Media locked out of Dhyanchand National Stadium

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 06:29 PM

New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) Sports Minister M.S.Gill wants media to promote hockey, but national camp at the Dhyanchand National Stadium was out of bounds for journalists.
Barely a week after Gill inaugurated the venue for the World Cup starting Feb 28, the
reporters, who had gathered here Wednesday morning to cover the first training session of the Indian team after their return from Pune, were locked out of the stadium.
The official version is that Sports Authority of India (SAI) has taken the decision to bar media's entry for security reasons and so the training sessions can't be reported. It will be the same for the other participating teams in the World Cup.
'The decision has been taken because of security reasons. The police said they would require a large posse to manage the media persons and expressed their inability to provide adequate security,' sports ministry spokesman told IANS.
'The same will apply for other teams also when they will practice. We will later appoint one spokesperson from the participating teams to brief the media.'
The ministry, however, had no answer as to how an important training camp can be covered without watching the players playing.
It was not only media, but even hockey officials were stopped from entering the stadium.
Hockey India (HI) said that the diktat of the ministry has come as a shock to it.
'We were surprised when we came to know about the development. How can you not allow media inside and expect coverage of World Cup hockey. It will only show the tournament in a poor light. We are going to talk to SAI and ask them to make some arrangement so that at least one player from the team can be present to brief the media everyday,' said a top HI official.
Even as the media persons were protesting at the main gate, some photographers and reporters slipped from other entry points, making a mockery of the security arrangements.
It has also been learnt that chief coach Jose Brasa has been gagged from talking to the media.
'I do not want to say anything,' Brasa said with folded hands when questioned by the media while the Spaniard was coming out of the stadium.

Source: Web Search

IPL ready to share security plan, says ACA

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 05:59 PM

Melbourne, Feb 3 (IANS) The Australian participation in the third edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) is almost certain as an agreement between the Twenty20 league organisers and the players' union over security arrangements looks imminent.
The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) chief executive Paul Marsh Wednesday said the players' body was close to being handed security plans, allowing it to go on with the process of assessing safety and briefing players.
IPL chairman Lalit Modi had earlier refused to spell out security arrangements for cricketers, saying they are in touch with the Australian cricket board, following which the ACA had warned it may recommend its players not to take part in IPL.

Hockey camp begins in Delhi

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 05:49 PM

As the Indian hockey team began getting a feel of the National Stadium on Wednesday, ruckus erupted outside the World Cup venue with authorities shunting out media on the pretext of security.
A lensman desperate to get a peek inside jumped the gates only to be caught by the policemen, a handful of journalists sneaked in through unguarded gates while the rest fumed in frustration. And all this while the hockey team practiced inside.
Incidentally, the stadium was inaugurated barely 10 days ago by Sports Minister M S Gill amid huge presence of media.

India in handball semifinals

Published Wed, Feb 03 10 05:23 PM

Dhaka, Feb 3 (PTI) Indian men handball team lost to Pakistan 31-34 in their final Group A match but ensured themselves a semifinal berth as they finished second in the group in the 11th South Asian Games today. India will take on Group B winners Bangladesh while Group A toppers Pakistan face Nepal in their last four matches tomorrow. Down 9-17 at the break, India fought back strongly in the second session but the gap proved to be too much as Pakistan edged them out by three goals in a thrilling finish. Leading from the front, captain Binu Vasu scored eight goals for India while Naya Singh Chaudhary banged in six. For Pakistan, Nasrullah scored seven goals while Mohammad Shahid Pervez, Azhar Khan and Naseer Ahmed netted six each. India, who had beaten Sri Lanka in their earlier group match, finished second behind Pakistan who had two wins in Group A. In another match, Bangladesh thrashed Afghanistan 26-5 to finish on top of Group B. They had earlier beaten Nepal. Nepal, who had just a win over Afghanistan to their credit, finished second in Group B.

