Bopanna-Qureshi in quarters of Tunis Open

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 11:52 AM

New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Top seeded pair of Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi advanced to the doubles quarter-finals of the ATP Tunis Open in Tunisia after a getting a walkover from Theirry Ascione and Arnaud Clement in the first round. The French pair opted our of the contest due to an elbow injury to Clement. Bopanna and Qureshi will fight it out with Frederico Gel of Portugal and Marcelo Melo of Brazil for a place in the semifinals of the USD 125,000 clay court event. Gil and Melo beat wild card pair of Reda El Amrani of Morocco and Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-4 6-0 in their first round match.

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Amin effect: No IPL nights, cheerleaders' fate uncertain

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 11:28 AM

The interim chief of the Indian Premier League (IPL) today promised a "bigger, better and transparent" tournament next year, but without the glitzy - and controversial - post-match parties introduced by suspended commissioner Lalit Modi. The fate of the cheerleaders, an integral part of IPL's glamour but sometimes criticised for being against "Indian culture" was, however, still undecided.

"I am not sure about the cheerleaders but one thing I can surely say is that from next season there won't be any IPL nights," Chirayu Amin told a news conference here today.

The "clean up" of the IPL had started, and the "small storm" would pass, Amin said. The present crisis would not be able to dent the brand image of one of the most expensive sporting affairs in the world, he said.

"We have started the investigation in right earnest. We will make IPL bigger than what it is. Cricket is a religion in the country and it would continue to be so. My job as the chairman IPL is to manage the affairs and bring it up to the Governing Council, deliberate with them, and to take decision with consensus", Amin said.

"The job has just started and I am getting involved in it. We have a great team in the management and we are confident that the cricket-loving people of India and the world will not be disappointed. The show will go on. The game of cricket is important and that's a fact no one can deny. Our job is to nurse it and bring it to people. Our job is to manage the IPL in a transparent manner and make sure that we have clarity, transparency, and take care of the people at large, take care of the players and franchisees as well."

The "IPL management" is "under the scanner", Amin said, but "cricketing aspects are not under any questions".

The new chairman said he was "not ready to accept this job but it was thrust on" him. "Ultimately I was prevailed upon and I took it up."

On his style of working, Amin said, "You can manage business in different styles, every one has their own style, flamboyance has nothing to do with cricket. Cricket is leisure if you present it in right spirit."

'Flamboyance' is a word that has been repeatedly used in the context of Modi's style of running the IPL, and was considered his trademark manner.

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Thackeray wants Maha lobby to rule IPL

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 11:08 AM

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Wednesday asked the BCCI as to why cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri or Ajit Wadekar were not considered to replace ousted IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.

He also questioned the logic behind his old friend Sharad Pawar making Modi IPL chief despite his "shady past."

'Modi has been replaced by another big shot industrialist....(BCCI chief Shashank) Manohar should be asked why names of Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri or Ajit Wadekar were not considered for the post,' he said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

Thackeray also asked as to why "Pawar and others handed over IPL reins to Modi despite his shady past."

"Pawar is a minister in the Union cabinet and his party rules Maharashtra. Despite having police and intelligence agencies at their disposal, did they fail to know the shady past of Modi?" Thackeray said.

"The decision to hand over reins of IPL, which rakes in thousands of crores, to such a person is dubious," he alleged.

He said Manohar could have suspended Modi much earlier. "Manohar says the whole world knew about IPL dealings but the Governing Council was kept in the dark," he said.

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Abhijeet beats Gopal, jumps to joint lead

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 10:58 AM

Subic Bay (Philippines), Apr 27 (PTI) Former world junior champion Abhijeet Gupta give out an impeccable performance to beat compatriot and his BPCL teammate G N Gopal and jumped to joint lead after the seventh round of the Asian continental chess championship here. Grandmaster Ni Hua of China ended the dream run of local boy Wesley So in a finely crafted game with black pieces on the top board. The Chinese trio of Ni Hua, Ding Liren and LI Chao emerged as the new joint leaders of the 50000 USD prize money event along with Abhijeet. While all the leaders have 5.5 points apiece, a pack of four players including second seed Krishnan Sasikiran are also in contention for top honours with just two rounds to come. Sasikiran defeated Nguyen Thanh Son of Vietnam in his seventh round game. With top five places reserved for the next world cup from here, P Harikrishna, National champion B Adhiban, S P Sethuraman, D Harika and Tejas Bakre are in contention for a top finish but for that all of them will have to win the next two rounds. Abhijeet was a class act with his white pieces. Gopal came up with an early opening surprise going for the main line Slav instead of his trusted Grunfeld and followed an earlier game played by Abhijeet against Parimarjan Negi. Both the players played the opening with unique speed and within first ten minutes nineteen moves were played. After Abhijeet deviated, Gopal spent a lot of time but could not find the way to equalize. Abhijeet won a pawn and romped home in quick time. Nguyen Thanh Son of Vietnam proved no match for Sasikiran in a queen pawn game where the latter played white. Though the victory took some time to come Sasikiran made sure he did not falter at any time. International Master S P Sethuraman played a fine game to hold top seed Le Quang Liem of Vietnam who played black. Sethuramay held on to his position without giving away much in another queen pawn game of the day. In-form Tejas bakre produced another good result by holding Ghaem Maghami Ehsan of Iran to a draw from a worse position while Harika proved stronger than Nadera Barlo of Philippines. More PTI Corr AT

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Liu skips Osaka, focus on Robles in Shanghai showdown

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 10:46 AM

China's Liu Xiang is to skip next month's Osaka Grand Prix and focus on his Shanghai showdown with Dayron Robles, the Cuban who took his Olympic high hurdles titles.

Liu has never been beaten in Osaka, winning the grand prix five times, the 2001 East Asian Games gold and the 2007 world title at the Naga stadium in the Japanese city.

The decision to miss a race at his "lucky" venue is certain to raise questions about his recovery physically and mentally from the Achilles injury which wrecked his Beijing Olympic dream.

The 26-year-old Shanghainese has competed in just four 110 metres hurdles races -- all in greater China -- since hobbling out of the Olympics 20 months ago and said he had not yet started training outdoors for this season.

"I am afraid I will definitely miss the Osaka Grand Prix on May 8," he told the China Daily. "I will focus on the Shanghai race and hopefully I can get a good result on home soil."

Shanghai is the second stop on the new IAAF Diamond League series and features Jamaica's sprinting sensation Usain Bolt as well as Liu's race with Robles.

Robles also struggled with injury last year but returned to win the world indoor 60m title in Doha last month.

"I will not predict who is going to beat who. Just let the result come out on the track," Liu said.

Despite his return at the Shanghai Stadium last year, Liu has not shown anywhere near the form that saw him set the world record in Lausanne four years ago of 12.88 seconds, a time bettered by Robles two years later.

"I am feeling better day by day," he added. "I do not think the injury is a problem any more. I am telling myself to train and race like before. I will start outdoor training this week."

One event Liu will not be skipping is the Asian Games in Guangzhou in November, where he will defend the title he won in 2002 and 2006.

"I will compete at the Asian Games in Guangzhou," he said. "I won in Busan and Doha. So my aim is to have the hat-trick. It's always a great feeling to win in front of local supporters."

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NBA - LeBron elbows Bulls out of playoffs as Cavs advance

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 10:32 AM

The top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to the second round of the playoffs by claiming a tightly contested 96-94 win against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

LeBron James fell just short of his second straight triple-double, claiming 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Cavaliers to a 4-1 best-of-seven victory.

However, James gave Cleveland an injury scare late on when he was forced to shoot a free throw left-handed after suffering a right elbow injury.

Cleveland will now face the Boston Celtics, who eliminated the Miami Heat on Tuesday with a 96-86 win to wrap up their series 4-1.

In a relatively close game, Cleveland had a team-high 25 points from Antawn Jamison, who made a three-pointer in the final minutes to complete a 10-2 spurt that gave the Cavs a 93-84 advantage.

Derrick Rose scored a game-high 31 points and Luol Deng added 26 for the Bulls, who trailed by just three points when Rose missed a shot inside to give the ball back to Cleveland with ten seconds of the game remaining.

