Singaporeans advised to be cautious in New Delhi

Fri, Oct 01 10 01:52 PM

Singapore, Oct 1 (PTI) Singapore government has advised their athletes travelling to New Delhi for the Commonwealth Games or otherwise to be vigilant and take all necessary precautions for their personal safety, according to local media reports here today. Singaporeans were encouraged to purchase comprehensive medical and travel insurance for the trip, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. Singaporeans travelling to New Delhi were also urged to register with the ministry. The Singapore travelers were also asked to register with the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi while the ministry has also set up a hotline in Singapore. The Commonwealth Games had a tumultuous build-up with reports on dengue outbreak, security issues and living conditions of the Village raising concern among various participating nations.

Source: Published>

Hooper must share blame for Games' problems: New Zealand

Published>Fri, Oct 01 10 01:36 PM

Wellington, Oct 1 (IANS) New Zealander Michael Hopper, in charge of the Commonwealth Games in India, must share the blame for the problems related to the event, New Zealand Sports Minister Murray McCully has said.

McCully said there had been too much finger-pointing at Indian officials. Some of the blame lay with Games Federation chief executive Hooper, The New Zealand Herald Friday quoted McCully as saying.

Hooper has been at the centre of a blame game over shoddy conditions at the athletes' village that at one time threatened to derail the Games. He has defended the federation, saying it had implored Indian officials at every opportunity to be ready for the event.

But McCully said Hooper was partly to blame.

'So we should be careful about simply asserting that Indian officials carry all the responsibility.

'He's been based there to oversee those arrangements. I certainly think there's going to be a sharing of responsibility, but this is not the time. Let them do their jobs and leave the serious questions for afterwards. But they should be asked,' McCully said.

Hooper reportedly had said that Delhi's 'population hazard' hampered the organisation of the Games, sparking protests in the Indian capital. Federation president Mike Fennell denied the remark was made.

Hooper also faced criticism for his luxurious lifestyle while staying in India to oversee the Games preparation. The cost, which include tax breaks of $600,000, a rented accommodation worth more than $36,000 monthly and a chauffeured limousine, was paid by the Games Organising Committee.

McCully, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Indian pride had been hurt by revelations of poor accommodation for athletes, but the damage could be repaired if the Games, starting Sunday, ran smoothly.

'I've got no doubt there were some raw nerves touched, but serious issues of safety and welfare were arising.'

He said he was confident about security in New Delhi but anyone going there should check the foreign ministry.

'There are always some elements of risk in relation to terrorist activities but we don't have any specific information that should be drawn to people's attention at this point.'

Source: Web Search

Dope taint off his back, Vij looks ahead

Published>Fri, Oct 01 10 01:26 PM

First came the positive tests - that shocked him - and then the prolonged testing times followed. Saurabh Vij, who was eventually re-included in the Indian Athletics team after he was cleared from doping charges for consuming banned stimulant Methylhexaneamine, claims that the past three weeks of uncertainty were harrowing for him.

Not only did his routine suffer but his state of mind was also adversely affected. But all said and done, this experience has helped him knowing the harsh realities of the business of competing in sport.

"Nobody was with me during the time I was charged with having tested positive for the stimulant; and I mean people whom I considered to be my companions. I was hurt. Them helping me was a distant prospect, they didn't even call me once to know what was happening with me. At the end of the day it was my family and some really close friends who stood by me through thick and thin to help me get out of my misery," says the shot-putter.

The difficult time made him recall the lullabies that parents often recite to their children when they are young. He cocooned himself into one such lullaby-cum-song that kept him afloat during his ongoing agony. Alongwith many sources of motivation, he says his innocence in the whole doping fiasco was the one thing that anchored him throughout his struggle.

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going," are the words he often uses to describe his innocence. "I would have lost the battle had I not been given doses of support by my peers and family. And the biggest factor was that I knew I was innocent. That too lent me confidence to brave the doping charges. More importantly, the amount of belief that the AFI has shown in me, has multiplied my hopes of continuing with my aim, " adds the 23-year-old.

For some agonising days it seemed that his two-year long preparations for the mega event would end in an unsavoury dug scandal. During his purple patch two years ago, Vij had started accumulating dreams of becoming a world champion. The CWG and Asian Games were important steps on that ladder. But the times changed, and he is now struggling to regain his lost vigour to produce a medal winning throw at the CWG. "Since fifteen days I am working very hard to get stronger physically. I am there mentally but I still feel the lack of strength. I know the days wasted would not come back but I have faith in my dedication and I am sure my hard work would show results," says Vij.

With hardly a week left for his shot put event, he is confident enough to put a tough fight against his competitors. Training under coach Jogesh Kumar, he insists that he is now giving final touches to his preparations.

"It's like loading a spring in preparation. It will unleash now at the right time. Mentally I will do it but physically, the crowd support will make it happen," states the Delhi lad.

