Wednesday , July 15, 1998
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S P O R T | Wednesday , July 15, 1998 |
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Abinshyam sails into quarterfinals CHENNAI, July 14 — All seeded players, barring sixth seed Srikant Bakshi (India), took their appointed places in the quarterfinals of the Indian Oil Servo Asian Satellite (second leg) Badminton tournament, here today. Bakshi lost to compatriot Chetan Anand 15-13, 4-15, 4-15... Platini sees future with two referees PARIS, July 14 — Michel Platini, the World Cup finals behind him, has said he foresaw soccer games being officiated by two referees. "There will be an orientation towards two referees rather than video," former France captain Platini, President of the CFO World Cup organising committee, said yesterday... Jeev fails to qualify for British Open SOUTHPORT, England, July 14 — India’s Jeev Milkha Singh today failed in his bid to qualify for the British Open championship at Royal Birkdale after missing out on a five-way play-off for the remaining two spots at Hesketh Golf Club here by a solitary shot in treacherous weather conditions... Brazilians can't believe they have lost RIO DE JANEIRO, July 14 — Romario had to fight back the tears in front of the television cameras. It is always difficult to lose, but nobody really expected this, the 32-year-old football star who is acting as a commentator for the Brazilian channel... |
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Japan
to be harsh on hooligans |
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MCC
hockey tourney from tomorrow CHENNAI, July 14 — In a bid to give a new turn to the Indian team’s standing in international arena following the debacle in the World Cup in May, the Indian Hockey Federation is conducting the annual MCC Murugappa tournament here from July 16 to 25 as a major competition to pick the team for the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur in September this year... Jansher to take part in Mahindra Open MUMBAI, July 14 — Pakistan’s record eight-time world squash champion Jansher Khan will participate in the Mahindra World Open to be held in Bangalore from November 29 to December 5... Ronaldo says he suffered a fit BRASILIA, July 14 — Brazilian striker Ronaldo suffered a convulsive fit just hours before last night’s World Cup final, Brazilian television reported last night... 18-member team for world shooting NEW DELHI, July 14 — An 18-member Indian shooting team comprising a nine-member men’s squad led by pistol ace Jaspal Rana and six women left last night to participate in the 47th World Shooting Championship in Barcelona... Newcombe opposes change in rule SYDNEY, July 14 — John Newcombe has criticised the International Tennis Federation (ITF) over its decision to dispense with the advantage rule in Davis Cup and Fed Cup matches... Kwatra 24th in jr world golf NEW DELHI, July 14 — India’s Shivin Kwatra returned a four day aggregate of 294 to finish 24th in the boys age group of 15-17 years at the Junior World Golf Championships that ended in Torrey Pines South, San Diego on Sunday... |
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| Abinshyam sails into quarterfinals CHENNAI, July 14 (PTI) — All seeded players, barring sixth seed Srikant Bakshi (India), took their appointed places in the quarterfinals of the Indian Oil Servo Asian Satellite (second leg) Badminton tournament, here today. Bakshi lost to compatriot Chetan Anand 15-13, 4-15, 4-15. Almost all matches on view provided stiff competition. The last eight stages have been reached in both men and women singles and men’s doubles. Chetan Anand exhibited better control with smashes and drops right from the beginning. In the first game the players traded rallies and a few unforced errors by Anand helped Bakshi collect points. In fact, the rivals were on level terms at 11-all and hereabout Anand failed to cash in on the chances and lost 13-15. However, in the second and third, Anand was in total control and smashed for points with ease to win 13-15, 15-4, 15-4. Others to enter the men’s singles last eight were Indians Abinshyam Gupta (third-seed), Sachin Ratti (8th), Nikhil Kanetkar (5th), Ajit Wijetilak (7th), Second-Seeded Malaysian Lee Tusen Seng and his compatriot 4th-seed Yeoh Kay Bin and Sri Lanka’s unseeded Palinda Halangoda. In the women’s hot favourite and top seed Aparna Popat breezed through her match against compatriot Madi Raja Reddy. A qualifier from Vizag, Popat won in minutes without conceding any points. In the match between second seeded Lee Tusen Seng