BAI may suspend Sinha despite court restraint

Tue, Jul 27 10 12:22 PM

Mumbai, July 26 -- After months of shadowboxing, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) president VK Verma and secretary Vijai Sinha have taken their fight to court with the latter getting a restrain order against Tuesday's extraordinary Executive Council meeting. Verma has called for an emergency meeting to decide on BAI's reply to a civil writ filed in the Rajasthan High Court challenging his re-election for a fourth consecutive term. Verma and Sinha are at loggerheads over who controls the day-to-day functioning of BAI and Tuesday's meeting was an opportunity for Verma to push Sinha to the periphery. Though the court case was the trigger for the meeting, the president also added two points to the agenda - a discussion on the inquiry report into alleged misappropriation of funds by Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association (UPBA) secretary, Sinha, for BAI's AGM in April and non submission of accounts for the Syed Modi Grand Prix last December. Verma had earlier called for an executive committee meeting in August to discuss both the issues but the BAI president decided to take up the issue earlier. Sources confirmed that the idea was to nullify Sinha's opposition by either initiating disciplinary action or even suspending him from the executive. "Both the points are really not very big. But in the current power struggle we cannot rule out any stern action, including suspension," said a senior BAI official. However, pre-empting such action, Sinha moved to the Civil Court in Lucknow alleging that aim of the meeting was "to stop him from carrying out his duties". The Court upheld his plea and restrained BAI from taking any decision till the next hearing on Wednesday. Verma did not respond to calls but a senior BAI official confirmed that the meeting would take place as scheduled.

Source: Published>

Pay your way: Sports Ministry tells junior marksmen

Tue, Jul 27 10 12:16 PM

New Delhi, July 26 -- Shooting may have become the biggest medal-winner for the country but when it comes to treating our marksmen with dignity, the less said the better. With the World Championships - a quadrennial event and the biggest event in the life of a shooter after the Olympic Games - scheduled to start in Munich on Thursday (July 29), some 30-odd junior marksmen came to know about their fate only on Monday afternoon. The Sports Ministry officially cleared the names of 15 marksmen on "full cost to government", while the remaining, who had been camping in Delhi for the last week from places as far as Maharashtra, were told they would have to foot their own bill. "This is not the way to treat young, talented shooters who have been selected through trials. My child came to know about her fate this afternoon. Now, I have to run around for her air tickets and make other arrangements so that she can be on the first flight to Munich," said the father of a pistol shooter on condition of anonymity. "The cost of the air tickets, boarding and lodging will come to around Rs 1.5 lakh. How can I foot such a hefty bill," said another father. "The ministry had set 10th position scores at the last World Championships in Zagreb (Croatia) as the criteria for selection of the team for Munich. But tell me, how many seniors can shoot that kind of scores," he said. "The national camp from July 10-27 (at the Balewadi complex near Pune) was cancelled after the ministry said it won't pay more than Rs 155 per day for lodging and boarding per shooter. And then it sets such a stiff criteria. Balewadi is the only range for now in the country that has computerised targets and scoring machines. They want us to shoot European standard scores (equivalent to 10th position at the previous World Championships) but won't give us even basic facilities, not even a camp," he said. A senior ministry official, not wishing to be quoted, conceded the team had been cleared on Monday. Asked why the entire team had not been cleared by the government, he said "How can the media judge who should go and who shouldn't. We had set the 10th position scores at the last World Championships as the criteria for selection. All those who met the criteria were selected. This is a very reasonable assessment," he said. The National Rifle Association of India officials refused to comment on the issue.

Source: Published>

Lahore attack report ready, awaiting govt''s clearance: PCB

Tue, Jul 27 10 12:08 PM

Karachi, Jul 27 (PTI) Rubbishing Ehsan Mani''s claim that PCB was dragging its feet on the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan by delaying the report on Lahore attack, board chief Ejaz Butt said they were ready with the document but was awaiting government''s clearance to submit it to ICC. "Mani''s interpretation is far from reality. The inquiry report into the incident was prepared by a Lahore High Court panel and the copies of the report have already been given to both PCB and the government," Butt said. "It is a sensitive issue and we can''t bypass the government. We will surely send the copy of the report to the ICC as soon as the government permits us to do so," the PCB chairman said. Pakistan has been deprived of international cricket after leading countries refused to tour the strife-torn nation following the militant attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March last year, which killed eight people and injured seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach. But Mani, who was president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2003 to 2006, yesterday said that PCB''s failure to submit a report on the Lahore attack was a major hindrance in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. PCB chairman Butt, however, came down hard on Mani for leveling various allegations on him and his policies. "Mani became the ICC president with PCB''s support and now his criticism on the same board while sitting in the UK is simply unjust," Butt said. Butt also dismissed Mani''s allegation that PCB had first assured ICC of supporting former Australian Prime Minister John Howard''s nomination for the vice-president''s post of the game''s governing body, but later backed out. "He (Mani) is lying to say the least. I did not give any commitment whatsoever to any ICC official in this regard. We did what we thought was the best. We did not follow anyone''s line," the PCB chief said.

Source: Published>

Song remains the same

Tue, Jul 27 10 11:44 AM

Colombo, July 26 -- During his pre-match interaction with the media on Sunday, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had hinted that the team management was considering the option of fielding three mediumpacers and a spinner for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, come Monday morning India retained the same four bowlers who had been ineffective in the first Test at Galle last week. As a result, it wasn't a surprise to see the scorecard at the end of the opening day once Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat. The hosts had garnered 312 runs for the loss of two wickets, almost replicating the opening day's performance in Galle. The same two batsmen who had scored centuries last week - opener Tharanga Paranavitana and skipper Kumar Sangakkara - added tons to their kitty, exposing the fragile Indian bowling attack yet again. While Harbhajan Singh bowled well for a better part of the day and rookie Abhimanyu Mithun bowled well in patches, neither the duo nor Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha could stop the Sri Lankans from scoring at will. The fact that Harbhajan, despite being the pick of the bowlers, could not bowl a maiden over in the first two sessions underlines the failure of the bowling unit to put any pressure on the Sri Lankan line-up. "When we started (attacking), they went on the back foot. Then Tharanga and Sanga batted without taking any risks," Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who wasted an opportunity to score a big hundred after racing to 54, said. "Today I don't think there was any problem for the batsmen. Mahela is also batting well. With him and Sanga in the middle, there's lot of confidence." So far in the series, the four Indian specialist bowlers have been successful in picking up just nine wickets in the 205 overs they have bowled. What's even more alarming is that they have conceded almost four runs an over so far. Though Suresh Raina felt the bowlers "kept it tight" on the opening day at SSC, he did rue the lack of numbers in the wickets column. "We bowled really well, especially after lunch and tea," Raina said. "We didn't give them much room, at the same time we need to take wickets, so it is important to do well in the morning session."

Source: Published>

CA likely to dump Howard''s candidacy on Friday

Tue, Jul 27 10 11:22 AM

Melbourne, Jul 27 (PTI) Cricket Australia is likely to drop John Howard as its candidate for the International Cricket Council''s president-elect post on Friday, a media report said. According to a report in ''The Australian'', CA is expected to take the decision in its special board meeting scheduled for Friday. "The meeting is expected to begin the search for a new nominee but there are growing fears in the Australian cricket community that the ICC''s disgraceful and unconstitutional snub of Howard will ostracise other quality candidates," the report read. "While anger still remains among CA and New Zealand Cricket board members over the ICC''s rejection of the former prime minister, there is a growing feeling that renominating Mr Howard would only antagonise the bloc that controls cricket," it added. ICC last month rejected Howard''s candidature for the international body''s top post after the powerful Afro-Asian bloc opposed the former Australian Prime Minister''s nomination. "The Cricket Australia board is yet to discuss any names (of alternative candidates)," a CA spokesman said. To compound CA and NZC''s problems, Howard''s first-choice replacement John Anderson of New Zealand has refused to take up the job. The report said that with both Howard and Anderson out of the race, CA chairman Jack Clarke and his New Zealand counterpart Alan Issac are the front-runners for the new joint nomination.

Source: Published>

Meteorite strikes county match

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 10:46 AM

The sparse crowd watching a county match was treated to an out of the world experience quite literally when a 4.5 billion years old meteorite came hurtling towards the ground. According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, the rock, was a few inches long and up to 4.5 billion years old.

England player Luke Wright was batting with Monty Panesar during the match when the black, five-inch rock came crashing down. "We were sitting at the boundary edge when all of a sudden, out of a blue sky, we saw this small dark object hurtling towards us. It landed five yards inside the boundary and split into two pieces," the newspaper quoted an eyewitness as saying. "One piece bounced up and hit me in the chest and the other ended up against the boundary board."

If true after experts verify, it would be first meteorite to strike Britain since 1992.

