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| Akram assured of
active future role in Pak cricket ISLAMABAD, May 27: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has "assured" pace spearhead and former cricket captain Wasim Akram of an active future role in the country’s cricket..........more India to open campaign PERTH, May 27: With their sights firmly fixed on the next year’s Olympic Games in Athens, India start their hockey season with a match against Australia ‘A’ tomorrow..........more Atapattu retained as COLOMBO, May 27: Batsman Marvan Atapattu has been retained as Sri Lanka captain.......more Pakistan drops Razzaq ISLAMABAD, May 27: Pakistan today dropped all-rounder Abdur Razzaq and two others from a 16-member squad for.........more |
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It was free for all at M A Stadium Out of 11 coaches only one turned-up in time Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: It was a free for all scene at the main coaching centre of the State Sports....more DYSS’
TT coaching centre in Gandhi Nagar Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: By reviving a coaching centre in the premises of Youth Hostel, Gandhi Nagar, the Department of Youth......more Tawi
Trekkers’ Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: First batch of the Tawi Trekkers, comprising students of MNDP School.....more MHAC
Nagbani wins Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: The MHAC Nagbani won the opening match of Football in under-16......more |
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| Jammu
Area enters semis of IAF Handball ..... JKFA to send women team for Senior Nationals..... |
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Akram assured of active future role in Pak cricket ISLAMABAD, May 27: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has "assured" pace spearhead and former cricket captain Wasim Akram of an active future role in the country’s cricket. According to confirmation from a PCB official, Akram flew down to Lahore to meet the PCB chairman Lt General Tauqir Zia before announcing his retirement from international cricket. There are indications that Akram only announced his retirement after reaching some understanding with the PCB chairman particularly on his future role in Pakistan cricket and his appeal against the match-fixing sanctions imposed on him nearly three years back. Akram had sought advice from the chairman on his future as an international cricketer to which Tauqir Zia had made it clear to him that only he himself (Akram) could decide best what was good for him after which the pacer flew back to England, Pakistani daily ‘The News’ quoted the PCB official as saying. The former Pakistan skipper, who has a haul of 503 one-day international and 414 test wickets, had delayed announcing his expected retirement after the World Cup after he was not picked for the April tournament in Sharjah. But his sudden decision to announce his retirement, sources say, was only made after he was given assurance that his appeal would be heard fairly in the next few weeks and a decision taken on it. The Lahore High Court has directed the PCB to hear out Akram’s appeal which has been pending for sometime now. Akram himself has made it clear even after announcing his retirement that he wants to remove the stigma of match-fixing allegations and the sanctions imposed on him. The PCB was forced to drag its feet on hearing Akram’s appeal after seeking advice from the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit which is currently investigating reports that some senior players met with bookmakers during last year’s ICC knockout Tournament in Sri Lanka. Sources say the ICC told the PCB to hold back Akram’s hearing till the completion of its inquiry. There are also indications that Akram has been assured of some future role in Pakistan as coach. The PCB chief himself has made it clear he would like to see Akram coaching the young fast bowlers. (UNI) |
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India
to open campaign with match against PERTH, May 27: With their sights firmly fixed on the next year’s Olympic Games in Athens, India start their hockey season with a match against Australia ‘A’ tomorrow in a Three-nation Tournament here. Playing their first tournament this year, the Indians are keen to strike the right balance in the team and are essentially looking at the event as a build-up for bigger battles ahead — notably the Champions Trophy in Holland in August followed by the Athens Olympics. The team was shaping up well for the tournament which has Pakistan and Australia as the other two teams and comfortably won a practice match against a local side yesterday. Even as all attention was focused on the India-Pakistan encounter on Saturday, the first since October last year, coach Rajinder Singh was concentrating on the bigger picture. "We are not looking at individual match results. We are here to prepare for the Olympics next year and focusing entirely on building up the right team for that," Rajinder Singh said. "Of course, winning is important and we will try to win all our matches. But the thrust is on carrying out some experiments and get our combination and planning right," he said. The Indians are woefully short on match practice, having not played any international this year. India skipped the Azlan Shan Tournament in Malaysia in March this year in protest against ill-treatment to some Indian software professionals in Kuala Lumpur. (AGENCIES) |
