KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, July 25: East sector bows out of the race, while semifinals position have been cleared of the ongoing 17th Inter-Sector CRPF Hockey tournament played at K K Hakhu Stadium, here today.
In today’s matches, South Sector defeated East Sector by 4-1 goals and booked their place in the last four.
Both Mukesh Kumar and Lokin Singh from South Sector have scored two goals each.
B Himarsh scored the only goal for the East Sector.
Bihar Sector routed RAS Sector by 2-1 goals in other match of the day.
In the first semifinals, South Sector will take on Western Sector, while North West Sector will lock horns with Special Sector on tomorrow.
Earlier, Western Sector and North Western Sector had made it into the knock-out stages of semi-finals from Pool-C and Pool-B respectively.
North Western Sector won both the league matches beating Central Sector and Tripura Sector to top the group.
Western Sector trounced Northern Sector and Jammu Sector.
However, host Jammu Sector failed to impress after they had lost both their league ties without showing any resistance.
In the first match, Jammu lost to Northern Sector 0-7 and later surrendered before Western Sector losing 1-9.
Other two semi-finalists will be decided tomorrow after the league round in Pool-A and Pool-D is completed.
Earlier, , Central Sector trounced Tripura Sector by seven goals to one while Northern Sector blanked Jammu Sector 7-0.
Special Sector also won their league tie against Manipur and Nagaland Sector 8-2.
North Western Sector defeated Tripura 6-0 while Western Sector outplayed Jammu Sector 9-1.
Except for Srinagar Sector, all the 13 sectors of the CRPF are taking part in the prestigious national level tournament.
The participating teams were divided into four different pools for league round.
After the league round is over, semi-finals shall be played on July 26, followed by the final and valedictory function on the same date.
Earlier, in the league round matches Central Sector beat Tripura Sector 7-1; Northern Sector beat Jammu Sector 7-0; Speed Sector beat Manipur and Nagaland Sector 8-2; North Western Sector beat Tripura 6-0; Western Sector beat Jammu Sector 9-1.
Cross country race at Shoipan KT NEWS SERVICE SHOPIAN, July 25 :About 700 students representing different schools of district Shopian participated in a cross country race held at Balapora Shopian today.
The best performing students were awarded.
Army holds Distt level Wrestling competition KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, July 25: 38 Rashtriya Rifles (MADRAS) in association with 13 Sector Romeo Force has organized the first ever Rajouri District Wrestling Competition at Majakote..
A large number of professional and amateur wrestlers from various parts of the district took part in the event.
People from from adjoining villages travelled over large distances to witness the event.
Commanding Officer, 38 RR inaugurated the sports event amidst Police, Army, civil officials and prominent citizens of the area.
Prizes were awarded to the winners by the chief guest.
Manavjit promises sterling showing in the Olympic NEW DELHI, Jul 25 (UNI): Ace marksman Manavjit Singh today promiseda 'sterling' showing to earn a medal in the Beijing Olympic Games.
"We will not return from Beijing with a drop of blood in our body for we would have spilled it in the shooting range there," a confident Manavjit told media persons during a send-off party for India's Beijing-bound contingent.
But he made it abundantly clear that winning a medal in Beijing would not be a stroll in the park.
"The field is going to be tough.
Australians are on song, while Russia and Germany are also traditional shooting powerhouses.
Besides, the game has spread far and wide and to be honest, anybody can emerge out of the blue to post the best score on that particular day and win the medal.
You can just give your best and hope it's good enough for a medal," he said.
Winner of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, Manavjit was of the view that sportspersons have not received the recognition which they deserved because all the adulation seems to be reserved for an "obvious sport"(cricket).
"Just when Olympic approached, we were plucked out of practice grounds, dusted and instructed to win medal for the country.
When we failed, we are asked to explain reasons and all sort of things were written about us," he said adding "Fortunately, things have finally changed." The trap shooter exuded confidence of a much better showing this time in the Olympics.
"The nine shooters who are going to Beijing will do whatever it takes but felt they need support from countrymen even when they fail.
