Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SAMBA, Oct 30: Baba Sidh Goria Club Swankha trounced Ramgarh Club and won title trophy of Police Martyrs Memorial Volleyball tournament in the ongoing Sports Festival organised by District Police, here today.
The Volleyball tournament matches were played at Government Higher Secondary School Vijaypur wherein SSP Samba, Rajesh Sharma was the chief guest while BDC Chairman Ramgarh, Darshan Singh was the guest of honour.
While speaking on the occasion, the SSP said that the aim of organising such sports events were to provide a platform to local youth to explore their hidden talent.
Later, prize distribution function was held in which trophies, medals, certificates and uniform kits were awarded to winner and runner-up teams by the chief guest. Certificates were also awarded to referees and other field staff.
Aijaz A Zargar, Addl SP presented vote of thanks.
Baba Sidh Goria Club wins Volleyball title trophy
Dr Meera, Robert become first Tandem riders to cover 3849 km distance in 18 days
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 30: Dr Meera Valankar from Bangalore and Robert Kingsly from Chennai have become first Tandem riders to cover 3849 kilometres distance from Kanayakumari to Kashmir (K2K) in just 18 days.
Both the riders started their journey on October 10 which was culminated on October 28 at Srinagar by passing 13 states. “The last two days journey was sponsored by Jammu and Kashmir Department of Tourism which was technical supported by JK Mountain Biking Association,” they said while interacting with media at Srinagar.
Speaking about their experiences during the closing ceremony, Meera and Robert said, “The K2K ride was very important for us and with this achievement, they became first Tandem riders who covered Kanayakumari to Kashmir in 18 days.”
“We did not face any untoward incident during their K2K ride and received lot of support from all cycling lovers of the country especially from Kashmir,” they added.
Dy Director Tourism (Publicity/ Recreation), Ideel Saleem was the chief guest of the closing ceremony and presented mementoes to both the riders while Rouf Tramboo, president JKMBA graced the function as guest of honour.
The chief guest also encouraged the riders for completing their ride successfully.
Secretary JKMBA, Riyaz Wani along with various Tourist Officers were also present during the function.
JKSPLA organises Powerlifting C’ship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: J&K Sports Power Lifting Association (JKSPLA) organised J&K UT (M&W) Equipped & Unequipped Bench-Press, Deadlift and Powerlifting Championship at Shiv Palace Paloura, here today.
About 400 participants participated in the championship wherein Shivcharan Singh won the title of Powerlifting Unequipped-2020 while title of Powerlifting Equipped was clinched by Sumit and title of Bench-press Equipped was bagged by Nikhil.
In women category, Khushi Wadara secured title of Powerlifting Unequipped-2020 while title of Bench-Press Equipped was clinched by Pooja.
Dr Shiv Darshan Singh was chief guest of the event and distributed medals among the winners. Narender Singh Manhas and others were also present during the event.
RR batsmen click as unit to beat KXIP by 7 wickets
ABU DHABI, Oct 30: Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes stole the limelight from Chris Gayle as Rajasthan Royals clicked as a unit to beat Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets and stay afloat in the Indian Premier League here on Friday.
Stokes hit a 26-ball 50 and also claimed two wickets to emerge as the star performer for his team.
Earlier, Gayle had smashed a 63-ball 99 to power KXIP to 185 for four but it went in vain.
Chasing 186 for a win, RR overhauled the target in 17.3 overs with Stokes top-scoring with a magnificent 26-ball 50. Sanju Samson was also equally impressive during his knock of 48 from 25 balls.
Opener Robin Uthappa contributed 30, while captain Steve Smith, who has been struggling for form, and Jos Buttler remained not out on 31 and 22 respectively to take RR home and snap KXIP’s five-match winning streak.
RR’s collective batting effort ensured that KXIP batsman Chris Gayle’s superb 99 went in vain. During his knock, the West Indies batsman had taken his tally of sixes to 1001 in his glorious T20 career.
With the win, their sixth in 13 matches, RR kept themselves alive for a spot in the play-offs with 12 points with one game left. Despite the loss, KXIP also remained in contention with 12 points from 13 matches.
RR made an explosive start to their run chase with Stokes and Uthappa stitching 60 runs inside powerplay. Stokes was in magnificent form during his short innings as he got the boundaries with ease.
The star England all-rounder hit Murugan Ashwin for two sixes and a four to take 16 runs from the fourth over. He reached his fifty off 24 balls when he hoisted Chris Jordan for a six in the sixth over.
But Jordan got his revenge by removing Stokes two balls later.
RR were still cruising ahead at 66 for 1 at the end of powerplay and with Samson firing on all cylinders, they went past the 100-run mark in the 10th over.
