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Navratilova recalls BERLIN, May 11: Martina Navratilova said she was having fun in Berlin despite her second round exit from the doubles competition of the German Open. But it was not always that way. Fifteen years ago at the same place she had tears in her eyes after the final, and it was not because she had lost to local hero Steffi Graf............more Pre-World Cup Football BANDAR SERI BAGAWAN (Brunei), May 11: It will be all mathematics and histrionics when India.............more Pollock relieved but won’t let it sink in till he’s home BRIDGETOWN (Barbados), May 11: South African captain Shaun Pollock is slowly coming to terms with his side’s one-day series victory against the.....more Afghan
cricket team loses PESHAWAR, May 11: A Taliban-sponsored cricket team from Afghanistan lost its opening match in Peshawar but scored many other points on the ....more |
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Ice-hockey rink at Leh, Kargil and Gulmarg contemplated Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 11: Government contemplates to set up three ice-hockey rinks.......more Mala Gaba
aims at By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, May 11: Current Chandigarh champion and national sixth seed...more Swimming
pool opening Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 11: As the previous practice is, the State’s only swimming pool.......more Mulkh
Raj Memorial Open Cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 11: Kishen Chand Cricket Club today entered the final of the ongoing.....more |
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Navratilova recalls Berlin tears BERLIN, May 11: Martina Navratilova said she was having fun in Berlin despite her second round exit from the doubles competition of the German Open. But it was not always that way. Fifteen years ago at the same place she had tears in her eyes after the final, and it was not because she had lost to local hero Steffi Graf. "I was crying, and everybody thought it was because I had lost to Steffi but it was not," she said yesterday. "It was because my family were only a few hundred km away in the Czech Republic and couldn’t be with me". "It was a depressing time with the Communist rule. I wasn’t comfortable here. It’s different today. Now I can really enjoy the city." Navratilova, who became a U S citizen in 1981, was born 44 years ago in Prague, in what was then Communist Czechoslovakia. After winning a record 167 titles, among them 18 Grand Slams including nine Wimbledon triumphs, she retired from singles competition in 1994. Competitive singles Last year she was back on the tour after a four-year absence, playing doubles in seven events including Wimbledon and the French and U S Opens. Those three Grand Slams are again on her agenda this year. Now teaming up with Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, who was once her rival in singles, she came to Berlin to prepare for the French Open starting on May 28. "I do it for fun but the ambition is to play as well as I possibly can," she said after a 6-3 6-3 defeat to Bulgaria’s Lubimora Bacheva and Swede Asa Carlsson. "I know I can play well in practice and the challenge is to do it in matches as well." "I wasn’t able to do that today but I think we’re among the top eight or top 10 pairs in the world. We were in the final in Amelia island not long ago and I believe we can win tournaments." Insisting she would never get caught playing competitive singles again, the former world number one said she had improved in some areas since her glory days. "I’ve lost pace on my serve but technically I’m a better player than I’ve ever been." Pleasing the crowds, she said, was one of the reasons why she kept on playing. "The audience enjoy watching doubles and enjoy watching me," she said. "I wish I could acknowledge them more by doing that Agassi thing and throwing kisses around but I can’t do it". "I would be embarrassed. It’s just not me." (REUTERS) |
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Pre-World
Cup Football BANDAR SERI BAGAWAN (Brunei), May 11: It will be all mathematics and histrionics when India clash with a low-on-confidence Brunei in a pre-World Cup Football qualifier here tomorrow. Mathematically India can still advance to the second round though there are a lot of ifs and buts involved weighing not in favour of India who are placed third with four points in the Asian Zone group 8 behind Leaders UAE and Yemen. While India will have to rely on providence for Yemen to hold UAE to a draw twice at least, they must fire their own resources to register not only a win against Brunei but a thumping one, if they intend to make history. However, it may be all over for India if UAE win their qualifier against Yemen later tonight. So what makes this match interesting despite all odds is that it will give Indian football a much-needed perk should the visitors win and a loss will indicate how much ground needs to be covered before India can make a mark in the