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India walk back into
the Olympic fold
‘Suspension proved a blessing in disguise’
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Time to go under the hammer, earn big bucks
Sehwag not losing sleep over auction
Finally, selectors drop Ishant, Raina
Karnataka inch towards looming win
hockey india league
Fire on ice in Sochi
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India walk back into the Olympic fold
Sochi, February 11 The International Olympic Committee’s decision came too late to help Shiva Keshavan, who had already finished competing in the luge, but he said some good could come out of the sanction. “I think all the athletes want to see change and want to see good governance,” he said. The IOC executive board reinstated the Indian Olympic body after it held a weekend ballot that complied with ethics rules barring corruption-tainted officials from running for election. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the lifting of the suspension takes immediate effect, meaning cross-country skier Nadeem Iqbal and slalom skier Hamanshu Thakur are now free to compete for India. It is the first time in history that a suspension of a national Olympic body has been lifted during the games, the IOC said. India was suspended in December 2012 for electing scandal-tainted Abhay Chautala as president and Lalit Bhanot as secretary-general, and the ban was a major embarrassment for the world’s second most populous nation. Adams said the IOC was satisfied with the changes after the Indian Olympic Association held elections on Sunday accorded to the new constitution and installed world squash chief Narayna Ramachandran as president. Chautala and Bhanot were ineligible to stand this time. Organisers planned a special ceremony at the Olympic Village to raise the Indian flag, five days after the three athletes marched into the opening ceremony behind an Olympic flag and as independent athletes. —Agencies How India got back into Olympic fold
Dec 4, 2012: IOC suspends IOA for adhering to the government's Sports Code and for allowing tainted persons - Abhay Singh Chautala and Lalit Bhanot - to participate in its elections Dec 4, 2012: IOA goes ahead with the elections, a day after the suspension. IOC refuses to recognise Chautala and the other office-bearers May 15, 2013: Sports Minister Jitendra Singh and Abhinav Bindra meet IOC officials to discuss India's suspension in Lausanne Aug 17, 2013: IOC warns IOA to accept the changes made in the revised draft constitution of the IOA, to exclude individuals against whom criminal charges have been framed Aug 25, 2013: IOA says that only individuals convicted and given a jail sentence of two years or more will be barred from IOA elections Nov 15, 2013: IOC warns IOA that India would be de-recognised if the IOA did not amend its constitution by December 10 Dec 7, 2013: IOA finally amends its constitution to disallow charge-framed persons from contesting elections Feb 7, 2014: Indian athletes parade in the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics under the IOC flag as 'independent athletes' Feb 9, 2014: IOA holds elections without the charge-framed individuals Feb 11, 2014: IOC reinstates India into the Olympic fold. |
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‘Suspension proved a blessing in disguise’
New Delhi, February 11 “In the last one year or so sportspersons and sports-lovers have raised their concerns and their voices,” he said today. “The government of India had raised its voice in Lausanne (in May last year) and at other forums for lifting the ban on India. What we have been able to achieve in the last one year or so of exile is that a major step has been taken to clean up sports.” He congratulated both the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and International Olympic Council (IOC) for bringing India back into the Olympic movement. Jitendra applauded the IOA’s decision to amend its constitution to bar charge-framed persons from contesting its elections, which were held last Sunday. “I am thankful that this historic step has been taken and charge-framed people would not be able to contest the elections. Along with that, I would like to add that the majority of the national sports federations (NSFs), except archery and boxing, have adopted the sports code,” he said. “The government is committed to bring in transparency and good governance in the field of sports. I am very happy that our sportspersons will be able to contest under the Indian flag,” he added. Highlighting the government’s role in bringing India back into the Olympic movement, he said that his ministry could play a more active role in cleaning up sports in future. “The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had first raised with the IOC that the IOA constitution needed to be amended and the people who are charge-sheeted should not be allowed to contest elections,” Jitendra said. “We have had various levels of discussions with all the stakeholders. Myself, along with Secretary Sports, had gone to Lausanne. I am thankful that the IOA had amended its constitution,” he said. “We have played a hyperactive role in bringing India back into the Olympic movement. I think the Sports Ministry has a bigger role to play in the future as far as transparency and good governance in sports is concerned,” he said. — PTI
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Time to go under the hammer, earn big bucks
Bangalore, February 11
