The Indian hockey team management orgainsed a special session for the players in the just-concluded national camp in Bangalore to create awareness about corruption in the wake of the recent spot-fixing scandal in IPL 6.
     India captain Sardar Singh informed that a special class was conducted by the team's coaching staff to educate the players not only about fixing but also about dope related issues.
     "Chief coach Michael Nobbs and the SAI head in Bangalore took special classes on spot-fixing and doping about 10 days back. During the session, they told all the players to stay away from unknown people and inform the team management immediately is somebody approaches us with any offer," Sardar said on the eve of the men's and women's team's departure for the FIH World League Round 3 (Semi-finals) to be held in Rotterdam from June 13-23.
     Asked if hockey was vulnerable to corruption just like cricket, Sardar said: "With money coming up in hockey, there is always a possibility. .

Special class on fixing for hockey players after IPL scandal

PTI Automatic

India won the toss and elected to bat in their final warm-up game of the ICC Champions Trophy against Australia here today.
     Teams:
     India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, R Vinay Kumar, Umesh Yadav.
     Australia: Shane Watson, David Warner, Phil Hughes, George Bailey, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Michael Clarke, Xavier Doherty, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Clint McKay.

India opt to bat against Australia

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful was today suspended by his Board till ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit submits a full report into allegations of match-fixing and spot-fixing on him in this year's Bangladesh Premier League.
     Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan told reporters that Ashraful has confessed his involvement in fixing matches to the ACSU team. Hassan said Ashraful would not be allowed to play cricket at any level.
     "As Ashraful has confessed his involvement in fixing to the ACSU team, so he should not be allowed to play any level of cricket until we get a full report of the investigation," Hassan told reporters.
     The ICC's ASCU has been probing allegations of wrong-doing during the Bangladesh Premier League, a Twenty20 competition.

BCB suspends Ashraful on match-fixing charges

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has come under sharp attack from some former cricketers for his alleged conflict of interest for having stakes in the sports management company which handles him and three of his Indian teammates.
     Dhoni found himself in a controversy when it came to light that he had 15 per cent stake in Rhiti Sports, which also manages Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Pragyan Ojha, besides the Indian captain.
     However, the firm has made it clear that Dhoni was a shareholder only for a brief period, and currently has no stakes.
     But former Indian cricketers and sports management executives feel that Dhoni should not put himself in such a position where questions could be raised about a possible conflict of interest.
     "Obviously, the documents that have come out indicates that it has been a conflict of interest as far as Dhoni's involvement with Rhiti Sports is concerned," former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad told PTI.
     "I don't mind if an ...

Dhoni comes under attack from former cricketers

In a major blunder, the PCB has ended up sending copies of the 2012 central contracts to the members of Pakistan team in England instead of dispatching the new contracts for 2013.
     According to a report in the "Jang" newspaper, the board officials realized their mistake after the old contacts had already been dispatched to England to be handed over to the players for their signatures.
    "After it was realized what had happened the board than sent the new central contracts announced recently for 2013," the report said.
     Interestingly, the players have only been sent the last page of the central contracts for their signatures meaning they are not aware as yet about the details and clauses on the other pages of the contracts.
     "Players have been told to sign the last page of the contracts by the manager of the team, Naved Akram Cheema who is handling things on behalf of the board causing some discern among the players who want to know details about the other clauses in ...

PCB mistakenly sends 2012 central contracts to Pak team

With a group of first mountaineers from the North East successfully scaling Mount Everest, Sports Minister Jitendra Singh has expressed the possibility of making such an expedition an annual affair.
     "The Minister while addressing the group of World Mt. Everest Expedition expressed the possibility that such an expedition could be made into an annual feature," a sports Ministry release stated.
     The expedition, which was flagged off on March 28 by President Pranab Mukherjee, handed over the Mt. Everest 'Summit Flag' to Singh yesterday after the successful completion of the mission.
     Led by L Surjit Singh from Manipur, the seven-member expedition team belonged to the six states of north east India.
     The expedition had several first to its credits, with Nameirakpam Chingkheinganba of Manipur being the youngest of the lot.
     Anshu Jamserpa from Arunachal Pradesh and a mother of two children became the first lady from the state to successfully climb the Everest, while ...