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Maradona calls up veteran Ortega for Haiti friendly

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 09:28 AM

Former Argentina World Cup forward Ariel Ortega was a surprise inclusion on Tuesday in a squad named by coach Diego Maradona for a friendly against Haiti next week.

The 36-year-old River Plate playmaker, who won the last of his 86 caps in 2003, was included in a squad of 17 home-based players to meet Haiti in Cutral Co in the southern Andean province of Neuquen on May 5.

"The truth is this is a great joy for me to be in the national team, the maximum I've ever experienced in football," Ortega, who played at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups, told a news conference after a River Plate practice.

"After such a long time not wearing the shirt it is something nice, unique. I know this doesn't mean I'll be at the World Cup because for that (the coach) worked with other players and that's fine. I'm grateful to (Maradona) for taking me into account to play this match."

Maradona also included Boca Juniors striker Martin Palermo, a World Cup hopeful, for the warm-up for the finals in South Africa starting on June 11 where Argentina face Nigeria, South Korea and Greece in Group B.

Ortega is one of more than 100 players Maradona has called up during his 18 months in charge and was previously picked for a friendly against Ghana last September which he missed through injury.

The call-up comes after a troubled few days for the little player known as "Burrito" (donkey), who got into a running argument with Estudiantes defender Leandro Desabato during River's league match on Saturday before crashing his car on the way to training on Monday.

Desabato called Ortega a drunkard alluding to the player's drink problems. Ortega retaliated with a studs-up tackle.

Maradona also called up Independiente goalkeeper Adrian Gabbarini, who has been linked with Napoli, for the first time as he tries to decide on a third keeper for his World Cup squad.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Pozo (Colon), Adrian Gabbarini (Independiente)

Defenders: Matias Caruzzo (Argentinos Juniors), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Ariel Garce (Colon), Paolo Goltz (Huracan), Luciano Monzon (Boca Juniors)

Midfielders: Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Patricio Toranzo (Huracan), Nicolas Olmedo (Godoy Cruz), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Leonel Vangioni (Newell's Old Boys), Facundo Bertoglio (Colon)

Forwards: Ariel Ortega (River Plate), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Franco Jara (Arsenal), Juan Pablo Pereyra (Atletico Tucuman).

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Mayweather makes Ali-like claim ahead of Mosley bout

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 08:46 AM

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who has never lost a professional bout, made a Muhammad Ali-like claim on Tuesday, the former five-weight world champion declaring himself the world's best ever boxer.

"I don't care what fighter you're going to name, I'm the best," he told reporters ahead of his welterweight clash with fellow American Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"Throw a name at me and I'll break his stats down. Whatever they've done I've done it quicker, with no [losses]."

While nobody from the media offered a name for comparison, Mayweather offered an appraisal of Ali, referencing his loss to Leon Spinks in 1978 for the world heavyweight title in his opponent's eighth fight.

"Leon Spinks with seven wins beat you?" said Mayweather, as if posing the question to Ali, who often declared himself 'the greatest'.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) not only anticipates victory over three-time champion Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) but said he would defeat every future opponent who challenged him.

"The ultimate goal in boxing right now is to find a fighter that can beat Floyd Mayweather," he said. "And it's not going to happen."

Despite winning every one of his professional contests, Mayweather said he still feels he has not received the credit he deserves.

He expressed bewilderment that the Boxing Writers Association of America recently voted Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, and not him, as Fighter of the Decade.

A proposed showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao fell through in January after the Filipino refused to yield to the American's demand for random blood testing within three weeks of the bout.

"How'd he get fighter of the decade and he got outboxed by Erik Morales [in a March 2005 loss] and had two knock-down, drag-out fights with Juan Manuel Marquez? I just don't get it," he said.

"All I did was constantly beat whoever they put in front of me ... I'm never going to get my just due. All these fighters they put in front of me, they've all been cake walks for me."

Mayweather, who won his first world title -- the WBC super featherweight crown in 1998 -- expects critics to be similarly dismissive should he emerge victorious against the 38-year-old Mosley this weekend.

But he said such criticism would be irrelevant when the time came to fight.

"I'm Floyd Mayweather," he said. "All the rest of them are just fighters."

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Bolivia to hold 2015 Copa America, says President Morales

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 08:26 AM

Bolivia will stage the 2015 Copa America if Brazil opt against doing so because they are hosting the World Cup and Olympic Games the years before and after, Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Tuesday.

Morales's remark at a sports event in his country contradicts a recent agreement that Chile would stage the world's oldest championship for national teams if Brazil, whose turn it is, opted out.

"In the next three or four years we (in South America) will receive international events, the Olympics ... the World Cup and the Copa America championship which will be in Bolivia in 2015," Morales said.

A spokesman for the South American Football Confederation (CSF), however, told Reuters they had received no formal request from the Bolivian federation.

"There is no official request to the 'Conmebol' (CSF) on the part of the Bolivian federation," CSF executive secretary Francisco Figueredo said.

The CSF will meet this week at its Paraguayan headquarters in Asuncion to establish whether Brazil will remain the Copa America host nation in 2015.

"Any association can make their request at the meeting but so far there is none," the spokesman added.

Brazil had looked favourably on Chile as a replacement before a massive earthquake on Feb. 27, which devastated large areas of southern and central regions and killed nearly 500 people, cast doubts on the idea.

The South American championship, now more commonly known by the name of its trophy, has been rotated around the 10 member countries since 1987 starting with Argentina whose turn comes around again next year.

Brazil last staged the tournament in 1989, Chile in 1991 and Bolivia in 1997. The most recent was in 2007 in Venezuela where Brazil beat Argentina in the final.

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No ego for league's best bench player, says Crawford

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 07:08 AM

Checking your ego at the door is a prerequisite to being named the National Basketball Association's best player in a reserve role, winner Jamal Crawford said on Tuesday.

The Atlanta Hawks guard clinched the NBA's Sixth Man Award following a season in which he was second in team scoring and recorded the most points by a reserve player in 20 years.

Crawford, the first Atlanta player to win the award, said sitting on the bench in the early stages of games gave him a chance to gather a sense of the flow and decide how to best make an impact when called into the game.

"The main thing is you have to check your ego at the door," Crawford told reporters.

"If you are really about winning, that's the common goal and that's the picture is just winning, then you do what you've got to do."

Crawford, who came off the bench in all 79 games he appeared in this season for the Hawks, finished with an average of 18 points a game.

Ricky Pierce, who averaged 23 points a game in the 1989-90 season with Milwaukee, is the only player in the last 40 years to post a higher scoring average without starting a game.

Crawford, a first round pick by Cleveland in 2000, ranked seventh in the league in three-point field goals and was 18th in free throw percentage.

"You can have just as big an effect coming off the bench," said Crawford. "It's not about who starts but it's about who finishes the game."

Finishing behind Crawford, who received 110 of a possible 122 first-place votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, was Jason Terry of Dallas and third placed Anderson Varejao of Cleveland.

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Team ethic is watchword for Bayern's Van Gaal

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 06:48 AM

Striker Ivica Olic might have expected fulsome praise from coach Louis van Gaal after his hat-trick sent Bayern Munich into the Champions League final on Tuesday. Van Gaal preferred to dwell on his team's efforts.

"He scored three goals, he pressed high on the pitch as well, which is important in our organisation," Dutchman van Gaal told a press conference after Bayern thrashed Olympique Lyon 3-0.

"We can rely on him, once again he scored three goals but it is because he is the closest player to the goal. I'm sorry, but that's the way I think."

Olic was happy to acknowledge his team mates.

"We were good today, the whole team played a super game and therefore it was easy for me to play forward," the Croatian said.

"We were compact. Our defense and midfield played very well and if you get such a performance from the back and the midfield, then opportunities are created for me and that's simple for me."

Following an inconsistent start, Van Gaal, who arrived at Bayern during the close season, has made a strong impact at the German club.

Bayern won only one of their first four Bundesliga matches this season and were on the brink of elimination from their Champions League group after two defeats against Girondins Bordeaux.

But they can now look forward to their first Champions League final since 2001 and are also poised to win the Bundesliga title.

"The players now know what it's like to spend 10 months with Van Gaal, they know it's not easy but they're happy now and so am I," he said.

