It's a tough time: Pistorius
Pretoria: Oscar Pistorius, who is expected to testify in his murder trial at the end of the week, said on Tuesday he's going through "a tough time" in a rare comment after the prosecution closed its case against the double-amputee runner. It is "likely" Pistorius will take the stand to open the defense's case, said defense lawyer Brian Webber, adding there's no specific requirement for him to testify first but it is normal practice. "I don't think we have a choice, it's a question of when," Webber said of Pistorius' testimony, which legal experts describe as critical because the judge will have a chance to assess firsthand whether he is a credible witness. Judge Thokozile Masipa will deliver a ruling in the case, with the help of two assessors. There is no jury system in South Africa. After the prosecution closed its case, defense lawyer Barry Roux asked for time to consult some of the 107 state witnesses who had not testified in the case against Pistorius, who is accused of premeditated murder for the death of Reeva Steenkamp, the girlfriend he shot through the closed door of a toilet cubicle last year. Masipa adjourned the trial until Friday so that Roux could prepare his arguments that Pistorius, 27, killed the 29-year-old model by accident, thinking she was an intruder in his home.
lahiri, Bhullar ready for EurAsia Cup
Kuala lumpur: India's Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban lahiri, who between them have eight Asian Tour titles, form a central part of the Asian Team, which seeks to upset the more fancied European side in the inaugural EurAsia Cup. Asia and Europe clash in a three-day match-play event, which has all the makings of becoming the Ryder Cup of the East, from Thursday. Team Asia team includes three formidable Thais in Thongchai (Captain), Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Prayad Marksaeng, besides the Indian duo Bhullar and lahiri, Malaysian Nicholas Fung, Korean Kim Hyung-sung, Bangladeshi star, Siddikur and the Japanese duo Koumei Oda and Hideto Tanihara. A paratrooper-turned pro golfer, Thongchai Jaidee and the 50-year-old Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, were all set to take stage ahead of the event. The European line-up includes the 2010 US Open winner, Graeme McDowell, besides the charismatic Jimenez, a bunch of proven stars like Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, Welshman Jamie Donaldson, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, Spaniards Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Pablo larrazabal, two-time Dubai Classic winner.
Ancelotti asks Madrid to bounce back
Madrid: Real Madrid's match at Sevilla in the Spanish league on Wednesday is "the most important of the season" to coach Carlo Ancelotti. Madrid is looking to bounce back from a demoralizing 4-3 loss to Barcelona on Sunday that dropped it behind Atletico Madrid in the standings. Sevilla has won five straight and is eight points behind fourth-place Athletic Bilbao, which holds the final Champions league qualifying spot. "The players aren't happy. We need to forget about Sunday and prepare our best for the Sevilla match because it is the most important of the season," Ancelotti said on Tuesday. Madrid has appealed a red card issued to defender Sergio Ramos that set up one of the three penalties, with Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo both questioning referee Undiano Mallenco's professionalism. "(We) don't need to look to blame anyone for the defeat, we have to look forward. We're in good shape, one point above Barcelona," said Ancelotti, who added the club hasn't "had much luck" when Mallenco officiates their games.
Indian tt junior boys bow out
Panaji: Indian junior boys crashed out of the 2014 Indian Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis Championships after putting up a good fight on the opening day at the Mukherjee Stadium here on Tuesday. Taking advantage of being the hosts, they fielded two teams — India A and India B — but both failed to grab the opportunity in the face of very good opposition from teams like Singapore A and B teams, Iran, Sweden, besides a mix-team from Iran and Kazakhstan. India A, which had the likes of Abhishek Yadav, Utkarsh Gupta and Birdie Boro, first failed to match speed and guile of Singapore A's lam Zheng Jie Edric and Yin Jing Uyan and went down 2-3 and then against Iran's Amiri Nia Soroosh and Basht Bavi Hameed for a similar score line.
SSCB, spsb, bihar, vidarbha win
New Delhi: Service Sports Control Board defeated Assam 7-0 and Manipur beats Tripura 9-3 to register their 2nd consecutive win in the 4th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2014 (DIVISION B) on day 2. In the other matches Steel Plant Sports Board, Bihar and Vidarbha Hockey Association won their respective matches today, played at M R Stadium Egmore and YMCA Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. In Pool C match, Services Sports Control Board defeated Assam by 7-0. Services Sports Control Board dominated the first half and Naveen Minz scored two goals in quick succession in 16th and 23rd minute of the match. In the Pool A match, Steel Plant Sports Board registered a clear win defeating Uttarakhand by 14-0. Giving it a flying start, Steel Plant Sports Board's Jamna Majhi stroked in a goal in just 6th minute. Ashok lakra stroked in 3 field goals in 24th, 62nd and 67th minute and a penalty corner in 28th minute.
Goa in fray to host 2015 Cw TT C’ships
Panaji: Goa is contention to host next year's Commonwealth Table Tennis championships, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) said on Tuesday. According to TTFI secretary general Dhanraj Choudhary, the Goa Table Tennis Association (GTTA) is one of the bidders to host the event. The TTFI secretary general said he was happy to consider Goa for the event in which about 25 countries from the Commonwealth will participate. "We will place Goa's bid along with others before the committee. But, I am sure GTTA has the wherewithal to successfully conduct an event of this size," Choudhary said. PNS/Agencies