|
|
Lack of communication leads to last minute choking: Gagan CHANDIGARH, July 3: Star forward Gagan Ajit Singh has identified lack of communication as one the reasons for the hockey team’s last minute choking, which again came to the fore despite India’s back-to-back trophy .....more No
medals for India NAKCHIVAN (Azerbaijan), July 3: The Indian contingent would return empty handed from the World Junior Chess Championships with none of the competitors from the country finishing........more Kanpur
and Mohali to NEW DELHI, July 3: Kanpur and Mohali will host India’s two test matches of the home series against New Zealand in October, it was announced. ..........more No
one-day matches NEW DELHI, July 3: Acting on the recommendation of prominent spinners of yesteryears, the cricket board today announced a ban on one-day matches for junior teams upto the Under-17. ..........more |
|
First-ever
live telecast of matches by Siti Cable Brilliant Club holding tourney to raise funds for destitutes Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 3: J&K Brilliant Cricket Club, here has come forward with an innovative idea of holding a cricket tournament, Jammu Cup 2003, to raise ....more 3-day Ball Badminton tourney ends Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 3: Three day Ball Badminton Tournament concluded today at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar. The tournament was organised by the Ball .....more Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 3: Newly elected general secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, M L Nehru has denied the cricket schedule ......more Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, July 3: Asserting that participation in sports strengthens spirit of mutual.. .....more |
 |
Top soccer players may skip state leagues...... India ‘A’ sent on a leather hunt...... British weather holds up local hero ...... I’m committed to my charity projects in the city: Waugh...... |
|
|
Lack of communication leads to last minute choking: Gagan CHANDIGARH, July 3: Star forward Gagan Ajit Singh has identified lack of communication as one the reasons for the hockey team’s last minute choking, which again came to the fore despite India’s back-to-back trophy wins at Hamburg and Perth. Gagan, player of the tournament at Hamburg, said though the team was doing well in most of the departments, conceding goals in the last minutes of a match was an area of concern. "We conceded a goal against Germany in the dying minutes and (earlier in Australia) Pakistan scored in the last seconds which helped them to force a draw," he said opining more communication among the players was needed to overcome this problem. Talking to PTI, Gagan said the team will be working hard to improve on the weak areas to make it three in a row at the Champions Trophy in the Netherlands in August following back-to-back wins in two tournaments in Australia and Germany. "With two important tournament victories under our belt, the team morale has got a tremendous boost. However, there are some weak areas which we are working on to ensure that the current dream run continues," he said. The Punjab Police Officer said the team had also improved a lot in the penalty corner conversion. "We are improving in this area and in Hamburg we converted eight goals while in (last month’s three Nation Invitational Tournament) Australia we converted six goals." Asked which match at Hamburg was the toughest, Gagan said playing against World Champions Germany was always a challenge. "We played very good hockey against them even as the pressure of local crowd is there against you." On what he had done to improve his own game, Gagan said he had worked hard in receiving the ball. "I have put in hard work in this department and captain Dhanraj Pillay gave me some tips and encouraged me. More practice and a boost in confidence helped me do better." He said the team had been, in the recent past, concentrating hard on playing attacking hockey. "Earlier, we used to go on the defensive during the opening session but now we attack right from the word go which puts pressure on the opposition. With this strategy, we have been scoring goals in the first half as the team playing against us comes under lot of pressure." Gagan also pointed to the present senior-junior combination as the mantra for the team’s recent successes. "All the players have good understanding and this is helping the team’s cause. The junior members are supported by the senior ones and we learn a lot from their techniques," he said. On what was in store, gagan said the team will not sit on its laurels, but work hard to bring back the lost glory to Indian hockey. "You know, even the FIH (world hockey body) president has praised our team on its performance," he said. (PTI) |
|
