Hardening its stand against the IOA, the International Olympic Committee has asked the Indian body to sack "charge-framed" officials through constitutional amendments by October 31 and conduct fresh elections by December 15 to return to the Olympic fold.
     Giving its "conclusions and decisions" on the IOA's Executive General Meeting held here last month, the IOC said the key provision of barring individuals, against whom charges have been framed in court, was ignored by the Indian body.
     "The IOC is well aware of the difference in the Indian legal system between charge-sheeted persons and charge-framed persons and has never requested that the clause initially proposed applies for charge-sheeted persons. Therefore it is reiterated that the initial wording is aimed to apply for anyone charge-framed by a court in India," the IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper said in a letter to the IOA.
     "...The IOC does fully respect the principle that 'until proven guilty, one is ...

IOC sets Oct 31 deadline for IOA to clean house

Press Trust of India

Arun Kumar has been named stand-by for London Olympics silver medallist grappler Sushil Kumar in the 22-member Indian team announced for the upcoming World Wrestling Championships to be held at Budapest, Hungary.
     One wrestler each has been named in the seven weight categories in three divisions -- Greco Roman, Freestyle and Female wrestling -- for the marquee event to be held from September 16-22, except in the 66kg freestyle category, which Sushil represents.
     Although the Indian team, which last participated in the Asian Championships here in April, has already left for a training camp in the host city, star grappler Sushil along with injured Yogeshwar Dutt would be flying next week.
     "I will be going to Budapest for the Championships. I will definitely take part in the competition," said Sushil.
     Sushil last played a competitive bout at the London Olympics where he lost in the gold medal match.
     A shoulder injury has kept the 30-year-old out of action for over .

Arun Kumar named Sushil's stand-by for World Wrestling C'ships

PTI Automatic

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla's dream run in English county circuit continued as he served a timely reminder to the Indian selectors with a match haul of 10-wickets for Somerset against Derbyshire in a Division One game here today.
     Chawla, who scored a century at Lord's against Middlesex in the last first-class match, had match haul of 10 for 208 (5/111 in 26 overs & 5/97 in 29 overs) but his effort went in vain as veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul guided Derbyshire to a two-wicket win with a patient 74 not out.
     Derbyshire needed 244 to win and achieved the target in 83.2 overs.
     Chawla was the best performer among the Somerset bowlers as he got his wickets with classical leg breaks as well as his stock ball -- the googly.
     This is his third match haul of 10-wickets and would certainly have the likes of Sandeep Patil get up and take notice of the 24-year-old UP lad's performances.
     Apart from his bowling, Chawla also made the highest score of 27 in his team's paltry ...

Chawla's 10-wicket haul goes in vain as Somerset loses

Unseeded Mahesh Mangaonkar maintained home interest in the new Maharashtra State PSA Open when he dismissed Egyptian qualifier Fares Mohamed Dessouki in four games to claim an unexpected place in the semifinals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event, here today.
     Fresh from beating the number two seed earlier, Fares traded point for point in the opening game. Mahesh was taking the ball early and at 10-all won two sweet points to win the first game 12-10.
     In the second, Fares came out strong and Mahesh was forced into making a few errors due to the attack of the Egyptian teenager who also showed a magnificent arsenal of shots to keep the crowd at the edges of their seats.
     Mahesh didn't give in easily and picked up some unbelievable shots on full stretch but Fares attacked better at 8-8 to win 11-9 at the Bombay Gymkhana. With Fares beginning to tire in the third, the 19-year-old Mumbaikar regained the lead.
     The fourth game always had one winner and Mahesh ..

Mahesh reaches semis of Maharashtra State PSA Open

An under-fire Haroon Lorgat will be desperate to solve the impasse regarding India's year-end tour of South Africa when he meets BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel at the Chief Executives' Meet at the ICC Headquarters in Dubai on September 16 and 17.
     Cricket South Africa (CSA) is worried about incurring huge losses if BCCI has its way about playing a curtailed series of two Tests and three ODIs instead of originally scheduled three Tests, seven ODIs and two T20 Internationals.
     In response to the recent reports, Lorgat said:"There has rightly been concern about reports of a shortened tour by India but I am looking forward to meeting Sanjay (Patel) so that we can work out the best possible schedule under the present circumstances."
     The Afrikaans daily 'Beeld' earlier this week quoted reliable sources as saying that CSA stands to lose about R300 million (Rand) in total if the India tour is shortened, particularly from TV broadcast rights.
     "The meeting has been agreed after ..

