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| Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan likely in May NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan is likely to be postponed till after the Lok Sabha elections in May following Home Ministry’s advice to the cricket board to defer the "sensitive" series...........more ICC
deploys secret agents ISLAMABAD, Feb 12: Concerned over match-fixers targetting the India-Pakistan series, the International Cricket Council has decided to deploy as many as three anti-corruption officials besides secret agents to check the menace............more Multi-media
presentation ISLAMABAD, Feb 12: The visiting BCCI delegation to make a security assessment for the cricket tour was treated to a state-of-the-art multi-media presentation by army rangers in Karachi, one of the six proposed venues for the series............more Punjab
Kabaddi CHANDIGARH, Feb 12: The Punjab Amateur Circle Kabaddi Association (PACKA) is fielding a strong team from the.............more |
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Jammu South, Red blank opponents Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 12: Jammu South, Jammu Red and Baramulla district blanked their opponents in the ongoing Gajinder Memorial State Hockey Championship..............more Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 12: The 2nd state level Kalaripayit championship, which was scheduled to be held from February 14 to 16, here, has been postponed for April.............more Indian
cricket team’s tour NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan is likely to be postponed till after the Lok Sabha elections in May following Home Ministry’s advice to the cricket board to defer the "sensitive" series...........more Banathia-Thapa
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 12: The pair of S P Banathia and B L Thapa and Dr Shakti and R P Choudhary today entered into final........more |
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presentation for Indian delegation in Pakistan....... Punjab Govt revokes appointments of 337 sportspersons ....... Marathon is more physical than mental: Richard Nerurkar....... |
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Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan likely in May NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan is likely to be postponed till after the Lok Sabha elections in May following Home Ministry’s advice to the cricket board to defer the "sensitive" series. Even as the cricket board and the Sports Ministry were keen that the tour be held as scheduled between March and April, highly placed sources said the Home Ministry has conveyed to BCCI that it has no objection to the cricket tour being held after the Lok Sabha elections. It has been suggested to the board that the schedule for the series be changed accordingly. The BCCI was told that the tour could take place any time after the election process was over in May, the sources said. They, however, said that a final decision would have to be taken by BCCI after return of the three-member team which is now in Pakistan to assess the security arrangements for the tour. Explaining the rationale behind the suggestion to the board, the sources said the tour was "sensitive" as even a wrong decision by an umpire could trigger an untoward incident that could lead to further tension in the country. The Government would like the bcci to take a decision keeping in view these issues. The sources categorically stated that there was no question of the tour being called off as both the countries have agreed in principle for it. The schedule for the tour had been worked out earlier at a time when the Government had not taken a decision to go for dissolution of Parliament and early Lok Sabha polls. (PTI) |
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ICC deploys secret agents for India-Pak series ISLAMABAD, Feb 12: Concerned over match-fixers targetting the India-Pakistan series, the International Cricket Council has decided to deploy as many as three anti-corruption officials besides secret agents to check the menace. "The ICC has informed that in addition to the retired Pakistani Army Colonel Qaza Noor, a security official each from India and Australia would keep a close watch during the series," Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Sami-ul Hasan told PTI over phone from Karachi today. Col. Noor represents ICC’s anti-corruption unit in Pakistan and Bangladesh while N S Virk is India’s representative. Deployment of three officials for one series indicates ICC’s renewed fears that match-fixing might still be affecting the game. The ACU had written to the PCB in recent months that some Pakistan players might have underperformed in a couple of one-day tournaments in 2002. Meanwhile, newsdaily ‘The Nation’ quoted PCB sources as saying although the ICC and boards of both countries had taken adequate steps to check illegal betting, a complete ban was not practical. The report said bookmakers had extended their network from Asia to Europe, Africa and USA. "The much-awaited series will be the prime event for bookies to earn millions of dollars as they have formatted a strong international network ahead of Indo-Pak series," the sources said. The two neighbours are resuming bilateral cricket ties after a 14-year hiatus and cricket fans across the world are eagerly awaiting the series. "Despite a number of steps taken by ICC no one can remove match-fixing totally and still many bookies are involved in the million-dollar game," the sources were quoted as saying. They said a few former Dubai-based Indian, Pakistani and African cricketers were working as the international link for the network. "These cricketers also help in communicating rates of teams and players and informing the bookmakers about the form, fitness and abilities of players." (PTI) |
