Jaywant Lele

India to host ICC Knockout
World Cup cricket: Muthiah

UDHAGAMANDALAM, May 17: Indian Cricket Board today set at rest uncertainty over hosting of ICC Knock-out Tournament in September next year saying the event would be .......more

Indian team confident of
putting up good show: Arif

BANGALORE, May 17: With a clear-cut strategy in place, the Indian team is confident of putting up .......more

S Africans cuffed by
W Indies speed demon

KINGSTOWN, May 17: A devastating pace bowling display from Cameron Cuffy set up a consola.......more

Basketball open trials
for coaching camp

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Basketball Association has invited the Junior boys and girls for the trials for the coaching......more

Inter-school competitions
of Bhalwal zone end

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 17: Inter-school competitions of Bhalwal zone in the disciplines of Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Volleyball and Wrestling ended today at High .....more

3 J&K shuttlers selected
for India coaching camp

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 17: Three junior (13 to 16 yrs) shuttlers from Jammu and Kashmir, including two girls and a boy, have been selected for the All India Badminton coaching camp to be held in ......more

Results of cycle races

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 17: The Department of Youth Services and Sports, district Srinagar organised cycle race for boys and girls in different age groups from the last three days, here.........more

Scorpio Club wins
Gold’s cricket tourney

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 17: Scorpio Cricket Club defeated Tiger Club by 83 runs in the final of the Gold’s Club Cricket Tournament played at Sainik Colony,.....more

Mr Piara Singh, MLA, giving away Gold’s cricket trophy to Scorpio Cricket Club.

India to host ICC Knockout World Cup cricket: Muthiah

UDHAGAMANDALAM, May 17: Indian Cricket Board today set at rest uncertainty over hosting of ICC Knock-out Tournament in September next year saying the event would be on nothwithstanding reservations expressed its Secretary Jaywant Lele.

Overruling Lele’s statement that the Cricket Board was "not necessarily keen" on hosting the tournament next year, BCCI President A C Muthiah said today that India would certainly go ahead with it.

Muthiah said here "there is no hitch in India hosting the tournament. The Union Sports Ministry has cleared it and Sports Minister Uma Bharti has extended all support for the success of the ICC Knockout Tournament".

"We do not want to deny the best opportunity for the cricket loving public of India of witnessing players from all test playing countries of ICC in action," Muthiah told PTI.

International Cricket Council President Malcom Gray had on March 21 met the Union Ministers concerned and officials and was assured of all Governmental support.

The final decision on India hosting the 2002 ICC Knockout Tournament, better knock as the mini-world cup, will be taken in London on June 15.

Asked to comment on India playing Pakistan in any future tournament, Muthiah said "the Government’s letter clarified that there is no hitch in these two countries competing in multi-lateral tournaments".

Muthiah said the Government had clarified, in its letter dated May 10, that "India will continue to play Pakistan in multi-lateral tournaments at regular venues. Regarding bi-lateral contests between the countries, the Government after careful consideration has already decided that in the prevailing circumstances it would be inappropriate for the indian team to participate in a two-nation cricket tournament against Pakistan’.

He said "the Government has said it has no objection to the Indian team playing in ICC knock-out and World Cup and other ICC recognised tournaments despite the fact that certain matches in such tournaments may be played between India and Pakistan either in India or in Pakistan’.

Accordingly, the Government has considered all venues in test playing countries and venues recognised by ICC for one-day internationals such as Kenya as regular venues.

As for India’s participation in the coming Asia Cup to be hosted by Pakistan, Muthiah confirmed that India will be taking part in it. However, the programme for the Asia Cup would be decided at the meeting of the Asian Cricket Council in Lahore on May 24, he said.

On Lele’s statement that "he was not aware when and where a decision would be taken on the new sponsor for the Indian team," Muthiah said the Board had received offers about 45 per cent above the previous sponsorship of ITC and a decision would be taken by the BCCI marketing committee within two days. "The players will benefit immensely by the additional revenues since 60 per cent of the sponsorship money goes to the players," he said. (AGENCIES)

Indian team confident of putting up good show: Arif

BANGALORE, May 17: With a clear-cut strategy in place, the Indian team is confident of putting up a good performance in the upcoming Sudirman Cup World Badminton Championships, chief national coach S M Arif said today.

Arif told PTI he expected a tough fight from Hong Kong in the team championship to be held at Seville, Spain from May 28 to June 2.

"But somehow, I have a feeling that the way our players are showing progress (at the ongoing training camp here), we should be able to pull through," Arif said.

India, presently ranked 16th, is clubbed with Hong Kong, Austria and Wales in group 3-b, while Russia, Canada, Finland and Norway are in group 3-A.

