Indore, December 9
Swashbuckling Indian batsman Virender Sehwag says the opportunity to score an ODI double hundred comes once in a lifetime and he never expected to get the epic knock, during the course of which he also broke his role model Sachin Tendulkar's record.

Sehwag smashed 219 off just 149 balls in the fourth one-dayer against the West Indies yesterday, overtaking Tendulkar's unbeaten 200 last year to become the highest individual scorer in an ODI.

"I am happy to have broken my role model Sachin Tendulkar's record. It won't be easy for people to score double hundreds. Over the last so many years only two have done it. This opportunity will come only once in a lifetime and I am happy I have taken it," Sehwag told the mediapersons at the post-match press conference.

"I never expected to score a double hundred. While opening the innings, I told Gautam Gambhir that if we can show some patience on this track, we will be in for a big one as the wicket is good. The outfield is fantastic and the distance of the boundary is only 50 yards," Sehwag added.

New Delhi: With his stupendous 219-run show catapulting Virender Sehwag to the top of the one-day cricket record books, the advertisers have rushed in to sign on the flamboyant batsman with deals worth an estimated Rs 10 crore.

The record-breaking innings by 'Nawab of Najafgarh', as Sehwag is commonly known as, has not only made him the top-scorer in a one-day cricket match, it has also enhanced his value in the brand endorsement market, experts said.

A number of inquiries have starting flowing in from potential advertisers and the cricketer could sign atleast 4-5 endorsement deals. These deals could be collectively worth Rs 10 crore a year, going by an estimated annual fee of Rs 2-2.5 crore charged by Sehwag for every brand endorsement deal.

"In the next two months we hope to sign up with atleast 4-5 new brands," sports marketing company PMG CEO Melroy D'Souza said. PMG, promoted by legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, handles Sehwag's brand endorsement deals. "He (Sehwag) has come back with a bang and put to rest all the distractors. There were already a few queries coming in for brands, but the interest levels have clearly gone up," D'Souza said.

33-year-old Sehwag currently endorses about ten brands, including Adidas, Karbonn Mobiles, Royal Challenge, Hero MotoCorp and Emami's Zandu Balm. According to sources, the cricketer charges between Rs 2 crore to Rs 2.5 crore for one deal per year. — PTI

New Delhi, December 9
On a hazy, gloomy day, when the floodlights had to be switched on, India brightened the mood of a few hundred fans when they got the better of a fighting Maldives 3-1 in an action-packed encounter to enter the final of the SAFF Football Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here today. It was India's seventh entry into the SAFF championship final, having won the title five times, including in the last edition when they tamed the Maldives in the title contest.

India's victory margin looked a little flattering. It was a touch-and-go affair, with Sunil Chhetri applying the knockout punch, scoring two vital goals in the space of 22 minutes, one off a penalty. Overlapping defender Syed Rahim Nabi provided the first spark of elation when he put the hosts one-up in the 22nd minute. The hosts stepped up pressure on the rival goal, but their own goal was under threat too, as the sudden burst of speed by the Maldives' forwards kept the Indian defence and custodian Karanjit Singh, who came up with many saves to extend the lifeline of the hosts, on their toes.

In the second half, the visitors became more aggressive and created many scoring attempts. The inevitable happened when Shamweel Qasim right-footed a cross from Akram Abdul Gani into the top left corner of the goal, beating two defenders in the process (1-1).

The Maldives' equaliser tensed up the situation for India, but they kept attacking and in one of his charges, Chhetri was tripped inside the box by defender Ashadh Ali, though it was not a deliberate foul. But referee Timur Faizullin thought otherwise and whistled for a penalty kick. Chhetri's carpet drive rolled in to the left of goalie Imran Mohammed's to create a bulge in the net. Chhetri came up with the third goal during injury time when his left-footer zoomed into an empty goal, with the custodian out of charge. Chhetri latched on to a crisp pass from almost the far end of the rival half, displayed his sprinting skills, before unleashing the left-footer, which brooked no denial.

