New Delhi, August 16
The ‘Heroes of London Olympics’ got a chaotic, crowded reception as the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) totally messed up their felicitation function at the National Stadium here today. Consequently, the athletes, their parents, coaches and various sports federation officials were left fuming.

The function to felicitate the medal winners and the other participants of London 2012 was held out in the open, outside the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. With those other than the medal winners, Sports Minister Ajay Maken and the top brass of the Sports Ministry and the SAI sitting under the searing sun, it became a virtual free for all as the unruly trainees of the SAI’s play-and-pay-scheme created a ruckus.

Moderating the function, Anupam Gulati had to repeatedly request the invaders to clear the players’ and coaches’ enclosure, but in vain. Unable to bear the indignity, some officials of the boxing, athletics, hockey and other federations walked off in protest. Many others bore the indignity in stoic silence.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Wrestling Federation of India president – and also a Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament – was not so subtle in his reaction. Seething in anger, he said that the function was an insult to the Olympic medallists, their coaches, parents and relatives. “We have spent crores from our own pockets for the training of the athletes. The contribution from the parents has been huge, too. But they were called here and insulted by the Sports Ministry and the SAI,” snapped the veteran Member of Parliament.

Saina Nehwal’s father Harveer Singh Nehwal, chief national shooting coach Prof. Sunny Thomas, many foreign coaches and others had to sit packed like sardines, their view blocked at all sides, with no one caring about their comfort.

In his inspired speech, Sports Minister Ajay Maken thundered that this was a function to felicitate and reward the “Heroes of the London Olympics” by sportsmen. Maken spoke from the comfort of a well-covered dais, with water-cooled fans dousing the heat on the podium. Mercifully, Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, Saina Nehwal and M.C. Mary Kom were seated on the dais.

The Olympic medallists were given their cash awards too, within a couple of days of their return from the Olympics, unlike in the past when they had to wait for several months, and even years, to receive their just rewards. Sushil (wrestling) and Vijay (shooting) were given Rs 50 lakh each for their silver medals while Dutt (wrestling), Narang (shooting), Saina (badminton) and Mary (boxing) received Rs 20 lakh each for their bronze medals.

“They are the treasures of the country and we wish our champions all the best,” Maken said. He announced that several functions have been lined up to honour the Olympic heroes, including one at the Prime Minister’s house, which will be attended by Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. President Pranab Mukherjee will host another function and, in a first of its kind, there will be a reception in the Parliament.

After today’s felicitation, the athletes walked up to the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to offer floral tributes to the brave soldiers of the country.

Maken said no effort or money would be spared in giving the athletes foreign exposure, the best infrastructure and the best foreign coaches “as we have set a target of 25 medals for the 2016 Olympics (at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil)”. Many of those present at the function thought Maken’s words were too optimistic, but six medals at London have made India very hopeful.

Chandigarh, August 16
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will honour medal winners and participants of the London Olympics at a state-level civic reception to be organised at Chaudhary Matu Ram Sports complex at Bhainswal Kalan village in Sonepat on August 26 .

Of the six medals won by India in London Olympics, four medals have been bagged by players hailing from Haryana or those associated with the state. A spokesman said here today that these outstanding sportspersons would be honoured by giving them cash rewards in recognition of their exemplary performance in the London Olympics.The coaches of the medal winners would also be honoured.

The state government has already announced to give Rs 1.5 crore to wrestler Sushil Kumar for winning Silver and Rs 1 crore each to shooter Gagan Narang, Saina and wrestler Yogeshwar for winning the bronze medals in the games. The government had already announced a prize money of Rs 31 lakh to Haryana’s ace athlete Krishna Punia for competing in the final of the discuss throw in the Olympics .

A cash reward of Rs 21 lakh each to boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Amit Kumar for qualifying for the quarter finals in the London Olympics and to Geeta Phogat for becoming the first-ever Indian women wrestler to have qualified for the Olympics had also ben announced.He said the other 10 participants in the Olympics, who hail from Haryana, have also been given Rs 11 lakh each.

Kullu, August 16
Besides launching the gymnasium scheme for encouraging sports among youth in gram panchayats and nagar panchayats in the state, Chief Minister PK Dhumal conferred the Himachal Gaurav Award upon Olympian silver medalist shooter Subedar Vijay Kumar and the Tagore Samaan on veteran folk artiste Gambhari Devi of Bilaspur.

Lauding the achievement of Vijay on the occasion of the 66th Independence Day celebrations at the Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu yesterday, the Chief Minister said state sportspersons were second to none and the government would honour them with dignity.

He also presented him a draft of Rs 1 crore and papers of a 200 sq m HIMUDA plot at Baddi free of cost to felicitate the shooter who had achieved this feat at the London Olympics that concluded on Sunday.

This is recognition of his outstanding laurels he earned for the state, he added. Vijay did not find favour for Himachal Gaurav award last year.

Sushil Kumar (wrestling), Gaurav Narang (shooting), Yogeshwar (wrestling), Saina Nehwal (badminton) and Kimi (wrestling) were other athletes who won laurels for the country. Also, the Chief Minister conferred the Tagore Samman upon veteran folk-singer Gambhari Devi of Bilaspur district for her outstanding contribution to the Himachali folk art.

He also gave prizes to special children and their coach for their selection to participate in the Special Olympics being organised in Korea in 2013.

