ICC to probe 'suspicious' Sydney Test, Kamran Akmal prime suspect

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 12:27 PM

London, Sep 7(ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has re-opened the controversial 'Sydney Test' case, and Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal is believed to be their primary suspect.

According to reports, the ICC has sent an official notice to Akmal saying that he is under investigation for fixing the Test against Australia.

It comes only months after the ICC cleared the Pakistan team of any wrongdoing in relation to the controversial Test, The Courier Mail reports.

Akmal had dropped four catches in Australia's miraculous come-from-behind 36-run win.

Earlier, Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed had reportedly confirmed that the Test was rigged, and players involved in the corruption had pocketed an astonishing three million dollars.

The Pakistan team is already under investigation over the Lord's Test 'spot-fixing' scam following which captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif have been suspended by the ICC.

The trio has however claimed that the money given to them by London-based agent Mazhar Majeed was sponsorship money, not a corrupt pay-off.(ANI)

Source: Web Search

A leading batsman played suspiciously in IPL: report

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 11:57 AM

The corruption scandal that has rocked international cricket could engulf the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well with reports here claiming that a leading batsman played so "suspiciously" in the event that he had to be moved up the order to stop him from "manipulating matches".

According to a report in 'The Australian', quoting two unnamed IPL officials, "a leading batsman had played so suspiciously that they could not explain his behaviour."

"...both officials agreed that his performances were highly suspect. They did not want him named for fear that it could be traced back to them and lead to retribution in India," the report stated.

The newspaper said the officials found the "player's performances were puzzling, particularly scoring slowly towards the end of an innings when the opposite should have been happening."

"He consistently under-performed and often appeared uninterested or distracted."

The report said IPL officials have also been receiving complaints of "matches being rigged" by various franchises.

"He has been under the scanner for a while," the official said.

The newspaper said the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is "frustrated" with several boards in the subcontinent "for failing to take stronger action against their players after being provided with information about dubious behaviour. The two main targets have been the Pakistan team and the IPL."

The latest report comes in the wake of the ongoing spot-fixing scandal exposed by a British tabloid which has led to the suspension of three Pakistani cricketers - Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif -- and an inquiry by the Scotland Yard.

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ICC asks Butt, Akmal for phone records during Asia Cup: report

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 11:53 AM

The International Cricket Council has reportedly asked Pakistan's suspended Test captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to give their mobile phone records for an investigation into possible spot-fixing during the Asia Cup in June.

According to the 'Daily Mail', Akmal and Butt were contacted by the ICC after "suspicions arose during the Asia Cup."

The ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit have told the duo to release details of their mobile phone records during the tournament in Sri Lanka.

"They expect the full cooperation of both players but have yet to receive a response from the Pakistan camp," the newspaper reported.

The ICC reportedly wrote to them on August 21, days before a British tabloid's sting operation had Butt implicated in a spot-fixing scandal leading to his suspension pending an inquiry.

The newspaper also reported that 18-year-old pace sensation Mohammad Aamir "will be told he could avoid a life ban if he gives evidence against his team-mates" in the ongoing inquiry into the spot-fixing charges against him, Butt and Mohammad Asif.

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Hameed could be questioned by ICC''s ACSU

Tue, Sep 07 10 11:45 AM

London, Sep 7 (PTI) Merely disowning the match-fixing allegations he made against his Pakistan teammates would not be enough for Yasir Hameed as the opener could be questioned by the ICC''s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit for his statements in a tabloid sting operation. In the video of the sting operation carried out by a British tabloid, Hameed had alleged that his teammates were "fixing almost every match" but later backtracked claiming that he was tricked into making the statements and blackmailed to stand by them by the undercover reporter who spoke to him. But just a denial would not be of much help as the ACSU could ask him to explain the comments in the video, according to a report ''The Daily Telegraph''. "If Hameed is contacted by the ACSU he may have to face an independent commissioner who the ICC plan to appoint to head what will be the biggest ever probe into corruption in cricket," the newspaper reported. But Hameed''s reliability as a potential witness in the corruption scandal that has shaken the foundations of the game has been questioned by his own teammates. Pakistan''s ODI and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi has called him unreliable, saying ,"He (Hameed) is 30-31 but mentally he is 15-16." "I don''t know who he was sitting with or in what situation he gave this message but we have know him for a long time. We know we can expect anything from him and he does this kind of thing. People know what type of character he is," he added.

Source: Published>

ICC asks Butt, Akmal for phone records during Asia Cup: report

Tue, Sep 07 10 10:57 AM

London, Sep 7 (PTI) The International Cricket Council has reportedly asked Pakistan''s suspended Test captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to give their mobile phone records for an investigation into possible spot-fixing during the Asia Cup in June. According to the ''Daily Mail'', Akmal and Butt were contacted by the ICC after "suspicions arose during the Asia Cup." The ICC''s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit have told the duo to release details of their mobile phone records during the tournament in Sri Lanka. "They expect the full cooperation of both players but have yet to receive a response from the Pakistan camp," the newspaper reported. The ICC reportedly wrote to them on August 21, days before a British tabloid''s sting operation had Butt implicated in a spot-fixing scandal leading to his suspension pending an inquiry. The newspaper also reported that 18-year-old pace sensation Mohammad Aamir "will be told he could avoid a life ban if he gives evidence against his team-mates" in the ongoing inquiry into the spot-fixing charges against him, Butt and Mohammad Asif.

Source: Published>

Aamir''s age shouldn''t matter in spot-fixing row: Pak official

Tue, Sep 07 10 10:47 AM

Cardiff, Sep 7 (PTI) Pakistan cricket team''s associate manager Shafqat Rana says 18-year-old pace sensation Mohammad Aamir should not be shown any leniency because of his tender age if he is found guilty of spot-fixing charges. "I do not believe a player''s age has any significance in this issue it is the same for everybody. If Amir is found to have broken the law, it doesn''t matter that he is so young. He should be given the same punishment as anyone else," Rana told reporters here. Rana said even back in Pakistan the general mood is that if Aamir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif -- all of whom suspended after their names cropped up in a spot-fixing scandal exposed by a British tabloid -- should be punished if the charges against them are proved. "I think that is the feeling back home in Pakistan too. At home, they want everything to be done in the best spirit of the game," he said. Rana''s comments contradict ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat who feels Aamir''s age should be a factor while deciding on the matter. "In my own honest personal view, yes I would think age would come into account in these matters. But that is something the independent tribunal will have to decide upon," he had said. Pakistani cricketers'' finances are being probed by the tax authorities in the aftermath of the spot-fixing row and Rana and ODI and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi welcomed the move. "I think it is a good thing from the Pakistan government. It was there in their (the government''s) mind before we came over. I think it''s a good thing, it will open things out so they (the players) will be very careful," said Rana. "It should be done and it''s good for cricket," added Afridi. Afridi said the players are being regularly educated about the perils of corruption in the sport. "The people are coming from the ICC (International Cricket Council) and they are always talking about these things. If you have any problems, you definitely go straight to the (team) manager and talk to him," he said. "I think we all know about these things so I think the people from ICC are doing their work," he added.

Source: Published>

Leading batsman played suspiciously in IPL: report

Tue, Sep 07 10 10:37 AM

Melbourne, Sep 7 (PTI) The corruption scandal that has rocked international cricket could engulf the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well with reports here claiming that a leading batsman played so "suspiciously" in the event that he had to be moved up the order to stop him from "manipulating matches". According to a report in ''The Australian'', quoting two unnamed IPL officials, "a leading batsman had played so suspiciously that they could not explain his behaviour." "...both officials agreed that his performances were highly suspect. They did not want him named for fear that it could be traced back to them and lead to retribution in India," the report stated. The newspaper said the officials found the "player''s performances were puzzling, particularly scoring slowly towards the end of an innings when the opposite should have been happening." "He consistently under-performed and often appeared uninterested or distracted." The report said IPL officials have also been receiving complaints of "matches being rigged" by various franchises. "He has been under the scanner for a while," the official said. The newspaper said the ICC''s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is "frustrated" with several boards in the subcontinent "for failing to take stronger action against their players after being provided with information about dubious behaviour. The two main targets have been the Pakistan team and the IPL." The latest report comes in the wake of the ongoing spot-fixing scandal exposed by a British tabloid which has led to the suspension of three Pakistani cricketers -- Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif -- and an inquiry by the Scotland Yard.

