|
|
|
|
|
Hammered and humbled
IOA falls in line, set to return to Olympic fold
|
|
|
The new team on the block
JR HOCKEY WORLD CUP
ashes
Jiwanjot gives Punjab a lifeline
Lahiri, Shiv finish tied 12th
Punjab men win cycling championship
Gervinho helps Roma end draw sequence
Real held by lowly Xativa in Cup
|
|
Hammered and humbled
Durban, December 8 The game was reduced to 49 overs a side but de Kock (106 from 118 balls) and Amla (100 from 117 balls) lifted the atmosphere with a magnificent 194-run opening stand that helped the home side reach 280 for six having been inserted by India. India never recovered from a poor start, slipping to 34 for four in the ninth over, as the South African fast bowlers found life in the pitch that visitors could not. India were bowled out for 146 in 35.1 overs. The 20-year-old de Kock showed more of his prodigious talent, following up his century in the first match at the Wanderers on Thursday with another entertaining ton, even if this one was less fluent on a slower pitch. Amla became the fastest player to reach 4000 one-day international runs when he took his score to 59, passing the milestone in his 84th match (81 innings), improving the previous best of Viv Richards who took 96 matches (88 innings). Mohammed Shami was again the pick of the Indian bowlers, with three for 48 in eight overs. Only Suresh Raina (36) offered any real resistance as the India batting line-up skittled for a below-par score for the second time. Lonwabe Tsotsobe was the pick of the home bowlers with figures of four for 25 and Dale Steyn was also in top form with three for 17 in seven overs. South Africa won the first match in Johannesburg by an equally crushing 141 runs and the teams now head to the third game in Pretoria on Wednesday. — Reuters Scoreboard South Africa India
|
|
IOA falls in line, set to return to Olympic fold
New Delhi, December 8 The decision to amend the IOA constitution in line with IOC diktat was taken at its Special General Body Meeting after the world body served the ultimatum last month that it would de-recognise India if the charge-framed persons were not barred from contesting polls. The IOC has made it clear that the amendment will have to be made before December 10 or else it will recommend India's de-recognition to the IOC Executive Board which will meet on December 10 and 11. S Reghunathan, who chaired the GBM attended by 134 members, said both Abhay Singh Chautala and Lalit Bhanot, the president and the secretary general of the suspended IOA, who were charge-framed by the court, would be ineligible to contest IOA elections to be held on February 9 once the IOC approves the amendment. “The House unanimously decided to amend the relevant clause in the IOA constitution that would bar charge-framed persons from contesting elections. Both Chautala and Bhanot told the House that they will not contest the upcoming elections. In fact, Chautala proposed the amendment while Bhanot seconded it,” he told a press conference. “We also decided to hold elections on February 9.” In its October 27 Special GBM, the IOA had sought to dilute IOC's directive on the charge-framed clause by proposing to refer such cases to its internal Ethics Commission, which was later rejected by the world body. “Where charges have been framed by any court in India, in respect of an offence which is of serious nature under Indian Penal Code/Prevention of Corruption Act in which punishment of imprisonment of more than 2 years is prescribed, then the member/office bearer/member of executive council of IOA will resign immediately and if not they will be provisionally suspended and will not be eligible to contest in elections and the case will be referred to IOA Ethics Commission for further guidance,” the amended clause said. The amendment, if accepted by the IOC, could lead to India's return to the Olympic fold after being suspended by the world body last year in December. It will also bring an end to the one-year-old impasse between the IOC and IOA. “We are hoping that the IOC will revert back to us in seven to 10 days. The ball is now in the IOC's court. We have done what we have been told to do. We are now hopeful that the IOC will lift the ban on the IOA,” he said. Reghunathan said there was no need for Chautala and Bhanot to resign immediately but they may do so after the IOC gives approval to the amendment and before the elections. “There is no need for them to resign immediately. They may do so after the IOC approves the amendment. They can resign before elections. We will do whatever the IOC says. We will wait for IOC direction.” He said the IOC may even decide to lift the ban on IOA in a few days if they accept the amendment. “The IOC may say in a few days that they (the IOC) have accepted the amendment, so hold the election and the ban will be lifted after the polls,” he said. Chautala himself declared that he would not contest the upcoming IOA elections but said the amendment was done under the pressure from the IOC. “I am not going to contest elections but there are two things. One, the amendment was done under the pressure of the IOC. And two, we are making the amendment in the interest of the Indian athletes, so that they can take part under the Indian flag,” he said. “But we should be allowed to represent our case, that under the Indian law framing charges against a person does not mean that he is guilty. So an IOA delegation will visit the IOC headquarters after the amendment is accepted (by the IOC) to explain the legal position in India,” said Bhanot. — PTI
|
|
Pakistan men dominate
