Many top Canadian athletes to skip CWG

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 11:58 AM

Toronto, Aug 5 (IANS) Many top Canadian athletes have opted out of the Commonwealth Games as Canada announced a 40-member team for the Delhi mega event from Oct 6 to 12.

While many top athletes have decided to skip the Delhi Games to concentrate on their preparations for other major events, including the 2012 London Olympics, some have decided not to go to India for security or pollution reasons.

Among them is top hurdler Priscilla Lopes-Schliep - a bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics and a silver at the 2009 worlds - who has decided not to go New Delhi because of concerns about security and pollution, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Other top athlete not going to India are 100-metre hurdle champion Perdita Felicien, 800-metre racer Gary Reed and top 10,000-metre runners Simon Bairu, Eric Gillis and Reid Coolsaet.

Canadian head coach Alex Gardiner said, 'We are using the Commonwealth Games as an important benchmark for those athletes pursuing selection for the London Olympic Games.

'Results in Delhi will have a direct bearing on who we provide additional support for in the next two years leading to 2012.'

The Canadian contingent features world number one shot putter Dylan Armstrong, heptathlon champion Jessica Zelinka, 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medalist hurdler Angela Whyte, and 2006 bronze medalist wheelchair racer Diane Roy.

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'China funding bid to buy Liverpool FC'

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 11:44 AM

China is funding a bid to buy Liverpool Football Club, as Beijing seeks to extend its rapidly growing global influence into the world of British sport, reports said on Thursday.

China's overseas investment arm China Investment Corp (CIC) is providing funds for the bid fronted by businessman Kenny Huang to acquire the top sporting brand, reported Britain's The Times and Guardian newspapers.

The news is a dramatic twist in the saga of troubled Liverpool, whose American owners put the Premier League club up for sale in April, weighed down by more than 200 million pounds (318 million dollars) of debt.

CIC's emergence as a bidder for Liverpool sets up a takeover battle, with the Chinese pitted against a private equity group and a wealthy Kuwaiti family for control of the club, according to The Times.

The Chinese sovereign wealth fund's bid values the club at between 300 million and 350 million pounds, said The Times.

If the takeover attempt succeeded, CIC would end up owning the majority of the club.

The fund would expect to make money by building a bigger stadium and developing the club's Asian fan base.

A CIC executive in Beijing, who asked not to be named, said: "I just read the report. I'm not aware of this matter."

Speculation has been mounting about Chinese sports tycoon Huang's interest in the club, and he was forced to issue a statement Wednesday denying reports he had made a formal bid.

"Mr. Huang would like to emphasize that he has registered interest in investing in Liverpool FC but has made no formal bid," said a statement from his representatives, Hill & Knowlton.

Huang, the head of Hong Kong-based investment company QSL Sports Ltd, is believed to want to secure an early agreement to give manager Roy Hodgson time to bring in reinforcements before the end of the transfer window.

He is believed to have spoken to senior figures at Anfield to express his seriousness about a buy-out, in the hope that it will help persuade top stars like Fernando Torres that the club does have a better future.

On Tuesday, Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton announced "several" potential buyers had submitted bids.

Liverpool is just the latest Premier League side to be targeted by a foreign country. Clubs already in foreign hands include Aston Villa, Birmingham and Manchester United.

Liverpool was put on market by American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet in April, and the club owes 237 million pounds to its principal lender Royal Bank of Scotland.

CIC was established to invest overseas some of China's massive foreign exchange reserves -- which stood at 2.447 trillion dollars at the end of March -- partly to gain better returns.

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Darbari will go, says Kalmadi, as Ministry checks on 18 complaints

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 11:08 AM

Under fire for alleged irregularities by officials of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, its chairman Suresh Kalmadi is learnt to have told the government that he would shortly be terminating the contract of OC Joint Director General T S Darbari.

But it transpires that the Sports Ministry advisory to the OC on terminating the services of two top officials is only the latest in a list of complaints - there are allegations of corruption, suspect procurement and irregular appointments - forwarded to the OC.

Kalmadi has also been instructed by the Ministry to get the audit committee of the OC Executive Committee prepare the complete accounts of the "overseas leg" of the Queen's Baton Relay and submit it for scrutiny.

While the immediate provocation for the ouster of Darbari may be the controversy over the money transfer for services during the Baton Relay, the earlier complaint against him in a case of Kerala Customs - it was first published in The Indian Express - tops the list of 18 alleged corruption and vigilance matters, correspondence for which is maintained in a file in the Sports Ministry.

Some of these 18 complaints have been forwarded to the Ministry by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and some, in turn, have been forwarded to the CVC for further action. Others have been referred to the Government by leaders of Opposition parties and NGOs.

In its "status report" to the Ministry on the complaints, the OC has asked for an extension of deadline until August 10 to furnish replies and explanations in at least five cases.

These complaints specifically deal with the appointment of training agencies, a complaint on appointment of a technology integrator to an "ineligible" firm, procurement of various items at "exorbitant" rates, supply of 3-D Sheras (the CWG mascot), and "excessive" expenditure on the CWG Republic Day tableau - the last is also the subject of a CVC inquiry, an explanation for which was first sought by the Ministry from the OC in March.

Two other complaints - one on "undue favor" shown to Wizcraft (the event management company which bagged the contracts for the CWG opening and closing ceremonies) and the other on alleged irregularities in procurement of surface tracks - have been listed by the OC as "not traceable" in files. Both these complaints are also the subject of correspondence between the Sports Ministry and CVC.

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Injured Powell pulls out of Stockholm 100m showdown

Thu, Aug 05 10 10:38 AM

Jamaica's Asafa Powell has pulled out of Friday's 100 metres showdown with triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt and American Tyson Gay in Stockholm because of injuries, his management company said on Wednesday.

"This morning, Asafa tested himself with starts from blocks and was just unable to push from the blocks without severe pain," said a statement on Doyle Management Group's website (www.doylemanagement.com).

"I am absolutely devastated," said Powell, who shares the fastest time in the world with Bolt this season, 9.82 seconds.

"I have been running very well and I was hoping that I would be in the race with a solid chance to win," said Powell, the former 100 metres world record holder.

"But with the way I have been feeling I know it would be difficult to even finish the race."

The race at Stockholm's Diamond League meeting was to have been the first meeting this year of the three fastest 100 metres sprinters of all-time.

Bolt holds the world record at 9.58 seconds with Gay owning a personal best of 9.69 and Powell 9.72.

Powell was first hurt when he suffered a minor groin injury in the Paris Diamond League meeting last month and since then other issues have occurred.

"As the groin injury healed over the ensuing days, a back and hamstring problem developed," the statement added.

The problem, described as a tightness and severe pain, prevented him from training for about 10 days after Paris.

The pain has since eased but he has been unable to train at maximum effort.

Source: Published>

Paraguay to face Australia, New Zealand in friendlies

Thu, Aug 05 10 09:38 AM

World Cup quarter-finalists Paraguay will play both Australia and New Zealand in soccer friendlies in October, New Zealand Football (NZF) and Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Friday.

The South Americans, who drew 0-0 with New Zealand in the World Cup in South Africa before advancing to the knockout stages where they lost to eventual champions Spain, play Australia on Oct. 9 in Sydney before meeting the All Whites on Oct. 12.

A venue is still to be confirmed for the New Zealand match, though NZF said they expected to finalise an agreement with a venue within the next 10 days.

Both Australia and New Zealand will use the matches as their official "welcome homes" for their respective teams following the World Cup, which finished in July.

The Socceroos will also use the match as preparation for next January's Asian Cup tournament in Qatar.

New Zealand confounded most pundits' expectations in South Africa by finishing the tournament as the only unbeaten side, although they failed to advance out of their group after three successive draws.

"To have a World Cup quarter-finalist playing in New Zealand so close to the FIFA World Cup is a real coup," NZF chief executive Michael Glading said.

"Bringing a top 20 team has not always been viable in the past but football's stock is rising and this match is a chance to keep that World Cup momentum going."

Source: Published>

Big-server Querrey out-served by Tipsarevic in Washington

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 07:38 AM

Janko Tipsarevic gained a measure of revenge for his loss to Sam Querrey last week by shocking the hard-serving American 7-6 6-3 under sweltering conditions on Wednesday at the Washington Classic.