and Sri Lanka’s T. Edinshinghe, the former was at his best. Seng played a fast game and his mixture of attack and defence earned him vital points. His game plan of keeping Edinshinghe rooted to the baseline and then placing for points was excellent. Seng was so swift in his movements that he rarely missed any return. However, he did surrender a couple of points but won 15-6, 15-10. However, for Indian badminton fans much of the glamour and sheen associated with the second leg of the Asian Satellite Badminton tournament was lost as the country’s top ranked player and the tournament top seed Gopichand did not turn up for his first round match here yesterday. Gopichand and another Indian player Arup Badya were absent when their opponents Ahmed Riyaz (Maldives) and Pillinova Kplengota (Sri Lanka), respectively, turned up on adjacent courts for their matches. As a result, both Riyaz and Kplengota got walkovers into the second round of the main draw. Tournament organising secretary, S.A.K. Manickavasakam told reporters "Gopichand was here in Chennai last week for treatment and was aware of the tournament and his billing as top seed". Badya also did not reach Chennai. BAI officials said: "The importance of the tournament, specially organised for the benefit of Indian players to get some vital ranking points, has been lost." Some fans, who thronged the stadium to see Gopichand in action, said: "BAI should treat such indiscipline from players sternly." Results of the matches held on the second day here today: Men’s singles: winners enter quarterfinals: Palinda Halangoda (Srl) bt Ahmed Riyaz (Mld) 15-13, 15-6, Yeoh Kay Bin (Mas) bt Parag Modi (Ind) 15-11, 15-2, Sachin Ratti (Ind) bt Sushant Saxena (Ind) 15-11, 15-9, Nikhil Kanetkar (Ind) bt Mayur Ghatnekar (Ind) 15-10, 15-2, Ajit Wijetilak (Ind) bt Mangrish Palekar (Ind) 12-15, 15-9, 15-7, Abinshyam Gupta (Ind) bt Anuj Gupta (Ind) 15-7, 15-3, Leo Tusen Seng (Mas) bt T. Edinshinghe (Srl) 15-6, 15-10. Women’s singles: Aparna Popat (Ind) bt Madi Raja Reddy (Ind) 11-0, 11-0. NEW DELHI: Doordarshan will telecast live the finals of the Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, on Friday, July 17. The telecast, beginning at 3 p.m. will be available on DD-2 a release said here on Tuesday. |
| Platini sees future with two
referees PARIS, July 14 (Reuters) — Michel Platini, the World Cup finals behind him, has said he foresaw soccer games being officiated by two referees. "There will be an orientation towards two referees rather than video," former France captain Platini, President of the CFO World Cup organising committee, said yesterday. "Video aides, yes, but not refereeing by video," he told a news conference. Platini, however, said the refereeing had gone well at France '98 especially after FIFA President Sepp Blatter underlined feelings about the tackles from behind. Platini also felt there had been no more faking injury or play-acting than in any normal soccer game. It had always been the tendency that the player reacting was the one dismissed. "In the five years I was in Italy (with Juventus) I was systematically fouled and if I reacted I was sent off," he said. Platini said the CFO was leaving the French Football Federation a rich legacy of 10 well equipped stadiums and in profit. CFO managing director Jacques Lambert said he was surprised organisers of the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea should be planning on 17 venues, even if it was a joint venture. Commenting on the co-host’s decision of constructing 17 venues, Lambert said: "Eight would be right, it’s the minimum, 10 is okay," and added that mounting and running a World Cup venue was extremely expensive. On hooligans, Lambert said: "one can’t do more today than we did. With the freedom of movement of people throughout Europe you can only do prevention work against risk-supporters. "If they’re not fans but criminals it’s unstoppable," he said. Lambert said his one regret was that the bulk of the French people only became caught up in the World Cup 15 days from the finish. "The turning point was France-Paraguay," he said. "If we hadn’t qualified, it would never have been a national event."  |
| Jeev fails to qualify for British
