|
|
Ganguly denies CHENNAI, July 16: Indian cricket captain Saurav Ganguly today denied media reports on Sachin Tendulkar missing the Sri Lankan tour for reasons ..............more MOSCOW, July 16: Belgian surgeon Jacques Rogge stepped into the most powerful post in world sport here today when he was elected president of the International Olympic Committee. .........more World
Junior Women MUMBAI, July 16: India’s national champion Joshna Chinappa and Vaidehi Reddy recorded easy wins on the opening day of the Ninth World Junior Women’s Squash Championships at Penang, Malaysia yesterday. .....more South
African Godwin NEWPORT, (United States), July 16: South Africa’s Neville Godwin defeated Britain’s Martin Lee 6-1 6-4 in the final of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championship. ......more |
|
J&K to host one Ranji Trophy tie By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, July 16: Jammu and Kashmir will host one Ranji Trophy tie at the M A Stadium, here. In the only tie to be held on November 18 to 21........more Ajay
Jasrotia memorial Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 16: Scheduled for July 13, the 3rd Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Memorial day-night Cricket Tournament has been postponed ......more LeT denies KARACHI, July 16: Pakistan-based Kashmiri militant organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba today denied .....more LeT denies KARACHI, July 16: Pakistan-based Kashmiri militant organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba today denied ......more |
 |
|
Ganguly denies media reports on Sachin CHENNAI, July 16: Indian cricket captain Saurav Ganguly today denied media reports on Sachin Tendulkar missing the Sri Lankan tour for reasons other than the "foot injury" saying that the master blaster will get fit and assist India in the last two matches in the coming Tri-nation series there. Adderessing a press conference here before the team’s departure to Colombo for the series, Ganguly said "Tendulkar is a great player. Injuries happen in cricket. We have not decided any game plan as yet. I met coach John Wright just now and we will have to sit in Colombo and decide after seeing the conditions. So, it is difficult for me to say from here as to what is going to happen". On Tendulkar’s absence, he said "obviously, we will miss Sachin but it is good that he will be playing the last two one day matches and specially, the final, if we qualify". Asked why the team management did not disclose Tendulkar’s injury in Zimbabwe itself, Ganguly said "I thought there is no point in making a hue and cry about somebody, who is scoring a hundred, having an injury." "We know he has a bit of pain before the final but if a player of his calibre says that he is going to go through it with pain, we cannot object to it. He played the last game with pain," Ganguly said. Ganguly said "when somebody is a match winner for you and has done great deeds for India in the past, we got to take his word. It is not a broken bone or dislocation of shoulder or ankle, it was just a bruise which was giving him pain. It was a final and he is a big strength to the team. Obviously, any captain or coach or selector will just carry on with that". As for the coming tour, Ganguly said "it is going to be a bit of a hard tour. Sri Lanka are a good side back home. New Zealand is also a good one day side and have won the ICC Mini World Cup. They have not played their best after that in limited overs game but still they are a good and strong squad." Ganguly said he was not under any pressure though he faced a threat on his life from Lashker-e-Toiba. On the possibility of cricketing ties improving between India and Pakistan after the ‘Agra summit’, Ganguly said "that is not for me to decide or say anything. We are on a tough tour to Sri Lanka and we are worried about that. Rest is upto the respective governments and respective cricket boards. Asked whether he was unhappy with the lack of full fledged opener for the series and left handers assisting the team, Ganguly said "we have picked Amay Khuresia. It did not matter whether it is a right hander or a left hander. One need to see the ability of a player. That is what matters in selection", he added. Ganguly said it was difficult for Khuresia to get a berth in the team when he himself (Ganguly) and Tendulkar were scoring runs. "Khuresia had been playing well in the domestic cricket in India. He played the challenger series and batted very well like on his debut against Sri Lanka. Coach (John Wright) and myself regard Khuresia as a strong opener