High court raps centre for stand on Hockey India

Published>Wed, Jul 28 10 06:38 PM

New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Wednesday rapped the central government for not complying with its order on issuing a clarification that Hockey India (HI) is a private body.

It asked the government to file its reply within three weeks with its explanation on the issue. With this, the HI elections slated for Wednesday were adjourned.

On Tuesday, the court had asked the government and HI to issue a clarification by the evening to all the sport units in the states.

But despite the court order, the sports ministry said that both the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), which was banned by Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and HI are recognised bodies.

Furious over the government's stand, Justice S. Murlidhar said that until and unless government does not clarify its stand, HI elections cannot be held.

The court also made it clear that the elections in HI will not be allowed if the confusion persists. The court July 27 had said that IHF is the only recognised authority to run hockey in the country.

It had also asked the sports ministry and IOA to inform all the state units that HI is a private body. The court also asked the government to withdraw its observer appointed to monitor the HI election.

Source: Web Search

Tendulkar slams century as India fightback bravely

Wed, Jul 28 10 06:22 PM

T V Sriram Colombo, Jul 28 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar cracked his 48th Test century to lead a spirited fightback as India recovered from three quick jolts to keep themselves afloat in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka here today. Tendulkar (108 not out) showed great character and temparament to score his first century on Sri Lankan soil in 11 years as he anchored the innings brilliantly to steer the visitors to 382 for for four at close on the third day, still needing 61 runs to avoid the follow on. Virender Sehwag missed his century by just one run while debutant Suresh Raina was the other notable performer with a sparkling unbeaten 66. It was a much-improved display by the Indians who made sure that there was no repeat of Galle where the famed batting order had succumbed rather tamely. Raina was giving Tendulkar company at stumps on a day which saw 287 runs being scored and four wickets falling at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground. India''s first objective will be to avoid the follow and then come as close as possible to Sri Lanka''s mammoth first innings total of 642 for four declared. If India carry on in the same way tomorrow, a draw appears to be the only result possible as the track has shown no signs of breaking up. After Sehwag provided the early fireworks, it was champion batsman Tendulkar who stole the spotlight with a fine exhibition of strokeplay and application to save the blushes for India who were in a spot of bother at one stage. Tendulkar made the most of a dropped chance when he was on 29, wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene spilling a simple catch off Dilhara Fernando. But that was the only blemish from the star batsman as he gradually opened up to unleash a flurry of strokes. The champion batsmen had last scored a century in Sri Lanka in 1999 at the same venue. Resuming at the overnight score of 95 for no loss in response to Sri Lanka''s mammoth 642 for four declared, the Indians got off to a solid start with Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay putting on a 165-run opening partnership. But the scrip changed dramatically just half an hour before the lunch break with the visitors losing Sehwag (99) Vijay (58) and Rahul Dravid (3) in quick succession with debutant off-spinner Suraj Randiv striking twice. Sehwag, who resumed at overnight 64, looked set for a big innings but missed out on his 21st Test century by attempting a reckless shot. More PTI TVS MRM

Source: Published>

Bin Hammam backing bolsters Qatar 2022 bid

Published>Wed, Jul 28 10 06:18 PM

Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup received a huge boost on Wednesday when Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Mohamed Bin Hammam threw his weight behind his country's campaign.

The support of Bin Hammam, also a FIFA Executive Committee member, was warmly welcomed by the tiny Gulf emirate, whose campaign to bring the world's biggest soccer tournament to the Middle East for the first time was initially considered an outside bet.

"I am grateful for the support shown by (Bin Hammam)," Qatari bid CEO Hassan Al-Thawadi told Reuters on the sidelines of the Soccerex Asian forum in Singapore.

"He has always understood the benefits that a World Cup will bring to Qatar and the Middle East, and he has been pioneering in his vision.

"A World Cup in Qatar will be an historic opportunity for FIFA, for the teams, officials, fans and the people of the Arab world, helping bridging cultures between the East and the West and above all changing the perception of the region."

If, as widely expected, the World Cup goes to Europe in 2018, Qatar will be competing with United States as well as AFC heavy hitters South Korea, Japan and Australia for the right to host the 2022 tournament.

Al-Thawadi said that Qatar, whose team have never qualified or competed at the World Cup, has had to overcome doubts about the seriousness of their bid.

"At the start people were sceptical about our bid, today we have got followers.

