LONDON, Nov 7: Bowing to players’ demands, England and Wales Cricket Board has decided that a security officer will accompany the England team during its 40-day tour of India commencing next Wednesday and a senior member of the board will be present throughout the tour, a spokesman of the Board said here today.......more

Women’s game starved
of Venus’s magic

LONDON, Nov 7: The year’s top-ranked player failed to win a Grand Slam, the game’s most photographed face won just 10 matches in the year and the sport’s premier team competition was reduced to a minor curiosity as the world’s strongest nation pulled out at the last minute........more

Match-fixing allegations
Pak Commission asks
Bacher to provide
evidence

ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: A Pakistani judicial commission investigating into match-fixing allegations .....more

Kournikova to play
in New Zealand
Tournament

WELLINGTON, Nov 7: Anna Kournikova is to play the Auckland Classic Tennis......more

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: The star-studded side of Punjab Police has retained the golden jubilee 50th All India Police Hockey Championship trophy beating Central Industrial....more

11th State Billiards and Snooker Championship
Vishal to take on Kamal in
Senior Snooker final today

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Vishal Abrol and Kamal Rohmetra has reached the final of the senior Snooker in the 11th State Billiards.....more

Shahidey Kargil Night
Cricket Tourney concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 7: The Minister for Youth Services and Sports, S. Harbans Singh said that promotion of rural sports is the top priority of the present.....more

IFFCO conducts essay
competition on corruption

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Ms Razia Begum, Ms Ashu Rani and Ms. Radha Devi were awarded 1st,2nd and 3rd prizes respectively for essay competition conducted by the Indian Farmers .....more

Governor, G C Saxena giving away winners (running) trophy of the 50th All India Police Hockey Championship to Punjab Police skipper Jugraj Singh at Jammu on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Ashok

Security officer to accompany England tour of India

LONDON, Nov 7: Bowing to players’ demands, England and Wales Cricket Board has decided that a security officer will accompany the England team during its 40-day tour of India commencing next Wednesday and a senior member of the board will be present throughout the tour, a spokesman of the Board said here today.

Commenting on the demands made by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) on its website by its official Tim O’gorman, the spokesman said, "we have not received any communication from the PCA."

At the same time, he said, the ECB had already decided to appoint a full-time security officer to be named soon.

"There will be a senior member of the ECB present throughout the tour," he said.

John Carr, director of cricket operations, would fly out with the players and stay with them for the first ten days. John Read, director of corporate affairs, will then take over until Tim Lamb, the chief executive of the ECB, flies out to the first test in Mohali from December 3 to 7.

Lord Naclaurin, chairman of ECB, will be at the third test in Bangalore and another senior official will attend the second test in Ahmedabad, the spokesman said.

Lamb said, "these are sensible decisions on which we have been quietly working to ensure the players’ peace of mind." Lamb had a "most positive" meeting with O’gorman and John Carr in this connection on Monday.

Reacting to the demand made by PCA, Lord Maclaurin said, "it seems an extraordinary way of going on. If you’ve got something to say, you say it to the ECB first before putting anything on websites. There’s no doubt PCA needs ECB and the ECB needs the PCA who we have to work closely with."

Incidentally, O’gorman is the son-in-law of Lord Maclaurin.

O’gorman travelled to India last week alongside Carr to hold discussions with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya and officials of the Home Ministry regarding security arrangements for the tour. Subsequently he put a list of demands on the website including a demand that both a full-time security official and a senior ECB official accompany the squad throughout the tour.

He also said, "the ECB must agree in writing to the various matters outlined in the list and in their opinion it is safe and that the tour can proceed." (PTI)

Women’s game starved of Venus’s magic

LONDON, Nov 7: The year’s top-ranked player failed to win a Grand Slam, the game’s most photographed face won just 10 matches in the year and the sport’s premier team competition was reduced to a minor curiosity as the world’s strongest nation pulled out at the last minute.

Whichever way you look at it women’s tennis, able to boast only rationed appearances from Venus Williams, ends the season gasping for publicity, credibility and one of its genuine stars.

Lindsay Davenport cannot be blamed for the anomalies of a WTA ranking system that saw her finish top without a major trophy to her name in 2001.