"You must realise that we are the best you have.
If anyone was better, he would have been here in our place but that's not the case.
So you have to support us to do better and support us even when we fail,"he added.
"Rajyavardhan Rathore has raised the bar for the shooters with his silver medal at Athens and it was upto others to emulate him.
He (Rathore) has set the benchmark for us and we all realised that an Olympic medal is not beyond us.
Each and everyone of the contingent derived inspiration from Rathore's feat and we would put our best foot forward," the shooter added.
He said he is prepared well for the 'D' day.
"The idea is to pace yourself in a way that you peak at the right time.
I have worked hard with my coaches to bring some changes to my technique and I'm happy with the end result," he said.
"To be honest, technically we all are almost at the same level and that's why small things make such a difference.
I had to be in my best shape for I did not want to reach Beijing lacking anything," he added.
Kalmadi expects medals from tennis, boxing, shooting NEW DELHI, Jul 25 (Agencies): They may not be a force to reckon with at the biggest sporting extravaganza but Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi expects Indian athletes to return from Beijing with medals in boxing, tennis and shooting.
Addressing a send-off ceremony for the the first batch of the 57-member contingent, Kalmadi said he was hoping the 'Indian Express' pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi to put behind their stormy relation and strike it big in Beijing.
"I'm happy that Bhupathi is teaming up with Leander.
They have done their national duty.
I wish them all the best," Kalmadi said.
"I've my hopes on Sania (Mirza) also.
She and Sunitha (Rao) can pull off a surprise in Beijing," he said.
According to him, India had fair chances of winning medals in shooting with a nine-member contingent spearheading the Indian challenge.
"Hopefully we'll win medals in Beijing.
The shooters are right on top of the list and I'm expecting the boxers as well to win there.
We have strong chance in archery and then of course you have tennis doubles," the IOA chief said.
Kalmadi said the Indian contingent, accompanied by 42 support staff, would depart in batches.
Kapur fires 67 to be tied 6th at Russian Open MOSCOW, Jul 25 (UNI): Playing superb golf, Shiv Kapur fired four birdies in a row in his back nine to return a flawless five-under 67 to be at tied sixth spot at the end of the first round of IntecoRussian Open Championship here.
However, the other Indian in fray, SSP Chowrasia had an uneven round as he shot two-under 70 and was lying at the 42nd spot.
Delhi based golfer Shiv Kapur made a great start as he hit four back-to-back birdies from the 10th to 13th to end at four-under at the turn.
But he could not reproduce the same form in his front nine in which he had only birdie on the seventh to end the day just two strokes off the pace.
Winnner of the Indian Masters, Chowrasia was off the blocks with a birdie-brace, before a hit a bogey on the third hole.
He ended the turn two-under after carding a birding on the seventh.
Chowrasia started his return journey with a bogey on the 10th but made amends with a 12th-hole eagle.
However, a bogey on the last hole spoiled his day as he finished lowly 42nd.
At the top, there was a four-way tie for the lead between Joakim Backstorm and Fredrik Henge (both Swedan), Finland's Roope Kakko and Englishman David Carter after all of them carded 65s.
South African Darren Fichardt was a stroke behind at the sole fifth spot.
Sprint queen Susanthika to lead Sri Lankan Olympic squad COLOMBO, Jul 25 (UNI): Sprint queen Susanthika Jayasinghe will spearhead the Sri Lankan challenge in the Olympics gamesscheduled to be held next month in Beijing.
The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka announced that Susanthika will lead the Lankan contingent consisting of four women and as many men at the opening ceremony of the Bejing Games, Daily Mirror reported.
The Sri Lankan team will leave for Beijing on August 5.
Jayasinghe is the biggest hope for the island nation to win a medal at the quadrenial event.
Susanthika won a bronze medal in the 200m sprint at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 to become the country's first Olympic medallist since 1948.
Apart from that, the sprinter has also won a gold medal in the 200 metres event at the World Championships held Osaka last year.
