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IOA closes ranks to keep chargesheet clause at bay
India ‘a’
tour to South Africa |
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Women archers retain world title
India thrash Pakistan to emerge Asian champs
Ashes finale ends in draw
Sindhu helps Warriors beat Mumbai
Usual suspects to the fore in US Open
Sania-Zheng win New Haven title
Sturridge’s magic takes Liverpool to the top
We need to keep innovating for boxing to grow: Akhil
Vettel stretches lead with Belgian GP win
Korea test awaits India
Sanawar boys trounce YPS Mohali
Punjab state inter-school shooting concludes
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IOA closes ranks to keep chargesheet clause at bay
New Delhi, August 25 The three-member IOC team, headed by Francisco J Ellzalde, and consisting of Jerome Poivey and Hyder Farman (representing the Olympic Council of Asia), understood the dilemma of the IOA having to fall in line with the law of the land, as well as the Olympic Charter and the Sports Code, though the observers made it clear that despite their report, the final decision on the revocation of IOA’s suspension will rest with the IOC Executive Board. The meeting, chaired by S. Raghunathan, and attended by 161 of the 182 members — a notable absentee being IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra (recognized by the IOC) — was rather cordial, barring the dissenting voice raised by super cop KPS Gill and Ashok Mathur, representing the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), though they were silenced by the majority on the plea that the IHF was not recognized by the IOA. (The IOA recognizes only Hockey India, but the IHF got a court order to attend the IOA meeting). The three-member National Rifle Association of India team, led by its president Raninder Singh, was not allowed to attend the meeting, on the plea that there was a court case regarding the NRAI elections, and thus the matter was sub-judice. The cordial interaction by IOC member in India Randhir Singh with IOA president Abhay Singh Chautala and secretary-general Lalit Bhanot was proof enough that the IOA had closed ranks to get its suspension revoked, which was evident from some of the major decisions taken at the meeting. Some compliance The IOA SGBM decided to fully adhere to the IOC rule on age limit (70 years as the upper age limit for contesting the top posts in the IOA), and also agreed to form an Ethics Commission, within a week consisting of independent members, which will go into cases relating to charge-sheeted and convicted officials, and give its opinion within 60 days. And it was also decided to debar anybody convicted of any offence, including corruption, from contesting for any post for two years, but the chargesheeted will be allowed to contest, though their cases will be examined by the Ethics Commission, and its decision would be forwarded to the IOA Executive, which will take the final call. Regarding tenure limits, the IOA decided to go by the IOC rule, but only with prospective, and not retrospective, effect. Which would mean that even if an official had held on to a post for three consecutive terms before, he would still be eligible to seek fresh election, as the tenure limit will apply only with prospective effect — from the date of the fresh election. The IOC had also suggested that the number of executive members of the IOA be reduced from 39 to 19, but the meeting today decided to peg the number at 29. It was also decided to give three votes to the National Sports Federations, two votes to the State Olympic Associations, two votes to Union Territories with Assemblies and one vote to a Union Territory. Election panel A three-member Election Commission, consisting of retired judges, Justice S.N. Sapra, Justice M. Kalla and Justice Lokeshwar Prasad, was constituted to conduct the IOA elections. “I have positive feelings. The meeting was a step closer to the IOA finally joining the Olympic family,” said IOC observer Francisco J. Ellzalde. “We have great respect for India. We will report to the IOC what we have observed today. We are all working together as we want to get rid of this problem,” added Ellzalde. But he added that the IOA needed to get its act together as it needed to have “lots of self discipline within.” A member of IOC’s Ethics Commission, Ellzalde admitted that he had been sent on a difficult task, but added with a mischievous smile: “I may have to come back and witness the (IOA) elections! The next step is for the IOC to accept the Sports Code.” He said he will not guarantee anything, but he was hopeful of a positive response from the IOC “as the IOA has proposed a different approach to the problem.”