The justice Mudgal Committee report on corruption in the league might have come as a huge embarrassment for both the players and franchises but that is unlikely to affect the multi-million dollar auction in which 514 players — 219 of them uncapped —are up for sale. The report, which has found the BCCI president N Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan to be involved in betting and passing team information, was presented to the Supreme Court yesterday, raising questions on CSK's continuance in the cash-rich League. The court, however, has allowed the auctions to go ahead. Controversial England batsman Kevin Pietersen will be one of the first players to go under the hammer along with senior India discards Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh in the two-day auction here. But the biggest draw of IPL VII auction would be without doubt New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, who has been slotted at No 83 in the 10th set which has the second array of international all-rounders. Among the 219 capped players, who have played some form of international cricket, 169 are Indians while 50 are overseas players. This will also be the first time in IPL's history that uncapped players will be auctioned. The cricketers have been divided into 53 sets with each lists ranging from eight to 10 players. The first list that consists of some of the biggest stars of Indian and international cricket named as Marquee 1 or M1. While Pietersen's international career may have come to an abrupt end, but the maverick England batsman will be in demand as he is set to be the fourth player to be auctioned on the first day at the ITC Gardenia. Along with Pietersen, the likes of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, David Warner, Ashes hero Mitchell Johnson, Mahela Jayawardene, and the recently-retired Jacques Kallis will also go under the hammer at the first go. Murali Vijay is also present in M1 list where all players have a base price of Rs 2 crore save Warner (Rs 1.5 crore). — PTI High on wishlist
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Sehwag not losing sleep over auction
Jhajjar, February 11 Is he tense about the auction? Sehwag answered in the manner he bats. “You mean tense about how much money I will get,” he said with a wry smile. “I have earned enough money and fame from the game, so i am not at all bothered about financial aspect. What's important is to play cricket and the IPL gives me that chance,” he said. On whether he still enjoys the game, pat came the reply, “Of course, I am enjoying playing cricket. That's the reason I have played full season of the Ranji Trophy. I can tell you that after playing international cricket for so many years, it is very difficult to come back and grind it out in domestic arena if you don't have love for the game.” For someone whose game depended a lot on hand-eye coordination, there was a lot of speculation regarding his eyesight once he started wearing spectacles last season. “Well, Daniel Vettori has played all his life wearing spectacles and no one has questioned it. I wore spectacles because I was advised by the doctor. I was told that I had cylindrical power and if I wear glasses, it will only improve my eyesight and hence be helpful for my game. Had I not wore spectacles, I might have had headaches,” Sehwag said. — PTI
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Finally, selectors drop Ishant, Raina
Bangalore, February 11 Cheteshwar Pujara, regarded as a Test specialist, has also been included in the squad for the Asia Cup, also to be held in Bangladesh from February 25 to March 8. All-rounder Yuvraj Singh continued to be ignored for the ODI team but got the selectors' nod for the Twenty20 World Championships to be held from March 16 to April 6. Rookie pacer Ishwar Pandey, all-rounder Stuart Binny and fast bowler Varun Aaron retained their place in the ODI squad announced by BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel after a meeting of the selection committee here. Opener Gautam Gambhir and veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who were picked in the Rest of India for Irani Trophy, were not named in the ODI squad. The biggest casualty was, however, Ishant, who has been drawing flak for his poor performance in the limited overs format, as he was dropped from both the teams to be captained Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The axe on Raina was also largely expected as the left-hander has been in wretched form for quite a while now. In fact he was dropped midway through the ODI series against New Zealand last month which India lost 0-4. Raina has scored only one half-century (against Zimbabwe) in the last 24 ODIs he has played. Raina's poor form has prompted the selectors to turn to Pujara, who has been a prolific scorer in Tests. Pujara gets a chance in shorter format Pujara's technique and his ability to score briskly will provide some much-needed stability to the Indian top order which failed miserably in the recent ODI series against New Zealand. The selectors also reposed faith on off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who has not been very successful in overseas conditions. Ashwin found a place in both the ODI and T20 squad. The pace department looks a trifle inexperienced with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Varun Aaron and Ishwar Pandey forming the line-up. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra has found a place in both the ODI and T20 squads but has not featured in any of the formats for a while despite being a part of the side. — PTI Vital targets
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Karnataka inch towards looming win
Bangalore, February 11 Karnataka first skittled out the visitors for 201 in their first innings and then batted with responsibility to reach 606 all out with Gautam cracking a sparkling century. At stumps, Baba Aparajith and Dinesh Karthik were batting on 42 and nine runs respectively for Rest of India. Much was expected of Gautam Gambhir but he failed to impress the national selectors, who had descended here to pick the World T20 and Asia Cup ODI squads. The India discard edged one to Manish Pandey at second slip, who took a magnificent diving catch. Opener Jiwanjot Singh (7) also failed to impress as he was dismissed by Vinay Kumar. Kedar Jadhav scored 44 in 65 balls with seven hits to the fence, before he was scalped by spinner Shreyas Gopal. The 27-year-old Gautam notched up his ninth first-class century while Vinay Kumar (31) and Abhimanyu Mithun (34) chipped in to script useful partnerships with the wicketkeeper-batsman. Gautam and Vinay put on 88 runs for seventh wicket and had 57 and 61-run stand with Shreyas Gopal and Mithun for eighth and ninth wicket, frustrating the ROI bowlers to no bound. Gautam cracked 17 boundaries and six in his 168-ball knock. — PTI Brief scores: Rest of India 201 and 114 for 3 (Jadhav 44, Aparajith 42no, Vinay 2/27); Karnataka 606 (Binny 122, Gautam 122, Pankaj 6/122)