sport. Brunei come into this match with memories they would want to erase as soon as possible - a 0-12 loss to UAE and a 0-5 loss to Yemen both at home. This should not call for complacency for India. In fact, they will have to be on their weak rival has nothing to lose and will go all out without any pressures. "Though Brunei started off badly, they have improved with each outing. We will not take them lightly....It will be a good match," skipper Baichung Bhutia told PTI. "Mathematically we can still qualify and we are all keeping our fingers crossed. We will put in hundred per cent on the field and hope for the best," he added. But even Bhutia knows he is hoping against hope as that mathematics requires bagging at least 17 goals from the match tomorrow and the last on May 20 at home against the same rival, provided again if Yemen hold UAE twice. Coach Sukhwinder Singh echoed Bhutia’s remarks and admitted everyone in the team was anxiously awaiting the outcome of the UAE-Yemen match. "But irrespective of whether we qualify or not our aim is to excel on the field tomorrow." He said the performance of the team had been remarkable uptil now and he hoped the boys would keep up the good show in the last two outings. "The team is fit and with Bhutia back in action I am expecting an inspired performance from the boys". Some defensive lapses had cost India dearly in the drawn match (3-3) against Yemen and the coach said this time around they would avoid repeating the same mistakes. "I am keeping my fingers crossed...With a little bit of luck and lots of hard work we can still make it to the next round," Sukhwinder, who was declared the Asian coach of the month last week, said. If India keep up this never-say-die attitude, certainly anything is possible as the group 8 competition has sprung a few surprises indeed. (PTI) |
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Pollock relieved but won’t let it sink in till he’s home BRIDGETOWN (Barbados), May 11: South African captain Shaun Pollock is slowly coming to terms with his side’s one-day series victory against the West Indies, but he doesn’t expect to appreciate it until he arrives home. "I’m very chuffed but it will probably really dawn on me when we get home," Pollock said yesterday. The South Africans clinched the seven match series 4-1 on Wednesday with a seven-wicket win, and in doing so became the first team to win both a test and one-day series in the Carribbean since the West Indies began playing one-day cricket there in 1976. "The greatest emotion is a huge sense of relief. We are tired after eleven weeks on the road and although we’ve enjoyed every island and every country, and had success on the field, we are looking forward to getting home," Pollock said. Coach Graham ford had no doubt the impact of the team’s success would only become apparent to them after they returned home. "It takes a long time for a success like this to sink in. It also takes a long time to be able to unwind and appreciate what the team has achieved because for the last eleven weeks we have been coiled up in a pretty tense routine," Ford said. "Having said that, I am absolutely thrilled and pleased for Shaun and the players because they deserve this success after the work they have put in." Pollock praised not only ford and his assistant, Corrie Van Zyl, but also singled out the contribution made by manager Goolam Raja for the success of the tour. Raja, accompanied by physiotherapist Craig Smith, spent two weeks touring the West Indies two weeks before the tour began to assess the logistics of a part of the world infamous for flight delays, lost luggage and poor practice facilities. "It’s very kind of Shaun to remember us all but the bottom line is what happens on the field and he is in charge of that," Ford said. "We had some problem times, we really did, but his leadership just became stronger and stronger". "Every time he needed to show leadership in times of difficulty, both on and off the field, he responded." Pollock said he was aware the team had played poorly in the fifth test match in Jamaica, after they had clinched the series in the fourth at Antigua, and would rotate players for the final two one day internationals. "We’ve been criticised for not rotating in the past but we will do so now. Fresh faces and fresh responsibilities will make sure we don’t go flat," Pollock said. The sixth one day match is in Trinidad on May 12 with the final match in St Vincent on May 16. (REUTERS) |
