Top cueists Pankaj Advani, Aditya Mehta, Rupesh Shah are among the 30 players who will compete in the 10th Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) inter-unit billiards and snooker championship, commencing here tomorrow.
	The tournament is being organised by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) this year and the matches will be played at the Sports Club of Gujarat.
	Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), IOCL, Oil India Limited (OIL) and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) are the five public sector units taking part in the contest, Gujarat State Billiards Association (GSBA) secretary Abhishek Shah said.
	The events have been categorised into team and individual championships.
	Individual championships will begin tomorrow and will go on till September 11 while the team championship will be played from September 12 to 14.
	While Mehta, Brijesh Damani and Dhvaj Haria will line up for IOCL, the ONGC team has a star-studded line-up ...

PSPB inter unit billiards and snooker championship from Sep 9

PTI Automatic

The Indian junior boxing team has reached Kiev, Ukraine for the AIBA World Championships after a 20-day training stint in Cyprus with Ankush Dahiya (46kg) and Puskar Singh (54kg) set to open the country's campaign in the mega-event.
     An 18 member team consisting of 15 boxers and three coaches engaged in 20 day long training programme at Cyprus. Out of the 18, 10 (including 9 short-listed boxers and a coach) directly progressed to Kiev, Ukraine for the Championships starting today.
     The AIBA World Junior Championships welcomes international boxers in 13 weight categories to compete against the best in their division.
     The AIBA World Junior Championships, held every two years, goes back to 2001 with its debut in Baku, Azerbaijan.
     Formerly called the AIBA Cadet World Championships, the AIBA World Junior Championships is open to boxers aged 15 and 16.
     Over the next 10 days 351 boxers from 52 countries will be vying for the coveted title of Junior World Champion in ...

Indian boxers land in Kiev for World Junior C'ships

Cheteshwar Pujara continued to be the lone Indian batsman in the top-10 despite losing a place to be at seventh spot, while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retained his number eight position in the bowlers' chart in the latest ICC Test rankings issued here today.
     With 777 points to his credit, right-handed batsman Pujara is the only Indian to be figuring in the table, which is headed by South Africa's Hashim Amla (903) followed by West Indies' Shivnarine Chanderpaul in second place and South Africa's AB de Villiers in third position.
     Meanwhile, Saeed Ajmal and Younis Khan, the stars of Pakistan's 221 runs victory in the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, have gained in the latest rankings.
     While Saeed's match haul of 11 for 118 has helped him move up a place to third in the Test bowlers list, Younis has been rewarded with a jump of two places to sixth for his unbeaten knock of 200 in the second innings on the Test batsmen ranking.
     Ashwin has ...

Pujara slips to seventh spot in ICC Test batsmen ranking

Defending champions India will start as underdogs when they take on an inspired Maldives in the second semi-final of the SAFF Football Championship here tomorrow.
     The six-time champions have always been overwhelming favourites in the South Asian region but the current side coached by Wim Koevermans has performed way below par in the tournament so far having won by a solitary goal against Pakistan, followed by a  1-1 draw against Bangladesh and a humiliating 1-2 defeat to Nepal in their final group league encounter.
     If their poor show wasn't enough, the absence of skipper Sunil Chhetri due to double booking means that the striking options are even more limited for the Dutch coach who will be forced to field Robin Singh from the start with a horribly out-of-touch Jeje Lalpeklhua.
     Whether Koevermans sticks to his one striker formula of playing with a 4-5-1 formation or he changes to a more familiar 4-4-2 by pushing Robin alongside Jeje can decide the course of the match.
  

Chhetri-less India face tough Maldives test in SAFF semis

Working hard on his form and fitness to prepare for the hectic international schedule, Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar said he is not worried about losing pace and focussed on improving his line and length.
     "When I started playing cricket, I knew that my physique is not at all like a typical fast bowler. My body language is also different and I am not aggressive by nature thus my focus was always on my skills," Bhuvneshwar told 'PTI Bhasha' in an interview.
     "I don't run after speed. Obviously, it will be better to have some more pace but I am very well aware that I can't bowl with the speed of 150 kmph. I am working hard on my technique and variations," said the bowler, who is busy with off-season training in Meerut.
     He has hogged the limelight with his fine performance in the Champions Trophy claiming six wickets at an economy rate of 3.91 and was included in the 'Team of the tournament'.
     He had maintained the form in tri-Series in West Indies where he posted ...

