Another frustrating day for Indians

BEIJING, Aug 14: It was another day of frustration for India at the Beijing today as shooters Anjali Bhagwat and Avneet Kaur Sidhu went grossly off-target and failed even to qualify for the finals and its campaign in swimming came to an end without any ripples.

Anjali wilted under pressure and could aggregate just 571 (191 in prone, 189 in standing and 191 in kneeling) that earned her an overall 32nd spot in the qualifying session of women’s 50 metre rifle 3 position event.

Olympic debutante Avneet too got a taste of the depth of the field and her total of 552 (190 in prone, 183 in standing and 179 in kneeling) had her at 42nd.

According to their coach Lazlo Szucsak of Hungary, Avneet lacked preparation, while Anjali succumbed to pressure.

"Avneet needs experience and think she was not prepared enough. Of course, none expected her to win a medal but she was not in the best shape of her shooting career and it was a very okay sort of performance," he said.

On Anjali, he said "I expected her to shoot 580-plus. She was under pressure and this is surely disappointing when you see her score against her ability".

The Hungarian was critical of the lack of infrastructure at home for proper training.

"For nearly two years, we did not get any ammunition. I told the Secretary General (of National Rifle Association of India, Baljit Singh Sethi) that if we want to prepare well for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the next Olympics, it has to start from September 1," Szucask said.

"There is not enough competition in India and Abhinav (Bindra) was smart enough to stay out and compete in Europe instead.

"Other teams practice 270-day-a-year and we come nowhere near that. We got just two-and-a-half years to prepare for Beijing and that does not ensure medals," he added.

In the swimming pool, Indian’s challenge sunk without a trace as Virdhawal Khade and Ankur Poseria found the standard too high to even qualify for the finals.

In the 100m butterfly event, Poseria clocked 54.74 to finish overall 57th, more than one second behind his personal best of 53.68.

Khade, on the other hand, timed 22.73 in the heats to finish overall 40th, failing to better his personal best of 22.69s which he recorded at last month’s fina world youth championship in Mexico.

Coach Nihar Amin said Poseria’s lack of experience showed today while Khade was close to repeat his personal best.

"Ankur is new and does not have the experience you need to do better in Olympics. So I’m not surprised by his performance.

"Veer, on the other hand, put up a good show and was close to touch his personal best. I’m not too unhappy with his performance," Amin said. (PTI)

Bopanna-Qureshi bow out

WASHINGTON, Aug 14: Indian Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq-Qureshi crashed out of the USD 508,000 legg Mason Cennis Tlassic tournament after suffering a sets first round defeat here.

The unseeded Indo-Pak pair lost 4-6 4-6 to third seeded duo of Rik De Voest of South Africa and Ashley Fisher of Australia in a little over one-hour contest of the hard court event.

The Indo-Pak combine broke their opponents once but dropped their serve twice to surrender the first set. Though they managed to save two breakpoints.

It was same story in the second set as they won their only breakpoint but lost two games on their serve to hand the match to the rivals. (PTI)

Bernard wins men’s 100 mtrs freestyle

BEIJING, Aug 14: France’s Alain Bernard won the men’s 100 metres freestyle at the Beijing Olympics today.

Bernard stormed home on the final lap after being second at the turn to win in 47.21 seconds, just 0.12 ahead of Australia’s world record holder Eamon Sullivan.

American Jason Lezak and Brazil’s Cesar Cielo Filho dead-heated for the bronze medal in 47.67.

Bernard, who won a silver medal in the 4x100 freestyle relay on Sunday, set a world record of 47.20 in yesterday’s semi-finals before Sullivan lowered it to 47.05 a few minutes later. (AGENCIES)

Bindra wants Indians to make winning a habit

NEW DELHI, Aug 14: Returning home to a tumultuous welcome after becoming India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, shooter Abhinav Bindra today expressed hope that his feat would bring about a positive change in the mindset of Indian sports and make winning a habit.

Dedicating his medal to the fellow athletes, Bindra asked them to believe that scaling the summit "is a possibility and they should bring many more laurels to the country."