Anna Kournikova is not at fault for the injuries that kept her away from the spotlight which adores her and there is sympathy for a United States Fed Cup team unwilling to travel in the wake of security scares.

But the overwhelming fact to arise from the year in women’s tennis is that the sport needs Venus Williams. More, it increasingly seems, than Venus needs the sport.

Injuries have played their part in the Wimbledon and u.S. Open champion’s season too and how debilitating the tendinitis Venus suffers really is, only she knows.

It was knee tendinitis which caused her controversial withdrawal from an Indian Wells Masters semifinal against sister Serena in March.

Tendinitis again reared its head two weeks ago, this time in the wrist. It was painful enough to prevent her from taking part in the season-ending tour championships.

In the absence of Venus — an absence which the WTA tour is investigating for validity — the season ended with a sigh as the grand finale to the WTA tour’s year closed without a final.

Davenport pulled out of the final showdown with Serena with a hurt knee.

Serena played her part, affirming afterwards her intention to hit the top.

"My next goal is to be number one," she insisted. "I’m going to have to play more tournaments, play better at the Grand Slams. Maybe I can work harder to get to that goal."

Despite her best efforts to deputise, the void left by the absence of the enigmatic, Willowy Venus blows a gaping hole in the middle of the tennis world.

Whether the WTA tour will ever get the world number one it craves must be in great doubt.

Certainly Venus will also have to play more tournaments if she is ever to wear the crown that could have been struck especially for her.

But whether that will ever happen is increasingly doubtful.

She has won four of the last six Grand Slam Tournaments she has played, and pocketed two Olympic gold medals along the way, but still Venus has not come close to claiming the top ranking.

The telling numbers reveal why.

This year Venus played just 12 tournaments, and not one since retaining her U S Open crown in September.

In 2000 she played 11.

Last year Martina Hingis finished world number one having played 20 tournaments, almost double that of her American rival.

This year the honour went to Davenport who played 17.

Davenport herself knows why she finished number one and makes no apologies.

"I fully believe that venus would be number one if she played more. I can’t help it that she doesn’t though," she said last week.

"I mean, I’m not going to sit here and defend myself. Obviously, I can’t help that venus only plays nine or 10 tournaments."

It may be injuries, lack of appetite, outside distractions or a combination of all three conspiring to keep Venus away from competition.

Cheerful and engaging off-court, the American’s brand of competing relies heavily on scowling intensity.

She rarely looks like she is enjoying herself, even after winning.

The sport is a phenomenally well-paid job. It may also have become a tiresome chore for the capricious, 21-year-old player.

One so tiresome that venus may have to settle, in the history books at least, for second place. (RETUERS)

Match-fixing allegations
Pak Commission asks Bacher to provide evidence

ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: A Pakistani judicial commission investigating into match-fixing allegations has asked former South African cricket chief Ali Bacher to substantiate his allegations that there was foul play in Pakistan’s defeat to India and Bagladesh in the 1999 World Cup.

The registrar of the Judicial Commission, Kazim Ali Malik told reporters in Lahore today that Justice Karamat Bhandari, who is heading the commission, had sent a letter to Bacher to come forward with information on the allegations.

The Bhadari Commission was appointed by the Pakistan Government to probe allegations of match-fixing during the World Cup, specially about the two specific matches against Bangladesh and India.

Former managing director of the South African Cricket Board, Bacher, had earlier claimed to have been told by Majid Khan, a former chief of Pakistan Cricket Board, that Pakistan had indulged in foul-play in those two matches.

The allegation was reiterated before the commission by Majid Khan and former Pakistan cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz.

But the same was denied by senior cricketers including Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Moin Khan, Waqar Younis and Inzamamul Haq who also deposed before the commission.

Malik said Bacher’s comments were important in order to reach a right decision. (PTI)

Kournikova to play in New Zealand Tournament

WELLINGTON, Nov 7: Anna Kournikova is to play the Auckland Classic Tennis Tournament, the first event of the 2002 Wta tour, new zealand tennis confirmed today.

‘’this is a huge day for the tournament and the sporting public of new zealand,’’ tournament director Richard Palmer said.

