• HP athletic meet postponed
• Punjab subjunior handball
• A noble gesture
• Trials put off

Philippoussis, Moya move into semis

NEW YORK, Sept 11 (AP) — Pete Sampras stands on the cusp of history in the U.S. Open. Patrick Rafter, the defending champion, stands in his way.

In what promises to be the showcase match of a tame tournament that so far has provided few surprises or dramatic battles, Sampras and Rafter meet in a men’s semifinal that will have the feel of a final.

The last 11 days have seemed little more than a setup for tomorrow’s match, which features two of the best serve-and-volleyers of their generation. It pits the hottest players in men’s tennis against each other.

And it could provide revenge for Sampras not only against an opponent who defeated him a month ago in Cincinnati, but also against critics who had written him off as an over-the-hill champion.

"It’s time, this is the U.S. Open, this is the big moment of the year for me," Sampras said. "This is what the year boils down to for me."

Mark Philippoussis won a thrilling tiebreaker in the fifth set to defeat Thomas Johansson late last night in a match featuring 50 aces, setting up an encounter with Carlos Moya in the other semifinal.

Philippoussis slammed 30 aces, including 11 in the final set, in his 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 7-6 (12-10) win over Johansson, who had 20 aces and 15 double faults. Philippoussis hit one serve at 132 mph, only to be outdone by his opponent whose 136 mph serve was the fastest of the tournament.

"I got the first serves in when I needed it, I kept the pressure on and it finally paid off," Philippoussis said at the end of the 3 hour, 26 minute match.

The other quarterfinal lasted just 90 minutes.

No. 10 Moya, who won this year’s French Open and was a finalist at the Australian Open, made just 15 unforced errors in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Magnus Larsson. Moya faced only one break point in the match, and never lost his serve.

Until this year, Moya was known mostly as a clay-court player. His results at the Australian and U.S. Opens show how he has developed into a top player on all surfaces.

"I grew up on clay, so I think I’m always going to have the game on clay," Moya said. "If you ask me right now, I prefer hard. If you ask me two weeks ago, I prefer clay."

The women’s semifinals are set for Friday, with top-seeded Martina Hingis facing No. 3 Jana Novotna and an all-American match between No. 2 Lindsay Davenport and No. 5 Venus Williams.

When Sampras lost in the second round of the French Open in late May, the whispers about the end of his reign atop men’s tennis became louder. His stretch as No. 1 briefly had been broken earlier in the year by Marcelo Rios, and Sampras appeared vulnerable for the first time in years.

But he won a record-tying fifth Wimbledon title in July, and is within two victories of two more records Jimmy Connors’ mark of five U.S. Open titles and Roy Emerson’s record of 12 Grand Slam singles titles.

Sampras, who will remain No. 1 in the world no matter what happens the rest of this tournament, has not lost in a Grand Slam semifinal since 1996 at Wimbledon.

Rafter had lost eight straight times to Sampras before beating him in the final of an ATP Tour event in Cincinnati in mid-August, a match that ended with a disputed call. Rafter’s serve was called out, but the umpire overruled the call to give Rafter the ace and the match.

Sampras stood at the baseline for several seconds, making the victorious Rafter wait at the net, and then refused to shake the umpire’s hand.

Rafter said that win will change his attitude heading into Saturday’s semifinal.

"I won’t go on the court feeling as intimidated as I had before," he said. "But Pete is a different kettle of fish altogether. I had a great win last year. He’s done it for the last six years."

Rafter, whose speed will be pitted against Sampras’ power, had to rally from a two-set deficit in the first round against Hicham Arazi. Since then, he has dropped just one set in four matches.

Rafter is trying to become the sixth man of the open era to successfully defend a U.S. Open singles title. That’s an accomplishment that would impress even Sampras.

"That’s really a true sign for me on how I look at a player, is winning a major if you can come back and do it again," Sampras said. "That is the toughest thing to do in sports."

Whither has fled the glory and glamour?

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (AP) — Room service is out. They’ve got to do their own laundry and after a hard day’s work they don’t even get paid.

Life is unusual these days for cricket’s superstars who have left behind the big bucks, glamour and adoring fans to play in the Commonwealth Games where cricket is making its debut. But all this is fair game, say the cricketers.

"When we left (India) we knew it was not going to be the same," said Ajay Jadeja, the Indian captain.

