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

Gibbs likely to be questioned on Oct 12 and 14

DURBAN, Sept 20: South African opener Herschelle Gibbs is likely to be questioned by Delhi Police on October 12 and 14 about his alleged involvement in the 2000 match-fixing scandal.

A spokesperson for the Western Province Cricket Board in Cape Town said Gibbs would "apparently be questioned on October 12 and 14" about his role in the scandal.

He also said that Gibbs, accompanied by his Attorney, would leave for India only on October 11, seven days after his team’s departure for the Champions Trophy.

"Gibbs would not be able to leave with the rest of the team because his attorney would not be able to travel to India before October 11," he said.

Gibbs would play for the Cape Cobras in their first three matches of new domestic competition prior to the Champions Trophy to be hosted at four venues in India from October 7 to November 5.

Gibbs and spinner Nicky Boje, who has been left out of the Champions Trophy squad, are wanted by the Delhi Police in connection with the match-fixing scandal that came to light during South Africa’s tour of India in 2000-01.

The right-handed batsman had opted out of the two previous tours of India apprehending arrest and questioning. (PTI)

Kallis to seek Sachin’s assistance in dealing
with elbow trouble

JOHANNESBURH, Sept 20: South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis will seek Sachin Tendulkar’s assistance in recovering from his elbow injury during next month’s Champions Trophy after watching the master blaster bounce back with a hundred within five months of a shoulder surgery.

The proteas’ batting mainstay, who suffered an elbow injury during South Africa’s tour of India last year, said he would discuss his problem with the little master who also had similar trouble before being operated upon successfully in England in March.

"I injured the elbow in India when I hit a ball over extra cover. It could have been over-exertion or the angle of the shot," Kallis told News24 here.

The all-rounder remained out of action before coming back in the ongoing series against Zimbabwe but Kallis has been struggling with his form and will now turn to Sachin to find a remedy to the injury.

Sachin, who also came back recently in the tri-series against West Indies and Australia in Malaysia after his surgery, seems to have recovered well and announced his comeback with a well-struck hundred against the Windies.

Kallis, who became the first player in ODI cricket to score 8,000 runs and take 200 wickets recently, said despite training hard, he has been unable to shake off the injury, which has frustrated him.

"I also did not watch much cricket. I watched the guys play in Sri Lanka from time to time but other than that saw no cricket," he said. (UNI)

Johnson a formidable asset with raw pace, says Lee

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20: The world’s fastest bowler Brett Lee says new find Mitchell Johnson has raw pace that will make him a formidable asset in an Australian attack already boosted by the return of Glenn McGrath.

Johnson burst into the spotlight with a blistering four wicket spell against India on Saturday before returning to Australia as part of a pre-planned decision to slim down their squad at the DLF Cup here.

Lee, one of just two bowlers to have had deliveries officially recorded at more than 100 mph, himself returned to action after a long break, against the West Indies on Monday and took three wickets.

He sees plenty of potential in Johnson.

"Mitchell’s a fantastic find for Australia, he’s an awesome bowler, a great bloke to go with it, loves to listen, he’s learned so much over the past 12-18 months," said Lee.

"The way he bowled the other night was fantastic, so big thngs ahead for Mitchell Johnson.

"All the senior bowlers in the bowling cartel have tried to pass on a fair bit to the young guys".

"In particular I’ve told him that he’s above all got the ability to bowl fast, so he should never lose that sight and that want to bowl fast, so now he knows he can do that and consistently, it’s just a matter of practicing."

Lee, a peroxide blonde poster-boy celebrity who has taken a combined 451 wickets for Australia, is also excited by the return of McGrath after nine months off.

"He’s taken close to 1,000 combined wickets for Australia, and his knowledge around the side is just brilliant, so it’s great to have him back," he said.

"I’ve always enjoyed bowling with Glenn, he’s always been a bowler that ties a batsman up, and gives me an opportunity to do the same thing down the other end.

"He’s got that aura where batsmen are a bit wary of him, and that comes from a lot of hard work."

Lee and McGrath are expected to open Australia’s attack against India in their limited overs game here on Friday. (AFP)

Jammu Open Prize Money Snooker
Jaideep to take on Ishuk in final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: Jaideep Manocha will take on Ishuk Chowdhary in the final of the Jammu Open Prize Money Snooker Championship being played at Billiards Hall of MA Stadium, here.

In the first semi-final, Jaideep Manocha defeated Ishan Chowdhary by 4-1 without much competition. Jaideep won the first frame with a margin of 34 points which was equalised by Ishan Chowdhary by winning second round with a huge margin of 49 points.

Jaideep staged a come back in the third round and won it by 46-38. Thereafter he won the next two frames without much resistance. The score of last two frames was 66-45 and 5-17.

In the second semi-final, Kamal Rohmetra lost to Ishuk Chowdhary in a tough and nail biting contest. It was the first ever entry of Ishuk Chowdhary in the semi-finals and with the dint of superb game he sailed into the finals.

Ishuk won the first two frames by 63-53 and 58-51. But Kamal restricted him in the third round by winning the same by 60-33. Amidst tough competition, Ishuk staged a come back in the fourth frame and won it by 55-33.