in one day games", he said. "We must have guys who have technique to play the new ball. I know (Sadgopan) Ramesh and (Shiv Sunder) Das are good in test cricket but I have a lot of confidence in Khuresia." On India failing under pressure in finals, the captain said "I do not have an answer for that. I do not know the reason. But the fact is that we lost four out of five finals in the last seven to eight months. We are still learning how to play under pressure to win final games". Ganguly said the condition in Sri Lanka was going to be different. "When we tour England, Australia and South Africa, the ball does its bit around initially." Ganguly said it was difficult for Khuresia to get a berth in the team when he himself (Ganguly) and Tendulkar were scoring runs. "Khuresia had been playing well in the domestic cricket in India. He played the Challenger series and batted very well like on his debut against Sri Lanka. Coach (John Wright) and myself regard Khuresia as a strong opener in one day games", he said. "We must have guys who have technique to play the new ball. I know (Sadgopan) Ramesh and (Shiv Sunder) Das are good in test cricket but I have a lot of confidence in Khuresia." On India failing under pressure in finals, the captain said "I do not have an answer for that. I do not know the reason. But the fact is that we lost four out of five finals in the last seven to eight months. We are still learning how to play under pressure to win final games". Ganguly said the conditions in Sri Lanka were going to be different. "When we tour England, Australia and South Africa, the ball does its bit around initially." (PTI) |
|
|
MOSCOW, July 16: Belgian surgeon Jacques Rogge stepped into the most powerful post in world sport here today when he was elected president of the International Olympic Committee. The 59-year-old Rogge replaces Juan Antonio Samaranch who stands down after 21 years in charge. Rogge won the five-horse election battle in the second round, beating South Korea’s Kim Un-Yong, IOC marketing supremo Dick Pound, Anita Defrantz and Pal Schmitt. Defrantz, the most powerful woman in IOC, went out in the first round. Although first vice-president, the American was considered by many members as too lightweight. It was a crushing victory for the former Olympic Yachtsman who takes control immediately. On earning victory rogge thanked Olympic delegates for putting their faith in him. "What I will say will come from my heart and I thank them for showing confidence and electing me," rogge said. "I promise I will work very hard for the future of IOC and the Olympic movement," said Rogge, who also praised his four rivals. "My second thoughts are for my four fellow competitors who have fought a long, hard and dignified campaign," he said. "I will definitely want to work very closely with them because they have so much talent," he said. Rogge went into today’s vote as firm favourite, aided by a powerful European-base. Kim, his main rival, saw his support slipping away in the final hours before the election, as the Rogge camp made its final push. According to IOC sources, the 80-year-old Samaranch spoke to several powerful members to swing them towards rogge. "Samaranch sees rogge as the best man to take the movement forward. He sees him as a safe pair of hands," said one source. Shortly before the vote, Rogge made it clear what challenges faced him as president. "We know how to organise sports and the games, we know how to raise money, we know how to redistribute money. But tomorrow if we want to remain an important social force, sport must be credible for public opinion and for society. That means we have to do more in terms of doping, we have to clean up sport from every source of corruption and we have to give a more human face to sport than it has today," he stressed. The unflappable rogge has had a meteoric rise in IOC -taking the top spot after only 10 years in the movement. His bid has been helped by the success of the Sydney games, hailed the best ever. Rogge, a former world champion Yachtsman who also represented Belgium at Rugby, was IOC pointman in the organisation. He also speaks five languages. Rogge’s victory keeps europe as the powerbase within IOC. Every president bar one, American Avery Brundage, has come from Europe. (AFP) |
|
World
