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Dark side of Lance Armstrong
NCA committee meeting delayed as director yet to be appointed
KP will be welcome on return: Broad
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Kumble appointed ICC Cricket Committee chairman
Yuvraj gearing up for Duleep Trophy games
MCA wants BCCI to shift warm-up match
Djokovic, Bhupathi-Bops in Shanghai quarterfinal
Cleaner, greener Buddh circuit for Indian GP
India-born Monisha is first woman F1 team principal
Spain face tricky Belarus, big guns on alert
Haryana, Chandigarh girls to clash for hockey title
From Bollywood gossip to documentary
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Dark side of Lance Armstrong
New York, October 11 Hotel rooms were transformed into blood banks as riders were given late-night transfusions, doctors were paid off and competitors were warned about tests in advance, said the anti-doping agency, or USADA. More than six weeks after it banned Armstrong for life and stripped him of his seven Tour de France titles, USADA revealed on Wednesday the findings of its investigation into Armstrong and his U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team. Armstrong's lawyer called the investigation a "hatchet job" and "witch hunt." The champion cyclist has denied cheating and has never failed a doping test. But he did not fight the charges. There were few new revelations in the 1,000-page report, but the weight of testimony was greater than any of the previous investigations into his conduct. His accusers said Armstrong — one of the world's most famous athletes who also is well known for his cancer-fighting charity work — was not only a willing participant, but the ringleaders, ordering teammates to cheat. In addition to financial payments, emails and laboratory test results that the agency says proves the use of performance enhancing drugs by Armstrong and the USPS Team, 26 people gave sworn testimony, including 11 former teammates. Of the 11, the most surprising was George Hincapie, who rode alongside Armstrong when he won each of his Tour de France titles and was one of his most loyal and trusted friends. “I would have been much more comfortable talking only about myself, but understood that I was obligated to tell the truth about everything I knew. So that is what I did," he said in a statement. USADA's dossier was the most comprehensive report detailing his alleged transgressions and the agency said it had provided undeniable proof Armstrong was the centre of a sophisticated doping program. “His goal led him to depend on EPO, testosterone and blood transfusions but also, more ruthlessly, to expect and to require that his teammates would likewise use drugs to support his goals if not their own," the report said. "The evidence is overwhelming that Lance Armstrong did not just use performance enhancing drugs, he supplied them to his teammates.” As expected, Armstrong's lawyers responded quickly and angrily, condemning the investigation as an inquisition based on unreliable accusations and sloppy procedures. “USADA has continued its government-funded witch hunt of only Mr. Armstrong, a retired cyclist, in violation of its own rules and due process, in spite of USADA's lack of jurisdiction, in blatant violation of the statute of limitations," said Sean Breen, one of Armstrong's lawyers. — Reuters
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NCA committee meeting delayed as director yet to be appointed
New Delhi, October 11 Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid is believed to be the front-runner for the post but he is still undecided on whether he should take up the offer and that is precisely the reason for the delay of the first sub-committee meeting. “Rahul has been offered the role of a Director quite a few weeks back but he hasn't got back. Normally, after the AGM, the first sub-committee meeting that is held is the one involving NCA. But since BCCI is waiting for a positive response from Rahul, it has decided to have its first NCA meeting only after completion of Champions League Twenty20,” said a senior BCCI official. The second name that BCCI has thought about is that of Kapil Dev who has earlier been at the helm of NCA before he joined the now-defunct Indian Cricket League. “Look, NCA's role in development has been minimal in last few years and that's the reason Anil Kumble resigned. Even Sandeep Patil had very little role during past season but when it comes to appointment, BCCI needs a big name. In case Rahul says 'No' then the senior officials are more keen on Kapil than Kiran More," he informed. A section among board officials are not very keen on More's appointment as they don't want the former wicketkeeper to get a plum appointment within months of getting amnesty. When pointed out that the same theory could apply with Kapil, he answered, “Absolutely not as Kapil Dev is in a different league.” — PTI