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Afghan cricket team loses match ... But wins points PESHAWAR, May 11: A Taliban-sponsored cricket team from Afghanistan lost its opening match in Peshawar but scored many other points on the field. All the Afghan players wore the Taliban-mandated beard - of a size seen on the cricket field almost a century after England’s legendary cricketer U G Grace. And the Afghans offered the noon prayers, an Islamic obligation enforced strictly by the Taliban at home. Their captain, Allah Dad Noori, had promised to offer the prayers during the match "even if we are fined". Fortunately for him the prayer time came during the lunch break. Cricket was not played in Afghanistan. Young Afghan refugees who grew up in cricket-crazy Pakistan took it there in recent years. "It is a wonderful gift from Pakistan," said captain Noori. He was confident that one day the Afghan team would be participating in the cricket World Cup - and winning it. Already the Cricket Federation of Afghanistan has applied for associate membership of the International Cricket Council. Noori expected the London-based council to consider the request next month. Observers said the puritanical Taliban appeared to be relaxing their attitude towards sports. Not only they sponsored the cricket team, they even allowed footballers to play in shorts. Pakistani football players whose heads were shaved on the field for committing that "indecency" during a tour of Afghanistan last year, were seen playing in shorts in Herat last week. (DPA) |
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Ice-hockey rink at Leh, Kargil and Gulmarg contemplated Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 11: Government contemplates to set up three ice-hockey rinks one each at Leh, Kargil and Gulmarg. Besides an Astro-Turf would also be constructed at Srinagar while flood lights would be installed at K.K. Hakhu Astro- Turf Stadium, Jammu in wake of high temperature particularly during summer season.This was stated by the Minister for Sports and Youth Services while inaugurating Scientific coaching programme camp at Bakshi Stadium yesterday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh informed that these decisions were taken during a high level meeting held at Delhi with Union Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Ms. Uma Bharati along with Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah while MP Vaid Vaishno Dutt also accompanied them. Addressing sports persons at the coaching camp the Minister said that this is one of a unique camp of its own type which will continue for an extensive period of 5 years thereby sharpening professional skill of the amateur players. The camp is aimed at bringing execellanec and promoting professionalism among the sports persons. For the same students under 14 category were aimed at, added Mr Singh. Deliberating on the need of physical education and sports, the Minister said that a part from developing physical and mental faculties sports also carries benefits like reservation in jobs and admission to professional institutes. He exhorted the parents to encourage their children to participate in various sports. This will help them in making mentally sharp and vigilant as would also help in taking quick decisions at the time of emergency, said Mr. Singh. The Minister also donated Rs 10,000 for the participants of the camp. Secretary Sports Council, Shiekh Fazal Ahmed presented a detailed resume of the activities being carried on by the State Government for the promotion of sports. He also informed that proposal to set up sports academies at Srinagar and Jammu for imparting specialized training to the budding sports persons are under active consideration of the Government. Present on the occasion include Mr G R Beigh, Prof Bashir Ahmed, Mr Ram Krishan Bhat and members of State Sports Council. |
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Mala Gaba aims at becoming international in Badminton By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, May 11: Current Chandigarh champion and national sixth seed in Sub-Junior, upcoming shuttler Mala Gaba has aimed at becoming the international figure in Badminton. Although, she was part of the Indian school team which won medal at Belgium in Sub-junior group, Mala has desired to be among the top national seeding in the senior group too. Mala who believes that strong will power and flexibility can win any thing in life, was of the opinion that the players in J&K might be lacking on that part, thus losing their fights in the last stages. However, she admitted that they (J&K) have upper hand in stamina and physique. A teenager Mala, who is a student of class XI, expressed her matured views while taking to EXCELSIOR on the concluding day of the three-day Ist Justice I K Kotwal Memorial North-Zone Invitational Badminton Tournament here two days back. Starting practice in 1993, Mala has got recognition in the North-zone with her recent victories in the open invitational tournaments held at Chandigarh and Delhi. With higher aims in mind, Gaba in reply to a question said, "one cannot excel in both education and game and at one stage one has to make choice between the two. I am ready to quit my studies for attaining new heights in the game, but my parents insist that both are equally important and I have to maintain balance". When asked about the standard of game of those she has played against, Mala said that both State champion Samarika Manhas and number two, Madhvi Jolly have a lot of scope and can make a place for themselves on the national