Prince William to boost England's 'troubled' 2018 World Cup bid

Published>Sun, May 23 10 12:07 PM

London, May 23(ANI): Prince William has offered to stand with brother Harry and David Beckham as the "three lions" to help England become 2018 World Cup hosts.

William, who is president of the Football Association, is said to be worried about the scandal in which former FA chairman Lord Triesman claimed that Russia and Spain would try to bribe their way to success.

"He is now to take a more prominent role in the bid," The Daily Star quoted a St James's Palace official, as saying.

"He's a tremendous football fan and one who is lucky enough to be in a position to help England achieve something," the official added.

According to reports, William, Harry and Beckham will be at next month's FA reception in South Africa for FIFA officials, where they will try to salvage England's case.

Lord Triesman was forced to resign last Sunday after a newspaper published transcripts from a recorded conversation in which he made serious allegations against the Spanish and Russian football associations.

He had suggested that the Spanish federation was willing to support Russia's bid for the 2018 tournament in exchange for assistance in bribing referees at this year's World Cup in South Africa to Spain's advantage.

The revelations are believed to have done immense harm to England's cause, but officials are confident that they have begun the process of smoothing away the fallout. (ANI)

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Former Olympian now a forgotten hero

Published Sun, May 23 10 11:43 AM

Tapan Mohanta Kolkata, May 23 (PTI) Former Olympian soccer star Mohammad Abdus Sattar, who was part of the 1951 Asian Games gold winning team and led Mohun Bagan to their maiden Rovers Cup victory in 1955, is today a forgotten man. Sattar, now 84, who did battle for India in many international encounters, suffers from dementia caused by Alzheimer''s disease, confined to bed in his flat near Park Street here, often forgetting his son or wife''s name. He might have suffered memory loss, but he distinctly remembers Mohun Bagan''s name, for whom he played from 1950-58, which had recognised his contribution by conferring him with the "Ratna" (jewel) award in 2008. But since then, the club has hardly remembered the star who played in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, rues his son Aftab. "Ratna toh diye dilen, kintu jatno korchhen ki? (Is the club taking proper care of their jewel?)," he asked. Recollecting his father''s service to football, he told PTI, "In early 1950s, he had a lucrative job with Calcutta Customs which had a team playing in second division. "It was a very big post at that time, but to pursue his dream of playing for India, he quit the job and joined Mohun Bagan. Soon, he got the India break and played with the likes of Shew Mewa Lall under Sailen Manna, as they went on to win the 1951 Asian Games gold in Delhi." .

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Tiger Woods spotted with wife "look-alike"

Published>Sun, May 23 10 11:27 AM

New York, May 23 (ANI): Tiger Woods has been spotted with a new blonde, who apparently resembles his estranged wife Elin Nordegren.

The golfer was seen taking the girl for a test drive in a golf course in Florida.

"Tiger was on the golf course the other day, hitting balls," the New York Post quoted an eyewitness as telling Radar.

The onlooker added: "He was with a very pretty blonde who looked a lot like Elin. She was sitting in the golf cart while he was playing.

"They were talking and laughing and obviously having a good time."

Woods marriage with Elin is on the rocks after the exposure of his affairs last year.

A source said: "Tiger has been out frequently. He doesn't want to stay home alone anymore." (ANI)

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Bogey-spree sees Chowrasia drop to tied 39th at Wentworth

Published>Sun, May 23 10 11:07 AM

Wentworth (Britain), May 23 (IANS) Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia, the lone Indian to make the cut at the BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour, slid down the leaderboard with four bogeys on the back nine to drop from overnight tied 12th to tied 39th at the end of the third round of the championship.

Chowrasia, who opened with an excellent 67 on the first day had a 73 on the second and slipped to 76 on the third day. He is now three-over 216.

The leader is Chris Wood, the 22-year-old from Bristol, who had a shot to win The Open Championship last July. Wood takes a two-stroke lead into the final day of his first BMW PGA Championship.

Wood was two shots clear of Robert Karlsson, who after being three-over after two rounds, felt he would miss the cut and flew to Nice in Monaco. But he flew back when he learnt he had made the cut on the line and then went on to shoot a stunning nine-under 62.

He had five birdies on the front nine and four on the back nine and went up to tied second with first round leader, Danny Willett (70).

Karlsson could become the first man ever to win a European Tour event having made the cut with nothing to spare.

That is something Rory McIlroy did in the US earlier this month.

After 54 holes, Wood is on the eight-under-par mark of 205, with Karlsson up from 63rd to joint second with another 22-year-old Englishman making his debut in the event, first round leader Danny Willett.

Luke Donald's 72 dropped him from halfway pacesetter to fourth, while defending champion Paul Casey and Padraig Harrington are part of a five-way tie for fifth, but now five shots adrift.

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Atwal zooms to tied seventh, Jeev rises to 23rd

Published>Sun, May 23 10 10:17 AM

Irving (Texas), May 23 (IANS) Arjun Atwal turned his best round of the year with a flawless six-under 64 that rocketed from tied 59th to seventh at the end of the third round in the Byron Nelson Championship.

Also making a smart move up the leaderboard was Jeev Milkha Singh trying to make a comeback from his injury lay-off. Jeev shot a two-under 68 that took him from overnight tied 44th to tied 23rd.

This is only the fourth start for Atwal in this year's PGA Tour. He is playing on a medical exemption with limited starts. He has made two cuts with tied 17th at Texas Open last being the best. He was tied 43rd at Zurich Classic of New Orleans and missed the cut at Farmers Insurance Open.

Atwal Saturday had three birdies on either side of the course for the day's best round in the field. He had three in a row from fifth to seventh and then three more on 12th, 14th and 15th holes.

At six-under 204, he is six shots behind the leader Jason Day, who had a three-under 67 in his third round. Jason Day is at 12-under 198, Blake Adams (70) is second at 10-under 200. Atwal shares the seventh place with five others.

Jeev was going great guns with two birdies on third and fourth and he added a third on 10th. He however had a bogey on 17th to finish at 68. He is three-under 207 in tied 23rd place.

Jeev in his six starts has made money in three, including a tied ninth at WGC Matchplay and missed three cuts.

Another Asian star, Yang Yong-eun is one shot behind at two-under 208 after a third round 69.

