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PM promises increase NEW DELHI, Nov 23: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today promised a five-fold increase in the budgetary allocation for sports in the tenth five-year plan in order to give a boost to sport activities in the country. ..........more VIJAYAWADA, Nov 23: Match-referee Mike Proctor as well as the two captains today rubbished reports which hinted that the toss in the sixth one-day match between India and........more Test
of character for VIJAYAWADA, Nov 23: With the seven-match one-day international series down to the wire and the teams equally matched in strength, it will be a test of character for a depleted India when they take on west indies in the ........more Dravid
comes to VIJAYAWADA, Nov 23: Stand in Indian captain Rahul Dravid today admitted that the team made a heavy weather of chasing an easy target of 202 against............more |
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Varun Sharma Memorial
Basketball Championship Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 23: Jammu and Kashmir Police lifted the Varun Sharma Memorial Basketball Tournament beating.........more 24th
Stag State TT Championship Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 23: Gurvinder defeated Ishan Jain in a close first round match in the ......more Weightlifting
Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Nov 23: Nehru Yuva Kendra, Poonch, in collaboration with Pulast Youth Club, .....more Sports
complex in the offing Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 23: A refreshing news for holiday makers and recreationists in the city.......more |
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create scene in Basketball final
.... Bhaderwah, Udhampur, Science College advance in Volleyball........ |
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NEW DELHI, Nov 23: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today promised a five-fold increase in the budgetary allocation for sports in the tenth five-year plan in order to give a boost to sport activities in the country. Accepting the proposal of the All India Council of Sports at the inaugural meeting, the Prime Minister said that fund will not be a problem for the development of sport. The Prime Minister also promised to place the proposal increasing allocation at the next meeting of the National Development Council. Talking to reporters after an hour-long meeting, AICS chairman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the Prime Minister sought a concrete plan of action from the Council as well as the Sports Ministry within 100 days to enable the Government to formulate a strategy towards achieving excellence in the field. Vajpayee also underlined the need for proper co-ordination between the Centre and the states as well as the sport federations. The Prime Minister also complimented the athletes who performed well during the recent Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Sources said the Government was also considering giving 100 percent tax exemption to companies who come forward to sponsor the athletes. Besides Malhotra, the meeting was attended among others by Sports Minister Vikram Verma, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, K C Pant, Minister of State in the PMO, Vijay Goel and Indian Olympics Association president Suresh Kalmadi. (PTI) |
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VIJAYAWADA, Nov 23: Match-referee Mike Proctor as well as the two captains today rubbished reports which hinted that the toss in the sixth one-day match between India and West Indies at Jodhpur was ‘fixed’. "West Indian captain Carl Hooper had called heads and the coin that was spun showed Tavid won the toss," Proctor said seeking to put at rest the controversy generated by Michael Holding who had said in his column that "some doubts have been raised about the toss". (PTI) |
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Test of character for both India and West Indies VIJAYAWADA, Nov 23: With the seven-match one-day international series down to the wire and the teams equally matched in strength, it will be a test of character for a depleted India when they take on west indies in the series-decider here tomorrow. The sides are locked 3-3 and they have everything to play for tomorrow. West Indies would be desperate to salvage some of their pride after the battering they received in the three-match test series while India, braving the absence of key players, would be keen to keep their record at home, as well as their impressive run in the shorter version of the game this year, intact. Rahul Dravid, the stand-in Indian skipper in the absence of Sourav Ganguly who has been rested, has another record to keep into account. He has won all the three one-dayers that he has skippered and would not like to break that trend in what promises to be a thriller of a contest. Though Dravid played it down as purely "incidental" saying it was too early to read much into it, he admitted that he was keen to keep the slate clean here as well. "Its just been three matches. So we can’t read too much into it. The fact is that we have been batting quite well in this series. I think we have a very good chance of winning the decider," he