Spaniard Arteta would consider playing for England

Sun, Aug 22 10 12:18 AM

Everton's Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta has said he would seriously consider playing for England if Fabio Capello ever came calling for him.

"I don't know what (Capello's) thoughts are," Arteta told BBC Sport on Saturday. "If one day the opportunity comes, obviously I would have to consider it very seriously."

British media have linked the 28-year-old to a call-up since he gained British citizenship earlier this year.

Arteta has never played at full international level for his native Spain, who have a plethora of fine midfielders including Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas already in their European Championship and World Cup winning squad.

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Ex-Italy striker Lucarelli joins Napoli on loan

Sun, Aug 22 10 12:15 AM

Former Italy striker Cristiano Lucarelli has joined Napoli on loan from first division rivals Parma with an option to make the move a permanent deal, club officials said on Saturday.

"Lucarelli is with Napoli now and he can feel like a part of our family," president Aurelio de Laurentiis told Radio Marte, the club's official station.

The highlight of Lucarelli's career was a four-year spell at Livorno from 2003 to 2007 where he scored 92 goals in 146 appearances and was the Serie A top scorer in 2004-05 with 24 goals in 35 games.

The 34-year-old had a quiet season with Ukraine side Shakhtar Donetsk and returned to Italy, scoring 16 goals in 45 games for Parma before netting 10 times in 28 matches while on loan at Livorno last season.

Lucarelli scored three goals in six appearances for Italy and his presence should fill the void left by the departure of Argentina's German Denis to Udinese.

Napoli play Swedish side Elfsborg in the return leg of their Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday after winning the home fixture 1-0.

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Hoffenheim's four-goal blitz too much for Werder

Sat, Aug 21 10 11:36 PM

Hoffenheim fought back from conceding an early goal, scoring four times in 23 minutes to crush Werder Bremen 4-1 in an impressive display of attacking football on Saturday.

Werder, hoping to qualify for the Champions League group stage after beating Sampdoria 3-1 in the first leg of their midweek playoff, took a third-minute lead when captain Torsten Frings converted a penalty awarded for handball.

Hoffenheim then burst into life, netting four times before the break through Demba Ba, teenager Peniel Mlapa, Vedad Ibisevic and a well-struck Sejad Salihovic free kick as their opponents imploded on the first full matchday of the season.

On Friday, champions Bayern Munich needed a stoppage-time goal from Bastian Schweinsteiger to beat VfL Wolfsburg 2-1.

Schalke 04, last season's runners-up, take on Hamburg SV later on Saturday.

GOOD START

Werder, who sold top midfielder Mesut Ozil to Real Madrid in the week, made a good start but instead of building on their lead they conceded too much space to the hosts and no one stepped in to fill the playmaking void.

It came as no surprise when Ba equalised in the 20th minute, pouncing on a poor clearance of Ibisevic's cross to slot home from close range.

The 19-year-old Mlapa then fired the hosts into the lead as he raced clear to beat keeper Tim Wiese in the 37th minute before Ibisevic and Salihovic added two more goals.

Werder, who saw striker Hugo Almeida limp off with a muscle injury early in the first half, rarely threatened.

Claudio Pizarro, who needs one goal to overtake Giovane Elber as the best foreign scorer in the Bundesliga, made little headway in attack.

Elsewhere it was a perfect start for promoted Kaiserslautern and St Pauli who recorded 3-1 wins at Cologne and Freiburg respectively.

Hanover 96 put their first-round German Cup exit last week behind them to edge past Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1.

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Walcott hat-trick as Arsenal crush Blackpool 6-0

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 11:16 PM

Theo Walcott was back to his scintillating best with a hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed 10-man Blackpool 6-0 to bring the promoted side crashing back to Premier League reality on Saturday.

Walcott scored two in the first half before adding a superb third while an Andrei Arshavin penalty and goals by Abou Diaby and Marouane Chamakh piled on the agony for the visitors, who won their opening game 4-0 at Wigan Athletic last week.

Blackpool defender Ian Evatt was sent off after 31 minutes for bringing down Chamakh, leading to Arshavin's penalty.

Gareth Bale hit two goals, the second a brilliant top-corner volley from a tough angle, as Tottenham Hotspur won 2-1 at Stoke City.

The Londoners were helped by a controversial late decision that denied Stoke an equaliser when the referee ruled a Jon Walters header was not over the line before Peter Crouch cleared the ball.

In other games Bolton Wanderers won 3-1 at West Ham United, Birmingham City beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 and promoted West Bromwich Albion edged Sunderland 1-0. Everton were held 1-1 at home by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Chelsea visit Wigan Athletic -- the team they destroyed 8-0 on the final day of last season to secure the title -- later on Saturday.

Manchester United visit Fulham on Sunday while Manchester City host Liverpool on Monday night.

FIRST GAME

When Blackpool beat Wigan in their first game in the top flight for almost 40 years last week they were 3-0 up by halftime but at the Emirates they trailed by the same score at the break and were a man down.

Arsenal took the lead after 12 minutes with a nice build up by Tomas Rosicky and Arshavin that presented Walcott with a simple finish.

Blackpool's slim hopes disappeared when centre back Evatt was sent off for hauling down Chamakh on the edge of the box, with the referee adding to his pain by harshly awarding a penalty.

Arshavin converted to make it 2-0 and within minutes it was three as Walcott spun past his marker to bang in his second.

Diaby rattled in the fourth while the fans were still retaking their seats after the break.

Walcott, a surprise omission from England's World Cup squad in South Africa in June, then scored a dazzling goal when he controlled a Diaby pass, ghosted forward and curled in a precise shot before leaving the field to a standing ovation.

New signing Chamakh completed the thrashing with his first goal for the club seven minutes from time.

Blackpool coach Ian Holloway was full of praise for the victors. "They are fantastic players, the way they try and play, pass and move is an education to watch," he told the BBC.

"Some of the football they played was absolutely world class. The pace of them shocked my lads a bit but they have to get used to that. I'm just relieved it was only six."

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Punjab wins team gold in Federation Cup gymnastics

Sat, Aug 21 10 10:57 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Punjab bagged the team gold in the rhythmic gymnastics event of the Federation Cup Gymnastics Championship which began here today. Punjab duo of Prabhjot Kaur and Kiran Jit Kaur bagged overall first place in the team championship with 128 points at the Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium. Maharashtra''s Sidhi Sawant, Madura Tambe and Shriya Makwana combined together to secure the second spot with 121 points in the championships, a test event for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. The third position in this section went to Andhra Pradesh girls M Neha, C Kavya and B Gauthami who managed 92 points. In the Individual all-round championship, Prabhjot Singh of Punjab won the pride of place with 59.8 points. Second individual all-round best was accorded to Sidhi Sawant of Maharashtra with 50.5 points while third position in this category went to Madura Tambe (48.5).

Source: Published>

Walcott hat-trick as Arsenal thrash 10-man Blackpool 6-0

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 10:16 PM

Theo Walcott was back to his scintillating best with an impressive hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed 10-man Blackpool 6-0 to bring the promoted side crashing back to Premier League reality on Saturday.

Walcott scored two in the first half then added a superb third while an Andrei Arshavin penalty and goals by Abou Diaby and Marouane Chamakh piled on the agony for the visitors, who won their opener 4-0 at Wigan Athletic last week.

Blackpool defender Ian Evatt was sent off after half an hour when the score was 1-0 for bringing down Chamakh, leading to Arshavin's penalty.

Gareth Bale got two, the second a superb volley, as Tottenham Hotspur won 2-1 at Stoke City helped by a controversial late decision that the ball had not crossed the goalline that left Stoke fuming.

Bolton Wanderers won 3-1 at West Ham United, Birmingham City beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 and West Bromwich Albion beat Sunderland 1-0.

Champions Chelsea visit Wigan Athletic -- who they beat 8-0 on the last day of the season to secure the title -- later on Saturday.

Manchester United play Fulham away on Sunday while Manchester City host Liverpool on Monday night.

Source: Web Search

Dominant Hoffenheim crush Werder Bremen 4-1

Sat, Aug 21 10 09:56 PM

Hoffenheim fought back from an early goal down to strike four times in 23 minutes and crush Werder Bremen 4-1 on Saturday, in an impressive show of attacking football at the start of the season.

