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Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra cleared by Board’s doctor MUMBAI, Oct 23: Left-arm seamers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra were today cleared by the cricket board doctor .....more India
look to redeem PAARL (South Africa), Oct 23: Having suffered two successive defeats, India would be looking to redeem ...........more Tennis
stars Agassi LOS ANGELES, Oct 23: Tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf were married yesterday in a small, private...more
NEW DELHI, Oct 23: The Junior World Cup conquering Indian hockey team returned home today to adulation from a grateful nation starved of something to cheer about....more |
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11th State Billiards and Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 23: The president of the Jammu and Kashmir Billiards and Snooker Association, Sidharth Sharma today declared open the fortnight . ....more Gulshan wins Men’s singles title in Distt TT Champ Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Oct 23: Gulshan won the Men’s singles title in the District Udhampur Table Tennis Championship beating Kewal in the final 2-1 (21-18, 19-21, 21-16) here on the other day. In the under-14 year group, singles title went to Mohd Amir, who beat Navneet Gupta 21-19, 14-21, 21-18 in the final. ....more Manpreet
declared best Gymnast Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 23: Harleen Kour has bagged double gold in the senior girls section on the concluding day of the District Jammu Gymnastic. ...more Punjab
take 101 runs Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 23: Due the rough wicket prepared by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, the hosts suffered a humiliation in the hands of Punjab when they lost all their wickets for 20 runs and later allowed .......more |
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Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra cleared by Board’s doctor MUMBAI, Oct 23: Left-arm seamers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra were today cleared by the cricket board doctor Dr Anant Joshi after the fitness test at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) here rendering them eligible for selection in the coming test series against South Africa. BCCI executive secretary Sharad Diwadkar told PTI here that both Khan and Nehra have been declared fit by sports medicine expert Dr Joshi and are eligible for selection for the test squad for a tough three-match series in South Africa, to be picked later today. The Baroda speedster Khan was not considered for the on-going Triangular series one-day squad as he had tissue inflammation while Delhi’s Nehra failed the fitness test one day before the team left for South Africa as his groin injury had not fully healed. Both the players were made to run around the boundary line at the Brabourne Stadium after some light exercise. They looked perfectly fit when they were made to bowl in the nets. Of the four players asked to take up the fitness tests, the other two— Hemang Badani and Sadagopan Ramesh (both from Tamil Nadu)— informed the board that they needed more time to recover completely from the back injuries. (PTI) |
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India look to redeem themselves against Kenya PAARL (South Africa), Oct 23: Having suffered two successive defeats, India would be looking to redeem themselves with a big win against Kenya in the last league match of the Triangular one-day series here tomorrow. Though the biggest of margins is no compensation for their shock 70-run loss to the Kenyans, a victory would ensure a place in the final and that is the topmost thing in the mind of the Indians right now. After that disaster in Port Elizabeth, the Indians had requested for batting reinforcements in the form of V V S Laxman and the stylish batsman, who had stayed back due to an injury and was to join only for the test series, has already arrived in the country yesterday. Laxman is a certainty for tomorrow’s game as the Indians, who had been guilty of experimenting in the previous game against Kenya, are leaving nothing to chance this time. On the other hand, Kenya also realise that this is a big opportunity for them and if they are able to knock India out of the tournament, it would give a big boost to their international image. India have two victories in the tournament so far while Kenya have one. However, if Kenya manage to win tomorrow, they will make it to the final on account of having defeated India twice in three league encounters. South Africa have already ensured their place in the final which is to be played on Friday. India would like to take a cue from the South Africans who inflicted a crushing 208-run defeat on Kenya last night. A similar victory for India would not help them forget the memories of the past two matches but would also put them in the right frame of mind to take on the South Africans in the final. Indications were that Laxman would be asked to bat at number five after Rahul Dravid and not at his customary number three where Virender Sehwag is likely to be sent in. The idea is to let the top three - captain Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar and Sehwag - gather quick runs and in case of early loss of wickets, Dravid can always be expected to play the role of a sheet anchor. The inclusion of Laxman in the side means either Shiv Sunder Das or Jacob Martin - both of whom have failed to make a big impression in the opportunities provided to them - would have sit out. India would certainly like to bat first and make a big score. The key really would be Ganguly and Tendulkar who are now the most successful opening pair in the world. In fact, these two have been doing their job quite consistently but the later order batsmen have failed to capitalise on the sound foundations laid by them. It is the last ten overs that have been troubling India and they would be looking to set the record straight here. Laxman is capable of big hitting and Yuveraj Singh needs to prove his worthiness for a place in the national side. India would no doubt go with the same attack that played in the last game against South Africa - the pace attack of Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar to be complemented by the spin duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. A lot would depend on how the medium-pacers fare with the new ball. Whenever they err in line and length in the initial overs, the spinners come under that much more pressure and in order to do the containing job too, their sting is lost. Srinath and Agarkar would have to ensure that they do not give away too many runs in the first 10 overs so that Kumble and Harbhajan can effectively weave their magic. Sehwag has been doing the job of fifth bowler very successfully and he has reduced Ganguly’s headache to a considerable extent. Despite the shock loss in Port Elizabeth, the Indians still start favourites in tomorrow’s match and should not have much problems in winning it. As Ganguly had said after that defeat, "we know this is not going to happen again". It is good that the Indians retain their confidence but Kenya too would be boosted by the return of their captain Maurice Odumbe who would be back in action after serving a two-match suspension. The Kenyans are upset that aspersions are being cast over their win over India and are very keen to prove that it was no fluke. "This really upsets us," said Steve Tikolo, who led the side in the absence of odumbe. "It implies that everytime we do well, ICC would be looking to scrutinise that game," he said referring to reports that ICC’s anti-corruption unit had secured the tapes of the Port Elizabeth match to ascertain whether there had been any wrong-doing in it. (PTI) |
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Tennis stars Agassi and Graf marry in Las Vegas LOS ANGELES, Oct 23: Tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf were married yesterday in a small, private ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Association of Tennis Professionals reported. The couple has been dating for more than two years and they are expecting their first child in December, according to a statement released by the association. "We are so blessed to be married and starting this chapter of our lives," Agassi and Graf said in a joint statement after the ceremony. "The privacy and intimacy of our ceremony was beautiful and reflective of all we value," the newlyweds went on to say. It was the first marriage for 32-year-old Graf of Germany. Agassi, 31, was married to actress Brooke Shields for two years. The couple divorced in 1999. (AFP) |
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NEW DELHI, Oct 23: The Junior World Cup conquering Indian hockey team returned home today to adulation from a grateful nation starved of something to cheer about. Describing them as gems who brought cheer in an otherwise gloomy atmosphere, Sports Minister Uma Bharti announced a cash prize of Rs one lakh to each member of the squad including the coach and the manager. "This is an enlargement to the incentive of Rs five lakh to entire team under the scheme announced by the Prime Minister three years ago," she said and added that she would sort today’s announcement out with the Finance Ministry. The lead had actually been taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who had come to meet Bharti in some other context and noted that virtually half the squad was from his state and Chandigarh, announcing an award of Rs one lakh to each member of the squad, including the coach and manager. Indian Hockey Federation president K P S Gill, who was leading Bharti and Badal towards this end, also announced cash award of Rs one lakh each for every member of the squad. An emotional Bharti said cricket may be the most popular sport in the country, but it was hockey the country identified itself with. "Hockey is a symbol of the nation’s self-respect," she said. Only Bhangra dancers were missing as the team landed at the domestic arrivals terminus of the Indira Gandhi International Airport here in the morning but all the hustle and bustle was there as adoring family, friends, officials and media were present in large numbers. A beaming coach Rajinder Singh said it was a victory for the traditional Indian style of hockey with its attacking 5-3-2-1 formation. A deep defender to reckon with in his playing days, Rajinder Singh maintained that the Indian or subcontinental style was the best weapon