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India ‘a’
tour to South Africa
Pretoria, August 25 Ambati Rayudu (14 batting) and Perveez Rasool (0 batting) were at the crease during close of play as the visitors need another 47 runs to reach the magic figure of 192 in order to avoid follow on. India lost five wickets for only 50 runs after being comfortably placed at 95 for one with skipper Cheteshwar Pujara (54) well set. The moment Indian captain was dismissed by left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks at the stroke of tea, the final session turned completely in favour of hosts. The team management paid the price for resting last match's centurions Sharma and Raina along with in-form Dhawan. While one of the replacements Dinesh Karthik (9) was dismissed by offie Simon Harmer caught by Rilee Russouw, the other Stuart Binny (0) was cleaned up playing to a wrong line. Murali Vijay (4) and Ajinkya Rahane (36, 5x4), who got set, couldn't read the angle of left-arm seamer Hendricks' delivery. Wriddhiman Saha (14) was done in by pace of Kyle Abbott. Pujara looked solid during his innings of 54 as he hit five fours facing 97 balls. One cover drive off Wayne Parnell stood out. Earlier, South Africa finished their first innings on a healthy 341 after being down in the dumps at 97 for six. Parnell (91) and Harmer (96) added 186 runs for the seventh wicket to take the Proteas to a position of safety. Both Parnell and Harmer were unlucky to miss out on what should have been well deserved centuries. — PTI Scoreboard S. Africa A 1st innings (Overnight 231/6) Parnell c Saha b Pandey 91 Harmer lbw b Nadeem 96 Abbott c Rahane b Nadeem 1 Birch not out 44 Hendricks b Kaul 10 Extras: (b 4, lb 4, nb 3) 11 Total: (all out; 121 overs) 341 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-2, 3-11, 4-51, 5-97, 6-97, 7-283, 8-285, 9-291 Bowling Pandey 24-5-67-3 Kaul 23-5-71-2 Binny 17-9-27-0 Nadeem 33-9-99-3 Rasool 21-6-55-2 Rayudu 3-0-14-0 India A 1st innings Pujara c Harmer b Hendricks 54 Vijay lbw b Hendricks 4 Rahane lbw b Hendricks 36 Karthik c Rossouw b Harmer 9 Rayudu batting 14 Saha lbw b Abbott 14 Binny b Harmer 0 Rasool batting 0 Extras: (b 4, nb 10) 14 Total: (6 wkts; 51.3 overs) 145 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-95, 3-106, 4-122, 5-144, 6-145 Bowling Abbott 14.3-5-42-1 Hendricks 14-7-28-3 Parnell 2-1-5-0 Birch 7-2-23-0 Harmer 14-3-43-2
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Women archers retain world title
Patiala, August 25 Considering the performances in the qualification round and the eliminations, the Koreans were the favourites for the title despite the fact that the Indian women had won the gold medal in the third stage of the World Cup. But the Indian archers did not lose their nerve and displayed excellent consistency by scoring their highest points in the final to win the title. It was Korea who scored much below their average in the finals and had to be content with the silver. While the Indian trio scored 219 in the race for gold despite a stiff wind, the Koreans who had scored above 222 in every match before the final, could gather only 214 points. However, this was India's only medal in the tournament as the other archers could not make an impression and failed to make it even to the semifinals in any of the events in both individual and team events. |
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India thrash Pakistan to emerge Asian champs
Singapore, August 25 One of cricket’s most famous rivalries at the junior level was reduced to a one-sided contest as the Indian Colts chased down the 160-run target in just 33.4 overs at the Kallang Ground. In the bowling department, Baba Aparajith shone with a three-wicket burst, while pacers Sandeep Warrier and Sandeep Sharma grabbed two wickets each. Rahul missed out on what would have been a well-deserved century by just seven runs but stitched an unbroken 132-run stand for the second wicket with Manprit Juneja (51 not out) as India rounded off their impressive unbeaten run in the tournament. India suffered an early blow in their run chase when former U-19 skipper Unmukt Chand was caught by wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps off Raza Hasan for 15 runs.
