NZ tell athletes to delay Delhi Games arrival

Published>Thu, Sep 23 10 09:32 AM

New Zealand has joined Scotland and Canada in delaying their arrival in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games, as organisers struggle to provide suitable athlete accommodation in time for the multi-sport event.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) told their athletes on Thursday to delay their arrival in the Indian capital until at least next Tuesday, just five days before the showpiece event is due to open.

New Zealand's lawn bowls, hockey and badminton teams, and officials from cycling and athletics, were all scheduled to begin arriving in Delhi from Saturday.

However, after an inspection by NZOC President Mike Stanley and Secretary General Barry Maister on Wednesday, they decided to push back their arrival dates.

"It is tremendously disappointing," Stanley said in a NZOC statement on Thursday. "The long list of outstanding issues has made it clear the village will now not be ready for New Zealand athletes to move in as planned."

New Zealand Chef de Mission Dave Currie had said earlier this week the athletes' village had required "considerable work", prompting a flying 27-hour visit by Stanley and Maister.

Both are returning to New Zealand and will address the NZOC board on Friday.

HYGIENE AND SAFETY

Stanley said Currie will meet with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and organising committee later on Thursday to push for an "urgent resolution" of the issues surrounding the accommodation.

"We know how hard this must be for athletes and we're continuing to push the CGF and organising committee for an urgent resolution," Stanley said.

"This is not a matter of comfort or luxury -- it's a matter of hygiene and safety."

Currie said he had also ordered his NZOC operations team in Delhi not to enter the village until it was habitable.

"There are still issues with plumbing, wiring and leaks and the maintenance people have no access to our tower while the security process takes place," Currie said.

"We're now looking to move in on (Sept.) 26th and we need two days to prepare for athletes."

New Zealand's gymnastics, archery, weightlifting, synchronized swimming and boxing teams, who were all scheduled to arrive on Sept. 28, are now expected to be the first athletes into the village.

Source: Web Search

2 Canadian archers pull out of Games

Published>Thu, Sep 23 10 08:46 AM

Toronto, Sep 23 (IANS) After Canada Wednesday told some of its athletes to delay proceeding to the Commonwealth Games because of 'unliveable' conditions at the athletes' village, two Canadian archers pulled out of the sporting event citing safety and health concerns.

Kevin Tataryn and Dietmar Trillus said they will not be going to New Delhi any more, according to coach Richard Towler. They join Australian discus thrower Dani Samuels and England triple jumper Phillips Idowu who have decided to pull out of the Games for security reasons.

Canada's heavyweight boxing champion Samir El-Mais also hinted that he too might pull out of the event.

The boxer, who is to leave for India with six other pugilists Saturday, said he was scared of going to Delhi after hearing about conditions in the sports village.

'It's kind of scared me. Will I feel safe, probably not, but we are guests there, they have to take care of us,'' the boxer was quoted as saying.

Earlier in the day, Commonwealth Games Canada told some of its athletes to delay their journey to Commonwealth Games beginning Oct 3, saying a decision will be taken once it is confident their sportspersons are 'safe and healthy.''

The Canadian women's field hockey team, three shooters and several members of the delegation's mission staff were scheduled to leave for New Delhi Wednesday.

'We cannot put (athletes) in rooms unless we are confident they are safe and healthy,' Canadian chef de mission Martha Deacon told CTV news channel.

'The (Games) village is a challenge. A great variety of rooms and towers in the village need some significant, very rushed last minute work. There are some rooms in the buildings and towers that, with great effort in the next several days, may be acceptable to our athletes,'' he said.

Commonwealth Games Canada officials said their advance team in India found construction sites strewn with debris and human excrement and toilets not flushing.

They said the collapse of a pedestrian bridge near the main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the attack on two foreign tourists in Delhi and fears of an outbreak of Dengue fever have heightened their concern about the safety of athletes.

Commonwealth Games Canada president Andrew Pipe said Wednesday that he was only 'cautiously optimistic'' about improvement in living conditions at the Games' village.

'We are working closely with our national sport organization partners, and some of them have decided to delay their departures,'' he told the news channel.

'All of that logistical work is ongoing, and in response to what we find on the ground. Clearly we have had to deal with some very specific and very unique challenges - challenges which, unfortunately, we have been talking about for months with the Indian authorities.''

Source: Web Search

'Inexperience will work in our favour'

Published>Thu, Sep 23 10 06:08 AM

Despite leading an inexperienced bowling attack, many on their first tour of India, Australian pace spearhead ? Mitchell Johnson believes the "unknown commodity" factor could work for Australia. While Shane Watson and Doug Bollinger have some experience of top-class cricket in India, fast bowlers Peter George, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc and batsman Phillip Hughes are not exactly household names.

Johnson who was speaking after a training at a press conference at the Sector 16 stadium in Chandigarh on Wednesday believes that the anonymity will make them want to prove themselves.

"We have a new set of cricketers coming up for Australia. They are restless and very keen to perform well for the country. As a mature and experienced cricketer it is my responsibility to guide them and you never know what could happen in the Tests," he said.

'Challenging tracks'

Johnson who has taken 158 wickets in 36 Tests said that bowling in India was always a challenge for fast bowlers.

"The wickets here are mostly flatter in nature, so it becomes tough to bowl on them, that too in usually hot and humid conditions. Then, India has formidable batting depth which makes the job of bowlers more demanding. India will be a tough team to take on. Ranked number one in the world, India has big players in Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh who can turn the match around. "

"I believe we will take each match as it comes, ahead of the Ashes and later the World Cup in the sub-continent. The Indian series will be important for us, we would aim to do well in both the Test matches in India," said Johnson who is coming off a poor series against Pakistan, finishing with just three wickets at an average of 72.33.

However, the pacer said that it would not just be the conditions that would test the young Australian quicks.

Having bowled with the Kookaburra ball for most of their careers, they would have to adapt to the Indian made SG variety. While the Kookaburra swings when new, the SG tends to reverse as it wears down. This would mean they would have to alter their bowling plans.

Source: Web Search

England beat Pakistan to win one-day series

Thu, Sep 23 10 03:06 AM

England beat Pakistan by 121 runs in the final one-day international at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday to win the five-match series 3-2.

Scores: England 256 for six off 50 overs; Pakistan 135 all out off 37 overs.

Source: Published>

Canada reviewing CWG situation, delays athletes'' departure

Thu, Sep 23 10 02:22 AM

Toronto, Sept 22 (PTI) Canada will review over the next couple of days whether to send its atheletes to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games and has instructed some of its sportspersons to delay their departures. Canadian Broadcaster CBC said Canadian Commonwealth Games officials are monitoring the situation and will decide whether athletes from their country should go to Delhi. "We have to review that in the next couple of days, and we''re keeping a very close pulse on (questions of) is this safe, is this meaningful, is this going to be an experience we promised our athletes and coaches... and that becomes the 64 million dollar question," Canadian chef de mission Martha Deacon told CBC News. The departures of some of the Canadian athletes to New Delhi for the upcoming Commonwealth Games has been delayed by a few days as officials felt the athletes village "is not yet up to code". Some Canadian athletes - the women''s field hockey team and two members of the shooting squad - were scheduled to arrive in India on Friday, but Canadian officials instructed them to delay their trips. The women''s field hockey team now plans to leave Canada early next week. Deacon said there are issues with hygiene, plumbing and electricity in some of the rooms in the village. "We cannot put (athletes) in rooms unless we are confident they are safe and healthy," she was quoted as saying. The build-up to the Games has been marred by complaints over unhygienic conditions at the Games Village, and to make things worse a foot over bridge collapsed near the main stadium yesterday, injuring 27 people. Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell has already shot off a letter to Cabinet Secretary detailing the "unlivable" conditions at Athletes'' Village which along with a footbridge collapse near the main Games venue had triggered withdrawal of two high-profile athletes besides pull out threats from some countries. Several nations, including Canada, Scotland, Northern Ireland and New Zealand, have expressed concerns about delays in the completion of the athletes village. PTI

Source: Published>

European Cup players will all play on first day

Published>Thu, Sep 23 10 02:16 AM

Europe Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has revealed that all 12 of his team members will play on the opening day of competition against the U.S. at Celtic Manor next week.

