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More money pours in for heroes
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Vijay gets Rs 30 lakh from Antony
IOA to decide who should run hockey in India
Dipika makes history, enters Oz Open semifinals
Time to shift focus to doubles: Sania
New zEALAND tOUR OF iNDIA
Sri Lanka Premier League is exciting, says Dirk Nannes
third test
Murray out, Federer enters quarterfinals
Robin sale a ‘massive gamble’:Wenger
Messi, Ronaldo back as La Liga begins
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More money pours in for heroes
New Delhi, August 17 Learning their lessons from the chaotic function organized by the Sports Ministry at the National Stadium yesterday, the IOA took care to properly treat the Olympic heroes, befitting their new-found status as "national treasure". IOA president Vijay Kumar Malhotra and secretary-general Randhir Singh, along with Samsung CEO B.D Park, gave away the cash prizes. The Olympic medallists have such a packed schedule, moving from one stage to another in break-neck speed, that Sushil Kumar and Vijay Kumar virtually bolted from the scene, after collecting their cheques, to attend another function. Cash is pouring in from every conceivable quarter, and the Olympic medallists have already reaped in a couple of crores each, and more are on the anvil. No surprise, all of them are eagerly looking ahead at the next Olympics four years hence, to improve the colour of their medals. "Next time, I will change the colour of my medal," said bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, in a frank admission of wanting to compete in the next Olympics as well. Shooter Gagan Narang echoed similar sentiments, though he was happy to report that he unburdened a major weight with a medal in London, which has somewhat erased the guilt feeling of not qualifying for the final at Bejing in 2008, when he was in a better form than Abhinav Bindra, though the latter created history by winning the country's first-ever individual Olympic gold. "I had my own demons to fight, as after Beijing, it was quite a challenging situation, and it all boils down to how you keep focusing on a given situation and triumph at the moment", Gagan said about his medal shoot in London. But he's not done with his Olympic odyssey yet, and he looks ahead at the Rio Olympics in 2016 to change the hue of the medal. "It's not as bright now. You have to change the colour of the medal", he said with a mischievous grin. For Saina Nehwal, it will be "Saina vs China" in the coming seven-eight years, when she plans to remain in top-flight competition, as she cannot avoid the inevitability of fighting the Chinese dragons. So far, her most challenging moments, including the Olympics, have been against the Chinese players, and she does not see any change in the scenario any time soon. "In the Super Series, I have to tackle 7 to 10 Chinese players, while in the Olympics, it's three. I have to be consistent, and I should play the way I do, to meet the challenges of the Chinese head-on", she said. And Mary Kom has thrown a challenge at Saina, saying that if she, as a mother of twin sons, could win an Olympic bronze, Saina could win an Olympic medal, even after having a family. "Yes, it's quite difficult, having a family and training for the Olympics, but I got full support from my family, and my husband backed me to the full, which helped me win the Olympic medal", noted the nippy Manipuri boxer. But she was also fired by the thought that if a male boxer could win an Olympic bronze (Vijender in Beijing), why not a woman. "What men can do, why can't women?" was the poser that haunted her mind, which fired her up to give off her best in London. "I and Saina are the examples, that women can do it too…" she signed off. |
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Vijay gets Rs 30 lakh from Antony
New Delhi, August 17 Acknowledging Subedar Major Vijay Kumar's good performance in international competitions, Antony said the shooter had been conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2007 along with out-of-turn promotion and other awards and commendations by the Army. Antony also lauded the contribution of the Armed Forces in scouting and nurturing talent in various sporting disciplines and providing training using the state-of-the-art infrastructure. The ceremony was attended by Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne and several other senior officers of the Armed Forces and Defence Ministry. Kumar was promoted to the rank of Subedar Major by the government in a ceremony yesterday and Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh had promised him all help to elevate him to the rank of an officer.
