Pak Sports Minister warns PCB of severe action

Tue, Sep 21 10 06:27 PM

Islamabad, Sep 21 (PTI) The Pakistan government will take severe action against cricketers found guilty in the match-fixing scandal, Sports Minister Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani said while addressing the National Assembly here today. Acknowledging shortcomings in the workings of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Jakhrani warned the board of strict action if it is proved that the scandal resulted from negligences on its part. "It is high time the PCB''s management improved its performance and removed all its weaknesses. The management will have to face strict action if its flaws are proved though such action is subject to the findings of the Scotland Yard," Jakhrani said. Scotland Yard, investigating the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked the cricket world, has handed over its findings to the Crown Prosecution, and the final report is awaited. Acting on a suggestion from Labour Minister Syed Khurshid Shah, the Deputy Speaker allowed the House to discuss the issue and said that action should be taken against players involved in fixing matches. Referring to the proposal for promulgating the PCB''s constitution, Jakhrani said that the draft is almost ready and was scheduled to be discussed in August but got delayed due to the devastating flood that swept the country. The move will now be revived and the final draft will be sent to the law ministry for vetting.

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Minor hiccups, Games will be very successful: Jaipal Reddy

Published>Tue, Sep 21 10 06:19 PM

New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy Tuesday brushed aside concerns over preparedness for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, saying they were 'minor hiccups' and the Games would be 'very successful'.

'I am not worried at all. I am confident and cool about organising of the Games. We will have a very successful Games,' Reddy told reporters here, answering queries on whether he was worried about the Games' preparedness with just 12 days to go for the mega event.

His comments came on the day Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell said parts of the Games Village were still not fit for accommodation. Concerns have also been raised by contingents from Canada, New Zealand and Scotland.

A foot over-bridge near the main Games venue, the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, collapsed Tuesday, injuring more than 20 labourers, five of them seriously.

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A new book launched on CWG legacy

Tue, Sep 21 10 05:57 PM

New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) With hardly 12 days left for the Commonwealth Games, the journey to the Games has become more exciting as Penguin Books India is ready to provide a treat to all the sports lovers across the country with a book that talks about every possible aspect of the mega-event. The book ''Road to Commonwealth Games 2010'' covers all areas from predictions to investments to security of the Games. Author Sunil Yash Kalra, whose path breaking docu-drama on India''s women cricketers ''Poor Cousins to the Million Dollar Babies'' received critical acclaim, said the book on the Games is an answer to everything a person wanted to know about this multi-disciplinary sports extravaganza, to be held in India for the first time. "The idea behind the book was to talk about the legacy of the Games, the impact that the Games will have on the country long after it is over," said Kalra at the book launch. The book is well researched and is completely neutral in nature, claims the author. He said it has taken a long time to compile a book which focuses on all the aspects of the Games. "I have been working on the book for past two-three years. So, a lot of research has gone into the book. It covers 55 aspects of the Games," he said, adding that he wanted to give CWG the respect that it deserves. On being asked how this book will be relevant after this year, Kalra said, "In India there is always a space for informative books. We are trying to get all the aspects the Games." The book launch was also attended by former Indian women''s cricket team captain Anjum Chopra, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) President K P S Gill and former CWG medallist in long jump Mohinder Singh Gill.

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Pak cricket team manager Yawar Saeed denies resignation reports

Published>Tue, Sep 21 10 05:47 PM

London, Sep 21 (ANI): Pakistan cricket team manager Yawar Saeed has denied reports that he has resigned from the post.

Rumours have been circulating amongst various foreign and Pakistani media outlets that Saeed had resigned, and will no longer be in-charge after the series.

However, Saeed said that he has not resigned, and the stories of his resignation being reported by certain media outlets are false, PakPassion.net reports.

Earlier, certain media reports had quoted him as saying that he had served the team for a long period, and now wanted to do something different.

"I think after 26 years in this field and managing so many teams and undertaking so many tours, I need to do something different. I would want to step down as manager after the England tour," The Daily Times quoted Saeed, as saying.

"When this tour ends I will convey my desire to the board chairman as I want to do something different and spend more time with my family."

"If Ijaz wants me to continue I can't say no to him he is an old friend and if he says I must continue in interest of Pakistan cricket, I will listen. But I will definitely try to convince him the time is right for me to step down," he added. (ANI)

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Sports Minister Gill congratulates Sodhi for winning gold

Tue, Sep 21 10 05:43 PM

New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) Sports Minister M S Gill today praised Ronjan Sodhi for winning the double trap gold in the World Cup shooting final in Turkey, saying that the 31-year-old is one of the best in the business. "He is undoubtedly our best talent in this form of shooting and will do India proud in future," Gill said. Going into the final round with a score of 143, the world No. 5 shot a flawless 49/50 in the final to claim the top position with a total score of 192. "It gives me great satisfaction, as the field included some of the best shooters in the world, and there was pressure to perform," Sodhi had said after his medal-winning feat yesterday. One of the brightest medal prospects for India in the upcoming Commonwealth Games, this win will give a major boost to Sodhi''s confidence ahead of the quadrennial extravaganza here and the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

Source: Published>

Pak cricket team manager Yawar Saeed denies resignation reports

Published>Tue, Sep 21 10 05:33 PM

London, Sep 21 (ANI): Pakistan cricket team manager Yawar Saeed has denied reports that he has resigned from the post.

Rumours have been circulating amongst various foreign and Pakistani media outlets that Saeed had resigned, and will no longer be in-charge after the series.

However, Saeed said that he has not resigned, and the stories of his resignation being reported by certain media outlets are false, PakPassion.net reports.

Earlier, certain media reports had quoted him as saying that he had served the team for a long period, and now wanted to do something different.

"I think after 26 years in this field and managing so many teams and undertaking so many tours, I need to do something different. I would want to step down as manager after the England tour," The Daily Times quoted Saeed, as saying.

"When this tour ends I will convey my desire to the board chairman as I want to do something different and spend more time with my family."

"If Ijaz wants me to continue I can't say no to him he is an old friend and if he says I must continue in interest of Pakistan cricket, I will listen. But I will definitely try to convince him the time is right for me to step down," he added. (ANI)

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Foot overbridge collapses near Nehru Stadium, 23 injured

Published>Tue, Sep 21 10 05:29 PM

New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) An foot overbridge being built near the main Commonwealth Games (CWG) venue Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed Tuesday, injuring 23 labourers and causing huge embarrassment to the organisers.

'The labourers got hurt as the overbridge near which they were working collapsed,' a police official told IANS.

A police officer said 23 workers were injured, five of them seriously.

'A portion of the overbridge caved in. It is not on the main road but is part of the parking,' Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta told a TV channel.

Mehta said the bridge would be completed within next 10 days.

Most of the injured were rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Trauma Centre. Some were taken to the nearby Safdarjung Hospital.

The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting event being hosted by India since the 1982 Asiad Games, will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Oct 3. The stadium, the showpiece of the event, will also host the closing ceremony.

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