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

Indians need to get rid
of their laidback attitude

JOHANNESBURG,Nov 17: It is important that I begin with Coach Greg Chappell and how central he would be for India’s plans in the forthcoming series. I might lose a few Indian friends in the process but that’s besides the point. The team must look more and.....more

Mahindra to meet Chirag in
Federation Cup Opener

NEW DELHI, Nov 17: Defending champions Mahindra United will open their campaign in the 28th Federation Cup against Kolkata outfit Chirag United while last year’s runners-up sporting Clube De Goa were handed a tricky........more

Mcgrath looks to cap
challenging year with
Ashes triumph

SYDNEY, Nov 17: Glenn Mcgrath has his doubters heading into ashes battle after what has been his most challenging year on and off the cricket field. Test cricket’s greatest wicket-taking paceman is rising 37 and detractors...more

Brett Lee’s bundle of joy
arrives a week early

SYDNEY, Nov 17: Brett Lee’s prayers have been answered with his wife delivering the couple’s first child a week before the opening Ashes Test starting November 23.......more

Jammu Frontier makes
clean sweep in BSF
Sports Meet
*Sports bolster spirit of camaraderie: Governor

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 17:Hosts Jammu Frontier proved their supremacy by claiming overall championship title in the BSF Inter Frontier Sports Meet in the disciplines of........more

Court directive to JKCA
on Ranji team selection

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 17: Sub Judge Jammu, Mr R K Watal has directed President J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) and others to constitute......more

U-15 Poly Umrigar Trophy
J&K faces uphill task
*Bundled out for 95 in 1st Innings

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 17: Hosts J&K were 16 for no loss in their second innings at the close of 2nd day’s play needing 260 more runs to win. Earlier, resuming their........more

Inter School Athletic Meet
for U/17 Girls begins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 17:Pinki Devi of GHS, Garhi fetched gold medal in 100 mts on the opening day of the District Level....more

Indians need to get rid of their laidback attitude

Chappell has got it in him to mentally prepare this indian team for the aggression which would come from the South Africans. We all know his background and we all know how the Aussies think. Being a typical Australian, it’s in-built in him to be hard and tough.

Let’s accept it, despite a few notable wins abroad in this decade, Indians have never been good travellers. They sometimes appear so soft and laidback that they get threatened by the aggressiveness of the Australians and South Africans. If the players do not get rid of that attitude, they are going to get a hiding wherever they go. It’s just going to carry on and on.

That is why I feel Chappell has a big role to play. He knows all about being hard and tough. I think if he instills that attitude then Indians can beat any side away from home. They have that sort of players in their ranks. He could teach the lads how they should never take a step backwards.

I have been amused by all the criticism which has come his way and on his experiments. Knowing how the Australians think, I feel he has been trying to take a few of the Indians out of their comfort zone, those cricketers who were happy with what they were performing and were not willing to go the extra mile.

Chappell’s experiments must have been intended to make the cricketers think on their feet. The softness and the shyness of the Indian cricketers, looking from outside and looking in, that’s what perhaps he has been trying the Indians to get rid of.

Giving this belief a logical extension, I feel it is important that the Captain must buy into the Coach’s thinking. It is paramount. I have played under a few of the very best captains and coaches of the world and they all tended to lead from the front. Starting with Kepler Wessels and Hansie Cronje and knowing what influence Bob Woolmer had on all of us, I am saying this from experience.

Even though Rahul Dravid has appeared a laidback sort of character to me, we South Africans rate him very, very highly. He is one guy we used to discuss in team meeting a lot because he always does well in South Africa. He just values his wicket so highly. So if that’s Chappell’s plans then Dravid must relay this to his team quickly. There’s little doubt in my mind that this tour is going to be very tough for him. (AGENCIES)

Mahindra to meet Chirag in Federation Cup Opener

The draw for the premier knockout football tournament was made at the Aiff headquarters here today and pitted Kolkata giants East Bengal against State Bank of Travancore and Mohun Bagan versus Viva Kerala.

The tournament, to be held at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, from December 18 to 30, is being sponsored by Peerless and carries a total prize money of Rs 26 lakh.

The winner will take home Rs 12 lakh while the runners-up will get Rs 7 lakh.

Chirag United and Viva Kerala are the new teams admitted to the tournament. The latter was allowed entry to compensate for the closure of FC Kochi, a premier side of Kerala.