Werder, on course to qualify for the Champions League group stage after beating Italy's Sampdoria 3-1 in the first leg of a playoff, took a third minute lead when captain Torsten Frings converted a penalty awarded for handball.

The hosts then burst into action, netting four goals before the break through Demba Ba, teenager Peniel Mlapa, Vedad Ibisevic and a well-struck Sejad Salihovic free kick as their opponents imploded on the first matchday of the new season.

Champions Bayern Munich needed a stoppage time goal from Bastian Schweinsteiger to beat VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 on Friday in the season opener.

Schalke 04, last season's runners-up, take on Hamburg SV later on Saturday.

Source: Published>

Sethi fights back, Advani shows sublime form to top group

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 09:52 PM

Pune, Aug 21 (IANS) Billiards maestro Geet Sethi was back to winnings ways with two back-to-back victories while Pankaj Advani continued his impressive run to enter the pre-quarters in the time-format of International Billiards and Snooker Championship here Saturday.

Sethi, who struggled to find his rhythm Friday, first defeated Irishman Aidan Murray 102-105, 150-59, 151-2, 152-27 and then thrashed Korea's Min Hu Baek 152-22, 151-35, 151-42 in straight frames to give him a chance of entering the next round.

Meanwhile, nine-time world champion Mike Russell and defending champion Pankaj Advani continued their impressive show by winning their remaining league matches to top their respective groups.

Russell did find some resistance from 2007 champion Rupesh Shah, but eventually prevailed over in a match that stretched to five frames. Pankaj had two Indians to negotiate, but the Bangalore boy allowed no room to either Bhaskar Balachandra or Alok Kumar.

Bhaskar did take one frame out of Pankaj, but the champion stayed on course to score 150-55, 151-64, 83-150, 150-145 win.

Playing against Alok Kumar, Pankaj showed immense control over the roll of the green baize as he crafted out 150-46, 151-73, 152-29 victory.

The other Indians who were through to the pre-quarterfinals were Rupesh Shah, Sourav Kothari, Ashok Shandilya, Dhruv Sitwala, Bhaskar and Alok Kumar.

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Kraisart takes pole position in FIM Asia Racing C''ship

Sat, Aug 21 10 09:26 PM

Chennai, Aug 21 (PTI) Thailand''s Decha Kraisart and Chalermpol Polomai of Petronas Yamaha team took the front row of the Supersport 600cc section in fourth round of the FIM Asia Racing Championship here today. Due to heavy rains the qualifying event for the second race was abandoned and the first qualifying positions would hold good for the second race. Kraisart kept up his good showing and clocked the best timing of 1 min 44.821 seconds to come on pole followed by his team mate Polomai at 1:45.212 secs. Indonesia''s Dori Tata Pradita ended on the third spot (1:45.451 secs) and Md Zamri Baba of Malaysia clocked 1:45.657 secs for the fourth position. Japan''s Toshiyuki Hamaguchi riding for India''s Moto-Rev Racing Team timed 1:45.873 secs to be fifth on pole. Favorite Kraisart, who had won the first race last year at the same venue said, "I really enjoy riding here and I am very happy to be on pole position. "I was pretty confident with the set-up we found yesterday and the bike felt really good. I put in my fastest and best timing on lap 2 and I felt I could go faster. We hope we have better weather tomorrow as we have a long race ahead of us." Polomai, who too had a great run over here last year, said, "I am not totally satisfied with the set up but I will work with my engineers tonight to find more speed. I quite enjoy racing on this circuit and will definitely be challenging Kraisart tomorrow. Let us hope the weather is alright tomorrow." The two Indian riders on the grid -- M Gautam and Sumit Toppo -- did not fare well today and will start from the back of the grid. Both suffered from mechanical problems in the morning and lost out on valuable track time. In Underbone 115cc race, Rafid Topan Sucipto will start on pole with Hadi Wijaya alongside him on the grid.

Source: Published>

Top tennis players say their commitment is only for Davis Cup

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 09:06 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) A trickily-worded clarification by top Indian tennis stars over their threatened boycott of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games has led to different interpretations.

While Anil Khanna, All India Tennis Association (AITA), read the letter as their confirmation of participating in the Games, sources close to the players insist that they have not made any commitment to it and that they only stated they would be there in Chennai to play the Davis Cup tie against Brazil next month.

Technically, Davis Cuppers Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna are correct in saying that in the statement Saturday they have only referred to the Davis Cup tie, and as for the New Delhi Games, they have only sated that the sports ministry has promised to look into the issue of clearance of their bills.

Khanna in his statement said: 'I am very pleased to hear about the statement of players that they are going to play in the Commonwealth Games. I was always 100 percent sure that our players who have stood selflessly by the nation for two decades will continue to serve the nation.'

Players also revealed in their communication that they have been submitting bills to the AITA officials and that they should process them quickly as an official of the sports ministry has confirmed that the payment is no issue once the bills are submitted.

'It is true that we wrote a letter to the AITA to voice some concerns we had about expenses that we were promised over the last year and a half, We have all submitted bills to various people at the AITA over this period, and now that the AITA has nominated us to represent India we requested them to make sure that the promises made are kept, we would like to put all speculation to rest and confirm we will be present in full strength to represent India against Brazil in Chennai in September,' the players' release said.

'As for the CWG, Mr. Rahul Bhatnagar (sports ministry joint secretary) has confirmed to us personally there will be no issues on payments once the AITA releases all the bills we have submitted over time and more.'

The players were also upset that their communication with AITA over the dues was made public.

'The issue was meant to be a private matter between the players and the Federation and it deeply disturbs us that our communication to the AITA was sent out to the media from the AITA office. We had no intention to create media frenzy, we just wanted to make sure we get what is due to us.

'We are hopeful that our genuine concerns will be addressed by our federation transparently without any delay. We will continue to be committed to play for our country.'

Khanna said he and chairman CWG Preparation Programme Jaideep Mukherjea will be meeting Bhatnagar Monday to sort out players' bills.

'As regards their grievances, these are being addressed. Jaideep Mukherjea, chairman CWG Preparation Programme, and I will meet Bhatnagar on Monday to sort out the pending issues of the players with the Ministry of Sports,' Khanna said.

Earlier, in a letter to All India Tennis Association (AITA), Paes, Bhupathi, Bopanna and Somdev threatebed a pull out from the Commonwealth Games and the Davis Cup unless their pending dues are paid.

Bhatnagar blamed the non-submission of players' bills by AITA the reason for delay and said the ministry will be happy to reimburse the money even if some basic documents of the players' bills are submitted.

Source: Web Search

Rain plays spoilsport in Buchi Babu cricket

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 08:46 PM

Chennai, Aug 21 (IANS) With rain playing havoc with the schedule, all seven matches in the All-India Buchi Babu Memorial cricket tournament here ended drawn Saturday.

The only exception was Mumbai winning their tie against Orissa in less than a day Friday.

Scores:

Andhra 132 all out in 54 overs (H.H.Vatekar batting 45, K.Bharath Reddy 32, Sunil Sam 5 for 42) drew with Districts 41 for 4 in 18.2 overs (P Vijayakumar 3 for 15).

Rajasthan 342 for 7 in 90 overs (Akash Chopra 106, Ankit Lamba 137, Hrishikesh Kanitkar 31, Robin Bisht 39, SL Akshay 3 for 52) drew with Karnataka 151 for 2 in 40 overs (Ganesh Satish 81 not out, Sunil Raju 39 not out).

Madhya Pradesh 329 all out in 90 overs (Zafar Ali 65, Jalaj Saxena 77, Devendra Bundela 49, Monish Mishra 37, B.Aparajith 4 for 56, V.Arunkumar 3 for 100) drew with City XI 93 for 3 in 32 overs (M.Praveen Srivatsan 37 not out, Ishwar Pandey 3 for 31).

Uttar Pradesh 253 all out in 90 overs (Tanmay Srivatsava 61, Ravikant Shukla 37, Praveen Gupta 30, Arlen Konwar 5 for 91) drew with Assam 84 for 2 in 35 overs (Abhijit Singha Roy 32 not out).

