Anand draws, Humpy
wins in Corus chess

WIJK AAN ZEE (The Netherlands), Jan 18: Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw but Koneru Humpy brought cheer to the Indian camp with a convincing victory over Kateryna Lahno . ........more

BCCI to discuss
Champions Trophy,
Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI, Jan 18: Participation in the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Games, scheduled in the city, and the hosting of the Champions Trophy this year will top the agenda when ..........more

Sehwag’s classic inning
fails to better ICC ranking

DUBAI, Jan 18: Indian captain Rahul Dravid, who scored an unbeaten 128 opening the innings against Pakistan in the Lahore Test, has moved up to . .....more

Paes-Damm start Australian
Open campaign with win

MELBOURNE, Jan 18: Leander Paes and Martin Damm got their Australian Open off to a smooth start with a straight sets victory in the men’s doubles ............more

line

 National record
holders Harpreet, Manoj
win gold on opening day

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 18: Though they could not better their existing records, yet the budding ........more

J&K maintains
winning spree, bags
bronze in Korfball

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 18: Jammu and Kashmir continues its winning spree after in Korfball after the state team clinched a bronze ......more

Shaharyar promises
better tracks in future

FAISALABAD, Jan 18: Stung by the severe criticism over the flat pitch that led to a run-glut in the first drawn Test in Lahore..........more

Advani, Chandra in
Snooker final

CHENNAI, Jan 18: Former world IBSF snooker champion Pankaj Advani is a step away from regaining the national title after scoring an emphatic 5-0 win over Yasin Merchant (Maharashtra) ........more
     
 

Anand draws, Humpy wins in Corus chess

WIJK AAN ZEE (The Netherlands), Jan 18: Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw but Koneru Humpy brought cheer to the Indian camp with a convincing victory over Kateryna Lahno of Ukraine in the fourth round of the Corus international chess tournament underway here.

Anand took it easy as black against Sokolov in a game lasting just 15 moves. The Dutchman was also content with half a point despite playing white.

As a result of the tame draw, Veselin Topalov joined Anand in the lead with another sparkling victory over Loek Van Wely of Holland.

The category-19 event is being played here on a round robin basis.

Anand as a bit subdued against Sokolov who played the white side of a queen’s gambit. But the Indian was never in trouble and soon after the opening got over there was little doubting that a draw was a just result.

Meanwhile in the ‘B’ group being played simultaneously, Koneru Humpy registered her second victory in the event accounting for Kateryna Lahno of Ukraine. Humpy, thus, took her tally to 2.5 points out of a possible 4 from the tournament.

The Indian was in top form in the game against Lahno. Playing white, she gave little chance to her younger opponent in the queen’s gambit and won after 41 moves. (PTI)

BCCI to discuss Champions Trophy,
Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI, Jan 18: Participation in the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Games, scheduled in the city, and the hosting of the Champions Trophy this year will top the agenda when the BCCI working committee meets here on January 23.

Apart from the above two issues, other topics to be discussed in the meeting would include reports of marketing committee, finance committee, marketing sub committee, head quarters committee and other committees of the board.

Besides, the issues of the players contract (gradation) and contract for support staff would also come up for discussion.

The BCCI mandarins will also delve into different aspects of the report of the Asian Cricket Council’s executive board meeting held here January 4.

The eight-nation Champions Trophy is sure to dominate the discussion after ICC president Ehsan Mani recently announced that Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata would host the matches in September, with the final in Mumbai.

BCCI will have to clear its position with regard to participation in the 2010 Commonwealth Games as well.

Earlier, accusing the board of dilly-dallying over cricket’s inclusion in the games, Commonwealth oraganising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi had threatened that cricket would miss the bus if BCCI failed to response before December 31.

"There is still a question mark on cricket as the board is yet to respond. Time is fast running out and if we don’t get any word by December 31, cricket may not be there," Mr Kalmadi had announced (UNI)
 

Sehwag’s classic inning fails to better ICC ranking

DUBAI, Jan 18: Indian captain Rahul Dravid, who scored an unbeaten 128 opening the innings against Pakistan in the Lahore Test, has moved up to joint fourth spot in the latest ICC Test ratings for batsmen.

Dravid leapfrogged his Pakistan counterpart Inzamam-ul-Haq and is now level with Australia’s Matthew Hayden.

His deputy Virender Sehwag, who hit a swashbuckling 254 at better than a run a ball, however, could not improve on his seventh position.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Yousuf gained two spots to eighth place while Younis Khan, who was unlucky to be run out on 199, climbed one place to enter the top ten. With Inzamam at sixth place, Pakistan has three players in the top ten batting chart.

Anil Kumble held on to ninth position in the bowling ratings but Irfan Pathan slipped to 12th spot. Shoaib Akhtar remains at fourth position.

Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath continue to lead the batting and bowling charts respectively while South Africa’s Jacques Kallis is the leading all-rounder. (PTI)

Paes-Damm start Australian Open campaign with win

MELBOURNE, Jan 18: Leander Paes and Martin Damm got their Australian Open off to a smooth start with a straight sets victory in the men’s doubles first round here today.

The Indo-Czech pair, seeded seventh, defeated home wild cards Peter Luczak and Shannon Nettle 6-3 6-2 in under an hour at the Melbourne Park.

Paes and Damm have a 2-2 win-loss record going into the year’s first Grand Slam, having lost in the second round in both the tour events they entered — the Chennai Open and the Medibank international series in Sydney.

The duo proved too sharp to handle for the local combination. Paes and Damm forced seven breakpoints and converted four of them.

They also had 60 total points won to their credit, while Luczak and Nettle had 32 under their belt.

Paes could run into his former partner and compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in the second round.

Bhupathi is seeded 11th with South African Wesley Moodie.

Bhupathi and Moodie go into the event with only one match under their belt, having lost in the first round at the million-dollar prize money season opener at Doha.

In Auckland, the pair was replaced after the South African developed a sore shoulder at a tour event.

Meanwhile, Bhupathi has struck another glamour combination to play the mixed doubles event here.

Bhupathi will pair up with ‘Swiss miss’ Martina Hingis who is on a comeback trail.

The Indian doubles specialist won the Wimbledon and the US Open crowns last year with Mary Pierce and Daniela Hantuchova respectively.

Bhupathi and Hingis play Yeu-Tzuoo Wang of Chinese Taipei and Na Li of China in the first round.

Paes, on the other hand, will be missing his legendary partner Martina Navaratilova with whom he won the Australian Open crown in 2003.

He will be partnered this time by France’s Nathalie Dechy and take on top seeds Kevin Ullyett and Cara Black of Zimbabwe in the opening round.

Sania Mirza will team up with Stephen Huss of Australia and the pair faces a tough opening match against third seeds Bob Bryan of the US and Vera Zvonareva of Russia.

The 19-year old Hyderabadi lass is set to play in women’s doubles with Corina Morariu of the US and clash with Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Amelie Mauresmo of France in the first round. (PTI)

 

 

National record holders Harpreet, Manoj win
gold on opening day

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 18: Though they could not better their existing records, yet the budding athletes, Manoj Kumar and Harpreet Singh attracted the attention of audience in the packed BSF Camp Stadium, Paloura near here, with their easy gold wins on the opening day of the 28th Inter-Frontier BSF Athletics Meet 2005 today.

Present national record holder in 400 mts junior group, Harpreet took more time (48:98 seconds) then his existing record of 48:49 seconds. Harpreet, also silver winner in All India Inter-University and Indo-Pak competitions, had bettered the previous national record of 48:69 and was subsequently picked up by the BSF on the basis of his performance, disclosed Harpreet. Hailing from Punjab, constable Harpreet has won today’s gold for Jammu Frontier.

Another gold winner in today’s track events, Manoj Kumar of IG (HQ, FHQ) again could not better his junior national record of 3:53 minutes and finished the distance of 1500 mts, clocking 4:6:47 minutes. Manoj has surpassed the previous national record of 3:54 minutes in the last championship. Manoj has also won a bronze for BSF in the All India Police Games held in November last. A resident of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Manoj has last year won third place in 5000 mts School Nationals.

Major General Jasbir Singh, VSM, GoC 26 Infantry Division was the chief guest, who declared open the four-day event. In his address to the participants from 10 frontiers of Jammu, Tripura, South Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab, North Bengal, Kashmir, IG (HQ), Gujarat and Assam & Manipur, the chief guest said that sports and games are very important for mental and physical fitness of the jawans. He emphasised the need for giving sports encouragement in the belt forces because it helps improving coordination and mutual understanding.

Earlier, officiating IG of host Jammu Frontier, G S Virk in his welcome address briefed the distinguished gathering about sports achievements of the frontier. He said that as many as 14 Jammu Frontier sportsmen are presently in the central teams of the BSF.

Later, Deputy Inspector General of BSF (PSO), M K Razdan, who is also organising secretary of the meet, presented vote of thanks. Students of BSF Senior Secondary School also performed colourful cultural programme depicting culture of the State.

The detailed (opening day) final results:

1500 mts race: Ct. Manoj Kumar, IG (HQ, FHQ), Ist; Ct. Radhey Sham, Gujarat, 2nd and Ct. Ravinder Singh, Tripura, third. Santa Singh and Harpreet Singh of Jammu shared fourth and fifth positions respectively.

400 mts race: Ct. Harpreet Singh, Jammu, Ist; Ct. Dharminder Singh, IG (HQ, FHQ), 2nd and Ct. Ali K, Rajasthan, third. Ct. Shashi Kumar of Jammu finished sixth.

