Scoreboard

England 1st innings

Strauss c Raina b Praveen 32

Cook lbw b Ishant 2

Trott c Laxman b Sreesanth 4

Pietersen c Raina b Sreesanth 29

Bell c Dhoni b Ishant 31

Morgan lbw b Praveen 0

Prior c Dravid b Sreesanth 1

Bresnan c Dravid b Ishant 11

Broad c Tendulkar b Harbhajan 64

Swann c Mukund b Praveen 28

Anderson not out 6

Extras (b 2, lb 8, w 3) 13

Total: (all out; 68.4 ovrs) 221

Bowling: Praveen 22-8-45-3, Ishant 22-4-66-3, Sreesanth 19-1-77-3, Harbhajan 4.4-0-22-1, Yuvraj 1-0-1-0.

India 1st innings

Mukund c Pietersen b Anderson 0

Dravid batting 7

Laxman batting 13

Extras (lb 2, w 1, nb 1) 4

Total: (1 wkt; Stumps) 24

Bowling: Anderson 5-2-10-1, Broad 7-3-5-0, Bresnan 3-0-7-0.

New Delhi, July 29
In a major blow to Indian hockey, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has withdrawn all international tournaments allotted to the country, frowning upon the "unification" of the warring Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation without its consultation.

The "compromise settlement" reached between HI and the IHF earlier this week is not in compliance with the Olympic Charter and FIH statutes, the FIH said, announcing withdrawal of all international tournaments from India, including the Olympic Qualifiers and Champions Trophy.

"The FIH has expressed its grave concern to the Indian sports minister about the ?settlement? recently announced between Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), without prior consultation with the FIH," FIH said in a statement.

HI and IHF reached an "administrative arrangement" July 25 to form a joint working committee and executive board as a prelude to their unification. FIH said the agreement was not acceptable to it.

"This compromise fails to resolve the fundamental underlying issues that have blighted Indian hockey for so long," the FIH said.

"In addition, it does not comply with the FIH Statutes, which do not permit a member to transfer or share its powers to another body that is not a member of or bound by the FIH Statutes, still less to share its powers with a body (the IHF) that is involved in organising an unsanctioned event (World Series Hockey), participation in which is prohibited under the FIH Statutes."

"The FIH executive board is obliged to uphold the Olympic Charter and the FIH Statutes," the FIH stressed. FIH president Leandro Negre has written to the sports minister, calling for an urgent meeting, involving the presidents of HI and the Indian Olympic Association, to discuss the FIH's concerns and the ramifications of the current proposal for India's role in world hockey.

"In the meantime, the FIH executive board has decided that it is neither possible nor appropriate to continue with the discussions with HI to host tournaments in India over the next four-year cycle, particularly the FIH Men's Champions Trophy (December 2011), and the FIH Men's & Women's Olympic qualifying tournaments (February 2012). The FIH greatly regrets this decision but feels that it is left with no alternative in the circumstances."

The FIH said it is a fundamental and non-negotiable requirement of the Olympic Charter and the FIH Statutes (and indeed of the Indian government’s own guidelines and the draft sports bill) that there can only be one governing body for a sport in each country with "exclusive authority and responsibility to govern, organise national competitions and to enter national teams in international competitions." — IANS

Ludhiana, July 29
If Sachin Tendulkar is born to play cricket then surely the seven-foot-tall Satnam Singh Satta was born to play basketball, says Troy Justice, Director of Basketball Operations, NBA India. Troy is here for the Mahindra NBA Challenge competition to be held at Guru Nanak Stadium from July 30.

The 15-year-old giant Satta’s fan base is growing by leaps and bounds. Justice is no different he is also a huge fan of budding talent from Balloke village near Barnala and sees a sporting icon in Satta. “For any games you need icons, like Sachin Tendulkar is for cricket. I surely believe Satta would become the icon for basketball,” says Justice.

He further adds that standing 7’1” at the age of 15, Satta has just the right kind of physical attributes required to play basketball. “Look at the kids of his age group. He would stand out. Even in the US he drew a lot of attention. Basketball players were quite impressed with his talent. Satta is not someone who is a lanky by default and facing problems while walking. The giant kid is very agile and uses his height to good advantage,” says Justice.

He believes that Satta could well be an answer for the Chinese NBA star, 7’6” Yao Ming. “Yao Ming has lot of contribution in the progress of basketball in China. I hope Satta would do the same for India,” says Justice.

“Look at him. He is just 15 years old. Many players of his age do not know how to handle a basketball. It is a four-year process and he would be a complete player by the age of 18. We need to support him in the journey towards success.” 