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KP will be welcome on return: Broad
London, October 11 “Once the England management have decided when he's available to return, he'll be welcome back into the changing room,” Broad told reporters at a book launch. The 32-year-old Pietersen, England's best batsman in all forms of the game, has signed a new four-month contract after he was dropped in August. He also admitted there had been problems in the dressing room. After lengthy negotiations, Pietersen was awarded another central contract which could be extended until September next year and will return to the England side following a "reintegration process”. England start a four-test series in India next month. “The team have no issues with KP coming back if the management decide he's ready to,” Broad said. “It's in their hands at the moment. There are some meetings going on behind closed doors and we're waiting to see the outcome of those. But from the team's perspective his integration will be easy. “Ultimately we're playing cricket and we want guys who will score runs and take catches to help England win. Whatever's happened has happened. “We pride ourselves on being a strong dressing room and I'm sure that if he came back for India or New Zealand, or whenever it is, that things will be fine within the team." — Reuters
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Kumble appointed ICC Cricket Committee chairman
Mumbai, October 11 “In Anil Kumble, we have a new chairman who has unquestioned experience not only as a player with India but also as an administrator with Karnataka State Cricket Association as well," ICC President Alan Isaac said in a statement after the Executive Board meeting here. Kumble, 41, took 619 wickets in 132 Test and 337 wickets in 271 ODIs wickets during his illustrious 18-year international career. "I am sure that he (Kumble) will carry on Clive's good work and bring, like Andrew Strauss, contemporary thinking to the committee and both understand clearly the issues facing the modern game," he added. The recently-retired Strauss was unanimously nominated as Ian Bishop's replacement in the committee after the West Indian, representing former players, indicated that he was not seeking an extension to his term. "I would like to thank Clive Lloyd for his chairmanship of the ICC Cricket Committee and to his tireless contribution to the game. The ICC Board were united in their admiration for his work as chairman. We also thank Ian Bishop for his contribution during his term as well," Isaac further stated. According to ICC sources, Kumble has been given a two-year term. The Cricket Committee meets twice a year and the second meeting of the year is likely to be held in November. The ICC Board also agreed to extend the terms of both Mark Taylor (representing former players) and David Kendix (statisticians) for a further term. — PTI
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Yuvraj gearing up for Duleep Trophy games
Chandigarh, October 11 Playing his second innings in international cricket Yuvraj feels he is blessed to be back here. “I have some fond memories of this ground and it feels nice to be back here,” he said. The Chandigarh batsman is aiming to make a comeback in the 50-over format during England’s tour of India. For that Yuvraj is gearing up to play Duleep Trophy games to get back in fighting mode. “I have a chance to play three if not four (final) games and that will help me to make a comeback. I know it will be difficult early on to play day games but I am training hard for it. I am building up my stamina, running long distances and my body is responding well. It’s a good signal” he said. Yuvraj is in Chandigarh to be a part of a documentary meant for cancer survivors. He also was seen chatting publicly with father Yograj Singh after a long time.