To add to the visitors' tale of woes, their key forward Ahmed Thariq, was sent out with a red card when the match was into the final couple of minutes.

India had begun the match with a close essay at the Maldives' goal when Jeje Lalpekhula blazed over an empty net after Anthony Pereira and Clifford Miranda had set up the move, two minutes into the match. The next Jeje try, off a chipped pass from the left by Nabi, was punched out by diving goalkeeper Imran. India suffered many more misses till Nabi, who had put his stamp of flair in all of India's Group A league matches, yet again shone when he booted in, off a cross from Clifford Miranda, in the 24th minute of the first half.

Though the Maldives were not given much leeway by the defenders inside the Indian box, they still posed many threats with their long shots. Mohamed Umair, Ismail Mohamed, captain Ali Ashfaq and Ahmed Tariq took pot shots, some from well outside the box, though Karanjit Singh was alert to baulk them.

Otherwise, for most of first half, India put pressure though Miranda, Chhetri and Jeje all missed the target from close. India certainly had the edge, and their victory was a just reward, the fluctuations in between notwithstanding.

In the other semifinal Afghanistan overwhelmed Nepal through an extra-time goal, scored by captain Balal Arezo, to set up a final clash with India. In an engrossing encounter, in which no quarters were asked and none given, the tempo and excitement was maintained till the very end, as Afghanistan made their maiden entry into the challenge round of the SAFF Cup.

Afghanistan clinched the argument in the 11th minute of the first half of extra time when Balal Arezo trapped the ball just outside the box, darted in beating a defender and an advancing custodian Kiran Kumar Limbu, before powering the ball into an open goal. Bilal Arezo expectedly was adjudged the man of the match, but Nepal deserved equal kudos for matching the tall and athletic Afghan players in every aspect of the game.

The ball moved from one end to the other in a fast cascade of moves, and the quick and first time attempts, failed to break the last line of defence, till Arezo unleashed that magic shot to numb the Nepal goal.

Afghanistan now meet defending champions India in the title clash on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Gurgaon, December 9
Swede Pernilla Lindberg and Thailand’s Nontaya Srisawang shone despite the dense fog this morning and grabbed the opening day’s honours at the $300,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open, which commenced at the DLF Golf and Country Club here today. The duo brought in identical bogey-free cards of six-under 66.

Caroline Hedwall, Florentyna Parker (both from England) and two-time champion Pornanong Phatlum (Thailand) were tied third one stroke behind at 67. English-born Kiran Matharu, who has Indian roots, shot 68 to be sixth.

Smriti Mehra scored four birdies between the sixth and 12th to card a par-72. Smriti and Neha Tripathi (72) were the best among the Indians at tied 35th.

There was an Indian connection near the top of the leaderboard as Matharu carded a superb 68, including an eagle on 18th, her ninth hole. She had three birdies, an eagle and a bogey as she was lying fourth, two shots behind the leaders.

Lindberg teed off from the tenth with a birdie. The 25-year-old recorded three more birdies on the 14th, 15th and 18th before making the turn at four-under. On her back nine, she birdied the seventh and eight and finished the day at six-under 66.

Srisawang returned an identical 66 after teeing up from the tenth. She posted four birdies from the 13th to the 16th. Then she added a birdie on the first to go five-under. Her next birdie came on her final hole.

Florentyna Parker a 22-year-old German-born English golfer. was five-under after nine with a birdie on the fourth, an eagle on the sixth, followed by back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth. However, she dropped a shot on the 12th and with a lone back-nine birdie on the 17th finished at five-under 67.

Patiala, December 9
From virtual stardom when their wins made National headlines and from staying in the posh NIS, Patiala hostel to their present two-room rented house, the six dope-tainted Indian women athletes are ‘back on track’ towards returning to competition.

