Tevez, Neville receive final FA warning to call off spat

Published>Sat, Jan 23 10 11:43 AM




London, Jan 23(ANI): Manchester City star Carlos Tevez and Manchester United defender Gary Neville have been given a final warning by the Football Association (FA) and will face disciplinary action if they continue their verbal feud in the build-up to next Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final between the two teams at Old Trafford.



Neville was under investigation for a one-fingered gesture that took place in United's 2-1 loss to City on Tuesday, while Tevez called former team-mate a "boot-licker" and a "moron" for his comments about the Argentine before the Carling Cup semi-final first leg.



According to reports, the FA is determined to avoid controversy in the second leg and has spoken to both clubs to emphasize concern over the public spat.



It will also monitor Neville's weekly column in the Times of Malta, to keep the ordeal under control.



The FA has also been in touch with Greater Manchester Police with a view to ensuring the second leg passes off without incident.



While Tevez and Neville fanned the flames on the pitch with gestures towards each other, United defender Patrice Evra was struck by a lighter thrown from the crowd and plastic seats were ripped out and hurled on to the pitch from the visitors' enclosure, The Telegraph reports.



Outside the stadium, the police also confiscated darts and golf balls from supporters.



United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and City's Roberto Mancini have also tried to draw a line under the players' feud.



Ferguson insisted that United had "moved on" and Mancini called on both players to "focus on football". (ANI)



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'Everyone has to contribute in ODIs'

Published>Sat, Jan 23 10 10:49 AM

Christchurch, Jan. 22 -- The monotony of asking cricketers, even senior team players, of who their favourite is, gets to you after a point. Sachin Tendulkar, is a point-blank answer, and this was especially so when New Zealand toured India last year, and people like Ross Taylor fell in line. So it did come as a bit of a surprise that a spinner from India came here to play the under-19 World Cup with dreams of meeting Daniel Vettori. Gaurav Jathar, like his hero, does a lot more than just bowl left-arm spin and is hoping his dream will come true. "If the manager or someone arranges it that would be great. I would really like to meet Vettori," said Jathar on the eve of India's quarterfinal against Pakistan. Jathar first picked up a cricket ball, when he was only five-and-a-half years old. Then, he bowled quick. "It was a bit of a tragedy. When I was about 13, I realised I was getting too tired trying to bowl quick, so I changed." Taken under wing by Paddy Shivalkar, perhaps the best left-arm spinner never to play for India, Jathar made steady advances through the ranks. A useful contributor with the bat and a live-wire fielder, Jathar is a typical example of a player beating off more talented but less well rounded competition. "In one-day games everyone has to contribute. Even in these conditions, which help fast bowlers, a spinner can help by containing batsmen or getting breakthroughs," he explains.

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Lee won''t rush comeback for IPL''s sake

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 10:39 AM

Melbourne, Jan 23 (PTI) His international cricket derailed by a string of injuries, Australian pacer Brett Lee is in no mood to risk another breakdown and has ruled out rushing his comeback to play in the Indian Premier League in March. Currently nursing an elbow injury sustained during the one-day series against India last year, Lee, who plays for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, refused to say whether he would be available for the Twenty20 event starting March 12 this year. "I am not going to be making any statement if I will be ready or not," Lee said. "It is just a point of how the elbow feels and just working hard on my fitness and see what happens after that," he added. The 33-year-old pacer, who underwent the "most painful" surgery of his career in December, was told to wear a shoulder brace for at least six weeks by doctors. The tearaway bowlerhas been wearing it for eight weeks now but hasn''t been able to move his arm too freely. MORE PTI PM

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On a sticky wicket online

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 10:25 AM

New Delhi, Jan. 23 -- The Indian Premier League (IPL) is facing a volley of bouncers. With not even one of the listed Pakistani players finding any takers in the season 3 auction of the popular cricket tournament, a debate amongst fans is raging online.

On Facebook, numerous communities such as 'Boycott IPL in Pakistan' and 'We hate IPL without Pakistan' have started, with hundreds of members in each group, increasing by the day. Statements being posted include, "This is the Isolate Pakistan League," (Salman Mahfooz) and "IPL should not be telecast in Pakistan" (Shoaib Ahmed Khan). Naveed nadeem writes, "Stand up for Champs."

Some, however, feel too much is being made out of the issue. On Twitter, smartsid posts, "Unnecessary fuss about Pakistan players not playing in IPL!"

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Sizzling putter helps Watson into two-shot lead

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 08:29 AM

Long-hitting American Bubba Watson used a red-hot putter to charge two strokes clear of the field in the weather-delayed second round of the Bob Hope Classic at La Quinta, California on Friday.

Making the most of his renowned power and rain-softened greens, Watson fired a sparkling 10-under-par 62 at the SilverRock Resort, one of four venues hosting the five-round pro-am celebrity event in the California desert.

In pursuit of his first PGA Tour title after four full seasons on the U.S. circuit, Watson covered the front nine in a sizzling seven-under 29 on the way to a 16-under total of 128.

Rookie Alex Prugh, making only his third appearance on the PGA Tour, remained in second place after following his opening 64 with a 66 on the Palmer Private course at PGA West.

First-round leader Shane Bertsch carded a 69 to sit a further stroke back at 13 under, level with fellow Americans Joe Ogilvie (66), Martin Flores (65) and Collins (64), who all played on the Nicklaus course.

Left-hander Watson, who began the day four shots off the pace, was delighted with his display on the toughest of the four hosting venues in the California desert.

"My length is definitely going to play a part on that golf course because it's got wide fairways and I can rip it if I want to," the 31-year-old told reporters after a round featuring nine birdies, an eagle at the fifth and a bogey.

"The par-fives are reachable, unless you get a day like today. A lot of them are almost 600 yards, so it's going to be hard for everybody.

"But I putted well today," added Watson, who totalled only 24 putts. "That was my key. I hit a lot of good shots but I putted well. If I don't make all the putts, I'm not talking to you right now."

CREATIVE SHOT-MAKING

Watson, a self-taught golfer who is known for his creative shot-making, was annoyed to collect his first bogey of the week at the par-three 14th where his approach spun off the green.

"I was mad about that," he said. "I tried to hit the little eight and came up short, spun off the green. Then I tried to putt it, it started hopping on me and left it about 15 feet short. Missed it."

Prugh, who qualified for the PGA Tour by finishing 16th in the Nationwide Tour money list last year, stayed in touch with the lead after covering the four par-fives in five under.

"I played the par-fives pretty well, making an eagle on 18 there," he said. "That was the highlight of my round, birdieing 17 and then eagling 18 ... those don't add up to very much."

