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to don the mantle of opener BANGALORE, Aug 16: In a departure from his earlier stand, middle-order batsman V V S Laxman, seeking to make a comeback to the national cricket team after being dropped for the World Cup, today said he was prepared to open the innings in test matches if required.........more Teams for Challenger BANGALORE, Aug 16: The BCCI selection committee will meet here on August 26 to name the teams for next month’s Challenger Trophy Cricket Tournament, committee chairman Brijesh Patel said today.........more BANGALORE, Aug 15: Andhra Pradesh’s Saina Nehwal caused the major upset of the Canara Bank All India senior Ranking Badminton Tournament here today, shocking top seed B R Meenakshi of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board in the quarter-finals...............more Saeed
Anwar retires from ISLAMABAD, Aug 15: Pakistan’s opening batsman and world record holder Saeed Anwar today announced his retirement.........more |
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Ladakhi boy wins Great Tibetan Marathon *Mufti describes event as harbinger for tourism Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Aug 16: In the first ever Great Tibetan Marathon held here today, a local athlete Sonam Angdus of Matho won the first prize........more Ten-member
team leaves Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: Ten-member team of the Adventure Sports Club (J&K), Jammu left for the 10th Ladakh Motor Expedition-2003........more Engg Club
beats Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: Engineer Club today registered a 1-0 win over Young Rovers in a league match to continue at the top........more Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: All-round performance by Hardeep Singh today guided Rehari Cricket....more |
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| India
succumb to five-minute zinx...... 14-member Judo team to represent J&K in Sub-junior Nationals..... Ramesh
Memorial Cricket Tourney |
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Laxman willing to don the mantle of opener BANGALORE, Aug 16: In a departure from his earlier stand, middle-order batsman V V S Laxman, seeking to make a comeback to the national cricket team after being dropped for the World Cup, today said he was prepared to open the innings in test matches if required. Laxman, who made an epic 281 against Australia batting at number three, has always said he is more comfortable coming down the order but apparently the stylish right-hander is now willing to be more flexible in order to make his way into the national side. "I would not mind opening the innings," the Hyderabad batsman, one of the 36 probables, told reporters here at the conditioning camp for the upcoming home test series against New Zealand. Laxman’s willingness to open the innings comes at a time when India is struggling to find the right opening pair. And his more flexible approach also highlights the fact that there is more competition for places in the squad in the post-World Cup scenario. Laxman also seems to have realised that it is no use fretting and sulking over his omission from cricket’s quarterly showpiece event. "It was very disappointing and depressing and it came as a shock to me. However, it is past and now I am looking ahead at the coming season which would be a tough one," he said. Laxman, who has been training and exercising all along to keep himself match-fit, said he was pleased with the camp which was being conducted in a modern and scientific manner. (PTI) |
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Teams for Challenger Trophy on August 26 BANGALORE, Aug 16: The BCCI selection committee will meet here on August 26 to name the teams for next month’s Challenger Trophy Cricket Tournament, committee chairman Brijesh Patel said today. Patel told PTI here that the selection committee meeting will coincide with the concluding day of the ongoing conditioning camp for probables. BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya is also expected to be present at the meeting. The selected players would return to the city on September 1 for further training till September 8 ahead of the Challenger Trophy which begins on September 10. (PTI) |
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BANGALORE, Aug 15: Andhra Pradesh’s Saina Nehwal caused the major upset of the Canara Bank All India senior Ranking Badminton Tournament here today, shocking top seed B R Meenakshi of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board in the quarter-finals. Saina defeated Meenakshi, ranked 78 in the world, 11-6 0-11 11-9 to book a berth in the semi-final, where she was joined by third seed Trupti Murgunde of Maharashtra, Krishna Deka Raja of Assam and Railways’ Neha Makwana.(PTI) |
