Archive For The “Sports” Category
Bhubaneswar, Jan 6 : The first edition of Khelo India University Games is scheduled to be held at the KIIT University in Bhubaneswar from February 22 to March 1, 2020.
The launching ceremony of the event was held here on Monday where the logo and jersey were unveiled.
Khelo India University Games will witness over 4,000 athletes from 100 Universities across India vying for top honours in 17 different disciplines namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weight-lifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi.
"I am truly delighted to announce that the first edition of the Khelo India University Games will be held in Bhubaneswar; a city which has gained the repute of being the Sports Capital of India," said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Commending the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Sports Authority of India for taking this initiative, he said the state government and KIIT University will ensure all the participants will have a memorable experience during the event.
Saying that India has no dearth of sporting talents, Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said the University Games will further nourish the talents of the youth.
"The Khelo India University Games is yet another empowering initiative of Government of India that hopes to not only give a platform to young students to showcase their talent in sports but in the long run it will develop a culture to pursue sports at this level and eventually contribute to the ultimate goal of topping the medal tally in events like the Asian Games and Olympic Games," Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reflected the government's ambition of seeing the tri-colour fly high at the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games.
"These initiatives taken up by the government under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi will definitely help mould the future of budding sports stars of India and I am confident these initiatives will help the country win more medals at the upcoming Olympic Games in 2024 and 2028," said Pradhan.
--IANS
cd/rt.
Source: IANS
The launching ceremony of the event was held here on Monday where the logo and jersey were unveiled.
Khelo India University Games will witness over 4,000 athletes from 100 Universities across India vying for top honours in 17 different disciplines namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weight-lifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi.
"I am truly delighted to announce that the first edition of the Khelo India University Games will be held in Bhubaneswar; a city which has gained the repute of being the Sports Capital of India," said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Commending the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Sports Authority of India for taking this initiative, he said the state government and KIIT University will ensure all the participants will have a memorable experience during the event.
Saying that India has no dearth of sporting talents, Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said the University Games will further nourish the talents of the youth.
"The Khelo India University Games is yet another empowering initiative of Government of India that hopes to not only give a platform to young students to showcase their talent in sports but in the long run it will develop a culture to pursue sports at this level and eventually contribute to the ultimate goal of topping the medal tally in events like the Asian Games and Olympic Games," Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reflected the government's ambition of seeing the tri-colour fly high at the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games.
"These initiatives taken up by the government under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi will definitely help mould the future of budding sports stars of India and I am confident these initiatives will help the country win more medals at the upcoming Olympic Games in 2024 and 2028," said Pradhan.
--IANS
cd/rt.
Source: IANS
Guhawati, Jan 4 : India skipper Virat Kohli is not in favour of ICC's idea of introducing four-day Tests as he believes it is unfair to the 'purest format of the game'.
According to Kohli, the concept of Day-Night Test, which is already in place in world cricket, is the most that should be brought to commercialise the traditional red-ball cricket format.
'According to me, it should not be altered.
As I said, the day-night is another step towards commercialising Test cricket and you know, creating excitement around it, but it can't be tinkered with too much.
I don't believe so,' Kohli said on Saturday ahead of the three-match T20I series opener against Sri Lanka.
'You know the Day-Night Test is the most that should be changed about Test cricket, according to me,' he added.
The ICC cricket committee is likely to consider four-day Test matches as being part of the World Test Championship from 2023.
ICC's increasing demand for event windows, the proliferation of domestic T20 leagues, BCCI's demands for its own sizeable share of bilateral calendar space, and the costs of staging Test series are all said to be the factors contributing to the move.
Kohli, who has always backed Test cricket, believes there might come a time when people would talk about having 'three-day Tests' if the duration of the five-day Test is reduced by a day.
'Then you are purely only talking about getting numbers, entertainment and you know. I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests. I mean where do you end? Then you will speak of Test cricket disappearing,' Kohli said
'So I don't endorse that at all.
I don't think that is fair to the purest format of the game. How cricket started initially, and you know five-day Tests was the highest of tests you can have at the International level.'
Kohli's opinion matches with that of Vernon Philander and Glenn McGrath, who have raised objection against four-day Tests.
'I hope five-day Test cricket doesn't come to an end,' Philander said.
'There is only one format and that's Test cricket. T20 cricketers come and go and the names come and go, Test cricket is the ultimate. Hopefully we can still see five-day Test matches. I know there has been a lot of talk about having four-day Test matches but I am a purist when it comes to cricket and I would like to see Test matches survive for five days.'
McGrath is also not keen on the change the ICC is reported to be mulling.
'I'm very much a traditionalist, I like the game the way it is,' he said. 'To me five days is very special and I'd hate to see it get any shorter. The introduction of pink Tests, day-night Tests is a great way to continue keeping our game fresh and moving forward.
In respects to changing how many days it's played, I'm actually against it. I like the way it is.'
