Archive For The “Sports” Category
Chandigarh, Feb 10 : The Punjab government on Monday said it has nothing to do with Indian players who went to Pakistan for an international kabaddi tournament and denied that the players were representing either the state or the country.
"We have not sent any team to represent the state or the nation in any championship in Pakistan," Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi told the media.
"If the PKA is confirming that it has sent the players, they should identify them," Sodhi added.
The Punjab Kabaddi Association (PKA) has sent a 60-member Indian contingent to Pakistan for the "World Cup".
It entered Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar.
PKA vice-president Tejinder Singh Middukhera said the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation has organised the tournament to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and had invited the PKA.
The team's coach is Harprit Singh Baba and its captain is Gurlal Ghanaur.
However, Punjab state Congress President Sunil Jakhar on Monday blamed the Shriomani Akali Dal (SAD) for facilitating the players in procuring visas for visiting Lahore for the event.
"I would ask Union Home Minister Amit Shah to get the matter probed either by RAW or NIA (National Investigation Agency) as to how the players procured their visas," he said.
Jakhar said their visit to Pakistan under the guise of participating in the kabaddi tournament is a threat to the country's national security.
He expressed apprehensions that three Union ministers from Punjab might have facilitated their visit.
Jakhar blamed the Akali Dal for facilitating the players in procuring their visas despite the hostile relations with Pakistan.
Refuting the allegations, SAD spokesperson and senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema told the media that the party has nothing to do with the visit of the players to Pakistan.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been left shellshocked after the kabaddi team from India reached Pakistan to take part in the tournament.
Speaking to IANS, IOA chief Narinder Batra said on Monday that the team, which reached Lahore on Saturday, is not an official one from India and hence, they cannot use the word "India" under their banner as they have not been approved by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI).
According to the organisers of the tournament, teams from 10 nations are taking part in the event being organised in three cities.
A total of 24 matches are scheduled to be played in the tournament with the winners getting a prize money of Rs 10 million, while the runner-ups will get Rs 7.5 million.
Players from 10 countries -- Pakistan, India, Canada, the United States, Australia, England, Iran, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Azerbaijan are taking part in the event.
--IANS
vg/kr.
Source: IANS
"We have not sent any team to represent the state or the nation in any championship in Pakistan," Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi told the media.
"If the PKA is confirming that it has sent the players, they should identify them," Sodhi added.
The Punjab Kabaddi Association (PKA) has sent a 60-member Indian contingent to Pakistan for the "World Cup".
It entered Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar.
PKA vice-president Tejinder Singh Middukhera said the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation has organised the tournament to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and had invited the PKA.
The team's coach is Harprit Singh Baba and its captain is Gurlal Ghanaur.
However, Punjab state Congress President Sunil Jakhar on Monday blamed the Shriomani Akali Dal (SAD) for facilitating the players in procuring visas for visiting Lahore for the event.
"I would ask Union Home Minister Amit Shah to get the matter probed either by RAW or NIA (National Investigation Agency) as to how the players procured their visas," he said.
Jakhar said their visit to Pakistan under the guise of participating in the kabaddi tournament is a threat to the country's national security.
He expressed apprehensions that three Union ministers from Punjab might have facilitated their visit.
Jakhar blamed the Akali Dal for facilitating the players in procuring their visas despite the hostile relations with Pakistan.
Refuting the allegations, SAD spokesperson and senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema told the media that the party has nothing to do with the visit of the players to Pakistan.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been left shellshocked after the kabaddi team from India reached Pakistan to take part in the tournament.
Speaking to IANS, IOA chief Narinder Batra said on Monday that the team, which reached Lahore on Saturday, is not an official one from India and hence, they cannot use the word "India" under their banner as they have not been approved by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI).
According to the organisers of the tournament, teams from 10 nations are taking part in the event being organised in three cities.
A total of 24 matches are scheduled to be played in the tournament with the winners getting a prize money of Rs 10 million, while the runner-ups will get Rs 7.5 million.
Players from 10 countries -- Pakistan, India, Canada, the United States, Australia, England, Iran, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Azerbaijan are taking part in the event.
--IANS
vg/kr.
Source: IANS
The popularity and growth of cricket in India, both on and off the field, has had a steep rise. An Indian victory or a defeat has a telling impact on the mood of the nation.
Cricket was brought to India by the British, but India is now its most popular destination.
The fans and followers are not only the critics but also the selectors and the experts. The role, therefore, of the Indian selectors, has gained immense importance. They are required to satisfy not just the players but the millions of followers too.
One needs them to be transparent, honest, decisive, knowledgeable and far thinking.
The days of nominating cricket selectors through the five zones who then favoured certain cricketers who had close ties with the powerbrokers of the BCCI are over.
The thousands of cricketers, playing the game in India from the junior to the international levels, have made cricket their life-line and their profession.
Cricket, for them, is no longer a recreational sport but one that will give them a way of life and a future.
This is precisely why the BCCI has a very important task in appointing selectors, who should have the ability to assess, identify logically and have the clarity of thought to select players in an open and unbiased way.
A cricket selector in the past was an honorary appointment and the change of making it into a paid profession is a very good step taken by the BCCI.
The recent advertisement for the two vacancies that are likely to arise on account of the tenure of the Chairman M.S.K.
Prasad and Gagan Khoda ending has become an important issue to ponder about.
