The Indian Boxing Federation on Monday announced the names of the 10 member women boxing team for the 6th AIBA World Women's Boxing Championship at Bridgetown, Barbados from September 9 to 19. A total of 306 boxers from 75 countries have registered for this edition of World Boxing Championship.
The team will leave for Barbados on September 5 and will return on September 20.
Secretary General of Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) PK Muralidharan Raja said, "the competition will be tough as many of the boxers for the London Olympic Games 2012 where women's boxing has been introduced for the first time in 3 weight categories (51 kg, 60 kg and 75 kg)."
Raja also informed that the number of participants has increased by more than 50 per cent compared with the 2008 edition. Team: MC Marykom (48 kg), L Sarita Devi (51 kg), P Choudhary (54 kg), Pavitra (57 kg), N Chahal (60 kg), P Jakhar (64 kg), K Goyat (69 kg), A Mol (75 kg), L Padiya (81 kg), K Chahal (+81 kg).
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Indian hockey teams may miss World Cup and Commonwealth Games
India's field hockey teams on Tuesday faced the prospect of missing their own Commonwealth Games over a deadlock on who ran the sport in the country.
While the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has recognised Hockey India as the parent body, the sports ministry wants the revived Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to take charge again.
The ministry's decision follows a court order last month that restored the IHF, two years after it was dissolved by the country's Olympic chiefs over bribery allegations and poor on-field results.
The Indian Olympic Association had sacked the IHF, led by decorated police official Kanwar Pal Singh Gill, in April 2008 and appointed a new body, Hockey India, to run the sport in the country.
But the Delhi High Court, ruling on a petition filed by Gill, set aside the government-backed dissolution order, saying a "new beginning" was required to revive hockey in India.
The government wrote to the world body last week to end its association with Hockey India and instead recognise the IHF, but FIH president Leandro Negre was not impressed.
"At the outset we reiterate that we have already recognised Hockey India as a recognised body for the management, control and promotion for hockey in India," Negre wrote to the ministry.
"In the circumstances and in the best interest of hockey in India, we would like to inform you that Hockey India is the only body that has been recognised by FIH."
Negre also said that only a team selected by Hockey India would be eligible to take part in the women's World Cup to be held in Argentina later this month.
The ministry shot off a letter to the FIH, urging it not to deal with Hockey India since it had no right to run the sport in the country.
"Hockey India has lost its national character and therefore cannot be allowed to select or field the national team anymore," ministry official Injeti Srinivas wrote to the FIH.
"Granting the status of a national sports federation is within the domain of the country concerned and the FIH should not get directly involved."
Unless the deadlock was broken soon, India could be banned from both the women's World Cup and the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3-14.
Article 24(2) of the Games charter says that only those athletes or national federations that are not disqualified or suspended by the respective world body are eligible to compete.
"I hope the players do not suffer because of this mess," a hockey official said. "The need of the hour is a united body, but I don't know how that will happen."
India, once the masters of field hockey with eight Olympic titles, failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished eighth in the World Cup in New Delhi in March this year.
The FIH last month awarded the 2011 Champions Trophy to India following the success of the World Cup.
While the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has recognised Hockey India as the parent body, the sports ministry wants the revived Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to take charge again.
The ministry's decision follows a court order last month that restored the IHF, two years after it was dissolved by the country's Olympic chiefs over bribery allegations and poor on-field results.
The Indian Olympic Association had sacked the IHF, led by decorated police official Kanwar Pal Singh Gill, in April 2008 and appointed a new body, Hockey India, to run the sport in the country.
But the Delhi High Court, ruling on a petition filed by Gill, set aside the government-backed dissolution order, saying a "new beginning" was required to revive hockey in India.
The government wrote to the world body last week to end its association with Hockey India and instead recognise the IHF, but FIH president Leandro Negre was not impressed.
"At the outset we reiterate that we have already recognised Hockey India as a recognised body for the management, control and promotion for hockey in India," Negre wrote to the ministry.
"In the circumstances and in the best interest of hockey in India, we would like to inform you that Hockey India is the only body that has been recognised by FIH."
Negre also said that only a team selected by Hockey India would be eligible to take part in the women's World Cup to be held in Argentina later this month.
The ministry shot off a letter to the FIH, urging it not to deal with Hockey India since it had no right to run the sport in the country.
