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| It was Kapil who
tried to tempt Prabhakar: Bindra NEW DELHI, May 4: Kapil Dev was the player who offered money to Manoj Prabhakar to under-perform during the 1994 India tour of Sri Lanka, former BCCI president I S Bindra has alleged......more
Kapil refuses to NEW DELHI, May 4: Former Indian captain Kapil Dev today refused to make any comment on....more
Code of conduct MUMBAI, May 4: Former manager of the Indian cricket team Ajit Wadekar has said the code.....more |
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Kite flying can be revived in Jammu, says
Rasool Bhai By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, May 4:The diminishing Kite flying can be revived in Jammu, provided the concerned people put in some extra efforts, said Mr Rasool Bhai, renowned kite expert of the....more Ist
Gurdeep Memorial Veterans Cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 4: Host Luxmi Cricket Club (LCC) defeated Vishal Cricket Club (VCC) by 40 runs to enter the final of the Ist Gurdeep Memorial .....more Unlucky day for DUBAI, May 4: It was an unlucky day for India at the Dubai Open Chess Championship as....more Judge named to head JOHANNESBURG, May 4: South African judge, Justice Edwin King, is ....more Match-fixing case NEW DELHI, May 4: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today sought transfer....more |
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It was Kapil who tried to tempt Prabhakar: Bindra NEW DELHI, May 4: Kapil Dev was the player who offered money to Manoj Prabhakar to under-perform during the 1994 India tour of Sri Lanka, former BCCI president I S Bindra has alleged. "The person who offered Rs 25 lakh to Prabhakar to play below potential (in a 1994 Singer Cup match in Sri Lanka) is an icon in the cricketing world. He is the Michael Jordan of India. His name is Kapil Dev," Mr Bindra said, recalling a meeting last week in Chandigarh wherein Prabhakar reportedly revealed this three years after he came out with the sensational allegation about Indian cricketers being involved in match-fixing. "Manoj told me that he would now be revealing the name to cbi (which is probing charges on match-fixing)," Mr Bindra told CNN in an interview telecast late last night. Asked whether he had talked to Kapil Dev on Prabhakar’s claim, he said: "No, because I had to soon leave for London for the ICC meeting." Mr Bindra, who spoke from London where he attended the just-concluded emergency meeting of the ICC, regretted that he was invited for the confabulations only as a delegate. "I wanted them (ICC officials) to consider me as a witness. But they feared I have some information potent enough to damage them." The former BCCI chief was of the strong opinion that it were not just players who were involved in match-fixing. "It (match-fixing) cannot happen without the administrators either conniving or overlooking," he noted, but was silent on whether umpires could play a role in it. Without going into the details, Mr Bindra said some players of the Indian team had been involved in betting. "Once during my tenure as BCCI chief, the management suspected that some Indian players had thrown a barbados match. The team manager then was Mr Madan Lal. The captain was Mr Sachin Tendulkar," he recalled, regretting that no action was taken on the complaint. Citing another episode, Mr Bindra said he, while in office as BCCI chief, had found some Indian players involved in betting during a tour in a foreign country where it was not considered illegal. "I told them (players) that what they were doing may not be against the law, but it is morally incorrect." Mr Bindra said, as far as he knew, match-fixing could be traced back to as early as late 1970s. "In early ’80s there was much talk on alleged betting over the toss in a Calcutta match." At this, he recalled an instance where former Pakistan pace bowler Sarfraz Nawaz alleged the then Pakistan skipper Asif Iqbal to have been involved in betting. "If this is the criterion for somebody becoming the ICC ambassador, I have nothing to say," he said about Iqbal. Mr Bindra was of the opinion that match-fixing was not confined to the subcontinent. "It has nothing to do with the race or colour. It is cancerous and needs a major surgery." Asked whether he had some remedy to curb the menace, Mr Bindra said a hike in the player’s remuneration could decrease his temptation. On a buff’s question on the chatline whether it is the local law or the sport body’s decision that could be implemented in settling cases of betting or matchfixing, he said both could come handy according to the nature of each case. (UNI) |
