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Nada seeks a joint mechanism
Authorities plan ‘surprise checks’
Justice Mukul Mudgal to probe dope scandal
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Praveen Kumar, Ishant share the spoils
‘Lord’s, history don’t impress me’
No window for IPL in FTP: ICC
Special athletes from Ambuja Manovikas Kendra Ropar (top) won seven medals at the World Special Olympics at Athens recently. Tribune Photo: Megha Mann
Martyrs’ Memorial tourney ends
Boxer Santosh enters final
Mayookha lifts the gloom from athletics
National TT begins in Srinagar
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (R) inaugurates the All-India Table Tennis Championship in Srinagar on Thursday. — A Tribune Photograph
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Nada seeks a joint mechanism
Patiala, July 7 NADA sources confirmed that agency wants a joint mechanism involving numerous agencies like the Customs, the State Governments and the ministry to ensure that no drugs reach medical shops or are sold without prescription. “As health is a State subject, if needed, help from respective State Governments would also be taken," they said. NADA Director-General Rahul Bhatnagar said that they would take this matter in their next meeting and would try to find a solution to ensure that no banned foreign drugs are up for sale in the country. “For this to happen, the key agency would be Customs, which has the right to scrutiny everyone at all international airports in India and they would be told to act in case of suspicion,” Bhatnagar told The Tribune. Sources in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed that a National athlete, who had tested positive, had said during her disciplinary hearing before the anti doping disciplinary panel that coaches were supplying drugs at high prices and there was an immediate need to curb this menace. “Though no action was taken on that, but following the recent developments in athletics, the possibility of stringent measures against all foreign coaches training in India cannot be ruled out. This means that their rooms and luggage could be under constant scrutiny,” the sources said. IOA's Medical and Anti-Doping Commission Chairman, Dr Manmohan Singh, said that he firmly believes that such issues need to be tackled strictly and the support staff of tainted players is no exception. “We need to monitor the sale of such drugs and till the time it is available to players with ease, dope issues would continue. We need to tighten the noose around the availability of drugs. More raids are one such solution,” he said. Drug Controller suspended
The Punjab Health Department today suspended State Drug Controller Bhag Singh with immediate effect. According to an official spokesman, Bhag Singh has been suspended for negligence of duty. In addition, the department also started the process of cancellation of licences of drugstores for selling banned steroids without prescription to NIS trainees. Officials said that 10 shops raided yesterday were sent show-cause notices by the department and they have been asked to reply within 21 days. The shops that were issued show-cause notices include Harjit Medicos, Ajay Medicos, V.V. Chemists and Druggists, Vimal Medicos, Shana Medicos, Goyal Medical Hall, Sant Chemist, Kohli Medicine Traders, Chief Medical Store and Hind Medicos. |
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Authorities plan ‘surprise checks’
Patiala, July 7 “We have taken this step to uproot drug menace altogether,” NADA Director-General Rahul Bhatnagar said. “Our teams will check every nook and corner of the camp venues, including the rooms of all players however influential they may be. Apart from checking supplements, we will check there belongings as well to ensure they are not hiding anything from us.” Also, instead of taking random samples, NADA will take the samples of all National and international players to ensure that none of them escapes after indulging into dope. “We are increasing the number of samples with every year and would ensure that none of the player escapes. It is a question of National pride and we don’t want to take any chances in future.” Asked why NADA declared the test results on the very last day when the athletes were about to board their flight, Bhatnagar said it was the fault of the federation. “We don’t encourage last-minute sampling but the federations didn’t give us the probables’ list in time. In this case, the federation requested us to give the reports before the players went for competition and we then decided to rush into things just to ensure that if they are found positive, they could be stopped,” he said. “What we should keep in mind is that these reports have saved us from a bigger shame. If these players were found positive during the tournament, it would certainly be more embarrassing for Indian players and officials,” Bhatnagar added. Denying all allegations related to NADA testing team being biased towards certain players and taking bribes to help players escape, Bhatnagar said he had a team of dedicated workers who were very particular about their job. “Why would any official take such chance when they know that sooner or later the player would be caught anyway?” he asked. |
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Justice Mukul Mudgal to probe dope scandal
New Delhi, July 7 As per the terms of reference of the Justice Mudgal Committee, he will be asked to probe and determine the facts and circumstances leading to the recent incidents of large-scale doping among athletes; examine the reasons for such a large-scale prevalence of doping and the modus operandi involved, including availability of the prohibited substances in and around the training camps/competitions; inquire into the role of agencies involved; suggest remedial measures to improve the protocols of dope testing and its integrity and promptness so that such lapses do not occur in future. The committee has been asked to submit its report within six weeks. Justice Mudgal will be assisted by V Jayaraman, Senior Project Manager, National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). |
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India’s tour of west indies
3rd test: day 2
Dominica, July 7
