MONTEGO BAY (Jamaica), Nov 14: India’s last minute offer of USD 7.2 million for athlete training tilted the scale in its favour as New Delhi got overwhelming.........more

Indian pace attack in
Australia better than
earlier ones: Buchanan

KOLKATA, Nov 14: Despite his batsmen having torn apart the home side seam attack in the last two encounters of the cricket tri-series, Australian coach John Buchanan today said that India..............more

Ganguly puts up bold
face ahead of ‘semi-final’

HYDERABAD, Nov 14: Indian captain Sourav Ganguly today put up a bold face ahead of the make-or-break TVS Cup triangular series match against.......more

Missing Srinath

By Rahul Dravid

Srinath has never been one to show much emotion, even when he’s bowled a brilliant spell or had a bad day. In fact equanimity has been one of his strengths.............more

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 14: To involve young students in extra curricular activities, Green Field School, Gandhi Nagar today held child craft exhibition involving students....more

AS Kaluchak lifts
Basketball trophies

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 14: Army School, Kaluchak lifted both boys and girls trophies in the cluster........more

Rural Sports Club to hold
open chess tourney

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 14: Jammu and Kashmir Rural Sports Club, in association with Guru Harkrishan Memorial Academy....more

Kathua, MAM in
Kabaddi final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 14: Degree College, Kathua and Government MAM College today entered into the final of inter-college Men’s......more

Fleming’s pull-out boost Indian hopes.....

Tendulkar calls upon medicos to provide free treatment.....

Kumble to miss crucial match.....

Agassi wins explosive match to reach semis .....

New Delhi wins bid to host 2010 Commonwealth Games

MONTEGO BAY (Jamaica), Nov 14: India’s last minute offer of USD 7.2 million for athlete training tilted the scale in its favour as New Delhi got overwhelming support from member countries to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

India earned the right to host the games by 46 votes to 22 secured by Hamilton, Canada, in a secret ballot during the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) meeting in this Caribbean Island country last night.

"I am happy to announce that the host of the 2010 Commonwealth Games will be Delhi in India," CGF president Mike Fennel announced soon after the voting, much to the relief of a 50-member Indian delegation here which had put in a lot of hard work in the past few days to win the bid.

It was third time lucky for India, the largest Commonwealth country and home to 50 per cent of the Commonwealth population, since earlier they had twice bid unsuccessfully for the games.

It will become only the second Asian nation, after Malaysia (1998), and the third developing country, after Jamaica (1966) to host the Games. Canada have already staged the event four times.

The previous edition of the games was held in Manchester in 2002 while the next in 2006 will be hosted by Melbourne. Last night’s meeting saw 68 out of 72 members exercising their voting right while two countries — south pacific nations Nauru and Vanuatu — remained absent. The two members who did not cast their votes were not known immediately.

The theme ‘new frontiers and new friendships’, the Government’s decision to underwrite the total cost of the games and a last minute offer of USD 7.2 million to train athletes clinched the decision in favour of the Asian country.

India’s offer of USD 7.2 million — USD 100,000 to the Olympic committees of each of the Commonwealth countries —bettered Canada’s promise of USD 3.8 million even as the latter cried foul.

The Indian delegation comprising Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi, secretary Randhir Singh, Union Sports Minister Vikram Verma, Lt Governor of Delhi Vijai Kapoor, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, ace shooter Anjali Bhagwat and former world billiards champion Michael Ferreira addressed the members before the voting started, while Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered a video message.

The sentimental note expressed in their presentations, that India had not hosted the games in 50 years while Canada had done so four times, won the bid for India.

Vajpayee said "my Government has taken the decision to fully underwrite the cost of the games. India is one of the fast growing economies of the world. We are the leaders in Information Technology.

"The games will offer new market opportunities not only for India but for all the Commonwealth nations," Vajpayee said.

In his presentation, Kalmadi announced that India was committed to give a grant of USD 100,000 to each of the 72 Commonwealth countries to train and equip their athletes, drawing loud applause from the delegates.

"This grant will be paid immediately following the Melbourne (Commonwealth) Games in 2006," Kalmadi said, submitting a letter of commitment signed by him and Randhir Singh to Fennell.

Asked whether India was planning to include cricket in the games, Kalmadi replied the sport was not part of the 15 events agreed to, but added that addition of cricket would enable India to double the grant already announced.