No medals for India at World Jr Chess NAKCHIVAN (Azerbaijan), July 3: The Indian contingent would return empty handed from the World Junior Chess Championships with none of the competitors from the country finishing in the medal bracket after the conclusion of the 13th and final round today. Grandmasters Surya Sekhar Ganguly and Pentyla Harikrishna could only manage to draw their games and tallied eight points each from a possible 13 to finish eighth and ninth respectively. The gold medal was won by top seeded Grandmaster Shakhriyaz Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan who played a quick draw in his last game to finish on 10 points. Sergei Azarov of Belarus secured the silver medal after he too drew his game while the bronze went to Alexander Zubov of Ukraine who won his final round against Kanep Meelis of Estonia with black pieces. India had to face disappointment in the girls’ section too with Dronavalli Harika failing to win her final round game against Shukurova Meihriban of Azerbaijan. She had to narrowly miss out on a medal finishing fourth with seven points. The other Indian hope Tania Sachdev lost her final round game against Zeinab Mamedjarova of Azerbaijan and came sixth with 6.5 points. However Eesha Karavade brought cheers to an otherwise gloomy Indian camp by taking a draw with Nana Dzagnidze of Georgia who had won the tournament with one round to spare. Eesha achieved her third and final iwm norm in the process and will now become an International Women Master soon. The silver in this section went to Cristina Calotescu who finished with a tally of 7.5 points along with Mamedjarova. Calotescu’s superior tie-break ensured her the second place while the Azerbaijani had to be content with the bronze. Top final standings:Boys: 1. Shakhriyaz Mamedyarov (10); 2. Sergei Azarov (9.5); 3-5. Alexander Zubov, Kadir Guseinov, Vugar Gashimov (8.5 each).... 8-9. Surya Shekhar Ganguly, P Harikrishna (8 each); 17. G Rohit (7.5); 18-19. P Mahesh Chandran, Deepan Chakravarthy (7 each)... 33. S Arun Prasad (6); 35. Abhijit Gupta (5.5) Girls: 1. Nana Dzagnidze (9.5); 2-3. Cristina Calotescu, Zeinab Mamedjarova (7.5 each); 4-5. D Harika, Ekaterina Ubiennykh (7 each); 6-7. Tania Sachdev, Eesha Karavade (6.5 each); 13. Saheli Nath (5.5) 24. Mahima Rajmohan (4). (PTI) |
|
Kanpur and Mohali to stage two Tests against New Zealand NEW DELHI, July 3: Kanpur and Mohali will host India’s two test matches of the home series against New Zealand in October, it was announced today. The first Test would be played from October 8 to 12 while the second would be held from October 16 to 20, cricket board president Jagmohan Dalmiya told reporters here. However, which venue would stage the first test and which the second was yet to be finalised, he said. The venues were approved on the second and final day of the board’s working committee meeting. The meeting also approved the programme of the subsequent Triangular one-day series involving India, Australia and New Zealand. The Triseries, starting on October 23, would comprise ten matches with each team playing the other three times and the top two teams clashing in the final at Kolkata on November 18. Before the test matches, New Zealand will also play two three-day matches Vizag and Rajkot. The matches will be played from September 26 to 28 and from October 2 to 4. Complete itinerary: Sept 26-28: 3-day match New Zealand vs Board President’s XI Vizag or Rajkot Oct 2-4 : 3-day match New Zealand vs India ‘A’ Vizag or Rajkot Oct 8-12 : First Test India vs New Zealand Kanpur or Mohali Oct 16-20 : Second Test India vs New Zealand Kanpur or Mohali. (PTI) |
|
No one-day matches up to Under-17 level: Dalmiya NEW DELHI, July 3: Acting on the recommendation of prominent spinners of yesteryears, the cricket board today announced a ban on one-day matches for junior teams upto the Under-17 age group. Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya told reporters here that BCCI’s working committee, on the second and final day of its meeting here, had accepted all the three recommendations of the spinners’ panel with a view to promote spin bowling in the country. "We have decided to accept all three recommendations. As such, we have decided that there would be no one-day cricket for teams upto under-17 level," Dalmiya said. The other two recommendations pertain to conducting regular workshops for spinners at the zonal level and inviting former spin greats to come and train the youngsters. In a bid to revive India’s past glory in the spin department, BCCI had invited a number of former spinners at a conclave in Kolkata last month to suggest ways to produce more quality spinners in the country. The spinners were unanimous in their view that the overwhelming number of one-day matches was responsible for the decline in spin bowling. Dalmiya, however, clarified that India would participate in the Asia Cup under-17 Tournament, a one-day event, this year. "We are to host that tournament and as such we cannot go back on our commitment. But after the tournament we intend to approach the Asian Cricket Council to request that henceforth Asia Cup be made a two-day event," Dalmiya said. (PTI) |
|
|
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 3: J&K Brilliant Cricket Club, here has come forward with an innovative idea of holding a cricket tournament, Jammu Cup 2003, to raise funds for creating sports infrastructure for the orphan children staying at SOS Home and school at Channi Himmat, here. Emphasis will be given on creating infrastructure for the indoor games in addition to the most loved game of cricket for these worst affected children of militancy. This was disclosed by the president of the Club, Dr Pavan Malhotra who was talking to the newsmen here this afternoon. He said, "besides holding the cricket tournament in a professional way at the University of Jammu grounds from July 5, here "we will also honour the top cricket players of the State". The best player will be named in the presence of cricketer of international repute (most probably Reetinder Sigh Sodhi) who will be guest of honour on the day of final". In total 16 teams are taking part in this 15-day tournament the inaugural, semi-finals and final will be telecast live by the Siti Cable on its Siti Prime channel. " Siti Cable has agreed to cover the four matches