New Delhi, May 6
Controversial former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, who has been living in exile after being slapped with a life ban, was today elected President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, prompting a livid BCCI to indefinitely suspend the RCA.

Modi predictably swept the polls, winning by an emphatic 24-5 margin after the Supreme Court cleared the decks for the announcement of the election results, more than four months after the acrimonious polls.

The result was announced by court-appointed observer Justice NM Kasliwal here today. The announcement of results is expected to trigger another round of legal tussle between Modi and the BCCI, which has made it clear that it would not accept the verdict.

Out of a total 33 votes, Modi's opponent Rampal Sharma earned just five.

Within a couple of hours of the declaration of RCA poll results, the BCCI indefinitely suspended the RCA and decided to form an ad-hoc committee to run the affairs of the affiliated unit.

“The BCCI President has indefinitely suspended RCA from participating in any BCCI activity. The decision has been taken as per the constitution clause No. 32, sub-clause 7, where the president has the right to suspend an association, which doesn't conform with the rules and regulations of the BCCI. The decision was taken by Interim President Shivlal Yadav,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told PTI.

Asked if the chances of Rajasthan players being selected in various national teams will be affected because of this development, Patel said: “BCCI is pro-player. Our endeavour will be to look after the cricketers from Rajasthan. We will be forming an ad-hoc body which will run cricket in Rajasthan, taking care of the interest of the players.” The 50-year-old Modi, who has been living in London for the past four years, was allowed to contest the RCA elections held on December 19 last year under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed observer.

Among other office-bearers, Somendra Tiwari was elected as the new secretary, while Pawan Goyal won the treasurer's post. Mehmood M Abdi, a close confidante and legal counsel of Modi, has been elected as the deputy president of the RCA.

Abdi claimed that Modi, despite being based in London right now, was capable of running the RCA affairs.

“Modi will be running RCA through his executive committee. It is a shrinking world and lot of the work is done through video conferencing. CP Joshi was the chief earlier for four years and he used to be in Delhi most of the times,” he said.

“I expect Modi to be back when the security situation improves,” he added, referring to the alleged security threat cited by Modi for refusing to come back to India.

Modi was slapped with a life ban by the BCCI on September 25 last year after its disciplinary committee found him guilty on eight charges of “indiscipline and misconduct”. After Modi entered the fray in the RCA elections, BCCI had challenged the Rajasthan Sports Act, 2005 which allowed the former Indian Premier League chief to contest the presidential polls despite being banned for life by the Board. — Agencies 

Jaipur, May 6
Unfazed by the suspension imposed on it by the BCCI, Rajasthan Cricket Association's newly-elected Deputy President Mehmood Abdi today said the RCA would challenge the Board's decision in court. Abdi said the suspension was not fair and the RCA would be taking all possible legal actions.

“We are mulling over the situation and would appeal in the High Court,” said Abdi, who is also the President of the Sri Ganganagar District Association apart from being Modi's lawyer.

“We are governed by the Sports Act prevailing in the state and it is law of the land whereas BCCI is just a registered body. We shall raise the matter on all possible forums apart from fighting it out in the court.

“It is unfair to punish the association given that the ban was on one person. Some of the members are pushing for a Special General Body meeting of the BCCI to be convened at the earliest and I hope the matter would come up there too,” said Abdi who himself has been elected as Deputy President in the new RCA executive.

Abdi also alleged that N Srinivasan was still calling the shots in the BCCI and interim chiefs Sunil Gavaskar and Shivlal Yadav were “toeing his line”.

Abdi said that the BCCI has no legal right to suspend RCA because it was governed by the Sports Act of the state.

“We had thought that better sense would prevail in BCCI after appointing of Gavaskar and Shivlal Yadav by the apex court of India who had also asked N Srinivasan to keep away from the affairs of BCCI till the enquiry commission submits its findings. But the BCCI is working in same revengeful manner against former IPL commissioner Lalit as before and that is why Gavaskar and Shivlal Yadav are toeing line of Srinivasan,” said Abdi. — PTI

Scoreboard

Mumbai Indians:
Dunk c Yuvraj b Patel 15 (14)
Gautam c Patel b Aaron 30 (28)
Rayudu b Dinda 9 (9)
Sharma not out 59 (35)
Anderson c Kohli b Chahal 6 (4)
Pollard run out 43 (31)
Tare not out 0 (0)
Extras (B-4, LB-8, W-12, NB-1) 25
Total (5 wickets in 20 overs) 187
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-71, 3-77, 4-84, 5-181
Bowling:
Starc 4-0-29-0
Dinda 3-0-38-1
Patel 4-0-28-1
Aaron 4-0-41-1
Chahal 4-0-30-1
Yuvraj 1-0-9-0

Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Gayle b Harbhajan 38 (24)
Parthivb Harbhajan 26 (19)
Kohli c Anderson b Suyal 35 (28)
de Villiers b Bumrah 9 (7)
Yuvraj run out (Pollard) 6 (10)
Rossouw not out 24 (14)
Starc c Pollard b Malinga 5 (4)
Patel b Bumrah 6 (2)
Aaron not out 7 (8)
Dinda not out 2 (4)
Extras (lb 6, w 4) 10
Total (8 wkts; 20 ovs) 168
Fall of wickets: 1-53 2-94 3-117 4-119 5-132 6-139 7-151 8-159
Bowling:
Suyal 3-0-35-1
Bumrah 4-0-22-2
Harbhajan 4-0-33-2
Malinga 4-0-29-2
Pollard 4-0-37-0
Rohit 1-0-6-0
MoM: Rohit Sharma

New Delhi, May 6
Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders would be looking to end their run of losses when they face-off in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Wednesday.

Kolkata are having a tough run in the tournament, having suffered four back-to-back defeats. The loss in the previous game against Rajasthan Royals would certainly have dented their confidence - they lost six wickets in just eight balls - a clear sign of shaky middle-order.

Delhi haven’t fared much better either - losing five of their seven matches so far. But, Delhi would head into the encounter with a psychological advantage, having beaten Knight Riders by four wickets in the UAE leg.

Delhi lost to two-time champions Chennai Super Kings on Monday, owing to some dismal bowling show by the pacers and spinners alike and they need to quickly address this weakness before hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab in the games ahead.

NEW DELHI, May 6
The Indian Olympic Association on Tuesday expressed a strong desire to stage the 2019 Asian Games following the withdrawal of Vietnam capital Hanoi and is banking on the next central government to approve the plan, IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said.

Mehta said in case India hosts the 2019 Asian Games, the IOA will not exercise financial powers and will only organise the multi-sporting event, a remark which appeared to stem from the experience of 2010 Commonwealth Games corruption scandal.

“We want to host 2019 Asian Games after Vietnam’s withdrawal. We will take a final decision in IOA General Body Meeting which will be held most likely next month. We are waiting for the new government to be formed and hoping to get its approval,” Mr. Mehta said.

“We have all the infrastructure in Delhi. I feel it’s a matter of getting government approval,” he added.

Hanoi was chosen in 2012 to host the 18th Asian Games ahead of Indonesia’s Surabaya but last month, the Vietnamese capital withdrew due to economic pressures.

Indonesia has expressed its willingness to step in as a replacement and a final decision on the host city will be decided on September 20 during the Incheon Asian Games.

India had bid for hosting this year’s Asian Games but had lost out to Incheon in 2007. Asked if the IOA has sounded out Olympic Council of Asia expressing India’s willingness, Mr. Mehta said, “We are having communication through unofficial channels with OCA. The important thing is to get government approval. So let the new government be formed first.”

He said in case India hosts the 2019 Asiad, the IOA will not exercise financial powers but will only be involved in organisational and technical matters.

“We don’t want to get into controversies and we will ask the government to exercise financial powers by themselves or by any other they may decide. But we won’t exercise financial powers. We will just organise the Games and get involved in technical things,” he said. In recent times, National Games have been delayed several times due to incompletion of infrastructure. — PTI

Pretoria, May 6
A defence witness in the murder trial of South African track star Oscar Pistorius told the court on Monday she feared the double amputee would shoot himself with the gun he used to kill his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year.

Carice Viljoen and her father Johan, the manager of Pistorius' up-market Pretoria housing complex, were first on the scene after the 27-year-old shot dead his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in the early hours of Feb. 14, 2013.

She said she feared Pistorius might use the gun he had left upstairs to kill himself after emergency services staff asked him to fetch the already dead Steenkamp's identification. “I was scared that he might shoot himself,” she told the court as the trial resumed after a two-week adjournment. “I couldn't hear him. I called out to him to hurry up with the bag.” Pistorius' defence hinges on his assertion that he heard a noise in the middle of the night and thought it was an intruder climbing into the bathroom adjoining his bedroom. — Reuters

New Delhi, May 6
Five-time world champion MC Mary Kom’s last competitive bout was at the London Olympics in 2012, when she won a historic bronze for the country. Since then, the diminutive boxer from Manipur underwent two surgeries and had a baby. An 18-month lay-off from the ring led many to speculate that Mary Kom’s career was over and it would be difficult for her to return to the ring with the same passion and vigour.

