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FIXING
ROW
‘Slight mistake caused Working Committee meet to be cancelled’
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Oz complains to ICC about Khawaja decision
It feels like a dream, says Mohit
Slapped, humiliated, Jharkhand girls now toast of nation
Wenger still targeting Suarez despite snub
14 clubs fail licensing test
Indian girls lose to Netherlands Lochte wins third 200 metres backstroke gold
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FIXING
ROW Srinivasan recuses himself from IPL GC meet, joins after decision to go to Supreme Court taken M.S.Unnikrishnan Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 2 The BCCI feared that holding the Working Committee meeting, without gaining a favourable ruling from the Supreme Court against the Bombay HC verdict, would land it in a legal tangle, and hence the WC meeting was called off, without Srinivasan chairing it. Another reason for the cancellation of the meeting was that the word “emergency” had not been added to the letters sent out to members for today’s Working Committee meeting, which was considered a “major technical flaw”, having legal implications. “The meeting itself is technically invalid as it was necessary to mention the word ‘emergency’ if a Working Committee meeting was called within 72 hours after the last meeting (which was held in Kolkata two days ago),” pointed out an official. Before the Working Committee meeting, Srinivasan and BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley, the legal eagle of the Board, were learnt to have been closeted to discuss the implication of the HC ruling following an PIL filed by Cricket Association of Bihar secretary Aditya Verma. The majority of the BCCI members felt that it would be prudent to cancel the Working Committee meeting and maintain status quo, with Jagmohan Dalmiya continuing as the interim president, else there would be a spate of PILs across the country. Aditya Verma and Union Minister Subhodh Kanth Sahai had threatened to take criminal action against Srinivasan if he attended today’s meeting. Srinivasan was keen to return as the BCCI president and chair today’s meeting as the BCCI probe panel had not indicted him or his son-in-law, though the court had not given him a clean chit on the betting angle. Supreme Court to give final verdict
Srinivasan’s return as the BCCI president would now depend on the ruling of the Supreme Court, as the BCCI would be filing a Special League Petition challenging the HC order, which has questioned the two-member BCCI panel’s exoneration of Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan in the spot-fixing scandal. It is understood that at the IPL Governing Council meeting, which preceded the Working Committee meeting, chaired by Rajeev Shukla, was not attended by Srinivasan. Though some Board members later explained later that the Working Committee was not held as there was “no agenda”, the Board did not want to get into the wrong side of the law by holding the WC meeting when the ramifications of the HC ruling were not clear. Initially, the BCCI did not bother to give any official explanation for the cancellation of the Working Committee meeting, as even Dalmiya kept a monk-like visage as he came out of the meeting hall. Regarding the IPL Governing Council meeting, which was chaired by Shukla (Dalmiya has not accepted his resignation which he had tendered after the spot-fixing scandal broke out), the BCCI explained that “N. Srinivasan having ‘recused’ himself, the meeting considered at length the issues arising from the Bombay High Court order regarding the constitution of the probe commission, which was formed to investigate the complaints made by the BCCI against India Cements Ltd, Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Ltd, Mr Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra”. The members felt that it was important that the GC’s “actions be seen to be both legally and ethically correct”. But the GC believed
that the probe commission was “properly constituted in accordance with the IPL Operational Rules,
and has consequently decided that an appeal should be filed in the Supreme Court”. “This decision having been made, Mr N Srinivasan rejoined the meeting and, in the light of the pending appeal to the Supreme Court, requested Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya to continue discharging his functions as the BCCI president”, the BCCI stated
in a statement. The IPL GC also decided to replace former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale and treasurer Ajay Shirke, who had resigned following the spot-fixing scandal, with present secretary
Sanjay Patel and treasurer Ravi Sawant in the Ethics Commission. |
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‘Slight mistake caused Working Committee meet to be cancelled’