Junior Women Squash Champ MUMBAI, July 16: India’s national champion Joshna Chinappa and Vaidehi Reddy recorded easy wins on the opening day of the Ninth World Junior Women’s Squash Championships at Penang, Malaysia yesterday. Chennai-based players, Joshna and Vaidehi, beat Catherine Mcleod of Australia and Delia Arnold of Malaysia respectively to move into the second round, according to information received here today. Fourteen-year-old Joshna crushed 16-year-old Catherine 9-0 9-4 9-5 in just 23 minutes while Vaidehi pipped another 16-year-old, Delia Arnold 9-0 9-5 7-9 9-3 in 27 minutes. Mumbai-based Supriya Balsekar got a walkover in the first round as her opponent Tan Pei Qi of China pulled out of the championship with injury and will now play Frances Ho of Hong Kong in the second round. The two other Indians who were in action on the first day were unimpressive. Chennai-based Divya Rajan lost in the first round to Teng Ooi Ean of Malaysia 0-9 1-9 1-9 while Mumbai-based Rachita Vora went down to second seed Jaclyn Hawkes of New Zealand 5-9 2-9 5-9 in 23 minutes. (PTI) |
|
South African Godwin wins first tennis title NEWPORT, (United States), July 16: South Africa’s Neville Godwin defeated Britain’s Martin Lee 6-1 6-4 in the final of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championship. Godwin, who had beaten his english opponent in their only previous meeting, eased to a 5-0 lead before taking the first set in just 29 minutes yesterday. The South African’s ground strokes and effective serve-and-volley game proved too much for Lee, who often appeared off balance when attempting his returns. In the second set, Godwin broke Lee in the third game for a 2-1 lead, and moved 5-2 ahead following a number of unforced errors from the englishman in game seven. Lee rallied with a break of his own and then held serve to make it 5-4, but it proved too late as Godwin comfortably served out the match for his first ATP title. "This was my first career win, so it had to be special — it was a long time coming," said the 26-year-old Godwin. "Grass is a good surface for me." Lee felt less comfortable in what is the ATP’s only Grasscourt Tournament in the U S. "It’s not my favourite surface because I’m forced to serve and volley," said 23-year-old Lee. "I like to play back. The passing shot is the best shot in my game and it wasn’t working for me today." (REUTERS) |
|
J&K to host one Ranji Trophy tie By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, July 16: Jammu and Kashmir will host one Ranji Trophy tie at the M A Stadium, here. In the only tie to be held on November 18 to 21, host Jammu and Kashmir will take on Punjab. Otherwise, J&K will play its first Ranji Trophy match against Haryana in Haryana from November 1 to 4. Besides, J&K will also host a number of matches in other age groups of U-22, U-19, U-16 and U-16. All these tournaments are going to start from the last week of October this year. Giving details to this Correspondent, Desh Rattan, who represented the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association in the meeting which finalised the fixtures for this year’s domestic cricket in North Zone, informed that it was for the first time that a limited overs match will be held in the Cooch Behar (U-19) group prior to the three-day competitions. Besides Desh Rattan, the meeting was also attended by Ranbir Singh Mahendera (Haryana), Sunil Dev (Delhi), M P Pandov (Punjab) and R R Rohi (Himachal Pradesh) at Chail in Himachal Pradesh. Another change made this year in the playing rules was that a player taking part in the Ranji Trophy cannot play in any other age group, Desh Rattan said and added that Punjab will host all the Ranji one-dayers this season, which were last year held in Delhi. After the end of the one-dayers, Deodhar Trophy matches will be held in different venues in the North Zone from February 20 onwards. As per the fixture, the host Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association will also face difficulties in holding the competitions due to clash in dates, because JKCA has only international standard venue in Jammu that too belonging to the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council. fixture RANJI TROPHY Date Venue Haryana V/s J&K November 1 to 4 Haryana HP V/s J&K November 7 to 10 HP J&K V/s Punjab November 18 to 21 J&K Delhi V/s J&K November 24 to 27 Delhi Services V/s J&K November 30 to Dec 3 Delhi C K NAIDU (U-22) Punjab V/s J&K November 24 to 26 Punjab Haryana V/s J&K November 29 to Dec 1 Haryana HP V/s J&K December 4 to 6 J&K Delhi V/s J&K December 18 to 20 Delhi Cooch Behar (U-19) Punjab V/s J&K October 22 to 25 J&K Haryana V/s J&K November 2 to 5 Haryana Delhi V/s J&K November 7 to 10 Delhi HP V/s J&K November 16 to 19 J&K Vijay Merchant (U-16) Punjab V/s J&K November 20 to 22 J&K Haryana V/s J&K November 25 to 27 J&K Delhi V/s J&K November 20 to Dec 2 Delhi J&K V/s HP December 19 to 21 HP Under-14 Punjab V/s J&K October 23 to 25 J&K Haryana V/s J&K October 28 to 30 J&K Delhi V/s J&K November 1 to 3 Delhi J&K V/s HP November 10 to 12 HP |