The unseeded Serb lost only six points on his serve during the second-round match against Querrey despite successfully landing only 56 percent of his first serves.

Tipsarevic squandered a second-set match point to Querrey in the semi-finals of the Los Angeles Open last week. The American ultimately went on to claim his fourth title of 2010.

"I was focused from start to finish," Tipsarevic told reporters after Wednesday's 78-minute match. "I could see Sam was a little bit tired from the LA week.

"I'm so happy in these conditions I managed to close it out in two sets."

In other matches at the hardcourt event where temperatures reached into the low 90s (32 Celsius), Ukrainian Illya Marchenko was leading Ernests Gulbis 6-1 1-0 when the ninth-seeded Latvian wilted in the steamy conditions and retired.

Australia's Lleyton Hewitt, who won the Washington tournament in 2004, suffered an injury to his right calf during his match against Colombian Alejandro Falla and retired. The 11th seed was down 7-5 3-2 when he quit.

There were no service breaks in the opening set of the Querrey match and in the first point of the tiebreak the 22-year-old American rifled a 137 mph (220kph) second serve wide to gift-wrap a mini-break to Tipsarevic.

The 26-year-old Tipsarevic, who blasted 16 aces, won the tiebreak 7-3 and said watching Querrey attempt big shots on his second serve during the first set gave him a boost.

"At one point I was getting aggravated because two or three times we played a very tough game and it's 30-30 and he has a second serve," said the 41st-ranked Tipsarevic.

"On one side it was getting me nervous but on the other it gave me mental strength, saying to myself, 'he's getting tired. Just hang in there.' I managed to stay disciplined and (the double fault) finally came."

Querrey, seeded sixth in Washington, offered no excuses for the loss.

"Janko played great out there.

"He had a big serve, ripped the ball from both sides. I had a tough time staying in any of his service games."

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Will reply to all graft charges in House, says Sports Minister

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 05:52 AM

Bombarded with criticism from all quarters over alleged corruption in the Commonwealth Games projects, Union Sports Minister M S Gill on Wednesday said replies to all such charges will be given in Parliament on Thursday. "Whatever charges are being made will be discussed in Parliament, so you will have to wait for it," he said at the inauguration of the practice venues for rugby and table tennis at the Jamia Millia Islamia.

Jamia's old sports facility, now a sleek sports complex after the revamp by RITES, was unveiled on Wednesday. Apart from a huge field for rugby practice, it also has badminton courts and a gymnasium. A hockey field is also being prepared, which is in addition to the facilities meant for the Games. "Although this is a practice venue, it is as good as any of the main event venues," said V K Agarwal, a RITES official.

An earlier multi-purpose hall at the facility has been refurbished and upgraded, which includes the roof and flooring being changed, walls being reinforced, improvement of the fa?ade, air-conditioning and installation of international standard lighting and acoustics.

A combined services complex has also come up with new facilities like changing rooms, a fitness centre, waiting lounge for athletes, storage space for equipment, meeting and briefing room, physiotherapy and massage rooms, medical room, cafeteria and an ice bath.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit assured that all stadiums will be ready on time. "After the Games, the city will bear a different look and each one of us will be proud of what we have. Delhi has managed to get infrastructure in a short period that otherwise takes decades," she said.

Jamia Vice-Chancellor Najeeb Jung offered apologies for the inconvenience caused to students due to their eviction from the hostels. "Our students are suffering as we have vacated the hostels, but we also have our own limitations. This year we have taken 90 students under the sports category and all of them have played at the national level. We hope the stadium will be used by them," he said.

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NBA - Celtics move to sign O'Neal

Thu, Aug 05 10 05:18 AM

Four-times NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal has signed with the Boston Celtics, the team said on Wednesday.

O'Neal was a free agent after one season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and while he is reaching the end of his career, the 38-year-old will give the Celtics valuable cover at center.

Center Kendrick Perkins last month underwent knee surgery and could be out until February.

The Celtics did not release details of the deal but the Boston Globe reported that O'Neal has signed a two-year contract on the veteran's minimum annual salary of $1.4 million.

"It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille's caliber to your team," Danny Ainge, Boston's president of basketball operations, said in a statement.

"His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster."

O'Neal averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebounds last season for the Cavaliers after joining them from the Phoenix Suns.

The first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, O'Neal remains one of the league's most popular figures and has won three titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat.

The Celtics open their regular season on Oct. 26 against a new-look Heat team featuring All Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

O'Neal joins an already experienced team iming to defend their Eastern Conference crown.

"I have played against Paul (Pierce) Ray (Allen), Kevin (Garnett), Rajon (Rondo), and Jermaine (O'Neal) for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my team mates," said O'Neal.

"I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship," he said.

The Celtics, who won a record 17th NBA championship in 2008, lost to the Lakers in the seventh and decisive game of this year's final.

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Everton beat Everton in match only Everton could win

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 03:58 AM

It was the match that Everton simply could not lose -- and they did not let anyone down by beating Everton 2-0 in a prestigious pre-season friendly at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

Everton of England, that is, who beat Everton of Chile in the first meeting between the two clubs, the South American one being formed 101 years ago after the other one went on a tour of South America in 1909.

The first unusual feature of the evening was the scoreboard which read: "Everton 0, Everton 0" at kickoff and "Everton 2 Everton 0" at the end thanks to second-half goals from Jermaine Beckford, who headed home after 51 minutes, and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov who volleyed in 14 minutes later.

While both Evertons ran out to the familiar strains of the 1960s television police drama "Z-Cars", not many matches at Goodison have taken place against an incessant rhythm of South American drumbeats, whistles and bells from around 40 visiting fans in one corner of the ground.

The home Everton wore their traditional blue shirts and white shorts while the visitors changed their strip. Naturally their strip is blue and white as well, but they played in all-yellow.

INTRIGUING BACKGROUND

The match itself was hugely entertaining and gave Everton their fifth successive pre-season victory and the background to the match is intriguing.

A group of Anglo-Chilean teenagers founded Everton of Vina del Mar in honour of the original Everton, formed in 1878. There are also Evertons in Uruguay and Argentina.

The bond between the two clubs who met for the Brotherhood Cup on Wednesday began to be forged in 1977 when John Shearon, then a teenaged fan of the English club, read a report of a game played by the Chilean club in an Everton match programme.

He soon made the first of a number of visits to Chile and in 2002 formed the Ruleteros Society in Liverpool with the idea of forging links with the Chilean club.

Ruleteros is the Chilean club's nickname -- meaning roulette players after the gambling resort of Vina del Mar.

"We have been working on this match since 2002 when we set up the Ruleteros Society," Shearon told Reuters.

"Then it was just a dream but we have been lobbying the club for some time to get this match played. We would have loved it to have happened last year when Everton had their centenary but that was not possible.

"But it's being shown live on television in Chile and really is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people."

KINDRED SPIRIT

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright added in the club programme: "I would imagine that from the day Mr David Foxley founded tonight's opponents in 1909 there has been a hope that one day the Chilean and English Everton Football Clubs would play against each other.

"There may be more than 6,000 miles between us ... but a real kindred spirit and friendship has been firmly established between our two football clubs."

The visitors have won the Chilean title four times, and although they are midway through their current league campaign were given special dispensation by their FA to play the match.

Their coach, Nelson Acosta, who coached Chile at the 1998 World Cup finals in France, said the club were honoured to be playing at Goodison Park.

"It's an historic occasion for the two Evertons," he said.

"It is the first time a Chilean club side has been invited at club level to play in Europe and we are proud to be the first to do that.

"Over the years there have been links and similarities between the two clubs and, and this goes beyond the world of football.

"We are in the realms of cultural and historic links and between the two countries and our two cities."

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Chelsea poised to sign Benfica midfielder Ramires

Thu, Aug 05 10 03:38 AM

Chelsea have agreed to sign Brazil midfielder Ramires from Benfica for a fee of 22 million euros ($29.10 million), the Portuguese club said on Wednesday.

The deal is subject to the 23 year-old passing a medical at the English Premier League club.

Ramires joined Benfica from Cruzeiro in May 2009 and a month later he earned his first senior cap for Brazil.