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Saeed Anwar retires from international cricket ISLAMABAD, Aug 15: Pakistan’s opening batsman and world record holder Saeed Anwar today announced his retirement from international cricket stating that it was pointless to continue when he was not considered for selection. Anwar, who scored his last of his several international centuries in the crucial match against India in this year’s World Cup, said he preferred to retire after 15 years of glorious cricket as there was little prospect of his returning to the team. Sounding bitter and disappointed, Anwar, whose 194 against India at Chennai in 1997 still stands as the highest individual score in one-day internationals, said he wanted to retire when people asked why and not when. "I am retiring on a high note but am disappointed. I could have played for two more years," he told Pakistan’s Geo TV. "I played for Pakistan with pride and want to be remembered as a good and decent player," said the batsman who made a hundred in his last Test against Bangladesh in 2001. "I thought the selectors would give me a chance after the World Cup and I waited for two-three months but they decided otherwise," Anwar said of his omission from the team. Anwar, who had an average World Cup, was one of the eight seniors who were dropped from the side after the mega event as the Pakistani selectors started a process to revamp the team by including young players. (PTI) |
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Ladakhi boy wins Great
Tibetan Marathon Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Aug 16: In the first ever Great Tibetan Marathon held here today, a local athlete Sonam Angdus of Matho won the first prize, the second went to Karlston of Denmark while the third was bagged by Mari Mari Walton of Australia. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed presented medals to the winners at the prize distribution function at Spetuk, 6 kms from here. Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Education Minister, Mr. Harshdev Singh, Minister for Science and Technology, Mr. Nawang Rigzin, Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Haji Nissar Ali, Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Mr. Thupstan Chhewang and local legislators were present at the function. Talking to media persons on the occasion, the Chief Minister described the event as historic and said it will go a long way in promoting tourism in the region. He said while Kashmir is being projected as a paradise on earth, Ladakh is a unique destination with varied terrain and climatic conditions. He said the Great Tibetan Marathon would boost tourism not only in Ladakh but elsewhere in the State as well. Mufti Sayeed said that while the Government would welcome such events in Kashmir, the Valley is ideally suited for golfers. Earlier, speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister commended the stamina endurance of the participants of Marathon who ran for 42 kms at a high altitude place like Leh. He said it is only because of their adventurous spirit and commitment to promote tourism in the Himalayan region that the runners have come from different countries to participate in the event. He asked them to enjoy their stay not only in the unique land of Ladakh but also consider visiting other captivating tourist spots in Jammu and Srinagar. Earlier, the Chief Executive Councilor flagged off the Marathon from the Hemis Gompa. He said that till August 14 this year, around 21,177 tourists including 11,304 foreigners visited Leh. The Marathon was organized by International Union of Runners, an international association to promote tourism in Ladakh and other Himalayan regions. 250 amateurs and professional athletes in the age group 20 to 74 years from 6 countries including Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Australia besides 25 athletes from Leh participated in the Marathon. The Marathon covered 42 kms and culminated at Spetuk at 2 p.m. where Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed received the participants. |
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Ten-member team leaves for 10th