16 kms FPET: Ct. Puran Mal, Rajasthan, Ist; Ct. Ram Singh, Tripura, 2nd and Ct. Taj Mohammed, Jammu, third.

5000 mts: SI Hoshiar Singh, IG (HQ), Ist; Ct.Ravinder Singh, Tripura, 2nd and Ct. Poonam Ram, Gujarat, third.

Shot Put: HC Baldeep Singh, 15.83 mts, Tripura, Ist; Ct. Jagdeep Singh, 15.22 mts, Assam & Manipur, 2nd and Ct. Bikram Singh, 14.48 mts, Jammu, third.

J&K maintains winning spree, bags bronze in Korfball

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 18: Jammu and Kashmir continues its winning spree after in Korfball after the state team clinched a bronze medal giving their improved performance in the 19th Senior National Korfball Championship, which came to an end today at Nasik in Uttar Pradesh.

Four place holder last year, J&K team trounced Andhra Pradesh 14-8 in a one-sided contest held for the third place.

According to the reports reaching here, it was hard-luck for J&K in the semi-final, against Uttar Pradesh with latter winning the close contest only in the extra-time 17-16. Earlier, in the stipulated time, the game was tied at 15-15. However, Tarandeep Singh stole the show with his excellent goal, which got appreciations from every body watching the match.

In the hard-liner, Irfan scored three goals while Tarandeep Singh and Amit Sharma added four and three goals respectively.

Earlier, in the quarterfinals, J&K defeated Delhi 14-13 in a nail-biting finish. Whereas, Haryana outplayed Chandigarh; Andhra Pradesh beat Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh downed Himachal Pradesh in other quarterfinals.

Shaharyar promises better tracks in future

FAISALABAD, Jan 18: Stung by the severe criticism over the flat pitch that led to a run-glut in the first drawn Test in Lahore, Pakistan Cricket Board has said that pitch experts would be consulted after the current series and pitches at Test grounds would be relaid, if necessary.

Reasoning that the cold conditions did not give the ground staff enough time to prepare a more bowler-friendly pitch, PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said "we are not going to blame anyone for the failure to have a good test pitch in Lahore."

Stressing that the board was concerned with the overall state of pitches in Pakistan, Shaharyar said it would soon consult former players and pitch experts to try and rectify the matter.

"The fact is we are now playing more domestic and international cricket at home in the months of winter. If there’s a need to relay the pitch and square anywhere, we will do it as we want good Test tracks," he was quoted as saying by ‘The News’ today.

Pointing out that the last Test series against England was played on good pitches which produced good cricket, Shaharyar said PCB was keen to lure people to come and watch Test matches to revive interest in the longer version of the game.

A few thousand spectators at best came to watch the weather-ruined India-Pakistan first Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, despite all the hype surrounding the current series between the archrivals.

After leaving track preparation to overseas experts till last year, the job this season had been entrusted to former cricketer Agha Zahid who has already reached here with the missive to ensure a better track with some grass left on it for the second match of the three-Test series.

"Certainly we would not like the same sort of tracks for the next two Tests against India," Shaharyar said, according to the daily.

The first Test pitch was so placid that over 1,000 runs were score in two incomplete innings and only eight wickets fell. Both teams expressed their disappointment at not getting a more sporting track, giving equal help to bowlers and batsmen. (PTI)

Advani, Chandra in Snooker final

CHENNAI, Jan 18: Former world IBSF snooker champion Pankaj Advani is a step away from regaining the national title after scoring an emphatic 5-0 win over Yasin Merchant (Maharashtra) in the semi-finals of the 72nd BSNL National Snooker Championship here this afternoon.

On the adjacent table, PSPB’s Manan Chandra was in aggressive mood downing Sarang Shroff (Maha) 75-13 107-26 92-09 69-35 67-69 72-23 for his second final appearance at the nationals.

Manan’s confident play helped him make breaks of 59 (first), 69 (second) and 64 in the third. In 2002, he had lost to Alok Kumar (PSPB) in the final in Ahmedabad.

Advani won 73-15 68-19 49-16 87-02 65-54 and his best break of 62 in the match came in the fourth frame.

Advani, who won the title in 2003 at the Jammu nationals, adapted a safety first policy to assure himself of winning the semi-finals against a senior pro like Merchant.

In the first three frames, which turned out to be rather tight though the scoreline showed otherwise, Advani had to tone down his aggressive play and did not come up with any extraordinary shots.

However, with a 3-0 lead in the best of nine frames format, Advani was under pressure in the fourth and fifth frames but the chances that resulted out of miss-hits were not cashed in by Merchant.

This helped Advani regain control and win the match in comprehensive fashion. (PTI)

 

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