Montgomerie consulted with his four vice-captains before announcing his intention to send out each of his players on Oct. 1.

"I know who is going to be on that first tee on Friday morning and they've been informed so they can prepare accordingly," Montgomerie told reporters at the Vivendi Cup on Wednesday.

"In fact, everybody knows what is going on and it's important that they understand that they are all going to be playing and that they are going to be available to play, so they know exactly where they stand.

"I've said from the word go, that I didn't want this to be blocked out and hidden and in the dark in anyway. This is a very open campaign and it goes through to the players and it goes through to who is playing when and where.

"So barring accidents, illness mishaps or whatever all 12 players will play the first day."

Swede Peter Hanson, who qualified for his first Ryder Cup by winning the Czech Open, was delighted with the decison.

"It feels great to know I'm getting a game on the first day," he said.

"It's going to help me a lot knowing I am going to be playing Friday, instead of having a situation where you go out adn play practice rounds and you don't really know, as a rookie, if I am going to get a game or not.

"I can now prepare myself percent and try to play my absolute best in that match."

Source: Web Search

Chennai was expected to qualify for semis: Dhoni

Thu, Sep 23 10 01:22 AM

Port Elizabeth, Sep 22 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said being the Indian Premier League champions his side was expected to qualify for the semifinals of the Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament here. "It is an important tournament and being the IPL champions we are expected to do well. I am glad that we have done decently well in the last four games we have played," Dhoni said after Chennai defeated Warriors by 10 runs in the last Group A match and qualified for the semifinals. Chennai will now take on fellow IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first semifinal in Durban on Saturday and Dhoni said his side will have to tighten up some loose ends before the crucial encounter. "There have been ups and downs, we have got quite a few weak links but at the end of the day, we have done well." "We did not want them to get off to a great start and the important point was the middle overs. The next game will be in Durban and our fast bowlers will have to pull their socks up because I don''t thin the spinners will get much turn or purchase there," he said. "But there is plenty to improve before the next game but as far as this game is concerned the combination really worked for us," Dhoni added. Dhoni''s counterpart Davey Jacobs said batting did them in today''s match but he was happy to have qualified for the last four stage inspite of the defeat. "I think we bowl great tonight and did a good job in the field too but our batting was not upto the mark. But we are happy to qualify for the semis. Now we have to prepare hard for the semis," he said. Man-of-the-match Mike Hussey, who scored a match-winning 50 apart from taking two crucial catches today, credited Chennai bowlers for the victory. "It was a great game. Both teams fought really hard. We are exactly not sure what a good score would be. Initially I was thinking about 160-170 but as it turned out 136 was enough in the end. "Our bowlers did a great job, particularly the spinners," Hussey said.

Source: Published>

Delhi govt to take over Games Village maintenance from DDA

Thu, Sep 23 10 01:04 AM

New Delhi, Sep 22 (PTI) With questions being raised over the cleanliness in the Commonwealth Games Village, Union Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar tonight directed Delhi Government to take control of the maintenance of the complex which will house the athletes. The maintenance of the Games Village was under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) which is under direct control of Union Urban Development Ministry. Highly-placed sources told PTI that Chandrasekhar directed the city government to take control of the maintenance and cleanliness of the Games Village from tomorrow following criticism by the Commonwealth Games Federation. They said the CWG Organising Committee will be the overall incharge of the Games Village but Delhi government will look after the issues of maintenance and cleanliness. Already 40 DANIPS (Delhi, Nicobar and Andaman Island Police Service) officers have been deployed in the Games Village and if required more officials will be put into service. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will visit the Village tomorrow to assess the ground situation. Cleanliness and maintenance of the Games Village had come under sharp criticism from foreign participants as well as Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive Mike Hooper who described the facility as "filthy and unimaginable". Concerned over the unhygienic conditions at the Games Village, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell shot off a letter to Cabinet Secretary asking him to take immediate steps to fix the deficiencies in the residential zone of the Village, which he said has "shocked" advance parties from New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Ireland. "The final preparations for the Games Village have been of concern to the CGF since viewing the residential zone along with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations advance parties on September 15," Fennel said in a strongly-worded statement. But the embarrassed organisers, while promising to sort out all the glitches within the deadline, came out with a bizarre defence that the issue of cleanliness was a matter of difference in perception. "For us and for you it is clean. But they (the foreign countries) have a different standard of cleanliness. It is a matter of difference in perception," Organising Committee spokesperson Lalit Bhanot said. New Zealand Chef de Mission Dave Currie, who is camping in Delhi, threatened to pull out if the cleanliness issue of the residential zones where his country''s athletes will stay is not sorted out. "There are some realities, I guess, that if the village is not ready and athletes can''t come then obviously the implications of that are it is not going to happen. If the village isn''t ready, the athletes can''t arrive," Currie said. "It''s not our decision. We''re not saying we''re not coming or the country''s not coming. What we''re saying is they''ve got a real challenge with the village and they need to take urgent attention to address it," he added.

Source: Published>

Chennai pip Warriors by 10 runs, qualify for semis

Thu, Sep 23 10 12:58 AM

Port Elizabeth, Sep 22 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings defeated Warriors by 10 runs in a crucial Group A match and qualified for the semifinals of the Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament here today. Electing to bat, Mike Hussey (50 off 39) and Murali Vijay (35 off 27) shared a 63-run opening stand before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni came up with a late 21-ball 31 to guide Chennai to 136 for six in their alloted 20 overs. Chennai bowlers then rose to the occasion and restricted the Warriors to 126 for eight. With this victory, Chennai have secured a place in the first semifinal against fellow Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore in Durban on Friday. Even though Warriors lost the match, they too have qualified for the last four stage, pipping Victoria Bushrangers on net run rate. Chasing the modest 137, Warriors needed 109 to book their their place in the semis and they finally went on to score 126 for eight. Warriors will face South Australia Redbacks in the second semifinal on Saturday. For Warriors, Justin Kreusch turned out to be the hero as he first picked up three wickets for 19 and then scored valuable 25 with the bat to help his side''s cause at the St George''s Park here. Warriors'' chase never got going as they were dealt with the first blow in the fourth over in the form of Ashwell Prince. Prince fell to a one-handed blinder from Justin Kemp in the slip off off-spinner R Aswin. From there on, the home team found runs hard to come by against the Chennai slow bowlers, which eventually resulted in the dismissal of Warriors captain Davey Jacobs (32). Jacobs was pounced by Hussey at deep midwicket off left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati as the right-hander went for a slog-sweep. The slow bowlers again came to the party as part-time spinner Suresh Raina had Colin Ingram caught by S Badrinath at the midwicket boundary. But after a fine showing with the ball, Kreusch also shone with the bat with a valuable 26-ball 25 and together with Mark Boucher (25) added 44 runs to guide Warriors into the semifinals even though the South African side lost the encounter. Needing, 46 off the last four overs, Boucher relived the pressure with two sixes off Jakati. But just when it seemed the Warriors will cruise home, Chennai picked up two wickets in a span of three balls to bring the match into balance. First Kreusch departed, stumped by Dhoni off Ashwin and then three balls later Boucher was caught at long-on by Kemp. New man in Johan Botha, somewhat, changed the complexion of the match when he struck Doug Bollinger for two boundaries in the penultimate over, but it was not to be Warriors'' day as he perished in search of a non-existent double. .

Source: Published>

Canada delays sending athletes to Delhi

Thu, Sep 23 10 12:52 AM

Canada will delay sending athletes to New Deli for the Commonwealth Games because of concerns about health and safety conditions within the athletes village, Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) said on Wednesday.

The women's field hockey team and two shooting athletes, who were scheduled to leave Canada on Thursday evening, will remain home for at least two more days. Their travel arrangements have not yet been finalised.

"The bottom line is that the accommodations in the athletes village simply aren't ready," Scott Stevenson, CGC's director of sport who is on the ground in Delhi, said in a statement.

