|
|
|
|
|
Kabaddi World Cup: India all the way
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Canadian players disappointed
Fans rue absence of Khali Fat prize money in Kabaddi has left wrestling behind
Ranji Trophy: Siddharth Trivedi claims hat-trick as Saurashtra thrash Punjab
TN settle for three points
Aus look to square series
Tiger Woods seals Presidents Cup for US
Bopanna-Qureshi go down fighting
Ladies golf camp from Nov 26
|
|
Kabaddi World Cup: India all the way
The champions were leading by a convincing margin of 28-13 at the breather. Canada men who had secured third position last year, gave an excellent performance today but failed to rattle their experienced opponents.
India immediately gained the lead and gave no room to the visitors to settle down who had to struggle for each point. India’s raiders, Sandeep Dibra and and Gagandeep Singh Kheerawali played their hearts out and earned valuable points while stopper Mangat Singh Mangi too was in the thick of action and added points to steer his team to an easy victory. Meanwhile, the depleted Indian eves trounced England 44- 17 in a one-sided encounter to lay their hands on the winners’ trophy. The players despite being injured a couple days ago in a road accident near Bathinda, gave their best to overcome their spirited opponents to lift the trophy. The winner had established a comfortable lead 18 points (24-6) at the half- time. The visitors tried their best to stop the Indian juggernaut, but failed to stage a comeback and surrendered. Earlier, last year’s losing finalists, Pakistan scripted a facile 60-22 win over Italy to secure third position in the men’s section. Nearly 25,000 spectators thronged the stadium to witness the sports extravaganza and to catch a glimpse of their favourite Bollywood stars. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and Akshay Kumar took a round of the stadium on an open Mercedes Car. However, the round did not go down well with the athletes , who complained that the car ferry inside the stadium caused damage to the ground and costly Astroturf. The match for the hard line cup, played between favourites and last years’ runners up, Pakistan and Italy turned out to be a mismatch as the former romped home victorious without being challenged (60-22). The winners had established an unassessable lead of 24 points (34-10) at half time and went on to further cement it to wrap up the issue easily. Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone and Chitragnda Singh, RD Band from Canada, Punjabi singers Harbhajan Mann and Satinder Satti entertained the spectators. Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal along with his deputy, Sukhbir Badal and Pakistan’s former premier, Ch Shuajat Hussain, Ruby Dhalla, former member, Parliament, Canada were among other dignitaries were present there at the stadium. Soon after the visit of the Bollywood, the public started leaving the venue. Even before the both the finals of men and women section the organisers conducted fire works drawing the Kabaddi cup to an abrupt end. The kabaddi players of India and Canada were left high and dry at this development. Panic stricken organisers told the persons conducting fireworks to stop the fire work till the time finals are completed. Acknowledging the stupendous performance by the Indian eves, deputy chief minister, Sukhbir Badal announced assured jobs in any department of the state.
|
|
Canadian players disappointed
Ludhiana, November 20 Ironically, when this incident took place, families of politicians, senior government officials and other VVIPs were getting themselves with the actor. One of the player’s of Canadian team rued that it is because of them that the actor was here. “It is because of Kabaddi World Cup finals that Akshay Kumar and other actors are here. Moreover, we just wanted to get ourselves clicked with him because everyone was posing with the actor. “Even family of a senior sports department official was present there. Its really sad that we were pushed back, while families of politicians were given VIP treatment,” rued a team member.
|
|
Fans rue absence of Khali Ludhiana, November 20 People were expecting that Khali, who started his sports career from Punjab, would be coming for the finals, but sources close to him said that Khali was not invited either by the event management company or by the state government. Khali was part of the celebrities invited on the inaugural function of second Kabaddi World Cup held at Bathinda on November 1. Khali’s entry in an open jeep along with bhangra, giddha, jhoomar and luddi performers drew a deafening applause. Khali met the team captains and led them towards the stage as Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal appeared on stage through a hydraulic system. After this function, Khali had expressed displeasure over the arrangements. During a late night press conference on November 1, his spokesperson Amit Swami had alleged that they were told that Khali would get a seat on the dais. The spokesperson had said Khali was not happy with the way he was treated during the ceremony. People close to Khali informed, “Actors like Shah Rukh Khan were paid crores, besides a chartered plane, while Khali did not charge anything and participated free of cost, just because he wants to promote Kabaddi as a sport. He was in US when invited for the function, and took the next flight back home. He didn’t even charge for the air fare. Now that such a big function is taking place in Punjab, the state government should atleast take care of local heroes, which are recognised globally. Maybe the state government wants Bollywood actors for cheering the crowds, instead of a great wrestler like Khali.” When contacted Khali over the phone, he said that he was willing to come for the finals “I can go anywhere for the promotion of Kabaddi and moreover when such a mega event is taking place in Punjab. If the state government wants me to be brand ambassador of Kabaddi, I would be more than happy.” Director sports Punjab, Pargat Singh said, “We have come to know that Khali is having some injury as he was limping at the inaugural function in Bathinda.” But when told that Khali had said that he was willing to come free of cost, Pargat Singh said, “Moreover in today’s function, he didn’t have any act so that is why, we didn’t invite him.”