The earlier two-year term that was changed to five years as recommended by the Supreme Court-approved constitution gave not only that extra year to both Prasad and Khoda but also to Sarandeep Singh, Jatin Paranjpe and Devang Gandhi to continue for another year.
However, one is bemused by the fact that the tenure of five years for selectors is being followed rigidly by the BCCI, whereas all other posts have tenure of three years.
However, the BCCI has put an age barrier of 60 years as the maximum age for a selector, which has no mention in their constitution.
This is quite ridiculous as the selector's job is not to roll up his sleeves in the hot sun and get physically active, but one that can quite easily be performed by a senior citizen as well.
Indian cricket has had many 70 years and above selectors who have distinguished themselves quite admirably.
There is also a strong movement that only one selector should be appointed from a zone. Another ridiculous rule, if followed, as a selector of the national team should be past favoritism and if found to do so, should be debarred forever.
If honesty is a worry, then the very basis of appointment becomes a farce. In most of the leading cricket playing countries, a cricket selector is a paid employee of the cricket board.
His or her job is to concentrate wholly and solely on the selection of the respective teams.
There is no age limit for his appointment and the selection is based on his ability to structure, plan and chart out his approach to select the best in the business.
This is not followed in India where it is a part time assignment.
Recently in India, several leading domestic players who have performed very well, have openly tweeted and spoken as to why they have not been considered or selected, if not for the national side then for a place in the India 'A' or Duleep Trophy sides.
None, I gather, have been given a reason and ignoring such claims is what makes it more important to have a panel of selectors who are transparent and empathetic towards the players.
Cricket is now a job for most cricketers and mental depression and trauma are some of the issues that could arise and need to be nipped in the bud.
The recent appointment of the three members of the CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee),
another honorary appointment by the BCCI, will select the selectors and coaches if and when required.
Several former cricketers have applied for the selector's position; selecting two from them will be a big challenge.
Most of them have played top level cricket and so one wonders what other criteria will differentiate them.
The selector's dilemma is not just at the highest level but also much more at the state association level.
There are now 36 teams playing first class cricket in India and the regulations of appointing selectors differs in each and every one of them.
The selection committees in Indian cricket need a complete overhaul to meet the ballooning requirement that has emerged.
There has to be a link between state, zonal and senior level selectors. This interaction will help in ensuring that each and every player playing the game is being closely monitored not only in his respective association but also by the men at the top.
At present, the score sheet is the only way in which it is done as it is impossible for the selectors at the national level to cover the wide expanse of the country.
The time is now ripe with a new BCCI apex committee in place and the Indian Cricketers Association having established itself with 1,600 members who have played 10 or more first class games.
This pool of cricketers, having played the game, is a good starting point to get a true and honest feedback for the changes required to make selection an open and acceptable format.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer.
Views expressed are personal.)
--IANS
ys/aak/in.
Source: IANS
Cricket was brought to India by the British, but India is now its most popular destination.
The fans and followers are not only the critics but also the selectors and the experts. The role, therefore, of the Indian selectors, has gained immense importance. They are required to satisfy not just the players but the millions of followers too.
One needs them to be transparent, honest, decisive, knowledgeable and far thinking.
The days of nominating cricket selectors through the five zones who then favoured certain cricketers who had close ties with the powerbrokers of the BCCI are over.
The thousands of cricketers, playing the game in India from the junior to the international levels, have made cricket their life-line and their profession.
Cricket, for them, is no longer a recreational sport but one that will give them a way of life and a future.
This is precisely why the BCCI has a very important task in appointing selectors, who should have the ability to assess, identify logically and have the clarity of thought to select players in an open and unbiased way.
A cricket selector in the past was an honorary appointment and the change of making it into a paid profession is a very good step taken by the BCCI.
The recent advertisement for the two vacancies that are likely to arise on account of the tenure of the Chairman M.S.K.
Prasad and Gagan Khoda ending has become an important issue to ponder about.
The earlier two-year term that was changed to five years as recommended by the Supreme Court-approved constitution gave not only that extra year to both Prasad and Khoda but also to Sarandeep Singh, Jatin Paranjpe and Devang Gandhi to continue for another year.
However, one is bemused by the fact that the tenure of five years for selectors is being followed rigidly by the BCCI, whereas all other posts have tenure of three years.
However, the BCCI has put an age barrier of 60 years as the maximum age for a selector, which has no mention in their constitution.
This is quite ridiculous as the selector's job is not to roll up his sleeves in the hot sun and get physically active, but one that can quite easily be performed by a senior citizen as well.
Indian cricket has had many 70 years and above selectors who have distinguished themselves quite admirably.
There is also a strong movement that only one selector should be appointed from a zone. Another ridiculous rule, if followed, as a selector of the national team should be past favoritism and if found to do so, should be debarred forever.
If honesty is a worry, then the very basis of appointment becomes a farce. In most of the leading cricket playing countries, a cricket selector is a paid employee of the cricket board.
His or her job is to concentrate wholly and solely on the selection of the respective teams.
There is no age limit for his appointment and the selection is based on his ability to structure, plan and chart out his approach to select the best in the business.
This is not followed in India where it is a part time assignment.
Recently in India, several leading domestic players who have performed very well, have openly tweeted and spoken as to why they have not been considered or selected, if not for the national side then for a place in the India 'A' or Duleep Trophy sides.
None, I gather, have been given a reason and ignoring such claims is what makes it more important to have a panel of selectors who are transparent and empathetic towards the players.
Cricket is now a job for most cricketers and mental depression and trauma are some of the issues that could arise and need to be nipped in the bud.
