Jadeja up against form, time

WELLINGTON, Dec 23: Indian vice-captain Ajay Jadeja is fighting against time to be fit for the second cricket test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve starting on Saturday.

Jadeja, who will open the batting with Navjot Sidhu, sprained his right ankle before the abandoned first test in Dunedin and hasn’t trained since.

India’s net training today was delayed by six hours when the team arrived at the ground for a morning session but found the practice wickets were too wet.

"It is disappointing, but there is little we could do," lamented coach Aunshuman Gaekwad."We were hoping to go through a full session today. But it doesn’t look like it."

Jadeja was ruled out of the first test after he damaged his ankle during a friendly game of soccer.

"It wasn’t a serious injury," manager Saif Drabu said. "He will be alright for the second test."

Jadeja didn’t train with the rest of the team this morning as it held a light fitness and fielding session.

"To be honest, I don’t know. I will have to see how I go in the nets," Jadeja told the Associated Press as he hobbled around, watching his teammates.

The team has banned physiotherapist Andrew Kokinos and the team doctor Ravindra Chadda from speaking to the media.

Jadeja is also up against the form of Venkat Laxman, the third opener on tour.

Laxman, a right hander hit a fluent 82 in the 66-run defeat at the hands of a New Zealand XI in an exhibition one-dayer early this week.

"To be frank, we are looking at playing the best team. We don’t go by names. We will have to see who plays well. Laxman has played well and definitely has the edge over Jadeja," Gaekwad said.

Also trying to be fit in time for the second test is New Zealand swing bowler Simon Doull.

Doull’s injury-prone career took a new twist when he injured his right calf muscle in Dunedin.

His previous upper body injuries had restricted his career to 24 tests since his debut in November 1992.

Doull said it was too early to say what his chances of playing were, but said he would not push himself if there was the prospect of further injury. (AP)

Kaushik not keen to continue as coach

MUMBAI, Dec 23: M K Kaushik, coach of the victorious Indian men’s hockey sqad, on his return here after the Bangkok Asian Games today said he was not keen to continue with his job even if he was offered an extension by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

"It would be difficult for me to do the job any more. Personal problems can be sacrificed for national good. But proper planning has to be gone through. I find it difficult to continue with the job", the former olympian said.

"I had given some plans which they (IHF officials) have not implemented. A lot of things have been promised but not delivered", Kaushik, a former winger, told reporters.

Kaushik, who said his term ended with the Asian Games, said he would submit a report on the tournament and his suggestions on what should be doe in the run up to the 2000 olympics, for which India have qualified with the Bangkok triumph, to the IHF.

"I can only give suggestions. They have to implement them. In two-years’ time we can do a wonderful job if players are looked after and things are planned properly. But the federation should come forward to carry out the plans", he said.

He said he was very happy with the result at the Asian Games. "We could have won the final (against South Korea) in normal time itself. It was great to win the gold after 32 years. It was teamwork which did the job. We have improved in our penalty-corners. We scored field goals as well and it was very satisfying," he said. (PTI)

Courier gets wildcard to Auckland Open

AUCKLAND, Dec 23: Former No.1-ranked Jim Courier has accepted a controversial wildcard into the Auckland Open Tennis Tournament, starting January 11.

Courier is ranked No.76 and missed automatic entry by 10 places.

Tournament Director Graham Pearce said today that Courier had been offered and accepted one of three wildcards for the tournament. Pearce had earlier said Courier was unlikely to get a wildcard because they are usually reserved for local players.

Despite tennis New Zealand preferring the wildcard to go to New Zealanders, pearce decided to ensure courier could play in a draw headed by world No.2 and defending champion Marcelo Rios.

"Courier is a household name and one of the best players this decade," Pearce said. "To have him play in Auckland at the Heineken Open is an opportunity not to be missed and he’ll be a huge draw card."

Courier has won both the Australian and French Open on two occasions and has been runner-up at the US and French Opens. (AP)

Australians to face Pak panel

MELBOURNE, Dec 23: The Pakistani inquiry probing cricket bribery will travel to Australia next month to interview Australian players Shane Warne and Mark Waugh.

Warne and Waugh made allegations against Pakistan player Salim Malik in 1994, accusing him of offering them money to play badly.

Australian cricket was rocked this month by revelations of Warne and Waugh’s involvement with an illegal Indian bookmaker during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in 1994.

Australian Cricket Board chief executive Malcolm Speed said today the Lahore-based inquiry, headed by judge Malik Mohammed Qayyum, would sit in Melbourne on January eight.

The Pakistan inquiry will interview Waugh, Warne and Alan Crompton, the ACB chairman at the time the allegations against Salim Malik were made.

