Daily Excelsior.........sports

Waqar Younis not ruling out international comeback

LAHORE (Pakistan), Oct 5: Pakistan’s deposed captain Waqar Younis has not ruled out the possibility of another international comeback. The 32-year-old fast bowler sacked by the Pakistan board as captain and ............more

Vijay Singh heads for shootout with Woods

NEW DELHI, Oct 5: The six million dollar WGC-American Express Championship, being played at Woodstock near Atlanta, appears to be heading for a shootout between the World No 1 Tiger Woods and No 3 Vijay Singh. . ...........more

McGrath out of Zimbabwe Tests, India tour

PERTH, Oct 5: An ankle injury has forced Australian spearhead Glenn McGrath to withdraw from this month’s two cricket Tests against Zimbabwe and a three-week limited-overs tour of India starting late October. ..............more

Basketball at
receiving end

By Rajesh Dhar

Salim Bandey, Luthra pair enters Men’s doubles final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 5: The pair of Salim Bandey and Salim Luthra today sailed into the final of Men’s doubles in the District Poonch Table Tennis .......more

Jammu climber scales ‘Tambu Peak’

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: An ace climber of Jammu and Kashmir, Ram Singh Slathia has become first climber from the State to scale ‘Tambu Peak’ having a height of 19001 ft in Lahaul area of Himachal Pradesh..........more

Junior cueists’ QFs
line-up drawn in Snooker

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Quarterfinals line-up has been drawn in Junior Snooker with eight cueists winning their pre-quarters..........more

KV-1 Jammu teams leave for national KVs sports meet

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Winner teams of Kendriya Vidyalaya No.I (KV) Jammu in the inter-KVs regional sports meet left for the national inter-regional KVs competitions to be held at Delhi.......more

Jugraj may require another round of corrective surgery......

Pak goes 2-0 up against South Africa with 42-run victory .....

Kapil Dev calls for equal promotion of all sports.....

Waqar Younis not ruling out international comeback

LAHORE (Pakistan), Oct 5: Pakistan’s deposed captain Waqar Younis has not ruled out the possibility of another international comeback.

The 32-year-old fast bowler sacked by the Pakistan board as captain and player after leading a disappointing World Cup campaign earlier this year in South Africa said no one could force him to retire.

"No one has asked me to retire. I still believe I have a chance of playing for Pakistan again," Younis told today.

"I am giving myself another year as a professional cricketer. I have another year’s contract with Warwickshire in England and I am not ruling out the possibility of a comeback," he said

Younis formed one of the most lethal fast bowling combinations with Wasim Akram since 1990. They took a total of 787 test wickets, before they were among eight players sidelined by Pakistani selectors after the World Cup.

Akram retired from international cricket this year and turned down an invitation from the Pakistan cricket board to make a farewell appearance against South Africa in the one-day international series being played in Lahore.

The Pakistani selectors recently recalled Inzamam-ul-Haq after a six-month layoff and he is now leading the side against South Africa.

They have also recalled leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed to the Pakistan side for the one-day series after ignoring him since February 2001.

"You never know what can happen in Pakistan cricket and when you are called up," Younis noted.

"I don’t believe my career is finished. I bowled well for Warwickshire and I still have the hunger for international competition," Younis said.

Younis took 373 test wickets in 87 appearances and another 416 wickets in 262 one-day internationals. (AGENCIES)

Vijay Singh heads for shootout with Woods

Meanwhile, the Indian duo of Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal will attempt to climb up the leaderboard after both tied for the 50th place on the penultimate day of the championship at the tough Crabapple course of Woodstock’s capital city club.

According to the information received here, Randhawa stumbled on his back nine again and submitted a card of four over 74, while Atwal dropped three strokes in the end for his second successive two over 72. That put them at tied 50th place at 10 over 220.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, the third Asian PGA tour player in fray this week, produced a sensational eagle en route to a two over 72, which tied him for 33rd place at seven over 217.

Woods shot a one under 69 yesterday to maintain a two-shot lead going into the final 18 holes. He started the round five clear of the field and was eight under 202 going into the final day.

Vijay Singh shot into contention with a brilliant round of six under 64 and was six-under 204 at the end.