The recent appointment of the three members of the CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee),
another honorary appointment by the BCCI, will select the selectors and coaches if and when required.
Several former cricketers have applied for the selector's position; selecting two from them will be a big challenge.
Most of them have played top level cricket and so one wonders what other criteria will differentiate them.
The selector's dilemma is not just at the highest level but also much more at the state association level.
There are now 36 teams playing first class cricket in India and the regulations of appointing selectors differs in each and every one of them.
The selection committees in Indian cricket need a complete overhaul to meet the ballooning requirement that has emerged.
There has to be a link between state, zonal and senior level selectors. This interaction will help in ensuring that each and every player playing the game is being closely monitored not only in his respective association but also by the men at the top.
At present, the score sheet is the only way in which it is done as it is impossible for the selectors at the national level to cover the wide expanse of the country.
The time is now ripe with a new BCCI apex committee in place and the Indian Cricketers Association having established itself with 1,600 members who have played 10 or more first class games.
This pool of cricketers, having played the game, is a good starting point to get a true and honest feedback for the changes required to make selection an open and acceptable format.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer.
Views expressed are personal.)
--IANS
ys/aak/in.
Source: IANS
Saina joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, saying she was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies and hard work.
After joining politics, Gambhir has since been elected an MP from Delhi, while Sandeep Singh won in Assembly elections in Haryana in 2019.
He is currently Sports Minister in Haryana.
It is now to be seen if Saina, who started her sporting career at the age of eight and was ranked world number 1 woman shuttler in 2015, will jump into the electoral fray.
Saina was born on March 17, 1990, to Harvir Singh Nehwal and Usha Rani in Hisar in Haryana.
After completing her initial schooling in Hisar, she shifted to Hyderabad after her father's transfer.
The family is settled there for long.
Saina's mother is confident that her daughter will make a mark in politics too, as she has done on the badminton court in the past.
Usha Rani said she was "very happy" over her daughter Saina's move.
"Saina was doing well in sports and she will do well in politics also.
The BJP is doing good. Saina is hardworking and will work hard in this field (politics) as well," she said.
Saina, 29, who promised to "contribute for the betterment of India", is the recipient of India's highest sporting award -- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
She was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2016.
The shuttler, a former world number one, has won various international titles, including a bronze medal in the Olympics.
--IANS
vg/tsb.
Source: IANS
After joining politics, Gambhir has since been elected an MP from Delhi, while Sandeep Singh won in Assembly elections in Haryana in 2019.
He is currently Sports Minister in Haryana.
It is now to be seen if Saina, who started her sporting career at the age of eight and was ranked world number 1 woman shuttler in 2015, will jump into the electoral fray.
Saina was born on March 17, 1990, to Harvir Singh Nehwal and Usha Rani in Hisar in Haryana.
After completing her initial schooling in Hisar, she shifted to Hyderabad after her father's transfer.
The family is settled there for long.
Saina's mother is confident that her daughter will make a mark in politics too, as she has done on the badminton court in the past.
Usha Rani said she was "very happy" over her daughter Saina's move.
"Saina was doing well in sports and she will do well in politics also.
The BJP is doing good. Saina is hardworking and will work hard in this field (politics) as well," she said.
Saina, 29, who promised to "contribute for the betterment of India", is the recipient of India's highest sporting award -- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
She was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2016.
The shuttler, a former world number one, has won various international titles, including a bronze medal in the Olympics.
--IANS
vg/tsb.
Source: IANS
Hyderabad, Jan 27 : Ace shuttler and Olympian P. V. Sindhu, an innovative farmer and a puppeteer were among five personalities from the Telugu states awarded this year's Padma awards.
Sindhu, who was born in Hyderabad (Telangana) but whose parents hail from Andhra Pradesh, was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award while four others received Padma Shri awards.
Innovative farmer and plant breeder Chinatala Venkat Reddy and Sanskrit scholar and author Vijayasarathi Sribhashyam are the Padma Shri awardees from Telangana.
Theatre artist Yadla Gopala Rao and puppeteer Dalavai Chalapathi Rao are the awardees from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
Sindhu, a silver medallist at 2016 Rio Olympics, was elated over being awarded Padma Bhushan.
The 24-year-old reigning badminton world champion considers this as the greatest honour.
"This has been a great beginning for this year, to receive one of the greatest honours of the country Padma Bhushan.
It shows the commitment of the Government of India towards sports to inspire more people to excel in this field," Sindhu tweeted.
She thanked the Sports Ministry, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) and the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for their support and encouragement.
Sindhu, the only Indian world champion in badminton who earlier received Padma Shri, said this honour would encourage her to move forward with renewed spirit and power.
Venkat Reddy, an innovative farmer and plant breeder, was awarded his contribution to increased agricultural output through organic farming.
Hailing from Alwal on the outskirts of Hyderabad, he developed expertise in soil and nutrient management.
The soil fertility process, which he developed in 2002, improved fertility in cultivated lands (depleted soil) with no inputs of chemical fertilisers leading to high yields with high nutritive value in grapes, rice, wheat and vegetables.
He applied for patents for this technology in 60 countries and received patents from several countries including India, South Africa, Madagascar, Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam, Australia as well as some European nations.
Another Padma Shri awardee from Telangana is Sanskrit scholar Vijayasarathi Sribhashyam.
Hailing from Karimnagar district, he is a renowned scholar and authored several books. Interestingly, he has his early education in Urdu medium.
