New Delhi, August 31
In the absence of other big names, cricketer Virat Kohli hogged the spotlight as President Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Sports Awards at the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan here tonight.

Rising badminton star P.V. Sindhu, who was playing in the final of the Indian Badminton League in Mumbai, was the only absentee.

Unlike in the past, today’s awards function was rather subdued as even the senior Cabinet Ministers and leaders of the Opposition were absent from the function, barring Sports Minister Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla and Sports Authority of India director-general Jiji Thomson.

Para-athlete Amit Kumar Saroha got the biggest applause of the evening and had the honour of the President stepping down from the podium to present the award to the wheel-chair bound sportsman.

Sindhu will have to receive her award now at the chamber of the Sports Minister, instead of Rashtrapati Bhawan, as when Dr M.S. Gill was the Sports Minister, he had formulated a rule that sportspersons who fail to turn up at the awards function would have to come the Minister’s chamber and receive the award.

Punjabi University, Patiala bagged Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) trophy for last 2 years	Guru Nanak Dev Univeristy, Amritsar, bagged MAKA trophy for 2010-2011
Kapurthala golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar with Arjuna Award	Cricketer Virat Kohli recieves Arjuna Award

This action of Dr Gill came in the wake of M.S. Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh failing to be present in person to receive the award in 2008, despite being present in the country. The spectacle of Punjabi University receiving the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy jointly for the last two years was a welcome sight, as the award had not been given for the past two years due to a court case filed by GNDU. GNDU, following a favourable court verdict, got the award for the year 2010-2011.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh while Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awardees get Rs 7.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively.

New Delhi, August 31
This year’s National Sports Awards, mired in many controversies, suffered yet another blow when the Sports Authority of India (SAI) asked Renjith Maheshwary to keep away from the Arjuna Awards function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan this evening, as he had been once suspended for a dope offence.

But Maheshwary, the national triple jump champion, alleged a conspiracy as he claimed that his name was recommended for the Arjuna Award by the Athletics Federation of India after he had been given a “clean chit” from all quarters.

SAI had told him to keep away from the awards function, and he would be given the award later, if he was found innocent of the doping allegations. Surprisingly, Renjith was asked not to attend the awards function barely hours before. Suprisingly, the authorities had no clue about this alleged substance abuse past, as he had even attended the rehearsal for the awards ceremony in Delhi.

“I have been treated worse than the rape accused in Delhi and Mumbai. I have been humiliated and my athletics career has been ruined”, a distraught Maheshwari said here today. He said he would meet Sports Minister Jitendra Singh to explain his position, and seek justice, as he had been “wronged”, though it was unlikely that the Minister would get involved in this affair, as he had washed his hands off when there was a huge hue and cry about the nomination of certain sportspersons for the Dronacharya, Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards this year. Renjith was alleged to have taken some performance enhancing substance in 2008. But AFI president Adil Sumariwala told The Tribune that he was not sure in which year Maheshwary had tested positive for banned substance, as there were conflicting reports of the year of his substance abuse. Sumariwala said it was possibly a case of some medicine taken by him for some illness proving to be the villain as had happened in the case of Aparna Popat, who was later absolved of doping charges, and was bestowed the Arjuna Award later.

I have been treated worse than the rape accused in Delhi and Mumbai. I have been humiliated and my athletics career has been ruined
—Renjith Maheshwary, tainted thlete

New yORK, August 31
It was end of US Open campaign for Somdev Devvarman and Mahesh Bhupathi after they lost their respective hard-fought matches even as Rohan Bopanna had a mixed day.

Somdev, who had qualified for the singles main draw, battled hard for two hours 40 minutes before losing 6-7 (8), 4-6 5-7 to Italian 20th seed Andreas Seppi.

Bhupathi, partnering comeback girl Martina Hingis in the mixed doubles event, lost 6-7 (5) 6-7 (5) to Yung-Jan Chan and Robert Lindstedt in the first round.

