Fergie slams Rooney for playing friendly

Published Sun, Mar 07 10 02:48 PM

London, March 7 -- Manchester United's increased reliance on Wayne Rooney after Michael Owen was ruled out for the season has led to Sir Alex Ferguson clashing with the Premier League's leading scorer. Ferguson, reeling from the news that Owen needs an operation, was incensed that Rooney defied him by not pulling out of England's midweek defeat of Egypt and has made his feelings plain to the player, accusing him of being irresponsible and jeopardising United's chances of silverware. Ferguson had been led to believe Rooney would withdraw because of a knee injury that has troubled him for several weeks. Instead, the forward played 86 minutes of the 3-1 win, whereas Chelsea's Frank Lampard was replaced at half-time. Rooney's knee has swollen, making him doubtful for United's game at Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow, and it is a measure of Ferguson's irritation that he abandoned his usual policy of never criticising players in public. "I was disappointed with Wayne," Ferguson said. "He didn't come off, I couldn't believe it, and now he's a doubt. We're going to have to assess him because he played virtually the full game for England, which I am disappointed about. Playing at Wembley on that kind of pitch for almost an hour (in the Carling Cup final) on Sunday, and then almost the full 90 minutes on Wednesday, it's far too much. Wayne is exhausted."

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Butt defends Waqar''s appointment as coach

Published Sun, Mar 07 10 02:42 PM

Karachi, Mar 7 (PTI) Defending Waqar Younis'' appointment as Pakistan coach despite allegations of match fixing against him, PCB chairman Ejaz Butt said all those fined on the basis of Justice Malik Qayyum''s inquiry report 10 years ago have been cleared for national duties now. Butt said the services and players like Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram or Ijaz Ahmed are being utilised after clearance and recovery of fines. "Ten years have passed since the Malik Qayyum report came out and they have paid their fines and the ICC also has no objection to them being given responsibilities by the board," Butt told reporters in Islamabad. Some former players have criticised the board for appointing those players on key positions despite being named in the Qayyum match-fixing inquiry report. Waqar, Wasim, Aaqib Javed, Saeed Anwar were among those who the Qayyum committee fined for not cooperating with the inquiry that lasted for some 18 months. The Qayyum commission also recommended life bans on former captain, Salim Malik and pace bowler, Ata-ur-Rehman. Butt disclosed that Waqar would be paid around USD 7650 monthly salary besides other perks. "We think that is a reasonable amount we are paying for his services since the former Pakistan coach, Bob Woolmer was paid around Rs 1.7 million a month by the board," Butt added. PTI COR PM

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India archers to dominate Commonwealth

Published>Sun, Mar 07 10 02:32 PM

New Delhi, March 7 -- More than 100 archers from ten nations will take part in the test event for the Commonwealth Games scheduled from Monday, at the newly built Yamuna Sports Complex here. The five-day tournament, which will continue till March 12, is being organised by the CWG Organising Committee (OC) with the Archery Association of India (AAI). Teams from Bangladesh, England, Wales, Singapore, Malaysia, Jersey, Sri Lanka, Scotland, New Zealand and India have registered for events in four categories - recurve (men and women), and compound (men and women). V.K. Malhotra, AAI president, is confident that the hosts would dominate the tournament. "There are eight gold medals, four in recurve and as many in compound. It would be the same during the Commonwealth Games and I hope our archers can win maximum gold medals," he said.

The competition will be held under the new FITA (International Archery Federation) rules in both recurve and compound divisions. The official practice is to be held in the morning and afternoon sessions of March 8, with the qualification round slated for Tuesday.

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Allahabad, Ludhiana and Sirsa join Jalandhar in semis