Northeast Everest climbers hand summit flag to sports minister

The IOC today asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to co-ordinate and submit all amendment proposals to the world body by no later than June 12, 2013, so the the process of lifting the ban on India could be started at the earliest.
     This letter is followed by the one, dated 24 May 2013, where the International Olympic Committee had issued the roadmap for the country's return to the Olympic fold, under which the IOA was suppose to amend its constitution before July 15 and elect new office bearers by September 1, both under the watchful eyes of the IOC.
     "This is to follow up on our letter of May 24. In order to move forward with the first step of the process (amendments to the IOA Constitution), you are kindly invited to co-ordinate and submit to us (by email) all amendments proposals from the membership of the suspended IOA as soon as possible and no later than 12 June 2013," Jerome Poivey, head of the IOC's Institutional Relations and Governance, wrote in the letter.
   

IOC asks IOA to submit amendments proposals

Grandmaster-in-waiting V Vishnu Prasanna scored a fine victory over compatriot Anurag Mahamal to maintain a clean slate after the end of the third round of the Grand Europe Albena International Chess tournament here.
     With his third victory in as many games, Prasanna remained a part of the six-player leading the tournament with a perfect score here at the black sea resort.
     The Indian shares the lead with top seed Constantin Lupulescu of Romania, Bulgarian duo of Boris Chatalbashev and Vasil Spasov, veteran legendary Grandmaster Evgeny Sveshnikov of Latvia and Sandro Mareco of Argentina.
     Meanwhile, Swapnil Dhopade and Ashwin Jayaram share the seventh spot on 2.5 points each along with 20 other players after draws in their third round game.
     While Dhopade had little to complain after sharing the point with higher rated Vladislav Nevednichy of Romania, Ashwin dropped a half point against lower rated Manuel Valles of France.
     Highest rated Indian it the fray, ...

Vishnu Prasanna in joint lead

Jaypee Sports International Ltd (JPSI) today announced that Kelme, a popular sports and lifestyle brand of Spain, will be the official supplier and licensed merchandise partner for Buddh International Circuit (BIC).
     Through this partnership, Kelme will have exclusive rights to design, develop and sell BIC branded motorsport and lifestyle apparel and accessories across India, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
     "We are very pleased to have a top quality international brand like Kelme as our apparel partner. There has always been a lot of interest for merchandise among motorsport fans, and with Kelme on board, we intend to offer more variety of stylish and trendy BIC collection," Sameer Gaur, MD and CEO of JPSI said in a statement.
     Ashish Seth, Director, South-East Asia, Kelme added, "Kelme has been synonymous with technology innovation and style. This partnership with BIC will provide world class merchandise to fans across the globe, and help popularise ...

BIC name Kelme as official merchandise partner

Having played for India's junior team in the qualifying rounds of Asian Football Confederation (AFC), city midfielder Alwyn George, adjudged as the best youngest player of the country, has now set his eyes on the senior team.
     Brought up in a middle class family in Martin Nagar in northern part of city, the 21-year-old, who has been associated with Pailan Arrows, was looking to sign with new club during the routine transfer next month as he has offers from a few ones.
     A product of Tata Football Academy (TFA), Alwyn has undergone training at Jamshedur and played professional football in under-13 and under-14 categories. He made his international debut in Uzbekistan in 2004 and later played in Oman in AFC qualifier.
     Alwyn was adjudged the 'Best Youngest Football Player of the Country' last fortnight by Players Football Association of India (PFAI) and given the coveted prize by All India Football Association (AIFF) president Praful Patel and actor Abhishek Bachchan.
     ...

City footballer Alwyn George aims big

Neymar became the eighth most expensive signing in football history by moving to Barcelona in a deal worth 57 million euros, uniting the Brazil star with Lionel Messi in a formidable attacking partnership.
     Neymar signed a five-year contract with club president Sandro Rosell yesterday, after choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid in an intense two-year bidding war between the fierce Spanish rivals.
     Barcelona vice president Josep Bartomeu revealed the club had expected to pay about 40 million euros, but that "the interference of other clubs" inflated the price, an allusion to Madrid.
     Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka, Luis Figo, Hulk and Fernando Torres have cost a club more than Neymar.
     Barcelona's previous most expensive transfer was when it paid 45 million euros to Inter Milan for Ibrahimovic in 2009 plus sent striker Samuel Eto'o the other way.
     Neymar laughed shyly when asked if he was worth the price paid for him.
     "No, but .

