Hyderabad, September 27
Australian T20 champions South Australia Redbacks got back to winning ways with a comfortable 19-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in a Champions League Twenty20 match here today.

Earlier, Callum Ferguson's scored a unbeaten half-century while Daniel Christian made a quickfire 42 to help South Australia post a challenging 188 for five. Ferguson mixed caution with aggression to anchor the South Australia innings with a majestic 40-ball 70-run unbeaten knock. He struck five boundaries and four sixes.

The 48-ball 84-run fourth-wicket stand between Ferguson and Christian was the highlight of South Australia innings as the partnership consolidated their position at a slow Rajiv Gandhi stadium wicket here. Christian matched his partner stroke for stroke and hit four fours and two sixes during his 27-ball stay.

For KKR, Laxmipathy Balaji picked up two wickets for 27 runs. Opting to bat, captain Micheal Klinger and Daniel Harris gave a brisk start to South Australia's innings raising 40 runs in just five overs.

But just when it was time to capitalise both the batsmen gave away their wickets.

While Harris miscued a cross-bated heave to give a simple catch to Iqbal Abdullah off Laxmipathy Balaji's bowling, Klinger was run out in search of a risky single. Cameron Borgas (14 off 13) too departed early, caught by Balaji at deep square leg off Pathan.

Ferguson, however, grabbed with both hands the lifeline he got in the 13th over when Kallis dropped him. — PTI 

Chennai, September 27
With their eight-match unbeaten run at home coming to a halt against Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings will hope for an improved show by their bowlers to stay alive in the tournament when they take on Cape Cobras in a Champions League Twenty20 match here tomorrow.

CSK's hopes of advancing to the semifinals hangs in balance after the defending champions failed to restrict a depleted Mumbai Indians in their opening match here last week. Led by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, CSK were all set for a victory against MI before Lasith Malinga, in the company of stand-in skipper Harbhajan Singh, stitched a vital 53-run partnership off just 28 balls to see the side home in the final over.

Subramaniam Badrinath yesterday defended his side's loss and reposed faith in the outfit to bounce back to winning ways against the Cobras. "We have been in this situation before and we have got ourselves out of it, so it's not something that's new to us. I think we just have to play good cricket," Badrinath said.

The batsman, however, stressed on the importance to bowl well in the final few overs when the ball is changed and it's again hard and new. "It's important to bowl well in the last leg. That's when the new ball comes on well to the bat and if we can restrict them in the Powerplay overs, it would be tough to get our bowlers away after that, considering (the quality) of our attack," he added.

Cape Cobras, meanwhile, are buoyed after the win over New South Wales Blues, and will be keen to extend their supremacy in group A with yet another victory.

The South African champions, though, were not really tested in their opening encounter, as they eased past the Australians with seven wickets in hand. However, it will be a different ball game altogether when they take on the hosts. — PTI

Patiala, September 27
Even with the second Kabaddi World Cup set to begin in Punjab, no action has yet been taken against the dope offenders from the first edition, National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Director-General Rahul Bhatnagar said, in a letter to Director, Punjab Sports Department, Pargat Singh, stating that NADA would take samples during second World Cup only if the department initiates action against the previous offenders.

Talking to The Tribune, Bhatnagar said that Pargat Singh had written to him regarding conduct of dope tests during the World Cup “but what is the point as no action has been initiated against the players who were found positive during the first World Kabaddi Cup till date”.

“As many as 16 players were found positive during the previous tournament but even after one year, not even a single player has appeared before our Disciplinary Panel,” Bhatnagar said. “Whenever we send a notice to these players, they refuse to accept it. Even the Sports Department has not issued any concrete directions in this regard.

“Therefore, I have written a letter to Pargat Singh today, asking him to take the responsibility for these players. The Sports Department should ensure that they appear before our panel and, most importantly, they should not be allowed to play during the second World Cup.

“Only then would we consider the collection of samples because it would be a waste of time if we collect samples again and still the offenders get away,” he said.

Pargat Singh could not be contacted for his comments as he is away in Iran. Deputy Director of the Sports Department, S.L. Lotey, said when contacted that the process department had already initiated and enquiry.

The department has decided to hold the Cup from November 1 to 20, for both men and women. The trails for the men’s team would be held from October 3-5 and for the women team on October 14 and 15 at the Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana.

New Delhi, September 27
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today cautioned the Government that the “expensive stadiums” built for the Commonwealth Games were in “total shambles” as they are not being used for sporting purposes and may soon become “heritage sites”. Expressing concern over the non-utilisation and poor upkeep of the stadia, the IOA urged the Government to throw these open for sportspersons and National Sports Federations (NSFs) and associations.

Many NSFs are without a roof over their heads, but the Sports Ministry has not taken any step to re-instate them at the Nehru Stadium, IG Stadium or National Stadium, where they were housed before they were vacated for the renovation for the Commonwealth Games. The offices of the NSFs were shifted to the New Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (NDMC) Palika Kendra but with the Government having stopped payment of rent for the offices, NDMC is in the process of having these vacated.

IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said these stadiums had not been used for sports competitions after the CWG and wondered why so much of taxpayers’ money was sunk in building them if they were to be kept under lock and key. He said the media had time and again highlighted the pathetic condition of these stadiums, including the Talkatora Swimming Pool complex, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and the Yamuna Velodrome, but no remedial steps were taken.

“No authority is interested in maintaining them. Garbage is littered around the Nehru Stadium while tracks are showing signs of cracks. How come seats have either been broken or missing without these stadiums being used for any sporting competition?” asked Malhotra.

He said there were apprehensions in some quarters that the stadia were not being used because of the poor quality of construction. “They may turn out to be safety hazards for the sportspersons as well as the public,” Malhotra warned.

He said all over the world, stadiums were put to optimum use immediately after the completion of the event for which they were built “but here nobody seems to have a clue as how to use them”.

“These stadiums have been built to promote sports, but sportspersons are not allowed to play or practice there. Don’t let them be white elephants,” the IOA president cautioned.

He said it was high time the Sports Authority of India (SAI) took urgent steps to make these available to sportspersons and sports federations. Malhotra said there was an urgent need for a sports hostel for the players and teams who come here for training or to participate in tournaments. “Earlier, Nehru Stadium used to have residential facilities for them but now there is none. The Sports Ministry and SAI must look into this matter urgently and come out with a plan for residential facility for visiting players and teams at these stadiums,” Malhotra added.

Chandigarh, September 27
An exciting encounter of the ongoing 41st S.N. Vohra All-India Gurmit Singh Memorial hockey tournament saw Punjab National Bank (PNB) edge past Army XI via the sudden-death at the Hockey Stadium of the Sector 42 Sports Complex here today.

After a 1-1 draw in the stipulated time, the bank team overcame their rivals by 5-4 in the sudden-death. After a delayed start, PNB took the lead through former international, half-back Yudhveer, in the 13th minute of the game but Army XI levelled the score after Reneil scored off penalty-corner in the 25th minute of the game.

After a goal-less second half, the referees decided on a direct sudden death, where the PNB goalkeeper kept his cool and ensured the team’s victory with two saves. In the second match of the day, Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) defeated Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) by 7-1.

Vikamjeet (8th and 48th minutes) and Karamjeet Singh (25th and 34th minutes) guided their team to victory. Parminder, Onkar and Daler sealed the team’s victory. For IOB, Stalin scored the lone goal in the 30th minute.

Namdhari XI defeated Indian Air Force by 3-1 in the third match of the day. 

Faridkot, September 27
After a thrilling performance in Asian Champions Trophy and stealing the limelight with his six-goal effort in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, all coming through penalty corners, young Rupinder Pal Singh has become the new sensation in the country in the last two months.

But this 20-year-old, 6’4”, drag-flicker from Faridkot is almost forgotten in his home State. Despite his fine performance in nine international tournaments in the last one year, Rupinder’s family is still fighting poverty here.

Rupinder’s mother Sukhmander Kaur, still sews clothes to earn Rs 100-150 to keep the family going and to ensure that the money is not an impediment to her son’s performance. One year ago, she was eking out a livelihood for the family, by supplying food to students and office-goers in the town. “But once Rupinder started playing in National hockey teams, he asked me to stop this job,” she. But she continued sewing as Rupinder’s earning was almost nil.

With a younger brother, ailing father and mother, Rupinder lives in a one-room rented house in Dogar Basti in Faridkot. Days before he hit the limelight and emerged as another promising talent after his performance in the Azlan Shah Cup, Rupinder was not a recognised face in Faridkot. But even now, there is no uplift in his economic status.

This month, when Rupinder’s family got and electricity bill of Rs 8,000, it was really difficult for them to pay it so they decided to shift to some other locality.

While his performance has failed to attract the Punjab Government or offer him any job opportunity, the Overseas Bank gave him a posting as an assistant manager in Orissa. Though it can give him an earning, this posting in Orissa was a big hindrance in his practice. “Moreover, my son doesn’t want to be so far away from his family,” said his mother.

After completing his +2 qualification in Faridkot, Rupinder joined a Chandigarh-based academy. His seven-year training period in Chandigarh was a big financial burden on his family but his mother never allowed this to hamper her son’s career.

There is no hint so far of any financial assistance or job offer from the government. Faridkot Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said he has already brought the matter into the notice of State Government and was hopeful of a good job for Rupinder in the coming days.

But the family said they even made requests to the Chief Minister and Deputy CM but the much-needed financial assistance is still awaited.

