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

Federer pulls out,
organisers want
rule changes

PARIS, Oct 31: Roger Federer’s withdrawal from the Paris Masters made tennis organisers consider greater sanctions against players who fail to honour their commitments......more

Chappell’s tenure with
Indian team may
be over after World Cup

MELBOURNE, Oct 31: Coach Greg Chappell’s association with Indian cricket may be over after next year’s World Cup, Australian media reported today against the backdrop of the team’s early........more

Australia more razor
sharp than New Zealand

By Sanjay Manjrekar

There is always a certain edge to An Australia/ New Zealand clash. Its not quite India Pakistan, but its certainly a clash that makes Australia even more...more

State Open Swimming Championship concludes
Sivesh, Irfan emerge best
swimmers in men section

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Sivesh Mattoo and Irfan emerged as best swimmers in the Men Section in the J&K State Open Swimming......more

Basketball team selected
JU Women Kho-Kho team
leaves for Chattisgarh

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Jammu University Women Kho Kho team today left for participation in the North East Zone Inter-University Kho-Kho Tournament scheduled to.........more

Ishuk, Kuldeep,
Sheetal enter
quarter-finals of Sr Snooker

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Sheetal Gandotra, Ishuk Chowdhary and Kuldeep Sharma entered the quarter-finals of the Senior Snooker......more

Inter-School Athletic Meet
Kanta of GHS Banglarh
bags Ist position
in U-14 Discus

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Kanta Devi of Government High School Banglarh bagged first position......more

Udhampur Distt Table
Tennis Championship
concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 31: The 3-day District Open Table Tennis Championship-2006 concluded at Mini-Stadium,.......more

Federer pulls out, organisers want rule changes

PARIS, Oct 31: Roger Federer’s withdrawal from the Paris Masters made tennis organisers consider greater sanctions against players who fail to honour their commitments.

Federer cited fatigue for withdrawing, a day after winning his fourth straight title of the year in his basel hometown.

It meant the Paris masters started yesterday without the world’s top three players, and No 6 Andy Roddick.

Rafael Nadal withdrew on Sunday because of an abdominal strain in training, and David Nalbandian had a stomach illness. Roddick decided to save himself for the Masters Cup in Shanghai starting on November 12.

"This reinforces my determination to introduce significant reform of the calendar, of its structure, of bonus payments, and the necessary sanctions needed to permit the best players to play ... Our biggest tournaments," ATP chairman Etienne De Villiers said in a statement. "We are determined to assure the future of this fantastic tournament."

Paris Masters Directors Alain Riou and Cedric Pioline were annoyed at losing their headliners before the event. "This is devaluing our product," Riou said. "It does not meet the expectation of the fans.

"The arena is not very full today. After two years of a damaged tournament, our fans are asking themselves questions. We are suffering."

Pioline, a former top-10 player, said players should be penalised for pulling out.

"The only sanction that can work is a suspension," Pioline said. "That’s the only argument a player will understand. Financial penalties don’t make much of an impact on earnings."

Riou said the Paris Masters was vulnerable to withdrawals because it was the last event before the elite, eight-man Masters Cup.

"Obviously it is a lot harder to go (to China) than Europe after a long season," Riou said.

ATP rules also allowed players to skip two out of the nine masters series events without incurring a fine or suspension, and Federer had previously missed only the Hamburg Masters in May.

"Roger phoned this morning to say he is suffering from a general fatigue," Riou said. "He’s scared of pushing too hard, so he’d rather not take the risk."

Federer has not appeared at the Paris Masters since 2003, while Nadal promised he’d make his debut next year. (AP)

Chappell’s tenure with Indian team
may be over after World Cup

Chappell, who has a two-year contract with the Indian team till the World Cup, and the Indian Cricket Board have agreed to part ways after the mega event in West Indies next April, the ‘Courier Mail’ daily reported today without quoting any sources.

In a similar report, ‘Herald Sun’ said "failure isn’t an option in the cricket-obsessed country and there seems little doubt that Chappell, the 58-year-old former Australian captain, is on the way out."

The end of the union seems imminent after India’s exit from the Champions Trophy following its six-wicket loss to Australia in Mohali on Sunday, the report said.

The papers noted that Chappell has been under media attack for experimenting with players by promoting younger ones. (PTI)

Australia more razor sharp than New Zealand

By Sanjay Manjrekar

There is always a certain edge to An Australia/ New Zealand clash. Its not quite India Pakistan, but its certainly a clash that makes Australia even more razor sharp as opponents. New Zealand once again have quietly entered the final rounds of a world event when no one gives them a chance at the start. Their qualification in this champions trophy is even more creditable considering that it is being staged in the subcontinent.
Having said that, I have to say that they would have found the journey much tougher had tournament been played in March/ april. Then the pitches would have been truly Indian.