Will meet BCCI secy to work out best possible schedule: Lorgat

Furious with ace shooter Abhinav Bindra's sustained campaign against tainted officials in the Indian Olympic Association, the suspended body's President Abhey Singh today launched a stinging personal attack on the former Olympic gold-medallist.
     Taking a jibe at the former world champion's father, A S Bindra, who was arrested in 2009 for alleged financial irregularities, Chautala told CNN-IBN, "If Bindra feels that chargesheeted people should be stripped of their positions then he should throw his father out of his house or leave his house himself".
     The comment drew sharp reaction from the National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) with its President Raninder Singh saying Chautala should focus on putting his own house in order.
     "It's like the big pot calling the small kettle black. People who live in glasshouses should not make such statements. Our Olympic medallist is being attacked with very shallow words. I know the Bindra family well. He (Bindra) has every right to .

Have Problem with tainted then leave house: Chautala to Bindra

Ishant Sharma feels the introduction of two new white balls from both ends in ODIs is a boon for pacers and the lanky bowler partly attributes his recent success in the 50-over format to the latest rule change.
     "Obviously, there has been a big change since the harder seam helps fast bowlers a lot. So now instead of one (white) ball getting old in 25 overs like it used to happen earlier, we have a lot more time to work on new balls. This is very beneficial for fast bowlers as you can hit the deck hard with a newer ball and also it swings a lot more," Ishant, who has taken 18 wickets in his last 10 ODIs, told PTI during an interview today.
     Having started off as a tearaway pacer six seasons back, the 25-year-old Delhi lad has traded his 140 km plus pace for line and length and is content with the way it has been working for him.
     "Yes, I am happy (with my pace) as I feel that I have matured a lot as a bowler over the past few years. I feel that I am more consistent now and .

Two new balls in ODIs is a great benefit for pacers: Ishant

Rugby great David Campese was criticised for "bigoted" comments about Pakistan-born spin bowler Fawad Ahmed by Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland today.
     Ahmed received permission from Cricket Australia to not wear a beer company logo on his uniform due to his Muslim faith. Campese, retired after 101 rugby tests for Australia, said Ahmed should "go home" if he did not want to wear the sponsor's logo on his playing shirt.
     Earlier, former Test cricketer Doug Walters was quoted in Australian media as saying: "I think if he doesn't want to wear the team gear, he should not be part of the team."
     Campese then wrote on Twitter: "Doug Walters tells Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed: if you don't like the ... Uniform, don't play for Australia Well said doug. Tell him to go home."
     Ahmed, who fled Pakistan in 2009 to seek asylum in Australia and gained fast-track citizenship in July, was picked for Australia's five-match limited-overs series in England after he made ...

Campese criticises Pakistan-born refugee

Younis Khan completed his 22nd Test century as Pakistan overcame the loss of a wicket in the first over of the fourth day of the first Test against Zimbabwe today.
     Pakistan were 258 for five at lunch at the Harare Sports Club, an overall lead of 180. Younis was unbeaten on 115.
     Fast bowler Tendai Chatara bowled overnight batsman Asad Shafiq with the fifth ball of the day with one run added to the overnight score of 168 for four.
     At that stage, Pakistan were in a shaky position, just 91 runs ahead, but wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal joined Younis and they built an unbeaten sixth wicket partnership of 89, seeing off the second new ball, which was taken ten overs into the day.
     Younis survived a chance when he had 83, edging medium-pacer Hamilton Maskadza low to slip, where Tina Mawoyo was slow to react.
     That apart, it was a solid, patient innings marked by good shot selection.
     He was kept quiet through the nineties but bided his time until he was able to work an ..

Younis century stretches Pakistan lead

Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar today exuded confidence over reinclusion of wrestling in the Olympic movement and said the sport would come out stronger after the IOC's Executive Board backs it in their meeting in Buenos Aires on September 8.
     "The International wrestling body (FILA) has made all the necessary changes that the IOC wanted. I see no reason why wrestling would not make a comeback. I think wrestling would come out even more stronger after it gets the backing of the IOC members. The ancient sport has done a lot to garner support of fans for its bid to be in the 2020 Olympics," Sushil told reporters here.
     The Executive Board in its 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina will vote on the candidature of an additional sport for the 2020 Olympics programme out of three disciplines -- wrestling, squash and a combined bid of baseball and softball.
     At a program organised here to rally support ahead of the crucial meeting, former Arjuna awardee Jagroop ..

Wrestling will come out stronger after IOC vote: Sushil

India's sprint legend P T Usha today sought to steer clear of the ongoing battle between the IOC and IOA but felt efforts should be made to make the world body understand the Indian system.
     "Actually, IOC has misunderstood something. I think so," Usha said.
     "We should convince IOC about our system in every area like politics and sports that if any problem arises, there is a system to solve it. We should follow Indian system," the Olympian added.
     The International Olympic Committee yesterday rejected Indian Olympic Association's compromise formula on the chargesheet clause even as a defiant IOA stuck to its stand that Indian law would prevail on these matters, further jeopardising the country's chances of a quick return to the Olympic fold.
     Usha, however, refused to be drawn into the controversy, saying thats he didn't want herself to put "in a problem" when asked whether she backed her former track-mate Aswini Nachappa, who is demanding that the charge-sheeted ...

