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Reaching for the stars
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Against all odds, women boxers pack a punch
relay team
qualifiers
Sports Ministry slams IOA for Asiad junket
Ministry sticks to $50 allowance for athletes
Mumbai Indians crash out
Klusener’s advice to Indian pacers: Stick to line and length
New format will work in our favour: Sreejesh
Faridkot turf dangerous for trainees, needs urgent repair
uefa champions league
WI tighten grip over Bangladesh
Indonesian Masters title special: Prannoy
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Reaching for the stars
Boxing is a cruel sport, it really is. And we aren’t even talking about the physical punishment a boxer has to endure every time he steps into that square ring. The sport, apart from leaving one battered and bruised on the outside, is capable of landing equally telling blows inside the head and the heart. The likeliest person reflecting pensively on the “cruelty” of the sport has to be Pinki Jangra. Until about two weeks back, the talented Haryana boxer was having the time of her life, basking in the glory of her bronze-hued medal she won at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. And then, just like that, the dream was over. From being a champion boxer, from being the emerging face of the Indian women’s boxing, she found out that she wasn’t good enough to make the squad for the Asian Games. In the tryouts for the Asiad, she lost to Mary Kom, whom she had edged out in the trials for the Commonwealth Games. And as she sat brooding in a secluded corner after the loss, it was pretty evident that the defeat had hurt her bad, more inside than outside. It was understandable. After all, how many athletes who won a medal in the CWG have failed to make the cut for the Asian Games, barring of course for medical reasons? And then, a few days later, Mary Kom, adding insult to Jangra’s injury, landed another vicious, below-the-belt punch on her, saying that Jangra hadn’t beaten her even in the CWG trials. The Olympic bronze medallist claimed that the CWG trial bout had been fixed by the authorities in Jangra’s favour. While the reasons and provocation for this uncharitable attack are best known to Mary, the bout, by all accounts, was a pretty close affair. So that’s how the world of boxing is – tough, unforgiving, and sometimes uncharitable too. A boxer can’t live off the laurels won as recently as just over a month back; he/she is only as good as his last visit to the ring, and that too not at some top-notch competition, but during the low-key trials. But perhaps one can’t grumble about it beyond a point. If the ruthless selection system has resulted in heartbreak for Jangra, the same process offered a comeback route to the proven performers like Mary Kom and Akhil Kumar. The duo has been out of the squad for some time, Mary only for a while, Akhil for about three years. Akhil confident
“I’ve been around for a while now and have a lot of experience. So I feel it’s my responsibility to guide and help the youngsters in the side. I will continue doing it in the Asian Games too and hopefully we will return with a good haul,” Akhil told the Tribune after the trials. His confidence apart, will the return of India’s best known boxers boost the country’s medal count in Incheon? One can’t say for sure, but what could be said with absolute certainty is that they bring a lot of experience to the table. And that’s going to be invaluable for the squad in this competition. Another question is, can India hope to better or at least come close to their medal haul in the last Asian Games where, in their best ever showings, they won nine medals, including two golds? “I doubt it, though the team looks decent to me. Indian boxing was on the upswing in 2010, they had everything going for them. But thereafter, it’s been a pretty downhill ride. A lot will depend on what kind draw they get,” said a national -level boxing coach. While the draw will of course be quite vital, the Indian boxers have the wherewithal to punch above their weight at the world stage. On top of the list in the medal hopefuls standing tall is little Devendro Singh, world No. 3 in his class. The “little dynamo” is in a terrific touch and would be more than a handful for his opponents. His friend Shiva Thapa, the world No. 3 and the top dog in Asia in his 56-kg weight category, would be more than keen to make up for his disappointing CWG outing. And then, in the 60kg category, there’s Akhil Kumar. He’s 33, perhaps a little short on stamina and endurance, but he’s got a big heart and menacing punches. Can he recreate the magic of the days gone by? Well, everyone hopes he does. Then, in the next two categories, there are unpredictable Manoj Kumar and the hard-hitting Mandeep Jangra. On their day, both of them could give the best a run for their money. Lightweight heavyweights
It’s after Jangra’s 69-kg category that India’s medal chance begin to fade a bit. Fighting in the 75kg category, in the absence of Vijender Singh, is Vikas Krishan Yadav, the gold medallist of the 2010 Asiads. The problem is, he had won the gold in the 60-kg category, and here he has moved up 15 kg.