Thursday's scheduled action was entirely washed out by heavy rain in the La Quinta area and the second round eventually began after a delay of two-and-a-half hours on Friday.

With the 90-hole event already heading for a Monday finish, officials decided to send out the professionals in twosomes, without the amateurs, off split tees on Friday.

Due to the wet conditions on all four courses, the players were again permitted to lift, clean and place balls in the fairway.

"Conditions really weren't bad at all," Bertsch said. "It was real scoreable."

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Triple PGA Tour winner Thorpe sentenced to year in jail

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 07:29 AM

Jim Thorpe, a triple winner on the PGA Tour, has been given a one-year jail sentence for failing to pay more than $2 million in income tax.

A Florida court ruled the 60-year-old must surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by April 1 and that his sentence be followed by two years of supervised release and 200 hours of community service.

Thorpe must also make efforts to repay the tax while on supervised release. He pleaded guilty in September.

The golfer played more than 450 tournaments on the PGA Tour and had three top-10 finishes in majors -- two in the U.S. Open and one in the U.S. PGA Championship.

He has won 13 times, including one major, in more than 300 events on the senior Champions Tour.

Thorpe has more than $13 million in career earnings as a professional golfer, according to the PGA Tour website.

Prosecutors said that for 2002, 2003 and 2004, Thorpe did not file an individual tax return until after he was confronted by special agents of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

According to court documents, the amount of unreported income for the three years was $5.36 million and the tax loss was $2.06 million.

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Money begins to flow in for women's team

Published>Sat, Jan 23 10 05:25 AM

A day after the Indian women's hockey team refused the Rs 50,000 per player offered to them, money is flowing in from all quarters. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met sports minister MS Gill on Friday and offered Rs 1 crore for the team. On Thursday, Chouhan had offered to bear the training expenses of the team, currently at a camp in Bhopal.

"I am very happy that the Madhya Pradesh government has come forward to help the team. I have spoken to Shivraj Singh Chouhan and he is eager to extend his support to women's hockey.

"I have also spoken to Dipika Murty (goalkeeper) and have asked her to prepare a list of the players who have not got their dues," Gill said.

Gill got further assurance from industrialists he met during ASSOCHAM meet in the Capital. They have pledged a total of Rs 10 lakh.

In the evening, Gill spoke to the chief ministers of Assam, Rajasthan and Haryana and requested them to contribute to the welfare of both the men's and women's teams.

'At par'

Meanwhile, Hockey India president Vidya Stokes came out with a statement saying that the women's team will be paid at par with the men.

Stokes added that HI will look into the matter of giving annual contracts to the women players as was promised to the men's team and that the players committee formed to oversee a special players' fund will now include the captains of both the women's and men's teams.

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Russians dance with passion to win gold

Published>Sat, Jan 23 10 03:20 AM

Russia's Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin pushed aside earlier controversy and showed their passionate side to win the ice dance gold at the European figure skating championships on Friday.

The world champions, who angered Australian Aboriginal elders on Thursday with their original dance, scored a total of 199.25 points in their three dances this week, although Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali scored higher in two dances.

The Italians took the silver, having been deemed better in the original and free dances, but because the Russians had built a five-point lead in the compulsory dance they could not catch the leaders up and ended with 195.86 points.

Last year's champions Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski of Russia had to settle for bronze with 189.67.

Domnina and Shabalin, who missed last year's competition because of injury, returned to claim the title they won in 2008 with a dramatic dance mixing love and hate to The Double Life of Veronique by Zbigniew Preisner.

"It was very difficult to win but we're happy we're here," Shabalin said in a rinkside interview after the victory just three weeks before the start of the Vancouver Olympics.

It was the third time in as many days the crowd stood for the Russian national anthem, after Yevgeny Plushenko's victory in the men's event and Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov's gold medal in the pairs.

KOSTNER LEADS

In the women's event, Italy's Carolina Kostner charmed the judges with an elegant routine to lead after the short program.

She is seeking to grab back the crown she held for two years before losing it last year to Finland's Laura Lepisto, who struggled with a wobbly heel on her boot but still stood third.

Kostner landed her jumps and moved around the ice with speed and grace to score 65.80 points and lead Finn Kiira Korpi, who was impossible to miss in fluorescent yellow.

The Finn was on 64.26, ahead of compatriot Lepisto's 62.96 before Saturday's free skating.

"I had a lot of fun and when I have fun I skate well," Kostner told a news conference.

Lepisto said she was having trouble with the heel on her left boot but would have to skate in it on Saturday because it takes time to wear in a new pair.

"Maybe I'm thinking about it (the boot) too much but I have to concentrate on the skating," she said.

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Man United sign sponsorship deal with Turkish Airlines

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 01:48 AM

Manchester United have signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Turkish Airlines for an undisclosed sum that could help the Premier League club's parent company reduce some of its mounting debt.

The Istanbul-based company last month signed a three-year, 3 million euro ($4.24 million) sponsorship deal with European chamnpions Barcelona as it seeks to become a global brand.

Details of the deal with United were not disclosed.

"This deal is yet another indication of the global appeal of Manchester United and we are very pleased to welcome them (Turkish Airlines) to the club," United chief executive David Gill said in a statement on the club's website (www.manutd.com).

Under the terms of the deal the airline will fly the team's players and officials to relevant matches, tournaments and training camps as United's official carrier.

The English champions said on Wednesday they were more than $1 billion in debt.

Debts at parent company Red Football Joint Ventures Limited hit 716.5 million pounds ($1.17 billion) in the year to June due in part to high interest payments, its accounts showed.

Accounts for the holding company showed the debt had risen by 17 million pounds in the year. Net interest for the period was 68.5 million pounds.

The debt figures overshadowed profit of 6.4 million pounds for the financial year, compared to a loss in 2008 of 42.7 million pounds.

In 2009, United won the league title for the third consecutive season and lifted the League Cup but lost the Champions League final to Barcelona.

The Manchester club's finances were also boosted during that time by the sale of Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for 80 million pounds.

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Nacional agree Uruguayan Lodeiro's Ajax move

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 12:28 AM

Nacional have agreed to sell brilliant young midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro to Ajax Amsterdam for $5.6 million, the Uruguayan club said on Friday.

The 20-year-old, who won his first senior caps for Uruguay in November, made his first division debut in 2007 and helped Nacional win the 2008/09 league title and this season's Apertura tournament.

After captaining his country at the World Youth Cup in Egypt last year, Lodeiro made his senior debut in the 2010 World Cup qualifying playoff they won 2-1 on aggregate against Costa Rica.