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Kapil refuses to make any comment on Bindra’s charges NEW DELHI, May 4: Former Indian captain Kapil Dev today refused to make any comment on ‘third party’ allegations levelled by former BCCI president I S Bindra that he had offered money to Manoj Prabhakar in 1994. "I am a bit confused... Should I comment on Bindra’s statement or prabhakar’s allegation. I don’t even know whether what Bindra is claiming has actually been said by Prabhakar," the Indian coach told UNI. Bindra in an interview to CNN had said that prabhakar confided in him that Kapil was the player who made a Rs 25 lakh offer to play poorly in a Singer Cup Trophy match in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, efforts to reach Prabhakar for his comments failed as he was said to be out of town and was expected by tomorrow morning. People at his residence and office expressed ignorance when asked where he had gone. Kapil said if Prabhakar confirmed that what Bindra was saying was correct, "within a few seconds, I will issue a statement." "If it is only a person like bindra who is making these allegations, what can I say." (UNI) |
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Code of conduct should be enforced by BCCI: Wadekar MUMBAI, May 4: Former manager of the Indian cricket team Ajit Wadekar has said the code of conduct which he had introduced during his tenure for the Indian team should be enforced by the BCCI in the aftermath of the match-fixing episode. Speaking to UNI Wadekar said "the players were very happy with the code of conduct. When I wanted to relax it after we started winning, the players did not want the code of conduct to be relaxed." Wadekar was the manager on the tour of Sri Lanka during which Manoj Prabhakar had alleged that certain players offered him huge sums of money to play below par. When asked on the code of conduct, Wadekar said "it was not something which we have in schools. These were grown up boys and they knew what was right and wrong. The only thing in the code of conduct was coming on time for practice, being properly dressed, avoiding attending private functions unless it was absolutely necessary and that too with my permission." But this code of conduct ended with the completion of Wadekar’s tenure. Soon after Wadekar’s resignation, after the 1996 England tour, Sandeep Patil the new coach of the team had allegedly stated in his report that certain players were on their mobile phones continuously. If the code of conduct had continued maybe things would have been little different now, he said. The Board of Control for Cricket in India might do well to reintroduce the code of conduct introduced by him, Wadekar said. This might help Indian cricket and its followers to repose their faith once again in the fairness of the game which has taken a sound beating at the moment, he added. (UNI) |
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Match-fixing
case NEW DELHI, May 4: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today sought transfer of Rajesh Kalra’s custody for interrogating him over alleged violation of foreign exchange rules in the match-fixing scandal. Additional Solicitor General S B Jaisinghani told the Delhi High Court that crucial evidence would be lost if Kalra is not questioned by ed officials. He urged justices Anil Dev Singh and B A Khan to let the ED interrogate Kalra in its premises for about eight hours. Kalra’s counsel Vineet Malhotra opposed the move and said the ED has been wasting the court’s time. The match-fixing controversy, involving South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje and three of his teammates, took off with the arrest of Kalra about a month ago. He is currently in judicial custody and is lodged at the Tihar jail. Mr Jaisinghani said proper questioning is not possible and secrecy cannot be maintained when policemen are around. However, no third degree method will be used against Kalra and medical facility will be provided promptly if needed. The case will come up for hearing tomorrow again. ED officials say investigations into certain foreign exchange transactions have reached a crucial stage following the recovery of a diary from Kalra’s home. The diary contains names, addresses and telephone numbers of cricket bookies, of which one is under interrogation. Kalra has denied that the diary belongs to him and alleges that ed officials are "mentally torturing" him. ED officials are also interrogating film actor Kishan Kumar, who was arrested on charges of allegedly violating the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) for certain transactions through Hawala channel and sent to jail. The arrest of Kumar by the ED on April 14 under sections eight and nine of the FERA came after Delhi Police failed to interrogate him for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing case. Police unsuccessfully tried thrice to interrogate him at a NOIDA nursing home when he was "medically unfit" for questioning. (UNI) |