Australia star off-spinner Nathan Lyon had also put his weight behind five-day Tests and said: 'You look at all the big games around the world and some of the best Test matches I've been part of, they go down to the last day.'
He also said that scrapping five-day Tests would be a 'ridiculous' idea.
--IANS
aak/bbh.
Source: IANS
According to Kohli, the concept of Day-Night Test, which is already in place in world cricket, is the most that should be brought to commercialise the traditional red-ball cricket format.
'According to me, it should not be altered.
As I said, the day-night is another step towards commercialising Test cricket and you know, creating excitement around it, but it can't be tinkered with too much.
I don't believe so,' Kohli said on Saturday ahead of the three-match T20I series opener against Sri Lanka.
'You know the Day-Night Test is the most that should be changed about Test cricket, according to me,' he added.
The ICC cricket committee is likely to consider four-day Test matches as being part of the World Test Championship from 2023.
ICC's increasing demand for event windows, the proliferation of domestic T20 leagues, BCCI's demands for its own sizeable share of bilateral calendar space, and the costs of staging Test series are all said to be the factors contributing to the move.
Kohli, who has always backed Test cricket, believes there might come a time when people would talk about having 'three-day Tests' if the duration of the five-day Test is reduced by a day.
'Then you are purely only talking about getting numbers, entertainment and you know. I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests. I mean where do you end? Then you will speak of Test cricket disappearing,' Kohli said
'So I don't endorse that at all.
I don't think that is fair to the purest format of the game. How cricket started initially, and you know five-day Tests was the highest of tests you can have at the International level.'
Kohli's opinion matches with that of Vernon Philander and Glenn McGrath, who have raised objection against four-day Tests.
'I hope five-day Test cricket doesn't come to an end,' Philander said.
'There is only one format and that's Test cricket. T20 cricketers come and go and the names come and go, Test cricket is the ultimate. Hopefully we can still see five-day Test matches. I know there has been a lot of talk about having four-day Test matches but I am a purist when it comes to cricket and I would like to see Test matches survive for five days.'
McGrath is also not keen on the change the ICC is reported to be mulling.
'I'm very much a traditionalist, I like the game the way it is,' he said. 'To me five days is very special and I'd hate to see it get any shorter. The introduction of pink Tests, day-night Tests is a great way to continue keeping our game fresh and moving forward.
In respects to changing how many days it's played, I'm actually against it. I like the way it is.'
Australia star off-spinner Nathan Lyon had also put his weight behind five-day Tests and said: 'You look at all the big games around the world and some of the best Test matches I've been part of, they go down to the last day.'
He also said that scrapping five-day Tests would be a 'ridiculous' idea.
--IANS
aak/bbh.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, Jan 4 : Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh on Saturday condemned the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province and urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to take all the necessary steps to ensure peace in the region.
Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the first guru of Sikhs Guru Nanak Dev, was attacked by stone pelters on Friday as they staged a protest against alleged police atrocities on Mohammed Hassan, the boy who is accused of forcing a Sikh girl to convert before marrying her.
Harbhajan tweeted a video of Hassan threatening to destroy the holy Sikh shrine and convert it into a mosque.
"Don't know what's wrong with some people why can't they live in peace...Mohammad Hassan openly threatens to destroy Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and build the mosque in that place...very sad to see this," said the Indian cricketer.
"God is one...let's not divide it and create hate among each other's...Let's be human first and respect each other's...Mohammad Hassan openly threatens to destroy Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and build the mosque in that place.
Imran Khan please, do the needful," he added.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs claimed "members of the minority Sikh community" had been "subjected to acts of violence" in Nankana Sahib.
"These reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of Jagjit Kaur, the Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place."
The Indian government also called upon the government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community.
"Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy gurudwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community," the MEA said.
"In addition, government of Pakistan is enjoined to take all measures to protect and preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and its surroundings."
--IANS
aak/kr.
Source: IANS
Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the first guru of Sikhs Guru Nanak Dev, was attacked by stone pelters on Friday as they staged a protest against alleged police atrocities on Mohammed Hassan, the boy who is accused of forcing a Sikh girl to convert before marrying her.
Harbhajan tweeted a video of Hassan threatening to destroy the holy Sikh shrine and convert it into a mosque.
"Don't know what's wrong with some people why can't they live in peace...Mohammad Hassan openly threatens to destroy Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and build the mosque in that place...very sad to see this," said the Indian cricketer.
"God is one...let's not divide it and create hate among each other's...Let's be human first and respect each other's...Mohammad Hassan openly threatens to destroy Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and build the mosque in that place.
Imran Khan please, do the needful," he added.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs claimed "members of the minority Sikh community" had been "subjected to acts of violence" in Nankana Sahib.
"These reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of Jagjit Kaur, the Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place."
The Indian government also called upon the government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community.
"Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy gurudwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community," the MEA said.
"In addition, government of Pakistan is enjoined to take all measures to protect and preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and its surroundings."
--IANS
aak/kr.