Open SOUTHPORT, England, July 14 (UNI) — India’s Jeev Milkha Singh today failed in his bid to qualify for the British Open championship at Royal Birkdale after missing out on a five-way play-off for the remaining two spots at Hesketh Golf Club here by a solitary shot in treacherous weather conditions. Jeev, one of six Indians attempting to qualify for the world’s most prestigious golf event, followed an opening round 75 with a four over par 76 and finished with a 153 aggregate for 36 holes. "I was going great on the front nine and was well on target after reaching the turn at one under par," said Jeev, India’s sole representative on the PGA European Tour. "But, like yesterday, the back nine got me — there was a long wait on the 11th and I couldn’t make up my mind whether to use my driver or one iron. In the end I used a driver, lost my ball and ended up taking a double bogey." The three-time winner on the Asian PGA’s Omega Tour carded one birdie, three bogeys and one double bogey. "On the first day I shot 41 for the back nine and today I took 40. I played pretty solid on the whole, but it looks likely I’ll miss out by just one shot," added Jeev, currently 68th in the European rankings. "It’s the hardest 36 holes of golf I’ve ever played, but I was pleased with the way I kept my composure and kept playing the course instead of worrying about the difficult conditions." Singh’s compatriot Vivek Bhandari also gave a good account of himself in what was his first attempt to qualify for the Open championship. Vivek carded two birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey at the par 71 Hesketh Golf Club, following his first round 77 with a four over par 75 for a 152 aggregate. The 26-year-old from New Delhi missed the qualifying mark at his designated course by six shots. "I played pretty good today, but unfortunately I didn’t score too well, and made a few too many mistakes" which you can’t afford to do on a course like this, said Vivek currently 28th on the Omega Order of Merit. Arjun Atwal also struggled with the swirling wind and rain, and posted his second consecutive 79 for a 158 aggregate. Atwal fired two birdies and nine bogeys, and finished 12 shots off the qualifying mark at Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club. "I can’t really tell how I was playing because it was so though with the wind and the rain. I perhaps played a little better than in the first round but it’s impossible to gauge because you’re constantly battling with the wind," said Atwal. "It’s been the two windiest days of golf I’ve ever played I’ve been to England a few times before but I’ve never experienced anything like this." Gaurav Ghei, who last year became the first Indian to compete in the Open after qualifying for the 126th championship at Royal Troon, also failed to come to terms with the wind, while Arjun Singh failed to post a score after withdrawing from the second round. While the Indians struggled with the challenging conditions, Choi Kyung-Ju of Korea and Australia’s Grant Dodd successfully made it through to the third major of the season. Choi followed his first round 74 with a three over par 75 at Hillside Golf Club, making sure of qualification with a birdie at the last. The 1996 Korean Open champion posted a five over par 149 aggregate for 36 holes, finishing joint ninth of the 14 qualifiers from his designated course. Dodd, meanwhile, posted the lowest round of the day at Hesketh Golf Club, a two under 69, and qualified comfortably after a superb eagle at the last. The 31-year-old from Sydney also carded two birdies and two bogeys to finish with a 145 aggregate, securing his open qualification for the second consecutive year in joint fifth place. The Indian challenge was part of a 41-strong contingent from the Asian PGA’s Omega Tour attempting to qualify for the open. Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky sponsored the trip for the second consecutive year. |
| Brazilians can't believe they have
lost RIO DE JANEIRO, July 14 (DPA) — Romario had to fight back the tears in front of the television cameras. It is always difficult to lose, but nobody really expected this, the 32-year-old football star who is acting as a commentator for the Brazilian channel Globo stammered after the stunning 3-0 loss to hosts France in the World Cup final in Paris. Romario’s words and sadness on Sunday evening were a reflection of the suffering of a whole nation. The country had for days already regarded itself as certain pentacampeao , or five-times world champions, and had been celebrating accordingly. Defeat was not even seen as a remote possibility, and when it came the disappointment and shock were that much greater. As many as 160 million people are now suffering. "Second place is worth nothing to us," said a commentator on CBN Radio after the final whistle in far-off Paris. People of all ages and groups wept openly on the streets of Rio De Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia and other major