live, but we are still in touch with them and efforts are on afoot to convince them for live coverage of all the matches", disclosed Dr Malhotra. The event will be declared open by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Farooq Ahmed, who will be the chief guest while Director, Siti Cable, Sumant Singh Jamwal will be guest of honour. "In addition to creating sports environment at SOS, the Club has also decided to create a library within the school donating books donated by Sain Book, Ashok Book Depot and Bhartiya Pustkalya", informed general secretary of the Club, Varinder Sharma. Two different pools have been created, Pool-A (S N Dass Gupta College) and Pool-B (Safaya College), after the name of two competition colleges, who are sponsors of the uniforms for the teams in these pools. Others present included Parveen Ghai, organising secretary, Amit Bali, treasurer, Jyoti Pachnanda, Ashok Salathia and Sunil Bandral. In the 25-over opening match of Pool-A, Vishal Cricket Club will take on Friend Cricket Club at 11.30 am. Pool-A: Vishal Cricket Club, Friends Cricket Club, Kulbushan Handa Cricket Club, Attar Cricket Club, Rehari Cricket Club, Rehari Cricket Club, Lucky Star Cricket Club, Saini Cricket Club and Aryan Cricket Club. Pool-B: Safaya Cricket Club, NN Cricket Club, Jammu Cricket Club, Trikuta Cricket Club, Shastri Cricket Club, Kashyap Cricket Club, Luxmi Cricket Club and Guru Nanak Cricket Club. |
|
3-day Ball Badminton tourney ends Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 3: Three day Ball Badminton Tournament concluded today at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar. The tournament was organised by the Ball Badminton Association and sponsored by the State Sports Council. In total, 12 local teams took part in this tournament in both boys and girls sections. Minister of State for Sports, Haji Nissar Ali was the chief guest in the final and prize distribution function. ---------- Rajesh Sharma S/o Mr Girdhari Lal, who has been awarded gold medal in 11th Convocation of the University of Jammu for securing first position in MA Sanskrit in 2002. ----------- Lalit Bharti, a student of Montessori Nargis Dutt Public High School, R S Pura, who bagged 18th position in Matriculation, the results of which were declared by the State Board of School Education. ---------- Rashmi Sharma, a student of Montessori High School, R S Pura, who bagged 6th position in Matriculation, the results of which were declared by the State Board of School Education. --------------- Dr Nirmolak Singh, who has been invited by the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation for accompanying the Indian Boxing team as team doctor in the World Boxing Championship to be held at Bangkok, Thailand from July 4 to 15. |
|
|
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 3: Newly elected general secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, M L Nehru has denied the cricket schedule published in a local newspapers in Kashmir. In a handout issued here today, Mr Nehru clarified that JKCA has not finalised any programme for activities in Kashmir for the current year sofar. The person issuing such a notice has no authority to do so in the light of new office bearers having been elected on June 26, he further said and added that all clubs desirous of participating in JKCA tournaments shall make contact with the newly elected joint secretary, Kashmir, Imtiyaz Ahmed of MSS, Sopore. J&K Tug of War team plays semifinal in National meet Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, July 3: For the first time the Tug of War team of the State played upto the semi-final level in the 5th Sub-junior National Championship held at Akola, Maharashtra from June 25 to 29. Jammu and Kashmir lost in the semi-final in boys 440 kg team competition. In 480 kg team event, State finished sixth. Teams were accompanied by Mohd Aslam and Satvir Singh and Ravinder Singh was incharge of the contingent. 440 kg team: Gagandeep Singh (captain), Sandeep Singh, Kuldeep Kumar, Charanjeet Singh, Amanpreet Singh, Vinod Kumar, Amandeep Singh, Baljit Singh, Baljeet Singh, Amit Kumar and Navin Kumar. |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, July 3: Asserting that participation in sports strengthens spirit of mutual understanding, helps imbibe collective approach and channelize the energy for sound physique, the Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Haji Nissar Ali has urged youth to ensure their active participation in such events, imperative in the present day atmosphere to build a strong and healthy society. On the concluding day boys volley ball team Budgam defeated Anantnag and girls Kho-Kho team Baramulla defeated Budgam in finals. Earlier during the championship girls Hand ball team, Badgam defeated girls team Pulwama. In Kabadi Baramulla boys team defeated Anantnag, Kho-Kho boys team Pulwama defeated Baramulla and girls Basket ball team Srinagar defeated Pulwama and in girls Kabadi Srinagar team defeated Pulwama. Top soccer players may skip state leagues KOLKATA, July 3: To help top players focus on the National Football League, the All India Football Federation today said it was contemplating a move which will allow only a few NFL players compete in the state leagues. Disclosing this, AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi told reporters here today the step would ensure these players remained fresh and injury-free in the run up to the NFL. Though the AIFF felt the number of such players per club should be five, it was keeping an open mind on the issue. "If