|
|
|
|
|
Hockey World Cup sans fanfare
Qualifier 1: KKR, KXIP tie postponed due to rain
|
|
|
Entrepreneurship: Where Indians lack, foreign players make a killing
Haryana boxers to the fore again
Oz Open champs Stan, Li Na make early exits
Sushil, Yogeshwar to compete in new categories for first time
FIFA WORLD CUP: 15 DAYS to go
Brazilian national football team defender David Luiz undergoing a medical check-up at the squad's Granja Comary training complex, in Teresopolis on Tuesday.
AFP
|
|
Hockey World Cup sans fanfare
On the other hand, with less than four days left for the hockey World Cup to begin, and with India being one of the teams in the fray, the event seems to have missed the consciousness of fans and media. Indian fans and even the media, keenly following the tamasha-like IPL, seem to have forgotten that their national team will soon take on Belgium in its first match of the hockey World Cup. According to Hockey India (HI) Secretary Narinder Batra, Indians lost their connect with the sport since the national team lost its winning edge many years ago. “Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to register any win in any of the major international hockey events over the years,” he said. “People seem to have disconnected themselves with the game.” Batra also said that Hockey India has focussed more on the Asian Games than the World Cup this year. “We may get a decent position in the World Cup but will definitely emerge as the winners in the Asian Games, scheduled to be held in South Korea in September this year,” said Batra. In Punjab, long known as the cradle of hockey stars, the situation is no different. The state is known for the famous Sansarpur village, home to numerous Olympics medal-winners, and the Surjeet Hockey Academy and various other academies that have churned out many national and international players. However, in terms of a build-up for the World Cup, there seems to be a complete lull in the state. No signature campaigns have been launched in the state from which the maximum number of players – 10 – are in the current national squad. The youth of the state, whose keen interest in the recent Lok Sabha elections was visible on the social networking sites, seem to have ignored hockey. The Indian team seems to have lost its fan following along with its cutting edge. Pargat Singh, the Hockey India Secretary, said that top-quality hockey tournaments are missing from the state, and that reflects in the dwindling interest. “How can you expect people to connect with the game without giving them a consistent dose of talented players and the passion connected to the game?” Pargat Singh told The Tribune. “For a long time we have been waiting for the approval of HI to organise a six-nation tournament with a prize money of Rs 1.5 crores in the state but so far have not received the approval.” Olympian Balbir Singh Kular, who won Olympics and Asiad medals with the Indian team in the 1960s, believes that the main problem lies with the strategy of promotion of hockey. “Although it is bit shameful to ask for promoting the national game in the country, the fact is that the minds of the sports fans are awe-struck by cricket,” he said. “So HI has to think of a really good marketing strategy now, along with raising the standard of the sport, to revive its fan following. The old players should also come forward to promote the sport in their respective areas.” That’s not happening and so, with just a few days left for the match against Belgium, there is hardly anyone trying to cheer the team up by shouting “Chak de!” Walmiki replaces injured Nikkin Thimmaiah The Hague: The Indian hockey team has suffered yet another blow as forward Nikkin Thimmaiah has been ruled out of the World Cup, following a hamstring pull on the right side. Doctors diagnosed tear in his right hamstring muscle and have advised Thimmaiah a complete bed rest of four weeks. Yuvraj Walmiki has been named as his replacement. A Couple of days back, striker Ramandeep Singh was also ruled out after seriously injuring himself during India's first practice match. “It's a double blow to us. Nikkin Thimmaiah is a key player in the team and missing out on him will be a big setback. With both Ramandeep and Nikkin missing out on the big platform I am sure both Yuvraj and Lalit will take this as a big opportunity to prove their game," said coach Terry Walsh. Walmiki, 23, said he would be looking to give his best. “It's a big loss for the team as we will miss both Ramandeep and Nikkin. I will give by best and live up to the expectations of the coach and the team,” said Walmiki. “I was a part of the Indian team that went to Europe Tour last month to get used to the weather and playing conditions ahead of the Hockey World Cup. It should not be a big challenge for me. I am excited and looking forward to take on the challenge ahead,” he added. PTI
|
|
Qualifier 1: KKR, KXIP tie postponed due to rain