cities in which tens of thousands had gathered to watch the match on large screens. There were scattered attempts in Rio’s Tijuca district to cheer people up with live Samba rhythms, but despite the consumption of large quantities of the alcoholic cachaca drink, these efforts were just as fruitless as those displayed on the field of the French capital by Ronaldo and his teammates. Tears, mourning and sadness also dominated the atmosphere in the Boteco stand-up bars and the television studios. Why are you still watching? The leader of a World Cup discussion group asked ironically. And Star Television commentator Galvao Bueno spoke of the the worst defeat in football history. The city of Rio De Janeiro had prepared a party for two million people on the famous Copacabana beach. But nobody felt like staying around. Instead a sea of flags and a four-metre high model of Paris’s Arc De Triomphe were left behind in the rainy weather. The newspaper Jornal Do Brasil was one of the few which had recognised the danger ahead of time and warned in large letters on its front page on Saturday of excessive optimism. Those directly involved in France were partly to blame. Only a disaster can keep the title from us, former football star and technical coordinator Zico had proclaimed. The fans believed this and began celebrating on Saturday with loud fireworks which only ended when France scored the third goal in the final minutes of the match. Nevertheless, the Brazilians proved to be good losers once they realised that the unexpected, and therefore doubly painful, defeat was inevitable. "France deserved to win. They are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the world, said football legend Pele, who was also working as a commentator for Globo. And team coach Mario Zagallo, who has been much criticised at home, was also graceful in defeat. "The cup is in good hands, France’s victory is completely justified." But criticism was not long in coming in Brazil. A lot of mistakes were made, especially in the preparatory stage. Zagallo had too many incapable people around him, former midfielder Tostao, a key member of the 1970 world champions, complained while commenting for ESPN Brasil. We must learn from this disaster. Things have to be very different, much more serious, in future," he declared. And popular television host Ratinho charged that these people with their golden boots did not really fight. President Fernando Cardoso has also been hard hit by the loss. Not only is the 57-year-old an ardent football fan, he had also expected to benefit in his bid for re-election in October should Brazil win a fifth world championship. |
| Japan to be harsh on hooligans TOKYO, July 14 (Reuters) — Japan insists soccer hooliganism, which left its ugly mark on the World Cup in France, will not be tolerated at the 2002 tournament which it will co-host with South Korea. Rioting by English and German fans in France shocked the world, prompting Japan to consider banning suspects from travelling to the country in four years. "It’s necessary for us to talk to the governments of the participating countries about controlling hooligans," said Junji Ogura, President of Japan’s Football Association (JFA). "It might be necessary to have rulings such as banning the usual hooligan suspects from travelling abroad," he said. A Japanese municipal government official, who had first hand experience of hooliganism in France, said: "We may have to mobilise riot police to prevent violence. "To be honest, there are countries I don’t want to see in Japan," he told Kyodo News. English hooligans rioted in Marseille during the first round but it took an attack by a group of German thugs in the northern town of Lens to persuade police to get tough. French policeman Daniel Nivel was doing nothing more than standing guard over a police bus but he was pummelled into a coma, bringing the tournament to its lowest ebb. An official at South Korea’s national police agency said police would not hesitate to use teargas to quell any outbreak of violence. Japan and South Korea have each had an official based at the office of the French organising committee since May to see how the World Cup was organised and to learn lessons. Old rivals Japan and South Korea will co-host the next World Cup, the first in Asia, and Seoul has expressed hopes North Korea — one of the world’s most isolated and least developed countries — would also play a part. "Considerations include whether new FIFA President Sepp Blatter will encourage North Korea’s involvement as much as his predecessor," said Park Kyung Suk, director