The former Ajax coach will be even happier if Inter Milan, who won the first leg 3-1, see off Barcelona on Wednesday in the other semi-final.

"I think we are more likely to play Inter and that would give me the opportunity to have a press conference with my friend Jose Mourinho," he said.

Inter Milan coach Mourinho was an assistant coach at Barcelona when Van Gaal was manager from 1997-2000.

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Baseball, tourism caught in boycott of Arizona law

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 05:28 AM

Immigration rights activists called on baseball fans on Tuesday to stay home from Arizona Diamondbacks games as part of a broad economic boycott to protest a statewide crackdown on illegal immigration signed into law in Arizona.

As a backlash by Hispanic groups, organized labor and civil liberties activists gained steam, the leader of the California Senate and officials in two of the state's biggest cities also moved to cut ties with companies based in neighboring Arizona.

Opponents of the state immigration law, the toughest on the books in the United States, urged travelers to avoid the tourism-dependent Grand Canyon state and for business groups and other organizations to hold their conventions elsewhere.

The Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association said six organizations had canceled conventions in the state, including the 11,000-member Immigration Lawyers Association, which had planned to hold its annual fall meeting in Scottsdale.

"There is widespread indignation not only in Arizona but throughout the country, and where people are under siege, they will look for ways to fight back," said Pablo Alvarado, executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

The furor was sparked on Friday when Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law a controversial measure designed by Republican sponsors to drive the state's illegal immigrants, the majority of them from Mexico, back to their home country.

Slated to take effect 90 days after the current session of the state legislature adjourns, the statute requires state and local police to determine a person's immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that they are undocumented -- a mandate that critics say opens the door to racial profiling.

Opponents charge the measure amounts to an unconstitutional infringement on the exclusive authority of the federal government to control immigration, and a court challenge to the measure is widely expected.

Enactment of the measure has spurred a renewed push on President Barack Obama to make good on his campaign promise to press for comprehensive federal immigration reform. His administration said on Tuesday it was considering a court challenge to the new law.

But Arizona's Major League Baseball team, the Diamondbacks, became the first high-profile target of immigrant rights activists seeking to roll back the Arizona law, known as Senate Bill 1070.

BASEBALL 'AMBASSADORS' TARGETED

"The Diamondbacks are like ambassadors from Arizona to the rest of the country, and the world for that matter, and we want fans to stay away until the law is rescinded or neutralized," said Tony Herrera, an activist with a national group calling itself the Great Arizona Boycott 2010.

Herrera said his group is urging fans to refrain not only from going to Diamondback games, but also from buying the club's T-shirts and other merchandise. He said activists would form picket lines to pressure fans not to attend a game in Chicago against the Cubs scheduled for Thursday.

The Diamondbacks had no immediate comment on Tuesday.

Arizona is home to an estimated 460,000 of some 10.8 million illegal immigrants in the United States and form the backbone of a shadow labor force that works in industries ranging from construction and agriculture to restaurants and child care.

Calls for an Arizona boycott spread beyond the state.

On Tuesday, California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, a Democrat, called on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to do everything "legally possible" to sever the state's economic ties with Arizona.

In Los Angeles, a city councilwoman introduced a resolution calling for America's second-largest city to end all contracts with Arizona-based companies and "stop doing business with the state." It followed similar calls by San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera on Monday.

Some Arizona Democrats who opposed the immigration crackdown nevertheless are uncomfortable with the boycott and said their state as whole should not be punished.

The call was taken up on social networking site Facebook, where one group said any such move "unfairly targetted" 200,000 hotel workers in the state.

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Amin effect: No IPL nights, cheerleaders' fate uncertain

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 04:48 AM

The interim chief of the Indian Premier League (IPL) today promised a "bigger, better and transparent" tournament next year, but without the glitzy ? and controversial ? post-match parties introduced by suspended commissioner Lalit Modi. The fate of the cheerleaders, an integral part of IPL's glamour but sometimes criticised for being against "Indian culture" was, however, still undecided.

"I am not sure about the cheerleaders but one thing I can surely say is that from next season there won't be any IPL nights," Chirayu Amin told a news conference here today.

The "clean up" of the IPL had started, and the "small storm" would pass, Amin said. The present crisis would not be able to dent the brand image of one of the most expensive sporting affairs in the world, he said.

"We have started the investigation in right earnest. We will make IPL bigger than what it is. Cricket is a religion in the country and it would continue to be so. My job as the chairman IPL is to manage the affairs and bring it up to the Governing Council, deliberate with them, and to take decision with consensus", Amin said.

"The job has just started and I am getting involved in it. We have a great team in the management and we are confident that the cricket-loving people of India and the world will not be disappointed. The show will go on. The game of cricket is important and that's a fact no one can deny. Our job is to nurse it and bring it to people. Our job is to manage the IPL in a transparent manner and make sure that we have clarity, transparency, and take care of the people at large, take care of the players and franchisees as well."

The "IPL management" is "under the scanner", Amin said, but "cricketing aspects are not under any questions".

The new chairman said he was "not ready to accept this job but it was thrust on" him. "Ultimately I was prevailed upon and I took it up."

On his style of working, Amin said, "You can manage business in different styles, every one has their own style, flamboyance has nothing to do with cricket. Cricket is leisure if you present it in right spirit."

'Flamboyance' is a word that has been repeatedly used in the context of Modi's style of running the IPL, and was considered his trademark manner.

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Guardiola never sensed Mourinho's potential at Barca

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 04:28 AM

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola cannot remember seeing any evidence of greatness in Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese was an assistant coach at the club in the 1990s.

Mourinho, a former Nou Camp translator who worked under Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal, went on to shine as coach of Porto and Chelsea and is now in charge of Inter Milan who take a 3-1 lead into Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg in Barcelona.

"If I had seen it I would have gone to the club president and said keep going with this guy because he is good," former Barca player Guardiola told a packed news conference on Tuesday.

"Maybe in the future he can come back and train at this club, why not?".

Mourinho led Porto to the Champions League title in 2004 before winning two Premier League crowns at Chelsea and Serie A with Inter last season.

The Portuguese got the better of rival Guardiola in last week's first leg at the San Siro, his players tirelessly pursuing their opponents and breaking up their fluid passing game.

Guardiola said Barca would remain true to their roots on Wednesday when he expects a boisterous full house at the 100,000-capacity Nou Camp.

"Get the ball, move it around, attack as much as possible -- that's what we'll try to do," the 39-year-old former Spain midfielder said.

"We have to control a little bit more the possession of the ball than in the first leg. All we are trying to do is play in a way so that people who love football will be happy.

"We'll try and come here tomorrow and play the best football possible to eliminate one of the best teams in Europe," added Guardiola.

The Barca coach rarely gives much away about his starting lineups but was prepared to reveal one thing about Wednesday's team: Champions League and La Liga top scorer Lionel Messi will be in the side.

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Dynamo Moscow sack Kobelev, name Bozovic new coach

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 04:06 AM

Montenegro's Miodrag Bozovic has replaced Andrei Kobelev as coach of Dynamo Moscow after signing a three-year contract, the Russian Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Kobelev, 41, who had been the club's coach since August 2006, was sacked earlier in the day following a string of poor results.

Dynamo, Russia's oldest football club being founded in 1923, have targeted their first league title since 1976 this season following a disappointing eighth-place finish last year after spending heavily in the off season.

They are 10th with just two wins from seven matches into the March-November season.

Bozovic, also 41, had been out of work since his former club, FK Moscow, was liquidated before the start of this season after their main sponsor Norilsk Nickel withdrew its financing.

In 2008, Bozovic led unfashionable Amkar Perm to a fourth-place finish and the Russian Cup final before being named FK Moscow coach.

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BCCI to file criminal complaints

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 02:18 AM

More trouble awaits suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) set to lodge criminal complaints with the police and relevant investigating agencies regarding several important missing contract papers pertaining to the business of Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to a senior BCCI executive, the board is likely to lodge criminal complaints citing, among others, Sections 378 and 405 of the Indian Penal Code.

These sections pertain to theft and criminal breach of trust and attract up to three years of imprisonment along with provisions for levying a fine. The BCCI may also seek help from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) through the government, sources said.