Eight athletes, including jumper Hari Krishan, shot putter Sonia quarter-milers Mandeep Kaur, Ashwini Akkunji, Sini Jose, Priyanka Panwar, Juana Murmu and Tiana Mary, were found guilty of failing dopes tests.

They all got a shot in the arm with the Sports Ministry appointed one-man panel of retired Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal suggesting to the Government in its report that the athletes did not take dope deliberately and, based on evidence and statements recorded, “they (the athletes) can be extended a virtual clean chit”.

However the report, which is yet to be made public, has a tag attached -- that the athletes would get a clean chit only after the verdict of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) appointed Anti-Disciplinary Panel.

The report is however silent about the role of sacked foreign coach Yuri Ogrodnik. Highly placed sources confirmed to The Tribune that, as per the report, the athletes were given ginseng supplements and the traces of two -- Methanndienone and Stenazolol were later traced by the National Drug Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in the supplements recovered from their possession. “There is no evidence to suggest that the athletes were deliberately taking dope and their past track record was clean,” suggests the report, submitted almost a fortnight back to the Sports Minister.

Justice Mudgal, when contacted by The Tribune, confirmed that he has submitted the report but would not be able to divulge its contents. But he accepted that the athletes were getting some benefit of doubt. “Let the Government make it public,” Mudgal said, refusing to elaborate.

With the report in their favour, the accused athletes have started training at NIS, Patiala. Sources inside NIS said that currently four athletes are training hard and concentrating on stamina and strength building techniques without any coaching assistance.

New Delhi, December 9
German football giants Bayern Munich will be in display at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on January 10 when they take on the Indian National team in an exhibition match, the proceeds of which will be given to the victims of the Sikkim earthquake.

The match will also be the farewell match for former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia. Making this announcement here today was Bayern and Germany legend Paul Breitner, who, along with the sponsors of the event, Audi India, hoped that the event will be a great success.

“My life is football and it has given me an opportunity to travel to many wonderful parts of the world,” Breitner said on the occasion. “This is my third visit to India and it’s great pleasure to see the following for football here.

“While the average Indian fan is more tuned into the English Premier League and teams from London, Liverpool or Manchester, we intend to bring the Bayern brand of football to them.”

Bhutia, who was expected for the event, was unable to make it as his flight fro Bagdogra was held up due to bad weather. He spoke to the gathering over phone and expressed hi delight at Bayern’s coming visit.

“It is a great pleasure and honour to have a player of the stature of Breitner in our midst and a great boost for Indian football that Bayern would be playing the Indian National team. Bayern is a club that has been involved with Indian football for a while now and has consistently helped us in trying to improve our game.”

Asked as to what would be the level of players coming for the match, Breitner emphasised that Bayern would play the ‘best XI’. “We will be beginning our camp for the second round of the Champions League in Doha from January 2 and the entire contingent of 24-25 players will fly to Delhi from there. Asked why India was in Bayern’s focus, the German legend responded: “We understand that there are close to 250 million people playing football in India. All they need is help in organising and streamlining the sport.”

Lahore, December 9
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is in crisis as eight players have reportedly signed contracts with the unofficial World Series Hockey league in India. Former captain Zeeshan Ashraf and Adnan Maqsood have left for India and former captain Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi and Waseem Ahmed have also joined the league. The Federation has warned that the revolting players would face a life ban. "Our stance is very clear any player who decides to go and play in this unauthorised league faces a life ban," PHF secretary, Asif Bajwa said.

"We cannot allow or encourage any player to take part in a league that is not recognised by the FIH no matter how much money is involved in it for the players," he said. Pakistan, which has fared poorly in the ongoing Champions Trophy in New Zealand is already facing problems with finding quality players for the London Olympics due next year. Bajwa admitted that the PHF was concerned about the status of some players who were presently members of the national team and playing in the Champions Trophy.

Shakeel Abbasi, Waseem Ahmed and goalkeeper, Salman Akbar are among those named to have signed contracts with the WHS. "We know that initially when this series was being spoken off as an official event of the Indian federation some players had signed contracts with the organisers. But now the scenario is different and the players know this," Bajwa said.