West Indies' progress was slow - the packed off-side fields contributing to that - and each of India's seamers bowled determinedly to create chances, and ensured the advantage rested with them in this stop-start Test. Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo had batted solidly on the first morning to help West Indies rebuild from 35 for 3. Today, they were tested early during their stay with Munaf Patel assuming a lead role with the ball, as Ishant Sharma had done the day before. Munaf made the batsmen play more than his seam-bowling partners, pegging away at the off stump and altering his lengths well. He got Chanderpaul to sway out of a bouncer, drew him into steering him past gully, angled the ball across the left-handers and eventually got his reward. In his fourth over of the day, he dismissed Chanderpaul by forcing him to play at a short-of-a-length delivery that moved away just enough to produce a tickle to birthday boy MS Dhoni. Bravo's innings appeared to stagnate following Chanderpaul's dismissal, and the 7-2 and 8-1 fields employed by Dhoni didn't help his cause as firm shots on the off side usually found a fielder. After having had Chanderpaul almost run-out at one point, Bravo played out two consecutive maidens from Praveen Kumar and ceded floor to his partners. At the other end, Samuels was given a working over from Munaf, who woke him up with a blow to the helmet and followed up superbly with a fullish delivery that was edged short of gully. In what was shaping up to be a keen contest, Samuels latched on when Munaf pitched up in his next over, driving him through mid-off and point for boundaries. His innings was cut short with a lazy shot, lacking any intent, when he hung his bat at a shortish delivery from Praveen and dragged it back onto the stumps. — Agencies Scoreboard Barath b Ishant 12 Powell c Laxman b Praveen 3 Edwards c Dhoni b Ishant 6 Bravo not out 41 Chanderpaul c Dhoni b Munaf 23 Samuels b Praveen 9 Baugh not out 19 Extras (b 8, lb 7) 15 Total (5 wkts; 55 ovrs) 128 Bowling: Praveen 16-7-22-2, Ishant 15-3-40-2, Munaf 13-6-18-1, Harbhajan 7-1-20-0, Raina 4-1-13-0.
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‘Lord’s, history don’t impress me’
New Delhi, July 7
Even the chatter that invariably crops up before every tour does not bother Gambhir. “It always happens. Before every tour, there is some talk from the opposition, be it England, Australia or South Africa. But what is important is that you back it all up with on-field performances, since if you talk a lot and don’t have the performance to back it up with, you end up looking stupid.” Gambhir doesn’t really have any specific plans, nor has he made any technical adjustments to deal with the English conditions. “I am pretty happy with the way I bat, so there is neither any need for technical changes, nor in the weight and balance of my bats,” he says. “If your mind is right, you can meet the challenges well. Sure, there is some thought process about which shots to play and which to avoid in England, but no real changes in my batting.” Asked about Harbhajan Singh’s form, Gambhir was quick to come to the off-spinner’s defence. “I don’t think Harbhajan’s form is a worry. He is approaching 400 Test wickets, so to suggest that he is defensive is wrong. It can happen with anyone. Sometimes you can bowl well and not get wickets, at times you bowl badly, but still end up with wickets. I am sure Harbhajan will deliver in England.” ‘Doping is wrong, in any sport’
It was natural that Gautam Gambhir would be asked about the current doping scandal that has hit Indian sports. “Doping is wrong, in any sport,” he responded, when asked if cricket had any such worries. “I am sure the authorities will be dealing with the issue if any such cases crop up in cricket. If it is illegal, it is illegal in any sport,” he stressed. The Indian batsman was also disappointed with ICC's decision to do away with runners for injured batsmen in ODIs. "I think it is disappointing. ICC can stop giving runners for cramps but should allow runners for serious injuries. It doesn't make any sense that a batsman is injured but he still keeps on playing and aggravate his injury. Especially in close matches, if a batsman needs runner he should be allowed one". |
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New Delhi, July 7 ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said the BCCI never tried to arm-twist the governing body on the matter and the ICC didn't consider it either, even though gaps have been left in the Future Tours Program for most nations during April and May for the eight-year period from 2012-20. "No, there is no window for the IPL in the FTP. The issue has never been discussed at ICC Board level and neither the IPL itself nor the BCCI has requested such a window," Lorgat said in an interview. "On the contrary, the BCCI is fully aware of the primacy of international cricket and should be commended for the recent stance against the Sri Lanka Premier League, when it strongly advised its players of their commitment first to international cricket," he asserted. The FTP, which was approved by the ICC Executive Board on the recommendations of Chief Executives' Committee, contains an official two-week window in September for the Champions League Twenty20 each year and leaves space for a seemingly unofficial IPL window in April and May. All the earlier four editions of the IPL were held in April-May and the fifth edition next year is scheduled from April 4 to May 27. Lorgat also sought to dismiss apprehensions that the BCCI has become too influential in the ICC due to its financial might, asserting that the Indian Board is no more or no less powerful than any other member nation of the governing body. "The BCCI is one of 13 members on the ICC Executive Board and the Chief Executives Committee. All 13 members have equal standing and exercise their minds on a range of issues affecting international cricket and all 13 have a vote on the Board," he said. — PTI
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Punjab athletes shine in Athens
Ropar, July 7 All the four students are mildly mentally challenged and are the only ones selected from Punjab for the international event. The winners include 16-year-old Ramandeep Kaur, daughter of a driver, who bagged gold in 4x100 m relay and bronze in shot put. Twenty-year-old Ashish John, a resident of village Shampura, was a part of the basketball team that struck gold. Ashish’s father runs a small cycle repair shop in the village. Harvinder Kumar, the 16-year-old son of a tea stall owner in Ropar city, bagged two silver medals —in badminton singles and mixed doubles as well as a bronze in the boys’ doubles. Nineteen-years-old Gurcharan Singh from village Mansali won bronze in the 15 km road race cycling event. The World Summer Special Olympics are held every four years. In 2003, Honey Saini, a female student from the centre had played badminton and won gold in the mixed doubles and silver in doubles. She was moderately mentally challenged. Honey is now rehabilitated and is efficiently looking after her grandparents and father. In 2007, the Olympics were held at Shanghai where no student from Punjab was selected. This year, the Indian delegation comprised of 188 participants and boasted a tally of 240 medals.
