in the next edition of the I-League.
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Kvitova stuns Sharapova to win title
London, July 2 The 21-year-old eighth seed became only the third Czech woman to triumph at Wimbledon after nine-time champion Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, who were both in Centre Court's royal box to witness the victory. Kvitova, who had never appeared in a Grand Slam final before, collapsed to the turf in delight after clinching the title in the 10th game of the second set with her first ace of the match. "It's hard to find some words, to see the great players in the royal box," said Kvitova, the first left-hander since Navratilova in 1990 to win the title. "It's very nice when they're watching me all the time and supporting me, it's great." But it was a desperately disappointing outcome for Russian fifth seed Sharapova, the 2004 champion who had been heavily favoured to win her fourth Grand Slam crown. "It's great to be back at this stage and holding the runner-up plate — but I wanted the big one today," said Sharapova. "But it's something I want to be back for and holding again one day." Sharapova ultimately paid the price for a faltering service game which Kvitova was able to break regularly throughout. A nervous start saw Kvitova and Sharapova both suffer breaks of serve in the opening two games before the match settled into its rhythm. Kvitova fought off a Sharapova break point in the third game before holding to take a 2-1 lead. Bhupathi in mixed doubles semifinal
India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Elena Vesnina of Russia raced to a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Israel's Jonathan Erlich and Shahar Peer to enter the semifinals of mixed doubles in Wimbledon Championships Friday. Bhupathi's win was the only good news for the Indians as rest of them failed to advance. Saina Mirza exited from women's doubles semifinal and the mixed doubles quarters. Leander Paes, too, lost his mixed doubles quarterfinal. The Indian pair of Sania and Rohan Bopanna, seeded sixth, then lost to Australian Paul Hanley and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei 6-1, 2-6, 2-6. Paes and Cara Black of Zimbabwe went down to eighth seeds Daniel Nestor and Yung-Jan Chan Taipei 3-6, 2-6. — Agencies |
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Barbados, July 2 He though made it clear that he is not retiring and is available to play for the West Indies. Gayle is locked in a bitter row with the West Indies Cricket Board over several issues. Allegations and counter-allegations meant that Gayle missed out on the home series against Pakistan and the ongoing tour of India. "I am now coming close to the end of my shelf-life as a cricketer... not hearing from the West Indies Cricket Board with any clear pathway forward, I have come to the bitter realisation that I am not wanted by the Board. — PTI
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Nadal ready for duel with Djokovic
London, July 2 The British No.1 was at the top of his game in the first set. But once the tough Spaniard got a foothold in the match, he raced through the next two sets even as Murray lost the ruthless streak that had raised visions of an upset. "It is always difficult against Andy and I have to be at my best," said Nadal. He will next face Serbian Novak Djokovic, who reached his first Wimbledon final with a 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-7(9), 6-3 victory over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The victory will move Djokovic to No.1 position in the world rankings Monday ahead of Nadal. Djokovic thus continued his astonishing run this year that puts him to 47 wins against the only loss to Roger Federer in the French Open. Djokovic has beaten Nadal four times this season and the Spaniard knows he will not have it easy. "He has been playing great this year. I have lost four times to Novak. I am just happy to make it to the final and I will give my best shot as always," said Nadal. Djokovic gave a power packed performance to beat Tsonga, who caused the biggest upset of the tournament beating Federer in the semifinal. The only time he was in trouble when he was broken early in the very first game. But he soon tightened his service and came back hard on Tsonga. Against someone who had dropped just four service games in five matches so far, Djokovic broke six times and only faltered in the third set tie-break when he missed two match points that would have given him a straight-sets win. — IANS
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Argentina, July 2 Bolivia soaked up the pressure in the first half before snatching the lead early in the second through Edivaldo Rojas. The hosts had to wait until the 77th minute for the equaliser when Aguero slammed the ball home. Argentina's Lionel Messi was marked tightly by the Bolivian defense and had few chances to shine. "It is not what we expected, now we must improve and we win our remaining (group) matches," a visibly disappointed Messi told reporters. "Now we need tranquility." Having weathered a first-half storm at the Ciudad de La Plata stadium, Bolivia stunned Argentina two minutes into the second half when Jhasmany Campos hit a corner low to the near post where Rojas back-heeled it past goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Marcelo Martins looked set to give Bolivia a two-goal lead on the hour when he beat Argentina's offside trap but Romero dived to touch the ball away from the striker's feet then got up to block his second effort. "We had a couple of situations that if we'd put them away we could have won the match," Bolivia's coach Gustavo Quinteros said. — Reuters
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Caruana clinches AAI Chess title
New Delhi, July 2 Sasikiran was one point behind Italian Fabiano Caruana who took no chances and played a solid 30-move draw against Wesley So of Philippines to clinch the title. Playing with black pieces, Sasikiran drew the last round game against Yifan in Ruy Lopez Breyer to finish with six points at the double round-robin Category 17 tournament. The World Junior No. 1 Caruana, who emerged winner with seven points, only lost to Viktor Laznicka in the ninth round of the 10-round event. In the third game of the day, Indian national champion Parimarjan Negi split the point with Viktor Laznicka of the Czech Republic from a 42-move Caro-Kann, which the Czech player admitted he knew nothing about. — PTI
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Discus thrower Krishna Poonia, the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the athletics events at the Commonwealth Games, has come out in defence of fellow-Punjab athlete Mandeep Kaur and Orissa’s Juana Murmu, stating that no athlete of their stature would risk taking banned drugs to enhance their performance.
Barbados, July 2
If anyone had any doubts about the import of the England series, they must be enlightened by now. This series one of the most high-profile on the Indian tour calendar, a fact reflected by the fact that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has expanded the squad to 17
players.
Patiala, July 2
The doping controversy surrounding Indian athletes has raised questions on the functioning of the entire sports machinery. Be it the coaches, medical experts or dieticians attached with the international squads, everyone’s role is being challenged.
Barbados, July 2
Hayden could play in Big Bash T20 tournament