|
|
|
Fat prize money in Kabaddi has left wrestling behind Ludhiana, November 20 The wrestling aficionados hope the popularity to one rural sport would not put the fate of another rural sport in jeopardy. Harmail Singh, General Secretary Indian Style Wrestling Association of Punjab, said that due the lucrative prize money his lads are switching to Kabaddi instead of sticking to wrestling. “If you offer Rs 2 crore for winning a kabaddi match certainly it would draw crowd and the youth always prefer to take up the game where there is money and glamour. Like cricket and kabaddi for that matter,” said Harmail Singh. Recently one of the nation level wrestler Lovpreet Singh, who hails from village Veerkalan near Ludhiana, fled from Mandour Wrestling Academy, Patiala, stating that he was not interested in the game. “I was shocked when Lovepreet told me that he is no longer interested in the game as wrestling has no lucrative incentives to offer whereas in Kabaddi there are abandoned opportunities and state government is giving special interest in the game,” Harmial Singh. Singh further added that the trend was on the rise in Haryana as well and many young wrestlers were taking interest in circle style kabaddi. He said that another reason of people losing charm in wrestling is that the game is played on the mat. “Wrestling is a rugged contact spot and it is becoming very difficult to draw the crowd when the game is played on the mat. I believe the wrestling federation of India need make some changes so that people do not lose interest in the sport,” said Harmail Singh. Harmail said recently his experiment with wrestling gave dividend. “Recently we conducted a tri nation friendship series including Pakistan, England and India. The matches were played in the mud and we implemented international rules. It pull huge crowd to the venue,” said Harmail.
|
|
|
Ranji Trophy: Siddharth Trivedi claims hat-trick as Saurashtra thrash Punjab
Mohali, November 20 Trivedi dismissed Karan Goel (10), Punjab captain Harbhajan Singh (0) and Manpreet Singh Gony (0) in succession as the hosts crumbled to 120 in 44.5 overs while following on. Punjab had been bundled out for 278 in their first innings in reply to Saurashtra's mammoth 542. Reduced to 43 for four overnight, Punjab kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never managed to build a partnership that could salvage a draw for them. The fall of wickets started quite early today when Mandeep Singh (1) was dismissed by Sandip Maniar, who had picked up three scalps yesterday itself. Maniar rounded off with overall figures of 4/47 from 18 overs, three of them maiden. An unbeaten 54-ball 41 from Amitoze Singh was the only highlights of the Punjab second innings scoreboard, which featured three ducks. Amitoze struck eight fours in his entertaining knock but just didn't find any support at the other end as Punjab folded up without putting up much of a fight. After Maniar had ripped through the top-order, Trivedi (3/34) and Jaydev Unadkat (2/27) cleaned up the lower-order to give Saurashtra a comfortable triumph. Brief Scores: Saurashtra: 542. Punjab: 278 and 120 all out in 44.5 overs (Amitoze Singh 41 not out, Sandip Maniar 4/47, Siddharth Trivedi 3/34).