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Team MRF's Gill leads the packAnam Arsalan

Published>Sun, May 23 10 09:53 AM

India, May 23 -- Team MRF's Gaurav Gill had enough reason to cheer on the first day of the second leg of the APRC Rally Hokkaido as he finished the day as clear leader. A good 5.1 seconds over the rest of the pack after eleven thrilling stages have ensured him of a good finish provided everything goes well for on Sunday. In fact, at one stage Gill had a comfortable 27.8s lead but for the front-wheel drive shaft that gave way at the start of the 10th stage. As a result, he ended up losing 15 seconds in that stage and the lead got chipped down further by seven seconds in the final stage of the day. 'Such things happen, it's a rally, you can't help it. I am still the leader, though,' said Gill after the end of the day. However, he was still lucky, for the Protons - billed as the favourites - couldn't even manage to finish the first day. The team's experienced driver Chris Atkinson met with engine trouble on stage five and couldn't carry on further. The other driver, Alister McRae, met the same fate in the next stage and his car too was carried out to the service park on a truck. However, both drivers are expected to hit the track Sunday morning. But, their hopes of making a good finish are done for. Now, both will be aiming to garner as many points as possible from the second day.

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No regrets for Bayern's attack-minded Van Gaal in defeat

Published>Sun, May 23 10 09:47 AM

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal had no regrets about his attacking strategy after his former assistant at Barcelona, Jose Mourinho, engineered a 2-0 triumph for Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

Mourinho's team stifled the Bundesliga side on Saturday in much the same way they had suffocated Barca in the semi-finals and Diego Milito netted two breakaway goals to seal the Italian club's first European Cup in 45 years.

"You mustn't forget that we chose a very difficult playing style," Dutchman Van Gaal told a news conference in the bowels of Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

"I think that it's the most attractive for the public," he added. "But you can lose and we have to be on very good form to beat a team like Inter."

Van Gaal, 58, who worked with Mourinho at Barcelona in the late 1990s, was unable to repeat his 1995 Champions League triumph with Ajax Amsterdam but has the consolation of a domestic league and Cup double this season.

ATTRACTIVE FOOTBALL

"I think that the atmosphere around Bayern Munich has been changed this season because we are playing attractive football and playing for the public," he said.

"But it needs also that we are in very good shape and today it was not the case," he added.

"We weren't on best form today, also because attacking is much harder than defending."

Van Gaal said they needed France playmaker Franck Ribery, who was suspended after being sent off in the first leg of the semi-final against Olympique Lyon as Bayern bid for a fifth European Cup.

"It's always easy to say after a defeat that Ribery was missed," he said. "But we also played without him against Lyon and I don't think it's respectful to the other players.".

"But, of course, it's right that in such a match with our style we need a creative player. And Franck is a creative player."

ORGANISED INTER

Asked if he would do anything differently if he could play the final again, Van Gaal replied: "No.

"It wasn't a surprise how the match panned out.

"We analysed Inter Milan and knew they would play with this formation and we knew it would be difficult. They normally play in a very organised way."

A tough, no-nonsense figure, Van Gaal said he had shaken hands with his players after the match to show he was proud of their performance.

"I gave them my hand and for me that's a lot because we lost," he said. "But this handshake means that I am proud of this team."

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Celtics smother Magic to grab 3-0 series lead

Published Sun, May 23 10 09:27 AM

The Boston Celtics tightened their grip on the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday with a commanding 94-71 win over the Orlando Magic.

The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 and could wrap up a trip to the NBA finals as soon as Monday.

Boston's veteran lineup put up another balanced effort, with six players reaching double figures. Forward Glen Davis top-scored with 17 points off the bench as the Celtics ran up a sixth consecutive playoff win.

The Celtics' trademark smothering defense kept Orlando from developing a shooting rhythm, the Magic had a series-low 37 percent field goal percentage.

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Twenty20 international spices up Florida suburb

Published>Sun, May 23 10 09:07 AM

With the smell of Jamaican jerk chicken and Indian biryani wafting through stands, New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 28 runs in the first official international between two test playing nations in the United States.

The Twenty20 match on Saturday provided an unusual sporting atmosphere for the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale, the flags and shirts in the crowd revealing supporters from Indian, Pakistani, English, South African and Caribbean backgrounds.

"It was nice to see so many Sri Lankans here, I know they have flown down from many different places in the States, unfortunately we couldn't do them justice with our performance here," said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara.

The only element that would have jarred with supporters well used to watching cricket on television was scantily-clad cheerleaders entering the field of play, dancing at third man while the bowler was at his mark.

But there was no complaints from the fans, including a noisy contingent of Sri Lankans who had travelled down from the northern part of the United States.

"It's fantastic to see the team playing here in the States and to see people enjoying cricket," said Adusha Kotuwegoda from New York.

'SUB-CONTINENT FEEL'

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori felt the event had been a success.

"Obviously with a lot of Sri Lankans here it had a kind of sub-continent feel but it was a crowd that was entertained.

"I thought the entertainment off the field was good for the game and whilst it wasn't as high scoring as people wanted it was still a thrilling game," he said.

A slow and low surface and large field at the only ICC certified cricket stadium in the United States meant the crowd got to see few boundaries, with just two sixes and 13 fours.

New Zealand made 120 with Ross Taylor striking 27 and skipper Daniel Vettori a crucial 21 not out at the back end of the innings.

Sri Lanka never really got going in reply with New Zealand seamer Kyle Mills removing openers Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan cheaply.

Angelo Mathews top scored for Sri Lanka with 27 as they stumbled to 92 all out with two balls remaining, Scott Styris taking three wickets 10 ten runs in three overs.

The two teams meet again on Sunday at the same venue with a bigger crowd expected for a double-header featuring a clash between the United States and Jamaica.

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Brilliant Milito fires Inter to European glory

Published>Sun, May 23 10 08:47 AM

Inter Milan reached the summit of European soccer for the first time in 45 years when Diego Milito scored two superb goals to give them a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in an enthralling Champions League final on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Argentine scored after 35 and 70 minutes to seal a deserved victory for Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium and complete an unprecedented treble for a Serie A club following their Italian league and Cup double.

It was also a personal triumph for Inter's masterful coach Jose Mourinho who etched his name alongside soccer's great club managers by becoming only the third man to win the European Cup with two clubs.

But the Portuguese, linked with a move to Real Madrid, has been considering his future and after the match told reporters:

"It's more probable that I will go than I will stay. We deserved this competition not just for this match but for the path we took. Inter did exactly what I wanted."

EXCELLENT FOOTBALL

Beaten Bayern boss Louis Van Gaal, whose team missed out on winning the first German treble, said the better team had won.