He played a key part in the Benfica team which lifted the Portuguese title in May for the first time in five years, making 26 appearances and scoring four goals.

The pacy versatile midfielder went on to earn another 15 caps, including five appearances at the Confederations Cup in 2009 and four at this year's World Cup in South Africa, where Brazil were knocked out by the Netherlands in the quarter- finals.

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NBA - Celtics sign Shaquille O'Neal to contract

Thu, Aug 05 10 03:18 AM

Four-times NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal has signed with the Boston Celtics, the team said on Wednesday.

O'Neal was a free agent after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and while he is reaching the end of his career, the 38-year-old center will give the Celtics valuable experience.

"It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille's caliber to your team," Danny Ainge, Boston's president of basketball operations, said in a statement.

"His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster."

O'Neal, who won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat, averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebounds last season for the Cavaliers.

Source: Published>

Practice imperfect for Woods as he juggles family time

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 01:56 AM

Tiger Woods has always tried to maintain tight control over every aspect of his game but he conceded on Wednesday that his troubled private life had taken its toll on his practice time.

The American world number one's marriage has been in tatters since revelations of his serial philandering emerged at the end of last year and, with a divorce looming, he has tried to see his two young children whenever possible.

"I haven't had as much time to practise overall with the kids," Woods, 34, told reporters while preparing for this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.

"Life has changed. I haven't practised as much as I used to, nor should I. My kids are more important."

Asked if he had any concerns over his limited practice time, Woods replied: "No. Just got to be more efficient with what I do and when I do it."

The greatest player of his generation, the 14-times major winner has lost the aura of invincibility he once enjoyed.

After taking a self-imposed five-month exile in a bid to repair his marriage to his Swedish wife Elin, Woods returned to the PGA Tour in April but has yet to win in seven starts.

"It's not only concentration, but it's also preparation and then also my preparation out here (at events)," he said of his 2010 season. "People have been wanting more of my time.

"I've had more things going on once I'm at a tournament site than I have in the past, and for different reasons. That's obviously taken a little bit of a toll on my preparation. But things are starting to normalise, and that's been a good sign."

NO URGENCY

Woods, who triumphed six times on last year's PGA Tour, said he did not feel any sense of urgency to return to winning ways.

"I've been through periods like this before," he added."I've just got to keep being patient, keep working, keep building and keep putting the pieces together.

"When they do fall into place, that's usually when I will win a few tournaments."

Woods could have not wished for a happier hunting ground than this week's par-70 Firestone layout where he bids for a record eighth victory.

"I've always liked this type of golf course," he said. "It fits my eye ... it's not target golf and I've always liked that. I'm looking forward to getting out there."

Should Woods defend the title he won by four shots at Firestone last year, he would tie fellow American Sam Snead for the Tour record of victories at a single event.

Snead won in Greensboro, North Carolina eight times between 1938 and 1965 although not at the same venue.

"Of late I've been driving the ball so much better, my iron game has been spotty and I just haven't putted well all year," he said. "If I clean all that up, hopefully (I can) put together at least these two weeks."

Woods is scheduled to tee off with British world number three Lee Westwood at 1350 local (1750 GMT) in Thursday's opening round.

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Bolt in good shape for showdown with Powell and Gay

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 01:26 AM

Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt is in good shape and unruffled by the prospect of his first 100 metres showdown with top sprint rivals Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell this year at Friday's Stockholm Diamond League meeting.

The clash will match the three fastest men of all time with Bolt, the world record holder at 9.58 seconds, followed by Gay (9.69) and Powell (9.72).

Bolt, who was beaten by Powell in the 2008 meeting in the Swedish capital, has had his season interrupted by an Achilles tendon strain but beat his Jamaican compatriot in last month's Paris Diamond League meeting.

"My foot is getting better, I'm training hard, I've been working out, so I'm getting there," Bolt said at the launch of his new clothing range at a packed sports store in Stockholm on Wednesday.

"I'm feeling good, so that's the key thing. I'm in good shape."

The defeat by Powell two years ago will not be playing on Bolt's mind on Friday.

"I've got all these wonderful fans behind me so I got no worries," he told reporters.

Bolt was presented with a blue singlet to wear on Friday which features an image of him riding on a lion.

"If they (the crowd) are really loud and they love me, I will probably give my singlet away," he said, smiling broadly.

Hundreds of fans had flocked to the store for a glimpse of the sprinter during a question and answer session, with young athletes given the chance to pose their questions to him.

Bolt advised them to work hard and train hard if they wanted to emulate him but he added that he still had plenty of time to play video games when not training.

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Santosh Trophy: Tamil Nadu surprise Bengal 2-1, both in semis

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 01:18 AM

Kolkata, Aug 4 (IANS) Tamil Nadu stunned 29-time champions West Bengal 2-1 here Wednesday but both teams made it to the semifinals of the 64th Santosh Trophy football tournament. The match was held up for 25 minutes in the second half due to a power cut.

In fact, both teams were through to the last four from

quarterfinal group B even before the kick off, as the day's first game of the group saw Delhi finish goalless against Mizoram.

After the hosts opened up a 1-0 lead through striker Nilendra Dewan in the 16th minute, V.R. Murugappan restored parity for Tamil Nadu soon after.

Late in the second session of the floodlit game, P.C. Riju struck the winner for the southern state who topped Group B and would now take on Punjab Friday for a place in the Aug 8 final.

Bengal, on the other hand, would have to face title holders Goa in the semifinals.

Bengal drew first blood when Dewan unleashed a rasping right footer following medio Jayanta Sen's centre.

Within a few seconds, Tamil Nadu levelled as Murugappan found the mark.

The hosts had only themselves to blame for the loss, as they squandered at least three chances with Dewan and Shankar Oraon being the culprits.

The visitors counter-attacked and got their winner 11 minutes from time with Riju playing wall with substitute M. Elamurugan, and then dodging past rival custodian Sandip Nandy to put the ball in.

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English heavyweights need to take a major step, says Rose

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 12:58 AM

England can take pride from having six players ranked in the world's top 20, but Britain's Justin Rose would much prefer it if that impressive ratio could be translated into major success.

No Englishman has won a major title since Nick Faldo clinched the 1996 U.S. Masters, although former European number one Lee Westwood has come agonisingly close in recent years.

"Major championships are the next level for the English players who have been playing very well," Rose told reporters on the eve of this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.

"To go ahead and knock off one of the big ones will move the needle for that individual. As a group, we're very strong but it's who's going to rise up to that next challenge."

Westwood, who has recorded top-three finishes in four of the last five majors, is ranked third in the world with fellow Englishmen Luke Donald seventh, Paul Casey ninth, Ian Poulter 10th, Rose 19th and Ross Fisher 20th.

"It's cool as a collective group to see the potential and the talent coming through," said Rose who reached a career-high sixth in the rankings after the 2008 St. Jude Classic.

"I think we'd expect to have a lot of players, or a good number of players, in the top 50 but to have as many as we have in the top 10 in the world is amazing right now.

"For a while our world rankings were very strong without (the players) necessarily winning tournaments, but in the last year or so that's translated into wins which is the important thing," added the 30-year-old.

WINNING WAVE

Rose has been in the thick of that winning wave, claiming two PGA Tour titles this year in just three starts to crown his most successful season on the U.S. circuit.

"The mindset I have right now is how good can I be as a player and what can I learn every single week going forward?" said the Briton, a four-times winner on the European Tour.

"I don't want to put a ceiling on it but getting the monkey off my back at Memorial helped me achieve that mindset."

Rose won his first PGA Tour title at the Memorial tournament in June and then blew a three-stroke lead to crash out of the Travelers Championship in his next start before winning the AT&T National the following week.

"It was easier for me to accept what happened at the Travelers, having had a win under my belt," he said. "I lost a tournament, but I'm still improving as a player.

"I turned up at the AT&T on Monday morning a better player because of what I had just been through. That's what I was most excited about."

The next two weeks provide added incentive for Rose to return to winning ways. Firestone hosts the last of the season's three elite World Golf Championships events in the United States before the final major of the year, the U.S. PGA Championship, takes place at Whistling Straits.