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Multi-media presentation for Indian delegation ISLAMABAD, Feb 12: The visiting BCCI delegation to make a security assessment for the cricket tour was treated to a state-of-the-art multi-media presentation by army rangers in Karachi, one of the six proposed venues for the series. "The India delegation was provided an intensive briefing by the Rangers (an army unit in charge of Sindh Province) and they looked pretty satisfied," Pakistan Cricket Board’s media manager told PTI over phone from Karachi. "Every movement in the city of the cricketers right from arrival and departure was graphically presented at DG Rangers Headquarters which is just one kilometre away from team hotel," he said. After the briefing by DG Rangers, Major General Javed Zia, the delegation was taken to the team hotel — the sheraton — where the hotel’s security staff briefed it about the arrangements that would be in place during the team’s stay. The three-member delegation was then taken to National Stadium, the proposed venue for one of the Test matches. "The stadium is 17km from the hotel but that distance would be covered in just 15 minutes. There would be no traffic signals and sharp shooters would be deployed on high-rise buildings on either sides of the road. The whole route would be sanitised," Hasan said. "The delegates were even told what kind of Rangers would be deployed at various spots." At the stadium, the delegates — Yashovardhan Azad, Ratnakar Shetty and Amrit Mathur — were briefed on ground and in-stadium security. While Mathur and Shetty confined their assessment to the logistics, media and dressing room facilities, Azad concentrated on security aspect. "They suggested a few points — of course there is a room for improvement always and we will look into them. But all in all every important aspect has been covered by the authorities." The Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Multan tomorrow as part of its security assessment. (PTI) |
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Punjab Kabaddi players to visit Pakistan CHANDIGARH, Feb 12: The Punjab Amateur Circle Kabaddi Association (PACKA) is fielding a strong team from the state to play ten exhibition matches against the Pakistani Punjab team at different places in Pakistan from February 14 to 29. The Punjab (Pakistan) Kabaddi Association will receive the Punjab team at the Wagah check post tomorrow, PACKA honorary general secretary Prof. J P Sharma here said. The first match will be played at Okara on February 14, the second at Lahore the next day and the third at Shawal. Similarly the matches will also be played at Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yarkhan, Multan, Kot Abu, Islamabad and Faislabad. (UNI) |
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Jammu South, Red blank opponents Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 12: Jammu South, Jammu Red and Baramulla district blanked their opponents in the ongoing Gajinder Memorial State Hockey Championship being organised J&K Hockey Association at K K Hakhu Stadium, here. Today’s winners also included teams from district Poonch, Kathua and Jammu Green. They too defeated their opponents with heavy margins. In the first match of the day two of the championship today, Poonch thrashed Anantnag 8-1 after conceding the first goal. Parvinder Singh was the man who made it a big win adding three goals (49th, 55th, 58th) in the second half. Charanjeet Singh, who opened the account for Poonch converting a penalty corner in the very second minute of the game, sounded the board for another goal in 20th. Pawan Kumar (16th), Jagmeet Singh (31st) and Varinder Singh (53rd) added one goal each. The only goal from Anantnag was scored by Rasil Ahmed in the 21st minute. Jammu Green too had the same 8-1 win against Jammu North in the second match played in the morning session. Jatinder Pal Singh opened the account for Jammu Green scoring a goal through penalty corner in the 11th minute, while BD Singh was awarded a penalty stroke which he easily converted into goal in the 35th minute. Sartaj Singh (31st and 43rd) and Gurpreet (44th and 45th) made two goals each. One goal each was scored by Jagjit Singh and Manjeet Singh in 39th and 40th minute respectively. Sohan Lal reduced the margin converting netting the ball in the 7th minute for Jammu North. Jammu Red blanked Pulwama 6-0. Jagjit Singh scripted Jammu Red’s big win netting three goals in 33rd, 47th and 59th minute of the match. Pawandeep Singh (27th and 41st) added two goals while Harmanan Singh converted a penalty corner in the 40th minute. Jammu South down district Rajouri by three goals to nil. All three goals were scored in the first half. Jasbir Singh (7th), Daljeet Singh Bhatia (19th) and Pardeep Singh (22nd) made one goal each. In another matches played in the evening session, Kathua outplayed Srinagar 4-1. Kuldeep Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 19th minute while Ajay Pathania, Rajinder Singh (33rd) and Mandeep Singh (57th) made field goals. From Srinagar, Ranbir Singh converted a penalty corner into goal. District Baramulla also won their match inflicting a humiliating 9-0 defeat on Sopore. Today’s matches were officiated by G S Bakshi, MS Reen, Vijay Pal Singh, Jasbir Singh, Amarjeet Singh, Vijay Vaid, Dalbir Mehta, Charanjeet Singh, Harmanan Singh, Iqbal Singh and Jagjeet Singh. |
