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HDFC boss Parekh appointed special adviser to Gavaskar
Order SIT probe, prevent cover-up: IPS officer to SC
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PCB head: We will nominate next ICC Board chairman
Pietersen leaves everything behind to focus on IPL
Srikanth storms into semis, Sindhu out
Haas leads the way at Masters
Asafa Powell hits out at 'unfair' ban
6 months after inauguration, Sports Dept hasn’t taken charge of stadia
Pistorius's account under attack
Real Madrid no pushover for Bayern: Carlo
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HDFC boss Parekh appointed special adviser to Gavaskar
New Delhi, April 11 Parekh will be a special invitee during the IPL governing council meetings as his vast expertise in financial affairs will enable Gavaskar to ensure smooth functioning of IPL affairs for the next two months. In a BCCI media release, Parekh has been dubbed as “unofficial crisis consultant of the Government. His role as Special Director on the Satyam Board in 2009, to revive the company and restore the confidence in the Indian IT industry, was greatly acknowledged.” “Parekh has always been willing to share his ideas and experience to formulate reform policies across sectors. This, at times, has also meant advising the Government to take hard decisions,” the BCCI press release said. “It is this quality of being a trouble-shooter that has made him a guiding force and an active member of various high-powered Economic Groups, Government-appointed Advisory Committees and Task Forces,” it said. Former India opener Gavaskar was appointed the interim president of the BCCI-IPL following a direction from Supreme Court as N Srinivasan was asked to step aside from his post pending the completion of the IPL spot-fixing enquiry. Senior Vice-President Shivlal Yadav was made interim President for non-IPL matters. Gavaskar expressed his delight at the development as Parekh took up his offer. “I am delighted that Deepak has accepted my invitation to come on board as a special adviser and special invitee to the IPL Governing Council. It is apt that an individual of the calibre of Mr Parekh will be joining the BCCI-IPL’s leadership group.” According to Gavaskar, Parekh’s “diverse combination of skills and experience will result in a well-rounded senior management team at the IPL – one that will set the direction for a better and bigger league.” The chairman of the IPL Governing Council Ranjib Biswal is also hopeful that Parekh's experience will help them deliver a “memorable IPL”. Parekh on his part stressed on his endeavour to strengthen the IPL with his inputs in a new role. “I am excited to be invited to be a part of the IPL. I look forward to fulfilling this challenging new role on the IPL’s senior leadership team as an adviser to Mr. Gavaskar, as we look to strengthen the IPL,” Parekh said. Parekh has been honoured with several awards including the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2006 and ‘Knight in the Order of the Legion of Honour’— one of the highest distinctions conferred by the French Republic, in 2010. He was also the first international recipient of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ Outstanding Achievement Award, in 2010. SC to hear BCCI’s plea for Dhoni's transcripts
The Supreme Court on Friday said it will hear on April 16 the BCCI’s plea seeking transcripts of audio tapes containing statements of Board President N. Srinivasan and Indian captain MS Dhoni, recorded by the Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee which probed allegations of IPL betting and spot-fixing. However, BCCI's plea was opposed by the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) which questioned the locus standi of the Board in seeking the transcripts of the statements of Srinivasan, who has been kept out of the affairs of the cricket, and Dhoni. — Agencies |
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Order SIT probe, prevent cover-up: IPS officer to SC
New Delhi, April 11 In a petition, G Sampath Kumar, Superintendent of Police, said he was “at the root of the investigation into the match-fixing scandal” digging out new facts about the involvement of “top people in the management of cricket in India as well as certain players.” The police officer said he had sniffed the fixing scam while interrogating a person involved in a fake passport racket and subsequently deposed to this effect before the three-member probe panel appointed by the SC. “Certain influential sections of people who are in the management of IPL and also certain officials who were trying their best to derail the investigating process and sabotage the entire probe” had ensured his suspension, he said seeking quashing of the action against him. Meanwhile, an apex court Bench headed by Justice AK Patnaik today agreed to hear on April 16 a plea by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for transcripts of audio-tapes containing the statements of Board President N Srinivasan and Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the Supreme Court panel headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal. BCCI’s senior counsel Aryaman Sundaram said the transcripts were necessary for repudiating the allegations against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Bench said it had received a communication from Sunil Gavaskar, appointed by the SC to act as the Board chief to conduct the IPL matches this year pending disposal of the petition against the BCCI over betting and match fixing. The court, however, did not disclose the details.