Source: Web Search

Manipur dominate

Tue, Jul 27 10 10:16 AM

New Delhi, July 27 -- Manipur dominated the proceedings in the finals of the 6th National Youth Women's Boxing Championship in Guwahati on Sunday. The Manipur team comfortably annexed the Champions trophy finishing with 3 gold medals and 28 points. Hosts Assam finished runners up with 2 gold medals and 25 points followed by Punjab with a gold medal and 19 points. Manipur's Sarjubala Devi (48 kilogram category) was declared the best boxer of the event. Devi bagged gold in her category by beating Rebecca of Mizoram 9-2 in the final. Anita Kahar of Assam won the best loser award. Kahar was beaten 8-5 by Sonia of Haryana in the 51 kilogram category in the finals.

Source: Published>

Kerala score five, Assam out of Santosh Trophy

Tue, Jul 27 10 10:06 AM

Kolkata, July 27 -- Kerala set up a pre-quarter final date with Mizoram on Wednesday, with a thumping win over Assam in their last Cluster VII match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday. Mizoram defeated Railways at the Howrah stadium and qualified from Cluster VIII on goals scored. Three teams, Mizoram, Railways and Orissa finished on six points. Orissa went out of the picture because of inferior goal difference. But both Mizoram and Railways had the same goal difference of +9. Mizoram scored 12 goals against Railways' 11. In an inconsequential match, Uttarakhand defeated Himachal Pradesh 4-0 to end their Santosh Trophy campaign on a winning note. Himachal Pradesh on the other hand, went back without a point in their kitty. Needing a win to advance, Kerala shot into the lead in the 19th minute when Viva Kerala midfielder, Javed OK, floated in a centre. Assam central defender Naoba Singh, trying to clear the ball guided it into the net. Assam equalised through Akum Ao just three minutes later when he tapped in a corner-kick. A draw would have been good enough for Assam to qualify. But boosted by Ao's equaliser, they pushed men upfront. Kerala survived a spell of sustained pressure on their goal. Sanjay Boro had his long ranger tipped over and then the framework denied Ao. Kerala restored their lead in the 41st minute when Chirag United's new central defender, Justin Stephen, headed in a corner from Jaseer Karanath. Kerala got an insurance goal in the 68th minute. Javed darted into the Assam box and cut back for Sakeer MP who kept his cool and slotted home. Kerala piled on Assam's miseries when they pumped in a fourth in the 81st minute. Brijesh Ben volleyed home a low corner from Sakeer.

Source: Published>

Chambers, Lemaitre get Europeans off to speedy start

Tue, Jul 27 10 08:26 AM

Europe's two fastest men are in action on the opening day of the European championships as Briton Dwain Chambers and France's Christophe Lemaitre line up in the heats of the 100 metres (1715 GMT).

Chambers, who beat 20-year-old Lemaitre in last month's European Team championships, is drawn in heat one with the Frenchman running in the last heat.

"I'm optimistic about it, if I can draw on everything I have experience-wise," Chambers, 32, said when asked if he could win the title.

"It's my ambition to win but again I have strong competition, especially from Lemaitre, and I have to do the best I can to stay ahead of him."

France's world indoor record holder Teddy Tamgho does not plan to hang around in triple jump qualifying (1820) after recovering from a calf injury.

"The calf is completely fine. I'm OK," he told the European Athletic Association website (www.european-athletics.org). "My mind is focused on qualification. I want to qualify with my first jump then go on to win the final."

The men's 20-km walk will be the first medal of the six-day championships to be decided. The men's 10,000 metres final and women's shot put are the other medal events.

Source: Published>

Sofia derby gets season off to big start

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 08:16 AM

Bulgaria's soccer fans, who were not on the World Cup guest list, have something to look forward to at last with their league season getting off to an exciting start next weekend.

The two biggest clubs in the Balkan country -- CSKA Sofia and fierce city rivals Levski -- meet on the opening weekend of the campaign for the first time in the league's existence.

Both teams are eager to forget last season's disappointment when Litex Lovech clinched the title to become only the second club to upset the balance of power this century.

"No doubt, it's the biggest game in Bulgarian football," Pavel Dotchev, coach of 31-times Bulgarian champions CSKA, told Reuters. "It's like a cup final.

"There's always a unique atmosphere, everybody is talking about this game -- the fans, the media -- and they're doing this not only in Sofia. You can't compare it to any other sports event in Bulgaria.

"I took part in this derby on several occasions as a player and I still have great memories. Now I'm looking forward to tasting it as a coach," said former Bulgaria defender Dotchev, who played for CSKA in the early 1990s.

"We know it'll be only the first match of the season but still we realise that the winners will get a huge psychological boost."

FAN VIOLENCE

The "eternal derby", as the meeting between CSKA and Levski is dubbed, has long been known for its highly-charged atmosphere.

Fan violence in the stands and outside the stadium marred the game in the years after Communist rule was overthrown in Bulgaria in 1989, and attendance was low compared to the present day.

After three months with little to interest them in football -- Bulgaria failed to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa -- local supporters are eagerly anticipating Sunday's clash.

"It's been a long summer," CSKA fan Boris Parushev told Reuters. "We watched the World Cup on TV and it was fun but there's nothing better than being at the stadium and singing your favourite songs with your mates."

CSKA, founded in 1948 as an army club, quickly made their name at home and international recognition followed when The Reds reached semi-finals in Europe three times between 1967 and 1989.

"The team are not very strong nowadays but CSKA still have some of the most passionate fans on the continent," said Parushev. "I can assure you that we'll make our mark against Levski. It'll be a night to remember."

Optimism is high in Bulgaria after the top local clubs made a perfect start in Europe this season -- four wins in four matches and no goals conceded.

Litex outclassed Montenegro champions Rudar 5-0 on aggregate to progress to the Champions League third qualifying round while Levski demolished Irish side Dundalk 8-0 on aggregate in the Europa League.

EMOTIONAL PLAYERS

"We're tough opponents in the Bulgarian league but it's always good to see that our teams have a decent chance to be successful in European competitions," said Dotchev.

"I think we still have many talented and quality players in Bulgaria but the biggest problem is that many of them are not mature enough," added Dotchev, who was tempted back to his motherland after 18 years as a player and coach in Germany.

"They are so emotional and they lose their concentration even after an unfair referee's decision. This is where I see a lot of room for improvement and I believe we can change the mentality of the players. It's a big challenge but I love it."

Local experts predict one of the closest championships in years with Litex, CSKA and Levski all having realistic and fairly equal chances of lifting the trophy.

Litex coach Angel Chervenkov will begin the title defence without the experienced Radostin Kishishev, capped 88 times for Bulgaria, who has returned to England to play for League One (third division) side Brighton.

Litex have, though, kept the backbone of the team and the arrival of Bosnia's Dzemal Berberovich from Denizlispor and Romanian striker Florin Bratu from Dinamo Bucharest should help them.

CSKA and Levski have also been busy on the transfer market with Levski's new coach Yasen Petrov adding new players in every department.

Source: Web Search

INTERVIEW - New generation would accept gay footballers

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 07:16 AM

A new generation of British soccer fans would be tolerant about professional footballers admitting they were homosexual, according to an online survey conducted by Staffordshire University in England.

The survey of 2,000 supporters (www.topfan.co.uk) found that only seven percent believed that soccer had no place for homosexuals.

It was conducted by culture, media and sport professor Ellis Cashmore and senior sociology lecturer Jamie Cleland.

"The big surprise was that we got what I suppose you'd call a counter-intuitive response and that was that 93 percent said they felt there was no place for homophobia in football and it should be stomped out and they felt that it brought shame on football," Cashmore told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"There was a call for greater transparency. A lot of people said they would prefer it if gay footballers came out because they don't think they would have to put up with that much abuse."

Only one professional footballer, England international Justin Fashanu, has revealed he was homosexual during his career. Fashanu committed suicide in 1998 at the age of 37.

Players in other sports have been equally reticent. Former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas revealed in a newspaper last year that he was gay, saying: "It's pretty tough for me being the only international rugby player prepared to break the taboo."

Thomas's candour prompted sympathy from British former National Basketball Association (NBA) player John Amaechi, who announced he was gay after retiring in 2007, plus a warning that homophobia was still present in sport.

Former England rugby coach Clive Woodward was more positive, saying he expected the sport to take Thomas's announcement in its stride, while Welsh media reported recently that Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke was considering portraying Thomas in a film.

HEAVY BURDEN

"The question remains when will a gay soccer player come out?," Cashmore said.

"The fans themselves are of the opinion that, yes we know there are gay players and when we watch football every week we know we are watching gay players but actually it doesn't matter to us."

Cashmore said homophobia now was equivalent to the racism which blighted British soccer during the 1970s and 80s.

"Football fans who have for long been characterised as Neanderthal types, the knuckle-dragging kind of macho type who believe homosexuality is still taboo; actually they have changed as well," he said.