Tata Football Academy, which was earlier denied entry into the national football league’s top division as it did not want to turn professional, was not considered for federation cup on similar grounds.

"TFA can participate in the federation youth programme," AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi told reporters here.

Ragarding Junior National Coach Islam Akhmedov’s offer to resign after the dismal performance of the Indian team at the recent Asian Youth Championship, Dasmunshi said the matter would come up for discussion at a high-level AIFF meeting.

"We will take a decision when our Executive Committee meets," he said. (PTI)

Mcgrath looks to cap challenging year with Ashes triumph

SYDNEY, Nov 17: Glenn Mcgrath has his doubters heading into ashes battle after what has been his most challenging year on and off the cricket field.

Test cricket’s greatest wicket-taking paceman is rising 37 and detractors have been questioning his form after coming back from eight months out of the game to care for his ill wife.

Age has become an issue in pre-Ashes deliberations with the boot now on the other foot and the Australians dubbed ‘dad’s army’ — nine of the team are in their thirties and for some are a few months away from retirement.

That argument clearly embraces mcgrath, who is five months younger than the team’s senior player Shane Warne, and given the setbacks he has had to endure some former Australian test players are querying his effectiveness heading into the opening Brisbane Ashes test on November 23.

Mcgrath was relegated to first-change bowler behind Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken in the one-day team for the recent champions’ trophy in India as he struggled to find the rhythm and incisiveness that has long been his calling card. (AGENCIES)

Brett Lee’s bundle of joy arrives a week early

SYDNEY, Nov 17: Brett Lee’s prayers have been answered with his wife delivering the couple’s first child a week before the opening Ashes Test starting November 23.

The tearaway pacer was sure to miss the birth of his child if his wife, Liz, had delivered the baby on the due date which was just a day before the first day of the ashes opener in Brisbane.

Lee had been hoping for an early birth of the child and lady luck smiled on him as Preston Charles arrived early last morning. Both the mother and the baby are reportedly in good health.

The early arrival gives the dashing speedster a chance to spend a day with the newest addition to the Lee family. The Aussie pace spearhead will leave for the team camp tomorrow.

Meanwhile, reacting to the news, Australian Coach John Buchanan said the birth came at just the right time.

"From Brett’s point of view it’s great news because Liz and the baby are doing well and the timing was perfect," Buchanan was quoted by the ‘Herald Sun’ as saying . (UNI)

Jammu Frontier makes clean sweep in BSF Sports Meet
*Sports bolster spirit of camaraderie: Governor

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 17:Hosts Jammu Frontier proved their supremacy by claiming overall championship title in the BSF Inter Frontier Sports Meet in the disciplines of Wrestling, Judo, Weight Lifting, Gymnastics and Boxing which concluded at BSF Stadium Paloura here today.

Jammu Frontier made clean sweep in all five disciplines. They secured total 248 points.

TCM and Rajasthan frontiers stood 2nd and 3rd respectively in the sporting extravaganza. In Judo, South Bengal finished runner up with 238 and 234 points respectively.

Dileep Singh of Jammu Frontier was adjudged the best Judoka. In Gymnastics too, Jammu Frontier ended up as winners while Shillong Frontier finished runner up.

Head Constable, HC Arun Thapa of Jammu Frontier was declared as the best Gymnast.

South Bengal finished runner up in Boxing. Constable Amit Kumar was adjudged as the best Boxer.

In Weight Lifting and Wrestling, South Bengal and North Bengal finished runners up.

Constable Hari Dass of Punjab Frontier and Inspector Rishi Pal, IG HQ, New Delhi were declared as the best weightlifter and Wrestler respectively. Total 165 players from 10 frontiers participated in the four day long Sports Meet.

Lt. General (Retd.) S.K. Sinha, Governor J&K, was the chief guest on the occasion and he gave away winners and runners-up trophies to the teams. Speaking on the occasion, he said that BSF has been doing a commendable job in defending territorial integrity and maintaining internal security.

He also expressed his happiness over the involvement of defence forces in sports activities as these events will place youth in a good stead in the competitive world.

S.C. Vaid, Inspector General BSF Jammu Frontier, in his address said that sports and games enthuse a new enthusiasm amongst the force personnel to attain the goal of victory by generating self-confidence and team spirit.

He hoped that such activities offer an opportunity for a healthy competition, exchange of skills and above all development of physical stamina and psychological toughness.

At last, the students of BSF School presented a colourful cultural programme thereby depicting the richness of Indian ethos.