The former Olympian said that the PHF was in touch with members of the Pakistan team to find out the factual position. "Some players have informed the PHF that they entered into contracts in a different environment and situation but if the league was illegal they would not participate in it," he added.

"I don't blame the players specially Zeeshan Ashraf, Adnan or Rehan Butt for deciding to go to India. But the PHF needs to ensure they don't lose current players," former Olympian, Samiullah said.

Zeeshan Ashraf before leaving for India said he had no choice but to go and play the league. "What else can I do, I don't have a regular job, the PHF is not selecting me and they don't allow us to play in domestic hockey by imposing an age restriction on players representing different teams on the domestic circuit. The fact is I have to feed my family and the WHS is paying us very well," Ashraf said.

He made it clear he had no regrets over his decision. Adnan Maqsood also said before leaving he didn't see what the fuss was all about. "I signed the contract nine months back and I have not been selected for Pakistan for a while now so why shouldn't I go and play abroad." — PTI 

Gurdaspur, December 9
Five gymnasts of the local Pt Mohan Lal College for Women, all of whom were part of the Punjab team, have done the city proud by winning the team championship in the 39th National Sports Festival for Women which concluded at Bhopal recently. All the five gymnasts- Gulwinder Kaur, Naginder Kaur, Sarabjit, Konica Sharma and Monika- are students of Pt Mohan Lal College for Woman and were felicitated by the College Principal Neelam Sethi at a function held at the Parbodh Chander Memorial Gymnastic Centre in the presence of Hira Moni Aggarwal, Chairman of the governing council of the College.

Interestingly, all these girls were part of the College team that annexed the title in the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) which concluded at Amritsar last week. In the Bhopal meet, Gulwinder Kaur won the gold in the uneven bars, a silver medal each in the floor exercise and the vaulting table, a feat which landed her the best gymnast title.

Naginder too excelled and won a gold meal in the floor exercise and a bronze medal in the balancing beam event. Sarabjit won a silver medal in the uneven bars event while Kanica Sharma ended the competition by winning a sliver medal in the balancing beam event. Monika won gold medals in the table vault and balancing beam events.

It is pertinent to mention here that the girls train under the watchful eyes of Punjab Sports Department Coach Jagtar Singh at the Parbodh Chander Memorial Gymnastic Centre. Jagtar has produced more than a dozen international and scores of national level gymnasts following which the Centre has earned the sobriquet of ‘Rubber Doll Manufacturing Factory.’

Apart from Jagtar, the other coach attached with the College team is International Samita Sharma who represented the country in the 1999 SAARC championship held at Allahabad.

However, a discerning factor is that the Gurdaspur District Gymnastic Association (GDGA) has no money to pay for the girls whenever it comes to taking part in state and national level meets. Senior Vice President of the GDGA Romesh Mahajan avers, “Ours is indeed a penniless body. Whenever these girls have to take part in competitions, they have to dole out money from their own pockets. The Centre has brought Gurdaspur on the national gymnastic map due to the performance of the girls. There are some Good Samaritans in the city who help us but that is not enough for us to run the sport. Many times politicians have promised us the moon but nobody actually gives us any money.” 

BRIEFLY

Vinay Kumar replaces Aaron
New Delhi: India's Test squad was today struck with another injury blow ahead of the gruelling cricket tour of Australia as pacer Varun Aaron was replaced by Vinay Kumar owing to a back problem. Aaron, whose injury was detected yesterday, has become the second first-choice pacer after Praveen Kumar to be replaced from the squad due to injury. The 22-year-old Aaron has got "stress reaction on the back" that he sustained during the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies. The 27-year-old Vinay has not played any Test cricket so far. — PTI

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel poses with his FIA trophy during the 2011 Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) gala night in Gurgaon on Friday. — AFP