My guess is the Mohali pitch will once again have some spice. India is not playing any more you see. And that gives New Zealand some ammunition to fight an opponent who have almost bullied them in one dayers in the recent past.

On a flat pitch Australia would have been once again the overwhelming favourites. But this venue gives the New Zealanders a chance. It brings the likes of Bond & Oram into play, the bowlers to watch out for Australia.

What Nz have done well, that the Indians did not quite manage, is that their Captain Fleming has been able to carry the burden when his other players have failed. With the bat as well as with some very smart tactics.

As for Australia, they now seem to be the favourites to win the title isn’t it ? They have caught the wind at the right time. Their win against India has cemented their belief that they can now a tournament that has eluded them for some reason.With that win against India, Ricky Pontings’s form was also great news for them. How quickly his body language changed when he had a few runs under his belt against India. It will be this confidence of the Australian Captain that New Zealand will have to tackle this which other teams did not have to in this tournament.

I have been impressed with Shane Watson & its nice to learn that he will be 100 % fit for the semifinals. He batted with a runner in the game against India if you remember. Along with his batting which is more than just useful at the top for Australia, His bowling with Lee’s gives the attack more aggression. His wides while attempting frequent bouncers against India was criticized for the unnecessary runs conceded. But not too may people realized that the obvious show of his keen ness to use the bouncer every over kept some of the Indian batsmen in their shells even in the slog overs. That made the difference of 25/30 runs, more than enough to win or lose one day games.

State Open Swimming Championship concludes
Sivesh, Irfan emerge best swimmers in men section

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Sivesh Mattoo and Irfan emerged as best swimmers in the Men Section in the J&K State Open Swimming Championship which concluded today at MA Stadium.

Kavya Kamal was declared as best swimmer of First Group, Naseer Ahmed of Second Group, Rudraksh Gupta of third group and Irshad Ahmed of IVth Group.

In the Girls Section, Rubina Kohli emerged as best swimmer in First Group, Damini in Second Group and Sheena Ganjoo in Third Group.

Earlier, in the 50 metres free style, Irfan of Srinagar bagged first position, Abhishek of Jammu clinched second position and Chaman Lal of Kathua clinched third position.

Minister for Sports Babu Singh was the chief guest on the occasion while Secretary J&K State Sports Council Ravinder Gupta was the guest of honour. Dr Ashu Tosh Sharma, Divisional Officer, Madan Lal, District Officer Jammu, Bhaskar Nath, Siddharth Sharma, Dr Nirmolak Singh, Jagbir Singh Sudan and Krishan Lal Sharma were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Sports Babu Singh announced that swimming pool will soon get modern facilities and if possible swimming pool will be covered at the earliest.

He appreciated efforts of J&K Swimming Association for ensuring participation of swimmers from Kathua, Udhampur and Baramulla in the Championship.

Basketball team selected
JU Women Kho-Kho team leaves for Chattisgarh

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Jammu University Women Kho Kho team today left for participation in the North East Zone Inter-University Kho-Kho Tournament scheduled to start on November 3, 2006 at Raipur, Chattisgarh.

Jammu University team will play its fixture on November 4, 2006 with TM Bhagalpur. The team comprises of 12 players from different colleges of Jammu province and PG Departments of Jammu University.

The team was introduced with the Director Physical Education before departure for raipur. Mulkh Raj and Rushalu Khan are accompanying the team as Coach and Manager respectively.

The team members are Gurpreet Kour, Sukhmeet Kour, Bindu Malhotra, Raspreet Kour, Priya Sharma, Gurpreet Kour, Suman Sharma, Dolly Sharma, Arti Maurya, Sangeeta Dutta, Pooja Devi and Rubina Bhagal.

Meanwhile, Jammu University Basketball (Women) team was cleared by the Screening Committee for participation in the North East Zone Inter-University Basketball Tournament scheduled to start from November 6, 2006 at Shellong University.

The team comprises of 12 players from different colleges of Jammu province and PG Department of Jammu University. The team members are Neha Choudhary, Sadia, Ritika Sharma, Jyoti Dhingra, Naina Jamwal, Kavita Bhan, Juhi Verma, Aditi Soodan, Rupali Subhash, Esha Kath, Sakshi Sharma and Monica Sharma.

Ishuk, Kuldeep, Sheetal enter quarter-finals of Sr Snooker

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Sheetal Gandotra, Ishuk Chowdhary and Kuldeep Sharma entered the quarter-finals of the Senior Snooker in the 16th Jammu District Open Billiards and Snooker Championship being played at Billiards Hall of MA Stadium, here.