the state associations and clubs concerned wanted the number to be four or six, we will accept it," Dasmunshi said on the sidelines of a function here today. Asked whether the AIFF wanted to introduce the new system from this year itself, Dasmunshi said "why not? but we don’t want to rush things. Instead we want to proceed step by step and through consensus". Dasmunshi said the rationale behind the decision was that the clubs, in their bid to play to the best of their potential in the NFL, would want to keep their top players away from the state leagues. "This will not only make the NFL very competitive, but also increase its attraction," he said. The AIFF president would hold meetings with the four state associations - Indian Football Association (West Bengal), Goa, Kerala and Western India Football Association (WIFA) - to ascertain their views on the matter. The discussions with the IFA is slated to be held later in the day. (PTI) India ‘A’ sent on a leather hunt LONDON, July 3: The touring India ‘A’ side was literally sent on a leather hunt as Nottinghamshire notched up 265 for three at close, with showers reducing the day’s play to only 80 overs, on the opening day of their three-day cricket match at Tent Bridge thanks to a brilliant unbeaten century by Usman Afzaal. In front of a smattering of spectators, medium pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji struck early for the Indians clean bowling Guy Welton for 25, with the total on 53. But that was their only success until shortly before tea as Afzaal and Darren Bicknell (52) added 89 for the second wicket before the latter became Balaji’s second victim. When left-arm spinner Murali Kartik dismissed Bilal Shafayat for six shortly after, Nottinghamshire’s progress was briefly checked at 159 for 3. But Afzaal (114 batting) continued untroubled, reaching his hundred off 162 balls in three and three-quarter hours and putting on an 111 runs with Gareth Clough (39 batting) for the unfinished fourth wicket stand at draw of stumps last evening. With more showers forecast for today it will take some imaginative captaincy from Shiv Sunder Das or penetrative bowling by the Indians to force a result. (PTI) British weather holds up local hero LONDON, July 3: Tim Henman’s bid to reach his fifth Wimbledon semi-final in six years was held up by a string of rain breaks on a frustrating day for fans and players alike yesterday. The notoriously fickle British summer weather had largely spared the tournament during the first eight days. But it struck back with a vengeance yesterday by playing havoc with the men’s quarter-finals. Showers forced the players involved in the first matches on the two main showcourts back to their locker-room three times in the space of four hours and there was little prenman hit back to take the second 6-3. Over on court number one, Mark Philippoussis was serving at 0-1 down in the fourth set after winning the third 6-3 to get back into his match against Alexander Popp. The German had returned Philippoussis’s serve superbly to claim the first two sets 6-4 6-4 and put himself in sight of what would be a major upset. Philippoussis and Popp had not even completed their warm-up when the second interruption came. Henman and Grosjean managed to play for just two minutes — long enough for the Frenchman to break the home favourite for the second time and give himself a chance to serve for the set. Henman came back after the second break and rallied to force the match into a tiebreak in which he had four set points before finally losing out 10/8. Things looked ominous for Henman when he lost his serve in the first game of the second set but he broke straight back and went on to break Grosjean in the eighth game before serving out the set 6-3. Tournament favourite Andy Roddick was due on court number one after Philippoussis and Popp for his quarter-final against Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman. A day’s delay may have been a blessing in disguise for eighth seed Sjeng Schalken, who was struggling to recover from a foot injury before his match against Swiss number one Roger Federer. (AFP) I’m committed to my charity projects in the city: Waugh KOLKATA, July 3: Rounding up his two-day visit to the city, Australian Test skipper Steve Waugh today pledged his commitment to the projects he has undertaken for the cause of the downtrodden. "I don’t know when I’ll come next. But I’ll definitely continue with my commitments and the projects I’ve undertaken," Waugh told reporters here. The 38-year-old Aussie cricketer, who visited Udayan - a home for the children of leprosy patients in Barrackpore which has received his benevolence consistently over the last five years - said that he was looking for funds to extend the scope of his charity work. "My focus will always be Udayan. But I am also trying to take up extension projects. I’m looking for funds for that," he said. Waugh held a meeting on the proposed projects, which included ‘Ashray’, a home for girls, earlier in the day, though nothing concrete came out of it. A day after spending ‘quality time’ of five hours with the poor inmates of the Barrackpore home, where he gifted medicines and dined with the children, Waugh visited an affluent Kindergarten school - Kangaroo kids - during the day. The Aussie inaugurated the renovated building, cutting a cake and lighting the ceremonial lamp. The school has an australian touch to the curriculum as far as teaching methods are concerned. (PTI) |
|
| home | state | national | business | editorial | advertisement | sports |