Waugh faced the Pakistan inquiry during Australia’s tour there this year.

Speed also announced an independent Australian inquiry into gambling on cricket will begin January twelve. The inquiry will be held in private. (AP)

Joshi felicitates Asiad medal winners as ‘national heroes’

NEW DELHI, Dec 23: Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi today described the country’s medal winners at the Bangkok Asian games as ‘national heroes.’

Felicitating the sportspersons for bringing honour and glory to the country by winning 35 medals at the 13th Asiad, he expressed satisfaction over their performance in the games where they won 7 gold, 11 silver and 17 bronze. "This was better than that of the 1994 Hiroshima games where India had only 23 medals including 4 gold," he said.

Lauding the achievements in athletics, Dr Joshi said Jyotirmoyee Sikdar has come out as a bright star, winning two gold medals for the country.

Similarly, he praised new boxing star Dingko Singh and Billiard champions Geet Sethi and Ashok Sandhilya who also earned gold medals.

Speaking about the revival of Indian hockey, Dr Joshi said the team deserved special commendation as the country got the gold medal after a gap of 32 years.

Besides, he congratulated the Kabaddi team which won the gold for the third consecutive time in the games since its introduction in 1990 at Beijing.

Many medal winners could not turn up at the function as their flight was delayed due to fog.

The Minister thanked the president, general secretary, other members of the Indian Olympic Association(IOA) and the concerned National Sports Federations for their help to the sportspersons.

Dr Joshi said the Government has been making all out efforts to assist sportspersons prepare for major events like Olympics and Asian games in consultation with the IOA and NSFS.

Assistance towards coaching, equipment, participation in international competition abroad and all other facilities would be provided to such sportspersons in the form of a package of upto Rs 5 lakh per year, he added.

Besides increasing the budget for sports during the current fiscal year, he said the Government has already set up the National Sports Development Fund to mobilising resources to promote sports in general and promising sportspersons in particular.

Assuring that all required help and assistance will be extended to the sportspersons for improvement of their performance in various international meets in the coming year, Dr Joshi said, "our eyes should now be at the 2000 Sydney Olympics."(UNI)

Victorious Pillay sets eyes on Sydney Olympics

MUMBAI, Dec 23: Firebrand Indian men’s hockey captain Dhandraj Pillay is eying the 2000 Sydney World Cup after which he may call it a day to his chequered career.

Pillay, all fire and brimstone at the delay caused at the Mumbai airport in his team members getting their accommodation after the Bangkok Asian Games contingent landed here last night, spoke to reporters later in a relaxed manner at the hotel where the 124-strong main contingent was put up.

Pillay, who has had an up-and-down career ever since his debut almost a decade ago, was upset at the lack of recognition the hockey team got on its arrival here after ending a 32-year gold medal drought in Asian Games at Bangkok.

He was particularly miffed that no staff from the Indian Airlines, which they flew on the return journey from Bangkok, was present to receive the contingent despite knowing the flight was diverted to Mumbai from its original destination Delhi because of the fog in the capital.

Later setting aside the problems faced by him and others, Pillay said the team was so thrilled by its triumph on beating holders South Korea 5-3 for the gold that the members’ joy knew no bounds.

"We are all so happy, every member of the team, the two coaches and manager. I cannot tell you in words the celebration which took place in Bangkok after our victory. The Indo-Thai Chamber of Commerce felicitated us. This is a morale-boosting win for the players", he said and added that his focus now is the Sydney Olympics. (PTI)

Natyakarmi presents "Sanskar" in festival

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Natyakarmi today presented Shiv Mehta’s Dogri play Sanskar at Abhinav Theatre in the on-going Annual Drama Festival here this evening.

The play "Sanskar" was directed by Sanjeev Nirdosh. The play revolves around the death of an elder and the other rituals related to it. While the writer has justified with the theme by not only bringing out the details of the rituals associated with the aftermath of death in this part of the country, but he has also dwelt in details about the illegal practices being experienced by those upon whom the hell breaks. All the artists justified with the roles offered to them. The artists who performed in the play included Rajkumar Behrupia, Sameer Sharma, Subash Jamwal, Ajay Safaya, Sanjeev Kerni, Rajinder Narang, Rakesh Sharma, Anil Balgotra, Rahul Manhas, Anjana Mishra, Nitika Malvi, Neelam Malvi, Vandana Sharma, Kavita Amla, Ritu Manhas, Puja Sharma, Shubbu, Dushyant, Kanav Sharma, Rajeev Chanakyapuri, Sanjeet Gupta, Soham, Amit, Ajay Sharma, Satish Gupta and Ketan Gupta.