Lodeiro will link up with Uruguay striker Luis Suarez at the Dutch club.

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Formula One lineups for 2010

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 12:16 AM

Formula One lineups for 2010 after Toro Rosso retained Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari on Friday (listed in championship order. TBC=to be confirmed. Numbers are those that will appear on cars):

-

MERCEDES (BRAWN GP)

3-Michael Schumacher (Germany)

4-Nico Rosberg (Germany)

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RED BULL

5-Sebastian Vettel (Germany)

6-Mark Webber (Australia)

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MCLAREN

1-Jenson Button (Britain)

2-Lewis Hamilton (Britain)

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FERRARI

7-Felipe Massa (Brazil)

8-Fernando Alonso (Spain)

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WILLIAMS

9-Rubens Barrichello (Brazil)

10-Nico Hulkenberg (Germany)

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RENAULT

11-Robert Kubica (Poland)

12-TBC

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FORCE INDIA

14-Adrian Sutil (Germany)

15-Vitantonio Liuzzi (Italy)

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TORO ROSSO

16-Sebastien Buemi (Switzerland)

17-Jaime Alguersuari (Spain)

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LOTUS F1

18-Jarno Trulli (Italy)

19-Heikki Kovalainen (Finland)

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CAMPOS META

20-TBC

21-Bruno Senna (Brazil)

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US F1

22-TBC

23-TBC

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VIRGIN RACING

24-Timo Glock (Germany)

25-Lucas di Grassi (Brazil)

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SAUBER

Kamui Kobayashi (Japan)

Pedro de la Rosa (Spain)

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Silverstone adds Superbikes to F1 and MotoGP

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 12:08 AM

Silverstone has added the British round of the World Superbike championship, that was due to be held at Donington Park, to a 2010 calendar of events that already includes MotoGP and Formula One.

Silverstone Circuits Ltd said in a statement they had agreed a new short-term contract for the superbike race after the event's immediate future had appeared to be in jeopardy due to Donington going into administration.

The superbike race will be held on Aug. 1. Donington had also been due to stage the British Formula One Grand Prix in July but that 17-year deal was cancelled after they hit financial trouble.

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Braveheart Yakubu scores twice despite bereavement, East Bengal win

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 11:48 PM

Kolkata, Jan 22 (IANS) Notwithstanding the death of his mother back home, Ghanaian Yusif Yakubu sparkled with a brace as former champions East Bengal edged past Goa's Churchill Brothers 3-2 in an exciting I-League match here Friday.

Churchill twice took the lead but the city giants rallied back on both occasions and finally let go the killer punch in the second session to finish with three points from the Salt Lake stadium match. The teams were locked 2-2 at the breather.

Bhaichung Bhutia, who for the first time in this edition of the high-profile league, stayed on the turf for seconds less than 90 minutes, struck the winner. On the other hand, the two Churchill goals came from a Syed Rahim Nabi sameside and a Reisangmei Vashum effort.

The match saw the ball rocketing from one end to the other, and the sheer speed and level of close contest gave the spectators their money's worth. However, East Bengal consistently dominated ball possession. The visitors, who missed their main striker Okoli Odafa due to double booking, went into the lead in the ninth minute when Nabi and Ogba Kalu Nnanna jumped to head a Vashum throw but the ball went in after changing direction off the East Bengal player.

East Bengal restored parity within two minutes as Yakubu, who got the news of his mother's death Friday morning, netting with a sharp left footer by following up a Bhutia through pass.

But the relief in the East Bengal camp was short-lived, and their defender Uga Okpara was to be blamed. He made a faulty clearance in the 13th minute which was intercepted by Churchill striker Felix Chimaokwu who set up Vashum and the latter found the net.

Down 1-2, East Bengal increased the tempo of the attack, and made it even in the 38th minute as an Alvito D'Cunha cross from the left saw Yakubu spotjump, bend his body like an arrow and head the ball which went into the net off goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya's hands. Alvito served his side well by keeping the supply line going with incisive passes and initiating deadball moves.

Crossing over, East Bengal again scored in the 53rd minute. Alvito's corner from the left was headed by Hammond and Bhutia, back after the hamstring injury, guided the ball into the net with a diving header. After 11 matches, Churchill ar now fifth with 18 points, while East Bengal are two rungs down the ladder on 16 points.

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Silverstone adds Superbikes to F1 and MotoGP

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 11:28 PM

Silverstone has added the British round of the World Superbike championship, that was due to be held at Donington Park, to a 2010 calendar of events that already includes MotoGP and Formula One.

Silverstone Circuits Ltd said in a statement they had agreed a new short-term contract for the superbike race after the event's immediate future had appeared to be in jeopardy due to Donington going into administration.

The superbike race will be held on Aug. 1. Donington had also been due to stage the British Formula One Grand Prix in July but that 17-year deal was cancelled after they hit financial trouble.

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Jeev tied 56th after Rd 2 of Abu Dhabi Open

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 10:54 PM

Abu Dhabi, Jan 22 (PTI) Jeev Milkha Singh brought his campaign back on track, carding a three-under 69 on the second round to lie tied 56th in the Abu Dhabi Open golf tournament of European tour here today. Jeev picked up four birdies against a lone bogey to take his two-day total to two-under 142. The Chandigarh-golfer birdied the third, seventh, 10th and 14th hole, while stumbling with a bogey at the fourth. After a first round 68, Shiv Kapur hit a low today after carding a two-over 74 which included two birdies, two bogeys and double bogey to share the 56th place along with Jeev. However, Jyoti Randhawa and SSP Chowrasia risked missing the cut after carding two-over 74 and even-par 72 respectively and lied tied 86th. At the top, Australia''s Rick Kulacz fired a nine-under 63 to emerge as the leader with a total of 12-under 130, while Sergio Garcia (67), Peter Hanson (67) and Shane Lowry (65) were tied for the second spot at 11-under.

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Scotland Yard will not police commonwealth games in Delhi: UK Envoy

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 10:28 PM

New Delhi, Jan. 22 (ANI): United Kingdom has expressed satisfaction over the security arrangementsof the Common Wealth Games which will kick start in the national capital in October this Year and have denied that Scotland yard will be policing the forthcoming games.

However UK envoy has told reporters in New Delhi that some Security officials will be accompanying the British contingent to liaise ith local authorities. UK high commissioner said "We always send metropolitan police officers with our teams for major sporting events; they will be there to liaise with local authorities to ensure that our concerns are understood and vice versa".

He categorically said "We (Britain) are not going to be involved in policing the game but we will be involved to try and ensure to work effectively with Indian authorities so that the games are successful.