Neymar signs 5-year contract with Barcelona

World number one Novak Djokovic reached his 16th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final while seven-time champion Rafael Nadal marked his 27th birthday by also reaching the French Open last eight.
     Top seed Djokovic carved out a 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over 16th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber yesterday, with the German paying a high price for converting just two of 13 break points.
     World number one Djokovic goes on to face German 35-year-old Tommy Haas, who became the third oldest man to reach the last-eight with a comfortable 6-1 6-1 6-3 win over volatile Russian Mikhail Youzhny.
     Nadal, bidding to become the first man to win the same Grand Slam title eight times, trounced Japanese 13th seed Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-1 6-3.
     It was third-seeded Nadal's 56th win in 57 career matches at Roland Garros.
     The defending champion next faces Swiss ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka who reached his first French Open quarter-final, beating French seventh seed Richard Gasquet, 6-7 (5/7) 4-6 6-4 

Djokovic, Nadal close in on semi-final showdown

Defending champion Maria Sharapova joined third seed Victoria Azarenka in the French Open quarter-finals as both posted routine fourth-round wins.
     Sharapova was all business in seeing off American 17th seed Sloane Stephens 6-4 6-3 yesterday to set up a meeting with Serbian 18th seed Jelena Jankovic, who thrashed US hope Jamie Hampton 6-0 6-2, while double Australian Open champion Azarenka swamped 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-3 6-0.
     Sharapova, who in beating Sara Errani in last year's final became the sixth player in the Open era to complete a full collection of Grand Slams, was rarely troubled by Stephens, Australian Open semi-finalist last January, the Floridian 20-year, gifting her a final break by hitting long on match point.
     "I knew this was going to be a really hard match so I'm delighted to be in the quarter-final," said Sharapova, who found the wind made her task a little more challenging than she had hoped.
     "We had a few freaky points, a .

Sharapova, Azarenka ease into French Open last-eight

Criticised for maintaining a stoic silence on the IPL spot-fixing scandal, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said that the number one ranking in the ODIs brings with it certain respect in the way the players "conduct themselves" on the field.
     "Being number-one in the world brings with it a certain respect for the game itself and for the way in which we play the game and conduct ourselves on the field," Dhoni said after winning the ICC ODI Shield.
     In a simple ceremony at the Swalec Stadium here, former ICC president David Morgan presented Dhoni a silver salver and a cheque for USD 175,000.
     The brief ceremony took place a few metres away from where the Indians were training ahead of tomorrow's warm-up match against Australia here.
     "I am very proud of this huge achievement, as being number-one is a reward for all of us, but hopefully it is just the beginning.
     "You have to be consistent to be ranked number-one and I think we have reached that level of ...

No. 1 ranking in ODIs reflects our on-field conduct: Dhoni

The South African government has paid glowing tribute to South African Indian football legend Rashid Khan, who passed away in a hospital after a short illness.
	"I have learnt with deep sadness of the passing on of one of the shining sons of our nation, Rashid Khan," said Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
	"The history of South African soccer would be incomplete and could indeed not make sense without the contribution of people such as Rashid. In a way, Rashid's life is also synonymous with our nation's history. Rashid emerged at the height of oppressive political conditions to put his stamp on the history of our football through his incredible footballing prowess."
	Motlanthe said despite racists apartheid laws, Khan persisted with others of his time to make a contribution to the development of football in South Africa.
	"Today, as we enjoy football in a free and democratic country where players are well-paid and infrastructure is taken for granted, it is all too easy to forget ...