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MCA wants BCCI to shift warm-up match
Mumbai, October 11 “There are a couple of reasons why we want the match (scheduled from November 3 to 5), to be shifted from BKC to D Y Patil Stadium. The first reason is there is no fence on the boundary of the BKC ground, leading to spectators jumping into the playing area," MCA president Ravi Savant informed PTI today. The other reason, Savant said, is since England are already scheduled to play the Test match at the Wankhede Stadium from November 23-27, Mumbai city fans can watch them. "We want to provide the chance to those staying in Navi Mumbai and around, which also is under our jurisdiction, to watch the England team in action," said Savant. However, BCCI CAO Prof Ratnakar Shetty pleaded ignorance about receipt of any such letter. “I don't know about any such letter. As of now the match is to be held at BKC," said Shetty. — PTI
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Djokovic, Bhupathi-Bops in Shanghai quarterfinal
Shanghai, October 11 An error-prone Roger Federer recovered in time to beat compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6 7-6 6-0 to guarantee his 300th week at the top of the world rankings. The top seed and world number one Swiss will play Marin Cilic from Croatia, who defeated Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 4-6 6-1 6-4, for a place in the semi-finals. Serbian world number two Djokovic, who last week won the China Open in Beijing, served 12 aces and lost seven points on his serve to continue his rich vein of form. "I'm trying to enjoy the efficiency of my serve," Djokovic told reporters. "I'm not very well known around the tour for big serving. But so far in this tournament, and also in Beijing, it has been working very well for me. "It has been giving me a lot of free points, a lot of confidence in the matches." Defending champion Andy Murray, who had a bye in the first round and a walkover in the second, had an easy outing against Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov. Murray, chasing his third successive title in Shanghai, converted five of his six break-point chances to win 6-2 6-2 in under an hour. "I think I did a decent job," Murray, who lost to Milos Raonic in the Japan Open semi-finals last week, said. “It's very, very different conditions to last week. I just tried to stay solid and not go for the lines too much early on." Big-serving American John Isner, seeded number eight, hit 17 aces to Radek Stepanek's four but the Czech still managed to eke out a 6-4 6-7 6-3 victory to set up a quarter-final date with third seed Murray. Fourth seed Tomas Berdych battled past American Sam Querrey 6-2 6-7 6-4 in two hours 13 minutes to keep alive his hopes of qualifying for November's season-ending World Tour finals in London. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, seeded fifth, also remained on course for London by defeating Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-2 7-6. “I feel like I (am) playing (a) really good level," Tsonga said. "I played great. I think I (have) improved my game a bit these last couple of months. "I (have) worked a lot. It's only now (that) I (have) started to play well, so I hope I will continue to play like this." Bhupathi-Bopanna beat Treat-Marray
Indian doubles pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna entered the quarterfinals after beating Treat Huey and Jonathan Marray in straight sets. The seventh seeded Indians got the better of the American-British unseeded combo 7-6 (9) 6-4 in an hour and 16 minutes. Bhupathi and Bopanna, who had got a first round bye, converted just one out of two breakpoints to walk away with the match comfortably. They will next take on the winners of another second round match between Tomas Berdych and Nenad Zimonjic and second seeds Max Miryni and Daniel Nestor. — Reuters |
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Cleaner, greener Buddh circuit for Indian GP
New Delhi, October 11
The second edition of the FI Grand Prix will be held at the Buddh International Circuit at the Jaypee Sports City in Greater Noida from October 26 to 28, and nothing is left to chance to make it the best. The entire complex is tidier and greener than the last year, as extensive landscaping has been carried out to make it lush green. The tracks have been swept clean to be rid of dust — a problem that hounded the race last year — while some mending works have been carried out on the curves and kerbs for better safety. Race Operations General Manager Farhan Vohra said at a media interaction at the race venue here today that turn 8-9 kerb has been extended from five to 15 metres while turn 2-3 and 7-8 will have Astroturf lining to provide additional safety at the run-off areas. The height of all the kerbs across the circuit now stands at 25mm, which will provide greater safety features. Special mechanised dusters have been hired from the Bahrain GP authorities to clean up the minutest dust particles from all over the track, which cannot be washed with regular dusters. “Last year, drivers were taking short cuts on turns 6-7 and 8-9. The alterations have been made on the turns to discourage drivers to use more than the width required,” noted Vohra. He added that unless a dust-storm happens, the tracks will be totally dust free. Overall, not many extensive changes have to be made at the race venue, but the logistics involved in organising the actual races remain intimidating. In the next few days, around 1500 tons of goods will be carted to the circuit, out of which 660 tons will be brought by air and the rest by sea. The car fuel and car tyres have started arriving by ship, and other stuff are on the way. “With the experience of hosting the race last year, the movement of cargo has been made smooth. More than 30 per cent of equipment has arrived and before October 25, 95 per cent of equipments will have reached the race venue,” said Sougoto Das, AGM of Cargo and Logistics. There will be in all 850 marshals, down from last year’s 1150. “We had no experience then, now we know the actual requirements of marshals,” added Das. Drawing from last year's experience, every effort has been made to make the traffic-flow smooth, parking etc. confusion free. And it will not be all action and no fun. On the race day on October 28, playback singer Shaan and the music director duo of Vishal and Shekhar will entertain the spectators near the east stands. The grandstand tickets have been priced at Rs 21,000 for the first two days and Rs 12,000 for the last day. The rates for the other stands range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000.
