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| Angry Graveney
reports Gavaskar to the ICC LONDON, Dec 29: Infuriated by the ‘boring’ tag pasted on the english side by Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, David Graveney, chairman of selectors of England team, has sent a strongly worded letter to the International Cricket Council............more Laxman to make up for HYDERABAD, Dec 29: Star batsman V V S Laxman today admitted he was worried about his performance and consistency after he underwent a knee operation in August this year but was keen to make up for it in the coming season.......more Muralitharan puts Lanka COLOMBO, Dec 29: Spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan boosted Sri Lanka’s hopes of maintaining their winning streak grabbing six wickets in the first cricket test against Zimbabwe here today. Sri Lanka, seeking their seventh win in eight tests since August, dismissed Zimbabwe for 184 to gain a 402-run lead after having posted 586-6 declared..............more Saini, Tirkey among 26 NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Experienced Olympians Dilip Tirkey and Baljit Singh Saini, out of the national squad.......more |
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Champion Club defeat Roller Athlete Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 29: Champion Club today defeated Roller Athlete in the hockey match of the on-going 16th State Roller......more 47th
National School Games Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 29: Defending Champion Assam has once again reached the final to take on the same opponent Punjab in Football in the 47th National.......more DYSS all
set to host National Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 29: After the successful conduct of the Football competitions in part-I, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports....more Circular
to ensure Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 29: To ensure the participation of the private educational institutions in regular sports activities.....more |
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Angry Graveney reports Gavaskar to the ICC LONDON, Dec 29: Infuriated by the ‘boring’ tag pasted on the english side by Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, David Graveney, chairman of selectors of England team, has sent a strongly worded letter to the International Cricket Council. Besides complaining about Gavaskar’s remarks on the performance of the english side during the recent three-test series against India, graveney in his letter to ICC chief Malcolm Speed, also warned that "if he carries on like that, he will not be greeted with too much co-operation." Gavaskar, chairman of ICC’s cricket playing committee, accused Nasser Hussain’s side of turning fans away from cricket with "boring" play, "good only for people suffering from Insomnia". An apparently peeved Graveney said, "it is not as if it is the first time this has happened. Sunil has been launching salvos at us all tour’’. "They are unfounded and I don’t think many of the people who watched the series would agree with his comments.... He must have been watching a different series from me. I am conscientious and responsible enough not to go and sound off in that manner," he said. While accepting that Gavaskar was free to express his opinion, Graveney said, "you can accept those remarks from someone in the media but coming from a person in his position, they are highly inappropriate. It is a free world, but you can not expect to have your cake and eat it too". (PTI) |
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Laxman to make up for lack in consistency HYDERABAD, Dec 29: Star batsman V V S Laxman today admitted he was worried about his performance and consistency after he underwent a knee operation in August this year but was keen to make up for it in the coming season. "I have been getting the starts scoring in the 20s and 30s but I have not been able to capitalise on these... I could have done better’’. "It is not as if I failed but I think I could have done better and I think I will have to make it up this year," the 26-year-old right-hander told PTI here today. After that stupendous record-breaking 281 in the Kolkata test against Australia, Laxman failed to rework that magic and became almost too predictable by coming to the crease, hitting a couple of lusty shots and then being dismissed to careless ones. Laxman did score a masterly 89 in the second test at port Elizabeth against South Africa and 77 in Ahmedabad test against England but that is about all. However, it should not be a problem for Laxman to make up for the lost opportunities as form and fitness are no problems for him. "I have been in good form and am fit.... I am looking forward to good cricket and scores in the new year. Starting with the challengers of cricket to come and I hope to notch up good scores," he said. Laxman said he enjoyed the advantage of getting into the mould of test as well as one-day cricket with ease as "I am a stroke player and any form of the game is same to me. There need not be much of a difference in playing style in a test match or a one-dayer." (PTI) |