Saurashtra 206 in 71.3 overs (Jaydev N Shah 46,Chirag Pathak 30, Bhushan Chavan 31, Rakesh Dhruv not out 39, P. Prashant 3 for 33, Raiphi Vincent Gomez 3 for 40) drew with Kerala 131 for 6 in 63 overs (Rohan Prem 43, Rakesh Dhruv 3 for 48).

Hyderabad 220 in 88.3 overs (D.B. Ravi Teja 65, Minaash Gabriel 30, Habeeb Ahmed 43, Azhar Shaikh 5 for 84, Akshay Wakhare 3 for 59) drew with Vidharba 176 for 3 in 68.2 overs (Jayesh Dangaokar 64, Akshay Kolar 55).

Punjab 282 in 84.5 overs (Karan Goel 57, Uday Kaul 60, Mandeep Singh 66, Rahul Sharma 38, M. Prabhu 4 for 101, Rahil S. Shah 3 for 80) drew with Tamil Nadu 210 for 4 in 62.4 overs (S Anirudha 41, K.B.Arun Karthick 68 not out, S. Badrinath 36).

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Check dengue before Commonwealth Games, demands Cong MP

Sat, Aug 21 10 08:26 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) With less than two months to go for the Commonwealth Games, a Lok Sabha member today demanded that Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) should take steps on war footing to check spread of dengue in the national capital. "Over thousand cases of dengue have been reported from various hospitals in the capital," Congress member Jagdambika Pal said while raising the issue during the Zero Hour. As Commonwealth Games are round the corner, a large number of players and officials will visit the city, he said, adding, the MCD should take steps on "war footing" to check the mosquito menace. "It was unfortunate that dengue larvae were noticed near the headquarters of the MCD," he said. Sushil Kumar Singh (JD-U) alleged that the management of the Bokaro Steel Plant was deliberately keeping the production of steel low to help the private sector steel companies. He wanted the government to inquire from the management of the PSU steel unit as to why it was not producing steel up to its installed capacity. Sanjoy Takam (Cong) demanded that centre should clear the pending Rs 600 crore assistance to Arunachal Pradesh so that it can feed people under the Public Distribution System (PDS). Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD) asked the centre to support states like Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal which are reeling under drought.

Source: Published>

Yuki, Arjun bag silver each in YOG

Sat, Aug 21 10 08:22 PM

Singapore, Aug 21 (PTI) Yuki Bhambri and Arjun won a silver each in tennis and discus throw respectively as Indians returned their best medal haul of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games on the seventh day of the competition here today. Yuki had to settle for a silver after retiring hurt due to cramp on his legs in the boys tennis final. The sixth-seeded Indian, who had stunned second seeded Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina en route to the final, was trailing 1-4 against Juan Sebastian Gomez of Colombia in the third and deciding set when he retired hurt and conceded the match 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 1-4 at Kallang Tennis Centre. Arjun wrapped up the day with a silver in discus throw with an effort of 62.52m at Bishan Stadium. Jaques Du Plessis of South Africa won gold with an effort of 63.94m. Boxer Vikas Krishan also reached the medal round after defeating Hrayr Matevosyan of Armenia 7-2 in boys 60kg. "Ended up on losing side. It is unfortunate to cramp in such a big match. I would have liked to try and go ahead but could not. I thank all of you, especially Indians, for cheering me. I will have to be happy with just a silver this time but hopefully gold next time," Yuki said after the match. With two silver today, India''s medal tally now stands at five -- four silver and a bronze. Wrestler Pooja Dhanda had bagged a silver in women''s 60kg freestyle while Kadian Satyawart fetched a bronze in men''s 100kg freestyle. Shuttler HS Prannoy also fetched a silver. In 60kg boys preliminary round boxing, youth world champion Vikas had a strong opponent in Matevosyan. At the end of round one the scoreline read 1-1. But in second round, Vikas made intelligent changes tactically and the Indian took a 6-1 lead. In the third round, Vikas scored one more point and maintained his lead to win 7-2. "It was an easy bout. I had stronger opponents at the Indian Elite Championships, and I want to win this Youth Olympics. My bigger goal is the London Olympic Games in 2012," said Vikas after his bout. Vikas now meets his Youth World Championship silver medalist opponent Petrauskas Evaldas of Lithuania in the semifinals tomorrow. India''s other entry Shiva Thapa, a silver medallist at Youth World Championships in 54kg, got a bye and moved into semifinals. He meets Zack Davies of Great Britain tomorrow. In boys 55kg judo, Subash Yadav missed a bronze as he lost to Dmytro Atanov of Ukraine in the third place play-off. Earlier in the day, the Indian had beaten Diau Bauro of Fiji before losing to Mansurkhuja Muminkhujaev of Uzbekistan. In women''s 44kg judo, Neha Thakur lost her Repechage A final to Yoana Damyanova of Bulgaria. In table tennis, Avik Das lost both his boys preliminary round matches while Mallika Bhandarkar won one and lost two of her group matches. In girls 5000m walk race final, Khushbir Kaur finished a disappointing 13th with an effort of 25:30.27s.

Source: Published>

Zimbabwe keen to tour Pakistan: PCB

Sat, Aug 21 10 08:16 PM

Karachi, Aug 21 (PTI) Starved of international cricket for more than a year, Pakistan has finally received good news after Zimbabwe has showed its willingness to tour the strife-torn country for a full series. The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed that Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) had expressed its desire to send the national team to Pakistan for a full series to raise funds for the nation''s flood victims. "Yes, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union has made contact with us and we are now looking at a possible time slot to host them for a series at home, but modalities need to be worked out," a PCB official told PTI. He said that ZCU had left it up to PCB to decide the dates for the series. "The good thing is they are willing to tour Pakistan but we need to take care of several things before the series is finalised," said Nadeem Sarwar, a PCB official. ZCU''s offer has come as a big boost for PCB after foreign teams have refused to tour Pakistan since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team at Lahore in March last year. The vicious attack left six Pakistani policemen and a van driver dead. Five Sri Lankan cricketers were also injured in the strike, prompting the cancellation of the tour. Since then security scenario in Pakistan has made it a virtual no go area for foreign teams, forcing the country to play its home series on foreign soil. To add to it, the International Cricket Council also shifted the Pakistan''s share of the 2011 World Cup matches to the other three host countries -- India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. PCB chairman Ejaz Butt welcomed ZCU''s gesture and said the board would now look to finalise the dates of the series. "It is kind of them (ZCU) to support us in this way and it will also help us raise much needed funds for the flood victims," Butt said. Recently, the PCB chief also said that he was in touch with other cricketing boards, including BCCI, to form a World XI team for a series against Pakistan to raise funds for the flood victims. Butt''s statement came after the head of ICC''s special task force on Pakistan, Giles Clarke announced that they were planning to send a World XI team sometime next year to Pakistan to help in the resumption of international cricket in the country. The widespread floods in Pakistan have killed around 1600 people and left millions homeless with the government desperate for funds and help.