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India-born Monisha is first woman F1 team principal
Yeongam (South Korea), October 11 Sauber had already stated he did not want to run the team after turning 70 next year. However, he will continue in his role as President of the Sauber Group`s board of directors. Team Sauber started in F1 in 1991 with drivers JJ Lehto and Karl Wendlinger driving cars powered by engines built by Ilmor but rebadged as Saubers. The team is currently sixth in the constructors` championship, 20 points behind Mercedes. Monisha aspired to be an astronaut as a kid. At the age of eight, her family moved to Vienna, where her uncle was employed in the International Atomic Energy Agency. She secured her bachelor`s degree in law from the University of Vienna in 1995 and went on to get a Master`s degree in International Business Law from the London School of Economics in 1996. Monisha got her first job in Stuttgart in Germany and also worked for the United Nations and a few law firms in Germany and Austria. — Reuters
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Spain face tricky Belarus, big guns on alert
London, October 11 The Spanish that their Group I game in Minsk is far from a foregone conclusion after midfielder Javi Martinez’s club side Bayern Munich lost 3-1 at Belarussian champions BATE Borisov in the Champions League last week. A late 1-0 win in Georgia for the world and European champions in their group opener last month was also a reminder of the cliche that there are “no easy games”, even if the Netherlands and England do have simple-looking matches. The Dutch, the 2010 runners-up, host tiny Andorra in Group D while England, who drew 1-1 at home with Ukraine in a lacklustre second Group H game, welcome a San Marino side joint bottom of the FIFA rankings before a tougher test in Poland on Tuesday. Italy and Germany have similar matches to Spain’s, ones they should easily win but that on occasions provide a bolt from the blue. The Germans travel to injury-hit Ireland looking to make it three wins from three in Group C and Euro 2012 runners-up Italy visit unknowns Armenia in Group B. Germany’s Mario Goetze and Lukas Podolski are nursing minor knocks but will be fit for the Dublin clash, however, defender Mats Hummels is out and captain Philipp Lahm is suspended. One player expected to fit for arguably the juiciest-looking clash on Friday is Real Madrid’s Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in line to face Russia away in Group F having almost recovered from a shoulder injury. In another intriguing encounter, Belgium — many pundits’ outside tip to shine when the soccer carnival rolls into Brazil in two years’ time — go to Serbia in Group A but midfielder Marouane Fellaini is injured. — Reuters
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Haryana, Chandigarh girls to clash for hockey title
Sonepat, October 11 While Haryana posted a 5-3 win over last year's runners-up Jharkhand to enter the final, Chandigarh beat defending champions Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy (MPHA) via penalty shootout to book a berth in the final. Haryana scored through Navneet Kaur (8th, 10th min), Manjit Kaur (11th, 46th) and Malkit Kaur (43rd), while Punam M Tete (24th) and Sabnam Lakra (45th, 57th) were on target for Jharkhand. Haryana looked a better outfit with a lot of character and composure, even as Jharkhand committed far too many errors that put them on the defensive for most part of the match. The hosts controlled and dictated the pace from the start. There was also variety in their moves with the forwards never starved of passes from the midfield. Up front, the Haryana forwards showcased their skill and pace to repeatedly wrong foot the defenders. And at the back, they always had enough players to repel Jharkhand attacks. Centre forward Navneet Kaur, who has scored 20 goals in the tournament so far, once again made important contribution in Haryana's victory by hitting the target twice against Jharkhand. “We played to a definite plan today and that was to be selective in going on the attacks. That helped us to have sufficient players in the defence," said Haryana coach Pritam Siwach. “Our centre forward