In the process, Rahul reached his half-century with the help of eight boundaries as the Pakistani bowlers looked clueless to defend a small total on a lively Kallang pitch. Rahul even smashed spinner Hasan for a six in the 32nd over to clear the deep midwicket fence. All the Indian U-23s players took a victory lap after their triumph.Earlier, Pakistan had an early advantage to score the runs after winning the toss but they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Pakistan suffered early blows when openers Mohammad Rizwan (21) and Babar Azam (7) fell to pacers Warrier and Sharma respectively. Usman Salahuddin (15) and Umar Waheed (41) steadied the ship with a fifty-plus stand for the third wicket but both fell in quick succession. Brief Scores: Pakistan Under-23: 159 all out in 47 overs (Umar Waheed 41, Usman Qadir 33; Baba Aparajith 3/28, Sandeep Sharma 2/20);India Under-23: 160 for one in 33.4 overs (Lokesh Rahul 93 not out, Manprit Juneja 51 not out; Raza Hasan 1/41). — PTI
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London, August 25 As play had gone beyond the scheduled close, a restart was impossible and England finished on 206 for five off 40 overs with Chris Woakes 17 not out. This draw meant Australia had failed to win a single Test in an Ashes series for the first time since a 3-0 loss in England in 1977, and left them winless in their last nine Tests against all opponents. Australia lost six quick wickets before declaring at tea on 111 for six to set England a victory target of 227 on the final day of the fifth Ashes Test. — Agencies
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Sindhu helps Warriors beat Mumbai
Bangalore, August 25 The contest between the two teams was close till the fourth match of the tie, but the mixed doubles pair of M Kido-Pia Bernadeth of Warriors finally brought cheers for their fans as they defeated Masters Ivanov Vladimir and Siki Reddy 21-19, 21-15 in the decider.After this win, Warriors are placed at fourth on the table with twelve points from two wins and two loses in four ties. They will next play the second-placed Pune Pistons on August 26 in Hyderabad. Though Masters lost the tie, they are placed joint-first on the points table with fifteen points in five ties with two wins and three loses. They though have exhausted their league matches while Hyderabad, who are current joint table-toppers have a match in hand. Rising shuttlers PV Sindhu and Vladimir Ivanov won their respective singles matches as Masters and Warriors were tied at 1-1. The tall Russian, who has been in good form in the mixed doubles so far with his team-mate Sikki Reddy, started the proceedings for the Masters. Ivanov rode on his powerful smashes and better placements to tame Gurusaidutt 21-18, 21-20, 11-9 in the first men's singles match to give Masters a 1-0 lead over Warriors. Sindhu then prevailed over Tine Baun. 21-12, 19-21, 11-8. — PTI
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Usual suspects to the fore in US Open
New York, August 25 If history and current form are any guide, only five men - Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro - have any real chance of wearing the hardcourt crown. Since the 2005 French Open, only five men have won grand slam singles titles but rarely have all five been in contention at the same event. But this time they are and the US Open is the one grand slam where they all believe they have a chance. In the past five years, there have been five different winners at Flushing Meadows. Unsurprisingly, they are the same familiar faces contending this year and the stakes could not be higher with all five desperate to prove a point. For Federer, who won the title five times in a row from 2004-2008, it is looming as possibly one of his last chances to prove he is not a spent force. The Swiss master may be the most prolific grand slam winner of all time but he has struggled in recent years, winning just one of the last 14 majors. He still strikes the ball as sweetly as anyone but at age 32, he is not as nimble as his younger rivals and has started to slide down the rankings. Federer is seeded seventh this year and facing a treacherous path to the final, including a possible quarter-final showdown with his old nemesis Nadal. The Spaniard won the U.S. Open in 2010 to complete his collection of grand slam titles but the effort took a toll on his body. Apart from the French Open, where he remains virtually unbeatable, Nadal has not won any other grand slam title since the 2010 U.S. Open, stalling his chances of overtaking Federer’s record of 17 grand slam title. Nadal already has 12 grand slam titles but hardcourt looms as the key to his chances of overtaking Federer with two of the four majors played on the pavement. Unlike clay, where he can slide around and wear down his opponents with his relentless pursuit of everything hit at him, Nadal has to change his game on hardcourt. The 27-year-old has to play more aggressively and take more risks to shorten the points but it is a strategy he is becoming more comfortable with and finding success. This year he captured three of the four Masters events played on the North America hardcourts, including this month’s tournaments at Montreal and Cincinnati, and heads into the U.S. Open as the slight favourite, just ahead of Djokovic and Murray, last year’s finalists. — Reuters Day 1 action 3-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) v Silvia Soler-Espinosa (Spain) 12-Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium) v Venus Williams (U.S.) Ryan Harrison (U.S.) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain) 1-Serena Williams (U.S.) v Francesca Schiavone (Italy) 7-Roger Federer (Switzerland) v Grega Zemlja (Slovenia) Olga Govortsova (Belarus) v 5-Li Na (China) 8-Richard Gasquet (France) v Michael Russell (U.S.) Mandy Minella (Luxembourg) v 15-Sloane Stephens (U.S.) Nick Kyrgios (Australia) v 4-David Ferrer (Spain) Albert Ramos (Spain) v Bernard Tomic (Aus) 27-Fernando Verdasco (Spain) v Ivan Dodig (Croatia) 9-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) v Madison Keys (US)