United Kingdom's envoy to India Sir Richard Stagg has expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements made by Delhi Police and the Centre Reserve Police Force.

Stagg also told reporters here that the UK security experts visited Delhi earlier in the month had given positive report about the security arrangements made by India for the forthcoming common wealth games and Indian authorities are on track to conduct safe games. He said "Indian authorities are on track to deliver very effective performance on security".

It is reported by certain sections of media that crack members of the British Metropolitan Police, popularly known as Scotland Yard, are likely to be involved in securing the Delhi Commonwealth Games scheduled for October, it was also reported that British contingent numbering more than1500 will at least be given protection by the Scotland Yard . By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)

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Kothari crash out after losing to Mehta

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 10:08 PM

Chennai, Jan 22 (PTI) India number two Sourav Kothari failed to live up to his reputaion, going down 2-4 to PSPB teammate Aditya Mehta in the quarterfinal of the All India Snooker tournament here today. In the other quarterfinal, Girish of Railways'' got the better of Bengal''s Brijesh Damani 3-2. Damani netted a break of 44 to win the first frame but a keen tussle followed and Girish beat his rival 49-74 5-11 53-46 48- 61 81-17 53-62 65-39. Mehta cliched a thrilling win after surrendering the first two sets. He beat Kotahri 01-123 43-66 59-50 86-39 67-16 67-30.

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BCCI did not give any instructions to IPL teams on players' selection: Rajiv Shukla

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 09:55 PM

Mumbai, Jan 22(ANI): Rajiv Shukla, Vice-President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday said that the board did not give any instructions to the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams on selection of players.

There has been anger in Pakistan over Tuesday's IPL season three auction, in which not even one of the 11 available Pakistani players received bids from the eight competing franchises.

According to reports, the Pakistani cricketers were excluded from the bidding process following fears that the players could have visa problems when the tournament is underway.

Stating that the BCCI and the Government has got nothing to do with the players' selection, Shukla asked if that had been the case then why were the Pakistani players' name included in the bidding list.

"Indian government has got nothing to do with the IPL auction nor did the Indian Government interfere, neither do they have the right to interfere in the auction. As far as BCCI is concerned, even BCCI did not give any such instructions or indications that Pakistani players should not be selected," Shukla said.

"All these are wrong statements. If there had been any such indications, why were their names included in the bid list?" he added.

The Government had also rubbished Pakistan's claim that its players did not win IPL contracts because of politics or visa concerns, and said that such apprehensions were misplaced.

"The participation or absence of Pakistani cricketers in a commercial event of the nature of IPL is, thus, a matter not within the purview of the government," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

It has also termed the allegations as "unfortunate" and asked Pakistan to introspect on the reasons, which have put a strain on relations between the two countries, and have adversely impacted on peace, stability and prosperity in the region. (ANI)

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Kuznetsova labours into fourth round

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 09:28 PM

Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova needed all her big match experience to dig herself out of trouble and beat German qualifier Angelique Kerber 3-6 7-5 6-4 at the Australian Open on Friday.

Kerber, ranked 118th in the world, looked to be on the verge of an upset when she outplayed Kuznetsova for the first hour before the world number three clawed her way back into the contest.

The French Open champion struggled to find her rhythm in the swirling wind at Melbourne Park, making 39 unforced errors in an unconvincing display, but was able to avoid joining Kim Clijsters as another third round casualty.

Kuznetsova will play Nadia Petrova in the fourth round on Sunday after the Russian demolished the Belgian 6-0 6-1 in the biggest upset of the championship so far.

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Schalke set to sign Chinese midfielder Hao

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 09:25 PM

Gelsenkirchen (Germany), Jan 22 (DPA) Schalke 04 are set to sign China international Hao Junmin on a free transfer from Tianjin Teda, the Bundesliga club said Friday.

If the deal goes through, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder would be the seventh new signing by coach Felix Magath in the winter transfer window.

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Maghami clinches Parsvnath International chess title

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 09:18 PM

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) Third seed Iranian Grandmaster Maghami Ehsan Ghaem ensured a thrilling end to the 8th Parsvnath International Chess Tournament by settling for a draw with Bangladeshi Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman in the eleventh and final round at Modern School here Friday.

Maghami tied for the top spot along with Russian Grandmaster Dmitry Kryakvin and Grandmaster Pavel Kostur of Kazakhstan with 9 points each but better tie break score helped Maghami to take the winners trophy and pocketed a shared cash prize of Rs. 200,000 while Kryakvin finished second. Kostur had to contend with the third spot.

In the final round encounters Kryakvin overcame second seed Slovenian Grandmaster Lenic Luka while Kostur defeated Uzbek Grandmaster Marat Dzhumaev to catch up with Maghami for the pole position. Young Indian International Master Deep Sengupta finished a creditable sixth position in the field of 22 Grandmasters.

Women International Master Muminova Nafisa and International Master P. Karthikeyan bagged Best Women and Best Junior player prizes respectively.

Grandmaster Vul Arkadi Eremmeevich of Russia was adjudged as Best Veteran player and Maharjan Herkaji of Nepal secured Best Unrated player prize. Rahul Sangma and Tania Sachdev won the Best Delhi Player and Best Women players prizes.

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Jeev recovers with a 69, makes cut with Kapur

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 09:05 PM

Abu Dhabi, Jan 22 (IANS) Jeev Milkha Singh recovered from his disastrous finish of first round to card a three-under 69 and come to two-under 142 for 36 holes in the Abu Dhabi Open here Friday.

Jeev, who was four-under for 13 holes before bogeying last five holes, said, 'The game is there, but I guess I was rusty. It is a question of getting back into the rhythm and hopefully that will happen soon. Today was much better.'

Shiv Kapur who shot a 68 on first day dropped to a 74 with two birdies, two bogeys and double bogey. Like Jeev he was tied for 56th at two-under.

Jyoti Randhawa (70-74) and SSP Chowrasia (72-72) were tied 86th at even par and were likely to miss the cut, which was looking at two-under.

The overall leader was Rick Kulacz of Australia, who shot a nine-under 63 and moved to 12-under 130. Kulacz had 11 birdies and two bogeys in his round. Three players Sergio Garcia (67), Peter Hanson (67) and Steve Lowery (65) were tied for second at 11-under.

