Jammu City, Badminton Association holds meeting

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 28: The Jammu City and District Badminton Association today held an Annual General body meeting under the chairmanship of its vice president Sudhir Khurana at Jammu Club today to elect the new office bearers.

Dilbagh Singh, IGP was unanimously elected as the new president While O P Kalandriya as senior vice president.

Sudhir Khurana, Subash Sharma, Major D V Sharma and Dr Sunil Gupta were nominated as vice presidents.

Dr Pardeep Sankhyadhar was re-elected as general secretary. Balbir Singh Jamwal and Anil Gaind were elected as joint secretary and Treasurer respectively.

Surinder Sharma and Prithvi Goel were elected as executive members of the association.

T T Magotra represented the J&K Badminton Association as an observer.

Billiards and Snooker Academy inaugurated

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 28: Ace cueist Kamal Rohmetra inaugurated Chowdhary Billiards and Snooker Academy at Dewan Mandir Ahata, Moti Bazar today.

Owner of the club, Kuldeep Sharma, who himself is one of the best cueist of the state claimed that the academy is one of the best of its kind in the State which is fully air conditioned and also equipped with two latest billiards and two pool table of international standard.

Kamal Rohmetra, who is also the vice president of J&K Billiards and Snooker Association appreciated the initiative taken by Kuldeep in promoting the game.

Prominent among others who were present on the occasion included Sanjeev Gupta, ex-State champion, Ajay Sharma, member J&K State Sports Council, Sheetal Gandotra, general secretary, J&K Billiards and Snooker Association, Prem Nath Chowdhary, M M Singh and Dinesh Sawhney.

Bhupathi-Knowles pair falters at final hurdle

MONTE CARLO, Apr 28: An injured Mahesh Bhupathi and his partner Mark Knowles of Bahamas proved no match for Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo, who sailed past the fourth seeds in straight sets to lift the Monte Carlo Masters’ doubles title here.

Bhupathi, whose movement was severely restricted by a right groin injury, and Knowles went down 3-6 3-6 to the Spanish pair at the clay court event.

Nadal, who beat Roger Federer to lift the singles title, thus became just the second player in ATP Masters series history to win both events.

In an intriguing battle between the Spaniards’ forehand and the experienced doubles specialists, Bhupathi and Knowles, power won the day rather easily.

And when Bhupathi received treatment at 3-3 in the second set for a right groin injury, the job became all the more easier for Nadal and Robredo.

Bhupathi and Knowles, who were contesting their fourth final in their past five tournaments, would have risen to the top in the stanford ATP doubles race had they won their third title of the year.

Instead they now sit just two points behind race leaders Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, the Israeli pair which won the Australian Open earlier this year.

Nadal joins Jim Courier (1991 Indian Wells) as the only player to win both titles in an ATP Masters series tournament.

Nadal is the first player to win singles and doubles titles in the same tournament this year. (there were four last year.)

He is the first player to win both titles in Monte Carlo since Ilie Nastase in 1973.

Robredo, who claimed his maiden doubles’ title, termed it special as he had partnered Nadal for it.

"I’m very happy about winning my first masters series doubles title.

"Winning it in Monte-Carlo and playing with Rafa makes it extra special because one of our goals is to compete in the Olympics and win a medal for our country, so this is the first step," he said. (PTI)

Bhupathi, Paes rise in ATP rankings

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The runner-up finish at the Monte Carlo Masters has helped Mahesh Bhupathi gain a couple of spots to 11th in the latest ATP doubles’ rankings issued today.

Bhupathi, who injured his right groin during the finals last night, now has 3325 points in the list.

Bhupathi’s former partner and Indian Davis Cup captain Leander Peas also rose a couple of notches to be 22 this week with 1920 points.

Paes and his Australian partner Paul Hanley lost in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Meanwhile, in the WTA rankings, the out-of-action Sania Mirza remained static at 32 in the singles’ charts and also held on to her previous week’s 19th spot in the doubles list.

Sania is currently recuperating from a wrist injury that needed a surgery in the US earlier this month.

The Hyderabadi ace is targetting a comeback to the courts in the French Open next month. (PTI)

Chess Championship from June 1

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 28: The All India Open International Rating Chess Championship would be held from June 1 to 7 at Nand Palace, Dhar Road, Udhampur.

According to Atul Kumar Gupta, All J&K Chess Association, about 150 players from across the country including three to four International Masters (IMs) would vie for top honours in the championship to be organised by All J&K Chess Association in collaboration with Rural Development Society, Udhampur.

He further said the dates of the championship were confirmed by D V Sunder, general secretary of All India Chess Federation.

The total prize money of the tournament is Rs 1,10000. There is a special concession of Rs 200 in entry fee for players of J&K.