Vijayasarathi also founded two organizations for promotion of Sanskrit and Indian culture.
Puppeteer Chalapathi Rao has been awarded Padma Shri for his contribution to keep this art form alive.
Puppetry was a much sought-after form of entertainment in the pre-TV and cinema era.
Hailing from Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, the 78-year-old has been engaged in the art of leather puppetry for generations.
Elated over being picked up for Padma Shri, Rao said that this is an award to the vanishing craft of leather puppetry.
He hopes that this honour would give a fresh lease of life to the art.
Rao, his seven brothers and most of his other relatives dedicated their lives to the art of crafting leather puppets and organising puppetry shows across the country and abroad.
Yadla Gopal Rao, a theatre artiste from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, will receive Padma shri.
The 70-year-old, who hails from a family of theatre artistes, feels the award was recognition for his contribution to the world of theatre.
Involved with theatre from a young age, he performed 5,600 shows.
He is well known for performing Gayopakhayanam and mythological plays like Satya Harishchandra.
Rao, whose first theatre performance was in 1964, also learnt music from his paternal uncle Yadla Satyam.
This helped in his career as a theatre artiste.
--IANS
ms/vd.
Source: IANS
Sindhu, who was born in Hyderabad (Telangana) but whose parents hail from Andhra Pradesh, was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award while four others received Padma Shri awards.
Innovative farmer and plant breeder Chinatala Venkat Reddy and Sanskrit scholar and author Vijayasarathi Sribhashyam are the Padma Shri awardees from Telangana.
Theatre artist Yadla Gopala Rao and puppeteer Dalavai Chalapathi Rao are the awardees from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
Sindhu, a silver medallist at 2016 Rio Olympics, was elated over being awarded Padma Bhushan.
The 24-year-old reigning badminton world champion considers this as the greatest honour.
"This has been a great beginning for this year, to receive one of the greatest honours of the country Padma Bhushan.
It shows the commitment of the Government of India towards sports to inspire more people to excel in this field," Sindhu tweeted.
She thanked the Sports Ministry, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) and the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for their support and encouragement.
Sindhu, the only Indian world champion in badminton who earlier received Padma Shri, said this honour would encourage her to move forward with renewed spirit and power.
Venkat Reddy, an innovative farmer and plant breeder, was awarded his contribution to increased agricultural output through organic farming.
Hailing from Alwal on the outskirts of Hyderabad, he developed expertise in soil and nutrient management.
The soil fertility process, which he developed in 2002, improved fertility in cultivated lands (depleted soil) with no inputs of chemical fertilisers leading to high yields with high nutritive value in grapes, rice, wheat and vegetables.
He applied for patents for this technology in 60 countries and received patents from several countries including India, South Africa, Madagascar, Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam, Australia as well as some European nations.
Another Padma Shri awardee from Telangana is Sanskrit scholar Vijayasarathi Sribhashyam.
Hailing from Karimnagar district, he is a renowned scholar and authored several books. Interestingly, he has his early education in Urdu medium.
Vijayasarathi also founded two organizations for promotion of Sanskrit and Indian culture.
Puppeteer Chalapathi Rao has been awarded Padma Shri for his contribution to keep this art form alive.
Puppetry was a much sought-after form of entertainment in the pre-TV and cinema era.
Hailing from Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, the 78-year-old has been engaged in the art of leather puppetry for generations.
Elated over being picked up for Padma Shri, Rao said that this is an award to the vanishing craft of leather puppetry.
He hopes that this honour would give a fresh lease of life to the art.
Rao, his seven brothers and most of his other relatives dedicated their lives to the art of crafting leather puppets and organising puppetry shows across the country and abroad.
Yadla Gopal Rao, a theatre artiste from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, will receive Padma shri.
The 70-year-old, who hails from a family of theatre artistes, feels the award was recognition for his contribution to the world of theatre.
Involved with theatre from a young age, he performed 5,600 shows.
He is well known for performing Gayopakhayanam and mythological plays like Satya Harishchandra.
Rao, whose first theatre performance was in 1964, also learnt music from his paternal uncle Yadla Satyam.
This helped in his career as a theatre artiste.
--IANS
ms/vd.
Source: IANS
Aizawl, Jan 27 : Mizoram will host the aero-sport tournament -- the International Paragliding Accuracy Championship 2020 in February, an official said here on Monday.
An official of Mizoram's sports department said that over 130 participants from 30 countries would take part in the five-day long event, to be held at Serchhip in central Mizoram from February 12.
The organising committee under the chairmanship of Mizoram's Sports and Tourism Minister Robert Romawia Royte has prepared a detailed road map to successfully host the international meet.
Technical experts, members of the Mizoram Aero-Sports Association and officials of the Mizoram government are jointly working to make the arrangements for the International Paragliding Championship.
Earlier in 2018, Mizoram had successfully hosted the Pre-World Cup Paragliding Championship.
--IANS
sc/pgh/.
Source: IANS
An official of Mizoram's sports department said that over 130 participants from 30 countries would take part in the five-day long event, to be held at Serchhip in central Mizoram from February 12.
The organising committee under the chairmanship of Mizoram's Sports and Tourism Minister Robert Romawia Royte has prepared a detailed road map to successfully host the international meet.
Technical experts, members of the Mizoram Aero-Sports Association and officials of the Mizoram government are jointly working to make the arrangements for the International Paragliding Championship.