"We have a new generation of football fans -- managers, coaches, players themselves, I class them all as fans in some way.

"They don't actually care very much about a person's sexual orientation. But of course the players are living with a legacy and the legacy has become a heavy burden for football.

"It's going to make it extremely difficult for the first living footballer to come out. For a footballer to come out after his career is over, in a sense that is the path of least resistance.

"It's still enormously difficult but not as difficult as they think."

Source: Web Search

Capital briefs

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 06:08 AM

Narrow win for Friends A three wicket haul by Jayant Yadav (3/21) and useful knocks by Prateek Pawar (49) and Kapil Dhaka (47 n.o) helped Young Friends beat Ekta Club by 3 wickets in the 2nd Baba Hari Dass cricket tournament at Ved Solanki Academy ground. Batting first Ekta Club reached 195 thanks to a knock of 82 by Nakul Sharma. Young Friends made heavy weather of the small total losing 7 wickets before scoring the winning run with just one over left.

Brief scores: Ekta Club 195 for 9 in 30 overs (Nakul Sharma 82, Sakib Alam 30, Jayant Yadav 3/21, Vijay Tyagi 3/33); Young Friends 198 for 7 in 29 overs (Prateek Pawar 49, Kapil Dhaka 47n.o , Nitish Rana 2/29, Sakib Alam 2/12)

Sushil shines for Hari Nagar An important all round display by Sushil Kumar (32 and 3/24) and accurate bowling by Ashwani Kumar (3/18) helped Hari Nagar Academy beat Kalka Academy by 3 wickets in the 5th Sharma Sports KP Trophy Under-19 cricket tournament at Picnic Hut ground. Anubhav Mehrotra's 56 which was the highest score in either innings ultimately proved to be a futile knock.

Brief scores: Kalka Academy 139 all out in 27 overs (Anubhav Mehrotra 56, Pawan Kushwaha 32, Ashwani Kumar 3/18, Sushil Kumar 3/24, Suraj Pal 2/36); Hari Nagar Academy 140 for 7 in 27.2 overs (Balraj Meena 35, Sushil Kumar 32 n.o, Ambar Aneja 4/17)

Ravindra have it easy A fine all round display by Arjun Arora (33 and 2/22) and support from Sufyan Alam (35) led Ravindra Academy to a 5 wicket win over Golden Arrow Academy in the 5th Shalimar Cup u-16 cricket tournament at Ashok Vihar Ground. Batting first, Golden Arrow were restricted to a below par score of 132 in the allotted 30 overs thanks to a constricting spell by Paras Bhatnagar (4/26).

Brief scores: Golden Arrow Academy 132 for 8 in 30 overs (Abhishek Mishra 35, Pankaj Jaiswal 32, Paras Bhatnagar 4/26, Arjun Arora 2/22); Ravindra Academy 135 for 5 in 21.2 overs (Sufyan Alam 35, Arjun Arora 33, Nitin Tanwar 22 n.o , Imran Khan 3/23 )

Close victory for Indrapuram In what proved to be an invaluable knock, Paras Chouhan scored a half century (56) while suitable contributions came from Divyansh Sharma (32), Nitesh Rawat (3/18) and Kartik Kumar (3/11) as Indrapuram School edged out Gurukul Academy by 2 wickets in the NC Cup being held at Najafgarh ground. Hritik Parkash's five wicket haul(5/26) went in vain for Gurukul Academy as did Shubham Chouhan's knock of 56 runs .

Brief scores: Gurukul Academy 120 all out in 24 overs (Shubham Chouhan 56, Nitesh Rawat 3/18, Kartik Kumar 3/11); Indrapuram School 121 for 8 in 24.5 overs (Paras Chouhan 56, Divyansh Sharma 32, Hritik Parkash 5/26 Ankit singh 3/22)

Comfortable for Malik Thanks to Surinder Dahiya's half century (58), Sandeep Kumar knock of 35 and Rajeev Rawat's three wicket haul (3/11), Malik Sports emerged victorious over Handa XI by 8 wickets in the Parmarth 20/20 Prize Money cricket tournament at Parmarth Ground.

Brief scores: Handa XI 105 all out in 17 overs (Vishal 47, Rajeev Rawat 3/11); Malik Sports 106 for 2 in 11 overs (Surinder Dahiya 58, Sandeep Kumar 35)

Shokeet snares four Abhishek Shokeet trapped four (4/21) in a deadly spell of bowling while Sandeep Mor stroked a half century (53) to enable Najafgarh Sports to crush Hari Singh Cricket Academy by the huge margin of 8 wickets in 1st Laurent u-19 cricket tournament at Najafgarh Ground.

Brief scores: Hari Nagar Academy 122 all out in 34 overs (Tushar Kaushik 34, Abhishek Shokeen 4/21); Najafgarh Sports 126 for 2 in 24 overs (Sandeep Mor 53, Rajat Rai Singh 2/20)

Kodan ton secures huge win A quickfire 78 ball century by man of the match Narinder Kodan (103 n.o.) along with contributions from Mohit (53), Mohd. Sameen (26 and 4/13) and Sumit (3/8) helped Ramjas School No 2 beat Ramjas Sr. wing School Anand Parwat by 187 runs in the inter Ramjas 20/20 School cricket tournament at Ramjas Sports Complex. Chasing a mammoth 223 to win, Ramjas Sr Wing were shot out for a paltry 35.

Brief scores: Ramjas No 2 222 for 2 in 20 overs (Narinder Kodan 103 n.o, Mohit 53, Mohd. Sameen 26 n.o); Ramjas Anand Parwat 35 all out in 14 overs (Mohd. Sameen 4/13, Sumit 3/8)

Bharat guides Madhav win Half centuries by Bhaskar (50) and Bharat Sindwani (55) and decent bowling by Lokesh (2/19) took Madhav Sport to a 20 run win over GRM Academy in the 1st Najafgarh 20/20 cricket tournament at Najafgarh Sports Complex.

Brief Scores: Madhav Sports 140 for 3 in 20 overs (Bhaskar 50, Bharat Sindwani 55); GRM Academy 120 all out in 19 overs (Lakshay 30, Moun Kumar 30, Lokesh 2/19)

Source: Web Search

Scouts saved United millions on Hernandez - Ferguson

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 04:36 AM

Manchester United saved millions by signing Mexican striker Javier Hernandez before he shone at the World Cup, manager Alex Ferguson said on Monday.

Hernandez, who joined his new team mates in Houston on Monday, could make his United debut in Wednesday's game against the MLS All Stars.

Ferguson, who will wait for news on the 22-year-old's fitness before deciding whether to play him, paid tribute to the club's scouts who plucked the forward from Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara.

"I think our scouting people deserve 10 out of 10 for identifying him before the World Cup and I think if we had been trying to negotiate after the World Cup it would have been very difficult," said Ferguson.

"I think a lot of teams would have been after him and it would probably have cost us two or three times more," he added.

United did not disclose the transfer fee they paid to Chivas but media reports have placed the deal as worth around 7 million pounds ($10.81 million), including United playing a friendly in Mexico on Friday.

Ferguson was full of praise for the Mexican club for helping keep the deal quiet.

"Our relationship we have built with Chivas has been excellent, they really were very accommodating in everything..the amazing thing was that no-one in the club said a word.

"At Manchester United we find that almost impossible, news always leaks out at our club, but Chivas kept it quiet which was marvellous asset for us and full marks for their professionalism.

Hernandez will play half that game for Chivas and half for his new club but his debut may come earlier in front of thousands of Mexican fans in Houston.

"He joined us today and so we have to ascertain what he has been doing in the last few weeks physically, we would like to use him in part of the game on Wednesday - partly because I know there is a big Mexican population in Houston and it would be a very exciting attraction for them," said Ferguson.

"Secondly we want to try to integrate him into the team as quickly as possible so those are the reasons we would like to play him but we want to just have a chat with him and see what he has been doing physically -- I don't think it would be wise to play him without having any real preparation for this game," he added.

Source: Web Search

Brazil ring changes for U.S. friendly

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 03:36 AM

New Brazil coach Mano Menezes made wholesale changes with only four survivors from the World Cup when he named his squad on Monday for next month's friendly against the United States.

Dani Alves, Ramires, Thiago Silva and Robinho were the only members of Menezes' squad who were in South Africa, where Brazil lost in the quarter-finals to the Netherlands.

Santos pair Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar, controversially left out of the World Cup squad by Menezes' predecessor Dunga, were among 11 uncapped players included.

The others were goalkeepers Jefferson, Renan and Victor, defenders Rafael, David Luis and Rever, midfielders Ederson and Jucilei and striker Andre.

Menezes recalled AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato who also missed out on the World Cup as well as Liverpool midfielder Lucas.

The list of omissions included goalkeeper Julio Cesar, defenders Maicon, Lucio and Juan, and playmaker Kaka.