We should convince IOC about our system: Usha

The 4th Modern Pentathlon National Championship began today at Campal and will see 450 athletes from 14 states battle for top honours besides vying for a place in the Indian teams for the Youth Olympic Games next year.
     Modern Pentathlon, which completed 100 years at the Olympics in London last year, is comparatively new to India and even newer to the state. But with Goa known around the world as a tourist destination and infrastructure already in place, it is the best destination to host an international event, Modern Pentathlon Federation of India general secretary Namdev Shirgaonkar told reporters here today.
     "We are looking at Goa to host the modern pentathlon world championship in 2015. The last two world championships were held in Cyprus and Dubai, both tourist destinations, and Goa should be a big attraction with its natural coastline," said Shirgaonkar.
     An Olympic sport since the 1912 Games in Stockholm, Pentathlon features fencing, swimming, horse riding, ...

National pentathlon championship starts in Goa

Trishul Chinnappa survived some tense moments before scripting a thrilling victory in the Tata Steel Southern India Amateur that culminated at the par-72 Karnataka Golf Association Course here today.
     Leading by four shots in the final round, Trishul gave away the advantage as he shot a four-over 76.
     Delhi-lad Ankur Chadha, starting nine behind the leader, caught up with the Bangalore-lad by the 16th hole and after a brilliant shot on the final hole, Ankur three-putted for a bogey which avoided a play-off situation.
     The 19-year-old Trishul finished the tournament with an aggregate of four-under 284 to grab his maiden title on the Tata Steel IGU Indian Amateur Golf Tour while Ankur had to settle for the second place, just a shot behind.
     Another Bangalore youngster Udayan Mane, who trailed the leader by four shots, was way off-colour and shot a five-over 77 to end up third.
     Ainesh Ahluwalia finished fourth at 290 while Jaibir Singh and Manu Gandas shared the ...

Trishul wins a thriller at Tata Steel Southern India Amateur

The newly-elected Paralympic Committee of India, headed by Rao Inderjit Singh, today said it has got recognition of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) and exuded confidence of getting the international body's approval in Germany soon.
     The PCI had held a mid-term poll on May 26 due to some unavoidable circumstances within the Federation following the London Paralympics fiasco, where the Indian officials stayed at the Games Village, while coaches and escorts were asked to stay outside on their own expense.
     "The conduct of the officials at the London Paralympic was not upto the mark and thereafter, there was a review and 10 officials were taken to task by the Paralympic committee. A no-confidence motion was passed against by the then president Sultan Ahmed in March," Rao told reporters in a press conference here.
     "There was an AGM and according to the Sports code, a new election was held which was attended by govt observer and retired judge. We have also got a letter ...

PCI gets recognition from Asian Paralympic Committee

Veteran midfielder Ritu Rani will lead an 18-member Indian women's hockey team in the eighth Asia Cup to be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September 21 to 27.
     "Hockey India Selectors B P Govinda, Surinder Kaur, Mamta Kharab, Chief Coach Neil Hawgood, Coach I S Gill and Scientific Advisor Matthew Tredrea alongwith Government Observer Harbinder Singh selected the 18 players and 6 standbys during the trials conducted in Patiala on August 30 and 31," HI said in a statement.
     Ritu has 157 India appearances to her credit. The 18-member squad will have another mid-fielder Chanchan Devi Thokchom (88 caps) as the vice-captain.
     The team's training camp is has been underway in Patiala since August 8 as final preparations for the tournament. The team will depart for Malaysia on September 16.
     India are placed in Pool A with China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong China while Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei are placed in Pool B.
     India will open their campaign .

Ritu Rani to lead Indian women's hockey team in Asia Cup

India's wrestling and squash fraternity is waiting with bated breath for the International Olympic Committee's highly-anticipated vote on September 8 to decide on the inclusion of one of the sports to the 2020 Olympic roster.
     A sense of anxiety has gripped the country's top grapplers and racqueters ahead of IOC's crucial meeting during its ongoing 125th Session in Buenos Aires where the world body will choose among baseball/softball, wrestling and squash for the lone available spot for the 2020 Summer Games.
     Olympic medallist wrestlers, Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt, and squash players Dipika Pallikal, Joshna Chinappa and Saurav Ghosal are excited but at the same time nervous as the full IOC membership meets to take a call on their future.
     "I am hopeful that wrestling would be re-inducted into the Olympic programme. Wrestling is a popular sport and deserves a place in Olympics," two-time Olympic medallist Sushil told PTI.
     London Olympics bronze-medallist and ...