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Maghami clinches title in a tie-break

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 08:54 PM

New Delhi, Jan 22 (PTI) Third seed Iranian Grandmaster Maghami Ehsan Ghaem emerged winner at the 8th Parsvnath International Chess Tournament on the basis of better tie- break score here today. Maghami drew the 11th and final round with Bangladeshi Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman which resulted in a three-way tie at the top. Maghami, Russian Grandmaster Dmitry Kryakvin and Grandmaster Pavel Kostur of Kazakhstan all had nine points each but better tie break score helped Maghami to take the winners trophy and cash prize of Rs two lakh rupees. Kryakvin finished second and Kostur had to be content with the third spot finish. Young Indian International Master Deep Sengupta finished a creditable sixth position in the field of 22 Grandmasters. Rahul Sangma and Tania Sachdev won the Best Delhi Player and Best Women Players prizes. In the final round encounters Kryakvin overcame second seed Slovenian Grandmaster Lenic Luka while Kostur defeated Uzbek Grandmaster Marat Dzhumaev to catch up with Maghami for the pole position. Women International Master Muminova Nafisa and International Master P Karthikeyan bagged Best Women and Best Junior player prizes respectively. Grandmaster Vul Arkadi Eremmeevich of Russia adjudged as Best Veteran player and Maharjan Herkaji of Nepal secured Best Unrated player prize.

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States pledge aid for national hockey players

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 08:38 PM

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Haryana Friday pledged Rs.1 crore each while the Assam chief minister Rs.50 lakh for the welfare of the national hockey players.

Madhya Pradesh chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who had promised help to the agitating women's team in Bhopal over non-payment of dues by Hockey India, met union Sports Minister M.S. Gill during his visit here and promised Rs.1 crore for the players.

Later, Gill spoke to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, requesting them to chip in with contributions for the men's and women's hockey players.

'Haryana chief minister gave Rs.1 crore while Assam chief minister gave Rs.50 lakh. Rajasthan's respone is awaited,' a statement from the sports ministry said.

Chouhan Friday said his government will give Rs.1 crore to the national women's hockey team.

'I spoke to the sports minister and told him that we want to provide financial assistance to Hockey India. We are ready to give Rs.1 crore for the women's team. We are awaiting the minister's response as to in whose name the cheque should be prepared,' Chouhan said.

Gill said the money will be distributed to the women's team.

'I am very happy that the Madhya Pradesh government has come forward to help the women's team,' Gill said.

'I have also spoken to Dipika Murthy (goalkeeper) and asked her to prepare a list of the players who have not got their dues,' he added.

Taking a cue from their male counterparts, members of Indian women hockey squad had demanded Rs.3 lakh each as incentive for their performance last year. They Thursday rejected the Hockey India (HI) offer of Rs.50,000 each.

Around 40 core group players for the Commonwealth Games are camping in Bhopal.

Meanwhile, HI has also came forward to help the women's team.

'They will be paid at par with the men,' HI interim president Vidya Stokes said in a statement.

Stokes also said that HI will look into the matter of giving annual contracts to the women players as was promised to the men's team.

Stokes said the Players' Committee formed by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi to look after a special players' fund will now include the captain of senior women's and men's team.

Stokes said they are awaiting funds pledged by the various state governments, Bollywood personalities and cricketers. These could then be given to the players after the formation of the elected body.

Senior player Mamta Kharab, however, said they want written assurances from the federation.

'We are happy that the state governments and the sports ministry have extended financial support. But we will continue to wear black arm-bands as we are protesting against Hockey India and they have not given us any written assurance.'

Rai Foundation chairman Vinay Rai, who is also the chairman of Assocham Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, has also given Rs.10 lakh.

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Mumbai win u-21 series opener against Karnataka

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 08:30 PM

Mumbai, Jan 22 (PTI) Hosts Mumbai dominated neighbours Karnataka to win 4-2 in the opening match of the U-21 six-match bilateral hockey series at the MHA Mahindra Stadium here today. Mumbai led 4-0 after the first session before Karnataka notched two goals to avoid total humiliation. The next two games in the best-of-six affair in the home and away series are to be played tomorrow and on January 25. The home team took the lead through captain Aldin D''Souza who dived in front to deflect in a superb cross from Victo Singh in the 11th minute. Sandeep Singh converted a penalty corner with a drag-flick to make it 2-0 in favour of Mumbai in the 25th minute before Devender Walmiki scored from a melee within two minutes to make it 3-0. Victo Singh nailed a square pass from Muthanna to find the target and put Mumbai 4-0 up early in the second half. A disjointed Mumbai defence later allowed the visitors space and time. Nitin Thimmaiah converted Karnataka''s first penalty corner and Biju scored with a fierce drive from the right to narrow the margin of defeat.

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Decision on Sreesanth, Laxman''s fitness tomorrow

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 08:18 PM

Mirpur, Jan 22 (PTI) The Indian team management will take a final decision tomorrow on the availability of injured players S Sreesanth and VVS Laxman for the second Test against Bangladesh, starting here on Sunday. Laxman was earlier ruled out of the next match due to a hand injury but the team management has given the middle-order batsman more time to recover and a final decision will be taken tomorrow. Sreesanth, who suffered a hamstring strain on the final day of the first Test which India won by 113 runs, underwent an MRI scan here today and his fitness will also be assessed tomorrow. "Sreesanth had an MRI today but we are not in a condition to say anything on the status of his injury. We will see tomorrow," administrative manager Arshad Ayub told PTI. Laxman, who injured the webbing between his thumb and fingers while attempting a catch in the first Test, was to go back home today but is staying back. "We have decided to wait till tomorrow in his case also," Ayub said. Meanwhile, regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who sat out of the first Test due to a back spasm, is expected to return to the side for the second Test. Spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh has also recovered from a stiff neck but he would face stiff competition from the in-form Amit Mishra to find a place in the final XI. The Indian team cancelled its training session and also took some time off to attend a dinner hosted by the Indian High Commission here.

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Air India registers first home win, beat Salgaocar 2-1

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 08:10 PM

Mumbai, Jan 22 (PTI) Hosts Air India rallied from a goal down to defeat visitors Salgaocar Sports Club 2-1 and register their first home win of the I-League in the round 11 match at the Cooperage ground here today. The Goan club went ahead in the 26th minute through Avneet Singh Shergiu, while the hosts restored parity through an own goal in the 42nd minute. Skipper Vijeth Shetty scored the winner (79th) for the airmen. The hosts, who lost their previous match 0-5 against Mohun Bagan, now have eight points from ten matches with this win, while Salgaocar have seven from 10 matches. The visitors began well enjoying more of the ball possession in the first 30 minutes and attacking the rival goal post. Their efforts finally bore fruit, when a well placed shot by Avneet off a pass from the right, got them the lead. However, the Airmen came back well as a Ravinder Singh cross from outside the box deflected off a defender into the goal post as the teams went into half-time levelled 1-1. Both the teams had an opportunity each to get the second goal but while Salgaocar''s Keita Mandtou found the back of the net, Air India'' N D Opara''s strike from the Centre hit the crossbar. However, Air India made amends as Ravinder''s cross was chested by Md Dada Nabeel towards Vijeth who guided the ball in.

