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Confident India eager GUWAHATI, Nov 13: Brimming with confidence after two consecutive morale-boosting victories, India will be keen to clinch the series by taking an invincible 3-1 lead when they lock horns with New Zealand in the fourth tie of the five-match limited overs cricket series here tomorrow....more
Mixed luck for Ashok MUMBAI, Nov 13: National champion Ashok Shandilya met with mixed luck from group "H" on the fourth day of the World Snooker Championship being played at Papua New Guinea yesterday....more Changing of guard at NEW YORK, Nov 13: The changing of the ...more Inter-school
boys under-14 year Cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Nov 13: A O Convent High School....more |
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GUWAHATI, Nov 13: Deposed Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin’s......more MoS Civil
Aviation Declares Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Nov 13 : The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta today...more Football
League Tournament Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 13: Churchill Brothers ended their league tie with Jammu Sports-A in a goalless......more
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 13: Second seed Maninder Singh....more |
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Confident India eager to clinch series GUWAHATI, Nov 13: Brimming with confidence after two consecutive morale-boosting victories, India will be keen to clinch the series by taking an invincible 3-1 lead when they lock horns with New Zealand in the fourth tie of the five-match limited overs cricket series here tomorrow. The Indians kept their cool in the crucial stages to carve out a thrilling 14-run victory in the last match at Gwalior and Sachin Tendulkar and his men will be eager to mantain the winning streak in what promises to be an exciting battle of skill and nerves. Fighting with their backs to the wall, the visitors are bound to put up a far more inspired performance in an effort to square the series again at the Nehru Stadium, staging an international match after a gap of almost two years. The Kiwis have shown the tendency to choke under pressure in the last two one-dayers and barring opener Nathan Astle, none of the other batsmen have shown the desired consistency in the series, which the hosts lead 2-1. The Indian batsmen, on the other hand, have been going great guns on the placid tracks and Tendulkar will be hoping that the top order fire on all cylinders again on the morrow to put their opponents under considerable pressure. Although the Indian batting looks solid with Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Ajay Jadeja among runs, the bowling lacks experience with the senior players being rested ahead of the tough Australian tour. The gangling Orissa swing bowler Debashish Mohanty and Mumbai speedster Ajit Agarkar, back in action after a long injury lay-off, will get the opportunity to prove their worth again on bengin tracks in the absence of pace spearheads Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad. While Agarkar bowled a tidy spell in the last match at Gwalior after his return to the team, Mohanty seemed to be a little rusty after being on the sidelines for long. But the morning conditions at the Nehru Stadium here should help the pace bowlers who will be keen to exploit the early juice in the track before the batsmen start calling the shots. With the wily leg-spinner Anil Kumble also rested for the last two matches, the relatively inexperienced Indian bowling attack will be put to test and Tendulkar will have to handle his resources well. Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Gyanendra Pandey, who has been inducted in the squad in place of Kumble, or left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi may come into the team for Kumble. Off spinner Nikhil Chopra was a trifle off colour in the first two ties, but put up a decent show in the last match. The Indians will be relying on the batting prowess of Tendulkar, who was in devastating form in the Hyderabad match scoring a classy unbeaten 186 to stear India to a comfortable win. With both the openers Tendulkar and Ganguly in very good form, the hosts will be hoping to get off to a flying start. The Kiwis managed to contain the Indians in the early stages in Gwalior with good line and length and it remains to be seen whether they can remove the dangerous Tendulkar cheaply to put some pressure on the Indians. (PTI) |
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Mixed luck for Ashok Shandilya MUMBAI, Nov 13: National champion Ashok Shandilya met with mixed luck from group "H" on the fourth day of the World Snooker Championship being played at Papua New Guinea yesterday. According to information received here today, the Railway Star beat Jyri Virtana of Finland 4-1 in the morning but lost his second match to local cueist Chris Schulz 1-4 in the evening. With two wins from five matches, Shandilya’s chances of making it to the knock-out stage have dimmed. However, India number two Sarang Shroff is still in the reckoning to qualify from group "C" as he got a walk-over in his last match. (PTI) |