Earlier in 2018, Mizoram had successfully hosted the Pre-World Cup Paragliding Championship.
--IANS
sc/pgh/.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, Jan 20 : The Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted a betting racket and arrested 11 people from the spot who had placed bets on the third and final ODI between India and Australia played at the M.
Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
According to Additional Commissioner Police Crime Branch A.K.
Singla, 70 mobile phones and seven laptops were recovered from those arrested. He also said that bets worth Rs two crores had already been placed for the match held on Sunday.
India defeated Australia by seven wickets in the final ODI, thus clinching the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Opener Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant century (119)and skipper Virat Kohli also contributed with 89 to overhaul the target in 47.3 overs.
India had lost the first match in Mumbai by 10 wickets and considering that, it was a great comeback victory by the hosts in the remaining two ODIs.
The Men in Blue will now travel to New Zealand where they will play five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.
--IANS
kk/aak.
Source: IANS
Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
According to Additional Commissioner Police Crime Branch A.K.
Singla, 70 mobile phones and seven laptops were recovered from those arrested. He also said that bets worth Rs two crores had already been placed for the match held on Sunday.
India defeated Australia by seven wickets in the final ODI, thus clinching the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Opener Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant century (119)and skipper Virat Kohli also contributed with 89 to overhaul the target in 47.3 overs.
India had lost the first match in Mumbai by 10 wickets and considering that, it was a great comeback victory by the hosts in the remaining two ODIs.
The Men in Blue will now travel to New Zealand where they will play five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.
--IANS
kk/aak.
Source: IANS
Agartala, Jan 19 : Cycle rallies were organised across the country on Sunday as part of the awareness campaign "Conserve Fuel, Save Future", officials said here.
State owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Group General Manager Om Prakash Singh said that the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), a non-profit body under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas, has organised the "SAKSHAM Cycle Rally" in 200 cities across India.
He said that with a theme of "Conserve Fuel, Save Future", such awareness campaign are being organised across the country every year.
In Tripura, the cycle rally was flagged-off by the state Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma in presence of two other members of the Parliament -- Pratima Bhoumik and Rebati Tripura and a host of legislators and dignitaries.
Several thousand people, especially the young boys and girls took part in the rally early on Sunday morning.
--IANS
sc/sdr/.
Source: IANS
State owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Group General Manager Om Prakash Singh said that the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), a non-profit body under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas, has organised the "SAKSHAM Cycle Rally" in 200 cities across India.
He said that with a theme of "Conserve Fuel, Save Future", such awareness campaign are being organised across the country every year.
In Tripura, the cycle rally was flagged-off by the state Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma in presence of two other members of the Parliament -- Pratima Bhoumik and Rebati Tripura and a host of legislators and dignitaries.
Several thousand people, especially the young boys and girls took part in the rally early on Sunday morning.
--IANS
sc/sdr/.
Source: IANS
Indian cricket's premier domestic tournament, the Ranji Trophy -- in its newly formed avtar last year -- is on its second leg this year.
With 38 teams in the fray, Indian cricket has truly reached the length and breadth of the country. The Lodha committee recommendation, in involving the north-eastern states along with a few others awaiting recognition, has played a major part in this effort.
The Ranji Trophy that commenced in 1934 on the lines of the Australian and New Zealand domestic cricket structure, with just a few provinces and states participating in it initially, has now grown to become the biggest cricket league in the world.
In the earlier days, an upcoming cricketer's dream was to get selected into their respective state team to play Ranji, for one to be recognized and considered for a place in the national side.
There was no easy way to success as one had to perform exceptionally well in the domestic tournaments to do so.
The present structure of the U-19 India side, the India 'A' and the franchise-based Indian Premier League (IPL) and the various limited-overs tournaments being played in India, has made performances in the Ranji Trophy less relevant.
The pride of playing for one's state or association has diminished extensively, with young upcoming cricketers far more interested in making a name through their performance in the IPL rather than the conventional route of making it to the top.
The success of the Ranji Trophy is what will keep Indian cricket flourishing and therefore, similar to Test cricket, this tournament needs a shot in the arm to get its due recognition and pride of place.
Apart from a mandatory international overseas tour and players playing in it, every cricketer should be made to play the domestic circuit, when available.
The India 'A' and U-19 tours should not be scheduled during the Ranji Trophy tournament.
It was sad to see this year in the Ranji Trophy, two of the premier sides of the country, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, losing two outright games to opponents whom they would have scoffed at in the years gone by.
One was, therefore, perplexed and shocked that international players from Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and other Ranji Trophy teams were allowed by the BCCI to rest and relax, while their sides were playing some crucial and important matches.
The BCCI's attitude in molly coddling the senior level players and keeping them away from the domestic circuit is why the value of playing cricket at home has diffused drastically.
In the last decade, one has been seeing as to how the Indian national cricket team players have found ways of escaping playing domestic cricket on some excuse or the other.
The case of Prithvi Shaw is a good example of the way domestic cricket is being seen by the administration.
Shaw, during a Ranji game in Mumbai, injured his shoulder while fielding. In the middle of the game he was flown to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Understandably, he was injured and needed care, but even in that condition he was capable of keeping one end up, if the team required his presence.
In this case Mumbai did need him, especially when Sarfaraz Khan, their middle order batsman, was batting with over 70 under his belt.
In the past there have been many cases of players assisting their sides with fractures and other major injuries as after all cricket is an uncertain game and the match is not over till the last ball is bowled.