IOA to decide who should run hockey in India
Under the directive of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has set up a three-member committee to decide on who should run the game in the country out of the two warring bodies — Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF). The committee, which was formed by the IOA last month, will be headed by former Wrestling Federation of India president G.S. Mander along with Indian Weightlifting Federation chief Birendra Prasad Baishya and Handball Federation of India secretary-general S.M. Bali. Mander told PTI that a hearing of views of both HI and IHF will be held on August 21 and the committee will submit its report by August 31. “The committee has been tasked to determine which one of the two is the legitimate body to run hockey in the country and which would be recognised by the IOA and FIH. It has been constituted under the directive of the FIH that the matter should be decided before the end of August,” said Mander who is also the IOA Vice President. Mander said HI and IHF have submitted their views in writing to the committee and both the bodies have been called for a hearing on August 21. “Both HI and IHF have submitted their views and claims. We have asked them to submit their counter-claims also. They have done that. Now we have asked them to come for a personal hearing on August 21. “A representative of IHF will come for hearing on the morning of August 21 and HI will be heard on the afternoon. We will study all their submissions, statutes of the FIH and IOA. After that we will submit our report to the IOA and FIH before the deadline of August 31,” he said.—
PTI |
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Dipika makes history, enters Oz Open semifinals
Dipika recorded a convincing 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 win over her American rival, who had earlier caused a major upset by beating world number three Jenny Duncalf. “Yesterday, I started slow but today I paid special attention to warming up well before the match. I started well and in the first two sets I was 6-0 and 6-1 up against Amanda," Dipika said. “I knew that she played very well in the front area, so I stuck to my game plan and pinned her to the back corners.” She will now meet world number four Laura Massaro from England. "It is going to be a good match tomorrow. Last time I played against Laura it was a very close match and I lost 3 sets to 2, but it is a new day tomorrow. She is the World Number 4 and a very experienced player, so it will be a tough match and I am looking forward to it," she said. “Three years ago, I entered Australian Open as a qualifier and made it to the main draws and last year I lost in the first round. So coming here this year as the 11th seed and entering the semi-finals feels very special." Pallikal has been doing very well of late and has improved in every aspect of the game. — PTI
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Time to shift focus to doubles: Sania
New Delhi, August 17 The 26-year-old Sania, who could not win a medal at the just concluded London Olympics, said she still enjoyed playing singles but the time has come for her to concentrate only on doubles in view of her recent injuries. Her wrist and knee injuries have troubled her and even threatened a pre-mature end to her career. Sania also said in an interview to PTI that she has still not decided to continue her successful alliance with Mahesh Bhupathi for the mixed doubles event on the Tour. The Hyderabadi had achieved a career-best singles rank of 27 in 2007 but had subsequently faded due to injuries and form. Qualifying for the singles fourth round of the US Open in 2005 was highlight of her Grand Slam performance. Her major success came while playing in doubles as she won two Grand Slams (mixed doubles with Bhupathi) and 14 WTA Tour titles with different partners. She won one singles title when she triumphed at Hyderabad in 2005. Winning an Olympic medal may remain an unfulfilled dream for Sania Mirza but the Indian tennis ace is not losing sleep over it and would continue to push her battle-hardened body to win one or two Grand Slam titles before ending her career. Her Grand Slam winning mixed doubles combination with Mahesh Bhupathi is also under doubt since the two players have not spoken yet about continuing. — PTI
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New zEALAND tOUR OF iNDIA
Hyderabad, August 17 It is learnt that the veteran of 134 Tests will be addressing the media in a day or two to announce his decision to call time on his illustrious 16-year international career although there has been no official confirmation from the BCCI or the Hyderabad Cricket Association so far. The 37-year-old batsman, who formed the core of India's famed middle-order that had Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, ruled world cricket for more than a decade with his wristy stroke-making. It was the contribution of this famed quartet that helped India to gradually make progress in Test matches and get to the No 1 in the ICC Test rankings. He scored 8781 runs with 17 Test centuries with highlight being the epic knock of 281 against Australia where India won the Test match after being made to follow on. He has a Test average of 45.97. Laxman was not a regular in India's ODI team and played 83 matches for 2338 runs with six centuries. The sale of tickets is scheduled to be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (RGICS), would begin on August 19 at e-seva citizen service centres. — PTI
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Sri Lanka Premier League is exciting, says Dirk Nannes
Chandigarh, August 17 Nannes, who plies his trade with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, has teamed up with Basnahira Cricket Dundee Squad in the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL), and is pretty excited about it. "It has been a great and exciting experience thus far. I have loved being part of this league and this team. I am definitely looking forward to doing more, and contributing a lot more, but without a doubt, I like it here as a challenge and an opportunity," says Nannes, who is skippered by Tillekeratne Dilshan in the League. He also adds that the squad, despite the minimalistic time available to them before the tournament, have hit the ground running. "We are all professionals. We know the importance of gelling with each other and that there will always be time constraints. But these are factors you can't do much about. We are ready and giving it our all as a group." About his personal goals, he says, that they are not much different from that of the team. "I want to be able to contribute in a way that helps the team. If it means the team wins, and I do well, then I guess there is nothing like it. It is a team sport and there is no room for individual ambitions. The team cause is what we all really fight for."