"We're working extremely hard with local authorities to get the finishing work and the clean-up done but it's going to take more time.

"More importantly, we have not received the official clearance from the host Organizing Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation that the Village is ready for its official opening."

Source: Published>

Delhi govt to take over Games Village maintenance from DDA

Thu, Sep 23 10 12:28 AM

New Delhi, Sep 22 (PTI) With questions being raised over the cleanliness in the Commonwealth Games Village, Union Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar tonight directed Delhi Government to take control of the maintenance of the complex which will house the athletes. The maintenance of the Games Village was under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) which is under direct control of Union Urban Development Ministry. Highly-placed sources told PTI that Chandrasekhar directed the city government to take control of the maintenance and cleanliness of the Games Village from tomorrow following criticism by the Commonwealth Games Federation. They said the CWG Organising Committee will be the overall incharge of the Games Village but Delhi government will look after the issues of maintenance and cleanliness. Already 40 DANIPS (Delhi, Nicobar and Andaman Island Police Service) officers have been deployed in the Games Village and if required more officials will be put into service. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will visit the Village tomorrow to assess the ground situation. Cleanliness and maintenance of the Games Village had come under sharp criticism from foreign participants as well as Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive Mike Hooper who described the facility as "filthy and unimaginable". Concerned over the unhygienic conditions at the Games Village, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell shot off a letter to Cabinet Secretary asking him to take immediate steps to fix the deficiencies in the residential zone of the Village, which he said has "shocked" advance parties from New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Ireland. "The final preparations for the Games Village have been of concern to the CGF since viewing the residential zone along with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations advance parties on September 15," Fennel said in a strongly-worded statement. But the embarrassed organisers, while promising to sort out all the glitches within the deadline, came out with a bizarre defence that the issue of cleanliness was a matter of difference in perception. "For us and for you it is clean. But they (the foreign countries) have a different standard of cleanliness. It is a matter of difference in perception," Organising Committee spokesperson Lalit Bhanot said. New Zealand Chef de Mission Dave Currie, who is camping in Delhi, threatened to pull out if the cleanliness issue of the residential zones where his country''s athletes will stay is not sorted out. "There are some realities, I guess, that if the village is not ready and athletes can''t come then obviously the implications of that are it is not going to happen. If the village isn''t ready, the athletes can''t arrive," Currie said. "It''s not our decision. We''re not saying we''re not coming or the country''s not coming. What we''re saying is they''ve got a real challenge with the village and they need to take urgent attention to address it," he added.

Source: Published>

Chennai beat Warriors by 10 runs, qualify for semis

Thu, Sep 23 10 12:22 AM

Port Elizabeth, Sep 22 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings defeated Warriors by 10 runs in a Group A match of the Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament here today. Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings: 136 for six in 20 overs (Mike Hussey 50, Murali Vijay 35; Justin Kreusch 3/19). Warriors: 126 for eight in 20 overs (Davey Jacobs 32, Justin Kreusch 25, Mark Boucher 25; R Ashwin 3/24, Muttiah Muralitharan 2/17).

Source: Published>

Krishna tries to allay concerns, says CWG will be a success

Thu, Sep 23 10 12:20 AM

Betwa Sharma New York, Sep 22 (PTI) With the Delhi Commonwealth Games hit by a series of concerns, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today sought to reassure the world that India was determined to make the event a success, and that security will not be a worrying issue. Krishna, who is in New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, asserted that athletes and participants arriving in New Delhi will be protected and have no reason to worry. "Their security will not be an issue," Krishna told BBC, even as a number of athletes pulled out of the October event that has been marred by delays and lapses. England''s world champion triple jumper, Phillips Idowu, became the latest star athlete to pull out of the scandal-marred Commonwealth Games due to security reasons. The build-up to the Games has also been marred by complaints over unhygienic conditions at the Games Village, and to make things worse a foot over bridge collapsed near the main stadium yesterday, injuring 27 people. Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell has already shot off a letter to Cabinet Secretary detailing the "unlivable" conditions at Athletes'' Village which along with a footbridge collapse near the main Games venue had triggered withdrawal of two high-profile athletes besides pull out threats from some countries. But, Krishna, put up a confident face saying India had put a lot of effort, and it was determined to make the Games a success. "Come 3rd of October, the international community will be able to see the efforts that India has put in making the Games a success," Krishna said. Earlier this week, two foreign tourists were injured when gunmen targeted their vehicle near Jama Masjid, putting a question mark over Delhi''s security preparedness. ''Now call it off!'', ''Games in crisis'' screamed British tabloids, slamming what are being described as shoddy preparations and a blow to India''s pride. The collapse of the bridge near the main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and poor living conditions in the Games Village too hogged space in the media, with the leading daily ''The Guardian'' asking ''Does this look ready to you?'' Responding to a question over the collapse of the bridge, Krishna said, "This is a period of monsoon season, the bridge was under construction". He insisted that such instances would not happen again. "The people, the government and the prime minister of India are resolved and determined to make the Commonwealth Games a success," he said. Later today, Krishna will speak at the Millennium Development Goals Summit in the UN General Assembly where US President Barack Obama is also scheduled to speak.

Source: Published>

Delhi govt to take over Games Village maintenance from DDA

Thu, Sep 23 10 12:18 AM

New Delhi, Sep 22 (PTI) With questions being raised over the cleanliness in the Commonwealth Games Village, Union Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar tonight directed Delhi Government to take control of the maintenance of the complex which will house the athletes. The maintenance of the Games Village was under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) which is under direct control of Union Urban Development Ministry. Highly-placed sources told PTI that Chandrasekhar directed the city government to take control of the maintenance and cleanliness of the Games Village from tomorrow following criticism by the Commonwealth Games Federation. They said the CWG Organising Committee will be the overall incharge of the Games Village but Delhi government will look after the issues of maintenance and cleanliness. Already 40 DANIPS (Delhi, Nicobar and Andaman Island Police Service) officers have been deployed in the Games Village and if required more officials will be put into service. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will visit the Village tomorrow to assess the ground situation. Cleanliness and maintenance of the Games Village had come under sharp criticism from foreign participants as well as Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive Mike Hooper who described the facility as "filthy and unimaginable". Concerned over the unhygienic conditions at the Games Village, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell shot off a letter to Cabinet Secretary asking him to take immediate steps to fix the deficiencies in the residential zone of the Village, which he said has "shocked" advance parties from New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Ireland. "The final preparations for the Games Village have been of concern to the CGF since viewing the residential zone along with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations advance parties on September 15," Fennel said in a strongly-worded statement. But the embarrassed organisers, while promising to sort out all the glitches within the deadline, came out with a bizarre defence that the issue of cleanliness was a matter of difference in perception. "For us and for you it is clean. But they (the foreign countries) have a different standard of cleanliness. It is a matter of difference in perception," Organising Committee spokesperson Lalit Bhanot said. New Zealand Chef de Mission Dave Currie, who is camping in Delhi, threatened to pull out if the cleanliness issue of the residential zones where his country''s athletes will stay is not sorted out. "There are some realities, I guess, that if the village is not ready and athletes can''t come then obviously the implications of that are it is not going to happen. If the village isn''t ready, the athletes can''t arrive," Currie said. "It''s not our decision. We''re not saying we''re not coming or the country''s not coming. What we''re saying is they''ve got a real challenge with the village and they need to take urgent attention to address it," he added.

