Gagan fetches bronze at ISSF World Cup

New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) Indian shooting star Gagan Narang today won the bronze medal in the men's 10 meter air rifle event of the first ISSF World Cup of the year in Chongwon, Korea.

Narang fired an aggregate of 696.7 which included a score of 594/600 in the qualification. He entered the finals as the eighth and last shooter but made up the difference by shooting scores of 102.7 to finish on the podium.

Both gold and silver medals were clinched by China with Zho Qinan and Cao Yifei scoring 700.3 (597+103.3) and 698.6 (595+103.6) respectively.

Another Indian in the fray, Sanjeev Rajput also reached the finals at fifth place with a score of 595 but was relegated to seventh place with a poor final round of 100.4.

His compatriot PT Raghunath failed to qualify for the finals after shooting only 591.

As many as 38 Indian rifle and pistol shooters are competing in the April 9-15 event. They will then travel to Beijing for the second leg of the 2009 World Cup series from April 17-23.

Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and Anjali Bhagwat have given the event a miss. PTI

Jeev misses cut at Masters, cherishes Woods' company

Augusta (Georgia), Apr 11 (PTI) Jeev Milkha Singh's cold putter left him in agony as the Indian missed the halfway cut at the Masters golf tournament by just one stroke on a wind-swept day at the Augusta National here.

Struggling to roll his putts in, Jeev brought home three-over 75 for a two-day total of 146 to miss the cut -- first time in three appearances -- by just one stroke and join the likes of Greg Norman and Ernie Els on the sidelines.

"My putting let me down. I didn't putt too well and three-putted three times. I didn't hole anything," lamented Jeev.

"It was one of those days when you hit good putts but they don't go in. I tried in the end and made a good birdie on 18 and hope that's good enough. If not, we'll try again," he said.

With winds swirling at Augusta National, Jeev was in for a torrid time. He turned in 36, with a birdie on five erasing the bogey on the previous hole. PTI

School cricket semifinals today

Sports reporter
GUWAHATI, April 10 – The semifinal matches of the Dinendra Nath Gohain and Dharmendra Sarma Memorial Inter School Cricket Tournament will be played tomorrow at the Dispur playground.

In the first match Delhi Public School will play against Srimanta Sankar Academy while in the second encounter Don Bosco will lock horns against Fairyland School.

India face arch-rival Pakistan in do-or-die tie

IPOH (MALAYSIA), April 10 (PTI:) With nothing less than a win required to make the final, India will have to guard against late defensive lapses when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their do-or-die league encounter of the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament here tomorrow.

India has conceded late equalisers in two of the three matches they have played so far in the tournament and Sandeep Singh’s men, who were runners-up here last year, cannot afford such a lapse tomorrow against Pakistan.

No elected federation, no World Cup in India: FIH

New Delhi, Apr 9 (PTI) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) today threatened to shift next year's World Cup out of India unless the ad-hoc committee, running the sport in the country, puts in place a democratically elected federation within six months.

An FIH delegation, led by President Leandro Negre, is presently on a three-day visit to India to take stock of preparations for the 2010 World Cup to be held here from March 7 to 20.

Although the FIH President has expressed satisfaction over security issues and construction work of the stadiums, he warned that it won't be possible to host the mega event in India without a unified body -- Hockey India -- consisting of both the men's and women's federations under one roof.

He said that the FIH has prepared a plan 'B' in case officials running Indian hockey -- the IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee -- fail to abide by their recommendations.

In that scenario, the mega event might be shifted to Malaysia as they have already expressed desire to host it.

"The FIH is determined to host the World Cup in India. Our goal is to have the best World Cup in Delhi, but the event can't be held without a federation.

"India need a unified body to run hockey before the World Cup. It is essential. But we have received promise from the IOA that within six months everything will be set up," Negre told reporters here.
PTI

Woods calms his nerves, Jeev tied 28th after Rd1 in Augusta

Augusta (Georgia), Apr 10 (PTI) Playing partner Tiger Woods' comforting words calmed his nerves as Jeev Milkha Singh regained his composure to card a one-under 71 for a share of the 28th spot after the opening round of the Masters golf tournament here.