Focus is on variations, not pace: Bhuvneshwar

The facilities are fast improving for Indian athletes but that is not translating into better performance from them as they don't seem to have strong enough minds, feels sprint legend P T Usha.
     "Earlier, the performance of athletes was good even though facilities were less then. In comparison, facilities are better now, but performance has not come up to that level," Usha told PTI here.
     Recalling her career, Usha said the current lot of athletes wind up practice at the slightest bodyache.
     "Because the mind is not strong enough, and a strong mind is required to excel in athletics," she said.
     Asked to comment on Usha's observations,  R Elavarasi, who won the 400 M hurdles in the 53rd Senior National Open Athletics Championships here yesterday, said a full time coach and sponsorship were required to match Usha's feats.
     "(O R) Nambiar sir totally devoted on Usha didi's training, overseeing from food requirements to her training facilities while fully focusing on ..

Facilities improving but not performance of athletes: Usha

Hockey India today inducted Steel Plant Sports Board as an associate member, making it the 18th such inclusion.
     Hockey India now has 18 associate members, with 27 affiliated members and two State Olympic Association members.
     With this inclusion, Steel Plant Sports Board can take part in all the National Championships which are being conducted by Hockey India.
     The Steel Plant Sports Board have 11 steel plants in around the country. SAIL Hockey Academy is an important hockey centre which has been functional since 1992 at Rourkela.
     Dr Narinder Batra, Secretary General, Hockey India welcomed Steel Plant Sports Board for their entry into Hockey India as an associate member.
     "The Steel Hockey Academy has produced some international hockey players like Birendra Lakra, Jayram Lakra and Sushil Xalxo. SAIL (Steel Authority of India) has contributed immensely in the development and promotion of Indian Hockey. With Steel Plant Sports Board becoming an Associate Member, it 

HI inducts Steel Plant Sports Board as Associate Member

Tokyo will repay the world the debt they owe them for their help after the devastating tsunami in 2011 when the city hosts the 2020 Olympic Games Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
     The 58-year-old was speaking after the Japanese capital secured their second Olympic Games -- having previously had them in 1964 -- by beating Istanbul by 60 votes to 36 at a meeting of International Olympic Committee (IOC) members in Buenos Aires yesterday.
     Abe, whose final presentation allayed members' fears over contaminated water leaking from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, said Japan would repay its debt to the world in full.
     He added that he had seen how sport could change lives in the immediate aftermath of the quake and giant waves that struck northeast Japan in March 2011, leaving over 18,000 people dead and badly damaging the nuclear plant.
     "Sport can mobilise people. That is the power shown exactly after the tsunami," he said.
     "The situation was very tough but 

Games will repay debt we owe the world - Abe

Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal blasted the decision not to award Madrid the 2020 Olympic Games, claiming the International Olympic Committee had not treated the Spanish capital fairly.
     Tokyo won the right to host the Games after seeing off Madrid and Istanbul in votes held yesterday in Buenos Aires.
     But Nadal, the world number two tennis player and a tireless campaigner for Madrid, said he was shocked to see Madrid, who were trying for the third time to win the Games, eliminated in the first round of voting.
     "It's very hard and tiring for all of us, because the country and the city of Madrid worked a lot to have the chance so many times," said the 27-year-old.
     "We feel that we deserve it. I was disappointed because we felt that we were in a good position. All the country was very involved.
     "I felt that after a lot of years working, I don't know if it's 100% fair that we go out at the first qualification when our opponents haven't been in that position as many ..

Nadal blasts Madrid 2020 Olympic snub

Rafael Nadal cruised into the US Open final with a 21-match hardcourt unbeaten streak while world number one Novak Djokovic had to withstand a five-set, limit-testing struggle to join him.
     Second-ranked Spaniard Nadal, whose 12 Grand Slam titles include the 2010 US Open, routed French eighth seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6 (7/1), 6-2, to reach his third final in four years yesterday. Nadal missed the 2012 event with knee injuries.
     "Just amazing," Nadal said. "After what happened last year, to have the chance to play in the final on Monday is a dream for me. It has been two amazing weeks for me."
     Serbian six-time major winner Djokovic outlasted Swiss ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 after four hours and nine minutes to reach his fourth US Open final in a row, fifth overall, and 12th Slam final.
     Nadal leads Djokovic 21-15 in their personal rivalry, which will move past John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl as the most-played matchup in the Open era.
   