The NCA, one hopes, under the astute leadership of Rahul Dravid, will become the center of excellence for Indian cricket for what it was initiated for.
At present the confidence among any injured player is rather low. The past history has shown how some of our leading cricketers have suffered there, one dreads to think what must have happened to many of the junior and first class players sent there for recovery from their injuries.
One dare not ask! The only solution for this is to set up a committee of specialist doctors that can be headed by a doctor such as Anand Joshi, who has been a part of the BCCI panel earlier.
With funds not being a constraint, the BCCI could get the best of the best.
Another area of concern has always been the quality of umpiring in the domestic matches.
This came into prominence lately in the case of Shubman Gill, one of India's upcoming talented cricketers.
He showed disrespect to the umpire by standing his ground after being given out to a caught-behind appeal by the Delhi side.
The umpire was on his debut match and made the cardinal sin of retracting his decision. This led to a direct confrontation with the Delhi side which naturally stopped further play.
Shubman, after all, is a player who could change the complete complexion of the game to his advantage by scoring big.
Delhi was right in their complaint even though they knew it was a bad decision by the umpire. Shubman naturally was livid as for him every knock is important to make his way into the Indian side. He apparently was given a bad decision in the earlier match as well. One can understand his frustration as it is easy for a person to criticise him for his behaviour, without knowing what it entails when one is striving to do well.
A cricketer's adrenalin is pumping and it does get difficult to control ones' emotions when one feels cheated.
With plenty of matches being played in India, the BCCI needs to structure a good learning and a certificate program for umpires.
This needs to be done on a war footing. One hopes that the glory that the Ranji Trophy had and stood for does come back once again. If not, a frugal domestic cricket foundation could become a real cause for concern.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer)
--IANS
ys/aak/skp.
Source: IANS
With 38 teams in the fray, Indian cricket has truly reached the length and breadth of the country. The Lodha committee recommendation, in involving the north-eastern states along with a few others awaiting recognition, has played a major part in this effort.
The Ranji Trophy that commenced in 1934 on the lines of the Australian and New Zealand domestic cricket structure, with just a few provinces and states participating in it initially, has now grown to become the biggest cricket league in the world.
In the earlier days, an upcoming cricketer's dream was to get selected into their respective state team to play Ranji, for one to be recognized and considered for a place in the national side.
There was no easy way to success as one had to perform exceptionally well in the domestic tournaments to do so.
The present structure of the U-19 India side, the India 'A' and the franchise-based Indian Premier League (IPL) and the various limited-overs tournaments being played in India, has made performances in the Ranji Trophy less relevant.
The pride of playing for one's state or association has diminished extensively, with young upcoming cricketers far more interested in making a name through their performance in the IPL rather than the conventional route of making it to the top.
The success of the Ranji Trophy is what will keep Indian cricket flourishing and therefore, similar to Test cricket, this tournament needs a shot in the arm to get its due recognition and pride of place.
Apart from a mandatory international overseas tour and players playing in it, every cricketer should be made to play the domestic circuit, when available.
The India 'A' and U-19 tours should not be scheduled during the Ranji Trophy tournament.
It was sad to see this year in the Ranji Trophy, two of the premier sides of the country, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, losing two outright games to opponents whom they would have scoffed at in the years gone by.
One was, therefore, perplexed and shocked that international players from Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and other Ranji Trophy teams were allowed by the BCCI to rest and relax, while their sides were playing some crucial and important matches.
The BCCI's attitude in molly coddling the senior level players and keeping them away from the domestic circuit is why the value of playing cricket at home has diffused drastically.
In the last decade, one has been seeing as to how the Indian national cricket team players have found ways of escaping playing domestic cricket on some excuse or the other.
The case of Prithvi Shaw is a good example of the way domestic cricket is being seen by the administration.
Shaw, during a Ranji game in Mumbai, injured his shoulder while fielding. In the middle of the game he was flown to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Understandably, he was injured and needed care, but even in that condition he was capable of keeping one end up, if the team required his presence.
In this case Mumbai did need him, especially when Sarfaraz Khan, their middle order batsman, was batting with over 70 under his belt.
In the past there have been many cases of players assisting their sides with fractures and other major injuries as after all cricket is an uncertain game and the match is not over till the last ball is bowled.
The NCA, one hopes, under the astute leadership of Rahul Dravid, will become the center of excellence for Indian cricket for what it was initiated for.
At present the confidence among any injured player is rather low. The past history has shown how some of our leading cricketers have suffered there, one dreads to think what must have happened to many of the junior and first class players sent there for recovery from their injuries.
One dare not ask! The only solution for this is to set up a committee of specialist doctors that can be headed by a doctor such as Anand Joshi, who has been a part of the BCCI panel earlier.
With funds not being a constraint, the BCCI could get the best of the best.
Another area of concern has always been the quality of umpiring in the domestic matches.
This came into prominence lately in the case of Shubman Gill, one of India's upcoming talented cricketers.
He showed disrespect to the umpire by standing his ground after being given out to a caught-behind appeal by the Delhi side.
The umpire was on his debut match and made the cardinal sin of retracting his decision. This led to a direct confrontation with the Delhi side which naturally stopped further play.
Shubman, after all, is a player who could change the complete complexion of the game to his advantage by scoring big.
Delhi was right in their complaint even though they knew it was a bad decision by the umpire. Shubman naturally was livid as for him every knock is important to make his way into the Indian side. He apparently was given a bad decision in the earlier match as well. One can understand his frustration as it is easy for a person to criticise him for his behaviour, without knowing what it entails when one is striving to do well.