Source: Published>

Aamir''s age shouldn''t matter in spot-fixing row: Pak official

Tue, Sep 07 10 09:57 AM

Cardiff, Sep 7 (PTI) Pakistan cricket team''s associate manager Shafqat Rana says 18-year-old pace sensation Mohammad Aamir should not be shown any leniency because of his tender age if he is found guilty of spot-fixing charges. "I do not believe a player''s age has any significance in this issue it is the same for everybody. If Amir is found to have broken the law, it doesn''t matter that he is so young. He should be given the same punishment as anyone else," Rana told reporters here. Rana said even back in Pakistan the general mood is that if Aamir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif -- all of whom suspended after their names cropped up in a spot-fixing scandal exposed by a British tabloid -- should be punished if the charges against them are proved. "I think that is the feeling back home in Pakistan too. At home, they want everything to be done in the best spirit of the game," he said. Rana''s comments contradict ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat who feels Aamir''s age should be a factor while deciding on the matter. "In my own honest personal view, yes I would think age would come into account in these matters. But that is something the independent tribunal will have to decide upon," he had said. Pakistani cricketers'' finances are being probed by the tax authorities in the aftermath of the spot-fixing row and Rana and ODI and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi welcomed the move. "I think it is a good thing from the Pakistan government. It was there in their (the government''s) mind before we came over. I think it''s a good thing, it will open things out so they (the players) will be very careful," said Rana. "It should be done and it''s good for cricket," added Afridi. Afridi said the players are being regularly educated about the perils of corruption in the sport. "The people are coming from the ICC (International Cricket Council) and they are always talking about these things. If you have any problems, you definitely go straight to the (team) manager and talk to him," he said. "I think we all know about these things so I think the people from ICC are doing their work," he added.

Source: Published>

Soderling stops Montanes for US Open quarters

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 09:37 AM

Fifth seed Robin Soderling is relishing an upcoming quarter-final meeting with Roger Federer following the Swede's 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over Spain's Albert Montanes on Monday.

The last time Soderling faced the former world number one in a grand slam, at this year's French Open, he ended Federer's run of 23 consecutive grand slam semi-final appearances.

As the only player other than the injured U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro to have beaten both Federer and world number one Rafa Nadal in a grand slam, Soderling is confident he has the game to beat the pair.

"It's always a very nice feeling to play against the world's best - it's matches like that you train for," he said. "It's matches like that I've been dreaming of playing since I started playing tennis, playing at the big courts in the big tournaments. It's very fun.

"I've played Roger many times. I know his game and he knows mine. I'm pretty sure how I need to play to have a chance to win but it's going to be extremely difficult."

Federer defeated Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-3 7-6 6-3 to earn the right to face Soderling at the year's final grand slam.

Soderling has dropped just one set in his last three matches but admitted he needed to improve his game to beat the top two players in the world.

By his own admission, in the opening set of his last 16 encounter, he lacked the sort of game to trouble Federer or Nadal.

Montanes, who has yet to reach a grand slam quarter-final in 36 attempts, had the only break point in the opening set and took it for a surprise lead on a sunny day at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

But the 21st seed's advantage was short-lived as Soderling began to find his range with his big serves and heavy-hitting from the baseline.

Montanes's fate was effectively sealed in the fifth game of the final set.

Finding himself a break point down for the first time in the set after two double faults, he kissed his racquet for good luck but it was to no avail as Soderling broke on his way to a four-set win.

Source: Web Search

6 wrestlers' dope flunk confirmed

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 09:07 AM

Sports Minister M S Gill slammed dope flunked athletes who have caused a major embarrassment to the country barely a month before the Commonwealth Games saying that India does not want "dope tainted" medals. "We don''t want dope tainted medals.

We want them with clean means. Law will take its own course on the penalty (of dope flunked athletes).

WADA has appreciated our work on dope testing," he told reporters here. Eighteen athletes have been caught for using banned substances in the past few days under NADA tests.

The ''B'' samples of the six wrestlers today turned out to be positive for stimulant methylhexanamine, which was added as a banned substance only this year by World Anti-Doping Agency. Four of them -- men''s freestyle wrestlers Rajiv Tomar (120kg), Sumit (74kg) and Mausam Khatri (96kg) and women''s freestyle wrestler Gursharanpreet Kaur (72kg) -- were removed from the Commonwealth Games squad.

Rahul Mann (60kg) and Joginder Singh (120kg) were the other two wrestlers. Gill said the persistent rain at the Capital has upset the schedule of the preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

"It a matter of concern it has been raining here. It is a wet September so far just like August.

It has affected preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies. We have to do rehearsals also.

We have to see how long rain continues. It all depends on nature," he said.

Source: Web Search

Djokovic and Wozniacki impress at U.S. Open

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 08:57 AM

Novak Djokovic stormed into the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open Monday to remind Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal exactly why he is regarded as a serious contender to win the men's championship before Caroline Wozniacki cleared one of the major hurdles in her bid to win the women's title.

Djokovic, getting better with each match after a shaky start to the tournament, laid down the challenge to his main rivals with a comprehensive 6-3 6-4 6-1 over American crowd favorite Mardy Fish, the 19th seed.

"It's very encouraging at this stage of the tournament that I'm raising my game and feeling more comfortable on the court," Djokovic said. "I played a great match today."

Wozniacki kept her cool to defeat an error-prone Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-4 in one of the most eagerly awaited matches at the Arthur Ashe Stadium center court.

A surprise finalist 12 months ago but the top seed this year after the withdrawal of injured world number one Serena Williams, Wozniacki showed how far she has come by beating the former champion in straight sets.

"I definitely think I've improved a lot, not only physically, but also I believe in myself more. I believe I can do it," Wozniacki said.

Sharapova contributed to her own defeat with 36 unforced errors and nine double faults, including three on successive points.

"I had my fair share of chances and didn't take them throughout this whole year in the big events," the Russian said. "That's just the way it's gone."

Wozniacki's next opponent is Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, who is the only unseeded player left in the women's draw and also the smallest at just 1.61 metres (5-foot-3).

"Okay, I'm short, but, you know, I'm really quick," the 45th-ranked Cibulkova said.

"I can be fast on the court and I have no problem with the low balls."

Cibulkova advanced with a 7-5 7-6 win over another former Russian champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, who attributed her defeat on the schedule.

"It was very hard for me to play one night the second night match and then in one day to play at 11 o'clock," Kuznetsova said.

"I just didn't feel good today. I was very flat. I was just fighting with myself and was not doing all the time the things I was supposed to do."

Estonia's Kaia Kanepi recovered from a horrendous start to wear down Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer 0-6 7-6 6-1 and reach the last eight against the only surviving Russian woman, Vera Zvonareva, after the Wimbledon finalist outgunned Germany's Andrea Petkovic 6-1 6-2.

Gael Monfils overpowered his countryman Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-5 7-5 to become the first Frenchman in a decade to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals. The next opponent for the world number 19 is Djokovic.

Sweden's two-time French Open runner-up Robin Soderling eased into the quarter-finals with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over Albert Montanes, one of six Spaniards who made the last 16 of the men's draw.

Soderling will play the winner of Monday's final match between number two seed Roger Federer and Jurgen Melzer of Austria.

Source: Web Search

Soderling stops Montanes to reach US Open quarters

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 07:57 AM

Fifth seed Roger Soderling is relishing the prospect of a quarter-final meeting with Roger Federer following his 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over Spain's Albert Montanes on Monday.

The last time the Swede faced the former world number one in a grand slam, at this year's French Open, he ended Federer's run of 23 consecutive grand slam semi-final appearances.

As the only player other than the injured U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro to have beaten both Federer and world number one Rafa Nadal in a grand slam, Soderling is confident he has the game to beat the pair.