at the Unification Ministry which oversees relations between the North and South. The poor quality of stadiums in the North and issues like security and accommodation also have to be addressed. "Despite the difficulties our basic position is that we are hopeful North Korea will host some of the games," said Park. "But it is really entirely up to North Korea." Ticketing, which was another downside to France ’98, will also be high on the agenda of 2002 organisers. Many Japanese fans did not receive tickets they had bought for games in France because travel operators let them down. "It’s assumed there will be very high demand for tickets for the 2002 World Cup," said Ogura. "Japan’s organising committee wants to discuss ticketing policies with FIFA after they receive the results of the French police investigation into suspected ticket agencies." |
| Sasikaran wins, in joint lead BENASQUE (Spain), July 14 (PTI) — International Master K. Sasikaran (7) of India scored a hard fought win over Ranola Yves of Philippines to join the leaders at the end of the eighth round of the Benasque International Open Chess Tournament here today. Overnight leaders R. Ebilova and Alexey Kuzmin agreed to a quick draw allowing four other players, including Sasikiran, to catch up with them. The 17-year-old Sasikiran, who has had a fine run in the tournament uptil now, employed his favourite Torre attack against the Kings indian defence of Ranola but made a couple of mistakes soon after obtaining a winning position in the opening, allowing Yves a chance to go for a draw. But the Filipino blundered to allow full points to Sasikiran, who joined Ubilova, Kuzimin, Barbero, Cifuntes Parada and GM S. Conquest at the top. Roktim Bandopadhyay came back from a bad start to score his second successive win. He beat Galvao Henrique to take his tally to six points. Neelotpal Das and Rahul Shetty both reached 5.5 points with wins over Rosell Formosa and pes mateo angel respectively while former national ‘A’ champion P. Konguvel fell victim to an opening trap laid by GM P. Milos to lose in just 17 moves of Petroff defence. Sandeepan Chanda (5) lost to GM Apicella while IM-Elect V. Saravanan (5) crashed to his second straight defeat against Lars Hansen. |
| Brazil arrive home to muted
reception BRASILIA, July 14 (Reuters) — Brazil’s soccer team arrived home to a muted reception today as the nation tried to come to terms with Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to France in the World Cup final. A plane carrying the team touched down shortly after dawn in the capital Brasilia. A red carpet was rolled out and a government minister shook hands with the players, including striker Ronaldo who appeared to be limping as he walked across the tarmac. Four years ago, the scene was very different. Then, Romario, the star of Brazil’s successful World Cup campaign, appeared at the cockpit window waving a Brazilian flag. With this year’s World Cup trophy missing from the baggage, organisers dropped a plan to parade the players through Brasilia atop a fire engine - the traditional welcome home for victorious Brazilian sportsmen - and booked a coach instead. Outside the palace, crowds dressed in the national colour of yellow and green cheered as a military band struck up a cheerful tune. But fans said the mood was sombre. The hottest topic of discussion remained star striker Ronaldo, who suffered a convulsive fit just hours before Sunday’s match, and whether manager Mario Zagallo was right to include him in the team. The Brazilian media were just as unforgiving. Newspapers printed interviews with doctors and psychiatrists condemning the decision to play Ronaldo. |
| MCC hockey tourney from tomorrow CHENNAI, July 14 (UNI) — In a bid to give a new turn to the Indian team’s standing in international arena following the debacle in the World Cup in May, the Indian Hockey Federation is conducting the annual MCC Murugappa tournament here from July 16 to 25 as a major competition to pick the team for the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur in September this year. In what would be a mini senior national championship, 15 teams -Railways, Punjab, Air-India, Indian Airlines, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Karnataka XI, All India Customs and Central Excise, Services, Punjab-Sind Bank, Mumbai XI, Gujarat XI, Tamil Nadu XI, Bihar XI, FCI and IHF Colts XI would be fielding the leading national level players, IHF Secretary K. Jyothikumaran and Organising Secretary B. Vijayakumar said here last night. The teams have been divided into four pools, with four teams