The association will also organise a free trip to Vaishno Devi for all the participants.

Carrom Championship concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 28: The District Srinagar Carrom championship organised by J&K Carrom Association concluded at Polo Ground today.

Sabiya Qadri, Municipal Councillor and member State Sports Council was the chief guest in the prize distribution function.

Final Results:

Senior boys: Adil Khanday (winner) and Amir Mian (runner-up).

Senior girls: Sabnam Ahad (winner) and Samara Jan (runner-up).

Junior boys: Mukhtar Ahmad (winner) and Aquib Khan (runner-up).

Junior girls: Sahraish (winner) and Rehina Rajab (runner-up).

Sub Junior boys: Shabir (winner) and Sajjad Hussain (runner-up).

Sub Junior girls: Salaah (winner) and Furkhan (runner-up).

U/10 category: Aqsamazid (winner) and Absaar (runner-up).

Harbhajan banned for rest of IPL, to lose Rs 3 crores

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Wielding the axe, the IPL today banned temperamental spinner Harbhajan Singh for the rest of the Twenty20 tournament for slapping S Sreesanth after he pleaded guilty, a punishment that will cost him a whopping Rs three crores.

The 27-year-old player, who has a notorious reputation for on-field skirmishes, was handed down the punishment under which he would forfeit match fees from the third match onwards by match referee and adjudicator Farokh Engineer after a two-hour hearing.

Sreesanth, who was at the receiving end of Harbhajan’s temper after friday’s IPL match in Mohali, was also warned against aggressive on-field behaviour and told that his conduct would be taken seriously, IPL Commissioner and Chairman Lalit Modi told a press conference after the hearing in the presence of Engineer and the two players.

The punishment for the off-spinner came on a day the BCCI appointed a Commissioner to go into his fracas with Sreesanth in a separate disciplinary hearing ordered by it.

"After looking into the video footage in the presence of Sreesanth, complainant Neil Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab CEO), Harbhajan and Lalchand Rajput, (Mumbai Indians coach), and managers of both sides and considering the submissions from both sides and in view of Harbhajan’s admission match referee Farokh Engineer found him guilty of level 4.2 offence.

"Accordingly, he (Harbhajan) has been banned for the rest of the IPL matches besides 100 per cent fine on his match fees," Modi said.

Mumbai Indians manager Lalchand Rajput was fined 50 per cent of the match fee for not stopping the off-spinner’s attack on Sreesanth playing for Kings XI Punjab.

Harbhajan told reporters "all I want to say is whatever happened and whatever I did was grossly wrong. Sreesanth is like my brother. We have played together and we will play together again.

"I got punishment for whatever I did but the board has always treated me like its child and I hope they will continue to support me. When I come back to play again, I will bring smiles to your faces," he said.

After the press conference, Engineer got Harbhajan and Sreesanth to shake hands and hug each other with smile on their faces. "We are all human beings and mistakes do happen," Engineer said.

Engineer said that a "very very fair" hearing was given to all the sides. "No track record has been taken into account because what actually happened is lot more serious than you guys think".

He had good words for both Harbhajan and Sreesanth. He said Sreesanth, who is such a lovely boy, remained quiet most of the time during the hearing.

About Harbhajan, the former test wicketkeeper said in his view he was the greatest off-spinner India has produced. "But he stepped out of the line and paid the penalty".

Reacting to the decision, BCCI’s Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said "people were shocked by his action and I am sure everybody agrees with the stand that has been taken.

"Getting physical with a fellow player cannot be condemned enough", Shetty said.

"Whatever the IPL has decided is applicable to their matches. The BCCI action will be separate. If found guilty, he will definitely face some action from the board", he said.

Shetty said that there was a need to counsel the younger players of the team. "I think as a teacher, these players need to be counselled because they are coming from backgrounds where they may not be all that well educated".

Asked about Sreesanth’s aggressive behaviour, he said the BCCI was not looking at him at the moment. (PTI)

Play with aggression, but don’t cross the line: McGrath

CHANDIGARH, Apr 28: Players need not shun aggression and passion while playing but limits should not be crossed, Australian great Glenn MacGrath today said while reacting to the slap-row involving Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth.

"You still have to play with aggression, but there is a line and don’t cross that," 38-year-old McGrath, who is currently playing in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils team, said.

"I have played cricket aggressively and with passion, but there is a line which should not be crossed," he said on being asked about shocking incident which marred the tournament.

The paceman also favoured a window for the IPL in FTP of the ICC, fearing with huge money on offer players can opt against wearing national colours to play in the Twenty20 extravaganza.

"ICC should definitely create a window for the IPL otherwise it can lead to real danger of players pulling out of international commitments and coming here to play.