Patiala, July 29
The selection process for all Indian sports honours, including the Dronacharya Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awards, Dhyanchand Award and Arjuna Awards, have time and again come under scrutiny with the sports fraternity raising questions over the selection criteria.

Every year, numerous coaches and players criticise the selection criteria, terming them unjust and this year’s awards are no different. Among those protesting, Commonwealth Games gold medallist weightlifter Renubala Chanu has already made headlines, returning her medal as a mark of protest after being ignored for the Arjuna Awards.

Former chief coach of the Indian wrestling squad P.R. Sondhi has also expressed anger for not being chosen for the Dronacharya Award, while boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu was bestowed with the same. The wards of both coaches — Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh — had won bronze medals at the Beijing Olympic Games but Sondhi claims that his merit was ignored.

“I started my coaching career in 1971 after obtaining the diploma in coaching from the National Institute of Sports (NIS),” Sondhi says. “I have accompanied National teams to various international competitions and championships, including the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

“I was appointed the national chief coach in May 1996 and the wrestling standards were not good then. Our wrestlers won medals last time in 1990 Asian Games and 1991 Asian Championship. In 1997, India got a bronze medal in Asian Wrestling Championship in Tehran after a gap of six years through Jagdish Singh in 120 kg category,” Sondhi added.

“During my tenure as chief coach, India won a bronze medal in Asian Games (2002 Busan) after a gap of eight years through Palwinder Cheema. Significantly, India won multiple medals in Commonwealth Games, Junior and Senior World Championships,” Sondhi further added.

“After I was appointed chief coach by Wrestling Federation of India in October 2007 to prepare the team for Beijing Olympics, Yogeshwar Dutt won gold in the Asian Championship (2008 Jeju, South Korea) after a gap of 21 years and Sushil won bronze in 2008 Olympics after a gap of 56 years. Yogeshwar reached in quarter-final stage in the same Olympics.

“But, I have not been recognised for my contribution,” Sandhu laments. “Either by Punjab Government or the Central Government whereas my counterparts have been bestowed with honours and cash awards.”

Criticising the selection criteria, Sondhi said there was no transparency in the process. “There are no set norms and as a result the selection committee picks winners through their own whims and fancies, which is very discouraging.”

Seconding his opinion, former international wrestler Gurmukh Singh, who is currently working as a sports officer with Punjab State Power Corporation, said these awards are won by contacts. “I had applied for Dhyanchand Award along with Olympian Vinod Kumar but both were ignored. Interestingly, Raj Kumar was selected for this award but his merit does not stand anywhere. I have won bronze in Asian Games, gold in SAG Games and have won a silver medal in the Asian Wrestling Championship but all in vain,” he added.

Former Indian women hockey team captain has gone to the extent of calling these the ‘Jugaad’ awards. “Why is it that one has to apply for these awards?” she asks “These should be given to the deserving coaches and players without applying. Everyone knows everyone’s merit but still people with strong political contacts get away with these awards while deserving players like us are being ignored.

“After a 10-year international career and medals, what else does one need to do to get the Arjuna Award?” she questions. “Chanu has done a good thing that she returned her medal. I guess we too should take the same step if we want the Government to recognise our achievements or else should stop playing for India.” 

Patiala, July 29
Ajmer Singh made a mark for India in the 19th World Masters Athletics Championship, winning a silver medal in hammer throw (70-plus category) in the event that was held at Sacramento, USA, from July 5 to 7. Ajmer Singh, 73, who is a retired Superintendent of Police from Punjab, bagged this medal with a distance of 51.76m.

Ajmer had begun his sports career in 1953. A good football and kabaddi player in school and college, he was also a university and inter-varsity champion in wrestling and hammer throw.

After joining Punjab Police in 1959, he won titles in numerous All-India Police Games and National Championships. He held the record for hammer throw from 1960 to 1975.

Ajmer Singh has the distinction of winning gold in the 1st Asian Track and Field Championship held in the Philippines in 1973, for which he was awarded special promotion by the Government as Inspector.

Since 1980, he started taking part in veterans/master sports and has continuously won medals during these championships, where more than 120 nations take part.

Ajmer Singh said he was delighted with this win because he had been working really hard for this championship.

“Competing at this age is a great experience in itself and winning medals certainly doubles the excitement,” he said.

“In the last held four World Masters Athletics Championships, I was the only Indian athlete who won gold medals. In 1981, I was given the Maharaja Ranjit Singh award by the Punjab Government.”

Speaking about his training schedule, Ajmer Singh said that in spite of his old age, he had to do things like weight training, throwing and other conditioning exercises with a heavy diet. “I have already started preparing for the next championship to be held in Brazil in 2013,” he added.