"Inter played excellent football tonight and what we did wasn't enough. They deserved to win."

World Cup-bound Milito, who had spent much of his career as a journeyman striker, has reached the heights this season with 22 goals in his first Serie A campaign for Inter.

He scored the goal that clinched the domestic title last weekend, got the winner in the Italian Cup final and sent the Inter fans wild in Madrid with a clinically-taken opening goal that set them on their way to their latest triumph.

"It's a joy I've never experienced. It's incredible. I am so happy for Inter because we wanted this so badly. We are so happy and it's a unique sensation," Milito told reporters before surprisingly being coy about whether he will stay at the club.

"Let's see," he said before joining the celebrations which lasted for almost an hour after Inter received the cup from UEFA president Michel Platini, whose idea to switch the final from a Wednesday to a Saturday was rewarded with a memorable occasion.

He said he wanted more children at one of Europe's great showpiece occasions and the kids of the Inter players were still playing with the gold celebration bunting on the pitch until way past their bedtimes as their dads celebrated victory.

The disconsolate Bayern players, who had already won a league and cup double, could only ponder what might have been.

FIRST GOAL

Milito set Inter on their way when he nodded goalkeeper Julio Cesar's long punt down to Wesley Sneijder, ran on to the Dutchman's pinpoint through ball and shimmied to make space before lifting a shot into the net over Hans Joerg-Butt.

His second was also superbly taken leaving Bayern defender Daniel Van Buyten bamboozled and beaten before firing past Butt into the far corner of the net.

Before the decisive second strike, which came after English referee Howard Webb played the advantage during the build-up, Bayern twice came close to an equaliser.

Striker Thomas Mueller was denied by Julio Cesar at the start of the second half and pacy Dutch winger Arjen Robben also failed with an attempt to bring the scores level.

Inter had also gone close to more goals, especially from Sneijder just before halftime, but they were denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Butt.

With one end of the stadium decked out in the red of Bayern and the other filled with blue-and-black clad Inter fans, both teams made a cautious start on a balmy Madrid evening.

COACHING DUEL

The build-up was dominated by the coaching duel between Van Gaal and his one time Barcelona assistant Mourinho but almost from kick-off it was clear both coaches had given the same instructions to their team -- go for goals.

Mourinho opted for a three-man attack of Samuel Eto'o, Goran Pandev and Milito while Van Gaal, without suspended playmaker Franck Ribery, trusted his attack to Ivica Olic and Thomas Mueller with Hamit Altintop and Robben providing the ammunition.

Inter's attempts obviously proved more fruitful but even before Milito put them ahead, their attack looked sharper and they always seemed the more likely to gain the early advantage.

Eto'o and Milito were a constant threat to the Bayern defence, while Olic and Mueller ultimately made little impression even though Robben toiled hard on the right wing and provided them with several opportunities.

Fears the game might turn into a sterile, defensive affair were unfounded and Inter, who won the European Cup in 1964 and 1965, claimed a long overdue third crown with a performance of passion, skill and rugged flair.

Their display was typified by excellent skipper Javier Zanetti who will never forget his 700th match for the club.

Mourinho will also never forget what might be his last match in charge of Inter as he followed Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld as the only coaches to win the European Cup with two different sides following his success with Porto in 2004.

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Old tournament embraces new format

Published>Sun, May 23 10 05:47 AM

At 57, prestigious Sheesh Mahal goes Twenty20 way

It was a matter of choice, either continue living up to its purist legacy or to make a brand new and colourful start. Sheesh Mahal, India's longest running and richest prize-money cricket tournament eventually decided to go the glamorous way.

In its 57th edition ? which will commence at the end of the month ? the prestigious event will show-off it's new Twenty20 format, shedding the red-ball-white-clothes image it has donned since inception in 1951. But more than just keeping pace with the changing times, sponsors Sahara, who revived the tournament in 2006 with monetary incentives of Rs 25 lakhs, has reinvented the format to use the tournament as a platform to identify players for its new IPL franchise, Sahara Pune Warriors, ahead of a fresh IPL player auction later this year.

The big names of Team India, rested for the Zimbabwe series, are all expected to be seen in action during the May 31-June 5 eight-team event in Lucknow and will also serve as a form-guide for injured and fringe players for Asia Cup selection.

"The tournament will provide an excellent platform for players to show their potential and be a part of the Sahara Pune Warriors side in the IPL and that was one of the reasons why we decided to adapt to the T20 format. Also, when we tried to hold it last year, we realised that there was no space in the domestic calendar, and all the prominent players were busy," Abhijit Sarkar, head of corporate communications, Sahara India Pariwar told The Sunday Express.

"We wanted the best players to be playing in it. Time remains a constraint this time too, but T20 helps get on with things. Plus, we have to accept that cricket looks attractive in coloured clothing and under lights," Sarkar added.

The evolution of Sheesh Mahal has seen the format reducing by days. It was first played over three days, then in a two-day format, followed by a 40-over a side event before becoming T20 from this year. The change of format and IPL talent scout programme has the present crop excited about the fresh opportunities coming their way. But India's former cricketers have expressed their reservations about overwhelming influence of IPL and T20 cricket.

"It's doing great damage," said former Test cricketer Madan Lal. "Back in our days, a good performance in Sheesh Mahal opened doors for national selection. Such was the competition and stature of the tournament."

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Akmal threatens to sue Pakistan coaches over fix claims

Published Sun, May 23 10 12:47 AM

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has threatened to sue former Pakistan coaches Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed for defamation unless they apologise for suggesting his performance in Australia may have been linked to bookmakers.

Akmal said on Saturday Alam and Javed should substantiate their allegations or make a public apology to him.

"I am fed up with these allegations. My family is disturbed. I go out and people hoot me and I am mentally disturbed. I want to clear this unwarranted stigma with my name," he told Reuters.

"I want an apology from these people. I will be speaking to the chairman of the board about this as they are employees of the board. If they don't apologise I intend to go to court in my personal capacity."

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit said on Thursday it was examining Pakistan's dismal tour of Australia this year when they were whitewashed in the test and one-day series.

However, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters the board had informed the ICC they had found no evidence of match-fixing by any player on the Australian tour.

Pakistan slumped to defeat in the second test in Sydney after they appeared to have victory in their grasp with Akmal dropping three catches and missing a run out.

His performance came under scrutiny during a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) probe into the team's poor tour with the two former coaches suspecting Akmal may have links with bookmakers.