"This is a period of recovery, it's not necessary or good for us to use them at the moment," Menezes told a news conference. "It's the start, we're looking ahead, not at what did or didn't happen."

"There are no restrictions although we have to respect age because time goes on and the queue keeps moving."

The 48-year-old named his squad two days after replacing Dunga, who quit following the 2-1 defeat by the Dutch just over three weeks ago.

Dunga was often criticised for his team's lack of style and former Corinthians coach Menezes said he hoped to return to the more attractive gave with which Brazil are associated.

"If we can win playing with the sort of football people like to see, that would be the best outcome possible," he said.

Menezes has been appointed to lead Brazil to the 2014 World Cup, which the country will host. He is also expected to coach the under-23 team at the London Olympics.

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Renan (Avai), Victor (Gremio)

Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Rafael (Manchester United), David Luis (Benfica), Henrique (Racing Santander), Rever (Atletico Mineiro), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim), Ederson (Olympique Lyon), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Jucilei (Corinthians), Lucas (Liverpool), Ramires (Benfica), Sandro (Internacional)

Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Andre (Santos), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro), Neymar (Santos), Robinho (Santos)

Source: Web Search

Federer hooks up with Annacone to rediscover magic touch

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 02:36 AM

Roger Federer has hooked up with Pete Sampras's former coach Paul Annacone for a "test period" in a bid to rediscover his winning touch.

It was only three months ago that the Swiss, winner of a record 16 grand slam crowns, was world number one and the defending champion at three of the four majors.

But after suffering a triple setback in the European season when he surrendered his French Open title in the quarter-finals, lost his number one ranking and failed to reach the Wimbledon final for the first time since 2002, Federer has conceded he needs outside help.

"I've been looking to add someone to my team and I've decided to spend some days with Paul Annacone," the world number three said on his website (www.rogerfederer.com).

"As Paul winds down his responsibilities working for (Britain's) Lawn Tennis Association, we will explore our relationship through this test period. Paul will work alongside my existing team and I am excited to learn from his experiences."

Widely considered as the greatest player to have wielded a tennis racket, Federer has shunned full-time help ever since splitting from Swede Peter Lundgren six months after winning his first grand slam at Wimbledon in 2003.

Darren Cahill, Jose Higueras and Tony Roche have made cameo appearances in Federer's players' box since while working with him on a temporary basis.

Just what Annacone can teach a player who has all the shots in the book, and a few more, remains to be seen.

Under the 47-year-old American's guidance, Sampras won nine of his 14 grand slam titles and Federer will hope Annacone can inspire him to further glory by getting him out of a rut in which he has failed to win a title since the Australian Open in January.

Federer has six Wimbledon titles, five U.S. Opens, one French Open and four Australian Opens.

He had reached a jaw-dropping 23 consecutive grand slam semi-finals before losing to Robin Soderling at Roland Garros and Federer has dropped out of the world's top two for the first time in seven years.

The 28-year-old is due to return to action in Toronto in August after taking a month-long break from the ATP Tour.

Source: Web Search

Coke, Hero Honda warm up for Games

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 02:18 AM

Concerns about whether the infrastructure set up for the Commonwealth Games is adequate and the event has been adequately marketed as a national spectacle still remain and this has resulted in lacklustre sponsorship. However, a few sponsors see the Games as a huge opportunity to market their brands, thanks to the expected influx of people from around the world and the scale of operation of the Games. While Coca-Cola India is the official beverage partner, the organising committee has also roped in other private players like Hero Honda, Adidas and Reebok.

The Games, to be held over two weeks, brings together 54 nations, mostly former British colonies, every four years.

Coca-Cola India, as the official beverage partner, will have its products like carbonated soft drinks and juices sold to spectators and served to all the athletes, team officials and volunteers during the Games. For Coca-Cola, sporting events like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games are the best way to connect with consumers. "We have always been associated with sporting events around the world because we feel that it fits well into the brand strategy to drive engagement with our consumers. We are soon going to roll out a 360-degree campaign to market the brand in association with the Games," said a Coca-Cola India spokesperson.

The organising committee has two lead partners, 10 partners and 12 sponsors. It has categorised those sponsors who would get a sponsorship worth Rs 100 crore each as lead partners, those who would get Rs 50 crore worth of sponsorships each as partners, and those who would get Rs 25 crore as sponsors, the organising committee had said in March, 2010. The lead partner for the games is Indian Railways while National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Central Bank of India, Hero Honda, Reebok and Adidas, among others, will serve as partners and sponsors. On being asked whether the organising committee is scouting for another lead sponsor, a Games spokesperson said that it is not.

The sponsorship target for the Games is reportedly almost three times that of Melbourne 2006, which was the most successful Games in terms of revenue generation so far.

Interestingly, Hero Honda has been associated with all major sporting events that have taken place in the past few months like the Indian Premier League and the Hockey World Cup. A spokesperson from Hero Honda, in an email statement, said, "These events are aimed at mobilising the masses, creating awareness and pledging public support for the promotion of sports and solidarity." Hero Honda had organised a nation-wide 'Baton Bearers Contest' to provide an opportunity to participate in the Queen's Baton Relay. As a part of this initiative, several batonbearers have been selected and are being offered a chance to run with the baton across the country.

In order to line up more sponsors for the games, Sports Marketing & Management (SMAM), which has managed marketing for the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne, was hired and has approached leading private and public sector companies in India.

Source: Web Search

ANALYSIS - Team orders row revives age-old F1 debate

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 12:56 AM

Formula One is back on familiar territory just when teams seemed to be making a real effort to put the fans and the sport before their own private interests.

Viewers around the world, many outraged by what they had seen in Sunday's German Grand Prix, will have woken up on Monday to sports pages filled with tales of fraud and a Ferrari 'fix'.

"Ferrari pull fast one. Outrage but no surprise as F1 hits a new low," declared one typical headline in Britain's Daily Mail above a report from Hockenheim.

That is a moot point, given that the previous lows include last year's revelation that Renault's Brazilian, Nelson Piquet, had been ordered to crash deliberately into a wall in Singapore in 2008 to help team mate Fernando Alonso win the race.

This season, unlike recent ones, has been remarkably free of intrigue and paddock politics, with the emphasis on some thrilling racing.

Until Sunday, that is, when Ferrari were fined $100,000 and left facing possibly more serious punishment for using banned 'team orders' in telling Brazilian Felipe Massa to let Alonso win.

The 'team orders' furore has revived a debate about the very soul of the sport.

Cynics might argue that the soul is neither pure nor particularly easy to locate, given that the billion-dollar series is increasingly determined to leave its geographical origins behind for new circuits in unfamiliar locations.

The problem is the old conundrum over whether Formula One is primarily about the teams or drivers, entertainment or business.

It is both, of course, but there are those -- usually the people who pay the bills -- who have long argued that the teams and their commercial interests must come first.

LIKE LIGHTBULBS

The late McLaren boss Teddy Mayer once said drivers were just "interchangeable lightbulbs -- you plug them in and they do the job".

In the 'good old days', and not even that far back, some drivers used to have it written into their contracts that they were the number two, and that could have meant even handing over a car.

For most present-day fans, the sport is called motor racing for a reason. They want to see a real race between real rivals. Formula One -- particularly at a time of global financial hardship -- does not want to alienate its audience.

"The show is what generates the fans; the fans are what generates the sponsors, and the sponsors generate sponsorship which allows us to run the teams," Mercedes GP managing director Nick Fry said after Sunday's race.

"They are the customers at the end of the day, and we have got to put on a good show."

Ferrari, effectively the Italian national team, are synonymous with Formula One and boast an unrivalled 60-year pedigree. They did not get that without being adept at looking after number one.

Winning the title seems to be all that matters, and they clearly felt Alonso was the best bet of achieving that. The fine is a drop in the ocean compared to what they are paying him.

A Massa victory would have been emotional, coming a year to the day since his near-fatal accident in Hungary, but such sentiment was not allowed to influence the decision.

SCHUMACHER SUPPORT

Michael Schumacher, the seven times champion who regularly benfited from team decisions in the past, including a notorious episode in Austria in 2002 that led to a ban on such orders, completely agreed with his former employers' actions.

"I have been criticised in the past for exactly that and I understand 100 percent and I would have done exactly the same if I were in their situation," the German told the BBC.

"I can see in the years that we did it, because we were leading so much, people thought it was unnecessary. I can agree on that in a way," added the 41-year-old winner of 91 races.

"But in principle I fully cannot. I agree with what's going on, you have to do it in a way that's maybe nice and not too obvious, but there's only one target and that's winning the championship."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, who took part in a fans' forum earlier this month to get 'closer' to the public, refused to join the condemnation of Ferrari but was clearly concerned.

His team is enjoying a surge of popular support with their two British world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, and Whitmarsh, the head of the teams' association FOTA, hopes to expand that fan base further.

In other words, disenchantment with the sport is not good for any team.