The WSG-MSM India broadcast rights deal was renegotiated in March 2009 at Rs 8,200 crore. Recent reports have said that MSM India paid a facilitation fee of $80 million to WSG for the new deal. Now, Tax authorities and the BCCI alike want to examine the original contract papers of WSG-MSM with IPL to see whether such a fees was indeed paid to Modi by WSG Mauritius, as reported.

The missing papers also include the bid papers of franchises?existing as well as those rejected?and contracts for Internet and digital rights of the billion-dollar IPL extravaganza.

According to IPL executives, the original contract papers are in the possession of Modi, while the photocopies are with the BCCI. When asked whether MSM India is in possession of the original telecast rights contract papers signed in March 2009 between IPL and MSM, a top executive of MSM India did not respond. A text message sent in this regard did not elicit any response. Other senior MSM India executives could not be reached.

According to legal experts, business contracts have generally multiple original contract copies, each with the respective parties involved and the legal agencies or representative assisting them.

On Monday, BCCI president Shashank Manohar admitted that the board could not furnish several important papers to the tax authorities as they were missing from its headquarters.

However, sources close to Modi said that the suspended IPL commissioner is likely to throw light on the missing contract papers in his response to the BCCI's showcause notice. BCCI has given Modi time till May 10 to respond to the notice as to why action should not be taken against him on a series of charges pertaining to the business aspects of IPL.

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Pak court dismisses petition against Shoaib and Sania

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 12:56 AM

Lahore, Apr 27 (PTI) A Pakistani court today dismissed a petition seeking the registration of a case against Shoaib Malik and his wife Indian tennis star Sania Mirza for the alleged violation of several rules during a reception held in Sialkot to celebrate their wedding. A man named Sheikh Hasan Sheraz had alleged in a petition filed in the Lahore High Court that the couple had violated the Marriage Functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Displays and Wasteful Expenses) Ordinance of 2000 and the Dowry and Bridle Gift Restriction Act of 1976 by accepting expensive gifts. Sheraz also alleged a ban on serving more than one dish at a wedding function was violated during the reception held in Sialkot on April 25. He alleged the organisers of the event violated regulations restricting the use of electricity at such functions. Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif dismissed the petition after Sheraz was unable to produce evidence to back up his allegations. Sharif said Sheraz had no proof to support his claim that Rs 5 million was spent on the reception. Referring to the presentation of a gold crown to Sania by Pakistan''s Population Welfare Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, the Chief Justice observed that this was done at Hyderabad in India, where his court has no jurisdiction. Seraz had also requested the court to order the couple and the administration of a five-star hotel in Lahore to conduct Shoaib''s ''walima'' today in accordance with the law. He had also sought legal proceedings against Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan for her move to get Sania declared an ambassador Pakistan''s population control programmes even though she is an Indian citizen.

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INTERVIEW - Churchill Downs CEO sees rosy outlook for Derby

Published>Wed, Apr 28 10 12:28 AM

Up to 20 horses will vie to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, and the chief executive of Churchill Downs Inc expects sponsorship revenue and wagering on the industry's most popular race to be rosier than last year's recession-hit results.

The 136th running of the storied horse race at the Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Kentucky, comes at a time when the industry has seen wagering decline, but Robert Evans's company has worked to diversify into casino gambling and entertainment like music festivals.

However, the first Saturday in May, when the Kentucky Derby as well as the Kentucky Oaks race for fillies are held, remains a major focus for the company.

"People have to keep in mind that last year was exceptionally weak," the CEO said in a telephone interview. "In economic terms, I would think when we tally it up we'll have done better on sponsorships than the previous year."

Evans said reserved seating for the Derby is essentially sold out, while general admission is always weather-dependent.

Analysts have said wagering on the Derby fell 9 percent last year, but the company does not disclose detailed attendance or wagering figures.

Evans thinks betting on this year's race will at least outperform the still-struggling industry.

"My guess is the industry is down about 10 percent through March compared to last year," he said. "The Oaks and Derby will do better than that, but it's very dependent on how the race actually sets up that day."

Many will watch on television to see the outcome.

TV viewership for the "Run for the Roses" hit a 20-year high last year when 16.3 million tuned in for the Derby, the most since 18.5 million in 1989. NBC officials said it is one of only three major sports events, along with the Winter and Summer Olympic Games, that draws more women viewers than men.

This year, Churchill Downs added a food event to further strengthen the Derby brand. The track will also host the company's first major music festival -- HullabaLOU -- in July in what could be the first of many such events.

"We're good at large, live entertainment events," Evans said. "Things like music festivals; you'll see some other stuff from us in the food, fashion kind of genres. Most of that will get announced later this summer."

He said Churchill Downs would be happy if its entertainment unit grew into a business that hosts up to 10 such events annually -- not necessarily at one of its four tracks -- that "would all be multimillion-dollar revenue and hopefully multimillion-dollar EBITDA producers."

Meanwhile, the company expects a casino it opened in January at its Calder track in Miami to hit a target for an annual gross gaming revenue rate of $80 million to $100 million in another few months.

Churchill Downs, whose 2009 revenue rose 2 percent to about $440 million, also has a casino at its Fair Grounds track in Louisiana but lacks them at its namesake track in Louisville and at Arlington Park outside Chicago, and has warned that the economics for the sport do not work without casino gambling.

"If you don't have a casino nearby, you're going to suffer over the next three, five, seven years," Evans said.

He remains optimistic that Churchill Downs can close its $126.4 million acquisition of online wagering site Youbet.com Inc in the second quarter.

Evans said the company would love to host the Breeder's Cup championship races permanently, as that group's board is weighing ending rotating the host sites. However, he added that Churchill Downs is not campaigning for such a move and even a favourable decision would not be significant financially.

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Olympique Lyon v Bayern Munich - teams

Published Wed, Apr 28 10 12:10 AM

REUTERS - Teams for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg between Olympique Lyon and Bayern Munich at Gerland stadium:

Olympique Lyon: 1-Hugo Lloris; 13-Anthony Reveillere, 3-Cris, 4-Jean-Alain Boumsong, 20-Aly Cissokho; 41-Maxime Gonalons, 17-Jean Makoun; 14-Sidney Govou, 19-Cesar Delgado, 7-Michel Bastos; 9-Lisandro Lopez.

Bayern Munich: 22-Hans Joerg-Butt; 21-Philipp Lahm, 5-Daniel Van Buyten, 28-Holger Badstuber, 26-Diego Contento; 10-Arjen Robben, 31-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 17-Mark van Bommel, 8-Hamit Altintop; 25-Thomas Mueller, 11-Ivica Olic.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)

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East Bengal crash to 6th straight defeat

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 11:52 PM

Kolkata, Apr 27 (PTI) East Bengal tonight brought their disastrous AFC Cup campaign to an end with a 0-4 loss to Al Nejmeh of Lebanon at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan here. Atwi Abbas (2'', 41st), Najjarine Cheikh-El Bilal (67''), Cisse Medicke Pape (36'') scored for Al Nejmeh as the Lebanese outfit made a mockery of East Bengal''s defence. The win, however, was not enough for Al Nejmeh to make the pre-quarterfinals as Al Qadsia (Kuwait) and Al Ittihad (Syria) advanced the next round from group D. East Bengal thus capped their sixth successive defeat as they ended their campaign. As a matter of fact, East Bengal conceded 20 goals in six matches, while they were able to score only five times. In absence of their centre back Uga Okpara, East Bengal''s defence wore a miserable look as the likes of Soumik Dey, Harmanjot Khabra struggled against the Al Nejmeh attack. Having recovered from his hamstring injury, Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia started in the line-up and played the full-time but Al Nejmeh dominated right from the beginning and did not give any chance to East Bengal. Coach Philippe de Ridder surprised at his team selection when the Belgian opted to keep the likes of Abel Hammond and Mehrajuddin Wadoo on the bench. The Ghanaian striker was included in place of Budhiram Tudu in the 70th minute but it was little too late as Hammond sparkled but without any result. Looking to increase the margin in their pre-quarterfinal aspiration, Al Nejmeh drew the first blood through Abbas who scored from his left-footer. Abbas was very impressive with his powerful left-footer and he almost made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute but his shot went over the cross bar. The Lebanese outfit scored the second goal in the 36th minute when Cisse got a ball from top of East Bengal box and he launched a powerful left-footer that hit the right post before entering the net as goalkeeper Priyant Singh was caught unawares. Making a mockery of East Bengal defence, the Lebanese side made 3-0 before the break as Abbas scored his second goal. In the 67th minute, Al Nejmeh completed the rout through a right-footed long ranger by Bilal.