"Hockey India has lost its national character and therefore cannot be allowed to select or field the national team anymore," ministry official Injeti Srinivas wrote to the FIH.
"Granting the status of a national sports federation is within the domain of the country concerned and the FIH should not get directly involved."
Unless the deadlock was broken soon, India could be banned from both the women's World Cup and the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3-14.
Article 24(2) of the Games charter says that only those athletes or national federations that are not disqualified or suspended by the respective world body are eligible to compete.
"I hope the players do not suffer because of this mess," a hockey official said. "The need of the hour is a united body, but I don't know how that will happen."
India, once the masters of field hockey with eight Olympic titles, failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished eighth in the World Cup in New Delhi in March this year.
The FIH last month awarded the 2011 Champions Trophy to India following the success of the World Cup.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Swimming sisters lead the way
For sisters Runu Das and Rina Sen, former swimming champions, volunteering for the Commonwealth Games is all about their love for sports. The two, both swimmers-Runu is an international level swimmer and Rina a national-level swimmer-from the 1980s, will participate as volunteers during the Games.
Both Das (40) and Sen (38) are swimming coaches now.
"This is a big event for us and for every person who loves sports, it is a chance to do their bit for the country," said Das. "We are ready for whichever duty they give us. We'll do it enthusiastically," Sen adds.
The two have not been assigned any specific role as yet but would be delighted if they are present in the field during the events.
Both prospective volunteers are also mothers of proud children.
"Our children are happy that we will be volunteers. They will miss the time that we spend together for a few days but they are proud, nonetheless," says Das.
Both Das (40) and Sen (38) are swimming coaches now.
"This is a big event for us and for every person who loves sports, it is a chance to do their bit for the country," said Das. "We are ready for whichever duty they give us. We'll do it enthusiastically," Sen adds.
The two have not been assigned any specific role as yet but would be delighted if they are present in the field during the events.
Both prospective volunteers are also mothers of proud children.
"Our children are happy that we will be volunteers. They will miss the time that we spend together for a few days but they are proud, nonetheless," says Das.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Lankan tail corners India with both, bat and ball
As much as Muttiah Muralitharan's farewell, Suresh Raina's century on debut and Sachin Tendulkar's double, the three-Test series between India and Sri Lanka will be a remembered as a great tale of the tail. Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath started it with a 115-run partnership for the eighth wicket in Galle. Abhimanyu Mithun, Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha then teamed up with veteran VVS Laxman to give India a glimmer of hope in the second innings. Though their combined tally of 69 runs didn't matter much, their survival for almost three hours was frustrating for the Lankan bowlers.
But over the three days of the third Test, the P. Sara Oval has witnessed some of the best batting displays by tail-enders. On Day Two, Suraj Randiv and Ajantha Mendis held fort for a while to aid Thilan Samaraweera score from the other end. Had the last four wickets not added 66 runs, the Lankan total would never have read 425.
Then on Thursday, it was the turn of Mithun and Amit Mishra. When Mishra joined the former with India stuttering at 350 for seven, had it not been for their 64-run stand for the eighth wicket, India wouldn't have got the slender 11-run advantage in the first essay.
But Mendis took the tail-enders' tale to greater heights on Friday, rescuing Sri Lanka from the jaws of defeat and then putting his team on the brink of a 2-0 series victory.
When Mendis came in to bat eight minutes before lunch, Sri Lanka were leading by 114 runs, having lost six wickets for 80 runs in the morning session. Though the pitch was not doing much, but thanks to some tidy bowling by Ojha and Mishra backed by poor short selection by the Lankan middle order, India succeeded in picking five wickets for just 42 runs.
At 87 for seven, Samaraweera, the only centurion in the match so far, was joined by Malinga. The duo's 38-run stand made it clear that though the wicket was offering slow turn, if the batsmen applied themselves properly, they could score at will.
However, Sri Lanka were fighting with their backs to the wall when Malinga perished off Virender Sehwag. In came Mendis and, along with Samaraweera, saw off the tricky period before lunch.
After the break, both batsmen were helped by MS Dhoni's inexplicable tactics. With eight wickets in the bag, instead of applying pressure, he gave Samaraweera easy singles thus helping Mendis get a hang of the conditions.
Mendis's 78 and his 118-run stand with Samaraweera set India a difficult target of 257 to chase. The Indian top order lived up to its reputation in the fourth innings, with Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Murali Vijay perishing before bails were drawn at 53 for three.