"It's always a very nice feeling to play against the world's best - it's matches like that you train for," he said. "It's matches like that I've been dreaming of playing since I started playing tennis, playing at the big courts in the big tournaments. It's very fun.

"I've played Roger many times. I know his game and he knows mine. I'm pretty sure how I need to play to have a chance to win but it's going to be extremely difficult."

Federer was playing Austrian Jurgen Melzer later Monday for the right to face Soderling at the year's final grand slam.

Soderling has dropped just one set in his last three matches but admitted he needed to improve his game to beat the top two players in the world.

By his own admission, in the opening set of his last 16 encounter, he lacked the sort of game to trouble Federer or Nadal.

Montanes, who has yet to reach a grand slam quarter-final in 36 attempts, had the only break point in the opening set and took it for a surprise lead on a sunny day at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

But the 21st seed's advantage was short-lived as Soderling began to find his range with his big serves and heavy-hitting from the baseline.

Montanes's fate was effectively sealed in the fifth game of the final set.

Finding himself a break point down for the first time in the set after two double faults, he kissed his racquet for good luck but it was to no avail as Soderling broke on his way to a four-set win.

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Hoffman blazes into Ryder Cup contention with win

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 07:17 AM

Charley Hoffman charged to a commanding five-stroke victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday but it remains to be seen whether it was enough to earn a spot on the American Ryder Cup team.

Hoffman was a class apart as he compiled 11 birdies in a spectacular nine-under-par 62 at the Boston TPC, the day's best score by three strokes.

He finished at 22-under 262, matching the tournament record low score, while Jason Day (71) bogeyed the last to fall back into a tie for second with compatriot Geoff Ogilvy (66) and Briton Luke Donald (69) at 17-under.

American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin on Tuesday will announce his four wild card picks to complete the 12-man team that will take on Europe next month.

But whether Pavin puts much stock in one great performance by a guy who arrived here ranked 132nd in the world is the big question.

Hoffman, 33, arrived here with some solid form - three top-10s in his past five starts - but was not considered one of the favorites.

He started the final round four strokes behind overnight leader Day and demolished the star-studded field to claim just his second victory on the PGA Tour.

He jumps to second on the tour's FedEx Cup points list with two of four playoff events completed.

"This is a very special day for me and if Mr. Pavin thinks I'm a good enough pick, I'd love to join the team," the laid-back Californian, who didn't know he was leading until he looked at a leaderboard at the 15th hole, told reporters.

"I went out and won and hopefully I'm on the real short list. I think I'd help the team but I would not be disappointed (not to be picked)."

Asked whether this was the highlight of his career, Hoffman said: "It's a no-brainer, best ever. To shoot 62 on a pretty tough course, it's fun."

BEST SEAT

Ogilvy, who played with Hoffman, was impressed.

"I had the best seat in the house," Ogilvy said. "He hit great shots all day, putted really well, and as soon as he got himself in trouble he'd hole a bunker shot or something like that.

"It a pretty class act and he never looked like doing anything but winning after about three holes."

Adam Scott, who finished tied for fifth, played in the pairing ahead of Hoffman, and waited to congratulate his former team mate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"As much as I joke about all the bad stuff he made me do at college, he made me feel very comfortable, a 17-year-old kid from Australia moving to Vegas," Scott said.

"It's good to see him playing up to the potential he has. He's always been, in my mind, a great player. He can go low and I like that in a player."

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Sports Bar

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 05:17 AM

Boycott slams ICC

Former England cricket captain Geoffrey Boycott said the ICC has never dealt with corruption cases involving Pakistan properly and the body should hand over the latest spot-fixing scandal to ex-players such as him if it cannot punish the implicated players hard enough. "It is no coincidence that Pakistan are repeatedly implicated in these scandals because they never deal with them properly," Boycott said. "People might get suspended or banished from the team, but within a few months the regime changes, and they are back again, as if nothing happened. Pakistan must join the rest of the world in deploring what happened at Lords. There is no point them trying to turn a blind eye," Boycott wrote in The Daily Telegraph.

Wrestlers B sample test positive

The six dope tainted wrestlers also failed their 'B' sample tests conducted by National Anti-Doping Agency. The 'A' samples of the six wrestlers taken by NADA at Commonwealth Games trials had tested positive for stimulant methylhexanamine, which was added as a banned substance only this year by World Anti-Doping Agency. Their 'B' samples also tested positive in NADA tests conducted on Saturday. As per the WADA Rules, they will appear before NADA Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel headed by a retired Sessions Judge. This panel will decide on sanction to be given to them.

Women beat Japan 2-0

The Indian women's hockey team ended a three-match losing streak by upstaging Japan 2-0 in its penultimate pool match of the FIH World Cup at the Jockey Club in Argentina. The team ? which was convincingly beaten in their first three matches against the Netherlands, Australia and Germany? led 1-0 at half time with Rani Rampal scoring in the 14th minute. Jasjeet Kaur Handa accounted for India's second goal from a penalty corner in the 43rd minute. With this result, India have leapfrogged Japan into fourth place in the Pool 'A' standings.

Armaan finishes 10th

Armaan Ebrahim managed to score some valuable points after finishing 10th in Round 8 race of the FIA Fomula 2 Championship in Oschersleben. "A 10th place finish and to pick up some points was very satisfying after the few ordeals that I went through earlier. Now, I just have to focus on Valencia which comes up in two weeks time," Ebrahim said.

Maradona to play on birthday

Diego Maradona wants to celebrate his 50th birthday next month by playing in a game with his old Napoli teammates in the San Paolo stadium. Maradona told Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport that "I've had everything in life: a family that I adore, a brilliant career, and now thank god I don't need anything, not even money. My only desire is to return to Naples." Maradona turns 50 on October 30. He led Napoli to Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990 and the 1989 UEFA Cup title. Maradona has asked his former Napoli teammate Salvatore Bagni to organize the birthday game.

McEnroe resigns as skipper

Patrick McEnroe resigned as U.S. Davis Cup captain after 10 years on Monday and will leave after the Americans' playoff against Colombia this month. McEnroe led the United States to a Davis Cup title in 2007. But for the first time since 2005, the Americans must win in the playoffs to secure a spot in the top tier of the Davis Cup. "Obviously it's mixed emotions for me because of what Davis Cup has meant to me for 10 years, to the players that have supported it," McEnroe said at the U.S. Open. "But I feel now is a good time for a transition, and I can focus on my professional energies, player development, and obviously will still be very involved with the team and who plays on the team and supporting the guys that are part of the team."

Blind golfers on Asian Tour

Three blind golfers will test their skills this week against Asian Tour professionals during the inaugural Singapore Classic in a drive to encourage more people with disabilities to tee-off. Australian David Blyth, England's Neil Baxter and Yam Ting Woo of Malaysia will play a three-hole challenge, each paired with a professional who will be blind-folded. The initiative is the brainchild of Japanese philanthropist and businessman Haruhisa Handa.

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Wozniacki beats Sharapova to reach quarters

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 04:57 AM

Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark elicited a barrel full of errors from former champion Maria Sharapova to post a 6-3 6-4 victory on Monday and advance to the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open.

Wozniacki, runner-up last year to Kim Clijsters, showed poise and patience as she engaged the Russian 14th seed in rallies and waited for mistakes, which came on groundstrokes from both wings and frequently on the Russian's serves.

Sharapova, 23, also slugged her share of winners, belting 32, mostly from her powerful forehand, but she gave more than that away on errors in a hard-fought match that produced some scintillating exchanges.

Three-time grand slam winner Sharapova, the 2006 U.S. Open champion, committed 36 unforced errors including nine double faults, two of which closed service breaks.

"It was a real tough match," the 20-year-old Wozniacki told the Arthur Ashe center court crowd after blowing kisses to the fans and showing off her bright yellow fingernails.

"Maria is a great player so I knew it wasn't going to be easy."

Wozniacki, who had only lost three games in her first three victories, said her ride to the final last year helped her deal with the pressure of facing former world number one Sharapova.