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Ibrahimovic has bad technique for good player - Cruyff

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 11:48 PM

Sweden and Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has "good technique for a bad player, bad technique for a good player," according to Dutch great Johan Cruyff.

"You have to get more out of the qualities you have," the former Barcelona player and coach and the club's honorary president said in an interview in the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet.

"You have to be effective," Cruyff added in a reference to the striker, "especially if you come to a big club from another country. The biggest and hardest steps are the mental ones."

Ibrahimovic joined the European champions from Inter Milan in July in a swap deal with Samuel Eto'o.

Cruyff praised Cameroon striker Eto'o for his ability to switch from attack to defence.

"That is one of the details Ibrahimovic must learn because if you lose the ball as a forward in Italy it makes no difference," said the Dutch maestro.

"But if you lose the ball as a forward at Barcelona you're the first one to get running."

Barcelona trail Inter 3-1 going into Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp.

Cruyff said he was confident his side could overturn their deficit and took a swipe at Inter coach Jose Mourinho.

"Mourinho is a good coach but I don't like the way he coaches," he said.

"I'm a bigger fan of coaches like (Frank) Riijkaard, (Barcelona's Pep) Guardiola -- gentlemen. I think this sport is about something more than just winning."

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Indian team leaves for T20 World Cup

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 11:22 PM

Mumbai, Apr 27 (PTI) After a gruelling stint in Indian Premier League (IPL), the national cricket team today left here for the West Indies to take part in the Twenty20 World Cup scheduled to be held there from April 30-May 16. The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team boarded an Emirates Airlines flight at the international airport this evening and will reach the West Indies via Dubai. The 2007 T20 World Champions, who have been placed in Group C, will open their campaign against Afghanistan on May 1 and will play South Africa the next day in St Lucia. The team: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Ranganath Vinay Kumar, Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma and Piyush Chawla. Coach: Gary Kirsten. PTI VKV RSY

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Team India prepared enough for T20 World Cup: Dhoni

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 11:08 PM

Mumbai, Apr 27(ANI): Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said that his team is prepared enough to perform well in the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, despite being involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Addressing the media here before the team's departure, Dhoni said: "It's not that we have not played games. Sometimes you have to just take the schedule, there's no point complaining about it." The IPL was supposed to finish on the April 25. We had one and a half days' rest after that, then one whole day of flying and after reaching we have two-three days, which is more than enough.

We play throughout the year. We are together for almost 250 to 300 days so I don't think that should be a concern at all,"

Dhoni further believes that Team India is balanced enough, and spinners would play a crucial role on the slow pitches and would be the team's major weapon.

"Both Yusuf [Pathan] and Harbhajan Singh did very well for their teams opening the bowling in the IPL. We also have very good part-timers in the team. Yusuf, Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan have done well in all formats of the game over the years to be called as specialist spinners," Dhoni said. (ANI)

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Anand holds Topalov with black

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 10:48 PM

Sofia (Bulgaria), Apr 27 (PTI) World Champion Vishwanthan Anand played out a draw with challenger Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in the third game of the world chess championship here. After two full bloodied games, Anand went for a Slav defense with black pieces which turned out to be a big contrast to his opening choice in the first game wherein the Indian ace had chosen the ultra sharp Grunfeld defense. Topalov apparently had been expecting the Slav but possibly not the variation that Anand chose, as it was a choice popularised by Russian Vladimir Kramnik, a rival of both Topalov and Anand in the last two world championship matches. The game started on a sedate note, a complete opposite of the first two games when both players went on rampage with white pieces. It may be recalled that Topalov had won the first game in very quick time showcasing his deep preparation in the middle game arising out of a Grunfeld and Anand had bounced back with a very convincing victory in the second game of the 12-games match. Instead of walking in to what Topalov''s excels at, Anand aimed at getting a decent position after the opening and then equalising and see if an opportunity would come his way. This tactic worked fine and a draw with black means that the Indian has a slight upper hand in the match as he has more games with white pieces remaining. As things turned out in one of the popular variations, the queens got traded very early giving Topalov an optical space advantage which lasted for quite some time but did not materialise in to a real advantage. Anand''s 14th move solved his opening problems and black could develop his pieces harmoniously after nearly making a half move aimed at supporting weaknesses on the king side. On his 20th turn, Topalov offered Anand a pawn which would have led to unclear complications and possibilities of the Bulgaria coming on top. Anand rejected the pawn offer in no time and concentrated on following the basics which proved enough to hold the balance. Further exchanges forced the game in to a rook and minor piece endgame wherein the result of the game was clear by the 33rd move when Anand forcibly entered a pure rook ending. 13 moves later the draw was signed through repetition of moves. (More) PTI Cor SHN

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Cabinet nod to wrestler Gulia''s appointment as DSP

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 10:08 PM

Chandigarh, Apr 27 (PTI) Haryana state cabinet today gave its approval to the appointment of international wrestler Ramesh Kumar Gulia for the post of DSP under sports quota in state police. As per provision to sub-rule (1) of Rule 6 Haryana Police Service Rules, 2008, six per cent of total posts of DSP are reserved for outstanding sports persons of Haryana who win a gold, silver or bronze medals in Olympic Games or those sports persons who bring extra ordinary laurels to the state. The DGP Haryana had recommended that Ramesh Kumar Gulia, resident of Purkhas district Sonipat should be appointed as direct DSP under the sports quota, since he is an outstanding wrestler of international fame and has brought laurels for the country by winning bronze medal in the World Wrestling Championship recently held in Denmark. At present, three posts of DSP meant for sports quota are lying vacant. The cabinet met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, an official release said.

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Nadal opts for health over top ranking, says coach

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 09:28 PM

Regaining the world number one ranking is no longer a top priority for Rafael Nadal as he plans to cut back his punishing ATP schedule to preserve his health, the Spaniard's coach said on Tuesday.

Nadal has dropped to third in the rankings, behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, after knee problems disrupted his 2009 season.

The Spaniard looked to have regained his old dominance on clay when he blew away his challengers to win a record sixth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title earlier this month.

But he pulled out of last week's Barcelona Open to have a rest before defending his title at the Rome Masters this week.

"I suppose we'll play a little less," Nadal's coach and uncle Toni Nadal told Reuters before the 23-year-old begins his Rome campaign against Philipp Kohlschreiber on Wednesday.

"(The decision to miss Barcelona) was also related to the need to prepare for the upcoming season, which is hard, and avoid having problems with Wimbledon and Roland Garros."

Nadal, four times a winner in the Paris major, suffered his first ever defeat at the French Open last May and was then forced to miss the entire grasscourt season with tendinitis in his knees.

"The important thing for Rafa is not the ranking, but to be in good shape for every tournament he takes part in, to know that he has the chance to win the tournaments he takes part in," said Toni.

"This is more important than the ranking for him. Naturally, if on top of this, he has a good ranking, so much the better."

Toni dismissed the idea that his nephew needed to change his style of play to make it less physical and reduce the demands on his body.

"I don't see this. He doesn't have an excessively physical game," he said.

"This story comes from when Rafa was 17, 18 years old. I don't think his game is just physical. It's a game suited to spin. If you look at the matches, I don't think he runs more than his rivals."

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Bagan to face Demo heat tomorrow

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 08:58 PM

Kolkata, Apr 27 (PTI) A resurgent Mohun Bagan will face the challenge of leaders Dempo in a round 23 I-League match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here tomorrow. Back-to-back wins over Air India (4-0) and title conteders Mahindra United (3-1), under new coach Biswajit Bhattacharji, have certainly brought smiles back on the faces of the green-and-maroon supporters. But it will be a test of character for Mohun Bagan against Dempo who look all set to clinch their fourth title this season. The title is not a big ask for Armando Colaco-coached side who just need seven points from their remaining four matches. They came from behind to register a crucial win over local rivals Sporting Clube in the last round and will be confident here especially after their win over East Bengal in their last outing (round 20) here. Dempo have won five of their last six matches and one more win will just take them closer to the title. Inconsistency has been the order of the the season for Mohun Bagan. If they were on a winning trot, suddenly they failed to score against arch-rival East Bengal, who despite being down to 10 men, held the green-and-maroon brigade in a local league match. .