The fireworks were halted after Uthappa fell in the 11th over to Ashwin but RR were in complete control with the asking rate less than seven runs an over with seven wickets in hand.
Earlier, Gayle continued his menacing form, smashing a 63-ball 99 to steer Punjab to 185 for 4 after being put in to bat.
Gayle and captain KL Rahul (46) took the RR bowlers to the cleaners, stitching 120 runs for the second wicket in 13.4 overs to help KXIP post a challenging total.
Nicholas Pooran played a late cameo of 22 off just 10 deliveries with the help of three sixes.
Gayle, who had four boundaries and eight sixes in his explosive innings, was out just two balls before the end of the innings and he showed his disappointment of missing out on a hundred by throwing down his bat.
KXIP lost their first wicket in the opening over itself when Mandeep Singh got dismissed for a first-ball duck with Ben Stokes taking a brilliant diving catch off an equally superb delivery by Archer. (PTI)
But Gayle and Rahul maintained a high scoring rate, reaching 53 for 1 at the end of powerplay. The self-styled ‘Universe Boss’ smacked two fours and six in consecutive deliveries off pacer Kartik Tyagi.
Gayle reached his third fifty in six matches in this IPL in style, hitting a six off Rahul Tewati in the 11th over as KXIP cruised along to reach the 100-run mark in the 13th over.
Stokes finally got the breakthrough by getting rid of tournament’s top run-getter Rahul in the 15th over to put brakes on KXIP innings. (PTI)
SCOREBOARD
Kings XI Punjab Innings:
KL Rahul c Tewatia b Stokes 46
Mandeep Singh c Stokes b Archer 0
Chris Gayle b Archer 99
Nicholas Pooran c Tewatia b Stokes 22
Glenn Maxwell not out 6
Deepak Hooda not out 1
Extras: (LB-1 W-8 NB-2) 11
Total: (For 4 wickets in 20 overs) 185
Fall of Wickets: 1/1 2/121 3/162 4/184
Bowling: Jofra Archer 4-0-26-2, Varun Aaron 4-0-47-0, Kartik Tyagi 4-0-47-0, Shreyas Gopal 1-0-10-0, Ben Stokes 4-0-32-2, Rahul Tewatia 3-0-22-0.
Rajasthan Royals Innings:
Robin Uthappa c Pooran b M Ashwin 30
Ben Stokes c Deepak Hooda b Jordan 50
Sanju Samson run out ((sub)J Suchith) 48
Steven Smith not out 31
Buttler not out 22
Extras: (Lb -2, W -3) 5
Total: (For 3 wickets in 17.3 overs) 186
Fall of Wickets: 1/60, 2/111, 3/145.
Bowling: Arshdeep Singh 3-0-34-0, Mohammed Shami 3-0-36-0, Murugan Ashwin 4-0-43-1, Chris Jordan 3.3-0-44-1, Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-27-0.
PM pays tributes to ex-CM Keshubhai Patel
AHMEDABAD, Oct 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes to the late Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel and met his grieving family members.
Patel (92), a BJP stalwart, died yesterday.
After his arrival in the morning at the Ahmedabad airport for a two-day Gujarat visit, Modi directly reached Patel’s residence in Gandhinagar and offered tributes to the departed soul.
The PM spent some time with Patels kin and consoled them.
“Modiji recalled his long association with Keshubhai and asked us about his last moments, a family member told reporters after the PM left Patel’s residence.
Modi had yesterday paid rich tributes to Patel, saying he had mentored many BJP workers, including him. (PTI)
MP assembly bypolls: EC revokes star campaigner status of Kamal Nath
NEW DELHI, Oct 30: Taking serious note of breach of “ethical and dignified behaviour”, the Election Commission on Friday revoked the “star campaigner” status of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath for repeated violations of the model code during campaign for the bypolls in 28 assembly constituencies in the state.
In an order, the Commission said, “…For repeated violation of Model Code of Conduct and for completely disregarding the advisory issued to him, the Commission hereby revokes the status of leader of political party (Star Campaigner) of Kamal Nath, Ex-Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, with immediate effect for the current Bye-elections of Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh.”
It said no permission will be granted by authorities to Nath as a star campaigner.
“However, if any campaign is done by Kamal Nath from now onwards, the entire expenditure related to travel, stay and visit will be completely borne by the candidate in whose constituency he carries out campaigning,” it said.
While the political party pays for the expenditure of a star campaigner, the candidate pays for the expenditure of other campaigners.
The EC said it has carefully considered the matter and has observed with “displeasure that Kamal Nath despite being a leader of a political party is repeatedly violating the provisions of Model Code of Conduct and breaching the ethical and dignified behaviour”.