The final day s battle between Woods and Vijay would not just decide the fate of the 1.05 million dollar winner’s cheque, but also that of the player of the year on the PGA tour, as well as the order of merit champion.

Vijay is currently leading the list and tiger is third behind Davis Love III.

Atwal, currently leading the Asian PGA tour money list, started terribly with bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes, but pulled things back with a hat-trick of birdies on the 12th, 13th, 14th holes. Another birdie on the 18th offset a bogey on the 15th and he made the turn at one under par. On his back nine, a bogey on the fourth and a double on the par 4 fifth undid all the good work as he finished on two over 72. Atwal hit eight fairways and 11 greens in regulation, but 30 putts ensured he finished over par for the day. (AGENCIES)

McGrath out of Zimbabwe Tests, India tour

Officials said today McGrath, 33, was also in doubt for the first Test in a series against India starting in Brisbane December 4.

McGrath had surgery on his left ankle in August and had been recovering well, but pulled up sore after bowling in the nets here yesterday.

He felt pain and discomfort in the ankle — the one which supports his weight in his delivery stride — and today the pain was still there.

A team spokesman said McGrath left Perth to fly home to Sydney where he will have further ankle surgery this week.

He faced up to two months on the sidelines, the spokesman said.

But Australian physiotherapist Errol Alcott was confident McGrath, who has 430 wickets from 95 Tests, would be back before the end of the Australian summer.

Mcgrath had been attending an Australian pre-test camp here, and earlier indications were that he would be ready to take part in the first Test against Zimbabwe, starting at the WACA ground Thursday.

He had said all along he would not play unless he was close to 100 per cent fit.

McGrath also indicated he was prepared to sacrifice the first half of the domestic summer to ensure his fitness for a gruelling schedule over the next 18 months.

"For a fast bowler, when you’ve got ankle problems with your front foot, it can be a major problem," McGrath said.

His absence means Australia will go into Thursday’s Test without him and the suspended Shane Warne, who have 921 scalps between them.

The last time the pair were absent from an Australian Test line-up was in last summer’s fifth Test against England, when Australia lost by 225 runs.

Western Australian fast bowler Brad Williams has been promoted to the Australian 12 for the first Test, but is expected to be given 12th man duties. (AFP)

Basketball at receiving end

By Rajesh Dhar

Once you go on analysis the limitations as to why our state, time and again, fails to create a niche and achieve a place in the field of sports, the first thing that would at once smack your mind would be — the lack of resources in the field of sports in the state and secondly — the organisation of sports activities confined to specific areas of the state. And, above all, the factionalism in the state sports associations is the known factor behind the debacle of sports and games in the state. The factionalism in the game which we talk of, is just a tip of an ice-berg as similar tensions are prevailing in almost all the sports bodies of the state so, it will be better not to talk of factionalism hampering sports and games in the state, as it hardly bothers the sports associations of our state because the members of the associations are purely accustommed to cope-up with the things like factionalism, regionalism, nepotism and even hooliganism.

However, the lack of resources like infrastructure, experts along with the ground staff is the point of concern. As, if at all, the resources are there, these are confined only to big cities of the state like Jammu in this region and Srinagar in the other region, thus depriving the sportsmen of other areas of their rights.

However, the matter of absolute displeasure is that the game of Basketball stands nowhere as far as the facilities and infrastructure available with J&K State Sports Council in this region is concerned. Though there is outdoor infrastructure available at some places in this discipline like BSF Paloura and Sainik School, Nagrota, possessing fibre-glass boards rather than the wooden one’s. The inactive rather hibernated Basket Ball Association does not make its use properly. Nevertheless, whatever, infrastructure the highest sports agency of the state (Sport council) possesses in this region, it is mainly at M.A. Stadium, Jammu. Here almost all the major sports disciplines sans Basketball are played with extraordinary spirit and fervour. So, what dismays one is the fact that the game of Basketball lacks facilities and infrastructure in this region, thus receives a squint-eyed (curt) treatment. Hence, it is unfair on the part of highest sports agency of the state, not to have sufficient facilities and infrastructure available with it in the major sports discipline like Basketball.

