Chandhok out of money?

Published>Sun, Jun 13 10 12:46 PM

Mumbai, June 12 -- India's Karun Chandhok may not have an F1 drive for too long if the buzz on the motorsports grapevine is to be believed. The latest bit from the speculation-rife world of speed suggests that the Indian's funds are drying up from lack of sponsor support. It has been reliably learnt that HRT team principal Colin Kolles has been making enquiries to find a driver that can bring in the sponsorship required to keep the team going. Among the drivers that HRT is said to have contacted is also India's Narain Karthikeyan who, however, is tied down with NASCAR this season and is not free to drive in F1.

Chandhok has been quoted by the website autosport.com saying that he would love to drive for Vijay Mallya's Force India. He has also alluded to the absence of Indian corporate support by suggesting that companies are not sure as to whether to back the Indian driver or the so-called Indian team. The truth of that is open to debate but there does seem to be a bit of desperation creeping in. The Chandhok camp insists that there is no cause for worry and that a big public sector company is about to come on board as a sponsor. The driver is said to have a contract to bring onboard sponsorship in the vicinity of seven and a half million euros (approx Rs. 43 crore) in lieu of his drive.

Source: Web Search

On the ball

Published>Sun, Jun 13 10 12:27 PM

India, June 12 -- India may be 133rd in world football rankings - behind Fiji, Faroe Islands, Sudan and Iceland - and fonder of another 11-a-side sport involving a ball. But every four years during the World Cup, two places in the country stir up a football frenzy comparable to that in Rio, Rome or Madrid: Kerala and West Bengal. This World Cup is no different. As the World Cup picks up momentum over the next month, India's two soccer-crazy spots are raring to cheer their outsourced heroes. The Footbongs Inside a shack that is the 108th ward office of the Trinamool Congress, a party worker is watching a Hindi film on TV. He turns around to say that he'll be watching the Korea-Greece, the Argentina-Nigeria and the England-USA World Cup games here later through the night. A banner proclaiming Mamata Banerjee's slogan 'Ma, maati, manush' (mother, soil, people) is behind him. Does he know the answer to the question that the whole of Kolkata is asking: 'Is Mamata supporting Brazil or Argentina?' Right next to the TMC structure is a two-storeyed government building with CPI(M) flags fluttering outside. There's a midday meal being served to children on the ground floor. But you don't have to be smart to know what purpose the TV set on the second floor will serve in the evenings. The wall adjoining the offices of these rival parties has been painted with a picture of Diego Maradona holding the 1986 World Cup trophy alongside a barely recognisable portrait of the Argentine star footballer and this year's big hope Lionel Messi. Just one word in English - 'Argintina' (sic) - marks this territory. On the other side of the road here at the eastern edge of Kolkata in Tiljola is the Netaji Sporting Club. Laltu Sharma, 23, a scraggly member and an Argentina supporter, points out that behind the wall, the TMC workers are organising a shamiana-ed dinner tonight to celebrate their victory in the recent municipal elections. "They waited till the World Cup started. One of them even coined the slogan, 'Ma, maati, Maradona!' The most precious object in the clubhouse this year has to be the Samsung LCD screen TV that has been placed at an altar-like spot. Suman Das, 24, Club Games Secretary, says it has been bought with club funds. Meanwhile, outside, Romesh, 21, an Argentina supporter, is tying a giant Argentina flag across the building front, dwarfing the smaller Brazilian already fluttering. When asked why he supports Brazil, his answer is straight and fast: "Brazil's a five-time World Cup champion, that's why." On the grassless, small muddy field in front of the club building, a match will be underway in a few minutes. "Brazil versus Argentina," says Romesh, "and Argentina will win." Across the city, inside the Raj-era building of Wellesley House is the office of Leisure Sports Management Pvt Ltd. Since the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Sabyasachi 'Benu-da' Dasgupta, Managing Director of the sports travel and management firm, has been facilitating hordes of Bengalis to watch football across the globe. He shows a garland of $ 400 World Cup final tickets. "This time we'll be sending 85-90 people to South Africa. Sixty per cent