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CORRECTED - English heavyweights need to take a major step, says Rose

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 12:38 AM

England can take pride from having six players ranked in the world's top 20, but Britain's Justin Rose would much prefer it if that impressive ratio could be translated into major success.

No Englishman has won a major title since Nick Faldo clinched the 1996 U.S. Masters, although former European number one Lee Westwood has come agonisingly close in recent years.

"Major championships are the next level for the English players who have been playing very well," Rose told reporters on the eve of this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.

"To go ahead and knock off one of the big ones will move the needle for that individual. As a group, we're very strong but it's who's going to rise up to that next challenge."

Westwood, who has recorded top-three finishes in four of the last five majors, is ranked third in the world with fellow Englishmen Luke Donald seventh, Paul Casey ninth, Ian Poulter 10th, Rose 19th and Ross Fisher 20th.

"It's cool as a collective group to see the potential and the talent coming through," said Rose who reached a career-high sixth in the rankings after the 2008 St. Jude Classic.

"I think we'd expect to have a lot of players, or a good number of players, in the top 50 but to have as many as we have in the top 10 in the world is amazing right now.

"For a while our world rankings were very strong without (the players) necessarily winning tournaments, but in the last year or so that's translated into wins which is the important thing," added the 30-year-old.

WINNING WAVE

Rose has been in the thick of that winning wave, claiming two PGA Tour titles this year in just three starts to crown his most successful season on the U.S. circuit.

"The mindset I have right now is how good can I be as a player and what can I learn every single week going forward?" said the Briton, a four-times winner on the European Tour.

"I don't want to put a ceiling on it but getting the monkey off my back at Memorial helped me achieve that mindset."

Rose won his first PGA Tour title at the Memorial tournament in June and then blew a three-stroke lead to crash out of the Travelers Championship in his next start before winning the AT&T National the following week.

"It was easier for me to accept what happened at the Travelers, having had a win under my belt," he said. "I lost a tournament, but I'm still improving as a player.

"I turned up at the AT&T on Monday morning a better player because of what I had just been through. That's what I was most excited about."

The next two weeks provide added incentive for Rose to return to winning ways. Firestone hosts the last of the season's three elite World Golf Championships events in the United States before the final major of the year, the U.S. PGA Championship, takes place at Whistling Straits.

Source: Web Search

Santosh Trophy: Tamil Nadu surprise Bengal 2-1, both in semis

Published>Thu, Aug 05 10 12:10 AM

Kolkata, Aug 4 (IANS) Tamil Nadu stunned 29-time champions West Bengal 2-1 here Wednesday but both teams made it to the semifinals of the 64th Santosh Trophy football tournament. The match was held up for 25 minutes in the second half due to a power cut.

In fact, both teams were through to the last four from

quarterfinal group B even before the kick off, as the day's first game of the group saw Delhi finish goalless against Mizoram.

After the hosts opened up a 1-0 lead through striker Nilendra Dewan in the 16th minute, V.R. Murugappan restored parity for Tamil Nadu soon after.

Late in the second session of the floodlit game, P.C. Riju struck the winner for the southern state who topped Group B and would now take on Punjab Friday for a place in the Aug 8 final.

Bengal, on the other hand, would have to face title holders Goa in the semifinals.

Bengal drew first blood when Dewan unleashed a rasping right footer following medio Jayanta Sen's centre.

Within a few seconds, Tamil Nadu levelled as Murugappan found the mark.

The hosts had only themselves to blame for the loss, as they squandered at least three chances with Dewan and Shankar Oraon being the culprits.

The visitors counter-attacked and got their winner 11 minutes from time with Riju playing wall with substitute M. Elamurugan, and then dodging past rival custodian Sandip Nandy to put the ball in.

Source: Web Search

Syrian says Liverpool deal close, Huang denies offer

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 11:38 PM

Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi said on Wednesday he was in the final stages of negotiations to buy Liverpool as reports mounted of a wave of bids to buy the Premier League club.

Kirdi said in a statement agreement had been reached "on all major terms including the purchase price, repayment of the existing bank debt...and financing of a new stadium in Liverpool's Stanley Park.

"A formal purchase agreement between the parties is in the final stage of negotiation."

However, Canadian-based Kirdi was also widely talked of as a possible purchaser in April without a deal emerging and the Liverpool Echo newspaper and other media reported as many as six potential bidders.

Earlier, Chinese businessman Kenny Huang, who was widely reported to be close to a purchase earlier this week, issued a statement denying he had made any formal offer.

Huang, a Guangdong-born U.S. citizen who already has interests in Chinese baseball and U.S. basketball, had a statement issued on his behalf by his Hong Kong representatives.

"Mr Huang would like to emphasise that he has registered interest in investing in Liverpool FC but has made no formal bid," it said.

"SPECULATION"

"There has been much speculation and commentary from a wide array of people, many of whom have little knowledge of the facts," it added.

"Unless there is a statement that specifically comes from Mr Huang or his authorised representatives... we would suggest such comments should be given little credence."

A source close to Huang told Reuters on Monday that talks to buy Liverpool's 237 million pound ($374.7 million) debt with major creditor Royal Bank of Scotland were underway as a first step towards acquiring control of the 18-times English champions.

RBS denied any talks on a sale.

Liverpool's owners, Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who bought the club in February 2007 from former owner David Moores for 218.9 million pounds, instructed Barclays Capital in April to find a buyer.

They have appointed British Airways chief Martin Broughton as chairman to oversee the sale.

A company which said it was acting on behalf of one of the would-be owners said their unnamed client was very serious about buying the club but refused to give details.

Keith Harris, of the Seymour Pierce investment bank, told Sky Sports News that the buyers were "cash rich".

Source: Web Search

Genoa snap up 'jewel' Rafinha

Wed, Aug 04 10 11:16 PM

Ambitious Serie A side Genoa continued their spending spree on Wednesday by recruiting Schalke right back Rafinha despite a number of higher-profile clubs showing interest.

The surprise move for the Brazilian underlined Genoa's determination to break into the Serie A top four.

"The Preziosi family has decided to enrich the treasure chest with a wonderful jewel -- Rafinha," the club said in a statement.

Media reports put the fee at 9 million euros.

Italy's oldest club have signed striker Luca Toni and Portugal World Cup goalkeeper Eduardo among others during an otherwise quiet transfer window in Italy.

Genoa owner Enrico Preziosi, supposedly banned from conducting club business by the Italian federation for past financial irregularities, has carried on regardless and after a mid-table finish last term he has spent some of the cash earned from selling Diego Milito and Thiago Motta to Inter Milan.

He told reporters on Wednesday that Rafinha may end up playing midfield, possibly allowing Giuseppe Sculli to move to Inter.

Source: Published>

English heavyweights need to take a major step, says Rose

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 10:58 PM

England can take pride from having six players ranked in the world's top 20, but Britain's Justin Rose would much prefer it if that impressive ratio could be translated into major success.

No Englishman has won a major title since Tony Jacklin clinched the 1970 U.S. Open at Hazeltine, although former European number one Lee Westwood has come agonisingly close in recent years.

"Major championships are the next level for the English players who have been playing very well," Rose told reporters on the eve of this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.

"To go ahead and knock off one of the big ones will move the needle for that individual. As a group, we're very strong but it's who's going to rise up to that next challenge."

Westwood, who has recorded top-three finishes in four of the last five majors, is ranked third in the world with fellow Englishmen Luke Donald seventh, Paul Casey ninth, Ian Poulter 10th, Rose 19th and Ross Fisher 20th.

"It's cool as a collective group to see the potential and the talent coming through," said Rose who reached a career-high sixth in the rankings after the 2008 St. Jude Classic.

"I think we'd expect to have a lot of players, or a good number of players, in the top 50 but to have as many as we have in the top 10 in the world is amazing right now.

"For a while our world rankings were very strong without (the players) necessarily winning tournaments, but in the last year or so that's translated into wins which is the important thing," added the 30-year-old.

WINNING WAVE

Rose has been in the thick of that winning wave, claiming two PGA Tour titles this year in just three starts to crown his most successful season on the U.S. circuit.

"The mindset I have right now is how good can I be as a player and what can I learn every single week going forward?" said the Briton, a four-times winner on the European Tour.