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Kite flying can be revived in Jammu, says Rasool Bhai By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, May 4: The diminishing Kite flying can be revived in Jammu, provided the concerned people put in some extra efforts, said Mr Rasool Bhai, renowned kite expert of the country, who was here in connection with the Kite Festival organised by the J&K Kite Association. Seventy-five year old Rasool Bhai, who has a family history of making and flying kites throughout the country, was of the opinion that the local kite manufacturers have to come forward to revive the age old tradition in this part of the country. The depressed local Kite manufacturers, who called on the Rasool Bhai and briefed him of the diminishing interest among the Jammuites, thus causing great damage to their business. Talking to EXCELSIOR, Rasool Bhai said that he and his family did a lot for the pupularisation of the kite flying sport not only in his home state of Gujarat, but throughout the country by organising kite festivals and through other means. "As for as my experience is concerned no body will come to the rescue of these kite manufacturers, they have to do something themselves, if they want to remain in the business and revive the sport in J&K", he suggested. The one way to create interest among the local populace is to fly kites during the days other than the traditional seasons like Raksha Bandan and Janamashtami. Local manufacturers, who are facing great hardships, should organise small kite events in the off seasons, so that kite flying season continues throughout the year, he mentioned. While, on the other hand, Mr Jagdish, who has changed his 50 years old kite manufacturing business said, " I was forced to wind-up my business to start something else to meet my both ends", adding that at present there is only 15 to 20 days season in the year. So, it was quite difficult to survive on just a fortnight long season and that too not so encouraging, he further said. In fact, the downfall in the business started a decade back during the nineties. Thereafter, the sale-graph started downward journey even after the population of Jammu increased many fold. However, better late than never, these manufacturers, who also displayed their skills during the kite festival held at Mini Stadium, here, have decided to make efforts for the revival of the sports in Jammu. Meanwhile, talking to this Correspondent, Mr S S Bhalla, president, J&K Kite Association said that the main aim behind organising the first-ever kite festival in Jammu was to create interest among the young generation. He said, "somehow, we have succeeded in spreading the message and also tried to convince people that kite flying is not only a means of entertainment, but also stretches the muscles and is a good exercise as well". In the near future, the Association shall organise more such festivals by inviting the renowned kite fliers of the country. As also, the emphasis is being given to change the age old trend of flying kites on some selected occasion. Now, the association has decided to convince the people to fly kites on Basant Panchami and others occasions in Winter. |
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Ist Gurdeep Memorial
Veterans Cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 4: Host Luxmi Cricket Club (LCC) defeated Vishal Cricket Club (VCC) by 40 runs to enter the final of the Ist Gurdeep Memorial Veterans’ Cricket Tournament being held at Parade ground, here today. Mohan Singh and Kewal Singh played a crucial role in the emphatic victory of LCC and also entry to the final berth. Earlier, Vishal won the toss and decided to field. Batting first, LCC made a good start and the first wicket partnership yielded 94 runs in the 12 overs. But, in absence of the good partnerships afterwards, the whole side was bowled out at 165 runs in 24.4 overs. Suraj Parkash scored 38 runs off 34 ball with the help of seven boundaries. While Mohan Singh contributed 43 in 40 balls hitting five boundaries and one six. The other recognised scorer was Ashok Gupta, who faced only 19 balls to add 21 runs to the total. From Vishal, skipper, Ravi Kant was the most successful bowler with three wickets for 22 runs in five overs spell. In reply, Vishal started the innings at a bad note when they lost first five wickets for 33 runs at the end of the seven overs play. They could not able to recover from the initial damage and the fall of wickets at regular intervals continued till the end of the innings at 125 in 21.3 overs. Only two batsmen, Ravi Kant and Pankaj Dutta could face the Luxmi bowlers well and brought the score to a face saving total. Ravi scored 20 runs in 17 deliveries including four boundaries, while Pankaj contributed 22 valuable runs. Kewal Singh was the most economical and successful bowler from Luxmi, who took three wickets for 18 in three overs. Kewal, who had