For India to qualify to the higher group 2 for the 2003 championships, it not only has to head the group 3b but also beat the team heading the group 3A.

In its own group, India does not expect much challenge from Austria and Wales, Arif said, adding "if we beat Hong Kong to book a match against leader of group 3-a, we should qualify for the next grade" he said. He expects Russia or Canada to head groug 3a, who, he feels are not as strong as Hong Kong at present.

Arif said in the last edition, India lost narrowly to Ukraine in the final in the group match. "But this year we are expecting to pull through".

The coach said the team does not expect the newly-crowned all England champion, Pullela Gopichand, to support them in doubles and mixed doubles.

"We want to keep him away from doubles as far as possible. Only in case of dire need, we might ask him to play a match or so — probably against Hong Kong. A match a day, that too against not very highly placed players which will not be difficult for him to manage," he said.

Arif said with top shuttler Aparna Popat not playing in the championships because of her exams, the morale of the team has been affected but he expects Manjusha Kanwar to "compensate" to a large extent.

"We are banking on Manjusha. She is a good player and has experience. We want her to shoulder the responsibility in singles," he said but conceded "Manjusha could not replace Aparna 100 per cent".

In the Open World Championships to be held at the same venue from June 3 to 6, Arif said, he expects Gopichand, who is world number five at present, to win the world title.

"Gopi is an intelligent and experienced player. He makes changes during the game which is very important," he said but hastened to add that there is not much difference among the world’s top ten players. "He (Gopichand) will be able to beat anybody. But then anybody (in top ten) can beat anybody".

He indicated that for the women’s doubles in the team championships, national doubles champions Jwala and Shruti would be fielded. "But we have other pair — Madhumita Bisht and P V V Laxmi — also ready. We are keeping our options open".

Three pairs involving Chetan Anand, V Diju, Markose Bristow, Laxmi, Jwala and Shruti are being readied for the mixed doubles, Arif added.

The training camp at the Karnataka Badminton Association courts was progressing well, Arif said, and none of the players were on the injury list. (PTI)

S Africans cuffed by W Indies speed demon

KINGSTOWN, May 17: A devastating pace bowling display from Cameron Cuffy set up a consolation win for the West Indies in the seventh and final one-day international at Arno’s Vale yesterday.

West Indies ended a five-match losing streak with a six-wicket victory, with Marlon Samuels hitting an unbeaten 54 as West Indies overhauled South Africa’s total of 163 for seven with 34 balls to spare.

South Africa won the series 5-2.

West Indian captain Carl Hooper said his team deserved to finish on a winning note after losing both the test and one-day series against the South Africans.

He said the players had worked hard and the fielding and bowling had shown a big improvement.

"We’ve got to work hard but the players realise it. Give us a year or two and we’ll be back where we belong," Hooper said.

South Africa never recovered from Cuffy’s early strikes which reduced them to 40 for four after they won the toss and batted. Cuffy took three for 24, bowling all his ten overs in one spell.

Jacques Kallis made a patient 69 off 147 balls to prevent a total collapse by the tourists.

Kallis hit only three boundaries before being caught at midwicket in the penultimate over when he went for a big hit against offspinner Samuels.

The West Indies found run-scoring on a dry, slow pitch much easier than the South Africans, with Samuels hitting seven fours in a 91-ball innings. Only eight fours were hit in the whole South African innings.

Cuffy had South Africa in trouble almost from the start. His first two overs were maidens and he took the key wicket of Herschelle Gibbs, who was caught off a top-edged hook at deep fine leg.

Fast bowling partner Corey Collymore had Gary Kirsten spectacularly caught by a diving Daren Ganga at backward square leg before cuffy struck twice more to dismiss Justin Ontong and Neil McKenzie.

For virtually the first time in the series, the West Indies kept the pressure on the South Africans, with consistent performances from all their bowlers, who were backed up by good fielding.

Kallis had partnerships of 39 with Jonty Rhodes, who was playing in his 200th one-day international, and 53 with Mark Boucher. But the batsmen were unable to dominate.

West Indies made a good start, with Daren Ganga and Chris Gayle putting on 40 for the first wicket, and were always on track to win despite star batsmen Brian Lara and Carl Hooper falling in quick succession to allrounder Justin Kemp.

South African captain Shaun Pollock was named man of the series, an award for both test and one-day contests. (AFP)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa

H Gibbs c Collymore b Cuffy 1

G Kirsten c Ganga b Collymore 6

N McKenzie c Ganga b Cuffy 13

J Ontong c Gayle b Cuffy 2

J Kallis c Lara b Samuels 69

J Rhodes b McGarrell 16

M Boucher c McGarrell b Samuels 25

J Kemp not out 12

S Pollock not out 7

Extras (lb-6, w-3, nb-3) 12

Total (for 7 wkts off 50 overs) 163

Fall: 1-2, 2-9, 3-14, 4-40, 5-79, 6-132, 7-150.