"I don't want to put a ceiling on it but getting the monkey off my back at Memorial helped me achieve that mindset."

Rose won his first PGA Tour title at the Memorial tournament in June and then blew a three-stroke lead to crash out of the Travelers Championship in his next start before winning the AT&T National the following week.

"It was easier for me to accept what happened at the Travelers, having had a win under my belt," he said. "I lost a tournament, but I'm still improving as a player.

"I turned up at the AT&T on Monday morning a better player because of what I had just been through. That's what I was most excited about."

The next two weeks provide added incentive for Rose to return to winning ways. Firestone hosts the last of the season's three elite World Golf Championships events in the United States before the final major of the year, the U.S. PGA Championship, takes place at Whistling Straits.

Source: Web Search

I'm confident to do well in World C'ship, CWG: Saina

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 10:52 PM

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal is hopeful of continuing her redhot form and exuded confidence that she will do well in the upcoming tournaments like World Badminton Championship and Commonwealth Games.

"I am preparing well. My training has been going on smoothly. I am confident of doing well," she told reporters here at a press conference organised by Guinness World Record holder Dinaz Vervatwala.

Saina, however, added that ups and downs are natural in life and that she is prepared to face the worst.

"I am very confident of doing well. But ups and downs are there and I am ready for that," she said.

Saina became the world number two following her superb performance in June where she won a hattrict of titles ? India Open Grand Prix Gold, Singapore Open Super Series and Indonesia Open Super Series.

She has been chosen for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award last month in the wake of her spectacular success. The 20-year-old Hyderabadi is also one of the brand ambassador of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Saina wished all the best to Dinaz, a prominent fitness trainer in the city, who will be taking part in two fitness events ? Ms Fitness World 2010 and Ms Fitness Legacy ? to be held in United States later this month.

Dinaz Vervatwala holds a Guinness World Record for performing a 26-hour-long aerobics marathon.

Source: Web Search

PCB thinking of appointing batting coach

Wed, Aug 04 10 10:48 PM

Karachi, Aug 4 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt today said that the board was considering appointing a batting consultant with the national team to help young players adjust in a better manner to international cricket. Butt said from London that when he returned home later this week, he would discuss the issue with the governing council members. The debate over the need to have a batting coach with the team was sparked off again after Pakistan were thrashed by England in the first Test at Nottingham last week, where they being bowled out for just 80 runs in their second innings. So far in the three Tests they have played against Australia and England, the batsmen have struggled to come to terms with the seaming pitches. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq joined the debate few days back when he said the team needed a batting coach to guide the youngsters and said he would consider such an offer if it was made to him by the board. Another former captain and Director General in PCB, Javed Miandad has also stressed on the need to have a professional batting coach with the team as present the coaching panel of the team includes Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed, both bowlers and Ijaz Ahmed, who is there primarily as a fielding coach. Butt said if need arose he would also speak to Inzamam to discuss the possibility of having a batting consultant with the team. "We are looking at the possibility of having a batting consultant as this could help our new players to become better players and adjust to the top level cricket," he said. Sources said that chances of Miandad getting this assignment are slim because of his recent cold relations with Butt over the dropping of Faisal Iqbal and Younis Khan for the England tour. Butt also made it clear that the decision to recall Mohammad Yousuf to the Test side in England was taken after due consideration and the captain and coach were informed about the matter. He ruled out any chances of bad blood in the team because of Yousuf''s return. "The players are not children and they know their responsibilities. I don''t foresee any problems of this nature," Butt said. "As it is now we have made ourselves very clear on the discipline and commitments issues to the players," he added. PTI Cor SSC

Source: Published>

Good start for Indians in World Junior Chess

Wed, Aug 04 10 10:22 PM

From Our Chess Correspondent Chotowa-Czarna (Poland), Aug 4 (PTI) Third seeded Indian Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi earned full point after getting a walk over in the opening round of the World Junior Chess Championship here. In what can be termed a good beginning for the Indian contingent, Sagar Shah was the only blot as he lost his opening game while S P Sethuraman, who is fresh from a fine performance at the Czech Open, had to settle for a draw. However, M R Lalith Babu, Swapnil Dhopade and Anwesh Upadhyay cruised to fine victories over their respective opponents. In the girls'' championship being organised simultaneously, B Pratyusha caused a mild flutter when she held sixth seed Sopiko Guramishvili of Georgia to a draw. Amongst the other two Indian contestants, Padmini Rout got off to a flier against her lower rated opponent in the first round while Bhakti Kulkarni conceded half point. Sethuraman was in for an opening surprise in the Nimzo Indian defense as Shiyam Thavandiran of Canada went for less trodden paths very early with black pieces. The Indian got a decent advantage in the middle game where he had superior space control but as the game progressed further complications became inevitable after a piece sacrifice by the Canadian. Sethuraman had to return the piece after which his extra pawn just about compensated for his opponent''s activity. The game was drawn in 59 moves. Anwesh played a fine game to outwit Florian Pierard of Belgium. Up against a Slav defense, Upadhyay got a miniscule advantage out of the opening and nurtured it in exemplary fashion. The Indian came up with a spectacular pawn sacrifice that opened black''s king side and white pieces simply rolled on the black king thereafter. Updhyay won in 35 moves. Swapnil also faced the Slav defense with white pieces against Vladimir Lukovic of Serbia and his'' too was a fine effort after early trade of queens. Lukovic missed a fine piece sacrifice that led to loss of heavy material and called it a day in 34 moves. .

Source: Published>

Factfile on CWG organising committee's defence against media charges

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 10:08 PM

Factfile on the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee's defence against media charges of extravagant expenditure.

Media charges:

* A toilet paper roll bought by OC for Rs.3,750.

* Treadmills hired at Rs.9 lakh each.

* Washing machines and computers purchased in huge numbers without any account.

* Normal air-conditioners purchased for Rs.4 lakh each.

OC's defence:

* Toilet paper: A box of 100 rolls costs Rs.3,750.

* Treadmills: It was a propsal for high-end treadmills and not yet finalised. They cost in the range of $60,000-$75,000 and the overlay vendors qouted Rs.9 lakh as rent, that also includes the cost of trainers and other add-ons. The rent is one third of the price charged at other major sporting events. The OC has now decided to buy the treadmills as a legacy of the Games.

* Did not order any washing machines or computers.

* Air-conditioners: The air-conditioners are if 11 tonnes and the price includes operational costs like grills, cables, support and power backup.

Source: Web Search

PCB thinking of appointing batting coach

Wed, Aug 04 10 09:52 PM

Karachi, Aug 4 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt today said that the board was considering appointing a batting consultant with the national team to help young players adjust in a better manner to international cricket. Butt said from London that when he returned home later this week, he would discuss the issue with the governing council members. The debate over the need to have a batting coach with the team was sparked off again after Pakistan were thrashed by England in the first Test at Nottingham last week, where they being bowled out for just 80 runs in their second innings. So far in the three Tests they have played against Australia and England, the batsmen have struggled to come to terms with the seaming pitches. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq joined the debate few days back when he said the team needed a batting coach to guide the youngsters and said he would consider such an offer if it was made to him by the board. Another former captain and Director General in PCB, Javed Miandad has also stressed on the need to have a professional batting coach with the team as present the coaching panel of the team includes Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed, both bowlers and Ijaz Ahmed, who is there primarily as a fielding coach. Butt said if need arose he would also speak to Inzamam to discuss the possibility of having a batting consultant with the team. "We are looking at the possibility of having a batting consultant as this could help our new players to become better players and adjust to the top level cricket," he said. Sources said that chances of Miandad getting this assignment are slim because of his recent cold relations with Butt over the dropping of Faisal Iqbal and Younis Khan for the England tour. Butt also made it clear that the decision to recall Mohammad Yousuf to the Test side in England was taken after due consideration and the captain and coach were informed about the matter. He ruled out any chances of bad blood in the team because of Yousuf''s return. "The players are not children and they know their responsibilities. I don''t foresee any problems of this nature," Butt said. "As it is now we have made ourselves very clear on the discipline and commitments issues to the players," he added. PTI Cor SSC