Roopnagar, December 8 With both sides being familiar with each other’s game, the match was expected to be a high octane affair, but the Canadian stoppers failed to perform. Pakistan’s high power performance was led by skipper Baabar Gujjar and Akmal Dogar, the two raiders scoring 28 points of the team total. Gujjar scored 16 points, while young blood Dogar scored 12 points. Stopper Arshad Memhmood, Jani Sunera and Khalid Mehr also contributed in the win. For Canada, the experienced skipper Kulwinder Singh Sangha scored 11 points, being caught out only once by the opponent stoppers. Earlier, the Sierra Leone men’s team thrashed Denmark 67-28. The Africans opened their account through raider Sulaiman Karama, who scored 16 points, while stopper Mohamamed Jalloh Liverpool denied the Danish raiders any easy points, scoring 12 points himself. In another one sided match, the England men’s team routed Scotland 66-30. Skipper Sandeep Sidhu swiped at the Scottish stoppers, keeping them away to score 18 points. In the only match in women section, USA thumped Kenya 52-34. Results
Today’s matches
Time: 12 noon onwards at Sangrur
|
|
|
The new team on the block
Roopnagar, December 8 Kabaddi, with its raw machismo, is attracting the youth of this small country located on the west coast of Africa. “They play with a lot of confidence. All of them fulfil the needs of this game. They are physically very strong and mentally very tough,” said Davinder, manager of the team. Davinder feels that with a little bit of extra effort these players can become real contenders. “After the third edition, these players were asked to stay back (in Punjab) and learn the basics of the game. And the result is seen in this edition. People are appreciating the team. Hopefully, in the nest edition, the Indian fans will see a technically sound team.” “We have a team that has no players of Punjabi origin. But our skills are similar to Indian or Pakistani players and that is something that the spectators are appreciating.” Amarjeet Sahota, who had come from Singha village for the matches, said, “These players are taking full advantage of their good build. They are technically sound are capable of giving a good fight to the traditional teams.”
|
|
|
This teenager is a star for the future
Jalalabad, December 8 And the resemblance does not stop at the superficial level, as the 15-year-old has the same feisty spirit that Komal’s character portrayed in the movie. Reena, a student of Class XI, is playing in her first World Cup Kabaddi and the girl from rural Haryana is scoring good points for her team. One of the youngest players in the tournament, Reena said, “I want to bring change in the society and that’s why I opted to play kabaddi. It will definitely bring change in the old mindsets of people, especially in Haryana.” Hailing from Fatehabad district in Haryana, Reena is the only child of farmer couple. “No one from my family has any background in sport. But my parents never stopped me. They are very supportive and praying for me to perform well and the team to win.” Not only Reena, but most of the Indian team members are below the age of 18. They might be small in build, but their performance is emphatic. Six of them are from Haryana and eight are from Punjab.
|
|
|
Australia, France make the cut, book spot in quarters
New Delhi, December 8 Australia started on an attacking note right from the word go and were all over the Spanish circle but they somehow failed to produced desired results, even as they got a series of penalty-corners. Spain managed to contain the Aussies, and the break was taken with both teams tied 0-0. Australia finally managed to score in the 38th minute when Beale found the ball in a messy scramble in the circle after Spanish goalkeeper Mario Fernandez Garin stopped three shots in quick succession from close range. The Aussies had most of the ball possession and Wotherspoon scored in the 63rd minute to give a comfortable two-goal cushion to his side. Spain made desperate attempts but failed to net the ball. With two losses in as many matches, they are out of contention for a berth in the quarters. In the other Pool B match, Pieter Van Straaten, Theophile Ponthieu and Jean-Laurent Kieffer scored for France, while Estanislao Perez Pesado and Gonzalo Peillat hit the board for Argentina. France were first to earn a penalty-corner but they wasted it. Argentina, on a swift counter-attack, scored through Estanislao Perez Pesado in the 20th minute. France came back in the 25th minute when Pieter Van Straaten netted the ball. They took the lead in the 31st minute as when Theophile Ponthieu scored. Argentina, however, levelled the score by converting a penalty stroke, taken by Gonzalo Peillat, at the stroke of half time. In the second half, too, the match continued to be played at high pace. Jean-Laurent Kieffer gave France lead in the 48th minute, and thereafter the French held on to the slender lead to book themselves a spot in the quarterfinals. India will play South Korea on Tuesday in what’s a must win match for the hosts. Having lost to The Netherlands in the opening game, India won their next against Canada. However, a loss against Korea will bring curtains on India’s campaign. — PTI Pakistan defender suspended Pakistan defender Muhammad Arslan Qadir was today suspended for two matches for a Level 2 offence committed during their match against Germany on Sunday night. Qadir was shown the red card for elbowing a German player in Pakistan's 1-6 drubbing . Results
Today’s matches
Time: 2 pm onwards |
|
England stare at another defeat