With large crowds following his group, Jeev conceded he was nervous playing with 14-time major winner Woods and Stewart Cink before a little help from the iconic American and Jeev's own solid play helped him settle down.

"It was tough when I was starting out and you're a little nervous. But after that it was fine. Tiger was very nice and made me comfortable," Jeev said.

"I'll try to better the score tomorrow and see what comes my way," said the Indian.

Jeev began on a strong note, with a flawless front nine where he birdied the sixth hole from five feet.

Things went little haywire on his way back but to his credit, Jeev never let things go beyond his control.

His back nine journey began and ended in similar fashion, with a bogey, and he found the greenside trap on the 10th hole.

A glorious three-iron approach set him up for eagle on the par five 13th hole but he failed to build on the momentum, dropping a shot at the next despite having only a nine iron in hand from the middle of the fairway. PTI

Kaka wants to stay at AC Milan

MILAN: AC Milan's Kaka has denied holding talks with Real Madrid and said he wants to stay with the Serie A club.


Spanish media said prospective Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had agreed with Milan to sign Kaka in the off-season, having failed to attain the Brazilian when he was in charge at the Bernabeu.

"I think in recent days too many people have talked, now I'll speak," Kaka told Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I have not had contact with Real, no one has tried to contact me and I think I have already made myself clear ... my wish is to stay at Milan."

Asked whether that would mean he would stay at the San Siro for life, Kaka said: "For the fifth time, it seems so to me."

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani, who almost sold Kaka to Manchester City in January for a record fee, earlier said the former world player of the year was not for sale.

Kaka, who has been troubled by a foot injury in recent weeks, also said he would be happy to play under Massimiliano Allegri, amid media speculation the Cagliari boss may replace current coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kaka-wants-to-stay-at-AC-Milan/articleshow/4379870.cms

Dark clouds over India's hockey World Cup bid

NEW DELHI: India runs the risk of losing the 2010 Hockey World Cup to Malaysia if the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) does not put an elected federa tion in place before the event.

That was the strong message conveyed by the soft-spoken Leandro Negre - the president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) - to the IOA’s ad hoc committee running hockey in the country.

"We very much want the World Cup to be held in India. But there are certain FIH guidelines which need to be followed. We have asked them to have a unique body (Hockey India, a federation to represent both men’s and women’s hockey in the country) in place before the World Cup. It is essential, or else we have a Plan B in place. Just in case we need (to), Malaysia is prepared," Negre said here at his first press conference since assuming office late last year.

"We are here to know the situation, meet our friends and advise them. This is India’s internal matter but we are ready to help them."

Negre, who is here with an FIH delegation since Monday, appeared far from happy with the fact that despite governing the game for almost a year, the ad hoc committee has failed to take substantial steps towards forming an elected hockey federation.

The ad hoc committee was formed after the IOA dissolved the KPS Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation. Gill has since moved court against the decision.

Negre’s ‘directive’ assumes significance in the wake of his recent meeting with JB Roy, the Bengal Hockey Association president and representative of several state units. Roy has pressed for the need to have an elected federation in place at the earliest.

Though committee member and IOA secretary general Randhir Singh said a new set-up would be in place in six months, he refrained from elaborating how it would come about with the matter pending in court. Sources, however, said that it would be possible to constitute Hockey India since the case in the Delhi High Court pertains only to the now-defunct Indian Hockey Federation.

The Spaniard also downplayed security concerns surrounding the World Cup. "Security is an issue whenever a big event is organised. It is important anywhere in the world, not only in India but in Germany, Holland or Spain. But the authorities here have assured us top security for the World Cup," Negre said.

The president also said he would love to see Pakistan in action in the World Cup in India but was far from forthcoming when asked about FIH’s stand in case the country is not allowed to participate. "We are not political guys, we are hockey players," Negre, a former Spanish goalkeeper, said.