Source: Web Search

Pink ball not exactly every Oz cricketer's cup of tea

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 05:09 PM

Brisbane, Feb. 3 (ANI): After a mixed review by Australian players, the plan to introduce pink balls to facilitate day night Test matches is likely go back to the drawing board.
On Tuesday, Cricket Australia stepped up its push to stage day-night Tests by commencing a trial of pink balls made by English manufacturer Dukes in Futures League matches in Brisbane.
The trial was part of a nationwide experiment to test pink and white balls made by Dukes and Australian manufacturer Kookaburra in the hope of finding one suited to night Test matches.
While the pink ball seemed more spectator-friendly, players from both sides expressed reservations about how the balls aged.

Ball tampering prevalent in world cricket: Tait

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 05:03 PM

Melbourne, Feb 3 (ANI): Australian paceman Shaun Tait suspects that ball tampering is prevalent in world cricket, although he has never seen it.
Tait's Redbacks teammate Shahid Afridi was banned for two Twenty20 matches, after television cameras caught him attempting to bite the seam of the ball at the beginning of the 46th over of Australia's innings at the WACA on Sunday night.
"It probably goes on, but I have never seen it with my own eyes. I am sure there could be players that do it, but not that I have seen. I have never engaged in biting the ball," Tait said.

John Terry's 'mistress had flings with 5 Chelsea stars'

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 04:55 PM

London, February 3 (ANI): Vanessa Perroncel, the woman alleged to be the mistress of married football star John Terry, has had flings with other Chelsea stars in the past, according to reports.

The French lingerie model, who previously dated Wayne Bridge, was said to have romanced five men in the club including England Captain Terry.

"To say she's a Chelsea Girl is a bit of an understatement. Wayne knows that he was one of several Chelsea players who were close to Vanessa," the Sun quoted a source close to the model as saying.

"Vanessa has always had a thing for footballers and set her heart on becoming a kind of super-WAG.

"During each affair she was always a single girl. But by the time she got to John Terry she'd achieved her own five-a-side football team," the source added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

John Terry's heartbroken wife 'agrees to take him back'

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 04:49 PM

London, Feb 3 (ANI): John Terry's heartbroken wife has agreed to give her love rat husband a second chance, it has emerged.

However, during an emotional 45-minute phone call, Toni warned Terry that if he ever strays again she will walk out on him with their three-year-old twins Georgie John and Summer Rose, reports the Mirror.

A friend said: "Toni's given him the benefit of the doubt.

"JT insists it was a silly fling and didn't mean anything. She's chosen to believe his version rather than what everyone else is telling her.

"Frankly, she's been through all this before but not as bad as this. But the sting in the tail is that if he steps out line again she will throw him out and make sure he has as little contact with his kids as possible.

"That's the thing that will force him to focus. He loves his kids more than anything. Toni has also told him that she doesn't want him speaking publicly about it and if there is any apologising to e done, it will be to her." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Glenn McGrath finds love again

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 04:39 PM

Melbourne, Feb 3 (ANI): Glenn McGrath has found love again - eighteen months after the tragic death of his wife Jane.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the Australian cricket hero has been dating a woman named Sara for about two months.

The couple was photographed in Sydney restaurant Dee Bees.

Graeme Goldberg, Dee Bees' owner, said that Glenn seems to have found happiness again.

"They are a couple," News.com.au quoted Goldberg as telling Woman's Day magazine.

"They held hands and sat right out the front in full view. They arrived together, stayed two hours and left together.

"She was absolutely charming and they made a delightful couple. I am very happy for them," Goldberg added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Wrestler Kripa Shankar Patel to represent India in SAG

Published Wed, Feb 03 10 04:23 PM

Indore, Feb 3 (PTI) Kripa Shankar Patel will represent India in the ongoing South Asian Games in Dhaka. The wrestling competition will begin from February 6, Wrestling Federation of India''s (WFI) executive member Umesh Patel said in a release here today. The Arjun Awardee Patel will participate in the 60 kg freestyle category. Patel, who belongs to Indore, has taken part in 52 international events and won 25 medals including 11 gold for the country.