"I got a lot of experience from last year, so it definitely helped me in the match today."

The Dane took the upper hand in the first set in the fourth game when Sharapova, leading 40-30, double-faulted three times in a row to give Wozniacki a 3-1 lead.

Sharapova poured herself into the seventh game, hauling herself back into the set on her sixth break point to make it 4-3.

Perhaps exhausted by the effort, the Russian gave the break right back at love in the next game and Wozniacki clinched the set against the battling Sharapova on her third set point.

The only service break of the second set came in the seventh game when Wozniacki took a 4-3 lead on another double fault from the Russian.

Sharapova, crushing forehands, saved a match point to hold serve at 5-4, but Wozniacki rose up with her first volley winner and followed with a sizzling backhand to close out the match on her serve.

The victory put Wozniacki into the quarters against world number 45 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, the lowest ranked player remaining in the women's draw.

Source: Web Search

Wozniacki beats Sharapova to reach US Open quarter-finals

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 04:17 AM

Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark elicited a barrel full of errors from former champion Maria Sharapova to post a 6-3 6-4 victory on Monday and advance to the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open.

Wozniacki, runner-up last year to Kim Clijsters, engaged the Russian 14th seed in rallies and patiently waited for her mistakes, which came on groundstrokes from both wings and frequently on serves as well.

Three-time grand slam winner Sharapova, the 2006 U.S. Open champion, committed 36 unforced errors including nine double faults, which twice closed service breaks against her.

The victory put the 20-year-old Dane into the quarters against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, at 45th the lowest ranked player remaining in the women's draw.

Source: Web Search

Monfils chides Gasquet for buckling under pressure

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 03:57 AM

France's Gael Monfils overpowered Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-5 7-5 in a fourth-round encounter at the U.S. Open on Monday and then chided his compatriot for buckling under pressure.

Monfils, the number 17 seed, praised Gasquet as the stronger player before the pair stepped on court but then had little trouble during the two-hour, 35-minute affair.

Gasquet had a chance to serve for the second set but his form dramatically eluded him and, with it, his chance to advance at the year's final grand slam.

Monfils was all smiles with his close friend after the match - the pair exchanged kisses on either cheek on court - but he laid into his rival afterward.

"With the first set point he had in second set, he could have passed me easy but he showed me at that time he was not that good mentally," said Monfils. "He showed me he was, I won't say weak, but it was like a bit shaky.

"So I tried to be very tough and very hard with him, showing him that I'm the man and I'm the leader. I tried to get him a bit in the head, to show him I was strong.

"Richard doesn't really like pressure like that... so I just played with that, played a bit with his mind and that was it."

Monfils was the fan favourite from the moment he stepped on court at Louis Armstrong Stadium and, when the noise of the crowd dropped slightly, he whipped them into a frenzy.

"The crowd helped me for sure in the second set. After I served the set point, I asked the crowd to get involved a bit, and they did," he said. "That's why I broke him straightaway, because I had positive energy.

"I love when it's intense, I love it. It makes me feel like I'm stronger again, so for sure when the crowd gets involved I play my best tennis."

Whatever happens in the next round, Monfils has already achieved his best result in five U.S. Open appearances. He now faces Novak Djokovic for a place in the last four after the number three seed's straight-sets demolition of Mardy Fish.

"I have revenge to take because he won against me at home in Bercy," said Monfils, referring to his loss to Djokovic in the Paris Masters final last November.

"So, this time I hope to win."

Source: Web Search

U.S. thump Angola as Russia sink New Zealand in basketball

Tue, Sep 07 10 03:37 AM

World championship favourites the United States stormed into the quarter-finals on Monday with a 121-66 rout of Angola and were joined by Russia, who were also on song in their 78-56 win over New Zealand.

The Americans, looking for their first world title since 1994, will start as favourites against Russia, the 2007 European champions, when they meet for a semi-final berth in the Sinan Erdem Dome on Thursday.

An athletic Angolan team displayed glimpses of raw talent and physical ability with rare slam-dunks, blocks and long-range shots, but were brushed aside by a ruthless American outfit.

Leading players such as Kobe Bryant and Lebron James pulled out of coach Mike Krzyzewski's provisional world championship squad several months before the tournament but it seems their absence has only galvanized his 12-man roster.

"Our guys were strong, they played hard and were very unselfish," Krzyzewski, the winner of four NCAA college titles with Duke, told a news conference after his team scored 18 three-pointers and had 10 steals.

"We played like we practiced and that's what a coach always wants to see, so we hope to keep that going in the next game.

"We know that we are not unbeatable, I have been fortunate to be the U.S. coach for the past five years and there is no one in our country who has greater respect for the international game than me," said Krzyzewski.

The United States picked up 48 rebounds, including 21 offensive boards, as Chauncey Billups led the way with 19 points while Kevin Durant, Eric Gordon and Rudy Gay added 17 each.

Angola forward Joaquim Gomez finished as the game's top scorer with 21 points and won praise from Krzyzewski for his superb individual performance.

"I know the NBA looks for players all over the world and I would be shocked if there are no players from Angola in the NBA at some time because they are too good a country," he said.

IMPROVING RUSSIANS

Russia were largely unimpressive in the group stage, where they scraped several wins against unfancied rivals and were easily beaten by hosts Turkey, but produced a much-improved performance against the battling Kiwis.

They appeared to be put off by New Zealand's pre-match Haka, a traditional Maori dance usually performed by the contry's rugby team in international events, as they fell behind 9-2 and missed several easy shots in the opening five minutes.

However, New Zealand could not keep up their momentum and the Russians regained their composure as they turned the match with an avalanche of fast breaks and perimeter shots.

Led by Andrey Vorontsevich, who registered 18 points and 11 rebounds, Russia went on a 13-0 run in the third quarter to open up a 51-35 lead and built on their advantage as centre Timofey Mozgov added 16 points and seven rebounds.

New Zealand guard Kirk Penney had a game-high 21 points but overall the Kiwis had a poor shooting day, hitting only five three-pointers from 24 attempts.

"My guys took the challenge and stepped up to the plate with some great performances so they deserve all the credit in the world," Russia's American coach David Blatt said.

"We have gone through a lot as a national team with none of our stars coming to play, some of them justified while others I don't want to comment about," he added.

Source: Published>

"From a content perspective we don't have a disadvantage"

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 02:51 AM

Taj Television India, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), has launched Ten Cricket, a dedicated cricket-only channel. It enters a crowded sports segment at a time when rights of all major cricket events have been sold?Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rights to Nimbus, IPL to Sony, and others such as Champions Trophy to ESPN. ZEEL already has two sports channels?Zee Sports and Ten Sports, and Ten Cricket will be its third. But the channel is unfazed. Its strategy is to showcase a mix of live, recorded and feature programming, with customized content for Indian audiences. Atul Pande, CEO-Sports Business, ZEEL, spoke to FE's Rahul Sharma on the strategy behind the channel and how it will take on the competition. Edited excerpts:

Why have you launched a 24-hour cricket channel? And what will it showcase?

Cricket is the biggest youth sport in India and it provides the maximum amount of revenues. We have the broadcast rights of five cricket boards which translates into 100-odd cricket days every year. We have a dedicated population in India which follows cricket and as a part of our on-going strategy to have a sports based communication platform, we thought it was the best strategy to have a cricket based channel. Given that fact, we have the highest number of live international cricket matches in terms of rights. We have rights for Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Pakistan, and West Indies.

Does that mean all cricket action shifts to Ten Cricket?

Yes, we will also have cricket focused talk shows subsequently. We will also have specific cricket focused programming, in terms of highlights, re-runs, special events etc. Of course, we will also be looking at investing in new properties such as inter-country tourna- ments and various other formats.

Have you identified some of the domestic cricketing action?

We would be broadcasting a large part of South Africa's domestic cricket for which we have the rights. We will also be talking to various other boards in identifying broadcasting opportunities which are of interest to the Indian viewer. Typically, it's mostly the one-day cricket and T-20 (twenty-twenty overs) which generate more traction.