The Basketball players of the region are at their wits end to understand as to why the big hall of Indoor complex is not allowed to be used by the cagers instead of gymnasts and shuttlers. Otherwise, this hall is scientifically designed and specially made for the game like Basketball, as its playing area measures 24-18 meters in its length and breadth respectively and possesses a wooden floor as well. As far as the technical aspect of the game of Basketball is concerned, it needs a wooden floor to avoid much friction and an Indoor arena to avoid the effect of the wind, which otherwise makes the ball to wobble, here and there, and adversely affects the skill of players.

The local players of Basketball claim that the aforesaid hall in Indoor-complex has basically been made for their purpose but has later-on been used by shuttlers and gymnasts of the region, adding to the sufferings and sorrows of the cagers. Further, the local Basketball players are also unfortunate in the sense that apart from not having facilities at indoor complex, have hardly any indoor facilities available anywhere else in the region.

Should J&K State Sports Council take initiatives to make seperate infrastructure for the discipline of Basketball in the region or make seperate infrastructure for the discipline of badminton and gymnastics and allow the local cagers to use the available hall at Indoor stadium, is a million dollar question.

What my little knowledge says, however, is that it would be better for the good health of sports in the state that there should be immediate development of infrastructure in Basketball, without disturbing other sports activities, to give the players liberty to hone their talent and play at the higher levels.

It is hoped that both the big sports agencies of the state (Sports Council & DYSS), which presently are headed by the person who himself is an outstanding sports person and does not need anybody’s suggestions to improve the standard of sports, may kindly take the matter seriously and do the needful. That would help the state to produce the international calibre players in near future players if not of the calibre of Lakers or Jordans in the game of Basketball.

Salim Bandey, Luthra pair enters Men’s doubles final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 5: The pair of Salim Bandey and Salim Luthra today sailed into the final of Men’s doubles in the District Poonch Table Tennis Championship being played at Gujjar Hostel here.

Now, they will meet Salil Raina and Jagjeet Singh in the final to be played tomorrow. Earlier, in the semi-finals, Salim Banday and Salim Luthra defeated Vimalpreet and Navjot 6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 while Salim Raina and Jagjeet outplayed A S Jeet and Riaz Ahmed in a tough contest which lasted for full five sets 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5.

In Veteran’s singles, BS Jaggi and Rajinder Singh have reached the final. In semi-finals, BS Jaggi beat Ajaz Iqbal (DDC) 7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8 and Rajinder Singh down Dr PP Singh 6-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5. Earlier, Dr PP Singh won his quarterfinal match against Nazir Charak 11-9, 11-6, 11-4.

Sub-junior final will also take place tomorrow between Priyankar Dutta and Manmeet Singh. In Men’s singles, Salil Raina will take on Sandeep Luthra for the title clash.

The prize distribution function will take place tomorrow at 4 pm. District Development Commissioner, Ajaz Iqbal has consented to be the chief guest while Mukesh Singh (SSP) will preside over the valedictory function.

Jammu climber scales ‘Tambu Peak’

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

In keeping up the traditions of Alpine climbing, neither porters were engaged, no permanent camps were fixed and most importantly minimum possible equipment was used.

It was an Alpine style climbing camp organised by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi, the apex body for mountaineering and allied sports in the country.

A total of 23 climbers, including Sham, who is serving with Jammu and Kashmir Police, had been selected from throughout the country for imparting in them the latest techniques of rock climbing and ice craft.

The camp was conducted under the overall supervision of Col. Prem Chand (Retd.), an Everester and one of the finest climbers the country has produced.

The training was imparted by Ms. C P Aitwal, who is a Padam Shri, Arjuna Awardee, National Adventure Awardee and member of IMF. She was assisted by Shamsher Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, who is presently instructor Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling.

Giving details about the camp, Ram Singh, "the 20-day camp started on September 11 and a base camp was established at Kulti Nala (12000 ft.) and September 16 after ferrying of loads by the climbers for two days from Kiksar. Next two days were spent for acclimatization by ferrying loads to Sonapani glacier (14500 ft.), the source of Kulti Nala, where Camp-I was established. The Camp-II too was established at Sonapani glacier at a height of about 17,000 ft.