But over the three days of the third Test, the P. Sara Oval has witnessed some of the best batting displays by tail-enders. On Day Two, Suraj Randiv and Ajantha Mendis held fort for a while to aid Thilan Samaraweera score from the other end. Had the last four wickets not added 66 runs, the Lankan total would never have read 425.
Then on Thursday, it was the turn of Mithun and Amit Mishra. When Mishra joined the former with India stuttering at 350 for seven, had it not been for their 64-run stand for the eighth wicket, India wouldn't have got the slender 11-run advantage in the first essay.
But Mendis took the tail-enders' tale to greater heights on Friday, rescuing Sri Lanka from the jaws of defeat and then putting his team on the brink of a 2-0 series victory.
When Mendis came in to bat eight minutes before lunch, Sri Lanka were leading by 114 runs, having lost six wickets for 80 runs in the morning session. Though the pitch was not doing much, but thanks to some tidy bowling by Ojha and Mishra backed by poor short selection by the Lankan middle order, India succeeded in picking five wickets for just 42 runs.
At 87 for seven, Samaraweera, the only centurion in the match so far, was joined by Malinga. The duo's 38-run stand made it clear that though the wicket was offering slow turn, if the batsmen applied themselves properly, they could score at will.
However, Sri Lanka were fighting with their backs to the wall when Malinga perished off Virender Sehwag. In came Mendis and, along with Samaraweera, saw off the tricky period before lunch.
After the break, both batsmen were helped by MS Dhoni's inexplicable tactics. With eight wickets in the bag, instead of applying pressure, he gave Samaraweera easy singles thus helping Mendis get a hang of the conditions.
Mendis's 78 and his 118-run stand with Samaraweera set India a difficult target of 257 to chase. The Indian top order lived up to its reputation in the fourth innings, with Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Murali Vijay perishing before bails were drawn at 53 for three.
Mayookha pulls off the unthinkable
From the time she started to jump in 2002, Mayookha Johney dreamt of bettering Anju Bobby George's long jump record. Though she had given it a thought, Mayookha hadn't in her wildest dreams thought she would break Anju's not so often spoken about national record in triple jump. Call it a quirk of fate or a reflection on her talent, Mayookha entered an event she had not participated in the whole season. Yet, she won gold with a hop-skip and jump of 13.68m during the National Inter-State Athletics meet on Friday. "This is the first time I tried my luck in triple jump this season," said the lanky athlete from Kerala after bettering Anju's 13.67m record set at Hyderabad in 2002. Kulwinder Kaur of Punjab won silver with 13.42m while Prajusha won the bronze with a leap of 13.28m.
"The conditions were perfect," said Mayookha. "I could have jumped 13.70m. Anyway, I have now qualified for the Commonwealth Games as well."
Mayookha had won the long jump gold at the Asian All Star event in Delhi recently and is looking to break the long jump national record soon. She has paced the season well and is targetting the Commonwealth Games to peak. "That (long jump record) should come soon. All I need to do is focus on my training," said the 22-year-old. "Hopefully, during the Games I shall be able to better Anju's record," she said with a smile.
Dimri scorches track
If Mayookha could afford to smile, Pankaj Dimri had every reason to laugh. He might not have broken the three-decade-old 800m national record set by Sriram Singh, but ran the fastest 800m since the legendary athlete's effort at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
Dimri also set the meet record at 1:46.26s. The man from Uttaranchal felt he ran one of the best races of his life. "I am happy with my effort and happier still to qualify for the Commonwealth Games," he said. The qualification mark was set at 1:47.50s. Though he thought the CWG would be tough, he felt he had a good chance at the Asian Games if he maintained his current form.
"The conditions were perfect," said Mayookha. "I could have jumped 13.70m. Anyway, I have now qualified for the Commonwealth Games as well."
Mayookha had won the long jump gold at the Asian All Star event in Delhi recently and is looking to break the long jump national record soon. She has paced the season well and is targetting the Commonwealth Games to peak. "That (long jump record) should come soon. All I need to do is focus on my training," said the 22-year-old. "Hopefully, during the Games I shall be able to better Anju's record," she said with a smile.
