Ljubljana – Slovenian steeplechase champion Bostjan Buc on Tuesday dismissed media reports which mentioned him in connection doping scheme exposed in Austria.
“I have no idea why I was brought into this context,” Buc, 28, sauid in a telephone interview with the German Press Agency dpa in Ljubljana.
On Monday, news reports had alleged that Buc was part of the scheme exposed in Austria around sports manager Stefan Matschiner, with the Delo daily saying: “The wave (of doping) washed over the Alps (into Slovenia).”
Buc acknowledged that Dutch steeplechase Simon Vroumen, who was managed by Matschiner and failed a doping test in 2008, but stressed that Vroumen only sent him training plans. Buc said that he severed ties with Matschiner after the Beijing Olympic last year.
“Yes, I know Vroumen and Matschiner, but it doesn’t automatically mean I have anything to do with doping,” he said.
Matschiner has been implicated by Austrian cyclist Bernhard Kohl and triathlete Lisa Huetthaler to have provided them with various doping substances. The manager is in custody over the doping probe and has reportedly confessed to some wrongdoings. (dpa)
Aiming to give a fillip to the game of chess and motivate and train young talents in the game, The Global Mind Sports Foundation, is panning various tournaments, coaching camps and several activities round the year across the state soon.
The primary aim is to improve the quality and discipline of the game in Maharashtra, particularly in Pune region, and to give players their due exposure to active and sportive competition.
Aiming at promoting the budding chess prodigies by implementing various schemes and promotional tournaments, the Foundation is planning to organise a major tournament in Pune in June before the schools open.
“Currently, every Sunday a Rapid Chess championship is being organised and the response is overwhelming. The main objective to form a foundation is to develop a sound and healthy sports culture and to nurture the young talent,” said Jayant Gokhale, a former member of the Indian chess team and the hon. secretary of the Foundation.
The foundation also will also provide financial aid to deserving players. The founder of Global Minds Sports Foundation is Dajikaka Gadgil and Vijay Bhave is president.
The chief mentor for the foundation, Raghunandan Gokhale is a recipient of Dronacharya Award, chairman of Maharashtra chess Association and member of Selection Committee of All India Chess Federation.
Tehran, Mar.13 (ANI): Iran beat the United States in a wrestling competition in Tehran on Thursday, the same day President Obama announced that the U.S. is extending sanctions against that nation for one more year.
Six U.S. wrestlers participated in the two-day Takhti Cup at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) sports complex, along with athletes from Cuba, Turkey and other nations.
The Iranians took ten of the competition’s twelve medals.
“We made some pretty critical mistakes,” U.S. head coach Zeke Jones.
“It is always a wonderful opportunity to compete with the Iranians. They are such a great wrestling country. It is one of the best tournaments in the world,” he added.
About 20 American wrestlers participated in the competition in 2007. Since 2006, 75 Iranians athletes have been to the United States in an exchange program. (ANI)
Washington, Mar 6 (ANI): It looks like Israeli beauty Bar Refaeli can’t get enough of stripping – after gracing the cover of latest edition of Sports Illustrated, the model has once again stripped off for swim/sports label Hurley.
Refaeli, girlfriend of Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, recently finished a super sexy, yet sophisticated shoot for Hurley.
“I had a blast, it hardly felt like work! Yu Tsai is an amazing photographer and I trust him completely to make beautiful pictures,” Fox News quoted her, as saying.
“Between the concept, photographer and the Hurley clothes, it was a match made in heaven,” she added. (ANI)
Colombo, Mar.6 (ANI): Three Sri Lankan cricketers are still recuperating in hospital after they sustained serious injuries in the Lahore terror attack earlier this week.
According to the director general of the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry (medical unit), Geethanjana Mendis, three Lankan players namely Thilan Samaraveera, Ajantha Mendis and Tharanga Paranavitana are still under medical observation in Nawaloka hospital here.