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Decision on Sreesanth, Laxman''s fitness tomorrow

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 07:54 PM

Mirpur, Jan 22 (PTI) The Indian team management will take a final decision tomorrow on the availability of injured players S Sreesanth and VVS Laxman for the second Test against Bangladesh, starting here on Sunday. Laxman was earlier ruled out of the next match due to a hand injury but the team management has given the middle-order batsman more time to recover and a final decision will be taken tomorrow. Sreesanth, who suffered a hamstring strain on the final day of the first Test which India won by 113 runs, underwent an MRI scan here today and his fitness will also be assessed tomorrow. "Sreesanth had an MRI today but we are not in a condition to say anything on the status of his injury. We will see tomorrow," administrative manager Arshad Ayub told PTI. Laxman, who injured the webbing between his thumb and fingers while attempting a catch in the first Test, was to go back home today but is staying back. "We have decided to wait till tomorrow in his case also," Ayub said. Meanwhile, regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who sat out of the first Test due to a back spasm, is expected to return to the side for the second Test. Spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh has also recovered from a stiff neck but he would face stiff competition from the in-form Amit Mishra to find a place in the final XI. The Indian team cancelled its training session and also took some time off to attend a dinner hosted by the Indian High Commission here.

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Scotland Yard security cover for UK athletes is usual practice: Envoy

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 07:48 PM

New Delhi, Jan 22(ANI): Britain's High Commissioner to India, Sir Richard Stagg, on Friday expressed satisfaction over the preparations leading up to this year's Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in October.

During an interaction with media here, High Commissioner Stagg said that he supported the decision of British athletes, numbering more than 1500, having Scotland Yard protection. He said this was a regular practice.

Scotland Yard has been working with Delhi Police and other security agencies associated with the Games since August 2009, and has played a crucial role in review of safety measures related to the event.

Stagg also stressed he sees no security threat in India.

The comment could be a big boost for India, as many countries, including Australia has indicated they may pull out of the Games due to terrorist threats.

Certain media reports had suggested that British athletes might not participate in the Games citing security fears.

There were even reports the entire squad could pull out over worries that athletes could become a target for terrorists.

It maybe recalled that the England team had withdrawn from the World Badminton Championship in Hyderabad in August 2009 following terror threats. Home Minister P. Chidambaram specially visited the city in the wake of the team's exit to prove that foreign teams had nothing to fear. (ANI)

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India to meet Pakistan in ICC under-19 World Cup quarters on Saturday

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 07:40 PM

Lincoln (New Zealand), Jan.22 (ANI): In what promises to be the match of the tournament so far, defending champion India will meet two-time former winner Pakistan in the quarter-finals here on Saturday.

The match will be televised live by ESPN STAR Sports to a worldwide audience.

The subcontinent rivals weren't expected to meet so early in the tournament. But after a less than convincing performance with the bat against England on Thursday, India finished second in Group A having earlier dispatched Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

The side will be looking to impressive fast bowler Saurabh Netrawalkar to utilise the conditions with the new ball.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has unearthed a potential superstar in Muhammad Babar Azam who has scored 260 runs at an average of 130 at the top of the order.

The side won a close three-way chase with the West Indies and Bangladesh to on finish top of Group D with its final group match against Bangladesh going down to the last over.

India captain Ashok Menaria said his side was positive despite going down to England. "Although we lost, we're pretty confident," he said. "With one loss a good team doesn't become bad."

Pakistan captain Azeem Ghumman said his side will go into the bat with its confidence high. "All the boys are good enough to perform against any team - not just India - and I'm very hopeful that they will do well."

In the other quarter-final on Saturday in Rangiora, Group A winner England faces a dangerous West Indies, who finished second in Group D.

England cantered through its first two matches, but was tested by a talented Indian team in the final group match before coming out on top largely thanks to Ben Stokes' magnificent century.

West Indies secured wins against Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea (PNG) after losing its first match of the tournament to Pakistan by 40 runs. Kraigg Braithwaite showed his talent with knocks of 92 not out against Pakistan and 82 against the PNG.

The side's key victory came against Bangladesh when it fought back to win by one-run. (ANI)

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Hull begins High Court case against former chairman

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 07:28 PM

Premier League club Hull City began legal action in the High Court against former chairman Paul Duffen on Friday after accusing him of spending company money for his own personal use.

The club, who also allege Duffen's company received payments from agents in return for using those agents to deal with transfers, announced they had been successful in freezing his assets, the Press Association reported.

"The company believes that Mr Duffen has acted in breach of his employment contracts and fiduciary duties as a director, through the use of company monies for his own personal expenditure and other wrongdoings," the club said in a statement.

"The company also believes that he has acted in breach of his employment contracts and fiduciary duties as a director, through the payment of certain monies by third party football agents to Mr Duffen's services company, in return for which Mr Duffen procured that Hull City contract with the agents for business."

Duffen's barrister, Lexa Hilliard QC, told the court that although he had consented to the orders "this was not to be taken as an admission by my client of any of the allegations against him."

Duffen also agreed to hand over computer files.

A date for the trial was not been fixed.

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Volkswagen Polo cup to debut in India on June 19

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 07:18 PM

Chennai, Jan 22 (PTI) A regular fixture on the German motorsports calendar, the Volkswagen Polo Cup will make its debut in India on June 19 this year. Joerg Mueller, Volkswagen Chief Group Representative in India said a total of six events would be held -- the first in Pune, the company''s India headquarters and the others in Chennai and Coimbatore. The races in the southern cities would be part of the JK National Road Racing Championship, he said. "This is a very significant move by Volkswagen in India. We are glad we are contributing to development of a unique Indian motorsports culture. Volkswagen''s motorsports activities are renowned globally and we look forward to bringing our knowledge and expertise in this direction to India." Volkswagen announced their entry into Indian motorsports in October 2009 with signing of a Letter of Intent with JK Tyre & Industries Limited to bring the event to the country in 2010. This cup will have a record 20 drivers in 16-24 age group racing in cars with identical technology that are centrally tuned and maintained by highly skilled factory mechanics, a company press release said. .

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Rafa digs himself out of hole to make fourth round

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 07:10 PM

Defending champion Rafa Nadal dug himself out of a mid-match slump to defeat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4 6-2 2-6 7-5 and advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday.