When Dhyan Chand & Co defied Hitler NEW DELHI, Jul 25 (Agencies): They had the gift to mesmerise opponents and crowd alike.
Few know, Dhyan Chand and his teammates had the guts as well to defy the Fuhrer at his backyard.
In fact, a new book suggests, India was one of the only two contingents America being the other which refused to salute Adolf Hitler during the opening ceremony of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
"Olympics: The India Story" by Boria Majumdar and Nalin Mehta sheds light on an obscure but glorious chapter of Indian sports and relives how a bunch of mostly unsuspecting, rustic Indians went on to make a stupendous political statement in a grand gesture of defiance.
The book narrates the opening ceremony of the Berlin Games, which was as much a Nazi propaganda vehicle as a sporting extravaganza.
Hindenberg, the giant Zeppelin, whirred over the stadium as Hitler arrived for the guard of honour amid great fanfare.
The Indians, Dhyan Chand carrying the flag, were arguably the most dazzling contingent in their light blue turban and golden outfit, resembling a 'marriage procession', as one of the players later remarked.
"But this was no ordinary 'marriage procession' its members were about to make a huge political statement by becoming one of the two contingents who refused to salute Hitler," the book recalls.
The crowd watched in dismay as the Indians did not offer the Nazi salute and while their gesture went largely unnoticed back home, it created quite a stir in Germany, the book claims.
"For most journalists, the Americans were the story of the Games but the Indian decision not to salute Hitler was grand gesture of defiance, totally in sync with the tenets of the dominant stream of Indian nationalism and the Congress Party," the book says.
Its authors admit there is no concrete evidence to suggest that there was a direct linkage between the athletes' gesture and the Congress party but maintain it was a political gesture nonetheless.
"...The fact remains that it was a political act, breathtaking in its audacity, in direct opposition to most other contingents at the Games, including the British," they observe.
They also doubt the veracity of the sporting folklore that Hitler was so impressed by Dhyan Chand's sorcery with the stick that he offered him an officer's commission in the Wermacht.
"This story is almost certainly apocryphal because none of the contemporary sources mention this incident and neither dopes Dhyan Chand in his autobiography," they say.
The book also digs out another interesting trivia about how Dhyan Chand and the team management enforced a strict discipline code for the players in Berlin only to violate it himself and going out in the night to see the dance of a certain Ms Menaka.
"Newspaper archives and contemporary reports of the period give no clue about the identity of the intriguing Ms Menaka but it's clear that it wasn't just all work for the Indians in Berlin; they were also having good fun," the book says.
For the record, India crushed Hitler's Germany 8-1 in the final to complete their golden hat-trick in Olympics.
India in doldrums as Murali rips through the batting order COLOMBO, Jul 25 (Agencies): India were staring at a possible follow on with their famed batsmen crumbling to spin wizard Muthiah Muralitharan whose sensational four-wicket haul put Sri Lanka firmly in the driver's seat in the first cricket Test here today.
Weighed down by Sri Lanka's mammoth first innings total of 600 for six, India found themselves in total disarray with a spineless batting display which saw them gasping at a precarious 159 for six when play was called off a little early because of bad light.
The visitors still need 242 runs to avoid the ignominy of a follow on and will have to bat out of their skins to save the game at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground where the track has started showing signs of a gradual deterioration.
The seasoned VVS Laxman (19) and captain Anil Kumble (1) were at the crease at stumps which saw the hosts tightening the noose around their hapless opponents with Tillakaratne Dilshan (125 not out) becoming the fourth player to hit a century.
With Virender Sehwag (25), Gautam Gambhir (39), Rahul Dravid (14), Sachin Tendulkar (27) and Sourav Ganguly (23) having returned to the pavilion, much will depend on the experienced Laxman to pull the team out of the pits.
India still trail by 441 runs.
The day began with India trying to slow the scoring down and delay the inevitable declaration for as long as possible.
But Dilshan, who resumed the day on 20 off 55 balls, had different ideas.
He rocked back and cut the first ball of the day for three to cover, and then clipped the first ball of the next over for two.