On September 19, eight climbers including two instructors were selected to make an attempt on the peak on September 21 after occupying Camp-II on September 20.

The eight member team started from Camp-I for Camp-II at 7 am the next day. Fully acclimatised climbers took just two hours to reach Camp-II. The weather was totally clear and the team was tempted to make an attempt on the peak the same day, he said and added that the route to the peak involved rock climbing in the initial stage, then negotiating the yawning crevices, an ice wall and finally soft snow on the peak. Highlight of the day was, however, the grueling two hour ice wall climbing with a gradient of over 60 degree.

Team reached the top of the peak of 3 pm. The summiteers were Shamsher Singh and Rajindra Sharma (both instructors), Ram Singh Slathia (J&K), Deep Bahadur, Chain Singh and Rakesh Joshi (Uttranchal), Tsering Angchok and Kenchen Singh (both from High Altitude Warfare School, J&K). The summit was totally flat. The team enjoyed panoramic views of the peaks around for about half an hour and then descended to Camp-II. The victorious team, according to Singh was welcomed at Camp-I by Col. BS Sandhu (Retd.) ex-Principal, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttar Kashi.

After a day’s rest, the complete 23 member team made a bold attempt on Jori Peak (19,500 ft), adjacent to Tambo peak, from Camp-II. The team successfully negotiated the dangerous crevices, faced a rock fall to reach just 40 m short of the peak when the weather suddenly deteriorated. The team returned after waiting for about 30 minutes for the weather to improve.

Overall, the camp was a total success. The valedictory function held on September 30, was presided over by Col. Rabinder Nath, Director, Indian Mountaineering Foundation and A K Bhaban was chief guest.

Junior cueists’ QFs line-up drawn in Snooker

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Quarterfinals line-up has been drawn in Junior Snooker with eight cueists winning their pre-quarters in the Jammu District Billiards and Snooker Championship underway at Billiards Hall, M A Stadium, here today.

Those qualified for the quarterfinals were Kuldeep Sharma, Ishuk Choudhary, Sumesh Turkey, Tarun Singla, Ritesh Gupta, Rashu, Sohail Plasar and Nishant Azad.

The quarterfinals of junior Snooker shall be played tomorrow, informed Sheetal Gandotra, organising secretary of the championship.

The detailed results

Quarterfinals: Kuldeep Sharma bt Nikhil Kapahi 67-23, 74-42; Ishuk Chaudhary bt Sourav Sharma 63-35, 22-44, 58-27; Sumesh Turkey bt Sheetal Bharti 60-8, 71-10; Tarun Singla bt Ishan Sharma 36-63, 48-46, 44-38; Ritesh Gupta bt Nitesh Mahajan 57-33, 23-36, 61-41; Rashu bt Neeraj Sharma 76-17, 70-31; Sohail Plasar bt Chankya Sharma 50-32, 39-50; 79-18; Nishant Azad bt Sumit Gupta 58-41, 47-38.

Pre-quarterfinals: Ishan Sharma bt Deepak Sharma 32-48, 40-37, 55-53; Suhail Plasar bt Sumit Gupta 52-43, 34-52, 66-33; Nitesh got walkover Sunny Arora; Ritesh Gupta bt Atul Gupta 62-47, 40-11; Neeraj Sharma bt Siddarth 41-47, 46-58; 50-46; Sumit bt Nipul 82-45, 86-48; Rashu bt Suhail Sharma 65-52, 67-58; Nishant bt Abhishek 51-19, 87-33.

KV-1 Jammu teams leave for national KVs sports meet

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Winner teams of Kendriya Vidyalaya No.I (KV) Jammu in the inter-KVs regional sports meet left for the national inter-regional KVs competitions to be held at Delhi.

Students from KV-1 Jammu represents Jammu Region in the events of Kho-Kho, Badminton, Table Tennis and Judo under the supervision of coach, Janak Raj.

In addition, a 16-member girls hockey team also proceeded for the venue accompanied by coach Mrs Nirmal (TGD).

Principal, A S Gill and Sports Coordinator, V K Gupta blessed the contingent a successful tour.