What sort of advertising response are you expecting?

We have rights to broadcast international tournaments where India is one of the participants as well as for bilateral matches. For example, this year we have 45 days of India playing, most of which is currently on. The advertising revenue is driven by India cricket, but we are also able to do efficient media for non-Indian cricket. Specifically, we are seeing much better traction in Pakistan playing surprisingly well. So we get decent ratings for it.

Isn't it a difficult proposition considering that most of Indian cricket rights are with other channels?

We still have a fairly large proportion of Indian cricket (tournaments where India is one of the participants). And I would say we would have the same number of days of Indian cricket as other broadcasters. The Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament is a different product altogether. In terms of international cricket we are on a fairly equal footing with other channels. This year we have a tournament in South Africa, and the timings of the matches suit Indian viewers. They are aired during prime time and we get very good ratings. I think from a content perspective we don't have a disadvantage. Cricket still drives revenues in sports. As much as 80% of revenues come out of cricket. If the channel has the right combination of events, it should be able to sustain that proposition.

But does not most ad monies go to Indian cricket and IPL?

That's incorrect. IPL is somewhere between cricket and entertainment. However, for all international cricket involving India, viewership ratings as well as money is largely dictated by the quality of opposition and how the matches are played out. We have two high-quality series Sri Lanka tri-series and test matches and then the South Africa series?we expect similar amount of ad spends as you get in BCCI matches.

What is your long-term game plan?

Right now, we have contracts with the boards till 2013. So we will work with them to enhance the value of the properties. We will also build on domestic leagues. There are 7-8 million people who watch cricket of any kind. We want to bring maximum cricket to these viewers.

What are your plans for Zee Sports?

It is our football focused channel. We have acquired new football rights like La Leagua, and some other European leagues which are being finalised. We believe football has potential though right now it is low in terms of ad revenues. We want to build Ten as a leading sports network in India, with Ten Sports led by World Wrestling Entertainment, motor sports, simulcast of football and cricket matches, and the Asian Games. We aim to be the leading sports broadcaster in India offering high quality sporting action.

Source: Web Search

Tiger Woods stays alive in PGA Tour playoffs

Published>Tue, Sep 07 10 02:37 AM

Tiger Woods stayed alive in the PGA Tour's playoffs when he compiled a tidy final round at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday.

Woods birdied three of the final four holes for a three-under-par 68 in pleasant conditions at the Boston TPC.

He finished at 10-under 274, which should place him around 12th place at the end of the day.

Woods also ensured he would be among the top 70 players on the FedEx Cup points list to advance to this week's BMW Championship in suburban Chicago.

He will go into the third of four playoff events at about 50th place on the list.

"I'm very satisfied. The things we've been working on are starting to come together," Woods, referring to his swing changes with coach Sean Foley, told NBC television.

"I started feeling more comfortable. I'm able to fix it on the golf course. That's the biggest thing. When I hit a couple of bad shots I'm able to rectify it.

"Today I was trying to shoot about 62. I thought that would have been a pretty good number but I didn't do that."

Meanwhile, Briton Luke Donald and American Charley Hoffman shared the lead more than halfway through the final round.

They were 18-under after 11 holes, while overnight leader Jason Day was one stroke behind after 10 holes, with a further three-shot gap to Australian Geoff Ogilvy and American Brandt Snedeker.

Source: Web Search

Pakistan tax authorities to look into players assets

Tue, Sep 07 10 12:37 AM

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will investigate the total assets of the Pakistan cricketers, team officials and top-ranking paid officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board, a senior tax official said on Monday.

Israr Rauf, who is a member and director of tax in the FBR, told Reuters that regional income tax offices had been told to file reports on the assets of the Pakistan players and offcials.

He said the investigations were separate from the Scotland Yard inquiry in Britain into corruption allegations.

Test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have been suspended by the International Cricket Council after reports in The News of the World newspaper.

"It is not linked directly to the spot-fixing scandal but, yes, we have taken note of media reports about the players building palatial bungalows and acquiring farmland," Rauf said.

"Every person whose income is above 500,000 rupees ($5,800) has to file a wealth tax return and we compare that with our own data and, if required, hold an audit to verify assets," he said.

Rauf said that the FBR would accumulate details of the players' income and compile details of the players' sources of income, vehicles, plots, farmlands, bungalows, national/ international bank accounts and movable/non-movable assets.

The News of the World also released a video of Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed on Sunday in which he claims that some players had have built up property and assets that included more than one bungalow through fixing matches.

The FBR has also asked its regional income tax offices to get details of incomes and assets of captains, coaches, managers, commentators, selectors and other office-holders in the national team and board for the past five years.

Source: Published>

Kuyt faces long layoff after bicycle kick goes wrong

Mon, Sep 06 10 11:57 PM

Netherlands striker Dirk Kuyt will be out for several weeks after injuring his shoulder when he fell awkwardly while attempting a bicycle kick in training, coach Bert van Marwijk said on Monday.

"He tries that manoeuvre a lot but this time it went wrong," Van Marwijk told a news conference ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Group E rivals Finland in Rotterdam.

"He pulled some ligaments in his shoulder and maybe some are torn."

The Liverpool player's injury means Van Marwijk will be without the forward line he fielded in the World Cup final defeat by Spain in July.

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben is out of the Finland game with a hamstring injury while Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is sidelined by an ankle problem.

"Now the strikers are out, the others can show what they can do," said the coach.

The Dutch are also without defender Khalid Boulahrouz because of a groin injury but John Heitinga is ready to return after suspension.

Source: Published>

Former champion Kuznetsova upset by Cibulkova in New York

Published>Mon, Sep 06 10 11:37 PM

Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova was knocked out of the U.S. Open in the fourth round on Monday, beaten 7-5 7-6 by unseeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova.

Eleventh seed Kuznetsova, champion in New York in 2004 and runner-up in 2007, led by a break of serve in both sets but lost her way with 42 unforced errors as Cilbulova reached the U.S. Open quarter-finals for the first time.

Kuznetsova led 4-2 in the first set but world number 45 Cibulkova hit back to win it and then recovered from 3-1 down to lead 5-3 in the second.

Two match points came and went as she was broken when serving for the match at 5-4, but she held her nerve to win the tie-break 7-4 to clinch victory.

Source: Web Search

Capello expects Rooney to shine again despite allegations

Mon, Sep 06 10 11:17 PM

England forward Wayne Rooney will play against Switzerland in Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier after confirming he wants to take the field despite allegations about his private life, coach Fabio Capello said on Monday.

Capello told reporters Rooney, who was involved in each of England goals in their 4-0 win over Bulgaria on Friday, had looked sharp in practice.

"Yes, he will play," he said. "He was really, really good on the pitch and I hope Rooney's performance tomorrow will be the same I saw at Wembley.

"During the training, he was really good and I spoke to him and he's ready to play. It's really important for me to know that the players want to play."

The Italian added: "We are focused on the game and not the private life of the players. We are here to play this game.

"I think for us, for the team, it's really important, the performance on the pitch. I'm a manager, they are the players, it's better to separate the different moments."

The allegations over Rooney's private life were published by two Sunday tabloid newspapers.

"It's not only in England, in other countries the same thing always happens. France, Germany, Italy and Spain," Capello added.

Source: Published>

Aus swimmers allowed to abandon CWG if felt unsafe: Report

Mon, Sep 06 10 10:57 PM

Melbourne, Sep 6 (PTI) Australian swimmers have been given permission to abandon the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi if they are worried about their safety, a report said. Swimming Australia president David Urquhart said he had told the team any swimmer who felt unsafe after landing in New Delhi and wanted to leave would be given a paid flight home, even before their events. "If they arrive there and they feel unsafe and they don''t like the place and want to get out we will fly them back. We have given that guarantee. I said that and [Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive] Perry Crosswhite backed it," Urquhart said. "Our first concern is the safety of our athletes and other people from the swimming family going over there. We have also told our athletes if they don''t want to go that will be their decision and there will be no recourse. We have not had anyone pull out. We have some people ask for early releases for exams and work once their events are done," he was quoted as saying by ''Herald Sun''. The swimmers leave Australia on September 25 for a training camp in Malaysia before travelling to New Delhi. The report mentioned the attack on Indian swimmer M B Balakrishnan by four men while he was on his way to training in Chennai. Urquhart said the officials have been heartened by reports from lawn bowlers, hockey players and cricketers who played in New Delhi recently. "People from bowls gave a talk at a briefing in Melbourne. They said they did not feel threatened at any stage when they visited recently," he said.