"I think having our drivers racing, in the longer term, is a healthy thing to do for this team," he told reporters.

Source: Web Search

Santosh Trophy: Kerala march into pre-quarters

Published>Tue, Jul 27 10 12:20 AM

Kolkata, July 26 (IANS) Kerala sped past Assam 5-2 to reach the round of last 16 in the 64th Santosh Trophy inter-state soccer competition here Monday.

The cluster VII game at the Salt Lake Stadium saw Kerala go ahead 2-1 at the breather before pumping in three more goals in the second session to finish first and set up a pre-quarters fight with Mizoram who scraped past Railways 1-0 in cluster VIII at the Howrah Stadium.

Kerala drew first blood in the 19th minute through O.K. Javed, before Assam equalised in the 22nd minute with Akum Ao finding the target. However, Kerala again snatched the lead just before the first half whistle as Justin Stephen slotted home.

In the second session, M.P. Sakeer (69th minute) and Bijesh Ben (81st minute) scored but Jelendra Brahma made the scoreline 4-2. However, K.P. Subair widened the gulf moments before the game ended.

Mizoram rode on a 33rd minute winner by Lalrinfela to sail through on the strength of scoring one more goal than Railways. Orissa blanked Bihar 3-0 in a cluster VIII tie as Sheikh Mustaqim scored twice and Mohammad Ehsan Khan chipped in with a solitary strike. Uttarakhand won 4-0 win over Himachal Pradesh in an inconsequential match.

Source: Web Search

Report on Lahore attack after clearance from authorities: PCB

Tue, Jul 27 10 12:16 AM

Karachi, Jul 26 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board today said that it will submit its report to the ICC on the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year after obtaining due permission from the concerning authorities. "Since it is a top level inquiry we need certain permissions to send the report to the ICC. We have already sought these permission and as soon as get it we will dispatch the report to the ICC," PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said. Sarwar said a wrong impression has been created by some people that the PCB is on a different page from the ICC on this issue. "We have no issues sending the report but we have to fulfill some permissions first. We are as keen as the ICC to work towards restoring international cricket in Pakistan," he stated. There has been no international cricket in the country after the attack that took place in March 2009. The visitors were on their way to Gaddafi Stadium when terrorists attacked them in which eight people were killed. Seven Sri Lankan players and the coach were also injured. Sarwar said efforts have been made to resume international cricket in Pakistan. "We are on the same wavelength as the ICC and we are jointly working to see when international cricket can return to Pakistan." The PCB statement came after former President of the International Cricket Council Ehsan Mani slammed the board for dragging its feet. The ICC also separately confirmed it had yet not received any report from the PCB. Foreign teams have refused to tour Pakistan since the attack with the PCB being forced to move its home'' series to neutral venues. Pakistan just completed a ''home'' series against Australia in England last week and are further scheduled to play South Africa in the UAE later this year.

Source: Published>

Pak''s Leeds Test win reopened Intikhab''s Sydney wounds

Tue, Jul 27 10 12:10 AM

Karachi, Jul 26 (PTI) Former Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has admitted that wounds of the shock defeat to Australia at Sydney earlier this year were reopened after national team''s thrilling three-wicket win over Ricky Ponting''s men in the Leeds Test last week. "The Sydney Test is still like a nightmare for me and when Pakistan won the Leeds test, I was compelled to recall how we missed a golden opportunity to beat the Australians at Sydney," Intikhab said. Intikhab lost his job as national team coach after the disastrous Australian tour early this year where Pakistan was whitewashed in the Tests and One-day series. But in the second Test in Sydney, Pakistan after bowling out Australia for 127 runs, were set a winning target of 175 runs on the final day but they lost by 36 runs in good batting conditions. Intikhab said that despite below par wicket-keeping and fielding, Pakistan should have won the Test. "If in that Test, some of our batsmen had shown the same sense of responsibility that was shown at Leeds, we would have beaten Australia and who knows how the series would have shaped in the end," the former captain said. Intikhab also expressed surprise over the decision of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting to bat first after winning the toss at Leeds. "All cricketers and coaches know how difficult it is always to bat first at Leeds. When the Australian captain decided to bat first it came as a big shock to me, it was a wrong decision and it backfired badly on the Australians. Perhaps overconfidence clouded the judgment of an experienced player like Pointing," he said. Intikhab credited the Leeds Test win to the bowlers and good captaincy of Salman Butt. "I thought our bowlers were magnificent. But Salman led the side very intelligently and I think the board should give him an extended captaincy run." PTI Corr SHN

Source: Published>

Report on Lahore attack after clearance from authorities: PCB

Mon, Jul 26 10 11:26 PM

Karachi, Jul 26 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board today said that it will submit its report to the ICC on the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year after obtaining due permission from the concerning authorities. "Since it is a top level inquiry we need certain permissions to send the report to the ICC. We have already sought these permission and as soon as get it we will dispatch the report to the ICC," PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said. Sarwar said a wrong impression has been created by some people that the PCB is on a different page from the ICC on this issue. "We have no issues sending the report but we have to fulfill some permissions first. We are as keen as the ICC to work towards restoring international cricket in Pakistan," he stated. There has been no international cricket in the country after the attack that took place in March 2009. The visitors were on their way to Gaddafi Stadium when terrorists attacked them in which eight people were killed. Seven Sri Lankan players and the coach were also injured. Sarwar said efforts have been made to resume international cricket in Pakistan. "We are on the same wavelength as the ICC and we are jointly working to see when international cricket can return to Pakistan." The PCB statement came after former President of the International Cricket Council Ehsan Mani slammed the board for dragging its feet. The ICC also separately confirmed it had yet not received any report from the PCB. Foreign teams have refused to tour Pakistan since the attack with the PCB being forced to move its home'' series to neutral venues. Pakistan just completed a ''home'' series against Australia in England last week and are further scheduled to play South Africa in the UAE later this year.

Source: Published>

Pak''s Leeds Test win reopened Intikhab''s Sydney wounds

Mon, Jul 26 10 11:22 PM

Karachi, Jul 26 (PTI) Former Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has admitted that wounds of the shock defeat to Australia at Sydney earlier this year were reopened after national team''s thrilling three-wicket win over Ricky Ponting''s men in the Leeds Test last week. "The Sydney Test is still like a nightmare for me and when Pakistan won the Leeds test, I was compelled to recall how we missed a golden opportunity to beat the Australians at Sydney," Intikhab said. Intikhab lost his job as national team coach after the disastrous Australian tour early this year where Pakistan was whitewashed in the Tests and One-day series. But in the second Test in Sydney, Pakistan after bowling out Australia for 127 runs, were set a winning target of 175 runs on the final day but they lost by 36 runs in good batting conditions. Intikhab said that despite below par wicket-keeping and fielding, Pakistan should have won the Test. "If in that Test, some of our batsmen had shown the same sense of responsibility that was shown at Leeds, we would have beaten Australia and who knows how the series would have shaped in the end," the former captain said. Intikhab also expressed surprise over the decision of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting to bat first after winning the toss at Leeds. "All cricketers and coaches know how difficult it is always to bat first at Leeds. When the Australian captain decided to bat first it came as a big shock to me, it was a wrong decision and it backfired badly on the Australians. Perhaps overconfidence clouded the judgment of an experienced player like Pointing," he said. Intikhab credited the Leeds Test win to the bowlers and good captaincy of Salman Butt. "I thought our bowlers were magnificent. But Salman led the side very intelligently and I think the board should give him an extended captaincy run." PTI Corr SHN

Source: Published>

Duke ball and English conditions ideal for seamers: Butt

Mon, Jul 26 10 10:52 PM

Karachi, July 26 (PTI) Pakistan seamers are more successful in England because they are comfortable bowling with the Duke cricket ball and the conditions here also suit them, feels skipper Salman Butt. "Definitely since it rains throughout the year in England, the pitches have moisture and remain soft and these conditions are ideal for our seam bowlers," Butt said from Nottingham today. The young Pakistan skipper, who led his team to a historic Test win over Australia after 15-years, said Duke ball was used keeping in mind the English conditions. "Our bowlers are more comfortable bowling with the Duke ball and the conditions also suit them which is they are more successful in England," Butt added. Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who is settled in England, also agreed to Butt. "There is more bounce, movement and turn on English pitches that is why bowlers dominate in general terms. In the past also whenever Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis played in England they used to cause havoc with the ball," Saqlain said. Cricket experts have put the success of the Pakistani pace bowlers in England to the fact that they also use the Duke and Gray''s cricket balls in domestic cricket and are more comfortable bowling with it than the Kookaburra ball normally used in many countries. Saqlain said the use of the Duke cricket ball made a big difference as because of its prominent seam it gave more swing and seam movement to the bowlers. Interestingly, Saqlain and former Pakistan Test leg-spinner, Abdul Qadir both felt that the International Cricket Council should have a law that all countries use the same brand of cricket ball in international matches. "When there is uniformity in the cricket ball used in international matches it would mean that no team will get extra advantage," Saqlain stated. Qadir said that compared to the Kookaburra ball, which had a less prominent seam and soft leather the Duke ball had a hard leather and more heightened seam which helped the bowlers. "While I am happy our bowlers are doing well in England but definitely for cricket in general it would not be a bad idea if instead of using different brands, the same brand was used for all international matches," Qadir said. Qadir said the ICC should also look at the possibility of having teams use the same brand of cricket balls in their countries. .