Paranavitana, a left handed batsman, had a bullet lodged into his chest which has now been remove.He is expected to resume light training within six weeks, Mendis said.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis, who had shrapnel injury in his head and lower back, had them removed, and is out of danger.But he will miss the action for six weeks.
Thilan Samaraveera, who was in awesome knock during the Pakistan series scoring consecutive double centuries, was the worst wounded player.
He had a bullet injury in his left thigh which took the doctors three hours to remove. He will be hospitalized for the rest of the week and is expected to restart his training schedule only after two months, The News reports.
ssistant coach, Paul Farbrace is expected to remain in hospital for two to three days. He had a large piece of shrapnel in his right arm which is now removed.
Meanwhile, security in and around the hospital has been tightened. (ANI)
London, Mar.5 (ANI): This summer’s Twenty20 World Cup in England could be next target of terrorists, British Government ministers feared last night.
Terrified cricket bosses are to hold urgent talks with security officials in a bid to avoid a repeat of Tuesday’s horror in Lahore, reports the Daily Star.
The tournament is due to start at Lord’s on June 5, with a further 26 games to be played at venues, including Surrey’s Oval and Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: “We have to look at security. We don’t want terrorists to win. We have to strike the right balance.”
Last night, Pakistan looked certain to be stripped of their right to host the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
International Cricket Council president David Morgan said: “It’s difficult to see international cricket being played there for the foreseeable future.”
Former England bowler Dominic Cork, 37, who was in Lahore as a Test commentator, added: “I don’t think international cricket should return to this country.
“I won’t be coming back here, not while I’m living. There is no chance.”
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, 42, admitted: “Hosting the World Cup is now a distant dream. How do you expect foreign teams to come to Pakistan now?” (ANI)
Johannesburg, Mar. 4 (ANI): Cricket Australia (CA) has indicated that next year’s scheduled cricket Tests between Australia and Pakistan could be held in England. The discussions had been going on for several weeks before Tuesday’s terror attack in Lahore.
“Pakistan has accepted for some time that we aren’t able to visit because of the safety and security concerns in that nation.
Pakistan has started the discussion about playing three Test matches at neutral venues in England in 2010,” CA spokesman Peter Young said.
After immediate cancellation of the Sri Lankan Test tour there are now fears that Pakistan will not host international teams for as long as a generation, The Daily Telegraph reports.
“It’s a work in progress, the PCB is responsible for coming up with the arrangements, but in principle we’ve been comfortable and (we’re) talking with them. But it is very early days,” Young said.
One of the strong merits of the nation was expatriate Pakistan population in the northern England.
“One of the downsides to neutral venues is quite often you don’t get people turning up at the stadium – because wherever you are, the locals don’t have a home-team interest,” he said.
“But part of the theory is that there are a significant number of expatriate Pakistanis who, with appropriate marketing, might be encouraged to attend these games. Pakistan would still have kind-of a de facto home crowd advantage,” Young added.
Britain’s Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has said in the wake of the Lahore attack that England could act as a temporary home for the Pakistan team.
Pakistan is due to “host” Australia for five one-dayers and a Twenty20 from late April in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the Middle East.
CA would send a pre-inspection tour party to the venues this week to look at safety and security. (ANI)
Colombo, Mar. 4 (ANI): The Sri Lankan cricket team arrived home from Pakistan by a special charted plane on Wednesday, a day after getting targeted by terrorists in Lahore.
On Tuesday, around a dozen heavily armed assailants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus and a police escort as they drove to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium for the ongoing second and final Test. At least six cricketers were wounded, while six policemen and a driver were killed during the ambush.
The cricketers’ return to Colombo saw an emotional reunion with anxious family members at the Bandarnaike international airport. Manager Brendon Kuruppu led the 25-member team, which was flown in by special Sri Lankan Airlines Airbus A320.
All the injured Sri Lanka team members were fit enough to fly back to Colombo, but once they arrived, five players and assistant British coach Paul Farbrace went to a local medical center for further checks.