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PCB head: We will nominate next ICC Board chairman
karachi, April 11 According to Sethi, the PCB has reached an agreement with the cricket boards of other countries at this week’s executive board meeting of the ICC in Dubai. Sethi said that all the boards including the BCCI had agreed to sign the agreements with Pakistan for next eight years. “The Indian board is part of these agreements and I am confident that we will pretty soon see the resumption of regular bilateral ties between the two countries,” he added. Asked by a reporter what guarantee was there that India would adhere to these agreements, Sethi said that if the agreements were not signed and made legally binding than the PCB would withdraw its conditional support for the ‘Big Three’. “Then we will not support them but we have followed a policy where we don’t want Pakistan cricket to be isolated and alone in international cricket. I see international cricket returning to Pakistan soon. Pakistan will nominate the next chairman of the ICC after the BCCI takes its turn this year,” Sethi said. He also announced that Pakistan in return for their conditional support to the recent changes/reforms in governance and financial model of the ICC had also entered into agreements with other boards for bilateral home and away series. — PTI
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Pietersen leaves everything behind to focus on IPL
New Delhi, April 11 Pietersen has always prided himself on being the man for the big occasion, but his brash public persona, supreme attitude and involvement in decision-making were often perceived as arrogance and disruptive elements by the England Cricket Board (ECB) and some of the fellow players alike. The tumultuous relationship between the England Cricket Board and the country's most successful cricketer came to an end in February this year when the ECB made Pietersen the scapegoat following their embarrassing Ashes whitewash by their arch-nemesis Australia Down Under. His axing could be the result of his anti-Andy Flower rant during an England squad meeting in Melbourne in December without the knowledge of the coaching staff when the fourth Test against Australia was underway. It could also has its roots to the text scandal, which involved provocative messages he had sent two years back about his then skipper Andrew Strauss to friends in the South African camp. It was never explained or revealed what exactly led to Pietersen’s axing, but his flamboyance and a dominating attitude could well be cited as a few reasons. But, then the ECB should have known how to manage a talent like KP. The cricket fraternity seemed divided. While Pietersen’s axing left the ECB battling a backlash from several former England players and captains; England captain Alastair Cook endorsed the decision, describing it as a “brave call” and pleading the supporters to keep patience until ECB’s gagging order is lifted. Lawrence Booth, editor of the cricket bible, Wisden, insisted England were right to dump their record international run-scorer. However, he conceded that the “biggest losers were the public.” The 33-year-old batsman, who left his native South Africa to pursue cricket in England, himself, hasn’t given up completely on playing at the highest level again. In fact, he’s confident of fulfilling a lifelong ambition — scoring 10,000 Test runs in English colours. He has scored 8,181 runs in 104 Tests. Pietersen will be seen leading the Delhi Daredevils in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League. But the charismatic batsman has already made it clear that he would not be taking the field after a gap of about four months to prove a point to anyone. “I don’t play cricket to make any point. This is just a new chapter in my life,” he said. Pietersen also denied that he had a bad relationship with his team-mates. “Contrary to popular belief, I have a very good relationship with most of the guys in the English dressing room.”