"Such a situation, if it arises, can be detrimental to international cricket. I think ICC would not like to see that thing happen.

"I think the players want to come over here and play. The money is very good...If they can make a window (for IPL) all the players will be happy and so will be the associations," the paceman said insisting it was an issue which should be taken seriously.

"The guys can play for their country and still come here and play," he added.

McGrath praised the concept of involving foreign players in local teams in the ongoing IPL and said he relished playing with some of the young Indian players.

"Young Indian talent is very good. I think the team which has the best Indian talent will stand very good chance to win the tournament."

He also felt that Delhi Daredevils, which is being led by dashing right-handed batsman Virender Sehwag, has a good chance of making it to the semi finals.

"Our team is capable of doing well as we have got very good mixture of international and good Indian guys," he said.

Asked about domination by the Australian players in the T20 tournament, McGrath said "over the years we have learnt how to play in India. We have played a lot of cricket in India in the last 10-12 years. We know the conditions here very well". (PTI)

Beleagured Mumbai Indians hope for first win

KOLKATA, Apr 28: After a nightmarish start to their Indian Premier League campaign, Mumbai Indians have an uphill climb with injured skipper Sachin Tendulkar still doubtful for the game against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens here tomorrow.

The Mumbai franchise, the most expensive in the eight-team league, is in dire straits after losing the four matches they have played so far. The only team yet to open their points kitty, the Reliance industries-owned side brings up the rear of the table.

Their stand-in skipper Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth after going down to the latter’s Kings XI Punjab has given the side additional negative publicity, and the visitors badly need a win to leave behind the unsavoury episode.

While the subsequent 11-match ban on Harbhajan has taken the sting out of their spin bowling arsenal, the unavailability of icon Tendulkar is posing a lot of problems in the batting department.

None of the willowers have cracked a half-century, and the form of Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya and fellow opener Luke Ronchi is a major cause for concern, though young gun Robin Uthappa and Mumbai left-hander Abhishek Nayar have played a couple of decent knocks.

In such a scenario, the return to action of Tendulkar would have been the best piece of news the team management could have hoped for, but sources close to the right-hander indicated that he would take some more time to be match fit.

After a sound start, the Sourav Ganguly-led Kolkata Knight Riders stumbled against Chennai Super Kings two days back, and the hosts would be keen to regain the momentum against a side, which has looked the least impressive among all the participants.

Having logged four points, the Kolkata team now occupies third slot in the table, and would hope to move up the ladder with a victory.

Knight Riders coach John Buchanan announced that Pakistan pacer Umar Gul, who arrived here last week, would replace teenage spinner Iqbal Abdullah in the 13-member squad for tomorrow’s clash.

The Australian admitted that save the blistering hundred from Brendon McCullum and a sound innings from David Hussey, his star batsmen have not been able to find their bearings, but praised Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Wriddhiman Saha for coming up with good performances with the willow.

Ganguly and Aussie captain Ricky Ponting, the latter playing his last match in this edition of the IPL tomorrow, have been going through a lean patch, and the expected full house at the Eden would hope to see them among runs.

The Knight Riders are not taking the Mumbai Indians lightly.

"In a Twenty20 game, everything is possible. Even though the Mumbai Indians have lost all their matches so far, anything can happen," Buchanan said.

Meanwhile, work is on in full swing at the Eden which has grabbed the spotlight for all the wrong reasons of late.

The game is being played on a separate pitch, after the one in the April 20 game against Deccan Chargers proved a spoilsport for its dryness and two-paced nature, leading to howls of protest from BCCI, the two team managements, players and fans.

Under the direct supervision of BCCI’s ground and pitches committee head Daljit Singh, the strip for tomorrow’s game is being watered vigorously to ensure a perfect Twenty20 track.

Hectic efforts are also being made to ensure uninterrupted power, after the previous tie had to be halted for 31 minutes when lights in two of the four towers went out.

There were also complaints of lack of adequate drinking water and unclean toilets, but the authorities have promised that such lapses would not be repeated.

Security has been strengthened at the stadium after 500m of power and BSNL telephone cables were found stolen yesterday. (PTI)

SC rejects plea seeking restrain
on RC from promoting liquor

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition seeking to restrain Royal Challengers, Bangalore, a team participating in Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament from promoting liqour in the name of cricket.

Counsel appearing for Krishan Aggrawal, the petitioner, submitted before the court that Royal Challengers was promoting whiskey brand royal challenge, manufactured and sold by U B Group, a company owned by Vijay Malya, owner of the Royal Challengers, Bangalore, and this was illegal.

He also told the bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justices R V Raveendran, M K Sharma that such advertisements promoting liqour, tobbaco etc were already banned in the US and UK and this was also not permitted in India. Moreover, the logo being used by the Royal Challengers was the same which was inscribed on the bottle of Royal Challenge.