New Delhi, August 2 “A normal working committee meeting requires more time,” he added. “Unfortunately it was just four days time. To avoid the technicality of it, the meeting was cancelled.” As the meeting was called off, N Srinivasan had to postpone his attempt to reinstate himself as BCCI president. Patel said the meeting had been called to discuss the findings of the IPL Governing Council. “All the members were apprised of the present situation (after the court order),” he said. “The meeting was only called for discussing IPL Governing Council’s outcome. That was the only agenda. So for that matter also agenda was not circulated.” “Let me clarify - Srinivasan has already taken over after the Working Committee meeting in Kolkata. And after he had resumed the duty, the High Court order was received. So he said he will step side till the time till the time an order comes from the Supreme Court,” he said. “Elected president of the board is Mr Srinivasan and he has only suggested and requested Mr Dalmiya to continue the way we are functioning right now. We are glad that Mr Dalmiya has accepted to work in this situation,” Patel said. Another BCCI official, vice president Niranjan Shah, who yesterday said that the BCCI should investigate the spot-fixing row afresh, said he was happy that the meeting was cancelled. “I am very happy that the BCCI has today taken a very nice step to improve its image,” Shah said. “. There is no friction in the BCCI. Sometimes, we have different opinions… Everything went on very smoothly.” “I had said, if needed, the BCCI should constitute a probe panel according to the High Court’s order,” he said when asked about the comments he made yesterday. Dalmiya himself kept mum and was quite abrupt when the media tried to talk with him. “They are giving a paper (press release) and collect it,” he said to reporters who accosted him at the airport. “Why have you come here? You have to be at the right place.” — TNS
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Swann on song but Pup bites back; Oz turn the tide on Day 2
Manchester, August 2 England were 52 for two at stumps after painstaking play. With his under-pressure side 2-0 down in the five-match series, Australia captain Michael Clarke earlier led from the front and moved on from his overnight 125 to craft a near chanceless 187 - his highest Test score against England. His bold declaration after tea caught many at Old Trafford on the hop but his statement of intent was heeded by his bowlers, who kept things tight against nervous batsmen. Captain Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 36 and Jonathan Trott on two after Joe Root edged Peter Siddle behind for eight and Tim Bresnan (1) seemed to do the same. However replays suggested no nick, but he did not review. His wicket was Broad’s 200th in Test cricket. but it was scant consolation for England, who have seen Aussies rack up handy scores. Graeme Swann did take five for 149, removing Smith. His dismissal prompted the return of David Warner. Warner booed
Warner was widely booed and taunted from the packed stands as he walked to the crease. He got a thick edge on five off Swann Warner conferred with Clarke and reviewed, but replays showed a clear nick and there was nothing wrong with the catch. — Reuters
Scoreboard England 1st innings |
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Oz complains to ICC about Khawaja decision
Manchester, August 2 Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena upheld an on-field call on Thursday, despite replay technology failing to provide any evidence that Khawaja touched the ball with his bat. Cricket Australia says it has “sought an explanation from the ICC” because “in our view, the on-field decision and referred decision using DRS were both incorrect.”The dubious decision was widely condemned, with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tweeting: “That was one of the worst cricket umpiring decisions I have ever seen.” Shane Warne called it a “ridiculous decision.” — Reuters
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It feels like a dream, says Mohit
Bulawayo, August 2 Mohit’s 2/26 in 10 overs, including three maidens, in the fourth one-dayer against Zimbabwe was crucial to India’s comprehensive nine-wicket win on Thursday. “Yeah, it all feels like a dream,” Mohit said. “But I have worked on my bowling and it is showing. I am ready to do well in whatever opportunity I am going to get. I was just focusing on keeping things simple and sticking to basics. I did not want to try too many things and it worked for me today,” he added. Mohit, who came into the spotlight with impressive performances in the IPL this season, said it was not easy to send down miserly spells during powerplays. “It is difficult to bowl in Powerplays but we work hard in practice sessions,” Mohit explained. “We create match situations during training and bowl a lot and that has helped in matches. And that is why we don’t feel much pressure in matches. “Playing under Mahi bhai (regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni) and in pressure conditions has taught me a lot. I am just carrying that experience into the international level,” he said. Mohit said he is content with the way he is bowling right now and is not looking to improvise much for the time being. “After coming into the team I have learnt a lot from bowling coach Joe Dawes. It’s just about sticking to the basics and working on your strengths and improving on that,” he said. — PTI