Bindra, who had a series of meetings with President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was however told that "winning mere one gold does not reflect the expectation" of a billion people.

"I would like this achievement to bring about the positive change in the management and mindset of Indian sports and I would really like to get back not only to air rifle but to the whole Indian sporting management so that we can make winning a habit," the shooter said at his first press conference on return.

His remarks assume significance for a country obsessed with cricket and very little media focus on other sports.

Having won the the tag of World Champion and an Olympics gold, 25-year-old Bindra said he would soon find energy and motivation to repeat his feat again.

"I hope to stay on top for a while. Everything that goes up has to come down but I can still try (to maintain the top position)," he said.

Earlier, Bindra arrived at the Indira Gandhi Airport where he was given a rousing welcome by huge crowds beating drums and singing and showering accolades on him.

Bindra said he was overwhelmed by the welcome he got at the wee hours at the airport. "I had absolutely not expected it and I am overwhelmed," he said.

Not the one to be overwhelmed by the occasion, the Chandigarh pro said "it is really hard to say how I am feeling and the truth is at the moment I am numb".

(But) "I am very proud of this moment not only for myself but also for the country," said Bindra accompanied by his coach Lt Col (retd) J S Dhillon and mental coach Amit Bhattacharya.

Asked how he would motivate himself to go further after having won the world championships and the Olympic gold medal, Bindra said "I will take a break and find the energy and motivation to do it again".

After a 20-minute meeting with President Patil, Bindra said Olympic sports should be given top priority to make India a truly sporting nation.

While the entire top leadership paid glowing tributes to Bindra, the Vice President told him that "winning mere one gold medal does not reflect the expectation of a vast population like us".

He said Bindra’s success proves that if the support of the family and the government along with zeal are there this could lead the country to sure success in sports.

The Prime Minister and his wife Gursharan Kaur congratulated the gold medal winning Olympian and presented bouquet and mementoes to him. (PTI)

Bali nominated as observer in Beijing Olympics

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 14: S M Bali, president, J&K Handball Association and secretary general, Handball Federation of India has been nominated as observer in the ongoing Beijing Olympics-2008 by the Indian Olympic Association for the sixth consecutive time.

During his stay, he would interact with the president and secretary generals of International Handball Federation, Asian Football Federation, Commonwealth Handball Association and South Asian Handball Federation to ensure more international handball events in India.

Rural Sports Club congratulates Bindra

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 14: Jammu and Kashmir Rural Sports Club, Jammu, has extended congratulations to Abhinav Bindra for winning gold medal at Beijing Olympics.

Rural Sports Club in a meeting under the presidentship of Narinder Singh, while hailing the attributes of Bindra thereby bringing laurels to the country was a step to be admired in all its aspects. He said Bindra has brought about a crown from China for the sportspersons of India with a message that all can become victorious if they keep calm while participating in international or for that matter the national events.

Champions League Twenty20 in December

MELBOURNE, Aug 14: In a goodwill gesture to the ICC’s request, the founding member boards of the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 today decided to reschedule the mega event from September-October to early December this year.

The Twenty20 event will now be played from December 310 where eight teams will compete, including squads from South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, England and India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa today said in a joint statement here.

The tournament was earlier scheduled to start a day after the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan is over but the ICC expressed its reservations over the fixture and requested the governing council to consider alternative dates for the Champions League.

"While the Champions League Twenty20 is a domestic tournament not affected by ICC event rules, we have agreed to the ICC request as a gesture of goodwill," the statement said.

Chairman and Commissioner of Indian Premier League and BCCI vice president Lalit Modi also expressed happiness and said December would be a good time to host the event as the two finalists of the IPL would be available at this time.

"We are happy that we were able to find a window during the first week of December for the inaugural edition of the Champions League Twenty20," he said. (PTI)

China should not prevent media from reporting: IOC

BEIJING, Aug 14: The International Olympic Committee said today it frowned on the actions of Chinese security officials who allegedly manhandled a British journalist as he tried to report on a pro-Tibet protest in a Beijing Park.

IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said journalists should not be prevented from doing their jobs, a day after John Ray of London-based ITV News said he was wrestled to the ground and briefly held by police who apparently mistook him for a protester.

"The IOC does disapprove of any attempts to hinder a journalist who is going about doing his job seemingly within the rules and regulations," Davies told a daily press briefing. "This, we hope, has been addressed. We don’t want to see this happening again."

The incident raised concerns that Beijing was not fulfilling its pledge to give foreign media unrestricted access to report on the games.

Asked repeatedly if IOC officials are embarrassed that China was not living up to its promises, Davies would only say they are happy with the way China is running the sporting events.

Ray, 44, said police stopped him as he rushed to the Chinese ethnic culture park, south of the main Olympic stadium, where a protest was being held.

A small struggle ensued, Ray said, in which he was forced to the floor, dragged and "manhandled" before he was able to show his Olympic press credentials and was released. An official from the Beijing public security bureau said officers mistook him for an activist. (AGENCIES)

Gill hails Indian football team

NEW DELHI, Aug 14: They have done the country proud by winning the AFC Challenge Cup and now Sports Minister M S Gill wants the Indian football team to play and win in Olympic Games too.

India thrashed defending champions Tajikistan 4-1 in the summit clash to qualify for the prestigious Asian Cup after almost a quarter-century, here yesterday. (PTI)

Anjali, Avneet bid adieu to Beijing Olympics

BEIJING, Aug 14: The sheer mediocrity of their performance could not open the door leading to the finals and the Indian shooting duo of Anjali Bhagwat and Avneet Kaur Sidhu bade adieu to the Beijing Olympics following their defeat in the 50m rifle three position here today.

Anjali could not take any moment to cherish from her third Olympics and her aggregate of 571— 191 in prone, 189 in standing and 191 in kneeling — was only good enough for the overall 32nd spot in the qualifying session of her pet event.

Olympic debutante Avneet too got a taste of the depth of the field and her total of 552 — 190 in prone, 183 in standing and 179 in kneeling — had her at 42nd, suggesting she has a long way to go before she can come back as a medal contender.

Though the duo made a silent exit from the Beijing shooting range hall, their Hungarian coach Lazlo Szucsak said it was disappointing.

According to him, Avneet lacked preparation, while Anjali succumbed to pressure.

"Avneet needs experience and think she was not prepared enough. Of course none expected her to win a medal but she was not in the best shape of her shooting career and it was a very okay sort of performance," he said.

On Anjali, he said the three-time Olympian fell short of expectations.

"I expected her to shoot 580-plus. She was under pressure and this is surely disappointing when you see her score against her ability," Szucsak explained.

The Hungarian was particularly unhappy with the scenario back home and said one could not pluck Olympic medals out of thin air, without putting in place the required infrastructure.

"For nearly two years, we did not get any ammunition. I told the Secretary General (of National Rifle Association of India, Baljit Singh Sethi) that if we want to prepare well for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the next Olympics, it has to start from September 1.

"We need three groups - elite, supporting and youngsters and there should be enough competition events in India," he said.

"There is not enough competition in India and Abhinav (Bindra) was smart enough to stay out and compete in Europe instead.

"Other teams practice 270-day-a-year and we come nowhere near that. We got just two-and-a-half years to prepare for Beijing and that does not ensure medals," he added.

Szucsak also stressed on having former shooters as coach to pass on their knowledge to the youngsters.

"I think former shooters like Kuheli (Ganguly) and Anuja (Jung) should turn to coaching. In fact, all the over-the-hill shooters should be roped in to coach youngsters, for they understand it and know it inside out.

"Besides, India needs to reduce its dependence on foreigners," said the Hungarian coach. (PTI)

Tennis schedule ‘ridiculous’, fumes Federer

BEIJING, Aug 14: Roger Federer complained the Olympic tennis schedule was "ridiculous" after playing six matches in just four days.

The top seed won his singles match against Tomas Berdych and had just one hour and 40 minutes to recover before returning for the doubles.