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Changing of guard at Chase Championships NEW YORK, Nov 13: The changing of the guard in women’s tennis becomes official next week with a retirement party for Steffi Graf at the season-ending chase championships while the next generation of tennis stars battle for the crown she won five times. New York tennis fans get a chance to bid farewell to the German superstar on Tuesday night after being denied that opportunity when Graf retired prior to the US Open. A less elaborate send-off is planned for 1997 champion Jana Novotna, who also decided to call it quits this year. The absence of Graf and Novotna and three-time winner Monica Seles, who is sidelined by injury, leaves 19-year-old defending champion Martina Hingis as the lone player in the field of 16 to have won the prestigious year-end title. While losing Graf, Seles and Novotna, the 1999 chase championships receives an exciting infusion of new blood as the title-hungry Williams Sisters make the most eagerly anticipated debuts in the season finale since Jennifer Capriati’s 1990 appearance. Venus Williams, 19, qualified in 1998 but withdrew with an injury, delaying her first Madison Square Garden experience. "It just seems like I should’ve been there two years ago. For some reason or other I’ve never been there," she said. Eighteen-year-old Serena Williams storms into the season finale to conclude a spectacular breakout year in which she beat her celebrated sibling to the grand slam punch by capturing the US Open crown among her five 1999 titles — the first of her fledgling career. Venus was devastated upon losing her US Open semifinal to Hingis, failing to fulfil her end of her father’s promise of an all-Williams final. But she picked up her sixth title of the year with a win over the Swiss teen on Hingis’s home turf in Zurich last month and beat her again at the Grand Slam Cup. Joining Hingis and the Williams Sisters as serious title threats are relative old timers Lindsay Davenport, last year’s runner-up, and 1997 losing finalist Mary Pierce. Davenport, the 23-year-old Wimbledon champion, is making her sixth consecutive appearance, while Pierce, 24, is playing for the sixth time in seven years. Win or lose, Hingis will finish the year with the world number one ranking. "One thing’s for sure, I’m going to stay number one no matter what happens. That’s a little bit of pressure off me," said Hingis, who seems to put more stock in computer rankings than any other tennis player, male of female. "I wanted to finish the year number one. But if possible, I’d like to defend this tournament, since I won last year." Winner of a WTA tour-best seven titles this year, including the Australian Open, Hingis expressed surprise this week at how far ahead of her rivals she was in rankings points. "There were four different grand slam champions, but I was the most consistent. I am kind of proud about that," she said. In addition to Serena Williams, the 16-player field features two other first-time qualifiers — Austrian Barbara Schett, who made the jump into the world’s top 10 in 1999, and Amelie Mauresmo, the surprise Australian Open finalist. The proceedings will have a decidedly french flavor this year with five of eight first-round matches featuring a French player. Besides Pierce and Mauresmo, Nathalie Tauziat, Julie Halard-Decugis and Sandrine Testud have been invited to the garden party. One of the truly unique elements of the WTA tour’s season-ending championships will be missing, however, after officials decided to replace the only best-of-five-sets final in women’s tennis with the usual best-of-three format. Perhaps today’s younger, stronger players don’t have the staying power of past champions such as Graf, Martina Navratilova and Seles with 16 titles among them. (REUTERS) |
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GUWAHATI, Nov 13: Deposed Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin’s silken batting artisty of past 16 years and the recent double hundred in Ranji Trophy might not be enough to put him back into the Indian team. Chairman of the Selection Commiittee of Indian cricket team Chandu Borde today made it clear that there was no place for Azharuddin as the team was playing well. "Where is the place for him" said the Chairman. ‘When the boys are doing well as a team it is very awkward for us to change it,’ he said while talking to newspersons at the Nehru Stadium while inspecting the pitch. Mohammad Azharuddin had said that he was extremely disappointed for not being considered for the tour to Australia and said he was confident of making a comeback. Mr Borde said ‘when the team is doing well the question of discussing any other player’s name does not arise. Where is the question of his entry?’ the Chairman said. The former India skipper Azharuddin recently told a television channel that he was pained to hear that the selection committee did not even consider his name. It was really embarrassing, he said. ‘I am extremely disappointed with the way things have gone. I certainly think that I deserved to get a chance. But I guess the selectors know better,’ he said. Regarding Azharuddin’s chances of coming back, Mr Borde said he had an open mind. When asked whether Azharuddin had passed his peak Mr Borde refused to comment. ‘I do not understand one thing, in other countries when new faces are introduced there is always a favourable response from all quarters. You are praising other teams when there are new faces but in our case you are criticising the committee for bringing in new blood,’ he said. When asked why the Selection Committee did not inform Azhar about his ommission personally considering his decade-and-a-half’s service to the Indian team, Mr Borde said that it was the prerogative of the selectors. Azharuddin, who scored an unbeaten double hundred for Hyderabad against Goa last week, had said in a television interview that he hoped to make lot of runs in the domestic season and added that he had worked on his batting problems. The former skipper refuted the criticism that he stayed aloof and created a lot of misunderstandings in the team. (UNI) |
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21st State Table Tennis