The make was performed by Dr Kamal Sharma, sound was arranged by Mr K Rajesh, Dress designing was done by Mrs Kusum Tikoo, Properties by Rakesh Sharma, assistance in direction by Rajkumar Behrupia, Hall management by Akhil Gupta and Pawan, others associated being Arvind Gupta.

The organisors expressed special gratitude to Messrs Vijay Saraf, Shiv Mehta and Deepak Kumar.

Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Tourney
SK XI enter semi-finals

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Dec 23: SK XI beat NCC by 32 runs to enter the semi-finals of the on-going Ist Sher-e-Kashmir Memorial Cricket Tournament. The tournament is being organised by the District Youth National Conference and sponsored by APTEC Computer Education Centre, Rajouri, here.

SK XI won the toss and scored 220 runs in the stipulated 30 overs. Aftab was the highest scorer with 63 runs and was declared APTEC man of the match.

Chasing the target, NCC made a slow start and lost their wickets after regular interval. It was only the last wicket partnership of 110 runs which help NCC to reach 188 runs. Raju, who scored 50 runs was the main scorer in the last wicket partnership.

In another match, Eleven Stars outplayed Faster Club by 24 runs. Playing first Stars made 206 runs in 30 overs. Fasters lost all their wickets at 182 runs.

One down Avneesh Jasyal of Eleven Stars scored 70 runs (second successive 50 in the tournament) and was adjudged APTEC man of the match. He was given a APTEC T-shirt and cap.

The tournament is being live telecast by the Jasyal cable network, Rajouri and being held under the supervision of Mr Tazeem Dar, president DYNC, Rajouri.

Open Badminton Tourney
Avinash lifts junior title

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Avnish Sharma won the junior boys singles title outplaying Makarand 17-16, 15-11 in on-going J&K Open Badminton Tournament being played at indoor halls, M A Stadium, here today.

In another final, Shveta again up-set state champion Madhvi Jolly to claim the Sub-junior girls singles title in straight sets of 11-7, 13-10.

Shveta, who yesterday beat number one Madhvi in the women’s singles semi-finals, played a confident game today to clinch the sub-junior title.

Madhvi was unable to pick the drops and smashes by Shveta throughout in the two sets final.

In the state championship Madhvi Jolly won all the three titles in sub-junior, junior and women categories to become number one, but had poor show in the ongoing tournament, losing two titles.

The pair of Vikram Jamwal and Vipan Sharma lifted the junior boys doubles title beating Avnish Sharma and Makarand Mehta 15-13, 15-12.

The sub-junior boys singles title won by Punit Aggarwal, who beat Abhishake Magotra in close contest 6-15, 15-10, 15-10. While doubles title went to pair of Punit Aggarwal and Abhishake, who beat Vikram Singh and Vipul Singh 15-11, 15-11.

In the mini-boys doubles, pair of Vikram Singh and Vipul Singh lifted the title beating Karan Mengi and Arunav Gupta in straight sets of 15-12, 15-7.

Menwhile, Vikram Singh and Vipul Singh today entered the semi-finals in the mini-boys singles semi-finals. Vikram beat Karan Mengi 15-11, 15-5, while Vipul outplayed Arunav Gupta 15-8, 15-11.

M S Memorial Hockey Tourney
Zorawar Club to take on G S Bhore in final today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Zorawar Club, Satwari will take on G S Club, Bhore in the finals of the 13th M S Jamwal Memorial Hockey Tournament being played at Green Field grounds, here today.

G S Club, Bhore entered the final trouncing GNC, Nanak Nagar 2-0 in the first semi-final played today. GNC, which won all its league matches failed to maintain the winning spree and lost in the semi-finals.

The first goal was made by right-in Parveen Singh in the 5th minute for Bhore in the 5th minute of the match. In the 25th minute, GNC lost a good chance to equalise the lead, but their attempt was foiled by the alert Bhore goal-keeper Gurjeet Singh.

The second goal for Bhore was struck by centre-forward Gurmeet Singh soon after the side changing in the 36 minute of the match.

Messrs Vijay Vaid and Ram Singh were referees in the match.

In the second semi-final, Zorawar Club upset Khalsa Club 4-1 to enter the final. Centre-forward Sohan Singh made first goal in the 5th minute after he got a cross pass from Gurcharan Singh.

In was followed by another goal in the 20th minute through Gurcharan, who converted a plenty corner into clear goal beating the Khalsa goal-keeper. Other two goal came after the side changing.

Right-out Anup Singh made the third goal for Zorawar Club in the 40 minute to take 3-0 lead. The fourth goal came in the 60th minute again through Anup.

But in the last minutes of the match, centre-forward Davinder Singh Khalsa Club made a maiden goal in the 65th minute to make it 4-1.

Kulbeer Singh and Harmanan Singh were referees in the second semi-final.