Kolkata, May 27 If the weather god does not permit a full game on Wednesday as well, then it will be a five-overs-a-side game. If that is also not possible, the winner will be decided via a Super Over. If that, too, is ruled out then Kings XI Punjab will go through to the final for finishing as the league toppers with 20 points and 11 wins. With heavy rain on Tuesday and more being forecast for Wednesday, it seems unlikely that Eden Gardens would witness a cracker of a contest between the 2012 champions Kolkata Knight Riders and the team to beat this season, Kings XI Punjab. “Even if we don't get a bright sunny day tomorrow, a dry spell of five-six hours in the morning would be enough to make the ground ready," CAB joint-secretary Subir Ganguly told reporters. Mumbai vs Chennai in Eliminator Mumbai: A few days back, Chennai Super Kings lost a crucial battle without even facing their nemesis. It must be a heart-breaking loss. They must be wondering just how they fell into the Eliminator trap after looking destined for another top-two place finish, as has been the case for them in the previous editions of IPL. It was a case of two different stories unfolding at the same time but no IPL fan could ever have thought what the climax would be. Their nemesis, Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, began to move up the points ladder in a commendable fashion, winning seven games in a row. From being down in the dumps to rising to the third position and dislodging Chennai from second place in the table after their unbelievable win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, KKR scripted a remarkable chapter in the history of their IPL journey. The results of Kolkata-Hyderabad tie left Chennai with just one chance to get a shot at the title. The tournament format is such that teams finishing No. 1 and 2 on the table after the league stage play Qualifier 1 but the loser of that match gets a second chance to reach the final by playing Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator that is played between teams finishing No. 3 and 4. Chennai face Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday. |
|
Entrepreneurship: Where Indians lack, foreign players make a killing
Kolkata, May 27 In fact, when we think of Indian cricketers, many things come to our mind – but entrepreneurship probably isn’t one of them. Legends on the field have either not felt the need to work too hard to make money after their playing days are over, or have not been able to find success when it comes to running their own businesses. Entrepreneurship is all about leadership and decision-making, but when starting a new venture, Indian cricketers lack the interest or the business skills that their counterparts from Australia and New Zealand have mastered. If you look at the present-day cricketers such as Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, they all have invested in real estate, but have shown reluctance in setting up their own ventures. Of the past masters, Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev began their cafe or restaurant chains, or sports management companies, in partnership with business associates. Some of these business continue, but some have shut shop owing to either lack of business or changing trends, or their own lack of motivation. On the other hand, cricketers from New Zealand and Australia have successfully explored commercial interests back home, and some are now expanding them to the subcontinent. New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has teamed up with country-mates Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori to do business in India, ranging from imported liquor and meat to an online scoring system. McCullum also owns a bloodstock company — Vermair Racing Limited. Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh manages his wife's stable in New South Wales, while Michael Kasprowicz, after doing a Masters of Business Administration, has established his own boutique advisory company, Venture India, to help facilitate business deals and relations for Australian companies in India. Where Indian cricketers have failed to succeed, their overseas counterparts are making a killing. So, what is it with the western cricketers that they are keen about setting up their own business? Just like his cricketing acumen, former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming is taking a calculated approach with CricHQ, an IT company founded by him with Simon Baker that promotes cricket through social media networks and employs a staff of 85 personnel. “I think the needs of Australian and New Zealand cricketers are such that we have to find a profession other than cricket. We don't make enough money, by the time we retire from the game. There have been Indian players who have remained associated with the cricket board, for different reasons. They love the game and want to remain with it. But, in our case, we have to look for business options,” Fleming told The Tribune. “Be it the IPL riches or from other cricketing