"I find it a little bit ridiculous that we’re playing maybe 11 matches in seven days, to be honest," Federer said.

"You know, I know it rained the first day. But quite honestly, I don’t understand why we don’t play such a big tournament over 10 days maybe.

"That’s the only regret I have at the moment because I think this is asking just a little bit too much and too much trouble."

The event is Grand Slam-size but played in almost half the time — eight days rather than a fortnight — and most of the first day was lost to rain.

Rafael Nadal started playing at 10:30 am on Monday and didn’t finish until late that evening.

The same day, sam querrey played Igor Andreev — and then stayed on court to face him in the doubles.

Federer complained the format was "very hard" on the players, most of whom will compete in the us open which starts a week on Monday.

"They’ve made it very hard on us players and I wish there were extra days for us to play," Federer said.

"But that’s the way it is right now."

The Swiss has played two previous Olympics, finishing fourth in 2000 and losing in round two four years ago.

"I know the difficulty of trying to win a medal here," he said.

"It’s a difficult forum, winning six matches in seven days plus five doubles matches if you want to win gold there as well."

The Olympics is known to throw up surprises with Marc Rosset winning in 1992 and Nicolas Massu taking both singles and doubles gold in Athens.

Several players have also voiced concern over the added physical demands of playing in the heat and humidity of a Beijing summer.

"Except in Dubai in practice, I never have to towel off basically after every point I play," Federer said.

"The racket gets wet, grip gets wet, slippery. That makes it hard, just having the proper feeling on the grip.

"But just being wet all over, sweat in your eyes, makes it a bit tricky."

US number one James Blake earlier said the tournament would be a survival of the fittest.

"It’s going to be a grind," Blake said.

"By the end of the week, whoever is left standing is going to have to be someone that’s in great shape physically." (AGENCIES)

Germany, Netherlands eye semi-finals

BEIJING, Aug 14: Defending champions Germany and title contenders the Netherlands stepped closer to the semi-finals of the Olympic women’s field hockey with their third wins today.

The German girls, who won their maiden Olympic title at Athens four years ago, beat the United States 4-2 in a pool B match after being held 1-1 at half-time.

The Dutch, who lost the Athens final to the Germans, overcame a fighting China 1-0 in pool a with Maartje Paumen scoring the winner with a penalty corner in the 21st minute.

Dutch coach Marc Lammers, whose world champion side was given a fright by the hosts, said he was very impressed the way the Chinese played.

"We were lucky to win today," he said. "The Chinese have improved a lot in the last few months. They are a much stronger side now, a physical and strong team.

"It was a difficult match fore us and I am glad we came out of it well."

China’s Korean coach Kim Chang-Back, whose team made the semi-finals at Athens, said there was a lot to learn from the dutch.

"They are the top team in the world and showed it on the field," said kim.

"They have outstanding technique and are able to adjust to different situations. We study each opponent and try and take the good points."

China, who dropped their first points in the tournament, play Kim’s home team South Korea next Saturday.

"We have to beat both Korea and Australia to remain in contention," said the coach. "It’s not going to be easy but we have our plans for the Korean team.

"There are no special feelings about playing against a team from my country. I am the Chinese coach and want China to win."

The Germans were wary of the American girls who had forced creditable draws against Champions Trophy winners Argentina and Japan in their first two matches.

The Americans, ranked 11th in the world, once again stunned their rivals by taking the lead in the 27th minute through Tiffany Snow.

Natascha Keller ensured the Germans went level at half-time with a solo effort in the 34th minute, and Fanny Rinne and Marion Rodewald pumped in two penalty corners after resumption.

Angela Loy reduced the margin for the Americans in the 60th minute, but their defeat was sealed when Anke Kuehn scored Germany’s fourth goal through a penalty corner six minutes before the end.

"It was not as easy as the scoreline suggests," said German coach Michael Behrmann. "But I am happy the girls showed good temperament in the second half.

"No match is a walk-over and the Americans proved that today." (AGENCIES)