"Anna has been ranked as high as number eight in the world and has appeared in three women’s tour singles finals and 16 semifinals, including Wimbledon," he told the New Zealand Press Association.

The 20-year-old Russian is currently ranked 74th and will play in the tournament, which runs from December 31 until January 5, ahead of the Australian Open.

Kournikova has yet to win a singles title in more than six years on the women’s tour but has won 13 doubles titles including one Grand Slam title.

She has missed most of the 2001 season due to a stress fracture in her foot, and struggled to return to form, racking up five successive first-round defeats. (REUTERS)

PP retains Police Hockey Championship
* BSF beats J&K Police to finish third

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: The star-studded side of Punjab Police has retained the golden jubilee 50th All India Police Hockey Championship trophy beating Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) by a solitary goal in the final which was played at K K Hakhu Stadium, here this afternoon.

Earlier during the day, Border Security Force (BSF) finished third beating the hosts Jammu and Kashmir Police 5-2 in hard-liner. The defending champion Punjab Police had some initial hiccups and were seen in pressure while taking on a side (CISF) with aggressive forward line-up dotted with players like Cyril Ekka and Parteek Kumar.

CISF, who had pre-planned to take early lead over the tough opponent, missed a goal chance in the 12th minute. Cyril Ekka missed his scoop attempt made on a penalty corner hitting the ball at the left post.

Seven minutes later, CISF got another penalty corner, which they again missed. No doubt, CISF failed in their attempts yet they continued the attack from right flank for around 15 minutes.

The first 20 minute play was full of enthusiasm wherein both sides made unsuccessful attempt. While, CISF faced strong defence in the CISF goal area, Punjab Police forwards were unable to finish properly after dribbling the ball upto the circle.

However, finding two youngmen troubling the Punjab Police, the defending champions changed the strategy and marked the movements of Cyril Ekka and Parteek. Once both these firebrand attackers were in the control of the defending champions, the situations started changing in favour of Punjab Police.

And in the 27th minute, Punjab Police opened the account through India captain Baljeet Singh Dhillon, who scooped the ball into the net from centre of the circle on a penalty corner.

As CISF went one goal down to Punjab Police , they started concentrating on the defence to avoid more goals. It gave Punjab Police immense time to go for attacks. Before the first half hooter was sounded, Punjab Police got two penalty corners, which they could not convert into goals.

In the second half, Cyril made a dangerous move in the very second minute, but well guarded Punjab Police goal post spared little chance for strike. As the success continued to elude him, Cyril gave up his fight and was looking quite upset over the way he missed the chances coming his way.

However, in the later stages, Punjab Police was expecting a good attack from CISF, but latter gave more attention on their defence to avoid addition of goals.

Talking to this Correspondent, former India captain and one of the Punjab Police forward, Ramandeep Singh said, "we were expecting attack from the CISF in the last 10 minute game, but they remained in their goal area, which was in our favour".

Earlier, in the hard-liner, hosts Jammu and Kashmir Police lost to Border Security Force 5-2.

Although, J&K Police took the lead scoring the first goal in the 8th minute through Charanjeet Singh, it could not hold up the opponents and later conceded five goals. From BSF, Peter Tirkey (16th), Habil Topno (23rd), Sushil Kumar (28th and 36th) and Cristopher Ekka (63rd penalty corner) were the scorers. Second goal for J&K Police was against scored by Charanjeet Singh in the dying 69th minute.

The Governor, G C Saxena, who was the chief guest in the final, gave away winners and runners-up trophies besides mementos to others. In his valedictory address, Mr Saxena complimented the officers and jawans of the J&K Police for their warm participation and hosting of the championship despite their engagement in dealing with the proxy war waged by the Pakistan in the State. He also complimented the All India Police Sports Control Board for choosing Jammu as venue for Golden Jubilee Championship which ensured that entire nation is with Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, the Director General of Police, A K Suri in his welcome address said that in all 24 teams from different States played 48 matches in this championship which was spread over ten days. He thanked all those, who extended help in the successful conduct of the championship.

The secretary, All India Police Sports Control Board, V Raj Goplan expressed his deep gratitude to the J&K Government for hosting the championship.