"Please don’t ask us political questions."

Negre will be back in India next month to oversee preparations and is hoping concrete steps are taken towards making Hockey India a reality.

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Dark-clouds-over-Indias-hockey-WC-bid/articleshow/4382668.cms

Sania-Chuang enter quarter-finals in Florida

Florida (PTI): Sania Mirza and her Chinese Taipei partner Chia-Jung Chuang reached the doubles quarter-finals of the $220,000 MPS Group Championships here, but not before some late scares.

The Indo-Taipei pair had to fight it out in a marathon three-setter to down Melinda Czink of Hungary and Lilia Osterloh of America 6-0 3-6 10-5 in the first round.

However, Sania-Chuang duo's route to the last four won't be a cakewalk as fourth seeded pair of Bethanie Mattek-Sands of America and Nadia Petrova of Russia awaits them in the next round.

Sania's campaign in the singles already came to a premature end with a straight sets defeat at the hands of seventh seed Alona Bondarenko in he opening round.

Safina to become world number one in WTA rankings

Washington (Xinhua): Russia's Dinara Safina will replace American Serena Williams as world number one in the coming WTA world rankings, the organization said on Wednesday.

Safina, who has yet to win a Grand Slam event, has risen up the rankings thanks to four WTA singles titles in the past year -- at Montreal, Los Angeles, Berlin and Tokyo.

The Russian was also runner-up in five competitions including the 2009 Australian Open, where she was beaten by Williams, and the 2008 French Open.

"There's no question that while I am very proud of my results over the past year, I would have liked to reach this achievement in a different manner," said Safina.

"I hope to prove to everyone over the coming months that I merit the honour of being world number one.

"It's a great honour to reach the number one ranking and it is a dream that every girl who has ever wanted to play professional tennis shares."

Source:http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200904090951.htm

Somdev makes early exit from LA challenger

Baton Rouge (IANS): India's Somdev Devvraman faced a shock defeat by American wildcard Lester Cook in the second round of the $50,000 ATP tennis challenger.

Somdev, seeded eighth, went down fighting to Cook 6-7(5), 5-7 here Wednesday. Cook now plays American Rajeev Ram in the quarter-final.

Somdev, however, kept his hopes alive in the doubles, where he partnering Phillipines' Treat Conrad Huey advanced to the quarter-final.

Somdev and Huey beat Briton Alex Bogdanovic and Israel's Conor Niland 6-1, 6-2 to set up a clash with third-seeded Americans Todd Widom and Michael Yani.

Azlan Shah hockey: India draws 2-2 with New Zealand

Ipoh, Malaysia (PTI): India drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their third round-robin match in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here on Thursday.

Sandeep Singh scored a brace for India in 27th and 48th minute while for New Zealand Richard Petherick (8) and Joseph Barth Holomew (63) sounded the board.

India blank Malaysia 3-0 in Azlan Shah Cup

IPOH (MALAYSIA), April 8 (PTI): A resurgent India blanked Malaysia 3-0 to put their Azlan Shah Cup campaign back on track and stay on course for a place in the final of the hockey tournament.

Arjun Halappa (19th minute) and captain Sandeep Singh (31) sounded the board to put India 2-0 ahead by breather and GS Chandi then rounded off the tally with his 62nd minute strike to complete the rout. After their 2-2 draw against a lowly Egypt in the opener, Harendra Singh’s wards badly needed a win to stay afloat in the tournament and it was not a cakewalk considering Malaysia had maintained a clean slate so far, having beaten Pakistan and Egypt.

In contrast, India’s performance in the drawn match against Egypt was nothing to write home about and Sandeep Singh and his men had their task cut out today.