He said India would be "flexible" about the dates of the 2010 Games. "They will be decided in consultation with the CGF and all the international federations."

"We have no other event in 2010. We also have no event from 2004 to 2009 and it (the games) will be the sole sporting focus of the nation. We promise you a dream," Kalmadi said.

Amongst the sportspersons, India’s campaign was spearheaded by Gavaskar, an immensely popular figure in the Caribbean, who in his trademark style highlighted the country’s potential take the games to new heights.

"India has successfully organised two cricket world cups. More than 70 per cent of the usd 40 million sponsorship of the International Cricket Council comes from India. India is the fuel that drives the financial engine of the ICC," Gavaskar said. (PTI)

Indian pace attack in Australia better than
earlier ones: Buchanan

KOLKATA, Nov 14: Despite his batsmen having torn apart the home side seam attack in the last two encounters of the cricket tri-series, Australian coach John Buchanan today said that India would have a better corp of pace bowlers during the coming tour down under than they had on previous trips.

"I think the present lot of Indian pace bowlers are better than those who toured australia on earlier occasions," Buchanan told newspersons here.

"There are a lot of good bowlers. Though I have not yet seen the team list, I think Zaheer Khan and Asish Nehra would be the backbone of the Indian attack," Buchanan said at the team hotel, minutes after the Australian team arrived for the November 18 tri-series final.

"As a back up, (Ajit) Agarkar, (Lakshmipathy) Balaji and Gujarat’s Munaf Patel are exciting prospects," the tall Aussie coach said.

He said the Indians would miss veteran pacer Javagal Srinath, who retired from international cricket two days back, but there were several talented bowlers to fill up the slot. Asked whether some of the second string Aussie bowlers, who are doing duty in the tri-series in the absence of the injured frontliners, would find a place in the team in the coming series against India, Buchanan said "who knows?

"But it’s a fact that in Australia, our main bowers like Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and (Stuart) McGill, who missed the ongoing tournament due to injury, would get fit at some point of time after a two-month lay off from cricket."

Buchanan said he saw no difference in standard between the Indian team, which finished runners up in the World Cup earlier this year, and the one now battling it out in the triangular tourney.

"There is no difference in the team make-up. I think the present squad has great potential," he said.

"Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly and coach John Wright have given lot of stress on consistent performance. The team only has to live up to expectations. Then I think all their problems will be solved," he added.

‘Aussies not

bothered’

Displaying confidence ahead of the November 18 tri-series cricket final, Australian coach John Buchanan today said that facing either India or New Zealand in the day-night summit clash did not make any difference to his world champion side.

"Whichever team we face, whether it is India or New Zealand, does not matter to us. We will only concentrate on playing well," the Aussie coach told newspersons at the team hotel here soon after arriving by a morning flight from Bangalore.

"But I know, from a local point of view, everybody will like us to play India," he quipped.

The Aussies, who lost to the hosts in their opening match of the tournament, have been in marvellous form since then, winning five back-to-back matches. They bulldozed their way into the final garnering 28 points, leaving their two opponents far behind.

India and New Zealand, now on ten points each, would battle it out in the last group league game of the tournament at Hyderabad tomorrow to decide the other finalist.

"The final will be a new game for us. We have finished the league matches. We played quite well. And now only the big match remains," Buchanan said. (PTI)

Ganguly puts up bold face ahead of ‘semi-final’

HYDERABAD, Nov 14: Indian captain Sourav Ganguly today put up a bold face ahead of the make-or-break TVS Cup triangular series match against New Zealand, saying his team had enough firepower to beat the Kiwis despite the absence of star spinner Anil Kumble.

"I think we should win. We are looking forward to the match and will go out with a positive mind," Ganguly told reporters here.

Ganguly said his team were in no mood to take their rivals lightly despite his New Zealand counterpart Stephen Fleming pulling out of the match due to an abdominal strain.

"Fleming is a good player and they will surely miss him. We have no injury worries, but (Anil) will not be playing as he will be attending to ceremonies in connection with his father’s death," he said.

The Indian skipper said his team will go into the crucial match with an "open mind" and tackle the situation accordingly.