said. But Dravid knows the task would be far from easy as the side is without batting mainstay Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan. Also, they would have to counter an increasingly aggressive opponent. West Indies have surprised even the cynics by their performance in the one-dayers where they started as underdogs. They not only took a 2-0 lead in the series, but also gave India A run for their money in other matches as well. Their openers Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds have given the side a flying start more often than not and the side has gelled well as a team. Though the hosts have been plagued by inconsistency, the one thing that weighs in India’s favour is the fact that someone or the other has stood to the task and delivered the goods when it mattered to gift the side a victory. And the duo who has impressed all and Sundry is Dravid and Sanjay Bangar, hailed by many as the revelation of the series for India. Undoubtedly, together they have provided the side with a heady mix of solidity and flamboyance. Dravid, enjoying a terrific season having completed 1000 runs in test cricket, has worked on his one-day game and the result is there for everybody to see. It is surprising that he compares with the hard-hitting gayle in this series with his strike rate. Dravid may not be thrashing sixes and fours but he has been quick between the wickets and has paced his innings well. Having led by example, it is only proper for him to expect his boys to peak in tomorrow’s final. The outcome of the match would depend a lot on the bowling attack of either sides. The first five matches were all high-scoring ones with the bowlers often reduced to watching the run-feast helplessly. Even a Mervyn Dillon or an Anil Kumble with all his experience behind him failed to trouble the batsmen on placid Indian pitches. While dillon, reportedly nursing an injury, has not played in the last two matches, a woefully out of form Kumble has missed the last three. But the previous match at Jodhpur saw a departure from the trend and bowlers did manage to make a mark - Ajit Agarkar being declared the man-of-the-match standing testimony to the fact. West Indies skipper Carl Hooper admitted the pitch at Jodhpur had something in it for the bowlers and had they managed to bat out their quota of 50 overs and scored a 20-30 runs more, they were in with a chance of victory. But a West Indies victory would have meant a reversal in the trend that has seen teams batting second winning in the series. Given this trend, the toss would be vital tomorrow though the teams would like to be prepared for any situation in the all-important match. Both sides are expected to retain more or less the same playing eleven. India may drop Reetinder Singh Sodhi, recalled into the side after almost an year, after the all-rounder failed with the bat at a crucial juncture in the Indian innings. Though Sodhi did not get to bowl in the match, it is likely that India will include the more trusted bowler Harbhajan Singh. Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik is certain to play after his disciplined bowling contributed to India’s victory in the fourth and sixth matches of the series. The venue of the match, the Indira Priyadarshini Stadium, will be hosting an international match for the first time and it is difficult to predict how the pitch would behave though it did seem to be a batting strip. The match between Board President’s XI and visiting Zimbabwe side was the last that was played here at the same strip earlier this year. Security arrangements have been tightened with about 600 policemen to be deployed in and around the venue. Teams (from): India: Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag, V V S Laxman, Dinesh Mongia, Sanjay Bangar, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Sarandeep Singh, Parthiv Patel. West Indies: Carl Hooper (captain), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Ridley Jacobs, Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Pedro Collins, Vasbert Drakes, Jermaine Lawson, Daren Ganga, Corey Collymore. Umpires: A V Jayaprakash and Asoka De Silva Third umpire: I Sivaram Match-referee: Mike Proctor (South Africa). (PTI) |
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Dravid comes to rescue of Sodhi VIJAYAWADA, Nov 23: Stand in Indian captain Rahul Dravid today admitted that the team made a heavy weather of chasing an easy target of 202 against West Indies in Jodhpur but came to the rescue of Reetinder Singh Sodhi. Sodhi had made a comeback into the team and should not be blamed for going for a lofty shot to be caught behind by Ridley Jacobs. He attributed the problem to departure of himself and Yuvraj Singh in quick succession. Sanjay Bangas saved the day for India, he noted. Dravid was talking to reporters on the eve of the final one-day cricket match against West Indies. Replying to a question, Dravid denied that Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh were juggled too much. "Playing in the sixth or seventh position is a tough job and it is really difficult to get after the bowling. But it is part of the game. They have our full support and understanding." Asked whether India was thinking of spin and speed combination in the first 15 overs to upset the Rhythm of in-form Wavell Hinds and Chris Gayle, Indian Coach John Wright said that’s upto the captain to decide. But if seamers were doing a good job, there was no reason for such a strategy. When the batsmen were in form, it did not matter whether it was spin or pace. (UNI) |