Bhupathi has already exited from the men's doubles, so it is end of road for him at the last Grand Slam of the season, which is the last for the veteran Indian.

Somdev battled hard before losing (6-7 (8), 4-6 5-7) to Italian 20th seed Andreas Seppi on Friday night — AFP

Bopanna had sweet-sour day as he advanced in the men's doubles but suffered a shock first round exit in the mixed doubles along with third seed German partner Julia Goerges.

Partnering Edourad Roger-Vasselin in the men's doubles, the sixth seed Indo-French team beat American pair of Bradley Klahn and Sam Querrey 6-2 6-4.

Bopanna joined Leander Paes and Divij Sharan in the men's doubles second round. They next clash with Russians Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Elgin.

Kolkata, August 31
The Supreme Court might have refused to grant him relief but a defiant N Srinivasan is expected to attempt a comeback as BCCI President after being forced to step aside, when the Board officials gather for the final Working Committee meeting before next month's AGM, here tomorrow.

Srinivasan was dealt a major setback when the Supreme Court deferred the hearing on his petition, challenging the Bombay High Court's order which declared the BCCI probe panel to investigate the spot-fixing scandal as "illegal and unconstitutional".

The hearing will now be conducted on September 11 and notices have been sent to Srinivasan and the BCCI on the matter. Given the circumstances, it remains to be seen whether Srinivasan opts to remain in hibernation or chair tomorrow's meeting to seek a third term in the AGM scheduled next month. “I've no idea about it. Please don't ask me anything about the meeting, these are tricky and sensitive issues. You'll come to know after the meeting tomorrow," Interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya said. — PTI

Mumbai, August 31
Ajay Jayaram beat RMV Gurusaidutt of Awadhe Warriors 10-21 21-17 11-7 in the fourth match of the final to help Hyderabad Hotshots win the inaugural Indian Badminton League on Saturday.

Earlier, Saina Nehwal beat PV Sindhu for the second time in the Indian Badminton League, this time in the final, to help her team draw level with the Warriors, before V Shem Goh and Khim Wah Lim beat Markis Kido and Mathias Boe 21-14 13-21 11-4 to take the Hotshots 2-1 ahead.

Saina, in her 21-15, 21-7 win, had begun powerfully, taking the first point with a smash. She controlled the game and was ahead 7-3 at the first break. Sindhu managed to fight back from that position, taking four of the next five points to trail 7-8. But Saina again pulled ahead with powerful smashes and tactful play, leading 14-9 at the second break.

Not giving up, Sindhu won the next three points to close the gap to 12-14. Then Saina pulled decisively ahead, and had her first game point at 20-13. Sindhu saved two game points but finally conceded the game at 15-21.

Under pressure, Sindhu simply could not cope with the challenge of her senior opponent. Sindhu was always behind Saina in the second game, trailing 0-3 and then 1-7 at the first break. Sindhu looked visibly daunted as she continued to struggle, and Saina led 11-4 and then 14-6 at the second break. Saina allowed Sindhu only one more point in the game, wrapping it up comfortably at 21-7.

With this, the Hotshots equalised the score at 1-1.

Awadhe Warriors had taken the first match when K Srikanth beat S Tanongsak 21-12 21-20 in a closely contested match. The left-handed Tanongsak, ranked 19th in the world, gave a tough fight to Srikanth, ranked 38th in the world and the winner of the Thai Grand Prix earlier this year.

Srikanth took the lead in the first game and never allowed his opponent to get close. Srikanth led 7-5 at the first break and 14-10 at the second break. Srikanth, moving round well and smashing with great effect, won seven of the next nine points to win the first game 21-12.

It was tougher in the second game against his fancied rival, who was unbeaten in the tournament coming into the final. Srikanth again began well and led 7-3 at the first break. Srikanth then took a 13-7 lead. Tanongsak managed to put up a last-ditch fight from there, taking several points in a row to make it 13-15. Srikanth equalled the score 19-19 and the two shared the next two points for 20-20. It was anyone's game from there, but Srikanth took it. — TNS

Ipoh, August 31
With their World Cup berth all but secured, a confident India would look to book a direct ticket to next year’s mega-event by winning the Asia Cup title when they clash with defending champions South Korea on Sunday.