Both India and New Zealand have an identical ten points from five outings and the hosts have no option but to win their last match tomorrow to make it to the final against Australia at the Eden Gardens on November 18.

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar was also quite confident that India will make it to the final.

"I hope we do well tomorrow. We need to improve, I am confident that we can do that," Tendulkar said at a function before the Indian team’s practice session.

Tendulkar said the defeat against Australia in the last match in Bangalore will not affect the team.

"We must learn to gear up to tackle bigger scores. It is just not bowling, the need is to make an overall improvement," Tendulkar said.

New Zealand coach Ashley Ross said his team had the capability to beat the hosts and make it to the final.

On Fleming’s injury, Ross said: "It is a chronic injury and keeps creeping up at times".

Ross said the threat perception affecting the upcoming tour of Pakistan had not lowered the morale of the team which was eagerly looking forward to the contest.

The Kiwis coach said the tracks used during the triangular series have "appeared to change its behaviour very quickly" and his team had devised a strategy to counter that factor.

Ganguly, who had a close look of the track at the Lal Bahadur Stadium, said "the wicket looks good and the little grass on it would not matter".

Both the teams will announce their playing eleven only on the tomorrow after having another look at the pitch. (PTI)

Missing Srinath

By Rahul Dravid

Srinath has never been one to show much emotion, even when he’s bowled a brilliant spell or had a bad day. In fact equanimity has been one of his strengths in a long and successful career. Just for a fleeting moment one could see a little bit of emotion in his speech during his farewell as memories of his career must have come rushing back to him. For, those of us who have know him and played with him over the years they will always been fond memories of a friend and a teammate who always gave his best and took as much pride in other peoples achievements as he did his own. His achievements speak for themselves but what he gave to a team in terms of his attitude and character cannot be put down in terms of figures.

Touring without Srinath will never be the same and I’m going to miss his company and the friendly arguments and discussions I’ve had with him on a variety of topics. I’m yet to meet a man who has claimed to have actually won one of those arguments with him.

It epitomizes the man that he choose to bow out quietly and with grace rather then play knowing fully well that his body would not allow him perform to his high standards that he continuously set himself.

Srinath may not have always received the plaudits in a country obsessed by batting performances (maybe there’s a reason why we don’t produce that many fast bowlers) but he has earned the respect of his colleagues and opponents, which will please him immensely as he chooses to move on in life. I hope that he will share some of his experiences and knowledge with young kids as not only does he have a lot of it but also a very rare quality of imparting it well and making people feel comfortable around him.

Also announcing his retirement and almost going unnoticed last week was another fine cricketer Vikram Rathour with whom I played a lot of A team cricket with, and while he did not have the same success as Sri at the international level his performances at the domestic level were exceptional and his quiet leadership has helped guide many a young cricketer. It’s been a pleasure to play with both of them and they will be missed.-TCM

Child craft exhibition held at Green Field School

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 14: To involve young students in extra curricular activities, Green Field School, Gandhi Nagar today held child craft exhibition involving students between the age group of three upto eight years in connection with the Children’s Day celebrations.

Participating students made chart, models of Taj Mahal, village houses, fruit baskets, freedom fighters and other famous and historical monument sites. Some of the students presented science models including respiratory system and solar eclipse.

A few students made good topical speeches. Among the speakers, Animesh Rohmetra was impressive while presenting his viewpoint before the selected audience.

Speaking in the function, Principal, Green Field School, Promila Sethi said, "the motive behind organising an craft exhibition was to take the young children away from the daily routines and also to education them about the importance of the Children’s Day".

She lauded the role of teachers for putting in great hardwork in making the programme a success. She had all praise for the parents, who attended the function and encouraged the students.

Students were also told how Chacha Nehru (Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru), the first Prime Minister of independent India, was close to the children.

Students who performed exceptionally well in craft exhibition and debate included Sanchi Gupta, Anmol Meni, Animesh Rohmetra, Sachi Gupta, Paras Bagotra, Sidak Vir, Shriya, Jasleen, Utkarsh, Ketki Rana, Bhuvandeep, Subhangi Mahajan, Mohak, Sachin, Hardeep, Nilaksh, Pearl, Gursimran, Karandeep, Amit, Arunesh Bakshi, Aagman, Abhineet, Anusha, Snigth, Rishi, Abhishekh, Vehang.