Source: IANS
Hyderabad, Jan 3 : Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma took to heartfulness meditation as he visited the global headquarters of Heartfulness in Kanha Shantivanam at Chegur near here on Friday.
The leading batsman accompanied by his wife Ritika met Kamlesh Patel also known as Daaji, the guide of Heartfulness, understood how Heartfulness meditation system works and undertook a meditation session from Daaji.
"As soon as I entered Kanha Shantivanam I felt an environment of positivity.
It's very true when you are close to nature there is so much positivity and meditation will be more impactful.
My experience with heartfulness meditation has been amazing and I felt so light and so positive. There is so much negativity around and we need to increase positivity and meditation can certainly help," according to a statement quoting Rohit Sharma.
Rohit Sharma said he wants to bring some of my teammates to this place, one as a pristine getaway and two as a place for meditation.
"I know kids and youth want to have fun but it's important that meditation has to be on the top of the list that is how one can be aligned and stay in the game and can make the right decision and it is very important to be in the zone."
"I am delighted that he has embraced heartfulness meditation and this should also inspire many more to turn to meditation as a way of life to bring about balance in their lives," said Daaji.
As a part of his day-long trip, Rohit Sharma laid the foundation stone for the cricket stadium and training centre to be used by the students of the Heartfulness Learning Centre.
The cricket stadium is named after Rohit Sharma.
"Rohit Sharma like all great achievers in the world, is an example of what the human mind is capable of doing when it becomes focussed.
It is quite apt for a cricketer of his like to lay the foundation stone for the cricket stadium here and I am confident that some of students of Heartfulness learning centre, inspired as they are by his visit would one day emulate his feats," said Daaji.
The Heartfulness Cricket Stadium is one amongst several infrastructural facilities being made available for the students of Heartfulness Learning centre and will allow them to train and play matches amongst themselves as well as competing teams.
The other activities of Rohit included plantation of tree, witnessing demonstration of astounding feats of cognitive skills by Brighter Minds students, interacting with practitioners of heartfulness and extensive discussions with Daaji on various aspects of human excellence.
--IANS
ms/vin.
Source: IANS
The leading batsman accompanied by his wife Ritika met Kamlesh Patel also known as Daaji, the guide of Heartfulness, understood how Heartfulness meditation system works and undertook a meditation session from Daaji.
"As soon as I entered Kanha Shantivanam I felt an environment of positivity.
It's very true when you are close to nature there is so much positivity and meditation will be more impactful.
My experience with heartfulness meditation has been amazing and I felt so light and so positive. There is so much negativity around and we need to increase positivity and meditation can certainly help," according to a statement quoting Rohit Sharma.
Rohit Sharma said he wants to bring some of my teammates to this place, one as a pristine getaway and two as a place for meditation.
"I know kids and youth want to have fun but it's important that meditation has to be on the top of the list that is how one can be aligned and stay in the game and can make the right decision and it is very important to be in the zone."
"I am delighted that he has embraced heartfulness meditation and this should also inspire many more to turn to meditation as a way of life to bring about balance in their lives," said Daaji.
As a part of his day-long trip, Rohit Sharma laid the foundation stone for the cricket stadium and training centre to be used by the students of the Heartfulness Learning Centre.
The cricket stadium is named after Rohit Sharma.
"Rohit Sharma like all great achievers in the world, is an example of what the human mind is capable of doing when it becomes focussed.
It is quite apt for a cricketer of his like to lay the foundation stone for the cricket stadium here and I am confident that some of students of Heartfulness learning centre, inspired as they are by his visit would one day emulate his feats," said Daaji.
The Heartfulness Cricket Stadium is one amongst several infrastructural facilities being made available for the students of Heartfulness Learning centre and will allow them to train and play matches amongst themselves as well as competing teams.
The other activities of Rohit included plantation of tree, witnessing demonstration of astounding feats of cognitive skills by Brighter Minds students, interacting with practitioners of heartfulness and extensive discussions with Daaji on various aspects of human excellence.
--IANS
ms/vin.
Source: IANS
Mumbai, Dec 17 : Miss World 2017 Manushi Chillar and captain of the Indian national football team Sunil Chhetri have been chosen as India's Hottest vegetarians of 2019 by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
"Manushi and Sunil are living, breathing proof that eating vegan is good for both animals and our own health.
PETA India is honouring them for opting for eco and animal-friendly fare and for encouraging their fans to do the same," said PETA India Director of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera.
Last year, Anushka Sharma and Kartik Aaryan were named as PETA India's Hottest Vegetarians.
PETA India selected the winners based on several factors, including vote count.
--IANS
sim/bg.
Source: IANS
"Manushi and Sunil are living, breathing proof that eating vegan is good for both animals and our own health.
PETA India is honouring them for opting for eco and animal-friendly fare and for encouraging their fans to do the same," said PETA India Director of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera.
Last year, Anushka Sharma and Kartik Aaryan were named as PETA India's Hottest Vegetarians.
PETA India selected the winners based on several factors, including vote count.