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third test
Lord’s, August 17 Against visitors’ 309 runs in the first innings, England were trailing by 101 runs with 5 wickets remaining at the draw of stumps. South Africa have their noses in front as the race to secure the No. 1 ranking hots up. England's top order capitulated after lunch on the second day of the third and final test against South Africa as they slumped to 94 for four at Lord's on Friday, denting their hopes of levelling the series. The Proteas, defending their modest first innings score of 309, took control through fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, who both had two wickets at the interval. Ian Bell was scrapping to keep England in the contest, on 20, while the recalled Jonny Bairstow had reached 19. Bell did not score a boundary until his 41st delivery to emphasise the struggle. England lost Jonathan Trott (8), Alastair Cook (7) and James Taylor (10) in the session, to follow the wicket of captain Andrew Strauss (20) on the last ball before lunch. Morkel had two for 25 and Steyn two for 22 as they prospered under bright sunshine. England must win the match to draw series 1-1 after losing at The Oval. — Reuters Scoreboard S. Africa 1st innings 309 England 1st innings 208/5 Strauss b Morkel 20 Cook c Kallis b Steyn 7 Trott lbw b Steyn 8 Bell b Philander 58 Taylor b Morkel 10 Bairstow not out 72 Prior not out 22 Extras (lb 6, w 1, nb 4) 11 Total (5 wkts in 72 ovrs) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-38, 3-39, 4-54, 5-178 Bowling: Morkel 19-5-53-2; Philander 16-8-30-1; Steyn 16-3-48-2; Kallis 9-2-26-0.
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Murray out, Federer enters quarterfinals
Mason, Ohio, August17 World number one Roger Federer, in contrast, needed just 62 minutes to get by 19-year-old Australian Bernard Tomic 6-2 6-4 and book his spot in the quarterfinals. It was even easier for second seed Novak Djokovic who advanced after Nikolay Davydenko retired injured following a 6-0 first set that took just 33 minutes. Murray, the defending champion who pulled out of last week's Toronto Masters with a knee injury after his opening match, never looked himself as he was broken in the seventh game of the first set by Chardy, who is in the draw as a lucky loser. Neither player could hold serve in the opening five games of the second set but Chardy held firm to go up 4-2 and never looked back in the 98-minute match. "I didn't serve particularly well. I got broken three times in the second set, which isn't good enough. I broke him a couple of times in the second," said Murray. Murray will head to U.S. Open with just three hardcourt games under his belt since his Olympic triumph on the grass courts at All England Club but he says he is not worried about lack of preparation before Flushing Meadows. — Reuters
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Robin sale a ‘massive gamble’:Wenger
London, August 17 Van Persie joined United in a £24 million ($37 million, 30.6 million euro) switch after Wenger decided it was not worth battling to keep the Dutch striker at the Emirates Stadium against his will. Wenger said he could have made him see out the final year of his contract and was aware the loss of an inspirational figure who scored 37 goals in all competitions last season was a major blow, as the club seeks to end a seven-year trophy drought. But the Frenchman felt it was a gamble worth taking because he wants to have a fully committed team going into the new Premier League campaign, which starts with a home game against Sunderland on Saturday. “The reality is when the player doesn't want to stay you have two ways: you either force him to stay or you accept the reality and you let him go. I have chosen the second solution," Wenger said. “I know it is a massive challenge and a massive gamble I took but we have the quality to deal with the problem we have and at the end of the day I can talk and talk and talk but we can only show it on the pitch now. "Time heals all things and of course at the moment people are hurt, which I understand, but what is important for us is to focus on the season in front of us. “Players have gone, life goes on and the football club is 125 years old and other big players have left this club and we have always gone from season to season in a strong way." Not for the first time in his Arsenal reign, Wenger has seen a player he developed from a raw rookie into a world-class talent opt to turn his back. — Reuters
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Messi, Ronaldo back as La Liga begins Madrid, August 17 "With Cristiano I have absolutely no problem. All that is said about us is to do with the press who want us to have our own personal battle but I have never competed with him or fought him," said the 25 year-old current holder of the FIFA Ballon d'Or. — AFP
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New Delhi, August 17