Only time will tell how he copes with such a drastic change. In the remaining three categories, where India have won a medal more often than not in the Asiad, the squad doesn’t have any real heavyweight in terms of achievements. So, it appears, the lightweights will have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of keeping India in business at this Asian Games.
Tough adversaries
If there is one opponent Indian boxers should be really worried about, it’s Kazakhstan. Here are a few numbers that show why the Kazakhs need to be feared inside the ring. First up, they have as many as seven boxers ranked amongst the top three in the world. While four of them are world No.
1, two are ranked second and one third. India, on the other hand, have just two in the top-three – Devendro Singh and Shiva Thapa are both ranked third in their respective weight categories. More worryingly, the Kazakhs demolished the field in the Asian Championship just a year back, winning seven gold medals out of 10. Apart from Kazakhstan, the Chinese boxers are shaping up well for some time – China won most medals in the last Asian Games. Other than that, South Korea, Thailand and Philippines are more than capable of springing up a surprise. |
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Against all odds, women boxers pack a punch
As usual, the Indian women boxers are favourites to corner a sizeable chunk of medals on offer at the Incheon Asian Games. Mary Kom and Sarita Devi will enter the Seonhak Gymnasium arena with World Championships titles and a bucketful of gold medals from the Asian Boxing Championships under their belt. This includes Mary’s five world titles and London Olympics bronze medal. Pooja Rani, the third member of the contingent, has won a silver medal at the 2012 Asian Boxing Championships. India is sending an experienced bunch of women boxers to the event, all capable of clinching medals against the best in the business. However, the road to success wouldn't be that easy for the two premier boxers of the country as a host of issues might make their journey tougher. First up, Mary hasn't competed internationally since the 2012 Olympic Games following the ban imposed on India's boxing federation by the AIBA. She recently failed to qualify for the Glasgow CWG after losing to a younger opponent in the trials. Sarita did clinch a silver at the Glasgow Games, but that was her only outing at the international level since the London Games. Both of them became mothers during the break that was forced by the suspension of the national body, and are still shedding buckets of sweat at training centres to regain their full fitness. Secondly, the sports has seen the advent of a new scoring system, and it could hurt India’s chances for Mary is completely new to it. Sarita, too, has just the Glasgow experience under the new system. And then, both of them will compete in higher weight categories than the ones they have fought in for major part of their careers. Sarita had to move up to 60 kg from 52 kg to allow Mary to compete in 51 kg. The Manipuri boxer, who has fought mostly in 48kg category, moved up to 51 kg only two years back at the London Games. The challenge to adjust to the new category has come at a time when neither of the two is young — Mary Kom is 31 and Sarita 29 — and have a family to look after. Given the plethora of issues, Anoop Kumar, chief coach of the national women's team, is still optimistic about his wards' chances. “We are optimistic of a good show. Our boxers had won six medals in the Asian championship in 2012, with Mary and Sarita winning gold medals. More or less, the same boxers will be there at the Asiad, so I am sure our boxers will beat them again,” Anoop said. “Experience is the biggest strength of our women squad. These boxers have been around for a while now and they know how to win medals at the top level,” he added. Mary, who had settled for bronze at the previous edition, said she is eyeing gold this time. “My preparation is good. I am confident of giving my best,” she said.