"We decided that we are going to the Games to win a medal and it does not matter that you are not getting room service," he told the Associated Press.

Unlike their regular five-star lifestyle, the cricketers must stay five-to-an-apartment in the Games village, a condominium complex of sparsely furnished high-rise homes.

There are no phones in the rooms and athletes make their own tea. Buffet food is laid out in a cafeteria, but no special orders, please. The launderette is on the ground level.

The cricketers say they are prepared for all this.

"The guys make use of what’s around. There have been no complaints," said Steve Bernard, the manager of Australia’s team, one of 16 sides competing.

Jadeja said his team-mates also were glad to leave the autograph hunters behind and lose themselves in the anonymity of a crush of 5,000 athletes at the Games village.

International cricket is played only by seven of the 70 participating nations.

Most sportsmen at the village wouldn’t ever have seen a cricket bat let alone recognize the stars in their midst such as Sachin Tendulkar of India, Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh from Australia, West Indian star Curtly Ambrose and Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka who have the status of demi-gods back home.

At the village, instead of being hunted by fans, the cricketers are seeking out others. The Indians cheered their country’s hockey team in a match against Australia on Wednesday and went out for dinner with weightlifters yesterday.

"It feels great to be away (from the limelight)," said Jadeja during an interview in coach K. Srikkanth’s room where the team was holding a meeting before tomorrow’s game against Canada.

But the escape from fans can never be total. During the interview, an official from the Indian contingent thrust into Jadeja’s hands a folder filled with autographs. "This is something that will not leave us," Jadeja said.

Besides the threat of rain ruining the matches, the cricketers’ other problem is the lack of proper pitches and training facilities in a country where cricket is not such a hot sport.

Today, Jadeja and his team-mates practiced on a makeshift pitch of Astro Turf at a military college.

Still, for the purists, it’s a joy to see cricket played with the same pristine qualities that characterized it until about two decades ago.

Players discarded the coloured clothing of one-day international matches and have donned the yesteryear uniforms of white flannels, their shirt sleeves bereft of sponsors’ logos.

Playing as amateurs they will not be paid.

"It is irrelevant that there is no money....we wanted to be a part of it (the Commonwealth Games)... for the glory of getting a gold," Bernard said.

Until professional sponsorship and television rights boosted the game in the 1980s, cricketers used to be the poorest sportsmen. Now, top ones earn millions of dollars every year.

Perhaps that was one reason why Pakistan’s a team went to play in the ICC-approved Sahara Cup in Canada, against India. That split their Test team members between playing in Canada and in Malaysia and only Australia have sent a near-complete regular team to the games.

The biggest blow, however, came from England, the birthplace of cricket and the creator of the Commonwealth.

They did not send a team, citing scheduling problems, although critics said that money was the real reason.

Games open amidst fanfare

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (PTI) — The first Commonwealth Games on Asian soil were declared open amidst pomp and fanfare by Malaysia’s King Tuanku Ja’Afar Abdul Rahman under a surprisingly clear sky at the showpiece Bukit Jalil Stadium here today.

The fine weather after the last few days’ afternoon thunderstorms was a welcome relief to one and all as the marathon six-hour opening pageant got under way in the presence of dignitaries who included Commonwealth Games President Prince Edward of Britain, Sultan of Brunei and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed.

The second-largest sports festival in the world after the Olympic Games, running till September 21, has brought together over 4,000 competitors from 70 countries and regions.

The different hues of Malaysian culture and lifestyle were brought to the fore in front of an adoring audience who had been streaming in well before the commencement of the celebrations.

The over riding theme of the six-hour long ceremony was unity towards progress and was brought out in spectacular fashion through a mosaic of dance, music and intricate human graphics.

Malaysian schoolgirls unfurled hundreds of colourful umbrellas.

The first card in the hosts’ national colours depicted ‘Selamat Datang’ — according the traditional Malay welcome to those visiting this South East Asian country which has put forth the spectacle over-riding economic woes and political turmoil at home.

The brass band struck the note "rock till you drop" before 16 Malaysian air force paratroopers joined the country’s coming out party by floating gently down into the arena to deafening cheers from the crowd.

After the ceremonial march-past by the participating contingents, the games were formally opened.

The games, in which 1176 medals in 219 events spread over 16 disciplines — which include debut-making sports cricket, hockey, squash, netball and rugby sevens are on offer, would showcase the organising ability of Malaysia to the world and is the country’s most important event since getting independence from British rule in 1957.

