Relief for Shetty
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Saturday upheld a civil court's order to stay the five-year ban imposed by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on BCCI's game development officer Ratnakar Shetty saying the action was "pre-determined and drastic". Justice Anoop Mohta directed MCA to accept Shetty's nomination to represent the Bombay Union Sports Club which would enable him to contest the bi-annual elections scheduled to be held on October 18. The court clarified that if MCA approaches the Supreme Court in appeal then Shetty's nomination would be subject to the outcome of that petition.
lee in Japan Open final
Tokyo: Malaysia's world number one lee Chong Wei crushed fifth-seeded Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam to reach the Japan Open final on Saturday, brushing aside controversy at home over the resignation of his coach. The top seed and defending champion whipped the world bronze medallist 21-10, 21-5 in 29 minutes in their semi-final at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. lee will play the seventh seed and hometown favourite Kenichi Tago on Sunday, hoping to lift a record fourth Japan Open title. Tago beat China's Gao Huan 21-12, 21-12 in the other semi-final.
I-league opener delayed
Kolkata: A weird reason saw the seventh edition of the I-league get off to a 22-minute delayed start at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here. Infamous for blackouts due to power failure, the 120,000 capacity Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan kicked off the I-league in an afternoon match, but one of the two ambulances was missing from the venue forcing a delay. It is mandatory to have two ambulances ready but there was only one at the scheduled 3pm start as the players and officials of Mohammedan Sporting and Pune FC had to wait for the other ambulance to arrive. "We are the hosts, but it's a joint responsibility with the IFA (state association). After knowing the delay, we had informed the IFA but unfortunately the start was not possible because of the rule," Mohammedan Sporting president Sultan Ahmed said.
2 boxers warned, 3rd summoned
New Delhi: Two of the three Indian boxers, who had alleged manipulation in the World Championship trials, were on Saturday let off with warnings by the National Federation even as the third was summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee on September 30. Speaking to PTI, Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) Secretary General Rajesh Bhandari said Arjuna awardee Dinesh Kumar (91kg) and Praveen Kumar (+91kg) were merely warned after they tendered written apologies in reply to the showcause notices for accusing the selection committee of bias and manipulation. However, former national champion Dilbag Singh (69kg), who has remained defiant, has been asked to appear before the disciplinary committee, comprising IBF vice-Presidents I D Nanavati and Mukharjee Nirwan and chairman of the Ring Officials Commission Narottam Singh Rawat.
Rauf claims innocence
Karachi: Tainted umpire Asad Rauf was today chargesheeted by police in the Indian Premier league (IPl) spot-fixing case but the Pakistani official claimed innocence and said he has no link with bookies. "Discussion and information are two separate things. We can discuss things with people but sharing information is different. I will get in touch with my legal adviser and then I can tell you," Rauf said.
Amritraj new Davis Cup captain
New Delhi: The AITA on Saturday appointed former Davis Cupper Anand Amritraj as the new non-playing captain of the Davis Cup team, which will take on Chinese Taipei in the Asia/Oceania Group I tie next year. The 61-year-old Amritraj replaced S P Misra, who lost his job after eight top players revolted, calling for changes in Davis Cup playing conditions, early this year.
eves thrash Hong Kong 13-0
Kuala lumpur: With their eyes firmly set on a berth in next year's World Cup, Indian eves started the eighth Asia Cup hockery tournament campaign on a rollicking note, spanking minnows Hong Kong 13-0 in their opening Pool A match here on Saturday. Knowing well that only a win in this tournament would secure a ticket to next year's World Cup to be held from 31 May to 14 June 2014 at the The Hague, Netherlands, the Indians eves meant business from the onset and scored goals at will against the hapless Hong Kong side to boost their morale ahead of tough games. PNS/Agencies