Djokovic battles, Nadal cruises into US Open final

Daniel Chopra made the cut comfortably but fell back on the leaderboard following a third round of 75 at the Chiquita Classic on Web.Com Tour here.
     Chopra, who already ensured his PGA Tour card for 2014, had rounds of 72 and 69 on first two days and is lying tied 43rd, a fall of 19 places from his overnight position.
     The lead is shared by Americans John Peterson (71-68-67) and Andrew Svobda (72-65-69) at 10-under 206. Three others -- Troy Matteson, Peter Mainati and Greg Owen -- are tied for third at 207.
     The Chiquita Classic is the second of the series of four tournaments in the newly established Web.Com Finals.

Chopra makes the cut at Web.Com Tour

Tokyo won the right to host the Olympic Games for the second time, overcoming fears about radiation from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant to land the 2020 edition of the world's biggest sporting event.
     Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Buenos Aires chose the Japanese capital, which previously hosted the Games in 1964, over Istanbul, after Madrid was dramatically eliminated following a first-round tie with the Turkish city yesterday.
     Crowds gathered in Tokyo broke into wild cheers, despite the result coming in the early hours of the morning nearly a dozen time zones away, television pictures showed.
     Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had earlier flown in to the Argentine capital from the G20 summit in St Petersburg, Russia, to reassure nervous members about the safety of the nuclear plant some 220 kilometres (140 miles) from the city and fears about the leaking of contaminated water.
     He told delegates that the situation was "under ...

Tokyo to host 2020 Games - IOC

Tokyo has won the right to host the Olympic Games for the second time, overcoming fears about radiation from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant to land the 2020 edition of the world's biggest sporting event.
	Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Buenos Aires yesterday chose the Japanese capital, which previously hosted the Games in 1964, over Istanbul, after Madrid was dramatically eliminated following a first-round tie with the Turkish city.
	Crowds gathered in Tokyo broke into wild cheers, despite the result coming in the early hours of the morning nearly a dozen time zones away, television pictures showed.
	Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had earlier flown in to the Argentine capital from the G20 summit in St Petersburg, Russia, to reassure nervous members about the safety of the nuclear plant some 220 km from the city and fears about the leaking of contaminated water.
	He told delegates that the situation was "under control", adding: "It has never ...

Olympics: Tokyo to host 2020 Games- IOC

The hearing on the anticipatory bail plea of three Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) officials in a case of cheating registered against the cricket body was today adjourned to Monday by a special court here.
	The special court of Justice R K Sharma adjourned the hearing on the plea filed by HPCA senior vice president R S Kapoor, honorary secretary Vishal Marwah and executive member R P Singh as the trio remained absent from Saturday's hearing.
	Justice Sharma directed the three officials to remain present in the court during the next hearing on Monday.
	The three had moved the court for anticipatory bail after a case of cheating was registered against the HPCA by the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau on August 1 for alleged irregularities in use of land leased out to it in Dharamsala by the previous BJP government.
	Earlier on court's order in the last month's hearing the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau had recorded the statement of the three on August 22.

Hearing on HPCA officials' bail plea adjourned to Monday

Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Muhammad has backed Misbah-ul-Haq as skipper and said he had been performing well under crisis which is the first sign of a good team leader.
     The former allrounder, who is ranked as one of Pakistan's top captains, said in an interview that Misbah, despite all the criticism spewed on him, had proven himself to be a man of crisis.
     "He has done a fine job and he has been performing consistently which is the sign of a good captain," Mushtaq said.
     In his last 13 international innings, Misbah, 39, has scored ten half centuries with many critics panning him for not being able to build on good starts. But Mushtaq said generally this was a problem with the present team.
     "When I was captain I was lucky to be blessed with some world class players in the team and that made things easier for me. I was able to take some gambles and luckily for me they worked," Mushtaq said.
     The former skipper pointed out that one had to give credit to Misbah .

Mushtaq Muhammad praises "crisis man" Misbah

Reiterating that he hasn't retired from One-day cricket, senior Pakistan batsman Younis Khan today said he wants to play for the country in limited-over matches as well.
     "I have not retired from one-day internationals and I want to play in this form of the game but the selectors are not giving me this opportunity," Younis told a news channel after Pakistan won the first Test by 221 runs at Harare today.
     Younis, who returned to the Pakistani side after being sidelined since the South Africa tour early this year, was declared man-of-the-match for his terrific unbeaten double hundred in the second innings which helped his side put a mammoth total for Zimbabwe to chase.
     The former skipper was ignored by the selectors for the Champions Trophy and also the limited-over series in the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
     But Younis said he was not giving up and knew he could still play ODIs.
     "When the chance comes I will be ready to grab it," Younis said.
     Younis praised ...