Anxiety grips wrestlers, squash players ahead of Oly decision

The Punjab government is keen to rope in cricketer Yuvraj Singh as the brand ambassador of their campaign to spread awareness about cancer.
     The star all rounder, who himself fought with the dreaded disease, is being approached for a partnership, a senior official of Punjab Health and Medical Research department said here today.
     The Punjab government is working on a partnership with "Youwecan" for this purpose.
     The state government will commence the drive with a mega cancer awareness and screening camps in all 22 district civil hospitals on September 28 and 29, the official said.
     Youwecan will be awareness partner with Yuvraj being the awareness ambassador for these camps. Yuvraj will feature in the printed collaterals like posters, brochures and banners, the official said.
     Besides, Yuvraj will use his social media channels to promote the screening camps for cancer, the official added.
     To promote and generate awareness about these cancer awareness camps, ..

Punjab govt want to rope in Yuvraj for cancer awareness

Sania Mirza's US Open campaign ended with a tame semifinal defeat in the women's doubles with partner Jie Zheng against Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua.
     The 10th seeded Indo-Chinese pair, which came into the US Open with New Haven title, lost 2-6 2-6 in an hour and five minutes to the Australian eight seeds.
     Sania and Zheng struggled to hold their serves as they were broken thrice in both the sets.
     Sania had bowed out of the mixed doubles with Romanian partner Horia Tecau. They had lost to American Liezel Huber and Marcelo Melo of Brazil.
     None of the three Indians could clear the first round hurdle in the mixed doubles first round. Rohan Bopanna lost his opening round with Germany's Julia Goerges while Mahesh Bhupathi and comeback girl Martina Hingis also had similar disappointment.
     However, Leander Paes has kept Indian title hopes alive after an upset win over Mike and Bob Brayn in the men's doubles semifinal along with his Czecg partner Radek Stepanek, ...

Sania-Zheng suffer tame semifinal defeat at US Open

From fellow tennis players and coaches to entertainers and other sport stars, top women at the US Open have found romantic liasons off the court much different than the love matches in tennis.
     While pouring their heart into their sport, they find time to share their emotions, often with others who can understand the busy celebrity lifestyle.
     Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy, a two-time major champion, stopped by the year's final Grand Slam event to watch Danish sixth seed girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, who was later upset in the third round.
     "It was good. I was only there for one day," McIlroy said, adding that he was going to watch her next match on television after playing that day in a PGA playoff event in Boston.
     Wozniacki later went to see him play after her ouster.
     "It was nice for her to be here," McIlroy said. "I persuaded her to come up here for a night. After this we'll go back to New York for a few days and hang out."
     Wozniacki said that ...

Love matches much different for stars off court

Defending champion Andy Murray crashed out of the US Open on Thursday as Stanislas Wawrinka pulled a shocker to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final, a matchup with world number one Novak Djokovic.
     Swiss ninth seed Wawrinka stunned the Olympic and Wimbledon champion 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, to book a last-four date with Djokovic, the 2011 winner from Serbia who ousted Russian 21st seed Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0.
     "I feel great. I'm really happy. It's amazing for me to be in my first semi-final in a Slam," Wawrinka said. "To beat him in three sets the way I was playing is good."
     For only the second time in 146 Grand Slam matches, Murray failed to manage even one break point.
     "He played great. That was the hardest part about the match," Murray said.
     "He just hit the ball extremely well. I didn't create a break point chance. He served well. He hit a lot of lines and was going for big shots."
     Reaching his seventh US Open semi-final in a row in hopes of a ...

Djokovic to face Wawrinka in semis as Murray falls

Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek stunned top seeded and hot favourite pair of Mike and Bob Bryan, who were chasing a rare Calendar Grand Slam, in a gripping contest to storm into the US Open men's doubles final, here today.
     The fourth seeded Indo-Czech pair denied the Bryans a piece of history with their 3-6 6-3 6-4 win as the American twins were trying to become first doubles team since 1951 to collect all four Grand Slam titles in the same year.
     Ken McGregor and Frank Sedgman had achieved the rare feat of winning Calendar Slam in 1951.
     The Bryans ran away with the first set but faced stiff challenge in the second, which Paes and Stepanek dominated to take the match to full length.
     Paes stood out with his backhand slice and chips while Stepanek was solid with his blistering double-handed backhand.
     Paes and Stepanek will have a chance to win their first Slam title of the season, having finished semifinalists at the Wimbledon.
     The two teams began well but ..

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