in three pools and three in one pool to compete in the league phase. The top team from each pool will qualify for the knockout semi-finals on July 25 with a rest day on July 23. The IHF had initially announced this competition as Independence Cup Tournament but later decided to merge it with the national-level MCC Tournament on account of sponsorship, Mr Jyothikumaran said. He said the winning team would get Rs 60,000 and runner-up Rs 40,000. The selection committee headed by its chairman and IHF President K.P.S. Gill and SAI’s sports medicine doctors would watch the players as the IHF was giving more importance to improving the physical fitness of the players in the wake of the World Cup disaster. Mr Jyothikumaran said the probables would be chosen during this tournament, keeping in mind the forthcoming international engagements like the four-nation tournament in Germany, the Asian Games, besides the Commonwealth Games. The probables would undergo an exclusive physical fitness camp at Bangalore, in the first week of August. The exact dates and duration of the camp would be finalised during the tournament. The final phase of the camp to pick the team for the Commonwealth Games would be held at the Astroturf stadium in Chennai. He said India has been invited to participate along with Korea, the Netherlands and Germany in this year’s edition of the four-nation tournament also. A final decision on the participation in the tournament would be taken by the IHF, he added. The Indian team would be leaving for Kuala Lumpur on September 3 for the Commonwealth Games for acclimatization, he added. |
| Jansher to take part in Mahindra
Open MUMBAI, July 14 (PTI) — Pakistan’s record eight-time world squash champion Jansher Khan will participate in the Mahindra World Open to be held in Bangalore from November 29 to December 5. The former world number one put to rest all rumours about his non-participation in the world open stating that he did not want to miss the opportunity to compete in Bangalore though he was unable to defend his title in Malaysia last year due to personal reasons. In a fax message from his home town in Peshawar, Jansher said: "It will be a big day for me to win the World Open in India and I think it will be a great victory and honour for my country during my 12-year career". "I want to win this prestigious title for 11 or 12 times before my retirement. I want to establish a record for my country that will be difficult for others to beat", the Pakistan star said. Jansher, who has resumed training following surgery on his knees in April, praised Professional Squash Association’s Executive Director John Mimick and tournament organiser Anil Singh for getting the sport’s richest world championship shifted to "the silicon valley" city after Shiv Sena had threatened to stop Pakistani artistes and sportsmen from performing in Mumbai. "I am happy with the move (shifting the venue) as winning the World Open in the "garden city" will fulfil my dream. I also do not believe that I will face any problem in playing in India and hope that this tournament would bring closer the masses of both the countries", Jansher said. "I also received excellent response from the Indian spectators at last year’s Mahindra international tournament in Mumbai and I hope it will be the same this time around", added the super star. Jansher also expects to regain his number one slot this year and will take his first big stride in that direction by participating in the Hong Kong Open next month. |
| Ronaldo says he suffered a fit BRASILIA, July 14 (Reuters) — Brazilian striker Ronaldo suffered a convulsive fit just hours before last night’s World Cup final, Brazilian television reported last night. The 21-year-old star, who failed to produce anything like his usual form during France’s 3-0 victory, told national Globo television he feared for his life during the attack during which he reportedly swallowed his tongue. "It was a tremendous scare. We lost the World Cup but I won another cup - my life" Ronaldo said. "I don’t remember properly but I went to sleep and then, like the doctor said, it seems I had a fit for 30 or 40 seconds." He told Globo. "I woke up then and my whole body was in pain. But with time the pain got less and I relaxed a bit." Brazilian team doctor Lidio Toledo said he rushed Ronaldo to a hospital where he underwent several tests, including a check on his heart, but no problem was detected. "Everything was normal so I came to the conclusion that it had to be some nervous fit," Toledo told Globo. Ronaldo said he decided after the tests that he was able