Like Ishuk, Kamal too staged a come back and won fifth and sixth frames by 67-15. 56-40 thereby equalising the frames. With 3-3, fate of both the players was depend on their performance in the last frame.

Everybody was witnessing the match with fingers crossed as both the cueists were properly concentrating on the game. But Ishuk succeeding in winning the last frame amidst tough competition to secure berth in the final.

The match between Ishuk and Kamal lasted for about three and half hours which indicated that how much tough competition both the cueists posed to each other.

Karma, Rehmat share Rustam-e-Chinab title

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

DODA, Sept 20: Third Annual Rustam-e-Chinab-2006 Vishal Dangal organised by Saraj Sports Club Doda under the aegis of J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association concluded at Sports Stadium, here.

Commandant 4 Rashtriya Rifles was the chief guest on the occasion while president J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association Shiv Kumar Sharma presided over the function. P R Sharma, treasurer of the Association was the guest of honour.

The first main bout was fought between Karma and Rehmat Ali of Punjab. This bout remained undecided and both the wrestlers were given Rs 20,000 each by the chief guest and Shiv Kumar Sharma.

In all, 33 bouts were played in two days long Vishal Dangal. The second main bout was fought between Qasim Din of JKP and Happy of Punjab. Qasim Din won the bout. In other bouts, Tirth Ram beat Majid Sheikh, Mohd Tariq beat Makhan, Happy beat Omkar Singh, Bhurra defeated Dharma, Jakker beat Surjeet Singh and Mithu defeated Balbir.

The bouts between Ashok and Vicky and Jakker and Mithu ended in a draw.

MAM College lifts Inter-College Judo Championship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: MAM College lifted the Inter-College Judo Championship organised by the Department of Physical Education, University of Jammu at Judo Hall, Indoor Sports Complex of MA Stadium.

MAM College emerged as winner by securing 25 points while Kathua College bagged runners-up trophy with 22 points. Commerce College bagged third place by securing 13 points.

In 56 kg category, Naresh Kumar of MAM bagged first prize, Navdeep Sharma of Kathua College second while Satish Sharma of Commerce College and Sahil Katoch of Dogra Law College shared third position.

In the 60 kg category, Suraj Prasad of MA College bagged first position, Rahul Dev Singh of Commerce College secured second position and Tara Singh of PG Departments and Akash Deep of Kathua shared third position.

Munish Balwal of PG Departments and Jagbir Singh of Kathua College bagged first two positions while Rajinder Kumar of Dogra Law College and Mohd Sajad of Rajouri College shared third position in the 66 kg category. In the 73 kg category, Sandeep Sharma of Kathua, Ankit Sharma of MAM bagged first two positions while Mohran Shawl of Rajouri College and Ajay Singh of GGM Science College shared third position.

In the 81 kg category, Gulzar of PG Department and Nitin Sharma of MAM College bagged first two positions while Vipan Sharma of MAM College and Anish of GGM Science shared third position.

In the 90 kg category, Sunil Sharma of MAM College, Pankaj Sharma of Kathua and Adity Attal of Commerce College bagged first three positions while in the 100 kg category, Akash Kumar of MAM College secured first position, Pranav of Commerce College bagged second position and Ankush of GGM Science College and Heemanshu Sharma of Kathua shared third position.

In the open weight category, Vipul Gupta of Commerce College bagged first position, Vikas Jasrotia of Kathua bagged second position while Aminder Paul Singh of MAM College and Gagandeep Sharma of GGM Science College shared third position.

Suraj Prasad of MAM College, Munish Balwal of PG Departments, Sandeep Sharma of Kathua College, Gulzar of PG Departments and Vipul Gupta of Commerce College were the best players.

Officials of the events were Suraj Bhan Singh, Arshi Nad, Vikas Dogra, Ritika Slathia, Vikas Gupta and Raj Kumar.

Women Inter-College events will be held tomorrow.

Engineer Regiment conducting cycling expedition

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Sept 20: In keeping with the Army’s long standing tradition of encouraging the spirit of adventure, a cycling expedition across Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh is being conducted by 3 Engineer Regiment as part of its 41st Raising Day celebrations.

The expedition was flagged off from Bikram Park by Brig M L Aggarwal, Officiating Chief Engineer Northern Command. The expedition team is comprises of one officer, one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and 10 other ranks led by Captain Parikshit Katwale.

The expedition will start from Udhampur and will pass through Pathankot, Kullu, Rohtang Pass, Sarchu, Leh, Kargil, Zojila and Sonamarg. It will terminate in Udhampur on October 27, 2006.

The team will traverse through the Himalayan Ranges and will cross the important passes of Rohtang, Tanglangla, Fotula and Zojila. It will over a distance of 1400 kilometres, negotiating serpentine roads and high altitude passes ranging from 9000 feet to 17500 feet. The route passes through the mountainous terrain of Pir Panjal and Himalayan Ranges.

The expedition will provide the team an opportunity to experience hazardous cold climatic conditions of incessant rain and snowfall. The team will be interacting with the local population, organise medical camps and spread the message of goodwill.