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relay team
Chandigarh, September 16 Indian athletics' biggest doping scandal involving six top women athletes-- Ashwini Akkunji, Mandeep Kaur, Sini Jose, Juana Murmu, Priyanka Panwar and Tiana Mary Thomas-had all but finished their career on June 29, 2011. "This is second life for me. I desperately wanted to be a part of the team even if it was for one time only," Mandeep said after clearing the trials on Monday. The relay team clocked 3.29.93 to catch the flight to Incheon. The timing looks good for an Asian meet and bills them as top contenders for the medal in the event. After languishing in oblivion for three years and struggling with a hip bone injury for two years (March 2011-February 2014), Mandeep's personal timing was 52.52s, slightly on a lower side than her personal best of 51.34 set in Madurai on 18 June, 2008. But the Punjab athlete says she is determined to better her personal best once more. Miss coach Yuri
Interestingly, after qualifying the trials, Mandeep Kaur, Priyanka Pawar and Ashwini Akkunji said they missed their coach Yuri Ogorodnik. Mandeep said, “The truth is he gave India a lot of medals. Even today it's because of him that I have cleared the trials. For three years I have been training on the schedule set by him for me." |
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Women face Korean challenge
Incheon, September 16 The Indians had demolished Maldives 15-0 in the opening match, scoring at will on either half, virtually spending the entire 90 minutes in the opposition half. But in South Korea, the twice SAFF Champions will face a much sterner opposition and head coach Tarun Roy is well aware of that. "I have watched them play against Thailand and they are very attacking team,” Roy said. “They play a high line and their full backs overlap at every instance. They are like wingers. To negate that threat we need to play smart and mark them tightly. We will look to pounce on the counter and play deep with five defenders. I am mulling a 5-4-1,” he said. The bad news is that Tuli Goon has picked up an injury and will be out for at least a week and Suprava Samal will be replacing the former captain in tomorrow's match. The rest of the heavily loaded backline is expected to be built around the three centre-backs in the form of Radharani Devi, Romi Devi, and Ashalata Devi. Umapati will play left back. “The rest will be the same,” Roy continued. Premi and Bembem Devi are expected to pull the strings in the middle with Sasmita Malik, who scored five times in the previous match, and Prameshwori Devi playing wide. Bala Devi will be the lone striker. “The wingers Sasmita and Prameshwori will be tasked to man their full backs as well. They are fleet footed and very agile.” South Korea, who qualified for next year's FIFA World Cup in Canada after a gap of 11 years, thumped Thailand 5-0 in their opening game. — PTI
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Sports Ministry slams IOA for Asiad junket
New Delhi, September 16 On September 9, the IOA had written to 35 National Sports Federations (NSF) to nominate one delegate each for the Games beginning on Friday for the largesse costing Rs 1.25 lakh per official, covering air travel and stay for seven nights. “Why should the IOA fund officials who have no work and are going on a paid holiday?” said a Sports Ministry official. “They should rather use the money for sports promotion and athletes. It is pointless to spend on delegates who have no work there,” the official said. Following IOA’s invitation, the Cycling Federation of India had questionably recommended name of Congress MP from Rohtak, Deepinder Hooda and his wife. The Olympic body’s decision to take care of delegates comes after the ministry pruned India’s Asian Games contingent from 942 athletes and officials to 679 members. The ministry is also unhappy about the IOA and NSFs not paying heed to its demand for submitting the details of expenses on officials during the July 23-Aug 3 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The ministry asked for the information following the arrest of two officials in Glasgow, including the IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta. “Instead of sponsoring junkets, I think the IOA should focus on putting its financial details on its website. The public should know their source of income and whatever money is there, they should use it on athletes,” said the official. “I am also very sorry to say none of the federations have bothered to furnish the details. Their basic purpose is to provide good governance and transparency,” he added. On the other hand, a Secretary General of a NSF said IOA taking delegates was routine.A“I don’t know what the fuss is about. IOA has been sponsoring delegates for many years. This time the number is only 35. When Suresh Kalmadi was in charge, the number used to cross 100 easily,” he said. — PTI
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Ministry sticks to $50 allowance for athletes
New Delhi, September 16 “We have sent the proposal to the Finance Ministry and the amount will remain at $50 per athlete, like it was for the Commonwealth Games. If the clearance from the Finance Ministry comes in a day or two, the full amount will be paid in Incheon itself,” a Sports Ministry official said. The daily allowance was increased from $25 to $50 at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games but most athletes were paid $25 only towards the end of the mega event. Most of them are yet to get the remaining amount. The responsibility of distributing cash lies with the Indian Olympic Association. — PTI
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Mumbai Indians crash out