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Russian runner Alminova escapes with three-month ban

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 08:26 PM

European indoor 1,500 metres champion Anna Alminova has been banned for three months for failing a drugs test, world's athletics governing body IAAF said on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Russian tested positive for the banned substance pseudoephedrine at last month's world indoor championships in Doha, where she finished seventh in the 1,500m final, the IAAF said on its website (www.iaaf.org).

Viktor Berezov, a member of the anti-doping commission of the Russian athletics federation, said Alminova was given a lighter sentence because she had treated herself with a over- the-counter cold medicine containing the substance.

"We just received confirmation from the IAAF that they had approved Alminova's sanction," Berezov told local media.

Seven other top Russian female athletes, including twice world 1,500 metres champion Tatyana Tomashova and world indoor 1,500 metres champion Yelena Soboleva, were handed two-year doping bans for manipulating their drug samples in 2008.

Alminova, whose suspension ends on July 8, said she plans to compete at the European championships in Barcelona from July 27 to August 1.

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Match-fixing worst allegation against any cricketer: M.S. Dhoni

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 08:18 PM

New Delhi, April 27 (ANI): Having triumphed at the Indian Premier League tournament by lifting the winner's trophy and headed to West Indies for the T20 World Cup, Team India skipper M.S. Dhoni said cricket deserves to be kept clean, anyone found indulged in match-fixing should be punished.

In an interview to NDTV, Dhoni talked about various aspects related to cricket and also his experience during the just concluded Indian Premier League tournament.

Speaking about the match-fixing allegations against cricketers, Dhoni said : "Match fixing is worse (sic) allegation against a cricketer...anyone involved should be punished. Cricket should be clean,"

While mentioning about his personal experience of IPL-III and his team owner N.Srinivasan's faith in Vastu, Dhoni said: "Srinivasan's Vaastu has been good...nothing bad. Every franchise is doing little things. It is subtle...most cricketers are superstitious. No wild predictions like was made in 2007."

Talking about the controversies that the IPL has been mired in, Dhoni hoped that things would be sorted out in time for Season 4: "Lalit was part of it for three seasons...there were quite a few allegations...it's up to the authorities to see what has happened. They will come up with something that's good for everyone...before next IPL we have one year, let's hope for the best," Dhoni said.

Asked if IPL could survive the controversy? "Yes", said the Indian Skipper, "IPL as a brand can survive on its own. But you have to come up with some innovative ideas every time to make it better. No individual but few brains will work together to pull off sensational ideas."

Dhoni described his meeting with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala as a "very special moment." "May be because of Dalai Lama's blessings we won the finals. Of course, and because of the way the team played," he said

The Indian Skipper believes that in the West Indies, "If we don't look at the sun, we will be fine." No, that is not from an astrologer's list of do's and don'ts but more about adjusting the body clock to a different time zone many miles away from home.

Talking about teammate Yuvraj's injury and reported out-of-form, Dhoni hoped Yuvraj Singh will regain confidence in time for the tournament, as he said: "Cricket is a game. You will be low on confidence more than two times a season. A little nervousness is good. Yuvraj loves challenges, he is a player for the big stage."(ANI)

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Masters champion Mickelson to make Scottish Open return

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 07:48 PM

U.S. Masters champion Phil Mickelson is returning to the Scottish Open this year after missing the 2009 edition.

The American left-hander is a regular visitor to the banks of Loch Lomond but was absent from last year's event and the British Open at Turnberry a week later because his wife Amy was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

"Returning to Loch Lomond ... is always a special week for me," world number two Mickelson said in a news release on Tuesday.

"Everything about the tournament, from the sponsors, to the golf course and the stunning setting at Loch Lomond is as good as it gets in golf.

"I would love to add the Scottish Open to my list of career wins: to be successful in Scotland, the home of golf, is something that every player would love to have on his resume."

The four-times major champion was beaten in a playoff by Frenchman Gregory Havret in the 2007 Scottish Open.

This year's event starts on July 8, a week before the 150th anniversary British Open at St Andrews.

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Shoaib, Sania ask media to respect their privacy

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 07:38 PM

M Zulqernain Lahore, Apr 27 (PTI) Newly-wed star couple Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza, hounded by fans and the media since their arrival in Pakistan last week, have appealed to journalists looking for "masala" to respect their privacy and lessen the hype about their marriage. In an apparent bid to address the Pakistani media''s contention that the couple were not making any public appearances or speaking to journalists, Shoaib and Sania gave interviews to some TV news channels. They also recorded their protest with the media for intruding into their life. "The media needs masala (spice) but it must behave in a way that our personal life does not get affected," Sania said. Shoaib added: "Besides being a husband, I have to play the role of a security guard." Shoaib said he was happy to see the celebrations in Pakistan following his marriage but called on the media to reduce the hype associated with the event. "This is the marriage of two persons, just like the marriage of any two normal persons," he said. The cricketer said it was not as if the couple did not wish to talk to the media. "The media never gave us a chance to talk. If you jump on someone, the person will take steps to protect himself," he added. Asked by a TV news channel why she had not been seen smiling in public, Sania replied: "I cannot smile if I am stuck in a crowd and people are falling on me. The media reports that I had tears in my eyes when my mother fell after a crowd jostled us in Lahore are not correct. "Actually I got worried as my mother got hurt and a normal person feels so in such a situation... I am very happy and have no problem in smiling. If I keep smiling all the time people will think I am mad," she said. The couple said people in Pakistan had given them a "lot of love." They also asked the people to pray for them. (More) PTI MZ RHL

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Mexico to host tournament to celebrate independence

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 07:28 PM

Mexico, who play hosts South Africa in the World Cup's opening match on June 11, will stage a four-team tournament as part of their independence celebrations, the Mexican Football Federation (Femexfut) said.

Mexico, which gained its independence from Spain 200 years ago, will stage the Sept. 4-8 tournament including Chile, Colombia and possibly Argentina at the new Guadalajara stadium, home of the popular Chivas club.

"We have organised a four-team tournament in which Chile and Colombia will participate. The three of us have invited Argentina, who also celebrate their bicentenary (this year) as do Chile and Colombia," Femexfut president Justino Compean told reporters.

The new stadium is set to be inaugurated two months earlier with a friendly between Guadalajara and Manchester United who recently signed Mexico striker Javier Hernandez from Chivas for next season.

Another part of the celebrations will be a friendly between Mexico and Spain at the Azteca in Mexico City on Aug. 11.

Mexico also meet Uruguay and France in Group A at the World Cup.

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I'd never date another footballer, says Frank Lampard's ex Rives

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 06:52 PM

Melbourne, April 27 (ANI): Frank Lampard's former fiancie Elen Rives says she would never date a football star again.

Rives, a model from Spain, also says that she isn't love with Lampard anymore.

"I'm so over Frank - I'm not in love with him any more," the Daily Telegraph quoted her as telling The Daily Mirror newspaper.

"I will never date another footballer as long as I live. I'd rather go out with a fat man - and I hate fat men," she added. (ANI)

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Struggling Isinbayeva to promote Youth Games

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 06:48 PM

Struggling Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva has agreed to help promote this year's inaugural Youth Olympics alongside swimmer Michael Phelps, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday.

The first Youth Olympics, aimed at fighting obesity and promoting a more active lifestyle among young people, will take place in Singapore in August and will attract some 3,600 athletes aged 14-18.

American Phelps, 14-times Olympic gold medallist, was signed up as an ambassador in February.

Isinbayeva, who won the pole vault gold medal at the last two Olympics and is the world record holder, announced this month she was taking a break from competing after a slump in form in the past year.

"I am happy to play such an important role in getting young people active," the 27-year-old Russian said in a statement.