Court directive to JKCA on Ranji team selection

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 17: Sub Judge Jammu, Mr R K Watal has directed President J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) and others to constitute team of selectors— an independent body for Ranji Trophy team or other groups.

This order, the Judge held, shall, however, be subject to any other order passed by the superior court.

The order was passed on a petition filed by Rohit Malhotra and others, wherein it was alleged that defendants on their own were bent upon selecting their sons and other relatives for the Ranji Trophy team and sought the direction for having independent selectors for making the selection.

U-15 Poly Umrigar Trophy
J&K faces uphill task
*Bundled out for 95 in 1st Innings

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 17: Hosts J&K were 16 for no loss in their second innings at the close of 2nd day’s play needing 260 more runs to win. Earlier, resuming their overnight total of 18/1, J&K were bundled out for paltry 95 runs in 54.1 overs.

Aditya Jamwal was the top scorer with 26 runs. He faced 96 balls and stayed at the wicket for 109 minutes. Sandeep Singh also contributed useful 16 runs before he was caught brilliantly by skipper Samarth Singh of the bowling of Vikas Mishra. Besides them, no other batsman was able to face the Delhi bowlers.

J&K once again suffered a middle order collapse by losing their wickets at regular intervals. The highest run partnership for J&K was 20 runs between Umar Nissar and Aditya Jamwal.

They (J&K)never really looked comfortable right from the start of their 1st innings. They lost three consecutive wickets at 87 runs. For Delhi, Vikas Mishra and Tarun Chouhan bowled an excellent spell to scalp four wickets a piece.

Vikas Mishra bowled 15.1 overs giving just 18 runs with 7 maidens while Vikas on the other hand, was bit expensive, giving away 25 runs in 15 overs. Kuldeep Marichi also chipped in with one wicket.

With a healthy lead of 147 runs, Delhi started their second innings in style as openers Samarth Singh and Dhruv Shorey provided visitors a solid start with an excellent first wicket stand of 74 runs.

Dhruv Shorey scored a fine fifty. He scored 56 runs in 89 balls with seven with the help of seven hits to the fence before he was caught by Sandeep Singh of the bowling of Akash Bhalwal.

Samarth also played a crafty knock of 37 runs in 42 balls. He struck five boundaries. Zaffar Khandey took his wicket. Delhi declared their second innings at 128/3 in 3 overs when bad light forced the umpires to stop the match. Abhishek Kapoor and Jaideep Chouhan remained not out on 16 and 5 runs respectively. For J&K, Zaffar Khandey took two wickets. "

Delhi badly need a win if they want to alive their hopes to enter the knock out stage of the championship. Its a do or die situation for them. Looking at the position, they (Delhi) should win this match unless weather plays a spoil sport" said Ajay Verma, Delhi Cricket team coach while talking to "EXCELSIOR" Punjab already has qualified for the knock out stage. The umpires in the match are H.S. Sekhon (Punjab Cricket Association) and Sanjeev Dua (Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association). Arun Sharma of Punjab Cricket Association is the third umpire. The scorer is Ashwani.

Inter School Athletic Meet for U/17 Girls begins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 17:Pinki Devi of GHS, Garhi fetched gold medal in 100 mts on the opening day of the District Level Inter School Athletic Meet for U/15 Girls which commenced at Sports Stadium here today.

Nisha of GHS Ram Nagar and Shoba Devi of GHS Barta claimed silver and bronze medals respectively.

In 200 mts, Nazma of GHS Udhampur bagged gold medal followed by Sonika of GHS Ram Nagar and Nirmal Kour of GHS Garhi, who grabbed silver and bronze medals respectively.

Pooja Devi of GHS Barta clinched gold medal while silver and bronze medals were won by Sukesha Devi of GHS Udhampur and Vandana of GHS Garhi respectively.

In 800 mts, Pooja Devi of GHS Jib won gold medal. Neenu Begum of HSS Chanunta and Priya Dubey of B.R.V. Peeth had to be contented with silver and bronze medals respectively.

Reva Devi of GHS Barta claimed gold medal in 1500 mts whereas Jeeta Rani of GHS Ram Nagar and Nisha of GHS Jib grabbed silver and bronze medals respectively.

Earlier, Ashok Sharma, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, District Udhampur who was the chief guest declared open the Athletic Meet.

More than 100 girl athletes from 10 institutions of District Udhampur are participating in the sports event being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports Office, District Udhampur.