Competitions in the games, which Malaysia successfully bid to host in 1992 at the expense of the Australian city of Adelaide, have commenced in some of the disciplines such as badminton, cricket and hockey.

The contests will renew with full fervour tomorrow and run upto September 21 when Britain’s Queen Elizabeth would bring down the curtain and the Games baton passed on to the northern English city of Manchester which is to host them next.

Daunting task for depleted Indian
side in Sahara Cup

TORONTO Sept 11 (PTI) — A depleted force due to clash of dates with the ongoing Commonwealth Games, India have a daunting task on hand when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the first match of the third Sahara Cup cricket series here tomorrow.

Skipper Mohd Azharuddin and his men, who landed a tired lot after an Air Canada strike forced several hours of delay in their arrival, will be missing Sachin Tendulkar and three other key members who have galvanised India into winning four of the five one-day tournaments they have played this year.

Tendulkar, who has wielded his punitive blade with such consistency to set the tone for all those wins, games skipper Ajay Jadeja, all-rounder Robin Singh and leg-spinner Anil Kumble will be sorely missed despite the brave face put on by the Indian team management on the eve of the five-match series here.

Azharuddin and coach Anshuman Gaekwad will find it tough to suitably deploy the personnel at hand to ensure India maintain the kind of form that helped them thrash Pakistan 4-1 at the same Toronto Skating and Curling Club ground last year.

In contrast to the Indian board’s attempted balancing act, Pakistan have made clear their priorities by picking the best available team under the shrewd Javed Miandad’s tutelege to reverse their fortunes here. The series now stands at 1-1 after India lost the inaugural series 2-3.

The biggest problem for India would be to find the right opening partner for left-hander Saurav Ganguly, who with the dazzling Tendulkar has emerged one of the most successful at the slot in recent times.

Veteran Navjot Sidhu is the most likely candidate for the job after being drafted in mainly to make up for the loss of key players to the games squad. Rahul Dravid will also be under pressure to perform after spending much time in the wilderness as the selectors felt he was not attacking enough to suit the shorter version of the game.

But India should be well served in the pace bowling department though the pitch here may not offer as much lateral movement as it did last year when swing bowler Debasish Mohanty and Harvinder Singh exploited the conditions superbly.

Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad and the ever-improving Ajit Agarkar form a formidable pace trio though success in spin, with young off-break bowler Harbhajan Singh also in Kuala Lumpur, will depend on left-armer Sunil Joshi and the occasional off-breaks of young Sanjay Raul.

But the situation should be godsend for Raul, Jyoti Yadav and Jatin Paranjpe who can with good performances bring themselves into reckoning for the senior side, something that would not have been possible had the tournament officials here agreed to putting off the series by a few days.

Meanwhile, a terrible travelling mess-up has left the Indian team with little or no time to get used to the conditions here the third edition of the Sahara Cup series.

Due to arrive in the city on Wednesday evening, Mohammad Azharuddin and his men could only troop into the city 24 hours later than scheduled, at a time when sunlight had more or less yielded to deepening dusk.

For a change the crisis was not of the board’s making. Instead, the unscheduled strike by Air Canada left them with little options. It is learnt the optional route of coming through USA could not be working since the U.S. Embassy is said to have expressed its inability to give transit visa to such a large squad.

Thus, Azharuddin, who rates this venue as one of the prettiest in his experience, would only set foot at this ground this afternoon, a good three hours after he and rival captain Aamir Sohail, along with two coaches, Anshuman Gaekwad and Javed Miandad have addressed a handful of visiting journalists.

In contrast, Miandad and his men — captain Sohail’s is only a sideshow to his coach’s magnetic antics — had the full ground to themselves for close to three hours yesterday morning.

Toronto was bathed in uncommon sunlight for the second day running, allowing a grateful Miandad ample time to work out his theories for the coming event.

To begin with, the emphasis on fielding was evident. Miandad said poor fielding was a shabby problem in the Pakistan team because at a grassroot level little attention was being paid to this department. Indeed, he was of the view that authorities must overcome this weakness by launching special training programme in fielding under a specialised coach.

"Other teams, especially South Africa, have worked hard on their fielding and I will also lay special emphasis on weeding out this weakness, he said.

"If I fail to accomplish this task, I’ll take no time to quit," Miandad said adding he was appointed coach, not only by the executive council of the Pakistan board but also on the demand of people of Pakistan.