Source: Published>

Kamran needs to take a break to prolong career: Latif

Wed, Aug 04 10 09:08 PM

Karachi, Aug 4 (PTI) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has advised wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal to take a break from cricket in order to prolong his international career. Latif was of the view that until Kamran took a break from the game and worked on his basics he would continue to struggle at the top level. "The problem with Kamran is that he is overweight for a keeper and also jaded. He is playing constant cricket and he needs to take a break and comeback afresh," the former stumper said. Kamran has come in for severe criticism for his inconsistent glove work and batting in recent months from former players, experts and critics. Kamran, who made his international debut in 2003, was also dropped after the second Test in Sydney early this year after he fumbled atleast four catches, missed a stumping and a big run-out against Australia. He repeated his inconsistent form during the first Test against England at Nottingham last week, dropping two catches and also missed a big stumping in the England first innings which eventually saw Pakistan suffer a massive 354 runs defeat. His batting form has also been sketchy leading to calls from former players and critics to drop him. Latif said that Kamran needs to take a break for a while, shed weight and work on his basics once again. "He will only comeback stronger if he realises his weak areas and what he needs to do to iron out the problems. Because of his poor keeping his confidence as a batsman has also suffered," Latif said. He pointed out at the international level regular misses from the wicketkeeper were criminal. "He is an experienced player and has done well in the past but he is now facing issues which he must himself work out while taking a break," Latif said. Pakistan has a reserve keeper Zulqarnain Haider in England but captain Salman Butt said after the Nottingham defeat that Kamran has to show character and comeback strongly in the second Test at Edgbaston.

Source: Published>

No extravagant expenditure, deals transparent: CGOC

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 08:48 PM

New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) Wednesday came out with a detailed explanation of the expenditure on overlays, vehemently denying charges of inflated quotations and payments.

CGOC secretary general Lalit Bhanot dismissed reports that the OC had extravagantly spent for hiring items like air-conditioners and treadmills.

He also said the bidding process had been 'transparent' and there were several government nominees on the committees that scrutinised and vetted the deals at various levels.

He also said the sports infrastructure will be ready on time for the Oct 3-14 event.

'Our venue operations teams have already moved into the stadia and all the sports infrastructure will be in place on time,' Bhanot reiterated.

He said they are still to finalise any company for renting the equipment for athletes like treadmills because they are now going to buy them outright instead of hiring them so that they are left as a legacy of the Games.

'What is being reported in the media is the proposals by different companies. The equipment to be used by athletes will be purchased by the OC on behalf of the Delhi Development Authority, Delhi University and Jamia University,' Bhanot said.

A.K. Saxena, who is the joint director for the overlays, gave a detailed presentation on the procurement of equipment.

'The entire work has been divided into seven clusters for overlays contracts. The whole process is transparent and the bidding procedures followed the approval norms. The bidding criteria was discussed with the finance department of the Organising Committee. Four vendors are shortlisted and after two rounds of negotiations with the bidders, the overlay proposals were prepared and presented to the government's finance committee. The overlays department of OC was guided by two teams of foreign consultants.'

'Additional secretaries of the government of India attached to the OC negotiated the prices. The prices are cleared by the OC panel before it goes to finance committee. And finally, the proposal goes to the Executive Board for clearance,' Saxena said.

'What we are getting is bare walls. It is like moving into a new unfurnished house. Now we have to furnish the kitchens, drawing rooms, gardens etc. For that we have hired an interior decorator,' he added.

'We had requested Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to provide us with teams which will help us identify the right overlay items. The International suppliers from France, UK, Switzerland and Hong Kong, who have supplied equipment for the Beijing Olympics, Melbourne Commonwealth Games and London Olympics are all reputed firms and they have to worry about their standing.'

Asked about specific charges of shelling out more money for ACs, Saxena said: 'These are not normal household air-conditioners. They are 11 tonne air-conditioners and need 18kv of power and the rates are inclusive of operational costs.'

'We have not ordered treadmills worth Rs.9 lakhs. The picture shown in reports is a household treadmill. The professional treadmill that we were shown costs around $60,000. A high-end treadmill with add-ons will cost $75,000.'

On umbrellas, Saxena said: 'These are not household umbrellas. These are special umbrellas used for workplaces and they can withstand high wind velocity.'

He also said that the overlay contract is on a turn key basis.

'It is the responsibility of the company to take care of everything right from supply, shipment, clearance, installation, maintenance and operational costs.

'As far as tissue paper is concerned, one roll would cost us Rs. 37 or so. A TV channel has shown it as Rs. 3,750, which is the cost of a box of 100 rolls.'

Source: Web Search

Latif in favour of Pak-Afghan series

Wed, Aug 04 10 08:38 PM

Karachi, Aug 4 (PTI) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has said that he will request the PCB to host a one-day international series against Afghanistan later this year, which will help in changing the perception of the outside world about the security situation in the strife-torn nation. Latif, who returned from Kabul and Jalalabad after coaching the Afghanistan, said he wanted to see a Pak-Afghan series as it would serve many purposes. "Basically Afghanistan needs to be given more international exposure. Since international teams are not touring Pakistan because of security reasons, I think having a series against Afghanistan will help in changing the perception of the outside world about the security situation in the country," he said. The former wicketkeeper-batsman, who played 37 Tests and 166 ODIs for Pakistan between 1992 and 2003, said he saw lot of potential in the Afghanistan team. "I don''t think they will be pushovers if the PCB allocates them a proper series as they have an ODI status and Pakistan can also try out its young players," Latif said. He also pointed out that having a Pak-Afghan series in Pakistan would send out the right signals to the international cricket community. "Both countries have suffered the most from terrorism in the last few years and if both play a full international series, it will give out a message that the people of both countries can jointly combat the menace of terrorism," Latif said. Pakistan and Afghanistan, who share a common border, have been affected the most by the war on terror with the Taliban launching regular attacks on both sides of the border. Militants also attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore last year in which six Pakistani policemen were killed and five visiting players were wounded. Since then international teams have refused to tour Pakistan because of security concerns and to the nation''s agony it also lost the right to host 14 matches of next year''s ICC World Cup. As a result Pakistan has been forced to play its share of home series at neutral venues. Latif said he had enjoyed the challenge of working with the Afghanistan team as batting coach because of their great passion for the sport. "I was surprised at the interest and passion prevalent among the Afghani people for cricket despite the tough conditions they face. They are very proud of their cricket team and it has the potential to improve further," he said. PTI Cor SSC

Source: Published>

M.S. Gill inaugurates Jamia Sports Complex in New Delhi

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 08:22 PM

New Delhi, Aug 4 (ANI): Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs M.S. Gill inaugurated the Jamia Sports Complex here on Wednesday, which would be a venue for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Gill expressed his satisfaction with the renovated indoor games venue.

"I am very happy to see this hall for table tennis and multiple indoor sports events after an investment of 40 crores. Seven grounds have been constructed; it is a famous university of the country. By giving it this infrastructure, it automatically becomes a games legacy for the Commonwealth Games because they will be used regularly," said Gill.

"We have also upgraded their hostel," he added.

The Sports Minister further said the multi-sporting event would be held as per schedule and showed faith in the Organising Committee.

"Games will be conducted and people responsible for it are doing their duty. I am not directly administrating anything and the Organizing Committee has its own contacts, and every type of committees and officers," said Gill.

"It is their responsibility and they will complete it. Games will be conducted and we will positively complete it," he added.

Gill, however, refused to comment on the controversies surrounding the Commonwealth Games, but added the issue would soon be discussed in the Rajya Sabha.

India is expecting about two million tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi is being touted as the biggest international sporting event to be hosted by India since the 1982 Delhi Asian Games. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

SPORT-RACE

Wed, Aug 04 10 08:18 PM

Mysore, Aug 4 (PTI) Following are the results of 15th day''s races held here today. 1st Race : The Crystal Man Plate - 1200 M. Princess Nero (Namrata Yadav) 59.5 Ahsan Qureshi first Black Knight 52 S Chandrashekar second Star Of Hearts 52 P S Chouhan third Authoritative 52 J G sampson fourth All ran Won by: 4 Ls, 1 L and 1 L Time : One minute, 16.69 seconds Tote : Rs 55 for win, Rs 15, Rs 16 and Rs 12 for places Winner trained by : Rakesh Favourite : Star Of Hearts Forecast : Rs 158 Quinella : Rs 126 SHP : Rs 51 Trin : 70 pct Rs 450 : 30 pct Rs 128. .

Source: Published>

Yousuf will leave for England on Thursday

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 04:58 PM

Karachi, Aug 4 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf will rush to London Thursday to join the national cricket team ahead of its second Test against England which gets underway Friday.

Yousuf, who was recalled by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the team's crushing defeat in the opening Test against England in Nottingham last Sunday, has managed to obtain a visa and will join his teammates in Birmingham on Thursday night.

A Pakistan team official said that a decision on whether to include Yousuf in the playing eleven for the second Test will be taken by the tour selection committee following a meeting on Thursday night.

Yousuf, 37, was banned 'indefinitely' by the PCB after leading Pakistan in its catastrophic tour of Australia earlier this summer. In protest, Yousuf retired from international cricket.

However, after Pakistan's batting flopped miserably in Nottingham where the visitors lost by 354 runs, the PCB was forced to recall Yousuf, who is one of Pakistan's most successful test batsmen.

Pakistan captain Salman Butt has warned that Yousuf alone will not be able to change the batting fortunes after his team was dismissed for 80 in the second innings in Nottingham.

Source: Web Search

There's no limit to fudging rent in the great Con-wealth ripoff

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 04:38 PM

THE MOST advanced computers are unlikely to cost beyond '60,000 - and that is a fact that everyone except the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) is well aware of.

How else does one explain the fact that the OC paid an astronomical '89,502 per computer as "rent" for 45 days, when it could have easily bought the machines for '50,000-60,000? Headlines Today has unearthed a preposterous scam which highlights the manner in which the taxpayers' money is pocketed by corrupt officials in the name of Commonwealth Games.

The Con Games

And it's not just computers that have been hired at such exorbitant rates.

A liquid soap dispenser, which should not cost more than '460, has been hired for '3,397. The OC has rented 2,883 such units.

Documents of the OC's murky dealings have revealed that it has rented 6,218 six-ampere plug points at '1,219 per unit. But a market survey would easily establish that the maximum a plug point can cost is '75.

As many as 970 pedestal fans have been rented at '4,412 each.

The list price of the most exorbitantly priced fan does not exceed '4,500.

Similarly, the OC is hiring mosquito repellants for '135 each as against their unit price of '100.

Rent for 43 ice-making machines cost the OC about '46 lakh, at '1,06,279 per unit, when these could easily have been purchased for '1.5 lakh.

Beleaguered OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi has denied the charges of corruption but is at a loss to explain the fraud. The deals, after all, took place only after the OC gave the go-ahead.

A list of 500 such items were rented at a total of '650 crore.

The OC, however, remains defiant in the face of all allegations of corruption. It has maintained that it has followed proper procedures and contracts were awarded to the "lowest bidders". "The contracts were allotted on a competitive bidding basis," committee secretary general Lalit Bhanot said.

Reproduced From Mail Today. Copyright 2010. MTNPL. All rights reserved.

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Source: Web Search

'India shouldn't have become CWG host'

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 04:22 PM

Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia feels the country would have been better off without hosting the Commonwealth Games given the organisational chaos that has marred the build-up to the October 3 to 14 event in Delhi.

The much-delayed and perhaps the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever have now been hit by allegations of wide-scale corruption and Bhutia said India never had the infrastructure to host such a mega-show.

"We should not have taken a decision to host the Games. The infrastructure is not ready. Look at the situation, the grounds are not ready. Even in hockey, there are not many Astroturfs in India. Even a nation like Malaysia is better-placed to host the Games. We should not have bid for the Games," he told reporters here.

Bhutia was part of the Queen's Baton Relay for the Games and asked why he didn't express his views at that time, the veteran striker said, "Since the nation has taken the decision to host the Games, I wanted it to be successful."

He hoped that the Games organisers would ensure a cultural rather then a Bollywood bonanza in the opening and closing ceremonies of the October 3 to 14 event.

"Hopefully the opening and closing ceremony would not turn out to be a Film fare awards ceremony. I want it to showcase our culture," he said.

Source: Web Search

Hot spot unlikely in 2011 World Cup

Wed, Aug 04 10 04:08 PM

New Delhi, Aug 4 (PTI) The Hot Spot technology, which is used in adjudging close caught-behind and LBW decisions under the ICC''s Decision Review System, may not be used for most part of the cricket World Cup in South Asia next year due to high cost and shortage of cameras. "For the World Cup 2011, there is no chance for Hot Spot being available for all 50+ early round matches," Warren Brennan, the owner of BBG Sports, the firm that supplies the technology, told ''Cricinfo''. "At present we only have four Hot Spot cameras, this would limit us to providing Hot Spot for only quarter-final matches onwards," he said. Brennan said there are just not enough cameras for the World Cup. "This would include two cameras for the quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the possibility of four cameras for the final in Mumbai. This is something I have discussed with David Richardson from the ICC, but have not had any updates in the past 6 weeks," he said. With just a handful of companies capable of making such cameras, Brennan said it was important to check veracity. "We have to go through various processes. Are they good guys? Can we trust them? Have they sold any cameras to Al-Qaeda? You can''t just go into a 7-Eleven and buy one," he said. Under the current system, the cost for installing the Hot Spot technology is borne by the broadcaster and not everyone is willing. "They (the ICC) know that if they want to take the system further, they have to figure out the funding models," Brennan said.

Source: Published>

Photos of ciggie puffing England WC stars, WAGs shock fans

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 03:52 PM

London, Aug.4 (ANI): Fans of the England World Cup stars have reacted with shock to photographs of Wayne Rooney, 24, Aaron Lennon, 23, and Ashley Cole, 29, puffing cigarettes and cigars.

At least two other England players are known to like a smoke. Defender Wayne Bridge, 29, who did not go to South Africa, likes a sneaky drag as does cigar-loving David Beckham, 35.

According to the Daily Star, the players are not the only ones to indulge in an occasional fag, the WAGS - like Victoria Beckham, 36, Steven Gerrard's wife Alex, 27, and Peter Crouch's girlfriend Abbey Clancy, 24, have all been seen dragging on cigarettes.

Medical experts said smoking can make all the difference in the thin line between success and failure at the highest level.

Professor John Britton, Director of the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies, said: "Elite runners would not dream of smoking. It would affect muscles and performance."

"It is utterly bizarre for football clubs and national teams to employ nutritionists and other experts to look at various ways of making sure elite athletes are performing at their very peak, if at the same time the players are smoking. It's madness to be smoking," Britton added.

Rooney was recently spotted smoking both during a holiday in Las Vegas and then at the weekend outside Manchester's Panacea bar during a party night that went on beyond 5 a.m. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Tea scoreboard: India vs Sri Lanka, Third Test, Day 2

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 03:48 PM

Colombo, Aug 4 (IANS) Scoreboard at tea on the second day of the third cricket Test between Sri Lanka and India here Wednesday.

Sri Lanka 1st innings (overnight 293/4)

Tharanga Paranavitana c Dhoni b Sharma 8

Tillekaratne Dilshan run out (Vijay/Dhoni) 41

Kumar Sangakkara c Sehwag b Ojha 75

Mahela Jayawardene lbw Ojha 56

Thilan Samaraweera not out 137

Angelo Mathews lbw b Ojha 45

Prasanna Jayawardene lbw b Ojha 9

Suraj Randiv c Dravid b Sehwag 8

Lasith Malinga c & b Mishra 4

Ajantha Mendis c Raina b Sharma 3

Chanaka Welegedara c Dhoni b Sharma 4

Extras (b 8, lb 4, w 7, nb 16) 35

Total (all out in 138 overs) 425

Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Paranavitana, 3.6 overs), 2-102 (Dilshan, 24.3), 3-157 (Sangakkara, 42.4), 4-241 (Mahela Jayawardene, 72.6), 5-330 (Mathews, 100.3), 6-359 (P Jayawardene, 112.5), 7-381 (Randiv, 122.6), 8-386 (Malinga, 123.5), 9-421 (Mendis, 137.3), 10-425 (Welegedara, 137.6)