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Martyrs’ Memorial tourney ends
Srinagar, July 7 The tournament, organised by Jammu & Kashmir Police, saw 48 teams from the State and outside in the fray. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah gave away the prizes. He said that the enthusiasm of the public in sports events denote their love in games. Sports organizations and the concerned departments need to work jointly to encourage sports in the State and nurture the talent, he added. The Chief Minister said that the regularisation of the members of Forest Football Team in Government service is being worked out through a proposal under formulation by the department. He said that the Government will also consider direct recruitment of eminent and outstanding sportspersons to nurture the sports talent in the State. Earlier, the Director-General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, presented resume of the tournament and the sports activities being performed by Jammu & Kashmir Police in the State for the growth and development of sports and sportspersons. — TNS |
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New Delhi, July 7 Lakhbir continued to pulverise his opponents as he entered the semifinals of his weight category with another comprehensive victory in the second phase of bouts. Playing his first international competition since the silver medal winning performance at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Santosh Kumar was up against Masatsugu Kawachi of Japan in the semi-finals of the Men's light-welter weight division. The 19-year-old had notched up a splendid victory over local lad Ardan Bachtila in the quarters. However, in the light-fly weight category, 18-year-old Gaurav Bidhuri had to settle for a bronze medal after losing to Ian Clark Bautista of Philipines, the youngest member of the Philippine team. — PTI
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Mayookha lifts the gloom from athletics
Kobe, July 7 Discus thrower Vikas Gowda added a silver while Asian Games gold medallist Preeja Sreedharan bagged a bronze in women's 10,000m race. Mayookha leapt 6.56m in her second jump to open India's gold medal account on a rain-hit opening day at the Kobe Universiade Stadium to emulate her idol Anju Bobby George, who had won Asian Championship gold in 2005. China's Lu Minjia won the silver by jumping 6.52m, while the bronze went to Japanese Saeko Okayama, who had an effort of 6.51m. The women's long jump event was delayed after the stadium was lashed by rain which affected the performance of the athletes. Mayookha's training mate and Commonwealth Games silver medallist MA Prajusha finished sixth with an effort of 6.27m. Mayookha's effort was though below her season's best of 6.63m, which she recorded in the National Inter-state Meet in Bangalore last month and her personal best of 6.64m, which she came up at the Asian All Star Meet in New Delhi, last year. She also failed to go past the 2012 London Olympics and next month's World Championships 'B' qualifying standard of 6.65m. Earlier in the morning session, national record holder Gowda's performance was also affected by weather conditions as he finished second with an effort of 61.58m, behind Iranian Asian record holder Ehsan Hadadi, who also had a below par 62.27m. The bronze medal went to Wu Jian of China (56.61m). This was the Iranian's fourth consecutive Asian title, though he was well below his season's best of 65.89m and Asian record of 69.32m. — PTI
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National TT begins in Srinagar
Srinagar, July 7 The championship, sponsored by J&K Bank, is being organised by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) in collaboration with J&K Table Tennis Association. As many as 22 States are participating in the event. Some 650 players in the age group of 12 to 30 years will participate in about 1700 matches to be played till July 12. Prize money of over Rs. 5.20 lakh will be awarded to the outstanding players at the conclusion of five events in cadet, sub-junior, junior, youth and major categories. Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah said that due to the 20-year period of disturbance and uncertainty, games had received a serious setback and the complex was utilised for other purposes. “We have restored it to games,” he said assuring its further upgradation and improvement to make it an international-standard venue. The Chief Minister thanked TTFI for allotting the major tournament to the State and reposing faith in the organisers and the State administration.
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The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), with a view to extend their jurisdiction and keep strict surveillance on the National and international campers, will constitute special teams to conduct checks at all camp venues and rooms of all players. Unlike earlier, these teams will not only check the food supplements of but will also check the rooms and campus for hidden some banned substances and supplements.
New Delhi, July 7
Srinagar, July 7
“I am more interested in getting a good performance in England. Naturally, I am very excited since this is my first Test tour of England, but neither that, nor the fact that I am the vice-captain of the team really adds to the pressure. I try to keep it simple. My job as a batsman is to go out there and score runs and that is what I am focussing on.”
‘Not close to peak fitness’
WICB applauds Chanderpaul