Nadal, who had not dropped a set in his first two matches at Melbourne Park, hit a brick wall after wrapping up the first two sets, as the German threw caution to the wind to play his shots and clinch the third.

The tactic worked well until 5-5 in the fourth, however, when an unforced error handed Nadal the break and allowed the Spaniard to coolly serve out and seal the match with a sweetly-struck winner.

Nadal next faces Croatian Ivo Karlovic who beat compatriot Ivan Ljubicic 6-3 3-6 6-3 7-6.

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White's century helps Australia thrash Pakistan by five wickets at Gabba

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 06:48 PM

Brisbane, Jan 22(ANI): Riding high on Cameron White's splendid century, Australia thrashed Pakistan by five wickets in the opening game of the five match series here at the Gabba.

Set a target of 275, Australia lost their openers in quick session, but recovered with the help of White's second ODI hundred, and support from Michael Clarke (58) and Michael Hussey (35 not out) to attain the score with nine balls to spare.

Formidable opening spells from Pakistani fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif had Australia on the back foot at 84 for 3, but White and Clarke held on with a partnership of 102 runs for the fourth wicket.

White produced his finest knock on home soil, smashing 105 off 88 balls with eight fours and four sixes.

Earlier, Pakistan openers Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal got Pakistan off to a flyer and added 62 runs for the opening wicket. It was some tight bowling by Australia's seamers during the middle of the innings, which ensured that the runs dried up for the tourists.

Watson put the brakes as he broke the partnership dismissing Akmal for 34 with a well-disguised slower ball.

Doug Bollinger then scalped the wickets of Butt (72) and an unlucky Mohammad Yousuf (two), who played back onto his stumps.

Former captains Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik steadied the innings for Pakistan and brought up the 200 in the 39th over, and left all-rounder Shahid Afridi's big hitting late in the innings to help the team to 274. fridi smacked 48 from 26 balls in a stand that included three sixes and five boundaries.

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was the most successful bowler for the home team, claiming four wickets for 36 runs off his 10 overs. (ANI)

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IPL opening match moved out of Hyderabad

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 06:38 PM

Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) The opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been moved out of Hyderabad because of the ongoing protests over the Telangana agitation.

The inaugural match between defending champions Deccan Chargers and the Kolkata Knight Riders, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on March 12, will now be played here at D.Y. Patil Stadium.

'The first match of the IPL's new season will now be held in Mumbai on March 12,' an IPL official said.

'The opening match and the gala dinner the previous evening are very important for us. People from all over the world are coming and we are going to make sure that everything is in order. We don't want to take any chances,' IPL chairman and commiossoner Modi told reporters here Friday.

'There are no changes to other matches, everything looks fine.'

Sources in IPL said the match has been shifted as a precautionary measure because the opening ceremony is also scheduled simultaneously.

Rest of the four home matches of Deccan Chargers will be held in Hyderabad while two matches will take place in Vishakapatnam, the new home venue of the team which has been added this year.

The other two new home venues are Ahmedabad for the Rajasthan Royals and Dharamshala for the Kings XI Punjab.

Source: Web Search

Former Australia PM Howard in fray for cricket's top job

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 06:10 PM

Sydney, Jan 22 (DPA) Former Australian prime minister John Howard looks set to head the International Cricket Council (ICC) when the post is vacated by India's Sharad Pawar in 2012, news reports said Friday.

Pawar, currently vice-president of the ICC is to take over from Britain's David Morgan in July.

Under an international arrangement, it is Australasia's turn to next head the council, and Howard's name is believed to have been put forward by the game's governing bodies in Australia and New Zealand.

'We do have a preferred candidate,' a spokesman for Cricket Australia said Friday but refused to confirm or deny that Howard, 70, was their pick. 'He is very dedicated to cricket and willing for his name to go forward.'

Howard, prime minister from 1996 to 2007, lost the premiership and his seat in parliament in 2007 and has been at a loose end since.

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Fans make fun of Woods at Oz Open with "I've been with Tiger" banners

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 05:39 PM

New York, January 22 (ANI): Fans at the Australian Open poked fun at Tiger Woods following his reported entry into a sex rehab center.

People held banners, one of which read, "I've been with Tiger."

Among other posters was one showing Woods in a pimp hat, holding a scepter instead of a driver, reports New York Daily News.

Meanwhile, Woods' wife Elin reportedly visited the golfer in the rehab in Mississippi.

Woods has taken an indefinite break from golf, after the exposure of his multiple affairs. (ANI)

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No conspiracy against Pak players, says Modi

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 05:25 PM

Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi on Friday rejected allegations that Pakistani cricketers were deliberately snubbed at the players' auction and blamed the entire furore on media bias.

"The media is biased. No one talks about the players from countries like Australia, Canada and Zimbabwe being picked in the auction. There was no preconceived conspiracy to leave Pakistani players," Modi said in Mumbai.

All the 11 Pakistani cricketers, from a 67-strong pool of players, found no takers at the glitzy IPL III auction held on Tuesday. The matter has outraged players, politicians and fans across the border.

The Pakistani government has gone to the extent of saying that the country would give a befitting reply to the "humiliating" treatment meted out to its cricketers.

Bollywood actor and Rajasthan Royals team's co-owner Shilpa Shetty also denied any planned conspiracy against the players from Pakistan.

"I don't owe any explanation. We are not a small country and the decision was not a contrived one. There is nothing bigger than cricket but everything is getting murky," Shetty said.

"I am very hurt and there have been hate mails also. We have lost some of the greatest players in the world, but why doesn't anyone talk about Australia, England and so many others who were not picked in the auction?" she added.

Modi said he did not influence any of franchises' picks at the auction and there was never an intent to humiliate the Pakistani cricketers, as is being alleged across the border.

"Why should we get into the issue of apologising or not? IPL has put its best foot forward at the auction. It is up to the team owners to decide whom to take. They have different reasons," he said.

"I am not a super selector and I don't want that job. They way you people are writing, you are damaging the already fragile relationship (between India and Pakistan) further. There is no reason we would want to humiliate Pakistani players," he added.

Source: Web Search

No conspiracy to keep Pakistanis out, assert Modi, Shilpa

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 05:19 PM

Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi and franchise owners Friday vehemently denied that any 'conspiracy' to keep the Pakistani players out of the third edition of the Twenty20 league tournament.

Modi and the city-based team owners talked tough, saying they owe no explanation as to why they did not pick any Pakistani player at the auction Tuesday.