Source: Web Search

Mukesh, Harmeet in lead on day one

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 04:09 PM

Kolkata, Feb. 3 -- Veterans Mukesh Kumar and Harmeet Kahlon returned cards of five-under 65 to take the lead in the first round of the Players Championship at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata on Tuesday. The players carded six birdies and a bogey each on a day of 18 sub-par totals although Kahlon would consider himself unlucky for not emerging the sole leader because of a blemish on the par-four ninth. A pack of six was following the leaders at three-under. Manav Jaini was one of them and he had a special day, hitting a hole-in-one on the par-three sixth. He got off to the worst possible start with a double bogey on the par-four first but recovered with that eagle and four birdies, although there was a bogey on the 11th. Kahlon, who started from the 10th hole, and Mukesh, who teed off from the first, were off to similar starts with birdies at the beginning. Both were three-under after the first nine holes. After three more birdies and a bogey each in the last nine, they said the short game was going be the key on this course. "My hitting was average, but I chipped and putted really well," said Kahlon. He made a 30-foot putt for birdie on the 16th and sunk one in from 36 feet for another on the second. "On this course, you have to hit your approach shot close to the pin and take advantage of the par-fives." Kahlon did exactly that, hitting birdies on all three par-five holes. Mukesh too felt the secret to success was the short game. "My putting was good and that I had two birdies on the first six came as a bonus." But he rued being too aggressive on the par-four 14th, which he bogeyed. "My tee shot wasn't good and instead of playing safe I attacked the pin. The shot crossed the hole and went past the green."

From two-over after the first, he was two-under after the seventh with birdies immediately before and after the eagle. "It was a perfect four-iron shot which bounced just short of the green and kicked towards the hole. I just saw it land before the ball disappeared from my sight. My caddy started jumping in joy although I couldn't believe it for a few seconds," said Jaini.

Source: Web Search

Aussie cricketers advised to observe stringent security measures during IPL

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 03:55 PM

Sydney, Feb. 3 (ANI): Following a threat by extreme right wing political party Shiv Sena to prevent the Australians from playing in Mumbai, Aussie cricketers will be asked to follow stringent security measures during this year's Indian Premier League, such as not venturing out of their hotels alone or wearing national uniforms and other clothing identifying their nationality.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted the boss of security for the IPL, Bob Nicholls, as saying that if the Shiv Sena threat develops then specific plans for Australian players would be used.

"At the moment there doesn't seem to be any acts of violence happening against Australians in India. The times that we would be most concerned about is when they are out and about on their own, we will be giving them a list of dos and don'ts," he said.

"It is pretty straightforward, the greater risk is if people are going out on their own rather than in a team environment, and not to go out advertising that they are Aussies, wearing Aussie shirts. The same advice has been given to the Australian hockey team [for the World Cup]," he added.

Security experts have warned of a possible terrorist attack during the IPL and the level of threat has been described as similar to that around the time of the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.

Twenty-one Australian players listed to play in next month's IPL include Shane Watson, Cameron White, David Hussey, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Ryan Harris, Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait - who will all play in tomorrow night's Twenty20 match against Pakistan.

Nicholls's company Nicholls Steyn and Associates is in charge of player security for the tournament - they have previously arranged security for cricket's World Cups and Champions Trophy - and will station a "representative" with each franchise. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Terror threats on mind, IPL gets Rs 250-cr cover

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 03:39 PM

New Delhi, Feb. 3 -- The Indian Premiere League has bought a "terrorism" insurance cover of Rs 250 crore for the 60-match tournament that begins on March 12.

There is a premium on players bought at an auction. A group personal accident policy covers every player bought at an auction for between Rs 3 crore to Rs 12 crore. This variable amount works out to about seven times his match fee. Players not bought at auctions have a lower cover of about Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

Source: Web Search

Chelsea to allow Terry break to resolve personal issues

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 03:29 PM

London, Feb 3 (DPA) Chelsea will give captain John Terry time off to resolve problems in his personal life if he wants, according to reports in the British media Wednesday.

Terry could fly to Dubai to visit his wife Toni in 10 days and miss the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Cardiff City.

The defender has been at the centre of a media storm after allegations he had an affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge, and it is possible he could be stripped of the England captaincy.

'This is an issue for me and John Terry; it's not your problem. You will see the line-up for Cardiff,' Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said after Tuesday's 1-1 raw at Hull City.

'If he needs to have a holiday I will give him a holiday. If he doesn't need a holiday he will play against Cardiff.'