But, proving her doubters wrong, she is ready to take on the world’s best at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year in the 51kg category.

Does she have the stamina to last three rounds after deciding to make a full-fledged comeback? The challenge isn’t just being on top of her game, it’s being ahead of it.

Mary Kom is herself not too sure of withstanding the rigours of international boxing. She wants the Sports Ministry to provide her a personal coach, who can assess her fitness and stamina level and train her for the two events.

“There are not enough men’s coaches in the camp. Those who are available, would not be able to concentrate on my performance individually. What I need is a personal coach who can tell me where I am lacking, or where I am going wrong,” Mary Kom told The Tribune.

“The coach should tell me about my weakness, my fitness and stamina level. I am making a comeback after a gap of nearly two years, so it will take time to get into the groove. With personal coaching, I can concentrate fully on my game, I can prepare well for the tournaments ahead. For example, if there are 30-40 girls and 10 coaches in the camp, they would not concentrate on my game individually. It would be good if a coach is associated with a medal hopeful. This will increase the chances of winning the medal,” she said.

Has she approached the Sports Ministry with the proposal? “After the selection trials for the CWG, I will submit a proposal to the Sports Ministry. But, first I have to decide where I need to train after the trials. You know I have not attended the camp since 2012 (she left the national camp in January 2012 before the London Games).”

Mary Kom trained under renowned boxing coach Charles Atkinson ahead of the London Olympics.

Asked about the availability of the Liverpool-based coach, she said, “I have to discuss it with my sponsors Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ). I don’t know whether he is available or not. Let’s first concentrate on the trials.”

Mary Kom is targetting another first for an Indian woman boxer as the women’s boxing is included in the CWG for the first time, while it made its debut in the Asian Games at Guangzhou 2010.

The 31-year-old pugilist will be seen participating in the 51kg trials for the CWG, and with L Sarita Devi and Pinky Jhangra also taking part in the two-day meet; it may not be a cakewalk for the ‘Magnificient Mary’.

“I am making a comeback after a long time, so naturally it will take some time for me to reach that fitness level. My first priority is to clear the selection trials. I have worked hard in the last one month. I started my training last month after almost two years. A few days back, I started sparring with my academy students (Jamuna Devi and Nengneihat Kom),” she said, adding that she worked hard to reduce her body weight and get back to 51kg.

“At the moment, I am nearly 60 per cent fit, but I am happy to have lost my weight,” she said.

Asked about the possibility of meeting her London Olympic nemesis, British boxer Nicola Adams, at the Glasgow CWG once again, Mary Kom said she would look to extract revenge for her defeat. “If I get selected for the CWG, I would look to beat Nicola. There are high chances of meeting her. She is a strong contender and I have already started watching her videos, analyzing her game,” she added.

Madrid, May 6
Roger Federer became the second of the world’s top four to pull out of the Madrid Masters on Tuesday as he has decided to stay at home with his wife Mirka as they await the birth of their third child.

Federer’s withdrawal comes just two days after world number two Novak Djokovic also decided not to compete in the Spanish capital due to a wrist injury.

“I've decided to withdraw from Madrid to be with my wife Mirka during these next few exciting weeks for our family,” he said on his official Facebook page.

“I apologise to my fans and hope to be back in Madrid next year. I'll be training near my home, and am excited to rejoin the Tour soon!”

Federer’s withdrawal could benefit Andy Murray as the Scot is now the highest seeded player left in the second quarter of the draw.

Meanwhile, Fifth seed David Ferrer needed three sets to overcome fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos 7-6(6) 5-7 6-3. Fabio Fognini was beaten 7-5 4-6 6-3 by Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov and Tommy Haas also suffered a first round exit at the hands of the Netherlands’ Igor Sijsling 3-6 6-1 6-4.

There is still plenty of star power on show in the women’s section as Li Na and Maria Sharapova moved into round three on Tuesday.

Sharapova won her first tournament of the season on her return to clay in Stuttgart two weeks ago and looked in fine form as she raced through the first set 6-1.

However, McHale went on to take the second 6-4 and led 4-1 in the decider only for Sharapova to respond by reeling off five straight games to set up a meeting with 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur in the last 16.