Sao Paulo, September 27
World Champion Viswanathan Anand could do little with his white pieces as he settled for a draw with world number one Magnus Carlsen in the first round of the fourth Bilbao Final Masters, here. World number three Levon Aronian of Armenia drew the first blood in the tournament at the expense of Spaniard Francisco Vallejo Pons to emerge as the early leader in the six-player double round robin tournament, played with the soccer-like scoring system.

Also playing draw were Hikaru Nakamura of United States and Ukraine's Vassily Ivanchuk, who both fought hard but could not dispense with parity. With nine rounds still to come, Aronian leads the pack with three points in his kitty while Anand, Carlsen, Nakamura and Ivanchuk trail him on one point each. Vallejo Pons is at the bottom of the tables yet to open his account.

The unique event which is split into two parts ? here and the final half at Bilbao in Spain, also has Sofia rules in place to discourage draws but that hardly makes a difference with the advent of Berlin defense as a regular in elite chess. Anand has been employing the opening as black almost on a regular basis and this time Carlsen used it against the Indian ace successfully to get an easy draw.

It all started in 2000 when Vladimir Kramnik used the Berlin successfully against Garry Kasparov in the Braingames world championship match and over the years the analysis has proved that despite slight deficiency in pawn structure, black has been known to keep the balance ticking.

Anand could do little as pieces kept disappearing off the board and soon enough the players were left with just the Bishops of opposite colours with only a drawn result possible. — PTI 

BRIEFLY

Akhil, Suranjoy in Round 2
New Delhi: Suranjoy Singh and Akhil Kumar notched up comprehensive victories to enter the second round of their respective weight categories as Indian boxers completed a second successive all-win day in the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan today. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Suranjoy (52kg) pummelled Hungary's Dobradi Zsolt 24-8, while Akhil (56kg), also a former CWG gold-medallist, defeated Slovakia's Filip Barak 16-8 in his opening bout of the first Olympic qualifying event. — PTI

A volleyball match in progress between Kalampura (R) and Chor Karsa village during the Haryana State Inter-village Volleyball Championship in Karnal on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar

Laudrup quits Mallorca
MADRID: Former Denmark international Michael Laudrup has resigned as coach of Real Mallorca after clashing with the club's board, Spanish media reported on Tuesday. Laudrup, who took charge at the Balearic Islands club at the end of the 2009-10 season, had expressed frustration with the recent transfer policy, which he felt left him short of forwards. The club announced on Monday that they had sacked Laudrup's number two Erik Larsen for criticising the board's policies in the Danish media. —Reuters

Berba has big part: Fergie
London: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told striker Dimitar Berbatov that he still has a big part to play for the club. Berbatov plans to end his goal scoring drought drought in the Champions League tonight when United plays against Swiss side Basel at Old Trafford. Ferguson said the man he left out of the squad for Champions League final earlier this year against Barcelona is still very much a part of his plans at Old Trafford, The Sun reports. — ANI

Rory's ‘ex-factor’
London: Rory McIlroy's former girlfriend has apparently put the agony of their split behind her, telling pals that she has "never been happier". Holly Sweeney, who broke up with the golf ace back in July, was heartbroken after her childhood sweetheart ditched her for Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. The smitten couple were together for more than six years and after a brief split at Christmas, got back together after Rory's spectacular meltdown at the US Masters in Augusta. — ANI

Torres feared losing fans
London: Ace striker Fernando Torres has admitted that he feared Chelsea fans would turn on him for his lack of goals when he joined the club. Torres, who moved from Liverpool to Chelsea in a 50 million pound deal, said: "The first six months for me at Chelsea have been very difficult." "I have been struggling but I have always had the support of the fans. From the first day until now, every time I talk with them on the street, in the cafe, everywhere, I can feel the support they are giving me." — ANI

KP recalled, Anderson rested
London: Middle-order batting mainstay Kevin Pietersen got the recall while paceman James Anderson was rested as England today announced a 15-member ODI squad for the upcoming limited overs tour of India. Pietersen returned to England One-Day International squad after he was given a break by the English selectors in this month's 3-0 ODI series win over India at home. Durham’s Scott Borthwick and Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes have also been included in the touring side to be led by opener Alastair Cook. — PTI

Paine to wait longer
Sydney: Australian wicketkeeper Tim Paine will have to wait a while longer to succeed Brad Haddin as the country's No.1 wicketkeeper in one-day cricket after a recurring finger injury saw him ruled out of next month's South Africa tour. Australia's team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris says that Paine will undergo his second bout of surgery in 10 months this week to repair a fracture to his right index finger. He also reckons that Paine could miss even more of the summer as he requires an "extended recovery period". — ANI

Punjab pugilists in semis
Patiala: Punjab pugilists Deeksha, Rupinder Kaur, Priyanka Rani, Ranjana and Priyanka Thakur stormed into the semi-finals of the 6th Junior and 7th Youth Women’s Championship underway at the Punjabi Universityhere. The semi-finals for both categories would be held on Wednesday. — TNS