A cricketer's adrenalin is pumping and it does get difficult to control ones' emotions when one feels cheated.
With plenty of matches being played in India, the BCCI needs to structure a good learning and a certificate program for umpires.
This needs to be done on a war footing. One hopes that the glory that the Ranji Trophy had and stood for does come back once again. If not, a frugal domestic cricket foundation could become a real cause for concern.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer)
--IANS
ys/aak/skp.
Source: IANS
Indian cricket's premier domestic tournament, the Ranji Trophy -- in its newly formed avtar last year -- is on its second leg this year.
With 38 teams in the fray, Indian cricket has truly reached the length and breadth of the country. The Lodha committee recommendation, in involving the north-eastern states along with a few others awaiting recognition, has played a major part in this effort.
The Ranji Trophy that commenced in 1934 on the lines of the Australian and New Zealand domestic cricket structure, with just a few provinces and states participating in it initially, has now grown to become the biggest cricket league in the world.
In the earlier days, an upcoming cricketer's dream was to get selected into their respective state team to play Ranji, for one to be recognized and considered for a place in the national side.
There was no easy way to success as one had to perform exceptionally well in the domestic tournaments to do so.
The present structure of the U-19 India side, the India 'A' and the franchise-based Indian Premier League (IPL) and the various limited-overs tournaments being played in India, has made performances in the Ranji Trophy less relevant.
The pride of playing for one's state or association has diminished extensively, with young upcoming cricketers far more interested in making a name through their performance in the IPL rather than the conventional route of making it to the top.
The success of the Ranji Trophy is what will keep Indian cricket flourishing and therefore, similar to Test cricket, this tournament needs a shot in the arm to get its due recognition and pride of place.
Apart from a mandatory international overseas tour and players playing in it, every cricketer should be made to play the domestic circuit, when available.
The India 'A' and U-19 tours should not be scheduled during the Ranji Trophy tournament.
It was sad to see this year in the Ranji Trophy, two of the premier sides of the country, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, losing two outright games to opponents whom they would have scoffed at in the years gone by.
One was, therefore, perplexed and shocked that international players from Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and other Ranji Trophy teams were allowed by the BCCI to rest and relax, while their sides were playing some crucial and important matches.
The BCCI's attitude in molly coddling the senior level players and keeping them away from the domestic circuit is why the value of playing cricket at home has diffused drastically.
In the last decade, one has been seeing as to how the Indian national cricket team players have found ways of escaping playing domestic cricket on some excuse or the other.
The case of Prithvi Shaw is a good example of the way domestic cricket is being seen by the administration.
Shaw, during a Ranji game in Mumbai, injured his shoulder while fielding. In the middle of the game he was flown to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Understandably, he was injured and needed care, but even in that condition he was capable of keeping one end up, if the team required his presence.
In this case Mumbai did need him, especially when Sarfaraz Khan, their middle order batsman, was batting with over 70 under his belt.
In the past there have been many cases of players assisting their sides with fractures and other major injuries as after all cricket is an uncertain game and the match is not over till the last ball is bowled.
The NCA, one hopes, under the astute leadership of Rahul Dravid, will become the center of excellence for Indian cricket for what it was initiated for.
At present the confidence among any injured player is rather low. The past history has shown how some of our leading cricketers have suffered there, one dreads to think what must have happened to many of the junior and first class players sent there for recovery from their injuries.
One dare not ask! The only solution for this is to set up a committee of specialist doctors that can be headed by a doctor such as Anand Joshi, who has been a part of the BCCI panel earlier.
With funds not being a constraint, the BCCI could get the best of the best.
Another area of concern has always been the quality of umpiring in the domestic matches.
This came into prominence lately in the case of Shubman Gill, one of India's upcoming talented cricketers.
He showed disrespect to the umpire by standing his ground after being given out to a caught-behind appeal by the Delhi side.
The umpire was on his debut match and made the cardinal sin of retracting his decision. This led to a direct confrontation with the Delhi side which naturally stopped further play.
Shubman, after all, is a player who could change the complete complexion of the game to his advantage by scoring big.
Delhi was right in their complaint even though they knew it was a bad decision by the umpire. Shubman naturally was livid as for him every knock is important to make his way into the Indian side. He apparently was given a bad decision in the earlier match as well. One can understand his frustration as it is easy for a person to criticise him for his behaviour, without knowing what it entails when one is striving to do well.
A cricketer's adrenalin is pumping and it does get difficult to control ones' emotions when one feels cheated.
With plenty of matches being played in India, the BCCI needs to structure a good learning and a certificate program for umpires.
This needs to be done on a war footing. One hopes that the glory that the Ranji Trophy had and stood for does come back once again. If not, a frugal domestic cricket foundation could become a real cause for concern.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer)
--IANS
ys/aak/skp.
Source: IANS
With 38 teams in the fray, Indian cricket has truly reached the length and breadth of the country. The Lodha committee recommendation, in involving the north-eastern states along with a few others awaiting recognition, has played a major part in this effort.
The Ranji Trophy that commenced in 1934 on the lines of the Australian and New Zealand domestic cricket structure, with just a few provinces and states participating in it initially, has now grown to become the biggest cricket league in the world.
In the earlier days, an upcoming cricketer's dream was to get selected into their respective state team to play Ranji, for one to be recognized and considered for a place in the national side.