Source: Published>

Krishna tries to allay concerns, says CWG will be a success

Thu, Sep 23 10 12:12 AM

Betwa Sharma New York, Sep 22 (PTI) With the Delhi Commonwealth Games hit by a series of concerns, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today sought to reassure the world that India was determined to make the event a success, and that security will not be a worrying issue. Krishna, who is in New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, asserted that athletes and participants arriving in New Delhi will be protected and have no reason to worry. "Their security will not be an issue," Krishna told BBC, even as a number of athletes pulled out of the October event that has been marred by delays and lapses. England''s world champion triple jumper, Phillips Idowu, became the latest star athlete to pull out of the scandal-marred Commonwealth Games due to security reasons. The build-up to the Games has also been marred by complaints over unhygienic conditions at the Games Village, and to make things worse a foot over bridge collapsed near the main stadium yesterday, injuring 27 people. Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell has already shot off a letter to Cabinet Secretary detailing the "unlivable" conditions at Athletes'' Village which along with a footbridge collapse near the main Games venue had triggered withdrawal of two high-profile athletes besides pull out threats from some countries. But, Krishna, put up a confident face saying India had put a lot of effort, and it was determined to make the Games a success. "Come 3rd of October, the international community will be able to see the efforts that India has put in making the Games a success," Krishna said. Earlier this week, two foreign tourists were injured when gunmen targeted their vehicle near Jama Masjid, putting a question mark over Delhi''s security preparedness. ''Now call it off!'', ''Games in crisis'' screamed British tabloids, slamming what are being described as shoddy preparations and a blow to India''s pride. The collapse of the bridge near the main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and poor living conditions in the Games Village too hogged space in the media, with the leading daily ''The Guardian'' asking ''Does this look ready to you?'' Responding to a question over the collapse of the bridge, Krishna said, "This is a period of monsoon season, the bridge was under construction". He insisted that such instances would not happen again. "The people, the government and the prime minister of India are resolved and determined to make the Commonwealth Games a success," he said. Later today, Krishna will speak at the Millennium Development Goals Summit in the UN General Assembly where US President Barack Obama is also scheduled to speak.

Source: Published>

15 teams complete DRM process

Thu, Sep 23 10 12:02 AM

New Delhi, Sep 22 (PTI) As many as 15 Commonwealth Games Federation member nations and territories have completed the Delegation Registration Meetings (DRM) process for the next month''s Games, organisers said today. "Australia, Canada, Cook Island, England, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Uganda and Wales completed the process," a release said. Five nations Trinidad & Tobago, Norfolk Island, St. Lucia, Cameron and Guernsey will go through their DRMs on Thursday. Final entries are confirmed to the Organising Committee by the CGF member nations and territories at the DRMs.

Source: Published>

India battles to save scandal-hit Commonwealth Games

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 11:52 PM

India scrambled against the clock to save the Commonwealth Games after big ticket athletes quit the showcase event and nations threatened to stay home unless authorities cleaned venues "unfit for human habitation".

Scotland delayed its departure to New Delhi and Wales gave organisers until later on Wednesday to guarantee that the venues and athletes' village are safe. The New Zealand swimming team is seeking a "Plan B" should the event be cancelled.

Two high profile Kenyan athletes, citing injury and illness, pulled out and a South African sports boss made clear his team would consider following suit if there were any more major hitches.

"The safety and health of team South Africa are of paramount importance to us and if at any stage we feel that this is compromised then we will not hesitate to bring the team home," said chief executive of the South African Sports Confederation, Tubby Reddy.

Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell, who said the two-week event suffered from filthy conditions, will arrive on Thursday for a probable meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Source: Web Search

Former FIFA referee caught with heroin in his pants

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 11:18 PM

Berlin, Sep 22 (DPA) Former World Cup referee Byron Moreno has been caught trying to smuggle heroin in his underpants, Italian and Ecuadorian media reported Wednesday.

The 40-year-old former referee, who ended his refereeing career in 2003, was arrested after trying to go through a security check at New York's JFK airport.

Rainews said that Moreno had six kilograms of heroin on him at the time.

Moreno was involved in several controversial matches during his time as a referee and Italian fans are still angry with him after he sent off Francesco Totti and failed to give a goal for Italy in their match against South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.

He did not referee any international matches thereafter.

A few months after the World Cup game, Moreno was accused of irregularity during a league game in Ecuador between Liga de Quito and Barcelona SC Guayaquil.

Barcelona SC Guayaquil were leading 3-2 and although six minutes of injury time was shown, Moreno allowed 12 minutes, giving Quito the chance to win 4-3.

Moreno received a 20 match-ban, but was later pardoned. He retired shortly afterwards and has since been working as a TV commentator.

Source: Web Search

Rains making it difficult: Hooper

Wed, Sep 22 10 11:02 PM

Melbourne, Sep 22 (PTI) The organisers have made "some" progress with regard to pending work at the Games Village but persistent rains are hampering the speed, CGF CEO Mike Hooper said today. Delhi, the host city, is experiencing heavy rains in a prolonged monsoon season. Some of the resident towers at the Village are in good condition but there are many that need repairs and cleaning and consistent rains are playing havoc with the work. "When it rains here it buckets down, it is not helping at all," Hooper said. Asked if he could guarantee the Games would proceed, Hooper refused to make any comments. "I don''t want to give a response to that and let it be taken out of context. All we are focusing on is getting the work done. There has been progress, but a lot more needs to done before the arrival of the teams [from today] to October 2nd," Hooper told ''Sydney Morning Herald''. "We need consistency across all the towers, we are aware of the issues, the Indian government is engaged at the highest levels," he added. Hooper said the main dining hall in the Games village, was complete and in "fantastic" shape. A collapsed over-bridge and caving in of a false ceiling at the weightlifting venue have added to the embarrassment of the organisers in the last 48 hours.

Source: Published>

Gautam Gambhir receives award from President

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 10:48 PM

Kolkata, Sep 22 (IANS) India's star cricketer Gautam Gambhir Wednesday received the 'Managing India' award for the most promising sportsman of the year from President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

The award has been instituted by the All India Management Association.

Dressed in a blue suit, Gambhir flew down to the city for the programme at a five-star hotel.

Despite desperately chasing the celebrated opener, the media failed to elicit any comment from him.

Source: Web Search

Former FIFA referee caught with heroin in his pants

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 10:38 PM

Berlin, Sep 22 (DPA) Former World Cup referee Byron Moreno has been caught trying to smuggle heroin in his underpants, Italian and Ecuadorian media reported Wednesday.

The 40-year-old former referee, who ended his refereeing career in 2003, was arrested after trying to go through a security check at New York's JFK airport.

Rainews said that Moreno had six kilograms of heroin on him at the time.

Moreno was involved in several controversial matches during his time as a referee and Italian fans are still angry with him after he sent off Francesco Totti and failed to give a goal for Italy in their match against South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.

He did not referee any international matches thereafter.

A few months after the World Cup game, Moreno was accused of irregularity during a league game in Ecuador between Liga de Quito and Barcelona SC Guayaquil.

Barcelona SC Guayaquil were leading 3-2 and although six minutes of injury time was shown, Moreno allowed 12 minutes, giving Quito the chance to win 4-3.

Moreno received a 20 match-ban, but was later pardoned. He retired shortly afterwards and has since been working as a TV commentator.

Source: Web Search

South Africa to compete in Delhi - for now

Wed, Sep 22 10 10:32 PM

South Africa will go to the Commonwealth Games but will not hesitate to withdraw if the athletes' safety is compromised, authorities said on Wednesday.

India is scrambling to save the Games, due to start on Oct 3, after a string of problems that have prompted several top international athletes to pull out and brought ultimatums from some nations that they will withdraw unless conditions improve.

The Games have been dogged by health and security concerns, complaints over poor accommodation and the withdrawal of a number of high-profile athletes including Australia's discus world champion Dani Samuels and Britain's world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu.

Both athletes cited security concerns as the reason for their withdrawal.

Tubby Reddy, chief executive of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) said that his organisation was satisfied with preparations in India, following a report from a fact-finding team.

"Sascoc today met with the relevant state security personnel who have recently returned from India and we are satisfied that every area of our concern has been covered for now," Reddy said in a statement.

"As matters stand, the team will leave for India on Sunday, as scheduled. Upon arrival in Delhi we will once again assess the situation," he added.

Reddy said, however, that if the situation worsened South Africa could pull out of the Games.

"The safety and health of team South Africa are of paramount importance to us and if at any stage we feel that this is compromised then we will not hesitate to bring the team back home," he said.

Source: Published>

India drawn against top-seeded Serbia in Davis Cup

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 10:28 PM

New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS) India will face top seeded Serbia in an away tie in the first round of Davis Cup World Group tie March 4-6, according to the draw announced in Brussels Wednesday.