--IANS
sim/bg.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea by home buyers seeking it pass a direction to recover Rs 42.22 crore paid by the Amrapali group to former Indian cricket captain M.S.
Dhoni as endorsement fee.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said it will conduct hearing on the matter in January.
In its July 23 judgement, the apex court had concluded Amrapali had diverted Rs 42.22 crore of the money deposited by home buyers to clear the bills of the group's then brand ambassador Dhoni.
According to advocate Kumar Mihir, representing the home buyers, the amount was paid to Rhiti Sports, a company which managed the advertisement engagement of the cricketer.
The apex court is yet to pass any direction on this matter, although it had already ruled that all directors and officials of Amrapali and other group companies involved in the matter will have to deposit the diverted funds without fail in the court.
Mihir said the apex court will take up the matter on the next hearing scheduled in January, and insisted he would seek directions from the top court to Dhoni to refund the money.
The auditors observed that, during 2009 to 2015, company Amrapali Sapphire Developers Private Ltd paid Rs 6.52 crore out of Rs 42.22 crore from the Amrapali group of companies to Rhiti Sports Management Private Ltd.
Also citing the July 23 judgment, Mihir said the forensic auditors have found that Amrapali and Rhiti Sports had made these dubious agreements to deploy a channel to divert the money to this company.
He said that the top court had already accepted these findings on the matter.
The auditors' report said that the agreement signed between the two parties helped the Amrapali group to market its brand through company logos at various places in IPL 2015 for Chennai Super Kings.
The report said this agreement was not made official, but the deal was executed between Amrapali group and Rhiti Sports, without any signatories representing the CSK.
The report said that the agreements were executed by Amrapali's CMD Anil Kumar Sharma, as a representative for the Amrapali group.
But, there was no resolution on record, which authorised him enter into agreements as a representative authority of all Amrapali group companies.
--IANS
ss/vd.
Source: IANS
Dhoni as endorsement fee.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said it will conduct hearing on the matter in January.
In its July 23 judgement, the apex court had concluded Amrapali had diverted Rs 42.22 crore of the money deposited by home buyers to clear the bills of the group's then brand ambassador Dhoni.
According to advocate Kumar Mihir, representing the home buyers, the amount was paid to Rhiti Sports, a company which managed the advertisement engagement of the cricketer.
The apex court is yet to pass any direction on this matter, although it had already ruled that all directors and officials of Amrapali and other group companies involved in the matter will have to deposit the diverted funds without fail in the court.
Mihir said the apex court will take up the matter on the next hearing scheduled in January, and insisted he would seek directions from the top court to Dhoni to refund the money.
The auditors observed that, during 2009 to 2015, company Amrapali Sapphire Developers Private Ltd paid Rs 6.52 crore out of Rs 42.22 crore from the Amrapali group of companies to Rhiti Sports Management Private Ltd.
Also citing the July 23 judgment, Mihir said the forensic auditors have found that Amrapali and Rhiti Sports had made these dubious agreements to deploy a channel to divert the money to this company.
He said that the top court had already accepted these findings on the matter.
The auditors' report said that the agreement signed between the two parties helped the Amrapali group to market its brand through company logos at various places in IPL 2015 for Chennai Super Kings.
The report said this agreement was not made official, but the deal was executed between Amrapali group and Rhiti Sports, without any signatories representing the CSK.
The report said that the agreements were executed by Amrapali's CMD Anil Kumar Sharma, as a representative for the Amrapali group.
But, there was no resolution on record, which authorised him enter into agreements as a representative authority of all Amrapali group companies.
--IANS
ss/vd.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Veteran Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has expressed concern after several students of Jamia Millia Islamia University were injured in a police lathicharge during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act which turned violent on Sunday evening.
"Political blame game will go on forever but I and our country is concerned about the students of #JamiaMilia #JamiaProtest," Pathan said on Twitter.
Delhi Police on Sunday evening entered the Jamia campus after protests against Citizenship Amendment Act turned violent.
They resorted to tear gas shelling and lathicharge inside the campus after tensions erupted in Sarai Juleina and Mathura Road earlier on Sunday.
DTC buses and a fire tender were set on fire in New Friends Colony after which police restored to lathicharge and tear gas shelling.
Delhi Police has, however, denied reports of entering the university campus.
Delhi Commissioner of Police, southeast, Chinmoy Biswal, also said that protesters were merely pushed back and that the police had not resorted to any kind of firing.
He, however, added that when they noticed stones were being pelted at them from within the campus, the police tried to enter and identify the miscreants.
Several parts of India have been witnessing violent protests ever since the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Parliament last week.
The Bill, which has now become an Act after getting the President's nod, will provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
--IANS
aak/pgh/.
Source: IANS
"Political blame game will go on forever but I and our country is concerned about the students of #JamiaMilia #JamiaProtest," Pathan said on Twitter.
Delhi Police on Sunday evening entered the Jamia campus after protests against Citizenship Amendment Act turned violent.