There was no easy way to success as one had to perform exceptionally well in the domestic tournaments to do so.
The present structure of the U-19 India side, the India 'A' and the franchise-based Indian Premier League (IPL) and the various limited-overs tournaments being played in India, has made performances in the Ranji Trophy less relevant.
The pride of playing for one's state or association has diminished extensively, with young upcoming cricketers far more interested in making a name through their performance in the IPL rather than the conventional route of making it to the top.
The success of the Ranji Trophy is what will keep Indian cricket flourishing and therefore, similar to Test cricket, this tournament needs a shot in the arm to get its due recognition and pride of place.
Apart from a mandatory international overseas tour and players playing in it, every cricketer should be made to play the domestic circuit, when available.
The India 'A' and U-19 tours should not be scheduled during the Ranji Trophy tournament.
It was sad to see this year in the Ranji Trophy, two of the premier sides of the country, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, losing two outright games to opponents whom they would have scoffed at in the years gone by.
One was, therefore, perplexed and shocked that international players from Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and other Ranji Trophy teams were allowed by the BCCI to rest and relax, while their sides were playing some crucial and important matches.
The BCCI's attitude in molly coddling the senior level players and keeping them away from the domestic circuit is why the value of playing cricket at home has diffused drastically.
In the last decade, one has been seeing as to how the Indian national cricket team players have found ways of escaping playing domestic cricket on some excuse or the other.
The case of Prithvi Shaw is a good example of the way domestic cricket is being seen by the administration.
Shaw, during a Ranji game in Mumbai, injured his shoulder while fielding. In the middle of the game he was flown to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Understandably, he was injured and needed care, but even in that condition he was capable of keeping one end up, if the team required his presence.
In this case Mumbai did need him, especially when Sarfaraz Khan, their middle order batsman, was batting with over 70 under his belt.
In the past there have been many cases of players assisting their sides with fractures and other major injuries as after all cricket is an uncertain game and the match is not over till the last ball is bowled.
The NCA, one hopes, under the astute leadership of Rahul Dravid, will become the center of excellence for Indian cricket for what it was initiated for.
At present the confidence among any injured player is rather low. The past history has shown how some of our leading cricketers have suffered there, one dreads to think what must have happened to many of the junior and first class players sent there for recovery from their injuries.
One dare not ask! The only solution for this is to set up a committee of specialist doctors that can be headed by a doctor such as Anand Joshi, who has been a part of the BCCI panel earlier.
With funds not being a constraint, the BCCI could get the best of the best.
Another area of concern has always been the quality of umpiring in the domestic matches.
This came into prominence lately in the case of Shubman Gill, one of India's upcoming talented cricketers.
He showed disrespect to the umpire by standing his ground after being given out to a caught-behind appeal by the Delhi side.
The umpire was on his debut match and made the cardinal sin of retracting his decision. This led to a direct confrontation with the Delhi side which naturally stopped further play.
Shubman, after all, is a player who could change the complete complexion of the game to his advantage by scoring big.
Delhi was right in their complaint even though they knew it was a bad decision by the umpire. Shubman naturally was livid as for him every knock is important to make his way into the Indian side. He apparently was given a bad decision in the earlier match as well. One can understand his frustration as it is easy for a person to criticise him for his behaviour, without knowing what it entails when one is striving to do well.
A cricketer's adrenalin is pumping and it does get difficult to control ones' emotions when one feels cheated.
With plenty of matches being played in India, the BCCI needs to structure a good learning and a certificate program for umpires.
This needs to be done on a war footing. One hopes that the glory that the Ranji Trophy had and stood for does come back once again. If not, a frugal domestic cricket foundation could become a real cause for concern.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer)
--IANS
ys/aak/skp.
Source: IANS
Mumbai, Jan 7 : A 24-year-old woman pedestrian was knocked down by a car driven by former cricketer Saba Karim's son near Kemp's Corner junction in south Mumbai, here on Tuesday morning, police sources said.
The incident occurred when Saba Karim and his son Fidel, in his mid-20s, were proceeding from Kemp's Corner towards south Mumbai, around 6.30 a.m.
Suddenly, as Fidel Karim drove in the third lane trying to overtake another vehicle, a female pedestrian who was crossing the road suddenly came in front of his vehicle.
Before he could apply the brakes, she was knocked down by his car and was badly injured, said the sources.
Identified later as Siddhi M., she was rushed to the Jaslok Hospital nearby in an unconscious state and is undergoing treatment.
The mishap occurred amid thin traffic and the extent of the injuries she suffered is not immediately known.
Police are waiting for her to regain consciousness and record her statement before initiating further proceedings against Fidel Karim, who has been detained, according to the sources.
--IANS
qn/kr.
Source: IANS
The incident occurred when Saba Karim and his son Fidel, in his mid-20s, were proceeding from Kemp's Corner towards south Mumbai, around 6.30 a.m.
Suddenly, as Fidel Karim drove in the third lane trying to overtake another vehicle, a female pedestrian who was crossing the road suddenly came in front of his vehicle.
Before he could apply the brakes, she was knocked down by his car and was badly injured, said the sources.
Identified later as Siddhi M., she was rushed to the Jaslok Hospital nearby in an unconscious state and is undergoing treatment.
The mishap occurred amid thin traffic and the extent of the injuries she suffered is not immediately known.
Police are waiting for her to regain consciousness and record her statement before initiating further proceedings against Fidel Karim, who has been detained, according to the sources.
--IANS
qn/kr.
Source: IANS