Dhumal also launched the Gymnasium Scheme in all gram panchayats and nagar panchayats. He presented gymnasium equipment to five local gram panchayats in the district.

Each Gram Panchayat and Nagar Panchayat would have a gymnasium that would encourage sports among rural and urban children, he added.

New Delhi, August 16
Bound by rules that prohibit the Indian Army from giving out of turn promotions in the officer cadre, the Army Chief today now announced the force will provide all help to promote Olympic silver medalist Vijay Kumar as an officer in the force.

Vijay was promoted as a Subedar Major— the highest rank in Jawans—and given a cash award of Rs 30 lakh. The Army Chief General Bikram Singh affixed the next rank on the epaulets of Vijay this morning. The announcement of helping Vijay in becoming an officer was made by the Army Chief soon after. Officials later explained this, means the Army will help him prepare for a written test under which jawans can be promoted as officers. Once he clears that written test Vijay will a Lieutenant. The next three promotions of Captain, Major and Lieut Colonel are assured in first 13 years of service. Further ranks of Colonel, Brigadier etc are selection posts.

The Army Chief said “This commission (to the grade of officer) has to be granted by the President and certain rules have to be followed. We will provide all help to him as he is very capable ... He talks in English and is very educated and has the capabilities to become an officer. We will further strengthen his capabilities to make him a commissioned officer”. Singh was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function to felicitate 14 Olympians from Army. He said as per existing policy, two promotions have been given to the ace shooter. Meanwhile, Vijay said he felt that “justice has been done to him" with the cash award of Rs 30 lakh and promotion to Subedar Major. Vijay, however, denied that he had ever said anything about quitting the Army. “I have not said that I will leave the Army. It was the work of some media person who had misquoted me. I had just said that if the Central government has provision for promotions, then the Defence Ministry should do so," he said.

Lords, August 16
South Africa rallied to 151 for five at tea on the first day of the third and final test against England on Thursday after losing four cheap wickets in the opening session.

The Proteas, who will replace England at the top of the world rankings if they draw, doubled their lunctime total for the loss of only AB de Villiers (27) as Jacques Rudolph (41 not out) and JP Duminy (26 not out) consolidated. England fast bowler Steven Finn captured three wickets in seven balls before lunch while James Anderson took the other two wickets either side of the lunch interval. Captain Graeme Smith (14), fellow-opener Alviro Petersen (22), Hashim Amla (13) and Jacques Kallis (3) all departed before lunch after South Africa had won the toss and elected to bat.

Left-handers Rudolph and Duminy were mostly untroubled, even against the off-spin of Graeme Swann turning the ball away from them, though Rudolph might have been run out on 40 had Anderson's throw from mid-wicket to the non-striker's end been more accurate.De Villiers was well caught by Alastair Cook at third slip after he nicked Anderson, pushing outside off stump. He had failed to add a run having survived an England review when they felt he was lbw to Anderson. The Hawkeye replay showed the ball had pitched outside the line of off-stump.

In the morning session, Smith was first to go when Anderson came around the wicket to the left-hander for the first time. The batsman stabbed at a delivery wide of the off-stump and was caught behind but given out only after England had reviewed umpire Kumar Dharmasena's decision.

Petersen survived another England review but did not last long thereafter, gloving Finn down the leg side. Amla was bowled three balls later by Finn through the gate as the ball cut back down the infamous Lord's slope. The biggest talking point of the morning was the loss of Kallis, second on the all-time list of test century scorers. Kallis gave wicketkeeper Matt Prior his third catch after a deflection off his glove after Dharmasena initially rejected the appeal. England called for a review and replays seemed to show that the ball had clipped Kallis's bottom glove but only when his hand had left the bat handle. Third umpire Rod Tucker over-ruled the original decision and Kallis walked off, shaking his head in annoyance. England selected Swann in place of Tim Bresnan, giving Finn another chance on his home ground. England selected Swann for Tim Bresnan. — Reuters

South Africa first innings

Smith c Prior b Anderson 14

Petersen c Prior b Finn 22

Amla b Finn 13

Kallis c Prior b Finn 3

Villiers c Cook b Anderson 27

Rudolph b Swann 42

JP Duminy c Prior 61

Extras (b-4, w-1) 5

Total (7 wkts in 87.4 ovrs) 262 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-49, 3-50, 4-54, 5-105.

Bowling: Anderson 16-4-39-3; Broad 14-4-28-0; Finn 12-2-48-3; Swann 11-5-24-1; Trott 2-0-8-0.

New Delhi, August 16
India survived a mini-scare from Papua New Guinea before sealing a comfortable 107-run win to seal their place in the quarterfinal of the Under-19 World Cup in Townsville on Thursday. India will face Pakistan in the quarterfinal on August 20.

For the second time in three league matches in Group C, India's batting struggled to come to grips with the conditions. Prashant Chopra (58), the opener, and Vijay Zol (72) made half-centuries as India stuttered to 204 all out after opting to bat.

Chad Soper, the paceman, finished with excellent figures of 5/32. PNG were never in the hunt, losing wickets at regular intervals. Punjab boy Kamal Passi did early damage but the wrecker-in-chief was Ravikant Singh. Introduced as fourth bowler, Ravikant picked up 5/21 from nine overs to ensure that PNG were shot out for 97 in 31.5 overs. — PTI