“There were just these images of life flashing through my mind; all the while bullets were being sprayed at our bus, people around me were shouting,” spinner Muttiah Muralitharan said.
Skipper Mahela Jayawardene told reporters at the airport that he was relieved to be home but admitted that it will take time to get over their experience.
Ace batsman Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavithana, who both received hospital treatment in Pakistan, were placed in an ambulance and taken to a private medical facility in Colombo, a senior official said.
Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge met the team at airport, amid tight security.
Officials said Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona has travelled to Pakistan to be updated on the investigation. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has also condemned the “cowardly terrorist attack”.
The ICC is now considering whether Pakistan can co-host the cricket World Cup in 2011, due to be held across four South Asian countries in 2011.
Pakistan invited Sri Lanka to tour only after India’s cricket team pulled out of a scheduled tour following the Mumbai attacks. (ANI)
Lahore, Mar.3 (ANI): Sri Lanka vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, who sustained shrapnel injuries in the terror attack, has said that all the Lankan players were safe and out of danger.
“There are a few injuries but everyone is safe and all the players are out of danger. We are shocked, but apart from that everyone is okay,” The Daily Express quoted Sangakkara, as saying.
Sangakkara confirmed that he and other players Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana had sustained injuries, but were out of danger.
“Samaraweera has shrapnel wound in his leg, but he is fine. Paranavitana had shrapnel in his chest, but thank God it wasn’t very deep and just on the surface.I had shrapnel injuries in my shoulder, but they have all been removed and I’m okay now. Mendis had shrapnel in his neck and scalp. Everyone else is perfectly all right,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Sports Minister has said that another player, Thilan Thushara was also injured in the attack, but was out of danger. (ANI)
Melbourne, Mar 3 (ANI): Southwest Airlines has come under fire over the steamy picture of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model Bar Rafaeli splashed on the side of one of its commercial 737s.
The picture features Israeli supermodel Refaeli, currently dating actor Leonardo DiCaprio, lying seductively in a revealing white bikini.
Passengers said that the picture that is ’soft porn’ and is offensive to families.
The latest addition to the US-based airline was unveiled this month and is deployed like other aircraft in the fleet, servicing all its routes.
The airline has been slammed on its corporate blog for the promotion, with many passengers complaining about having to board an aircraft ‘covered in pornography’.
“I would not want to have to watch this plane pull up to the gate traveling with my young child, or mother, grandmother, etc,” News.com.au quoted customer Jim Dawson, as saying.
“I know Southwest is known for its fun, laid back qualities but this is just completely inappropriate to plaster all over the side of the plane,” Dawson added.
Another customer, Yvonne, said, “This looks like a flying porn ad! I’m a longtime fan of SWA, this is one reason for me to change airlines.” (ANI)
Lahore,Mar.3 (ANI): At least eight Sri Lankan cricket players were reportedly injured on Tuesday when some unidentified persons opened firing at the visitors near the Gaddafi stadium here.
According to The News, unidentified gunmen opened indiscriminate firing on the bus in which the Sri Lankan players were traveling.
The firing began just when the team was about to enter the stadium where the second Test match is being played.
The Sri Lankan Sports Minister, Gamini Lokuge has confirmed reports about two of its cricketers being injured in the attack, but refused to disclose the names of the players.
Five police personnel were reportedly killed in the attack, while two have sustained serious injuries.
All the injured persons were admitted to a local hospital.
According to reports filtering in from different sources, Thilan Samaraweera was one of those reportedly hurt. Skipper Mahela Jayawardena was slightly wounded in the foot.
Sri Lankan team manager Brendon Kruppu also confirmed the incident and said batsman Kumar Sangakkara was among the injured. (ANI)
Terror struck at the heart of cricket when masked gunmen attacked the bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Five cricketers, including Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, and his deputy Kumar Sangakkara, received minor injuries. The attack also left six security men and two civilians dead.
