157,000 security personnel for WC
Brasilia: Brazil said it is mobilizing 157,000 soldiers and police to ensure security during the World Cup, which opens in 20 days against a backdrop of violent protests and strikes. The ministry has invested $322 million since 2012 in modernizing its forces and preparing them for the tournament, which runs from June 12 to July 13, 2014. Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo talked about the recent string of demonstrations and strikes across and said “Our feeling is that (the protests) will be smaller than the ones last June. But, sincerely speaking, we are prepared for any situation,” at a joint press conference with Defense Minister Celso Amorim. The protesters are angry over the more than $11 billion being spent to host the World Cup in a country with glaring inequality and social needs. The security forces will be spread among the 12 host cities and state capitals Vitoria, Aracaju and Maceio, which will all have base camps for teams playing in the tournament. The military will also work with police to secure the enormous South American country’s border. The anti-World Cup protests have shrunk in numbers since last year, but have also grown more radical. Around three million Brazilians and 600,000 foreign tourists are expected to attend the World Cup.
All 3 Indians out of BMW C’ships
Wentworth: A disastrous finish saw Indian golfer Shiv Kapur crash from a decent position to out of the tournament as he ended the second round with a seven-over 79 at the BMW PGA Championship here. Kapur, the best Indian in the first round with a 70, gave away two double bogeys on 15th and 18th and in between had bogeys on 16th and 17th to finish at five-over. The cut came at two-over. Also making an early exit were Jeev Milkha Singh (72-75) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (73-76). Meanwhile, at the top Shane lowry closed with a brace of birdies to join Thomas Bjorn at the top of the leaderboard. The third place was shared between Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello and two-time BMW PGA Champion luke Donald, whose superb 67 was the lowest of the day.
judokas head to Uzbekistan
New Delhi: An 11 member Indian judo team has left for Uzbekistan to participate in a training program as part of its preparations for the CWG to be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3. According to Judo Federation of India General Secretary Man Mohan Jaiswal, the training trip is arranged by the Uzbekistan Judo Federation till June 3 at the Asia Judo Centre in Tashkent. The team was selected after open selection trials on April 18 and 19 at the Sports Authority of India Centre, in Bhopal. The Indian team (five men, six women and three coaches) left from Delhi on May 21. South Korean judo coach Kwang Sun Yoo was appointed by SAI to train the Indian team for CWG along with Virender Singh and Rameshwar Dutt. They have accompanied the judo team to Tashkent for the said training program. After the participation in the IJF Judo Grand Prix, the Indian team will attend a training program in Budapest from June 23 to 27.
Close to finishing fixing probe: ICC
Wellington: The ICC on Saturday said it’s close to announcing its findings in a match-fixing case, which shook the game after New Zealand Captain Brendon McCullum’s testimony in the matter was leaked to the media. The furor started after McCullum’s statement to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) was leaked to the media. In that statement, McCullum claimed that he was unsuccessfully approached for match-fixing by a top player, who has been identified merely as ‘Player X’, in 2008. Speculation is rife that ‘Player X’ is none other than McCullum’s former New Zealand teammate Chris Cairns, who has vehemently denied the charge. “We’re at the end of the investigation. It’s close to being finalized and I’m sure Chris Cairns will be spoken to and given an opportunity to put his side of the story,” ICC CEO Dave Richardson told ‘Radio Sport’ here. Reports claim that Cairns will leave for london on Saturday to meet ICC ACSU officials and the Metropolitan Police. Apart from McCullum, who has been declared all-clear by ICC, the testimony of former New Zealand batsman lou Vincent was also leaked.
Pietersen slams Downton
london: Kevin Pietersen has blasted ECB managing director Paul Downton for claiming he was uninterested during the dismal Ashes series in Australia. Downton launched a scathing attack on former England batsman Pietersen during an interview with BBC Radio’s Test Match Special on Thursday. The ECB chief said Pietersen appeared “disinterested” and “distracted” in the fifth Test in Sydney, and that he was unable to find anyone within the England set-up who wanted the controversial 33-year-old to remain in the team. Until recently, the ECB’s explanations for effectively ending the South Africa-born star’s international career had contained only limited detail, but while Downton may have been hoping to draw a line in the sand on Thursday, Pietersen’s response ensures the saga will rumble on. “The suggestion that I was uninterested during the winter Ashes series against Australia is wholly untrue,” Pietersen said in a statement. “Although I was having injections in my knee, which inhibited my mobility and thus my ability to field close to the wicket, I was fully motivated to play for England and whilst I accept that the series as a whole fell well below my own personal standards, I finished the series as the top scorer. “I did, and continue to have a good relationship with most of the England players.”
Brazil favourites to lift WC: Chetri
Mumbai: Indian football captain Sunil Chetri on Saturday picked hosts and five-time champions Brazil and fellow South American two-time winners Argentina as the teams fancied to lift the glittering FIFA World Cup this year. “Because it’s happening in South America, Brazil and Argentina are favourites. But you can never bet against teams like Germany and Spain. Uruguay are the dark horses. These five teams are going to be very strong,” said Chetri.