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Atapattu retained as captain for West Indies series COLOMBO, May 27: Batsman Marvan Atapattu has been retained as Sri Lanka captain for the three-match one-day series in the West Indies next month. Atapattu, who took over the one-day captaincy from Sanath Jayasuriya in early may, has kept the job despite Sri Lanka’s failure this month to qualify for a home Tri-series final for the first time. "You can’t judge a man on one series alone," said Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman of selectors, when the 15-man squad was named today. "It was the batting that lost us the trophy. The top order just needs to regain its form." The selectors made two changes, axing middle-order batsman Russel Arnold and all-rounder Kaushalya Weereratne. Naveed Nawaz, a 29-year-old left-hander, who played the last of his three one-day internationals against India at the Oval in 2002, takes Arnold’s place. "Russel has been struggling for his form and we decided it was best for him to regain it before returning to the national side," said Kaluperuma. "Naveed has been batting well." Dinusha Fernando, a 23-year-old uncapped swing bowler, replaces Weeraratne, who played just one game in this month’s Tri-series. Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando has failed to recover fully from a lower back injury and was not considered for selection. "The physiotherapist said he was not 100 percent but we hope he will recover in time for the Test Series," said Kaluperuma. Sri Lanka are due to play three one-day internationals in the West Indies, starting on June 7 at Barbados, followed by two Test matches. The squad for the Test Series will be announced at the end of next week after a three-day practice game. Squad: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Naveed Nawaz, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Dharshana Gamage, Prabath Nissanka, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kumar Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dinusha Fernando. (AGENCIES) |
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Pakistan
drops Razzaq but retains Shoaib ISLAMABAD, May 27: Pakistan today dropped all-rounder Abdur Razzaq and two others from a 16-member squad for next month’s one-day series against England while recalling Azhar Mahmood and Imran Nazir. The team led by Rashid Latif includes controversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar who is serving a two-match suspension on ball-tampering charges. Pakistan will play three one-day internationals against England, in Manchester on June 17 and in London on June 20 and 22. Team: Rashid Latif (captain), Yousuf Youhana (vice captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir, Faisal Athar, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Bilal Asad, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmad, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria. (PTI) |
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It was free for all
at M A Stadium Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: It was a free for all scene at the main coaching centre of the State Sports Council, M A Stadium where only one coach (Randhir Singh) was in the ground out of a total of 11 coaches posted for six different disciplines. There were near 500 trainees, mostly from cricket and hockey and athletics, who had no one to control them or direct them. In the absence of the Manager Stadium, there were two groundsmen, who, however, were asking the trainees to start practice themselves. On a visit to the main stadium, this Correspondent found that around 100 young hockey trainees, mostly in Mini and Sub-junior group, were themselves warming up on the stairs and in the field in absence of two lady coaches appointed by the Sports Council for the purpose. Same is the case with Athletics, where near 50 young boys were either sitting on the stairs or roaming here and there. For Athletics, State Sports Council has appointed three coaches in the M A Stadium, alone. The official time for the coaches, to be present in the ground, is 4.30 pm. But when this Correspondent left the field at 5.15 pm, the situation was the same as there was only one coach in the entire stadium. Trainees in other events, who were also waiting for their coach to come, were Women Cricket, Fencing, Kabaddi and Handball. In the absence of the second coach in men cricket, a number of trainees had started playing, with leather balls, on stairs thereby risking the life of others. When this Correspondent was interacting with the trainees, a middle aged man approached him and asked for a coach. Finding no one to listen to him, the visibly angry parent said, "this is what is going on in the state sports. Today I have witnessed for myself". He suggested that the Sports Minister should come out of his air conditioned rooms and must see what his coaches are doing on the grounds. |
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DYSS’ TT
coaching centre in Gandhi Nagar Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: By reviving a coaching centre in the premises of Youth Hostel, Gandhi Nagar, the Department of Youth Services and Sports has taken a step in right direction, taking the sports away from M A Stadium. The innovative idea of the new Director, DYSS, Manoj Pant, has proved to be a boon for the young students of the twin areas of Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar, who, otherwise, were unable to come to the M A Stadium for coaching. Starting its first coaching session on May 1, this centre is in one of the two halls of the Youth Hostel, adjoining to the Telecommunication office, where over 50 young trainees, including 10 girls are participating. All these trainees are below 14 years of age and picking up very fast, said incharge of the coaching centre, Sunita Goel, who is serving with the Department of Youth Services and Sports. Sunita has volunteered herself for the coaching centre and is presently sparing her four hours a day to coach the budding talent in addition to her routine duties at office. "At present, I have near 50 trainees at this centre. The first class starts at 4.30 pm, followed by another upto 7.30 pm. Talking to EXCELSIOR, Amulya Sharma, one of the trainee and a 8th standard student of SD Tara Puri Public High School, Gandhi Nagar, said, "I love the game, but my repeated attempts to continue my classes at M A Stadium could not materialise because of the long distance from my residence at Shastri Nagar". "But as soon as I came to know about this coaching centre, I immediately convinced my parents and started my classes over here", he added. Like Amulya, Kanav Sharma, Shifali and youngest trainee, Yogesh had similar view points. |