Champ concludes Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 13: Second seed Maninder Singh down fighting top seed Sanal Gupta in the fifth set to lift the much desired men’s title after a gap of 17 years on the concluding day of the 21st State Table Tennis Championship at Indoor hall, M A Stadium, here this evening. In the women section, Bhavna Arora has become the new champion beating Chandpreet Kour in the final. Bhavna has also won the Junior girls title outplaying defending champion Chandpreet Kour. Cooled Nikhil Kesar remained on the top in the Junior and Sub-junior groups beating his rivals in straight sets. Earlier, in the men’s singles final, Maninder made a confident start winning first two sets within no time 21-14, 21-10. Expectant last year’s runners-up Sanal Gupta fought back in the third set 18-21 and leveled the score 2-2 winning easily the fourth set 12-21 in the five-set final. However, Sanal lost control over the game in the deciding set and lost first points. He again picked up and level the score to 6-6. But, lead went again in favour of Maninder, who had started playing a confident game leaving little to Sanal to secure point. Maninder with a couple of fantastic fore hand shots again took unbeatable lead which he maintained till the end winning the set 21-17 and match also. The score: 21-14, 21-10, 18-21, 12-21, 21-17. It may be recalled that defending Men’s champion, Ajay Sharma decided to remain out of the contest to give a chance to the youngsters to take the privilege of becoming the State Champion. Ajay was holding this position from the last 17 years. Ajay, now is active in the Jammu and Kashmir Table Tennis Association and acting as general secretary. In the women’s final, Bhavna Arora registered straight sets victory over Chandpreet Kour to lift the prestigious Women’s title. The score: 21-17, 21-18. Bhavna also took home the Junior girls winners trophy again beating Chandpreet 21-17, 21-14 to claim double title. In the Junior boys, defending champion, Nikhil Kesar retained the title beating Anil Dutta in a healthy contest. The first set had the highest score of the tournament ended at 32-30, while the second set was ended without entering into deuce 21-19. Nikhil also retained his second title in the Sub-junior group beating his brother Nitin Kesar in straight sets of 21-14, 21-15. Chandpreet, who played in all the groups won his second title in the Sub-junior girls beating Rashi Anand 21-16, 21-18. Earlier, she had won the Cadet girls title beating Shagun Mahajan. Consolation prizes were also given to some outstanding players. They were Waseem (Srinagar), Ruchika Gupta (Jammu), Ravinder Singh (Poonch) and Mirtungay of Jammu. Later, the Minister for Medical Education, Dr Mustafa Kamal, who was the chief guest in the final, gave away trophies to the winners and runners, besides some distinguished guests present on the occasion. In his brief address, the chief guest stressed that the sports at no cost be allowed to stop for want of funds. He suggested that the indoor halls ment for sports should have been air conditioned so as to enable the to practice in any season. Dr Kamal regretted that the indoor halls are in pitiable condition and needed immediate white wash. Later, the Secretary, J&K State Sports Council who was also present in the function presented memento to the chief guest on behalf of the Jammu and Kashmir Table Tennis Association, the organisers of the five-day long championship. Mementos were also presented to others who rendered their services in the smooth conduct of the championship. They include, Mr Satish Gupta, Table Tennis coach under whose supervision the championship was held, Rajan Sharma, organising secretary, Ajit Singh Wazir, Manager, MA Stadium, V K Magoo, president of the Table Tennis Association and district secretaries, Saleem Bandey from distt Poonch and Talal Ahmed from Srinagar. Mr Ajeet Singh Ajeet of Poonch was the chief umpire of the championship. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Players’ Forum has honoured three outstanding Table Tennis players. They are Ruchika, who upset defending state Champion Divya Gupta, Bhavna Arora, who has become new State Champion and has also won the Junior girls title and Anant Aditya Aima, who won Cadets title. The awards were present to the oustanding players by Mr Vikram Singh Jamwal on behalf of the Forum. |
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Inter-school boys
under-14 year Cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Nov 13: A O Convent High School, Udhampur and Middle School Bakhani emerged winners on the second day of the Inter-school boys under-14 year Cricket Tournament being played at Police Line grounds, here today. In the first match, A O Convent defeated Central Middle School, Udhampur in a one sided affair by 94 runs. Batting first, Convent scored 132 runs in stipulated 20 overs for the loss of six wickets. Nipun was the highest scorer from Convent with 37 runs, while Bikram and Manjeet contributed 17 and 13 runs respectively. From Central school, Jugal Kishore, Rohit, Rakesh and Deepak shared one wicket each. Chasing the target, Central School lost all the wickets at a score of 38 runs. Rohit and Ajay were the maximum scorers with eight and seven runs on the board. Gourav and Nipun claimed three wickets each for Convent, while Bikram bagged two. In another match of the day, Middle School, Bakhani defeated Amba-Kids Panthal Academy by one wicket. Batting first after winning the toss, Amba Kida scored 78 runs losing six wickets in 20 overs match. Balbir Singh, Gourav and Ajay scored 19, 15 and 17 runs respectively. Whereas, Sunil and Pawan claimed one wicket each for Bakhani school. In reply, Bakhani School scored 82 runs in 9.4 overs losing nine wickets. Opener Sanjeev scored 25 highest runs, while his partner Aslam contributed 19. From Amba-Kida Azam clinched four wickets, while, Ajit got two and Sourav one. In yesterday’s matches, A O Convent defeated Brahmrishi Babra Academy by 13 runs, while in the second match, Happy Model Higher Secondary School, Udhampur beat National Academy by nine wickets. Earlier, the the tournament was declared on by Dy SP, Dar, Mr A Q Raina. The matches were officiated by Messrs Kuldeep Kumar, Raj Kumar and Ravi Kumar of District Youth Services and Sports Department, Udhampur. |
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