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Slapped, humiliated, Jharkhand girls now toast of nation
Ranchi, August 2 Chief Minister Hemant Soren handed over cash prize and sporting kits to the 18 tribal girls, besides allocating land for a stadium. “To encourage the excellent performance by the little girls in Spain, the government has decided to give a cash prize of Rs 21,000 to each of the participating player, sporting kit to the team and a five acre ground to enable them carry their football skills further," Soren said. “The ground has been identified at Bahumaja in Ormanjhi (on the outskirts of Ranchi), and within six months it will be developed into stadium for the children. “Later, it will be expanded into residential sports complex to enable children to get training staying there,” he said. 13-year-old Rinki Kumari yesterday recalled how a panchayat sevak had humiliated, slapped and forced to sweep floors when they went to the Panchayat Office to get their birth certificates for their passports.“We could not sleep that night (when we came third in the tournament)” says Rinky Kumari, one of the girls. “That is the pain of being a tribal girl in India. I do not remember the slap, I remember the Cup.” “Action has already been taken. The government will ensure preventing such incidents in future," Soren replied when asked on the erring panchayat sevak, whom the girls had accused of humiliation. The panchayat sevak was removed from his post by the district administration. The team consisted of tribal girls from Jharkhand who were trained in football by the NGO Yuwa, with most of them being victims of child marriage and human trafficking. Yuwa worked to provide them with new opportunities through sports and education. The team made it to the group phase before being knocked out by Santa Teresa of Spain.The team also made a visit to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on July 7, which is home to 9-times Champions League winners Real Madrid. — PTI
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Washington, August 2 Up by two breaks, the unseeded Bopanna and Begemann easily pocketed the first set, but their rivals fought back in the second. Peya and Soares saved all seven break chances they faced in the second set and succeeded in stretching the match to the tie-breaker. However, Bopanna and Begemann regrouped and prevailed in the match tie-breaker. They won 77 points to the 58 by their rivals. Somdev loses to Isner
Indian tennis star Somdev Devvarman bowed out of the ATP Washington Open after going down in straight sets to eighth seeded American John Isner in the third round. The unseeded Indian lost 5-7 5-7 to his “good friend” in what was their first encounter on the circuit. Faced with an opponent ranked more than 100 places above him in the ATP list, Somdev fought well in the opening set, saving as many as six break points. But Somdev, who registered a stunning 6-3 7-6 (7/4) win over defending champion Alexandr Dolgopolov in the previous round, could never really pile the pressure on Isner. The American, in the end, managed to get the crucial break and held his while holding his own serve to pocket the set. Isner, in fact, did not concede a single break point in the entire match. The local favourite increased his dominance in the second set, sending down nine aces in the process. The world No. 129 Indian, who served brilliantly in the previous match, with nine aces and only one double fault, had to fight hard to hold his serve against the tall American, but conceded in crucial situations. Isner managed to break Somdev once out of the three chances he earned to seal the issue. He will next face Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the quarterfinal. Results: Men’s R3 Tommy Haas (Germany) beat Ivan Dodig (Croatia) 6-4 4-6 7-5; Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) beat Bernard Tomic (Australia) 6-3 6-3; Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) beat 2-Kei Nishikori (Japan) 6-1 6-2; Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) beat Sam Querrey (U.S.) 6-3 6-2, John Isner (U.S.) beat Somdev Devvarman (India) 7-5 7-5. — Agencies |
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Wenger still targeting Suarez despite snub