to beat the European teams. An elated skipper Gagan Ajit Singh attributed the success to the positive, aggressive game his boys played. It was wonderful team spirit and there was excellent communication between the players and the coach, he said. Rajinder Singh said the nucleus for the senior world cup was readily available with his present team and he expected atleast seven or eight players from the junior squad to figure in the senior team. Gill, who promised another function to honour the boys when entire team was present, said the intention of IHF was that each age group should be a feeder for the next higher group. The team had returned here this morning from Hobart via Mumbai. Meanwhile, the triumph at the Seventh Junior World Cup has left "us with the responsibility to work hard and retain the trophy", Indian Hockey Federation president K P S Gill today said. "Preparations for the next World Cup would start soon," Mr Gill said at a function organised to felicitate the Indian team that won the Junior World Cup at Hobart. He said the junior Indian team was shaping up well and as many as 14 members of the team had played in the senior team at one time or the other. They had played strong European teams and defeated them, Mr Gill said. "At Hobart, this team defeated top European teams like Spain, Holland and Germany and in Poland, they defeated England." The win at Hobart was all the more commendable as they played in adverse weather conditions and captain Gagan Ajit Singh was injured and had two stitches above the knee, he said. Mr Gill said one or two more memorable wins like this would help the game of hockey. However, he lamented that the final match, which India won against Argentina 6-1, was not shown live on television. "If that match had been telecast, it would have provided a big boost to the game," he felt. Union Sports Minister Uma Bharti, who was also present, said she would take up that issue with Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj. She said that sports policy action plan would be ready by October 30. Gagan Ajit Singh attributed the team’s success to excellent teamwork and coordination between the players, coach and manager. Asked if any special preparations had been done before the final as Argentina had earlier held India to a 2-2 draw, the captain said, "we took every match as a final." On the draw, Gagan Ajit Singh said they were very cautious as it was a second round match and the team did not want to lose any points. But, in the final, we went all out, he added. On the team’s strategy during the tournament, he said, "We played the traditional Indian style of attacking hockey and all players were fit." He attributed the loss to Australia to the rival’s good goal keeping." Coach Rajinder Singh said that though the team had won the World Cup, it did have some weaknesses. ‘’our biggest problem was ball stopping in the penalty corners, though our conversion rate was 50 per cent. We will have to work more on it.’’ He said the exposure the team had in the last two years also helped it clinch the title. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who joined the function later, allotted a residential plot and announced a cash reward of Rs one lakh to each player, the manager and coach. He also announced the promotion of three players — Jugraj Singh, Kanwarpreet Singh and Tejbir Singh — who are working in Punjab Police, from Assistant Sub-Inspectors to Sub-Inspectors. He said they would be promoted as Inspectors soon. Ms Bharti also announced a reward of Rs one lakh to each of the players, the coach and manager. A similar reward had been announced by the IHF earlier. Mr Gill said several industrial houses had contacted him after the win as they wanted to reward the players. (UNI) |
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11th State Billiards and Snooker Champ begins Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 23: The president of the Jammu and Kashmir Billiards and Snooker Association, Sidharth Sharma today declared open the fortnight long 11th State Billiards and Snooker Championship at Billiards hall of the M A Stadium, here this morning. Soon after the inauguration, first round of junior boys Snooker matches began under the supervision of chief referee Mushtaq Ahmed. A record number of near 180 entries have been received in both senior and junior groups by the organisers. Eleven matches were played on the first day. In the first match, Taran Goswami outplayed Aru Goni in straight frames 69-34, 61-34, while, Hilal Ahmed defeated Nitin Gupta 42-23, 55-35. In other matches, Sunny Gupta beat Manish Mahajan 51-25, 24-71, 59-36; Kuldeep Chawdhary beat Javed Sultan 56-20, 69-31; Rasia beat Abdul 45-22, 67-53; Sheetal Bharti beat Sumesh Turki 56-18, 46-26; Akhil Sharma beat Harpreet Singh 65-31, 63-35; Amardeep Singh beat Vikash Vaid 58-22, 26-51, 58-36; Kasif beat Daljeet Singh 46-28, 60-36, 60-45; Varun Gupta beat Mani Mehta 72-39, 52-27, 52-70; Rohit Gupta beat Sourav Sharma 75-42, 54-10 in best of three frames on knock-out basis. Prominent among others present in the opening function were Messrs Sports Officer, Sports Council, Ajit Singh Wazir, Som Raj Gupta and office bearers of other district units participating in the championship. Today’s matches were officiated by Shanker Dass Khajuria, Ravees Ahmed, Surjit Singh Balowria and Rakesh Kumar Sharma. This championship is being held under the aegis of Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council. |