"I will do my best to come up to the trust and expectations of the people," the Pakistan coach said.

Miandad believes his role as a batsman will also help him achieve this goal and said if critics snipe at him with a player-cum-coach tag he won’t mind since left arm spinner Iqbal Qasim played this role for Pakistan in 1987.

Going by the old majestic touch he showed at the nets yesterday, Miandad could well be playing for Pakistan in the next few days.

He may not play in the first game since the side is loaded with batsmen like Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Aamir Sohail, Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmed and Azhar Mahmood. But may figure in the first eleven in the subsequent matches if any of these batsmen fail to deliver.

The way Miandad batted it was difficult to believe he has played only one first-class game since his retirement from international cricket after the disastrous World Cup in 1996.

He ripped apart his fast bowlers including the fastest, Mohammad Zahid, in the nets. Zahid had to take rest because of a groin injury immediately after a dream home debut against New Zealand in 1996 when he took 11 wickets.

The Indian line-up is also more or less assured. The only hitch is if Sairaj Bahutule is preferred ahead of newcomer Sanjau Raul. The Bombay leggie’s case suffers because of his average one-day performance, while Raul is said to be a good allrounder. Vasu Paranjpe and Jyoti Yadav, the other two newcomers in the side, are sure to sit out.

Even though Sunil Joshi’s selection appears unlikely, it must be remembered the left arm spinner had performed more than adequately last time around, claiming three wickets in five games at the rate of 4.26. Also imminent is Srinath’s return, after a five-month lay-off because of a side strain he suffered after the first game of the Pepsi triangular series in India.

India seek to garner full points

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (PTI) — Frustrated by wet weather, India will be looking for the rain gods to relent as they seek to garner full points against lowly Canada in their second group B cricket league match in the Commonwealth Games here tomorrow.

The Indians were distinctly unlucky not to collect two full points in their lung opener against Antigua with afternoon showers, a regular feature here which also might disrupt the tie tomorrow, forcing abandonment of the game and leaving both teams with a point each.

The abandoned game has put the Indians in a spot in the four-team group as an outright win would have boosted their semifinal chances in the sport making its debut in the games.

The pressure will be high on India as former World Cup champions Australia, at full strength here ahead of their Pakistan tour later this month, garnered full points by thrashing Canada by nine wickets on the opening day.

The Aussies are in a better position to claim the lone knockout semifinal berth from the group and Indians will be hoping for a let-up from the rains in order to gather two points from what is considered to be their easiest league tie.

Australia take on Antigua tomorrow which would provide the gangling West Indian fast bowler Curtly Ambrose the chance to have a go at Steve Waugh and his men.

With the Benjamins, Kenneth and Winston, besides Eldine Baptiste completing a solid pace attack for Antigua, top Aussie batsmen Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and consistent left-hander Michael Bevan have a challenge on hands.

There was a heavy downpour this morning and the forecast for tomorrow is also bleak. Only good drainage facilities at the grounds here should help holding at least truncated matches in case of a brief shower.

The Indian cricketers had a brief session at the nets before leaving to take part in the official opening ceremony.

Indian shuttlers blank Sri Lanka

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (UNI) — India, strongly heading towards a medal in the badminton men’s team championship at the Commonwealth Games, waltzed past Sri Lanka 5-0 to record their second pool-B victory today.

The islanders could take away only one game in the first doubles.

The Indians had a much better warm-up today after the match against Botswana yesterday which was totally lacking in match practice.

Pullela Gopichand, the country’s number one, now ranked 71 in the world, settled slowly into the game against Duminda Jayakody this morning at the K.L. Badminton Stadium in Cheras and won 15-8, 15-4.

Sri Lankan T Edirisinghe tried to put up a fight against Nikhil Kanetkar but the Indian came away the winner in rallies and played a good game at the net to win 15-7, 15-8.

Abhinshyam Gupta had a more relaxed game against the third Sri Lankan player, Janaka de Silva and came through with a 15-7, 15-6 victory to put India a comfortable 3-0 up.

The Sri Lankans put up a great fight in the first doubles. Duminda Jayakody and Edirisinghe stretched the Indian duo, Jaseel Ismail and Vincent Lobo, to the full — playing powerfully and combining well. But it was the sheer experience coupled with better court craft that saw the Indians win 17-16, 9-15, 15-6 as the Lankans looked tired out by the third game.