The pair's statements caused an uproar in Pakistan when video recordings of the inquiry committee proceedings were leaked to a television channel this week.

"The point is (if) these people suspected me of deliberately under-performing why did they keep on selecting me for other matches?" Akmal said.

Akmal said it was about time someone took action against people making baseless allegations of match-fixing or the ordeal for Pakistani players would never end.

Alam and Javed were removed as team coaches after the Australian tour but given top positions in the national cricket academy by the board.

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Blackpool seal dream rise to Premier League

Published>Sun, May 23 10 12:27 AM

Blackpool, in the bottom tier of the English football league 10 years ago, secured a place in the Premier League with a 3-2 Championship (division two) playoff final triumph over Cardiff City at Wembley stadium on Saturday.

Striker Brett Ormerod hit the decisive goal in first-half injury time for the northwest England seaside club, known for its tangerine kit, sealing a return to the top flight for the first time since 1971.

"This is absolutely magnificent, not just for the team but for the whole area we come from," said a hoarse Ian Holloway, Blackpool's manager.

"You don't understand what it means, we're going to have so much money," he told Sky Sports, referring to the Deloitte estimated 90 million pounds ($129.3 million) reward for the winner of the match dubbed the 'richest game in football.'

Ormerod, who has played in all four English football divisions, was lost for words.

"I honestly don't know what to say," the 33-year-old mumbled, fighting back the tears.

TOE POKE

Despite baking hot conditions the match sprung into life from the very beginning, Cardiff's Michael Chopra hitting the upright after just four minutes before registering the game's opener five minutes later.

However, Blackpool's record signing Charlie Adam struck a glorious 25-metre free-kick on 13 minutes to level the match before a frantic ending to the opening period.

Joe Ledley put the Welsh club 2-1 up after 37 minutes only for Blackpool to hit back again, first through Gary Taylor-Fletcher on 41 minutes and then courtesy of Ormerod's toe poke.

Cardiff hit the bar in the second half but Blackpool weathered the pressure and the noisy Welsh support to hold on for a famous win and an enormous paycheck whatever happens next season.

Even a club finishing bottom of the Premier League in 2011 will receive 40 million pounds with so-called parachute payments expected to total 48 million over the next four years.

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France's Lassana Diarra out of World Cup

Published>Sun, May 23 10 12:11 AM

France midfielder Lassana Diarra has been ruled out of the World Cup because of persistent stomach pains, a team spokesman said on Saturday.

The holding midfielder had not trained for three days after feeling unwell on a hike up a glacier in the French Alps resort of Tignes, where France are in a week-long training camp.

"Following stomach pains, medical check-ups have shown an unforeseeable illness that justifies an indeterminate rest period," the spokesman said.

"As a result, Lassana Diarra is out of the World Cup."

On Thursday, the first day he could not train, Diarra was seen talking to France coach Raymond Domenech for 45 minutes during the session.

The 25-year-old Real Madrid player, who has won 27 caps, will not be replaced for the moment, the spokesman added.

That means Domenech, who had taken a provisional 24-man squad to Tignes, has 23 players left in his group.

Domenech, who has until June 1 to name his official 23-strong list, had picked 24 players because of a question mark over the fitness of William Gallas.

Centre back Gallas, who suffered a recurrence of a left calf muscle injury he first picked up in late March and which has kept him out since, completed Saturday's 90-minute session, raising hopes he would be fit for the June 11-July 11 finals.

France face the hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay in Group A.

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Furious Pak Senators demand action against 'match fixing' players

Published>Sun, May 23 10 12:07 AM

Lahore, May 22 (ANI): Two angry Pakistan Senators on Saturday demanded that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) take immediate action against players involved in match-fixing, failing which, they warned that the PCB could be disbanded to save the sport.

"The present management has failed to take any action against players involved in match-fixing and they must be removed to save Pakistan cricket," the Dawn quoted Senator Haroon Akhtar as telling reporters at the national cricket academy here.

Akhtar specifically called for the removal of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt.

"Butt is running the PCB as a one-man show and we appeal on President Asif (Ali) Zardari to remove him to save Pakistan cricket otherwise it will be destroyed by this management," he was quoted, as saying.

Butt, who took over in October 2008, has survived previous calls from senators and MPs for his dismissal as he has enjoyed the confidence of Zardari.

Senator Tariq Azeem said PCB should throw out match-fixers.

"We should not leave the matter to the ICC or anyone else. We should throw the tainted players ourselves," said Azeem.

Lawmakers have summoned Butt, former captain Younus Khan, former coach Intikhab Alam and former manager Abdul Raqeeb to discuss match fixing on Monday.

Their parliamentary committee is also planning to appoint a panel of judges to investigate the latest match-fixing allegations.

Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 match in Australia from December to February, but their defeat in January's Sydney Test has raised doubts about match fixing. (ANI)

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Gasquet defeats Verdasco to win Nice Open

Published Sat, May 22 10 10:27 PM

Richard Gasquet sent Andy Murray a stern warning before their French Open first-round clash by taming Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3 5-7 7-6 in the final of the Nice Open on Saturday.

Gasquet ended a three-year title drought to claim his sixth ATP trophy and it could not have come at a better time.

The Frenchman, who was briefly suspended last year after testing positive for cocaine, has struggled to regain his form since returning to the tour last August and his confidence hit rock bottom when he was thrashed by Czech Tomas Berdych in the Monte Carlo Masters last month.

In a bid to boost his morale before the French Open, which begins on Sunday and where he will face British world number four Murray in his opening match, the 23-year-old opted to try his luck on the lower tier of the ITF circuit.

The gamble paid off as Gasquet won back-to-back titles at the Bordeaux Challenger and Nice, leaving the world number 68 nursing aching knee joints but jubilant.

"I am very happy with what I have achieved here," Gasquet, who called on the trainer twice in the third set to get treatment on his left knee and thigh, told French TV channel Sport+.

"I am exhausted but it was worth it. I had to go all the way. I was close to losing this match. It is destiny. I was meant to win this final."

Gasquet was suspended last May at the Sony Ericsson Open in Florida after testing positive for cocaine but was later cleared of any wrongdoing after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that he had been inadvertently contaminated by kissing a woman in a night club.

The left-handed Verdasco, his left elbow strapped, tried to counter Gasquet's trademark crosscourt backhand with his powerful forehand.

Gasquet broke for 4-2 when the Spaniard fired a forehand wide.

Verdasco, seeded second, saved four break points on his serve but conceded the opening set in the ninth game when Gasquet unleashed a perfect forehand winner.