Ladakh Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: Ten-member team of the Adventure Sports Club (J&K), Jammu left for the 10th Ladakh Motor Expedition-2003 here yesterday. The expedition team, who are on a Jeep and four motorbikes, was flagged off from Jammu by former India Handball captain, DySP Ranjit Singh from the office premises of the Adventure Sports Club. The Team, including Vikram Singh Rathore (leader), Umesh Joshi, Kuljit Singh, Swarn Singh, Ashwani Sharma, I D Singh, Raman Sethi, Tilak Raj, Satnam Singh and Raj Kumar. After completing their tough expedition via Srinagar, the team will be back on August 26 touching Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The motive behind organising the expedition, according to Ranjit Singh, who is also chairman of the Club, is to promote motor sports and adventure sports in the remote areas of the State. Expedition is fully sponsored by the J&K Motor Sports Association. During the over ten-day long tough riding, the team members will be rolling over the Zanskar, Ladakh, Pirpanchal and Eastern Korakoram ranges by attaining maximum height of 18,380 ft msl. Besides the team members will experience the thrill of motor-surfing at Hundev Nubra, Rafting experience at Leh’s Sindh River, trekking and high altitude driving experience at Graval section of remotest part of Ladakh region facing adverse climate conditions. Som Raj Gupta and Praval Sharma were also present when team was flagged off. |
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Engg Club beats Young
Rovers to continue Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: Engineer Club today registered a 1-0 win over Young Rovers in a league match to continue at the top in Pool-A of the ongoing Junior Division Football League Championship at Science College, here. Engineers have highest nine points alongwith Alaxander Club till today off as many outings. Jammu Sports and National Club are trailing behind at No. 2 position with four points each from three matches. Earlier, in today’s third league match, Engineer XI defeated Young Rovers by a solitary goal which came through Kapil in the 60th minute. The organisers termed today’s match as one of the best in the ongoing league championship. Young Rovers too got couple of good chances to make a goal but unfortunately the ball either hit the goal bar or went directly into the hands of gourd at the net. In another match of the day, Christian Star blanked Young Rising Star 4-0. Rakesh opened the account for Christian Star netting the ball in the 8th minute. Later, Sonu Michael completed his hat-trick scoring in the 48th, 63rd and 68th minute of the match. With today’s win, Christain Star has joined Gura Slathia at No. 2 position with four points off three matches in Pool-B. In Pool-C, Cantt Star is at the top with six points coming off two matches while New Dogra too has six points but from three matches. In Pool-D, Alaxander Club has maintained the top position with nine points from three matches. Pallanwala Club and Gorkha Brothers are trailing at No. 2 position with three points each from two ties. |
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Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: All-round performance by Hardeep Singh today guided Rehari Cricket Club (RCC) to the final of the Challenger Trophy Cricket Tournament underway at Bishnah. In today’s semi-final, RCC defeated Challenger Club by a margin of 69 runs. Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, RCC made 193 runs losing all the wickets in 20 overs. Hardeep Singh (Prince) was highest scorer with 65 runs off 41 balls studded with eight boundaries and three fours. Pankaj contributed 40 (off 31 balls, 4x6, 1x4) while Abhijeet and Satyajeet added 21 and 13 runs respectively. From Challenger Club, Guru Partap bagged three wickets and Dimple two. Ajay bagged one wicket. Batting second, Challenger Club lost all their wickets for 124 runs. Suresh Singh was highest scorer with 46 runs coming off just 19 balls with the help of five sixes and two fours. Vijay and Vivek Singh contributed 28 and 13 runs respectively. Hardeep Singh, who earlier made 65 runs, clinched three wickets while Satyajeet took two. Abhijeet, Anoop and Nirender shared one each. For his all-round performance, Hardeep was adjudged as man of the match. The final of the Challenger Trophy will be played tomorrow. India succumb to five-minute zinx AMSTELVEEN, Aug 16: The "five-minute zone" again became the Bugbear for India. Leading 3-0 with only seven minutes left, India should have closed the game, held possession and gave the game away to a team that kept patience, held it’s nerves to run out, amazingly, 4-3 winners in the team’s opening game of the 25th Champions Trophy here today. Holland struck four times, getting the three goals for the equalizer and the fourth for the match-winner with exactly 45 seconds left. The goals for Holland came through rob reckers, Taeke Taekema, Floris Evers and Ronald Brouwer. India played with just ten men in the last minutes of the match, after Dutch equalised 3-3 through floris. Dhanraj was protesting the goal and referee Stephen