scene. However she maintained that it will be only possible when they get exposure which can be possible only through such invitational tournaments. Explaining the features of the two upcoming teen-agers of the J&K, decent Mala Gaba said that Madhvi has a good height, whereas Samarika Manhas, besides being a lefty, has development a good stamina. So, both these budding Shuttlers can go to any extent provided they have strong will power and desire to become the champions. Samarika, who paired Mala Gaba in the Open North-zone Tournament in Panchkula last year and won first place in Junior doubles, also won the same title in Jammu. Now, both have decided to continue their pair for other open and Invitational tournaments also to improve their seedings. With having good playing conditions in Chandigarh, Mala expressed her unhappiness over the non-maintenance of the third court at the Indoor Complex, M A Stadium. She said two courts are not sufficient for practice. Comparing the North and South India, with regard to the infrastructure, she said, "game is not being taken as serious in Northern States, as in the South. In Southern States there are exclusive Badminton halls, which are open round the clock, enabling a player to come and practice at any point of time. But, in Chandigarh and J&K, the only Badminton halls have been made multi-purpose and being used for other events also, thus resulting into loss of consistency." The main reason for J&K’s loss at the hands of other states was the lack of facilities. In Chandigarh, Mala and other players practice with Yonex shuttle, while in Jammu the same shuttle is used for competitions only, which Mala too feels the reason for J&K’s poor show in nationals. It may be recalled that Mala Gaba had made a clean sweep in the recently concluded Ist Justice I K Kotwal Memorial North-zone Invitational Tournament taking away all the four titles Women’s single and doubles, Junior girls single and doubles. |
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Swimming pool opening
delayed Council fails to Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 11: As the previous practice is, the State’s only swimming pool in Jammu, run by the State Sports Council, could not be opened in time for the season. The Sports Officer, Jammu, Ajit Singh Wazir had, in a statement told EXCELSIOR that the swimming pool will be opened for the trainees ‘from May Ist’. The same statement was publically made by the Secretary of the Council in a function organised by the Volleyball association at the conference hall of the M A Stadium. But, the subordinate staff, responsible for the completion of work in time, seems to have disobeyed the orders of their superiors and caused delay in the completion of ground work. The authorities concerned took plea that some long pending repair works were going in the changing rooms and toilets resulting into delay. When contacted the Sports Officer, Jammu, Mr Ajit Singh assured that the swimming pool will be formally opened for the trainees on May 15. But as per the past experiences, the authorities will face the water shortage in filling the international standard pool with fresh water. It was quite evident from the ground realities that the manager of the pool may not be able to start the pool before June Ist. |
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Mulkh Raj Memorial
Open Cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 11: Kishen Chand Cricket Club today entered the final of the ongoing Ist Mulkh Raj Gupta Memorial Open Cricket Tournament beating Dogra Cricket Club by 54 runs in the first semi-finals here today. A superb 95 runs sixth wicket partnership between skipper Surinder and Anshuman played an important role in the KCCC victory. When Surinder and Anshuman took the charge, KCCC was struggling at 24 for the loss of four wickets in five overs. However, their contribution brought the score to a logical total of 162 for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 25 overs. Both these batsmen played patiently and set the score board moving with singles and doubles. Surinder scored 51 off just 45 deliveries including four boundaries, while Anshuman contributed 43 runs hitting two shots over the fence and two to the fence. Extras added 24 runs. Pranav was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 27 in five overs, while Harpreet, Akash Mahajan and Raman shared one each for Dogra Club. Batting second, Dogra Club bowled out for 109 in the 21 overs. Vinaik was the top scorer with 26 (off 22 balls, 3x4) on the board, while Ranjit Bali and Inderjeet Singh contributed 18 and 13 runs respectively. From KCCC, Raju and Raman claimed three wickets by giving away 21 and 34 runs respectively. Sameer and Manu shared two and one wicket respectively. Surinder was declared as man of the match for his brilliant batting. Kamal Sharma and Dimple were umpires in today’s match. Tomorrow’s fixture: Vishal Cricket Club V/s Kulbushan Handa Cricket Club at 7.30 am. |
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