to play. "I could have chickened out but after the problem I decided to play and I went out there to help the team," he said. "I don’t want to find any excuses for the defeat. They (France) played well. The two goals from corners were clearly our mistakes but they played better than us." World Cup bonanza for French TV PARIS, July 14 (Reuters) — TF1, France’s biggest private terrestrial television station, pulled in over five times its usual advertising revenue during the World Cup final on Sunday a station executive has said. The receipts of 52 million francs ($ 8.57 million) compared with some 10 million francs on a normal Sunday evening. "This was the most important event of the year... we focused everything on it", Claude Cohen, chairman of TF1’s advertising space seller TF1 Publicite, said in a telephone interview yesterday. |
| 18-member team for world shooting NEW DELHI, July 14 (PTI) — An 18-member Indian shooting team comprising a nine-member men’s squad led by pistol ace Jaspal Rana and six women left last night to participate in the 47th World Shooting Championship in Barcelona. Jaspal, his brother Subhash, veteran Ashok Pandit, Army marksmen A.P. Subbaiah, T.C. Palangappa and Ved Prakash, Vivek Singh and Nikhil Yadav and Mansher Singh (trap) comprised the men’s team. Jaspal’s younger sister Sushma, Shilpi Singh, Kuheli Gangulee, Sheila Kanungo, Sonal Ramender and Dipali made up the women’s contingent for the prestigious event, according to Jaspal’s father and shooting coach N.S. Rana. National coach Sunny Thomas, Dhiren Bhatia (armourer) and T.S. Dhillon are among the four officials accompanying the team. India is not participating in the skeet event. Rifle-shooters Subbaiah, who returned an excellent score of 595 out of a possible 600 in the prone event for a new national record at the May Grand Prix in the USA, and T.C. Palangappa besides Ved Prakash (centrefire) were expected to return excellent results. |
| Newcombe opposes change in rule SYDNEY, July 14 (Reuters) — John Newcombe has criticised the International Tennis Federation (ITF) over its decision to dispense with the advantage rule in Davis Cup and Fed Cup matches. Newcombe, Australia’s Davis Cup captain, said the new rule, which decrees that once deuce is reached the next point will decide the game, did not have the support of players and coaches. "The ITF met Davis Cup captains of the top 16 nations at Wimbledon where the subject of the no-ad rule was raised and they were all unanimous that they didn’t want anything to do with it," Newcombe said. The ITF announced after its annual meeting in Ireland last week that it planned to experiment with the rule change over two years starting from 1999. The rule is designed to shorten matches and make the game more attractive for television. The change will be tried out in lower divisions of the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup. Newcombe, a former Wimbledon, US and Australian Open champion, said the plan would rob the sport of one of its prime attractions. "The no-ad rule was tried in college tennis in the states and it made the tennis very mundane and not that much quicker," Newcombe said. "It takes away one of the great things about the scoring system. If you can get into a long deuce game you have a situation where you can wear your opponent down." Kwatra 24th in jr world golf NEW DELHI, July 14 (PTI) — India’s Shivin Kwatra returned a four day aggregate of 294 to finish 24th in the boys age group of 15-17 years at the Junior World Golf Championships that ended in Torrey Pines South, San Diego on Sunday. Kwatra returned a poor four over 76 in the final round but his identical par 72 in the previous two rounds after a first day’s card of 74 enabled him to come within one stroke of his previous best of 293 achieved in 1996. He finished with south African junior champion Schuttie Vincent, according to information received here yesterday. Japan’s Kiroi Taro pipped three others to clinch the title with an aggregate of 284. The girls title went to Dorothy Delasin of California. Australia and Japan tied for the team championship in which India was not represented. |
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A
huge mascot of the World Youth Games dances with
a doll at the opening ceremony of the Youth Games
at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Monday. The
first-ever World Youth Games were launched with
plenty of fanfare with President Boris Yeltsin,
International Olympic Committee head Juan Antonio
Samaranch and thousands of athletes from around
the world in attendance. AP/PTI