Having already secured its place in the final in December, Serbia is the top seed in 2011 and has been drawn at home against India in the World Group first round. This year's other finalist, France, travels to Austria.

Serbia has enjoyed its best Davis Cup run this year and will hope to go into next year's competition as the defending champion.

India secured a spot in the top tier with a gutsy 3-2 play-off victory over Brazil last week, having come back from 2-0 down in Chennai.

Serbia boasts of World number 2 Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic, ranked 34 and Viktor Troicki ranked 47. They also have a strong doubles player in Nenad Zimonjic.

In other meetings, the most successful nation in Davis Cup history, USA, faces another tricky trip to South America. Having just battled past Colombia in the play-offs, the Americans now travel to Chile in the first round.

France holds an unbeaten record against Austria, winning all seven of their previous meetings.

The most recent match-up was a home tie for the French in 2000, which ended in a 5-0 whitewash. Austria recorded a fifth rubber win over Israel to book a place in the World Group.

Last weekend's beaten semifinalists, Argentina and Czech Republic, have both received home draws against Romania and World Group first-timers Kazakhstan respectively. Meanwhile, Sweden hosts Russia, Spain faces a trip to Belgium and Croatia plays Germany at home.

Source: Web Search

Gautam Gambhir receives award from President

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 10:22 PM

Kolkata, Sep 22 (IANS) India's star cricketer Gautam Gambhir Wednesday received the 'Managing India' award for the most promising sportsman of the year from President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

The award has been instituted by the All India Management Association.

Dressed in a blue suit, Gambhir flew down to the city for the programme at a five-star hotel.

Despite desperately chasing the celebrated opener, the media failed to elicit any comment from him.

Source: Web Search

India drawn against top-seeded Serbia in Davis Cup

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 10:12 PM

New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS) India will face top seeded Serbia in an away tie in the first round of Davis Cup World Group tie March 4-6, according to the draw announced in Brussels Wednesday.

Having already secured its place in the final in December, Serbia is the top seed in 2011 and has been drawn at home against India in the World Group first round. This year's other finalist, France, travels to Austria.

Serbia has enjoyed its best Davis Cup run this year and will hope to go into next year's competition as the defending champion.

India secured a spot in the top tier with a gutsy 3-2 play-off victory over Brazil last week, having come back from 2-0 down in Chennai.

Serbia boasts of World number 2 Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic, ranked 34 and Viktor Troicki ranked 47. They also have a strong doubles player in Nenad Zimonjic.

In other meetings, the most successful nation in Davis Cup history, USA, faces another tricky trip to South America. Having just battled past Colombia in the play-offs, the Americans now travel to Chile in the first round.

France holds an unbeaten record against Austria, winning all seven of their previous meetings.

The most recent match-up was a home tie for the French in 2000, which ended in a 5-0 whitewash. Austria recorded a fifth rubber win over Israel to book a place in the World Group.

Last weekend's beaten semifinalists, Argentina and Czech Republic, have both received home draws against Romania and World Group first-timers Kazakhstan respectively. Meanwhile, Sweden hosts Russia, Spain faces a trip to Belgium and Croatia plays Germany at home.

Source: Web Search

Gautam Gambhir receives award from President

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 10:02 PM

Kolkata, Sep 22 (IANS) India's star cricketer Gautam Gambhir Wednesday received the 'Managing India' award for the most promising sportsman of the year from President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

The award has been instituted by the All India Management Association.

Dressed in a blue suit, Gambhir flew down to the city for the programme at a five-star hotel.

Despite desperately chasing the celebrated opener, the media failed to elicit any comment from him.

Source: Web Search

Congress expresses 'deep concern' on CWG preparations

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 09:32 PM

New Delhi, Sep 22 (ANI): The Congress party expressed its 'deep concern' on Wednesday over complaints regarding the preparations of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) here.

"No doubt civil society and the political class are deeply concerned. Nation's prestige is at stake. Every possible sinew will be strained to ensure that we come out with flying colours in this test of India's ability to hold the games," said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi here today.

The Congress, however, assured that the government would make every possible effort to hold the Games successfully.

Earlier, about 27 labourers were injured after an under-construction foot overbridge collapsed near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy termed the incident as a 'minor matter'.

The incident was a blow to the CWG organizers, who are already caught amid charges of corruption and mismanagement.n Tuesday, the Chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Mike Hooper, commenting on the state of cleanliness at the Games Village said the conditions were "filthy".

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

The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be held from 3 to 14 October in New Delhi. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

FACTBOX - Commonwealth teams' reaction to setbacks

Wed, Sep 22 10 09:22 PM

Leading Commonwealth countries explain their positions following the latest setbacks in preparations for next month's Games in India.

ENGLAND

"We asked the Commonwealth Games federation to ensure that all of the building safety certificates were in place and we were given that reassurance...an incident like this makes us question the integrity and so we now need to have some more reassurance. We need some clarity on exactly what has happened but also that those building safety certificates are credible across all the 17 venues plus all of the training venues," England Chef de Mission Craig Hunter told Sky.

"I think the honest answer is at this point is no (the Indian government are not doing enough). We are basically running out of time to get our accommodation in a state where we can welcome athletes on Friday.

"It's a fantastic village and has the real potential to be the best ever...the training venues are superb, the dining room is great...we knew there were lots of challenges, showers not working and all of that, but we believed that could all be turned around.

"We remain optimistic, the great test will be when the first of our athletes arrive. I'm eternally optimistic at this point in time (that the Games will go ahead)."

CANADA

"We're working hour by hour in contact with our ground crew, with the organising committee. We're working closely to ensure we get the things needed to be done to allow our athletes to move into the village over the next little while," Martha Deacon, Chef de Mission for Team Canada, told Reuters.

"We are not on the path to pulling out of the Games but trying to move forward and make sure that on our on the ground crew is able to get done what needs to be done for the village to be acceptable.

"There are other significant issues but we're confident in our security team, our security measures and our planning. Right now our number one priority is that our athletes are healthy and safe and we want to make sure that is the case upon arrival. The village is the number one priority right now.

SOUTH AFRICA

"We do have concerns," Tubby Reddy, chief executive of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), told Reuters.

"We had a team comprising our Chef de Mission, the team doctor and an intelligence expert from the government visit Delhi but they have only recently returned, within the last five days, and we are awaiting their report.

"We are looking at taking our team to India and want to make sure that we take the necessary precautions as regards security and the health of our athletes."

"The athletes village is not in the best possible state in that the areas surrounding the village have not been completed which has resulted in pools of water forming which obviously pose a health risk," he added.

AUSTRALIA

"We have held the position all along that it is the individual athlete's prerogative as to whether or not they wish to travel to Delhi and participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games," Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite said.

"It is a very personal decision and one which athletes must make in consultation with their family and individual support teams."

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand's team said the Games' security was acceptable but had shifted their athletes to another building after finding their accommodation substandard.

"While cleanliness had been a concern for us, further inspection revealed some issues with plumbing, wiring, internet access and mobile phone coverage. We will now be advising sports that the accommodation is less than expected," Chef de Mission Dave Currie said in a statement.

"While our new tower may be close to being ready, there are large sections of the village that are not yet ready for athlete arrival."

PAKISTAN

President of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Arif Hasan said that senior police official Ahmed Mukarram would go to the Indian capital on Sept. 26 for an inspection visit.

"Although we have been assured by the CWG organising committee that our athletes would be provided top level security and off good arrangements at the athletics village but we have our areas of concern," Hasan said.

He said media reports about the security issues and lack of facilities at the village had bothered the POA.

"Our contingent is due to leave on Sept. 29 but before that we want to get a briefing from the security officer as well," he said.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

"The concern surrounding India and Delhi is not unusual," Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association secretary-general Brian Lewis told Reuters.

"It is always noticeable when a first world nation considers a country as a third world, there is significant focus on the negative and questions on the capacity of a so-called third world country to successfully host a game."

JAMAICA

"We are not so concerned about the state of readiness," said Warren Blake, vice-president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association.