George Thomas and Markose Bristow had an easier time against the second Sri Lankan doubles pair of Janaka de Silva and Palinda Halangoda and won 15-11, 15-6.

The Indian men’s team, which is hoping to win a bronze medal, now play Maldives and Scotland tomorrow. The Scots could be the only stumbling block for the Indians to make it through to the super league, where even if it loses the round robin league it will be assured of a medal.

In other men’s matches today, in pool-C, Australia edged out Wales 3-2, Mauritius beat Ghana 5-0 in pool-D, New Zealand walloped Brunei 5-0 also in pool-D, Scotland defeated Maldives 5-0 in pool-B and, England outclassed Fiji 5-0 in pool-C.

India have tough task against SA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (PTI) — Rattled by the 2-5 defeat against mighty Australia, India fight for survival when they meet South Africa in their second pool ‘A’ men’s hockey league tie in the Commonwealth Games here tomorrow.

The Indians, looking to shrug off the their poor run, gave yet another pathetic performance against the Aussies in the opening match and have no option but to gain full points over the emerging African power to keep alive hopes for a semifinal berth in the 11-team championship.

The Indian defenders, who showed poor understanding and lack of cohesion on September 9 and only shone briefly in the second half when they rallied to 2-3 at one stage, have given much to ponder for new coach Maharaj Kishan Kaushik.

India, who were a poor ninth in the recent Utrecht World Cup, will have to come out of the defensive shell which proved their undoing against Australia.
South Africa have already logged a point by holding 1976 Olympic champions New Zealand to a 3-3 draw yesterday. They have shown vast improvement over the past few years and are capable of springing a surprise against any team.

India played with just one forward in the first half against the Aussies but found goals through Dilip Tirkey and captain Dhanraj Pillay.

Meanwhile, the new chief coach of the Indian men’s hockey team, M.K. Kaushik said the defenders had to tighten up their act and show better understanding if the team had to keep medal hopes alive in the Commonwealth Games.

"The defence needs improvement. There were lot of misunderstandings in the last match (against Australia) and that has to be rectified immediately. We really have to work hard", he said.

Kaushik, who took over from Vasudevan Baskaran after India’s dismal World Cup campaign, said the team had the potential to succeed at the highest level but had not been very consistent.

Kaushik said seasoned goalkeeper A.B. Subbaiah — who made a number of mistakes yesterday — appeared to be "a little rusty" after being left out of the May World Cup squad.

"Subbaiah has to reach his peak very soon. It is just a matter of time before he comes to his best form", he said.

But he defended senior players skipper Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar and Sabu Varkey who had drawn much flak from Baskaran over their fitness in his World Cup report. "These senior players had already proved themselves. They have done a lot and there is no problem over their fitness," he said.

AP adds: Shankar Ramu scored two penalty corner goals to help hosts Malaysia score a convincing 4-0 victory over Kenya in a preliminary men's hockey match of the Commonwealth Games, yesterday.

The dominance of the hosts was evident from the beginning when Ramu scored in the fourth minute. He started the corner and took a return pass from Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin to slam the ball in. Ramu scored again in the 57th minute.

But coach Paul Lissek of Germany blasted Malaysia's inaugural performance at the Games, saying his players made simple mistakes like children. "Unbelievable".

Lissek said the Malaysian passing was not too good and they flubbed chances that were crafted after good moves.

This was Kenya's second straight loss at the Games, Pakistan defeated them 5-4 on Wednesday.

In other matches, New Zealand and South Africa drew 3-3 with all the South African goals scored by Greg Nicol. Two New Zealand goals were scored by Ryan Archibald and one by Kenneth Robinson. Wales defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2-0.

Encouraging response to soccer seminar
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 11 — Latest amendments to laws governing football, offences in the game and pressures encountered by officials on the field were the highlights of the discussions at a seminar organised by the Chandigarh Football Association for physical instructors of UT schools at the Shivalik Public School here today.

Inaugurating the seminar, Mr Arvinder Singh Bains, president of the CFA, highlighted the role of the association in popularising the game in Chandigarh. He said the CFA was committed to developing it at the grassroots in the city.

Initiating the dialogue, Purshottam Rana, formerly of the NIS now working with the Sports Authority of India, outlined the offences which, if committed intentionally, could result in an indirect free kick in favour of the team against whom they have been committed. These include kicking an opponent, charging at an opponent in a dangerous manner or intentionally handling the ball.