To their credit, the Indians showed lot of purpose today and while they managed to bring down the Malaysian citadel thrice, their own defence did a tidy job, keeping the opponent strikers at bay. India play New Zealand in their next match tomorrow. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Rain stops play in third Test

Wellington, Apr 7 (PTI) Rain stopped play in the post-lunch session on the fifth and final day of the third Test between India and New Zealand with the visitors needing just two wickets to seal a 2-0 series victory here today.

New Zealand were 281 for eight in their second innings when covers were brought in due to light rain with the hosts requiring another 336 runs in chase of an impossible victory target of 617.

Daniel Vettori was batting on 15 alongwith Iain O'Brien (19).
PTI

Indian men to clash for gold in Archery WC

KOLKATA, April 5 (IANS): The Indian men’s recurve team reached the final of the team championship in the World Cup archery meet (Stage 1) at Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

The top seeds drew a bye in the opening round and went on to annihilate Turkey 222-203 in the quarterfinals before overcoming a strong US 219-215 points in the semis Saturday, according to information received here.

Kevin Pietersen reaffirms commitment to team

London, April 1: Kevin Pietersen swears he is as committed to the England team as he was as captain, clarifying that his outburst was the culmination of an enduring summer and not that he wanted to leave the team midway through the West Indies tour. Pietersen said his frustration stemmed from the loss of his captaincy and the poor showing of the team. That was the time, he had said, he was “at the end of his tether” and wanted to go back to his wife. “Maybe I was a little too honest, but where the honesty came from was frustration. The frustration on two parts: the captaincy in the first half of the winter that didn’t go to plan - no victories there. Then coming into the last part also we didn’t get a victory.” “The frustration of not winning a game on the tour (West Indies) so far except for that mathematical error on the West Indies part (in Guyana) - that was hell of a frustration,” Pietersen clarified on Wednesday.

Indian hockey team leave for Malaysia

Bhopal, April 1: An 18-member Indian hockey team led by captaincy of Sandeep Singh today left for Malaysia to take part in the 18th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament to be played in Ipoh in Malaysia from April 5 - 12. Before leaving for Malaysia after a 12-day training camp held at Sports Authority of India (SAI) at Goragaon near here, Team India chief coach and former international player Harendra Singh said that five teams Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Egypt and New Zealand are taking part in the tournament.

Sania-Chuang stun 2nd seeds to reach semis

Key Biscane/Miami, Apr 2 (PTI) Continuing their dream run in the ATP and WTA tournament, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and her Taiwanese partner Chuang Chia-Jung humbled second seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-3 7-6(4) to sail into the women's double semifinal of the USD 4.5 million Sony Ericsson Open here.

On a day of upsets, Sania and Chuang made their presence felt by pulling the rug from under the feet of their seeded opponent whose last ditch effort for a fightback wilted in tie-breaks with the Indo-Taiwan pair seeing it through.

Sania and Chuang's semifinal opponents will be winner of the remaining quarterfinal match to be played between third-seeded Kveta Peschke and Lisa Raymond and Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears.

Sania and Chuang seemed to have struck the perfect chord and they had earlier stunned eighth seeds Maria Kirilenko and Flavia Pennetta in a gruelling three-setter in their previous encounter.
PTI

Paes-Dlouhy duo crashes out

MIAMI (FLORIDA), April 1 (PTI): Fourth seeds Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy crashed out of the Miami Masters with a shocking straight-set defeat at the hands of the unseeded Czech-Slovak pair of Frantisek Cermak and Michal Mertinak in the men’s doubles second round here. The Indo-Czech combine went down 3-6, 3-6 in the just over an hour-long contest.

Kiwis seek to save series

WELLINGTON, April 1 (PTI): With an unassailable lead in hand, India only have to guard against complacency and the notoriously seaming track of the Basin Reserve to notch their first Test win here in 34 years when they take on New Zealand in the third and final match of the series here on Friday.

Having won Tests at Adelaide, Perth, Trinidad, The Oval, Multan, Galle, Johannesburg and Hamilton, they are now faced with their biggest challenge of scoring a win at a venue where their last triumph came in 1975.