Conspiracy theories were afloat, accusing the Indian government of influencing franchisees to keep Pakistani players out of the IPL III, leading to a full-scale diplomatic war between the two countries.

'There is no conspiracy theory as is being reported in media. The media is biased at times,' Modi told reporters here.

'We don't owe an explanation. We request people in Pakistan and India to respond with more maturity.'

Co-owner of Rajasthan Royals Shilpa Shetty concurred with Modi.

'I request people in India and Pakistan to act maturely. Things have been taken out of proportion.'

'It was not a contrived attempt. We lost out on the best players. We don't owe any explanation anyway.'

'The reasons for dropping (Pakistanis) are understandable in the current scenario. We would like the media and the people to react to such situations more sensibly,' Shilpa said.

She also said that the franchisees couldn't provide for the security of the Pakistani players and hence decided against bidding for them in the auction.

'We wanted the players to be in the country and at that point of time we were more worried about security. We did not want to take onus for their security,' she said.

Preity Zinta, co-owner of Kings XI Punjab team, said: 'They have just sensationalised the issue. We request the country to collectively handle the situation sensibly.'

Modi and the representative of other franchisees were here to address a press conference after a tie-up between IPL and Network 18's entertainment channel Colors for post-match coverage.

Source: Web Search

Sreesanth doubtful for second Test

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 05:09 PM

Dhaka, Jan 22 (PTI) Indian pacer S Sreesanth is a doubtful starter for the second and final Test against Bangladesh here after picking up a hamstring strain during the first match of the series in Chittagong. Sreesanth underwent an MRI scan here and the team''s administrative manager Arshad Ayub said the pacer would be assessed again before the match starting Sunday. Sreesanth had limped off the field during the fifth and final day''s play of the first Test, which India won by 113 runs. India is already without senior batsman VVS Laxman, who has returned home after sustaining a hand injury. Laxman hurt the webbing of his left hand while fielding during the fourth day''s play. In good news for the team, regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who sat out of the first Test due to a back spasm, is expected to return to the side for the second Test. Spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh has also recovered from a stiff neck but he would face stiff competition from the in-form Amit Mishra to find a place in the final XI. Meanwhile, the Indian team cancelled its training session here. The team also took some time off to attend a dinner hosted by the Indian High Commission here.

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Gambhir holds on to top spot, Tendulkar moves up

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 04:55 PM

Dubai, Jan 22 (PTI) India opener Gautam Gambhir maintained his top rank and Sachin Tendulkar moved two rungs up to 13th in the ICC Rankings for Test batsmen, issued today. By virtue of his century against Bangladesh in the second innings of the first Test which India won by 113 runs, Gambhir has further consolidated his position in the batting chart with 881 rating points, a huge 38 points ahead of second placed Graeme Smith of South Africa. Tendulkar, who registered his 44th Test century in the same match, occupies the 13 spot in the chart with 744 points under his kitty, while his teammate VVS Laxman has also gained two spots to be placed 15th. However, Rahul Dravid has slipped five places to the 19th spot. Meanwhile, among bowlers Harbhajan Singh is the lone Indian in the top-10. The off-spinner is in the sixth spot with 705 points. Fast bowler Ishant Sharma has also gained nine places in the latest rankings and now sits in 16th position, while leg-spinner Amit Mishra rose 10 places and has moved up to 45th position after a good show in the first Test against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al-Hasan''s seven wickets in the match -- including 5-62 in the first innings -- has helped the 22-year-old gain nine places to the 15th spot. The bowling chart is headed by South African Dale Steyn, followed by Australia''s Mitchell Johnson.

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Maradona rules out security fears during South Africa World Cup

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 04:40 PM

New Delhi, Jan 22 (ANI): Argentina coach Diego Maradona has said that there is no need for fears about safety during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

"There is no need for anyone to be afraid of coming to South Africa to watch or play in the World Cup. I believe it will be a fantastic experience," he said in Johannesburg's Soccer City, which will host the opening match on June 11 and final on July 11.

"I have been impressed by the security and organization I have witnessed while here and I am looking forward to coming back with my team in June," Xinhua quoted Maradona, as saying.

Maradona said the friendly people he had met on his five-day stay in Pretoria overwhelmed him.

"Just come here and play. There will be no problems," he said in a message to other teams.

Maradona was speaking at an impromptu press briefing after inspecting the new stadium.

He was accompanied by South African 2010 local organizing committee (LOC) chief executive Danny Jordaan, who recently had to endure criticism from foreign journalists following the attack on Togo's national team in Cabinda, Angola.

Jordaan said: "I am delighted that a soccer superstar has come to see for himself and has publicly declared his support for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He is a special player and his endorsement of our Word Cup has again dispelled any fears about security at the World Cup."

Maradona impressed stadium workers with his friendly attitude and showed off some of the ball skills that made him a superstar during his playing career. (ANI)

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IPL snub due to ''variables extraneous to sports'': Pak

Published Fri, Jan 22 10 04:28 PM

Islamabad, Jan 22 (PTI) Miffed at the snub to Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League auction on Tuesday, country''s Foreign Office has accused that the incident was influenced by "variables extraneous to sports". The comment came after India''s External Affairs Ministry yesterday issued a release saying it was unfair to blame New Delhi for non-selection of the Pakistani players in the auction for the cash-awash IPL III. "It is clear from the press release that the decision to not include Pakistani cricketers was influenced by variables extraneous to sports and the press release is self-explanatory as to why the cricketers were not included in the bidding process," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told media. "It''s ironic that instead of requesting sporting agencies to resolve the issue, India is again engaging in a blame game, point-scoring and continuing its unwillingness to resolve bilateral issues through dialogue and peaceful means," he added. India had yesterday said that "Blaming Indian government for the absence of Pakistani players from the IPL is unfortunate." .

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Fourth PHD-GPI bridge tournament inaugurated in Delhi

Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 04:09 PM

New Delhi, Jan.22 (ANI): The three-day PHD-GPI Bridge Tournament was inaugurated today by Ashok Kajaria, President, PHD Chamber.

He welcomed players from all over the country.

More than 100 pairs of bridge players representing 46 teams are participating including professional bridge players, bureaucrats, noted industrialists, NRIs and foreign diplomats. On the 3rd and final day, 24th January 2010, the winners shall be presented awards that include the Rai Bahadur G M Modi Trophy.

The tournament is organized in memory of Late Rai Bahadur Gurjar Mal Modi, the doyen of industry, particularly northern India in the post independence era.

Coinciding with the 34th death anniversary of Rai Bahadur Gujar Mal Modi, this tournament is being organized after a gap of three years. (ANI)

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