Verdasco retaliated in the second set, converting his first break chance with a fine forehand down the line to move 3-1 up.

But Gasquet broke straight back and claimed the Spaniard's serve in the ninth game when Verdasco netted a routine forehand.

The Frenchman subsequently cracked under pressure as he served for the match and lost six games in a row to find himself trailing 3-0 in the decider.

After wasting three break points in the sixth game, Verdasco tried to whip up the loud partisan crowd which prompted his father to try and calm him down.

Gasquet repeatedly complained to the umpire Carlos Bernardes as Verdasco kept shouting between the points.

The Frenchman broke back, dropped serve and broke back again to force a tiebreak.

After finally bagging it 7-5 thanks to a Verdasco forehand sailing wide, the Frenchman collapsed on to his back in celebration.

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Furious Pak Senators demand action against 'match fixing' players

Published>Sat, May 22 10 10:07 PM

Lahore, May 22 (ANI): Two angry Pakistan Senators on Saturday demanded that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) take immediate action against players involved in match-fixing, failing which, they warned that the PCB could be disbanded to save the sport.

"The present management has failed to take any action against players involved in match-fixing and they must be removed to save Pakistan cricket," the Dawn quoted Senator Haroon Akhtar as telling reporters at the national cricket academy here.

Akhtar specifically called for the removal of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt.

"Butt is running the PCB as a one-man show and we appeal on President Asif (Ali) Zardari to remove him to save Pakistan cricket otherwise it will be destroyed by this management," he was quoted, as saying.

Butt, who took over in October 2008, has survived previous calls from senators and MPs for his dismissal as he has enjoyed the confidence of Zardari.

Senator Tariq Azeem said PCB should throw out match-fixers.

"We should not leave the matter to the ICC or anyone else. We should throw the tainted players ourselves," said Azeem.

Lawmakers have summoned Butt, former captain Younus Khan, former coach Intikhab Alam and former manager Abdul Raqeeb to discuss match fixing on Monday.

Their parliamentary committee is also planning to appoint a panel of judges to investigate the latest match-fixing allegations.

Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 match in Australia from December to February, but their defeat in January's Sydney Test has raised doubts about match fixing. (ANI)

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Resolve tenure issue within the country: M.S. Gill

Published>Sat, May 22 10 09:47 PM

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Sports Minister M.S Gill Saturday said the issue of fixing the tenure and age-limit of the office bearers of sports bodies should be settled within the country.

Gill's reply came after the the International Olympic Commitee (IOC) held out a veiled threat in its second such letter to the sports ministry that the country's apex sports body would face 'sanctions' if the government did not stop meddling in the affairs of the sports bodies by fixing the tenure and age-limit of their office bearers.

The IOC had intervened in the ongoing battle between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the ministry over restitution of the 1975 government guidelines that limited the tenure of office bearers of the IOA and its affiliated National Sports Federations (NSFs).

Asked whether IOC's repeated warning is a harassment for the mininstry, Gill, said: 'These things should not happen. We should resolve the issue within the country.'

'This is not a new guideline. The government has not issued any new order. We have only revived the 1975 guidelines. The IOA should also respect the opinion of the people,' he added.

IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said that they are ready to sort out the issue with the ministry.

'The time has come for us to should sit together and discuus the issue. I am ready to talk to the sports minister,' Kalmadi said.

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Timing row over CWG opening ceremony resolved

Published>Sat, May 22 10 09:27 PM

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) The controversy over the timing of the opening ceremony of the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games ended Saturday after a Group of Ministers meeting settled for a 7 p.m. start.

'We are happy that the issue has been resolved and the opening ceremony will be held at 7 pm,' Sports Minister M.S. Gill said.

The creative group -- Bharat Bala, Shyam Benegal, Javed Akhtar and Prasoon Joshi -- which conceived the opening and closing ceremonies of the event had decided on a 7.30 pm start as the laser show, special effects and fireworks will only have an impact after dark.

The row began when the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) asked the starting time to be shifted to 5.30 p.m. as per their broadcast deal with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

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Afridi ends four exile from Test cricket

Published>Sat, May 22 10 09:07 PM

Karachi, May 22 (ANI): Pakistan all-rounder and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi on Saturday ended a self-imposed exile from Test cricket and made himself available for this year's tour to England.

The Dawn quoted Afridi, 30, who has not played a test since 2006, as saying on Saturday he was available for the full England tour because Pakistan cricket was going through a difficult time.

"It has a very hard decision for me because I have wanted to devote more time to my family and playing all forms of the sport the year round has not been my cup of tea," Afridi said at a press conference here.

He added: "That is why I avoided test matches, but after speaking to my family I have decided to resume playing test matches because it is the need of the time."

Pakistan is scheduled to play two tests against Australia in England as well as four against the home side. (ANI)

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CA seeks probe details on Australia-Pakistan series

Published>Sat, May 22 10 08:37 PM

Melbourne, May 22 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland has asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for details of its investigation into Pakistan's disastrous tour of Australia that has come under a cloud for match-fixing.

Outgoing ICC anti-corruption chief Paul Condon's strong suspicions that Pakistani players deliberately underperformed has taken CA by surprise and undermined its ongoing insistence that the Sydney Test win is because of home side's heroics, The Age reported Saturday.

'It is a series that worried us. We spent a lot of time talking to the players and the PCB but part of the challenge is to find where the solid fact is, because what you've got there is a lot of internecine strife within the team and within Pakistan politics, with rival camps making allegations,' Condon said.

Condon said at Lord's that while the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit had not unearthed proof of match-fixing, the inquiry was ongoing.

CA promised to cooperate with any inquiry, if necessary making players available to give evidence about their experiences in the match, but Sutherland wrote to the ICC for more information.

'We have no knowledge of any concerns and we'd have expected to have some knowledge if there were any,' a CA spokesman said. 'If the ICC had any concerns we would absolutely provide them with whatever support they needed. At this stage we believe we won that game on the merits of our performance.'

Pakistan had taken a first-innings lead of 204 in the Sydney Test. Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropped match-winner Michael Hussey three times and his failure to remove the bails in an attempted run-out of Shane Watson alarmed then assistant coach Aaqib Javed.

The PCB punished seven players for indiscipline and in-fighting during the winless tour. Captain Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned indefinitely, Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul-Hasan were suspended for a year while Shahid Afridi, Akmal and his brother Umar received six months' probation.