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Sania-Zheng win New Haven title
New Haven, August 25 Mirza and Zheng fell behind an early break but quickly got back and from 3-3 in the first set, they won six of the next seven games to win the first set and take control of the second. They had trouble closing it out, as at 5-2 in the second set, Medina and Srebotnik won two games in a row and then got to deuce on Mirza’s serve before the Indo-Chinese duo finished off the triumph on their fifth match point. “We didn’t start the tournament too well, winning a couple of what you might call ugly matches,” Mirza said. “But we kept getting better with each match. It was great to play our best match in the final. It`s tough with this format. It`s relentless. There`s really no margin of error with the deuce points, the super tie-break. Today`s match was very tight with the deuce points. We won three deuce games in the second set.” Paes-Nestor win first ATP title as team
Winston-Salem(USA): Top seeds Leander Paes and Daniel Nestor won their first ATP World Tour team title on Saturday as they defeated Treat Huey and Dominic Inglot 7-6(10) 7-5 in the Winston-Salem Open final. —
Agencies |
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Sturridge’s magic takes Liverpool to the top
London, August 25 There were first victories of the season for Stoke City, who came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1, and Hull City, who beat Norwich City 1-0 despite having 10 men for most of the match. Everton drew their second successive game after failing to break down West Bromwich Albion in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park while Newcastle United’s match at home to West Ham United was also scoreless. Sunderland took the lead at Southampton through Italian Emanuele Giaccherini but Jose Fonte equalised with two minutes to play to earn a 1-1 draw. Liverpool, who have come in for criticism from fans for failing to pull off a big-name signing in the close season, put the transfer market out of their minds to outplay an organised Villa. The movement and slick passing of the five-times European champions enabled them to dominate the first half, taking the lead at Villa Park through Sturridge after 21 minutes. The England striker controlled a neat dummy from Philippe Coutinho, shifted the ball out of his feet and away from two defenders before rounding keeper Brad Guzan and stabbing high into the net for his second goal in as many games. After his penalty-saving heroics against Stoke last week, Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet produced two excellent stops to deny Christian Benteke, the second of which was an acrobatic one-handed push around the post. — Reuters
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We need to keep innovating for boxing to grow: Akhil
Mumbai, August 25 Speaking at the launch of the Humanoid and the Thwack combat product range in Bandra here, Akhil added: “The good thing is we are producing talented boxers at a consistent rate. But if anyone thinks that this is the time to reap the benefits, they are grossly mistaken. This is the time to work harder than ever before. Now that the country knows what we are capable of, it is all the more important to prove their confidence in us as a fraternity right.” Asked how a technological innovation like the Humanoid could help a boxer, Akhil said, “This is not just for boxers. Anyone who is into a combat sport, or even does combat training for fitness, can make use of it. For sportspersons, it is of course a big step forward. Practice is all about the closest possible simulation of a real fight,” Akhil said. “The Humanoid is responsive, balanced and the feel you get with every hit is as close as it gets to being real. This ensures that your punches are weighed the same as in a real fight. Your body will be as worked up as a real fight, and that, when added together, means that you train just like you fight. It is a massive step forward,” he said. Akhil also touched upon the future of Indian boxing and said that with the emergence of boxers like Mandeep Jangra, who recently won a silver at the Asian Boxing Championship, things were looking up. “Boys like Mandeep have not only the talent required, but also the right attitude. They will continue to do well for the country, and as the facilities continue to improve and they get more and more specialized training, things can only get better.”
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Vettel stretches lead with Belgian GP win
Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), August 25 Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, now his closest rival, finished second - a distant 16.8 seconds behind the Red Bull driver — after starting ninth. Vettel seized the lead from Mercedes’ pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton on the Kemmel straight after Eau Rouge and never looked back while threatened rain held off. The German now has 197 points to Alonso’s 151. “It was a fantastic race for us from start to finish really,” he said after his 31st career win. Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, winner of the previous race in Hungary and on pole for the fourth race in a row, took third place for Mercedes ahead of team mate Nico Rosberg and moved up to third overall on 139. Kimi Raikkonen’s run of 27 successive races in the points came to an end with the first retirement since his comeback last year. The Finn had started the day second in the championship but fell to fourth overall with 134 points after pulling into the pits and stopping with what looked like a brake problem. The race, on one of the fastest and most challenging circuits on the calendar, was no thriller and the outcome proved a disappointment for those fans who had hoped to see Vettel slowed on his march to a fourth successive title. “Today it was a little bit boring, we get second place but no threat to Sebastian Vettel and had no threat from behind,” said Alonso, whose team’s home Italian Grand Prix is next up. “It is an important weekend for us and the team and we arrived fully motivated and in Monza we would like to give some smiles to our fans.” Greenpeace activists demonstrating against race sponsor Shell had unfurled a banner from the roof of the main grandstand, opposite the VIP area, before the race as teams readied their cars. — Reuters