Tributes for South African Indian football legend

BCCI Working Group chief Jagmohan Dalmiya today rubbished talks of he being a proxy of N Sinivasan, who stepped aside as Board President, without any power as "wishful thinking", saying that his actions would show the real picture.
     Asked about criticism by detractors that he would be Srinivasan's proxy, Dalmiya said, "That is probably a wishful thinking. I will show what it is."
     He said Sanjay Jagdale has refused to withdraw his resignation from the post of secretary but Ajay Shirke could not be contacted after giving one day's time whether he would take back his resignation for the post of treasurer or not.
     "As far as Jagdale is concerned, he has told us that he does not want to continue as secretary. But we have not been able to communicate with Shirke so far. We are hoping that we would be able to get a reply from him by tomorrow. We will wait till tomorrow," he said.
     Asked whether he had powers to appoint a new secretary or treasurer, Dalmiya said, "That is ...

I am no proxy for Srinivasan: Dalmiya

Former ICC president David Morgan today said N Srinivasan did the right thing by stepping aside as BCCI president till a probe into his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's involvement in betting is completed.
     Speaking to small group of reporters on the sidelines of the ICC ODI Shield presentation ceremony here, Morgan said: "I watched NDTV last night for half an hour and it does seem to be quite a confused situation (at BCCI).
     "I believe that Srinivasan stepping aside has done the right thing and quite clearly there are many talented administrators in the BCCI who can help ... Jagmohan Dalmiya, IS Bindra, Shashank Manohar and Sharad Pawar are very talented and capable," said the 76-year-old Morgan.
     Srinivasan had stepped aside as BCCI President during the Board's Emergent Working Committee meeting yesterday, under a compromise formula that brought back former Chief Jagmohan Dalmiya as head of a four-member "interim arrangement" to run the Indian Board, more than a fortnight 

Srinivasan did the right thing to step aside: Ex-ICC chief

Ajit Chandila had allegedly told bookies that he would not facilitate fixing for the first few IPL matches, because he was hoping to be picked for the national squad

Vindoo had tried to elicit 'tips' from KKR CEO: Mumbai police

Press Trust of India

With the Nehru Stadium spruced up with a brand-new synthetic track in place, top athletes of the country, including Krishna Poonia and M R Poovamma, geared up to give their best in 53rd National Inter-State Championships which starts here tomorrow.
     The four-day meet, which will be the final selection trial for the July 3-7 Asian Championships in Pune and also a qualifying event for the Moscow World Championship in August, is expected to see strong competition among the athletes.
     Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have entered maximum number of athletes and about 1000 athletes from 31 states are slated to participate in the championship.
     A host of international medallists, national champions, record holders as well as some up and coming athletes will be seen in action.
     Olympians Poonia, Seema Antil, K T Irfan, Tintu Luka and Om Prakash Karhana and the likes of Gayatri Govindaraj and Rajeev Arokia will add colour to the  competition.
     As per preliminary entry ..

Top athletes in National Inter-State Athletics

Australia today named its 14-member under-19 squad for the one-day International Series in Darwin which will get underway on June 30.
     Hosts Australia will take on India and New Zealand in the triangular series, which has been conceptuatlised by Cricket Australia in preparation for next February's ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Dubai.
     The squad: Matthew Short, Damien Mortimer, Tom Leaver, Ben McDermott, Sean Willis, Alex Gregory, Jake Doran, Riley Ayre, Matthew Kelly, Josh Dunning, Matthew Fotia, Jeremy Maher, Gabe Bell, Cameron Valente.

Australia names U-19 squad for triangular series

India's young batsmen will face some Australian chin-music when they two teams square off in the second and final warm-up game on a newly-laid pitch at the Swalec Stadium here tomorrow.
     In a series of warm-up matches planned by the ICC, both teams come off comprehensive wins as India prepare for their Champions Trophy opener against South Africa on June 6.
     The sun has been beating down at Cardiff and the groundmen are happy that their "new" strip should have a bit for both batsmen and bowlers.
     Australia have a little edge going into Tuesday's day-match having beaten the West Indies in a warm-up game here on June 1.
     Chasing 257 for a win, Australian batsmen knocked off the winning runs losing just four wickets with more than 10 overs to spare.
     India are also coming off a resounding win against Sri Lanka in Birmingham on Saturday. Twin tons by middle-order generals Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik helped India overhaul a victory target of 334 by five wickets, but .

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