Both India and Malaysia have virtually qualified for the World Cup after South Korea shut the door on Pakistan. Pakistan’s defeat has opened the door for India and Malaysia, who will now just have to wait for the conclusion of the Oceania Cup in November.

But the Sardar Singh-led Indian side will be in no mood to wait till November and would be desperate to secure their direct ticket to Hague with a win on Sunday.

And having defeated Korea 2-0 in the pool stages, the India, which last won the Asia Cup in 2007, would be brimming with confidence.

India, who has so far looked the best side in the tournament, are unbeaten going into the final.

In the four matches they played so far in the tournament, India have conceded just one goal and scored 21.

India’s defence, considered its weak link, has been the unlikely hero in the tournament so far. VR Raghunath, Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, Gurmail Singh and Biremdra Lakra have stood like a wall, gaining confidence from the good form of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.

As always captain Sardar Singh holds the key in India’s midfield under whose shadow Manpreet Singh, Chinglensana Singh and SK Uthappa have blossomed.

India’s young forward-line too has performed unexpectadely well. Mandeep, especialy, is in superb form and so far scored five goals.

Raghunath and Rupinder seem to be relishing the extra responsibility as they look intimidating and fearsome with their drag-flicks.

But the Indians need to draw a line between confidence and over-confidence.

“It’s a new game. We will have to forget the results from the past. The fact that Korea won against Pakistan shows that they are here to win the Asia Cup,” India’s interim coach Roelant Oltmans said.

“It will be a very tough game. We will have to be aware about everything because Korea is a very dangerous side,” he added. — PTI

We will have to forget the results from the past. The fact that Korea won against Pakistan shows that they are here to win the Asia Cup. It will be a very tough game.
— Roelant Oltmans, india’s interim coach

London, August 31
Alvaro Negredo came off the bench to score for the second successive game as Manchester City edged to a 2-0 win at home to promoted Hull City in the Premier League on Saturday.

City looked edgy in defence and lacking inspiration in attack before Negredo found the net.

The Spaniard was brought on at halftime and 20 minutes later brought relief to the home fans inside the Etihad Stadium when he clinically headed home a Pablo Zabaleta cross from the right. — Reuters

BRIEFLY

Prague
Bayern win Super Cup in dramatic shootout: Bayern Munich gained some revenge for the 2012 Champions League final defeat by Chelsea when they beat the Premier League club 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling UEFA Super Cup ended 2-2 on Friday. The first nine penalties were all scored before Chelsea substitute Romelu Lukaku had a tame effort saved by keeper Manuel Neuer to give the Champions League winners victory over the Europa League holders. — Reuters

Chennai
UP win Buchi Babu tournament:Riding on Prashant Gupta's (103) unbeaten century, Uttar Pradesh defeated TNCA President XI by five wickets to clinch the Buchi Babu Memorial Cricket tournament. Resuming at 59 for no loss, the Mohammad Kaif-led side surpassed TNCA President's total of 207 in 78.5 overs, with just five wickets down.Opener Gupta smashed eight fours and four sixes in his 243-ball knock to see his side through. Gupta shared a valuable fifth-wicket partnership of 104 runs with Akshdeep Nath (47). For TNCA President XI, R Aushik Srinivas took four wickets. Baba Indrajith was adjudged the Player of the tournament.

Kathmandu
Indian footballers begin title defence vs Pakistan:Defending champions and favourites India will be aiming to start their SAFF Championship campaign on a winning note against Pakistan on Sunday. The championship has been a happy hunting ground for the Indian football team having won six out of the nine editions and having never lost to Pakistan.

HARARE
Pak win third ODI:Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 108 runs to win the third ODI at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. Batting first, Pak made 260/6 in 50 overs. In reply, Zimbabwe were all out for 152 in 40 overs. — Agencies