also contributed fast 13 runs was declared as man of the match. Messrs Davinder and Zahoor officiated the match. SCOREBOARD LCC Suraj c Virinder b Ravi Kant 38 Mohan Singh c Ravi b Virinder 43 Jasbir Singh c Pankaj b Virinder 0 S Kumar c Romesh b Ravi Kant 10 Madhu run out 1 Ashok Gupta b Satwant 21 Rakesh lbw Ravi Kant 1 Kewal lbw S K Sharma 13 Arun Mehta b Satwant 5 Gopal c & b S K Sharma 0 Neetu not out 1 Extras: 32 Total (all out in 24.4 overs) 165 Fall of wickets: 1-94, 2-94, 3-94, 4-105, 5-117, 6-127, 7-142, 8-162, 9-162, 10-165. Bowling: Sharat 2-0-14-0; Pankaj 2-0-25-0; Satwant Singh 4.4-0-25-2; Vishwa 2-0-11-0; S K Sharma 5-0-40-2; Ravi Kant 5-0-22-3; Virinder Malhotra 4-0-28-2. VCC Ramesh b Kewal(s) 9 Shiv c Suraj Parkash b Gopal 1 B K Wantoo c Sudershan b Gopal 2 Ravi Kant c & b Madhu 20 Des Rattan c Suraj b Kewal (j) 0 Satwant Singh b Kewal (s) 1 Pankaj Dutta run out 22 Sharat c Kewal b S Kumar 6 Vishwa c Gopal b Madhu 14 Virinder Malhotra not out 13 S K Sharma b Madhu 5 Extras: 32 Total (all out in 21.3 overs) 125 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-8, 3-29, 4-29, 5-33, 6-41, 7-69, 8-74, 9-112, 10-125. Bowling: Jasbir Singh 4-0-1-0; Gopal 5-0-37-2; Kewal Singh 3-0-18-3; Madhu 4.3-35-2; S Kumar 5-0-25-1. |
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Unlucky day for India at Dubai Open Chess DUBAI, May 4: It was an unlucky day for India at the Dubai Open Chess Championship as both Chandrasekar Gokhale and Visweswaran Kameswaran went down to Elmer Magerrmov of Azerbaijan and Grandmaster Sergey Dolmatov of Russia in their respective matches late last night. Both the Indians had a poor run as they were unable to take any advantage from the opening phase. Visweswaran went for a tactical battle against Dolmatov. The Russian grandmaster, recovering from a dismal start, crushed Viswesh with a novel idea. Dolmatov advanced his pawn to sixth rank, that put a wedge in black’s forces. Viswesh had to give up the bishop pair and despite his active counter in the centre, Dolmatov played brilliantly to pocket the point in 28 moves. Viswesh made a positional blunder when he allowed his opponent to advance his pawn to the sixth rank. A blockade of that square by his bishop would have kept dynamic balance in the complex middle game. Gokhale was unable to complete the regular development of his pieces in a bogo Indian defence against Magerrmov. The Azerbaijan grandmaster, resident coach of the hosts, excelled in simple positions. Gokhale played into his oppnent’s strong points and was outmaneuvered. Gokhale lost a pawn in queen side and his efforts to drum up counter play went in vain against deft defence. Magerrmov was delighted with his positional victory. He mishandled the opening and his queen side got stuck. Magerrmov was, however, all praise for Gokhale, the youngster from Pune. "Both Indian players (Gokhale and Visweswaran) are talented and need more experience in such unique events", he said. Grandmasters Alexander Nenashev of Uzbekistan and Andrei Kharlov of Russia emerged as joint leaders at the top of the table with 4.5 points at the end of the fifth round of the championship. Nenashev defeated grandmaster Arkhipov Sergey of Russia in a close match while Kharlov outpaced grandmaster Alexey Kuzmin, also of Russia. Defending champion Vladimir Akopian, Evegny Ermenkov (Bulgaria) Anastasian Ashot (Armenia) and Pavel Kostur (Russia) are trailing the leaders by half a point. (UNI) Judge named to head Cronje inquiry JOHANNESBURG, May 4: South African judge, Justice Edwin King, is to head the inquiry into the Hansie Cronje affair which will start hearing evidence today. Sports Minister NcGonde Balfour and Justice Minister Penuell Maduna told a news conference on Thursday the inquiry would last one month and June 30 had been set as the date for publication of the inquiry’s report. Cronje was sacked as South African captain last month after admitting he had not been "entirely honest" in his denials of match-fixing. He said he had accepted money from a bookmaker during a one-day series with Zimbabwe and England. The Inquiry Commission will be based at the Ministry of Justice offices in Pretoria. Copies of its final report will be given to the Ministries of Justice and Sport, the president of the Republic Thabo Mbeki, the United Cricket Board of South Africa and the game’s ruling body, the ICC. The Commission will be totally independent of the UCBSA and its hearings will be held in public, although king will have the discretion to decide whether evidence can be heard in camera. Shamila Batohi, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in Kwazulu Natal, will be in charge of gathering leading evidence for the inquiry. Batohi and king will be the "front line" of the Commission which will have a maximum of five people. (REUTERS) |
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