of those going are from Kolkata." One such lucky World Cupper is 48-year-old businessman Kangsha Koyal. This is his fourth World Cup. He poses wearing a tight Brazil jersey over his shiny black shirt with fellow-football fiend friend, 50-plus Pankaj Ghosh. Ghosh, a football coach with the sports council, is almost in tears as he describes being with Brazilian fans in a Marseille stadium watching a Brazil-Holland match. "I can't tell you the feeling of being there. I just can't," he says days before his fifth Cup trip. Both have somehow managed to save up the Rs 3 lakh for Leisure Sports Management's "full experience" - travel costs, stay, breakfast, watching games in stadia. "I'll just have a heavy breakfast every day," says Koyal while Ghosh says he'll eat cashew nuts and biscuits during his stay. So don't these two Bengali Brazil fanatics get asked why they spend so much money to watch foreign teams? "We are there to have India present in World Cups," says Ghosh. Who needs players when we have football-crazy Bengali World Cup fans? Kicks from Kozhikode Beach boys of Ninan Valappu in northern Kozhikode gambol in the monsoon-drenched tiny playground as small-time carpenter Fazal NV mulls over the prospects of 'his' team going back with FIFA laurels. Betting on Brazil made him lose his hard-earned Pulsar last time. He hopes to recover his loss this time. Fazal loves to answer to his new name - Fazal Ronaldo. He plans to tonsure his head, like his god - Cristiano Ronaldo. At a glance, you could be mistaken in thinking that the World Cup is really being held in Ninan Valappu, not in far off South Africa. Cheering fan clubs, towering cutouts, colourful headbands and flags of 32 countries aflutter - it's a month-long festival here. From wayside tea stalls to fish markets, lively soccer debates are on about the attacking game of Lionel Messi, the dribbling prowess of Wayne Rooni and the shooting power of Didier Drogba. When a group of fans vowed to do a Maradona (he promised recently he would run naked in Barcelona if his team makes it) in neighbouring Tirur (Malappuram district), Nainan Valappu was quick to act. "No processions at nights and no ugly betting," the Nainan Valappu Football Fans Association (NFFA) president, N.V. Subair, says. Founded in 1996, NFFA is in constant touch with FIFA. They are sent a copy of the new rules, brochures and miniatures. This little town even has a mini FIFA museum. "This time, FIFA sent us a gold key chain carrying its logo. We have displayed all our curios here," says Subair. Since last month, shops selling flags, shirts, headbands and souvenirs are doing brisk business in Ninan Valappu. Hair salons who are doing haircuts mimicking the soccer greats are doing roaring business. Leave alone jerseys, some frenzied fans even carry their logos in their inner wears. In the land of 'Sevens Football,' soccer is a unifying force. In Sevens Football, a specialty of the Malabar area, only seven players represent each side. Around 50 major Sevens tournaments are organised in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts every summer. Makeshift galleries and goalposts spring up on harvested rice fields. "Football is a passion here. Even a small boy has views on the prospects of each team," former India striker I M Vijayan, who regularly plays Sevens Football, explains. Vijayan was a soda seller in football galleries as a boy. He is planning to fly to South Africa to witness the final. As the soccer fever grips Ninan Valappu, the clerics are a worried lot. Upset with the thin attendance in Friday prayers, they had issued a fatwa during the last World Cup. This time, too, many religious outfits held a series of study classes to check the menace but have failed. "We are not against soccer. But at times, it takes demonic proportions. It should be contained," Salahuddin Faizi, spokesman of the Samsatha Kerala Sunni Students Federation, says.

"Nowhere else in the country will you see such fervour and spirit," says E Ahmed, Minister of State for Railways, who represents Malappuram in the Lok Sabha. It certainly looks that way.

Source: Web Search

Garrigus overhauls Westwood to lead in Memphis

Published Sun, Jun 13 10 12:06 PM

American journeyman Robert Garrigus, who is still shrugging off a bout of food poisoning, upstaged his more illustrious rivals to take a two-shot lead in the third round of the St. Jude Classic on Saturday.

Two strokes off the pace overnight in the final PGA Tour event before next week's U.S. Open, Garrigus fired a sparkling four-under-par 66 on a sizzling hot day at the TPC Southwind.