Source: Published>

I'm delighted for my teammates: Afridi

Published>Mon, Jul 26 10 10:46 PM

Karachi, July 26 (IANS) Shahid Afridi, who resigned as Pakistan captain after the first Test against Australia at Lord's, has expressed his delight and satisfaction at seeing his teammates level the Test series against Australia at Headingley.

Afridi said he could not watch the whole match, but followed the score and action whenever he could.

'I was travelling from London to Dubai when the final day's play was going on and found out when I landed in Dubai that the boys had won. I was delighted for them and it was great that Pakistan has finally beaten Australia in a Test match. Finally we can now ignore that statistic in future,' Afrdi was quoted as saying in PakPassion.net.

Afridi, 30, confirmed he had been on the phone to his teammates and congratulated them on the three-wicket victory.

'Yes I spoke to a few of the boys after the victory, including Umar Gul, who I congratulated on scoring the winning runs. The spirits are high and morale was good. The boys were very pleased and looking forward to the series against England.'

Source: Web Search

Pak''s Leeds Test win reopened Intikhab''s Sydney wounds

Mon, Jul 26 10 10:36 PM

Karachi, Jul 26 (PTI) Former Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has admitted that wounds of the shock defeat to Australia at Sydney earlier this year were reopened after national team''s thrilling three-wicket win over Ricky Ponting''s men in the Leeds Test last week. "The Sydney Test is still like a nightmare for me and when Pakistan won the Leeds test, I was compelled to recall how we missed a golden opportunity to beat the Australians at Sydney," Intikhab said. Intikhab lost his job as national team coach after the disastrous Australian tour early this year where Pakistan was whitewashed in the Tests and One-day series. But in the second Test in Sydney, Pakistan after bowling out Australia for 127 runs, were set a winning target of 175 runs on the final day but they lost by 36 runs in good batting conditions. Intikhab said that despite below par wicket-keeping and fielding, Pakistan should have won the Test. "If in that Test, some of our batsmen had shown the same sense of responsibility that was shown at Leeds, we would have beaten Australia and who knows how the series would have shaped in the end," the former captain said. Intikhab also expressed surprise over the decision of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting to bat first after winning the toss at Leeds. "All cricketers and coaches know how difficult it is always to bat first at Leeds. When the Australian captain decided to bat first it came as a big shock to me, it was a wrong decision and it backfired badly on the Australians. Perhaps overconfidence clouded the judgment of an experienced player like Pointing," he said. Intikhab credited the Leeds Test win to the bowlers and good captaincy of Salman Butt. "I thought our bowlers were magnificent. But Salman led the side very intelligently and I think the board should give him an extended captaincy run." PTI Corr SHN

Source: Published>

Kerala, Mizoram set up Santosh Trophy pre-quarter clash

Mon, Jul 26 10 10:22 PM

Kolkata, Jul 26 (PTI) Kerala and Mizoram emerged cluster toppers to set up a pre-quarterfinal clash in the 64th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here today. The teams will take on each other in their last-16 knockout on July 28. Kerala thrashed Assam 5-2 at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan to emerge cluster VII toppers. In cluster VIII, Mizoram pipped Railways 1-0 at Howrah Stadium, while Orissa blanked Bihar 3-0 at Khardah. Mizoram, Railways and Orissa logged six points. On goal difference, Mizoram and Railways were tied with plus nine, while Orissa (plus five) bowed out. But the team from North-East were adjudged toppers having scored more goals -- 12 compared to 11 by the railmen. In the cluster VII encounter, Kerala took a 19th minute lead through Javed OK, but Assam made a spirited comeback three minutes later with a goal by Akkum Ao. Three minutes before the half-time, Justin Stephen brought Kerala back into the game and thereafter three more goals were scored at regular intervals to make it to the last 16. Sakeeer MP (69th), Bijesh Ben (81st) and Jubair KP (90+3rd) scored the last three goals for Kerala, while Assam pulled one back through Jilendra Brahma in the 86th minute. Lalrinfela scored the all-important goal for Mizoram in the 33rd minute in their 1-0 win over Railways. Orissa registered a 3-0 win over Bihar in another match in the same cluster. Following a goalless first-half, Mohammad Ehsan Sheikh gave Orissa the lead in the 63rd minute and then Mushtaqim struck a brace in the 77th and 89th minute to sign off their campaign. In an inconsequential cluster VII match at YBK, Uttarakhand blanked Himachal Pradesh 4-0. Veer Singh Negi (16th), Manish Khatri (41st), Lakhwinder Singh (57th) and Nikunj Aswal (66th) struck in Uttarakhand''s win.

Source: Published>

Gill to inaugurate renovated Jawaharlal Nehru stadium tomorrow

Published>Mon, Jul 26 10 10:06 PM

New Delhi, July 26 (ANI): Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Dr. M.S. Gill will inaugurate a remodelled and reconstructed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.

The inauguration function will be attended by Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit, Chairman, Organising Committee for CWG, 2010, Suresh Kalmadi and several sports persons and senior officials of the sports Ministry.he stadium was constructed during ASIAD 1982.

In order to accommodate the Athletics event of the Commonwealth Games, 2010 in the complex, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had engaged CPWD as their principal consultant for planning and execution of the stadium.

Today, the new look Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium's innovative features include a high definition television transmission with 2200 lux, State of Art Sports lighting through 22 Nos. lighting pylons, State of the art PA system for the spectators, supported on catwalk, photo finish room, separate lifts for photo finish room, PTFE membrane Roof of 53400 sqm. Area cantilever over seating area, underground tunnel through arena for ceremony (East end to West End), surface tunnel for Athlete from warm-up to main stadium, 5 no. Accessible ramps, 14 no. lifts and 2 no. escalator, final warm-up inside the stadium building, evacuation time - 6 minutes, Boundary wall with 22 nos. of gates, seating chairs at upper tiers and Lower tiers.

acilities in Adjacent Blocks include a National Dope Test Laboratory, SAI Headquarter, hostel block. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

We will have a controversy free series in England: Saeed

Mon, Jul 26 10 09:52 PM

Karachi, July 26 (PTI) Pakistan team manager in England, Yawar Saeed is confident that his players will not face the same controversies and scandals that the national squad was subjected to during their earlier tours. Yawar said from London that he had been to England twice before as manager and he was aware of the pressures that were exerted by the media on touring teams. "But I think the Pakistan team also lot of support in England and we are well equipped to handle every sort of pressure during the series," he said. "I am confident we should have a controversy free series and the focus should be on the cricket itself," he said. The last time Pakistan toured England in 2006 when Zaheer Abbas was manager, the infamous Oval Test forfeiture incident took place before that in 1992 Pakistani bowlers were accused of ball tampering. Yawar said he expected a tougher series against England compared to Australia. "The English bowlers are more adapt at exploiting the conditions in England compared to the Australians and they are playing well. So it will be a tough series for us," he said. "But our bowlers are also bowling well and they are ready for the big challenge ahead of them, I think we have one of the best bowling attacks in the world," he added. Pakistan drew the two Test series against Australia 1-1 and from July 29 engage in a four-Test series with England with the first match at Nottingham. Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamer wrecked havoc in the second Test at Leeds against Australia and so far in the seven Tests they have appeared together they have snapped up 61 wickets against top opposition. Yawar, however, admitted that the fragile batting remained an area of concern for the team as well. "But you must remember that the present middle order we have they have played just 12 Tests altogether so this is a lot of inexperience we are talking about. "We want to give them more opportunities and we are confident that with time this concern about our batting will also go away," he said. Yawar made it clear that there was no plan to call up any batting reinforcement for the first Test against England and the team would be selected from the same 16 players that were there for the second Test against Australia. "We are not calling up any replacement for Shahid Afridi for the first Test and we will see after the match," he added. PTI Cor ATK

Source: Published>

Kaushik raises doubts over Hockey India probe

Published>Mon, Jul 26 10 09:38 PM

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS) National women's hockey coach Maharaj Kishan Kaushik, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment, Monday raised serious doubts over the way Hockey India (HI) handled the internal inquiry and went out of its way in recommending action against him.

Kaushik was particularly unhappy with HI secretary general Narinder Batra for making contradictory statements and said it was a clear case of 'manipulation'.

Kaushik, flanked by two lawyers Mandira Mitra and Adhip Iyer, said he has filed a reply to the HI's note to the sports ministry.