Published Sun, Mar 07 10 02:22 PM

Sirsa (Haryana), Mar 7 (PTI) Allahabad, Ludhiana and Sirsa have Jalandhar in the semifinal line-up for the T-10 Gully Cricket Tournament at the floodlit Jan Nayak Chaudhary Devi Lal National Stadium here. Jalandhar will cross swords with hosts Sirsa and Ludhiana are pitted against Allahabad. Jalandhar topped with six points while Ludhiana, Sirsa and Allahabad finished with an identical tally of four apiece. Actress Divya Dutta of Ludhiana Gullies and actor Jimmy Shergill, who owns Jalandhar Gullies, would be the star attraction on the final day. In a do-or-die last league match, Sirsa edged out defending champions Surat by 23 runs. Faced to score 82 runs for victory Surat were restricted to 58 for 8 in 10 overs by the Sirsa bowlers. Manoj Kumar (2 for 10) and Vikas Lamba (2 for 9). Kalpesh Patel (16) and Harshad Patel (15) were Surat''s top scorers. with 16 runs. Earlier, a 30 run-partnership for second wicket between Vikas Lamba and Khem Chandra helped Sirsa made 81 for 9 in 10 stipulated overs. Brief scores: Sirsa: 81 for 9 in 10 overs (Vikas Lamba 18, 3x4s, Khem Chandra 24, Sunny Singh 14, Pawan Singh 15, Devang Patel 2 for 14, Sandeep Patel 2 for 20, Ranjit Kumar 2 for 9, Swadesh Patel 1 for 9). Surat: 58 for 8 in 10 overs (Harshad Patel 15, Kaplesh Patel 16, Manoj Kumae 2 for 10, Vikas Lamba 2 for 9, Sunny Singh 1 for 12, Vikramjit 1 for 10, Pawan Singh 1 for 12). PTI COR BSR PM

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UK Premier League to end 'spoilt rich kids' image

Published>Sun, Mar 07 10 02:14 PM

London, Mar.7 (ANI): The England Premier League hopes to eradicate the 'spoilt rich kid' image of England's top footballers through its search for stars of the future.

After the recent antics of John Terry and Ashley Cole, England boss Fabio Capello has blamed multi-million pound salaries for leading players astray.

The Premier League is endorsing The Players' Programme, the brainchild of ex-Manchester United trainee Simon Andrews, to offer guidance to up-and-coming footballers, reports The News of The World.

The scheme aims to educate teenage talent on the dangers not only for those who do make the grade, but those who don't.

Andrews, 39, who also played for Wigan, said: "There's been criticism of the top players with people saying they should be role models. First they need to be taught how to become role models. Some players can go from earning 150 pound a week to 150,000 pound a week in just a matter of years. That isn't easy to deal with."

"We want to educate players on their lifestyle choices, dealing with the media and finances. It's about preparing them for what lies ahead if they are successful, but also offering advice for those who don't make it," he added.

Manchester United first endorsed the scheme, with Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill pioneering it at their Academy.

The PFA and the Sporting Chance Charity are involved too with other high- profile supporters including David Platt and Lee Sharpe. (ANI)

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Reds to fight off City, Barca bids for Torres

Published>Sun, Mar 07 10 02:04 PM

London, Mar. 7 (ANI): Fernando Torres will be offered the chance to become 'the face of Liverpool' to fend off mega bids from Manchester City and Barcelona, reports News of The World.

The Merseysiders are in talks with the striker's advisors to massively enhance Torres' commercial earnings, as they try to kill off speculation about his future.

Torres signed a 100,000 pound a week four-year deal last summer, but the terms will be made much more lucrative following this summer's World Cup.

Liverpool wants to market Torres as a Kop icon around the world and will reward him in the process.

It would be the most profitable player specific commercial deal in Anfield history, recognising Torres' hero status as critical to Liverpool's enduring global popularity.

The Kop's commercial profits have been on the rise in recent seasons, and it's the fame and pulling power of Anfield which will allow the club to maximise Torres' financial rewards.

Although the club is confident Torres won't quit Liverpool as early as this summer, they're braced for massive bids, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. (ANI)

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Jeev drops to tied 36th after front nine woes

Published Sun, Mar 07 10 01:48 PM

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (US), Mar 7 (PTI) Jeev Milkha Singh stumbled on a treacherous front nine and turned in a one-over 71 to drop to tied 36th after the penultimate round of the USD 5.6 million Honda Classic here. Tied 29th overnight, Jeev needed a really good round to push for a top 10 finish but the Indian golfer found the going tough at the Champions Course of the PGA National Resort and Spa. Jeev began with a bogey and dropped a shot each on the seventh and the ninth holes to go three-over at the turn. The Indian tried to redeem himself with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th but the 15th hole bogey pushed him at two-over again. Jeev signed off with a birdie but that was not enough for a sub-par card. Camilo Villegas'' (199) three-under 67 put him at the top, three shots ahead of Vijay Singh (69) and Nathan Green (67). PTI AY PM

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