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Srikanth storms into semis, Sindhu out
Singapore, April 11 The 21-year-old Srikanth played a marathon quarter-final lasting an hour and three minutes to overcome Hong Kong's World No.14 Hun Yu 17-21, 21-14, 21-19 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. With the win, the World No.25 Indian took a 2-0 lead in their career meetings. They met the last time at the Malaysia Open Super Series Premier in January where the Hyderabadi won in the deciding game. In the last-four clash, Srikanth will go up against Malaysian top seed and World No.1 Lee Chong Wei, who won the India Open last week in New Delhi. The two-time Olympic silver medallist has won the only match the two played last year at Hong Kong. Later in the day, Sindhu showed promise at the start but eventually ran out of steam against Chinese second seed Yihan Wang. Though the former World Champion struggled in the first game, she left no stone unturned to thrash the eighth seeded Sindhu in the second game to win 21-19, 21-15 in 37 minutes. With the win, the current women's singles World No.3 has taken a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head. In the other men's singles encounter, Srikanth's friend and academy mate Sai could not match up to his fifth seeded Chinese opponent Du Pengyu, who took only 39 minutes to ease into the semifinals. World No.7 Du, who reached the India Open Super Series semis last week, beat Sai with the scoreline of 21-15 in both the games to take a 2-0 career advantage. — Agencies
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Augusta, April 11 The 31-year-old Haas hit the front after bagging three birdies on each nine, including a six-footer at the last that gave him his first three at the 18th at the 17th career attempt. The pin at the final hole was typical of the tricky flag positions on day one, tucked in on the corner of the putting surface. “Birdying 18 was a huge bonus,” the 2011 FedExCup winner told reporters at the opening major championship of the year. “I made some nice putts today, a couple of 20-footers, and that can certainly make a difference. Tough pins
“Today there was a bunch of tough pins and I think sometimes you've just got to say ... you either go at it or you're going to have 50 feet left because it's going to roll on the slopes.” Haas, the son of former U.S. Ryder Cup player Jay senior, refused to get too carried away with his performance. “I was leading last week after the first round and finished 37th,” he said of the Houston Open, “so I know there's tons of golf left. “I can't expect too much. You've just got to go out there and keep playing golf, try to hit that fairway on number one tomorrow.” Haas was relieved the decision to jettison his brother Jay junior as caddie in favor of the more experienced Scott Gneiser did not rebound on him. “My brother has been on the bag for a few years and I think I needed a change,” said the tournament leader. “I certainly confide in Scott just like I would have with my brother. “Scott has been under the gun a bunch of times with David Toms and played in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups. He's seen a lot more pressure-packed situations than most caddies so I certainly feel comfortable with that out there.” Scott felt less than comfortable with the shortest club in the bag, as evidenced by his three-putts for par on the long 13th and 15th. The world number two was also one of several victims of the notorious Amen Corner stretch - holes 11, 12 and 13. Incredible ovation
“At the 12th I received the most incredible ovation I've ever had but I struck my worst shot of the day,” said Scott after he dumped his nine-iron into Rae's Creek and took a double-bogey five.”It was the only weak shot I hit. I think the par-fives are a big key for me here, I didn't take advantage of them and shot 69 so that's a good indication of the quality of my play today.”— Agencies |
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Asafa Powell hits out at 'unfair' ban
Kingston, Jamaica, April 11 “This ruling is not only unfair, it is patently unjust. Panels such as these, I understood, were assembled to allow athletes who, consciously or unconsciously come into conflict with the rules of sport, a chance at equitable redemption,” Powell said in a statement posted on his website. “Unfortunately, this was not the case.” Powell's lawyer had already vowed to appeal the decision handed down by a three-member panel of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission Disciplinary Panel, which unanimously ruled that Powell, who blamed his positive result for a banned stimulant on a nutritional supplement, was negligent. Panel chairman Lennox Gayle announced the suspension, which is due to end on December 20 of this year. Powell and training partner Sherone Simpson tested positive for banned stimulant oxilofrine after the 100m finals at the Jamaican national championships on June 21, 2013. “Having reviewed and listened, and bisected all evidence, the panel arrived at a unanimous decision that Powell was found to be negligent and that he was at fault, especially since he is an elite athlete, so the period of ineligibility will be 18 moths, starting from the date of the positive test,” Gayle said. — Agencies
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6 months after inauguration, Sports Dept hasn’t taken charge of stadia