DDCA award for Sehwag
NEW DELHI: The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has decided to award Rs 25 lakh to Virender Sehwag, for hoisting a world record ODI score of 219 against the West Indies in the fourth one-dayer at Indore on Thursday. "DDCA has decided to give Rs 25 lakh to Virender Sehwag as a mark of respect and honour for making the world record," said DDCA general-secretary Sneh Bansal here on Friday. — TNS

First win for Mumbai Fighters
Mumbai: Mumbai Fighters rode on a huge advantage to inflict a 5-0 defeat on LA Matadors for their first win in the World Series of Boxing, thereby improving their chances of making it to the quarterfinals, here tonight. Light weight pugilist Sidhharth Varma sealed the deal for the Fighters as he overcame the challenge of Eric Fowler, who had a 4-2 WSB record prior to this match, with the three judges giving a unanimous decision in his favour: 48-47, 48-47, 48-47. — PTI

Pakistan dominate on Day 1
Chittagong: Unbeaten half-centuries from Mohammad Hafeez and Taufiq Umar put Pakistan in a commanding position after they had dismissed Bangladesh for 135 on the first day of the first cricket Test today. The Pakistan openers were largely untroubled, in stark contrast to the hosts who produced another tame batting display as Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman each grabbed three wickets. Pakistan reached 132-0. (Hafeez: 74; Umar 53 not out) — Reuters

Hughes out cheaply
Hobart: Pressure mounted on Phil Hughes after he again failed with the bat as Australia chased New Zealand's modest 150 on an eventful opening day of the second cricket Test at Bellerive Oval on Friday. The under-fire opener lasted just five balls before he was again caught in the slips off Chris Martin for four, as Australia reached 12/1 before rain ended play early. Pattinson followed up his man-of-the-match 5/27 in last weekend's nine-wicket win in the first Gabba Test to snare 5/51. — AFP

Punjab take 1st innings lead
Jaipur: Robin Bisht's valiant 176-run innings went in vain as pacer B Brainder Sran returned with a four-wicket haul to help Punjab wrest a vital 97-run first innings lead against Rajasthan in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match here today. Resuming at 321-4, Rajasthan folded for 500 in reply to Punjab first innings total of 597 for 8 declared yesterday. The 97-run first innings lead helped the visitors to register three points and take their tally to 12 points in five matches. — PTI

Quiros four shots clear
Dubai: Spain's Alvaro Quiros was up to his old desert tricks again on Friday, firing a course record-equalling 64 to storm four shots clear of the field after the Dubai World Golf Championship second round. While Quiros was putting together his eight-under-par effort, Luke Donald was closing the gap on fellow Briton Rory McIlroy in their two-horse race to finish the season as European number one. World number one Donald followed his opening 72 with a four-under 68 to close on 140, three behind McIlroy who dropped two strokes in the last two holes to return a 71. — Reuters

ONGC meet Army in final
NEW DELHI: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) drubbed Indian Air Force 6-3 to enter the final of the sixth Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tournament at the National Stadium here on Friday. ONGC will meet Army XI in the title clash on Saturday at 2.30 p.m. In a close match, with the teams were locked 1-1 at half-time, ONGC scored the goals through Prabhdeep Singh, Bikramjit Singh (2), Jasjit Singh, Onkar Singh and Tassawarjit Singh while Virender and Lovepreet (2) were the Airmen's marksmen. — TNS

Dhoni visits Ranchi temple
Ranchi: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni visited the famous Deori Temple near Ranchi to invoke the Goddess Deori's blessings for the tour Down Under. Dhoni is known to be an ardent devotee of the goddess from his earliest days in cricket, before finding fame and fortune. He performed an elaborate 'puja' at the temple with due ceremony. "Whenever Mahi visits Ranchi, he comes to the temple to seek the Divine Mother's blessings. He came this time as well, and worshipped the goddess with all the stipulated rituals. He also prayed for success in the upcoming tour of Australia. His desires will surely come to fruition,"