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Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 12: The 2nd state level Kalaripayit championship, which was scheduled to be held from February 14 to 16, here, has been postponed for April. According to a handout issued here today, the competitions have been postponed due to business of the students because of ensuing examinations. |
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Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan likely in May NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan is likely to be postponed till after the Lok Sabha elections in May following Home Ministry’s advice to the cricket board to defer the "sensitive" series. Even as the cricket board and the Sports Ministry were keen that the tour be held as scheduled between March and April, highly placed sources said the Home Ministry has conveyed to BCCI that it has no objection to the cricket tour being held after the Lok Sabha elections. It has been suggested to the board that the schedule for the series be changed accordingly. The BCCI was told that the tour could take place any time after the election process was over in May, the sources said. They, however, said that a final decision would have to be taken by BCCI after return of the three-member team which is now in Pakistan to assess the security arrangements for the tour. Explaining the rationale behind the suggestion to the board, the sources said the tour was "sensitive" as even a wrong decision by an umpire could trigger an untoward incident that could lead to further tension in the country. The Government would like the bcci to take a decision keeping in view these issues. The sources categorically stated that there was no question of the tour being called off as both the countries have agreed in principle for it. The schedule for the tour had been worked out earlier at a time when the Government had not taken a decision to go for dissolution of Parliament and early Lok Sabha polls. (PTI) |
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Banathia-Thapa pair enters veteran Badminton final Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 12: The pair of S P Banathia and B L Thapa and Dr Shakti and R P Choudhary today entered into final of the Veteran section in District Udhampur Open Badminton Championship being played Udhampur. In the semi-finals, S P Banathia and B L Thapa down Vijay Singh Sambyal and Ashok Kumar 15-4, 15-8. In the second semi-final, Dr Shakti and R P Choudhary outplayed the pair of Bhushan Sethi and Bodh Raj Sharma 13-14, 14-3, 14-3. Later, in the under-14 year singles quarterfinals, Pawan Rigra beat Rajiv Gupta 15-12, 15-12 and Sunil Salathia thrashed Vishal Jandial 14-0, 14-3. Multi-media presentation for Indian delegation in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Feb 12: The visiting BCCI delegation to make a security assessment for the cricket tour was treated to a state-of-the-art multi-media presentation by army rangers in Karachi, one of the six proposed venues for the series. "The India delegation was provided an intensive briefing by the Rangers (an army unit in charge of Sindh Province) and they looked pretty satisfied," Pakistan Cricket Board’s media manager told PTI over phone from Karachi. "Every movement in the city of the cricketers right from arrival and departure was graphically presented at DG Rangers Headquarters which is just one kilometre away from team hotel," he said. After the briefing by DG Rangers, Major General Javed Zia, the delegation was taken to the team hotel — the sheraton — where the hotel’s security staff briefed it about the arrangements that would be in place during the team’s stay. The three-member delegation was then taken to National Stadium, the proposed venue for one of the Test matches. "The stadium is 17km from the hotel but that distance would be covered in just 15 minutes. There would be no traffic signals and sharp shooters would be deployed on high-rise buildings on either sides of the road. The whole route would be sanitised," Hasan said. "The delegates were even told what kind of Rangers would be deployed at various spots." At the stadium, the delegates — Yashovardhan Azad, Ratnakar Shetty and Amrit Mathur — were briefed on ground and in-stadium security. While Mathur and Shetty confined their assessment to the logistics, media and dressing room facilities, Azad concentrated on security aspect. "They suggested a few points — of