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Karlsson jets to Monaco and back to hit record 62

Published>Sat, May 22 10 08:27 PM

Swede Robert Karlsson, who flew home to Monaco on Friday believing he had missed the cut, fired a stunning course record 62 after rushing back in time for the PGA Championship third round.

The 2008 European number one had only three hours sleep but quickly proved he was wide awake on Saturday, racking up nine birdies in a flawless effort to establish the lowest round at the European Tour's flagship event, dating back to 1955.

"It was quite funny at breakfast because (Dane) Soren Hansen said, 'This trip has a 63 or something written all over it'," Karlsson told reporters after joining late starter Luke Donald at the top of the leaderboard on six under par.

Karlsson was livid with himself 24 hours earlier after a double-bogey seven at the 18th left him on three-over 145.

"It feels like I definitely got another chance today," said the 40-year-old. "I was sure I was out but in a situation where I just made the cut, I could just go out and play and enjoy it.

"If it doesn't work, nobody cares," said Karlsson after eclipsing the 63s by Nick Job in 1973, Wayne Riley in 1991, Angel Cabrera in 2001, Jarrod Moseley in 2002 and Robert Dinwiddie in 2008.

"To begin with this week, we drove all the way here from Monaco because of the volcanic ash problems. I then landed back there at 7pm yesterday and got a text message saying 'you'd better turn around'."

The Ryder Cup player had flown from Wentworth to Monaco and was within 500 yards of his home when he decided to go straight back again.

Karlsson was unable to get a direct flight and had to jet to Orly Airport in Paris before paying $11,000 to fly on to Heathrow on a private jet.

EVENTFUL JOURNEY

The whole journey, though, was tortuous and eventful.

"I got in the taxi at my hotel in Orly at 4.30am but the driver didn't speak one word of English and my French is not up to standard," said Karlsson.

"He was so tired, he kept falling asleep and I felt I had to talk to him to keep him awake.

"Then we were in the middle of nowhere and I didn't have a clue where we were going. We called the airport, I finally got there at a quarter to six and my flight was at six.

"I was here for 6.45 UK time (ready for an 8.55 teeoff)."

Karlsson said he briefly thought about not returning for the third round once he realised he had actually made the cut.

"It crossed my mind but I know the press in England can be quite lethal so it wasn't really an option," he said.

"It's a Ryder Cup year, I'm a Ryder Cup player, I'm on the Tournament Committee so you can't pull out of our biggest events, that's just the way it is."

Karlsson made a sizzling start on another baking hot day at Wentworth, stringing together five birdies in the opening seven holes to be out in just 30 strokes.

He kept up his flawless run on the back nine and the galleries on the 18th green gave a loud roar when he produced his ninth birdie of the day at the last.

"You can only laugh about what's happened in the last 15 hours or so," said a grinning Karlsson.

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Afridi ends self exile from test cricket

Published Sat, May 22 10 08:07 PM

Pakistan all-rounder and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi has ended a self-imposed exile from test cricket and made himself available for this year's tour to England.

Afridi, 30, who has not played a test since 2006, said on Saturday he was available for the full England tour because Pakistan cricket was going through a difficult time.

"It has a very hard decision for me because I have wanted to devote more time to my family and playing all forms of the sport the year round has not been my cup of tea," Afridi told reporters.

"That is why I avoided test matches, but after speaking to my family I have decided to resume playing test matches because it is the need of the time."

Pakistan have not played a home series since March last year due to the unstable security situation in the country. They are scheduled to play two tests against Australia in England as well as four against the home side.

Afridi is appealing against a fine imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board for ball tampering in a one-day match in Australia this year after serving a two-match ban imposed by the International Cricket Council.

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Younis wants his appeal to be heard on camera: Qayyum

Published Sat, May 22 10 07:27 PM

Karachi, May 22 (PTI) Younis Khan wants his appeal to be heard in front of the media even though appeals judge Irfan Qadir today said that other Pakistani players, facing PCB bans and fines, were in favour of a closed door hearing. Abdul Qayyum, the legal advisor of Younis, who is serving an indefinite ban imposed by the cricket board, today said his client''s appeal was a separate one and has nothing to do with pleas of other players. "These are separate appeals and Younis''s appeal has nothing to do with the others. If the other players don''t want their hearings on camera fine but Younis wants his hearing before the media as we feel there is no ground for the ban to be enforced on him and he has nothing to hide from anyone," Qayyum said. Justice (retd) Qadir, hearing the appeals of six cricketers against their bans and fines imposed in March by the PCB, had earlier today said that players didn''t want their hearings to be made open to the media as they thought it would result in more controversies and scandals. "I personally feel there is no need to conceal anything but the players felt that if the hearings are on camera than they will be further scandalised," Qadir said. Meanwhile, the legal advisor of the Pakistan board Talib Rizvi, has said that players were afraid of an open hearing because they didn''t want their names to be further spoilt and entangled in controversies. "We ourselves are keen to dispose of these appeals as soon as possible because we want to clear this wrong impression of the players in the eyes of the public," Talib said. The PCB lawyer added that the board wants the appeals issue to be settled soon so that the players can concentrate on their cricket.

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Twenty20 WC champs England prepared for next summer's Ashes: Mcardle

Published>Sat, May 22 10 07:17 PM

Sydney, May 22(ANI): Former Australian cricketer Brendan Mcardle believes that England's win in last weekend's Twenty20 World Cup final against the Australians will ensure an even contest in next summer's Ashes series.

"Memories of the 5-0 whitewash of four years ago are still vivid, but it [World Cup win] was proof that at least England's thinking is on the right track," Mcardle writes in an article for the Sydney Morning Herald.

"One of the obvious things about the two finalists is that they've at last got their acts together in this form of the game. Australia rectified its ills last summer and has played well since, while England's form was a massive turnaround after years of confused selection and tactics," he added.

Mcardle further said that England certainly seems better organised than it has in the past, and praised new bowling coach David Saker for making his bowlers deliver.

"Its bowling selection and tactics had the fingerprints of David Saker all over them: changes of pace and the slow bouncer were his specialty with the Bushrangers' attack last summer, and both were evident in England's campaign," Mcardle said.

"Saker is also an unabashed fan of Ryan Sidebottom, and the left-armer's selection ahead of the more highly credentialled James Anderson was a masterstroke," he added. (ANI)

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Peter Crouch bans girlfriend Abbey Clancy from World Cup

Published>Sat, May 22 10 03:09 PM

London, May 22 (ANI): Peter Crouch has banned his model girlfriend Abbey Clancy from the World Cup over fears she would turn England's campaign into a repeat of the WAGS 'circus' which dogged the last tournament in 2006.