Dimri scorches track
If Mayookha could afford to smile, Pankaj Dimri had every reason to laugh. He might not have broken the three-decade-old 800m national record set by Sriram Singh, but ran the fastest 800m since the legendary athlete's effort at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
Dimri also set the meet record at 1:46.26s. The man from Uttaranchal felt he ran one of the best races of his life. "I am happy with my effort and happier still to qualify for the Commonwealth Games," he said. The qualification mark was set at 1:47.50s. Though he thought the CWG would be tough, he felt he had a good chance at the Asian Games if he maintained his current form.
And now its the Handing over of CGW venues
There are some strange things happening in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. This time it is the handing over of the stadiums by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to the Commonwealth Games
Venues handed over
Other stadiums handed over by the Sports Authority of India on Friday
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
Cycling Velodrome
Wrestling Stadium
Gymnastics Stadium.
Still to be handed over
The SP Mukherjee Swimming Complex
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Yamuna Sports Complex will be handed over on August 9.
Organising Committee (OC), which has come under the scanner.
Weird as it may sound, the official handing over charge of a stadium and the one taking over is the same.
At the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in Tughlakhabad, which is one of the venues for the CWG, Manmeet Singh Goindi is the SAI administrator as well as the OC-appointed venue commander.
The awkwardness of this all has not gone down well with former Olympian and pistol shooter, Mohinder Lal, whose name was earlier proposed for the job by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
Some two months ago, my name was proposed by the NRAI for the post of venue commander, but for reasons best known to the OC, I was sidelined and others chosen," Lal told HT.
Lal added he had the credentials to serve at the position. I'm not disappointed but do feel I have the credentials to give back to the sport which has given me so much."
Lal is a former world record holder in pistol shooting and also an Arjuna Awardee.
The former Olympian, who retired as DIG, BSF, is also a qualified International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) judge, while Goindi is a deputy director in SAI and does not have any such credentials in the field of shooting.
When HT reached Goindi for his comments, he said, I cannot do anything if I am the person representing both the organisations. Fortunately or unfortunately, I am the man chosen for both the jobs."
Another thing that has come to light is that none of the stadiums under SAI, which were handed over to the OC, including the Karni Singh Range, on Friday have clearance from the fire department.
Chief Fire Officer, Delhi Fire Service, RC Sharma, confirmed that none of the stadiums handed over by SAI on Friday had been issued fire-safety certificate. Barring the Thyagaraj and Chhatrasal stadiums (training venue), we have not given clearance to any of the venues as some work still needs to be completed," said Sharma.
A few days back, the competition manager for the Karni Singh Ranges, Avtar Singh Sethi, had told the Hindustan Times that here were 42 technical issues that still needed to be sorted out before NRAI could give its seal of approval to the Ranges. However, on Friday, Goindi said the Ranges were ready.
Venues handed over
Other stadiums handed over by the Sports Authority of India on Friday
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
Cycling Velodrome
Wrestling Stadium
Gymnastics Stadium.
Still to be handed over
The SP Mukherjee Swimming Complex
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Yamuna Sports Complex will be handed over on August 9.
Organising Committee (OC), which has come under the scanner.
Weird as it may sound, the official handing over charge of a stadium and the one taking over is the same.
At the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in Tughlakhabad, which is one of the venues for the CWG, Manmeet Singh Goindi is the SAI administrator as well as the OC-appointed venue commander.
The awkwardness of this all has not gone down well with former Olympian and pistol shooter, Mohinder Lal, whose name was earlier proposed for the job by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
Some two months ago, my name was proposed by the NRAI for the post of venue commander, but for reasons best known to the OC, I was sidelined and others chosen," Lal told HT.
Lal added he had the credentials to serve at the position. I'm not disappointed but do feel I have the credentials to give back to the sport which has given me so much."
Lal is a former world record holder in pistol shooting and also an Arjuna Awardee.
The former Olympian, who retired as DIG, BSF, is also a qualified International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) judge, while Goindi is a deputy director in SAI and does not have any such credentials in the field of shooting.
When HT reached Goindi for his comments, he said, I cannot do anything if I am the person representing both the organisations. Fortunately or unfortunately, I am the man chosen for both the jobs."
Another thing that has come to light is that none of the stadiums under SAI, which were handed over to the OC, including the Karni Singh Range, on Friday have clearance from the fire department.