Adelaide, December 8 In England's paltry first innings of 172, Root was one of only three English batsmen not to lose his wicket to a marauding Mitchell Johnson, and he also defied the red-hot Australian seamer in an unbeaten 26 in the second innings of the first test defeat in Brisbane. Responding to Johnson's withering stares, throat-balls and taunts with sweet smiles, the cherubic-faced 22-year-old held on stubbornly for nearly four-and-half hours to compile a battling 87 on a hot, overcast day at Adelaide Oval, helping his team stave off another humiliating defeat within four days. England were 247-6 at the close, with Matt Prior (31 not out) and Stuart Broad (22 not out) at the crease, still 284 runs shy of their victory target and facing a Mission Impossible to save the match on a fifth-day wicket. Precious little has gone right for England on this tour to date, but Root's endurance and grit on Sunday raised hope, at least, that Trott's loss might be well covered. “Everyone watching and playing knew that we were in a battle and we weren't going to lie down and we were going to show a bit of fight and a bit of courage and be there at the end of the day,” Root told reporters. “That's going to have to continue for the rest of the series. “To me if we're losing test matches regardless of your scores, you're not going to pride yourself on your performance. Getting past 200 was a small victory for England, who had not done so in their three previous innings, and Australia's hopes of wrapping up proceedings quickly to enjoy a longer rest before the third test in Perth were frustrated. Brief Scores: England 247-6 (Root 87, Pietersen 53) & 172 (Bell 72 not out, Carberry 60, M. Johnson 7-40) v Australia 132-3 dec (Warner 83no) & 570-9 dec (Clarke 148, Haddin 118, Rogers 72, Bailey 53, Watson 51; Broad 3-98) — Reuters
|
|
Jiwanjot gives Punjab a lifeline
Mohali, December 8 At the close of play, wicket-keeper Uday Kaul was giving him company on 88 which came off 169 balls and studded with four boundaries. Manan Vohra was the only Punjab wicket to fall as he was run out on 52. Earlier resuming at the overnight score of 332/7, Vidarbha added just 28 runs to their score before being bowled out for 360 in reply to Punjab's 184. Sandeep Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5/90 while VRV Singh took four wickets by giving away 89 runs. If the match ends in a draw, Vidarbha would take home three points by virtue of 176 runs first innings lead, while Punjab, at their homeground, have to be content with just one point. Himachal lose to Kerala
Off-spinner Vinoop Manoharan notched up a five-wicket haul to guide Kerala to a thumping 61-run win over Himachal Pradesh on the third and penultimate day of the Group C match on Sunday. Overnight 110/7, while chasing a target of 196, HP collapsed to 134 this morning as Kerala clinched their second win in five matches. Brief Scores: Kerala: 214 & 155; HP: 174 and 134 all out in 39.2 overs (P Chopra 36, VManoharan 5/43). Haryana on the ropes
Pacer Ronit More picked a five-wicket haul to put Karnataka on the verge of a win in their Ranji Trophy group A match against Haryana here today. At the end of day three, Karnataka were 35 runs away from a victory after their bowlers bundled out the hosts on 105 runs in their second innings. Brief Scores: Haryana: 247 and 105 (Rahul Dewan 31; Ronit More 5/20) Karnataka: 256 and 62/4 in 23 overs (K L Rahul 29; Harshal Patel 2/26). |
|
Lahiri, Shiv finish tied 12th
Chandigarh, December 8 The Spaniard won the title for the fourth time and took home the winners cheque of US$216,660 — an excellent birthday gift a few weeks before he turns 50. And he did so by defeating Thailand's Prom Meesawat and Stauart Manley in a playoff, extending his own record of being the oldest winner on the European Tour. Lahiri carded a one-under-par, 69 while Shiv Kapur carded a dismal three-over-par, 73.
|
|
Punjab men win cycling championship
Patiala, December 8 Punjab had last lifted the title in 1994. In the women's section, Kerala eves won the championship with 45 points pushing Railways (12 points) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (11 points) to second and third spot, respectively. Amrit Singh (Railways) was adjudged the best cyclist in the men's category, while Dibora from Andaman and Nicobar was adjudged best woman cyclist.
|
|
|
Gervinho helps Roma end draw sequence
Rome, December 8
|
|
|
Real held by lowly Xativa in Cup
Madrid, December 8 With Ronaldo suspended following his red card in last year’s final and Bale left out due to the flu, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti handed starts to forwards Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez. However, the Spanish under-21 duo failed to impress as Real failed to find the net for just the second time this season. — PTI
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla smashed centuries as South Africa walloped India by 134 runs in a rain-reduced one-day international at a subdued Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday. South Africa's win gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The game was reduced to 49 overs a side but de Kock (106 from 118 balls) and Amla (100 from 117 balls) lifted the atmosphere with a magnificent 194-run opening stand that helped the home side reach 280 for six having been inserted by India.
Left with no other option after being served an ultimatum by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the IOA today amended its constitution to bar charge-framed persons from contesting elections. The decision is expected to pave the way for India's return to the Olympic fold.
In front of a capacity crowd, the Pakistani men’s team outclassed Canada 69-21 in the 4th World Cup Kabaddi at Nehru stadium, here today.
Roopnagar, December 8