Chandigarh, April 11 The two stadiums, in Sectors 63 and 78, were inaugurated along with the new hockey stadium (in Sector 63) on September 27. The three stadiums were built by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), along with five others that are being run by the GMADA. While the Sports Department took official charge of the hockey stadium from GMADA in February, the Punjab Sports Director said it would take at least two more months for the Department to take over the stadiums. “The process is not complete yet. It might take two more months,” said Punjab Sports Director Tajinder Singh Dhaliwal. “We have found a few problems with the stadiums. We have told GMADA to fix the stadiums,” said Dhaliwal, though not specifying the problems. However, sources in the department said that the stadiums were made fully operational for the inauguration and only minor finishing touches remained. Meanwhile, GMADA has already thrown open the five stadiums, in Sectors 59, 61, 65, 69 and 71, to the public. Dilip Singh Rana, Sports Administrator, GMADA, said that when he took over in October, the stadiums were incomplete (some are still being finished). “My goal was to make the stadiums operational as soon as possible. So after the major construction was complete, I got the equipment and hired the coaches. There were a few technical problems with the stadiums but these were all fixed. There are still maintenance issues, but I can't stop training for leakage in a water-pipe or a broken window. These are multi-crore stadiums with top level equipment. We can't let these go to waste,” he said. While the stadium in Sector 63 has wooden badminton courts and a swimming pool among other facilities, the one in Sector 78 has a wooden basketball court, a full size swimming pool etc. When told that the GMADA stadiums were made operational, Dhaliwal said, “GMADA can do it, they have the money.” Asked whether there is a shortage of funds in the Sports Department, he said: “Yes.” Shortage of funds is also the reason why the hockey stadium has still not got adequate staff, three months after being taken over. The Rs 42-crore stadium has no groundsman, no sweeper and no gardener. More importantly there are only three security guards — two of whom are provided by Deepak Builders, who constructed the stadium — to man the 11.8-acre stadium. Because of the absence of a groundsman, the two coaches have to water the turf themselves, as was seen during a recent tournament. Dhaliwal said that it would take two months to resolve this issue as well, citing lack of funds and the code of conduct for the elections as the reason for the delay. Making money
According to Dhaliwal, the Sports Department is low on money, but the GMADA-run stadiums are already making money, said Rana. “We opened the stadiums on Feb 15, but only starting charging money from the users from March 1. Already we have almost 800 members/trainees. We have made almost Rs 20 lakh through fees. And the fee is reasonable, from Rs 75 per month for skating and basketball to Rs 700-1000 for swimming. The money goes into a specific joint account. We have devised a system that the money will be used only on these stadiums.” If the Sports Department is facing a shortage of funds, then maybe it should follow the GMADA model. Tomorrow:
How GMADA made it work One and the same thing
In the initial plan, all the seven multipurpose stadiums were to be run by the Sports Department. But due to lack of funds the Department decided to run only two stadiums, due to which the GMADA decided to run five of the seven. Saying that the funding was an issue, the Sports Director added, "How does it matter if the stadiums are run by the Sports Department or the GMADA? Both are under the Government.” If this is the case then why have specific departments? Why not make the Sports Department undertake construction and develop Mohali instead of the GMADA?" wondered an athlete when told about Dhaliwal's comments. |
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Pistorius's account under attack
Pretoria, April 11 Prosecutor Gerrie Nel examined the details of the alarm system at Pistorius's house, questioning why the athlete would believe an intruder had broken into his home when he had extensive security measures, including interior and exterior sensors. Pistorius said feared that building contractors may have moved some of the security beacons. The prosecutor said Pistorius had not mentioned immediately after the shooting that he had fears that building contractors had removed some of the security beacons, specifically near the bathroom window where he allegedly thought an intruder may have gained access. — PTI
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Real Madrid no pushover for Bayern: Carlo
Madrid, April 11 Bayern are trying to become the first team in the Champions League era to retain the trophy and also eliminated Madrid at the same stage in 2012 on penalties after a 3-3 draw on aggregate. “I think Bayern Munich are a great team. They have individual and collective quality and have had a great season,” Ancelotti said on Friday. “Pep Guardiola is one of the best coaches in the world and has experience. It is a very difficult tie for us, but also for Bayern Munich. I don't think it is easy to play against Real Madrid. “At this stage of the competition when you get to the semi-finals all the teams are good. Bayern Munich could be the favourites, but our objective is to win the Champions League and if we want to win it we have to beat Bayern.” — Agencies Big matches
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The Interim President of BCCI-IPL Sunil Gavaskar today appointed Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) chairman Deepak Parekh as his special adviser for the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League.
Kevin Pietersen will always be remembered as one of the most colourful characters ever to wear an England shirt. His unpredictability, flair and flamboyance tore apart some of the greatest fast bowlers and dominated the finest spinners of his era, in his own
non-chalant way. Pietersen has always prided himself on being the man for the big occasion, but his brash public persona, supreme attitude and involvement in decision-making were often perceived as arrogance and disruptive elements by the England Cricket Board
(ECB) and some of the fellow players alike. The tumultuous relationship between the England Cricket Board and the country's most successful cricketer came to an end in February this year when the ECB made Pietersen the scapegoat following their embarrassing Ashes whitewash by their arch-nemesis Australia Down Under.
Singapore, April 11
Augusta, April 11
It has been six months since two new multipurpose stadiums in Mohali were inaugurated (by the Chief Minister Prakash Singh
Badal) but the Punjab Sports Department has not yet taken charge of the stadiums.