Former international Harjinder Singh, now working as coach in the UT Sports Department, dwelt at length on the latest amendments to the laws of the game. Besides other rules he referred to Law 5 according to which a referee must ensure that a player bleeding from a wound leaves the field immediately. He also threw light on Law 12 concerning fouls and misconduct under which the term "unsporting behaviour" has now replaced" ungentlemanly conduct" as a cautionable offence. Law 16 governing the goal kick also stood amended and now a goal may be scored directly from a goal-kick, he said.

Dr N.S. Mann of Panjab University apprised the participants of the difficulties faced by officials on and off the field. In this context he referred to certain qualities like a rational approach, integrity of character and physical fitness which are important for being a successful official of the game.

Later, a question-answer session was organised to dispel doubts. Copies of the laws of the game were also distributed among the participants. The seminar, sponsored by Shivalik Public School attracted as many as 70 physical training instructors and coaches from various schools of Chandigarh.

A one-sided story, says defiant Akram

KARACHI, Sept 11 (AFP)— Pakistan cricket star Wasim Akram yesterday denied renewed match-fixing and bribery allegations and termed it a "conspiracy" against him and country’s cricket.

"I am really shocked and disappointed. Until and unless I am not cross-examined (in court) no one can defame me like this," Akram told AFP by telephone from England.

He was reacting after he was reportedly implicated along with Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed in match-fixing in an interim report, made available to AFP at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s probe committee.

"I am a fighter and will fight back once I come back. I will not let my enemies destroy me. I am ready to take everyone on," he vowed, but admitted "It would be difficult for me to play in such a state of mind."

The 32-year-old paceman has featured prominently in match-fixing scandals haunting Pakistan cricket since 1994. He was stripped of captaincy in January but has turned down offers to lead Pakistan again.

"It is a one-sided story and should not have come out. The allegations are baseless," Akram said. "I do not know what is happening."

A judge heading the cricket board’s investigation said he believed his committee was heading in the right direction and would finalise its report in three months.

"We will give the accused players all the opportunities to clarify them," Jutice Ejaz Yousuf said.

Akram said: "I have achieved a lot and now I am so successful in the county championship with Lancashire that they want to destroy it. They don’t want me to play but I will play."

He is in his benefit year with Lancashire, who this season have already won the Natwest Trophy and Sunday league titles. Lancashire stand third in the county table and are in the hunt for a treble.

Despite his county success, Akram was not selected for the Pakistan team in the Sahara Cup Against India starting on Saturday in Toronto, Canada.

"People are trying to kill me mentally and this is a conspiracy against me. I do not want to name the people but I know them very well," said Akram, one of the all-time leading international bowlers.

The Pakistan Cricket Board began an inquiry into match-fixing and betting after last year’s Sharjah Cup, when Akram led Pakistan to a two-three loss.

"Our people do not accept defeats and that is why they see something wrong in the matches we lose. This is not cricket," he maintained.

"I have always served my country with pride, but have been given a raw deal. It is unjust and I deserve better treatment."

Miandad tells Afridi to mend his ways

TORONTO, Sept 11 (PTI) — The irrepressible Javed Maindad, who vowed to curb indiscipline in Pakistan cricket team after taking over as coach, has locked horns with Shahid Afridi over the issue and has warned him to mend his ways.

The legendary batsman, himself known for indiscipline and squabbles with senior players during his playing days, has taken on Afridi who also has a long history of indiscipline and was once fined and banned for playing league cricket in Bangladesh in complete disregard of board directives.

Typical of him, Miandad has seized the initiative of the Pakistan team situation after taking up the job and has chosen pin-up boy Afridi as an example to drive home his point.

Miandad has also advised Afridi, renowned for his big hitting, to curb his aggression a bit. In a practice match after the team landed here, Miandad asked Afridi to eschew risky shots early in his innings and instead concentrate on playing longer knocks.

"Nobody has ever told me to play like this," Afridi is said to have remarked in reply.

Afridi was out early in that game and got a hiding from Miandad. "Next time (the same thing) and you will face the consequences", Miandad is said to have told Afridi.

Ironically, Afridi and Miandad have much in common, and not precocious talent alone.

Like Afridi, Miandad too began his career as leg-spinner and not as a batsman. Again like Afridi, who came into limelight after his quickfire 102 off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Kenya in 1995, Miandad made himself dispensable as a batsman by cracking a double century against New Zealand in a home series.