Ijaz Butt, the PCB chief, said the Test has been called off. Salman Tasheer, the Punjab governor, said a helicopter will soon evacuate the Sri Lankan players from Gaddafi Stadium and take them to a nearby airbase from where the team will fly back to Sri Lanka. Duleep Mendis, the Sri Lanka Cricket chief, said that they were “getting the team back [to Sri Lanka] today”.
There have been terror strikes on the peripheries of cricket, but this is the first time players have been directly targeted. The Sri Lankans were on their way to the Gaddafi Stadium when their bus was attacked by five armed terrorists near Liberty market. Habibur Rehman, chief commissioner of police, said 12 masked terrorists fired at the Sri Lankan team bus. The gunmen shot at the wheels of the bus and also injured the driver. A grenade was also thrown at the bus but it missed.
Jayawardene received a cut to the ankle while Sangakkara was injured in the shoulder. Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paravitarana were the ones most seriously injured; both received shrapnels in the chest. Ajantha Mendis received a minor injury in the back.
“The bus came under attack as we were driving to the stadium, the gunmen targeted the wheels of the bus first and then the bus,” Mahela Jayawardene told Cricinfo. “We all dived to the floor to take cover. About five players have been injured and also Paul Farbrace [a member of the support staff], but most of the injuries appear to be minor at this stage and caused by debris.”
Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, confirmed that the remainder of the tour had been cancelled. “We note with dismay and regret the events of this morning in Lahore and we condemn this attack without reservation.
“It is a source of great sadness that there have been a number of fatalities in this attack and it is also very upsetting for the wider cricket family that some of the Sri Lanka players and one match official have been injured in this attack. At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the injured people and also the families of those who have died.”
Television footage of several gunmen creeping through the trees, crouching to aim their kalashnikovs then running onto the next target were aired by Pakistan’s private channel Geo.
Chamra Ranavira, third secretary and press secretary at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Islamabad, said Samaraweera and Paranavitana had been admitted to hospital, but were out of danger now. “We are communicating with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the high commission has taken action to send the cricket team back home as soon as possible,” he said.
The reserve umpire Ahsan Raza was also injured in the attack. Nadeem Ghauri, the TV umpire, who was traveling in a bus behind the Sri Lanka team bus said the firing continued for some time. Umpire Steve Davis, who was on the team bus, called the terrorist attack “terrible”. “I’m lost for words,” he said.
Speaking from Sri Lanka, Sanath Jayasuriya said that it was an “extremely unfortunate incident. “We’ve never had this kind of problem,” Jayasuriya told CNN-IBN. “They are all safe, that’s the good news I got when I spoke to Kumar. I don’t think they’ll stay back and play. I think they will come back as soon as possible. Depends on the injuries.”
Speaking on Geo TV, Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain, said: “This is the first time that a cricket team has been seriously targeted… Pakistan’s image will be hit and only time will tell how much damage has been done to Pakistan cricket. The World Cup too might be affected… no country would want to come now to Pakistan… I am worried where Pakistan will get a chance to play, not only in Pakistan but outside as well. This is all so sad.”
The Indian cricket board, which called off a scheduled tour of Pakistan last December, expressed its sorrow over the attack. “We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured cricketers, and sympathise with their families and compatriots,” BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in New Delhi. “The BCCI stands alongside Sri Lanka Cricket in this hour of crisis.”
The Sri Lankan team had stepped in after the Indian government had barred the Indian team from touring Pakistan after the terror attack in Mumbai.
Washington, March 1 (ANI): A rotator cuff repair surgery can help significantly reduce pain and improve shoulder functions, even after a tear recurrence, according to a new study.
Rotator cuff tears occur due to traumatic events like a fall or wear and tear over a period of time, something that is more common in athletes.
The study, to be presented at the 2009 American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine Specialty Day in Las Vegas, evaluated a group of 15 patients about eight years after they received rotator cuff repair.