course there is a room for improvement always and we will look into them. But all in all every important aspect has been covered by the authorities." The Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Multan tomorrow as part of its security assessment. (PTI) Punjab Govt revokes appointments of 337 sportspersons CHANDIGARH, Feb 12: Punjab Government today revoked the appointments and out-of-turn promotions of 337 sportspersons, including seven Olympians, in compliance with a Punjab and Haryana High Court directive. Those affected include international hockey stars Jugraj Singh, Tejbir Singh and Kanwalpreet Singh, volleyball player Rattan Lal, grappler Gurvinder Singh and athlete Ajay Paul Singh along with 285 national players and coaches. The High Court had issued a directive to the state Government in 1998 asking it to revoke all the decisions which were in violation of the Punjab Police Services Rules. However, all the 337 players would be reappointed within a week in accordance with the state Cabinet’s decision to amend the Punjab Police Service Rules to give relief to these players, state Principal Secretary (Home) S K Sinha said on phone from Delhi. The state Cabinet on October 17 last year had decided to amend the Punjab Police Service Rules to make a special provision for the recruitment of outstanding sportspersons above the post of constable. Sinha said that all the sportspersons, some of them ranked as high as Deputy Superintendent, demoted to "substantive rank" would be recruited to their earlier posts to avoid any demoralisation. He said the amendment to the rules have ensured that these sportspersons could be appointed at different levels, ranging from constables to DSPs, unlike the earlier provisions under which they could only be recruited as constables. "These special sports quota posts have been kept out of the purview of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB)," Sinha said. According to the Cabinet decision the salary, promotions and ranks of sportspersons would be protected and future promotions would be given in accordance to their seniority under the quota. The Cabinet decision would also open the way for recruitment of players in the future if they excel in their particular field at the national and international level, he said.(PTI) Marathon is more physical than mental: Richard Nerurkar MUMBAI, Feb 12: Long distance runner Richard Nerurkar of United Kingdom today said running a marathon was more physical than mental as one has to be physically tough to overcome the odds. Nerurkar, whose father is an Indian (from Mumbai), told reporters that he was here to run the dream run (seven kms) and was very happy to be back in this great city for the fourth time. "I have lots of relatives living in Colaba area and I have always loved this city. I am also happy that the organisers (procam) have invited me where the field has some really big names which is good for the sport," the 40-year-old veteran added. Speaking about the marathon, Nerurkar said: "An athlete prefers flat course but the course over here is not flat. If you take the climatic conditions and climbs in the course into consideration over here, I would say it will be a pretty tough race to finish." Nerurkar, who is coaching in ethiopia since three years, said: "Marathon is as popular in Ehtiopia and Kenya as cricket is in India. I remember the Indian cricket team led by former spinner Bishen Singh Bedi visited my house in UK and that was a very big moment for me and my family." "Be it short or long distance running, the average human being can afford to persue it as a career and that is why most of the runners, who have made a mark on the international scene, are from African countries which are poor as compared to European countries," he added. (PTI) Injured Kahlon fires 66 for Forest Hill Open lead CHANDIGARH, Feb 12: A determined Harmeet Kahlon braved a painful right elbow to fire a superb six-under 66 for the opening round lead at the Rs.10 lakh Air Canada Forest Hill Golf Open, being played at the par-72, Forest Hill Golf and Country Club here. The tournament is the 13th leg of the Hero Honda Indian Golf tour. Lucknow’s Vijay Kumar missed a three-feet birdie putt on his final hole to settle two-strokes behind the leader at four-under 68 and second place while the duo of Delhi’s Ali Sher and Kolkata’s Yusuf Ali were fled for the third position at two-under 70 apiece. Kahlon asserted his superiority early today, with a birdie on his opening hole where a driver-lob wedge combination placed him two feet from the pin. The 33-year old went on to birdie the fifth and ninth with a lone bogey on the eighth where he missed a simple two feet par putt. Kahlon carried on the demolition act on his return journey, which he began with two straight birdies. The birdie on the 11th was very satisfying as I sank a 30 feet putt from the edge of the green, he said. A bogey on the 14th, where his ball found a pit on the right of the green, was undone by a hat-trick of birdies on his closing holes, the 16th, 17th and 18th. Vijay Kumar of Lucknow had an uncomplicated round. He birdied the fifth, seventh and eighth on his outward journey and the 14th on the way back. (UNI) |
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