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Varun Sharma Memorial
Basketball Championship Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 23: Jammu and Kashmir Police lifted the Varun Sharma Memorial Basketball Tournament beating Tiger Sports Club 82-61 in a well contested final which was played at Mini-Stadium, Parade, here today. Although, Policemen managed an unbeatable early lead, yet they underwent tremendous pressure from the fighting Tigers, who were struggling at half time at 43-26. Vikas Mahajan remained the key figure in Police attack with his highest 33 points contribution to the score. Harpreet and Amit Bharti too played well and extended good support to Vikas, while adding 19 and 12 to the total respectively. From the loser side, the Tiger Sports, Bhanu Partap (17), Rajinder (15) and Arun (12) gave good fight to the professional cops. Sumit too played well, contributing 10 points to the total score of 61. Shivani Chopra of Tiger Sports Club was later adjudged as best player among the women, while Vikas of J&K Police was declared best among men. Manoj Solanki and S Kumar were match officials, while Amit, Mohd Shafi, Vaneet and Vikas were table officials in the final which was played under the supervision of Rajinder Magotra. Minister for Housing and Revenue, Gulam Hassan Mir, was the chief guest in the final, who later gave away winners and runners-up prizes. Speaking on the occasion, he said that better facilities and the coaching would enable the youth to take part in the competitions at national and international level. On the occasion, the organisers also honoured the Principals of women colleges and Higher Secondary Schools, including Mrs Kanta Kapoor, Principal, GHSS, Mubarak Mandi, for their support and encouragement to the basketball players. |
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24th Stag State TT
Championship Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 23: Gurvinder defeated Ishan Jain in a close first round match in the Sub-junior boys group on the second day of the 24th Stag State Table Tennis Championship underway at Indoor Complex, M A Stadium, here. Gurvinder had won the first set but had to face a fight back from Ishan in the second set which leveled the score 1-1. However, Gurvinder again played superbly taking away the third frame thereby winning the match 2-1. The score: 11-6, 9-11, 11-9. Other results of Sub-junior boys round first: Rohit Pal (Udhampur) bt Tanuj Jain 11-2, 11-8; Antriksh (Poonch) bt Abhas Sharma 11-8, 11-9; Sitanshu Gupta bt Ashish Gupta 11-8, 9-11, 11-4; Amanpreet(Udhampur) bt Pranav Handa 11-6, 11-7; Varun Bhalla bt Taresh Baru 11-5, 11-3; Pranav Mahajan bt Nitin Sharma 11-6, 11-4; Arun Varma bt Kavish Khajuria 11-5, 7-11, 11-2; Anant Aima bt Raguvinder 11-7, 11-7; Shivendu Sharma bt Samandeep (Poonch) 11-9, 11-9; Avi Ral Gupta bt Kunal Jain 11-4, 11-3; Gurvinder bt Suchet 11-8, 11-4; Kashish bt Sunil Sharma (Udhampur) 11-6, 11-5; Tapas Sharma bt Parth 11-5, 11-7; Arjun Anand bt Shivam Sharma 11-5, 11-7; Prabhas bt Vdit 11-5, 11-8; Karan Sahai bt Prashant 7-11, 11-7, 11-5; Manmeet Singh bt Tarun Sharma 11-7, 11-4; Kanav Sharma bt Sushant Mahajan 11-8, 11-9; Karan Magotra bt Suheel Gupta 11-3, 11-2; Gaganpreet bt Parampreet Singh 11-5, 11-6; Abhimanyu Jamwal bt Pulkit Sharma 11-4, 11-4; Tavleen Singh bt Anirudh 5-11, 11-7, 11-9; Sumit bt Amanpreet 11-8, 11-9; Shivang Gupta bt Abhimanyu Gupta 7-11, 12-10, 11-7; Baljeet Singh bt Bhavik Jain 11-2, 11-3; Aditya bt Sushil Dogra 11-9, 9-11, 11-7. Cadet boys first round: Anirudh bt Tanuj Jain 11-4, 11-3; Shivendu bt Manoj Singh 11-7, 11-8; Gurvinder bt Taveen Singh 11-1, 11-2; Gautam Daluja bt Parnav Handa 11-3, 11-4; Manmeet Singh bt Kanav Sharma 11-6, 11-5; Shivang Gupta bt Suchet 11-9, 11-9; Amanpreet bt Ashish Gupta 11-4, 11-5; Avi Ral bt Love Gupta 11-4, 11-9 and Arjun Anand bt Rohit Pal 11-9, 11-7. Tomorrow’s fixture: Morning session from 9 am: first, second and third round of Junior boys singles. At 11 am: Junior boys doubles first, second and third round. At 6 pm: Men’s singles: Ist and second round. |
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Weightlifting competitions held Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Nov 23: Nehru Yuva Kendra, Poonch, in collaboration with Pulast Youth Club, organised weightlifting competitions on the eve of Quomi Ekta week at Gujjar and Bakarwal Hostel, here. SSP Poonch, Dr Kamal Saini, was chief guest on the occasion who distributed prizes among the winners, while District Youth Services and Sports Officer, presided over. The results: 52 kg: Satvir Singh, Ist; Amit Sharma, 2nd and Zaheer Khan, third. 62 kg: Jahangir Khan, Ist; Gagandeep Sharma, 2nd and Dhanuj Sharma, third. 68 kg: Abhinamdan Khajuria, Ist; Rupinder Singh, 2nd and Mohd Bashir, third. Meanwhile, a volleyball tournament was also organised wherein Friends Youth Club defeated Dar Youth Club, Poonch in the final. Mr Shaqat Hussain Shah, Headmaster, HSS, Bandi Chachian was chief guest, who also distributed prizes. |