|
|
New Delhi, November 20 After Delhi finished their second innings on 311, Tamil Nadu were left to chase 218 in 49 overs which included the 15 mandatory overs. With precious two hours of play lost, Tamil Nadu batsmen never went for the chase as they finished at 129 for three when the match was called off after the first mandatory over. Tamil Nadu were ensured of three points on the second day itself but Delhi's gritty batting in the second innings opened up possibilities of an interesting finish at stumps on third day. Baroda draw against Haryana
Vadodara: Ambati Rayudu's unbeaten knock of 83 helped Baroda draw their Ranji Trophy Elite Division match against Haryana on the fourth and final day here today. Set a target of 372, Baroda made 228 for seven in their second innings at the close of play, ending the match in a draw at the Motibag Ground here. Maharashtra win
Nashik: Maharashtra registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Jharkhand on the final day of their Ranji Plate group B match, here today. Resuming at 218 for six, Jharkhand were all out for 282 today in their second innings to set Maharashtra 106 to win. Maharashtra overhauled the target in 21 overs and won the match before tea interval. Karnataka lead
Mumbai: Abhishek Nayar was left stranded on 191 as Karnataka dismissed Mumbai for 441 to take a huge 194-run first innings lead and earn three points from their drawn Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match here today. Mumbai resumed at 354 for eight and only interest left in the match was if the they could avoid the follow on. —
PTI |
|
Aus look to square series
Johannesburg, November 20 South Africa struck early in the Australian second innings sending back the openers with 19 on the board but Usman Khawaja and Ricky Ponting carried the score to 141 before Usman fell after a well-made 65. At close of play, Ponting was unbeaten with 54 and skipper Michael Clarke was not with 1. Australia are still 168 behind with seven second innings wickets remaining. Earleir, seamer Vernon Philander claimed two wickets to give South Africa the early advantage in Australia's fourth-innings run-chase. Australia reached the tea break on the fourth day on 64 for two, still a long way from their victory target of 310. Australia's hopes of levelling the series lay with Usman Khawaja, on 26 not out, and former captain Ricky Ponting, who was on 23 at the break. The visitors are chasing the highest winning score in a Test at the Wanderers, but would have faced an even bigger target if fast bowler Pat Cummins wouldn’t have come up with his impressive burst after lunch. South Africa resumed on 314 for seven, Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn having added 48 for the eighth wicket, but were disappointed to lose Philander for 23 off the first ball of the second session. Cummins produced a vicious, well-directed lifter that brushed Philander's glove before going through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Umpire Billy Bowden gave the batsman out after a long delay, with Philander asking for a review before the decision was confirmed. Cummins then fired in an impressive yorker to bowl Morne Morkel first ball, before Steyn unleashed some terrific late hitting to collect three sixes, with his innings of 41 lifting South Africa's total to 339. The 18-year-old Cummins eventually had Steyn caught behind to finish with six for 79 on his debut. The Australian second innings had a dramatic start as Shane Watson (0) withdrew his bat from the second delivery and was bowled by Philander, who swung the ball away before getting it to nip back off the pitch. Phil Hughes scored 11 before he pushed hard off the back foot at a Philander delivery that bounced more than expected outside off stump, edging a catch to second slip. — PTI
|
|
Sharjah, November 20 Pakistan returned to their most successful ODI venue in Sharjah after an eight-year gap, but the circumstances could not have been more different from standard Sharjah fare. The pitch was far removed from the flat tracks that used to be laid out in the day, and Pakistan's top order did not show the composure to handle the lack of pace. Sri Lanka's young spinners found their voice for the first time since Muttiah Muralitharan's retirement, reducing Pakistan to 97 for 6. Shahid Afridi was left to play within himself, a task that he pulled off with aplomb - that's how far events veered from the script. Afridi finished with his customary brutality to give Pakistan's four-man spin attack a chance. Barring prodigious sideways movement, the Sharjah conditions had little in common with those in Dubai. The strip was sluggish to a fault and Imran Farhat, who had flowed smoothly in the previous game, struggled from the outset. He was early on the drive more than once, before Dilhara Fernando ended his misery. Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez stayed watchful on the back foot and set up the illusion of a platform during their 39-run stand, but the situation was about to go pear-shaped. Hafeez suffered a brain fade in the 16th over, heaving Seekkuge Prasanna to deep square leg. Fernando then struck with the first ball of a spell for the second time. Younis couldn't spot the split-finger slower ball, and was lulled into a soft drive that popped up into the covers. Shoaib Malik could barely put bat on ball on his comeback, allowing Sri Lanka to limit the bowling Powerplay damages to 12 for 2. Pakistan's middle order was then unable to read the legspinners' variations. Malik's tortured stay ended when he played back to a googly from Jeevan Mendis. Umar Akmal also failed to pick the variation and was trapped on the crease by Mendis' quick-arm wrong 'un. By then, the innings was in freefall, with the eight overs following Younis' dismissal yielding nine runs for four wickets. Misbah-ul-Haq showed the technique and composure required, until his second suicidal run-out in as many games left Afridi shepherding the tail. — Agencies
|
|
Tiger Woods seals Presidents Cup for US