"This is a very exciting opportunity for me to pursue whilst I take a break from competition. I will be in Singapore to support the athletes, to encourage them to do their best and enjoy the whole experience," she said.

IOC President Jacques Rogge told reporters on Tuesday qualification for the athletes was already under way. The IOC will also conduct some 1,000 doping tests at the event.

"Hopefully there will not be any positive cases to report," Rogge said, adding the IOC had been surprised by the interest of broadcasters in the event.

He said 15 deals with individual broadcasters had been signed to show taped or live extracts of the competitions.

"Preparation is superb and the best athletes of the world in their age category will be there," Rogge said of his brainchild.

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Asian women show they're on top

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 06:18 PM

Kathmandu, April 27 (IANS) Nearly 24 years after mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner became the first man to conquer the 14 highest peaks in the world, South Korean Oh Eun-sun followed in his footsteps Tuesday, becoming the first woman to achieve the feat, beating her closest rival Spain's Edurne Pasaban.

The 44-year-old became South Korea and Asia's heroine after she reached the summit of Mt Annapurna, 8,091m, with her ascent being broadcast live.

A snow storm last week had caused the climber to retreat to the lower slopes and she again began climbing this morning, crawling up the last few steps.

As she planted her country's flag on the peak, Oh Eun-sun completed a quest started in 1997 with the conquest of Mt Gasherbrum II. She summited Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world, in 2006.

Despite the victory, the climber faces a controversy with her closest rival Pasaban, who is on her way to achieving the same feat, raising questions about Oh's summit of Mt Kangchenjunga in 2009.

Pasaban, who had climbed 12 of the 14 highest peaks, is seeking a double whammy. She summited Mt Annapurna in April and is now heading towards Mt Shisha Pangma from Tibet.

Once she summits the peak, she would become the second woman to have climbed the 14 Himalayan peaks towering over 8,000 m.

Pasaban's quest had begun in 2001 with Mt Everest.

Oh's conquest consolidates Asian women's grip on the Himalayas. Japan's Junko Tabei was the first woman to have conquered Mt Everest in 1975.

Lhakpa Sherpa of Nepal holds the record of having climbed Mt Everest the maximum number of times by a woman climber - six.

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Modi''s downfall will not be mourned: British media

Published Tue, Apr 27 10 05:36 PM

London, Apr 27 (PTI) The British media today acknowledged that suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi realised Twenty20''s potential in a huge and growing Indian market but said his downfall will not be mourned here. "There is no doubt Mr Modi''s vision and drive have changed the game profoundly. Australia are committed to a 20-over event featuring eight city franchises in 2011-12. The ECB tried and failed to establish an English Premier League for 2010," ''The Times'' newspaper said in a commentary. "Mr Modi did not invent Twenty20, but he realised its potential in a huge and growing Indian market," it said. The commentary written by Richard Hobson, however, said little tears will be shed by England and Wales Cricket Board for Modi who has been suspended by the BCCI for alleged financial irregularities in running the IPL. "Certainly no tears will have been shed inside ECB offices at Lord''s. Modi never forgave ECB chairman Giles Clarke for what he saw as attempts to belittle IPL and stymie development of Twenty20 in the vast Indian market," said the commentary. "For his own part, Clarke believed that was undermining the English game calculatedly ... they could barely tolerate being in the same room," it said. According to the commentary, it was because of IPL that ECB made its ill-fated decision to shake hands with Allen Stanford in an attempt to offer a lucrative alternative to England players. "Stanford''s business collapsed and IPL offered guaranteed wages -- good ones -- rather than prize money. The game''s star attractions, such as Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen, wanted to play IPL with the rest of the best in the world. "Although IPL made many of their members rich, player associations became disillusioned at Modi''s refusal to discuss serious security concerns. And they disliked the way that he took centre-stage at events, surrounded by bodyguards, as though he were a cricket superstar and not a facilitator," the commentary said. The commentary also touched upon ICC chief-in-waiting Sharad Pawar''s reported support for Modi, saying, "Within ICC, Modi''s demise presents a potential headache. Sharad Pawar, who is due to take over from David Morgan as its president in June, is an ally of Modi. The worldwide governing body will not want Pawar tarnished by association." "Future editions of IPL may be run more democratically and be less commercially brazen. The show seems likely to go on, funded at levels that were unimaginable three years ago. This feels more like a reality check than a death," the commentary said. .

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Gerrard will keep Manchester United's title hopes alive: Rooney

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 05:32 PM

London, Apr 27(ANI): Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney insists Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will keep Old Trafford's title hopes alive and will lead his team to a victory in Sunday's Premier League game against Chelsea.

A win for Liverpool could put United well on the way to a record fourth consecutive league title and a 19th overall.

"I don't need to have a word with Stevie about making sure Liverpool win. You see what a good player and competitor he is even in friendly games. He wants to win and I'm sure he will want to win this one," The Sun quoted Rooney, as saying.

"Liverpool are fighting to get into Europe and with the history behind the club I'm sure they are all determined. It is the last home game of the season and their fans will not really be too pleased if they don't turn up," he added.

The 24-year-old missed last Saturday's 3-1 victory over Spurs with a groin injury and has been ruled out of the Sunderland trip, but he has reportedly targeted the final game of the season against Stoke for his comeback.

"Obviously I'm disappointed to have missed a couple of games, but I'll be fine. Hopefully I will play again before the season finishes and get ready for the World Cup," Rooney said.

"You don't like watching from the stands. I want to play and knowing you cannot influence the game is a frustrating thing," he added. (ANI)

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Equestrian trials held in Meerut ahead of Asian Games

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 05:28 PM

Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Apr 27 (ANI): Eight Indian horse riders have been selected for the ensuing Asian Games at the National Equestrian Trials conducted in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut city on Tuesday.

Scores of riders from all over the country with 102 individuals and 18 teams competed for the honors in the Pre-Novice category and 34 individuals and 7 teams tried their luck in the Novice category.

"Today probable selection of the eventing trial took place. Today, the selection for the riders and the horses that would take part in the Asian Games, which are to be held in Guangzhou in China in October, took place," said Lieutenant General J K Srivastava.

"A national level team of equestrians and the horses were selected that would compete in the Games. Today is the third day of the selection. This eventing trial started on April 24," he added.

Lieutenant General Srivastava further said that he is hopeful that the equestrians selected would win gold medals in the games and do India proud.

Riders from Remount Veterinary Corps, 61 Cavalry, ASC, Indian Military Academy, President Body Guard, DG Assam Rifles, Haryana Police and many a civilians took part in both individual and team events.

The 16th Asian Games also known as the XVI Asiad are to be held in Guangzhou in China from November 12 to November 27 in 2010.

Guangzhou will be the second city in China to host the games after Beijing in 1990. (ANI)

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Federer still feels Nadal is still the clay champ he wants to beat

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 05:22 PM

Rome, Apr.27 (ANI): Despite his victory in last year's French Open, World No 1 Roger Federer believes 'tearaway' Spaniard Rafael Nadal remains the one clay court champion to beat.

When Federer goes to the Roland Garros next month, he believes the favourite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires will be a rival who has just won his first tournament for 11 months.

Federer says he has always held Rafael Nadal in the highest respect and believes the Spaniard is rapidly putting his recent difficulties behind him.

"The guy's been on an absolute tearaway on clay for pretty much the last five years," The Independent quoted Federer, as saying.

"He's hardly lost any matches on clay and he's only lost one match at the French Open, so I would think he's still the favourite. I would love to say I'm the big favourite, but I don't think that's quite right, even though I won the French Open last year," he added.

"He (Nadal) just hasn't lost to anyone on clay outside of the top five or top 10 players - and he's just proved again in Monaco how tough he is," Federer said.

Meanwhile, Nadal is also doing his best to be match fit in the run-up to the next two Grand Slam tournaments.

As for the prospect of renewing an old rivalry with Federer, Nadal said: "It's too early at the start of the tournament to think about Federer. I think for me and for Roger it would be a pleasure if we played each other in the semi-finals - just because it would be very good news to be in the semi-finals of a very tough tournament like Rome." (ANI)

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Scottish district to honour world's 'first golf captain'

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 04:28 PM

Edinburgh, Apr.27 (ANI): A district north of Scotland's Edinburgh city announced plans to create a major new landmark to honour the captain of the first club to lay down the rules of golf.