avenues, Indian cricketers have more options, unlike us. There might be more opportunities through cricket in India, whereas in Australia and New Zealand, it's very limited. We only have a few cricket commentators in NZ. In India, you will find a lot more taking up the job. I think the western cricketers like to explore the business angle, and that's why you can see a lot of New Zealand cricketers starting their business ventures and coming to India,” Fleming added. Of late, some Indian cricketers have also mastered the art of entrepreneurship. Virender Sehwag has started the Sehwag International School; former Ranji cricketer M.J.K. Mahindra, along with Robin Uthappa, has started the Bat & Ball Inn house cafes in Bangalore, Chennai and Kochi; MS Dhoni has started SportsFit World Pvt Ltd. While these are just a handful of businesses set up by Indian stars, cricketers from Australia and New Zealand have been running their entrepreneurial ventures for long. “We always looked to have our own business. It's been always the plan (to target the Indian market). We were always sure about launching CricHQ in India. There's a huge audience in India. We think we can do well in this market. I understand the Indian culture and business landscapes of this country. It's not about releasing a product; it's about nurturing a product,” Fleming said. For Fleming, who’s in India for the IPL for two months anyway, it only makes great sense to explore commercial possibilities in India. |
|
Haryana boxers to the fore again
Hisar, May 27 In the men’s section, four out of eight belong to Haryana — Manoj Kumar (64 kg), Mandeep Jangra (69 kg), 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Kumar (75 kg) and Sumit Sangwan (81 kg). In the women’s section, it is two out of three — Pinky Jangra (51kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg). Sports enthusiasts, family members and coaches alike are hopeful that the boxers would repeat the 2010 CWG performance where Indian boxers bagged seven medals including three gold. Haryana men had contributed with five medals including two gold medals — won by Paramjit Samota and Manoj Kumar in their respective categories. Bhiwani Boxing Club coach Jagdish Singh believes that all the members in the squad, which is a mix of experience and youth, are medal material. “Besides Vijender and Manoj — gold medal winners from 2010 CWG — Sumit Sangwan has also represented the country in the 2012 Olympics and the World Boxing Championships.” Pinky, the youngster from Hisar district who beat Mary Kom in the trials, and Pooja will be participating in their first CWG as women’s boxing is making its debut. Pooja, a resident of Nimdiwali village in Bhiwani district, said that she started boxing in her school days and that her family’s support helped her in pursuing her dream. “At Bhiwani, we get the opportunity to practise with the international-level boxers. It gives us immense confidence and makes us want to excel as well,” said the 23-year-old adding that she has her eye on the gold in Glasgow. Jagdish added that the Haryana youngsters, especially in contact sports, have a physical as well as a psychological edge over athletes from other parts of the country. “It took a lot of hard work in making Bhiwani as the hub of boxing in the country. The success of the seniors and a sense of competition always inspire the youngsters to excel in sports in the boxing academies of Bhiwani,” he said. Akhil Kumar, 2006 CWG gold-medallist, said that the promotion of sports by the society, the media and later by the government has helped Bhiwani and Haryana as a whole in emerging as a hub of sports in the last few years. “The youth in Haryana have realised that success in sports means jobs, money and a celebrity status. There are so many examples like Vijender, Jitender Kumar, Vikas Yadav and Paramjit who brought medals for the country and were rewarded aptly by the state government. Tough competition at the local level means more medals for the country at the international level,” Akhil said.
Dinesh Kumar undergoes surgery on fractured arm
Patiala: Olympian Dinesh Kumar, who met with an accident on Sunday night, underwent an operation that lasted for about six hours till late Monday night. National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu informed that Dinesh's operation had been successful and he was fully conscious today. “He was chatting with us and spent his day watching TV. He is perfectly fine now as far as his operation goes but the doctors will keep him under observation for three to four days to ensure that he doesn't catch any infection. He also moved around a little but it will be too early to comment as to when he will be able to return to the ring. If he can return, it would be great," he added. The coach informed that the doctors had put metal plates in Dinesh’s fractured arm. Dinesh had met with an accident near Kakrala village near Ghagga while he was returning to NIS, Patiala, from his hometown Bhiwani.