“We initially tested the patients at three years after their surgery and found that those with a recurrence of a tear were doing well,” says lead author Dr. Christopher Dodson, of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City where 839 rotator cuff repairs were preformed last year.
“The study analyzed whether having the original surgery produced any long-term benefits for the patient,” he adds.
At an average of eight years after surgery, 15 patients completed four assessment surveys, of which 11 were re-examined with ultrasound testing.
The researchers observed that those who with recurrent rotator cuff defects were still better off in terms of pain, function, and strength than they were before the rotator cuff was originally repaired.
They also found that the recurrent tears grew in size, but remained painless and did not affect function.
According to them, none of the patients had needed further treatment or surgery, and none experienced any persistent shoulder pain.
“Our obvious concern for patients who have a recurrent rotator cuff defect after surgical repair is that symptoms may recur over time.ur study concluded that the patient will experience long-term benefit from surgery and remain asymptomatic, even if a recurrent defect is present.his is encouraging for both the surgeon and the patient undergoing rotator cuff repair,” say the authors. (ANI)
Bangalore, Feb 27 (ANI): Former Indian cricket skipper Kapil Dev unveiled the mascot of International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports World Games (INWAS) in Bangalore.
A leopard cub standing on its two feet is the mascot for INWAS-2009, which is cheduled to be held in Bangalore from November 24 to December 1.
Chosen as the brand ambassador of INWAS-2009, Kapil Dev said that one should learn lessons from each other, the physically disabled persons in particular.
“Everybody has to learn from each other. But I think from them, we can learn much more than what we can feel and think,” he said.
Among others present on the occasion was Minister of State for Defence Production, Rao Inderjit Singh who expressed his gratitude to have Kapil Dev for being associated with the INWAS.
“We are lucky to have Kapil Dev as our brand ambassador,” said Rao Indrajeet Singh.olourful cultural dances were presented by young artistes on the occasion.
Another highlight of the event was a fashion show by the physically challenged sportspersons in which Kapil Dev also joined them to a loud and cheering applause from the audience. (ANI)
New Delhi, Feb 25 (ANI): Union Minister for Panchayat Raj, Youth Welfare and Sports Mani Shanker Aiyar has acknowledged the need for strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions by devolution of financial and legislative powers.
Inaugurating a conference on Panchayati Raj in New Delhi on Wednesday, he said it has been globally accepted that local self-government is a best form of governance and therefore the spirit of 73rd amendment of the constitution must be implemented in letter as well as spirit.
Aiyar also released a book on Panchayati Raj and Local Governance.
The two-day conference, attended by dignified policy makers and other stakeholders, is expected to discuss on the various ways and means to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions across the country. (ANI)
Karachi, Feb.21 (ANI): Top Pakistani cricket officials may have denied Javed Miandad more say in the working of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but the veteran cricketer is in great demand in Afghanistan.
Miandad has said that he has received an invitation from Afghanistan to give tips to their cricketers.
“I received a telephone call from Afghanistan’s Sports Minister who wanted me to tour their country. I have no problems in travelling to Afghanistan and giving tips to their cricketers,” The News quoted Miandad, as saying.
He expressed hope that his tour to Afghanistan would certainly see it participating in the next World Cup scheduled for 2011.
“They must have good cricketers, that’s why they have progressed so far and I hope my tour will benefit them in qualifying for the World Cup,” Miandad added.
Afghanistan will be playing the final round of World Cup qualifying matches from April 1 to 19, where it is pitted against teams like Kenya, the Netherlands, Bermuda, the UAE and Denmark.
The top four teams of the qualifying matches will be participating in cricket’s mega event which will be co- hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Miandad is also scheduled to tour China as Cricket Ambassador next month. (ANI)
Manali, Feb 20 (ANI): Thousands turned up for a skiing competition here after nearly twenty years.
The Winter Carnival included a cultural programme, which provided to be a bonus for visitors this year.