The comparisons do not end on cricket alone.

Miandad had a long history of indiscipline. His squabbles with senior players like Zaheer Abbas while he was captain in early 80’s are well known.

A photograph of his with a raised bat against Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee in the Melbourne Test is still fresh in the minds of cricketing fans. Also his role during the 1996 World Cup as a batsman did not go well with the seniors in the side, including Aamir Sohail who is now leading Pakistan.

Sohail now denies of having taken a swipe at Miandad during the last World Cup. "Miandad is a cricketing legend," and "whatever he is doing is best for the side", he says.

Meanwhile, the touring party has decided to include Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed in the side despite the match-fixing allegations.

The two have been pointedly named by Pakistan Cricket Board probe committee, whose report has also been seconded by senate committee on betting and match-fixing.

But both of them dare not act out of script for Miandad is unwilling to brook any nonsense.

Hockey title for Kurukshetra eves

GURGAON, Sept 11 (UNI) — Kurukshetra eves in a one-sided hockey match routed Gurgaon 7-0 in the final and clinched the women’s hockey title in the 12th Haryana State Women’s Sports Festival at Nehru Stadium here.

International players Nutan and Surinder Kaur made continuous attacks on Gurgaon. Surinder Kaur scored the first goal in the third minute of the first half. Thereafter, Kiran, Gurpreet, Minakshi and Sarika scored six goals.

Sonepat won the third place, defeating Bhiwani 3-1.

The final of the under-16 hockey was also won by Kurukshetra girls against Jahjjar. Kurukshetra dominated and took a 5-0 lead within 10 minutes of the match. Jahjjar girls could not face their rivals and left the ground after 10 minutes. Kurukshetra were declared winners.

Sonepat proved their supremacy by winning the final against Gurgaon in volleyball 15-7, 15-12, 15-13. Spiker Urmila and lifter Sushama earned maximum points for the Sonepat team.

The third place was won by Hisar who defeated Kurukshetra 12-15, 15-11, 10-15, 15-12 and 15-9. Indu Chpora, Sapna and Netu Sangwan earned maximum points for Hisar.

Kaithal bagged the handball title, defeating Bhiwani 13-6, whereas Rewari finished third, beating Karnal 12-4.

The results are kabaddi (under 16) semifinals Faridabad beat Bhiwani 61-19, Rohtak beat Sonepat 48-42.

Kabaddi (women) semifinal-Panipat beat Karnal 26-14, Rohtak beat Jhajjar 36-4.

Final: Rohtak beat Panipat 75-32. Karnal got third place defeating Jhajjar by 31-30 points.

Basketball (semifinal)-Bhiwani beat Gurgaon 35-20 and Jind beat Karnal 37-13.

Final-Bhiwani beat Jind. Gurgaon got the third place defeating Karnal.

Gymnastics-Ambala won the overall championship by 133-65 points. Rohtak were second with 106-80 points whereas Bhiwani got the third place with 105-55 points. Chetna of Ambala was declared allround best gymnast with 28.05 points. Nomita (Bhiwani) with 27.40 points and Seema (Ambala) with 27 points got the second and third place respectively.

Vaulting horse: Chetana Chahal (Ambala) got 8.45 points, Seema Nanda (Ambala) 8.15 and Namita (Bhiwani) 7.95.

Balance beam-Namita Sharma (Bhiwani) and Chetana Chahal (Ambala) got equal 6.80 points, Jyoti (Ambala) 6.65 and Sonia (Ambala) 6.60 points.

Uneven bars-Seema (Ambala) got 5.80 points, Chetna (Ambala) 5.70 points, Lalita (Ambala) 5.65 points.

Floor exercise-Chetna Chahal (Ambala) got 7.10 points, Namita (Bhiwani) 7.05 points and 3. Lalita Thapa (Ambala) 7 points.

Hockey-(semifinal)-under 16 girls-Jajjar beat Gurgaon 1-0, Kurukshetra beat Yamunanagar 6-1.

Final Kurukshetra beat Jhajjar 5-0 Gurgaon got the third place defeating Yamunanagar 3-0.

Hockey (women) semifinal-Kurukshetra beat Sonepat 5-0 and Gurgaon beat Bhiwani 1-0. Final-Kurukshetra beat Gurgaon 7-0. Sonepat got the third place defeating Bhiwani 3-0.