Raipur, September 16 Put into bat, Hafeez smashed a 40-ball 67 to power the Pakistan T20 champions to 164 for six in 20 overs. In reply, Express never really got going as the Lahore bowlers turned on the heat to pack the Lankans for 109 in 18 overs. Medium-pacer Aizaz Cheema (3-15) was the destroyer-in-chief as Lahore, who won their second of the three qualifying matches, find themselves competing with Mumbai Indians for a spot in the main event. Earlier, the Lahore openers provided a brisk start as the they managed 40 runs in the powerplays. Left-handed opener Umar Siddiq though lost his wicket in the last delivery of the sixth over while trying to dab at a rising Farveez Maharoof (3-28) bouncer and was caught behind for 18. Maharoof continued the good work by sending back Ahmed Shehzad (29 off 21 balls) and Nasir Jamshed (1) in one over to stop the Lahore surge. If Shehzad, who was looking dangerous till then, tried a silly-looking ‘dilscoop’ against Maharoof then Jamshed was guilty of fishing on an away-going delivery to be caught at slip. Brief Scores: Lahore Lions: 164/6 (Hafeez 67; Maharoof 3/28) beat Southern Express: 109 in 18 overs (Mubarak 35; Cheema 3/15, Riaz 2/20) by 55 runs. — PTI
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Klusener’s advice to Indian pacers: Stick to line and length
In India as the coach of the South African outfit Sunfoil Dolphins for CLT20, Klusener feels the Indian bowlers have managed to add a few yards to their pace, but they still have a long way to go before they bowl good line and length on consistent basis. “The Indian bowlers are bowling a little quicker now but the concept of line and length seems pretty ambiguous to them. It’s of course my personal opinion but there does seem a dire need to clear their ‘basics’. If a batsman can predict what you are going to bowl at him next, you aren’t a good bowler and need to work on your basics,” he said. Elaborating further, he said there’s no point bowling at 140kmph if the bowler can’t stick to a good line and length. “What’s the point in bowling quick if a batsman picks singles, doubles and boundaries without any trouble? I am not saying the Indian bowlers don’t have the quality to bowl well; all I am saying is that they need to stay disciplined and implement their game plan on the field in an aggressive manner,” he said. What are his expectations from his bowlers on the Indian pitches? “We have good bowlers in our line-up and I am sure they will perform well in CLT20,” he said. The South African outfit Sunfoil Dolphins will face Australian Perth Scorchers in their opening encounter of the CLT20 on September 20 at PCA stadium Mohali.
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New format will work in our favour: Sreejesh
Incheon, September 16 To make the game more fast-paced and exciting, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is set to transform the game from a 70-minute affair that was divided into two halves, to four quarters with a total playing time of 60 minutes in the Incheon Games to be held from September 19 to October 4. And Sreejesh gave a thumbs-up to the new format.”The new format of the game is actually going to act as an added advantage for us in the field. It will not affect us as we already have experience of playing in four quarters in the Hockey India League,” Sreejesh said ahead of Indian men’s opening game against Sri Lanka on September 21. “It will not only make the game much faster, but will also offer time to the players to re-energise during every quarter,” India’s ace goalkeeper added. Elaborating on the team’s preparation for the continental extravaganza, Sreejesh said: “The practice sessions have picked up pace and the whole team is training really hard to be ready to take on every challenge that is coming our way.” He was of the view that with his electric pace down the flanks and incisive runs, striker SV Sunil will pose a serious threat to India’s opponents in the Games. “I hope he will carry on his Commonwealth Games form in the Asian Games and help us keep the opponents on the toes.” — PTI
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Faridkot turf dangerous for trainees, needs urgent repair
Faridkot, September 16 The base of turf at the international-standard stadium, which cost Rs 6 crore, has collapsed at multiple places. The pitch has become uneven and could lead to injuries to the trainees. Apart from the pitch, the tiled area around the turf has also collapsed at certain areas and the tiles are coming off. The drainage system also needs repair. The stadium has hosted only two national level tournaments so far. One year after its construction, the Sports Department handed over the stadium to the SGPC, which is running an under-4 academy here. The supervisor of the academy, Harbans Singh, said that the base started collapsing six months ago. He added that till now the base has collapsed at over 15 different spots. He had written over six letters to the Sports Department to raise the issue with the Delhi-based company that laid this turf, Harbans said. The turf has a six year maintenance warrantee. The company had sent the experts to gauge the problem a few months ago. Some parts were repaired but the problem still remained, he said. The District Sports Officer, Karam Singh, said that after signing an MoU, the maintenance of the turf was the responsibility of the SGPC. But he added that if there were some defects in the pitch, it is the liability of the company that laid the turf. Sources in the Sports Department revealed that the work of preparing the base and laying the turf was done in a hurry as the Deputy CM had to inaugurate the turf during the Baba Farid Annual Festival in September, 2012.