Crouch says he is determined just to focus on the football as it is the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I would like to see my girlfriend but we have got four weeks to try and achieve something massive that would be with you for the rest of your life," the Mirror quoted Crouch as saying.

"We could all cope with not seeing our loved ones for that long if it's an opportunity to win a World Cup.

"At home, you go home to your wife after every single training session or game and it doesn't seem to affect the lads in any way.

"In a World Cup everything is a lot more high profile. People want to take pictures and make a big deal of it. That side of it can be distracting.

"I don't disagree with them being out there but if they're gong to be photographed and there's a big circus about it.

"There's only four weeks at a World Cup so you might as well just leave them at home. If there's a huge circus around it there's no point to it," he added. (ANI)

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GFA to adopt new constitution in July

Published Sat, May 22 10 02:53 PM

Panaji, May 22 (PTI) The Goa Football Association (GFA) will adopt a new constitution in July to avail the benefits under Asian Football Confederation''s (AFC) vision Asia Programme, GFA secretary Savio Messias said today. "The GFA has responded to the AFC''s requirements and has already submitted draft of the proposed new constitution to AFC, which then offered its comments," Messias said. Messias said the association members, in charge of drafting the constitution, were waiting for some clarifications which GFA had sought from the AFC. "The committee to draft the new constitution, in line with FIFA, AFC and AIFF, had several round of meetings. The final draft is now ready although, we are waiting for some details from AFC for quite some time now," he said. "It is proposed to have one president who will have full powers like AIFF president, two vice-presidents (north and south districts), seven members each from north and south Goa. The general secretary will be paid like AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco. He will have wide power and will be responsible to run the administration," Messias said. "We have a strong state league, a well defined youth programme, several educational programmes at the grassroot level. "Most importantly we have the government support, unlike Tamil Nadu and Delhi who faced problems and it is unfortunate that the AFC programmes had to be dropped," he added.

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'New look' England squad has potential to defend Ashes Down Under: Pietersen

Published>Sat, May 22 10 02:47 PM

London, May 22(ANI): England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that the new look Three Lions squad has the potential to defend the Ashes in Australia under coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss.

England's last series Down Under had resulted in an embarrassing 5-0 whitewash, but Pietersen claims that the current team has the potential to give a tough fight to the Aussies in their own back yard.

"Words can't describe how I feel right now after the fortnight I've had. It's always good to beat Australia [Twenty20 World Cup final]. To do it away from England and on a flat wicket is something the boys can take a lot of positives from. I can't say we will do this or do that, win the Ashes and all, but I can say this team will keep improving all the time," The Sun quoted Pietersen, as saying.

"The team spirit in 2005 was special. We had an incredible side and the way the guys enjoyed each other's success was the key. And I can see that in this team. Everyone in this side is now dovetailing much like that great Australian side of a few years ago," he added.

The 29-year-old also dismissed reports emerging in the Australian press that branded the Twenty20 World Cup winning England squad as a team of 'imports'.

"People are entitled to their opinions of course, but I think it's time to move on from all that. It's the kind of heckling we're going to get at the end of the year in Australia though I guess. We get it here too, but to see England winning is the best thing," Pietersen said.

"I don't think there should be any negatives about what we've achieved over the last few weeks - it's all down to the year we've had under Flower and Strauss," he added. (ANI)

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Women boxers head for Asian C''ship

Published Sat, May 22 10 02:37 PM

New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) Four-time world champion M C Mary Kom (46kg) would spearhead an 11-strong Indian challenge in the sixth Asian Women''s Boxing Championships starting tomorrow in Astana, Kazakhstan. Mary Kom, a Khel Ratna awardee, won a silver in the previous edition of the event held in September last year in Guwahati and the Manipuri is determined to clinch the gold this time. "I will try my level best to get a gold this time. It begins our build up for the Asian Games where women''s boxing will make its debut in three weight categories," Mary Kom told PTI here today. The May 23-31 tournament will feature close to 20 countries but May Kom said she is not intimidated by the draw. "I am a four-time world champion so the question of worrying about the draw doesn''t arise. I will give my best and the rest is fate. Technically, I adjust myself according to the situation and the opponent," she said. Apart from Mary, the team also features some well-established names like reigning Asian champion and two-time World Championships silver medallist N Usha (60kg) and former world champion and Arjuna awardee L Sarita Devi (51kg). Others in the squad include Kavita Goyat (69kg), who won a gold medal at last year''s Indoor Asian Games in Vietnam, and Aswathi Mol, a former Asian champion. Coach Anoop Kumar said the team has the right mix of youth and experience to better the third-place finish in the previous edition of the event. "The competition would be very tough but I think we will better our past performance. We should win at least three gold medals but China and Kazakhstan are going to be tough opponents. We had won three gold and three-four silver the last time around," he said. "Along with Mary, we have some experienced boxers, who can pull off tough wins because they have had good exposure at the international level," he said. The Team: M C Mary Kom (46kg), Venlal Duati (48kg), L Sarita Devi (51kg), Priyanka Chaudhary (54kg), Pavitra (57kg), N Usha (60kg), Meena Rani (64kg), Kavita Goyat (69kg), Sonam Yadav (75kg), Aswathi Mol (81kg) and Kavita Chahal (+81kg). PTI PM AT

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'New look' England squad has potential to defend Ashes Down Under: Pietersen

Published>Sat, May 22 10 02:07 PM

London, May 22(ANI): England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that the new look Three Lions squad has the potential to defend the Ashes in Australia under coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss.

England's last series Down Under had resulted in an embarrassing 5-0 whitewash, but Pietersen claims that the current team has the potential to give a tough fight to the Aussies in their own back yard.

"Words can't describe how I feel right now after the fortnight I've had. It's always good to beat Australia [Twenty20 World Cup final]. To do it away from England and on a flat wicket is something the boys can take a lot of positives from. I can't say we will do this or do that, win the Ashes and all, but I can say this team will keep improving all the time," The Sun quoted Pietersen, as saying.

"The team spirit in 2005 was special. We had an incredible side and the way the guys enjoyed each other's success was the key. And I can see that in this team. Everyone in this side is now dovetailing much like that great Australian side of a few years ago," he added.

The 29-year-old also dismissed reports emerging in the Australian press that branded the Twenty20 World Cup winning England squad as a team of 'imports'.