“Manali’s cultural programme was based on skiing. After that, for nearly 15-20 years, skiing completely stopped. This year, we have revived it again encourage kids,” said Roop Chand Negi, chairman, Winter Game Association, Himachal Pradesh.
Last year, snow sports were organized in Solang Nala, 17 km from Manali and t was here that the committee decided to include snow sports in Winterarnival 2009.
Ten teams from all over Himachal Pradesh and more than 150 participants participated in this two-day event from February 16-17 conducted at Phatru Top, near Solang Nala in Manali.
There are four types of skiing competition viz Alpine Skiing (Giant Slalom, men and women), Nordic Skiing (5-10 km free style run, men and women), Snow Boarding (men), and Country Skiing (men).
Deepak Thakur of Youngman Winter Sports Club Palchan was named the winner of Alpine Skiing.
“The competition was very tough and many good skiers had come. During the first round, I gained a bit of confidence, but again in the second round I was confident that ‘Yes, I can do it’. My future plan is to participate in the Winter Olympics of 2014,” said Deepak.
Winter Carnival has become the centre of attraction for inbound tourists and snow sports have added more flavour to it.
The annual event, which started in the late ’70s, was declared a state-level festival three years back in a bid to promote tourism in the hilly state.
Tourism is the mainstay of state’s economy, which generates about 100 million dollars annually.
Approximately, 35,000 tourists visit Manali every month during winters. By Prem Thakur (ANI)
Washington, Feb 18 (ANI): Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez has admitted that his cousin repeatedly injected him with a substance from the Dominican Republic.
The New York Yankees star blamed his 2003 positive test on being young and naive.
“I knew we weren’t taking Tic Tacs,” said Rodriguez, who was joined at the head table by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi.
Rodriguez began his press conference by reading a statement in which he again apologized for taking banned drugs from 2001-2003 while he was with the Texas Rangers.
He said his cousin introduced him to “boli,” saying it was an over-the-counter substance in the Dominican. While with Texas, he said his cousin injected him about twice a month during six-month cycles to get an energy boost.
“I didn’t think they were steroids. That’s again part of being young and stupid. It was over the counter. It was pretty simple. All these years I never thought I did anything wrong,” Rodriguez said.
But Rodriguez couldn’t say why he was so secretive about the steroid use if he didn’t think it was wrong.
His replied: “That’s a good question – was typified the tightly controlled news conference that was long on hope and remorse but consistently short on details,” CBS News reported.
Rodriguez acknowledged reaching out to CBS News anchor Katie Couric to apologize for lying to her during a 2007 “60 Minutes interview”.
He said he wasn’t sure how the drug use helped him, but admitted he had more energy. Rodriguez said he has not used human growth hormone or any other banned drug since then. He refused to identify his cousin.
The three-time AL MVP and baseball’s highest-paid player spoke at the Yankees’ spring training camp 10 days after Sports Illustrated reported that he tested positive in 2003. (ANI)
Ladakh, Feb 15, (ANI): Indian Ice Hockey team is practising very hard in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh district for the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Challenge Cup which is scheduled to be play in Abu Dhabi this March.
The second Asian Ice Hockey Championship will be played in March 15-21 this year.
Twenty Ice Hockey players and five standby players, all from Ladakh were selected last week for the international event.
Ladakh Winter Sports Club (LWSC) vice president Gyal Wangyal said, “We hope that we have selected a good team for the upcoming challenge. We hope that they will make their name in Abu Dhabi. I would not say they would win and come back. This is for the first time when an Indian team is participating in International event.”
Selected players are very happy after their selection and are confident of giving good performance at the international event.
One of the ice hockey players, Ali Amir is very happy for his selection in the national team and said, “I am happy that we are selected to represent the nation in the international event. I hope that we will give good performance and take our country’s name forward.”
The mountainous region of Ladakh is possibly the country’s highest ice-skating rink at 3483 meters above sea level.
The IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia is a competition held by the International Ice Hockey Federation for Asian teams. The tournament was first held in 2008. (ANI)