Srinagar, July 29
The three-day water Sports Festival ‘Jashn-e-Dal’ was inaugurated by the Jammu & Kashmir Director-General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, at a colourful function held at Nehru Park today. The three-day festival will see over 600 athletes participating in various events, Additional DG Police, K Rajendra Kumar, Organising Secretary, said on the occasion.

He said that these athletes would participate in shikara race, dem boat race, dragon boat race, kayak and canoeing, water polo and swimming. Khoda, speaking on the occasion, said that the Dal Lake is Kashmir’s identity and its dwellers have grown while playing in its waters.

Emphasising on the importance for organising such festivals by Jammu and Kashmir Police, he said that these festivals provide an opportunity to the sports-loving youth to come forward.

“Such activities help to boost sports culture among the youth and provides a platform for the talented sportspersons of the State to display their skill rather to live in close compartments,” he added.

Patiala, July 29
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) today conducted surprise raids on the P.T. Usha School of Athletics at Kozhikode in Kerala. A NADA team from Delhi headed by V. Jayaraman, Senior Project Manager, which included two technical officers and two lady Doping Control Officers, conducted these raids.

The team reached the institute at noon and checked rooms of athletes for banned substances and also took random urine samples. NADA Director-General Rahul Bhatnagar said that a total of six samples were collected, which will be brought to Delhi for testing. No food supplements were found in the rooms.

Thereafter, a detailed session of awareness on doping was conducted by the NADA experts with the athletes and coaches at the centre. Bhatnagar further informed that a programme for education and awareness was being drawn up for sportspersons in Kerala in view of the forthcoming National Games, which included printing and distribution of educational material in Malayalam.

“NADA will continue its drive against doping in sports in the country and surprise checks would be carried out at other centres where athletes are training,” he added.

BRIEFLY

WC: FIFA to reconsider Qatar
London: FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has said he will reconsider the prospects for Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup, if any evidence of corruption emerges from ongoing investigations. The FIFA president also admitted that there is a ‘possibility’ of the tournament switching to the winter if people ask for the change to avoid the dangerously high temperatures in Qatar in June and July. — ANI

City players: We’re underpaid
London: Manchester City is facing a rebellion from players, who are fuming after the club agreed to pay a record 38 million pounds for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero. City’s star players, including Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards are unhappy with the new deals offered to them, especially after learning that City are paying Aguero 200,000 pounds a week in a five-year deal. Holland midfielder De Jong revealed that he was ‘frustrated’ at the way contract negotiations had progressed. — ANI

Tévez close to Inter move
London: Manchester City skipper Carlos Tévez’s representative is due to be in Italy today to begin talks over a 40 million pound move to Inter Milan. Manchester City have given Tévez the green light after securing record deal of 38 million pounds with Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid. Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's representative, will be in Milan to make sure that there are no hiccups this time after a move to Brazilian outfit Corinthians collapsed. — ANI

CA to review contract system
Sydney: Cricket Australia has said that it will review its outdated and cumbersome contract system following the continuing outcry over unfathomable decisions by its selectors. The Daily Telegraph quoted acting chief executive Michael Brown, as saying: "Can the system get better, absolutely. We've never been tested before because we had basically the same team for so long.” — ANI

Woods returns next week
Houston: After almost three months on the sidelines due to a leg injury, former world number one Tiger Woods will return to the golf course with next week's Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio. Woods has won seven times on the Firestone Country Club course over his career. He has not played since the first round of the Players Championship in May. There is no word on who he will use for a caddie after firing Steve Williams two weeks ago. — PTI

Gangjee makes strong start
Utah: A three-birdie run over four holes on the back-nine helped Indian golfer Rahil Gangjee card a three-under 68 and grab a share of the 26th spot after the first round of the Utah Championships on the Nationwide Tour. Gangjee, playing his rookie year on the Nationwide Tour, had four birdies against one bogey despite some average putting. He needed 32 to get around through the round and was placed tied 26th. — PTI

Atwal tied 95th
White Sulphur Spring: Indian golfer Arjun Atwal made a disappointing start, carding a two-over 72 in the opening round to lie tied 95th in the Greenbrier Classic on the PGA Tour here. The Indian pro, who started on the 10th, saw all the action on the second stretch. Atwal, scheduled to play the WGC and the PGA Championships next month, would need a good second round to stay over for the weekend. Atwal bogeyed the 10th, but parred the next nine holes. — PTI

Squash: India eves in semis
New Delhi: Third seeds India entered the World Junior Women's Squash Championships' team semifinals after thrashing England 2-0 in Cairo, Egypt. India took the lead when Asian junior champion Anaka Alankamony beat European junior champion and Individual semifinalist Emily Whitlock. Anaka seemed to have the answer to everything Whitlock could throw at her and outplayed her for two games before leading 6-2 in the third. — PTI