They resorted to tear gas shelling and lathicharge inside the campus after tensions erupted in Sarai Juleina and Mathura Road earlier on Sunday.
DTC buses and a fire tender were set on fire in New Friends Colony after which police restored to lathicharge and tear gas shelling.
Delhi Police has, however, denied reports of entering the university campus.
Delhi Commissioner of Police, southeast, Chinmoy Biswal, also said that protesters were merely pushed back and that the police had not resorted to any kind of firing.
He, however, added that when they noticed stones were being pelted at them from within the campus, the police tried to enter and identify the miscreants.
Several parts of India have been witnessing violent protests ever since the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Parliament last week.
The Bill, which has now become an Act after getting the President's nod, will provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
--IANS
aak/pgh/.
Source: IANS
Lucknow, Dec 15 : International shooter Vartika Singh has written a letter in blood to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing her desire to execute the capital punishment to the four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case who are facing a death sentence.
Vartika Singh told reporters on Sunday that she wanted to hang the four convicts in order to send a message that a woman can execute men if they violate her.
She further said that she wanted support for her initiative from women actors, lawmakers and other celebrities.
Reports of the imminent hanging of the four men convicted in the infamous Nirbhaya rape and murder case have been gaining grounds as the convicts are running out of legal options.
The Tihar Jail officials, where the four are presently lodged, have asked the Buxar Jail in Bihar to prepare ropes for the hanging and the Uttar Pradesh government has been asked to provide hangmen.
The Buxar Jjail has expertise in making ropes suitable for hanging while Uttar Pradesh has a 'certified' hangman Pawan in Meerut.
Vartika Singh had made news a few months ago when Babri plaintiff Iqbal Ansari had accused her of heckling him to concede the then disputed land to Hindus.
She had accused him of attempting to assault her.
Besides Singh, 42-year-old Tamil police Head Constable S.
Subash Srinivasan, a police gallantry medal winner and grandson of INA veteran, has also volunteered to hang the killers of Nirbhaya in Tihar Jail.
Srinivasan has also written a letter to the Tihar Jail authorities on December 6.
--IANS
amita/in.
Source: IANS
Vartika Singh told reporters on Sunday that she wanted to hang the four convicts in order to send a message that a woman can execute men if they violate her.
She further said that she wanted support for her initiative from women actors, lawmakers and other celebrities.
Reports of the imminent hanging of the four men convicted in the infamous Nirbhaya rape and murder case have been gaining grounds as the convicts are running out of legal options.
The Tihar Jail officials, where the four are presently lodged, have asked the Buxar Jail in Bihar to prepare ropes for the hanging and the Uttar Pradesh government has been asked to provide hangmen.
The Buxar Jjail has expertise in making ropes suitable for hanging while Uttar Pradesh has a 'certified' hangman Pawan in Meerut.
Vartika Singh had made news a few months ago when Babri plaintiff Iqbal Ansari had accused her of heckling him to concede the then disputed land to Hindus.
She had accused him of attempting to assault her.
Besides Singh, 42-year-old Tamil police Head Constable S.
Subash Srinivasan, a police gallantry medal winner and grandson of INA veteran, has also volunteered to hang the killers of Nirbhaya in Tihar Jail.
Srinivasan has also written a letter to the Tihar Jail authorities on December 6.
--IANS
amita/in.
Source: IANS
The Indian cricket team is progressing, as one in horse-racing terms would say, "in fine fettle". Cricket in India has become a lucrative career option and so cricketers are now being unearthed from many nooks and corners of the country.
The glamorous status that it exudes with the added incentive of pots of cash alongside has now emerged as a dream for any aspiring sportsman.
This was earlier possible by becoming a superstar in the Indian film world and Bollywood was the platform to do so.
Many of the legends of the glamorous film industry made their fortune coming to Mumbai or Bombay as it was then called.
Cricket has taken over from the pretentious super heroes of the scripted film industry to real time heroes.
The limited-overs cricket has added that additional amount of spice and hence cricketers now have become the villains and the heroes of the entertainment world.
The cricket industry is flourishing in all aspects of the game, whether it be the media, journalists, event organizers, administrators, medical doctors, fitness trainers, corporate sponsors, coaches or the cricketers themselves.
The words -- transparency and good governance -- are being spoken of to showcase professionalism.
The process is still in the stage of transformation but a path to it has been clearly demarcated. The one area that is now an issue of concern is the selection of the cricket selectors not only for the national team but also for all the age groups as well as the state teams around India.
The present national selectors, some of whose terms should have come to an end, have had a fair amount of criticism not only from former cricketers and ardent cricket followers, but also from the present players.
To please one and all is a very difficult task, but the very process of a selector being appointed at all levels is an area that needs to be looked into very seriously in the competitive Indian cricket diaspora.
Cricketers now, from the very junior levels onwards, are giving their life to the sport and it should become one of the most important tasks for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to focus on.
A proper structure for the appointment of a selection committee should be formulated in the constitution of every cricket association and establishment that fields a cricket team in India.