He bogeyed the par-four last after pushing his tee shot into the right rough and missing the green with his approach, but retained overall control with an 11-under total of 199.

Garrigus, who has limited playing status on the PGA Tour this season and is seeking his first victory on the U.S. circuit, covered the back nine in four-under 31 after an eagle on the par-five 16th.

Swede Robert Karlsson, the European number one in 2008 who was sidelined four months last year because of an eye problem, chipped in for birdie from just off the 18th green for a 68 to lie second.

British world number three Lee Westwood, co-leader overnight, battled to a 71 and was a further stroke back at eight under with American Heath Slocum (66).

"I didn't know what anybody was doing behind me," Garrigus told reporters. "I was just concentrating on my game, which I should probably do tomorrow."

The 32-year-old, who has missed four cuts in seven PGA Tour starts this season, was especially delighted with his display after succumbing to food poisoning last week.

"I really didn't feel good the first three days here," said Garrigus, who pulled out of a U.S. Open sectional qualifier on Monday after just seven holes.

PAYING OFF

"I didn't have any energy, didn't have enough fluids. It was brutal but I got some good rest. I came out fresh and now it's paying off."

Westwood, hunting his first PGA Tour title since the 1998 New Orleans Classic, led overnight with American Garrett Willis but slipped back with two bogeys in the last five holes.

"I didn't play particularly well, and didn't hit the ball very well," the Englishman said after recording four bogeys and three birdies. "I wasn't in control of my swing that much. A 71 seems almost like a victory, really."

With Westwood and Willis each stumbling early in the third round, seven players had a share of the tournament lead before Garrigus took control after the turn.

He birdied the 11th and 12th to edge one ahead before rolling in a 20-footer down the hill at the par-four 15th to double his advantage.

At the par-five 16th, Garrigus struck a superb six-iron from 196 yards to five feet to set up his eagle and forge four strokes clear.

However, the American succumbed to a two-shot swing at the last where he bogeyed and his playing partner Karlsson birdied for his lead to be halved.

Source: Web Search

Fiery Steyn, Morkel leave West Indies staring at defeat in Port of Spain Test

Published>Sun, Jun 13 10 11:36 AM

Port of Spain, Jun 13 (ANI): Devastating fast bowling from Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel has put South Africa in a commanding position against West Indies at the end of day three of the first Test at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain.

The new-ball pair shared nine wickets as West Indies were dismissed for 102, their lowest total against the South Africans.

Steyn took five wickets for 29 in his 14 overs, while Morkel chipped in with four wickets for 19 from 13 overs.

Morkel ran through the top order in a decisive opening spell, where he ripped out West Indies captain Chris Gayle, opening batsman Travis Dowlin and Brendan Nash in successive overs to leave the home team on 12 for three.

Steyn joined him to dismiss Shivnarine Chanderpaul (26) and Narsingh Deonarine (29) to end a flourishing fourth wicket stand of 59, and trigger a dramatic collapse from 3-71 to 9-75 in the space of 28 balls, The Age reports.

With a lead of 250, South African skipper Graeme Smith had the option to enforce a follow-on, but he opted to bat again.

Smith later ended the day unbeaten on 77, as South Africa closed on 155-2 at stumps with a massive lead of 405.

He will resume day four along with Jacques Kallis (40 not out). The duo has put together an unfinished stand of 76 for the third wicket.

Brief Scorecard: South Africa 1st Innings-352 all out (Boucher 69, de Villiers 68, Benn 5-120)

West Indies 1st Innings--102 (Deonarine 29, Steyn 5-29, Morkel 4-19)

South Africa 2nd Innings--- 155 for 2 (Smith 79 (not out), Kallis 40 (not out)) (ANI)

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Minister & family stay with Pak players during NCA camp