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Lancers match Punjab Warriors step by step
Indervir Grewal Tribune News Service Mohali, February 11 Simon Orchard, Jake Whetton and Christopher Ciriello scored for the Warriors, while Gagandeep Singh, Mandeep Antil and Ryan Archibald scored for the visitors. Despite the draw it was a breathtaking performance by the Warriors, who played with an insatiable hunger for goals. The team’s speed and an uncompromising quest for goals that saw it defending high reminded one of the Australian style of hockey. But despite dominating the whole match, they found themselves trailing twice – a concern which coach Barry Dancer had expressed before the match. Other than the goals, the team was pretty sound in defence, barring a few scary moments. Early in the match, Sandeep Singh couldn’t trap a back pass and almost gave it away on top of the circle but the ball ricocheted away from the opponent forward. Another mistake by Sandeep, when his flopped scoop clearance was intercepted, resulted in Kalinga’s second goal. The lapses notwithstanding, the Warriors displayed some of the smoothest moves of the tournament that got the crowd, which had turned up in a greater number compared to the first two matches, screaming hoarse. The third goal, the second time the Warriors equalized, had the fans going berserk. Kalinga had taken the lead through Archibald in the third quarter. After much frustration and many missed chances, the Warriors found the equalizer at the start of the final quarter through Orchard, who has been the spine of the team throughout the tournament. The long-legged Australian intercepted a loose pass just inside the opponents’ 25 yard line and fired a reverse hit into the top corner. Dharamvir Singh’s searing run, in the first quarter, from the centre line should have resulted in a goal but his brilliant cross went through two forwards in the middle. Satbir Singh, after being put through by Robert Hammond, got a clear run into the circle but instead of trying for goal he fired in a cross which whizzed past his teammates. Kalinga sneaked in a goal in the 10th minute against the run of play when an unmarked Gagandeep deadened a bouncy cross in front of goal. With no pressure on him all the 20-year-old had to do was tap the ball in past the wrong-footed goalkeeper. Almost as if enraged by the goal, the home team increased the pressure with some fast well-linked moves that baffled the Kalinga defence. One such move resulted in their first penalty corner but Sandeep, egged on by the loud home crowd, rammed the drag-flick into the defender. The home team got another penalty corner in the last minute of the first quarter and this time Ciriello found the net though a variation. Another mistake at the start of the second quarter in defense saw the visitors equalize through Antil. TODAY’S MATCH delhi VS RANCHI (8 PM) LIVE ON STAR SPORTS
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Fire on ice in Sochi
Sochi, February 11 For many fans the Winter Games do not properly begin until the puck drops on the men's ice hockey rink, and that happens on Wednesday at the gleaming new Bolshoy Ice Dome and Shayba Arena on Russia's Black Sea Coast. On Day Four, most of the action was up in the nearby Caucasus Mountains, where mild temperatures were causing increasing concern about poor snow conditions. The final training session for Wednesday's women's downhill was cancelled due to the conditions, and ahead of the Nordic Combined competition on the same day American Bill Demong said of the snow: "It's not even slushy, it's just mushy. Nightmare over as White storms into final
Shaun White declared the Sochi halfpipe nightmare over after opening his bid for a third straight Olympic title by storming into the final with the best score in qualifying on Tuesday. The American brushed aside concerns about the quality of the pipe with a stunning display of tricks for a score of 95.75 on his first run. The 27-year-old, who withdrew from the slopestyle event in case an injury jeopardised his triple gold bid, earned a more modest 70.75 on his second run but a place in the last 12 who will contest the final later on Tuesday was never in doubt. “The pipe is riding much better than yesterday,” he told Reuters. “I'm really happy just to put some runs down. Yesterday was a nightmare and it's so much better to wake up and discover it was all a dream." Independent Olympic participant Himanshu Thakur from India expressed happiness that he would walk under Indian falg in the closing ceremony. “It was a strange feeling that we three had to walk under the IOC flag during the opening ceremony. It's my first Winter Olympics and I was feeling bad that I would compete under IOC banner. But now I am going to take part as an Indian athlete. What more can I ask for, it's something I had not thought of. It was a surprise.” — Agencies |
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Second-placed Punjab Warriors were frustrated by minnows Kalinga Lancers to a 3-3 draw in the Hockey India League here today. The Warriors will be feeling really frustrated by the number of chances they missed, especially from penalty corners. Despite three drag-flickers, they scored only once from eight opportunities. 
Strange feeling
Surrey retain Pietersen