Source: Web Search

Wayne Bridge 'holds secret talks with former girlfriend'

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 02:55 PM

London, Feb 3 (ANI): English footballer Wayne Bridge is said to have held secret talks with his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel for the first time since the news about her affair with John Terry was exposed.

Bridge, 29, is reported to have been left "totally distraught" after he came to know that his ex-lover and his former England team-mate had enjoyed a string of secret romps.

The Manchester City footballer is said to have travelled from Manchester to Surrey to meet with the French lingerie model and their three-year-old son Jaydon.

"He has been on the phone constantly, but this is the first time they've seen each other since Friday," the Sun quoted Perroncel's spokesman Max Clifford as saying.

"It was a very emotional reunion. There were lots of tears. It's been very upsetting for both of them and they are anxious to protect their little son Jaydon from this as much as possible," he stated.

Bridge has repeatedly been calling up Perroncel, and had called her at least four times on February 2 as he tried to recover from her betrayal with Terry.

"He just can't seem to get over it. The more John's betrayal sinks in, the worse it gets for him. He's absolutely in pieces, totally distraught," one of Bridge's pals added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Barca plans ?40 mn summer swoop for Fabregas

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 02:19 PM

Barcelona is increasing the pressure on Arsenal as they plan a 40 million pounds summer transfer for ace footballer Cesc Fabregas.

The Catalan giants vice-president Alfons Godall has insisted that the Gunners skipper will end up at the Nou Camp.

"Sooner or later Cesc will end up coming back. We are a club that can sign players because we are respected and solvent," he said.

The European champions have made no secret of the fact they want to recapture Fabregas, who left the club when he was 16, 'The Sun' reports.

Godall is one of the two main candidates for the June 13 presidential election and is the favourite to succeed Joan Laporta.

The other main candidate, Sandro Rossell, is also a huge fan of Fabregas.

However, Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid are keen to land the 22-year-old midfielder as well.

Source: Web Search

CA's five bowlers policy hampering Hopes' first-choice status in team

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 02:09 PM

Melbourne, Feb 3 (ANI): All rounder James Hopes has said that he can reclaim his first-choice status within the Australian one-day team if selectors scrap their recent policy of using only five genuine bowlers.

The Queenslander was not selected for the first three matches of the series against Pakistan and was promoted only when Shane Watson was rested for the last two games.

Hopes had played 46 of a possible 49 matches for Australia until he injured his hamstring in the first match of one-day series in India late last year.

"We've (previously) played a lot with three fast-bowlers, two all-rounders and a spinner to give us six bowling options, but at this stage we're comfortable going with the five bowling options," Hopes said.

"That puts me up against Shane Watson, who's been in pretty handy form. I wouldn't expect to knock him out of the one-day team. I think my way into that team full-time again is to be playing in the team with him," The Age quoted him, as saying.

The 31-year-old said the manner of Australia's 5-0 series victory over Pakistan had not given selectors any need to change the structure of their bowling attack.

"I don't think Pakistan gave us any reason to think that we needed a sixth bowling option at all, they didn't play that well.

"If the West Indies put up a good show well maybe there could be some thought to having another option because it does limit your options if you've only got five bowlers. If one or two of them get hit around you haven't got the sixth one to call on," Hopes said.

"The reason we did do it in the past is that when you play teams like South Africa you do need that sixth option. But if we keep playing the way we're playing, well, there's no need for the sixth bowler," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

India look for finishing touch

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 01:49 PM

Once the Republic Day parade got over on Rajpath and the roads were thrown open to traffic, Harendra Singh got an opportunity to take a trip down memory lane. As he walked into the renovated National Stadium on the other side of India Gate, the former India player was transported back to the days when he began his career. "I felt 10 years younger," Harendra, who is the Indian hockey team's coach now, told The Indian Express on Tuesday, a day ahead of the final preparatory camp at the stadium, the venue for the hockey World Cup beginning from February 28.

"This is the place where I learned to hold a hockey stick, where I grew up as player. Coming back to the National Stadium two days after it reopened was a privilege. The facilities are world-class, and I felt like playing all over again. I'm sure it will pump up the team as well. And after what the nation has given them, they would like to pay them back in kind."