The Commission referred to his remarks against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
He had used the words “mafia” and “milawat khor” against a political rival at a recent campaigning event.
Last week, the EC had asked Nath not to use words like “item” in campaigning.
He had used the jibe to hit out at state minister and BJP candidate Imarti Devi at a rally.
Campaigning is underway for the election to 28 Madhya Pradesh assembly seats on November 3. (PTI)
7,000 tonnes of onion already imported; another 25,000 tonnes arriving before Diwali: Govt
NEW DELHI, Oct 30: As retail onion prices skyrocket to over Rs 80 a kg in some parts of the country, Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said private import of 7,000 tonnes and another 25,000 tonnes shipment before Diwali are expected to improve the domestic supply situation and check price rise of the commodity.
Enough supply will be there in the market as cooperative Nafed will also commence imports, he said. Not only onion, about 10 lakh tonnes of potato is also being imported for which customs duty has been reduced to 10 per cent till January 2021, the minister said.
About 30,000 tonnes of potato will arrive from Bhutan in the next few days, he added. In a virtual press conference, Goyal said the retail prices of onion, potato and some of the pulses had increased. But for the last few days, the prices have been stable after the government took proactive measures, including ban on export of onion, to increase local supplies.
As a result, all India average retail price of onion has been ruling stable at around Rs 65 per kg, while that of potato at Rs 43 per kg, for the last three days, he added. However to ensure consumers get these commodities at reasonable rates during the festival period, Goyal said the government has taken steps to import onion and relaxed fumigation norms till December. “So far, 7,000 tonnes of onion has been imported by private traders. Another 25,000 tonnes of onion is expected to arrive before Diwali,” he said. Onions are imported from countries like Egypt, Afghanistan and Turkey by private traders. Even Nafed will import on its own capacity, he added. Further, the minister said along with imports, the arrival of new kharif onion crops in mandis from next month will improve the supply situation and ease pressure on prices. Kharif onion is expected to hit mandis from next month. The government has pegged kharif and later kharif onion output lower by 6 lakh tonnes to 37 lakh tonnes in the current year. Among other measures, Goyal said the government has banned export of onion seeds and imposed stock limits on traders to curb hoarding. That apart, Nafed, which is holding about 1 lakh tonnes of buffer stock onion on behalf of the government, is offloading it in the open market to check prices. So far, Nafed has offloaded 36,488 tonnes.
To improve the supply of potato, the minister said, “We are going to import about 10 lakh tonnes of potato and bring prices under control and ensure the commodity is available to consumers during the festival period.”
About 30,000 tonnes of potato is arriving from Bhutan in the next couple of days, he said.
In case of pulses, the minister said prices of most pulses are stable now and in fact much lower than what they prevailed four years back.
However, to ensure smooth domestic supply, the government has extended the time-limit for import of 4 lakh tonnes of tur dal till December, Goyal said.
Licences have been issued for import of 1.5 lakh tonnes of urad, and import duty of 10 per cent on masoor will continue till December-end, he said.
The government has also decided to extend memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mozambique for import of 2 lakh tonnes of tur for another five years and also to enter into a five-year MoU with Myanmar for import of 2.5 lakh tonnes of urad, he added. (PTI)
Amarinder extends 100 per cent tax waiver for bus operators till Dec 31
CHANDIGARH, Oct 30: In a relief to bus operators in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered 100 per cent waiver on Motor Vehicle Tax till December 31 for all stage carriage, mini and school buses, while deferring payment of arrears of taxes, without interest and penalty, to March 31, next year.
The move will result in total financial benefit to the transport sector to the tune of Rs 100 crore, according to an official statement.
The chief minister also directed Transport Minister Razia Sultana to discuss and resolve other issues of concern to mini private bus owners by the next week.
The decisions and directives were announced by the chief minister at a virtual conference with various private transport associations in the state. Besides Razia, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal and Transport Secretary K Siva Prasad were present at the meeting.
Though the transport department had initially suggested waiver up to 50 per cent of tax till December 31, the chief minister, responding to the concerns of transporters, overruled the department to announce 100 per cent relief, the statement said.
The transporters were earlier provided 100 per cent relief for two months, till September 30, by the state government.
“The chief minister took note of the problems faced by the transporters, who pointed out that with less than 10 per cent commuters availing the bus services, they were unable to meet even the cost of diesel to run their vehicles.
“Though the state transport and PRTC (state transport), being prime routes, were in demand, private bus operators continued to suffer due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” representatives of the transport associations told the chief minister.