The outfield was slow, India soon employed an in-and-out field, and Dilshan set into a one-day mould, tipping and running, finding gaps in the outfield for two, and going for an occasional boundary.
All through, only his head gear changed: from helmet to bare head to the floppy hat.
The floppy hat was his only discomfort, falling off whenever he sprinted for quick runs.
The true show of intent came in the 10th over of the day, when Dilshan cut Zaheer Khan for a boundary and followed it with a Twenty20-style paddle.
In his next over, Zaheer reached his most expensive figures in Test cricket, beating the 3 for 135 he had conceded against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 2005-06.
Both Indian spinners went round the stumps to Dilshan, with a 6-3 on-side field at times.
There was momentary control, but Dilshan pulled and swept effectively, hitting Kumble for a four and a six in one over to move to 89.
He brought up his fifth Test hundred with a slog-sweep in the over before lunch.
The only chance for India arrived early on when Thilan Samaraweera ended his innings tamely by guiding Zaheer to VVS Laxman at gully.
Samaraweera would be kicking himself for not having converted his overnight century into a big one, as batting seemed easy on the sun-baked pitch.
Harbhajan showed encouraging signs by getting a nice loop and offbreak going, but as usual the spin was too slow.
There was enough time for the batsmen to recover even after getting beaten in the flight.
And when Harbhajan did get the edge, off Dilshan, it landed short of Gautam Gambhir at leg slip.
While Prasanna Jayawardene missed out with 30, Chaminda Vaas and Dilshan added a quick 55.
Vaas played two exquisite back-foot drives off Zaheer, in a spell where Sri Lanka took five boundaries in five overs.
After 162 overs on the field, Virender Sehwag and Gambhir finally got a chance to bat.
The featherbed of a pitch allowed the pair to get into their stride quickly and Sehwag was especially aggressive, hitting five boundaries in the first five overs.
But he threw it away when he failed to control a hook off Nuwan Kulasekera, which landed down Malinda Warnapura's throat at deep square-leg.
Just before tea, the much-anticipated happened: Ajantha Mendis was introduced.
In three overs, he got Gambhir to jab at sliders twice, but Gambhir had his way too when he feasted on two full tosses.
With his last ball before tea, he beat Rahul Dravid with a legbreak, and presently the dull match came alive Sixteen schoolboys set for Arsenal festival MUMBAI, Jul 25 (Agencies): Sixteen handpicked schoolboys from thousands of aspirants in the Tata Tea Arsenal Soccer Programme are set to leave for London on Sunday to take part in the 18th Arsenal International Soccer Festival in the United Kingdom and a traning camp.
The 16 boys, chosen by Arsenal coaches Paul Shipwright and Martin Davis from a shorlisted 30-strong list, will be led by Kiran Kumar of St.
Angel's English High School in Bangalore while St.
Lawrence High School (Kolkata) boy Karim Misri will be his deputy, it was announced at a media conference today.
The squad would be accompanied by former Iranian international Jamshed Nassiri, head of the talent scouts who selected the thirty boys after an intensive two-week training camp from the vast majority of aspirants.
Nassiri said the scouts (the others being Harjinder Singh, Brahmanand Sankwalkar, Sharaf Ali and Premnath Philips) looked for talent, technique and stamina in the boys.
"If you have talent, technique and stamina to play the game nobody can stop you.
The kids I saw during the course of Soccer Stars programme lacked neither the enthusiasm nor attitude needed for an intense sport like soccer.
There's genuine and abundant talent waiting to be tapped in this country," said the former striker who has been living in Kolkata for the last 28 years.
He also wanted more corporates to get involved in football development in the country like Tata Tea have done.
PCB confident of successfully hosting Champions Trophy LAHORE, Jul 25 (UNI): Despite the opposition from the players'associations of non-Asian countries to keeping the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the PCB is unperturbed and confident ofsuccessfully hosting the bienial event.
"We are relieved, and are now more focused to hold a safe and peaceful tournament," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told a private website.