Australian Open champion Li had a more simple task as she swept aside fellow Chinese Zheng Jie 6-2 6-3. Zheng led the head-to-head record between the two 4-3 before the match, but Li has now won the last four meetings between the pair in straight sets and will next face Sloane Stephens. — Agencies

Double Trouble

During a ceremony where Rafael Nadal was honoured as the adopted son of Madrid something interesting happened. On the day when Nadal was conferred with the city’s highest honour, he was introduced to Jose Manuel Ramiro, a bus driver. When the two stood together there was confusion about who’s who. Ramiro looks exactly like Nadal. Ramiro said he was confused for Nadal daily. The bus driver has worked as a body double for Nadal in a car commercial.

Rome, May 6
The Juventus fans were in a mood to party and their team lived up to expectations as they celebrated winning a third successive Serie A title with a 1-0 victory over Atalanta on Monday.

A second-half Simone Padoin strike enabled the champions to enjoy the moment in front of their supporters by maintaining their 100 per cent home record.

Antonio Conte’s side, handed their 30th championship thanks to AS Roma’s 4-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Catania on Sunday, are on 96 points, 11 ahead of Roma and only a point away from equalling the all-time record set by Inter Milan in 2007.

“Winning the league three times in a row after finishing seventh twice and making a bit of a mark in Europe, with a quarterfinal finish the Champions League and the semi-finals of the Europa League... I don’t think Juventus could have done any better,” Conte said.

“Tonight is the latest confirmation of what my team is made of, both as a team and as men. I think my greatest satisfaction in is having transmitted a exceptional mentality.”

Padion’s powerful 72nd-minute strike which careered in off the post following a nifty flick from Paul Pogba secured Juve’s 18th straight home league win and they only have to beat Cagliari to finish the season unbeaten at the Juventus Stadium.

Conte made eight changes to the side which failed to overturn a 2-1 deficit in their Europa League semifinal with Benfica and they were rarely troubled by an Atalanta team who stayed in 11th on 47 points and now have no chance of European football. — Reuters

London, May 6
World No. 1 Tiger Woods says his recovery from back surgery has been a “very slow process” and he remains unsure over when he can return to competitive golf.

Woods, who has won 14 majors, has been sidelined since going under the knife for a pinched nerve in his back at the end of March, forcing him to miss last month’s Masters tournament for the first time in 20 years. “I made the decision to have surgery because physically I just couldn’t make a golf swing. That pretty much sums it up,” Woods wrote in a blog on his website.

“Some people heal up in three months, some people take four, some people take longer. As for my return to golf, I really don’t know. I’m doing everything I can and listening to my doctors.”

The slow recovery could also force Woods to sit out the US Open at Pinehurst, which begins on June 12, and the British Open at Royal Liverpool in July, denying him a chance to end his six-year major drought anytime soon.

“I haven’t used a sand wedge yet. I’ve just done putting and chip-and-runs using the same length of motion. I haven’t really rotated yet,” Woods continued.

“As far as taking a full swing, I have conference calls with my doctors every couple of weeks to see how my progress is and just kind of chart it out from there. — Reuters

London, May 6
Liverpool blew a 3-0 lead in the final 11 minutes to draw 3-3 at Crystal Palace on Monday as their desperate search for more goals left them exposed at the back and handed the Premier League title initiative firmly back to Manchester City.

Liverpool’s naivety, allied to woeful mistakes and decision-making when victory seemed assured, almost certainly ended their hopes of a first title for 24 years and although they returned to top spot, Manchester City are now odds-on favourites to win their second title in three seasons.

Liverpool have 81 points with one match to play while City have 80 points with two matches left and a nine-goal better goal difference.

City host Aston Villa on Wednesday and West Ham United on Sunday while Liverpool’s remaining game is at home to Newcastle United. Liverpool were coasting to victory and a three-point lead after goals from Joe Allen, Daniel Sturridge and Suarez.

But Palace stormed back with two goals from substitute Dwight Gayle and one from Damien Delaney who brought Palace back into the game with a screamer in the 79th minute before Gayle’s second two minutes from time forced the draw.

The Liverpool players slumped to the ground in despair at the end with Suarez and others in tears as they left the field.