'The way HI recommended action and made some allegations against me makes me feel some manipulation has been done. And I felt that I need to have a lawyer. I have strong objection to what he (Batra) said and the contents of the letter sent to the sports ministry. I could not react earlier because I got the copy of the letter only today. I am upset,' said Kaushik, who has resigned as coach after a player Ranjitha Devi levelled charges of sexual harassment against him.

'When the probe committee has not made any adverse comment against me, how can HI secretary general come to a conclusion that the player's allegations were highly credible and in the same breath saying that they need to be verified.'

Kaushik gave a copy of his reply to the media in which he trained his gun at Batra.

'It is a gross abuse of power committed by Narinder Batra, who is seeking re-election. Batra has been conspiring for long to appoint a certain person as coach of the national hockey team and this is further substantiated by the fact that within two-three days, a prominent ex-hockey player offered his services for the hockey team.'

Kaushik said his disciplined attitude might be the reason behind Ranjitha, supported by the entire team, levelling such allegations.

'The charges against me are baseless and it has been fabricated. I am sure I will come out clean.

Kaushik said if time comes he is prepared to take legal action.

Kaushik's lawyer Mandira said there are several 'discrepancies' in HI letter and Batra's comments.

'Mr. Kaushik got the letter, which was sent to the sports ministry and SAI, Monday. They said they are also sending a copy of the letter to the police commissioner. It was very necessary to reply to this letter. They have highlighted certain specific points in the letter which shows discrepancy. If the allegations are credible where is the proof and how can they say so without verification. Batra also said he wants to make it as an example which is objectionable.

'They should not have released the documents to the media before Kaushik got the letter. They are motivated by others,' Mandira said.

The five-member committee set up by HI to look into the allegations of Ranjitha Devi gave its report Friday and HI submitted its recommendations to the government with a copy to the police Saturday. Batra Saturday said the committee finalised its report after talking to various people including the team captain.

Source: Web Search

Kerala storm into Santosh Trophy last eight

Mon, Jul 26 10 09:22 PM

Kolkata, July 26 (PTI) Kerala cruised into the pre-quarterfinals of the 64th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy with a 5-2 thrashing of Assam at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan at Salt lake here today. In the encounter of cluster VII, Kerala took a 19th minute lead through Javed OK, but Assam made a spirited comeback three minutes later with a goal by Akkum Ao. Three minutes before the half-time, Justin Stephen brought Kerala back into the game and thereafter three more goals were scored in regular intervals to make it to the last 16. Sakeeer MP (69th), Bijesh Ben (81st) and Jubair KP (90+3rd) scored the last three goals for Kerala, while Assam pulled one back through Jilendra Brahma in the 86th minute. In a cluster VIII match, Mizoram pipped Railways 1-0 through a Lalrinfela goal in the 33rd minute in the match at Howrah Stadium. Orissa registered a 3-0 win over Bihar in another match of the same cluster. Following a goalless first-half, Mohammad Ehsan Sheikh gave Orissa the lead in the 63rd minute and then Mushtaqim struck a brace in the 77th and 89th minutes to sign off their campaign. In an inconsequential cluster VII match, Uttarakhand blanked Himachal Pradesh 4-0. Veer Singh Negi (16th), Manish Khatri (41st), Lakhwinder Singh (57th) and Nikunj Aswal (66th) struck in Uttarakhand''s win.

Source: Published>

No racist angle in chucking allegations against Murali: Waugh

Mon, Jul 26 10 09:08 PM

Chandigarh, Jul 26 (PTI) Showering praise on retired Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, former Australian captain Steve Waugh today said there was no racist angle involved in chucking allegations which the bowler had faced earlier. Muralitharan brought down the curtains on his glittering 18-year-old Test career after reaching 800-wicket mark in his swansong Test against India last week. "Murali is a great player who has created an unbeatable and amazing record of 800 Test wickets. We admire the skills he has brought to the game. Some people had some things to say, but at the end of the day, he is a different element, who has on 67 occasions taken 5 wickets in a game," Waugh told reporters here on the sidelines of a function. When asked that it was the Australian umpires who had called him for throwing after which chucking allegations were levelled against the great player who had to even face jibes Down Under and if all these had been racially motivated, Waugh said, "forget racial thing, that card always gets played". "It was certainly not a racist thing. We should celebrate that he (Murali) has played so successfully," he said. Waugh said there were consequences to the decision of the umpires, which was a big decision which they had taken and one could always debate about that. The spinner''s action had come under scanner when Australian umpire Darrell Hair called him for throwing during the Sri Lanka''s tour to Australia in 1995-96. Former Aussie umpire Ross Emerson had on one occasion no-balled him seven times during a ODI. .

Source: Published>

Jaipur to host Irani Cup match; Corporate Trophy from Sep 1

Mon, Jul 26 10 08:52 PM

Mumbai, Jul 26 (PTI) Jaipur will host the Irani Cup game between last season''s Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai and the Rest of India from October 1-5. The eight-day Corporate Cup tournament, to be contested by 16 teams, starts September 1, according to the BCCI media release. The three-team NKP Salve Challenger Trophy has been allotted to the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association with Indore hosting the four-day tournament on October 8. The BCCI''s Corporate Trophy Committee met at the Cricket Centre here today to finalise the teams participating in the second edition of the tournament. The league matches for the Corporate Trophy will be played from September 1 to 3. Visakhapatnam will host the two semi-finals, on September 5 and 6 respectively, as well as the final on September 8. The groupings are as follows: Group A All matches to be played in Visakhapatnam Air India, BSNL, Chemplast and State Bank of Mysore Group B All matches to be played in Chennai Tata Sports Club, Vijaya Bank, BPCL and Canara Bank. Group C All matches to be played in Hyderabad India Cements, All India Electricity Board, State Bank of Hyderabad and Indian Oil Corp. Group D All matches to be played in Bengaluru ONGC, Income Tax, MRF and State Bank of Patiala. The following matches will be day-night affairs: League game at Vishakhapatnam on September 3. The semi-finals and final.

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Ponting feels India tour will not be helpful for Ashes

Published>Mon, Jul 26 10 08:16 PM

Sydney, July 26 (IANS) Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting feels that the tour to India in October will not be an ideal preparation for his team for the Ashes against England in late November.

The India tour was initially scheduled to consist of seven 50-over matches, but Cricket Australia (CA) agreed to the host's request to change that to two Tests and three one-dayers.

The two Tests, in Mohali and Bangalore, should help Australia to prepare for the Ashes, but Ponting feels that pitch characteristics in India will be different to those expected for the Ashes opener at the Gabba in late November.

'If you were trying to set down and map out your perfect preparation for an Ashes series or a home series it probably wouldn't be playing two Test matches in India. But you don't live in an ideal world. We'll wait and see who we've got that's fit and ready to go for that tour and pick a squad of players we think can win a Test series over there, and then worry about the start of the Ashes after that,' Ponting was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

According to Ponting, the prospect of changes to Australia's batting line-up in time for October's Test tour of India is remote.

'I think you can look at all of our batsmen through this tour. We've faced some pretty challenging conditions at different times. Both innings at Lord's the ball got around a fair bit, certainly the first innings here (Headingley) were probably the most challenging conditions that any of us have batted in,' he said.

'We all analyse ourselves pretty closely and we all want to play well all the time but unfortunately that's not the way this game works. But if you're going to win Test matches you have to have five or six or seven of your guys playing well each game and we probably didn't have that in this particular Test match,' said Ponting.

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Sangakkara, Pranavitana grind Indian bowlers

Published>Mon, Jul 26 10 08:06 PM

Colombo, July 26 (IANS) Centuries from Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Pranavitana took Sri Lanka to 312 for two in the first innings as India's tag of No.1 Test team now looks in danger after the end of the first day's play in the second Test match here Monday.

Captain Sangakkara was batting on 130, his 23rd Test ton, while opener Pranavitana (100) kept up his fine performance and scored his second consecutive century. The duo with their 174-run stand grounded the listless Indian bowling attack.

The Sri Lankan captain is now only the second player to have scored nine Test centuries at one ground - matching Don Bradman's feat at his beloved Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Mahela Jayawardene was also batting on 13 while opener Tillekaratne Dilshan gave Sri Lanka a quick start with his brisk 54 at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Indian pacers Ishant Sharma and Abhimanyu Mithun hardly troubled the Sri Lankan openers, who added 99 runs for the first wicket.

The wicket offered some turn to the spinners but it never threatened Sangakkara or Pranavitana. The duo made the most of the good start given by Dilshan, whose brisk half-century took Sri Lanka to 128 for one by lunch.

Dilshan played some attacking shots on both sides of the wicket as Sangakkara's decision to bat first paid off. Dilshan's 42-ball innings was studded with 10 fours.