The selectors of the national team are the most important cricket committee members in Indian cricket.
One needs to have played a certain number of matches as an international or national player in order to qualify.
However, the folly of this system is that the five wise men are appointed through a zonal representative basis.
The zonal based committee was there because one had to select a zone team for the Duleep and Deodhar Trophy tournaments.
This old practice still continues even though the zone based teams have been discontinued.
The tenure of a selector, which is now being debated, is not as important as the credentials and knowledge that a selector brings to the table.
The zonal format leads to favouritism and 'my man' concept. If the coach of the Indian team is being selected through an interview process, so should the selectors.
It needs to be an open race for the five positions, after all it is now a paid profession and has to have some seriousness to it.
Similarly, the same process should be followed at the state level and at all the junior levels.
Nominating at random is why aspiring and established cricketers are very critical of the present process and a change is the only desirable way forward.
A selector at the state level is still doing an honourary job and so to get a totally committed person giving a 100 per cent of his time is a rarity.
This is where former cricketers can play a major part, if the casting is open to all of them. In addition, selectors at all levels should be adequately compensated for their time.
Selection is one of the most critical areas of cricket as it can make or break a cricketer's career.
Identifying talent among hundreds of aspirants is definitely not a picnic in the park. A thorough research, analysis of past performances, specific skill requirements for the team and the playing conditions are only some of the areas of selectors' workload.
Being truthful, honest, upright and unbiased are essential characteristics that a selector needs to possess.
More than age and conflict of interest, the BCCI has to put in place a system for selecting a selector.
It has to have transparency and brilliance in all aspects.
The lives of many aspiring young cricketers are in the hands of a selection process that is full of bias and favouritism.
The flow of talented cricketers that are being churned out without a proper system of selection are putting a blindfold on most of us.
There are many talented cricketers who slip out of the net. Indian cricket needs to create a process that gives every talented cricketer a chance to showcase his ware.
The BCCI now has a cricketer heading it and one who has been through the ups and downs of the cricket selection process.
A cricketer is always ready to face the failure and success that comes with the game of cricket, but a selection dilemma in his life, is something that hurts very hard.
Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, two legends of the game whom we admire, have both been victims of the selection process during their cricketing days.
They have written about it in their respective published books.
Ganguly's book "A century is not enough" has tales of what he went through and similarly Laxman in his book "281 and Beyond".
If Indian cricket needs to progress, the process of change needs to be first and foremost through a different selection system at every level.
One prays that this will come into effect soon.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer)
--IANS
ys/aak/pgh/.
Source: IANS
The glamorous status that it exudes with the added incentive of pots of cash alongside has now emerged as a dream for any aspiring sportsman.
This was earlier possible by becoming a superstar in the Indian film world and Bollywood was the platform to do so.
Many of the legends of the glamorous film industry made their fortune coming to Mumbai or Bombay as it was then called.
Cricket has taken over from the pretentious super heroes of the scripted film industry to real time heroes.
The limited-overs cricket has added that additional amount of spice and hence cricketers now have become the villains and the heroes of the entertainment world.
The cricket industry is flourishing in all aspects of the game, whether it be the media, journalists, event organizers, administrators, medical doctors, fitness trainers, corporate sponsors, coaches or the cricketers themselves.
The words -- transparency and good governance -- are being spoken of to showcase professionalism.
The process is still in the stage of transformation but a path to it has been clearly demarcated. The one area that is now an issue of concern is the selection of the cricket selectors not only for the national team but also for all the age groups as well as the state teams around India.
The present national selectors, some of whose terms should have come to an end, have had a fair amount of criticism not only from former cricketers and ardent cricket followers, but also from the present players.
To please one and all is a very difficult task, but the very process of a selector being appointed at all levels is an area that needs to be looked into very seriously in the competitive Indian cricket diaspora.
Cricketers now, from the very junior levels onwards, are giving their life to the sport and it should become one of the most important tasks for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to focus on.
A proper structure for the appointment of a selection committee should be formulated in the constitution of every cricket association and establishment that fields a cricket team in India.
The selectors of the national team are the most important cricket committee members in Indian cricket.
One needs to have played a certain number of matches as an international or national player in order to qualify.
However, the folly of this system is that the five wise men are appointed through a zonal representative basis.
The zonal based committee was there because one had to select a zone team for the Duleep and Deodhar Trophy tournaments.
This old practice still continues even though the zone based teams have been discontinued.
The tenure of a selector, which is now being debated, is not as important as the credentials and knowledge that a selector brings to the table.
The zonal format leads to favouritism and 'my man' concept. If the coach of the Indian team is being selected through an interview process, so should the selectors.
It needs to be an open race for the five positions, after all it is now a paid profession and has to have some seriousness to it.
Similarly, the same process should be followed at the state level and at all the junior levels.
Nominating at random is why aspiring and established cricketers are very critical of the present process and a change is the only desirable way forward.