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Sports complex in the
offing Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 23: A refreshing news for holiday makers and recreationists in the city of temples: A unique swimming pool is available at Royal Health SPA, adjoining Hari Niwas Hotel. The uniqueness of the swimming pool, as claimed by Mr S S Sodi, a Director of the Club, is that its waters are centrally heated thus making it first of its kind in the North India. Mr Sodi, who was talking to mediapersons in connection with a function held to mark the first anniversary of the club today, listed various facilities available at the Royal Health SPA, including gymnasium, Zucczi, Sona bath and steam bath. The club gymnasium, he also claimed, was equipped with most modern gadgets and the staff engaged was highly professional. Besides these health related facilities, a beauty parlour has also been opened in the club premises, Mr Sodi added. Within an year since its coming into existence, Royal Health SPA has established itself as premier centre in North India. As part of their plan to make available more attractive facilities, the management is envisaging provision of a sports complex in near future. According to Mr Sodi, the proposed complex will have billiards, snooker, basketball, lawn tennis facilities. Presently the club has 108 families as its registered members. The club membership fee is Rs 20,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000 for individual, couple and family, respectively. |
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Teachers create scene in Basketball final Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 23: Instead of playing the game in true sportsmanship, the Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) of the twin city women colleges, known as arch rivals, once again created the scene during the final of the Inter-college Basketball at University of Jammu grounds, here today. However, the organisers, Department of Physical Education, University of Jammu, declared the Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar winner after Parade College quit the court in protest. The final score was 24-22 (ht 14-16). Instigated by the teachers, incharge and hired coach, the defending champion, Parade College players quit the court in protest when they suddenly went down by two points on score board with just 57 seconds match remaining. However, according to the eyewitness account, instead of asking the players to continue with the game and play in true sportsmanship, Parade College PTI ‘instructed’ the team to ‘discontinue’, forcing the officials to declare GCW, Gandhi as winner. Earlier, likewise last year, the final started with high tension in both the camps. The defending champion, Parade College played with confidence and maintained a well lead upto the first half 16-14. They played in similar style and maintained the four-points lead upto the dying minutes 22-18. However, suddenly Gandhi Nagar girls added quick six points to their tally bringing the scoreboard to 24-22 in their favour. The sudden change on the scoreboard created tension in the Parade College camp and a scene was created with allegations and counter allegations from both the camps. Bhaderwah, Udhampur, Science College advance in Volleyball JAMMU: In the ongoing Inter-college Volleyball competitions, Degree College, Bhaderwah, GGM Science College Jammu and Degree College, Udhampur won their respective matches to advance into the next round. In the first match, Bhaderwah College beat BEd College 25-8, 25-11, 25-9. Muddasir, Maqbool Bhat and Fareed did a fine job for the winners. Science College registered the win over Post Graduate Departments in straight sets 25-11, 25-18, 25-14. Jaffar Hussain and Surinder Singh made power-packed spikes for the winners. In another match of the day, Degree College, Udhampur overpowered Government SPMR College of Commerce 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23. Sushil and Vikas Singh played well for the winners, while Devinder Singh gave a good fight from SPMR College. Ramesh Sharma, Rajesh Virdhi and Subash Shastri were officials in today’s matches. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 23: Mr Manohar Singh, SP Jammu and Mr B S Bhau, Managing Director Sheen Finance and Investment (India) Limited, Canal Road Jammu, inaugurated a well equipped packed with modern equipments and well expert instructors of Health Institution "Solid Impoact Gym and Health Club" at Patta Paloura Jammu. As per a release while addressing the gathering SP Jammu S Manohar Singh appreciated the idea of opening Gym Centre, which would fulfil the demands of the youth of the locality and people of Jammu. He said that due to luxurious facilities available in life there is no physical exertion to the people, but with the opening of this Gym, the people who otherwise don’t get a chance to exercise to maintain their good health, would get a good opportunity to maintain their health to substantiate the old saying of "Sound mind in a sound body". He also stressed the youth to avail the opportunity for maintaining their health to face the difficulties to be occurred in their life in future. |
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