London, August 2 “We will completely respect what Liverpool want to do,” Wenger, talking before this weekend’s friendly pre-season warm-up Emirates Cup competition, said. “We want to sign the player if it is feasible in an amicable way. I am a great believer you have to keep as much confidentiality as possible, which is quite difficult in the modern world. But we work very hard, not only on the case you name, but on other different cases.” Suarez, 26, scored 29 goals for Liverpool in all competitions last season, but is currently four matches into a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in a Premier League match at Anfield last April. Liverpool have continually maintained throughout the close-season that Suarez is not for sale and last week Liverpool owner John W. Henry appeared to ridicule Arsenal’s latest bid after the Gunners tabled an offer of 40 million pounds plus one pound ($61.47 million) for the striker. The unusual offer was intended to trigger a clause in the Uruguayan international’s contract that says Liverpool must inform the striker of Arsenal’s interest. Henry said on his verified Twitter account: “What do you think they are smoking over there at Emirates?” Wenger said he was also optimistic of strengthening his squad before the transfer deadline ends on September 2. “We are working very hard to strengthen our squad. I am confident. You look at many teams around us. Nothing has happened until now,” he said. — Reuters
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New Delhi, August 2 Girija Shanker Mungali chaired the Club Licensing Committee meeting organised by the AIFF at Football House here on Friday. The five-member committee appointed by the AIFF included FIFA Regional Developmental Officer for South and Central Asia include Shaji Prabhakaran, Ushanath Banerjee, Punkaj Jain and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar, apart from the chairman himself. Besides the heavyweights from Goa and Kolkata, the 14 clubs included Pune FC, Salgaocar SC, Sporting Clube de Goa, Prayag United SC, United Sikkim, Mohammedan Sporting, Mumbai FC, Rangdajied FC, Shillong Lajong FC and Pailan Arrows. All the clubs have been given a lifeline by the AIFF by allowing them to appeal or seek an exemption for the National License to participate in I League and Federation Cup this season. The request for an exemption to compete in the National Club Competitions has to be sent to AIFF`s Club Licensing manager, Roma Khanna, by August 14. This exemption is mandatory, without which the clubs will not be allowed to compete in the I-League. AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said: “This is a mandate given by AFC, and approved and accepted by the AIFF. So the Licensing Criteria is a must, and all the clubs need to abide by it. The committee went through the evaluation in great detail. The process was fair and independent.” The AIFF started the process in January to implement Indian Club Licensing for the first time. This included an inspection of all the clubs in May and June when a five-member team visited the clubs. — PTI
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Indian girls lose to Netherlands Monchengladbach, August 2 The Indians, who registered their best ever performance in this tournament, put up a brave fight against their fancied rivals but it was not enough to earn them a place in the title clash. The Dutch girls sounded the board thrice through Lieke van Wijk (17th minute), Lisanne de Lange (57th) and Lisa Scheerlinck (68th) to complete a resounding victory and seal their place in Sunday's final. While Netherlands will face Argentina in the summit clash, India will take on England for the third place play off match. India put an inspired performance in the opening 17 minutes before Netherlands took the lead through tournament's top-scorer van Wijk, who converted her side's first penalty corner. India stepped the pace up after the break and forced their second penalty corner in the 41st minute but to no avail. With six minutes from the hooter, Rani got a great opportunity to pull one back for the Indians only to be denied by Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal. Lisa Scheerlinck took the game away from India's grasp scoring from a counter-attack just two minutes from time. — PTI
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Lochte wins third 200 metres backstroke gold Barcelona, August 2 The decorated 28-year-old clocked a time of one minute 53.79 seconds, with Radoslaw Kawecki of Poland taking silver in 1:54.24 and Lochte's compatriot, Olympic champion Tyler Clary, bronze in 1:54.64. Lochte, who won 200 metres individual medley gold on Thursday, is only the second man to win three 200 backstroke titles after compatriot and world record holder Aaron Peirsol, who won four in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2009. Lochte was champion in 2007 and at the last world championships in Shanghai two years ago. Meanwhile, Cate Campbell of Australia won gold in the women's 100 metres freestyle. Campbell clocked a time of 52.34 seconds, with Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden taking silver in 52.89 and Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands bronze in 53.42. American teenager Missy Franklin, who has four golds this week, was fourth. — Reuters
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Rajeev Shukla firm on leaving IPL post Tiwary set to leave for England for knee surgery South Africa defeat Sri Lanka by 12 runs Shot putter stripped of 4 medals for doping IBL announces 11th players of five teams Ailing Federer pulls out of Montreal Masters Diptayan top seed in Chess Sub Jr Nationals
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New Delhi, August 2
Manchester, August 2