Source: Published>

Yuki, Arjun bag silver each in YOG

Sat, Aug 21 10 08:06 PM

Singapore, Aug 21 (PTI) Yuki Bhambri and Arjun won a silver each in tennis and discus throw respectively as Indians returned their best medal haul of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games on the seventh day of the competition here today. Yuki had to settle for a silver after retiring hurt due to cramp on his legs in the boys tennis final. The sixth-seeded Indian, who had stunned second seeded Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina en route to the final, was trailing 1-4 against Juan Sebastian Gomez of Colombia in the third and deciding set when he retired hurt and conceded the match 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 1-4 at Kallang Tennis Centre. Arjun wrapped up the day with a silver in discus throw with an effort of 62.52m at Bishan Stadium. Jaques Du Plessis of South Africa won gold with an effort of 63.94m. Boxer Vikas Krishan also reached the medal round after defeating Hrayr Matevosyan of Armenia 7-2 in boys 60kg. "Ended up on losing side. It is unfortunate to cramp in such a big match. I would have liked to try and go ahead but could not. I thank all of you, especially Indians, for cheering me. I will have to be happy with just a silver this time but hopefully gold next time," Yuki said after the match. With two silver today, India''s medal tally now stands at five -- four silver and a bronze. Wrestler Pooja Dhanda had bagged a silver in women''s 60kg freestyle while Kadian Satyawart fetched a bronze in men''s 100kg freestyle. Shuttler HS Prannoy also fetched a silver. In 60kg boys preliminary round boxing, youth world champion Vikas had a strong opponent in Matevosyan. At the end of round one the scoreline read 1-1. But in second round, Vikas made intelligent changes tactically and the Indian took a 6-1 lead. In the third round, Vikas scored one more point and maintained his lead to win 7-2. "It was an easy bout. I had stronger opponents at the Indian Elite Championships, and I want to win this Youth Olympics. My bigger goal is the London Olympic Games in 2012," said Vikas after his bout. Vikas now meets his Youth World Championship silver medalist opponent Petrauskas Evaldas of Lithuania in the semifinals tomorrow. India''s other entry Shiva Thapa, a silver medallist at Youth World Championships in 54kg, got a bye and moved into semifinals. He meets Zack Davies of Great Britain tomorrow. In boys 55kg judo, Subash Yadav missed a bronze as he lost to Dmytro Atanov of Ukraine in the third place play-off. Earlier in the day, the Indian had beaten Diau Bauro of Fiji before losing to Mansurkhuja Muminkhujaev of Uzbekistan. In women''s 44kg judo, Neha Thakur lost her Repechage A final to Yoana Damyanova of Bulgaria. In table tennis, Avik Das lost both his boys preliminary round matches while Mallika Bhandarkar won one and lost two of her group matches. In girls 5000m walk race final, Khushbir Kaur finished a disappointing 13th with an effort of 25:30.27s.

Source: Published>

Two Indian golfers in top-10 in PGA tournament

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 07:56 PM

Greensboro (US), Aug 21 (IANS) Arjun Atwal continued to have a share of the lead, as two Indians featured in the top-10 of a PGA Tour leaderboard for the first two days of the Wyndham Golf Championships. Atwal continues to have a share of the lead at 12-under, while Jeev Milkha Singh, third after first day, was tied seventh after the second.

Atwal, who came through the Monday qualifiers, is tied for the lead at 12 under with Brandt Snedker after shooting a 67 in the second round Friday, while Jeev Milkha Singh, a European Tour veteran, who is a PGA TOUR rookie this year, is currently tied for seventh at 8-under after shooting 68 here Friday.

After his nine-under in first round, his second round of three-under 67 included five birdies and two bogeys. His birdies came on third, fourth, eighth, ninth and 15th and he dropped shots on 10th and 14th.

Jeev had four birdies and one bogey on 11th. His birdies came on fifth, eighth and 13th.

A win for Atwal may not be able to earn FedExCup place this week but a win would give him a two-year exemption on the PGA TOUR. Atwal had lost his card three weeks ago when he wasn't able to earn enough money to fulfill his minor medical exemption.

Atwal is still exempt on the European Tour after his 2008 win at the Maybank Malaysian Open, his eighth international victory. But he has opted to stay in the States and continue his quest to earn his PGA TOUR card.

'That's my goal is to secure my job for next year,' Atwal said. 'We could have gone and played in Europe. I didn't want to do that. My main goal is to play here.'

Before Prior to this week, Atwal's last tournament was The Greenbrier Classic. After being told that he would find it difficult to make the connections to make the Monday qualifiers for the Turning Stone Resort Championship, he and his caddy rented a car and drove to Syracuse, arriving at 6:30 a.m.

Atwal was in the second group off the tee in the qualifier. He shot a 68 and then had to wait until everyone was finished for the playoff - where he lost out on the final spot.

But this Monday at Forest Oaks he was successful as his 67 got Atwal into the field. He opened with a 61 on Thursday and followed with a 67 to tie Snedeker.

'I feel pretty good about my swing,' Atwal said. 'Obviously I didn't hit it as good as yesterday but they say that it's hard to back up a really low number with another one. I missed a couple of fairways today where, you know, kind of hard to get it on the green from there. That's why I made a couple of bogeys. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with the way I played today.'

Atwal, who likes keeping an eye on the leaderboard added: 'If I get into contention on Sunday on the back nine, I won't be scared.'

Source: Web Search

Indian tennis stars to play in CWG with full strength

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 07:52 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (ANI): Top Indian tennis stars Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman have jointly issued a press statement saying they will play in full strength for India in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

An earlier report that made headlines on Friday said that they would pull out of the event over non-payment of dues by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the Central Government.

They said they took the decision to play to end all speculation about their non-paticipation.

"It is true that we wrote a letter to the AITA to voice some concerns we had about expenses that we were promised over the last year and a half, We have all submitted bills to various people at the AITA over this period, and now that the AITA has nominated us to represent India we requested them to make sure that the promises made are kept," said a statement iossued by the tennis players.

"We would like to put all speculation to rest and confirm we will be present in full strength to represent India against Brazil in Chennai in September. As for the CWG, it has promised to make payments on time," the statement added.

It was reported on Friday that the top tennis stars had written to the All India Tennis Association saying they don't have the time to run around, and are therefore, authorising the AITA to deal with the issue of non-payment of dues on their behalf.

They had sent an ultimatum to the All India Tennis Association after dues of over two crore rupees were unpaid for the past two years.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 is India's biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games.

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. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Is Ronaldo cheating on Russian lover Irina Shayk?

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 07:46 PM

London, Aug (ANI): It seems Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is cheating on his Russian lover Irina Shayk.

The soccer ace is said to have been bombarding Page 3 model Rhian Sugden with texts behind Shayk's back

Ronaldo has been dating Shayk since May.

However, he has been reportedly messaging Sugden almost every day since they met in April.

"They get on great. Rhian thinks he's a genuine, funny guy. He got her number in a Manchester restaurant. He started calling and texting straight away," the Sun quoted a friend as saying. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Butt to meet Afridi on Aug 23; to take call on Younis'' future

Sat, Aug 21 10 07:22 PM

Karachi, Aug 21 (PTI) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ejaz Butt has summoned one-day captain Shahid Afridi for a meeting on August 23 to decide on the future of former skipper Younis Khan. Well informed sources in the Pakistan Cricket board told PTI that Afridi had been called for for a one-on-one meeting with Butt to discuss the forthcoming ODI series in England. "There are clear indications that in the meeting it will be decided if Younis Khan should be considered for the ODI series in England," one source said. He said Afridi and Butt''s August 23 meeting carry huge significance, especially on the context that the national selectors will be finalising the squad for ODIs and Twenty20 matches in England the next day. Incidentally, there have been reliable reports that due to pressure from the top the PCB Chairman has already indicated to the selectors that they should consider Younis for the forthcoming ODI series. "The PCB chairman is apparently being misled because Younis has filed no case against the board after the appellate tribunal lifted his ban," said Iqbal Mohammad Ali, who heads the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports. Iqbal said he had also spoken to Butt recently and discussed about Younis''s comeback to the national team. "Butt appeared to have changed his stance on Younis and indications are that he should be back in the team soon," he said. Pakistan will play two Twenty20 matches and five ODIs against England from September 5 onwards.

Source: Published>

Is Ronaldo cheating on Russian lover Irina Shayk?

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 07:16 PM

London, Aug (ANI): It seems Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is cheating on his Russian lover Irina Shayk.

The soccer ace is said to have been bombarding Page 3 model Rhian Sugden with texts behind Shayk's back

Ronaldo has been dating Shayk since May.

However, he has been reportedly messaging Sugden almost every day since they met in April.

"They get on great. Rhian thinks he's a genuine, funny guy. He got her number in a Manchester restaurant. He started calling and texting straight away," the Sun quoted a friend as saying. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Injured Serena Williams pulls out of US Open

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 07:07 PM

Melbourne, Aug 21 (ANI): World No.1 Serena Williams has withdrawn from the US Open, as she is still recovering from surgery to repair cuts on her right foot.

Williams has won the US Open thrice. Last year, she lost in the semi-finals after an outburst at a line judge over a foot fault call.

"It is with much frustration and deep sadness that I am having to pull out of the US Open," Williams said in a statement.