Source: Published>

London 2012 plans for archery at Lord's given go-ahead

Mon, Sep 06 10 10:51 PM

Cricket will make way for archery at the historic Lord's ground in two years' time after London 2012 organisers got the go-ahead for their plans on Monday.

Lord's, the spiritual home of world cricket, will be temporarily transformed into an Olympic archery venue with 5,000 seats installed on the lush green outfield.

"I'm delighted that we have obtained permission to stage the Olympic archery at Lord's in 2012," London organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe said after Westminster City council approved the 2012 makeover for the north London ground.

"Lord's will be a spectacular venue for hosting the Games in 2010 and the Olympic archery will be an exciting competition for both spectators and athletes."

The archery is provisionally scheduled to run from July 27 to Aug. 3, in the middle of the English cricket season, but Lord's executives believe disruption to the calendar will be minimal.

Keith Bradshaw, chief executive of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) who are based at Lord's, said this year that he hoped two cricket tests would be staged on the ground in 2012.

South Africa are due to tour and currently there is one test match and three one-day internationals planned for Lord's.

Archers will fire their arrows from in front of the Lord's pavilion towards the space-age media centre that is one of London's most recognisable structures.

Lords's is one of several iconic venues that will stage 2012 events. The All England Club will host tennis, Greenwich Park the equestrian events and beach volleyball will take place on Horse Guard's Parade.

Source: Published>

Aamir ready to swear by Koran to prove innocence: Family

Mon, Sep 06 10 10:37 PM

Melbourne, Sep 6 (PTI) ''Spot-fixing'' tainted Pakistan pacer Mohammed Aamir''s family today said the teen cricketer is even ready to swear by holy Koran to prove his innocence. The 18-year-old pace sensation is one of the three Pakistani cricketers, who have been suspended by the ICC for alleged spot-fixing, following a sting operation by a British tabloid. "My brother has told the family he will swear on the Koran he did not do these things," Mohammad Naveed, Aamir''s brother, said. "There is no way these allegations are true," he added. According to his family, Aamir believes that people, jealous of his quick success have conspired against him. "He said because he was winning Man of the Match awards, somebody is trying to destroy him," Naveed was quoted as saying in a report in the ''Australian''. Aamir became the youngest player to take a five-wicket haul in England and fastest to scalp 50 Test wickets. Aamir''s aunt Tahira Mehmooda sniffed political angle in the whole issue. "That boy grew up in my arms. I know him and I know this scandal has political roots," she said. Added his cousin Mahbood Ahmed, "This story has been planted to defame Pakistan by slandering a national hero." PTI AT PDS

Source: Published>

London 2012 plans for archery at Lord's given go-ahead

Mon, Sep 06 10 10:17 PM

Cricket will make way for archery at the historic Lord's ground in two years' time after London 2012 organisers got the go-ahead for their plans on Monday.

Lord's, the spiritual home of world cricket, will be temporarily transformed into an Olympic archery venue with 5,000 seats installed on the lush green outfield.

"I'm delighted that we have obtained permission to stage the Olympic archery at Lord's in 2012," London organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe said after Westminster City council approved the 2012 makeover for the north London ground.

"Lord's will be a spectacular venue for hosting the Games in 2010 and the Olympic archery will be an exciting competition for both spectators and athletes."

The archery is provisionally scheduled to run from July 27 to Aug. 3, in the middle of the English cricket season, but Lord's executives believe disruption to the calendar will be minimal.

Keith Bradshaw, chief executive of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) who are based at Lord's, said this year that he hoped two cricket tests would be staged on the ground in 2012.

South Africa are due to tour and currently there is one test match and three one-day internationals planned for Lord's.

Archers will fire their arrows from in front of the Lord's pavilion towards the space-age media centre that is one of London's most recognisable structures.

Lords's is one of several iconic venues that will stage 2012 events. The All England Club will host tennis, Greenwich Park the equestrian events and beach volleyball will take place on Horse Guard's Parade.

Source: Published>

Work overtime to ensure foolproof security of CWG stadia: Govt

Mon, Sep 06 10 09:57 PM

New Delhi, Sep 6 (PTI) The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked central security forces to "work overtime" to ensure adequate security for Commonwealth Games stadia to save the government from any "embarrassment". "It''d have been better, had CWG Organising Committee handed over all stadia for hosting Commonwealth Games to Ministry of Home Affairs well within the deadline. "Since, it could not happen within the period fixed for it, the Ministry has asked all its security and intelligence forces to undertake job of foolproof stadia security check-ups even if they are required to work overtime to save Centre from embarrassment," Ministry of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken was quoted as saying in a statement from ASSOCHAM. Inaugurating a conference on Homeland Security organised here by ASSOCHAM, Maken hoped that the OC in consultation with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will hand over all stadia as soon as possible to avert any public criticism and adverse publicity in this regard. To a question on insurgency and growing Maoist threats in certain pockets of country, he said essential material and physical supplies will not prove to be a constraint to states dealing with the problems of insurgency and Maoism. "The Centre will not hesitate to come to the rescue of such vulnerable states in providing them necessary defence equipment and other resources," the Minister said. While taking up macro-level issues on homeland security, Maken categorically stated that the government would prefer to buy all security gadgets from countries that assure it technological transfer and at the same time make sure that such security equipment would not be consigned to countries that are hostile towards India. Maken said that the issue of police modernisation is the top priority for Centre to ensure that security threats across India are severely dealt with. "In this connection, the Home Ministry will insist on ''utilisation certificates'' from all states which have spent their security budgets until October every year in the month of November. "And the states that fail to do the same, their budgetary allocations will be transferred to performing states, spending Central budgetary allocations on police modernisation," he said.

Source: Published>

Players shouldn''t have excuses if caught fixing: Broad

Mon, Sep 06 10 09:47 PM

Cardiff (UK), Sep 6 (PTI) There cannot be an excuse for players who are involved in match fixing as international cricketers are given enough education on avoiding corruption, feels England fast bowler Stuart Broad. "We''re very educated on this anti-corruption stuff. There''s an anti-corruption guy around the changing rooms all the time. I don''t think any player could ever have an excuse like ''I didn''t know,'' or ''We weren''t educated''," Broad said. "The amount of books I''ve got from the ICC at home, full of information: there''s certainly no excuse as players," he added. The 24-year-old said the England and Wales Cricket Board are strict about corruption and they regularly keep reminding the cricketers of their responsibilities. "Every year you get reminded and get bullet points of what to do and what not to do. The ECB are pretty strict in regulating everything like that. We''re lucky with the board we''ve got," he said. "I don''t know what other boards do. But that''s the responsibility that they have to take to make sure every player is educated," he added. Broad, who was part of the English team that defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the first Twenty20 International on Sunday, said he got his first education on avoiding corruption at the age of 19. "When you come into the England team, the ICC show you this anti-corruption DVD, everything you are allowed and not allow to do," Broad said. "So it''s not all reading. The DVDs are very watchable, very clear. It takes you back to when you were five or six, how clear it is." PTI ATK PDS

Source: Published>

Mascarenhas may face disciplinary action

Mon, Sep 06 10 09:37 PM

London, Sep 6 (PTI) England allrounder Dimitri Mascarenhas is likely to face disciplinary action following his Twitter outburst on chairman of selectors Geoff Miller. According to the ''Daily Telegraph'' Miller was the subject of two separate posts on the Twitter page of the Hampshire all-rounder, which led to England and Wales Cricket Board launching a probe into the explosive remarks. An ECB spokesman said: "We are aware of the tweet and we are investigating the matter." The outburst by Dimitri came a few days after England batsman Kevin Pietersen apologised for making a similar comments on Twitter against the national selector. Pietersen''s outburst came after his omission from England''s squads for Twenty20 and One-day Internationals against Pakistan this month and the former skipper was fined an undisclosed sum by the ECB today. Mascarenhas is not a centrally-contracted England player but he has previously featured in ODIs and Twenty20 for the national side.