Amarinder agreed with the transporters that their industry, run entirely by Punjabis, needed further support from the state government in the present situation and accepted their demand for total tax waiver till the end of this year, the statement further said. (PTI)
Ruturaj is one of the most talented players going around: Dhoni
DUBAI, Oct 30: A ‘reticent’ Ruturaj Gaikwad took some time to make a mark in the ongoing IPL but he has managed to impress his skipper CSK Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who believes that the young opener is “one of the most talented players going around”.
Gaekwad scored his second straight half-century on Thursday to set up a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders here. He got his chance after CSK decided to field untested players following a disastrous start to the season.
“(The changes) are a conscious effort. We want to give games to people who haven’t played and we need them to grab those opportunities. Ruturaj we’d seen him in the nets, but then he got Covid positive and took 20 days. Unfortunate but he’ll remember this season,” said Dhoni at the post-match presentation.
“He’s one of the most talented players going around. What makes it difficult is he’s not somebody who speaks a lot, so sometimes it becomes difficult for the management to gauge a player.”
Gaekwad, who had tested COVID-19 positive in the lead up to the tournament, has all the shots and his style of play is pleasing to the eye.
Things did not look bright for the 23-year-old after he failed in his first three innings (0, 5, 0).
“Once he started going in the innings, you could see that he was hitting the ball the way he wants to and he was planning. When we made him play the first game, he got out, stepped out.
“It becomes difficult to tell whether it was the pressure that made him step out or whether that’s his natural game. One ball isn’t enough,” Dhoni said about the Maharashtra batsman.
The CSK skipper also praised Ravindra Jadeja for his match-winning cameo, which included two sixes in the final over the game.
“This season Jadeja has been fantastic. He’s been the only batsman in our team who has taken the job of scoring in the last few overs. Not just using his power but through point if the field is up.
“I feel throughout the season we needed someone by his side,” Dhoni added.
The CSK skipper said this was one game where the plans went in their favour and hailed the effort of the players.
“It was one game where the plans went in our favour. Needed a lot of effort from the players. Really glad the coin fell in our favour,” he added.
Asked how important it was to end on a high, Dhoni added: “We haven’t performed in the tournament but we felt it’s important to be relevant in the tournament.”
“That’s what we kept requesting the guys. We said you prepare how you want to, but 3-3.5 hours give your best. We are not in the position to qualify for the next stage but we have had a glimpse of people who can play for us in the coming seasons.”
KKR captain Eoin Morgan said they were probably on the wrong side of the toss.
“We probably played a bit well there. Probably on the wrong side of the toss. Our bowlers gave it everything, but the skills were a bit off. We’ll have to move on quickly.
“I think the score (172/5) was enough. We felt we were right in the game. Probably 165 was par if the wicket and conditions stayed the same. I actually think we had a good batting day.
“One world class spinner (Narine), and the other on the cusp of playing for India (Chakravarthy). They’re fantastic spinners. I can’t fault any bowlers. “Nagarkoti probably didn’t have enough runs to defend (in the final over), would have liked 16-17. He’s a young guy, he’ll take it on the chin and move on,” Morgan said. (PTI)
Steve Smith says ‘no chance’ of playing Big Bash
ABU DHABI, Oct 30: Former Australia captain Steve Smith has ruled himself out of the upcoming Big Bash League to avoid spending more time in a bio-secure environment.
Star Australian cricketers including Smith have been in a bio-bubble since August when they toured England before moving to the protected environment of the IPL in September.
“I’ll be honest with you – absolutely no chance,” Smith told News Corp, highlighting the mental strain on players who have been away from home since August.
Smith’s colleagues David Warner and Pat Cummins are also expected to miss this year’s BBL.
The pull outs, if happen, are in complete contrast to the wishes of Cricket Australia’s broadcast rights holders, Seven and Foxtel, who are desperate for top international players participation in the latter stages of the league.
While making his mind clear, Smith, who is the captain of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, said he took the decision considering the adverse affect of bio-bubbles, which includes staying away from family for a longer period of time than expected.
“It’s still early days with the bubbles. We don’t know how long it’s going to last for. There’s an uncertainty there,” Smith said.
“It’s just going to be about having open conversations with coaches, general managers, whoever, to ensure that people are keeping their head space in a reasonable place.
“Then there’s obviously going to be questions around selection. If someone takes some time off because they’ve been in the bubble for a long time and then someone comes in and plays well, do they take their spot?”
Smith said a player needs to spend some time normally to get out of the mental trauma associated with a life inside a bio-bubble.
“When guys are starting to find things a bit tough mentally from just living in the bubble, being able to get out – even if it might just be a few days of being normal might be a real help. Those conversations need to be had,” he said. (PTI)