India have been training in Pune for the last six months, and will now get a chance to prepare at the venue of the World Cup. Construction delays saw a trial event being cancelled and the team now have a little over three weeks to get used to the conditions. Harendra insisted that was more than enough. "I won't say three-four weeks' time is insufficient. The other teams are going to start coming just five-six days before the event. So we still have a distinct edge. We'll have enough match practice. The team is going to play against India A, who're playing in the South Asian Games, from February 15 to 22. Then we play a couple of practice matches against Argentina and Holland on the 23rd and 25th, so match practice shouldn't be an issue," he said, adding that with all the hard work done, the emphasis will now be over giving the preparations final touches.

'Realistic target'

"For the last one-and-a-half years, we have been training hard and I'm hoping for a good show - at least a semi-final spot, which is a realistic target, given that we will be playing in front of our home crowd. The Pune camp was intense and wholesome. Now we are going to focus on strategy and the individual and team responsibilities," he said.

Looking ahead

The camp in Pune was also mired by a lot of controversies - first the reports of differences in the team and head coach Jose Brasa and then the payment issue. Asked if the distraction affected the practice, Harendra said it was time to look ahead.

"Whatever has happened has happened. The team has put behind all that and we're looking forward now. 2010 is a crucial year for Indian hockey's revival, so the players and coaches are concentrating on the job at hand," he said.

The coach, though, urged the team to keep their emotion in check. "We are playing at home, and need to keep a check on our emotions. If we can do that, I think we'll see the Indian team on the podium somewhere."

Brasa unhappy?

PUNE: Even before the hockey training camp in the Capital could kick off, there were signs of trouble brewing in the team, with coaches and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) reportedly involved in a tiff over the gym at the National Stadium. According to sources in the team, it didn't go down well with head coach Jose Brasa that the gym at the National Stadium wasn't operational and that the team had to use another fitness centre at Connaught Place, which is about two kilometers from the venue. "Brasa had asked for a gym inside the stadium premises. SAI has made an alternative arrangement, but it is far from the venue. The head coach was upset about it. It may seem like a minor issue, but it disrupts the schedule," said the source, adding that in Pune, the gym was just 100 yards from the practice ground. When contacted, Brasa refused to comment.

-Kabir Mandrekar

Source: Web Search

Leaders Chelsea held at lowly Hull City

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 01:39 PM

London, Feb 3 (DPA) Chelsea missed an opportunity to extend their lead atop the English Premier League to four points as they were held to a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Hull City.

Steven Mouyokolo headed Hull into a shock lead on the half-hour mark, but Didier Drogba equalized from a free-kick three minutes before half-time here Tuesday.

The result leaves Chelsea two points clear of champions Manchester United at the top of the league.

Much of the attention before the game surrounded John Terry, who faces the prospect of losing the England captaincy because of revelations over his private life.

Terry led Chelsea as usual but was just one of many players in Carlo Ancelotti's side to play below par.

Hull pressed them throughout the evening and fully deserved to earn a point that lifts them up one place to 18th, level on points with three sides above them.

Source: Web Search

Ball-tampering 'probably' prevalent, says Tait

Published>Wed, Feb 03 10 01:33 PM

He has never seen it for himself but Australian pacer Shaun Tait says there is no denying that all teams indulge in ball tampering.

Backing Shahid Afridi's claim that all teams tamper with the ball, Tait said though he is yet to see it himself, there is little doubt that such cheating tactics are not new in international cricket.

"It probably goes on, but I have never seen it with my own eyes," Tait was quoted as saying by 'The Herald Sun'.

"I am sure there could be players that do it, but not that I have seen. I have never engaged in biting the ball,' he said.

Afridi, a former teammate of Tait in a state side here, was banned for two Twenty20 games after being caught biting the ball during a one-dayer against Australia in Perth.

Former wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist felt such offences need to be dealt with strictly to set an example for others.

"I think what we saw on Sunday night in Perth and also in the England and South Africa series is that this is an issue that must be dealt with sooner rather than later," Gilchrist said.

"There is simply too much weight of evidence that it's occurring. I have no doubts that anyone caught should face extremely serious ramifications and punishment.

"It's up to the players to make the call on this one and say this simply cannot be tolerated," he added.

Source: Web Search