Source: Published>

Houghton will not release footballers for Asian Games

Published>Mon, Sep 06 10 09:17 PM

New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) Left to chief coach Bob Houghton, none of the 30 Asian Cup probables will be figuring in the Asian Games squad. Houghton made it amply clear here Monday that he was not in favour of disturbing the training schedule of the Doha-bound squad.

Houghton doesn't want to risk any player two months before the Asian Cup, which will be held in Doha in January, as the Asian Games are in November in Guangzhou in China.

In the Asian Games, where football is an under-23 tournament, teams can field three senior team players. The government has released Rs.100 million for the training of the Asian Games team.

But after the national team's practice session here, the Englishman made it clear that his priorities are the Asian Cup and not the Asian Games.

'I will not release any player for the Asian Games. We are preparing for the Asian Cup in January and my priorities are the Asian Cup and not the Asian Games,' said Houghton.

Among the 30 probables for the Asian Cup, goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya, forward Sushil Singh, midfielder Jagpreet Singh and defender Govin Singh are all under 23 years of age.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary general Alberto Colaco told IANS: 'The final decision regarding composition of all national teams rests with the coaches, who work under the guidance and the direction of the chief coach.'

Houghton also said that after a 0-1 loss to Thailand in a friendly international match in Bangkok, his boys will be extra cautious when they play the visitors in the return leg here Wednesday at Ambedkar Stadium.

'Thailand are a good side. We had a good game against them and had our fair chances in the match as well. It was an even match. When I was the coach of the Chinese team, we used to beat them by three or four goals but all used to be even matches,' Houghton said.

With a series of friendlies lined-up for the Indian team, Houghton said the national players will have a hectic season in the run-up to the Asian Cup in Doha.

After Thailand, India will play Namibia and Gambia this month and then will shift base to Pune for friendlies against Yemen and Vietnam in October.

Houghton, however, had some reservations about playing against African teams like Namibia and Gambia.

'We are playing the Asian Cup not the African Cup of Nations. My logic was since we are playing an Asian tournament, we should concentrate on playing Asian teams,' he said.

Houghton also sounded a bit apprehensive when asked about Yemen, against whom India lost 0-3 in 2006 before the Englishman was appointed in 2007. Yemen were ranked lower than India during the match.

Asked if there would be an improved performance from India against Yemen, Houghton said: 'I guess the match was before I was appointed as the national coach. It has now been four years, let's see what happens.'

Houghton also said that the team is likely to practice in Dubai in November.

'Playing against a World Cup team like North Korea would have benefitted us a lot and since the match didn't materialise we may go to Dubai for the training camp in November,' he said.

The Englishman was also unhappy with the infrastructure.

'If we had better infrastructure here then we would have never spent millions of dollars in Portugal. It is high time we get some good facilities in India,' he said.

Source: Web Search

Delhi 2010 Main Press Centre to be operational from September 23

Published>Mon, Sep 06 10 09:01 PM

New Delhi, Sep. 6 (ANI): The Organising Committee of the CWG 2010 Delhi has made elaborate arrangements for the international and national media that will be converging on the city for the games.

The Main Press Centre (MPC), the key operations area for the Media, will be available for use from September 23 and can be accessed till September 30, daily between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Thereafter, MPC will be open round-the-clock from October 1-15.

On October 16 and 17, the centre will be close at 10 p.m.

The MPC boasts 600 work stations for press and photo areas, with Wi-Fi and High-speed broadband at rate card, Games info service to access Games News Service and transport schedules, two press conference rooms, two interview rooms, high-definition live feed area, rate card offices for agencies, as well as a Media Lounge. Non-rights holding Electronic Media will have access to MPC with equipment.

A workforce of 600 volunteers will assist the Media at all competition and non-competition venues.

The selected volunteers are from Journalism and Mass Communication background, and have already completed their training.

Thirty volunteers from Sheffield Hallem University, UK, will be joined by 50 Sports Specific volunteers from the Media School of Panjabi University, Patiala.

In addition, there will be a 24-hour food court with fine dining and bar located just 25 metres from MPC. There is also a Retail Plaza, with facilities like ATM, banking, convenience store, camera repair centre etc.

The Venue Media Centres, that will open two hours prior to the event and close two hours after the event concludes, will also have work stations, high-speed Internet, press conference room, Media Lounge, info terminal for Games News Service, catering concession outlets and Mixed Zones.

Apart from this, the Games Village Media Centre will have an International Zone, which will allow access to accreditated pass-holding Media. The Media Centre will have work areas, Media Lounge, Media Pass Desk, two press conference rooms, presentation studio and two interview rooms.

As compared to 1562 Media accreditations for the Melbourne Games in 2006, around 2000 accreditations will be made for Delhi 2010. Among these, 800 intentional and 1200 domestic Media personnel are expected to cover the Games.

There are four Media hotels - Janpath, Ramada, Hans and Radisson Marina, for which online bookings are on.

There are extensive transport arrangements for the Media, with T4 shuttles being made available to the accreditated Media.

Transport will be available round-the-clock from Media Hotels and MPC and then onwards to competition venues and Games Village. The peak service will have a frequency of 15-20 minutes. The Main Media Transport Mall will be located at ITPO, Complex, about 70 metres from MPC (ANI)

Source: Web Search

No specific security threat to CWG: Union Home Secy

Mon, Sep 06 10 08:51 PM

Thiruvanathapuram, Sep 6 (PTI) The Centre today said no specific security threat had been received to the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi next month. Acquisition of para gliders by Lashkar-e-Toiba had come to the notice of Centre, but it did not cause any direct threat to CWG, Union Home Secretary G K Pillai told reporters here. Asserting that the Centre was not concerned by the LeT acquiring para gliders, he said government would take all necessary steps for foolproof security for the games. On the standoff between BlackBerry and Union Government over giving access of its message service to security agencies, Pillai said the firm had made available some of its features to the Centre. They have agreed to provide more, he said adding, "the Centre has asked for company''s data services considering national security." "It is a must for monitoring some messages. But, that does not mean that we are watching all messages and data," he added. Pillai, who reviewed the centrally-aided police modernisation schemes during a meeting with DGP Jacob Punose and other officials, said growth of religious fundamentalism in Kerala had become become a matter of concern. "Kerala is a state known for communal harmony and any threat to it will have very adverse consequences," he said. However, he said the state government was well aware of the situation and was taking necessary steps to combat the threat. The Centre was closely watching the activities of Popular Front of India (PFI), whose members were allegedly responsible for chopping the hand of college lecturer T J Joseph, Pillai said. "Some elements in the outfit are with extremist ideas though many others in the organisation were not aware of this," he said. On banning PFI, Pillai said the outfit had not come under the ''unlawful activities'' parameters. At present there was no move to ban the outfit, he added. On the existence of Maoists in Kerala, he said naxals were active in Waynad, the northern part of the state. However, he said their activities were not confined to Waynad alone. "We have information about setting up front organisations by Maoists," Pillai said. The state government was aware of this and was capable of dealing with the situation, he said. On the release of three police personnel kidnapped by Maoist in Bihar, he said the entire matter was handled by the state government. The Centre primarily provided sharing of intelligence inputs and other logistic support. "The steps of the state government are supported by the Centre," he added.

Source: Published>

B-samples of six wrestlers also test positive

Published>Mon, Sep 06 10 08:47 PM

New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) The B-samples of six Indian wrestlers, charged with doping, have also tested positive and they now face the anti-doping disciplinary panel for a hearing.

The wrestlers were tested positive in their A-samples for the banned substance methylhexanamine, which was included in the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibitive drug this year.