Sheetal Gandotra defeated Vishal Mehra by 3-1. Sheetal won the first frame by 67-35 and lost the second by 47-50 thereby facing some challenge at the hands of Vishal.

But he could not allow himself to get under pressure and won the next two frames by 66-37 and 45-35 to sail into the quarter-finals of the Senior Snooker.

Ishuk Chowdhary beat Ajay Pal Singh by 3-0. It was only in the first frame that Ajaypal Singh posed some challenge to Ishuk which the latter won by 79-66. In the next two frames, Ishuk easily registered wins over Ajaypal Singh. The score in the second and third frames was 63-29, 6017.

In the third match of the day, Kuldeep Sharma defeated Nikhil Kapahi by 3-1. Kuldeep made a good start and won the first two frames by 67-46, 62-09. But in the third frame he suffered defeat at the hands of Nikhil, who won third frame by 60-19.

Kuldeep staged a come back in the fourth frame and won the same by 61-30.

Inter-School Athletic Meet
Kanta of GHS Banglarh bags Ist position in U-14 Discus

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Kanta Devi of Government High School Banglarh bagged first position in the Discus Under-14 years girls on the 2nd day of ongoing Inter-School Athletic Meet at Boys Higher Secondary School Samba.

In this category, Pooja Devi of Middle School Taloor bagged second position and Priya of MS Dhalote third position. In discus event for Under-17 years girls, Usha Rajput of HS Sumb bagged first position, Seema Rajput of NV HS Dhalote secured second position and Poonam Rajput of NV HS Dhalote secured third position.

In Shot Put event for Under-17 years girls, Popinder Kour of HS Banglarh, Pooja Devi of NV HS Dhalote and Ashu Devi of HSS Sumb secured first three positions while in Shot Put event of Under-14 years girls, Kanta Devi of HS Banglarh, Gurpreet Kour of Netaji Academy Vijaypur and Neha Sharma of same school bagged first three positions.

In Javelin event for Under-17 years girls, Popinder Kour of HS Banglarh, Sudesh Kumari of NV HS Dhalote and Pooja Devi of same school bagged first three positions.

Chetna Gupta of MS Jakh, Pooja Verma and Anita, both of NV HS Dhalote clinched first three positions in High Jump for Under-14 years girls while in High Jump for Under-17 years girls, Makhani Devi of NV HS Dhalote, Poonam Rajput of same school and Anshu Devi of Girls HSS Samba clinched first three positions.

In Long Jump for Under-17 years, Pinki Devi of HS Nanak Chak, Gurpreet Kour of Arvind Ghosh HSS Vijaypur and Rajni Devi of HSS Sumb bagged first three positions.

In Triple Jump, Seema rajput of NV HS Dhalote, Bharti of Netaji Academy and Kiran Jamwal of NV HS Dhalote bagged first three positions. In 100 metres event for Under-14 years girls, Kamlesh of NV HS Dhalote, Indu Devi of HSS Sumb and Pooja Devi of MS Paloor clinched first three positions.

In 100 metre Under-17 years girls, Sushma Devi of NV HS Dhalote, Popinder Kour of HS Banglarh and Bandana Devi of same school bagged first three positions.

Udhampur Distt Table Tennis Championship concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 31: The 3-day District Open Table Tennis Championship-2006 concluded at Mini-Stadium, Udhampur. The championship was organized by the Udhampur District Table Tennis Association.

Rohit Pal, a student of Happy Model HSS Udhampur was declared as over all best player of the tournament as he won Boys Sub Junior, Junior and Senior Singles in the final event. In men’s doubles, Rohit Paul and Aman Preet beat Rajinder and Ajay. In Girls Sub Junior Singles, Shobna defeated Chahat while Bhavneet beat Monica in Junior category. The winning players in this T.T. Championship would now participate in state level T.T. championship to be held at M. A. Stadium, Jammu from November 2, 2006.

MLA Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia was the chief guest on the occasion while Chief Education Officer, Udhampur, Vinay Mohan Raina was the guest of honour.

District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Udhampur, Ashok Kumar, District Social Welfare Officer, Udhampur, Assistant Director, STC, Bhupinder Singh Tirthi, Joint Secretary Cricket Association, Shyam Kalsotra, President SGPC, renowned surgeon, Dr. K.C. Sharma, leading contractor, Sukh Dev Singh, heads of various educational institutions were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mankotia stressed for gearing up sports activities in the educational institutions with massive participation of students for the over all personality development of budding players. He also advised the players to launch a vigorous campaign against drug addiction so that the future of youngsters could be saved.

The President of District T.T. Association, Sunil Sharma and Joint Secretary, Devinder Sharma.