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Muralitharan puts Lanka in winning position COLOMBO, Dec 29: Spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan boosted Sri Lanka’s hopes of maintaining their winning streak grabbing six wickets in the first cricket test against Zimbabwe here today. Sri Lanka, seeking their seventh win in eight tests since August, dismissed Zimbabwe for 184 to gain a 402-run lead after having posted 586-6 declared in their first innings. The tourists were 64-2 at stumps in their second innings on the third day after being asked to follow on, with skipper Stuart Carlisle batting on 22. They now face a stiff task of saving the test when play resumes on Monday after rest day tomorrow. None of the Zimbabwean batsmen could solve the Muralitharan puzzle as the Sri Lankan spinner kept a testing line and length to finish with 4-53 in the first innings and 2-1 in the second. Muralitharan tasted success early in the morning when he accounted for Trevor Gripper and then continued to haunt the tourists, removing Hamilton Masakadza (28) and Gripper (10) in his last 8-over spell of the day which fetced him seven maidens and two wickets while conceding just one run. Zimbabwe faltered against pace also, with left-arm seamers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa sharing four wickets in the first innings to provide valuable support to Muralitharan. Andy Flower was the top-scorer with 42 in a dismal batting performance by the tourists against the hosts’ disciplined pace-spin combination. He alone offered some resistance to the home team with his defensive batting before being bowled by off-spinner Thilan Samaraweera in the post-lunch session. Gripper (30) and Gavin Rennie (35) also failed to play big knocks after having spent more than an hour at the crease as the Sri Lankan bowlers continued to strike at regular intervals. The highest stand of the innings was 41 between Andy Flower and Craig Wishart (21) for the sixth wicket. Sri Lanka kept the pressure on the tourists from the beginning, with Muralitharan taking two wickets and Vaas one in the morning session. Muralitharan struck in his opening spell when he had gripper caught by Mahela Jayawardene in the slips after the tourists had resumed at 14-1. Rennie fell in the closing overs of the morning session, adjudged leg-before after hitting five boundaries in his 68-ball 35. Vaas, who had taken 14 wickets in the third test against the West Indies here early this month, got an early wicket when he had Carlisle (10) caught by Sanath Jayasuriya in the slips. (AFP) |
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Saini,
Tirkey among 26 probables for NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Experienced Olympians Dilip Tirkey and Baljit Singh Saini, out of the national squad due to injuries, are among the 26 probables shortlisted by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) for the three week coaching camp to be held in Chennai in preparation for the 10th World Cup. The camp at Chennai is slated from January 4 to 25. The World Cup is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from February 24 to March nine next year. The probable’s list which is a judicious mix of juniors and seniors also includes the versatile and experienced forward Dhanraj Pillay. He has already played in the last three editions of the World Cup. Half back Saini and full back Tirkey were not included in the team for the Champions Challenge Cup which India won at Kuala Lumpur to qualify for the next year’s champions trophy. The probables: Goal keepers: Jude Menezes (BPCL), Devesh Chauhan (IOC), Kamaldeep Singh (AI). Full backs : Dilip Tirkey, Lazrus Barla (IA), Kanwalpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh (PP), Dinesh Nayak (TN). Halves : Baljit Singh Saini (PSB), Arjun Halappa (Kar), Bimal Lakra (IA) Ignace Tirkey (Ser), S S Gill, Bipin Fernandez (BPCL), Vikram Pillai, Viren Rasquinha (AI) S Thirumalvalavan (TN). Forwards : Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur, Sabu Verkey (BPCL), Prabhjot Singh, Tejbir Singh, Inderjit Singh (IOC), Daljit Dhillon, Baljit Singh Dhillon (PP) and Dhanraj Pillay (Mumbai). Chief coach : Cedric D’souza, asst coach: C R Kumar. Psychologist :J P S Sidhu, trainer cum video technician: Saju Joseph. Physio-cum-doctor: Dr B M Parathasarthy. (UNI) |
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Champion Club defeat Roller Athlete Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 29: Champion Club today defeated Roller Athlete in the hockey match of the on-going 16th State Roller Skating Championship organised by the Amateur Roller Skating Association of Jammu and Kashmir. For Champion’s Club, Vikash scored four goals and Ankur made 2 goals while for Rollar Athlete Sourab made 2 goals while Aryavir and Ritesh scored one goal each. In the Rink Race-I (Time Trials) Boys 8-10 years, Mir Danyal, first, Vikramjit Singh, second and Rachit Mehta, third. In RR-I Boys (12-14 years), Myank Jandial, first, Dikshit Vaid, second and in RR-II Boys (12-14 years)m Myank Jandial, first and Akshit Vaid, second. In RR-II (Below 7 years girls), Ananya Khajura, first, Rupakshi Gupta, second and Archita Mahajan, third and in RR-II (Below 6 years Boys) Hiteshwar Singh, first, Aaneque Moughal, second and Kuvam Mehta, third. In Girls RR-II (8-10 years), Veerta Singh Slathia, first, Aakriti Mahajan, second and Mridhu, third and in RR-II (10-12 years boys), Vinal Sharma, first, Aditya Mahajan, second and Kashish Sharma, third. In junior hockey, Little Club defeated YRCC by 4-2. In figure skating (below 10 years girls), Veerta SIngh, first, Aakriti Mahajan, second and Mridhu Gupta, third. In Figure Skating (Above 10 years girls), Sukriti Abrol, first and in Figure Skating (below 10 years boys), Rachit Mehta, first, Pranav Gupta, second and Satrik Sharma, third. In Figure Skating (above 10 years for boys), Akshit Vaid, first, Vinal Sharma, second. In obstacle race (below 6 years boys), Aderath Kapoor, first, Rishab Langer, second and Anil Mughal and Eshan Sharma, third. |
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47th National School