|
Ajay Jasrotia memorial
cricket tourney Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 16: Scheduled for July 13, the 3rd Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Memorial day-night Cricket Tournament has been postponed and now will start from July 20 at Vikas Nagar, Sarwal, here. The tournament, which is being organised by the Chib Cricket Club, will be played with Cosco ball. The winner in this tournament will get a cash award of Rs 10,000, while the runners-up will be given Rs 3,000 cash prize. A handout issued here today said that the entries are still be received and the same can be submitted at Chib Saw Mills, Subash Nagar and Mahadev Automobiles, Vikas Nagar. |
|
LeT denies threatening Ganguly, Sachin KARACHI, July 16: Pakistan-based Kashmiri militant organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba today denied ever threatening Indian captain Saurav Ganguly, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and hockey star Dhanraj Pillay. There had been reports in the Indian media, quoting police and intelligence sources, earlier this month which said Lashkar had threatened to kidnap Ganguly, Tendulkar and Pillay to bargain for political demands. "We have nothing against Ganguly, Tendulkar or for that matter any civilian," Lashkar spokesman Abdullah Muntazir told AFP. Following reports of the threat, security was beefed up around Ganguly and Pillay refused to join the Indian hockey team’s camp set up in Jammu in Kashmir. (AFP) |
|
LeT denies threatening Ganguly, Sachin KARACHI, July 16: Pakistan-based Kashmiri militant organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba today denied ever threatening Indian captain Saurav Ganguly, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and hockey star Dhanraj Pillay. There had been reports in the Indian media, quoting police and intelligence sources, earlier this month which said Lashkar had threatened to kidnap Ganguly, Tendulkar and Pillay to bargain for political demands. "We have nothing against Ganguly, Tendulkar or for that matter any civilian," Lashkar spokesman Abdullah Muntazir told AFP. Following reports of the threat, security was beefed up around Ganguly and Pillay refused to join the Indian hockey team’s camp set up in Jammu in Kashmir. (AFP) to play hard", Indian cricket captain Saurav Ganguly said today before the team’s departure to Sri Lanka for the Triangular series. Addressing a press conference here, Ganguly said the team would miss Sachin Tendulkar. But an injury to a player was part of the game, he said. "However, it will be good if Tendulkar joins us later on the tour", he added. Ganguly also denied charges of drug abuse against some Indian cricketers. Former manager Chetan Chauhan had already issued a statement in this regard, he pointed out. The Indian team, which would take on New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the Tri-series, will later play Sri Lanka in a three test series. The team is scheduled to leave Colombo from here at 12-30 hrs today. Asked why Tendulkar’s injury was not known even to the cricket board, Ganguly said "it was not a serious injury. There was no broken bone, it was just a bad bruise." There was no no point in making a hue and cry about it as Tendulkar was playing well inspite of it. He also got a hundred, Ganguly averred. "No", Ganguly said emphatically when asked if he was under any pressure following the threat from the extremist organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba. Asked why the team was keeping its option open for the inexperienced Amay Khurasiya, the opening batsman, Ganguly said "Amay could not get an opportunity earlier despite his commendable form in domestic cricket. Both I and John Wright have confidence in him. He is an attacking batsman and that’s important in one day cricket", Ganguly said. When pointed out that India seemed to be failing in crunch situations, he said "I don’t have an answer for this. It means we have to learn to play under pressure." The following is the Indian squad: Saurav Ganguly (Capt), Rahul Dravid (Vice Captain), V V S Laxman, Hemang Badani, Sameer Dhige (WK), Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Virender Shewag, Harbhajan Singh, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Ajit Agarkar, Debasis Mohanty, Rahul Sanghwi, Yuvraj Singh and Amay Khurasiya. (UNI) |
|
| home | state | national | business | editorial | advertisement | sports |