Navneet Kaur did a wonderful job. We'll show better game in the final against Chandigarh.” In the other semifinal, Chandigarh goalkeeper Inderpreet Kaur became the star with three saves to lead her team to the final of the tournament after the match ended in a 3-3 draw against MPHA following the regulation time and 15-minute extra time. MPHA scored the opening goal in the 6th minute through Reena Katariya and two minutes later Shivani Singh converted the penalty corner to make it two. Chandigarh scored in 14th minute through Pooja Rani and then levelled the scores in the 26th minute with the penalty corner conversion by Navpreet Kaur. — PTI
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From Bollywood gossip to documentary Chandigarh, October 11 For someone who has learnt his lessons the hard way, Yuvraj is willing to take some more. His enthusiasm shows he is a game for it. "The comeback was very satisfying. It was an emotional thing. I could not score much but I fielded and bowled well," he lists out the positives. If comeback was an emotional thing, the way ahead will be strewn with stark realities probing him no end and, it seems, Yuvraj has a fair inkling of it. A longer format under the glaring sun will be a lot more taxing on his body, nobody needs to remind him. His will too would be tested to the hilt, he admits realistically. "Till now, it was a bit easy. It will be hard for me from here on. But I have been training hard at NCA Bangalore. I have been running long distances to build my stamina. My body has been responding well. It's a good signal, I hope,” he says, adding: “No matter how hard I train, I still need to be match-fit. A match (practise) is still a match. I have three or four Duleep Trophy matches before the England's tour that will come in good stead for me.” Those are the words of a seasoned cricketer who has turned a new leaf from a near-showboat to a worldly wise practitoner of the game. No wonder, cricket's most loved ward touches mothers' heart more than the swooning college goers on his comeback. Still, off and on, the Yuvraj of yore comes to the fore. The fondness with which he drives his convertible BMW whenever he is back home. The car which keeps reminding him of the greener side of his eventful life. From endless Bollywood gossip, to being the subject of a sombre documentary for cancer survivors. Wonder if he is destined to see the best of both sides of the coin...
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If the United States Anti-Doping Agency is right, then Lance Armstrong cheated his way to the top of the cycling world through an elaborate doping scheme never seen before in the sport.
Hotel rooms were transformed into blood banks as riders were given late-night transfusions, doctors were paid off and competitors were warned about tests in advance, said the anti-doping agency, or
USADA.
Mumbai, October 11
Second seed Novak Djokovic served well and barely broke a sweat as he marched past Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters tennis on Thursday.
An error-prone Roger Federer recovered in time to beat compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6 7-6 6-0 to guarantee his 300th week at the top of the world rankings. The top seed and world number one Swiss will play Marin Cilic from Croatia, who defeated Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 4-6 6-1 6-4, for a place in the semi-finals.
The vastness of the place, the logistics involved in the organisation of the India Formula I Grand Prix, are so mind-boggling that an observer can only gape in wonderment as an army of people works feverishly to get the tracks and other facilities in place.
Indian-born Monisha Kaltenborn has become the first woman Team Principal in Formula One after taking over the job in the fourth oldest F1 team in the paddock — Sauber. Monisha took over after Peter Sauber decided to step back from his daily assignment of the team that he founded in 1991.
There was an invisible ceiling that had to be broken. He broke it with a celebrated comeback in the T20 World Cup. The looks of a relieved man notwithstanding, there still remain existential questions that keep knocking on Yuvraj Singh's mindscape tenaciously.