"My doctors have advised against my playing so that my foot can heal," The Herald Sun quoted her, as saying.

Williams called missing the tournament "one of the most devastating moments of my career."

The World No.1 was hurt while she was in Munich last month, shortly after winning her fourth Wimbledon singles title on July 3 and before playing in an exhibition match against Kim Clijsters.

Williams had surgery in Los Angeles on July 15.

She had already pulled out of three hardcourt tournaments she was scheduled to enter in preparation for the US Open. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Indian women''s team leave for hockey WC sans chief coach

Sat, Aug 21 10 06:57 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Leaving behind off-field controversies, Indian women''s hockey team today left for Rosario, Argentina to participate in the World Cup to be held there August 28 to September 11. The Surinder Kaur-led Indian side, who are travelling to Argentina without a head coach after the sacking of MK Kaushik for his alleged involvement in a sex scandal, open their campaign against defending champions Netherlands on August 30. They have been clubbed in a tough Pool A alongside the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Japan and New Zealand. After the Netherlands match, India play Australia on September 1 before taking on Germany (September 3), Japan (September 5) and New Zealand (September 7). India will also play practice matches against Spain, Argentina and England before the start of the tournament to be played at the Country of Rosario Jockey Club. The build up to the tournament has been marred by a sex scandal involving former chief coach MK Kaushik. The scandal led to the resignation of Kaushik following which four coaches -- Sandeep Somesh, Khalid Modi, Sandeep Kaur and Pritam Siwach -- have been appointed to guide the team in Argentina. Hockey India, however, said that it was not expecting any miracle from the team in Argentina as it is participating the tournament without a chief coach. "The team has gone to Argentina without a chief coach even though Hockey India had recommended the name of Mr C R Kumar to the Government, in place of Mr M K Kaushik who has since resigned," HI said in a statement. "Mr C R Kumar is a very experienced and learned coach having been with the Indian Men National team for many years besides being the head coach of the Malaysian women''s team at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. "The Indian women''s team for this World Cup has gone with a set of coaches, including a few who have coached the girls for less than one week. In view of this, there may be a possibility for the team to not produce the expected results," it added. The Squad: Goalkeepers: Dipika Murty, Etimarpu Rajani Defenders: Binita Toppo, Subhadra Pradhan, Joydeep Kaur Midfielders: Asunta Lakra, Kirandeep Kaur, Mukta P Barla, Deepika Thakur, Ritu Rani. Forwards: Surinder Kaur, Jasjeet Kaur Handa, Soundarya Yendala, Rani Rampal, Saba Anjum, Chanchan Devi Thokchom, Poonam Rani, Monika Badran. Officials: Sandeep Somesh, Khalid Modi, Sandeep Kaur, Pritam Siwach (coach).

Source: Published>

Yuki retires hurt, bags silver in Youth Olympics

Sat, Aug 21 10 06:52 PM

Singapore, Aug 21 (PTI) Yuki Bhambri had to settle for a silver medal in the tennis event after retiring hurt due to cramp on his legs in the singles final on a mixed day for Indians in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games here today. Yuki, who had stunned second seeded Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina en route to the final, was trailing 1-4 against Juan Sebastian Gomez of Colombia in the third and deciding set when he retired hurt and conceded the match 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 1-4 at Kallang Tennis Centre. With Yuki''s silver, India''s medal tally on the seventh day of the Games stood at four -- three silver and a bronze. Wrestler Pooja Dhanda had bagged a silver in women''s 60kg freestyle while Kadian Satyawart fetched a bronze in men''s 100kg freestyle. HS Prannoy also fetched a silver in the badminton singles. In boys 55kg judo, Subash Yadav missed a bronze as he lost to Dmytro Atanov of Ukraine in the third place play-off. Earlier in the day, the Indian had beaten Diau Bauro of Fiji before losing to Mansurkhuja Muminkhujaev of Uzbekistan. In women''s 44kg judo, Neha Thakur lost her Repechage A final to Yoana Damyanova of Bulgaria. In table tennis, Avik Das lost both his boys preliminary round matches while Mallika Bhandarkar won one and lost two of her group matches. In girls 5000m walk race final, Khushbir Kaur finished a disappointing 13th with an effort of 25:30.27s. In boxing also, the Indians began their campaign on a losing note with Vikas Krishan going down 2-7 to Hrayr Matevosyan of Armenia in boys 60kg preliminary round bout. India fielded 32 competitors in the inaugural edition of the Games which is meant for athletes in the age group of 14 to 18.

Source: Published>

Weightlifting body looks for loan to pay doping fine

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 06:46 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Miffed at the indifference of the sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) Saturday said it is being forced to look for financial assistance from other sources to pay off the hefty fine the international federation has imposed for doping sanctions.

The IWLF took this stand a day after the sports ministry's joint secretary Injeti Srinivas again reminded the IOA and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) of their 'primary obligation' to ensure that all teams participate in the Games.

The IWLF has paid $125,000 and if the remaining amount of $375,000 is not paid by Aug 31, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) will ban India from competing in international competitions.

Indian weightlifters will thus not be able to compete in the Commonwealth Games here Oct 3-14. The IWF fined IWLF $500,000 after six Indian weightlifters tested positive in dope tests last year.

IWLF secretary general Sahdev Yadav told IANS that the federation is forced to look for outside help.

'Time is running out for us. We have just 10 days in hand and have to arrange for $375,000 to ensure that our wrestlers are not banned. We have been demanding interest-free loans from both the sports ministry and the IOA,' he said.

'Now we are looking for loan from other agencies to pay this money. I can't reveal the details as we are still negotiating with them, and hopefully we can pay the fine,' Yadav added.

Both the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the sports ministry have refused any financial help to the IWLF to pay the fine.

The sports ministry has refused to pay the amount because it is supporting a dope-free sport through its own National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) and doesn't want to be seen in a bad light. The IOA says that it cannot help the IWLF financially as it would be seen as 'abetment to doping'.

A top official in sports ministry told IANS that the government wants the issue to be solved soon.

'We want the deadlock to end. We are paying so much for the training of the athletes and we don't want them to miss out on the Commonwealth Games. We want to sit down with the IOA and the IWLF and solve this issue soon,' the official said.

Source: Web Search

Pakistan on brink of victory over England in third test

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 06:36 PM

Pakistan were on the verge of victory over England on the fourth day of the third test at the Oval on Saturday after racing to 115 for three at lunch in pursuit of a target of 148.

Opener Imran Farhat led the way with an aggressive 33 including six fours from 39 deliveries.

England lead the four-match series 2-0 with the final test scheduled for Lord's next week.

James Anderson gave England an ideal start when he dismissed Yasir Hameed for a duck in his opening over. Hameed edged the fifth delivery to Graeme Swann at second slip who caught the ball at his second attempt.

Farhat, who had slashed Anderson's second ball over slips for a four, continued to go for his shots, driving the paceman for a boundary through mid-wicket.

England captain Andrew Strauss turned to Swann in the sixth over from the Vauxhall end and Farhat responded by using his feet to drive the off-spinner over mid-on for another boundary.

Strauss replaced Anderson, whose six overs had cost 26 runs, with Steven Finn. Farhat charged the fast bowler and was fortunate to pick up a boundary when the ball caught the edge and hurtled to fine-leg.

Swann imposed some control with successive maidens before picking up the wicket of Farhat lbw sweeping across a straight delivery.

Captain Salman Butt assumed the aggressor's role, driving two sweetly timed boundaries off a Finn over. He then took three boundaries off Stuart Broad to bring up the 100 from 64 balls before he was caught at first slip by Paul Collingwood off Swann for 48 shortly before the interval.

England, 221 for nine after Mohammad Amir and Saeed Ajmal swept through their batsmen on Friday evening, added only one run when play resumed.

Broad fell for six, lobbing a simple catch to Mohammad Asif at mid-on off the final ball of the opening over from Amir, who finished with his best test figures of five for 52.