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Ipoh (Malaysia), August 25 India, who desperately need to win the Asia Cup to qualify for next year’s World Cup, started their campaign on a rousing note, thumping minnows Oman 8-0 in their opening pool match on Saturday. But it won`t be a stroll in the park for the 11th-ranked Indians against the quicksilver South Koreans, who will be desperate to assert their supremacy in the eight-nation event by defending their title. Having already qualified for the World Cup, the Koreans will look to spoil the party of arch-rivals India and Pakistan. But the Indians would be hoping to carry on the momentum in the coming matches. The inexperienced Indian forwardline comprising Mandeep Singh, Nithin Thimmaiah, Malak Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Nikin Thimmaiah impressed all against Oman. Young Mandeep scored three field goals against while debutant Ramandeep and Malak also impressed. The most heartening thing about the victory was that India scored five field goals. The midfield, led by inspirational captain Sardar Singh, and the forwardline combined well and concentrated on building formations. And India would look to play on similar lines against Korea, albeit with a few changes in the strategy as indicated by interim coach Roelant Oltmans. However, India`s backline, which is the team`s perennial problem, was not tested against Oman and it remains to be seen how the likes of V R Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh, debutant Amit Rohidas, Kothajit Singh, Birendra Lakra and Gurmail Singh fare under constant pressure from the nimble-footed Koreans. Pakistan beat Malaysia, enter semis
Three-time champions Pakistan became the first team to qualify for the semifinals after defeating Malaysia 4-1 in their second Pool A match, here on Sunday. Pakistan top Pool A with six points from two games ahead of Malaysia who have three points from as many games. — PTI |
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Sanawar boys trounce YPS Mohali
Chandigarh, August 25 There were some lapses initially as Sanawar boys couln’d finish. Moves by Arpit from the right flank and a try by Prithvi Chahal that missed the goal narrowly, were the two high points in first few minutes. A Adiraj thereafter was enough for Chahal to take the YPS goalkeeper by surprise and give Sanawar its first goal (1-0). Soon Jaideep followed suit and gave Sanawar its second goal. Displaying a blend of agility and skill Abhishek Gagneja gave Sanawar its third goal. YPS got a consolation when Sanawar goalkeeper mishandled the ball After toying with the YPS defense the home team stamped their dominance with the seventh goal by Udai Virmani. Arav Anand of Sanawar was declared the player of the match.
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Punjab state inter-school shooting concludes
Mohali, August 25 In the Open Sight Air Riffle NR Jr. Men Category, Jagdeep, Mansher and Manpreet won gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. Yadwinder, Swarndeep and Ajaypartap won gold, silver and bronze medals respectively in the Open Sight Air Riffle NR Sub Jr. Men Category. In the women category, Jasmeen Katodia, Venus Sharma and Jagdeep Kaur won gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.
In the sub junior women category, Preetinder Kaur won gold medal by scoring 278 points. India’s ace shooter Ronjan Sodhi, who has been recently chosen for Khel Ratna Award-2013 had interacted with the participants and encouraged them to work hard to carve a niche for themselves in shooting arena. The Punjab Revenue & Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who is also the President of Punjab Riffle Shooting Association (PRSA) Majithia said for the first time in the history of shooting, a prize money of nearly Rs.10 lakh is awarded for an Inter-school Championship. |
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the points raised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with regard to the amendments to the IOA constitution, was agreed upon almost “unanimously”, but considerably toned down, albeit after lengthy deliberations, which seemed to satisfy the three-member IOC observers.
Patiala, August 25
New York, August 25
Liverpool went level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table as they won 1-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday thanks to a superb individual goal from Daniel
Sturridge.
One of India’s finest boxers, Akhil Kumar feels that for the sport to make the most of its recent popularity and to ensure a long-term public support for it, innovation would be the key.
Akhil, remembered for the famous, and at times taunting, open-guard boxing style, feels that Indian boxers have the grit to match anyone; he thinks that all they need now is a nudge in the right direction with the help of technology.
Fateh Singh Dhillon won gold
medal by scoring 576 points in the Peep Sight Air Riffle ISSF junior men’s category.
Samiksha Dhingra, Shreya Bublani and Jaspreet Kaur got first three positions in the women’s event respectively of the 14th Punjab State Inter-School Shooting Championship at Mohali Shooting Range on Sunday.
Unmukt smashed three boundaries in his knock as India took the lunch at 38 for one with 122 still required from 43 overs. Rahul and Juneja then combined well and put up a fine batting display to take the team past 100 at the end of the 23rd over.