Dilshan came down hard on Ishant as early as in the fourth over, by hitting the lanky fast bowler for four boundaries. Dilshan then smacked Mithun, playing his second Test match, for three fours in the 14th over forcing India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to introduce spin from both ends.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha provided India the much needed breakthrough when Dilshan smacked him hard but V.V.S. Laxman took a good catch at short extra cover.

Paranavitana completed his fifty by punching part-time off-spinner Virender Sehwag to the covers. Sangakkara got to his 33rd half century in 82 balls and in style by hitting Ishant through the midwicket boundary.

Sri Lanka reached 235 for one at the tea break and in the last session, both the players continued in the same breadth.

Both the batsmen got their century in the 71st over. Paranavitana clipped Sehwag for three before Sangakkara danced down the pitch and brought up his 23rd Test century with a boundary over mid-on.

Ishant ended the partnership in the next over when Paranavitana chopped his unthreatening delivery onto his stumps. Pranavitana hit 10 fours and a six in his 221-ball innings.

Both the teams made a few changes in their side. Sri Lanka have inducted Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv, Dammika Prasad and Dilhara Fernando in the squad. India have brought in Murali Vijay for Gautam Gambhir, who has a knee injury, while Suresh Raina comes in for Yuvraj Singh, who is down with fever.

Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0.

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Modi will cooperate fully with disciplinary committee: Abdi

Mon, Jul 26 10 07:52 PM

Mumbai, Jul 26 (PTI) Refuting reports that the Lalit Modi camp will boycott tomorrow''s disciplinary committee meeting in Delhi, his legal counsel Mehmood Abdi today said the suspended IPL Commissioner would fully cooperate with the panel set up by the BCCI. "There seems to be a concerted campaign by vested interest by planting such rumours (that Modi would boycott the meeting) to create the impression that Lalit Modi is running away from the enquiry," Abdi said in a statement here. "Lalit Modi is happy to cooperate in any way to bring this matter to rest, provided it does not become a witch hunt," he added. Abdi said that while Modi won''t be present in tomorrow''s meeting, he would be represented by his lawyers. Since Arun Jaitley, an eminent lawyer, is on the panel, Abdi said his client expects a fair hearing, and deliberation on the issue of who should constitute the panel. Modi, in the petition before the Bombay High Court earlier this month, had objected to the presence of interim IPL chairman Chirayu Amin on the panel, saying that latter has "personal bias against him". He had taken objection to Jaitley too, as Jaitley was member of IPL governing council which decided to refer the matter to disciplinary committee. But High Court had refused to interfere.

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Australia safe for Indian students: Waugh

Published>Mon, Jul 26 10 07:38 PM

Chandigarh, July 26 (IANS) Former Aussie cricket captain Steve Waugh Monday said Australia is completely safe for Indian students.

'Australia always welcomes Indian students and we make sure that our country is totally safe for them. We would make the best effort to look after the safety and security of international students and that they have a great time in Australia,' Waugh told reporters here.

Waugh was in this union territory to take part in the promotional campaign of Navitas, a global education service provider.

He is the brand ambassador of Navitas, which represents 1,500 colleges in nine countries.

'No society can guarantee full security, but we are making the best efforts. At this moment, I can only say that in 99.9 percent of cases Indian students have a fantastic experience and they love to come to Australia. They always have good stories to share,' he said.

Over 50 Indian students have been injured in attacks in Australian cities, most of them in and around Melbourne, in the last few months. Two Punjabi students were also killed in racial attacks in Australia.

Around 46,000 Indian students stay in Melbourne and its adjoining areas, Australian officials say.

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Gill to inaugurate JN Nehru stadium tomorrow

Mon, Jul 26 10 07:08 PM

New Delhi, July 26 (PTI) After several missed deadlines, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue for the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games, is finally ready to be inaugurated by Sports Minister M S Gill here tomorrow. Constructed during the 1982 Asian Games, the remodelling of the stadium started in January 2008 and was supposed to be complete early this year but the Rs 961 crore project got delayed umpteen times because of the construction of a tunnel. The 150m tunnel, which connected the two ends of the stadium, is for the performers to enter into the ground during the opening and closing ceremonies. The competitive venue for athletics, weightlifting and Lawn tennis, Nehru stadium spans over an area of 4,04,686 sqm and the oval shaped building has fabrication and erection of high strength steel work as per international standard. The three independent structures of the main stadium building, are the lower tier, main building and supporting structure for PTFE membrane roof. The entire building is earthquake resistant and has two tier seating capacity for 60,000 spectator. The Field of Play is divided into Competition, Training and Warm up area. The competition area is a 400x9 lane synthetic warm-up track with 10 sprint lane of Class-I certification. The training area boasts of a synthetic track with nine sprint lane of Class-II certification, while the Warm-up for throwing and final warm-up synthetic track in side the main stadium.

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Raul leaves Real, may go to England or Germany

Mon, Jul 26 10 07:04 PM

Real Madrid's talismanic striker Raul bid an emotional farewell to the La Liga club on Monday after 16 seasons and said he was eyeing a move to the Bundesliga or the English Premier League.

The 33-year-old, a huge favourite among Real fans and a club captain, had tears in his eyes when he announced his departure at a packed news conference at Real's Bernabeu stadium.

He acknowledged keen interest from Bundesliga club Schalke 04, who have offered him a two-year deal according to local media, but also said a move to England was a possibility.

"This is a very tough and very difficult day for me," Raul said, before paying homage to former Real player Alfredo Di Stefano, who is recovering from heart and respiratory problems in a Madrid hospital.

"I feel like a player and I want to continue feeling like a player for the time I can and that my body allows," he added.

"It's a chance to have an experience abroad. Schalke have shown a lot of interest but other teams too. My future lies in England or Germany."

STRONG PLAYERS

Raul's exit follows the announcement on Sunday that midfielder Guti, also 33 and a popular figure with the club's hard-core fans, was leaving and considering a move to Turkish club Besiktas.

The pair barely featured last season under coach Manuel Pellegrini and the club have signed winger Angel Di Maria and midfielders Sergio Canales and Pedro Leon to strengthen the squad for Pellegrini's replacement, Jose Mourinho.

"Some very strong players have come in," Raul said. "I had the feeling it was time to end this."

Raul joined Real in 1992 after a brief stint in the youth setup of city rivals Atletico and made his first-team debut against Real Zaragoza in October 1994 at the age of 17.

He helped them to win six Spanish league titles and three Champions League titles and scored 323 times in 741 appearances in all competitions, according to the club's website (www.realmadrid.com).

In October last year, he equalled German Gerd Mueller's record of 66 goals in the three main European club competitions when he scored against AC Milan in the Champions League.

He holds the all-time scoring record for Spain with 44 goals in 102 appearances, one more goal than his successor in the number seven shirt David Villa.

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British PM brings sports icons like Coe to India

Published>Mon, Jul 26 10 06:58 PM

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS) Olympic medal-winning athletes and sports icons like the legendary Sebastian Coe will be part of British Prime Minister David Cameron's 100-plus entourage when he arrives here Tuesday.

Accompanied by top cabinet ministers, business honchos and sports stars, Cameron arrives here late Tuesday for a three-day visit clearly aimed at adding that extra spark to a long standing relationship.

Legendary middle distance runner Sebastian Coe, who won the 1,500 m gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984, and set eight outdoor and three indoor world records, will be part of Cameron's contingent that visits IT city Bangalore before coming down to Delhi.

A former Tory MP, Coe, and the chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, is set to talk to top officials associated with the Commonwealth Games.

'Tanni' Grey-Thompson, one of the most successful disabled athletes in the world and a TV presenter, Steven Geoffrey Redgrave, hailed as Britain's greatest Olympian and only one of the world's only four Olympians to have won a gold medal at five consecutive Olympic Games, and Kelly Holmes, a top middle distance athlete, are among star attractions in Cameron's team.

Sir Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of English Premier League, a high profile football league, will also be part of Cameron's team coming to India to herald a new phase in the partnership between a former colonial power and a rising Asian power.

Scudamore and other British personalities will visit Trilokpuri, a working class east Delhi neighbouring, Wednesday to announce a major aid for Magic Bus, an NGO that uses sports to arm some of the poorest children in the world to develop life skills.

This is the first time a visiting leader will be bringing so many sports personalities as part of his delegation on a state visit to India.

The idea behind bringing in sports icons is to underline the special nature of the people-to-people relationship between India and Britain, home to 1.5 million-strong Indian diaspora, said a diplomatic source.

The security of the Commonwealth Games New Delhi will host in October will figure in interactions between the two sides during Cameron's three-day visit.

There is also a plan for Cameron to visit one of the stadia - possibly the main Jawaharlal Nehru stadium - being prepared for the Games in the Indian capital.

Jeremy Hunt, Britain's secretary of state for culture, Olympics, media and sport, will be heading the cultural team that will also include heads of the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Library, the British Council and vice-chancellors of leading British universities.

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