‘Today, everyone is an umpire’
london: Former ICC elite panel umpire, Simon Taufel has warned that decision-making in modern-day cricket has become tougher than last two decades, saying extensive use of high-end technology and reviews put more "pressure" on on-field officials. Taufel also discussed the benefits of the decision review system (DRS), which has come under fire during the ongoing Ashes series following a number of controversial decisions. "Decision-making in today's game is in my opinion tougher than when I started umpiring 22 years ago because more people see evidence that we may not get to see on the ground at the time," Taufel said during the 13th MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture at lord's yesterday. "Anyone who watches the game at the ground, on the giant replay screen or on TV, will assess each and every decision of the umpires and also make an overall judgement of their performance," he said.
sai’s Governing Body constituted
New Delhi: Decisions ranging from forming a sub-committee to recommend methods for recruiting coaches to preparing a scheme for optimum utilisation of stadia were taken at the re-constituted Governing Body meeting of SAI, which met under the Chairmanship of Sports Minister Jitendra Singh here on Thursday. In the meeting, a decision was taken to form a sub-committee headed by G S G Ayyangar (Joint Secretary in MYAS) and comprising Bhutia, Iqbal, Malleshwari, Shroff, Nachappa and l S Ranawat to recommend the eligibility criteria and methods of recruitment of coaches. According to the Sports Ministry release, Thomson was directed to prepare a ‘Voluntary Retirement Scheme’ (VRS) for all employees of SAI including coaches and, a scheme for optimum utilisation of stadia and use it for non-sporting purposes to generate revenue during lean season, for promoting sports.
India enter qfs of Junior squash
New Delhi: Indian girls put up a dominant show to sweep aside Japan 3-0 and book their place in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Women’s Squash Team Championships being played in the historic city of Wroclaw, Poland. India finished second in their Pool C behind England and will take on the fourth seed Hong Kong in the quarters of the the biennial World Squash Federation event at the Hasta la Vista Club. Harshit Kaur Jawanda was the first to take the court against Risa Sugimoto. Harshit took control of the match early on, pinning Risa to the back corners and pounced on her opponent’s errors to win the first game 11-6.
Players asked to pick India ties
New Delhi: The Sports Minister on Thursday instructed the Sports Authority of India and the National Sports Federations to ensure that athletes give preference to national assignments over prize money tournaments. The Ministry has asked the Sports Authority of India and National Sports Federations to “curb the tendency amongst sportspersons for giving preference to playing in prize money tournaments rather in tournaments where India participates for medals rather than cash awards.” In a communication sent to Director General of Sports Authority of India and Presidents/Secretary Generals of all recognised NSFs, the Ministry said of late it has noticed sportspersons, belonging to various disciplines avoid playing in tournaments where India as a team participates for medals. “Individual players will be able to avail grants given to NSFs by the Ministry only if they undertake to play in Indian team when called upon to do so without reservations,” the letter from the Ministry to SAI and NSFs, stated. “If there are specific exigencies because of which they are unable to play, this should be verified by the concerned NSF which thereupon can make an exception at their discretion,” it further added.
CIC adjourns hearing on BCCI
New Delhi: The Central Information Commission adjourned a crucial hearing on declaring the Indian cricket board as public authority under RTI Act after the sports body produced a stay from the Madras High Court. The Commission had constituted a Full Bench to hear the matter and issued notice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and all its member units to bring along with them details of land, buildings, stadiums allotted by state government among others. The Board was also asked to produce Income Tax exemptions received by it.
India U-16 beat Bangladesh 2-0
Kathmandu: Strikers Bedashwor Singh and Krishna Pandit scored a goal each to help India script a 2-0 win over Bangladesh in the second edition of the SAFF U-16 Football Championships, here on Thursday. Singh scored in the 42nd minute of the match while Krishna Pandit (90+1) netted another in the injury time, at the Army Ground here. India, who finished at the top of group B, had won their first match against Sri lanka 4-1. India, being represented by AIFF Regional Academy’s U-15 boys, will be playing Afghanistan U-16 team in the semifinal on Sunday.
Stiff resistance by lankan colts
Dambulla: Sri lankan batsmen led by their number three Kavindu Kulasekara provided stiff resistance against Indian bowlers as the hosts finished the third day’s play on 235 for five with the first ‘Youth Test’ being played here heading for a tame draw. The 17-year-old right-hander Kulasekara played a dogged innings of 76 as none of the India U-19 bowlers were able to break his defence. Starting the day at five, Kulasekara only added 71 runs to his overnight score throughout the day. In total, he faced 264 deliveries and hit only five boundaries. Hashan Dumindu (42) and Minod Bhanuka (56) also made useful contributions but more importantly defied the Indian attack which could only get four wickets in the entire day’s play. left-arm seamer Kuldeep Yadav (4/86 in 33 overs) took all the wickets to fall on the day whereas the others failed to impress.
Rajesh, Manjeet bag medals
New Delhi: Indian grapplers got off to a good start at the Cadet Asian Championships today as Rajesh and Manjeet Dalal won a silver and a bronze medal, respectively at the continental event in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In the Greco-Roman event, Rajesh bagged the medal in the 46kg category while Manjeet won his bronze medal bout in the 69kg division. India have sent a strong 30-member contingent to compete in three divisions -- Free Style, Greco Roman and Female Wrestling. Wrestlers from 14 countries are participating in the championships, being held till July 28.