Chief Fire Officer, Delhi Fire Service, RC Sharma, confirmed that none of the stadiums handed over by SAI on Friday had been issued fire-safety certificate. Barring the Thyagaraj and Chhatrasal stadiums (training venue), we have not given clearance to any of the venues as some work still needs to be completed," said Sharma.
A few days back, the competition manager for the Karni Singh Ranges, Avtar Singh Sethi, had told the Hindustan Times that here were 42 technical issues that still needed to be sorted out before NRAI could give its seal of approval to the Ranges. However, on Friday, Goindi said the Ranges were ready.
IHF is the official body, Govt tells FIH
A day after it de-recognised Hockey India, the Sports Ministry dealt it another blow by seeking permission from the international hockey federation (FIH) to allow Indian Olympic Association (IOA) or Sports Authority of India (SAI) to select and send teams for international tournaments. The Ministry told the FIH that it has recognised IHF as the sole national federation for India and requested it not to assign any international tournament or have any commercial dealings with HI under the impression that it was the National Sports Federation for hockey in India.
In November 2008, the FIH had transferred the membership of Indian Hockey Confederation, a joint body of men's and women's bodies in India, IHF and IWHF, to Hockey India after IOA suspended and disaffiliated IHF in April 2008.
Hockey India was eventually set up in May 2009. But IHF was revived in May this year after the Delhi High Court termed its suspension illegal as IOA had not followed its own rules in suspending it.
In a letter to the FIH on Friday, the ministry said the IHF president has confirmed that the process of unification of the men and women hockey bodies will be completed soon. "Once this process is completed and IHF becomes fully compliant with the constitution of the FIH, they will approach FIH for recognition /Affiliation / Membership," the Ministry said, clarifying that it would closely monitor the process of merger.
"In the meanwhile, it is requested that the IOA or Sports Authority of India (SAI) may be permitted to field the Indian team for various FIH-recognised competition," the letter said.
The FIH refused to comment on the letter or de-recognition of HI.
"The FIH is not in the position of making any comments at this stage," said FIH communications manager Arjen Meijer.
The FIH office in Lausanne said president Leandro Negre was travelling in Germany and was not available for comment while acting director general Roger Webb was in a meeting.
The confusion over the national federation for hockey in India will persist for some more days. As per FIH bye-laws, recognition by the National Olympic Committee, the IOA in this case, and not government is necessary for membership.
The FIH can always ignore the government de-recognition and continue its association with HI. However, that would mean that neither it not HI will get government support for selection and sending teams for international competitions after the Commonwealth Games.
The Ministry has decided to ensure the players are not victimised in this power struggle till the end of the Games. Without the government support, HI can't even run camps or tournaments or send teams abroad as government funds all these activities.
In November 2008, the FIH had transferred the membership of Indian Hockey Confederation, a joint body of men's and women's bodies in India, IHF and IWHF, to Hockey India after IOA suspended and disaffiliated IHF in April 2008.
Hockey India was eventually set up in May 2009. But IHF was revived in May this year after the Delhi High Court termed its suspension illegal as IOA had not followed its own rules in suspending it.
In a letter to the FIH on Friday, the ministry said the IHF president has confirmed that the process of unification of the men and women hockey bodies will be completed soon. "Once this process is completed and IHF becomes fully compliant with the constitution of the FIH, they will approach FIH for recognition /Affiliation / Membership," the Ministry said, clarifying that it would closely monitor the process of merger.
"In the meanwhile, it is requested that the IOA or Sports Authority of India (SAI) may be permitted to field the Indian team for various FIH-recognised competition," the letter said.
The FIH refused to comment on the letter or de-recognition of HI.
"The FIH is not in the position of making any comments at this stage," said FIH communications manager Arjen Meijer.
The FIH office in Lausanne said president Leandro Negre was travelling in Germany and was not available for comment while acting director general Roger Webb was in a meeting.
The confusion over the national federation for hockey in India will persist for some more days. As per FIH bye-laws, recognition by the National Olympic Committee, the IOA in this case, and not government is necessary for membership.
The FIH can always ignore the government de-recognition and continue its association with HI. However, that would mean that neither it not HI will get government support for selection and sending teams for international competitions after the Commonwealth Games.
The Ministry has decided to ensure the players are not victimised in this power struggle till the end of the Games. Without the government support, HI can't even run camps or tournaments or send teams abroad as government funds all these activities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)