"People are entitled to their opinions of course, but I think it's time to move on from all that. It's the kind of heckling we're going to get at the end of the year in Australia though I guess. We get it here too, but to see England winning is the best thing," Pietersen said.

"I don't think there should be any negatives about what we've achieved over the last few weeks - it's all down to the year we've had under Flower and Strauss," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Tricky opener for Somdev at French Open

Published>Sat, May 22 10 01:47 PM

Somdev Devvarman has got a tricky opener in the French Open singles as he has been drawn against world number 65 Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland.

It is Somdev, who leads the head-to-head count 1-0 but that win in Dubai in February this year was a hard-earned one.

If Somdev manages to beat Chiudinelli in the first round, he will probably meet American 17 seed and world number 19 John Isner in the second round.

Somdev had beaten big-serving Isner in 2007 to win his maiden NCAA championship title in US.

But Somdev and Isner have not clashed on Tour even once after turning professionals.

Isner is up against Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan in his opening round.

Somdev, ranked 109, yesterday became the first Indian in 13 years to make the men's singles main draw of the French Open.

Leander Paes was the last Indian to play at Roland Garros in 1997 when he reached second round.

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Koreans break $1 million mark in Super Series revamp

Published>Sat, May 22 10 01:27 PM

Next year's Korean Open badminton tournament will become the first in the sport to offer over $1 million in prize money.

The event is one of five named in a media release late on Friday by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as one of its new Premier Super Series tournaments, effectively its first "Grand Slam."

The others, agreed at a BWF council meeting in Kuala Lumpur, are Indonesia, China, the All England, and Denmark.

Prize money in Indonesia has been raised to $600,000 while the other three are offering a minimum of $350,000 each.

There will be seven other second-tier Super Series events with a minimum purse of $200,000 -- in France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and China.

Total prize money for the year, including the Premier tournaments, will rise from $3.3 million to $4.7 million.

BWF president Dr Kang Young-joong said: "There is more money in the sport, we have our first ever million dollar prize money tournament and above all the BWF received a strong interest from our member countries.

"These are positives for the sport and I firmly believe we are heading in the right direction in terms of developing and promoting the sport. The future is bright."

There were 17 applications to host a Super Series event and eight to stage one of the Premier tournaments.

The Super Series format was introduced in 2007 but after a review at the end of 2009 the decision was taken to introduce a two-tier system from 2011.

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"Pak's entire dysfunctional tour of Australia" under ICC anti-corruption scanner

Published>Sat, May 22 10 01:07 PM

Sydney, May 22(ANI): The entire Pakistan tour of Australia in 2009-10 is under a cloud with the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit investigating the visiting team's performance during the series, and not just the 'controversial' Sydney Test.

Outgoing ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) chief Paul Condon said that his department has been concerned about the entire tour and not just the New Year's Sydney Test.

"It is a series that worried us. The challenge is to find where the solid fact is, because what you've got there is a lot of internecine strife within the team and within Pakistan politics, with rival camps making allegations," The Australian quoted Condon, as saying.

"We are satisfied that that was a totally dysfunctional tour from a Pakistani point of view, and that dysfunctionality in the dressing room led to players not performing well, and maybe making them potentially underperform deliberately," he added.

Condon further said the ACSU was still inquiring into the series to establish facts.

"What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to (bring) down captains or potential captains, or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix," he said.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) has promised to co-operate, but chief executive James Sutherland has written to the ICC for more details of its investigation.

"We have no knowledge of any concerns and we'd have expected to have some knowledge if there were any," a CA spokesman said.

"If the ICC had any concerns, we would absolutely provide them with whatever support they needed. At this stage we believe we won that game on the merits of our performance," the spokesman added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board punished almost half of the Pakistan team for their performance in Australia. Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned indefinitely, Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul-Hasan were suspended for a year, while Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers, Umar and Kamran, were fined and placed on probation for six months. (ANI)

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Indian women's team beat Kiwis to seal hockey series

Published>Sat, May 22 10 12:57 PM

Wellington, May 22(ANI): The Indian women's hockey team scored three second half goals to beat New Zealand 3-1 at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, and seal the five-Test series with a match to spare.

Team India now has a 2-0 unbeatable lead as they had won the first Test, while the second and third matches were drawn in Palmerston North and Napier.

India had several first half chances to gain the advantage, but could not capitalize on their opportunities, while a first half goal from Piki Hamahona gave the Black Sticks a halftime advantage, and a hope of levelling the series, Stuff.co.nz reports.

The floodgates opened for Team India in the second half as Indian skipper, Surinder Kaur, scored from a deflection in the 43rd minute.

Saba Anjum then flicked in from close range in the 64th minute, followed by a goal by 15-year-old Rani Rampal on the stroke of fulltime.

The two teams will now play fifth and final test here on Sunday. (ANI)

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Tiger Woods, Elin Nordegren divorce talks 'turn ugly'

Published>Sat, May 22 10 12:53 PM

New York, May 22 (ANI): Things between defamed golfer Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren have reportedly gotten ugly.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Nordegren has ramped up her financial demands, requesting that the sports star pony up an estimated 750 million dollars.

After starting out fairly civil, the divorce talks "have turned extremely testy," the newspaper reported.

Also, Nordegren has apparently refused to sign a lifetime 'confidentiality clause' that would prevent her from writing a book or doing any interviews related to the collapse of the couple's marriage, reports the New York Post.

The newspaper has reported that she also wants full custody of their two kids, even though it was first believed that they were going to agree to joint custody. (ANI)

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PCB to name skipper for Asia Cup, England tour to be named on Monday

Published>Sat, May 22 10 12:37 PM

Lahore, May 22 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has said that the national team captain for the Asia Cup and the Test tour to England will be announced on Monday (May 24.)

Ijaz told reporters here Friday that he was satisfied with Pakistan's performance in the just-concluded Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies. He described the team losing to Australia in the semi-final as sheer bad luck, the Daily Times reports.

He said PCB Governing Council members and selectors would discuss the forthcoming tours.

Ijaz, however, refused to speculate on whether the board would announce one captain for the Asia Cup and England tour or have separate leaders.

Opener Salman Butt is the favourite to become Pakistan's Test skipper while Shahid Afridi, who led the side in the Twenty20 World Cup, is expected to retain the captaincy for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and limited over matches in England.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younus, who is in Sydney at present, also backed Salman for the Test captaincy.

"I really don't see any other candidate in sight at the moment," he was quoted, as saying. (ANI)

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