A selector at the state level is still doing an honourary job and so to get a totally committed person giving a 100 per cent of his time is a rarity.
This is where former cricketers can play a major part, if the casting is open to all of them. In addition, selectors at all levels should be adequately compensated for their time.
Selection is one of the most critical areas of cricket as it can make or break a cricketer's career.
Identifying talent among hundreds of aspirants is definitely not a picnic in the park. A thorough research, analysis of past performances, specific skill requirements for the team and the playing conditions are only some of the areas of selectors' workload.
Being truthful, honest, upright and unbiased are essential characteristics that a selector needs to possess.
More than age and conflict of interest, the BCCI has to put in place a system for selecting a selector.
It has to have transparency and brilliance in all aspects.
The lives of many aspiring young cricketers are in the hands of a selection process that is full of bias and favouritism.
The flow of talented cricketers that are being churned out without a proper system of selection are putting a blindfold on most of us.
There are many talented cricketers who slip out of the net. Indian cricket needs to create a process that gives every talented cricketer a chance to showcase his ware.
The BCCI now has a cricketer heading it and one who has been through the ups and downs of the cricket selection process.
A cricketer is always ready to face the failure and success that comes with the game of cricket, but a selection dilemma in his life, is something that hurts very hard.
Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, two legends of the game whom we admire, have both been victims of the selection process during their cricketing days.
They have written about it in their respective published books.
Ganguly's book "A century is not enough" has tales of what he went through and similarly Laxman in his book "281 and Beyond".
If Indian cricket needs to progress, the process of change needs to be first and foremost through a different selection system at every level.
One prays that this will come into effect soon.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer)
--IANS
ys/aak/pgh/.
Source: IANS
The Indian cricket team is progressing, as one in horse-racing terms would say, "in fine fettle". Cricket in India has become a lucrative career option and so cricketers are now being unearthed from many nooks and corners of the country.
The glamorous status that it exudes with the added incentive of pots of cash alongside has now emerged as a dream for any aspiring sportsman.
This was earlier possible by becoming a superstar in the Indian film world and Bollywood was the platform to do so.
Many of the legends of the glamorous film industry made their fortune coming to Mumbai or Bombay as it was then called.
Cricket has taken over from the pretentious super heroes of the scripted film industry to real time heroes.
The limited-overs cricket has added that additional amount of spice and hence cricketers now have become the villains and the heroes of the entertainment world.
The cricket industry is flourishing in all aspects of the game, whether it be the media, journalists, event organizers, administrators, medical doctors, fitness trainers, corporate sponsors, coaches or the cricketers themselves.
The words -- transparency and good governance -- are being spoken of to showcase professionalism.
The process is still in the stage of transformation but a path to it has been clearly demarcated. The one area that is now an issue of concern is the selection of the cricket selectors not only for the national team but also for all the age groups as well as the state teams around India.
The present national selectors, some of whose terms should have come to an end, have had a fair amount of criticism not only from former cricketers and ardent cricket followers, but also from the present players.
To please one and all is a very difficult task, but the very process of a selector being appointed at all levels is an area that needs to be looked into very seriously in the competitive Indian cricket diaspora.
Cricketers now, from the very junior levels onwards, are giving their life to the sport and it should become one of the most important tasks for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to focus on.
A proper structure for the appointment of a selection committee should be formulated in the constitution of every cricket association and establishment that fields a cricket team in India.
The selectors of the national team are the most important cricket committee members in Indian cricket.
One needs to have played a certain number of matches as an international or national player in order to qualify.
However, the folly of this system is that the five wise men are appointed through a zonal representative basis.
The zonal based committee was there because one had to select a zone team for the Duleep and Deodhar Trophy tournaments.
This old practice still continues even though the zone based teams have been discontinued.
The tenure of a selector, which is now being debated, is not as important as the credentials and knowledge that a selector brings to the table.
The zonal format leads to favouritism and 'my man' concept. If the coach of the Indian team is being selected through an interview process, so should the selectors.
It needs to be an open race for the five positions, after all it is now a paid profession and has to have some seriousness to it.
Similarly, the same process should be followed at the state level and at all the junior levels.
Nominating at random is why aspiring and established cricketers are very critical of the present process and a change is the only desirable way forward.
A selector at the state level is still doing an honourary job and so to get a totally committed person giving a 100 per cent of his time is a rarity.
This is where former cricketers can play a major part, if the casting is open to all of them. In addition, selectors at all levels should be adequately compensated for their time.
Selection is one of the most critical areas of cricket as it can make or break a cricketer's career.
Identifying talent among hundreds of aspirants is definitely not a picnic in the park. A thorough research, analysis of past performances, specific skill requirements for the team and the playing conditions are only some of the areas of selectors' workload.
Being truthful, honest, upright and unbiased are essential characteristics that a selector needs to possess.
More than age and conflict of interest, the BCCI has to put in place a system for selecting a selector.
It has to have transparency and brilliance in all aspects.
The lives of many aspiring young cricketers are in the hands of a selection process that is full of bias and favouritism.