"We have gone to Games before, not only in Third World countries, where weeks before the event people were concerned about the state of readiness and when the Games began everything was in place. When we went to Athens (2004 Olympic Games), people were still putting the finishing touches on the venue.

"The Jamaica team will be going. The team has been selected and everything is alright from our standpoint."

UGANDA

"Uganda's team cannot and will not go to a country which is not safe or has facilities that may jeopardise the safety of our people," said Andrew Omalla, spokesman of Uganda Olympic Committee.

"No single team leader would want to bring corpses home, you would rather come back without a single medal but with all your people alive.

"So our advance team is on the ground in New Delhi inspecting everything and will send us a report shortly on the state of affairs for us to make a decision. We will also consult the Ugandan government if it necessitates, before we send off our team.

"In total we are planning to send a team of 91 comprised of 81 athletes and 10 officials."

CYPRUS

"We know there have been some issues, particularly concerning health and we have taken our measures," said team head Dinos Michaelides.

"We got instructions on protection from malaria.

"We do not have any other information. We got some information on a collapsed bridge and a terrorist incident, but we consider it isolated and that will not change our position on participating or have an impact on the games themselves."

WALES

"We have given the Organising Committee a deadline of this evening to confirm if all venues and the Games Village are fit for purpose," a statement from the Wales team chiefs said.

"With yesterday's news of the bridge collapse and now the roof of the weightlifting venue, we have to take a step back and examine how safe it is to bring athletes into this environment.

"The health and safety of our team has always been our top priority -- which is why we've been so desperate to resolve the issues in the Games Village."

SCOTLAND

"Part of the village which we've been moved to, which was the latest part to be finished in a real hurry, is in a very poor condition and a poor state of maintenance," Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland told BBC Radio on Wednesday.

"There have been dogs roaming around the village, the apartments are filthy, there are piles of rubble and right now it's not fit to receive 6,500 athletes and officials, which is what is due to happen in seven days.

"Scotland is hugely committed to the Commonwealth Games. Our team on the ground will continue to monitor the situation however we will not compromise on areas of athlete health, safety and security.

"We need urgent action from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Delhi Organising Committee to address these crucial issues."

Source: Published>

Sania-Elena in doubles quarterfinals of Tashkent Open

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 09:18 PM

Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Sep 22 (IANS) India's Sania Mirza and Italy's Maria Elena Camerin entered the doubles quarterfinals of Tashkent Open tennis here Wednesday.

Sania and Elena defeated the Ukrainian sisters Lyudmyla and Nadiya Kichenok 6-2, 6-3 in one hour, in the presence of Indian Embassy personnel at the Olympic Tennis Centre.

The Indo-Italian pair will now take on Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania and Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia, who upset third-seeded Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan and Belarusian Darya Kustova 7-5, 7-6(13).

Source: Web Search

We are satisfied with security arrangements: Johnson

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 08:48 PM

Chandigarh, Sep 22 (IANS) Australian fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements and said the visiting team wants to register a win in the series against India.

'We are satisfied with the security part. I feel safe and we are happy with the arrangements,' Mitchell told reporters here Wednesday.

'We want to win both Test matches against India. Indian conditions, with low bounce, the heat and the humidity, are always challenging for a fast bowler,' he added.

Mitchell said that although rankings do not matter much but playing against the number one Test side on their soil will be a difficult task.

'I do not think much about the ranking of the opponent team. But playing against India is always a challenge. Players like (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid and (Virender) Sehwag give depth to their batting while their bowling attack with the likes of Harbhajan Singh, is also great,' said Johnson.

Australian cricket team reached Chandigarh Monday to play a three-day warm-up match against the Gautam Gambhir-led President's XI team at Cricket stadium, here in Sector 16, from Sep 23.

Australia are scheduled to play the first Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in the neighbouring town of Mohali starting Oct 1.

Talking about the increasing number of injuries, due to too much cricket, Johnson said: 'Players are playing in all forms of cricket. However, team managements have to make sure that they rest their players in certain periods of time.'

Johnson feels that the India tour will be a good learning experience for young fast bowlers like Peter George, James Pattinson and Mitchell Strac.

'Young bowlers will learn a lot during this tour,' summed up Johnson.

Source: Web Search

Ryder Cup rookie Hanson may withdraw from Vivendi event

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 08:32 PM

Swede Peter Hanson is unwell and may pull out of the Vivendi Cup in order to be fully fit for next week's Ryder Cup.

The 32-year-old Ryder Cup rookie arrived for this week's pro-am event on the outskirts of Paris complaining of a chest infection and a fever.

"I could feel it yesterday and I'm a little worse today," Hanson told reporters on Wednesday. "It's not the ideal way to prepare so I'll try to treat it and see the doctor and hopefully I'll be ready to play tomorrow morning.

"If I don't feel well tomorrow I will probably withdraw. That's more to do with next week because if I feel as bad as I do now, there is no point being out here and wasting all that energy instead of trying to feel better come next week."

Hanson is back on the European Tour for the first time since he finished 19th at the Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland at the end of August.

Since then the Swede has been preparing for his Ryder Cup debut against the U.S. holders at Celtic Manor in Wales next week.

Source: Web Search

Australia remains committed to Delhi 2010: Crosswhite

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 08:28 PM

New Delhi, Sept.22 (ANI): Australian Sports Minister Mark Arbib and Commonwealth Games Association and Australia's Chief Executive Perry Crosswhite have said their country remains committed to contesting next month's Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi.

"The Australian government is committed and our number-one priority is the safety of our athletes, and those people travelling to India," Arbib told Australian radio.

Asked by Australian Associated Press if the idea of withdrawing from the Games had been discussed by his nation, Crosswhite said, "No, not at all. I think you have to be very careful to make that kind of decision because what you are essentially doing is making that decision on behalf of 400 athletes."

"The reality is, they are the ones the Games are for and in some respects they are the ones that have to make the decision about whether they want to come here or not."

"You certainly are in a situation where health and safety and all those issues need to be met. But if they are - and they are - of an acceptable standard, then the Games are for the athletes and they are the ones that should come along and make those decisions."

"... They can have their views and all the rest of it but I don't think we certainly have the right to make their decision unless it's based on something that we are trying to protect them from a security or health issue," he said

Crosswhite, who earlier on Wednesday spoke with Australian officials from the 17 sports at the Games, said no athlete barring world champion discus thrower Dani Samuels withdrew from the Games had indicated he or she would follow suit.

"None of them (Australian officials) said to me that they had any issues in respect of athletes advising them that they had similar concerns to Dani," Mr. Crosswhite said. "All athletes, particularly with what they see in the media in Australia, they have every right to be concerned because they don't see any of the better side of it which they will certainly see when they get here - but they're not here yet."

Crosswhite said Australia's accommodation at the Games Village was acceptable while acknowledging displeasure of other nations with their facilities in separate blocks. "There are things that need to be corrected. I'm comfortable ... as long as the hard work that has started now is maintained and probably increases. There are a number of defects that need to be fixed but it's not like buildings are going to fall down or anything. We are in three tower blocks and in the apartments, a few of those had things that needed to be fixed and they are being fixed now."

Crosswhite said heavy security around the village was an issue - not for any lack of safety but for expediency. "The security, which is really tight, needs to be bedded down to some extent," he said. "It's friendly, but it's just massive and it needs to be more efficient letting people through, in an out. Because when you get large numbers here, it is going to be a hassle if it doesn't get fixed." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Saaniya opens seven-shot lead in Hero Honda women's golf

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 07:38 PM

Gurgaon, Sep 22 (IANS) Saaniya Sharma shot the only sub-par round on the opening day of the fifth leg of the Hero Honda Women's Professional Golf Tour of India.

Saaniya, who was second behind Sharmila Nicollet in the second and third leg of the Tour, opened up a seven-shot lead over Sharmila, who had a 77, at the end of the first day.

Saaniya's 70 was the big bright spot on a day when the next best was 77.

On the course, most players were having difficulty in reading the run of the ball near to the green.