Melbourne, November 20 "It does feel good. I was hoping it wouldn't come down to my point," Woods said in a greenside interview after shutting the door on the 15th with a sublime bunker shot that landed a foot from the pin. "We didn't get off to a good start early ... We needed to get our point. We went out there and played really well today and put a lot of heat on Badds (Baddeley)." Woods's victory was a repeat of 2009, when the former world number one stroked the winning putt against South Korea's YE Yang at San Francisco to hand the United States their sixth Cup. Leading the Internationals 13-9 going into the final day in sun-bathed Melbourne, the U.S. needed only five wins from the singles matches but were made to work hard. Woods credited team mate and renowned putting wizard Steve Stricker for helping him find his touch on the greens having not been able to buy a putt throughout the tournament. The 35-year-old finished with a 2-3 record for the tournament having saved his best for last. Following the American's bunker shot, Baddeley needed to hole a monster putt to take the match to the 16th but never got close. Australia's Adam Scott earlier beat Phil Mickelson 2&1 but Stricker finished the tournament on a winning note for the U.S., edging Yang 2&1 in the final match. — Reuters |
||
|
Man City maintain title charge
London, November 20 Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero converted penalties and Micah Richards scored the other in City's 3-1 home win that left Roberto Mancini's free-scoring team unbeaten after 12 matches. United remains its cross-town rival's closest challenger, with Mexico striker Javier Hernandez's first-half goal keeping the reigning champions five points adrift. The two Manchester clubs have broken away from the chasing pack, with Newcastle now four points further back in third, but Chelsea could re-ignite its title chase by going above the northeast team on goal difference with a home win over Liverpool on Sunday. Arsenal hasn't given up hope of the title after Netherlands striker Robin van Persie's brace earned the resurgent London team a 2-1 win at Norwich, although it is already 12 points behind City. Van Persie moved his league-leading tally to 13 goals in 12 games, three clear of City pair Aguero and Edin Dzeko. At the other end of the table, Wigan stayed bottom after being held to a 3-3 draw by second-to-last Blackburn while Bolton also remains in the relegation zone after losing 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion. England defender Leighton Baines scored from the penalty spot as Everton rallied to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1, Heidar Helguson's brace helped Queens Park Rangers to a 3-2 win at Stoke while Sunderland was held 0-0 by Fulham. — AP Barca put
pressure on Real
Madrid: A stylish Barcelona sent a message to Real Madrid that they are ready to fight to keep their La Liga title after cruising to a 4-0 win over Zaragoza - even if Real responded with a hard-fought 3-2 success over Valencia to preserve their three-point cushion. The pressure was on Real, who had Barcelona breathing down their necks after their earlier 4-0 win over Zaragoza but the Meringues produced a battling display against a Valencia side who pushed them all the way after the break. Real have been setting the pace at the top of the table and opened up a three-point lead before the international break when a lacklustre Barcelona were lucky to draw away to Athletic Bilbao. But in front of a packed Nou Camp, Barca gave a rendition of attacking football, pressing forward from the start against a Zaragoza side who have only won two games all season. Barca were finding it difficult to find a cutting edge though until they managed it in a way not associated with Barca's passing football, as Gerard Pique headed home a Xavi Hernandez free-kick. Lionel Messi was a doubt until the last minute following a draining trip to play for Argentina but he was given the nod to play and was at his tantalising best. He should have scored when he tried a flamboyant effort in front of the keeper instead of making sure but he made no mistake two minutes before half time, finishing clinically.
— Agencies |
||
|
Bopanna-Qureshi go down fighting
London, November 20 Fifth seed Indo-Pak pair lost 6-7 (2), 6-4, 9-11 to third seed Canadian-Belarus combo in one hour and 41 minutes at O2. Bopanna and Qureshi will now have to win the remaining two matches in their group to be in contention for a spot in the semifinals. Bopanna and Qureshi even had a set point in the 10th game of the first set but squandered the opportunity. It was a good comeback as they were down 2-4 at one stage but won three games on the trot to take a mini 5-4 lead. After they missed out on converting that set point, the experienced pair of Nestor and Mirnyi cashed in on the mistake of their young rivals and nosed ahead by prevailing in the tie-breaker. Bopanna and Qureshi came back well in the second set and broke their rivals early, apart from saving three breakpoints, and drew parity in the match. In the Super tie-breaker they were ahead 6-3 but could not hold on to the lead. Qureshi fired an ace when they faced the first match point but could not save the second one. The Indian Express of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will compete in group A. The top two teams in each group will make the semifinals. — PTI |
||
|
Ladies golf camp from Nov 26
Chandigarh, November 20 The camp will be held twice a week, on Saturdays and Sundays. All participants will be taught fundamentals of the game including pitching, putting, long and short irons & basic rules of the game & etiquette. The Camp will be conducted by Manjit Kochar, Certified Golf Teaching Professional at CGC. Manjit Kochar (981-555-4788) can be contacted for further details about the camp.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Mohali, November 20
Tiger Woods found his putting groove to clinch the Presidents Cup for the United States, who held off a stiff challenge by the Internationals at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Sunday. The 14-times major champion notched six birdies in a crushing 4&3 win over Australia's Aaron Baddeley to hand the Americans their fourth straight trophy with a total of 19 points to 15.
Ludhiana, November 20
Johor Bahru: