Gerrard rescues England to ease World Cup gloom

Published>Thu, Aug 12 10 12:17 PM

England bounced back from the nadir of their dismal World Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Hungary in a friendly on Wednesday which suggested the future might not be as bleak as it seemed for Fabio Capello's men.

Two superb goals from skipper Steven Gerrard in three minutes in the second half turned the game England's way after Hungary scored a controversial goal which did not appear to have crossed the line.

Gerrard celebrated his first goal from a stunning 30-metre drive with the kind of joy that usually accompanies a cup final winner, such was the release of tension it brought -- not just for what happened on the night, but all of the frustration pent up since the World Cup.

His second goal came after he danced his way round the Hungarian defenders before firing home with his right foot.

England had an indifferent first half which began with the team being booed by the home fans following their World Cup exit in the last 16 against Germany.

However, the impressively large crowd of over 72,000 were solidly behind them as they finished with flair, pace and power only to be denied a more convincing win by the acrobatics of Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.

NEW FACES

Although no-one will get carried away by a victory over a team ranked 62nd in the world by FIFA, the fact Capello blooded four new caps in the second half: Michael Dawson, Kieran Gibbs, Bobby Zamora and Jack Wilshere gave a refreshing feel to the evening which ended on a high, boosting the players confidence before they start their Euro 2012 qualifiers next month.

Capello, who for once did not strut around his technical area all match but sat observing in his dugout, said: "I enjoyed that. They (Hungary) were really compact so it was difficult. It was important to play here at Wembley. We found new players, young players.

"The fans were really good. Thank you. I was surprised. We had to win for these fans. They were fantastic."

However, for the second England game running, there was a controversial goal which will fuel the debate on goalline technology following Hungary taking the lead in the 62nd minute.

A shot from Zoltan Gera deflected off Phil Jagielka and appeared to have been cleared off the line by Dawson before French linesman Fredji Harchay signalled a goal.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart said: "It was not a goal as far as I was concerned, I heard a few groans when the replay was being shown."

England had a goal ruled out against Germany when the ball did cross the line, but ultimately Wednesday's strike did not matter unduly as they stormed back to win.

Hart added: "The result means the world. Steve's celebration says it all. We came here to do a job and we did it. The crowd's reception was very fair. We could have turned up to an empty stadium - some voiced their opinion which is fair enough."

Capello employed a new system in the first half with Wayne Rooney playing as a lone striker but reverted to a more orthodox approach in the second half which the players seemed more at ease with.

Zamora went close to a debut goal while Adam Johnson should have scored on his full debut after a substitute appearance before the finals, early on.

On a night of new beginnings with a view to the future Capello said before the match that former skipper David Beckham, now 35, was now probably too old to play for England again.

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Capello 'pulls the plug' on 'old' Beckham's international career

Published>Thu, Aug 12 10 11:53 AM

London, Aug 12 (ANI): England coach Fabio Capello almost brought curtains down on ace midfielder David Beckham's international career by saying that he is probably too old.

David Beckham has been offered an England farewell in a friendly against France but will not play a competitive fixture for England again

Asked if the Three Lions legend would be part of his plans for the Euro 2012 qualifiers, Capello replied: "I say thank you very much for helping me at the World Cup but he is probably, little bit old."

His comments for a TV interview before England's 2-1 win over Hungary at Wembley ended one of greatest careers in the country's football history.

But in a statement sent to the BBC, Beckham's agent said: "There has been no discussion of retirement. He will always be available for his country, when fit, and if needed he will be there."

This fits the comedy of ego-struggles and miscommunications that has characterised English football this summer.

The Italian has landed himself with another diplomatic problem by stating the obvious on TV rather than allowing Beckham his choreographed exit.

After the debacle at the World Cup plenty of England players expected to be booted out but it was a non-player who went first: "Coach Beckham", as he was known after joining the England back-room staff in South Africa.

Capello revealed after the Hungary game that Beckham would be given one more chance to pull on the Three Lions shirt most likely against France on November 17.

"He will play one friendly to say bye bye," Capello told reporters. (ANI)

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Silva saves Spain from Mexico defeat

Published>Thu, Aug 12 10 07:57 AM

Substitute David Silva saved world champions Spain's blushes with a stoppage-time equaliser for a 1-1 draw against Mexico at the Azteca on Wednesday.

Mexico, who took a 12th-minute lead in the friendly through striker Javier Hernandez, had looked set to defeat Spain in their first outing since winning the World Cup in South Africa a month ago.

Hernandez chased a ball into space, faced goalkeeper Iker Caillas and, with the Spain captain expecting a shot across his body, slotted the ball inside the near post.

Mexico, showing greater urgency than Spain, were worth their lead but the arrival of Xavi just past the hour injected some bite into the Spanish attack.

Spain, playing their trademark short passing game at a near walking pace in the first half, had come closest when a venomous shot from Santi Cazorla rattled Guillermo Ochoa's crossbar.

Casillas had to make a diving save from midfielder Rafael Marquez before ceding his place to Victor Valdes in the second half.

Substitute Pedro, who came on in the 72nd minute, brought a good save from Mexico's substitute keeper Jesus Corona when he looked set to equalise three minutes from time.

Silva made no mistake two minutes into added time when he ran on to a fine through ball from Xavi to slot it past Corona.

Spain became the latest world champions not to win their first match after lifting the FIFA trophy. Brazil in 1994 were the last team to win a match immediately after their World Cup success.

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New Zealand diplomats fear terror attack ahead of Commonwealth Games

Published>Thu, Aug 12 10 05:57 AM

Wellington, Aug 12 (DPA) New Zealand diplomats fear terrorists will attack a 'soft target' in India ahead of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, according to cables reported in a newspaper Thursday.

One of the cables, obtained by the Dominion Post under the Official Information Act, said: 'The pre-Games environment could be overshadowed by some form of soft target attack such as the recent attack on the German Bakery in Pune, which would be unsettling and capture media attention.'

A bomb attack at the bakery Feb 13 killed 17 people, including four foreigners, and injured 65 others.

New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Mike Stanley this week told the country's 195 athletes and 100 officials selected for the Games Oct 3-14 to continue preparations to go.

However, he told the paper that the committee would pull out if security was 'not appropriate.'

'At a point in time, we're going to have to say: 'Are we comfortable to have a team going to Delhi?' That time is not now, but that is certainly a decision we will take when we get people on the ground in India,' Stanley said.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the New Zealand government was treating security arrangements for the games very seriously.

A spokesman for Prime Minister John Key said that sporting bodies involved would decide whether athletes should travel to India, but the government was keeping them advised of developments and there was high-level liaison with the police and top officials.

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North-eastern players head Delhi's soccer graph northwards

Published>Thu, Aug 12 10 05:37 AM

With a credible quarter-final spot and an undefeated record, the Delhi state soccer side may have come back from the recently concluded Santosh Trophy with plenty to feel proud about. One of the stars of their performance was Tuishim Mashangva who top scored for the state with five goals. Along with Tuishim, two others- Golmei and David Nagite are from the North-East. Originally from Manipur, Tuishim, Golmei and David are symbolic of the emergence of players from the North East in the capital's football circuit.

While the aforementioned names are all part of the senior squad, there are many of their fellow states persons even in the secondary leagues. Robert Haokip, is a 17 year old Manipur native who plays for the Hans Club in Delhi's B division. Robert says "the reason I came to Delhi was to play soccer. In my state, it was impossible to get into a good club side. I played for a club, but it was always difficult to get much playing time. The truth is that in Delhi there is far less competition. If you are reasonably good it's much easier to get into a club." Just 6 months into his Delhi sojourn, Robert took part in selection trials for the Delhi U-19 team and was picked to be a part of that team. "In Manipur, there is no way I could have made it to the state side so easily."

But lack of competition isn't the only reason for players from the North East to come to Delhi. NK Bhatia, Secretary of the Delhi Soccer Association says "we also get a lot of players, who are students or are working. Where they come from, educational and work opportunities are less. When they are here, they try to continue with the sport simultaneously." Its not an empty claim ? Robert originally came to the capital to study.

Bhatia also sees the influx of players as a sign that things are looking up for football in Delhi. "We have finished 5th in the Santosh trophy - its no minor achievement. The fact that so many people are playing in our league- not just from North East, but also from, Haryana, Goa Punjab and even from foreign countires means Delhi is creating a good name."

Bhatia cites the recent Santosh Trophy success of Bengal which had several outside players as an example " Delhi is not the only team with players from outside. Even Bengal takes out of state players. Robin Singh is from Delhi, while Denson Devadas is from Kerala. If we are getting good players from other states, it will only help to boost competition amongst our own players."

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Bulgaria blunder gives Advocaat winning start

Thu, Aug 12 10 01:57 AM

A goalkeeping blunder helped Russia beat Bulgaria 1-0 in a friendly on Wednesday to give Dick Advocaat a winning debut as national team coach.

Bulgaria keeper Nikolay Mihaylov gifted the home side a sixth-minute lead when he failed to hold on to an easy cross from Russia captain Andrei Arshavin, allowing midfielder Roman Shirokov to fire into an empty net from close range.

"It's always good to start with a win," Advocaat told a news conference. "I know what needs to be done to improve our play. Today we played better in the second half and didn't give our opponents many chances to score."

Advocaat succeeded fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink in May as Russia coach after the team missed out on this year's World Cup finals following a two-legged playoff loss to Slovenia.

The match -- the final test for both countries before they start their Euro 2012 qualifiers next month -- was played at a leisurely pace on a hot evening in St Petersburg.

The game was originally scheduled to be played in Moscow but was switched to St Petersburg because of health risks after acrid smog engulfed the Russian capital last week.

The Moscow region has been hit by a record heat wave, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), causing huge forest fires in the area.

Mihaylov kept the visitors from falling two goals down when he managed a fine kick to block Roman Pavlyuchenko's low drive midway through the second half after a great solo effort by fellow Russia substitute Alan Dzagoyev.

Mihaylov also did well to deny Konstantin Zyryanov's attempt from the edge of the box in the final 10 minutes.

The Bulgarians, missing top striker Dimitar Berbatov who quit the national team after they also failed to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, rarely threatened Russia keeper Igor Akinfeyev.

Russia, top seed in Group B, begin their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign away to Andorra on Sept. 3, while Bulgaria travel to London to take on England in Group G on the same day.

Source: Published>

Mexes named France captain against Norway

Thu, Aug 12 10 01:37 AM

Defender Philippe Mexes was named France captain by new coach Laurent Blanc to face Norway in a friendly international on Wednesday.

Blanc, who took none of the country's World Cup squad members to Norway, relied on a largely experimental team for his first game in charge and France's first outing since their shameful first-round exit from the 2010 finals in South Africa.

The 28-year-old AS Roma player will win his 14th cap against Norway.

Source: Published>

Stoke sign striker Jones for 8 mln pounds

Published>Thu, Aug 12 10 12:37 AM

Stoke City broke their club transfer record to sign Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones for eight million pounds ($12.55 million) on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old lanky Trinidad and Tobago international has signed a four-year contract and tops Stoke's previous record of six million pounds paid for defender Robert Huth from Middlesbrough.

"Kenwyne is unplayable on his day which is why this is a fantastic signing for this football club," Stoke manager Tony Pulis told the club's website (www.stokecityfc.com).

Jones, who moved to Southampton from Trinidad in 2004 before joining Sunderland in 2007 for six million pounds, could feature in Stoke's Premier League season opener at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

"The fact that I know the manager, some of the players and the place so well has obviously been an influence upon me coming here," said Jones, who scored three times in a 13-game loan spell at Stoke in 2005.

"This is an exciting new chapter in my career and I want to do my best for a club that has clearly had great success since I was last here."

Jones scored 26 goals in 94 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland.

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Sandipan, Abhijeet held to draws

Wed, Aug 11 10 11:07 PM

From Our Ches Correspondent Chalkida (Greece), Aug 11 (PTI) Third seed Grandmaster Sandipan Chanda and Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta were held to draws by Jovica Radovanovic of Serbia and Shadi Paridar of Iran respectively in the second round of the first Negroponte International open chess tournament here. It turned out to be a bad day for young GM norm holders Sahaj Grover and Vaibhav Suri who both lost against lower ranked opponents in contrasting fashion. Top rated Indian GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly, however, was a picture of confidence in outclassing Asian women''s champion Atousa Pourkashiyan of Iran in a one-sided affair. Amongst other Indians in the fray Vishnu Prasanna and M Shyam Sundar are now in the joint lead on 2 points after winning their second successive game in the tournament. These along with Ganguly and 37 others comprise the leaders'' pack. On a mixed day for the Indian contingent here, the GM title aspirations of D HArika also suffered a minor setback as she was held to a draw by Evaggelos Kostopoulos of Greece. Harika, who made her second GM norm in the just concluded Kavala International chess tournament will now have to score heavily in the next few rounds to be in contention for her final norm which will make her a Grandmaster. Playing black, Sandipan Chanda was in for a surprise against Radovanovic who played extremely solidly. The Serbian kept exchanging pieces at regular intervals and had no troubles at all in keeping Chanda''s forces at bay. The players arrived at a queen and minor piece endgame where the draw was a just result. It was a similar story for Abhijeet from the black side of an Alapin Sicilian against Paridar. The Indian GM tried for complications but simplification was the choice of Paridar who was never in any troubles. After regulation exchanges, the players reached a minor piece endgame which was completely equal. Ganguly won a nice attacking game against Pourkashiyan. The famous second of Anand went for a king side onslaught early in the Petroff defense and knocked down all black pawns on that side to force matters quite easily. Grover was outdone from a better position Filippos Kouvatsos of Greece while Vaibhav Suri misplayed a level position to go down to Georgios Tzintzios, also of Greece. Seven more rounds still remain in 25000 Euros prize money tournament. .

Source: Published>

Negi held by Stupak; Padmini loses in World Junior C''ship

Wed, Aug 11 10 10:27 PM

From Our Chess Correspondent Chotowa-Czarna (Poland), Aug 11 (PTI) World''s second youngest Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi was again held for a draw by Kirill Stupak of Belarus in the seventh round of world junior chess championship here. Playing white, Negi decided against taking any undue risk and it was a fairly quick draw that left the Indian on five points out of a possible seven. In the girls'' champion being held simultaneously, Padmini Rout lost to top seed Anna Muzychuk of Slovenia. Padmini, who was sharing the lead with Anna, slipped to joint third spot in the current standings and will have to work harder in the last six rounds to remain in the hunt for a medal. Parimarjan slipped to joint fourth as top seed Dmitry Andreikin defeated overnight joint leader Dariusz Swiercz of Poland. The Russian emerged as the new sole leader in this section with six points out of a possible seven and is a half point clear of Sanan Sugirov of Russia and Jacek Tomczak of Poland. Negi is in the next group of five pointers and the next Indian in contention is M R Lalith Babu who has 4.5 points in his kitty after a debacle against Jacek Tomczak. It remains to be seen how the premier junior events of the world will shape up but Negi certainly has a lot of catching up to do as he is full point behind the leader. The seventh round was in fact not good for the Indians in the open section as none was able to win the game. The best result were draws obtained by Ashwin Jayaram, Sagar Shah, Anwesh Upadhyaya and Debashish Das while S P Sethuraman and Arun Karthik were amongst those who lost their games. Amongst the girls'' Bhakti Kulkarni brought some cheers to an otherwise gloomy Indian camp by defeating Veronika Exler of Austria in a complicated game. Negi played the white side of a French defense and faced a variation that is known to give white some advantage. However, Stupak was quite up to the task as he launched his counter play in time and Negi decided to accept the draw proposal. Lalith Babu was outplayed by Tomczak from a Nimzo Indian defense game where the Indian played black. An army of white pieces invaded his territory and there was no escape when Babu called it a day in 29 moves. Padmini fought hard in an English opening game but made a judgement error while allowing white a dangerous passed pawn. It proved enough for Anna to get the full point. .

Source: Published>

SAI starts camp for women world cup hockey

Wed, Aug 11 10 10:07 PM

Patiala, Aug 11 (PTI) The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Indian Olympics Association (IOA) have been asked to select the women''s hockey team for the upcoming World Cup in Rosario, Argentina later this month. The existing selection committee has been asked to select the squad for the World Cup on August 13-14. Indian women''s hockey was rocked by a sex scandal recently when a fringe player had raised sexual harrasment allegations against chief coach M K Kaushik, who was sacked there after and former international Sandeep Somesh was appointed as the new coach. Somesh and Modi are the two coaches who belong to the few among the staff to got a call-up from the Sports Authority of India. The players had appealed that Somesh and Modi were their choices, as both of them had been the support of the team, right from preparing strategies to analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. The Sports Ministry has also included the names of former captains, Pritam Siwach and Sandeep Kaur, in the coaching staff for the camp, at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), here, which started yesterday. 39 probables have been called for camp. Pritam Siwach is Arjuna awardee, who led India to the silver medal in the 1998 Asian Games, and Sandeep, who was skipper for the 1998 World Cup, are among the four coaches with the team. After the sex scandal, the players demanded the removal of some of the coaches but requested that Somesh and Modi be retained. The government observer for women''s hockey, Rupa Saini, has replaced Madhu Yadav, who is also a selector, as team manager.

Source: Published>

David Hussey to lead Bushrangers after White''s switch to RCB

Wed, Aug 11 10 09:57 PM

Melbourne, Aug 11 (PTI) With all-rounder Cameron White choosing Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Victoria Bushrangers will now be captained by David Hussey in the Champions League T20 cricket tournament starting September 10 in South Africa. White will now join star South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis and New Zealander Ross Taylor in the Vijay Mallya-owned side, which had to pay a compensatory fee of USD 200,000 to the Bushrangers for permitting White to play for the IPL franchise. "We certainly would have loved to have Cameron available to play and captain the Victorian side at Champions League, but we understand the situation he finds himself in and the decision to demonstrate his integrity as a sporting professional and honour his contract with Bangalore, Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide was quoted as saying in the ''Herald Sun''. David Hussey has played for IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders in the last three editions of the Indian Premier League.

Source: Published>

FIFA launches investigation into treatment of North Korean players

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 09:37 PM

Berlin, Aug 11 (DPA) FIFA president Joseph Blatter confirmed Wednesday that football's ruling body has began an investigation into the alleged mistreatment of North Korean players and coaches following the team's poor performance at the World Cup.

North Korea lost all three of their group matches in South Africa, including a 0-7 humiliation by Portugal, and Blatter said at a press conference in Singapore that FIFA was looking into the issue and had requested details from the North Korean football federation.

'We sent a letter to the football federation to tell us about their election of a new president and to find out if the allegations made by the media that the coach and some players were condemned and punished are true,' Blatter said.

Reports last month by Radio Free Asia claimed that the North Korean team was summoned to a meeting in Pyongyang where the players were subsequently ordered to reprimand coach Kim Jong Hun.

Source: Web Search

Hussey to captain Bushrangers after White's RCB move

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 09:17 PM

Melbourne, Aug 11 (IANS) David Hussey is set to lead Victoria Bushrangers' 15-man squad in the Champions League T20 cricket tournament beginning Sep 10 in South Africa, after Cameron White chose Royal Challengers Bangalore over his domestic side.

The Royal Challengers will pay a compensatory fee of $200,000 to Bushrangers for allowing White to play for the IPL franchise.

Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide said it is disappointing not to have White playing for the home team.

'We certainly would have loved to have Cameron available to play and captain the Victorian side at Champions League, but we understand the situation he finds himself in and the decision to demonstrate his integrity as a sporting professional and honour his contract with Bangalore,' Dodemaide was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, who represented Bushrangers in last summer's Big Bash, has also chosen to play for the Bangalore side in the Champions League.

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Scotland announces rugby squad for Commonwealth Games

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 08:37 PM

New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Scotland Wednesday announced its 12-man rugby sevens squad for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games here.

The squad, nominated by Scottish Rugby team last month, will be travelling to the Indian capital as part of the 200-member team representing Scotland at the Games. The rugby squad also has four reserves.

The squad has seven players who played in the Edinburgh leg of the 2010 IRB Sevens World Series at the end of May, finishing fifth, and an additional two players who played in the team which achieved back-to-back semi-final places in London and Edinburgh in the 2009 tournament.

All the players have previously played in successful Scotland sevens teams including one who played in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is confident the team will manage a top-eight finish at Commonwealth Games.

In Delhi, a total of 16 teams will compete in rugby sevens including reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallists New Zealand, Rugby World Cup champions Wales and IRB Sevens World Series champions Samoa.

Scotland are seeded eighth in the Games and will play in pool A, against top seeds New Zealand, Canada and Guyana.

'We are delighted that our participation in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi has been confirmed today,' Scotland head Coach Stephen Gemmell said.

'The Commonwealth Games is a major event on the world sporting calendar and Scottish Rugby and Scotland sevens are hugely honoured to be part of it.'

The Rugby sevens competition will take place on October 11 and 12 at Delhi University Grounds.

Squad: Mike Adamson, scrum-half / stand-off, Alexander Blair, stand-off,

David Callam, forward, Scott Forrest, forward, Chris Fusaro, forward, John Houston, centre, Lee Jones, scrum-half/winger, Stuart McInally, forward, Scott Newlands, forward, 25, Hefin O'Hare, centre/winger, Colin Shaw, centre/winger, Andrew Turnbull, winger.

Reserves: Struan Dewar, forward, Peter Horne, stand-off/centre/hooker, James King, stand-off/centre, Scott Riddell, forward.

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Ireland coach Trapattoni to have minor surgery

Wed, Aug 11 10 08:17 PM

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni will undergo minor surgery on Wednesday and miss the friendly international against Argentina, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said.

In a statement, the FAI said Trapattoni had abdominal pain which turned out to be from minor scar tissue from previous surgery.

"To relieve the pain, he will undergo minor surgery at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT) today," the FAI said.

Assistant manager Marco Tardelli will take charge of the Irish squad when it meets Argentina in Dublin later on Wednesday.

Trapattoni was kept overnight in hospital after suffering from nausea since Sunday, which the 71-year-old Italian thought may have been caused by shellfish he ate.

Source: Published>

ECB ask Pietersen to stay away from Modi

Wed, Aug 11 10 07:37 PM

London, Aug 11 (PTI) The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has asked Kevin Pietersen to stay away from suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi after the two were spotted before the first Test against Pakistan at Trent Bridge. According to a report published in ''The Telegraph'', Pietersen was approached by ECB''s senior management after the second Test against pakistan at Edgbaston where he scored an innings of 80 runs. "Kevin Pietersen has been warned by the England and Wales Cricket Board against having more meetings with Lalit Modi, the defrocked former commissioner of the Indian Premier League, after they were seen together in London before the first Test with Pakistan at Trent Bridge," the report said. In May, ECB chairman Giles Clarke had circulated an email warning county chairman and chief executives against meeting Modi until he is cleared by the BCCI displinary committee. When asked about his meeting with Modi, Pietersen, who will have met him while playing for Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL, told the ECB that he had simply hooked up with an old mate for a beer, the report said.

Source: Published>

Now, racism charge hits Games OC

Wed, Aug 11 10 07:21 PM

New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- Already stumbling through a minefield of allegations and controversies, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) has been hit with another, very serious, allegation - racism. Malaysian experts hired by the OC in various roles, from press operations to venue and sports management, have alleged that they are being treated as second class citizens compared to those hired from Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and even Singapore. Hindustan Times has gained access to an email sent by Tony Mariadass, who was working as director, press operations, OC, to the chief of the Olympic Council of Malaysia last month. He wrote: "I felt ashamed being here as a Malaysian. His (another foreign hire) apartment is about five or six times the size of our flat. Do we have to endure this discrimination? The 'whites' have bigger apartments, some with four rooms! Working conditions have been very poor with no respect for us Malaysians." Mariadass resigned and returned to Malaysia. In a separate official resignation letter, he said his Indian boss had told him to "get out of his cabin". The letter continued: "He (the boss) further abused me to go back to Malaysia and said I am a cranky old man who does not do any work (sic). I will not stand this kind of abuse, especially when I am hired here for my experience." The letter is marked to a number of senior OC officials. HT has learned that two other director-level foreign officials (both white) with similar responsibilities have been given houses in the upmarket south Delhi localities of Defence Colony and Vasant Vihar. Lalit Bhanot, the OC's secretary general, refuted the charge of racism. "Now that there are stories circulating in the media, everyone wants to put in their version. There's been no racism whatsoever." The racism charge has opened another can of worms. HT visited the block of five flats originally allocated to five Malysians, including Mariadass, located at 53/8 and 53/9, just off Main Market, Old Rajender Nagar. Each flat has two small bedrooms, a kitchenette, a tiny, dilapidated bathroom and a small sitting area. The flats have been rented from the Salwan Education Trust by the OC. The lease agreement states that the monthly rent is Rs 55,000 each. Therefore for the six flats the OC has rented from Nov 2009-2010, the rent comes to Rs 39,60,000. Brokers in the area said rent for similar flats was never higher than Rs 15,000. At market rates, for this one-year period, the OC has overpaid by Rs 28,80,000 for this lot of flats. Sources said that there are 104 foreign hires in the OC. They said that if the lease agreements for all 98 other apartments, located in colonies like Defence Colony, Vasant Vihar and RK Puram are examined, the amount of money that constitutes over-spending would run into crores.

Source: Published>

CGOC's decision to terminate contract vicious, concocted: SMAM

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 07:17 PM

New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Australian firm Sports Marketing and Management (SMAM) Wednesday termed the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee's (CGOC) decision to abruptly terminate their contract on grounds of non-performance as 'imaginary and concocted' and an attempt to deviate attention from the more serious charges of financial irregularities the organisers are facing.

SMAM said it is yet to be paid for its work for the 2010 Commonwealth Games since its appointment in 2007.

The executive board of the CGOC last week terminated the contract with the SMAM, the Australian firm which was roped in to bring sponsors for the event.

According to CGOC, the SMAM was to deliver $122 million by June 30 through sponsors which it failed to do. They have decided to outsource the services of another company.

SMAM, in a letter issued to the CGOC regarding the termination, insists they got the highest ever revenue in the history of the Commonwealth Games, even surpassing the revenue achieved for the 2006 Melbourne Games.

'Owing to the diligent and concerted efforts by SMAM, a record breaking sponsorship income totalling over Rs.400 crore ($85 million) has been generated in respect of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games so far. Further sponsorships are expected to materialize in the coming weeks,' SMAM said in a statement.

'The organizers fail to recognize that the sponsorship revenue targets that the OC set, and identified as one of the main grounds for termination, represent just one of several important objectives in the agreement,' SMAM said.

'The OC has wrongfully, viciously, abruptly and publicly terminated SMAM's agreement in a manner that is not only counter to the agreement and inconsistent with the interests of staging successful Commonwealth Games in India, but also detrimental to the goodwill and reputation of the Commonwealth Games Movement.

'SMAM believes that the OC's allegations and grounds for termination are imaginary and concocted and an attempt to deviate attention from the more serious issues and charges related to the upcoming Delhi Games. We also believe that the OC has served the alleged termination to SMAM as it does not intend to honour its financial commitments to SMAM.

SMAM said their were provided to OC by experienced executives.

'SMAM has been delivering an extensive range of marketing services to the OC since 2007. These services have been provided to the OC by experienced and specialized executives, from India and abroad, many of whom have delivered the then record-breaking and most successful 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games,' it said.

The firm also suggested they won't hesitate to take the legal route for their payments as all their services as per the contracted have been solely funded by them.

'All services, personnel and related costs provided to the OC have been in accordance with the agreement and funded solely by SMAM for more than three years. The OC has not had to incur any risks or costs related to the services SMAM has provided.

'To date, SMAM has not received any payment from the OC for the work done on Delhi 2010, since its appointment in 2007. SMAM is legitimately entitled to immediate settlement of all its outstanding invoices, besides its rights to further payments and damages,' it said.

Source: Web Search

No relief for CWG aspirant weightlifter from HC

Wed, Aug 11 10 06:57 PM

Mumbai, Aug 11 (PTI) The Bombay High Court today refused to grant any immediate relief to Mayur Sinhasane, a weightlifter, who moved the court after not being shortlisted for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Division bench of Justices D D Sinha and Mridula Bhatkar merely admitted the petition, which means it will come up for final hearing in due course. The court declined to pass any interim order, whereas Commonwealth Games are set to start on October 3. Sinhasane, a national-level weightlifter, had contended that selectors'' panel formed by Indian Weightlifting Federation did not shortlist him in the core group of 32 players, from amongst whom the final squad will be selected. His contention was that he was ranked third in the recent national championship at Udaipur, yet he was not picked up. However, the selectors told the court that they picked up only the winner and the runner-up from the championship. PTI KRK AMA

Source: Published>

Sharmila in sight of second straight title in Women's Pro golf

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 06:51 PM

Bangalore, Aug 11 (IANS) Sharmila Nicollet opened up a whopping 13-shot lead at the end of the second round of the second leg of the Hero Honda Women's Professional Golf Tour of India.

The 19-year-old local golfer, who had four birdies in the first sub-par round of the tournament with a 71, is now one-over 145, following a first round of 74.

Sharmila won the first leg last week at Eagleton by 14 shots and now looks to do even better than that.

Sharmila is 13 shots clear of second placed Nikita Arjun (80-78), who was tied with Saaniya Sharma (80-78).

Sharmila said: 'My ball striking was really good. The greens played faster than yesterday, which I am happy about. My approaches were my strong point today. I was within 10 feet on most of the holes but some of my putts were disappointing. I have a good lead for tomorrow which gives me an opportunity to be aggressive with no pressure.'

Young amateur Nikita said: 'I played really well today. It was a privilege to play with Sharmila. I was happy with my putting but I know I can do much better. Even though today was a good round I still have one more round to go so, I am not going to take things for granted.'

Saaniya, who had three birdies, gave away seven bogeys and one double bogey. She said, 'I found the greens difficult. Every green I missed I bogeyed. But I had 13 regulations.'

Source: Web Search

PSUs are cautious in releasing more funds for Games: Deshmukh

Wed, Aug 11 10 06:37 PM

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) Amid raging controversy over the allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games, the Central Public Sector Units may not release more funds for the mega sporting event till a clearer picture emerges on the various issues that have been raised so far. The public sector units are "cautious" in shelling out more money for the event against the backdrop of the alleged fund-bunglings, Heavy Industries and Pubic Enterprises Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh told PTI. "I don''t think so because of all this controversy. (But) We are waiting for things to be clearer," he said when asked if PSUs will release more funds for the mega sports event that has got mired in the corruption controversy. In fact, state-owned Power Grid Corporation, which had committed Rs 10 crore, has not released the funds for the extravaganza, slated for October 3-14, 2010. Similarly, Indian Railways too has made a budgetary provision of Rs 100 crore. Sources said it has now sought clarifications from the Organising Committee about the usage of the funds. However, Central Bank of India has already contributed Rs 50 crore to the Games, while NTPC, which had committed Rs 50 crore, contributed Rs 20 crore in February and the rest is yet to be released. The corruption allegations began with a Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report which pointed out financial bunglings in handling of construction and other contracts. Actually, before the corruption charges surfaced, the Department of Public Enterprises had in June written a letter to top-performing Maharatnas and Navratnas, asking them to make generous contributions to the event. It had said "the CPSEs should volunteer to help the CWG as a part of their corporate social responsibility." An official said the "goings-on" in the CWG have shaken the confidence of the PSUs, which otherwise would have helped the Games as a matter of national pride. The CWG organising committee had a budget of Rs 1,600 crore which it had obtained from the government and had promised to return by earning sponsorships, television rights and ticket sales. In the absence of sponsors, it is likely to fall quite of short of covering its budget. Air India, the official carrier of the CWG, has chipped in with tickets for officials and players as part of its contribution to the event. The airline''s contribution in kind -- tickets and chartered flights -- is estimated to be about Rs 50 crore.

Source: Published>

Sharmila in sight of second straight title in Women's Pro golf

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 06:07 PM

Bangalore, Aug 11 (IANS) Sharmila Nicollet opened up a whopping 13-shot lead at the end of the second round of the second leg of the Hero Honda Women's Professional Golf Tour of India.

The 19-year-old local golfer, who had four birdies in the first sub-par round of the tournament with a 71, is now one-over 145, following a first round of 74.

Sharmila won the first leg last week at Eagleton by 14 shots and now looks to do even better than that.

Sharmila is 13 shots clear of second placed Nikita Arjun (80-78), who was tied with Saaniya Sharma (80-78).

Sharmila said: 'My ball striking was really good. The greens played faster than yesterday, which I am happy about. My approaches were my strong point today. I was within 10 feet on most of the holes but some of my putts were disappointing. I have a good lead for tomorrow which gives me an opportunity to be aggressive with no pressure.'

Young amateur Nikita said: 'I played really well today. It was a privilege to play with Sharmila. I was happy with my putting but I know I can do much better. Even though today was a good round I still have one more round to go so, I am not going to take things for granted.'

Saaniya, who had three birdies, gave away seven bogeys and one double bogey. She said, 'I found the greens difficult. Every green I missed I bogeyed. But I had 13 regulations.'

Source: Web Search

Toni Terry advises Abbey Clancey to forgive Peter Crouch

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 05:37 PM

London, Aug 11 (ANI): Toni Terry, wife of England footballer John Terry, has asked lingerie model Abbey Clancey to take back fianci Peter Crouch, who had a one night stand with a teen hooker.

Toni advised friend Clancy to give Crouch a second chance saying that, "Everyone makes mistakes."

Toni, 29, married to Chelsea footballer John Terry who allegedly cheated on her, has been consoling Clancey after she came to know about fianci Crouch's sexcapade in Madrid.

"Toni and John have had their own ups and downs," a friend of the two girls said. But she told Abbey that all people make mistakes and that people deserve a second chance.

"She thinks that once Abbey has calmed down, she should think about staying with Peter but only on her own terms," The Mirror quoted the friend as saying. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

BCCI invites corporate bids for home series till 2013

Wed, Aug 11 10 05:23 PM

Mumbai, Aug 11 (PTI) The Cricket Board has invited bids from corporate houses for sponsorship of Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals played in India and featuring the hosts from September 1 this year to March 31, 2013. The bid document, priced at Rs 2 lakh which is non-refundable, is available at the Board office here from tomorrow and the closing date of the bids is August 19, the BCCI intimated through a tender notice today. The BCCI''s marketing committee will meet on August 20 to open the financial bids in the morning in the presence of the bidders, the notice said. The Board has debarred agencies, including those engaged in audio-video production services of live cricket, from participating in the bidding or representing any corporate entity in the process.

Source: Published>

Gerrard admits team facing battle to win back irate fans

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 05:11 PM

London, Aug 11 (ANI): England football captain Steven Gerrard is hoping to start a salvage operation by leading his chastened team to a friendly victory over Hungary at the unfriendly Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, admitting that it may take time to win back the support of angry Three Lions fans following the team's dismal show in South Africa.

"Still "hurting badly" from the 4-1 World Cup thrashing by a technically and tactically superior Germany, Gerrard was a mixture of contrition, realism and defiance as he reflected on the toxic fallout from that troubled trip to South Africa," The Telegraph reports.

"It's easy to say sorry' to the supporters, but the supporters don't want an apology in a press conference. They want to see the team go out and show how sorry we are by performing well, turning things around and qualifying for the next tournament," Gerrard was quoted as saying.It is not going to happen overnight. It is not going to happen in weeks and months. It is going to take years to turn this situation around. This is as low as it gets, going out the way we did. If we are going to have a successful tournament and we qualified well it would turn around," he added.

To get back the support of the irate English fans, Gerrard and company must advance themselves at Euro 2012 from a group involving Bulgaria, Switzerland, Wales and Montenegro.

"I don't think it will be easy to qualify. This group will be a lot harder than the World Cup one," the midfielder said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

BCCI dismisses Modi''s demand for recusal of Amin, Jaitley

Wed, Aug 11 10 05:01 PM

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) In a snub to suspended IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, the Indian Cricket Board today rejected his demand for the recusal of Chirayu Amin and Arun Jaitley from the disciplinary panel investigating the charges of financial irregularities against him. Setting August 18 as the next date for the disciplinary hearing, the Board refused to oblige Modi without specifying the reasons for the decision, leaving the sidelined administrator''s legal team furious. "The request of Mr Lalit Modi for recusal of certain members of the Disciplinary Committee is rejected," the BCCI said in a statement. "The next hearing of the Disciplinary Committee is fixed for Wednesday August 18 at 7:30 pm at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi," it added. Modi''s lawyer Mehmood Abdi was quick to slam the BCCI for rejecting Modi''s demand and threatened to take the Board to court. "We don''t consider it as a fair order. We will take appropriate legal steps after consultations with senior counsels," said Abdi, reacting to the BCCI decision. Asked whether it meant going to a court of law, Abdi said "that is not ruled out." Apart from Amin (the interim IPL chief) and Jaitley (BCCI vice-President), the three-member panel also comprises Congress MP and Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association chief Jyotiraditya Scindia. The panel has met thrice so far and Modi has been absent on all the occasions, leaving it to his legal team to present his case against allegations of financial irregularities. The last hearing of the panel took place on August 1 after which the committee reserved its order on the contentious recusal issue. Modi''s lawyer Mehmood Abdi had then stated that the arguments on their demand of recusal of panel members Jaitley and Amin were complete. Modi has been insisting that Jaitley and Amin recuse themselves from the panel as they are also part of the BCCI, which has made the allegations against him.

Source: Published>

Sheila Dikshit does a debris check of Commonwealth Games sites around Delhi

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 04:37 PM

New Delhi, Aug 11 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday visited various construction sites of Commonwealth Games to supervise its progress.

Her visit came a day after the government extended the deadline for debris clearance to August 31 as various civic agencies failed to remove all Commonwealth Games related demolition waste from the city.

She visited various parts of South and Central Delhi such as Connaught Place, Paharganj and Karol Bagh where heaps of rubble can still be seen.

She also instructed the officials at the site to expedite the job at the earliest to initiate streetscaping work to give a presentable look to the city.

On Tuesday she said: "All construction waste would soon be cleared from project sites."

"Most of the work has been done and the debris clean up has been completed also," she added.

Earlier on July 30, Dikshit said: "I have said before that all most of the big malba, will be cleared by August 10. Most of the work will be completely by August 30-31st." "We have kept the whole month of September to completed any other work."

She had also reiterated that there would be no deviation in the deadline to halt digging work and to remove the malba.

The Delhi Government is under increasing attack for the city's slow preparation for the event as several key infrastructure projects are yet to be completed. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

PCB not to renew Shoaib Malik's central contract

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 04:21 PM

Karachi, Aug 11 (ANI): Former Pakistani skipper Shoaib Malik is likely to lose his place in the team and his central contract with the PCB after his poor showing in England.

Sources in the PCB said on Tuesday that the PCB was not interested in continuing with the all-rounder who has failed to boost up Pakistan's inexperienced middle order in England as the visitors got out below 100-runs on more than one occasion.

The sources said that top brass of the PCB would not renew the central contract with Shoaib as selectors had shown their unhappiness with his performance.

The PCB selectors are going to meet the chairman later this month to present a list of names of the players they want to persist with for the upcoming important season that includes World Cup 2011, the Daily Times reports.

After getting penalized by the PCB for his involvement in off-the-field activities and raising politics in the team, Shoaib was got selected in the team on the recommendation of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, but the all-rounder has failed to cement his position in the team.

Shoaib has scored only 89 runs in the three Test matches he has played in England, two against hosts and one against Australia. Prior to this tour, Shoaib scored only 46 runs in the last month's Asia Cup, a performance that clearly speaks of his poor form. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Goalline technology on IFAB agenda says Blatter

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 03:57 PM

The issue of goalline technology is on the agenda for the International Football Association Board's (IFAB) October meeting, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday.

Blatter told a news conference in Singapore that IFAB, the body responsible for determining the rules of the sport, had agreed in their July meeting to put the issue on their agenda for their official gathering in Wales from Oct. 19-20.

"At this meeting (in October), we will bring the point of goalline technology," Blatter told reporters. "It is now on the this agenda."

The debate on the of the use of technology was raised again when England's Frank Lampard was denied a goal in their World Cup second round defeat to Germany in June, despite television replays showing the ball clearly crossing the goalline.

Soccer remains one of the few major sports to resist the use of technology, with tennis, cricket, rugby, NBA basketball and American football all using applied science successfully.

Blatter, who is in Singapore to open the men's and women's soccer tournaments for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, said that he was in favour of using technology to rule on such contentious decisions providing it was reliable.

"My personal opinion on goal technology has never changed, I have said if we have an accurate and simple system then we will implement but so far we have not had a simple, nor an accurate system."

IFAB decided in July to expand their use of two additional referees officiating matches with the method also being employed in the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup this season after it debuted in the Europa League last year.

MAKING PRESENTATIONS

The 74-year-old, flanked by AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam, FIFA executive committee member Chung Mong-joon and Singapore FA president Zainudin Nordin, said that a number of groups would be able to present their solutions at the meeting.

"The Cairos-Adidas system said they will have something more simple and the Italian group presented by the Italian FA said they now have a system which is absolutely accurate.

"We have the Hawk-Eye again and then a Swiss watch company Longines, they said we have something that will beat everything so in this meeting all of these people can come and present their different items."

German manufacturers Cairos Technologies told Reuters last month that they had been asked to make changes to their product by IFAB but had heard nothing from the law-making board after rectifying the technology to appease them.

Source: Web Search

New one-day cricket format makes debut in Australia

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 03:27 PM

Darwin (Australia), Aug.11 (ANI): Split-innings one day cricket made its Australian domestic debut in Darwin on Tuesday as Cricket Australia hurried to fine-tune the format ahead of an imminent decision on the shape of the coming season.

Tasmania thumped South Australia by six wickets with 8.3 overs to spare in an experimental contest that featured two 40-over innings split in half, with fielding restrictions applying in both brackets and only four bowlers required.

The first bracket of each innings was mediocre fare, as SA made 4-87 and Tasmania replied with 4-77, before the Redbacks folded for only a further 58 runs and allowed the Tigers an easy fourth innings chase.

CA officials watched with interest in preparation for a board meeting in Melbourne on Friday, after which the details of the one day domestic format to be trialled this summer will be finalised.

Tasmanian acting captain Xavier Doherty said the format's conditions placed greater focus on specialists and less on bit-part players.

Doherty admitted the rules made all-rounders a less valuable commodity, reducing the need for versatile role-players capable of swinging both bat and ball.

"The rules also allowed 12 players, 11 bat or bowl, so it'll probably leave all-rounders a little bit out of the game, obviously if they're still in your best 11 they'll play, but there's probably not such a great need for an all-rounder now," he said.

He added: "There are probably a few blokes a bit shirty about having this split innings (format), but without trialling it no-one's going to know what it's going to throw up, so the only way to go is to try it and see what happens."

The match was played minus Cricket Australia's most left-field oncept, that of a super-striker batting twice, and Doherty was trong in his disapproval of the idea. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Oz cricket officials pushing for use of umpire referrals in India series

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 03:21 PM

Sydney, Aug.11 (ANI): Australian cricket administrators are attempting to soften Indian opposition to the umpire decision referral system, starting with its use in the Test series between the two countries in October.

Cricket Australia is pushing for the use of the system in the October series, with two Tests to be played in Mohali and Bangalore, as a precursor to the home Ashes series in which the UDRS will be used.

It would also serve as a way to get the system into place in India ahead of the 2011 World Cup, which the ICC has indicated will feature the referral system.

"We're genuinely hopeful we will be able to persuade them that DRS is a good thing," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted a CA spokesman, as saying.

Despite a widely held belief that the system (UDRS) should be made mandatory for all internationals, an International Cricket Council ruling allows countries to choose whether or not they wish to use it on a series-by-series basis.

This has led to considerable confusion among players and umpires, who may operate under one system for a series before having to switch back to the other.

Cost is one reason for the inconsistency, as many cricket boards have claimed an inability to pay for the technology.

In India's case there are no such financial constraints, only a vague mistrust of the system summed up by the words "we don't like it".

India's players have been near united in their opposition to referrals since a series in Sri Lanka in 2008.

During those matches, the Sri Lankans successfully changed 11 decisions, as opposed to only one by the Indian team, a discrepancy that led the tourists to conclude they were better off taking their chances and pressuring umpires rather than allowing technology to have a greater say.

"DRS is still not a 100 per cent correct system," Indian skipper M S Dhoni said last month.

"We have seen that, in spite of having the DRS, not everything goes correct. Most of the teams have played a series under the DRS, so it is important now to come up with a foolproof plan," he added.

Plain speaking Indian opener Virender Sehwag recently broke ranks to say he is in favour of the system, which has been proven to improve the ratio of correct decisions from around 94 per cent to nearer 98 per cent.

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar, however, remains opposed.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Sri Lankan skipper Kumar angakkara and international players' union boss Tim May have all xpressed the view that the system should be mandatory across all eries. (ANI)

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Flintoff out of CSK squad for Champions League

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 03:17 PM

New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Chennai Super Kings will be without Andrew Flintoff in the Champions League T20 cricket tournament beginning Sep 10 in South Africa as the England all-rounder is yet to recover from his knee surgery.

The Chennai franchise announced its 15-member squad for the event Wednesday.

Flintoff had been ruled out for his county Lancashire for the rest of the season. He already has undergone two knee surgeries and his doctors have advised him more rest if he wishes to extend his stint with England.

'Freddie will not play for us due to a prolonged injury. He is still recovering,' Chennai Super Kings director V.B. Chandrashekhar told IANS.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) triumph earlier this year, will continue to captain the side.

Left-hander Suresh Raina, a prolific scorer in IPL 3, is also part of the squad.

The team had earlier announced a 20-member squad for the Twenty20 extravaganza in the rainbow nation. The ones who could not make the cut in the final 15 are Parthiv Patel, Abhinav Mukund, Sudeep Tyagi and Sri Lanka's Thissara Perera.

'Thissara will be representing his home team Wayamba Elevens in the competition,' Chandrashekhar said.

The foreign players who found a place in the squad are Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan and Thilan Thushara, Australia's Michael Hussey, Doug Bollinger and Matthew Hayden, and Albie Morkel of South Africa.

Three IPL teams Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians will spearhead India' challenge out of the 10 teams due to take part in the multi- million dollar event.

Source: Web Search

Three sibling athletes bring laurels

Wed, Aug 11 10 02:51 PM

Patiala, Aug 11 (PTI) Three players belonging to the same family in Punjab won two gold and a silver medal in the Inter-state athletic meet held here. Harwant Kaur (Olympian discus thrower), Kuldev Singh (400 meter hurdle racer) won the gold, while Patwant Kaur (short put) settled for the silver medal. Born in Amritsar, these three siblings were inspired by their elder sister Gurmeet kaur, who is a former National Javelin thrower. Discus thrower Harwant Kaur defended her national title with a throw of 60.66m, pushing aside the challenge from Asian Games bronze medalist Krishna Poonia (60.44m). Her brother Kuldev got gold in 400m hurdles while her sister Patwant got silver medal in shot put. Kuldev told PTI that they took their initial training from their grandfather Dalip Singh and then later joined the National Institute of Sports (NIS) here. Coach Praveer Singh trains the Olympian Harwant Kaur. Presently she is focusing on her upcoming target by winning gold at the national level. Kuldev Singh made a remarkable comeback by winning gold after suffering from an ankle injury. "Kuldev is an impressive hurdle athlete and they expect him to perform his best at the national level too," said Rajinder Singh, coach of Kuldev.

Source: Published>

Vanessa Perroncel eyes Bridge reunion, denies sleeping with John Terry

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 02:47 PM

London, August 11 (ANI): Vanessa Perroncel has denied sleeping with Chelsea skipper, John Terry, and said she wants to get back with Wayne Bridge.

It was alleged that the former WAG had a four-month affair with the England defender in late 2009.

It was said to have happened after she split from current Manchester City star Wayne Bridge, who was then Terry's teammate at the west London club.

And as Kate Garraway, 43, grilled her on GMTV she said she wanted to get back together with Wayne, 30, the father of her three-year-old son Jaydon.

"It would be lovely, but you know, Wayne might not feel that way," The Daily Star quoted Perroncel saying.

"Whether we might get back together or not, you know crazier things have happened," she added.

She continued to say Terry's wife Toni, 28, believed her when she said she had not had a relationship with her husband.

And she rubbished reports that she had been paid by Terry to keep quiet about the allegations.

"Yes I believe she did. I have never said: 'Oh yes, I've had an affair with John Terry.' I said: 'No, he was my friend.'

"Friends, we were friends. That's what we were. I denied that from the start but people didn't want to hear," Perroncel said.

"I didn't take a penny from him. I didn't take a penny from anyone," she added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Security of athletes in India remains Australia''s top priority

Wed, Aug 11 10 02:21 PM

Melbourne, Aug 11 (PTI) The corruption scandals and construction delays ahead of the Delhi Commonwealth Games are hardly a concern for the Australian government, which is more worried about the security of its athletes during the October event. The federal government said security remains the top priority for Australia''s team in planning for the October 3-14 event. Three members of the Games Organising Committee were sacked or suspended in the past week amid widespread corruption allegations but Australia''s government is not too bothered by these developments. "Our number one concern is on the security and safety of our athletes and of Australian officials," federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis was quoted as saying by AAP in Adelaide today. "So what we are concentrating on doing is working very hard to make sure that we''re gathering the best information about what is happening on the ground. "And that we are providing all of the sports with that information so that they can make the best decisions for their sport and for those individual athletes as well. That is quite rightly where the commonwealth (government''s) focus is at the moment. Ellis said that it was not the first time that trouble were witnessed in the lead up to a major event. "Of course there is a lot of speculation about these things. The government was working with Indian organisers and Australian sports authorities so that hopefully we can see a successful Games go ahead," he said. Australia will send a team of about 425 athletes and 175 officials to Delhi.

Source: Published>

Abbey Clancy jets off to Spain to get over Crouch's sexcapade

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 02:17 PM

London, Aug 11 (ANI): English lingerie and catwalk model Abbey Clancy has flown down to Spain so that she can get over the shock of being cheated by fiance Peter Crouch.

e 24-year-old stunning model has flown to Spain, leaving her relationship with the English footballer on the brink.

Crouch, 29, had sex with a teenage Algerian prostitute in Madrid for 800 pounds.

Clancy rushed to meet her mum Karen after a series of emotional calls to her.I can't stand to be near you," The Sun reported Clancy as saying when she confronted Crouch at their Weybridge, Surrey mansion.

"Every time I see you it reminds me what you've done. I need to get away and clear my head," she told him.

"Abbey's absolutely devastated. She still hasn't decided whether to stay with him. The relationship's very much on the edge. She'll decide over the next few days whether or not to give it a go - or kick him into touch," a source said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Vanessa Perroncel eyes Bridge reunion, denies sleeping with John Terry

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 02:07 PM

London, August 11 (ANI): Vanessa Perroncel has denied sleeping with Chelsea skipper, John Terry, and said she wants to get back with Wayne Bridge.

It was alleged that the former WAG had a four-month affair with the England defender in late 2009.

It was said to have happened after she split from current Manchester City star Wayne Bridge, who was then Terry's teammate at the west London club.

And as Kate Garraway, 43, grilled her on GMTV she said she wanted to get back together with Wayne, 30, the father of her three-year-old son Jaydon.

"It would be lovely, but you know, Wayne might not feel that way," The Daily Star quoted Perroncel saying.

"Whether we might get back together or not, you know crazier things have happened," she added.

She continued to say Terry's wife Toni, 28, believed her when she said she had not had a relationship with her husband.

And she rubbished reports that she had been paid by Terry to keep quiet about the allegations.

"Yes I believe she did. I have never said: 'Oh yes, I've had an affair with John Terry.' I said: 'No, he was my friend.'

"Friends, we were friends. That's what we were. I denied that from the start but people didn't want to hear," Perroncel said.

"I didn't take a penny from him. I didn't take a penny from anyone," she added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Bellamy accuses Man City coach of 'cold-shouldering' players since February

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 01:57 PM

London, Aug.11 (ANI): Welsh striker Craig Bellamy has accused Manchester City's Italian boss Roberto Mancini of cold-shouldering some of the team's players since both had a furious row back in February.

Bellamy, 31, has been nursing a knee injury and has hardly featured in pre-season training, while players such as Brazilian flop Jo have been playing regularly.

The 10-million-pound signing from West Ham said: "I haven't spoken to the manager since February. There are a number of players, like Carlos Tevez and me, who he doesn't speak to and keeps us away. I'm not sure if it's personal. Maybe it's the way he deals with things and it's his manner."

"But, I've got a fair indication of what they all think, though, as I've had 80 minutes in pre-season. I've even seen players not part of the club over the last three years get more minutes than me," The Sun quoted Bellamy, as saying further.

During City's recent tour of the USA, Bellamy indicated he wanted to stay with City and fight for his place.

With his age and a series of knee problems against him, he felt remaining at Eastlands was his best chance of winning silverware.

But, Bellamy is now eyeing the exit door and claims he is not short of offers - with Spurs and Wolfsburg showing an interest.

Mancini will name his 25-man Premier League squad at the end of this month and Bellamy fears the worst, even though he claims he would like to stay.

The Welshman said: "If I'm not on the list, which is unlikely, then the only games I will get are with the reserves.

"I'm so committed to where I am and with the new players coming in I'm driving to stay here. But that's unlikely to happen. I've just come back after my best year in football," he said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Woods, a 'national joke' in US over poor performance at Bridgestone

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 01:51 PM

Washington, Aug 11 (ANI): Struggling golfer Tiger Woods has become a 'national joke' in the US after his pathetic performance at the World Golf Championship (WGC)-Bridgestone Invitational.

American stand-up comedian and television host Jay Leno taunted at Woods' current status as he finished next to last on Sunday.

"The last time Tiger hit that many trees was when he was trying to get his car out of the driveway," Leno quipped.

That was a reference to an incident back in November when Woods crashed his car into a tree as he was chased out of his Florida home by wife Elin after she found out about his string of extra-marital affairs.

Leno also claimed that Woods had consulted his old pal, basketball legend Charles Barkley, who is the subject of a Golf Channel show aiming to transform him from a hopeless hacker into a decent golfer, The Sun reports.

"It's got so bad, Tiger is phoning Charles for tips now. And his sponsors, Nike, are changing their motto from 'Just do it' to 'Just get it over with'," he added.

When Woods was questioned how he had gone from world No 1 to "one of the worst players on the planet", he replied: "The good thing is, even as one of the worst golfers on the planet, I could still beat you!"

On Sunday he admitted he would be a liability at Celtic Manor in October. However, on the show, he said he would definitely accept a wild card from USA captain Corey Pavin.

"Yes, I would take being a captain's pick. I haven't seen him or spoken to Corey, and hopefully I won't be a pick. I would like to be able to play myself onto that team," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Gerrard says okay for fans to boo England Lions if they fail

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 01:37 PM

London, Aug.11 (ANI): Skipper Steven Gerrard has given England fans permission to boo the team at Wembley tonight if they fail to deliver against Hungary.

"I probably would boo. We deserve it. We have to take it on the chin because we let the supporters down in the summer," The Sun quoted Gerrard, as saying.

"Hopefully, in time, we can show we are a good team. We are desperate to make the supporters happy in the future," he added.

Manager Fabio Capello has also admitted he and his team of under-performing stars including Wayne Rooney, John Terry and Frank Lampard deserve to be jeered in tonight's friendly with Hungary.

Gerrard, however, believes the criticism of Capello has been unfair.

The Liverpool midfielder said: "We can't just shift all the blame on the manager. The players go on to the pitch. We have to take it on our chins together. Fabio is the manager, all the players listen carefully to what he has to say. I've got big faith in him. It would be stupid and naive not to... he is a fantastic manager."

A well-below capacity crowd of about 60,000 is expected tonight, with some supporters said to be planning to walk out after 40 minutes in disgust at England's World Cup shocker.

Ace Gerrard believes the only way to win back fans' trust is to start winning again - and qualify for Euro 2012. (ANI)

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Champions League Twenty20 launched

Wed, Aug 11 10 01:21 PM

Johannesburg, Aug 11 (PTI) The second edition of the multi-million dollar Champions League Twenty20 was launched here in a glittering function attended by top officials of Cricket South Africa and star players including retired spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan. CSA president Dr Nyoka, secretary Gerald Majola and CL T20 CEO Sundar Raman unveiled the glittering trophy of the USD six million prize-money Twenty20 tournament to be held for the first time in South Africa, at a city hotel last night. South African players Jean-Paul Duminy, Alviro Petersen, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell and Makhya Ntini were also present. Raman said India will continue to be represented in future by three teams while two teams from Australia and South Africa, the two other founder members, will take part. "We have a 10-year contract with ESPN Star Sports. The number of matches will remain 23 but regarding the increase in number of teams that is the decision of CLT20 council. Three teams from India, two each from South SAfrica and Australia will take part in future tournaments also. The other teams were on invitational basis," he said. Dr Nyoka said the tournament should be a success considering the organisational capacity of South Africa to host global mega events. "We have proved that South Africa has the capacity to hold global events and so there should not be any doubt that this tournament will be a success too. We are happy to have this event here," he said. Majola said SA looks forward to holding five such tournaments under the terms agreed by the three founding members of India, South Africa and Australia. "We are ready to hold five tournaments here. India hosted the first tournament and it will be a big event this time also," he said. Meanwhile, the CLT20 organisers announced that South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor and Australian Cameron White will play for Bangalore Royal Challengers after the team paid USD 200,000 to the home sides of Warriors of South Africa, Central Stags of New Zealand and Victoria Bushrangers of Australia.

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Victoria captain White to play for Bangalore in Champions League

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 01:07 PM

London, Aug 11 (ANI): All-rounder Cameron White is all set to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore instead of the Victoria Bushrangers in the Champions League Twenty 20 tournament in South Africa next month.

White's choice was the most significant selection in the final list of squads for the 2010 event, to be held in South Africa.

White has been the mainstay of the Bushrangers squad since becoming the state's youngest ever captain in 2003, but his Indian Premier League (IPL) contract ties him to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Batsman David Hussey is expected to be captain in White's absence, Fox Sports reports.

Victoria will be handed US dollars 200,000 as compensation from Royal Challengers Bangalore.

South African Jacques Kallis, aligned to the Warriors, and New Zealander Ross Taylor (Central Stags) would also be competing against their home provinces. (ANI)

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CWF CEO Mike Hooper disgusted over fraud note

Published>Wed, Aug 11 10 12:37 PM

New Delhi, August 11 (ANI): "Disgusted" over what he says is a fraudulent note aired on Indian media, Mike Hooper, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation, on Tuesday cautioned media houses to exercise restraint and validate facts. With just 53 days left, India's mega sporting event has been facing a lot of criticism for the delay in work and also alleged corruption charges.

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