Liverpool’s title hopes, already receding after last week’s 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea and City’s 3-2 win at Everton on Saturday, are now hanging by an even slenderer thread and manager Brendan Rodgers conceded their challenge was over. “The race is over now, City will go on and win it. We had to win this match to keep the pressure on City. I think they will go on and win the two games and be champions.” — Reuters

Chandigarh, May 6
With an eye on the 2016 Rio Games, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra today launched the ‘Abhinav Bindra Shooting Scholarship Programme’, which aims to develop talented youngsters in India by offering support to select junior shooters.

Shooters selected for the programme will receive monetary support and access to expertise, equipment support (in cases of financial need), and a week-long shooting workshop with Bindra and his panel of experts.

“It is an exciting time for Indian shooting as we look forward to a number of major events. I look forward to giving back to the sport that has given me so much and eagerly await the opportunity to work with the new crop of shooters in helping them reach their full potential,” Bindra said. “I hope that this shooting scholarship programme and the shooters supported through it will go from strength to strength.”

Shooters of merit competing at the national and/or international level can apply before May 23. All applicants must be in the age group of 13-21 years. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Lillee quits consultancy role with Oz in pay dispute
Melbourne: Australia test bowling great Dennis Lillee, credited for helping resurrect paceman Mitchell Johnson's career, has quit as a Cricket Australia coaching consultant after failing to agree terms on his pay. CA this week signed a two-year extension with another former fast bowler, Craig McDermott, as the team's bowling coach. “Unfortunately Dennis Lillee didn't accept Cricket Australia's offer to renew his contract,” a CA spokesperson said in a statement. “He is a great of the game and the door will always be open to him if he wants to return and be involved in any way. “We've made a point in recent times of being open to bringing in coaching consultants when required.”

Kaneria’s life ban upheld by London High Court
London: In another jolt to Danish Kaneria’s chances of returning to professional cricket, the London High Court dismissed the Pakistan leg-spinner’s appeals against his life ban from the sport on Tuesday. Kaneria, who is charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board for encouraging a teammate to under perform during his county stint with Essex, is fighting a hard legal battle to prove what he calls ‘his innocence’. The ECB had charged Kaneria with inducing another Essex player to “deliberately concede” runs in a limited-overs game against Durham in 2009 and with bringing disrepute to the game. Justice Hamblen said the appeal panel had not exceeded its powers. — Agencies

World Kabaddi League launched
New Delhi: The World Kabaddi League was launched here today in the presence of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and former India hockey captain Pargat Singh. The league is all set for inauguration in mid-June and will be played across four continents starting from August to December. “I am extremely proud to let the world know of India’s sporting prowess in the field of kabaddi through the league,” said Badal, who is also the president of the league. Pargat Singh, commissioner of the league, said, “After successfully executing four editions of Kabaddi World Cup in Punjab, we realised the need for a professional kabaddi league which connects South Asians across the world with their traditional heritage.” The league will travel to 14 cities around the world. Each city will host at least one weekend where all the 10 teams will compete. — PTI

Lawrence School cagers win opener in girls’ tourney
Solan: The 11th All India Honoria Basketball tournament for girls began today at Lawrence School, Sanawar, where seven teams from top schools of the country are participating. This tournament is held to commemorate Lady Honoria, wife of the founder of Lawrence School, Sir Henry Lawrence. The tourney will be played on league cum knock-out basis. The teams include APS, Dagshai, Sri Ram School, Gurgaon, All Saints College, Nainital, Pathways School, Aravali, Welham Girls School, Dehradun, St. Mary’s School, Kasauli and the hosts, who have fielded two teams — Sanawar Red and Sanawar White. Sanawar Red won the inaugural match against Pathways School 35-7. In the other matches of the day, St Mary’s School was humbled 7-19 Welham Girls and Sri Ram School beat Sanawar White 43 -10. The tournament is being held under the aegis of the Basketball Federation of India. — TNS

Zanetti confirms retirement at end of season
Milan: Inter Milan and Argentina fullback Javier Zanetti confirmed on Tuesday he will retire at the end of the season after making more than 800 appearances during 19 seasons with the Serie A club. “I felt that the moment had arrived,” Zanetti, who turns 41 in August and is widely upheld as a model professional, said. Zanetti, who won 145 caps for his country despite being controversially left out of the 2006 and 2010 World Cup squads, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon last April, the first serious injury of his career. He bounced back to make 10 Serie A appearances this season. “After the injury, I wanted to show that I could come back and be competitive again. I feel that I’m a complete person who has achieved what he set out to do. Retiring at 41 and still being in form is something you cannot put a price on.” He has made 613 Serie A appearances, a tally bettered only by former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini. — Agencies