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uefa champions league
MUNICH, September 16 City beat Bayern 3-2 in Munich in the group stage last season and the Bundesliga champions are ravaged by injury ahead of their Group E opener. “We are not favourites,” Kompany said. “But the beauty of this game is that every year is a chance to start again. It is difficult to predict what will happen tomorrow but as we move on we will get stronger,” said Kompany, whose team needed a late header by Martin Demichelis, a former Bayern player, to snatch a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday. Bayern will be without experienced Franck Ribery with fellow winger Arjen Robben also doubtful. Central defender Holger Badstuber tore a thigh muscle tendon on Saturday and requires surgery. He joins Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago Alcantara, Rafinha and Javi Martinez on the sidelines. City are desperate to finally break into Europe’s football elite after years of vast investment in the club. “There are probably not many harder places to come to,” said the Belgium international. “It is time to close the gap between us and those three, four best clubs in the world. It is a good thing to start with such a game. But it is just the first step in the group stage.” Man City will be without Argentine Pablo Zabaleta, who is serving a one-game suspension following his red card in last season’s round of 16. — Reuters
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WI tighten grip over Bangladesh
Gros-Islet, September 16 After captain Denesh Ramdin declined to enforce the follow-on despite a first innings lead of 219 when the tourists were dismissed for 161 in the morning session, the home side slipped to 100 for four yesterday before an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 108 between Chanderpaul and Jermaine Blackwood (43 not out) killed off any prospect Bangladesh had of precipitating a complete batting collapse. Chanderpaul, now in his 21st year as an international cricketer, has yet to be dismissed in this series and has totalled 645 runs. — PTI Brief scores: West Indies: 380 and 269/4 (Chanderpaul 101*, Blackwood 66*)
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Indonesian Masters title special: Prannoy
Hyderabad, September 16 Prannoy had won a silver medal in the Boys’ singles at 2010 Summer Youth Olympics. He clinched the maiden title of his career after winning the $1,25,000 Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold, following his straight-game victory over local favourite Firman Abdul Kholik in the finals at Palembang in Indonesia on September 14. Recalling that his ranking slipped during June-July this year, Prannoy said he wanted to do well and trained hard for success. “I was trying new stuff. My ranking was going down and I wanted to do well. I was mentally strong. I kept my cool in Indonesia. I was feeling confident,” he said. Prannoy, who is currently ranked 43, would be playing in the France Super Series and Bitburger Gold event next month. The 22-year-old shuttler from Kerala hoped that he would be able to break into top-25 by the end of this year. — PTI
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With the announcement of 4x400m relay teams for the Asian Games, the Athletics Federation of India has ended the three-year exile of quartermilers Mandeep Kaur, Priyanka Pawar and Ashwini Akkunji (400m hurdles). Mandeep Kaur and Priyanka Pawar have virtually got a second life and will take part in their pet event in an international competition, Asian Games, for the first time after serving a ban of three years.
Indian athletics' biggest doping scandal involving six top women athletes-- Ashwini
Akkunji, Mandeep Kaur, Sini Jose, Juana Murmu, Priyanka Panwar and Tiana Mary Thomas-had all but finished their career on June 29, 2011.
Incheon, September 16
Faridkot, September 16
Munich, September 16
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