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Gulshan wins Men’s singles title in Distt TT Champ Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Oct 23: Gulshan won the Men’s singles title in the District Udhampur Table Tennis Championship beating Kewal in the final 2-1 (21-18, 19-21, 21-16) here on the other day. In the under-14 year group, singles title went to Mohd Amir, who beat Navneet Gupta 21-19, 14-21, 21-18 in the final. Ravi claimed the winners trophy in under-17 year category. He defeated Sunil Kumar in straight sets of 21-18, 21-14. In the under-17 doubles, Ravi and Chetan emerged victorious beating the pair of Nikhil and Navneet 22-18, 21-15. In the girls section, Roohi Mahajan defeated Babneet Kour 21-15, 21-14 to claim the winners trophy. Those, who got the consolation prizes, were Rohit Pal Singh, Aman Preet Singh and Murti Jamwal (girl), all in cadet group. An exhibition match was also played between State champion, Maninder Singh and Satbir Singh. Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, M S Khan, who was the chief guest in the finals, gave away prizes to the winners and runners-up. Sham Saroop, the newly elected vice-chairman of JKCA, was guest of honour on the occasion. Later, vote of thanks was presented by the president of the District Udhampur Table Tennis Association, Sanjeev Dubey. Others, who were present on the occasion included Sports Officer of the Sports Council, Ajit Singh Wazir, Sanjeev Gupta, secretary, J&K Billiards and Snooker Association, Satish Gupta, TT coach, Sheetal Gandotra, Jitender Gupta, Anil Sharma, Deputy Director Employment and Ajay Sharma, secretary, J&K Table Tennis Association. |
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Manpreet declared best
Gymnast Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 23: Harleen Kour has bagged double gold in the senior girls section on the concluding day of the District Jammu Gymnastic Championship, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Gymnastic Association at Multi-purpose Complex of the M A Stadium, here today. Harleen bagged her first gold in Aerobics after she secured 17.80 points. Indeep Kour remained at number two place with 16 points, while Richa Malhotra got third place securing 15.40 points. Her second gold came in Rhythmic Gymnastics. She secured 7.60 points on Rope, 13.80 points on Ball and 15 points on Ribbon to remain at number one position. Beeva Mahajan got second place securing 7 points on Rope, 14.20 on Ball and 13.80 on Ribbon. Third place went to Sonal Gupta, who secured 5 pts on Rope, 10 on Ball and 12 on Ribbon. In senior boys Artistic all round best title went to Omeekeshwar, who secured 34.80 points, while Ravinder Singh finished at number two with 34.70 points in this tally. Atul Sharma bagged third place securing 33.70 points. Manpreet Kour was declared as best Gymnast of the district in junior girls section. She secured 7.60 marks on Vaulting, Horse and 7.50 on Balancing Beam and 7 points on Floor Exercise. All round second position went to Richa Malhotra, who secured 8 points on Vaulting Horse, 6.50 points on Balancing Beam and 7.30 points on Floor Exercise. Rashmi Dogra finished third in this group. In Junior boys Artistic all round best trophy went to Manvinder Singh, who secured 30.40 points, while Sushant Gupta and Manish Arora got second and third position respectively. First place in Junior girls Aerobics event was claimed by Vibhuti Wattal, while Tejpal Kour finished second and Shuchi Malhotra remained at number three position. Consolation prizes were given to Master Gaganjot Singh, Sagar Sahi, Kriti Aggarwal, Vishal KC and Rakesh Kumar. Mr Sidharth Sharma, member State Sports Council and president of the Jammu and Kashmir Billiards and Snooker Association was the chief guest in the prize distribution function. He was accompanied by Joint Secretary, State Sports Council, B K Magotra, Sports Officer, Ajit Singh and member Sports Council, Som Raj Gupta. |
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Punjab take 101 runs lead as J&K make 20 in first inning Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 23: Due the rough wicket prepared by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, the hosts suffered a humiliation in the hands of Punjab when they lost all their wickets for 20 runs and later allowed Punjab to take 101 runs first innings lead on the opening day of three-day North-Zone under-14 Cricket Tournament at GGM Science College ground, here today. Jammu and Kashmir boys were virtually failed to understand the uneven wicket which was full of dust and lost first seven wickets with just two runs on the board. However, Nadeem saved the hosts with 17 runs contribution. J&K innings ended at a score of 20 in 18 overs. Later, Punjab too went through the same trauma and lost their first four wickets for six runs. But, a brilliant inning of 40 runs by Sidharth Sharma and 35 runs contribution by Sarabhjit helped the guests to brought the score to 121 runs in 38 overs. In the second innings, J&K was playing at 42 for four. |
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