Source: Web Search

McCullum obstructed my way: Sangakkara

Sat, Aug 21 10 05:57 PM

T V Sriram Dambulla (Sri Lanka), Aug 21 (PTI) Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara today defended his move during the unsavoury collision incident involving New Zealand''s Nathan McCullum in Friday''s tri-series match, saying it was the all-rounder who first obstructed his way. "When I was finising the first run, the bowler has to be behind the wicket or aside, especially a spinner. When I ran for the first run, I knew there was two runs. That''s my duty. On my last two steps, for some reason, McCullum came out of the crease and was obstructing my way," Sangakkara said. "I don''t know whether it was done purposefully, I didn''t have anything to do. When on crease, there was some contact. When that happened, my head also had turned the other way. He took offence with that and complained to the umpire. "On that incident, the three Sri Lankan umpires - Tyron Wijewardene, Ranmore Martinez and Gamini Dissanayake - told the Match Referee that I was at wrong. Not McCullum. But the Match Referee saw all visuals and decided that I was not at fault," Sangakkara told reporters at the pre-match press conference. The ICC earlier gave a clean chit to Sangakkara, saying the Sri Lanka captain was found not guilty of breaching its Code of Conduct. "Depends on how the charge sheet was made. In a situation like that, it should be either both players or the video footage should be looked at. The bowler moves in the line of a batsman and the batsman has no way to avoid contact, if he does, he can be run out," the Sri Lankan skipper. "Sometime, bowlers may tend to do it to deny the batsmen being comfortable and going for the second. That''s bit of speculation. The Match Refere after viewing the footage, didn''t find anything wrong," he said. "The way it happened, I had no way of avoiding collision. I tried my best to make sure that the bat was away. I would have done an injury had I gone straight into him. I managed to avoid that, even at the lat moment, he was moving to my way. Match Referee saw what happened," he added. On tomorrow''s must-win match against India, Sangakkara said the home team would eye an early removal of swashbuckling India opener Virender Sehwag. "Viru''s wicket is very importnat. We view each wicket as important. That''s the easiest way to take wickets. But Viru is adjusting to the challenges sides are putting to him, lets set him some more challenges and see how he comes through," he said. More PTI TVS DB MRM

Source: Published>

Bhupathi-Mirnyi in Cincinnati Masters semi-final

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 05:52 PM

Cincinnati, Aug 21 (IANS) India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi of Belarus defeated Poles Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-3, 6-2 and advanced to the semi-finals of ATP Cincinnati Masters.

Bhupathi and Mirnyi beat the eighth-seeded pair in 62 minutes Friday, making it to their fourth semi-final at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament this year. The fourth seeds dropped nine points on serve as they improved to a 3-0 lifetime record against Fyrstenberg and Matkowsk.

In 2002, Bhupathi and Mirnyi finished as runners up to James Blake and Todd Martin here.

They will meet fifth seeds Austrians Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach who snapped a two-match losing streak against Cezch Republic's Frantisek Cermak and Slovakia's Michal Mertinak with a 6-4, 6-2 win in 75 minutes.

Second seeds and Rogers Cup champions Bob and Mike Bryan closed on their second consecutive ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title with a 7-5, 6-7(4) 10-4 win over sixth seeds Julian Knowle and Andy Ram. The holders of 16 Masters 1000 titles will now get the chance to avenge their Wimbledon quarter-final loss to the big-serving team of Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman, who toughed out a 6-4, 3-6, 12-10 win over Mardy Fish and Mark Knowles to reach the semi-finals.

Source: Web Search

Women's hockey team ready for World Cup challenge

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 05:36 PM

Chandigarh, Aug 21 (IANS) Women's hockey team, which was recently rocked by allegations of sexual harassment, is now trying to re-group as both coach and captain are expecting good results in the World Cup at Rosario, Argentina, from Aug 29.

The team's one-week training camp under coach-in-charge Sandeep Somesh concluded Friday at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala.

'World Cup is a big challenge and we should not expect any overnight miracle in it. Our current world ranking is 13 and we are in the toughest pool where we have to play against top teams of Holland, Australia and Germany,' Somesh told IANS Friday before leaving for Rosario.

Somesh, a 1998 Asian Games gold medallist, was given the charge of the team after chief coach Maharaj Kishan Kaushik resigned following allegations of sexual harassment by a player, Ranjitha Devi.

Somesh feels that it was a big challenge for the team to come out of the controversy.

'There is a lot of pressure on the players but they are trying to come out of it and to focus on their goal. We cannot stop at one point and we have to continuously move ahead,' he said.

Somesh hoped the team will put up a good show at the World Cup.

'It would be a good outing for the team. Our players would get good international exposure and they would certainly improve from there. We have worked on our shortcomings in the recent camp at NIS,' he said.

'We are going with an open mind for the World Cup and we will take it match to match. The exposure that we will get in Argentina will certainly help us in the CWG, where we want to figure at least in the medal bracket,' Somesh added.

On preparations for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, Somesh said: 'We would certainly have home advantage while playing at New Delhi in October. But at the same time there would be an added pressure of the high expectations of home crowd. The whole team is performing as a single unit, with a lot of team spirit and it would certainly help us on the field.'

India had won gold and silver medals in the 2002 and 2006 editions of the Commonwealth Games.

Indian captain Surinder Kaur expects good results in both World Cup and in the Commonwealth Games.

'We have a good mix of experienced and young players in the team. I am personally very satisfied with the team's preparations for the World Cup and expecting good results from it. All players are going very strong,' Kaur told IANS.

'We do not want to lose our focus and concentration by unnecessarily thinking about past controversies. We are working very hard to improve our standing in the World Cup and hope to reach the finals of the Commonwealth Games,' she added.

Source: Web Search

Bhupathi-Mirnyi in Cincinnati Masters semi-final

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 05:16 PM

Cincinnati, Aug 21 (IANS) India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi of Belarus defeated Poles Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-3, 6-2 and advanced to the semi-finals of ATP Cincinnati Masters.

Bhupathi and Mirnyi beat the eighth-seeded pair in 62 minutes Friday, making it to their fourth semi-final at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament this year. The fourth seeds dropped nine points on serve as they improved to a 3-0 lifetime record against Fyrstenberg and Matkowsk.

In 2002, Bhupathi and Mirnyi finished as runners up to James Blake and Todd Martin here.

They will meet fifth seeds Austrians Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach who snapped a two-match losing streak against Cezch Republic's Frantisek Cermak and Slovakia's Michal Mertinak with a 6-4, 6-2 win in 75 minutes.

Second seeds and Rogers Cup champions Bob and Mike Bryan closed on their second consecutive ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title with a 7-5, 6-7(4) 10-4 win over sixth seeds Julian Knowle and Andy Ram. The holders of 16 Masters 1000 titles will now get the chance to avenge their Wimbledon quarter-final loss to the big-serving team of Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman, who toughed out a 6-4, 3-6, 12-10 win over Mardy Fish and Mark Knowles to reach the semi-finals.

Source: Web Search

No-ball incident has made our players more aggressive: Dhoni

Sat, Aug 21 10 04:37 PM

T V Sriram Dambulla, Aug 21 (PTI) Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today conceded that the no-ball controversy in the last tri-series match against Sri Lanka has turned his players into a more aggressive lot but the team will take care not to cross the line. "That no ball incident really push us up to be more aggressive. But there is a limit to be aggressive on the field. We don''t really want to cross that boundary though we will be as aggressive as possible on the field," Dhoni told reporters ahead of India''s penultimate league match against Sri Lanka here tomorrow. "Of course, whatever happened was bad. It is better off to just ignore the incident. It is important to be focused and that is what we will do on the field. We will just forget what happened in the last game and hope we come out winners in the next game," he said when asked whether the incident will change the course of India''s rivalry with Sri Lanka. Dashing batsman Yuvraj Singh had to sit out of the controversial match on August 16 because of dengue but Dhoni said all the players are available for tomorrow''s match. "Everyone is available. There is no issue about fitness as of now. Hopefully, the whole squad will be available for tomorrow''s selection," he said clearing the air on Yuvraj''s availability. The Indian captain said it was at times difficult for the players to concentrate on the game because of the weather conditions here but they will have to maintain focus all the time. "When you get up in the morning you have to be prepared for the game irrespective of the weather condition because all of a sudden you may find yourself in a position where you are not really prepared for the game and the game happens. It may be a 20 overs game. So it is important to be focused and do whatever you can to be prepared for the game. "If the game doesn''t happen, it doesn''t happen. It is important to be spot on throughout and it goes on for two days because you have a reserve day at the same time. So we will be prepared for it and we will just hope the game happens tomorrow," he said. Dhoni was happy about the schedule of the tournament and said the players got enough time to rest in between matches which they have not got for a long time. "In a way it is good for us. We have played throughout the year and hardly get opportunity to get some time off. This was one of those tournaments where we got time between our games and this is my fourth visit to Sri Lanka and frankly speaking I have never been out of the hotel," Dhoni said. More PTI TVS PDS MRM

Source: Published>

Oz Olympic legend backs swimming champ Rice to make golden return

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 03:56 PM

Melbourne, Aug 21(ANI): Australian swimmer Petria Thomas believes that Stephanie Rice's enforced break due to a shoulder injury would allow her to get fully fit and focus on next year's world championships and the 2012 London Olympics.