Bowling: Cuffy 10-3-24-3, Collymore 9-0-37-1, Jeremy 6-0-19-0, McGarrell 10-0-26-1, Hooper 10-0-37-0, Samuels 5-0-14-2.

West Indies

D Ganga run out 15

C Gayle b Kallis 28

B Lara c Gibbs b Kemp 18

M Samuels not out 54

C Hooper c Gibbs b Kemp 5

S Chanderpaul not out 31

Extras (lb-5, w-4, nb-4) 13

Total (4 wkts, 44.2 overs) 164

Fall: 1-30, 2-56, 3-92, 4-102.

Bowling: Pollock 8-3-17-0, Telemachus 7-0-35-0, Ntini 6-0-29-0, Kallis 8-0-29-0, Kemp 6-1-16-2, Ontong 8-0-30-0, Rhodes 1.2-0-3-0. (AFP)

Basketball open trials for coaching camp

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Basketball Association has invited the Junior boys and girls for the trials for the coaching camp to be held from May 26 to June 13 at Mini-Stadium, Parade, here.

The trials will be conducted on May 22 and 24 between 3 pm to 7 pm to select 14 boys and an equal number of girls probables to attend the coaching camps.

As per a handout issued by the Association, the players born on or after 1-1-1983 are eligible to attend the selection trials. Players have to bring their date of birth certificates duly assigned by their concerned heads of the institution.

All the eligible players shall report to SAI Basketball coach Rajinder Magotra at Basketball court, Mini Stadium, Parade ground, here on May 21 at 4.30 pm alongwith their date of birth certificates, the handout added.

Inter-school competitions of Bhalwal zone end

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 17: Inter-school competitions of Bhalwal zone in the disciplines of Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Volleyball and Wrestling ended today at High School, Gharota, near here today.

In all, 14 schools of the zone took part in these competitions in both boys and girls sections.

The results:

Kho-Kho U-14 girls final: High School, Agore beat GMS Gharota by 18 points: U-17 runs: High School, Agore beat Higher Secondary School, Bhalwal.

Kabaddi U-17 girls: Higher Secondary School, Bhalwal beat Girls Middle School, Bhalwal by 19 points. U-14: Government Middle School defeated Government Middle School, Raipur by nine points.

Wrestling: U-17 years: 42 kg: Jamir Hussain of HS Gharota beat Naresh Kumar of HSS Bhalwal. 45 kg: Bachan Singh of HS Gharota beat Chain Singh of HS Raipur. 48 kg: Sandeep Singh of HS Gharota beat Nasib Ali of HS Raipur. 52 kg: Neelam Singh of HSS Bhalwal beat Sandeep Singh of HS Gharota. 60 kg: Amit Kumar of HS Raipur, Ist and Vikas Singh of HS Gharota.

Wrestling U-14 years: 28 kg: Rajinder Singh of MS Ranjan beat Devinder Singh of MS Marjali. 30 kg: Mukesh Kumar of HS Gharota beat Ranjeet Kumar of Middle School, Ranjan. 32 kg: Pardeep Singh of HS Gharota, Ist. 35 kg: Rajiv Kumar of MS Ranjan beat Balkar Singh of HS Seri Pandatian. 38 kg: Parveen Kumar of HS Gharota, Ist. 41 kg: Kuldeep Raj of MS Bhalwal beat Mohd Khan of HS Gharota. 45 kg: Balbir Singh of HS Seri Pandatian beat Shamsher Singh of HS Gharota. 48 kg: Mumtaz Ali of MS Ranjan beat Rohit Kumar of HS Gharota.

Vijaypur zone meet begins

JAMMU: Four-day inter-school competitions of Vijaypur zone in the events of Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Volleyball and Wrestling began today at Government High School, Vijaypur.

The competitions were declared open by the Headmistress Mrs Santosh Gupta of the Government High School, Vijaypur.

Opening day’s results: Kabaddi U-17 boys: Higher Secondary School, Ramgarh defeated High School, Vijaypur; Higher Secondary School, Gurah Slathian beat Higher Secondary School, Rahya. Kabaddi U-14 boys: Middle School, Ramgarh beat Middle School, Rarian.

Kho-Kho U-17 girls: High School, Vijaypur beat High School, Ramgarh; High School, Suchani beat High School, Jakh. Kho-Kho U-14 girls: Girls Middle School, Mahal Shan beat Middle School, Swankha; High School, Vijaypur beat Middle School, Raika.

Volleyball U-17 boys: High School Gho-Brahmana beat Higher Secondary School, Rahya; High School, Tarore beat Higher Secondary School, Ramgarh.