Published Sun, Jun 13 10 11:27 AM

Lahore, Jun 14 (PTI) Pakistani players practicing at the National Cricket Academy here for this month''s Asia Cup were left "grumbling" when the country''s Sports Minister and his family were allowed to stay with them at the NCA to attend a wedding reception. Pakistan''s Sports Minister Ijaz Jakhrani and his family reportedly stayed at the PCB academy during the period the national camp of the Pakistani players was being held for the Asia Cup. "Ijaz Butt, the Chairman of the board apparently gave permission for Jakhrani''s family to stay at the academy apparently to score points as he is under immense pressure these days from government quarters," one source said. "The problem occurred when the minister''s family stayed at the academy at the same time the Pakistani players were housed there for the coaching camp and some of them were found grumbling at being disturbed by the minister''s family members from time to time," the source added. Jahkrani had also gone to the West Indies for the Twenty20 World Cup on PCB expenses. The source said while the PCB had barred the media from covering the national coaching camp sessions, the minister''s family was seen roaming around the Gaddafi stadium ground while the training was going on. "Cricket has never become so politicised as it is now and Butt is clearly doing everything to ensure he keeps his bosses in the government happy," the source said. PCB official Nadeem Sarwar told the media that he had no knowledge of the minister or his family staying at the national academy.

Source: Web Search

Pak''s frozen cricket ties with India sadden Miandad on B''day

Published Sun, Jun 13 10 11:22 AM

Lahore, Jun 13 (PTI) Pakistan''s former captain and coach Javed Miandad was a sad man on his 53rd birthday as he lamented the frozen bilateral cricket ties with India. Miandad celebrated his 53rd birthday yesterday hoping to see the resumption of cricket ties with India which snapped after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. "I feel sad today that Pakistan cricket is facing a situation where teams don''t want to come to our country because of security issues. Worse bilateral cricket ties with India are again frozen," Miandad said in an interview. Miandad hoped that whenever international cricket resumed in Pakistan, India would be the first to tour the country. "We need to play more often against each other it keeps the sport alive in both countries and boosts world cricket." Miandad said apart from winning the 1992 World Cup, his most memorable career moments pertained to matches involving India. He recalled the 1976/77 and 2004 series against India in Pakistan as his most memorable. "In both cases India toured Pakistan after a gap of many years and the huge interest in the series was out of this world." The veteran of 124 Tests, who had three separate terms as national team coach, also hoped that the problems being faced by Pakistan cricket would be resolved soon. "There is so much passion for the sport in Pakistan that at times it is tragic that we are facing a situation where we can''t play international cricket on our own grounds. But the cricket world is supporting us and hopefully things will normalise soon," he said. "Cricket in the subcontinent has a great cricket heritage and I find it hard to believe that right now they are also no bilateral cricket ties between Pakistan and India," he said, Miandad is presently working as director general of cricket in the Pakistan Cricket Board.

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Looking forward to clash against India in Asia Cup: Afridi

Published Sun, Jun 13 10 10:52 AM

Karachi, Jun 13 (PTI) The Pakistan cricket squad left for Colombo to take part in the Asia Cup with captain Shahid Afridi saying that the match against India would be the highlight of the event. "The guys are already looking forward to that match and I am sure we will give our best to beat India," he said. Afridi also insisted that he would not allow anyone to indulge in intrigues or politics in the team. "I will not tolerate anyone trying to create intrigues or indiscipline in the team and we have made this clear to all players," he said. Pacer Muhammad Asif couldn''t leave with the rest of the squad via Dubai for Colombo because of the travel ban on him enforced by the Dubai authorities due to his 2008 drug detention case. Asif will reach Colombo separately on another flight via Abu Dhabi. Afridi said he was hopeful of good results in the Asia Cup. "We have all trained really hard and we see the Asia Cup as the first part of our preparations for the 2011 World Cup so this is a important tournament for us," he said. Afridi, who will also lead the team on the Test tour to England, said Pakistan didn''t have a very impressive record in the Asia Cup having won it just once (2000) in 10 editions. "I don''t want to make tall claims but I think our team is capable of beating anyone on its day if we play like a unit and to our full potential and as captain it is my job to push the players to give their best," he said. The Pakistan skipper admitted that Pakistan cricket had been struggling since the World Twenty20 Cup win in England last year and needed a big victory. "The team also realises that it needs to win a big event like the Asia Cup to put us back on the winning track. We need to do well in the tournament to boost our confidence ahead of the tough England tour," he stated.

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