Triple Olympic gold medallist Rice, who has inflamed all three joints in her right shoulder, has pulled out of the Pan Pacific swimming championships in the US and the Delhi Commonwealth Games to undergo surgery.

The surgery, which is scheduled within a fortnight, would keep her out for up to seven months.

Thomas, who had three complete shoulder reconstructions during her career, insists that the surgery would not affect Rice's chances at the London Olympics, where she will defend her 200m and 400m medley titles.

"Sometimes the way people handle adversity and setbacks is what defines them as champions," The Daily Telegraph quoted Thomas, as saying.

"It's not ideal ... but it does give you a chance to refocus and have a break from training and get yourself right again both mentally and physically."

"It can have a silver lining in that sense and certainly it did for me. Sometimes we have to take a step backwards to go forwards," she added.

Thomas had retired in 2004 as one of Australia's greats with three gold and one silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Earlier, announcing her decision to skip the Delhi Commonwealth Games, Rice had said that she was disappointed as the Games hold a special place in her heart.

"Obviously it is a huge disappointment for me," Rice said.

"I would have loved to have been there because it [the Commonwealth Games] comes around once every four years. [But] I have to think of the bigger picture, which is London 2012," she added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Man U legend Scholes not a 'fair' player, says Wenger

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 03:46 PM

London, Aug 21(ANI): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has launched an astonishing attack on Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, suggesting that he had long considered him to be a dirty player.

Scholes has hit the headlines at the beginning of his 17th season as a one-club professional, and for starring in the Community Shield victory over Chelsea and the Premier League win against Newcastle United.

"Who wouldn't want a quality player like Paul Scholes in his team? But ask me if he's been a fair player, I say no. I'm sorry, for me he's not been fair," The Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.

"There's a little bit of a darker side in him. I don't like some things he does. It's not because you are older suddenly that you are a saint," he added.

When asked if there was any specific tackle he had in mind, such as Scholes' reckless challenge on former Arsenal winger Jose Reyes in the 2004 FA Cup semi-final, Wenger said: "With Paul Scholes you have more than one. I can remember a few. Unfair? Of course."

It is not the first time that Wenger has singled out a United player, as last season he had targeted midfielder Darren Fletcher.

The verbal bust-up is poised to add spice to the confrontation when Arsenal visit Old Trafford on December 11. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

PCB boss Butt cries 'media mischief' in desperate bid to ward off sacking

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 03:36 PM

Lahore, Aug.21 (ANI): In apparent bid to save his neck, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt has said that he holds both houses of Parliament-Senate and the National Assembly- in the highest esteem while blaming the media for creating misunderstandings resulting in the two privilege motions being moved against him.

In his letter to privilege committee chairman Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Butt criticised the media for distorting the facts between him and the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, which had recommended removing Butt from the post.

"If the media has interpreted the statements attributed to me or twisted them in such a way that they appear to have "let down" the senators, then the PCB can go so far as to regret such actions by the media but surely it cannot be held responsible for what has appeared in the media for which it exercises no control," The Daily Times stated Butt's letter, as saying.

Butt expressed disappointment over the privilege motion moved against him, and said there had been no violation of privilege.

"Be that as it may, the PCB and its Chairman hold the Parliament and Senate in the highest esteem and regard and could not even think of uttering a disparaging remark against them. If at all, the Senators feel that statements attributed to the undersigned appearing in the media have breached their privilege, then I wish to clarify that it was purely unintentional and regretted," he said.

After the first privilege motion, the PCB chief in February last year had said that he was not answerable to the Parliament as the President is the patron and he was only answerable to him.

The second privilege motion was moved by Senator Haroon Khan and Senator Tariq Azeem, in which both the senators were of the view that Butt on an occasion passed derogatory remarks not only against them, but also against the whole parliament. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Force India slapped euro 1,074,730 fine: Report

Sat, Aug 21 10 03:22 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Formula One team Force India has been slapped with a heavy euro 1,074,730 fine by the Queen''s Bench Division in the High Court of Justice in London over a fee dispute with Italian company Aerolab. According to a website GPupdate.net, Force India will have to pay damages and interest at the rate of eight per cent to Aerolab, which provided services to the Silverstone-based team. "Such an order is the first firm result in the dispute between the two companies over unpaid fees for services rendered by Aerolab to Force India," the website reported. The report said, as a result of the retaliatory action already taken by Force India, it is expected that Aerolab''s Director Jean Claude Migeot will soon be charged pursuant to a criminal complaint filed in Bologna. It appears that Force India''s strategy will be to try and force Aerolab into a settlement that the company has no intention of accepting, it said further.

Source: Published>

Diving champ Daley rules himself out of race at Youth Games

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 03:06 PM

Singapore, Aug 21 (DPA) British diving world champion Tom Daley doesn't like his chances of being in the running for a medal for the 3-metre springboard at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games after he had to skip his favourite 10m platform contest because of a tricep injury.

'The last time I dived at 3m competitively was in 2008,' the Games' official news service on Saturday quoted the 16-year-old Daley as saying. 'Since then, I've been training at 3m only once or twice a week

'I'm going to try to do all my dives at 3m as well as I can and try to get into the final, but for somebody who doesn't train at 3m very often, I'd be very surprised if I did,' he said.

Daley won the world title in the 10m platform competition in Rome last year to become the youngest champion in the discipline.

But he pulled out of the European Championships in Budapest this month after tearing his right tricep.

On Friday, the British Olympic Association said Daley would only compete in the 3m springboard contest, his weaker discipline, Sunday in Singapore.

'The tear to Tom's tricep is manageable with the forces of impact where 3m is concerned,' his coach Andy Banks said.

However, it would be risky for the 16-year-old to compete in next Tuesday's 10m event as the forces involved in that competition were much more significant, Banks said.

'It's obviously frustrating, but I believe that it's absolutely the right decision,' he was quoted as saying.

Daley is one of the highest profile competitors at the Youth Olympics, which feature 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18.

Source: Web Search

IOC says many countries interested in hosting Youth Olympics

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 02:57 PM

Singapore, Aug 21 (DPA) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Director Gilbert Felli Saturday said 17 or 18 countries had expressed their interest in hosting future Youth Olympic Games.

Amongst them was an African and a Latin American country as well as some cities in the US, he said.

'There is interest in different places,' said Felli, but he would not name the countries or cities.

The Austrian city of Innsbruck will be hosting the first winter Youth Olympics in 2012, while the next summer games are set to be held in Nanjing, China, in 2014.

Felli said he was 'very, very happy' with the current inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore, which reached the midway mark Saturday and are set to run through Aug 26.

'The organisation is going well and the sport competitions are going well,' he said, adding that 'the spread of the medals is big' with athletes from 60 nations decorated so far.

Although some media provided a medal table based on a nation's performance, the IOC would not introduce such a ranking, said Felli as Olympics were a competition between athletes, not countries.

'We don't do it at the Olympic Games either,' said the Swiss. 'The IOC never did it before and we're not going to change that.'

Felli praised the concept of the Youth Olympics, which feature 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18 competing in 26 sports and also participating in a wide-ranging education programme.

'We really want to do something for the youth,' said Felli. 'We don't want to do mini-Olympic Games.'