Sharmila was one over after 13th and then dropped five shots on the 14th to finish at five-over.

Saaniya was the only one to shoot a fine two-under card, returning a day's total of 70.

Despite heavy rains overnight, the course was in fairly good shape, thanks to the course management team.

The first round had to be pushed back as players' arrived late at the course due to heavy traffic.

Source: Web Search

Three cops sent to tell two boys it's illegal playing football in the street!

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 07:36 PM

London, Sept 22 (ANI): A father of two boys in Britain was left stunned when three cops were sent to warn him that it was illegal for his sons to play football in the street.

Anthony Worthington, 43, an engineer, of Timperley, Greater Manchester, was also warned that his sons, Henry, 12, and Alex, 11, could get ASBOs, by council officials.Sending three officers over simply to give a warning about kids playing football in the street is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"My boys are good lads who play for a club and want to practise outside with friends. It's just half an hour after school," he said.

But the police have said that they are just doing their job of protecting the kids.

"Playing football in the road has clear dangers and the man was reminded of this by officers looking out for his children's safety," they said.

"It is a criminal offence and often perceived as a nuisance to residents," they added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Three cops sent to tell two boys it's illegal playing football in the street!

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 07:34 PM

London, Sept 22 (ANI): A father of two boys in Britain was left stunned when three cops were sent to warn him that it was illegal for his sons to play football in the street.

Anthony Worthington, 43, an engineer, of Timperley, Greater Manchester, was also warned that his sons, Henry, 12, and Alex, 11, could get ASBOs, by council officials.Sending three officers over simply to give a warning about kids playing football in the street is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"My boys are good lads who play for a club and want to practise outside with friends. It's just half an hour after school," he said.

But the police have said that they are just doing their job of protecting the kids.

"Playing football in the road has clear dangers and the man was reminded of this by officers looking out for his children's safety," they said.

"It is a criminal offence and often perceived as a nuisance to residents," they added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Three cops sent to tell two boys it's illegal playing football in the street!

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 07:32 PM

London, Sept 22 (ANI): A father of two boys in Britain was left stunned when three cops were sent to warn him that it was illegal for his sons to play football in the street.

Anthony Worthington, 43, an engineer, of Timperley, Greater Manchester, was also warned that his sons, Henry, 12, and Alex, 11, could get ASBOs, by council officials.Sending three officers over simply to give a warning about kids playing football in the street is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"My boys are good lads who play for a club and want to practise outside with friends. It's just half an hour after school," he said.

But the police have said that they are just doing their job of protecting the kids.

"Playing football in the road has clear dangers and the man was reminded of this by officers looking out for his children's safety," they said.

"It is a criminal offence and often perceived as a nuisance to residents," they added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Wales sets deadline for CWG organisers

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 07:22 PM

London, Sep 22 (IANS) Sport Wales has asked the organisers of the Commonwealth Games to confirm that the event venues and the accommodation arrangements are fully ready and safe to enable it decide on its next move.

'We have given the Organising Committee a deadline of this evening to confirm if all venues and the Games Village are fit for the purpose,' BBC Wednesday quoted a Sport Wales statement as saying.

'On the basis of that announcement, we will be contacting athletes via our team managers and advise them of the latest position and will issue a further update,' the statement added.

The statement comes after Scotland delayed the departure of its athletes until the pending work at Games' Village is complete.

Some countries Tuesday termed part of the residential towers in the Village as 'filthy and unlivable'.

Sport Wales said on the basis of response of the Organsiing Committee, they will decide their next move.

'We have to examine how safe it is to bring athletes into this environment.'

The Wales contingent is all the more worried after a pedestrian bridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed Tuesday, injuring 27 labourers. To make it worse, a part of the ceiling came down at the weightlifting venue Wednesday.

'The health and safety of our team has always been our top priority - which is why we have been so desperate to resolve the issues in the Games Village,' the statement said.

'With yesterday's news of the bridge collapse and now the roof of the weightlifting venue, we have to take a step back and examine how safe it is to bring athletes into this environment.

'On the basis of that announcement, we will be contacting athletes via our team managers and advise them of the latest position and will issue a further update,' the statement added.

Wales' chef de mission Chris Jenkins, however, said: 'The first athletes are due to arrive in Delhi on September 25 and there have been no alterations to these plans.

'On the whole Team Wales is pleased with the progress made on our accommodation in the Games Village,' Jenkins, who is in Delhi to oversee the security facilities at the Games Village, said in a statement on the website of Commonwealth Games Council for Wales.

'We have worked closely with the Delhi Organising Committee to resolve the issues we faced on first inspection of our tower and while there has been impressive progress made we also still feel there are a number of operational issues that need to be addressed.

'We are confident that we'll be ready to receive athletes from Sep 25 onwards and that the accommodation for Team Wales will be suitable and comfortable for their stay in Delhi. Security here is impressive and we're looking forward to getting the Games underway.'

On the collapse of the bridge, Jenkins said: 'First and foremost our thoughts are obviously with those concerned.'

'From a Games preparation point of view, a lot can be done in a short space of time but the clock is ticking with just 11 days to go until the opening ceremony. We're aware that the Delhi Organising Committee are working 24/7 to deliver a successful Games and we're working with them and monitoring the situation as it develops,' Jenkins maintained.

Source: Web Search

Playing against India a huge challenge: Johnson

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 07:18 PM

Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson feels that playing India on their soil is always a "huge challenge" irrespective of whether the hosts are at the top or bottom of ICC rankings.

"I don't think about rankings too much. Coming and playing here (in India) itself is a challenge. Players like (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid and (Virender) Sehwag lend depth to the batting department while their bowling attack, which has Harbhajan Singh is also great," Johnson told reporters here.

Asked if India, being the hosts and the No. 1 Test team in the world, would hold any psychological advantage over the visitors in the two-Test series, which starts in Mohali October 1, Johnson said, "It's huge challenge and the rankings don't matter." In the presence of quite a few young pacers -- like Peter George, James Pattinson and Mitchell Strac in the Australian team, Johnson said, he would love to take up the leadership role and help the young quickies by giving useful tips during training sessions.

"This is something I enjoy and I have spoken to the coaches also," he said, adding the young bowling attack will learn a lot during the current tour.

Seen as a build-up to the Ashes and next year's world cup in the Indian sub-continent, the tour holds significance for for the Aussies, but Johnson exuded optimism and said that his team wants to win the series.

"The Indian conditions, with low bounce, the heat and the humidity, are challenging for a fast bowler but I can vouch that the team wants to win the two Tests," Johnson said.

Asked about the increasing number of injuries players suffer these days due to too much cricket, Johnson said, "Players are playing in all forms (Tests, ODIs and T20s).

Teams have got to make sure that they rest their players in certain periods of time." Expressing satisfaction with security arrangements here, Johnson said, "I feel safe and we are happy with the arrangements." The visitors, led by skipper Ricky Ponting, did some running and stretching exercises at the Sector 16 stadium where they are scheduled to play a three-day warm-up match against a Gautam Gambhir-led Board President's XI from September 25.

The players had to restrict themselves to the gymnasium as heavy overnight rain had left the outfield wet.

Source: Web Search

Scotland delays departure to Commonwealth Games

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 07:04 PM

Scotland has delayed the departure of its first 41 athletes and officials to the Commonwealth Games because of ongoing health and security fears in Delhi.

Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said the standard of the athletes village was still causing concern.

Part of the village which we've been moved to, which was the latest part to be finished in a real hurry, is in a very poor condition and a poor state of maintenance, he told BBC Radio on Wednesday.

There have been dogs roaming around the village, the apartments are filthy, there are piles of rubble and right now it's not fit to receive 6,500 athletes and officials, which is what is due to happen in seven days.

Cavanagh said he still expected Scotland's team to compete in the Games but said the welfare of athletes was the priority.

Scotland is hugely committed to the Commonwealth Games. Our team on the ground will continue to monitor the situation however we will not compromise on areas of athlete health, safety and security, he added.

We need urgent action from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Delhi Organising Committee to address these crucial issues.