Bowling

Abhimanyu Mithun 22 2 78 0

Ishant Sharma 23 6 72 3

Amit Mishra 42 3 140 1

Pragyan Ojha 46 10 115 4

Virender Sehwag 5 0 8 1

India 1st innings

Murali Vijay batting 6

Virender Sehwag batting 21

Extras (nb 1) 1

Total (for no loss in seven overs) 28

Bowling

Lasith Malinga 4 1 8 0

Chanaka Welegedara 3 0 20 0

Source: Web Search

CAB joint secretary Arun Mitra is no more

Wed, Aug 04 10 03:38 PM

Kolkata, Aug 4 (PTI) Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary Arun Mitra died today of a heart attack while on way to his factory. He was 72 years old and is survived by wife Bithi and only daughter Swagata. Mitra was known for his close association with the Ganguly family. According to his nephew Bhaskar Chanda, he died before he could be taken to a private nursing home in Beliaghata. "I was travelling in the same car when he had the massive attack on the way from his residence to factory in Chingdighata. He succumbed there only, though we took him to the nursing home," his nephew told PTI. Mitra''s body will be brought to CAB in the evening to pay the last homage, joint secretary Biswarup Dey said. A strapping 6 feet 4 inches tall, Mitra''s association with Bengal cricket was 32 years oldeven before the Ganguly brothers -- Snehashish and Sourav -- picked up the willow. Mitra was a close friend of Sourav''s father Chandidas and played a huge role in shaping the career of the most successful Indian captain. Sourav''s elder brother Snehashish, however, is yet to convey the news to his father who has not been keeping well. "He will be deeply sad... I am yet to tell him," the elder Ganguly told PTI. Remembering his contribution to Bengal cricket, Snehashish said, "For more than three decades he has served Bengal cricket. "I remember of seeing him when as a kid, I used to go to CAB holding dad''s hands. He was so affable among us. His contribution to Bengal cricket is immense," he said. Away in Delhi, Sourav, however could not be contacted. Mitra, who represented Belgachia United, has held several posts in CAB including team manager, selection committee chairman and was elected uncontested for a third term as joint-secretary.

Source: Published>

India 28/0 at tea on day 2

Wed, Aug 04 10 03:22 PM

Colombo, Aug 4 (PTI) Replying to Sri Lanka''s 425, India were 28 without loss in their first innings at tea on the second day of the third and final cricket Test here today. Brief score: Sri Lanka 1st innings: 425 all out in 138 overs (Thilan Samaraweera 137 not out, Kumar Sangakkara 75; Pragyan Ojha 4/115, Ishant Sharma 3/72). India 1st innings: 28 for no loss in 7 overs (Virender Sehwag 21 batting).

Source: Published>

Stepping into spin veterans' shoes an uphill task

Wed, Aug 04 10 03:18 PM

Colombo, Aug. 3 -- Ever since Harbhajan Singh burst on to the international scene in 1998, for a better part of the next decade, he and Anil Kumble carried India's spin attack forward till the latter ended his superlative journey in 2008. With Harbhajan ruled out for the third Test against Sri Lanka, it was the fifth time since his debut that India took the field without the two in the XI. Interestingly, the previous four instances involved Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Though India won three out of the four Tests, too much shouldn't be read into the results. Naturally, it didn't come as a surprise when left-arm orthodox spinner Pragyan Ojha and leg-spinner Amit Mishra, with a combined tally of 46 Test wickets in 14 caps, struggled to pose questions to the formidable Lanka batting. Ojha succeeded twice. First, he enticed Kumar Sangakkara to play a lofted stroke straight to Virender Sehwag at long on. Then, Mahela Jayawardene was adjudged leg-before wicket. The former skipper was playing too forward and given the bite in the wicket, the ball might have gone over the bails. Ojha was candid to admit that he missed the senior pros at the other end. "Obviously, senior players like Zak (Zaheer) pa and Bhajju (Harbhajan) pa, we obviously need them. But as an individual, this is the best opportunity to prove yourself," he said.

If the two are to avoid another toil, they will need a much better show on Wednesday.

Source: Published>

'Intoxicated' spectators heckle Yuvraj

Wed, Aug 04 10 03:08 PM

Colombo, Aug. 3 -- Inspired by the Taverners at Lord's, the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletics Club (TUCAC), the patrons of P Sara Oval, named the bar in the members' enclosure as The Oval Taverners. On Tuesday, The Taverners tarnished the reputation of the club and stadium, which is one of the very few venues in Asia to have seen Sir Donald Bradman in action. On the opening day of India's third Test against Sri Lanka, a bunch of non-resident Sri Lankans were ousted from the stadium for their indecent behaviour. It all started when a bunch of intoxicated youngsters had a go at Ishant Sharma, who was at the boundary. Then, it was Yuvraj's turn. Benched for the match, Yuvraj was greeted with chants of "Water boy, water boy why ain't you playing," as he served drinks to his teammates. Though Yuvraj restrained himself, he lost his cool after "a fan pointed a finger in a wrong manner towards him", according to an eyewitness. Following this, Yuvraj reported the incident to the team management and local authorities present at the ground. "The crowd was trying to misbehave with the player. The police was asked to intervene and the situation was brought under control. Yuvi was not at fault, he didn't try to provoke the crowd. I was sitting next to him when it happened and I can tell you they were trying to provoke the player," team manager, Ranjib Biswal, said. "It's human tendency to react to situations when you are repeatedly provoked. The police took the spectators out and we will definitely lodge a complaint," said Biswal. The spectators did not spare Suresh Raina and commentator, Tony Greig, taunting them after the draw of stumps. Tony Perera, CEO of TUCAC, assured that corrective measures would be taken on Wednesday.

"Just a few people don't mean the whole club should be held responsible. I am looking into the details of who these people were. Necessary action will definitely be taken tomorrow," he said.

Source: Published>

Sri Lanka 425 all out v India - innings

Wed, Aug 04 10 02:58 PM

REUTERS - Sri Lanka were all out for 425 in their first innings on the second day of the third and final test against India in Colombo on Wednesday.

Scores: Sri Lanka 425 (K. Sangakkara 75, M. Jayawardene 56, T. Samaraweera 137 not out, P. Ojha 4-115) v India

Source: Published>

Sri Lanka all out for 425 in first innings

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 02:38 PM

Colombo, Aug 4 (IANS) Sri Lanka were all out for 425 runs in their first innings against India on the second day of the third and final cricket Test here Wednesday.

Thilan Samaraweera was the top scorer with 137 while skipper Kumar Sangakkara made 75. For India, left arm-spinner Pragyan Ojha picked up four for 115 while fast bowler Ishant Sharma scalped three for 72.

Source: Web Search

England pacer Onions hopeful about playing part in Ashes Down Under

Published>Wed, Aug 04 10 02:22 PM

London, Aug.4 (ANI): England fast bowler Graham Onions is still hopeful of playing a part in the Ashes series this winter.

Onions has not played since leaving the winter tour of Bangladesh with a back problem and more recently he has had to contend with a knee cartilage injury which required surgery.

The Sun quoted him as saying: "If I had no motivation and was just thinking 'how do I get myself ready for next season?' then maybe I wouldn't be training as hard as I am now."

"Being a professional cricketer, you want to play against the best. I want to play against Australia and get the England shirt on, but first I've obviously got to get the Durham shirt back on," he added.

He further said: "I just desperately want to play, that's definitely at the back of my mind when I'm on the treadmill."

The 27-year-old has taken 28 wickets at an average fractionally over 31 in his eight Tests to date, which included 10 Australian scalps in three Tests last summer. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

NZOC expects CWG to be a success despite corruption furore

Wed, Aug 04 10 02:08 PM

Wellington, Aug 4 (PTI) The build-up might be in disarray after allegations of corruption but New Zealand''s Olympic Committee believes the Delhi Commonwealth Games would be a success. Amid reports of irregular financial transactions, the Delhi Games organisers are facing a credibility crisis with just two months to go for the event. But despite the furore in India, the New Zealand Olympic Committee is confident that the Games will be held successfully come October. NZOC secretary general Barry Maister says they won''t get swayed by the negative reports. "(We) still have high hopes Delhi will be a unique and positive experience," he was quoted as saying by ''the New Zealand Herald''.

Source: Published>