Brooks penalised him by showing the yellow card. What should have been all-out approach became a defensive exercise as India blocked the midfield and ensured that the frontline became in-effective. Of course, India had the chances but Indian hockey history has seen better chapters written when teams have pulled out the stops and played with flair. That was totally missing. Holland, on the other hand, played with off-runners and with the ball being controlled by one forward most of the time Teun De Nooijer. They came into match looking for goals and would have got it but for some great defensive work in the Indian back line. India had some good moves even though the approach was defensive but for the lack of bite upfront couldn’t convert. If coach Rajinder Singh’s strategy was to block the Dutch it worked perfectly in the first half but one thought that India should have been looking for goals. Of course, of the first penalty corner, Jugraj Singh’s penalty corner flick beat everyone but the cross-bar. It was lucky for Holland as they would have gone into the break, a goal down. In the second half, Dhanraj Pillay was pulled off and Deepak Thakur came in. A couple of minutes later Pillay was also back but this time as an attacking forward and the movement was felt as with Thakur he combined superbly to rattle the Dutch defence. It was off the fourth penalty corner that India took the lead in the 44th minute when Jugraj delayed his flick for a second and the Dutch fell into the trap as he slotted the ball high into the net. And then off a loose ball Pillay got into the act and ran down the middle and gave a great through pass to Deepak Thakur who who on the run smashed the ball past the Dutch goalkeeper Guus Vogels. In the 52nd minute, India led 2-0. The goal of the match came in the 62nd minute when Gagan Ajit took the ball on the right flank and flicked it to Deepak who connected superbly and India were leading 3-0. In the end, India showed that it had the flair when they attacked but when it mattered in closing a match it was totally at sea. 14-member Judo team to
represent J&K Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: Fourteen-member Jammu and Kashmir team to left tomorrow for the Sub-junior National Judo Championship to be held at Guwahati from August 20 to 24. Team comprised of seven boys and an equal number of girls earlier underwent a 11-day coaching camp under the supervision of State Sports Council coach, Suraj Bhan and Arshi Nad. The team: Boys: Anil Sharma, Subam Raina, Bhuvneshwar Singh, Ragav Gupta, Prince Choudhary, Rameez and Uman Jaan. Girls: Kavita Sharma, Monika Thakur, Priya Sumbriya, Isifa, Ishrad, Sazia and Shabnam Choudhary. Suraj Bhan and Ritika Slathia accompanying the team as coach while Vikas Gupta is manager. Ramesh Memorial
Cricket Tourney Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: Samooh Cricket Club (SCC) will take on Rishikesh Cricket Club (RCC) in the final of the Ist Ramesh Memorial Cricket Tournament being organised by Baba Jamuna Dass Cricket Club at Paloura here tomorrow. The final will start at 3.30 pm. Earlier, in the second semi-final played today, SCC outplayed Josh Cricket Club (JCC) by three runs. After winning the toss and decided to bat first, SCC made 118 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 14 overs, which, in reply, JCC could not chase and completed the allotted overs for 115 runs with one wicket in hand. Bunty was top scorer from Samooh Club who made 26 runs including two sixes while Susheel and Sumeet contributed 20 and 15 respectively. Balwinder bagged four wickets for SCC. Gulshan bagged two. From Josh Club Javed was highest scorer with 31 runs. Sumit and Ajay added 26 and 14 runs respectively. Pardeep was most successful bowler who claimed four wickets for SCC. Sumit took three and Anoop two. Pardeep was later declared as man of the match. Today’s semi-final was sponsored by R K Chohan Jewellers and Mulkh Raj Ashok Kumar Saraf, Lakhdata Bazar. Australia hold Pak to 4-4 draw AMSTELVEEN (Holland): Two late goals helped Australia force a 4-4 draw against Pakistan in the opening match of the 25th Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament at the Wagener Stadium here today. In a fast paced match, Pakistan just about managed to keep their nose in front with goals by Mudassar Ali (6th minute), Sohail Abbas (11th, 30th) and Salim Khalid (67th) while the Aussies struck through Grant Schubert (14th, 70th), Troy Elder (32nd) and Dean Butler (68th). Pakistan could not have asked for a better start when Shabbir Hussain snatched the ball from a slow-moving Matthew Wells and relayed to ali who found the net. (Agencies) |
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