Yesterday, the ICC decided to keep the Champions Trophy in Pakistan after holding a teleconference meeting of the executive board.
The apex body has also endorsed the fact that the strife-torn South Asian nation has recently hosted the Asia Cup successfully.
However, ICC is still waiting for the report of the task force on security, which is due to visit Pakistan to examine the prospects of hosting the Trophy.
"The task force would allay the individual fears, we hope.
The satisfaction is that at least the concerns were addressed and now there is the need to address the perceptions which are different from reality," Naghmi said.
"May be there are some players who won't come but once the task force complete their work and ensure all the security plans are in place,it will keep us on the toes.
There is a likelihood that only very few players pull out and most of them may change their minds.
I am convinced that will happen," he added.
Pak coach confident of good show in Beijing LAHORE, Jul 25 (UNI): National hockey coach Khawaja Zakauddin isoptimistic of Pakistan's chances in the Beijing Olympics nextmonth.
"No doubt Olympics is always the toughest competition, but I am very hopeful," Zakauddin told the 'Daily Times'.
"It (Olympics) has the aura, it has the grandeur and it demands both physical and psychological perseverance.
Our boys must retain these two factors during two weeks of grueling and gladiatorial contests.
Olympics exert tremendous pressure on players' psyche whether they play against a strong or a weak outfit," he added.
Zakauddin is satisfied with Pakistan's preparations over the past year.
"We have worked very hard for the last one year, I mean since I have been given the responsibility and I must say here, the boys have responded very positive.
Our five-match series in China, Azlan Shah Cup, an extensive European tour and finally 4-Nation tournament in Ireland were the sequence of our ultimate goal - the Olympics," he said.
"Let me say that during the last six months we did try many combinations, different variations in our tactical approach which of course included specialisation on penalty corner conversion." Describing the Pakistan team as a "well-balanced side" the coach said,'After all the trials and errors, finally we have succeeded in having a well-balanced side.
It's a combination of experience and youth, the result of our last six months struggle.
In Zeeshan Ashraf, Muhammad Imran and Imran Warsi, we posses a very solid defense and that is the least worrisome for me while they are backed up by good goalkeeping stuff from Salman Akbar and Nasir Ahmad.
"Any success we will have, depends on how the midfield will react to different situations.
In fact it has a demanding dual job to perform, keep the bulwark-like defence and streamline the attacking strategy." Zakauddin is confident that the forwards will live up to the challenge in Beijing.
"In Waqas Sharif and Abbas Haider, we have two very fast, skillful and penetrative wingers.
And supported by experienced forwards Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi, Pakistan's attack can be deadly in its execution," he maintained.
"Rehan and Shakeel are particularly dangerous in counter-attack.
Strikers Muhammad Zubair, Waqas Akbar and the youthful Shafqat Rasool posses all the ingredients, primordial to fight for the Olympic crown." Paes, Bhupathi to meet in Toronto Masters quarterfinal TORONTO, Jul 25 (UNI): Indian tennis ace Leander Paes andhis Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy advanced to the quarterfinal of the ATP Rogers Masters here after a thumping straight setsvictory over Roger Federer and Stainslas Wawrinka in the secondround.
The seventh seeded pair held serve throughout the match to outplay their unseeded Swiss rivals 6-4, 6-4 in less than an hour.
The Indo-Czech duo converted the only break-point that came their way in the opener to wrap up the opening set.
It was a similar story in the second set as they broke Federer and Wawrinka to emerge victorious.
They will now meet the fourth seeded Indo-Bahamian combination of Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the last eight stage.
BCCI recommends Dhoni for Khel Ratna well before deadline NEW DELHI, Jul 25 (UNI) Dismissing reports of a delay in recommending Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the country's highest sports award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) said the application was sent well before the deadline.
"The BCCI had sent the following completed applications for the Government awards by Speed Post from the Mumbai office on 27th May 2008," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said.
The last date for submission of the forms, however, was on May 31.