Leith has commissioned one of Scotland's leading sculptors, David Annand, to create a two-metre high statue of John Rattray, the founding member of the Company of Honourable Golfers, which was to stage the first official match at Leith Links in 1744.

Historians in Leith, where golf is reputed to have been played in the 15th century, launched a bid to have the port established as the home of golf nine years ago, when games were reinstated on Leith Links.

Rattray, a surgeon, signed off the very first rules and went on to win the first competition, for the Silver Club donated by the Leith Council, to replace previous wagers such as legs of mutton, or firkins of whisky.

The bronze statue of Rattray is to come up at a new pedestrian entrance to the links at Salamander Place.

According to The Scotsman, a 150,000-pound campaign is being run by the Leith Rules Golf Society to pay for the new monument.

The statue is to come on a circular pavement platform and will also have two stone columns carved with the original rules of the game.

Annand, who is based in Kilmany, in Fife, said: "It's very unusual being asked to create a sculpture of someone from such a long time ago. There are no photographs and only a few paintings. The other interesting thing is that golf was played very differently in those days, with one foot in front of the other."

Leith councillor Gordon Munro said: "Leith is the home of golf and this statue is apt for the place where the first rules of the game were agreed." (ANI)

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Kiwi women's cricket captain rated among world's hottest female athletes

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 04:08 PM

Auckland, Apr 27(ANI): New Zealand women's cricket captain Aimee Watkins has been rated among the world's 64 hottest female athletes alongside American skier Lindsay Vonn, Aussie swimmer Stephanie Rice and Czech tennis player Nicole Vaidisova.

Watkins admitted the ratings by Yahoo!Xtra came as surprise, as she does not consider herself as one of the world's sexiest sportswomen.

"I didn't know anything about it. I've seen it now," Stuff.co.nz quoted Watkins, as saying.

"Mum gave me a call and she was pretty excited and told me to go on and have a look. Since then I've had a bit of stick, but oh well. It's all a bit foreign to me," she added.

Meanwhile, talking about her team's preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup, which starts in the West Indies on May 5, Watkins said the White Ferns are confident of a good show after a clean sweep of Australia in this year's Twenty20 Rosebowl series.

"To beat Aussie 5-0, we're pretty happy with our Twenty20 form and our plans. We're pretty clear on what we need to do," Watkins said.

The New Zealand women's team fly out on Thursday. (ANI)

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Rooney dazed as 17-year-old clubber dies next to him

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 03:52 PM

London, Apr 27 (ANI): Ace striker Wayne Rooney, who was celebrating winning PFA Player of the Year, was left dazed after a 17-year-old clubber partying yards away from him collapsed and died.

Cole and Rooney were out with brother Graeme celebrating winning the award earlier that night. The Manchester United star was escorted out by a bouncer and then quizzed by police as a potential witness. ooney and Chelsea left-back Cole were said to have been nearby when the Portuguese tourist suffered a suspected heart attack at London's swanky Whisky Mist at around 1.20 am on Tuesday.

The teen, said to have a history of health problems, was carried out by bouncers and given a Red Bull energy drink in an attempt to revive him, The Sun reports.aramedics were called and carried out heart massage with a defibrillator on the pavement. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead soon after arrival.

A spokesman for Rooney said: "As Wayne was leaving he was asked, as were all other guests, whether he had seen anything. He simply told police he had seen nothing and was not aware of any incident."

Cole, 29, also said he did not see anything suspicious. A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs after it was reported the boy had been passed something. (ANI)

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Pak has enough 'firepower' to defend T20 title: Raja

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 03:48 PM

Lahore, Apr.27 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has said that though some of the key players are missing from the squad, it still has got the 'firpower' to defend the ICC World T20 title in the West Indies.

Raja said the incumbent skipper Shahid Afridi has been performing brilliantly in the shortest version of the game, and expressed the hope that he would lead the team from the front during the April 30-May 16 tournament.

"Pakistan has very good players for this format of cricket. Afridi is a very good player and he performed very well in last two editions of World Twenty20. He will be a good captain and can lead from the front. We have good players and our bowling is our strength," The Nation quoted Raja, as saying.

He also backed the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to include left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman in the squad for the T20 championship, saying conditions in the West Indies are likely to suit slow bowlers.

"If we analyse the pitches and conditions in the West Indies, selection of Rehman is justified because he is a very good spin bowler and he can also bowl well in pressure situations," Raja said.

He, however, said that Pakistan would badly miss the services of pacer Umar Gul, who had played a key role in Pakistan's title triumph in 2009.

"Pakistan will certainly miss the services of Umar Gul as he was the star performer for Pakistan in both the ICC World Twenty20 editions but this is part of the game and anyone can get injured," Raja said. (ANI)

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Younis wants PCB to hasten decision on appeal against indefinite ban

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 03:38 PM

Lahore, Apr.27 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan wants the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to decide on his appeal against the indefinite ban imposed on him by the board as soon as possible.

Younis' counsel Ahmed Qayyum said the PCB is yet to take any action on his appeal and that it should resolve the issue quickly.

"My client wants his ban to be revoked and decision should be taken as soon as possible on it. So, far we have not received any official notification from the PCB regarding appointment of Justice (retired) Irfan Qadir to hear the appeal," The Daily Times quoted Qayyum, as saying.

Meanwhile, Younis is hoping that he would be recalled for Pakistan's tour of England, adding that he was keeping himself fit to respond to the PCB's call.

"I have not heard anything about the hearing from the PCB yet. I am still waiting and whenever they will call, I will go. I am practicing as I always have done. I am not one of those who will sit around when not playing," he said. (ANI)

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Gul's absence could dent Pak's chances in ICC T20 World Championship: Younis

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 03:22 PM

Karachi, Apr.27 (ANI): The absence of experienced fast bowler Umar Gul could dent Pakistan's chances of retaining the ICC World T20 Championship in the West Indies, former captain Younis Khan has said.

Khan said Gul would have played a vital role in Pakistan's campaign, as he has been one of the key players in the squad during the last two T20 World Championships.

"It's a huge setback for us that Gul has been ruled out as he has proved to be very successful for us in T20. He was one of the key players in helping Pakistan reach the last two T20 World Cup finals," The Dawn quoted Gul, as saying.

He, however said, that the Pakistan team still has got players who could help in lifting the coveted title for the second consecutive time.

"I still feel we can work our way through. We have good bowlers like Aamir, Asif, Ajmal and Afridi. We are still capable of reaching the semis and after that you just need a bit of luck," Younis said.

Speaking about pacer Mohammed Sami and left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who were roped in at the last moment as replacements for injured Gul and all rounder Yair Aarafat, the former skipper said they have been performing well in the domestic tournaments, and hoped that both will come good during the upcoming tournament.

"Sami and Rehman are good choices as both of them have done well in domestic matches. Although Sami has received many opportunities in the past without being successful, he did well in Australia and has also been giving a good showing in domestic cricket," Younis said. (ANI)

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Schumacher to compete in Mercedes' new car at Spanish Grand Prix

Published>Tue, Apr 27 10 02:22 PM

London, Apr 27 (ANI): In a bid to kickstart Michael Schumacher's woeful Formula One season, Mercedes will give the seven time champion a 'new' car for next week's Spanish Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champ has been humbled so far by teammate Nico Rosberg.

His fellow German has out qualified and beaten him in all four races to date amid mounting concern that Schumacher may be unable to replicate his previous brilliance, particularly after his lacklustre 10th place finish in China.

At Barcelona next weekend, Mercedes will give him a different car in the hope that its handling will be more to his liking, The Sun reports.

Team principal Ross Brawn said: "It's not a new chassis per se, it's a chassis we used in testing. The one he had got damaged during the first few races and we repaired it as best we could at the races."

"But now we are back at base we are going to re-introduce the test chassis and he will be using that in Barcelona."

Brawn said the wheelbase would also be changed to improve weight distribution.

And along with most other teams, Mercedes is planning a major aerodynamic revamp for the first European race of the season. (ANI)

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