— TNS |
|
Oz Open champs Stan, Li Na make early exits
Paris, May 27 Wawrinka, who has Samuel Beckett's ‘Fail Better’ quote tattooed on his left arm, did not look for excuses as he became the tournament's first major casualty, losing 6-4 5-7 6-2 6-0 to the world No.41 from Spain. "I need to put the puzzle back together, but differently than in the past, because now — after winning a grand slam, being No.3 in the world — everything is different, and I still didn't find all the pieces," he said. The second seed from China, who won the Roland Garros title in 2011, admitted she had handed her victory to the Frenchwoman through her own failings on another chilly day in Paris. "I think it doesn't matter who plays today against me, I always lose the match. Today I just gave it away," said Li. Once dubbed the next big thing of French women's tennis, Mladenovic saved two set points in the opener, lost focus in the second but stepped up a gear again in the decider to wrap it up on her second match point. "It's incredible, without you I couldn't have done it," a weeping Mladenovic told the cheering crowd. Another young Frenchwoman, Caroline Garcia, offered far fewer problems to 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic on the same court. The Serbian won 6-1 6-3 to join the 2009 title winner, Svetlana Kuznetsova, in the second round. Caroline Wozniacki, the former world No.1 now seeded 13th, suffered more pain after her break-up with top golfer Rory McIlroy when she lost in three sets to Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium on her return to tennis and the public eye. David Ferrer, runner-up last year to eight-times champion Rafa Nadal, and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray reached the second round. Murray was the only one of the trio to drop a set in a 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3 defeat of Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev. Ferrer eased through 6-4 6-3 6-1 against Dutchman Igor Sijsling. Men's seeds Tommy Haas and Nicolas Almagro were forced to withdraw injured.
— Reuters |
|
Sushil, Yogeshwar to compete in new categories for first time
New Delhi, May 27 The 12-member India team, including six women and as many men, will be leaving for Sasari, Italy, tonight. Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil and London Games bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt will be competing for the first time in their new weight categories at an international tournament. Sushil won a bronze in the 2008 Beijing Games and a silver in the 2012 London Games in the 66kg freestyle category while Yogeshwar bagged bronze in 60kg freestyle in the British capital. After the international governing body for wrestling, FILA, decided to drop both 60kg and 66kg weight categories in December last year while tweaking 18 other weight divisions, Sushil decided to move up to the 74kg category, Yogeshwar chose the 65kg. “This is the first time Sushil and Yogeshwar will have their bouts in their new weight categories," coach Satpal said. Satpal, who is Sushil`s father-in-law and mentor, said the two grapplers’ aim in the tournament is to gain experience and assess where they stand. “Both Sushil and Yogeshear have been working very hard. They are fit. The purpose of taking part in this competition is to assess where they stand and gain some valuable experience before the Commonwealth Games in July," he added. The tournament will witness grapplers from top nations like Russia, Cuba and Iran compete for podium finishes. “They will face competition from Grade A wrestlers and that will help them gain a lot of confidence and experience in their new weight categories. It will be important that they face some of the best grapplers from the top nations," Satpal pointed out. The Indian grapplers will be seen in action in almost all weight categories.
— PTI |
|
|
Coach Loew promises to go slow
“Of course, I admit that I sometimes did drive too fast," he said in a German Football Federation (DFB) statement. "I know I need to restrain myself. I have learned my lesson and will change my driving behaviour. "I have to live with the consequences and now I am using the train more often," said the coach. Italy unhappy over food problems at hotel
Florence: Italy are unhappy to hear that food unfit for consumption has been found and confiscated from their World Cup hotel in Brazil but say it will not be a problem for them.
Team doctor Enrico Castellecci told reporters that Italy were planning to take most of their food in any case and everything served to the players would be checked by their own staff. “Obviously, we are not pleased about this news, we're not happy that it's happened exactly at the place we are going to," he said at Italy's training camp outside Florence.
— Agencies |
| 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 | |
Li Na, the Australian Open champion, followed her male counterpart Stan Wawrinka
out of the French Open in the first round when she lost 7-5 3-6 6-1 to local favourite Kristina Mladenovic on Tuesday.
It was the first time men's and women's grand slam champions have been knocked out in the following major in the first round.
Wawrinka, the Swiss third seed, lost to Guillermo Garcia Lopez in four sets late on Monday.
New Delhi, May 27
San Martino (Italy), May 27
JALANDHAR, May 27
With Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith breathing fire at the top and bowling unit choking up the flow of runs, the two-time champions were all but scripting a perfect send-off for the group stage before the disaster struck. They lost their way towards the end and three losses in the final four matches cost them a place at the top.
I think the needs of Australian and New Zealand cricketers are such that we have to find another profession other than cricket. We don't make enough money. New Zealand players don't make enough money when they retire from the game. There have been Indian players who have remained associated with the
BCCI, for different reasons. — Stephen Fleming, former New
Zealand skipper
San Martino (Italy), May 27
Surrey (UK):