Source: Web Search

Oz sports minister gets taste of tight security at CWG Village

Published>Fri, Oct 01 10 01:16 PM

The tight security at the Games Village forced Australian Sports Minister Mark Arbib to walk to the residential complex of his country's athletes as he could not take his official vehicle into the premises because it did not have the necessary accreditation.

Arbib arrived at the Village this morning to meet his country's athletes and officials but was denied entry from Gate No 2 as his vehicle didn't have the necessary accreditation for entering the complex.

Arbib had to walk to the residential block of Aussie athletes that too after being apparently frisked by the security staff.

"He was frisked but the security is so tight here that it cannot be helped," said an official.

Source: Web Search

Reverse swing to be Australia's most potent bowling weapon on India tour: Watson

Published>Fri, Oct 01 10 01:06 PM

Mohali, Oct 1(ANI): Australian all-rounder Shane Watson insists that his team is better equipped in the reverse swing department, which he sees as their most potent bowling weapon during the two-Test series against India.

Midway through the 2008 Test series in India, the Australian bowling attack had said that they had no idea about extracting reverse swing on the subcontinent.

"If the conditions suit ... we definitely know how to do it much more and I've learned a lot from two years ago how we went about it, because it didn't work," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Watson, as saying.

"In Australia this year we were able to work on a few techniques to make it go reverse and we were able to make the most of it last summer. It is a really important part of success over here to make the most of the ball because the wickets are often very flat, so if the ball's not moving it makes it very difficult to get wickets."

"That's what we learned from the Indians last time, so it's a big thing," he added.

Meanwhile, Australian fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus said that his team did enjoy some success in employing it during their first match of the current tour, against the Board President's XI.

"We did (get reverse swing) in the first innings, we didn't quite have the same luck for whatever reason in the second innings, but it's part of the game, something we've got to work on and I'm sure we'll find a way," Hilfenhaus said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Discus thrower Samuels may regret CWG pull-out, says Oz champion pole vaulter Hooker

Published>Fri, Oct 01 10 12:46 PM

New Delhi, Oct.1 (ANI): World and Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker hopes discus thrower Dani Samuels doesn't regret her decision to stay away from the Delhi Commonwealth Games, which open on Sunday.

Hooker arrived in Delhi late last night along with 25 members of the 72-strong Australian athletics team, who had been in a training camp at Gateshead in northern England following the end of the European summer season.

Samuels, 22, who won gold at last year's IAAF world championships in Berlin, decided last week not to travel to India because of security and health issues.

Hooker said the loss of Samuels would be felt acutely - starting with Australia's medal tally.

"Dani is a vital member of our team. So it's definitely a medal that we lose - she was almost certain to win here," the Herald Sun quoted the 28-year-old, as saying.

He added: "So, from the performance perspective, that's disappointing. She's also one of the senior members of our team and a real leader. So it's also a loss from that point of view, but that gives other people the opportunity to stand up and probably offers a bit more spotlight to other athletes on the team."

Hooker acknowledged the freedom of choice available to every athlete but also questioned whether Samuels in particular might regret her move.

"It's up to everyone to make their own decision about whether they're going to attend or not. And I totally respect Dani's decision to not come. But whether that's a decision she'll regret in the future or not, that's something she's got to deal with herself," he said.

Hooker admitted the shooting of two Taiwanese tourists in Delhi 10 days ago had unnerved his teammates.

"I think early on when the shootings happened, people had a few concerns. But I think being in a group like that we got it all out in the open and everyone talked about whatever concerns they had, which were minor if anything," he said.

"We've moved on from that and now everyone's at a point where they're very excited to be here. We're ready to compete." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Hooker who claims to have bedded Becks could be jailed for tax evasion

Published>Fri, Oct 01 10 12:38 PM

London, Oct 1 (ANI): Hooker Irma Nici, who claimed she was paid thousands for sex with David Beckham and other celebs, could be jailed for tax evasion.

Nici, 26, is set to be hit with a joint tax and immigration probe by US officials and that could also see the Bosnian-born tart deported from the States for working illegally - and not allowed back.

"This woman has flagged herself up by saying she was paid in cash. She has gone on record, as saying she was paid thousands and that will be considered as earnings as she was paid for her services. Tax has to be paid on that amount. She has made herself a target," the Sun quoted a source at the Internal Revenue Service - America's taxman, a saying.

The tax warning is a fresh blow for Nici, who is already slapped with a 16 million pounds writ from former England captain.

She has also boasted of seeing other famous clients as she jetted from London to work in New York and hence, her earning could run in thousands, which could bring hefty tax bill.

Tax evasion in the US is one of the quickest ways to go jail and now hiding out in New York, Nici doesn't even have the work permit for US.

"She has made an incriminating statement in public by saying she was paid for sex in the US. She does not have any authority to work and could face deportation proceedings," said an insider at the Immigration Customs Enforcement agency. (ANI)

Source: Web Search