On Tuesday an access bridge near the main Commonwealth Games Stadium collapsed, injuring 19 people, some seriously.

Several high-profile athletes, including England's Phillips Idowu, the reigning world, European and Commonwealth triple jump champions, have already withdrawn from the event, which is due to start on Oct 3.

Source: Web Search

Stephanie Rice in Bali with boyfriend for R and R following gay tweet storm

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 06:58 PM

Melbourne, Sept 22 (ANI): Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice, who was recently in the limelight for a careless gay tweet, has taken a week long vacation to Bali with her Wallaby boyfriend Quade Cooper.

Rice, 22, who had faced a lot of flak from gay icons and the media for the tweet, joined Cooper, 22, and a handful of fellow Wallabies for a week of rest and relaxation.

Sources have revealed that the swimmer has been working in earnest to keep out of the limelight and out of trouble, which won't be so difficult, as she now has eyes only for Cooper.It's a long time since she was this head over heels in love," the Daily Telegraph quoted a source as saying.

Rice is said to have checked into the same luxury city hotel as the Wallabies squad, but took a room on another floor. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Playing against India a huge challenge: Johnson

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 06:42 PM

Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson feels that playing India on their soil is always a "huge challenge" irrespective of whether the hosts are at the top or bottom of ICC rankings.

"I don't think about rankings too much. Coming and playing here (in India) itself is a challenge. Players like (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid and (Virender) Sehwag lend depth to the batting department while their bowling attack, which has Harbhajan Singh is also great," Johnson told reporters here.

Asked if India, being the hosts and the No. 1 Test team in the world, would hold any psychological advantage over the visitors in the two-Test series, which starts in Mohali October 1, Johnson said, "It's huge challenge and the rankings don't matter." In the presence of quite a few young pacers -- like Peter George, James Pattinson and Mitchell Strac in the Australian team, Johnson said, he would love to take up the leadership role and help the young quickies by giving useful tips during training sessions.

"This is something I enjoy and I have spoken to the coaches also," he said, adding the young bowling attack will learn a lot during the current tour.

Seen as a build-up to the Ashes and next year's world cup in the Indian sub-continent, the tour holds significance for for the Aussies, but Johnson exuded optimism and said that his team wants to win the series.

"The Indian conditions, with low bounce, the heat and the humidity, are challenging for a fast bowler but I can vouch that the team wants to win the two Tests," Johnson said.

Asked about the increasing number of injuries players suffer these days due to too much cricket, Johnson said, "Players are playing in all forms (Tests, ODIs and T20s).

Teams have got to make sure that they rest their players in certain periods of time." Expressing satisfaction with security arrangements here, Johnson said, "I feel safe and we are happy with the arrangements." The visitors, led by skipper Ricky Ponting, did some running and stretching exercises at the Sector 16 stadium where they are scheduled to play a three-day warm-up match against a Gautam Gambhir-led Board President's XI from September 25.

The players had to restrict themselves to the gymnasium as heavy overnight rain had left the outfield wet.

Source: Web Search

Scotland delays departure to Commonwealth Games

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 06:38 PM

Scotland has delayed the departure of its first 41 athletes and officials to the Commonwealth Games because of ongoing health and security fears in Delhi.

Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said the standard of the athletes village was still causing concern.

Part of the village which we've been moved to, which was the latest part to be finished in a real hurry, is in a very poor condition and a poor state of maintenance, he told BBC Radio on Wednesday.

There have been dogs roaming around the village, the apartments are filthy, there are piles of rubble and right now it's not fit to receive 6,500 athletes and officials, which is what is due to happen in seven days.

Cavanagh said he still expected Scotland's team to compete in the Games but said the welfare of athletes was the priority.

Scotland is hugely committed to the Commonwealth Games. Our team on the ground will continue to monitor the situation however we will not compromise on areas of athlete health, safety and security, he added.

We need urgent action from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Delhi Organising Committee to address these crucial issues.

On Tuesday an access bridge near the main Commonwealth Games Stadium collapsed, injuring 19 people, some seriously.

Several high-profile athletes, including England's Phillips Idowu, the reigning world, European and Commonwealth triple jump champions, have already withdrawn from the event, which is due to start on Oct 3.

Source: Web Search

CWG bridge collapse: High Court asks Delhi Govt. to pay compensation to injured

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 06:28 PM

New Delhi, Sep 22 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to pay Rs three lakh as compensation to those seriously injured and Rs one lakh to those who suffered fracture injuries in Tuesday's foot overbridge collapse outside the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the main venue of the Commonwealth Games.

At least 27 labourers were injured on Tuesday, when the under- construction foot overbridge collapsed.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Manmohan came down heavily on the 'Labour Department of the Delhi Government' for failing to monitor as to whether the workmen were provided with adequate safety equipment at the site.

The court directed Crime Branch Deputy Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter.

"Actually your officers are not working. Keeping in view the gravity of the accident, the DCP (Crime Branch) is directed to investigate and proceed as per law," the court said.

The Justice Bench also directed the Deputy Labour Commissioner and Assistant Labour Commissioner of Delhi Government to visit all construction sites within a week and file an affidavit by the next date of hearing.

The court passed the directions while hearing a public interest litigation filed by NGO People's Union for Democratic Rights.

The NGO sought the court's direction to Delhi Government to pay basic wages to labourers working at various construction sites for the 2010 Games projects.

The 95-metre long foot overbridge was to connect the JLN stadium to a car parking lot. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Mary Kom eyes gold at 2012 London Olympics

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 06:18 PM

New Delhi, September 22 (ANI): M C Mary Kom, who won the world championship title for the record fifth successive time said that her next objective, is to bag a gold medal in the 2012 Olympiad at London. She said this while addressing the media persons after a reception felicitating her achievement at New Delhi on Tuesday. 48 kg Mary Kom, clinched a historic fifth World Championship title at Barbados. Originally, she had competed in the 46 kg category.

Source: Web Search

CRPF to aid Delhi Police in security of CWG

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 06:12 PM

New Delhi, September 22 (ANI): CRPF's Director General Vikram Srivastava on Tuesday disclosed that the Central Reserve Police Force would help the Delhi Police in maintaining security during the Commonwealth Games. He said this after inspecting the specially trained personnel assigned for the task. Apart from about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states, India is expecting about two million tourists in New Delhi for the Commonwealth Games being staged between October 3 and 14.

Source: Web Search

Mary Kom eyes gold at 2012 London Olympics

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 06:08 PM

New Delhi, September 22 (ANI): M C Mary Kom, who won the world championship title for the record fifth successive time said that her next objective, is to bag a gold medal in the 2012 Olympiad at London. She said this while addressing the media persons after a reception felicitating her achievement at New Delhi on Tuesday. 48 kg Mary Kom, clinched a historic fifth World Championship title at Barbados. Originally, she had competed in the 46 kg category.

Source: Web Search

Now, Pakistan sending inspection team to Delhi over CWG security fears

Published>Wed, Sep 22 10 05:39 PM

Islamabad, Sep 22 (ANI): In the wake of security concerns over the Commonwealth Games being organised in New Delhi, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Arif Hasan has announced that a senior police official would go to the Indian capital on September 26 for an inspection visit.

"Although we have been assured by the CWG organising committee that our athletes would be provided top level security and of good arrangements at the athletics village, but we have our areas of concern," the Daily Times quoted Hasan, as saying.

He noted that the media reports about the security issues and lack of facilities at the Games village in New Delhi had bothered the POA, and Ahmed Mukarram, a senior police official, would visit the village for an inspection.Our contingent is due to leave on Sept. 29 but before that we want to get a briefing from the security officer as well," he added.

Recently, a security risk assessment report prepared by private counter-terrorism and security consultants Homeland Security Asia-Pacific, indicated that there was an eighty per cent chance that the Delhi Commonwealth Games (CWG), beginning on October 3, would come under some form of terror attack, putting athletes and officials in the firing line.ne of the report authors, counter-terrorism expert and security consultant- Roger Henning- said the biggest threat to athletes would be while travelling by road "from the airport to the village and from the village to the venues". (ANI)

Source: Web Search