Sumit (74kg), Mausam Khatri (96kg) and Arjuna awardee Rajiv Tomar (120kg) in the men's freestyle and Gursharanpreet Kaur (72kg) in the women's section were part of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games wrestling squad. They continue to be suspended till the hearing.

Rahul Mann (60kg) and Joginder Singh (120kg) were the other two wrestlers.

'All the six wrestlers' B-samples have also returned positive. A copy of the second notice has been sent to them and the anti-doping disciplinary committee which will give the wrestlers a date of hearing tomorrow,' National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) director-general Rahul Bhatnagar told IANS.

The disciplinary committee will be headed by retired sessions judge Dinesh Dayal. The three-member panel will include an eminent sportsperson and eminent doctor.

The sports ministry had requested a quick hearing of the dope-tainted athletes keeping in mind the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

Besides the six wrestlers, two athletes (shot-putter Saurabh Vij and discus thrower Akash Antil) and three swimmers (Richa Mishra, Jyotsna Pansari and Amar Muralidharan) also tested positive for methylhexanamine in their A-samples. Muralidharan is not part of the Commonwealth Games squad.

'Richa, Jyotsana, Akash and Saurabh came today for their B-samples testing,' Bhatnagar said.

All these athletes have been provisionally suspended by their federations.

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No specific security threat to CWG: Union Home Secy

Mon, Sep 06 10 08:37 PM

Thiruvanathapuram, Sep 6 (PTI) The Centre today said no specific security threat had been received to the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi next month. Acquisition of para gliders by Lashkar-e-Toiba had come to the notice of Centre, but it did not cause any direct threat to CWG, Union Home Secretary G K Pillai told reporters here. Asserting that the Centre was not concerned by the LeT acquiring para gliders, he said government would take all necessary steps for foolproof security for the games. On the standoff between BlackBerry and Union Government over giving access of its message service to security agencies, Pillai said the firm had made available some of its features to the Centre. They have agreed to provide more, he said adding, "the Centre has asked for company''s data services considering national security." "It is a must for monitoring some messages. But, that does not mean that we are watching all messages and data," he added. Pillai, who reviewed the centrally-aided police modernisation schemes during a meeting with DGP Jacob Punose and other officials, said growth of religious fundamentalism in Kerala had become become a matter of concern. "Kerala is a state known for communal harmony and any threat to it will have very adverse consequences," he said. However, he said the state government was well aware of the situation and was taking necessary steps to combat the threat. The Centre was closely watching the activities of Popular Front of India (PFI), whose members were allegedly responsible for chopping the hand of college lecturer T J Joseph, Pillai said. "Some elements in the outfit are with extremist ideas though many others in the organisation were not aware of this," he said. On banning PFI, Pillai said the outfit had not come under the ''unlawful activities'' parameters. At present there was no move to ban the outfit, he added. On the existence of Maoists in Kerala, he said naxals were active in Waynad, the northern part of the state. However, he said their activities were not confined to Waynad alone. "We have information about setting up front organisations by Maoists," Pillai said. The state government was aware of this and was capable of dealing with the situation, he said. On the release of three police personnel kidnapped by Maoist in Bihar, he said the entire matter was handled by the state government. The Centre primarily provided sharing of intelligence inputs and other logistic support. "The steps of the state government are supported by the Centre," he added.

Source: Published>

Lahore HC summons PCB chief in a petition on spot-fixing

Mon, Sep 06 10 08:27 PM

Karachi, Sep 6 (PTI) Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ejaz Butt who has been summoned by the Lahore High Court to appear before it tomorrow in a citizen''s petition on the spot-fixing scandal. Although the legal advisor of the board, Tafazzul Rizvi and the Pakistan High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Wajid Shamsul Hasan have been very visible in the media in the ongoing case, Butt has done a disappearing act. Until now the under-fire PCB Chairman has yet to issue a single statement on the issue and sources said he could land himself in more trouble by not appearing in the Lahore High Court. "Butt is said to be in London. He was booked to return home on the 5th of this month but so far we don''t know what his plans are," a source in the board said. The Lahore High Court has summoned the PCB chief, the federal sports minister and seven cricketers on September 7 to hear a petition calling for the players to face treason charges. Lawyer Ishtiaq Ahmed filed the petition in the High Court last week to initiate treason proceedings against players who are being investigated for alleged spot fixing on the current tour of England. Since then the International Cricket Council has already suspended the three suspected players -- Test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir. Ishtiaq said today that he wanted to see the players banned and their assets seized as they had brought a bad name to the country and the image of the sport.

Source: Published>

Reframe rules to curb spot-fixing: Latif to ICC

Mon, Sep 06 10 08:21 PM

Karachi, Sep 6 (PTI) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif today said the ICC need to re-design its laws and rules to root out the spot and match-fixing menaces from the game as the current rules only abet the malpractice. Latif, who played an instrumental role in exposing the nexus between Pakistani players and bookmakers 16-years back, said he wrote to the ICC in 2003 when he was captain and warned them about the dangers of spot-fixing. "In that letter, I told them to change the rules and laws in one-day internationals which, were more prone to spot-fixing. I even offered to assist the ICC''s Anti- Corruption and Security Unit but I got no response," he said. "The key is to design laws and rules that do not allow players and bookmakers to manipulate things. I told the ICC remove the fielding restrictions and they introduced the power-play which only encouraged fixing," he said. Latif wrote the letter when was leading the side in England. The wicketkeeper-batsman said that it was next to impossible to completely eradicate spot fixing or betting from cricket like in all other sports. The veteran of 37 Tests and 166 one-dayers decided to retire to draw the attention of the authorities towards match fixing elements in the national team. He claimed the then captain Saleem Malik was fixing matches. Latif played a big part during the long judicial inquiry conducted by Justice (retd) Malik Qayyum between 1998-2000 into allegations of match-fixing in the Pakistan team that eventually led to a life ban on Malik and fines on five other players. The former captain said he would recommend having a similar fielding restriction right from the beginning till the last over of a match to curtail fixing. "Why can''t we have more overs per bowler or having four fielders in the circle all the time." Latif also felt that he wouldn''t rule out that some PCB officials were also involved in the shady business of spot fixing.

Source: Published>

PCB needs to act tough to curb fixing: Boycott

Published>Mon, Sep 06 10 08:17 PM

London, Sep 6 (IANS) Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott Monday said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should act strongly on the spot-fixing allegations involving Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif and cited as an example the strict measures taken by the Indian board during the 2000 match-fixing episode.

Boycott said he's not surprised to see Pakistan in a fixing scandal yet again as they never dealt with them properly. He recalled the way the Indian board took swift decisions during the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal and banned former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Manoj Prabhakar for life.

'It is no coincidence that Pakistan are repeatedly implicated in these scandals, because they never deal with them properly,' Boycott wrote in the Telegraph.

'People might get suspended or banished from the team, but within a few months the regime changes, and they are back again, as if nothing had happened.'

'Pakistan must join the rest of the world in deploring what happened at Lords. There is no point them trying to turn a blind eye.'

On the match-fixing scandal that rocked the cricket fraternity ten years ago, Boycott said: 'Look at the Indians and their response to the revelations surrounding the Hansie Cronje affair a decade ago.'

'Mohammad Azharuddin and Manoj Prabhakar were among the players implicated. They were never convicted in a criminal case, but the Indian board was strong. They never played for India again, nor did Ajay Jadeja, even though his ban was quashed in 2003.'

'Having tainted players in your dressing-room can damage the team's morale, as well as its credibility,' wrote Boycott.

The cricketer-turned-commentator feels 18-year-old Aamer deserves a lengthy ban.

'I am particularly concerned about the size of the no-balls sent down by Mohammad Amir. Professional cricketers play the game within small fractions. It is hard to see how he could have run up and bowled a no-ball by 12 inches without realising he is going to overstep.

'I think the ICC's anti-corruption unit should offer Mohammed Aamer a plea bargain. But I still believe that he deserves a lengthy ban - seven years, perhaps - if he is shown to have bowled no-balls to order.'

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