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Tawi Trekkers’ first batch return Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: First batch of the Tawi Trekkers, comprising students of MNDP School, RS Pura, returned today after participating in the Dharamshalla Himalayan Trekking Programme. During the four-day long programme, these trekkers trekked to Bhagshu Nag, Waterfall, Dharamkot, Dal Lake to Church and also visited Chamunda Devi, Mcleodganj, Dharamshalla, Tapovan and a Tea Estate. Mr Amit Khajuria and Dr Neeraj Trekker were the group leader and medical officer respectively. The group teachers led by the Principal of the school, Mr Anil Choudhary, included Ajay Kumar, Harcharan Singh, Miss Jyoti Sharma and Surinder Sharma. The next batch for Dharamshalla trekker programme shall leave on May 31, informed Mr Ram Khajuria, general secretary of the Tawi Trekkers. |
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MHAC Nagbani wins opening Football match Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: The MHAC Nagbani won the opening match of Football in under-16 group in the inter-school competitions of Jammu zone at GGM Science College grounds, here today. MHAC Nagbani defeated Government Hari Singh Higher Secondary School, here by a margin of six goals. Karan Abrol scored three goals while Atish Mahajan added two and Amish Malik one. R C Vaid was match referee. Vishawamitra and Satpal Singh were assistant referees and Bharat Bhushan was table incharge. Meanwhile, according to Mr B N Bhat, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, the swimming, Carrom, Chess and Table Tennis competitions will start tomorrow morning. Jammu Area enters semis of IAF Handball Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: Jammu Area today reached the semi-finals of the ongoing Western Air Command Inter-Area Handball Championship of the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station, here. To reach the last four stage, Jammu Area outplayed Adampur Area 26-4 in a pool-A match. In another match of the same pool, Hindon Area defeated Adampur Area 15-12 and Chandigarh Area downed Halwara 22-17. In Pool-B matches, Halwara Area defeated Ambala Area in a one-sided contest 25-3. JKFA to send women team for Senior Nationals Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) has received an invitation from Football Federation of India for the 11th Senior National Women’s Football Championship to be held at Chennai, Tamil Nadu from June 8 to June 22. For selecting the State team, the JKFA has asked the women footballers, interested to take part in the said championship, to report at Mini Stadium, Parade from tomorrow onwards at 5 pm, a JKFA handout issued here today said. 12-day long trekking prog for Rajouri students end Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 27: The 12-day long National Himalayan Trekking/nature study camp for the students of Rajouri district concluded with 27 trekkers from far-flung areas are back to their homes. During the trekking programme, these students went to Kulu, Manali, Nagger, Sharn and Rumsu. Different competitions were also held during trekking. Janu Verma of Higher Secondary School, Nowshere was declared first in Essay writing and quiz while Vatten Kant Sharma of International High School was adjudged as best stage artist. JALANDHAR, May 27: Busan Asian Games gold medalist Rafat Habib reached the semi-finals of the Champions of Champions All-India invitation Snooker and Pool Tournament, inflicting a nerve-wracking defeat to Manan Chandra. Habib staged a superb comeback with some stupendous breaks to level the score 4-4 after Manan shot into a seemingly invincible lead of 3-0. He rifled 88 in the fifth, 66 in the sixth and 49th in the seventh frames before Manan put a full stop to his streak. The decider also went Habib’s way when he amassed a crucial 43 to storm into the semi-finals. The scoreline read 45-70, 18-71, 29-65, 72-16, 94-1, 92-1, 87-6, 39-65 and 103-15. Child prodigy Pankaj Advani failed to make a dent in Davinder Joshi’s winning run this year. Joshi annexed almost all the trophies that came his way. He made Pankaj look like a tyro. He set the tempo in the match, making two splendid runs of 30 and 54 to win the first frame that perhaps rattled India’s child prodigy. Joshi won 93-17, 27-57, 88-45, 94-40, 80-57, 42-63 and 70-53. Ashok Shandilya, known for his prowess in billiards sprang a major surprise by annihilating local favourite Dharminder Lilly 5-4 Ashok took a leeway lead of 4-0 and when the match seemed lost, Lilly played the game of his life by making it 4-4. Alok Kumar had an easy outing against Anuj Uppal when he triumphed by 5 frames to 2. Alok Kumar was not in his usual self, but played some deft pacements, much to the chagrin of Uppal. Alok won 87-38, 28-76, 74-43, 57-25, 36-73, 82-46 and 74-65. The picture is now clearly emerging in the maze of pool, where a plethora of players took part. In a quarter-final match, Rishabh Thukral beat Manan Chandra to reach the semi finals while Siddarth Anand got better of Ashok Shandilya. Both Delhites Rishabh and Siddarth are slated to play in the semi-final. (UNI) |
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