BCCI has recommended Dhoni for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, former captain Chandu Borde for the Dhyan Chand award and veteran coach V S Patil for the Dronacharya award.
Australia and New Zealand players warned not to compete SYDNEY, Jul 25 (Reuters): Australia and New Zealand players have been advised not to travel to Pakistan for this year's Champions Trophy, opening the prospect of a possible boycott of the international one-day tournament.
The players' unions of both countries joined their South African counterparts in expressing their disappointment at the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision yesterday not to move the tournament to another venue.
The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) said concerns remained for the safety of their players and they would recommend not travelling to Pakistan to compete in the September event, regarded as second only in importance to the World Cup.
"The ACA continues to have serious concerns with our players touring Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and we are disappointed with the ICC," ACA chief executive Paul Marsh said in a statement today.
"We are seeking clarity on the purpose and role of the proposed task force, so we are unable to comment on it at this stage.
"Based on the independent information and advice received, we maintain that the risks are simply too great for the ACA to recommend that our players tour Pakistan at this time." Several leading Australian players have also expressed reservations about visiting Pakistan.
Earlier this year, Australia postponed their planned tour of the country because of similar security fears.
Cricket Australia (CA) said player safety remained their primary concern and they would continue to liaise closely with players and government officials before making a decision.
TALKS PLANNED "The fundamental principle driving our eventual decision will be based on our commitment to not sending players or players officials to anywhere that is not safe," CA general manager Peter Young said.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said he was also planning talks with their players' union after New Zealand Cricket Players Association boss Heath Mills warned players not to travel.
"We believe this is a poor ICC decision," Mills told New Zealand radio.
"We can't see how they have put player safety as their number one priority and this is very disappointing.
"Our recommendation to our players is not to travel to Pakistan at this point in time.
"There isn't one player I have spoken to who is comfortable about travelling to Pakistan at the moment." The ICC yesterday voted to proceed with plans to stage the Champions Trophy in Pakistan despite concerns from four of the competing eight nations, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England.
Pakistan has been hit by a series of suicide bombings this year but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials say their country is safe to tour.
They received strong support from India at Thursday's vote although the ICC did agree to appoint a special task force to visit the country and ensure the proper security arrangements are in place.
The Champions Trophy has been held five times previously.
Australia won the last tournament in India two years ago while New Zealand won in Kenya in 2000.
WTA suspends on-court coaching experiement LOS ANGELES, Jul 25 (Reuters): The WTA Tour has indefinitely suspended its two-year experiment with on-court coaching.
"It's been suspended.
The Tour will evaluate the results of the testing period and make a decision as to whether to adopt on-court coaching or not," WTA spokesman Andrew Walker said.
"A specific timeframe for this decision has not been set." The WTA Player Council attempted at this year's Wimbledon to organise a vote on the experiment but the players were divided in their opinions.
"I'm for it but they wanted more opinions," Player Council representative Patty Schnyder told Reuters at the Los Angles Classic.
"The results weren't convincing enough and some of the younger players don't know what they want, so we need more time to see how they feel." The controversial initiative, which was never tried out at the grand slam tournaments, provoked strong reactions from the players.
Some think that as an individual sport which encourages players to think for themselves tennis should never allow coaches on court to give advice.
Others believe it would add entertainment value to the game as it would make coaches more visible to fans when they are called on court in between sets.
Experienced Russian Nadia Petrova has mixed feelings.
"It's a little distracting when you have coaches walking on court and most of them are parents, that's what I didn't like about it," Petrova said.
"On the other hand it worked perfectly for me.
I just started working with my coach and he would come on court and give me advice.
But now that it's over it's fine.
Many players just use as a safeguard because they don't know what to do so their coach tells them.
You have to use their head in matches." Switzerland's Schnyder does not believe coaches can decide matches tactically but thinks they can have an important emotional influence.
"If the person supports is making you feel better and it helps the game's appeal overall, it's better," said Schnyder, who is coached by her husband Rainer Hoffman.
The Player Council will re-visit the issue at the tour championships in Doha in November.
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