Younis wants to be part of Pak ODI team as well

Champion in the 400m hurdles R Elavarasi today said that an athlete requires a full time coach and sponsor to match the feats achieved by sprint legend P T Usha.
     "(O M) Nambiar sir totally devoted on Usha didi's training, overseeing her food requirements to training facilities. He fully focused on her training," Elavarasi told PTI after winning a gold medal in the 53rd National Open Athletics Championships here.
     Elavarasi, who had won a gold in the inter-state meet on June 8, was replying to a query as to why many of Usha's records were still untouched even after three decades.
     She, however, expressed happiness on the federation agreeing to relieve Railway coach to train her so that she could better her performance next season.
     "I also took a break after 2012 National Games, participating in only a couple of championships (before this Championship)," she said when asked why she failed failed to come close to her personal best of 59.2.

Athletes require full time coach, sponsor: Elavarasi

India's refusal to play a bilateral series has incurred the Pakistan Cricket Board a loss of atleast USD 1.6 million.
     According to the budgetary documents, the PCB has to repay an amount of USD 1.6 million to the Dubai-based broadcaster, Taj Entertainment Network since there was no bilateral series with India in their last agreement.
     "India has not agreed to tour Pakistan or even play against us at a neutral venue since the Mumbai attacks and this is costing the PCB big revenues," a PCB official said.
     He said the issue was not only repaying Ten Sports but also of the fact that any series against India would generate around USD 60 to 70 million for the PCB at any given time.
     "We went to a play a short series against India in India last December without any financial benefits because we wanted to take the first step towards resumption of bilateral cricketing ties. We were keen to convince the BCCI to atleast give us a home series at a neutral venue but that has not ..

PCB incurs huge loss for no bilateral series against India

Durgesh Kumar Pal and R. Elavarasi clinched gold medals in the men and women's 400 metres hurdles respectively on the first day of the 53rd National Open Athletics Championships at the Birsa Munda Sports Complex, here today.
     SSCB's Pal clocked 50.89 to finish first in the men's event, failing to break the 2009 meet record of 50.26 set by Joseph G Abraham of the RSCB.
     Jithin Paul (51.14) of the RSPB and his fellow team mate Joseph G Abraham (51.31) finished second and third respectively.
     Olympian P T Usha's meet record of 56.80 set in 1985 remained intact with Tamil Nadu's Elavarasi fetching gold in the 400 metres women's hurdles clocking a distant 1:00.80. Her personal best was 59.2.
     "I took a long break after the 2012 National Games, when I won the gold in the same event. But I will strive to improve my timing," Elavarasi told PTI, on her poor timing in the event.
     ONGC's Anju Rani (1:01:55) and A Papathi (1:01.88) of the police settled for silver and bronze ..

Railways athletes shine in national open athletics c'ships

In a relief to BCCI's game development officer Ratnakar Shetty, a civil court here today stayed the Mumbai Cricket Association's five-year ban on him.
     Shetty, who has served MCA in various capacities over the last three decades, was banned by the association for alleging that some office-bearers of MCA might be involved in black marketing of tickets of India-Pakistan T20 international played at Ahmedabad on December 28 last year.
     MCA imposed the ban on June 3 after giving Shetty an opportunity to hear the voice recording of his allegations levelled at the association's AGM of March 22. Shetty replied to its show-cause notice, but it was rejected.
     Shetty then approached Mumbai City Civil Court challenging the ban on the ground that it was arbitrary and illegal.
     The court today accepted his contention and granted an interim injunction (stay), as the main suit would be heard in due course. MCA has been given time till September 16 to file appeal in the higher court if 

Court stays MCA's ban on cricket administrator Ratnakar Shetty

The Japanese sports equipment brand Yonex today launched their premier standalone store at the Karnataka Badminton Association stadium here.
     "As I strive and prove through excellence to be a strong brand ambassador of the sport, Yonex has already established that association, being synonymous with the sport since its inception," Olympic medallist and ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, who shares a historic association with Yonex, told reporters here.
     First-of-its-kind in Karnataka, the new Yonex shop at Lanai will offer the latest and best quality range of Yonex products, such as shoes, bags, apparels and accessories.
     Yonex's exclusive international range and team apparels will also be available in this store, including walking shoes, which would be available for the first time in the country.
     "As the country strives towards producing medal-winning champions and as society continues to embrace the sport as a leisure activity, we are glad to say that Yonex-Sunrise ...

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