The flow of talented cricketers that are being churned out without a proper system of selection are putting a blindfold on most of us.
There are many talented cricketers who slip out of the net. Indian cricket needs to create a process that gives every talented cricketer a chance to showcase his ware.
The BCCI now has a cricketer heading it and one who has been through the ups and downs of the cricket selection process.
A cricketer is always ready to face the failure and success that comes with the game of cricket, but a selection dilemma in his life, is something that hurts very hard.
Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, two legends of the game whom we admire, have both been victims of the selection process during their cricketing days.
They have written about it in their respective published books.
Ganguly's book "A century is not enough" has tales of what he went through and similarly Laxman in his book "281 and Beyond".
If Indian cricket needs to progress, the process of change needs to be first and foremost through a different selection system at every level.
One prays that this will come into effect soon.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer)
--IANS
ys/aak/pgh/.
Source: IANS
The glamorous status that it exudes with the added incentive of pots of cash alongside has now emerged as a dream for any aspiring sportsman.
This was earlier possible by becoming a superstar in the Indian film world and Bollywood was the platform to do so.
Many of the legends of the glamorous film industry made their fortune coming to Mumbai or Bombay as it was then called.
Cricket has taken over from the pretentious super heroes of the scripted film industry to real time heroes.
The limited-overs cricket has added that additional amount of spice and hence cricketers now have become the villains and the heroes of the entertainment world.
The cricket industry is flourishing in all aspects of the game, whether it be the media, journalists, event organizers, administrators, medical doctors, fitness trainers, corporate sponsors, coaches or the cricketers themselves.
The words -- transparency and good governance -- are being spoken of to showcase professionalism.
The process is still in the stage of transformation but a path to it has been clearly demarcated. The one area that is now an issue of concern is the selection of the cricket selectors not only for the national team but also for all the age groups as well as the state teams around India.
The present national selectors, some of whose terms should have come to an end, have had a fair amount of criticism not only from former cricketers and ardent cricket followers, but also from the present players.
To please one and all is a very difficult task, but the very process of a selector being appointed at all levels is an area that needs to be looked into very seriously in the competitive Indian cricket diaspora.
Cricketers now, from the very junior levels onwards, are giving their life to the sport and it should become one of the most important tasks for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to focus on.
A proper structure for the appointment of a selection committee should be formulated in the constitution of every cricket association and establishment that fields a cricket team in India.
The selectors of the national team are the most important cricket committee members in Indian cricket.
One needs to have played a certain number of matches as an international or national player in order to qualify.
However, the folly of this system is that the five wise men are appointed through a zonal representative basis.
The zonal based committee was there because one had to select a zone team for the Duleep and Deodhar Trophy tournaments.
This old practice still continues even though the zone based teams have been discontinued.
The tenure of a selector, which is now being debated, is not as important as the credentials and knowledge that a selector brings to the table.
The zonal format leads to favouritism and 'my man' concept. If the coach of the Indian team is being selected through an interview process, so should the selectors.
It needs to be an open race for the five positions, after all it is now a paid profession and has to have some seriousness to it.
Similarly, the same process should be followed at the state level and at all the junior levels.
Nominating at random is why aspiring and established cricketers are very critical of the present process and a change is the only desirable way forward.
A selector at the state level is still doing an honourary job and so to get a totally committed person giving a 100 per cent of his time is a rarity.
This is where former cricketers can play a major part, if the casting is open to all of them. In addition, selectors at all levels should be adequately compensated for their time.
Selection is one of the most critical areas of cricket as it can make or break a cricketer's career.
Identifying talent among hundreds of aspirants is definitely not a picnic in the park. A thorough research, analysis of past performances, specific skill requirements for the team and the playing conditions are only some of the areas of selectors' workload.
Being truthful, honest, upright and unbiased are essential characteristics that a selector needs to possess.
More than age and conflict of interest, the BCCI has to put in place a system for selecting a selector.
It has to have transparency and brilliance in all aspects.
The lives of many aspiring young cricketers are in the hands of a selection process that is full of bias and favouritism.
The flow of talented cricketers that are being churned out without a proper system of selection are putting a blindfold on most of us.
There are many talented cricketers who slip out of the net. Indian cricket needs to create a process that gives every talented cricketer a chance to showcase his ware.
The BCCI now has a cricketer heading it and one who has been through the ups and downs of the cricket selection process.
A cricketer is always ready to face the failure and success that comes with the game of cricket, but a selection dilemma in his life, is something that hurts very hard.
Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, two legends of the game whom we admire, have both been victims of the selection process during their cricketing days.
They have written about it in their respective published books.
Ganguly's book "A century is not enough" has tales of what he went through and similarly Laxman in his book "281 and Beyond".
If Indian cricket needs to progress, the process of change needs to be first and foremost through a different selection system at every level.
One prays that this will come into effect soon.
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Test cricketer)
--IANS
ys/aak/pgh/.
Source: IANS