Source: Web Search

We will clear player dues promptly if AITA certifies: Ministry

Sat, Aug 21 10 02:22 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Keen to settle the payment dispute involving elite tennis players at the earliest, the Sports Ministry today said it was willing to clear the dues even on receiving the minimum documentation from AITA. Rahul Bhatnagar, Joint Secretary, (International Sports Division) of the Ministry said it will not demand original bills if AITA certify the players'' expenditures. Frustrated over delay in the clearance of their dues, an angry Indian men''s tennis players Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna had threatened to boycott the Commonwealth Games here in October. "We want to give money to these elite players but how can we give them if we do not have documents which show that they have spent money," Bhatnagar told PTI. "All we want is a certificate from AITA, signed by their charted accountant that players have spent money. We will not ask for original bills but there has to be some proof that they money has been spent," he said. Bhatnagar said there was no delay on Sports Ministry''s part and it was All India Tennis Association which has failed to produce the necessary documentation on time. "We do not deal directly with the players. We get the bills from federations and pay to them. We have been telling AITA for the last two months that ministry has not received any bills from these elite players but AITA did not provide us anything," Bhatnagar, who is also chairman of the steering committee looking after the CWG preparations, said. He said the ministry will release funds for only those tournaments which were not sponsored. "We want to avoid double payment. Payment will be counted for only events where players have spent on their own and not by organisers or sponsors. AITA will have to issue certificate that such and such event was not sponsored," he said. AITA Secretary General Anil Khanna had written to the four players that it has requested the ministry to find out the Balmer Lawrie rates of economy class air fare for the tournaments they have participated and reimburse them for 11 tournaments each for 2009 and 2010. Asked about this, Bhatnagar said, "We are ready to pay economy fair but AITA will have to say that indeed money was spent on air fare while participating in those tournaments." Bhatnagar said he understands practical difficulties of AITA but the ministry can''t help it. "I know that these players remain outside India most of the time and it must be difficult for AITA to get those bills from players to issue a certificate. But I cannot do anything in that. We need some proof to release funds," he said. Bhatnagar will meet Khanna and AITA officials on Monday to sort out the issue. It is learnt that the AITA has managed to get details of two players so far and by tomorrow the officials are expected to gather information from the other three players to submit it on Monday.

Source: Published>

Oz conditions during Ashes will test 'England star' Morgan, says Bollinger

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 01:52 PM

London, Aug 21 (ANI): Unorthodox England batsman Eoin Morgan's emergence in Test cricket has prompted Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger to continue his pre-Ashes mind games.

Bollinger pointed out that Morgan's average of 47 after four Tests, against Bangladesh and Pakistan, makes him the most dangerous batsman for the Australians, but he would be severely tested in alien conditions.

"He is riding a wave, the team is winning and he has done well in games. It is all well and good when things are going for you, but when your back is against the wall and you have to tough your way out, that is when your true character comes out," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Bollinger, as saying.

"We'll see if he can handle the conditions at the Gabba where it's going to be quicker than what he's used to," he added.

Known for his dashing strokeplay and reverse sweeps, Morgan has been immensely successful against the Australians.

The 23-year-old had scored 103 from 85 balls in the first ODI and was named man of the series in the last series against the Ricky Ponting-led side.

He was also a critical member of the England side that defeated Australia in the Twenty20 World Cup in May.

England skipper Andrew Strauss has already marked Morgan as an Ashes must.

"I get excited about a player who is able to play match-winning innings. He is able to play the right shot at the right time against the right bowler, and you need that in Test cricket," Strauss said.

"He has a very clear mind, reads the situation well and he doesn't get overawed," he added.

The first of the five Ashes Tests will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 to 29.

It will be followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

Two Twenty20 clashes and a seven-match one-day series have also been scheduled between Australia and England. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

HobNob munching Gazza says cheating death in crash beat booze addiction

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 01:37 PM

London, Aug.21 (ANI): Former England football star Paul Gascoigne has claimed that cheating death in a crash helped him beat his booze addiction.

Gazza emerged fit and well from four weeks in rehab yesterday, and now, according to the Daily Mail, he is confident about conquering his internal demons.

"I realise how precious my life is and I'm not going to waste it," a smiling Gazza said.

Gazza, 43, has piled on the pounds during his stay at the 600-pound-a-week Providence Projects clinic near Bournemouth.

He has replaced his craving for alcohol with a passion for HobNob biscuits.

He said: "I've been given a 10th life. I know how lucky I've been. I've tried other rehabs and you can never say: 'I'm cured.' But this time it feels different. I'm different. I can see a way of being the person I want to be. That crash may have nearly killed me, but it has ended up changing my life for the better."

Gazza was a passenger in a car that ploughed into a wall on Newcastle upon Tyne's Quayside in June. He suffered a punctured lung, a broken nose, smashed ribs and serious facial cuts.

He owed his life to a passing hotel night porter who put him in a recovery position to stop him choking on his own blood. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Murray knocked out of Cincinnati Masters as heat takes toll during quarterfinal tie

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 01:16 PM

Ohio (USA), Aug 21(ANI): British tennis ace Andy Murray found American Mardy Fish and the Ohio conditions too hot to handle as he was knocked out of the Cincinnati Masters on Friday.

Murray crashed out of the tournament after being defeated by Fish in an energy-sapping quarterfinal 6-7(9-7) 6-1 7-6(7-5) in two hours 56 minutes.

The defeat ends Murray's seven-match unbeaten run, which includes his success at the ATP Rogers Cup in Toronto last week.

The 23-year-old was disappointed that tournament organizers had given him three consecutive starts in the midday heat.

Murray has played eight matches in 10 days, all between noon and 3pm, where on-court temperatures were over 38C.

"If you ask for a late match and you're put on first, that's not...that's pretty," The BBC quoted Murray, as saying.

"I don't ever request really when to play. I don't make many demands at all during the tournaments," he added.

He also said that his request was rejected because organizers said opponent Fish was playing doubles later in the day.

"I'm not sure, the way the tennis works, I don't think matches should be scheduled around the doubles because it's the singles that's on the TV," he added.

World No. 36 Fish will now face Andy Roddick in the semi-finals. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Tennis top guns confirm they will play in CWG

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 01:12 PM

New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) A day after their pullout threat from the Commonwealth Games over non-payment of bills, top Indian tennis players Saturday confirmed their participation in the Oct 3-14 mega event as well as the Davis Cup tie in Chennai next month.

Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna in a signed letter to All India Tennis Association (AITA) had said none of them will be available to play in the Commonwealth Games until something is done over their long pending dues. The sports ministry in its clarification had blamed AITA for not submitting the bills, which caused the delay.

The players, however, Saturday in a statement said they will be available in 'full strength' for the Davis Cup as well as Commonwealth Games.

AITA secretary general Anil Khanna said all the players will be participating in the Games.

'I am very pleased to hear about the statement of players that they are going to play in the Commonwealth Games. I was always 100 percent sure that our players who have stood selflessly by the nation for two decades will continue to serve the nation,' Khanna said.

'As regards their grievances, these are being addressed. Jaideep Mukherjea, chairman CWG Preparation Programme, and I will meet joint secretary Rahul Bhatnagar on Monday to sort out the pending issues of the players with the Ministry of Sports.'

Source: Web Search

Balotelli promises Man City fans to score more goals

Published>Sat, Aug 21 10 12:36 PM

London, Aug 21 (ANI): Manchester City's new buy Mario Balotelli has promised club fans that there is plenty more to come after his debut in Romania.

City's new 23 million pounds striker from Inter Milan lived up to his reputation during an unforgettable 33-minute cameo as a sub against FC Timisoara.

He scored the only goal within 15 minutes of coming on, then got a yellow card for squaring up to an opponent and ended up limping off with a knee injury, The Sun reports.

Balotelli said: "I feel good, this is the kind of debut I dreamed of. I showed up for Manchester City immediately and I will continue to show up for them."

"These are only the first games we are playing together but we will get better and better. My right leg aches a bit. I think it may be a cartilage thing, the problem is I do not have much muscle there," he said.

"It's a bit of a problem, but I'm sure I will be available against Liverpool," Balotelli added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search