Jugraj may require another round of corrective surgery

NEW DELHI, Oct 5: High profile orthopaedic surgeon Anant Joshi today referred star hockey player Jugraj Singh to a super-speciality authority in the United States and hinted that the player may require another round of corrective surgery in his right elbow which sustained multiple fracture during a recent car accident.

Mumbai-based Dr Joshi, who has treated players like batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, and Dr Satish Modi from Ludhiana along with Dr Laljee Kent of Batra hospital, where Jugraj is currently recuperating, re-evaluated the hockey player’s condition on the request by the Hockey Federation.

The doctors felt Jugraj’s Pelvis and lower limb injuries were uniting fine but regarding elbow, it was decided to have an expert opinion from a leading institution in the us that specialised in such fractures in order to provide him the best treatment.

They opined that the hockey player needed be sent to the United States for proper rehabilitation of his elbow.(UNI)

Pak goes 2-0 up against South Africa with 42-run victory

LAHORE, Oct 5: Pakistan today went 2-0 up in its five one-day international series against South Africa with a comfortable 42-run win at Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan, which won the first game of the series by eight runs on Friday, made 267 for seven off its 50 overs. In reply, South Africa made 225 for nine with three of its key players being run out. Paceman Mohammad Sami and off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez claimed three wickets each for 20 and 37 runs respectively.

South Africa was placed nicely when Boeta Dippenaar (58) and Jacques Kallis (42) added 89 runs for the second wicket in 106 balls and took the total to 108 for one in the 22nd over.

However, in the next eight overs, Pakistan claimed four vital wickets for just 30 runs with Sami running out Neil McKenzie and Mark Boucher. Hafeez trapped Kallis and Jacques Rudolph leg before wicket and clean bowled top scorer Dippenaar as the visitors slipped to 138 for five in the 30th over. Pollock fell to another accurate fielding effort by Younis Khan whose direct throw left the South African all-rounder well short of the crease.

Sami then uprooted the stumps for both Robin Peterson and Andrew Hall to kill off South African resistance. Number 10 and 11 batsmen, Alan Dawson (23 not out) and Makhaya Ntini (10 not out), played the last seven overs without much purpose before the latter hit the last ball six off Shoaib Malik.

Earlier, Yousuf Youhana (65 continued his top form with another half century, but exchanged some hot words with South African bowler hall as Pakistan raised 267 for seven off its 50 overs. Pakistan was boosted by Youhana’s sixth successive score of over 50 in a limited overs international, 41 from Younis and Shoaib Malik’s 45 off 53 balls.

Ntini, who returned 0-26 off three overs in the first one-dayer, made amends and claimed four wickets for 46 runs. In television replays, bowler hall appeared to hit Youhana with his elbow as he passed hall to complete a run. The two players were then involved in a verbal clash.

Umpires Nadeem Ghauri and Darrell Hair also talked to South African captain Graeme Smith and match referee Clive Lloyd is expected to take action after the match.

Despite scores of police - in uniform and plainclothed - an unruly spectator hurled a missile at Neil McKenzie on the boundary line, prompting a brief halt to play.

Youhana was involved in a productive 101 run third wicket partnership off 109 balls with Younis in which Inzamam-ul-Haq also briefly participated. Pakistan captain Inzamam pulled his right hamstring at the total of 56 for two in the 17th over before Khan joined Youhana.

South Africa met with early success after Smith won the toss and elected to field first in daylight. Opener Hafeez’s poor form continued when he was bowled by Shaun Pollock for just seven with the total at 19. Yasir Hameed (16) gave mark boucher one of his three catches behind the wickets and giving Makhaya Ntini his first wicket of the series. (AP)

Kapil Dev calls for equal promotion of all sports

ALWAR (Rajasthan) Oct 5: Former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev has stressed the need for promoting all sports on par with cricket.

Talking to newspersons here last night, he said as there was no dearth of sports talent, there was a need to search and bring them forward.

Referring to the conduct of Indo-Pak cricket matches, Mr Kapil Dev said that this depended on the Governments of both the countries and players would follow the directives of their respective Governments. He opined that the significance of sports should not be undermined in comparison with education. (UNI)