Gurmit hockey from September 28
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 11 — The 28th All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament will be held at the Sector 42 hockey stadium here from September 28 to October 5. The tournament is being regularly held for the past 28 years and no gate money is charged. Teams from all over the country will be participating as usual. Due to the All-India Police Games at Bangalore, last year’s winners CRPF and Punjab Police have shown their inability to participate. Last year's runners-up Punjab and Sind Bank, however, have confirmed their entry, according to Mr S.N. Vohra, organising secretary of the tournament.

The other teams who have confirmed their entries are Air-India, BPCL, Western Railway, DLW Varanasi, Bhopal XI, All-India Customs, Northern Railway, All-India Air Force, ASC, EME, Signals, Sikh Regimental Centre, Ropar Hawks, FCI, Chandigarh XI, South Central Railway, RCF Kapurthala, Faridkot XI, Shivalik Club, Chandigarh Police and ITBP.

Special prizes will be given to the best goalkeeper, best full back, best half and best forward as usual.

The fair-play trophy will be awarded to the most disciplined team.

Doordarshan will cover the final live on October 5 at 3 p.m.

Perkins believes he is best

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (AFP) — Australia’s world record holder Kieren Perkins goes to bed believing he is the world’s best distance swimmer while his world champion teammate Grant Hackett keeps a constant reminder of what he aims to achieve.

The internal rivalry within the Australian team accentuates one of sport’s enduring themes — the old champion up against a new one.

Perkins, who set one of swimming’s greatest records when he clocked a world record 14 minutes 41.66 seconds to win the 1500 metres freestyle gold at the last Commonwealth Games in Victoria, describes himself as the underdog behind Hackett at this week’s Commonwealth Games here.

Only 25, yet one of the "old codgers" of the Australian swim team, Perkins has paid the price for his five months’ inactivity after his courageous 1500m triumph at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Hackett and 15-year-old sensation Ian Thorpe have slipped past him in his pet events, the 400m and 1500m, but the proud Perkins won’t concede he’s past it.

"When I go to bed at night I still know I’m the best and I will win in the end," Perkins said. Perkins harbours an ambition of winning a third straight 1500 m gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"I know I’ve got a lot in reserve and I know that I’m going to have to do things a lot better in the leadup to 2000 if I’m going to win, and I know that I will do those things better."

The 1500 m final on September 17 will show Perkins if he is on the right track to Sydney.

HP athletic meet postponed
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Sept 11 — The first Himachal Pradesh prize money athletic meet to be held at Hamirpur on September 19 and 20 has been postponed by one month. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the association held here last night under the chairmanship of Dr Vinod Sharma, vice-president of the association.

Mr Bhupinder Singh, the secretary of the association, said here today that the decision to postpone the meet had been taken in view of the block level and district level sports competitions of school students going on during September.

He said that the new date for the meet would be announced next week.

Punjab subjunior handball
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Sept 11 — The Punjab State Handball Championship for subjunior boys and girls will be held at Nawanshahr from September 18 to 20, according to Mr S.S. Channy, president, Punjab Handball Association.

Players born on or after January 1, 1983, are eligible. Entries close on September 16 at Ludhiana with Mr Ashok Aggarwal, general secretary, PHA.

Trials put off

LUDHIANA (FOSR): Trials to select the Ludhiana district cricket team (U_16) for the inter-district ML Markan Trophy scheduled to be held at SD Government College ground on September 12 have been postponed due to rain. The trials will now be held on September 14.

A noble gesture
From Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, Sept 11 — Pepsi, the associate sponsors for the 'Sahara Cup' have decided on a noble gesture through an innovative promotion during the matches being played between India and Pakistan in Toronto (Canada).

During a match whenever a batsman strikes the ball to hit the gigantic Pepsi can placed on the boundary line, Pepsi will make a $ 1,000 contribution to Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.

The sponsorship of Sahara Cup give Pepsi exclusive pouring rights, in stadia presence and the exculsive right to hold contests. Pepsi will also be the beverage of choice at the forthcoming ICC knock-out tournament to be played in Dhaka in October which would lead to an exciting finale to the ICC cricket World Cup in May-June 1999, where Pepsi is the global partner.

Pepsi recently added Ajit Agarkar, to their team to add to their distinguished cricket icons like Mohammed Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajay Jadeja and Rahul Dravid.