The counsel also contended that the stadium in Bangalore was promoting various brands of liqour such as Kingfisher and such promotion of liqour could not be allowed under the garb of cricket.

Justice Raveendran said in a lighter vein," see cricket, why do you see liquor?".

The petitioner asked the court when the government is not doing anything to stop the promotion of liqour, where should a citizen go?.

The court, however was not convinced and dismissed the petition, the petitioner also cited the instance of cheerleaders, who had been banned in Maharashtra on the grounds of obscenity. (UNI)

Gill sacked, IOA suspends IHF after bribe scandal

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: KPS Gill’s defiant 15-year tenure as the hockey boss came to an unceromonious end with the Indian Olympic Association today sacking him by suspending the IHF and appointing an ad-hoc committee in its place.

The "unanimous" decision to suspend ihf was taken at an emergency meeting of the IOA executive committee held here following the sting operation which caught Secretary K Jothikumaran purportedly accepting bribe to select a player in the national team.

The executive committee has empowered the IOA President Suresh Kalmadi to appoint the ad-hoc committee.

Reading out a resolution of the executive committee, which was approved by more than 40 heads of various national Federations, Kalmadi said the ad-hoc committee will take over IHF till further arrangements were made.

"The executive committee of the IOA today suspended the IHF and an ad-hoc committee will take over its affairs till further arrangements are made. It was a unanimous decision, nobody opposed it," Kalmadi told a crowded press conference here.

"We had invited jothikumaran to present his point of view (on the bribery scandal) but he did not turn up. It was an opportunity for him to present his case. KPS Gill was present throughout the meeting and he presented his point of view," he said.

"The executive committee has empowered the IOA President to appoint the ad-hocc committee in consultation with the National Sports Federations and former Olympians," he said. (PTI)

It was a painful decision, we respect KPS Gill and admire him but the issue involved corruption charges and prestige of the nation and of the national game. We had to intervene in these circumstances," Kalmadi said.

Kalmadi also announced the appointment of a five-member selection committe of former Olympians to be headed by Aslam Sher Khan. It will have hockey greats Zafar Iqbal, Ashok Kumar, Ajit Pal Singh and Dhanraj Pillay as the other members.

He said Ric Charlesworth, IHF’s techinical director, will be the advisor to the selection panel.

The IOA chief acknowledged that the national apex body had to take heed to the stern warning of the FIH which had threatened to scrap the ‘promoting Indian hockey project’ and the 2010 World Cup proposed to be held here if immediate corrective action was not taken in the aftermath of the sting operation.

"It was a one time decision and involved complex issues. We had to take into account the views of FIH, the media (criticism), the wishes of former Olympians and the concerns of the Parliamentarians," he said.

"The FIH has said that we would lose the 2010 World Cup if we do not act now. It was also IOA’s desire to act so that the national game rises to greater heights," he said.

Kalmadi said he would appoint the ad-hoc committee "in a couple of days" and would even consult KPS Gill in the exercise, besides taking into account the former Olympians.

"There is no hurry in the appointment of the ad-hoc committee. We will consult all the stakeholders — (FIH representative) Davidzon and former Olympians. We will also consult KPS Gill," he said. (PTI)

Former hockey players welcomed the IOA decision to suspend the IHF and hoped that things will improve in the near future.

"It’s a good development which was long overdue and much required. I welcome that IOA has suspended IHF. Now, the ugly state of things which has marred Indian hockey are bound to improve," former captain Pargat Singh said.

He said the Indian Hockey Federation headed by K P S Gill was like a "sick unit" which has "completely ruined our hockey."

Pargat said Gill should have "respectfully stepped down" long ago, "but if he does not want to go, he should be shown the door."

Octogenarian Olympian Balbir Singh senior said change was badly required in the IHF.

"For past so many years, the present body had not been showing any result. I welcome the change, which should do good to the sport," he said.

Striker Gagan Ajit Singh said whoever is appointed in future at the helm of affairs of Indian hockey should be a "responsible and professional person."

"Though this development should have taken place much earlier, still it is the case of better late than never. The new body should now see how to work to restore the lost glory of this sport," he said. (PTI)

Sethi clinches title

NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Former world champion Geet Sethi outperformed Paul Dunning of England in the final round to clinch the Ebos Welsh Open title at the world snooker center at Prestatyn, Wales.

Sethi amassed 632 (75, 97, 157, 51, 77) points while Dunning managed only 208 to average 7.88 against the Indian’s 24.31.

The tour now moves on to the final event of the 2007-08 season at St Helier, Jersey, from May 23 to 25. (PTI)