Games Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 29: Defending Champion Assam has once again reached the final to take on the same opponent Punjab in Football in the 47th National Games to defend the title at Mini-Stadium, Parade, here tomorrow. However, before reaching the final, Assam were given a tough fight by Gujarat. Gujarat dominated the field throughout, but hard luck came their way when Assam forward struck in the dying minute to make it a 1-0 victory. In the second semi-finals, Punjab defeated Delhi by two goals to nil. Both the goals for the winners were scored by Sukhwinder Singh in the 29th and 48th minutes of the match. Now, the final will be played tomorrow at 11.30 at Mini-Stadium, Parade, which will be followed by the prize distribution function. The losers in the semi-finals, Gujarat and Delhi, will be fighting for the third place tomorrow. Earlier, in the quarter-finals, Gujarat defeated Maharashtra by a solitary goal. The only goal was scored by Harvinder Singh in the 42nd minute of the match. In the second quarter-final encounter, Assam outplayed KVS 4-0. Delhi reached the semi-finals position beating West Bengal by a solitary goal which came in the extra time. Anuj had netted the ball. In the fourth quarterfinal of the day, Punjab downed Chatisgarh 5-1 to reach last four stage. In the final, which will be played at Mini-Stadium, Parade the Minister for Education will be the chief guest, who will declare the Football competitions closed by giving away the winners and runners-up trophies, besides the certificates to other participants. |
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DYSS all set to host National Games in Korfball, Softball Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 29: After the successful conduct of the Football competitions in part-I, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K is all set to host National School Games (under-19) in two more events of Korfball and Softball in both boys and girls sections at different venues here. The competitions in the twin disciplines of Korfball and Softball will be held from January 2 to 7 at University of Jammu grounds, Green Fields ground and Girls High School, Gandhi Nagar, here. This was disclosed by the Director, Youth Services and Sports, Syed Asgar Ali, the organising secretary of the Games, while talking to newsmen here this afternoon. No doubt, barring football, the two events of Korfball and Softball are not part of the regular activities of the department, but as assigned by the School Games Federation of India, it became obligatory for the State to hold competitions in these two events, he said. However, the State has already won medals in these events by finishing runners-up in Korfball and Softball (boys) last year, informed the Director, who added that, in 1998, when the game of Softball was introduced in the School Nationals, J&K team was host and had won gold medal in boys section. Reviewing the previous performance and the preparations at home, the Director was hopeful that J&K will emerge winner in both the events this time. Expressing his thanks to the participating states for sending their entries for the participation despite the tension on the borders, the organising secretary said, "we have made elaborate arrangements for the comfortable stay of the visiting guests (teams) at two different venues, Youth Hostel Nagrota and at Gandhi Nagar. At both these places the contingents will be provided with quality food and appropriate bedding during their week-long stay. In all, about 22 teams are expected to participate in Softball (boys and girls), whereas 12 to 14 teams will arrive in Jammu for Korfball competitions. The inaugural function will be held at University of Jammu on January 2, wherein Principal Secretary, Education Department, Vijay Bakaya will be the chief guest, who will declare open the tournament. In the meanwhile, the Director informed that a sports magazine depicting various activities of the department will be launched on the concluding function by the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah on January 7. Earlier, Assistant Director, Ashok Kumar, provided information regarding various committees set-up for the successful conduct of the two championships. These committees are being led by Mrs Gulshan Ara, District officer, Srinagar (Reception), Mr P C Kotwal, Assistant Director (Transport), Mr K K Sharma, Deputy Director (Accommodation and Food), Syed Ahmed Wani, Divisional Officer, Kashmir (office committee), Mrs Veena Bakshi, Divisional Officer, Jammu (ceremonial committee), Mr Madan Lal, Assistant Director (Medical committee), Mr Ashok Kumar, Assistant Director (press and publicity). Others present on the occasion were the Deputy Director, K K Sharma, Divisional Youth Services and Sports Officer, Veena Bakshi and other officers of the directorate, besides the district officers. |
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| Circular to ensure pvt schools
participation soon: Director Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 29: To ensure the participation of the private educational institutions in regular sports activities of the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, the State Education Department has planned to issue a circular making it mandatory for these schools to deposit their share of sports fund in the central pool. By depositing their share in the central pool (where Government schools are already making their contribution) the private institutions will be in a position to participate in the various state and national level competitions being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports. This was disclosed by the Director, Youth Services and Sports, Syed Asgar Ali, who was interacting with the newsmen, here today. He said up till now, a few private schools are depositing the 50 per cent of their sports fund to the department, while others are running away, thereby depriving the students of competitions at the school, district, province and state level, besides in the school national games. Hoping for a positive action, Director said, "if the circular is implemented and the private schools’ participation is ensured, there will be sports revolution in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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