"That was our biggest obstacle, that people did not know about Qatar, they always doubted the seriousness of the bid but as time moved along, as people started seeing us more and more, the reality has moved on."

ONE VOTE

Speaking earlier at Soccerex, a football business and networking event, Bin Hammam revealed to reporters he would back his home country in the FIFA vote.

"I have one vote ... and frankly speaking I will vote for Qatar, but if Qatar is not in the running I will vote for another Asian country," Bin Hammam said.

The winning bid, along with the host of the 2018 tournament, will be announced by FIFA in Zurich on Dec. 2, something Bin Hammam said he did not initially agree with.

"I was against deciding two World Cup bid decisions in the same room on the same day, but most of my colleagues were with that option so I have to respect their experience and wisdom and most of them are more experienced than me," he added.

If successful, Qatar would become Asia's second World Cup host after South Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 tournament.

Source: Web Search

India 382 for 4 at close on day three

Wed, Jul 28 10 05:52 PM

Colombo, July 28 (PTI) India were 382 for four in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka''s 642 for 4 declared at close on day three of the second cricket Test here today. Sachin Tendulkar (108) and Suresh Raina (66) were at the crease. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 642 for four declared. India 1st innings: 382 for 4 in 108 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 108 batting, Virender Sehwag 99, Murali Vijay 58; Suraj Randiv 2/108, Ajantha Mendis 2/92).

Source: Published>

Work on Commonwealth Games sites claims 42 lives: Govt

Wed, Jul 28 10 05:38 PM

New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Government today said 42 labourers have died in connection with work on various Commonwealth Games sites in the national capital while 18 others have suffered injuries while working at different sites of Delhi Metro. Actions have been taken against employers in connection with such accidents, which were found to be technical in nature, Minister of State for Labour Harish Rawat informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. He said 78 prosecutions have been filed and 41 convicted for violating the provisions of safety and health measures. To another question, he said as per a Delhi High Court directive, the city government has undertaken the work of registration of building workers and till March-end, 25,682 construction workers have been registered. They include those engaged in Commonwealth Games project and the Delhi Metro.PTI SGI

Source: Published>

Pak pace trio can put England on back foot: Sarfraz

Published>Wed, Jul 28 10 01:08 PM

Karachi, July 28 (ANI): Former Test pacer Sarfraz Nawaz feels Pakistan can only think of a victory against England if its bowlers give devastating performance.

"Pakistani pace attack is very devastating right now. They have been in good form and hopefully they would remain in form and fit. We only won the Test match against Australia because of the bowlers," the Dawn quoted Sarfraz, as saying.

"One bowler could do nothing as the batsmen would start playing defensive game against the bowler who is in form and would pull runs when the other bowler comes in. So a combination of two or more in-form bowlers is devastating, which Pakistan right now is enjoying," he said.

"England would be dangerous as their batsmen and bowlers are in form. Moreover, they would be playing on home ground, which certainly gives an edge to any team."

However, he was critical of Pakistan's batters, saying the team has no player who could play at number five or six.

"At the time when number five or number six player comes on the crease, the condition changes and the pitch gets slower and loses its bounce. So, I think the condition would be good for youngster Umar Amin and he could respond to that situation well," Sarfraz said.

Pakistan will play four-Test series against England with the first match starting from Thursday at Trent Bridge. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Lunch scoreboard: India vs. Sri Lanka, Day 3, Second Test

Published>Wed, Jul 28 10 12:58 PM

Colombo, July 28 (IANS) The following is the scoreboard at lunch on the third day of the second cricket Test match between India and Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club here Wednesday.

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 642 for four declared

India 1st innings (overnight 95 for no loss):

Murali Vijay lbw Mendis 58

Virender Sehwag st Prasanna b Randiv 99

Rahul Dravid lbw Randiv 3

Sachin Tendulkar batting 2

V.V.S.Laxman batting 0

Extras (b 1, w 3, nb 7) 11

Total (for three wickets in 43 overs) 173

Fall of wickets: 1-165 (Sehwag, 36.1 overs), 2-169 (Vijay, 37.5), 3-173 (Dravid, 40.5)

Bowling:

Damika Prasad 3-0-27-0

Dilhara Fernando 14-0-65-0

Angelo Mathews 9-1-24-0

Suraj Randiv 7-3-18-2

Ajantha Mendis 10-1-38-1

Umpires: Daryl Harper (Australia) and Rod Tucker (Australia)

TV umpire: Ranmore Martinesz

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe)

Source: Web Search